A soft, cold wind seemed to rush through the music room. Well, it wasn't used as a music room anymore. Not since it was turned into a club room.

Kaoru had decided to try an independent skit, so Hikaru had gone to sit next to Haruhi, who didn't have a lot of clients that day. Since she was busy, he didn't say anything, but it was noticeable that the pair was leaning on each other unconsciously. The client smiling knowingly and not saying anything about it.

The three at the table shifted their gazes towards the door. Where the chill had come from. It was a hot day, and they weren't able to open any windows, so the cool air was very welcome. The source of it on the other hand, was not. At least, by most of the people in the room.

A face peeked through the door, his eyes narrowed into an aggravated frown. Though he tried to seem friendly. A dark aura surrounded him and bled into the room. Much to the devastation of the club leader.

"What are you doing?!"

Hikaru rolled his eyes at Tamaki, finally speaking up without either him nor Haruhi moving. Both too comfortable where they were to do so.

"Boss, he literally just stuck his head through the door. There's nothing sinister about that."

"As if you'd know what makes something sinister! And for goodness sake, give Haruhi some space!"

Nekozawa had intended a quick in and out, so he didn't see it necessary to walk all the way into the room. Especially since they only had twenty minutes left before everyone had to go home. However, everyone's panicked expressions prompted him to open the door all the way and make his whole body visible. Forcing a smile through his discomfort. Which was beyond obvious to the three younger hosts.

Hikaru and Haruhi begrudgingly moved away, only to move back once Tamaki became distracted by Nekozawa again. The heat had made both of them dizzy, so they depended on having each other to lean on to prevent them from fainting. The client nearly laid all the way down, bracing her head on her arm to help her headache. Hikaru and Haruhi were almost tempted to take off their blazers. But that would have resulted in a scolding from Kyoya, especially if Haruhi did it.

"Apologies for the interruption. But the walls aren't as soundproof as we both hope. Would you mind bringing down the volume a bit?"

Nekozawa hadn't necessarily intended to sound insulting. But it was the only thing the violet eyed host heard.

"Excuse you! We always have this volume! What's the problem now?"

Nekozawa tried to hide his wince. Before speaking up confidently again.

"Apologies, your volume isn't a problem most of the time. But we're doing an important ritual, and we can't risk getting distracted. I'm not asking you to be quiet all the time, just this once if you wouldn't mind?"

Then the theatrics began.

"What kind of ritual? Sacrificing a lamb? A person? What sick and twisted misadventures have you and your fellow cultists set out to do?"

Hikaru, Haruhi, and the client at the table grimaced at the insult.

Suddenly, Nekozawa's eyes flared with heat. Contrast to the cold air that had entered the room. He caught a glimpse of someone in the hallway, and it only furthered his anger. Haruhi laid her face in her palm in embarrassment. Hikaru muttering something under his breath.

"Nice going, boss."

"We don't sacrifice anyone! You realize that this is a high school we're in, correct?How could you consider the hokum that you're spitting as truth in any capacity?"

Nekozawa cooled down as much as he could.

"I'm not trying to ruin your club event. That's never my intention. Just be respectful of what we're doing, please. I won't ask you to be quiet at any other time."

Tamaki huffed and shook his head.

"Very well. We only have fifteen minutes anyway."

Haruhi frowned as Nekozawa left. And heat returned to the room. Heat that the people in the club room were no longer used to.

Haruhi glanced back at her fellow hosts and the clients. The girl sitting with Hikaru and Haruhi was the last client Haruhi had, Kaoru was still keeping the twins' clients occupied, so they could theoretically go and see what was up, or, more accurately, apologize for the trouble.

They still waited until the fifteen minutes were up. Not wanting to look suspicious seeing as how both wanted to go. And were already drained from the drama Tamaki had just caused. Clubs were dismissed and students asked to start going home.

Hikaru made a point of covering for Haruhi when she went to the next door over to apologize for how Tamaki acted. The circumstances still weren't ideal, but there was now a much lower chance of grudges seeing as how not every host saw Nekozawa and his club the way Tamaki did.

Haruhi made it back quickly, only going as far as the hallway. Physically recoiling at the thought of walking back into what she could only refer to as the gates of hell thanks to the heat. Hikaru peaked in to see everyone still busy, directing a glance at Haruhi before speaking up.

"Wanna get water quickly?"

Haruhi nodded. Certain she would faint as she'd forgotten to bring water with her that day. Spending an hour practically boiling in the club room didn't help either, only causing a headache alongside a sick dizziness.

The water fountains weren't that far away. And it turned out that Hikaru had made the same oversight as Haruhi. Earning a light chuckle as both of them took a drink.

"Forgot because you were tired?"

Hikaru nodded numbly. Directing a surprised look at Haruhi from her tone.

"You too?"

Haruhi shrugged.

"Yeah, I don't know why. Usually it isn't so hard to wake up. Lately it's been tough, though."

Hikaru frowned.

"Maybe you're sick?"

"Maybe. But I feel normal otherwise."

Hikaru glanced at the floor before murmuring something. Aware that she might become embarrassed if he asked too loud.

"Maybe you're burnt out? That's understandable with how loaded your schedule is?"

Haruhi tensed at the suggestion. But she couldn't say it wasn't a good one.

"I don't know. I've never felt like that before, so I wouldn't know what's causing it. But I guess it makes sense."

Hikaru shrugged.

"I mean, nothing really "big" needs to happen to cause burnout. You've been working yourself to the bone academically since you were a kid. It's only natural to start feeling tired."

Haruhi looked down. Already considering whether or not she should ask Hikaru not to tell anyone else that she was experiencing burnout. If the suggestion was accurate, anyway.

Hikaru was quick to recognize it.

"Do you think the others will look down on you for it? It'll be okay. We've all had burnout before. Hell, I might be experiencing minor burnout right now after today!"

Haruhi shook her head.

"It's not that, I just..."

Haruhi didn't finish. The pairs heads snapping down the hallway where they came at the sounds of everyone calling for them.

"We should head back."

Hikaru nodded. Though he wasn't planning to let the topic die so easily.

"Yeah."


"Haruhi! Hikaru! There you are!"

Both shrank back slightly in fear, their instincts screaming that they were in for it if their friends knew where they had been.

Tamaki went to Haruhi first, hugging her tight and looking at her.

"We were looking all over for you. Did something happen?"

The suspicious glare that Tamaki directed at Hikaru made what he was thinking obvious. Luckily, Hikaru stayed calm since they had nothing to hide. Raising his eyebrow and making his amusement of Tamaki's suspicion obvious.

"We were getting water since we forgot to bring some to school, sorry if we made you worry."

Tamaki blinked, only to fly into another dramatic tangent.

"How could you both forget water on a hot day like this?! You could have passed out and we would have had to take you to the emergency room!"

Haruhi cut him off as soon as the theater show image of Hikaru and Haruhi hooked to IVs surfaced.

"Senpai, we were drinking water. We just didn't have any on our persons."

"That doesn't mean you weren't in danger! No wonder you both looked like you wanted to faint! I'm so sorry I didn't notice!"

Haruhi hummed.

"At least he took back scolding Hikaru and me for feeling too hot to sit up straight. Even if for a different reason."

Renge rounded the hall at that moment, huffing as she passed the two in an aggressive stride.

"Are you okay?"

"My friend left left without me again. I'm going to see if I can get a ride from one of our other classmates."

Hikaru glanced around quickly.

"Actually, where's Kaoru?"

Footsteps bounded through the hall Renge passed. Echoing off of the well maintained and detailed walls of the academy.

"Hey! I'm still here!"

Kaoru flew through the hall to meet his brother, his hair was a little messy, and his uniform looked to be hastily thrown on. Despite being in normal condition when he disappeared. Hani, on the other hand, looked the same as when he left. Taking to hanging on Kaoru's back instead of running.

"Oh, where were you?"

Kaoru pointed towards the hallway he and Hani came from.

"Hani and I had to help someone find something. Sorry I didn't let you know."

Hikaru paused, immediately noticing his brother's suspicious appearance. But saying nothing about it. He wasn't the only one who noticed.

"It's fine, you have everything?"

Kaoru nodded, waving goodbye at the other hosts as he and his brother left the building. But not after Haruhi caught Hikaru glancing at her in a knowing manner. Earning a light groan. He wasn't going to let it go.


One Year Later


"Renge? Is everything alright?"

Renge shrugged with a sigh. Letting go of her usual composure and not caring how glum she looked as she rested her arms where Haruhi was sitting. She didn't have a client at that moment, so Haruhi was able to bring up the subject immediately.

"I can't say I know for sure. I can't identify a thing I'm feeling."

Haruhi paused.

"Well, what happened?"

Renge's head fell into her raised fists. Cheeks squishing weirdly in response to the sudden pressure.

"I'm supposed to transfer to Lobelia next year."

Haruhi blinked.

"Really?"

Renge nodded.

"That's why I said I don't know. For some reason I'm feeling a little numb to the information. That's the best way I can describe it. I used to say I wanted to stay here for the men. But I also can't say I'm not looking forward to being able to walk the halls of Lobelia!"

Haruhi laughed.

"Well, it seems you're more excuted than numb. Maybe you're feeling off because you won't know anyone there?"

Renge paused. Before lighting up and nodded.

"That's it! That's why I feel off! Then again, I'm also still upset at my parents for saying they didn't trust me not to be stupid at this school. Just because of this club!"

Haruhi winced.

"Yikes."

Renge sighed.

"Well, it can't be helped. We are quite the distance away, after all."

Haruhi hummed.

"Do you want me to help you tell anyone?"

Renge paused. Having not given the idea much thought. But beaming gratefully after she did.

"I would very much appreciate that, Fujioka-Kun!"

Haruhi winced.

"Uh, just call me Haruhi."


"How'd it go?"

Haruhi shrugged as she helped put away some of the club's props.

"Good. I told her I was a girl."

Hikaru blinked.

"She won't tell anyone else, will she?"

Haruhi shook her head. Putting the props in the closet and going to the changing room to grab her blazer and fix her tie.

"She won't. I asked her not to and explained why we kept it a secret. She did make a suggestion that I'm curious about."

Hikaru tilted his head.

"Yeah?"

"So, we haven't told anyone because Kyoya and Tamaki don't like it for the club? Since they're in charge, right?"

Hikaru nodded.

"Well, next year, it'll be just you, me, and Kaoru left. We'll be the ones in charge. So, before I explained it, Renge said something along the lines of: "I don't know why it matters that you're a girl. Girls can be hosts, too." So I dunno, maybe next year, since we'll be running the club, we can tell everyone, and maybe accept some girls as hosts if they're interested."

Hikaru lit up at the idea.

"Yeah! I've tried bringing up that the clients won't mind. And it might actually bring more people. But they're stubborn about that."

Haruhi wanted to laugh at Hikaru's defeated look.

"Hey, I wasn't suggesting that they necessarily need to know what we want to do with the club."

Hikaru smiled with mischief at the implication.

"Wow."

Hikaru's face reddened as he stammered out a reply.

"I didn't take you for one to keep secrets like that."

Haruhi shrugged.

"You'd be surprised how often I do it for my dad. If he knew about some of the stuff I was interested in or thinking about, he'd kill me."

"Like, crushes?"

Haruhi nodded.

"That's the big one. I can't know if he likes me back anyway."

Hikaru hummed.

"Fair enough. Same with me, but I'm also worried about Tamaki and the others finding out and making a scene. I think your crush is likely to be returned, though. There are quite a few people who I can name that like you."

Hikaru had tried to be vague. But he couldn't be vague to Haruhi. She wasn't oblivious so as to miss the way he blushed and briefly glanced at her. Smiling softly, forgetting that she was putting on her blazer over her dress shirt and stepping closer to him. The slow, harsh pounding of a heartbeat making itself known to both of them.

"First time being in love?"

The answer was obvious. But Haruhi had no other way in her mind to ask the question. Hikaru swallowed, only able to nod in reply. Haruhi's smile maintained the same warmth, but also something else. The pace of the heartbeat increased, as did the heat of the room slightly.

"Me too."

This time, Hikaru made the first move, sharing a silent conversation with their eyes to gauge if it was okay. When the answer arrived as a clear yes, Hikaru's arms wrapped around Haruhi, and the pair were even closer.

The heartbeat got even faster. And the heat grew.

Now Haruhi was first again, leaning forward and sealing the gap. Hikaru's reply coming in the form of holding her closer and pressing her against the wall as her arms went around his neck. They pulled away for a moment, hearts pounding faster than ever, before closing the gap again. Heat increasing in the room as the kiss became even more passionate.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Haruhi? Are you okay?"

Haruhi spoke up quickly. Glancing around frantically as the pair flew apart, looking for a place for Hikaru to hide. Finding a spot and gesturing to Hikaru as she replied.

"Yeah! I think I just dropped something. It should be under this bench!"

Hikaru got the hint and dove under the bench as quickly and quietly as he could manage. Pressing himself to the wall and praying that he couldn't be seen.

"Really? Do you want me to help?"

"No! I got it! Thanks anyway. I'll be out in a minute."

"Okay, I'll be outside."

Once it was quiet, by quiet I mean that Tamaki got distracted by someone else, Haruhi knelt down and reached out to Hikaru. After putting on her blazer.

"I'll let you know when it's safe to come out."

Hikaru's smile was topped by a warm blush and an urge to giggle like a little kid.

"Okay, thanks."


One Year Later


"Has anyone bothered to look at the yearbook yet?"

"No, I have a feeling that they sullied your names by messing up the club's page."

Kyoya seemed unfazed by Tamaki's dramatic comment.

"We didn't give them any pictures of our own, of course the ones they took would look weird. I can resubmit them."

Haruhi grimaced at the suggestion.

"Reprints are expensive, though."

Hikaru beamed.

"Well it's a good thing it hasn't been printed yet! They won't be until next week at graduation. So we could still give them different pictures to use on the club's page."

Haruhi couldn't help her breath of relief being obvious. Kyoya raised an eyebrow at her as he paused on his analysis paper. Having started his first year of university.

"You know the school doesn't allow reprints anyway, right? You've been learning there for three years."

Haruhi blushed. At this point, Haruhi and the twins were the only students from the original Host Club. And followed through on their ideas.

Haruhi announced casually that she was a girl at the very start of the year. The clients were surprised, but it was easy to get used to it, as Haruhi didn't change her appearance other than growing her hair out by an inch. Her demeanor stayed the same as well, especially when she admitted she wasn't completely sure what she was leaning towards. Overall, the surprise was taken incredibly well.

Then they made a second announcement for girls who wanted to join the club as hosts, three gladly took the offer.

All of this with the older members of the club who would have protested none the wiser.

The meeting was shorter than the group of friends had wanted. But the members of the Host Club who had graduated were busy taking up parts in their families' businesses or attending universities.

Kyoya left first, needing to go to a meeting. Mori and Hani left next, wishing their friends goodbye. Tamaki stayed the longest.

"So, we weren't able to chat much about how you all are doing in terms of applying to colleges. How is that working out?"

Hikaru shrugged, Kaoru raising an eyebrow at his brother not starting the reply. And going first instead.

"We both got into the colleges we want to go to. The only tricky part is finishing the year and trusting the new Host Club members to take care of the club when we leave."

Haruhi shrugged.

"They're okay. I don't think they'll fail in any capacity. The tricky part for me is suddenly not being a host anymore after I graduate."

Tamaki smiled at Haruhi.

"Aw, you'll miss your guy friends there?"

"And the girl hosts, not that I'd tell you that part."

Haruhi only nodded.

"That's okay, dear daughter—"

"I'm not your daughter, Senpai."

"—Maybe you could find something similar in the college you go to? Maybe you can do something like that in your spare time! Do people in law school have much spare time?"

Haruhi shook her head. Now she felt bad. Realizing then that she had let herself get used to topics she actually wound up enjoying. Topics that would make the scholarship and work she put in to get to Ouran worthless.

"Actually, I'm going to a different school than Kaoru."

Tamaki's jaw dropped.

"Really?! But isn't that the best business school for a person in the fashion industry? You found a better replacement?"

Hikaru nodded.

"Yeah, one that doesn't involve being in the fashion industry at all. Kaoru's taking the company instead of me."

Tamaki was incredulous.

"What are you doing, then? Your family is okay with that decision?"

"I want to try a career in cosmetics, probably hair styling. And yeah, my family's okay with it."

Well, they were "okay" with it after a half hour of careful persuasion and near-shouting from both brothers.

Haruhi shot a congratulatory look at Hikaru and Kaoru for pushing through to do what they wanted. She wished she had the guts to.

"Well, okay."

It was clear that the announcement was still a crack in the conversation leaking continuous awkwardness.

"Still looking forward to Harvard, Haruhi?"

Haruhi tensed at the look Tamaki gave her. It said everything: "You aren't gonna do the same, are you? Throw away great opportunities when you have a chance to soar?"

Haruhi held everything back tight and nodded.

Her entire trip home felt more difficult than it actually was.

Why was this so hard? She knew the entire time leading up to her enrollment that being a lawyer wasn't something she was truly interested in. She had accepted that it was the best course of action for her regardless.

Well, she thought she had accepted it.

Everyone in her neighborhood was rooting for her. Hopeful that she would land a more successful life than them. Especially Ranka. It was more so Haruhi living out what they wanted.

But now, having spent two years immersed in her semi-recently discovered interest in being a host and especially cooking, the fact that she was pursuing something she didn't really want to pursue hurt. Once, she could ignore it. She was numb as a result, sure, but it was better than enduring the burning in her throat, the heated prickling in her eyes, and the sharp, thick headache.

Haruhi was the first to admit that this would have been a last minute decision. And that her interest in being a host, or anything of that nature, couldn't be made into a stable career. But it wasn't the only recent interest.

There were several courses and potential jobs she discovered in Ouran that sounded interesting to do for work. Not just cooking. Even if the pay was often a little low. Though being a cook was sounding more appealing by the second.

At this point, her head barely cared about whether or not she would have a good salary. She just needed to have something. Something that was not being a lawyer.

But nobody else agreed with that.

Haruhi had held her eyes shut for over an hour, the burning slowly resurfacing after over nine years spent being shoved so far below the water that she could only see it from afar. One particular potential career had her attention from the first moment. But it wasn't a high paying job like everyone was hoping for her to get.

She wanted so badly to take that chance. The college that would help her get the job was the one that Hikaru was going to. In fact, he was the one who introduced her to the school and it's well-known program for the job she wanted. It was far, but at least in Osaka, she would have someone that she knew with her. As opposed to Boston, where she would be surrounded only by strangers.

But what would everyone think?

The moment the thought entered her mind, a tear slid down Haruhi's face. Then another, and another. Haruhi's throat closed up tight. As if being squeezed together by a string tied around it.

What would they say to her? That she was stupid for losing the opportunity she had? That she wasted her time planning for that job only to change her mind? Wasted their time putting their high hopes onto her? She was considered the perfect student, after all. Why couldn't she just extend that to her future career?

Slowly her pillowcase became soaked with tears. Haruhi wanting to get up from the discomfort of her cheek rubbing against the wet fabric. But she didn't move. The closest she got to moving was trembling and convulsing. Her breathing becoming too difficult to do through her nose. And suddenly, she could hear her own voice. Audibly, quietly, sobbing.

Haruhi wasn't sure how long she had been laying there. But eventually, she calmed enough to have a coherent thought amongst the flood of raw emotion.

It was right at that moment when she made her call.

"Fuck it."

Haruhi finally gained the strength to pull herself out of bed. Pulling out her school's laptop, and then her phone.

Screw all of that. She didn't care what they thought. She knew she didn't. She was just scared of taking a chance. Not anymore, though. So what if she endured tough times? She grew up tough. She would get herself out of it. She was doing this.

There was a dull ringing for a moment or two, but then, eventually...

—"Haruhi? What are you doing up?"

Haruhi swallowed, forcing down the lump of hot slime in her throat so her voice came out clear.

"Sorry, I just. I wanted you to know you won't be going to Osaka alone."

The line was quiet for a moment. As this conversation happened, Haruhi finalized the application that she never intended to actually send out.

—"What do you mean? Are you saying...?"

Haruhi replied after it was clear that he wasn't going to finish.

"I'm applying to that school as well."

—"Really? What happened to being a lawyer?"

Haruhi attached her letters of recommendation.

"It's not for me."

—"That's, great! I'm happy for you."

Haruhi smiled, the last thin tears becoming crusty against her face. Just as she checked everything.

Everything was set.

"Thank you. Are you excited?"

—"Absolutely! Especially since I'll have someone I know with me. I'll see you there?"

Haruhi's smile sharpened into a more determined stare as she found the button she was scrolling for.

"Yep. See you in two months!"

Haruhi clicked the button. And her application was sent out.