Haruhi woke to the sound of Hibiki and Ageha running up and down the hall shouting, "We get to start school today! We get to start school today!" She chuckled at their excitement as she got up and headed to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready.
"I almost can't believe this is my final year at Ouran," she thought as she washed her hair. "There is no way that I could have imagined I would be here when I made that fateful decision in middle school to try for the scholarship."
She dressed carefully in her uniform and packed her satchel. "Even though we only have the opening ceremony today, I still have an assignment due for one of my online courses."
Just as she was about to open the door, there was a knock. Opening it she found Hikaru and Kaoru grinning at her like Cheshire cats. "What are you two up to?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," they hummed in unison. "We just wanted to walk you down to breakfast."
"Are we going to stop by Mitsukuni and Takashi's apartments to get them too?" she asked.
"Of course. Do we need to wait for Ryoji?" Hikaru responded.
Haruhi chuckled. "No, he left while I was in the shower. I think I heard Fuyumi asking for his help getting Hibiki, Ageha, and Masaya downstairs."
The trio headed down the hall to pick up the other two and then to the small dining room where Kairi insisted on serving them a special breakfast for the first day of school.
The five entered the dining room where Ryoji and the Shido family were waiting for them along with Shima, Atsuhiro, Kairi, Kosaku, and his wife Hibiki.
"About time you guys got here," Ageha said disdainfully. "We've been waiting forever to have breakfast."
The twins picked up their sister and said in unison, "You are sooo cute!"
"Put me down so we can eat," she ordered, wriggling out of their grasp.
Fuyumi took charge. "Alright everyone, get some breakfast and sit down. We have a busy day ahead of us."
Everyone complied and soon all were seated at the table chatting quietly.
Fifteen minutes before the Ouran group needed to leave, Fuyumi stood up and said, "I have a little something for each of the students, even the University students." She handed around the gifts. "Mitsukuni, see that these two get to Kyoya and Tamaki, please."
"I'd be happy to deliver them," he replied, tucking them into his satchel with his own gift.
Fuyumi continued, "Atsuhiro, if you would bring the car around, we'll meet you out front."
"I already parked it out front, so we can leave any time you're ready," he countered.
"Are you kids all finished with breakfast?" Fuyumi asked, looking around the table.
Ageha and Hibiki announced, "Yes!"
Masaya mumbled, "Yes, I am."
Haruhi chuckled at the differing reactions. "Oh, by the way. I got something for you three as well." She handed them the pencil cases filled with pencils that she bought at the home center. "They're not much, but I wanted to get you something for your first day of school."
The girls hugged her and shouted, "Thank you, Aunt Haruhi."
Haruhi looked at Fuyumi with a questioning look.
She shrugged in return. "We wanted an address for you that wasn't too formal, but also was not too familiar if you encounter each other at Ouran."
"Okay, makes sense," Haruhi replied with a nod. To the little girls, she said, "So, are you excited about starting school?"
Ageha and Hibiki shrieked in unison, each grabbing a hand to drag her to the waiting car.
"Haruhi, really," Fuyumi rebuked. "We just got them calmed down. Don't rile them up just before the car ride."
"Sorry." Haruhi smirked unrepentantly.
OHSHC
Kyoya climbed into the car waiting for him in front of the Otori mansion. "Good morning, Tachibana."
"Good morning," he replied. "Is there something wrong? You look perplexed."
"Father was acting…odd this morning at breakfast. He kept looking at me with this smirk on his face like he had some surprise he was about to spring on me," Kyoya pondered aloud.
"Best keep your guard up," Tachibana advised. "That look never bodes well…for anyone."
Kyoya sighed. "I'm just glad he didn't insist that I live at home while attending University."
They rode in silence for a while, both enjoying the quiet of their own thoughts.
Kyoya's phone *dinged* noisily in the silence. "Mitsukuni says that Fuyumi sent along gifts for Tamaki and me. That's just like her, treating me like a kid."
Tachibana chuckled, "Well, you will always be her kid brother, no matter how old either of you get."
"That reminds me," Kyoya said seriously. "The day after my eighteenth birthday, I plan to remove myself from the Otori registery and request adoption by the Hinan family."
"Duly noted. What brought this on?" Tachibana inquired.
Kyoya rubbed his forehead. "I fear that Father may be arranging a strategic marriage for me, just as he did for Fuyumi."
Tachibana assured him, "Well, we have all the paperwork ready, so it shouldn't be a problem."
"Still, I can't shake the feeling that Father is up to something." Kyoya felt a chill run down his spine.
OHSHC
"Good morning, Master Tamaki. I am here to drive you today," greeted Shizue's personal chauffeur.
"Good morning," Tamaki responded suspiciously. "What about my usual chauffeur?"
He answered smoothly, "He was sent on ahead with the luggage and boxes."
Tamaki had a nervous sensation in the pit of his stomach. "It's plausible, but Grandmother has been acting so…strange. Rather than insulting me, she's been acting like I don't exist. But now she's sent her own chauffeur to drive me to my University apartment. Maybe she's just glad I won't be around anymore."
"Just let me grab my satchel…" Tamaki began.
The chauffeur interrupted, "It was already taken with the luggage."
"Oh, okay," Tamaki said with trepidation. "Something doesn't seem right, but I'll play along for now."
Holding open the door to the limousine, the chauffeur gestured for him to climb in.
Tamaki settled into the back seat, but remained alert.
Fifteen minutes later, Tamaki realized that they were headed away from, not toward, the University. He pressed the intercom button to alert the driver of the problem, but he was ignored.
It took Tamaki only another minute to realize he was being driven to the airport, not the University. "I need to figure this out and devise a plan. Grandmother must be sending me back to France. I can't assume that my things were sent ahead—either to France or even to the plane."
He leaned back and took several deep breaths to curb his rising panic. "Takashi taught me how to focus. I just need to do that—deep breaths and focus on my inner calm."
He started to chuckle nervously. "Maybe that should be deep breaths and focus on Takashi's inner calm, since I don't have any."
The deep breaths and laughter helped release his nervousness. "I need to contact Hinansho and have Atsuhiro come pick me up. I should also get a message to Kyoya and Haruhi so they can bring the paperwork to the courthouse. Then I can remove myself from the Suoh registry and be added to the Hinan."
Tamaki looked up when he felt the car beginning to slow. "Just as I surmised—the airport."
Rather than drop Tamaki off at the terminal, the chauffeur parked in a 'Reserved' lot. He opened the door for Tamaki and growled, "Please come with me and do not cause any trouble. Your flight will leave in an hour."
Tamaki followed, outwardly calm. He took in his surroundings and started to formulate a plan. The chauffeur led him to a special VIP lounge with a security guard stationed outside. "Clever of Grandmother to be sure I didn't have any money to take a taxi or a phone to call a friend."
"Let's see. I have two options. If there is no one in the lounge, I will have to sneak out somehow to borrow a phone or convince a ticket agent to allow me to use the counter phone."
The chauffeur roughly thrust him through the door and pulled it quickly shut. He addressed the security guard, "Make sure he doesn't leave."
"Well, that eliminates that way as a means of escape," Tamaki thought ruefully. He looked around the lounge and sighed in relief. There were about a dozen people waiting for their flights. Most were businessmen intently working on their laptops. Luckily, there were several young ladies as well.
"Time to turn on the charm." Tamaki sauntered over to two young ladies who appeared to be high school-aged. Striking a dramatic pose in his best Host Club Prince persona, he said, "Good morning, ladies. My name is Tamaki. Will you lovely princesses be my traveling companions today?"
The girls giggled and slid apart to allow Tamaki to take a seat between them. Wrapping an arm around each of them, he purred, "What did I do to deserve such delightful company?"
The girl on Tamaki's right fluttered her eyelashes and asked, "So, where are you going?"
Tamaki sighed and replied, "I am bound for France to visit my mother."
The other girl patted his knee and whispered, "What a good son."
"May I know your names and what great adventure you lovely ladies are about to embark upon?" he inquired gallantly.
"I'm Haruna," said the girl on his right. "This is my younger sister, Sakura. We're headed to Paris for our study abroad term."
"Oh my. Maybe we shall see one another because Paris is where my mother lives," Tamaki emoted. "Why did you choose Paris, if I may be so bold to ask?"
Haruna replied, "I am interested in learning to design jewelry."
Sakura interrupted, "I want to design shoes."
"What better place than Paris," Tamaki exclaimed. Dramatically, he laid the back of his hand against his forehead. "Oh bother. I can't remember if I told my valet to change my appointment with my tailor. This trip was a whim and I forgot about my appointment for my new suit fitting next week."
He reached into his pocket and gasped. "I forgot. My phone is in my satchel and my valet has that. Whatever shall I do? The last time I missed an appointment with my tailor, he refused to make another suit for me for three months."
Sakura laid a hand on his arm. "Here, Tamaki, you can use mine," she purred.
Placing a hand over his heart and bowing his head slightly, he whispered, "Thank you for your gracious boon. If you will excuse me for a few moments, I will take care of this boorish business and return to your delightful company."
Tamaki walked to a corner as far as possible from all the other occupants of the lounge. He dialed quickly and waited impatiently, although he kept his face impassive.
"Hello?" Atsuhiro answered.
"Atsuhiro, this is Tamaki and I need your help," he blurted.
"What's up?" Atsuhiro asked anxiously.
"I don't have time to explain but I need you to come pick me up from the airport…" Tamaki began.
Atsuhiro interrupted, "Why are you at the airport? I thought you would be at your apartment."
Tamaki huffed. "My grandmother is trying to ship me off to France with nothing. The phone I'm using I had to borrow using some subterfuge. Look, the plane leaves in less than forty-five minutes, so I don't have a lot of time."
"Sorry," the driver apologized. "Can you meet me at the curb? I should be there in fifteen minutes."
Tamaki heard a muffled, "I have an emergency and I don't know when I'll be back," as Atsuhiro addressed someone at Hinansho.
"I can't," Tamaki admitted. "There's a guard at the door of the VIP lounge. He's there to keep me from leaving."
In the background noise of the call, Tamaki heard a car door open and close and then an engine start.
"I'm switching to hands-free Bluetooth. Just a minute," Atsuhiro assured him.
The driver's mind was working methodically-examining, evaluating, and discarding plans. Finally, he said, "Okay, Tamaki, listen closely. This is what I need you to do…"
OHSHC
"How Yuzuru can go on," Haruhi thought to herself as she suppressed the urge to sigh. Her thoughts were interrupted with she felt her cell phone vibrate. "Good thing I remembered to silence it before the ceremony started."
Surreptitiously she pulled it out and opened the text.
***EMERGENCY! CALL!***
"Who would send such a message?" she considered. She looked at the sender and paled. "What could be wrong at the courthouse that Masaki would send such a message?"
Haruhi slipped silently out of the auditorium and called Masaki as soon as she was out the door.
"What's the emergency, Masaki?" Haruhi asked anxiously.
"I knew you would want to know about this as soon as possible," Masaki said in a hush. "An Otori lawyer is here filing paperwork to disown Kyoya."
Haruhi gasped and covered her mouth. Once she caught her breath, she replied, "Masaki, thank you for letting me know."
"What do you plan to do?" Masaki asked nervously.
She took a deep breath. "I need to call Hinansho for a car to pick me up from Ouran and then pick Kyoya up from his apartment. I'll need Tachibana and my father to bring the adoption papers," she muttered.
Masaki asked, "Should I expect you soon?"
Recognizing the nervousness in his voice, Haruhi said gently, "We will be there within the hour. I really appreciate your notifying me of this situation."
"Anything for you, Haruhi," he replied. "I look forward to seeing you soon."
"I look forward to seeing you soon as well. Goodbye." She ended the call and tapped her phone against her chin, sorting methodically through the steps required to remedy the situation.
Next, she called the front desk at Hinansho.
"Hinansho. How may I help you?" Hibiki said as she answered the phone.
"Hibiki, this is Haruhi. I need Atsuhiro to pick me up at the front gates of Ouran."
"I'm sorry, Haruhi," Hibiki replied. "He left about ten minutes ago. He said something about an emergency and he didn't know when he would be back as he practically ran past me."
Heaving a sigh, Haruhi said, "Okay. Is Tachibana available?"
"I believe so. Let me connect you," Hibiki said before she transferred the call.
"Tachibana here," he answered.
"This is Haruhi. I'll explain on the drive to Kyoya's apartment, but right now I need you to bring my father and the adoption papers for Kyoya and pick me up at the front gates of Ouran," she said in a rush.
"On our way. It should only be ten minutes," Tachibana informed her, sensing the urgency of the situation from her tone.
OHSHC
"Okay, Tamaki, listen closely. This is what I need you to do. In fifteen minutes, I want you to go to the men's room. There is a maintenance door in the back corner. Once you're sure it's empty of everyone but you, knock on that door three times. I have a friend who will be waiting there to open the door for you and lead you to a secluded corner of the baggage area. I'll be there to pick you up as soon as I can."
Tamaki took a deep breath. "Okay, I can do that. Thanks, Atsuhiro," he replied, his spirits beginning to rise.
"I need to hang up soon so I can call my friend to make the arrangements. After that, I'll call Kyoya to meet us at the courthouse with the adoption paperwork and signatories. Don't worry. We're all here for you," Atsuhiro assured him. "Just remember, wait fifteen minutes."
"Thanks," Tamaki sighed.
Ending the call, Atsuhiro told the phone to call his friend at the airport. As soon as he answered, Atsuhiro explained the plan and the timing.
OHSHC
After calling Kyoya to apprise him of the situation, Haruhi paced back and forth at the front gate of Ouran. "I hope they get here soon. I told Masaki within the hour."
Suddenly, she hit her forehead with the heel of her hand. "I need to let Fuyumi and the twins know that I left the ceremony." She quickly composed and sent a text.
***Emergency at the courthouse. Details later.***
Just as she pressed 'Send,' Tachibana pulled up and Ryoji jumped out. Grabbing Haruhi into a crushing hug, he babbled, "What's the emergency? Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Haruhi rolled her eyes as she gently, but firmly, extracted herself from her father's grip. "I'm fine, Dad. Let's get in the car and I'll explain on the way to Kyoya's apartment."
She proceeded to tell them about Masaki's text and the ensuing phone call. "Yoshio is up to something and I don't like it," Haruhi stated vehemently.
Tachibana interjected, "When I drove Kyoya to his apartment this morning, he mentioned that his father was acting…strange."
"Maybe disowning him is the first step in some bigger plan," Ryoji suggested.
"If it is, I'm not going to let him get away with it," Haruhi stated bluntly.
After a few moments of silence as they each thought about the situation and the potential implications, Haruhi asked, "Tachibana, did you bring the paperwork?"
"No need. Kyoya has all of it with him," he replied.
"Good," she said absentmindedly and went back to her contemplations.
OHSHC
Tamaki sat surreptitiously watching the clock while Haruna and Sakura chattered on about their plans for their term abroad. When it was time according to Atsuhiro's plan, Tamaki excused himself. "My lovely ladies, I feel the need to freshen up before we board the plane. If you would please excuse me." He kissed each of their hands before slipping away.
He sauntered to the men's room and disappeared inside. He glanced around to be sure no one would find his actions suspicious. Then he searched carefully to be absolutely sure he was alone before he knocked on the maintenance door three times.
"Hurry up," a voice hissed as a hand beckoned to Tamaki. Before the door closed and cut off the light, the person placed a finger to his lips to request quiet.
Tamaki nodded in acknowledgement and followed Atsuhiro's friend.
Ten minutes later, Tamaki's guide stopped at a door and pulled out a key ring. Unlocking the door, the guide opened it a crack and looked around to be sure they would not be seen.
Assured that the coast was clear, the guide gestured for Tamaki to follow him. Once they were away from the door, Atsuhiro's friend assumed a relaxed, casual gait as he walked toward a pair of baggage carts.
Tamaki started to follow suit when he clamped his hands over his mount to suppress a cry of relief when he saw Atsuhiro waiting for him.
Removing his hands and trying to exude a casual attitude, he walked over and whispered, "Thank you for coming."
The guide gave them a thumbs-up before he headed back into the shadows of the baggage handling area.
OHSHC
The car had barely stopped before Haruhi jumped out and headed into the apartment building. Rather than wait for the elevator, she dashed up the stairs. Stopping outside Kyoya's door, she took a deep breath to regain her composure.
Kyoya opened the door as soon as Haruhi knocked. "I have the paperwork," he said, patting his briefcase.
Ignoring his words and the briefcase he was holding, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him for a minute.
He put down his briefcase and rubbed her back, murmuring, "Sh. It's going to be okay."
"I know," she whispered into his chest. "I was just worried that he might have had someone come here and take you away."
Chuckling, he responded, "You have such an imagination. Though it has come in handy a lot during the past eighteen months." He kissed the top of her head.
"I'm okay now," Haruhi said softly. "We should head to the court…."
The ringing of Kyoya's phone interrupted her. "It's Atsuhiro."
"You better answer that. Hibiki said he ran out of Hinansho this morning talking about an emergency," Haruhi prompted.
"Hello?" Kyoya answered.
"Hey, Kyoya, I need you to meet me at the courthouse with the paperwork to remove Tamaki from the Suoh registry and add him to the Hinan," Atsuhiro said urgently.
"Why?" Kyoya pressed.
Atsuhiro huffed distractedly. "I don't have time to explain right now. We'll give you the whole story when we see you."
"Very well. You caught us just in time," Kyoya responded. "We were on our way to the courthouse on other business, so we'll meet you there."
"I have to go. See you soon," Atsuhiro said absentmindedly as he ended the call.
Haruhi looked at Kyoya quizzically.
"Just a moment, I have to get Tamaki's paperwork," Kyoya informed her before he headed back into the apartment.
While she waited for him to return, she picked up his briefcase to give her hands something to do. When he returned with two folders, she held the briefcase out horizontally so he could open it and place the new files inside.
"Thank you," he said as he latched the briefcase and took it from her grip. "It appears there are many plans afoot today that need to be thwarted." He continued to hold her hand as they headed to the waiting car.
OHSHC
The opening ceremony at Ouran finally ended and Fuyumi was busy trying to corral Ageha and Hibiki as they ran about trying to see everything at once. They were restless from being forced to sit quietly for such a long time. "Girls, if you will give me a minute to ask the twins to keep an eye on Masaya, I'll take you to your classroom and introduce you to your teacher."
Fuyumi pulled out her phone and notice the message from Haruhi. "What sort of emergency could there be at the courthouse that requires her presence?" she wondered.
She was just about to dial Hikaru's number when the twins stepped up on either side of her and purred together, "Looking for us?"
"Actually, yes. Would you two keep an eye on Masaya while I take the girls to meet their teacher?" Fuyumi asked. "And try to stay out of trouble. I know that's difficult, but you are seniors now and you need to set a good example."
Hikaru pouted, "You take all the fun out of it."
"Where is Masaya anyway?" Kaoru asked.
Looking around, she finally spotted Masaya talking to some of his classmates from last year. "He's right over there," Fuyumi said, gesturing to a nearby hallway.
The girls were getting impatient, but Fuyumi turned to the twins. "Hey, do you guys know why Haruhi had to go to the courthouse for an emergency?"
"Not a clue. We figured she'd tell us at lunch," Hikaru replied unconcernedly.
Fuyumi shrugged. "Okay. Well, I don't know how long it will take with the girls' teacher, so let's meet up at the front gate later. Then we can call Atsuhiro to pick us up."
"Sounds like a plan," Kaoru confirmed.
"Come on girls," Fuyumi called. "Let's go see your classroom and meet your teacher."
"Yay!" Hibiki and Ageha yelled.
Fuyumi shook her head. "What am I going to do with those two?"
When Fuyumi and the girls got to the front gates twenty minutes later, the boys were surrounded by a small crowd of high school girls. "So, what's going on here?" she teased.
Hikaru blushed as Kaoru answered, "The girls were expressing their disappointment that there will be no Host Club this year, especially with such a cute trainee." He gestured to Masaya who was being fawned over by a dozen high school girls."
Playing along, Fuyumi said, "Well, it will be a few years before he can join the ranks of a high school club, given that he's a third year in elementary."
"I'll call Hinansho to send Atsuhiro to pick us up while you say goodbye to your friends," Fuyumi said, smiling.
"Hello, Hibiki. Could you have Atsuhiro pick us up?" Fuyumi asked.
"I'm sorry. He left this morning for an emergency," Hibiki replied.
Fuyumi said, "Oh, that's right. Haruhi had an emergency at the courthouse…"
HIbiki interrupted, "Actually, Tachibana took Haruhi to the courthouse. Atsuhiro left earlier."
"Well, this is turning into an interesting day," Fuyumi mused. "Why don't you transfer me to the Security Office and I'll see if Hotta or Aijima has someone they can send to pick us up."
OHSHC
Tachibana parked in the lot for the courthouse. "Let's wait here for Atsuhiro to arrive with Tamaki," Kyoya suggested. On the drive from the apartment, he had passed along what Atsuhiro was able to tell him about Tamaki's situation.
Haruhi practically growled. "I cannot believe that Shizue would do that to him. I mean, I know she doesn't like him, but to drop him in France with nothing. And no idea if his mother is still there since he hasn't been allowed to contact her in the four years he's been in Japan."
Kyoya slipped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. "It is a credit that you are so protective of your friends. If you weren't, we wouldn't have the Hinan family as a refuge from such callous treatment by our families."
"To be fair, the twins and Ageha had loving parents. They were saved from the callous treatment of the government," Haruhi clarified.
Before Kyoya could riposte, Atsuhiro parked next to them. "Well, time to throw a monkey wrench into the plans of Shizue and my father, whatever they may be," Kyoya stated as everyone climbed out of the cars.
Tamaki gasped and pulled Haruhi into a tight hug. "I wasn't expecting you to be here, okaa-san! Did you hear about my plight and come to rescue me?"
Pushing him off firmly, Haruhi responded, "I didn't know you were in trouble until I was at the apartment picking up Kyoya. Masaki texted me about an emergency at the courthouse."
"What emergency?" Tamaki demanded.
"I have been disowned," Kyoya stated dryly.
"What?" Atsuhiro chimed in.
Tachibana took command. "I suggest that we get into the courthouse and take care of business. We can tell all the stories during lunch."
"Good plan," Ryoji reinforced.
Masaki's relief was evident on his face when they trooped into the filing office. Other than his supervisor working in her office, there was no one else in the room.
"Thank you for getting here so promptly," Masaki said. "After years of dealing with Rena's machinations, I could tell that something was off when the Otori lawyer filed the papers to disown Kyoya."
Haruhi smiled at him. "I really appreciate your diligence. We discovered that there is another problem as well. Let's start with the paperwork to remove Tamaki from the Suoh registry."
"Certainly," Masaki agreed, turning to his computer. After a few keystrokes, he frowned. "That can't be right," he mumbled to himself. "Let me try something else." The lines in his forehead grew deeper as he continued to type.
"I don't understand," he finally said. "There is no Tamaki listed on the Suoh registry."
Tamaki looked puzzled. "There's no Rene Tamaki Richard de Grantaine Suoh?"
"She never put you on the family registry," Kyoya growled. "Tamaki Suoh never really existed according to Japanese law."
"I was just a fiction create by my father and grandmother? I've spent the last four years as an…illusion of the Suoh heir? It was all just a pretense?" he whispered, shaken to his core by the news.
Kyoya and Haruhi each placed a hand on his shoulders, given him some grounding for the earth-shattering information he had just been presented.
Haruhi watched the expression on Tamaki's face harden and he ground out, "Well, that means one less step I'll have to take. Though it will mean filling out new paperwork."
"Why?" Haruhi asked, a little worried by his expression and tone.
"Because I want my new name to be Rene Richard de Grantaine Hinan." His expression softened slightly. "You don't mind, do you? Okaa-san? Otou-san?"
Haruhi and Kyoya exchanged glances before Haruhi responded, "If that is what you want, then you shall be Rene."
Kyoya gripped his shoulder. "It will give you a fresh start while keeping your connection to your mother. It won't take much to change the name." He pulled out his laptop, opened the appropriate file, and made the changes.
Masaki handed Kyoya a small slip of paper. "Here's the email address you can send it to so I can print it out."
"Thank you. That would be most convenient," Kyoya responded.
Within minutes the paperwork was printed and ready for Tachibana and Ryoji signatures. "Everything is in order. Just sign on the appropriate lines and I'll get this entered into the computer right away."
"Gladly," Ryoji said vehemently and signed with a flourish before handing the pen to Tachibana.
"Here you are," Tachibana stated, handing the paperwork back to Masaki. Then he turned to Kyoya. "Let's get yours signed and taken care of as well. I'll feel much better when it's all entered into the computer and finalized."
"At least Father already took care of the first part by disowning me," Kyoya chuckled mirthlessly. He pulled the paperwork out of his briefcase and handed it to Ryoji.
While the others were completing the paperwork, Haruhi walked over and knocked on the supervisor's door. "Excuse me," she asked politely.
"May I help you?" she said, looking up from her computer and waving her into the office.
"I'm Haruhi Fujioka. I wanted to know if Masaki could take his lunch hour a little early?" Haruhi inquired.
Looking around the room, the supervisor replied, "It has been rather slow today. I see no reason why not." She smiled. "I've seen you around the courthouse a lot during the past year."
"Yes, I have been interning with Mr. Naruse's law firm," Haruhi confirmed.
"Well, I have noticed that you don't act like most of the people who spend a lot of time at a courthouse. You treat everyone as equals. That's a rather refreshing attitude."
Before they could continue their conversation, Masaki knocked on the supervisor's door.
"Yes?" the supervisor acknowledged.
"May I leave early for lunch? My friends have invited me out," he responded.
The supervisor smiled. "I already gave permission when Haruhi asked. Have a good lunch and don't worry if you come back a little late."
As the group headed off to have lunch, Kyoya said, "Tamaki-Rene, you do realize that this means we have to contact the University about our name changes."
Rene groaned. "I guess we have a busy week ahead of us."
OHSHC
After lunch, the group walked Masaki back to the courthouse.
"I'll keep Haruhi apprised of any further developments," Masaki promised.
"Thank you for all your help today," Haruhi said, smiling brightly at him and making him blush.
The others chuckled at Haruhi's effect on the courthouse clerk.
Atsuhiro spoke up. "I'll take Kyoya and Rene back to their apartment. I want to hear more about Rene's adventure at the airport. We'll be sure to tell Mitsukuni and Takashi about all the activities this morning."
Tachibana nodded. "I will inform the staff at Hinansho. Ryoji, would you and Haruhi please inform the Shido family and the twins?"
"No problem," Ryoji replied.
OHSHC
Ryoji had just finished explaining the morning excitement to the twins and the Shido family when Haruhi received a text from Masaki.
***New development. Please call.***
She quickly dialed his number. "What's up?"
"You would not believe who was just here," Masaki responded.
"Who?" Haruhi asked, curious.
"The Suoh family lawyer. He was trying to file adoption papers for Kyoya. He was quite upset to find Kyoya had already been adopted," Masaki said with a chuckle.
Haruhi grinned. "Interesting. I'll pass the information along to Kyoya and Rene. With the events of today, it almost sounds like Yoshio sold Kyoya to Shizue as a replacement for Tamaki—Rene."
Masaki said thoughtfully, "I'll keep my ears open for any public information request for adoption records for Kyoya. That should give you a heads-up if they try anything more."
"You don't know how much this means to me, Masaki," Haruhi replied. "You take care. Thanks for all your help. Good night."
"Good night," Masaki said as he ended the call.
OHSHC
"WHAT!?" demanded Shizue.
Her lawyer cringed at the fury in her steely tone and expression. He gulped before saying, "When I tried to file the adoption papers for Kyoya, I was informed that he had already been adopted."
"HOW!? Who found out about Kyoya being disowned?" Shizue seethed.
"The clerk refused to give me any information. He just stated that Kyoya was on a family registry. Therefore he was not available to be adopted unless paperwork was filed to remove him from the current registry."
"Yoshio! He must have taken advantage of the situation and negotiated a higher price for Kyoya from someone else. I'll teach him to trifle with me," Shizue stated coldly, glaring at the lawyer. "You may go, for now."
The lawyer backed out of the office as quickly as he could without appearing to hurry.
Shizue picked up the phone and ordered, "Call Yoshio and tell him to come to my office immediately."
OHSHC
"What is the meaning of summoning me like some lowly lackey?" Yoshio demanded as soon as he was escorted into Shizue's office.
"Tell me who you made a deal with for Kyoya?" Shizue commanded.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Yoshio growled, placing his fists on her desk, and leaning forward.
"Don't you? When my lawyer went to the courthouse to file the adoption papers for Kyoya, he was informed that he had already been added to a registry and was unavailable to be adopted." Shizue was livid and anger was rolling off her in waves. "Who did you tell?"
Yoshio stood to his full height. "I told no one. Who did you tell?"
"Other than my lawyer and you, I have not discussed this with anyone," Shizue stated bluntly. "Yuzuru doesn't even know my plans."
Yoshio countered, "Well, you and my lawyer were the only ones I discussed it with."
"BAH! This is getting us nowhere," Shizue said, aggravated about the situation.
Smirking, Yoshio said, "I guess the contract is null-and-void since Kyoya was adopted by someone else."
Shizue stood and leveled a steely look at Yoshio. "Oh no it isn't. The contract is still valid, and you have to comply, or I will sue you for breach."
"How can I fulfill the contract if Kyoya has already been adopted by someone else?" Yoshio demanded.
"You didn't read the contract very carefully, did you?" Shizue asked in a cold tone. "Kyoya was never mentioned by name. The contract stated 'a son' and you have two others."
Yoshio huffed indignantly. "I still need an heir."
"As I said and you well know, you have two other sons." Shizue spoke with deadly calm. "You will disown Akito and I will adopt him. He is not my first choice, but he will do."
Realizing that he was cornered by his own greed, Yoshio snarled, "Very well. I will have my lawyer file the paperwork tomorrow morning. Be sure your lawyer is there to file for the adoption, so it doesn't get muffed this time."
"We should both be there as well to be absolutely sure nothing else interferes," Shizue clarified. "Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do."
Yoshio scowled. "You were the one who pulled me away from my work."
"Be that as it may, we are done for today," Shizue stated. "Be ready tomorrow morning at nine. Have your lawyer with you. I will pick you up and we will meet my lawyer at the courthouse. We will take care of this once and for all."
Just before Yoshio opened the door to leave, Shizue said, "And one more thing."
Keeping a tight rein on his temper, Yoshio turned around and growled, "Yes?"
"Erase all traces of Tamaki from the Otori medical databases and any other databases you have access to. He's been shipped back to France and I don't want any trace of him left in Japan. I will deal with the Ouran database myself," Shizue ordered.
"Very well," Yoshio answered through gritted teeth as he closed the door behind him.