Chapter 21: Facing the Past – London Edition, Part 2
Haruhi, Chiharu, and Reiko were awakened by a soft, but persistent knocking on their door. When Haruhi opened it, she found Mitsukuni waiting dressed in his gi. "Takashi and I decided that it would be best to have you three brush up on your karate skills before we return to London. Between the rabid fangirls and the seedy blokes, we want to be sure you can defend yourselves."
"Good idea," Haruhi replied. "Just give us a few minutes. Will t-shirts and shorts be okay? I didn't pack my gi and I don't think Chiharu or Reiko did either."
"T-shirts and shorts are fine," Mitsukuni assured her. "We'll meet you downstairs."
Ten minutes later, they were on the village green. The ladies were moving through the forms with Mitsukuni correcting and encouraging them. Takashi was on the other side of the green working though the kendo forms. The twins moved back and forth between them, taking pictures and keeping up a humorous running commentary about their companions. Several occupants of the village stopped to watch the strangers, smiling indulgently and shaking their heads at the eccentricities of foreigners.
By the time Kyoya and Rene joined them, the workouts were finished and they were gathered around the fountain taking direction from Kaoru as Hikaru took photos.
"How about getting cleaned up and changed so we can get breakfast?" Rene called.
Hikaru seemed to ignore him for a moment before he yelled, "Done!" Handing the camera to Kaoru, he said, "Thank you all for putting up with me. It was a great shoot this morning." Then he turned to Rene. "Okay, NOW they can got get cleaned up and changed so we can get breakfast."
"We'll meet you in the lobby in fifteen minutes," Mitsukuni said as they headed for the inn.
Kyoya was sitting in the lobby looking through some paperwork when Haruhi walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed his neck. "What are you doing?" she purred.
Slipping the papers into the folder laying on the table in front of him, Kyoya pulled her around into his lap. "Just looking over an investment opportunity Kosaku sent me that afternoon you all were out shopping."
"He's supposed to be on paternity leave, doting on Hibiki and Ren."
"That's why he sent it to me. He knew I would be particularly interested in it," he murmured as he nuzzled her ear.
Turning to look him in the eyes, she quirked and eyebrow. "And why would you have a particular interest in it?" She started to reach for the folder.
He captured her hands and kissed her knuckles. "I want it to be a surprise if it, in fact, works out. Just be patient."
"If I must," she huffed playfully. She shifted off his lap, stood up, and pulled him to his feet just as the other two couples entered the lobby.
From the other side of the lobby, they heard Rene whine, "It's about time. I'm starving."
"I thought I was the growing boy," Mitsukuni teased in response.
Everyone laughed as they made their way to the tea shop the inn's proprietor pointed out the previous evening. After a hearty breakfast, Reiko said, "I'm going to head to the apothecary and take care of my business." She stood up and continued, "I don't know how long it will take and our train leaves at noon. Haruhi and Chiharu, if you could pack my things it would be most helpful."
"May I accompany you?" Mitsukuni asked.
Reiko smiled and blushed. "I was hoping you would. But what about your things?"
"I'll take care of it," Takashi offered.
Haruhi looked around the table. "Sounds like we all have our morning plans. Let's meet at the train station by eleven thirty."
"The only thing missing is ordering lunch to take with us on the train," Rene pointed out. "I can do that."
As everyone else headed out, Kyoya and Haruhi paid the bill for breakfast with a generous tip. "It was a wonderful meal," Kyoya said as he took back his credit card.
"Thank you for coming in."
Reiko and Mitsukuni walked hand-in-hand to the apothecary shop. There was the tinkle of a bell when Mitsukuni opened the door and stood aside for Reiko to enter.
"Good morning, how may I help you?" the proprietress asked.
"Good morning. I would like to buy medicinal plant seeds and cuttings for shipment to Japan," Reiko stated.
Turning around at the remembered voice, the proprietress answered haughtily, "Ms. Kanazuki, as I told you last time, those items require special permits and licensure to remove from England."
Mitsukuni started to bristle at the dismissive tone.
Reiko laid a hand on his arm. Smiling, she replied, "I remember, Mrs. Peters. I have obtained the necessary documentation." She opened her portfolio and extracted two large manila envelopes.
Mrs. Peters took her time examining the documents and verifying their authenticity. Finally, she smiled. "I can't be too careful. Some of these plants can be distilled into narcotics and other controlled substances."
"I am well aware. I am also aware of how much more effective and safer they are than the laboratory-created chemicals designed for the same purposes. They are also an integral part of my course of study."
Mitsukuni stepped back into the shadows and allowed the two women a semblance of privacy as they conducted their business.
"You do realized that, even with the permits and licenses, they will be expensive. And then there is the matter of specialized shipping."
Reiko smiled sweetly. "I have anticipated all those matters. I need to know what I can get here and what I will have to acquire elsewhere."
Mrs. Peters frowned. "You don't think I have everything you need?"
"There are several plants that I wish to study that can only be obtained from a specialist located near Stonehenge. There are two or three others that I hope you have here in Bilbery, but suspect I may need to purchase from The Cotswolds near Ablington."
"Well, at least you've done your homework and are only purchasing from the best. Let's have a look at your list and see what we can do," Mrs. Peters said.
The two women spent the next hour locating, packing, documenting, and crating the seeds and plant cuttings for the flora on Reiko's list. "Well, it looks like I had everything but those three from Stonehenge and two that are only available in the Cotswold. You finish filling out the paperwork while I total up the bill."
A few minutes later, Mrs. Peters handed Reiko an invoice and Reiko handed her the paperwork that needed to be included with the shipment. While Reiko examined the invoice, Mrs. Peters placed one set of documents in the crate and securely nailed on the lid. Then she pasted one document to the top of the crate and affixed another set in a plastic pouch on the side. Finally, she pulled out paint and stencils to mark the crate in bold letters, 'Handle With Care,' 'Live Plants,' 'Keep From Heat.'
Reiko nodded after examining the invoice. "This all looks very reasonable," she said as she handed Mrs. Peters her credit card.
Mitsukuni noticed the brief look of surprise on Mrs. Peters face when Reiko didn't argue or haggle over the purchase. "In a way, Mrs. Peters makes me think of Haruhi and her reaction to how we spend money."
"Should I arrange to have the crate taken to the train station?" Mrs. Peters asked.
"That won't be necessary. Our next stop is the train station and Mr. Hinan can carry it for me," Reiko replied, smiling at Mitsukuni.
"That crate is rather heavy. It would be no problem to get one of the Smith boys to take it over in their cart."
"Not to worry, ma'am." Mitsukuni chuckled as he gently lifted the crate easily to his shoulder and steadied it with one hand while using the other hand to open the door for Reiko.
Before she left, Reiko turned to Mrs. Peters and said, "Thank you so much for all your help. Have a good day."
"You have a good day as well. And enjoy your travels."
The others were waiting at the train station when Mitsukuni and Reiko arrived. "A successful undertaking?" Haruhi asked.
"Very successful. There were only five that she didn't have. Three only grow near Stonehenge and the other two in The Cotswold."
"Well, Stonehenge is our next stop," Kaoru stated.
"That's where I want to do our photo shoot," Hikaru declared.
"Does that mean the one last night and the one this morning don't count?" Haruhi teased.
Hikaru blushed deep red. "You knew about last night?"
Laughing as she waved to Takashi, Mitsukuni, and Kyoya, she answered, "Do you really think you could follow any of these guys and not have them notice you? I don't think even the disguises we used in London would have helped."
"Okay, point taken."
"So when do we get to see the pictures?" Chiharu asked. "I'd especially like to see how the ones from last night turned out."
Hikaru pondered the question. "I only have the display on the camera. I didn't bring my laptop."
Kyoya reached into his bag and pulled out a tablet. "Will this be adequate?"
Taking it, Hikaru examined the accesses. "Yes, this should work. The camera memory card should fit in this slot." He pulled out the camera and moved the memory card to the tablet. It took just a few minutes for him to figure out how to call up the images.
Glancing at the time display on the tablet, he muttered, "We should probably wait until we're on the train. It should be here any minute." As if on cue, a whistle sounded in the distance.
Over the excellent lunch that Rene purchased at the tea shop, they passed around the tablet and admired the photos Hikaru had taken.
"These are breath-taking," Takashi breathed, staring at the image of Chiharu twirling under his arm in the moonlight, reluctant to pass the tablet on to the next person.
"Absolutely stunning," Kyoya agreed as he looked at Haruhi, remembering the images they had just looked at of her sashaying in the moonlight.
Reiko looked around the table. "You know, I was just thinking. Except for Rene and Haruhi, we've all known one another most of our lives."
"True," Kaoru agreed. "But in some ways, we didn't really get to know one another until Rene came along and suggested the Host Club four years ago."
"Even then, we didn't get close until Haruhi stumbled into our midst," Rene added.
"I know we made it hard to get to know us," Hikaru admitted.
Kaoru chuckled. "I remember the garden party when we officially met Kyoya for the first time. It was just before our third year in elementary and his fourth. Because he was so stiff, we joked that he was not really the third Otori son. We went around the party telling everyone that the Otoris were branching out of medicine and Kyoya was their prototype robot."
Kyoya smirked. "Oh yes, I remember that well. I decided to get back at you two by telling your mother that you would look adorable in matching dresses with pink and blue hair extensions. It was all I could do to keep from laughing at the next garden party when that's how you were dressed."
"That was you?!" they cried in unison. "Mom just said someone suggested it."
"It seemed only fair. If I was stiff enough to be a robot, you two were cute enough to be girls."
Hikaru said, "Did you know that stunt was the reason Ageha was born? Mom and Dad thought we were so cute that they just had to try for a little girl. It took a few years, but she was born just before Rene asked us to join the Host Club."
Kaoru sobered. "I overheard Mom and Dad talking not long after Ageha was born. Apparently, there were several miscarriages that took quite a toll on Mom physically and emotionally. They had almost decided to give up when they found out Mom was pregnant with Ageha. That was the year they didn't do any traveling and Mom released a very minimal line."
"Does that mean we can blame Ageha's imperious nature on Kyoya?" Hikaru teased, trying to lighten the mood again.
"I'd claim her as a sister any day," Kyoya replied with a smile.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the train station near Stonehenge. "It shouldn't take long to settle my business and then we can head out to the circle for our photo shoot," Reiko said.
"We'll take the luggage to the hotel and meet you in the lobby," Kyoya commented.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Mitsukuni asked Reiko.
"If you want to. It won't take long and it will be a much smaller shipment," she replied.
Mitsukuni reached for Reiko's hand. "Of course I want to. I enjoy spending time with my significant other." He kissed the back of her hand and said, "Lead the way."
The others had just settled in the lobby when Reiko and Mitsukuni walked through the front door.
"Everything go okay?" Chiharu asked, seeing their empty hands.
"Fine. We just dropped the crate off at the train station on our way here so it can catch the next train and get started on its trip to Japan."
"Let's head out then," Hikaru called. "I don't know how well the photo shoot is going to work, considering how many tourists visit Stonehenge every day."
"At least it's not a formal shoot," Haruhi soothed. "It's just supposed to be a spot of fun on our trip."
"Besides," Kaoru interjected, "nothing could top that moonlight shoot."
After several hours of exploring the monument and shooting in different areas, they noticed that they were being followed. It was a group of a dozen Japanese school girls.
"Probably some more Hitachiins fans," Hikaru speculated.
"I think I'll go ask them. Maybe they're just curious since we are obviously from Japan too," Reiko said, taking Mitsukuni's hand and walking in the direction of the group of girls.
As they approached most of the girls pushed two of their members to the front. Reiko addressed the representatives. "I noticed you were watching our group. Can we help you with something?"
"Is that Haruhi Fujioka with you?" the taller one asked tentatively.
Suspiciously, Mitsukuni asked, "How do you know Haruhi?"
Slightly embarrassed, the girl looked down at her feet and answered, "We went to middle school together. Our friend Arai told us Haruhi was on a graduation trip to England and France with some friends."
Comprehension dawned and Mitsukuni smiled. "Yes, that's Haruhi. I met Arai a few years ago. He's a great guy."
"I'm Naho and this is Ninon. The others are our high school friends. This is our graduation trip," the taller girl responded, a look of relief on her face.
"I'm Mitsukuni and this is Reiko. Why don't you come over and say 'hello' to Haruhi? I'm sure she'd like that."
As the group approached with Mitsukuni and Reiko, Haruhi watched with interest. "Some of those girls look familiar. I wonder why?" When they were close enough, a smile lit Haruhi's face and she hurried forward to meet them.
"Naho? Ninon? Is that you?" Haruhi cried. "I haven't seen you in years!"
The three old friends hugged while the others stood around nervously. Finally, Rene couldn't stand the awkward silence so he announced, "I'd like to treat everyone to dinner. Any idea where we should eat?"
One of Naho and Ninon's friends stepped forward timidly. "There's a very nice restaurant in the hotel where we're staying."
Rene's face lit up. "Are you staying at The Antrobus Hotel too? When we checked in, they told us the Siam Smile was excellent."
"Yes, that's where we're staying," she responded.
Waving his hands to get everyone's attention, Rene announced, "Let's all start heading back to the hotel. I'm treating all of us to dinner at the restaurant."
Haruhi chuckled at the astonished looks on her friends' faces. "Don't worry, he can afford it. That's what I get for attending Ouran Academy."
"Arai mentioned they were rich, but he never explained how rich," Naho said.
"He only saw them a couple days on summer break while they were just relaxing at Misuzu's pension in Karuizawa. I may have failed to mention that their families all have vacation mansions there." Haruhi twisted her fingers a little guiltily. "He already knew they were rich because I introduced them as friends from Ouran."
Naho poked Haruhi in the ribs. "How about you introduce us to your friends? Starting with the extremely handsome gentleman standing behind you possessively."
Haruhi looked over her shoulder and saw Kyoya smirking at her. Turning back to her friends, she said, "This is my significant other, Kyoya Hinan. The other five guys are his brothers. The one offering to treat us to dinner is Rene. The other blond is Mitsukuni with his significant other, Reiko Kanazuki. With them are Takashi and his significant other, Chiharu Tojo."
Swiveling her head around, she finally spotted the missing brothers. Pointing to the pair of redheads horsing around with the camera, she said, "That is Hikaru and Kaoru. Hikaru is the one with the camera."
Naho and Ninon's friends had gathered around to hear the introductions. "These are the friends we made in high school after you left us for Ouran," Naho teased. She pointed to each one as she introduced them. "Suzume, Mei, Yuyuka, Maika, Satoko, Tao, Karin, Tsubasa, Kazumi, and Yukina."
Rene proceeded to take each girl's hand in turn, kiss it, and say, "So pleased to make your acquaintance." All the girls giggled at his antics.
Ninon looked at Haruhi and asked, "Is he always like this?"
"Oh no," Haruhi replied. "Sometimes he's much worse."
"Tell me something, Haruhi," Naho asked with a puzzled expression. "Are these the Host Club that Arai told us about? And if so, why didn't he mention that they were brothers?"
"That's an interesting story…several stories. How about we go into them over dinner?" Haruhi hedged, looking around at the Hinan brothers for their permission. All of them looked at her and smiled their approval.
"Do I get to tell mine first?" Rene asked excitedly.
"Wouldn't it be better if we told them in order?" the twins insisted in unison.
Kyoya shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "We could always draw straws," he suggested sarcastically.
"Excellent idea," Rene agreed enthusiastically.
"Actually," Mitsukuni interrupted, "it would be better if the events were told in order since the young ladies haven't seen Haruhi in three years."
Crestfallen, Rene conceded, "That makes sense." Then he brightened. "That means we need to tell the story of how we met Haruhi and she became part of the Host Club."
"I hope you have plenty of time because this could take a while," Haruhi sighed in exasperation.
Ninon glanced at the time on her phone. "It's still a half hour before our tour bus returns to take us to the hotel."
"You all can ride back with us. There's plenty of room," Kyoya offered. "That way Rene can start the story before he bursts," he continued, trying very hard to control an eye roll.
"Are you sure?" Ninon asked.
Kyoya chuckled. "At the time we made reservations for transportation there were only two options available—6-passenger or 24-passenger. Because there are nine of us, the 6-passenger was inadequate."
Haruhi bumped her shoulder against his. "What he's trying to say is that there's plenty of room. Now let's load up and head back to the hotel for dinner. We can start the stories on the way."
Rene started describing Haruhi's arrival in Music Room Three in his most flamboyant manner. Naho and Ninon looked at Haruhi questioningly as he described Haruhi's appearance.
Haruhi turned to her significant other. "Hey, Kyoya, do you still have one of the photos from my first day at Ouran?"
Teasingly, he replied, "You wound me, to think I would dispose or misplace information of any sort." He pulled out his tablet and keyed his way through several layers of security. "Perhaps this is the best choice?"
Looking at her picture with the chopped hair, large-rimmed glasses, and baggy clothes brought back so many memories. She was almost reluctant as she handed it to Naho and motioned for her to pass it around.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HAIR?" Ninon shouted, gawking at the photo on the tablet.
Haruhi blushed. "Well, you remember that little brat, Nao, who lived in the apartment building next to mine? The day before I started high school, he purposely stuck a huge wad of gum in my hair. I tried everything to get it out. In the end, all I could do was cut it. THAT is the result."
After everyone had a chance to look at the picture of Haruhi, Rene continued his tale. He had only reached the part about the physicals when they arrived at the hotel.
Reiko said, "Hey, Rene, could you pause for a few minutes while we put our things away and get cleaned up for dinner?"
"But of course," he replied regally, bowing deeply.
While he waited for the others to return, Kyoya made arrangements with the restaurant for their very large party. The manager paled slightly when he said it would be a party of twenty-one. "Will the private dining room be acceptable?"
Rene sauntered up and said, "That will be admirable, my good man. I will be paying for our party this evening."
The manager looked to Kyoya who nodded. "Yes, please give him the bill." The manager look skeptical. "I assure you, he can afford it."
Ten minutes later, the rest of their party was gathered and the manager led them to the private dining room. "Your waitresses will be with you shortly."
Once the orders were placed and the waitresses had left, Rene resumed his tale. Except to add details or perspectives, the others just listened in rapt attention at the adventures and misadventures of the Host Club.
Just before their food arrived, Rene reached the point when Usa-chan became the first member of the Hinan family.
"Wait…wait…wait," Naho said waving her hands. "Just who is Usa-chan?"
Kyoya pulled out his tablet and flipped through photos until he reached one that was taken not long after the picture of Haruhi that he had pulled up earlier.
"So the blond is Usa-chan?" Naho asked, confused.
Mitsukuni laughed. "No, Usa-chan is the pink rabbit. I'm the blond."
Seeing the confusion on the girls' faces, Haruhi tapped the picture and said, "This is what Mitsukuni looked like when I met him. He was eighteen when this was taken."
"You're kidding!" Ninon blurted out.
Reiko smiled. "No, he really was that short. Let's let Rene continue and it will all make sense—well, as much sense as it can coming from Rene."
"Hey," he retorted. "I resemble that remark."
"We know. Now get back to the story," the twins teased.
Rene continued with the story of Mitsukuni's headaches and moodiness, the death of the twins' parents, and the discovery of the tumor.
"His father actually believed that it was a lack of self-control on Mitsukuni's part?!" Naho shouted.
Haruhi laid a hand on her arm. "We couldn't believe it either, but that's why he was adopted by the Hinan family."
Naho looked at Mitsukuni. "How much have you grown since the tumor was removed?"
"At my check-up just before we left Japan, the doctor said I had grown nine inches in the past year."
"That's great," Haruhi said, patting his hand. "I take it your hormones are back to normal, too?"
"Yes, my appointment was all good news." He winked at Haruhi and kissed Reiko. "Okay, Rene, finish the story."
"Let's see. That just leave Takashi leaving his family because of the attitudes of his father and uncle. And Kyoya and I were disowned by our families. Done." Rene clapped his hands with finality.
Ninon pushed at Haruhi's shoulder. "Quite the exciting life you've been leading since you left us."
Haruhi groaned. "That's what happens when you get involved with the elite families of Japan. Drama, drama, drama."
Everyone laughed.
The girls sitting around Hikaru and Kaoru started asking them about fashion, photo shoots, and their future plans.
Shyly, Satoko said to Takashi, "I saw you win the kendo tournament in December. It was really exciting. You eliminated my brother in the third round."
Takashi pondered for a moment. "Ah, yes. Takane Serigawa. He had good form and fought well."
"Mitsukuni, I was in karate club in high school. Once a month, our sensei would show us recordings of your matches when you used to compete," Yukina stated.
He smiled at her. "Did you learn anything?"
"Yes, that you moved so quickly, sensei had to use slow motion just so we could catch what you were doing."
Those sitting nearby laughed. Reiko commented, "That's probably part of the reason why they don't let him compete anymore. How can the referee award points if he can't see the moves?"
Several of the girls sitting around the twins started to yawn.
"Hey, we're not that boring, are we?" Hikaru teased.
Naho replied, "It's just been a long day for us. We need to get going because we have to leave early in the morning."
Ninon continued, "Thank you for dinner and the entertaining stories. Maybe we'll get together again back in Japan."
Each of the girls murmured their 'Thank you' and bowed before they left as a group.
"Well, that was fun," Chiharu said. "It was nice meeting some of your old friends, Haruhi."
"It was good to see them," she agreed.
Now that things were quieting down, Rene started to yawn. "I guess we should head to bed as well."
"Yes. Let's go before I have to carry you again," Takashi teased. "I think Mitsukuni was a little jealous last time."
"Hey, I was not," he retorted.
"Could have fooled us," the twins cooed.
"That's it! Bedtime for all of you," Kyoya announced, shooing them toward the door.
"Yes, otou-san," was the chorused response. Everyone laughed as they left the restaurant and headed for their rooms.
Haruhi took Kyoya's hand and whispered, "At least they waited to call you 'otou-san' and none of them called me 'okaa-san' in front of my friends. That would have taken more explaining."
OHSHC
The next morning, Haruhi was out on the greenspace near the hotel with Mitsukuni, Reiko, and Chiharu working through the karate forms while Takashi was nearby practicing kendo. "Mitsukuni, if you will excuse me for a moment, I see my friends getting ready to leave."
He nodded his approval. She bowed and hurried over to her friends.
"Naho. Ninon. Wait a minute," Haruhi called.
They turned and smiled when they saw her. "Thank you for coming to see us off. We really need to get together when we're all back in Japan."
"Well, I'll be at Tokyo University, so you should have a general idea where to find me."
"Yeah, the library," Ninon teased, giggling.
Naho pulled out her phone. "Put in your contact information. I'll send it to Ninon and text you so you'll have ours."
Just as Haruhi handed back Naho's phone, the bus driver motioned impatiently. "We have to go."
Haruhi waved as the bus pulled away and then she returned to her workout with the others.
Mitsukuni looked up as she approached. "Haruhi, we're done so we're going to get cleaned up and changed. Takashi isn't finished yet so he'll be here to make sure you complete your forms."
"Yes, sensei," she teased and picked up where she'd left off. Concentrating intently, she was oblivious to Takashi watching her until he said, "You need to check the placement of your back foot."
Startled, she looked down and saw that her back foot was out of alignment. Correcting her stance, she repeated the form and finished her workout. "Thank you. I was concentrating on my hands."
"Remember, your feet are your foundation. If they are not firmly planted, you will be unsteady or off-balance. Now we should get cleaned up so we can meet the others for breakfast."
Ten minutes later, everyone was gathered in the lobby, ready to head to a nearby tea shop for breakfast.
Reiko said, "Thank you guys so much for coming with me on my shopping expedition. I just have two plants to purchase from The Cotswolds near Ablington and then we can go back to London."
Kyoya consulted his tablet. "The train for Ablington leaves at ten and the trip takes four hours. We'll need to purchase a lunch for the trip."
"My purchases should only take a few minutes."
"Let's see. We'll have about an hour between trains in Ablington. Other than Reiko's shopping, I think we should stay close to the station."
"How long from there to London?" Hikaru asked.
"That trip is about two hours. We should get to the London station about dinner time. Reiko, can you recommend any restaurants near the station where we could get dinner while we wait for our security detail?"
"Yes, there's one just a short walk from the station. It has excellent security because a lot of celebrities meet there for interviews and business deals."
"Excellent. I think that covers everything," Kyoya murmured in satisfaction and put away his tablet.
14