It was late afternoon when the plane landed at Tokyo Airport and the group disembarked.

"It's sooo good to be home," Haruhi groaned. "I enjoyed the traveling, but I've missed my dad and everyone here."

"I wonder how big Ren has grown," Reiko commented.

Tachibana and Atsuhiro approached the plane as the group disembarked. Tachibana stepped forward and bowed. "I trust you had a safe trip."

Kyoya smiled. "It was definitely interesting. These are Estee and Coco Beringar. They will be staying in Haruhi's old apartment."

"Shima has it ready for them," he replied.

"How about we get the luggage collected and get you all to Hinansho?" Atsuhiro asked jovially. He gestured for two baggage handlers to load the trunks into the transport. "I hope we have enough room for everyone and everything. I brought the biggest transport, but you're returning with more than you left with."

Takashi chuckled. "Did you miss us, Atsuhiro?"

"I will neither confirm nor deny that rumor."

Everyone laughed at the relaxed banter, even Estee and Coco who could only understand a little since the entire exchange was in Japanese.

Atsuhiro turned to Estee and Coco and addressed them in French, "My apologies, ladies. It was rude of me to leave you out of the conversation by speaking in Japanese."

Estee answered in a simple Japanese phrase Hikaru taught her during the flight. "Mondai nai."

"No problem?" Atsuhiro grinned. "Was it Hikaru or Kaoru who taught you that?"

She smiled shyly and answered, "Hikaru."

"Enough, Atsuhiro," Tachibana reprimanded teasingly. "Remember what Shima said about dawdling."

"Oh, right you are. Kairi has been working on his 'welcome back' masterpiece all day and I wouldn't want to miss out on that," he said cheekily.

Everyone climbed into the transport with Atsuhiro in the driver's seat and Tachibana in the passenger seat up front.

Coco had a thoughtful look on her face. "Why does Atsuhiro look so familiar?"

Takashi answered, "He used to compete in karate and kendo. Maybe he was on one of the recordings your uncle Adam gave you."

"Maybe. But that doesn't seem quite right. Has he been involved in anything else?"

"He was a driver and mechanic on the rally car circuit until a few years ago," Takashi added.

"That's it! The Australian rally car race recording Uncle Adam brought home several years ago. That race was incredible," Coco squealed and clapped her hands.

Estee shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I was so glad when that recording wore out. You must have watched it at least three times a day."

"Well, it was an exciting race, you have to admit," Coco huffed.

Hikaru casually draped an arm over Estee shoulder while Kaoru slipped his hand into Coco's. "Should we be jealous?" the twins purred in unison.

The sisters giggle, shaking their heads. Estee said, "You two know the nicest people. Can you blame us for finding them fascinating?"

Minutes later the vehicle stopped in front of Hinansho where a small crowd was waiting for them. Haruhi was only halfway out the door when Ryoji grabbed her and pulled her into a suffocating hug. "You're back. You're finally back. I've missed you so much. Please don't ever leave me again."

"Dad," Haruhi wheezed, "Need to breathe."

Ryoji loosened his grip fractionally. "You must tell me everything. I know you called every day, but I'm so glad to have you home, Baby Girl."

"I understand," Haruhi replied, patting her father's shoulder. "We will spend tomorrow together unpacking. I bought several outfits for you."

Shima watched Rene patiently as he climbed out of the vehicle, pulled out a small chest, and tucked it under his arm. Seeing the melancholy look on his face, she walked up and hugged him gently. "You found your mother?" she asked, knowing he needed to tell her what he discovered.

Rene took a deep breath and smiled sadly. "Ironically, she died the same day as the Hitachiins, though not in the same way. I had comfort on the day of her death, even though I didn't know it at the time." He patted the chest. "She left me a legacy of letters, photos, and documents. There's quite a story to tell, but that can wait for later."

Mr. Naruse approached the twins. "Welcome back. When you have the time, I have the paperwork ready for the Beringar scholarships from Hitachiin Fashions. I take it these are the young ladies in question?"

Ageha left the Shido family and threw herself at her brothers, wrapping her arms tightly around their necks. "I'm so glad you're back. I was worried that something would happen to you. Fuyumi said you would be fine, but I had to see you for myself."

Hikaru and Kaoru held her close, murmuring assurances that they were fine. Then they introduced her to the Beringar sisters and Ageha welcomed them unreservedly. Estee and Coco hugged Ageha and murmured their condolences.

Several Hinansho staff members appeared to take charge of the luggage and deliver it to the appropriate apartments.

Kosaku greeted, "Kyoya, it's good to have you back. How did things go with that investment opportunity I sent to you?"

"I sign the papers the day after tomorrow. How have Hibiki and Ren been doing?" Kyoya responded with a smile.

"I can't believe how fast he is growing and changing. Sleep for Hibiki and I is still a catch-as-catch-can proposition, but we're adjusting."

Kairi stepped out of the front door and raised his voice. "Enough of the dilly-dallying. Dinner is ready and we can listen to all the stories while we eat."

Laughing, the group followed him to the private dining room. "Before we begin," Shima announced, "I would like to introduce two friends of mine, Oto Edogawa and Ataru Matoba, recently dismissed from the Translation Corp of the embassy service. Oto and Ataru are both fluent in French and English. They can help translate as needed, as well as tell their own stories."

Once everyone had a plate of food and settled at the table, the stories started. Oto stood and began, "My name is Oto Edogawa. In addition to French and English, I am also conversant in German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. I wanted to become a translator and work in the embassy service since I was in elementary school. My best friend's mother worked with the Translation Corp until she got married. She told us wonderful stories of her international travel and all the interesting people she met. Ataru and I met during orientation. We became friends and have even created an immersion program to help others learn languages quickly." She sat down and nudged her friend. "Your turn."

Ataru stood up. "My story is a little different. I was recruited into the Translation Corp when I was in high school. My father was a diplomat and we moved every two or three years. Each time I had to learn the local language, so I am conversant in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese. I was subjected to several less than effective immersion courses, so Oto and I used my experiences to create something useful." Finished with her introduction, she sat down to enjoy her dinner.

"Probably too useful," Oto murmured bitterly. "They used our immersion program to train pretty young girls as translators and dismissed those of us who weren't 'nice scenery' in the office."

Haruhi, Kyoya, and Mr. Naruse exchanged glances that said, "We need to talk with them later."

Reiko stood and said, "I'll get our travel stories started." She reported about their visit to the English countryside and her success in acquiring the plant propagates she wanted for her research.

Hikaru pulled out several tablets with photos from the trip and passed them around the table. Then the twins regaled everyone with the story of their visit to the Knightsbridge memorial and meeting the Beringar sisters.

Rene reported on his reunion with his friends in Paris as well as the visit to the lawyer to get the legacy from his mother. The Hinansho group was surprised when he told them about the charges filed against Shizue for his 'murder.'

Kyoya related the story of the hostile takeover of the Tonnerre holdings and the resulting foundation to support the rehabilitation homes. By the time he had concluded his tale, everyone was finished with dinner.

Kairi gestured for his crew to clear away the dishes while he disappeared into the kitchen. For dramatic effect, he turned off the lights before he pushed the dessert cart into the dining room.

When the lights were turned back on, everyone oohed and aahed at the intricate collection of sweets and fruits on the cart. "You've outdone yourself again, Kairi," Haruhi noted, eyeing the creation hungrily.

OHSHC

Ryoji walked into the kitchen, yawning and stretching. "That's one thing I really missed this summer—the smell of breakfast when I wake up."

"I hope you were eating properly while I was gone," Haruhi admonished.

"Kairi made sure I had three meals a day, but I always had to go downstairs to get it. You've spoiled me. Even before Kotoko died, you were in the kitchen making breakfast when I got up in the morning."

"Except when I was at Ouran and I just left your breakfast waiting for you since you worked nights and I had a longer commute to school," Haruhi teased.

They ate in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. When they finished, they washed dishes together and tidied the kitchen.

"Now we get to unpack from your trip, right?" Ryoji asked hopefully.

Laughing, Haruhi retrieved the keys to her new trunk from her satchel. "Good thing I packed the things for you right in front." She opened the locks and pulled open the standing trunk.

"Ooo, that's a fascinating design," Ryoji gushed as he peered into the trunk, noting the hanging clothing and the drawers.

Haruhi handed the first two hangers to her dad and opened the top drawer. "Let's see. I bought you a scarf and beret from a shop in Paris." She placed the beret on his head at a rakish angle and draped the scarf around his neck. "Now go try on the first outfit so I can see if it fits."

"Only if you change into one of your new outfits as well," Ryoji pouted.

"I intended to. I'll start with the ones Marinette helped me pick out."

"That's Rene's childhood friend?"

"One of them. She's studying to be a designer. His other friend, Nino, is into music."

They both slipped into their bedrooms to change into the new outfits.

OHSHC

"I'm going to miss you," Reiko whispered, cuddling into Mitsukuni's arms and brushing her lips against his jaw. "I'm glad we all slept together in Rene's room last night. Before the trip, I never knew how safe and comforting it would be."

He sighed and nuzzled her ear. "The six weeks we'll be apart before we move back to our university apartments seems like an eternity." He turned her face so he could kiss her passionately. "It's probably a good thing that Takashi and Chiharu are in the car with us. If we'd taken separate vehicles, things might have gotten out of hand."

Takashi's attention was centered on the young woman sitting on his lap. He ran his fingers gently through her hair as he kissed her softly. She had one hand twirling the hair on the nape of his neck while the other was drawing lazy circles on his back.

He pulled back slightly and rested his forehead against hers. "I wish you could stay at Hinansho."

"I do, too," she murmured before kissing him firmly. "But I have to go home and break the news that I'm changing my major. At least Shima has already completed the paperwork for my internship so I'll be able to spend Winter Break at Hinansho."

Takashi smiled softly. "I'll be looking forward to that." He glanced out the window and his forehead creased in a small frown. "We're already here."

Chiharu looked away from Takashi and saw the front gate of her family's estate. "That was too quick. Walk me to the door?"

"Of course."

Atsuhiro carried Chiharu's luggage to the front door where a stern looking butler took it.

When Takashi returned to the car after saying his goodbyes to Chiharu, he climbed into the front passenger seat rather than getting into the back.

Atsuhiro looked at him with a quirked eyebrow. "They can have the time alone together. I'll ride with Mitsukuni back there on the way home."

OHSHC

"How about we give you a tour of Hinansho?" Hikaru asked Estee and Coco after they finished breakfast.

Kaoru added, "There are some people we'd like to introduce to you."

Estee cocked her head and asked teasingly, "Will there be a quiz? Because I don't think I could even get the 'family' from dinner last night right."

"No, no quiz," Hikaru assured her. "We just want you to know who to go to if you need anything if we're not available."

Estee wrapped her hand around Hikaru's arm as they left the dining room. Kaoru and Coco followed them, hand in hand. They headed to the front desk to get maps for the sisters.

"Oh, the stories we could tell you about this place," Kaoru reminisced. "Like the photo shoot just after the purchase was complete."

Hikaru laughed. "We'll have to find the photo books, especially the fairy tale with a twist."

Estee and Coco looked at the twins quizzically. "Okay," Estee said, "You can't just say something like that and not finish the story."

"We'll regale you with the stories during the tour. Afterward, we'll search for the photo books so you can see how cute we used to be," Kaoru preened.

"Too bad you've grown out of it," Coco teased.

Kaoru poked her ribs, making her giggle. "Ooo, now you've asked for it," he murmured, chasing her as she tried to get away.

OHSHC

Kyoya tapped lightly on the door to the Security Office. Tachibana looked up and gestured for him to enter. "What can I do for you, Kyoya-san?" he asked.

"I want to discuss security at university for this next year. There will be more of us, including the young ladies."

"True, we need to add the Beringar sisters to the roster of responsibility."

Kyoya nodded. "We should have them keep an eye on Reiko and Chiharu as well."

"Haruhi and I discussed that along with her security before her graduation. She wanted to make sure she could get a room in the dormitory next to the library. The university was able to accommodate her because of the prompt request. Fortunately, two of the female housekeeping security staff want to get their degrees in law enforcement. They were able to get assigned to the dormitory room next to Haruhi and her roommate, Shiori Nanjo."

"Dormitory? Haruhi will be living in the dormitory?" Kyoya's voice was tight. "I just bought the apartment building where most of us have been living. I anticipated she would be living there."

Tachibana looked at him thoughtfully. "You need to discuss that with her. Right now, let's discuss the security arrangements for the apartment building. You can talk to Haruhi after she returns from shopping with Ryoji."

They spent the next hour talking about security for the apartment building, guards for all those associated with the Hinan family, staff members who wanted to pursue university degrees, and additional staffing for Hinansho.

OHSHC

Shima noticed that Rene did not come down to breakfast so she went upstairs to check on him. There was a soft "Come in" in answer to her knock on the door. She entered to find the lights off and Rene sitting in an armchair staring at the floor.

"Sorry I missed breakfast. I got distracted," he said, his voice falsely bright.

Shima walked up and placed a comforting had on his shoulder. "You don't need to be strong for us. You need to grieve for the loss of your mother. She may have died nearly two years ago, but you just found out. It's okay to cry."

With that support and permission, Rene allowed himself to break into sobs.

OHSHC

Since Ryoji was working, Haruhi decided to invite the others over for dinner. Kyoya asked if he could help with preparations so they could have some time alone together. She welcomed his help and companionship.

An hour before the time set for dinner, Kyoya arrived with a serious look on his face. Haruhi was a little confused by his expression when she answered the door at his knock.

They washed their hands and then started preparing dinner of rice and steamed salmon with a salad. Kyoya rinsed the rice and poured it in to the rice cooker with the appropriate amount of water. Because they were preparing dinner for so many, the salmon had to be cooked separately in a multi-level steamer.

Haruhi watched him as she prepared the vegetables for the salad. "He has something on his mind. It's a good thing this dinner is mostly just prepare and wait." She finished making the salad and placed it in the refrigerator to chill.

After Kyoya finished wiping down the counter, Haruhi asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"What precisely is 'it' that I would want to talk about?" he answered stiffly.

She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and laying her head between his shoulder blades. "Whatever is bothering you."

He hung his head for a moment. Then he turned in her arms and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Why didn't you tell me you made arrangements to live in the dormitory at university?"

Haruhi hit her forehead with the heel of her hand. "I was going to tell you before we left on the trip, but everything got so busy…"

"But why the dormitory? I guess I expected you to get an apartment in the same building as the rest of us," he interrupted, pulling away.

She took his hand and pulled him into the living room to sit on the sofa next to her. "I was looking at a campus map and noticed how close the dormitory is to the library. On the other hand, the apartment building is on the other side of campus. You know how I lose track of time when I'm in a library and my major will require a lot of time there."

"Your point?" he asked dryly.

"Safety. It's less than one hundred meters of well-lit path from the library to the dormitory. The path from the library to the apartment building is a quarter mile containing several sections without lights and at least four potential ambush points," she detailed.

"I see you had Tachibana do a tactical analysis," Kyoya teased.

"Actually, it was Hotta. Tachibana was with you at the time." Haruhi laughed. "It's not that I don't want to live in the same building with everyone else, it's just impractical."

"Okay, I concede defeat on the safety issue. But what about your roommate? Do you know who she is?" There was a look of worry on his face.

Haruhi snuggled close to his side. "The university already gave me her name and contact information. Her name is Shiori Nanjo and she attended St. Roberia's Girls Academy. You would probably remember her older sister, Akina, who attended Ouran and was a frequent Host Club guest."

"I wonder why she didn't attend Ouran?" Kyoya mused.

Haruhi replied, "I asked her that. She said she was tired of forever following in her 'perfect' older sister's footsteps"

"She wasn't part of the Zuka Club, was she?" Kyoya asked, shivering at the thought.

"No, she thought they were way too over the top to be of any interest." She waited for a minute to see if Kyoya had any more questions or objections before she asked, "So, are we good with my living in the dorm?"

He looked at her in surprise and then his expression melted into understanding. "Yes, we're good. I'm sorry I was so moody about it. I just felt left out of the decision making."

Haruhi hummed, "Didn't like that dose of your own medicine?"

"Point taken." He pulled her into his lap and kissed her gently. "Forgive me?"

"Of course," she replied before kissing him passionately.

Before their makeout session could progress any further, there was a knock at the door. Reluctantly, Haruhi disentangled herself from Kyoya and got up to answer it.

Mitsukuni was bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "Took you long enough. Did we interrupt something?" he asked with a smirk, waggling his eyebrows.

Haruhi blushed slightly, but refused to rise to his bait. "Come on in, everyone. Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes."

OHSHC

Ryoji pouted as he watched Haruhi loading her trunk into the transport. "It's not fair! It seems like you just got home and now you're leaving me again."

"Dad, it's been five weeks. Classes start next Monday and I need to get settled," Haruhi explained again.

"I know," he huffed. "It's just so hard to see my Baby Girl so grown up and moving out on her own."

Haruhi wrapped him in a hug. "I know it's hard. Just remember that I still love you."

He tried and failed to stop the tears as he held her tightly. The others gathered around and Kyoya said, "Don't worry. We'll take care of her."

"More like she'll take care of all of you," Ryoji muttered as he released his daughter.

Estee, Coco, Hikaru, Kaoru, and Rene all subconsciously felt a wave of jealousy at the affection Ryoji was showing Haruhi. He caught their expressions and thought, "They don't have parents anymore, but they still need love and encouragement. I can give them that." Then he promptly made the rounds, hugging and encouraging each of the young people leaving for university.

Fuyumi was hugging Kyoya when she noticed what Ryoji was doing and decided to followed suit. She called out, "If any of you need someone to talk to, feel free to call me."

Tachibana and Atsuhiro finished loading the luggage while the group finished saying their goodbyes.

"Okay, Dad, we've already set up a schedule for you to come to dinner at the apartments once a month," Haruhi assured him. She gave him one last hug before climbing into the vehicle.

As the transport pulled through the gate of Hinansho on the way to university, Haruhi stared out the window. Kyoya laid a hand on her knee and squeezed it. "He'll be okay."

She sighed. "I know. He's just been dependent on me for thirteen years. I feel like I'm deserting him."

Takashi looked at her. "Ryoji needs to realize that he can't depend on you forever. In a way, he's still stuck at the point in time when your mother died."

"He needs to find a way to face his grief and move forward," Rene added. "Don't you have a psychology course this term? Maybe you could talk to your professor about some suggestions."

"I'll think about it," Haruhi murmured.

"So, who's getting dropped off first?" Mitsukuni asked.

Tachibana replied from the front seat, "We're stopping at the apartments first. That way, if Haruhi's roommate is in when we get there, we can invite her to join us for lunch."

"Are you sure you want to live in the dormitory, Haruhi?" Hikaru asked. "You'll be so far away from all the fun with the rest of us."

Haruhi turned to Kyoya and said, "There's another good reason for me to live in the dorm." To Hikaru, she said, "Kyoya and I have already discussed the matter and it's settled. It's not like I'll be living in Kyoto. I'm just across campus."

"When are Oto and Ataru moving in?" Kaoru inquired.

Kyoya replied, "They moved in yesterday. I promised them a campus tour this afternoon when we're all settled."

"Can we get in on that tour?" Estee asked as Coco nodded in agreement.

"Of course. I anticipated that we would all tour the campus together," Kyoya responded, chuckling. He turned to Takashi and Mitsukuni. "Have Chiharu and Reiko already moved in?"

"Chiharu moved in last week. The tension at home was getting to her. Her family was not very supportive of her decision to change majors. Her father has been pressuring her to reconsider," Takashi stated, anger coloring his tone.

Haruhi patted his hand. "We support her decision."

"And not just because it benefits Hinansho," Kaoru teased, holding up his hands to ward off the swat Haruhi aimed in his direction.

Mitsukuni said, "I helped Reiko move in the day before yesterday. She finally finished planting all her seeds and cuttings in the greenhouse at the other farm."

Hikaru winked at Mitsukuni. "Did you two have fun playing house while you were there?"

The blond blushed and refused to answer.

The vehicle stopped and Tachibana opened the door. "We're here."

"That was fast," Rene remarked.

"Let's make quick work of this so we can go see Haruhi's room," Coco said.

They just finished unloading everything but Haruhi's luggage when Reiko, Chiharu, and the six-member security detail came out of the building.

One of the security officers called, "Hikaru, Kaoru, Estee, and Coco please come with me so we can finish your paperwork and get your keys."

Chiharu took a seat on the edge of the open cargo hatch. "I'll wait here to watch the transport and luggage while you all carry things in. I sprained my ankle and the doctor told me to stay off it as much as possible for the next week."

It didn't take long before the luggage was in the correct apartments and everyone was ready to head to Haruhi's dorm room.

Thankfully, Haruhi didn't have much luggage because the closest parking to the dormitory was on the far side of the library. It was easiest to leave the transport parked at the apartment building and carry her things across campus. Mitsukuni helped Haruhi tote her trunk while Kyoya brought her security case, and Takashi carried Chiharu.

"You didn't bring very much, did you?" Hikaru commented.

Haruhi chuckled. "You'd be surprised how much I have packed in this trunk. Except for summer clothes, my entire wardrobe is in there. Of course, I had my textbooks delivered to my dorm so I didn't have to worry about packing them."

Hikaru shook his head sadly and lamented, "If your entire wardrobe is in there, we have some serious work to do."

"My wardrobe is just fine thank you very much," Haruhi stated. "Kyoya and Mitsukuni, please come with me. The rest of you wait here. I need to pick up my keys, leave my things in my room, and see if Shiori has arrived. When we get back, we'll all head to the restaurant for lunch. Fuyumi already reserved the largest private dining room."

Kaoru pouted, "Why do those two get to go with you and not us?"

"They are carrying my things and I don't want to scare my roommate off the first day by inundating her with this crowd before I have a chance to offer her lunch," Haruhi said waving her hand at their group.

Kyoya and Mitsukuni followed Haruhi as she went to the dormitory office to pick up her room and mailbox keys. She was barely in the office for a minute when she was back and headed down the hall. She stopped two doors down from the office and knock.

Mitsukuni looked at her quizzically. "Do you need to pick up your keys here?"

Haruhi smiled. "No. I picked up my keys in the office, but I wanted to give my roommate fair warning before opening the door, just in case she's not ready for company—especially male company."

"Oh, right." He blushed slightly.

While they were talking, the door opened and a petite young lady with long, honey-blond hair asked, "May I help you?"

Haruhi bowed and replied, "Hi, Shiori. I am your roommate, Haruhi Fujioka. This is my significant other, Kyoya Hinan, and his brother, Mitsukuni."

"It's good to finally put a face to the name." Shiori stepped aside so they could bring in Haruhi's luggage. "Though my sister, Akina, was really confused when I told her you were my roommate. The only Haruhi she knew at Ouran was a guy in the Host Club. You do look a lot like one of the Host Club members in the photobooks that she leaves scattered all over the house."

"That's right. Akina graduated before my gender was revealed as female last year. There's quite a story behind that. In fact, if you'd like to come to lunch with us, we can tell it."

Kyoya spoke up, "You better warn her that it will be more than the four of us."

Shiori looked at him questioningly.

"Their other four brothers, some significant others, two translators, and a couple security personnel will also be joining us," Kyoya clarified.

"Quite the crowd you travel in. Are there any restaurants around here that can accommodate that size group?" Shiori asked.

"Don't worry. We have a private dining room reserved at our favorite restaurant not far from campus," Haruhi assured her.

Shiori smiled. "In that case, I would love to have lunch with you and meet everyone. It will be good to know people around campus."

Mitsukuni grinned. "And we have lots of stories to tell you."

OHSHC

Over the next few months, Shiori was included in a number of the activities with the Hinan family. She enjoyed the weekend dinners at the apartments and the outings to local fairs as part of the group. Because all the other Hinan brothers had significant others, Rene hosted Shiori during the activities.

Before they knew it, Halloween was approaching. Three weeks before the day, posters started appearing all over campus advertising a huge costume contest. That weekend, it was Hikaru and Kaoru's turn to host dinner. They decided to make nikujaga, since the stew could easily feed their crowd by adding more meat and potatoes.

After everyone had a bowl of stew, Hikaru stood up and brandished a copy of the costume contest flyer. "I think we should participate in the group costume for this," he announced.

"Do you have any ideas for a group this size?" Coco asked with interest.

"And balanced? Most of the group cosplays out there are reverse harems," Haruhi added. "I should know. I read enough of those to Kirimi back at Ouran."

"What about Mei-chan's Bulter?" Takashi suggested. "That could work since each girl has to have a butler."

Kaoru thought about it for a moment. "That could work. Haruhi could be Mei because she has the short hair. That would make Kyoya Rihito."

"I can see Takashi as Daimon with Chiharu as Miruku," Mitsukuni offered.

"Then Mitsukuni and I could be Rin and Yotsuya. I have just the beads for us to use," Reiko said excitedly.

"I can be Rihito's brother, Kento. The butler-in-training for Shiori's Rika," Rene offered, bowing to his intended partner for the cosplay.

Haruhi thought for a moment. "That leaves the twins and the Beringar sisters."

"I want to be Fujiko to Hikaru's Nezu," Estee declared, cuddling up to Hikaru's side.

"Then I can be Izumi and Kaoru can be Kiba," Coco stated, patting Kaoru's knee..

Kyoya chuckled. "Well, it sounds like we have a plan. About the costumes…" He looked to Hikaru.

"Not a problem. I can take the measurements later and send them off to my cosplay division. They should have everything we need."

OHSHC

When Halloween arrived, it appeared that nearly everyone on campus decided to participate in the costume contest. Everywhere they looked there were zombies, werewolves, superheroes, cartoon characters, and many others. Some were extremely elaborate, while others were as simple as a t-shirt that read, "This is my costume." Even some of the professors got into the spirit of the holiday and dressed up.

When the group met up after classes, Mitsukuni said, "I wonder if we have a chance of winning the group category in the costume contest? There have been a lot of amazing costumes today."

"I'm just glad we could all do this together," Reiko responded.

"So, what are we going to do for dinner?" Coco asked, looking around at all the food booths that had popped up during the day.

Haruhi shrugged. "Kyoya insisted that it was his job as my butler to make all the arrangements. Do any of you guys know anything?" She looked around at the Hinan brothers. They all looked slightly guilty, like they knew something but weren't telling.

"How would we know what Kyoya is up to?" Kaoru replied, unconvincingly.

Before Haruhi could question him further, Kyoya stepped up behind her and announced, "If you will please come with me, Mei-sama, your dinner is waiting."

Haruhi started and turned around with her hand on her chest. "Don't scare me like that."

In response, he merely bowed and gestured to a roped off area where six small tables were set with sumptuous dinners and a long table off to the side held much humbler fare. "Please allow me to escort you to your table."

Each of the other brothers escorted their ladies to their tables as well. After the men had served, the ladies dismissed them to have their own dinner at the long table. As each of the ladies finished her dinner, she called for her butler to escort her to the festivities.

Takashi got in character by picking up and carrying Chiharu. Reiko and Mitsukuni pretended to read auras with their jade beads. Hikaru and Estee draped themselves over each other.

Soon an announcer was calling over the loudspeaker, "Contestants for the costume contest please make your way to the central stage area. We have twelve categories—scariest, most timely, cutest, most original, best superhero, best villain, best couple, needs an explanation, funniest, most technologically advanced, most creative, and best group. Please register in the category you wish to compete."

The Hinans and friends made their way to the staging area and signed up for the best group category. There were only ten entries and most contained four or five people.

Because the groups were being judged last, there was plenty of time to admire and discuss the other costume categories. Hikaru was even taking notes about some of the creative touches used. "Who knew tonight would turn out to be a great place for market research?" he mumbled to himself.

Kaoru turned to Haruhi and said, "Just look at what you and Kyoya have done. Now he's working during our fun times. You're such a corrupting influence." He dramatically tilted his head back and laid his arm across his forehead.

"They're not giving any awards for acting," Takashi teased as Kaoru pretended to slump to the ground in mortification.

"You have to admit, there are some great costumes here tonight," Mitsukuni noted.

Rene turned to Shiori. "Are you having fun? I know we can be a bit much at times."

Shiori smiled at him. "This is the most fun I've had on Halloween in a long time. Thanks for including me."

"You are most welcome," Rene replied, bowing over her hand.

Finally, the judges were ready for the group category. After much deliberation, the award was given to a sextet dressed as the Avengers.

"Well, that was disappointing," Kaoru commented.

Hikaru responded, "Well, you have to admit they look great. In fact, I have got to ask them where they got their outfits. I'll be right back."

"We'll meet you back at the apartments," Estee called to him as she left with the group.

"Don't take too long Hikaru. We want to have time to watch the movie," Coco said.

"And I want snacks," Mitsukuni added.

OHSHC

Haruhi was packing a few things in her satchel when Shiori entered their room. "Leaving soon?" she asked.

Shiori looked at her luggage by the door. "The chauffeur will be here in five minutes to help carry my bags to the car." She sat on her bed and flipped through a magazine.

"Anything wrong?"

Tossing the magazine aside, Shiori answered, "I'm not looking forward to this trip. It's all for Akina as a reward for her modeling contract. I made top marks in all my classes and all I get is a 'that's nice' from my mother. Akina and my father never even acknowledged me."

Haruhi looked at her with understanding. "Just remember that you're invited to drop in any time for the Open House at Hinansho from December 26th through the 28th."

"I'll try, if we make it back from Australia in time." The was a sharp knock on the door. Shiori opened it and the chauffeur was waiting. He silently stepped inside and picked up Shiori's luggage.

"Have a good Winter Break" Haruhi called as her roommate and the chauffeur headed out the door.

Alone in the room, Haruhi quickly cleaned it in preparation for being away for the two weeks of Winter Break. "I hope she has a good time. I wish I could convince her to think more about what she wants out of her life, rather than comparing it to her sister's."

Several minutes later, she nodded in satisfaction, surveying the tidy room. The was a knock on the door and she answered it to find Kyoya leaning on the door frame. "You about ready?" he inquired with a smirk.

"Just let me grab my satchel." She snagged the strap from the back of her chair. On the way out the door, she turned off the lights and made sure the door was locked.

"I can't wait to get to Hinansho," Kyoya said as he took her hand.

Haruhi kissed him on the cheek and replied, "Me, too. It's going to be so much fun to be home with everyone and no homework to think about."

17