Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews, favs, and follows.
Disclaimer: Don't own it, never will.
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xXx
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Date Posted: 2/8/2020
Trigger Warnings: Language, Smooching, and Talk of Sex
The Next Phase - Chapter 23:
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Wednesday, March 2:
Host Club:
"Welcome!"
"Oh, look at that."
"It's like a wonderland!"
"I remember this from when I was a kid."
"Look at the colorful trees over there."
"And that huge stuffed elephant…"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, I present his most loved characters."
Those doppelgangers might be annoying sometimes, but they outdid themselves for the costumes this week.
"Over by all the colorful Truffula trees, you'll find Honey-senpai as the Lorax, and Haruhi as a Bar-ba-loot bear eating the Truffula fruits."
I spun and pointed to Mori-senpai and the twins sitting together surrounded by a red trunk, fishbowls with goldfish, several kites flying above them, and blue umbrellas.
"In front of the windows, you'll find Mori-senpai as the Cat in the Hat. Don't his whiskers look adorable? His two playmates, Thing 1 and Thing 2 are perfectly portrayed by our own Hitachiin Twins!"
Stepping towards another grouping of chairs I said, "Here we have Satoshi and Chika as the Sneetches." They look ridiculous with a full yellow costume stuffed to give them big bellies. Satoshi has the green star.
"Kasanoda will be offering all his guests green eggs and ham today. Please enjoy these treats."
It's not really eggs and ham, but cookies decorated to look like them.
"And for my Princesses, please step over to the huge stuffed elephant and listen for the Who's yelling.
"As the Mayor of Whoville, I welcome you all to our celebration of this amazing man's birthday."
My designees followed me to the stuffed Horton and sat on chairs designed to mimic those in Whoville with strange colors and exaggerated backs, arms, and legs.
Surrounding us was a ring of pink clover, just like the one Horton had to dig through to find his special one with the Who's.
"Tamaki-kun, I love your costume."
"Thank you, my darling. Nothing but the finest for our Host Club guests."
The mayor in the book didn't wear pants, so those two decided I wouldn't either. Instead I wore what Renge-chan described as fur leggings. I thought they'd be itchy but are actually quite comfortable. My blue vest with white fur collar has furry sleeves to mimic the leggings. The pointy toed shoes were hard to walk in until I got used to them.
"Please, try this new clover tea we had imported just for the occasion."
"Thank you, Mr. Mayor," one of my guests giggled. I'm so pleased they are enjoying themselves. That is the pride of the Host Club – to make every girl happy.
One of my long-time guests asked, "Tamaki-kun, do you know what you're going to do after graduation?"
I haven't given this as much thought as I should have. Renge-chan's and my upcoming engagement has taken over all my thoughts. I must see that marriage contract soon.
"I'll be going to Tokyo University and studying international economics and business. I'll need both to take over the Suoh's banking interests."
"Oh, I'm going there too, but I'll be majoring in graphic design and marketing. Father wants me to take over that branch of the business. I hope to keep working after I'm married."
"An excellent idea, Princess. Everyone should be able to fulfill their dreams."
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"Honey-senpai," Haru-chan whispered in my ear, "this bear costume is very warm."
"I suppose you could take off the hat." Those twins designed her a full body costume with the goal, I'm sure, to keep her guests from staring. The headpiece was furry with ears sticking out of the top. It had straps that came down and attached under her chin. They might have gone overboard.
"No, but maybe I'll take a break and splash some water on my face."
"Good idea. I'll keep talking while you're gone."
She stood up and said, "Please excuse me gentlemen. I'll be right back with more tea and cake."
One of the boys, who obviously had no brains, asked if Haru-chan had a boyfriend.
"No. Our Haru-chan is too innocent for that," I growled with the emphasis on 'Our'. I'd rather not have to Usa-chan kick him to make my point.
But his question brought up last night and the conversation that Satoshi told me about. Haru-chan went to dinner and a movie with Naoto-chan, her dog breeder friend. Was it a date? Did she have a boyfriend?
"I'm back." Haru-chan returned pushing a cart with tea and something I was told are called cake pops. They were supposed to be the fruit on the Truffula trees. I won't complain. They taste like cake, and it's only for one day.
"Haruhi-chan, I never read this book. What's it about?"
She smiled indulgently at Osamu-chan, her secret admirer that left her chocolate covered strawberries, and began explaining, "It's a children's story about a beautiful forest that is cut down in the name of progress. The Lorax 'speaks for the trees' and warns about over-harvesting and pollution."
He took one of the copies off the table and skimmed through it. "This is entertaining for children and also teaches about environmentalism. I'll have to send my niece a copy. I'll send her an English language version so she can start learning early."
"What a great idea," she smiled. "Your niece is lucky to have such a thoughtful uncle."
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"What sort of trouble should we start today, brother?"
"Anything we want to, right Cat?"
What was Tamaki thinking pairing me up with the twins as the 'Cat in the Hat'? Although, at least I'm not the elephant, his first choice.
I glared at them and said, "Just don't bother me." Unfortunately, they took me at my word.
Because a fish is featured so prominently in the book, Satoshi found various flavors of fish-shaped crackers for our table. The twins started throwing them at each other and our guests, who thought it was funny. If the girl at the end of the sofa knew she had some in her hair, I'm not sure she'd be laughing.
Next thing I know, they are throwing them at Tamaki, landing them in his wig. He doesn't realize what's going on, even though his guests are laughing behind their hands.
"Is your hair permanently dyed blue?"
"We're not sure, Princess. Do you want it to be?"
"It does match the blue of the uniform."
"Then we'll have to keep it for a while."
She smiled at them and started throwing the crackers back at them. They made a big show of catching them in their mouths.
"That's three in a row! Keep 'em coming." That has to be Hikaru.
"Kaoru, I thought the suits in your fashion ads were sharp. Will we be able to purchase them too?"
"Of course. They will be available in commoner stores. You only have to go and get them there."
"How exciting. A trip to a commoner store."
Haruhi may think we don't, but I definitely understand her frustration with the novelty her commoner status and lifestyle are treated. She shouldn't feel like she's in a zoo.
"Hikaru, how is your internship going?"
The cracker must have gone down the wrong way because he started choking. "Water…"
No water on the table, but she handed him some tea.
"It's going well," he answered, once he could breathe again. "I'm learning a lot about programming and software development."
"Sounds so technical. Are you going to leave the fashion business?"
I hadn't thought of that. The idea of Hikaru abandoning his fashion designing was odd to say the least.
"Probably not. Maybe I'll shift to designing the costumes worn in computer games. I could always collaborate with Kaoru or Mom on a line sometime."
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"That's not really green eggs and ham, is it?"
"Nope. Just cookies decorated to look like it. I'm not sure any of us wanted to try the real thing."
"I agree," she said, taking a cookie and a cup of tea.
These chicks. Why the fuck would they ever think we'd serve them that shit.
Because 'Sam I Am's' costume is yellow, they put me in the girl's uniform dress. I still had one day left to wear it after I lost that bet to Shinobu and she's not even here to see it. I look like an idiot.
Without her here, I'm lost at starting a conversation. I looked up the history on the book, hoping I'd find something to talk about.
"Did you know this book was written on a bet?" I asked.
"Really? That doesn't make sense. Why would someone have to write a book if they lost a bet?"
"The bet was with his publisher. Dr. Seuss had to write a book using only 50 different words. They could be repeated, but he could only use 50. He won the bet with this book."
"I wouldn't have thought a book that simple could be so popular."
"Well," one of the others said, "it is a kid's book."
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I'm really hating this cosplay. Normally, Satoshi doesn't host, but he wanted to today. He and I are the Sneetches, and we're sitting here in these ridiculous yellow body costumes with stuffing to make us fat. I understand the point of the story, but this thing is uncomfortable, and Satoshi keeps getting up to deal with things, leaving me here with both our clients.
"Chika-kun, are you jealous that Satoshi-kun has the star?"
So, even though I understand the point, not all of them do.
"No, I'm not. The moral of the story is everyone's different, but everyone's also equal. Having a star or not doesn't make someone better than someone else."
"Oh."
"So, Chika-kun, why don't you have a girlfriend?"
That completely blindsided me. Why would they care?
"I'm focused on getting to and winning the Olympics. I don't have time for anything else."
Her smile was funny as she said, "Well then, we'll just have to wait."
Wait for what? I don't want a girlfriend. They're nothing but a distraction.
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xXx
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After Host Club:
"Satoshi, I think we're ready for the meeting," Tamaki-senpai said to me.
"Alright, then. It should be a fast meeting." I looked around the table and started. "What have been the reactions to not having the girlfriends here?"
"I'll start," Renge-senpai said. "Most of the girls have commented to me, even if I'm considered one of the 'girlfriends'."
"That's probably because you don't sit with Tamaki-senpai, and he directs all his attention to his guests," Haruhi pointed out.
"I'm sure that's why. Most comments have been positive. They're happy they are gone, but disappointed that some of you have a girlfriend at all. They tell me the fantasy is harder to believe."
"Shouldn't they be fantasizing about their own boyfriends or fiancés?"
"Keep in mind, Haruhi, that most of them have arranged marriages and probably don't want to fantasize about their fiancé."
I heard her mumble something about rich bastards, then Renge-senpai continued.
"There's no way any of you will break up just for your clients, so they will just have to learn to live with it."
"Anyone else?"
"Today, one of them asked me what Shinobu and I do on dates. I said something about movies and food. I didn't feel comfortable answering for a couple reasons. It's none of their fucking business, and it's a security issue for us. Some of the places we go and things we do are syndicate related."
"Were they satisfied with your answer," I asked.
"I guess. They're so weird, I never know what they're thinking."
He and Shinobu-senpai make a good pair. I don't think anyone else could understand their business and background. It's a good thing Haruhi-senpai didn't start dating him after Ootori pulled that marriage contract shit.
"If they ask again, turn it back on them and ask what they like to do. You should all do that if they ask," Renge said. Good advice.
"One of them asked if I had a girlfriend. I told them I was focused on the Olympics and didn't have time for one."
"Good answer."
Everyone was getting fidgety, so I took back control to move us along. "Next item is the Host Club trip we'll be taking over the long weekend, March 18-20. That Friday is a teacher workday, so we have it off. Where do we want to go?"
"If it's only a three-day weekend, we should stay close and not waste time traveling." Haruhi-senpai, always the logical one.
"We could take a helicopter or private jet. It doesn't have to be too close."
"What about going back to the Suoh apartment?"
"I don't see why not. Grandmother doesn't care who uses it, since she never does, and Father doesn't have any meetings that weekend. I'll check with him. However, I will be going to a gallery show on Saturday night."
"We should all go!" Mitsukuni yelled. Great. Boring.
"It's a great excuse for us to design dresses for the girls!"
I hadn't thought of that. "Will this trip be just us, or are the girlfriends coming?"
Takashi spoke up before anyone else could. "Just us. There are many things we need to discuss about the Host Club next year."
"Like what, Mori-senpai?"
"We should wait until the trip."
"Last is a quick update on the bogus tips we've been victims of. Taka?"
"The legal task force has been investigating the tips, working with the police, and sending out their own private detectives. There is no new information."
"Have they asked Ootori yet?" Chika asked. Haruhi-senpai turned away and started talking to Renge-senpai.
"Not yet. They will after the funeral."
"Anything else?" I asked. I could hear the girls coming from the library for our study group and wanted to end this thing.
"No. Nothing else. Let's welcome our wonderful Princesses."
He can really go overboard sometimes.
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Kyoya-senpai sent me an email last night demanding more information. I have to tell Kaoru tonight about us and hope he forgives me.
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"Is anyone else going to Ootori Yoshio's funeral," Naoko-chan asked. "My family must go because of our business connections."
Haru-chan's face paled alarmingly and she excused herself to the restroom. Naoko-chan doesn't know the whole story, so she wouldn't know to not bring that up.
"My parents and I are going," Takashi said. "Mitsukuni and his parents are as well."
"I'll be there with Father and Grandmother."
"Then I'll see you there. I won't be talking business with anyone, so it's nice to have someone to talk to."
Takashi nodded, acknowledging Naoko-chan's request. I'd rather not talk business either, so we'll take care of her there.
"I'll be there too," Renge-senpai said. "We can sit together and talk about everyone's clothes."
That got a smile from Naoko-chan. I don't care who I'm talking to as long as there is plenty of cake. And I mean tons of cake. It's the only way I'll make it through.
One of the twins asked, "Chika? Satoshi? You aren't going?"
"Only the heirs are going. I'm leaving it all up to Taka."
"So, what are you two going to do all day?"
Chika-chan told everyone he'll be training. I hope one day he'll surpass me, but it will be a while.
"I'll be going with Haruhi-senpai to a dog show for her company. Petto Chinmi has a marketing booth there and is sponsoring part of the show itself. I guess I'm free labor if she needs it."
"And I'm grateful, but careful what you ask for. I might work you into the ground." Haru-chan was smiling as she came back in the room. "Now, can we please get back to studying? I have a physics quiz tomorrow."
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xXx
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Dinner at Diner:
"It's good to be back here. I missed the crazy food," Hika said as we sat down at our regular table.
"Hello again," our regular server said as she walked up. I saw her wink at Satoshi, and he winked back. She's got to be ten years older than him.
She took our orders and asked, "Where's my favorite drag queen?"
Ranka. How could I have forgotten this is Haruhi's first time back without Ranka. I'm such an idiot.
Honey-senpai started to talk to Haruhi about cake while Satoshi pulled the server aside and told her what happened.
"I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"It's fine. Since this is her first time back, she'd rather not talk about it."
"Of course. I'll go put your order in."
I wanted to make sure all the girls knew we wouldn't be around during that long weekend, so I told them about our planning trip.
"However," Tamaki-senpai said, "I'd like to invite you all to the Noguchi Gallery on Saturday for an opening and then a late dinner."
"I'm happy to come, Tamaki. I can wear my new pink dress."
Doesn't Cho-senpai have anything to wear that isn't pink? No wonder she and Honey-senpai get along so well.
"What's the show?"
"It's a digital artist. If you want to know more, you'll have to come with us."
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Halfway through my dinner, I heard whispers from across the room.
"Is that her?"
"I think so."
"Let's go ask."
"What if we're wrong?"
"We're not. Come on."
Three women in their twenty's came over and asked me if I was the model in the new Hitachiin line.
Kaoru answered for me. "Yes, ladies, she's my model. I'm honored you are interested in my new fashion line."
As they talked about the line, I watched the room. Mori-senpai, Honey-senpai, Satoshi, and Chika all tensed and became more alert when the women had walked over. Not sure what they thought was going to happen. They couldn't have been that much of a threat.
Apparently, my security didn't agree with me. Eiji gave some of the guards a couple of signals, changing their deployment. The two sitting at the table behind me looked like they were ready to pounce.
This will take some getting used to.
I came back to the conversation as they were leaving. Kaoru had given them an autographed photo, explaining that I wasn't a professional model and wanted to remain anonymous. Not sure how long that's going to work.
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xXx
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Hitachiin Limo:
"You feel so good," he moaned against my neck, hot lips nibbling and rough tongue licking.
Kaoru's hands were up the back of my shirt, headed for my bra clasp. He'd already told the driver to just drive around until he told him to take me home. No deadline.
"Mmmmm, Naoko, don't stop."
I'd worked one hand into his hair and was tugging. My other hand was stroking his thigh, getting higher and higher.
He's completely different from Kyoya. I trust Kaoru. I trust him, and I love him.
Shit…I love Kaoru.
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Suddenly, she pulled back and grabbed my wrists. "Kaoru, before this goes any further, I need to tell you something."
Her face was beet red. Was it from our heavy make-out session or embarrassment?
"It's OK, Naoko-chan. You can tell me anything," I panted. What the hell could be so important to stop us.
She looked at me through her eyelashes and said, "I'm not a virgin."
I couldn't help it. I chuckled, "So. Neither am I."
"You don't want to know who…"
"Nope. Don't care. That's the past."
"You need to know. I don't want you blindsided later. I don't want you to hate me later."
"I could never hate you, Naoko-chan. Never."
Who did she sleep with? Why would I hate her? I can only think on one person…
She took a deep breath and stared me straight in the eye. "It was Kyoya-senpai."
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All the color drained from his face, then, just as quickly, it turned angry red. I could see the anger and disgust in his eyes.
I knew it was over when he lifted me off his lap and dropped me on the seat across from him. My Kaoru. I've ruined everything.
"Kaoru?"
"Why him?" he whispered. He's in shock.
"We went out a couple times, and it just happened. After, we agreed to be friends and not tell anyone."
"Then why are you telling me? Why now?"
Tears were running down my face, and I could feel them landing on my hands in my lap. I pulled some tissue out of my purse.
I must tell him all the truth. Nothing left out. I only have one chance at this. "He kept his word until recently. He told me I had to spy on the host club members and their girlfriends, or he'd tell you everything. I couldn't do it. I decided to tell you myself. It's not fair to you to hold it back. You need to know."
I watched in absolute horror as he turned and looked out the window. My heart was thudding against my chest, and my stomach was doing flips. I feared I'd lose my dinner right here in the limo.
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Kyoya. That asshole. She slept with that asshole. Kyoya. Kyoya.
The fucker that hurt Haruhi. Did he hurt Naoko like he hurt her?
I watched the people on the street, feeling jealous. Their world didn't just end. I was going to tell Naoko that I love her. I was going to Friday night on our date.
And now this. Kyoya!
"Kaoru?" she whispered.
"Not yet," I snapped. I can't talk to her yet. I can't. What the hell am I going to do now?
She's sobbing. Does she regret sleeping with him? Him forcing her to tell me about it? Or me knowing no matter how?
"If I could, I'd take it back. I would have never even gone on a date with him. If I'd known where my life was going. If I'd known we'd get together. Please, Kaoru. Say something."
What can I say? She slept with the person I hate most in this world.
"Kaoru, please."
Everything just changed from one moment to the next.
"When?" It better not have been while he was dating Haruhi. I really will kill him.
Her crying slowed down as she tried to control herself. "Beginning of my first year."
So, before he started dating Haruhi. Before he hurt her. Before he threatened her. But all that doesn't matter, she still doesn't know everything he did to her. She didn't know who he was.
Does that matter?
What has changed about Naoko since she told me? I found out she made a bad decision. A mistake she regrets.
Will she think that about me?
I looked back at her tear-stained face and red eyes, and asked, "Naoko, how do you feel about me?"
The sobbing started again. Shit.
"I…I…I love you, Kaoru. I love you. I'm so sorry."
Here it is. Time to make a decision. I can't drag this out.
With a deep breath, I moved to sit next to her and put my arm around her shoulder. If I let this go, I can never bring it back up. Can I let this go?
One look into her glassy eyes answered that.
"Don't apologize. It was something you did before we got together."
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Does that mean he forgives me?
"You forgive me?"
"No." I felt the tears build up again, but he continued. "There's nothing to forgive. It's the past, right?"
"Yes. The past."
He pulled me onto his lap and hugged me. "I love you too, Naoko. The past doesn't matter. We both started fresh when we started dating."
"Kaoru." I'm so relieved I threw my arms around him and started sobbing again.
"Hey, none of that. It's over. We can't pretend it didn't happen, but we can let it go and move forward. Will you do that for me?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll do that for you."
We talked about our relationship and where it was going as the driver wandered around Tokyo. It was another hour before he took me home.
I know we're stronger now than we were before.
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xXx
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Graveyard:
"Hi Dad. I'm sorry I haven't come sooner. I miss you so much it hurts."
Haruhi-sama had insisted we bring her here before going back to the Morinozuka Estate. Security is actually easier here than the diner. I never know who could walk up to her there, but here I can see them coming.
"I'm out of the wheelchair, and my ribs don't hurt much anymore. I have a couple scars, but they aren't that bad."
It was cold tonight with at least two inches of snow covering the grass. It muffled the sound, making Haruhi-sama's words louder that she realized.
"The Morinozuka's are taking excellent care of me, and I'm slowly getting used to the lifestyle."
She brushed off a spot on the ground and sat on it. Putting her hand on her father's marker, she said, "I saw a doctor the other day. A psychiatrist. He prescribed some anti-anxiety medication for my panic attacks.
"It's not just thunder anymore, Dad. Between Ritsu's shooting and the accident, I'm scared of any loud noise. The worst part is they are everywhere. Balloons popping, books dropping on the floor, truck horns, car backfires, and I know I've heard shooting, but no one else ever does."
I could see her breath and wondered if her tears were freezing as they fell. We need to get her back into the SUV soon before she gets sick. The driver is keeping it running with the heat on.
"Crowds scare me, unfamiliar places make me uncomfortable, and I can barely stand to be in a car. My driver is very careful, not going too fast or taking the turns too hard. I'm not sure he knows that I've realized it. I should thank him."
She told him about the dog show this weekend, and the Host Club trip coming up.
When I could see her shivering and hear her teeth chatter, I knew I had to end her visit. I was as gentle as I could be.
"Haruhi-sama," I said quietly. "You're freezing. We need to get you home and into a hot bath."
She turned to face me, and I could see that the tears had turned to ice on her cheeks. I shouldn't have waited so long.
"Thank you, Eiji. Can you help me get up? It's hard with only one arm."
On our way home, she sneezed twice.
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xXx
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Email from Naoko to Kyoya:
Kyoya-senpai,
I told Kaoru everything. I will not be your spy.
Don't ever contact me again.
Naoko
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xXx
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Thursday, March 3:
Host Club:
"Welcome!"
Most of the hosts were distracted for one reason or another…
Tamaki:
Commoners have such wonderful ideas. Today is World Wildlife Day. To celebrate, we have some live animals and some stuffed. Chika also came up with a charity for us to support, the World Wildlife Fund. I've seen several of our princesses drop checks or cash into our huge piggy bank – yet another thing commoners created. Imagine having to save up your change in a pig!
We'll be keeping it as the drop box for the Tuesday's charity. It's too precious not to.
Father reassures me the marriage contract will be ready for Renge-chan and me to review in the next week or two. I'm so excited. I found the perfect ring that will look perfect on her hand. It's a 10 carat round solitaire with one carat diamonds on either side and half carat diamonds in the band. It's so bright it will light up Tokyo.
Now, I must plan the most romantic proposal ever on earth!
Hikaru:
Kaoru's hiding something from me, and he never does that. He was fine at the diner last night, but weird after he took Naoko home. So, little brother, what happened in the limo last night?
I asked about the ride and said, 'Fine'. Just that. Nothing else.
He's not even playing up to our brotherly love today.
And who the fuck thought it'd be a good idea to play a soundtrack of animal noises today? That elephant is making me fucking crazy.
Kaoru:
I know I said I'd let it go, and I will, but it's way harder than I thought. I mean, Kyoya? Even if I ignore everything he's done, I can't see the attraction.
Are those crazy birds going to circle the room and shit all day? What was Satoshi thinking? I know Tamaki-senpai is nuts, but sometimes you just have to tell him no.
After Hika came back from the hospital, Haruhi never brought up the attack. Ever. She said it was in the past and she forgave him. All she wanted to do was help him recover and come back to the group.
If Haruhi can put an assault in the past and never bring it up again, I should be able to put a consenting act in the past. I will. I promised Naoko.
It's just going to take longer than I thought, but I swear I'll never bring it up. I promised.
I love Naoko, and I never want to let her go.
Satoshi:
The theme is better than I thought. Tamaki-senpai wanted all kinds of wild animals running loose around the room. Not only was it a stupid idea, but I'd never get our insurance company to cover it. We settled on a limited number of live animals with mostly stuffed ones.
Then, Haruhi-senpai pointed out that dead, stuffed animals was not the way to celebrate World Wildlife Day, so we moved onto huge stuffed toy animals. It's both cheaper and easier that way.
As for the live ones, we brought in something she called a 'petting zoo'. Interesting concept. The girls could pet things like bunnies, chinchillas, hedgehogs, lambs, calves, ducks, and other non-threatening animals. They could also take the bunnies and hedgehogs to their host area and pet them while being hosted.
Each host had a stuffed animal as large as a person sitting in one of their chairs. None of us predicted this, but the girls were sitting in their laps taking pictures with their phones.
Girls. They are beautiful, soft, sweet, gentle, loveable, and mysterious. I'll never figure them out but will never stop trying.
Taka, Chika, and Mitsukuni were all relieved Haruhi-senpai agreed to take me to the dog show. The plan worked great. I asked if I could go like it was an off the cuff decision, and she agreed.
I'll be able to keep an eye on her and that Yoshida-san. It may have started out innocent with a business question, but he took her on a date! A date!
None of us are comfortable with that.
Chika:
The Morinozuka lawyer wants to talk to Haruhi-senpai this afternoon, so I had to move our finance appointments to next week. I'm not sure what her investments are, but I know he'll be able to explain them. She'll have to learn to manage a lot of money now. At our level, it's not a wise decision to either let it sit or let someone manage it without oversight.
The girls sitting with us today really aren't paying us any attention. Between passing rabbits and hedgehogs between them, they are sitting in that stupid walrus's lap – if you can call it that – and taking pictures. One of mine went straight to the petting area and never came over here.
I don't understand why one of my designees asked if I have a girlfriend. Why do they care? I'm too busy for all that mess. I watch Mitsukuni and Cho-senpai and am relieved I'm not in a relationship. Too much time and effort. I'm going to the Olympics. I'm going to win a gold medal for Japan. That and my grades are my sole focus right now.
I have another world cup in three weeks. I must step up my training regimen.
Kasanoda:
This is ridiculous. I miss Shinobu.
The only reason I joined this weird club was to be close to Haruhi. Now she's only here two days and Shinobu isn't here at all. I'm not getting anything out of it. The most fun of the week is dinner with everyone on Wednesday nights. I could do that even if I wasn't a host.
Pops mentioned my grades again. Fuck. I understand needing to speak English, but when am I ever going to use that geometry shit as a yakuza boss. Pops barely finished middle school.
Unless someone can come up with a damn good reason, I'm going to quit next year. It's my last year, and Shinobu and I will probably be engaged.
How does she feel about that? I know we're having fun together, but where is this going? What does she want? Does she even want to merge syndicates?
I've got too much shit to do and no time for the club anymore.
Especially if we're going to have a huge stuffed gorilla sitting with us. It's keeping most of the chicks occupied, but one of them sat down next to me and put a hedgehog in my hands.
Fucking thing is actually kinda cute.
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xXx
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Ouran Library:
Although most of them need to, the girls were not studying:
Renge:
I'm almost done with the first volume of the manga. Once Satoshi gets it printed, I know it will fly off the shelves.
It has romance, back-stabbing, gorgeous dresses, fancy cars, kissing, yacht trips, and more romance. What more could any fangirl want?
I should start an original manga and self-publish like those I found at the manga store. What would be a good idea?
High school in outer space full of aliens?
Victorian romance?
Lost at sea?
It's so frustrating. Nothing sounds as good as the Host Club.
Yuki:
I'm not sure how my designer is supposed to come up with a sexy black dress that's appropriate for the huge political event Ootori-sama's funeral will be. Father wants to show me off to Kyoya-senpai, so he'll agree faster to the marriage.
I wish I could ask the group about him, but Father can not afford any rumors. Kyoya-senpai will publicly deny them and may even end our company in the process.
If Father wishes it, the marriage must be what's best for the company and the family. I have no choice but to accept. Things will work out.
The one thing I truly regret is not being able to date Hikaru. Our personalities go well together, and I think we could have made it work.
Naoko:
Looks like we're all just staring at our books, but not studying.
Not sure what's weighing everyone else down, but I'm worried sick about Kyoya-senpai and Kaoru. I barely slept last night.
Kaoru and I spent a long time last night analyzing our relationship and where it's going. I love him and he loves me. That's all that matters. We'll make it work.
We'll both be graduating next year, and we'll know for sure by then.
What really has me nauseous is Kyoya-senpai. I sent him that email and haven't heard back. He could go public (that wouldn't hurt his reputation at all) or he could tell my parents. There's a very small chance he'd just let it go.
We were friends once. I think we might have actually cared about each other then. Even after all this mess, I'd like to think some of that remains. Probably not. What am I going to do if Mother and Father find out?
Keiko:
I decided to stop going to the host club. I know nothing will ever happen between me and Mori-senpai and came to terms with that a while ago. We're still friends and seeing him for dinner on Wednesday nights is enough for now.
He needs to concentrate on Haruhi. She needs him the most. Before the accident and her father's death, I could tell they were getting closer. He's had to put that on hold for now. She needs friends and all the support they can give her, not a new romantic relationship that could be shaky at the beginning, especially if they're living in the same mansion.
I've applied for universities in Japan, America, and England. Stanford is my top choice. It's only an eleven-hour flight back to Tokyo, and they offer a wide range of classes. I can take several in different majors before I figure mine out. If not there, then Harvard or maybe Oxford in England. Japan doesn't hold my interest, and I want to go into some form of international business.
Cho:
I can't sit still or even thing of studying. I'm riding home with Yasuchika tonight and having dinner with Honey-kun and his parents.
I've already made plans to start Tokyo University after graduation. We'll be at the same school and get to see each other more often. Not like now, where I can't even go to the Host Club anymore. It will be perfect.
Father helped me pick out the most amazing bottle of sake for a hostess gift tonight. Obviously, I can't bring it to school and then take it there, so it's being delivered.
My driver is meeting me here with a huge bouquet of Kinmokusei or Orange Osmanthus flowers, meaning truth and noble person. I can't think of a better way to describe the Haninozuka's.
Shinobu:
This sucks. I want to be with Ritsu at the Host Club. It's a good thing he agreed to ride home with me. We're going to go to my compound and study that geometry. Why the fuck I have to learn about circles and angles and shit, I have no idea. How is that going to help me when I have to make a business decision about weapons or who needs to learn a lesson?
Tamaki-senpai, that insane leader of those whack-jobs, promised to keep the animals there until we came after club. I've never held a hedgehog but can do without a baby cow. How I'm supposed to enjoy a burger after seeing those eyes, I have no fucking clue.
I really should be practicing my English.
Haruhi:
'Let's all meet at the library and study', they said, but no one is studying! Not even me.
I'm still working my way through those sympathy cards. Fortunately, most sent a simple 'sorry for your loss' and don't need a reply. Most of Jarou's and Dad's friends wrote a short, funny story about Dad and them. I've replied to most of them.
The sweetest card I received was from Arai in Karuizawa. He wrote a lot about Dad when we were in middle school. How he'd give Arai a glare because he thought he liked me. Dad's crazy dresses when he came to talk to my teachers. Some of the insane things Dad and Misuzu did. He mentioned coming to visit when he gets his next long school break. I think I'd like that.
This is ridiculous. "If no one is going to study, can we at least talk about our day in English?"
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xXx
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Himura Compound:
I'm waiting in her lounge while she changes out of that uniform. I'd brought jeans and a t-shirt and had already changed at the club.
"What the fuck are you wearing? You said it was tossed."
I watched as she turned a dark shade of red and laughed. She's wearing my fucking hoodie.
"Shit. I've been wearing it so much I didn't even notice I put it on."
"Wearing it so much?" I smirked. "Really?"
"Yes, Asshole. Really! You caught me! I found it after you left that night and have been wearing it every day when I change out of that fucking uniform. Are you happy now?"
"Ecstatic," I said as I pulled her into my arms and kissed her as hard as I can. This chick…
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xXx
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Library, Morinozuka Estate:
"Fujioka-sama, thank you for meeting with me."
She looks so much better. Her eyes aren't dead and overall her face is more animated.
"Of course, Ishida-san. I assume this meeting is to wrap up my father's and Jarou-san's estates."
"It is. I've finished reviewing all of their outside assets and have some things to go over with you."
I laid out the paperwork on the table between us, and Morinozuka-sama held himself back from taking and reviewing them. He remembered just in time.
She reached out and pulled them to her.
"The top one is your father's bank account. There's not much there. All you need to do is sign here and I'll see to it the money is deposited in our personal account."
With that done and Morinozuka's signature as her guardian, I moved on. "This next form is regarding the college fund Ranka-sama set up for you."
"College fund?"
Apparently, she had no idea.
"Yes. Your parents started it the week you were born, but the amount deposited decreased significantly after your mother passed."
"I'm not surprised. We lost over two-thirds of our income when she died and struggled for years."
Yes, I could see the records from his bank account. If not for her creative money-saving efforts, her father would have had to declare bankruptcy. They received state help for a while, and it seems her father might have had some questionable income sources.
"If you'll sign here," I pointed to a blank spot, "I'll have the amount deposited in your personal account as well."
I pushed another stack of paperwork towards her. "Moving on to Abe Jarou's accounts, the top form is his bank account. If you'll just sign…"
Now for the hard part. I have no idea what to think of this, but Morinozuka-sama insisted that Fujioka-sama hear about it first.
"The last form is for Jarou-sama's safe deposit box. Signing here gives you possession of the items inside. However, before you sign, we'll go through the contents."
.
I watched Ishida-san lift a box onto the table and open it. What could Jarou-san have in a safe deposit box? I didn't like the look on Ishida-san's face.
"There were only two items. A roll of cash." He pulled out a roll about as thick as my upper arm. "And a picture."
The picture was of a little boy, about four-years-old. Black hair, brown eyes, and the cutest smile. I turned it over and read,
I LOVE YOU DADDY!
"Jarou-san had a son?" I asked, shell-shocked. "He never mentioned one."
"As you can tell, the photo is old. The boy in the picture is obviously older now."
"But we didn't find any reference to a son in any of his paperwork, nor other pictures," Akira-san said.
I tuned them out and went over all my conversations with Jarou-san. I can't remember him mentioning a son once or even a wife or girlfriend. I know he'd been disowned when he came out. Was he married before then? Did Dad know?
"How much?" I asked. "How much money?"
"Twenty million yen [~$200,000]. Many of the bills are quite old, based on the printing date. He's been saving for almost 20 years."
"No wonder he lived so frugally. His budget was even tighter than ours, and we had to feed two."
Akira-san asked for the picture and said, "Can you find this boy?"
I looked at Ishida-san and said, "Yes. I want to find him. This money has to be for him, and he should have it."
"Before we get that far ahead of ourselves, Haruhi-chan," Akira-san said, reaching out and taking my hand, "we need to find him and confirm he's Jarou's son and what he knows about this. Until then, we can hold the money here in our safe." He turned to me and said, "No one will touch it, Haruhi-chan."
"I'm sure it will be safe there. Thank you."
"I'll have my investigators start right away," Ishida-san said.
I don't like waiting. This money is his, not mine. But I can't give it to him until I find him, so I'm not really waiting.
"Yes, please. May I have a copy of the picture before you leave?"
"I anticipated that." He handed a copy of both the front and back to both Akira-san and me.
"Thank you."
"There's only one more item. The apartment has not been cleaned out. Do you wish me to handle that, Fujioka-sama?"
The apartment? How could I have forgotten about the apartment?
I looked to Akira-san, hoping for an answer. I had no idea what to do.
"There are three options. You could go through the contents in the apartment, we could have them boxed and stored until you want to go through them, or we could have them gone through and donated without you needing to see them."
My thoughts were streaking through my head. Not see them? Not see any of my father's things again?
"I have to go through them, and I'd rather do that while everything is where he left it."
"Of course. I'll leave you to that. Morinozuka-sama, if you'll let me know when it's empty, I'll make arrangements to break the lease and turn off the utilities."
"No need. Takashi and Satoshi own the complex. They'll handle that."
"In that case, please let me know so I can close the file on that aspect of the estates."
"We will."
"If there are no questions Fujioka-sama, I'll take my leave."
"Thank you, Ishida-san. No questions. Please keep me updated on the search for the boy."
.
xXx
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Haninozuka Dining room:
This girl is perfect for my son. She's sweet, kind, and smart. She'll keep him on his toes.
Mitsukuni's father and I invited her over for dinner and another chance to get to know her. The two of them are spending more and more time together, and we want to know just how serious this is getting.
"That dress complements your complexion well, Cho-chan," I said. Her dress matches Usa-chan.
"Thank you, Morinozuka-sama."
"Please call me Kumi."
"Thank you, Kumi-sama."
Yorishia asked, "What are your plans after Ouran? Graduation is approaching fast."
Her smile is so bright.
"I've been accepted to Tokyo University. I'll take all my core courses until I decide on a major."
"You're not sure yet?"
"Not yet. I'm not my father's heir, so I'm able to choose. International finance or business management are my current choices."
Those will complement our family business well. It's good she's interested in them.
We spoke about her current classes, family, childhood, and anything else she'd volunteer. Mitsukuni did try to steer the conversation away from Cho-chan, but we pulled it back.
Yorishia and I are considering her as his wife and must know all we can. Her background check has come back clean, as expected. Our investigators are currently doing a deeper dive on her family.
My hope is to approach her parents, with Mitsukuni's consent, before her graduation.
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xXx
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Morinozuka Dining Room:
"Jarou-san never said anything about a son. I wonder if Dad knew," Haruhi senpai said as she showed us the photograph.
Father already knew. He was in the meeting with her, but she's catching the rest of us up.
"What will you do when you find him," Taka asked. That's the big question. How big a part of her life will this other guy fill?
She sighed and put her chopsticks down. "I'm not sure. It will depend on who he is and what he's doing when we find him. That reminds me," she turned to Father, "Akira-san, I'm grateful you have asked your lawyer to find him, but I should pay those expenses."
I almost jumped in telling her that was nuts, but Mother spoke first. "Nonsense. This is family business, and as such, we'll cover the expense."
Her brow crinkled before she said, "But Jarou-san isn't part of the family. His son has nothing to do with the Morinozuka's."
She stopped short of saying she isn't part of the family. She's learning. Mother and Father consider her a Morinozuka in all but name.
"You are, sweetheart," Mother said, covering Haruhi-senpai's hand with her own. "As part of this family, we want to help you through this. We want to help you find this boy."
"Thank you, Umeko-san. I appreciate it."
At least she not arguing as much anymore. Besides, how much can it cost? Probably less than Mother's kimono budget for a month.
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xXx
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Himura Compound:
"Why do we have to learn this shit? When the fuck are we ever going to use this running a syndicate?"
"No idea, but Pops is on me about my grades, so I have to figure this out."
Now or never…
"Do you really want our syndicates merged?"
"Guess I hadn't really thought about it. Pops wants it and he's making the business decisions for now."
I watched her prop her feet up on the table and cross her arms across her chest. She looks smokin' hot in my hoodie. "I gotta tell you, I'm not thrilled."
"Why?" It's about time we talked about this, before our dads start signing papers.
"We combine the syndicates and get married, then what? I'm a yakuza wife, not a boss. That's not what I was trained for. I've expected to be the boss since I was eight."
"Yeah, I see your point. I've been trained for it too. If it was pulled out from under me, I don't know what the fuck I'd do. Well, after killing a few people."
Her smirk said it all.
"So, what do you think our dads should do?"
She purses her lips when she thinks. Those lips I just had mine all over. Those lips that had mint lip gloss on them that I can still taste. Those lips…
"Hey! Asshole! You with me?"
"Sorry. Mind wandered."
"Yeah, but where?" she smirked again, like she was reading my mind. "You still have some lip gloss on your lips."
"Shit," I mumbled as I wiped my mouth. Chicks…
"I'm not sure what I want to happen, but I don't want to be relegated to your heir machine and not have a life of my own."
"I can see why that would suck."
I looked around her library and saw a big, comfortable chair. "Come with me," I said as I pulled her to her feet and walked over to it. Seating her in my lap I said, "If we're going to have this talk, let's have this talk. Where are we going and what do you really want?"
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xXx
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Author's Note:
Should the twins keep the blue hair for a while? Could be funny.
That bet thing about 'Green Eggs and Ham' is real. There are only 50 different words used in that book.
So, why doesn't Chika have a girlfriend? Is it the training or does he have his eye on someone already?
Naoko told Kaoru. What do you think of the scene? I wanted him to be shocked and hurt that it was Kyoya, but get over it, or be working towards getting over it. After 22 years of marriage, I can say one thing for certain, if you work through something and put it in the past, it must stay there. You can't bring it up again during a fight about something else. You can't make snarky remarks about it. It has to be off limits. Kaoru saw Haruhi do this for Hikaru, and now he realizes why it's so important. Rather mature of him at 17.
Looks like Kasanoda might be quitting the Host Club. Opinions?
Suggestions for Renge's Manga?
What should Shinobu and Kasanoda do? I'm almost sure where I'll take this, but would like to hear what you think.
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Next Chapter:
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