As usual, the lunchroom was filled with people. Free tables were difficult to find when you didn't know where to look. Five figures entered through one of the doors that lead to the large room, each holding either a boxed lunch or a tray from the kitchen. A table with just enough seats for all five opened as they walked inside, causing them all to rush over and take their seats.
Sol and Haruhi sat next to each other while Sol's three regular customers sat in the remaining three. The girls had invited Sol and Haruhi to eat lunch with them, which they happily accepted, but it was odd. Normally Haruhi and Sol sat by themselves. With the weekend's events, they most likely would have began talking about the chores that needed done at home or what was going to be for dinner, but now anything related to Sol and Haruhi living together had to be avoided. Who knows what these girls would think if they knew that two of the host club's members lived together.
"So do you guys get told what the cosplays are going to be before the club opens? You guys seemed a little uncomfortable with your ears and tails when we got there, " one of the girls said. The girl who spoke had been the same girl who originally chose Sol's rose color when they all went to visit one of the many gardens. She had her long, dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, dark blue eyes, and the regular yellow dress that was considered the school's uniform for girls. Sol had come to learn that her full name was Sasaki Azumi and her family had been acquainted with his own. He wasn't sure how since he never got involved in the family businesses, but she said that she remembered going to a meeting and their parents had met. The thought of his parents meeting anybody around him made him slightly upset, but there wasn't much he could do about it.
"No. When we get there after class our outfits are waiting for us without being told what they are. Sometimes we talk about it when it comes from a show or a game, though, " Haruhi said, taking a bite of his food while Sol ate his.
Sasuki nodded and looked to the other two girls. The other two girls began talking to themselves and to Haruhi about the different cosplays that they have done while Sol and Sasuki stayed silent for a few moments. Since they were also sitting next to each other, the two of them began having their own conversation, but Sol immediately regretted talking to her on his own.
"So what family do you have, Sol? Any brothers or sisters? Do both of your parents run your businesses together?"
Sol really didn't want to be on this subject at all. Just the thought of his family gave him the chills and gave him reminders of what he left behind when he moved away from them. Despite this, he had to act normal. Maybe if he just answered the question he was willing to answer she would be satisfied.
"Yeah, I have three older brothers. Two of them were already chosen to take over both of the family businesses. Me and my other brother are suppose to help develop a third one that we would run together."
Sasuki nodded, looking at the scratches on Sol's face. "You told us before that you had a roommate. Do they live with you and your family? Or did your family give you a place to stay that was away from home?" As she asked the question, she lightly brushed her fingertips against his scratches, making him flinch before looking over at her. For a moment she left her hand against her cheek, both of their cheeks turning pink, before she moved them away. "S-Sorry." When they looked over, the other two girls were peaking at them, giggling silently while talking to Haruhi.
"I don't have a roommate anymore. I left the apartment that I was staying in, " he said, more glad than ever that the school's boy uniform was long-sleeved and covered all of the banages that he secretly had wrapped around him. Of course he was going to keep all of his recent injuries and situations outside of school a secret. It wasn't the best of ideas to hide it from someone who was starting to become his friend, but he had done it to Haruhi, and if it hadn't been for everything that happened, even Haruhi wouldn't know.
"I see. Well I hope that our families have another meeting soon. It could mean that we become business partners and better friends, " she stated with a bright smile. As much as he enjoyed seeing her smile, he frowned inside. It would never happen. They could become friends. But there was no chance that they would meet outside of school, not the way she was talking. Even if their families did have another meeting, he wouldn't be there. He didn't plan on ever being there.
"Yeah..., " Sol muttered, scratching behind his ear and looking down at the table. Now he wanted to get off of the topic even more than before. But what was he suppose to change it to? He didn't know Sasuki extremely well, so he wasn't entirely sure what she would be interested in talking about. Anything but family.
Before he could even begin talking or changing the subject, another male student who seemed older, maybe in his final year of school, approached them.
"Excuse me, are you Sol Shard?" he asked, looking at the red-haired boy with a serious face. Sol reluctantly nodded, unsure of why this boy was looking for him specifically. The other four sitting at the table also looked over, startled by the sudden approach of the older student.
"I need you to follow me. There is someone here who wishes to meet with you, " he said, turning and walking back towards the entrance to the lunchroom that he came from before. Sol looked at the others in confusion before standing and following him. Who in the world would be there to see him? Somehow he had a feeling that he knew who it was, and if he was right, this was going to ruin the entire rest of his day. If he was right, there was a chance that he wouldn't be seeing the host club anymore or having any free time. He had to hope that he was wrong.
The two boys walked down the hallways in silence. Sol hadn't seen the whole school since he arrived, so he wasn't quite sure where they were going. As much as he wanted to ask, there was a very high chance that this boy leading him wouldn't know who it was that wished to meet with him. Honestly, it felt like they were walking forever, not because they actually were, but merely because his nerves and thoughts were taking over, making him lose track of time. The more they walked, the more his thoughts overflowed his mind, causing him to get dizzy and nearly trip over his own feet. It wasn't until he nearly ran into the back of the boy that he snapped back to reality.
"Your visitor is behind these doors, " he stated, bowing slightly before turning and going against the other hallway door, not leaving completely but staying to man the door for when Sol was finished. Stare at the door was all that Sol could do for what felt like forever. Who was behind this door? What did they want? Did he even want to find out? His hand slowly reached out to the door, shaking the closer it got until he grabbed the door handle. He took in multiple deep breathes before pushing open the door, going as slowly as he dared.
As his yellow-orange eyes appeared through the door, he looked around the room, expecting someone to be standing right there. He then looked over towards the far end of the room where there was a large mirror. A dark silhouette stood there, shadowed by the sun beaming through the window. As he opened the door further and stood half in the door half not, he stared with confusion. Who was it?
From behind it was clear that it was a man, but for a moment he didn't look familiar. Then, the figure turned their head, only showing half of their face, and one eye looking over towards Sol. Despite the sun shadowing his true figure, one feature stood out that caused Sol's eyes to go wide. Green eyes. Bright, dashing green eyes. Eyes that Sol would know anywhere. For a moment, Sol felt doubt rush over him. There was no way. Could it really be..?
As Sol walked completely into the room, the door closed behind him, the room going silent. Sol was also shadowed, but as he took a few steps forward, his bright red hair, piercing yellow-orange eyes, the scratches on his face, and his school uniform all appeared. As the man turned and looked directly at Sol, his face revealed itself, a kind smile forming and, despite his trying to hide it, it almost looked like his eyes were watering in the corners. Within seconds, like they never had before, Sol's eyes softened and opened wide, his face suddenly appearing so vulnerable and soft that him being a girl seemed so much more obvious than anyone had ever seen. For what felt like an eternity they both stood completely still, staring at one another.
"Y...Y-Yasu...?" Sol's voice trembled. He almost felt like he was going to collapse.
The man smiled even more, wiping a small tear away from his eye and looking at Sol with loving eyes. "You've grown so big since I last saw you...little sister."
(Just as a warning for those that get confused. I've used him, his, etc. for Sol the whole chapter. From this point on I will be using she, her, etc.)
The second that he called her that, her eyes filled with tears as she ran forward, wrapping her arms around him and shaking. He put his arms around her and they both held each other, both slightly shaking. Despite the pain that she felt in her arms and torso as he squeezed her into the hug, she ignored it. Right now she couldn't care less about anything. Her pain, her old apartment, Gin, Sasuki, Haruhi, the host club. In that moment, none of it mattered.
"W-What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, of course. You haven't called in a long time. I was worried about you. I had to come see what my little soul was up to, " he said with a smile. Both of them stayed in their embrace for a long time, not saying a word. When they finally let go, neither of them could hide the happiness that they felt.
They both walked over to where there were some couches and a table set up on one side of the room, taking a seat on one of the couches and staying right next to each other.
"How did you manage to get away from the house? Did mom know you were coming here? Please don't tell me that she sent you to-"
"Calm down, little one. No, mom doesn't know that I'm here. She just knows that I went out on an errand. She didn't send me to do anything. I just needed to see you. What about you? Where have you been all this time?"
"I was staying with Gin for the longest time. After the last time we talked I had gotten a job, so I wasn't able to do much except sleep and work. Then I got my letter from Ouran and started coming here."
"How do you like it here? Have you made any friends since you arrived?"
"Yeah. I actually ended up joining a club. It wasn't really by choice, but I made some friends from it."
"I didn't take you as someone who would join a club. I would ask how, but that's not what I'm here for, " Yasu stated, putting his hand on Sol's head and offering him a smile. "I came to make sure you're alright and to see you."
Both of them smiled, once again going in for a hug. Sol could hardly even remember the last time that she saw him. She left home as soon as she could, so she was still somewhat young when she left. The last time she saw him he was looking through the window of his bedroom at their house. Mom had ordered him and her other brothers to stay in their rooms or else they would get kicked out as well. Of course, Sol hadn't been kicked out, but her mother knew that she was leaving. She knew that Sol would run away and didn't bother to stop her. Sol was sure that in her mom's mind, she thought that eventually Sol would come crawling back begging for forgivness. But that would never happen. Not in a million years. No one would ever see Sol willingly go back to her mother's home. Never. As much as Sol loved her older brother, Yasutake, she couldn't go home.
Sol would rather live with Gin again if it meant choosing between him and her mother.
There it is! It took a while to write since I purposely made this one of the longest chapters this story has had. So what do you think of Sol's older brother? What do you think of her choosing Gin of all people over her mother? What do you think caused this hatred of her mother. Why is her mother a bad person? Why do you think her mother is the one she hates?
(Don't think I could have gave more clues there *cough cough*)
Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter!