Just a heads up guys. Even though the genres for this story are what they are, those are mainly there because of default. I mean, it's Ouran. It's gonna be those two things. But this chapter is going to show more major signs of what genre I might add or replace one of the other ones with: romance.
Sunday. Shopping day. Or at least for Haruhi it was, as Sol came to find out. Haruhi had came into the main room that morning, waking Sol up and telling him to get up and dressed. She hadn't really told Sol why he needed to get up, but he did as he was told. Haruhi still needed to clean his normal outfit, so he borrowed one of her hoodies, a red one with black strings hanging from it and pockets in the front. He also wore a pair of dark blue jeans that he had borrowed from Ranka. He put on his pair of black sneakers and combed out his hair before Haruhi hurried him along.
As the two of them exited the house, Haruhi looked over at Sol, mostly the clothes he was wearing. "Maybe today we can get you more of your own clothes so you don't have to wear the same thing or borrow our's. And don't just choose one outfit this time, " she stated, chuckling and giving the two strings hanging from the hoodie a pull. Sol grabbed the other part of the strings, taking them from Haruhi's hands with a small smile.
He felt off ever since yesterday. All of that was way to much to handle for just one day. Being forced to go swimming with the host club, Kaoru seeing him in the bathroom and finding out multiple secrets, Kyoya revealing that he also knew those secrets, that talk with Kaoru in the rain. He wasn't prepared for all of that to happen. It brought a lot of stress with it, which Sol hated.
As Sol's thoughts collected in the back of his mind, he felt something smack against his chest. He looked up to see Haruhi with her arm out in front of him and both of them were on the edge of the sidewalk. He hadn't realized that he was staring off into space until he saw that he could have almost tripped over the curb or gotten ran over.
"S-Sorry. I was thinking and not paying attention, " he stated, moving his thoughts to the back of his head. Haruhi shook her head, grabbing his arm and trotting across the road when there were no cars coming. When they got to the other side of the road, they came near the market place that they had went to before, where he got his favorite outfit. As they neared the building, they saw a man standing in front of the building. A man with bright blonde hair holding a phone up to his ear and flailing his arms around like an idiot.
"Please don't let that be-" As Haruhi went to finish her thought, the man turned around, showing Tamaki angrily yelling at someone on the phone. Both Haruhi and Sol tried to slink away and get into the building unnoticed, but it was too late.
"Haruhi! Sol!" Over came running Tamaki, no longer holding his phone to his ear. He looked to the two host members with joy, sporting an overly excited smile. "Are you guys here to shop to?! We could walk together!" As he spoke, they both heard two voices coming from his phone.
"Boss? Boss?! Who are you talking to?"
"Did I hear you say Haruhi and Sol are there? You had better leave them be!"
The voices of the twins rang from it, which Tamaki seemed to notice but ignored them.
"Tamaki-senpai, what are you doing here?" Haruhi questioned, hoping that he really wasn't coming here to go shopping. Hopefully he would just go away after this and would just let them shop in peace. Somehow, both her and Sol had a feeling that it wasn't going to happen.
"After the first time that I came here I wanted to explore even more of this place! I had invited the others, but I don't think any of them are interested, so it will just be us!"
From the phone came the voice of the twins once again. "We are still here, you know!"
"We are to inter-"
Tamaki pushed a button on his phone and their voices disappeared. Did he seriously just hang up on the twins while he was still on the phone with them, Sol thought, shaking his head. Tamaki grabbed onto both Haruhi and Sol by the arms and started pulling them into the building. "Come on! There's lots for us to go look at!"
"Tamaki-senpai we have our own shopping to do. You can't just-"
"Wait a second..., " Tamaki stopped and turned around, looking at the two of them, at first in confusion, which then turned into anger. "What were the two of you doing alone together!? Sol! You had better not be trying to make moves on my Haruhi! I will not allow it!"
At first Sol didn't get it, but then he remembered. Oh, right. He doesn't know, he thought before thinking for a moment. A smirk appeared on Sol's face. He put his arm around Haruhi's neck and looked at Tamaki with mischief in his eyes. "I would never do such a thing. But now that you mention it...Haruhi, lets ditch this fool and make this into a shopping date. Just me and you, " he stated, unable to stop himself from chuckling at the end. For a moment Haruhi seemed confused, but then she realized what Sol was doing. She leaned her head against Sol's shoulder and also smirked.
"I like that idea. Lets spend the whole day together, and when we are done we can go back to my house, " Haruhi said, not hiding the hint of tease in her voice as her and Sol started walking further into the building. As they expected, Tamaki's face turned red with anger, his voice yelling behind them. When they started to hear his footsteps following them, they separated from each other and began running. They ran around a couple of corners and hallways before leaning against a wall and both laughing.
"You absolutely had to taunt him like that, didn't you?"
"Me? What was all of that 'my Haruhi' stuff that he was saying? Are you two a couple and you never told me? I feel betrayed, " Sol said with fake sadness, wiping his eyes as if he was crying.
"How could you say that?! We are not a couple! He just calls me that because he thinks of the host club like a family. He calls himself my dad and Kyoya is mommy. He treats me like a little kid and it's stupid."
Despite Haruhi meaning what she said, Sol did see a deeper meaning behind what she had said. He thinks of the host club...like family?
In a way, it made sense. From what Haruhi had told him, Tamaki and Kyoya were the ones who originally founded the host club. The twins, Honey, Mori, and Haruhi had came afterwards. He somehow saw how Tamaki could think that. All of them acted like siblings, caring for each other and teasing each other in a loving way. Then it occurred to him. What am I to the host club?
That question started running through his head the entire time that he and Haruhi had began shopping. Once they made sure that Tamaki hadn't found them, they started going to different areas that had clothes for sale. As Sol searched, he kept trying to find the answer to that question. They had a perfect set of personalities in the host club. The princely type. The strong silent type. The boy lolita type. The mischievous type. The cool type. And the natural type. Even though Sol had technically been given one of those titles as well, what did he really provide for them? The shy type could fit into almost any of the others. Plus, there was always that chance that Sol was growing out of his shy ways the longer he was in the host club.
He felt Haruhi tap on his shoulder as he thought, which made him turn. "Did you find any clothes that you like?"
Sol looked back at the rack of clothes he was standing in front of. He grabbed a black shirt with a pumpkin on the front, a blue and green shirt that had darker patterns on it, and two pairs of black pants. When Haruhi saw the pumpkin shirt, she chuckled. "Do you like Halloween?"
Sol nodded, looking down at the shirt with a smile. "Yeah. When we were younger me and my brothers used to sneak around the house and scare my dad. He would always jump out of his skin or nearly fall over his own feet, but he always was laughing and told us how our scaring talents were getting better. All four of us knew that if my brothers tried to scare my mom she would just yell and make them stop messing around. On Halloween night we would always sneak out of the house and have dad cover for us while we went out to trick-r-treat. Dad would always give us some money so that we could go buy costumes. They were very generic and not very well made, but they still served their purpose. We would run around town the whole day, scaring other people, collecting candy. I always did enjoy doing that every year, no matter how mad mom got at us for it."
When Sol was done telling his story, both him and Haruhi both had some clothes hanging over their arms, which they then bought and put into bags to carry with them.
"You know, you could still do things like that now. You've never been here for it, but the school always has special events on Halloween. The first one I went to was for my class and it was like a competition. The class was put into teams and each team had to try to scare each other. Of course, my team was kind of messed up. I had both the twins and another boy that was in our class. We got scared and separated. Kaoru and the other boy had been locked in an empty classroom. Me and Hikaru ended up getting caught in a big net and I had to cut us out."
Sol giggled, elbowing Haruhi's arm. "So you and Hikaru were stuck in a net together, huh? First you hide your secret romance with Tamaki from me, now you hide one with Hikaru. I am completely ashamed of you, " he said, turning his head away, making a pouty face and closing his eyes. He crossed his arms and started walking away as Haruhi started yelling at him about how he was wrong.
The two of them were soon sitting at a table in one of the small restaurants. The same one they had went to the first time they came here. Haruhi munched on some fries while Sol took a bite of a somewhat small burger. Both of them were too focused on their food to notice two figures walk up to them. A hand reached out and stole Sol's burger from him, taking it right out of his hands. He turned his head to see Hiakru and Kaoru standing there, Kaoru holding onto his burger.
"Eating without us? That's no fair, " Kaoru stated, taking a bite out of the burger on the opposite side of where Sol had. He handed the burger back to Sol before taking a seat next to him, Hikaru sitting next to Haruhi.
"I'm guessing you guys came because of Tamaki, right? We heard you both talking through the phone earlier, " Sol stated, taking a few fries and putting them in his mouth.
"Yeah. He had invited us and we did want to come here, but as soon as you guys showed up he started saying not to come. Of course, that meant we had to, " Hikaru chuckled, stealing some of Haruhi's fries.
"We had thought about calling you two right after we got off the phone with him, but he hung up on us and you were already here. We were looking for you at the front of the building but couldn't find you, " Kaoru said. "I'm guessing you had to run from Tamaki-Senpai, right?"
"Yeah. He started asking why me and Sol were here together. We starting acting like we were on a date right in front of him just to get him mad. He tried chasing us when we ran, but we got away, " Haruhi said, glancing at Sol with a mischievous smile.
Sol couldn't help but chuckle. Though he glanced over in Kaoru's direction, taking note of the fact that Kaoru was looking at Sol before Sol looked at him. It was a sideways look though. He was probably thinking the same thing as Sol was. If Tamaki knew about me he might not of assumed what he did.
"Mori, Honey, and Kyoya are suppose to be here eventually. We told them we would meet them on the top floor at some point. But they said they had some things to do before they came, so we have a while. What were you two shopping for? Could we help?" Hikaru went to look into the bag Haruhi had sitting next to her, but she snatched it away. "Stay out of my stuff! We were clothes shopping, getting some new clothes for Sol."
Kaoru looked over at Sol with curious eyes. "What have you gotten so far? Anything?"
"Yeah. I got a couple of shirts. I got a shirt for Halloween, too. Once it comes around, anyway."
"That's right! I forgot that Halloween was going to be coming up soon! Hikaru, Haruhi, maybe we could do another scary competition like last year!"
"I don't think they would let us do the same event twice in a row. I will admit that event was fun, but something different would be nice, " Haruhi said, finishing off what food she had left and crumpling up her trash.
Sol still had a half of his burger left, but he was already nearly full, lightly holding onto his stomach. Kaoru reached over and tore what was left of the burger in half, taking it for himself. Sol looked at him in confusion.
"You're getting full, I can tell. Even though it isn't the best kind of food, I haven't eaten all morning, " he said before chomping down on the piece, finishing it in no time. Once they were done, all four of them stood and started to walk around the building, checking out different shops and buying a few little things.
They were on their way to the top floor when they heard a familiar voice behind them. "Hikaru! Kaoru! Sol! Get away from my little girl!"
All four of them recognized that voice and all looked at each other with sudden panic, which then turned to laughter. Each of them started to run, peeking back to see pure blonde hair chasing after them. All of them seemed to have the same idea when they ran towards a crowd of people with a thin path leading through. Hikaru and Haruhi ran forward first, moving through people as fast as they could without knocking anyone over. Kaoru followed behind them and Sol trailing the back. As Kaoru made a dash forward, two little kids went into the path, causing Sol to stop. He felt multiple people bump into him at once, all trying to get away from the crowd. Sol was about to get caught up when he felt a hand grab his own and pull him through, passed the kids and through the crowd.
Sol looked forward as he started running again, Kaoru pulling him by his hand. Sol didn't say anything as Kaoru pulled him, not letting go of his hand. He knew for a fact that he if let go, he would just get lost in the crowd again. Eventually the two of them turned a corner and found the other two members of their group waiting for them.
"Hopefully we lost him. We need to hurry and get to the top floor, anyway, " Hikaru said before continuing on, Haruhi following him.
Kaoru and Sol followed. "Try not to get lost as quickly when someone isn't holding onto you like a little kid, " he chuckled, glancing back at Sol.
Sol didn't say anything and his face was a tiny bit red. Sol looked back at Kaoru and Kaoru felt a pinch on the skin of one of his fingers. He looked down and realized that he was still holding onto Sol's hand. He blushed a tiny bit and quickly let go, looking away. "S-Sorry. I didn't realize I was still holding on, " he mumbled, trying to speed up so that he caught up with the others. Sol kept walking at his slow pace for a few moments before he too pushed himself forward, catching up with Haruhi and Hikaru.
Soon the four of them arrived at the very top of the building. A couple of shops, as well as a stage, were set up. Before long, Kyoya, Honey, and Mori showed up.
"You two were already here? And with Sol and Haruhi, no less?" Kyoya asked, pushing up his glasses.
Hikaru and Kaoru explained how Tamaki was on the phone with them when Sol and Haruhi got there and how they had to run from Tamaki. They didn't need to explain why they had ran, for the other three seemed to put two and two together, considering Haruhi was the only girl surrounded by three boys.
Unfortunately their peace didn't last long. Two arms wrapped around the heads of Hikaru, Kaoru, and Sol, pulling them backwards. Sol felt an ounce of pain in his sides as he got pulled back, but he ignored it.
"Stop running away with my little girl! You can't have her!"
Despite his most likely fake anger, the three were able to slip out of his arms very easily. Hikaru turned and laughed, looking at Tamaki.
"What are you saying boss? If me, Kaoru, and Sol can't have her, than what about the others. What if while you're so worried about us three Kyoya-senpai runs in and sweeps her off her feet? Or Mori-senpai? Or even Honey-senpai? I mean if you want Haruhi all too yourself than you better confess your feelings, or else one of us six will steal her away."
Hikaru's taunting seemed to anger Tamaki more, but his last comment made his face turn red in embarrassment rather than anger. "What are you talking about? What feelings? She's my daughter, I have to protect her!"
"I am not your daughter! I'm not anyone's!"
Sol merely laughed at the gestures being exchanged. It was actually fun being out with the whole crew, away from school. She looked at the seven people in front of him. Suddenly, what Haruhi said earlier seemed to become clear. They...really are like a big family. But along with that question came the other one that he had finally forgotten about. What am I to the host club...?
Sol turned and walked away, going passed some of the shops. He tried to think as he walked.
"Where do you think you're going?"
(using female words for Sol!)
Sol turned and saw Kaoru standing behind her. She didn't say anything as she turned and started walking again.
"Hey! Wait up!" Kaoru trotted forward so he was caught up with her and walking alongside her. "Why did you walk away like that? Was it the boss?"
Sol shook her head. "No. I was just...thinking." She saw Kaoru stare at her, clearly expecting her to continue talking. She let out a sigh before going on. "Earlier..Haruhi was telling me about you guys. About the host club. She said that everybody, mainly Tamaki, saw the rest of the club as his family. He treats all of you like siblings, acts like he is Haruhi's guardian, and calls Kyoya momma. Watching you guys back there, I could see it. You seven are just like a big family full of siblings that pick on each other, but care for one another. It's just...you all have been together for a while now, getting to know one another, developing little titles, creating a club. Even though I am apart of the club and technically have my own title as well, I don't really know how or where I fit in. I haven't been in this club or known you guys for very long, and even though I've grown very close to you and Haruhi and somewhat the others, I don't know what I am too the host club. I don't feel like I fit I-"
"Don't say that. You haven't been with us for long, but it doesn't take very long for this club to adopt people into our family. When Haruhi joined it took her no time to be considered a part of our rambunctious family. Even though not everybody knows about you like me and Haruhi do, and Kyoya, we all still see you as family. You've become one of us. Just because your title is a little more broad than our's doesn't make you different." Kaoru put his hand on Sol's arm, offering her a smile. "And even if the whole host club didn't see you as family, you have me and Haruhi, and even Hikaru, even though he doesn't know as much. We are your family. We can't replace your brother or your dad, but we can be there when no one else is. I can be there."
Sol looked at him for a moment before quickly looking away, feeling her cheeks get warm. That question disappeared from her head. She listened to every word that Kaoru said and knew that he meant it. It was his last comment that caused her to feel flustered. She didn't say anything, looking down at the ground and trying to keep her face covered. She heard him chuckle at her actions and she elbowed him in the side. She finally looked at him, hoping that the warmth she felt wasn't visible.
"Thank you Kaoru. That really does mean a lot to me. I think I'll try to get to know everyone in the host club a bit better from now on."
Kaoru smiled and shook his hand through her red hair, messing it up and making it spike slightly. She lowly growled, shuffling her hair back to the way it was, when she felt an arm wrap around the top of her head over her eyes. She was pulled to the side and she felt something touch the side of the top of her head. She didn't know what it was until the arm let go. She looked over and Kaoru had been leaning over, but was now back to standing normally. D-d-did he just...?!
Within an instant both of their faces went red as they locked eyes. Both of them seemed startled and were stuttering over letters that weren't forming words. They finally stopped talking and just looked at each other. Both of them let out small giggles, trying to get their faces to turn back to their normal color before heading back towards the rest of the club.
Whoo! What I find kind of funny is that originally when I started writing this story I didn't have any ships planned out. I didn't even plan on having anybody get into a romantic relationship with Sol. But as I wrote it just started turning into what you just read on its own. So, this chapter is longer than most chapters, mainly to show the exchange that just occurred. It is also much longer so that you can take a guess at how certain parts of this story are gonna develop, even though it's obvious. Teehee.
Hope you enjoyed reading!