Happy November everyone! :) Just a warning: I'm going to be pretty busy this month because of school and because I'm going to try NaNoWriMo! So this may be the only update in November. I'll do my best to update once more, but no guarantees. Thank you for understanding!

Guest: Hi, do you have a name to call you by? Haha still not sure about whether or not Ryuu will get in a relationship. And yeah, there won't be any real yaoi, but possibly some shounen ai (alas, Ryuu will not be involved in it). Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)

JadeCrispy: Thank you so much! :D I'm glad you liked the previous chapter, and I hope you'll enjoy this one as well. Hehe, please share your thoughts on this chapter. ^_^ I'm curious about what you think. Thanks for reviewing every time!

BizzyLizy: Aww, thanks for reading and reviewing! :) I hope you'll like this chapter.

GlambertStar: Haha I've been considering HikaRyuu. XD Dunno though... Maybe a male OC instead? Thank you for reviewing!

"Ryuu dear!" Ryuu's bedroom door flew open. "How are you feeling? I'm sorry it took so long but things just kept coming one after another. I flew here as soon as I was able to."

Ryuu blinked and propped himself up with his elbows. Emi was lying on his chest, arms wrapped around, and fast asleep. "Ugh. What, Mom?" He squinted under the glaring bedroom lights.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and felt his forehead. "Well, you're not burning up as badly as Aki-chan told me you were. That's good. How do you feel?"

"Better," he said, stifling a yawn.

"Is that Emi?" Mrs. Mazawa pulled the blankets down a bit, revealing Emi's sleeping face. "Goodness, what is she doing? Emi dear, wake up now. It's time for dinner." She shook her daughter's shoulder.

"Ung, what?" Emi sat up and ran a hand through her hair. "Oh hi Mom."

"Hello." She placed a hand on Emi's forehead. "Hm. You feel fine."

"I didn't get sick," Emi said, yawning. "Ryuu got the stomach flu from his strawberry milk though."

"Is that so?" Mrs. Mazawa said, turning to her son.

"Akimi-nee-chan said it'd gone bad or something," Ryuu said. "She's looking into it some more."

"Alright. Well, I was thinking of having this conversation a bit later, and with your dad around, but I guess now wouldn't be a bad time."

Ryuu sat up a bit straighter, and he exchanged concerned looks with Emi.

"When you two graduate high school," their mom said. "The two of you will not spend as much time together. You'll study different things, take different classes, be in different clubs. You might not even live together."

Emi could tell where this was going.

"So, you two should start to… wean yourselves off of each other!" Mrs. Mazawa finished with a bright grin.

"Wean?" Emi said.

"Wean?" Ryuu said.

Their mom nodded, still grinning. "Yes. Wean. It's like how doctors sometimes have to wean patients off of drugs."

"Really?" Emi said, raising her eyebrows.

"You're gonna compare us to something like that?" Ryuu shared his sister's look of disbelief.

"Well, how else should I explain it?" their mom replied. "You two are currently dependent on each other. It's like you can't survive without the other."

"We can't," they said in unison.

"See?" She waved a hand at them. "I'm saying that, sooner or later, the two of you will be split. You'll live in different places. You'll be with different people. It's best to get used to it now. Otherwise, when the two of you do have to split up, it'll be very, very difficult and very, very painful."

Emi knew her mom was right, but, right now, she didn't want to hear this. Not at this moment. If it'd been any other day, it would have been fine. She would have agreed. She would have helped her mom to persuade Ryuu into… whatever "weaning" program their mom may have. But not today.

"Mom," Emi said.

"Hang on," Ryuu said. "Shouldn't it be more like, since we won't be able to spend that much time together in the future, we should therefore spend as much time as we can now?"

"No. You should treasure the time you two spend together, but not stay glued to each other," Mrs. Mazawa said.

"Mom, not today," Emi said, shaking her head. "Just not today, please."

"Today is an excellent example though," their mom replied. "Tell me, Emi, how do you feel when Ryuu isn't by your side?"

"Mom." Emi pouted, making a pleading face. "Please."

So their mom turned to Ryuu instead. "Ryuu, how do you feel when Emi isn't by your side? Anxious? Worried? Depressed?"

"Mainly anxious," he said.

"Why?"

"Really, Mom? Is this really necessary?" Emi said. Mrs. Mazawa just held up a finger to silence her.

"Cause…" Ryuu looked away. "I'm afraid someone's going to hurt her when I'm not around."

"Emi?" Their mom looked at said girl, who frowned.

"I don't like it when he's not around either," Emi grumbled. "But I can do fine without him. I just don't want to leave his side when he's sick. Or injured. Or weaker than usual."

"Yes, I heard all about how you didn't want to go to school today. And how you faked a fever. Well done, very creative, if I may say so myself." Their mom nodded.

"What?" Emi flushed slightly. "You-"

Their mom smiled. "Don't take Aki-chan so lightly, Emi dear, or you'll regret it someday." Emi looked away.

"You faked a fever?" Ryuu said.

"No I didn't," Emi mumbled, barely audible.

"How'd you do that?" he asked.

"Look," their mom said. "I know what it's like, okay? When I went off to college, I suddenly couldn't see my little brother anymore. I know how painful it is, and I don't want either of you to have to experience that." She placed a hand on each of her child's hand. "Understand?"

They nodded. Neither quite knew what to say to their mother when she had such a tender smile on her face.

"Good. Then, let's go eat dinner together!" their mom said with a grin. She grabbed their hands and pulled them up.

That night, even though their mother had instructed them to sleep alone - and Ryuu had pushed Emi into her own bedroom - Ryuu woke up in the middle of the night with Emi wound around him, asleep.

He stared at the ceiling for a moment as he gradually woke up. Then he glanced at Emi, snuggled in the crook of his shoulder, and touched her hair. Soon he was stroking her hair and rolling onto his side to wrap his arms around her and pull her closer.

Forget what Mom said.

"Today you will be completing the lab in partners. I've already made a list, so listen while I call out your names. Group one." As the teacher began rattling names off her list, Emi adjusted her lab coat and goggles.

"Who do you think we're gonna be paired with?" Ryuu whispered to her, fidgeting in his spot.

Emi shrugged. "At least everyone in this class will do work."

"Ryo Mazawa," the teacher said, and Ryuu jerked up at the sound. "And Seiko Hanari."

With Seikorin? Emi watched as Ryuu sighed in relief and walked over to the girl. Ryuu still hasn't read that love letter has he?

"Ryo-chan!" Seiko said, smiling. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Thanks."

Emi grimaced at the sight of Ryuu's forced smile. He should work on that.

"Kaoru Hitachiin," the teacher was now saying. "And Masu Horiuchi." Kaoru parted reluctantly from his brother and Haruhi to join his classmate at a lab bench.

"Hikaru Hitachiin and Emi Mazawa," the teacher said.

"What?!" Ryuu said, swiveling at his spot.

Emi rolled her eyes and waved him down, trying to remind him that he'd promised to stop being so overprotective. It was just Hikaru-kun; there was no need to worry.

"Hi Hikaru-kun," Emi said, smiling at the twin.

Hikaru didn't even look at her, so she followed his gaze to Kaoru's back. The younger brother was chatting happily with his lab partner.

"Get to work, everyone!" the teacher called, clapping her hands a few times. Emi looked at their lab. It was chemistry this time, and they were determining what a particular substance was by testing it with various chemicals.

"Okay, how about I go get the mysterious substance, while you measure out the sulfuric acid?" Emi said.

Hikaru glanced down at her and then shrugged. "Sure."

They worked through the lab quietly and efficiently. There was no chit-chat between them or unnecessary words, only a professional, almost cold, aura.

"You're done?" the teacher said, when making another round through the lab. Hikaru and Emi nodded. "Okay, clean up then, and you can go work on the rest of your lab over there."

They divvied up the lab materials to clean up and put away and went to work.

"Um, Hikaru-kun," Emi said while cleaning a test tube.

"Hm?" He kept his gaze on the graduated cylinder in his hands.

"Did I… do something? Is there some reason… Like, do you hate me?" she said, looking back and forth from her task to him.

He shrugged. "Not really."

Then why are you acting like this? Emi examined his face, trying to find some clue, but the cool look never faltered.

"Okay," she said.

"I'm done." He put the graduated cylinder away then went to take a seat at the few desks in the room.

What in the world… I don't get it at all. She finished up her washing and joined Hikaru. Maybe he's just like that to everyone when Kaoru-kun isn't around. Maybe he's secretly shy and insecure when Kaoru-kun isn't around, so he acts all indifferent and cold to everyone. I should ask Ryuu.

They began working on the written portion of the lab, including calculations and error analysis.

Oh man. I don't know how to do this. Emi sighed, resting her head in her hand. She peeked at Hikaru through her bangs and saw him scribbling away on the lab sheet. I'll just ask Ryuu when I get home. Next part… She straightened up in her seat before reading the third question and the fourth.

Emi slumped over. Darn I'm screwed. There's still ten minutes of class and I only know how to do the first part? Why is this lab so stupidly written?

So she sat there, staring at the clock and the second hand dragging its way around. About a minute later, she picked up her lab sheet and took in a deep breath. "Um-"

Hikaru snatched her lab out of her hands and turned it towards him. He studied it a second, set it down, and began erasing something on his sheet.

"Uh, Hikaru-kun?" Emi tilted her head to the side, but Hikaru's face was covered by his hair.

"What?" he said.

Why'd you just do that? Is there anything I can help you with? You didn't notice that I've only done the first question, did you? Could you possibly help me?

"Um-"

He shoved her lab towards her, still writing. "Your stuttering is getting really annoying."

"S-Sorry."

He glanced up, eyes hard and smoldering. Emi felt her breath catch in her throat and quickly looked away.

"Sorry!" she said again. This time it came out as a squeak. Seriously, what's his problem?

She slowly slid her lab back towards her and stared at the second problem, willing it to suddenly make sense so she would have something to do.

"You guys finished quickly," Ryuu said, walking over with Seiko following. "Hey what was your end result?"

"Um." Emi flipped back to their measurements. They compared their results and began discussing the other problems. Throughout, Hikaru worked quietly by himself. Emi didn't speak to him either, though she snuck glances at him occasionally.

"Anyone who didn't finish their lab, come after school with your partner!" the teacher called when the bell rang and students started grabbing their things and running out the door.

"Hey Hikaru." Kaoru jogged over, and Hikaru stood up. "We didn't finish."

Hikaru sighed. "Geez, you're such a slowpoke."

"U-Um, Hikaru-kun!" Emi said.

"What?" he said, looking down at her.

"Could we compare answers… um, like later?" she asked, clutching the lab with both hands.

"Sure." He shrugged, already turning away. "Just text me."

What the heck? Is he bipolar and the switch is Kaoru-kun's presence? He became just a bit nicer the moment Kaoru-kun was around. What is going on?

"Come on Emi," Ryuu said.

She stood and grabbed his arm as they walked out of the classroom. "Hikaru-kun," she said in a low voice. "When he's alone with you, is he ever rude?"
"What?" His eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Like if Kaoru-kun isn't around, and it's just Hikaru-kun, is he ever mean or cold to you?"

"No. Not really," he said.

Then maybe it's just the way he acts with girls? There's no way he's just mean to me, right? And why?

"Was he mean to you today?" Ryuu said.

Emi glanced at him and smiled. "No."

He frowned. "You know you can't lie to me, right?" Her smile wavered, so Ryuu sighed. "Whatever, I won't ask any more about it. Just know that I'll be here. I'll happily punch that guy's face in for you."

Emi's gaze softened and she smiled. "Thanks." Then she pulled him into a tight hug and whispered into his ear, "Thanks Ryuu."

"That's all for today, everyone!" Renge said into the microphone. "I'll see you all tomorrow!" She waved with a huge grin as guests began to file out of Music Room Three.

Ryuu staggered away from the other Hosts and dropped down onto the nearest couch. He closed his eyes and tried to relax.

"Um, Ryuu-kun." A voice caused him to open his eyes.

It was Seiko Hanari. She stood in front of him, hands clasped together and eyes avoiding his.

"What is it?" he asked, sitting up just a bit straighter.

She sneaked a glance at him as her face began to turn red. "Um, about my letter…"

Letter? He froze. Crap! What letter? Don't tell me it's that letter that Emi gave me yesterday. Oh, shit!

"Oh," he said. "I, uh, well-"

"Ryuu, let's go ho-" Emi came walking over. Upon seeing Seiko, she stopped. "Oh, sorry-"

"It-It's fine," Seiko said, blushing. "I, um-"

"I still need time," Ryuu said.

"I understand." Seiko smiled and nodded. "See you then, Ryuu-kun."

He nodded back. "Yeah, see ya." She quickly disappeared, and Ryuu leaned back with a big sigh. "Crap, I forgot."

"You should have read it immediately," Emi said, resting her arms on the couch back.

"I was, you know, kinda sick," he said.

"I know," she said and reached out a hand to ruffle his hair. "Let's go home then."

"Okay."

"And then you can read the letter."

"Yeah."

"Dear Ryuu-kun,

I'm sorry that I don't have the courage to say this to your face. I can only write these words down and attempt to reach you through this. You have probably guessed the contents of this letter, and you're right: I like you.

Wow, I just wrote it! Haha, yes, I like you Ryuu-kun. I am not asking to be your girlfriend (unless you want to, then I'd certainly accept!). Instead I ask for just a note from you. It can be just your signature. I'd just like something to remind me of you.

You see, I'm moving to America with my family soon. I know this is a selfish request, but if you could, please consider it. Thank you.

Love,

Seiko Hanari

Ryuu stared open-mouthed at the neatly-penned letter in his hands. Hanari is moving? To America? What?

Meanwhile, Emi was upstairs fumbling over her words. "Um, I said I got thirty-two point five five milliliters for question three."

"Okay. I couldn't hear you," Hikaru said.

"Th-That's okay," she said, though noting the absence of any apology. "Is that what you got too?"

There was a pause before he said, "Yeah."

"Okay, then question four-"

"Why don't you just scan your lab and send it to me?" he asked. "It'll be faster that way. I'll tell you if any parts don't agree."

"Oh… Okay. Sure."

"Okay. See ya then."

"Eh? But-"

Click.

Emi stared at her phone and sighed. Then she got up with her lab and headed downstairs for the scanner.

"Hey, Emi," Ryuu said when she came down the stairs. "If you were to write a letter to someone who likes you, what would you write?"

She stared at the letter in his hand and frowned. "You're going to write a rejection letter for Seikorin?"

"No, no. She's moving and wants like a written memo from me," he said. "So what should I write?"

"Oh." She nodded slowly, looking at the stairs. "Well… why not just write your opinion of her? Kind of like how you might write a short note to your friends when graduating."

"Oh okay." He reached for his school bag to grab some paper.

"Wait, I'll get you some pretty paper," Emi said and then strode past the staircase, away from the living room and kitchen, and into the small study and library.

About five minutes later, in the Hitachiin home, Kaoru entered Hikaru's room.

"Hey, Hikaru, let's compare answers," he said.

"Oh sure," Hikaru said, staring at the image on his computer.

"What is that?" Kaoru bent over Hikaru to get a good look. "Isn't that Emi-"

"Yeah." Hikaru quickly closed the file and handed his lab to Kaoru. "Her handwriting is terrible. It's not cute at all."

Kaoru smiled at the small frown his brother was sporting. "I think it's cute though."

Hikaru sighed, folding his arms. "At least she's not stupid."

The smile widened. "Told you. I knew she was a good lab partner."

"That doesn't mean I approve of her though!" Hikaru said, jerking around to meet his brother's gaze.

The smile faded, just a bit, but Kaoru still said, "I know."

The next day, after the Host Club ended, Ryuu found Seiko and handed her the note he'd written for her.

"Oh!" she said at the sight of the crisp, light blue envelope. "Thank you so much, Ryuu-kun!" She took the letter in her hands and held it to her chest, with a bright grin.

"It-It's nothing," he said, scratching his cheek while trying not to blush. "It's just a letter. Just some words."

Seiko shook her head and gazed down at the envelope. "No. It really means a lot to me, Ryuu-kun, so thank you. And, um." She licked her lips, before saying, "I-I like you."

"I know," he said.

She chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. "Ye-Yeah, I know. I just wanted to try saying that."

"Thank you," Ryuu said with an unknown, small smile. "I know it takes a lot of courage to say that, so thanks, Hanari."

She blushed. "No-No, thank you-"

Ryuu smiled. "I hope you like America."

"Me too," she said, smiling back. "Oh, I still have to talk to the Emi-chan and Ryo-chan. Did you tell them?"

He nodded. "Yeah. They'll definitely miss you."

Seiko grinned. "Thanks a lot, Ryuu-kun. Then I'm gonna go."

"Okay." He waved as she headed out the door. "See ya."

"Yup!"

Her eyes had been shining so brightly, and her smile so wide and delightful. So that's what love is like, Ryuu thought as he strolled over to where his schoolbag sat. Now I'm kinda curious. Why does love make people happy so easily? Just what is it like?

Wait, where's Emi?

Emi had just exited the bathroom when four girls surrounded her.

"Emi Mazawa, right?" the girl in the middle sat, one hand planted on her hip. Emi nodded, slowly, trying to keep her expressions calm and controlled.

"Is there something I can help you with?" she asked.

"Actually, there is," the girl said with a thin smile. "You know, we've been noticing something."

"Noticing what?"

The girl exchanged glances with her companions, twirling a strand of dark brown hair around her finger. "You… look at Kaoru funnily."

"Funnily?" Emi raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you mean?"

"We're saying," a girl standing to the left said, "that you shouldn't get too arrogant. Just because your cute cousin is a host, doesn't mean you stand a chance."

A girl on the right chimed in too. "Yeah. Don't get cocky. You're just the same as us."

"So don't think you can date any of those hosts," the main girl in the middle said.

"Especially not Kaoru."

Emi nodded again, slowly tipping her head up and down. "I see. That's what you were concerned about?"

"Concerned?" the first girl said, eyes narrowing. She scoffed. "What's there to be concerned about?"

"We're just warning you."

"Well thank you," Emi said with a shallow bow. She smiled at them. "As, you know, repayment for this warning, let me just tell you this. Do you honestly think any of those hosts would look at me like that? Especially Kaoru-kun. He clearly only has eyes for Hikaru-kun."

The girls in the group all gasped.

"You-You're right!" the first girl said, a light blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Besides, Kaoru-kun and Hikaru-kun were obviously made for each other," Emi said. "They are so the OTP in the Host Club."

"I know right?" a second girl said, practically squealing.

"They are so cute!"

"So perfect!"

"Kyaaaaa!"

The girls walked away, giggling and discussing the perfectness of the HikaKao ship. Once Emi couldn't hear their voices anymore, she leaned against the wall and let out a sigh. Then she caught a glimpse of movement in the corner of her eye, and her head whipped in its direction.

Nothing. Was it her imagination? Or had there been just a flash of auburn color?

Short chappie, I know. ;_; Anyway, I hope you all will stick around! As always, I love hearing your opinions, so please share them! :)

Thanks for reading!