Episode: Chika's 'Down with Honey' Declaration
To me, it feels like a new day when the host club spies on Chika, so this scene takes place the evening of Honey and Chika's first fight, and before their second.
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"Honey-senpai, wait up!" Haruhi called. The host club was done for the day and everyone was heading home.
Honey, and his ever present companion, came to a halt just outside the music room door. "What's wrong, Haru-chan?" Honey asked.
"Oh nothing's wrong," Haruhi clarified when she caught up to the duo. "I just thought I'd see if you wanted to go get some cake with me? There's this cute little bakery near my home that I think you'd like."
Honey's eyes began to sparkle, lighting up his whole face. "I'd love to get cake with you! Hey Takashi, do you want to come too?" Honey had turned to his best friend, eye's still shining.
Mori looked to Haruhi, contemplating her motive. Deciding to give them some time alone he answered, "No, thank you, Mitskuni. I need to do some things at home."
"That's okay. More cake for us, huh Haru-chan?"
With that settled, they were on their way. Haruhi gave Honey's driver direction to the bakery. Honey spent the majority of their journey prattling on, mostly thinking out loud what kind of cake he should get. It was a very important decision, after all.
When they arrived at their destination, Honey was even more gleeful. "Haru-chan, look at all the cakes they have! What kind are you getting? Oh this one looks good….oh oh but this one looks good too! Or how about this one, Haru-chan?" He was pointing to each cake in turn, exclaiming how scrumptious they would all be.
When they both had some cake and found a table, Honey was the first to try his treat. "Mm this is so good, Haru-chan!….oh, but yours looks so good too!" He was suddenly sad that he didn't have her cake too.
Haruhi just smiled, and gave him what he wanted. "How about we share, Honey-senpai? Then you'll get to have some of both cakes!" She wouldn't be able to eat it entirely by herself anyway.
"Okay!" He wasted no time in taking a forkful of Haruhi's cake, and once again declaring his satisfaction.
Feeling that she should probably get to the reason she had invited him out, Haruhi placed a hand on Honey's, preventing him from lifting his next forkful to his mouth.
"Haru-chan?" he questioned.
"You know, I really admire you, senpai. You were raised to think you couldn't have sweets and cute things in your life, and that you had to be strong to carry on the family name." She was holding his hand now, gazes locked onto each other. "There were all these expectations placed on you about who you had to be and how your life would play out….and you decided to ignore them all. You turned your back on a lifestyle that wasn't what you wanted, and embraced who you really are. You're heir to the strong Haninozuka family and yet, you like sweets, you like cute things, and you yourself are cute! And I think that's great, senpai!"
Honey's eyes were watering, and he didn't know how to respond. He looked down at their intertwined hands to hide his reaction.
"I think Tamaki-senpai is right that what you did takes an incredible amount of strength. Most people wouldn't be able to do it. And I know you think your brother hates you for it, but I think he's just jealous. He wishes he could be as strong as you, senpai. I'm sure, in time, he'll come around." She finally pulled her hand back, and started on her cake.
"Thank you, Haru-chan. That really means a lot to me." Honey hadn't looked up yet, but Haruhi could see the small traces of a smile on his face, and it made her smile too.
Wanting to move past the serious topic, she took a bite from his cake. "You were right, senpai. Both of these cakes are really good!" That's all it took to bring him back to his adorable self.
"I told you! Here, you didn't get a bite with a strawberry!" He forked another bite for her with his own fork and held it up. Thinking nothing of it, Haruhi leaned in and ate it.
She then copied the gesture for him. "Here, try this!" He couldn't have been happier to eat off her fork.
It wasn't long before they were done eating and in great moods. As they left the shop, Honey asked, "Do you need a ride home?"
"No I'm just going to walk. I'm live really close."
"Okay, thank you for inviting me out, Haru-chan!" With that, he leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Mm you taste sweet!" He stepped into his waiting car, and just before he closed the door he announced, "I'll see you tomorrow, Haru-chan!"
So abruptly left alone, Haruhi didn't know what to make of Honey's farewell. Maybe there was frosting on my lips. Licking them as a precaution, she started for home.
