Chapter Nine:
Hikaru glared.
Never in his life had he felt more stupid than he did now, watching Tamaki and Haruhi discuss his life in detail before him. They had both been more than happy to have him staying with them while he searched for his own place, but both had a lot to say about his decision to ask Renge out on a date.
"I didn't realize you were staying with her because you liked her." Tamaki beamed, teasing his friend. "Tell me, has this secret romance been blooming since our time in Ouran?" He looked like a kid in a candy store, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the guest room that had been given to Hikaru.
Hikaru rolled his eyes in irritation. "No."
"Leave him alone, senpai." Haruhi warned, sending Tamaki a stern look before turning a gentle gaze back at the other boy. "So where are you going to take her, Hikaru?"
Hikaru was quiet for a long moment. "I hadn't really thought about it at all. I thought we would just wing it." He finally admitted.
Tamaki slammed his palm against his forehead and groaned.
Haruhi once again shot Tamaki a stern look. "I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine. Just keep in mind, Renge has a flare for the dramatic and she is a hopeless romantic. She'll be expecting something big from you."
Hikaru groaned. "What do I do then?"
Tamaki brightened immediately. "Have no fear, Daddy's here!"
Xxx Later that night xxX
The bell was loud. It was much louder than he remembered it being. Or maybe he was just so nervous he was taking note to things he hadn't before. Why was he so nervous anyway? It was only Renge, after all. He had known her for years and she had seen almost every side of him.
It's not too late to run. He rationalized with himself, letting the fear begin to settle on him. Maybe this was a mistake.
He had almost talked himself out of taking her on a date at all when slowly the door pulled open and Renge stepped into view.
And she was beautiful.
Her sandy hair was lightly curled into thick ringlets that fell around her soft alabaster shoulders. She was dressed in a soft pink sundress that fell loosely around her knees. A light white ribbon wrapped its way around her waist and dainty straps held the flowing fabric against her body. Her makeup was light, noticeable but not overpowering. Needless to say, she was gorgeous.
"Wow…" He breathed.
"You are pretty wow yourself." She giggled, stepping forward and gently taking his hand in hers.
Xxx Towards the End of the Night xxX
"Ah! Look at all of the little ducklings!" Renge cried out excitedly, skipping ahead of Hikaru with a childish whimsy. She chased after the small family of ducklings as they waddled their way closer to the edge of the lake. The streetlights were on now, and every so often the ducklings and Renge would disappear into patches of darkness before reappearing a couple of feet ahead.
Dinner had gone smoothly, and Renge hadn't stopped talking since he picked her up. He took that to be a sign that she was enjoying herself.
"Careful," he warned. "You don't want to follow them into the water." But he couldn't help the light-teasing smile that crossed over his lips.
And then it was like a movie.
It was no sooner than the words had fallen from his lips, that Renge turned on her heels to face him. He assumed she had meant to utter some smart-ass comment in response to his teasing. Instead, her feet slipped on the evening dew that littered the grass. Her eyes went wide as her body tumbled downwards towards the ground.
"Renge!" Hikaru lurched himself forward, reaching out to grab her hand. Their fingers intertwined naturally, but her momentum was far greater than his. Instead of grabbing her and stopping her from falling to the ground, they both tumbled the last four feet of bank before sinking into the cold water of the lake.
When he surfaced, choking on murky water, Hikaru wanted nothing more than to strangle his blonde headed King. A leisurely stroll around the lake was a perfect idea, he had claimed. And now his newest suit was drenched and possibly ruined. Renge sputtered, spitting out water and laughing hysterically at the situation they had found themselves in.
"You're such a klutz!" She giggled, her back still turned towards him.
"Me?" Hikaru scoffed. "You're the one who tripped first."
"I wouldn't have rolled quite as far if you hadn't bowled into me." She continued to laugh, slowly turning to face him.
The moment she turned, Hikaru broke out into hysterical laughter as well. Her hair, now soaked, stuck to her features. Smudges of muck stuck to her features and there was some green weed in her hair. "You look like a drowned rat!"
Renge scowled. "So do you!" She pouted, bending down so that she could splash some of the murky water in his direction.
"No, but really!" He laughed, lifting his arms in an attempt to protect his face from her water attack. "It's cute. Or as cute as a rat could be, anyway." He teased.
"I'll show you cute!" She glared, bending once more to splash him again. But Renge was a klutz. And in typical klutz fashion, she lost her footing. Letting out a shrill shriek as she fell, she braced herself against Hikaru's broad chest.
"Klutz." He smirked, his hands resting gently against her hips.
Slowly she lifted her gaze, steadying herself upon her feet. It did not go unnoticed that Hikaru kept his hands placed firmly upon the soft contours of her body. "I am not a Klutz." She whispered breathlessly.
They were drawing closer together slowly.
"You're clearly the most clumsy girl I have ever known." He spoke softly.
"Am not." She breathed, their lips just a hairsbreadth apart now.
"Are so."
Their lips touched, gently at first. It was a tentative kiss, as if they were each trying to assess the other. It was Hikaru who finally gave into the moment. He pressed his hands firmly against the small of her back, forcing her flush against his chest. Renge gave a startled gasp at his sudden movement, parting her lips and relinquishing herself to his control.
Their first kiss was passionate and deep, both loosing themselves in the moment. Neither cared that they were in public or knee deep in a lake and soaking wet. All Hikaru cared about was the small girl clutching tightly to his arms and the fact that he felt truly alive for the first time since his brothers death.
"Wow…." Renge breathed when they finally pulled apart, bracing her forehead gently against his strong chest.
Hikaru chuckled. "You're pretty wow yourself."
