Music Piece 4: Learning the ways

Note from 'moi': I'm really sorry that for the first 3 chapters, there were no signs of Ouran High characters because this sort of like the prologue of the whole story. Basically, this story only revolves mostly around Takara and her mother as well as Tamaki. But I promise that this time in Music Piece 4, the Ouran High boys will come in. Once again, gomen!!! (Bows low)

" Hey, have you heard the rumors lately? " Hikaru Hitachin asked while straddling a chair.

Immediately, Tamaki Suou perked up.

" Heard what? "

" Don't you know, a new girl will be joining Ouran. It seems she was a 'shoo-in'. She just arrived in Japan from Paris, " Kaoru Hitachin, Hikaru's younger twin brother, answered.

" A 'shoo-in'? You mean she didn't need to sit for those killer entrance exams? " Haruhi inquired, looking shocked.

" Bingo. Do you know that she was from a music college? The only fifteen-year-old in the whole cohort, I've heard, " Kyouya Otori spoke up, twisting the laptop screen around to face them.

Everyone huddled round him, staring at the screen.

" Ooh, she's really cute just like you, right Haru? " Mitsukuni announced, hugging his pink plush rabbit and looking up at the girl with his soft light brown eyes. " I wonder if we could meet the girl. "

" Oh sure we will, Senior Hani Honey. After all, Ouran High is famous for its Host Club, " both Hikaru and Kaoru replied in unison. " Right, highness? "

However, Tamaki did not answer. He was too engrossed in studying the picture.

" Takara Lekeisha Satake… " He murmured, his blue eyes never leaving the screen.

Hikaru and Kaoru looked at one another and burst out, laughing.

" Highness seems to be quite taken with her, isn't that utterly hilarious? "

" No, I'm not! And, it's not funny! It's just that her name seems so familiar but I can't place my finger on it. Didn't I tell you that I lived in France before I turned fourteen and came to Japan? "

" Nope! We thought you escaped from a psychiatric hospital, " the twins butted in and high-fived each other.

Immediately, Tamaki sank into depression as he sulked in a corner. Both of them laughed wickedly.

" Aww, Highness is one of his famous moods! A chicken-sulker! "

NNN

" You had better go unpack your belongings, Takara, while I'll go prepare dinner for the two of us, " Yumi told her as she started to push her wheelchair forward in the direction of the kitchen.

Takara quickly intercepted her mother.

" Mummy, I thought the housekeeper would be in charge of all this? "

Yumi smiled at her daughter.

" Oh honey, you've been gone for such a long time, haven't you? I attended private housekeeping classes so that I could manage the household chores on my own and not depend too much on the housekeeper. "

The fifteen-year-old felt proud of her mother. She had always known that her mother was such an independent woman and actress who hated to depend on people. She stood on her own two feet. That was a very distinctive quality that Takara admired.

" You mean you know how to cook? " she asked, feigning shock.

Yumi grew defensive and folded her arms.

" I can prove it to you by cooking your favorite dish then. "

Her daughter giggled.

" Sorry, mummy. You know that I was just fooling around. It's just that… " Takara trailed off, looking slightly worried.

" What? Are you worried that it'll strain my body? " Her mother demanded. " Because I'm not that useless, you know! "

Her daughter looked away guiltily. Immediately, Yumi's olive eyes softened

" Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. "

Takara kneeled down in front of her wheelchair.

" Are you sure? Maybe I could give you a hand. "

Her mother touched her daughter's cheek.

" I'm so lucky to have such a practical daughter like you but I'll be alright on my own. It's not like I'm going out alone or something! Sometimes, I think you worry about me too much. Try and lighten up, honey! Anyway, you'll have to go back to school tomorrow. It's been a week since you attended classes and I don't want you to miss too much of lessons.

On hearing this, Takara's stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch. She very much wanted to puke at the mere thought of going to a high school when all her teenage years were spent in a college and mingling with students who were much more older than herself. However, now it was a different story. She would go to a school with people around the same age as her. She was scared, afraid of what would be in store for her.

NNN

" Mummy, are you awake? " Takara whispered as she pushed Yumi's door further.

Fortunately, Yumi had only just settled in for the night. She pushed herself up in a sitting position and leaned back on the bed rest so that her spine could be supported. She fumbled about for the lamp switch. Just as light filled the room, Yumi caught sight of her daughter. So small and frail like a child in her white night gown, which hung off her frame.

" Takara, what's wrong? " Yumi asked, worriedly as her daughter climbed onto the bed and lay down on her lap.

" Mummy, do you feel lonely without Daddy here? "

Yumi had tried many times to forget about Gail and get on with her life but she could not. She had always slept on the right side of the bed while her husband slept on the left side. But now, she felt a strange emptiness behind her when she turned to her side. She was still not use to it although it has been a week after Gail's death. It was traumatizing for Takara after having to suffer the loss of her father, she knew.

She didn't even manage to say a proper goodbye, Yumi thought sadly as she caressed Takara's hair.

" Yes, " she finally answered her daughter's question, feeling tears prickling at the back of her eyelids.

The girl looked up at her.

" Can I sleep together with you? "

Yumi sighed and gave Takara, a small smile.

" It's been a long time hasn't it? "

The fifteen-year-old smiled and nodded. Yumi continued stroking her hair until she fell asleep.