Chapter 25: Gentle White Lies
Takara ignored the guilty feeling which had started to settle in her heart. She had acted before she could give Kaoru a chance to defend himself.
I shouldn't have slapped him…I should have given them all a chance to defend themselves!
Now, she felt utterly miserable. Adjusting the strap of her messenger bag on her shoulder, she quickened her pace and headed for the nearest telephone booth.
Dropping a few coins into the slot, she dialed home. It rang a few times before her mother's voice could be heard over the extension.
" Hello? "
She swallowed a huge lump in her throat and forced herself to speak. She hated to lie to her mother but she really had no choice. It was the only way.
" Hi, mummy. It's me. "
" Why hello, darling. Where are you calling me from? Did something happen? "
Takara felt guilty when she heard her mother's sweet voice filled with concern.
" I…I, um, I'm calling from school. I wanted to tell you that I'm going to be late so don't stay up okay? "
" Why? Where are you going, honey? " Yumi asked.
" W-Well I, uh, my friend is having a birthday party and I was invited. "
" That's great, honey but I want you to be home soon, " her mother replied.
"Thanks mummy! "
" I love you, honey. "
" Love you, mummy. I promise that I'll be home as soon as possible, " Takara answered and hung up.
She sighed and pushed the booth's door open.
Sorry mummy, but I know that you'll definitely not allow me to get a part-time job…" Any luck? " Hikaru asked his brother.
Kaoru shook his head, dejectedly.
" She's not here at all. I've checked the classrooms in the North Wing and the South one as well. "
" Same here. I've checked the East Wing and the libraries, " Hikaru told him.
" How about Highness, Haruhi, Senior Hani Honey and Senior Mori? Did they find her anywhere? " Kaoru asked.
" I'm not sure. "
" I'll call Highness on his mobile and find out, " Kaoru replied.
" There they are! " Senior Hani Honey's voice rang out.
Both Hikaru and Kaoru spun around.
" Speak of the Devil… " Kaoru trailed off.
" So, did you find her yet? " Senior Hani Honey continued.
They shook their heads.
" Where did that girl wander off to? " Tamaki demanded, placing his hands on his hips.
" Don't know. We have no idea, " the twins answered in unison.
" Maybe she left the school's compound, " Senior Mori suggested quietly.
Everyone turned to him.
" Then, she could be anywhere! " Tamaki cried out in alarm. " What do you think we should do? "
" Isn't it obvious? We'll call her house. That should be the first thing we do instead of running around aimlessly and wasting time, " Haruhi told him, matter-of-factly.
Instantly, Tamaki sank into depression mode and gloom filled his aura.
(Ah ha! That's a new one there by Tamaki Suou! Giggling)
" That's a good one Haruhi! " Hikaru exclaimed before he and his twin burst into laughter.
I don't see what's so funny neither can I see what's so sad about it. I mean all I did was juts state the obvious, wasn't it? Haruhi asked herself.