Chapter 39: Deepest Friendship

The Fifth Day…

" Okay, you can open your eyes now, Takara! " Tamaki told her.

She did just that.

(Oh for your information, Takara is staying over at Tamaki's residence for the time being.

It was meant to be a surprise and boy, was she dumbfounded.

" What a wonderful harp! " the girl exclaimed in awe, running her fingers over the taut strings lightly.

" It's yours, Takara. "

She turned around and stared at him, shocked.

" B-But I can't simply accept this! "

Tamaki smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders, bringing his face close to hers.

" It's a present from me and the Host Club members. You can use it for your upcoming performance on Friday. "

" Really? "

The boy nodded.

" That's right, my childhood friend… "

Her smile evaporated as her eyes widened.

" You remembered, Tamaki-senpai? "

He grinned boyishly.

" Thanks to your mother that I finally knew about it. "

Takara smiled back.

Yes, thanks to Mummy…

" Thank you, Tamaki-senpai for believing in me even when I didn't have faith in myself. "

With that, she threw her arms around him and hugged him. Tamaki smiled softly and hugged his childhood friend.

" Well, let's practice together. We could even play a duet. How about it? "

Takara grinned and nodded.

" Sure, but I'm sort of rusty! "

" You'll do fine, Takara. Just trust me. "

NNN

Takara stopped suddenly.

" What's wrong, Takara? " Tamaki asked, stopping as well.

" I get this odd feeling that someone used to play this harp. "

He grew silent.

" But, maybe I'm wrong… " she added quickly.

Tamaki turned away. Takara got up and went over to him.

" T-Tamaki-senpai? "

Finally, he met her eyes. The girl was shocked to find him, crying.

" Wh-What's wrong? Did I say something which offended you? If I did, then I'm- "

" No, you were right. That harp used to belong to my mother. She used to play it for my dad and everything. She loved it a lot and took great care of it… "

He could not continue anymore. It was too painful as he was being reminded of those memories.

" You really love her a lot, don't you? "

He nodded his head. She hugged him.

" Someone once told me to be strong and that everything was going to be alright. At first, I did not believe her but then I understand her meaning now. I have to take things in my stride and accept them so everything would be fine. I did it and I found things which was more wonderful in the end. "

" Like what? "

Takara smiled.

" Friendships, the feeling of being wanted and loved as well as learning to love as well… "

He stared at her.

" Be strong. I'm sure your mother really loves and misses you a lot. She will definitely be thinking about you all the time, at every second... "

Takara stroked his hair as he cried on her shoulder, hugging her close to him.

Note from 'moi': The next chapter will be the second-last. I'm sorry but I have to write the last two days of Yumi's life. The three unmentioned days are because she is still in the ICU.