Chapter Three: Love Letters are the way to go

PART A

Being attracted to someone else is never easy. Either you're too shy, or you're too afraid to say your feelings (or you're always prevented by the oddest circumstances cough Tamaki cough). That is why there is a simple solution; love letters. It should save the day, shouldn't it?

"Haruhi, how was school yesterday?" Haruhi's father was smiling cheerfully at her daughter while she was packing her lunch the next morning.

"Oh, eventful…" was the reply. "Tears and robots…there's something called a Prom soon so…"

"PROM?" Ranka seemed to only pick up that one word. His eyes were wide open. "Oh I've heard of those! This is brilliant!" He seized his daughter and started shaking her hard with excitement, "I can dress you up all glamorous! You can wear one those beautiful frilly dresses." He pointed at the magazines scattered on the kitchen table.

"I'm not a little girl anymore Dad," Haruhi said exasperated. "And why do you know what a Prom is?"

"How do I know?" Ranka beamed at her and ruffled her hair, "Darling it's just like a graduation dinner. Didn't you know?"

"Graduation dinner?" wondered Haruhi, "Oh, that's not too bad. I know what they are." She swung her bag over her shoulder and walked out the front door. "Bye Dad."

But then again…Haruhi frowned and her eyes narrowed. This is Ouran...it might be different.

Haruhi had deliberately left early so that she could get to school and avoid the crowds. Knowing Ouran, and what happened yesterday…I don't want to be involved in anything else…

"HARUHIIIII!!!!!!" Tamaki voice screamed at her upon her arrival. "ARE YOU OK?"

"Hahahaha," she could hear the faint laughter of Hikaru and Kaoru.

"Yes," she called out simply and turned around the corner avoiding meeting them all, before quickly making a short cut to the eastern lawns. It should be quiet there. I can get some homework done.

How very wrong. The whole school had come early so that they could gossip and quiz Haruhi when she got there.

"Haruhi, how did you feel about the battle?" A girl asked her.

"Do you like Tamaki?"

"Are you gay?"

"Who are you going with to the Prom?"

She was exasperated. Maybe I should have come late…that way everyone would have been in class. She turned around and-

"Oh no you don't Haruhi!" Renge held her back, "I invited the TV crew from channel 3, and we're all here nice and early to interview you."

Oh no…"Ah, why does this have to go on TV?" she tried asking Renge.

"It's not only for TV," Renge replied smugly, "It's also for the special Ouran Prom film that I'm in charge of producing!"

"There's a film especially for this?" Haruhi said faintly. I really don't want to be on it.

"Aaaaand…" screamed Renge into her microphone, ignoring her. "The moment of truth! After yesterday…we have the special opportunity to ask Haruhi how he feels and who he likes! Who wants to ask the first question?"

"Me! Me! No me! No, I-" The crowd went into a frenzy. Renge tried to calm everyone down and do it systematically. In the confusing mess of it all, Haruhi managed to escape…only to be attacked by someone else instead.

"Haruhi…" Hikaru and Kaoru moaned and wrapped their arms around her. "Are you ok from yesterday? Did milord hurt you? Coz if he did, we're here to make you feel better…"

"Guys…" said Haruhi irritated, "Get off me."

"But seriously Haruhi," whispered Kaoru, "didn't you get bruised?"

"We won't believe if something as heavy as milord, didn't crush your beautiful body," Hikaru whispered in her other ear.

Haruhi frowned. "I think I did get bruised a bit here." She pointed at parts of her body. The twins immediately took note of where.

"Let us kiss it better…" Hikaru leaned down and his lips were on the verge of touching Haruhi's neck where there was a faint mark.

"GAH!! You twins!" Tamaki screamed. He had leaped out from the doorway, and was looking horrified and angry.

"Sempai," said Haruhi, looking bemusedly at him. He was covered with bandages. "I didn't think you were that hurt to need that many bandages."

"That's because milord wanted to fake it and get your sympathy!" The Hitachiins chimed.

"GAH! NO I-" Tamaki ran out of the room bursting with shame. The twins chuckled.

"Guys," said Haruhi annoyed, tearing herself away from the twins who were now cuddling her. "I'm ok, honestly. I need to get my books now."

"Oh?" They suddenly changed their demeanor.

"Have you checked your locker yet today?" It was Kaoru.

"No," replied Haruhi, "Why would I need to check my locker?" she added suspiciously.

"You might find something there…especially since it is Prom season and some people here are very shy…" Hikaru said, with a completely different grin.

"Am I to expect something shocking?"

"No, you'll find something completely normal!" the Hitachiins said in unison. "Anyway, go check your locker before coming up to class ok? See ya!"

"Oh don't forget, if you find any interesting patterned paper, grate it up and give it to Kaoru."

"I need it for my art project," added Kaoru. And on that note they left.

Haruhi shook her head. The Hitachiin twins, honestly…She walked to the locker room (thankfully everyone was still at the eastern lawns, and it seemed empty of students) and wrenched her locker open. Cascades of letters fell onto the floor. "What's with all this?" she asked shocked. She picked one up. It was thick and it had delicate pink heart patterns all over it. What was more, a peacock feather adorned its side. "They have pretty interesting patterns…" Haruhi picked another up, it was purple and there were tiny hearts as well. Oh yes, Kaoru said he wanted interesting paper for his art project didn't he? Without further thought, she took out a huge paper grater and fed all 154 letters through.

"ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Tamaki who was hiding behind the door was having a mega heart attack. "THA-THAT WAS MY LETTER, THE ONE WITH THE PEACOCK FEATHER!" A hundred girls, who were also watching Haruhi behind other doors in the locker room, were clutching at their hearts. Rejection is harsh, it most definitely is.

"Haruhi…" said Tamaki to himself, brimming with determination, "I will have to write another letter!"

Haruhi packed the last of the grated paper into the plastic bag she was holding. Ooops, she thought, they were letters. I should have probably read them first before I grated them up. She glanced at the pile of pretty paper. Oh, well Kaoru should be happy. She took out the books and was just going to close the locker when, she saw she had missed a letter.

It was because it was just a plain piece of paper with the message typed;

DEAR HARUHI, PLEASE MEET ME AT 5PM NEAR THE SCHOOL FOUNTAINS.

"I wonder who wrote this?" mused Haruhi. "It fits fine with my schedule. I can just go there after host club activities." The school bell donged. Haruhi stuffed the message into her pocket, closed her locker and in her practical way walked steadily to class.

"Kaoru?" Haruhi was puzzled. She was staring curiously at the twins; one was stuffing around at the front of the classroom, the other sitting down on a chair and staring out the window.

"What? Oh, Haruhi," Kaoru jerked up, "Just looking at the sky," he said pleasantly.

Haruhi stared out the window. A couple of doves flew across the sky. "It is a nice day," she agreed.

"Haruhi!" Hikaru came up to her and ruffled her hair. "Did you get the letters?"

"Yeah," she got her plastic bag out, "Here you go Kaoru."

"Hahahahahaha…"

"What are you laughing about?" Haruhi asked, narrowing her eyes. The twins sniggered at her.

"Nothing…" Hikaru plucked the peacock feather out from the paper gratings, and put it behind his ear.

"Class," the teacher arrived and rapped the desk. Kaoru drifted to his seat. There was a letter on the desk. It was plain and unmarked. Nobody saw it but him. He glanced at Hikaru, before quietly slipping it into his pocket.

In the Third Music Room (straight after school):

"Welcome," several rich voices intoned, accompanied by a delicate stream of vivid red rose petals. Girls drifted in, delighted for each of the host members were dressed spectacularly in the latest fashionable suits.

"Why are we dressing like this? It's not Prom yet," Haruhi had entered and was looking at her fellow members warily.

"It's called a dress rehearsal Haruhi," said Hunny looking at her seriously, "Do you know how important your dress is when you are at the Prom?"

"Oh Haruhi," said Tamaki brightly (now with only a small bandage on the side of his face). He withdrew from the girl whom he had been charming and waved his hand, "Your costume, it's in the cupboard over there. Go put it on."

Haruhi sighed. "Ok," She proceeded to the dressing rooms, when the Hitachiin twins grabbed her.

"I think you'll need help in putting it on…" Hikaru grinned at her.

"Especially with the lacings…" Kaoru added, with a sly smile directed towards Tamaki.

"NO WAIT!!!" Tamaki was blue in the face. But Haruhi was already in the changing room, and she gave a huge yelp.

"THIS IS MY COSTUME???!!!" She rushed out of the room holding the most magnificent white dress. It was floor length and was draped in pearls (which were in no doubt real).

"WAAAA!" Girls were looking at it all curiously.

"Ok," Tamaki interrupted the scene, and pushed them all out. "Time to move to our special secret hideout to discuss all this."

In the special secret hideout:

Kyouya looked at her. "What were you expecting?"

"I thought I had to dress as a guy. I mean this is a school event isn't it? You don't want my gender to be found out, do you?" Haruhi reasoned.

Kyouya pushed his glasses up his nose and gave a faint smile. "Haruhi, it won't be a problem to arrange all of that. Besides it is our wishes for you to dress as a female to this year's senior Prom."

"Your wishes…?" Haruhi muttered.

"You thought about dressing as a guy?" questioned Hunny.

"Mmmm…" nodded Haruhi, "I didn't know what to wear. I thought I'll just borrow one of my Dad's suits or something."

Silence greeted her words.

"Haruhi," began Hunny in his most serious tone, "Your Prom dress is one of the most important things to consider in your senior years at school."

"Oh really…?"

"Yes," all six gave a definite emphasis to that word.

"Last year," continued Hunny in the same low serious voice, "A girl didn't have her dress until the day before."

"What's wrong with that?" puzzled Haruhi.

"GAH!" shuddered Tamaki, "It's a bad omen!"

"Uh, really?" said Haruhi skeptically.

"YES!" the twins were trembling. "She didn't get her photos ALL night!"

"Photos?"

"Well," Kyouya said, snapping his notebook shut, "Haruhi, Prom photos are essential things to get. You get single photos, partner photos, group photos and occasional fun silly photos."

"But of course," rambled Tamaki, "They're old fashioned musts, really Haruhi, the film is important too. I think you can get individual ones. We can have a special host club one!"

"No thanks," muttered Haruhi, sending Tamaki to his corner of doom and gloom.

"But the dress…" continued Hunny, bringing them all close like he was telling a ghost story, "the dress is the secret ingredient to success."

"Success?..."
"If you get the wrong colour…" explained Hikaru.

"Or if you get the wrong shape or style…"continued Kaoru.

"Or…" said Hunny in an even quieter tone, "You get the SAME dress as someone else…"

"You might as well be dead," finished Hikaru.

"Oooohhh…"Tamaki had arisen from his corner to join in the spooky conversation, "Didn't that guy almost commit suicide last year because his suit was fluffy? And nobody liked it? And then-"

"Wasn't that you?" interrupted Hikaru.

"AH," Tamaki was back in his corner, picking at his fingernails and muttering under his breath.

"The Prom dress," said Hunny with a finishing air, "No, the Prom, is one of the most important things in your life."

"But," Haruhi frowned, "Surely the graduation dinner isn't that important."

"You are wrong!" said Tamaki indignantly. "It's an Ouran Prom not a graduation dinner!"

"You mean it's different?"

"Completely!" nodded Tamaki.

"Ah…" said Hikaru with a reminiscent gleam in his eyes, "do you remember last year we stole that girl's dress?'

"It was awesome," Kaoru replied, "We completely ruined her reputation."

"They had a big cake kilometers wide!" cried Hunny.

"I rode on the parade afterwards and it lasted for hours," said Tamaki proudly. "And I had two suits for the day."

"I made quite a few business deals…" Kyouya pushed his glasses up his nose. "It's not just extravagance and fun."

"I should have known…" said Haruhi in a resigned voice. "With what the tears, tantrums, robots, people getting to the Prom by camels, the film…and the hundreds of letters…"

"Did you get letters too?" Hunny inquired.

"Yeah," Haruhi looked him curiously and more closely at the cake in his hands, especially the row of hearts and neat lines of writing on the plate. "Huh?" She was astounded. "Don't tell me the plate is made up of…"

"Letters…" Mori gave her an affirming look.

"It's customary for all of us to get a ridiculous amount of rabid fan girl letters these days," Kyouya explained. "We all have different ways for dealing with it."

"We burn them one by one…" Hikaru and Kaoru laughed softly. "Rip them up, chuck them down the toilet…"

"I put my cakes on them," piped Hunny, "And Takeshi makes them into practice kendo dolls."

"And I write on the back of them," Kyouya said.

"But I-" Tamaki rose magnificently from his corner of gloom and doom, "I keep them all in a special room."

Haruhi looked horrified. "Don't you care about the writer's feelings at all?" Kyouya gave a polite cough.

"Like you can talk…" shrugged the twins.

"Uh…" Haruhi mumbled, "At least I didn't really intend it…"

"But, letters are just the start of all this excitement!" said Tamaki, changing the topic.

"It's all about food…" said Hunny dreamily, with big star eyes.

"It's all about mischief…" echoed the Hitachiins.

"It's all about extravagance and fashion!" proclaimed Tamaki.

"It's all about meeting new people and making new connections," said Kyouya.

"Hang on," Haruhi looked extremely miffed, "You're all changing what you're saying. Didn't you say the Prom is all about partners? I'm surprised none of you guys have partners yet. Isn't that a bad omen?"

All six guys looked at her surprised.

"Who knew you'll be this perceptive, Haruhi," commented Hunny.

"Hmm…that's true," said Kyouya looking at her amusedly, "We all have no partners yet, which is unusual. We all had our own methods of avoiding the rabid fan girls."

"Mmmm…" said Haruhi, deep in thought, "Tamaki claimed that he was the Lonely Prince, Hikaru and Kaoru claimed that they'll go together, Hunny and Mori used the fact that they have to be together all the time, and Kyouya just lurked behind the doorway, keeping out of sight."

The six guys waited for her to speak some more.

"…so none of you guys have partners yet!" Haruhi shook her head. "Amazing…though I wonder why you would do that…" She started drifting out of the hideout to deal with her customers.

Hunny shook his head. "Maybe not that perceptive."

"That girl has always been incredibly dense," agreed Kyouya. "It'll be up to us I guess…though some of us have already realized that," he said quietly to himself.

After Host Club activities:

Haruhi started walking home. And then she remembered the letter. I feel kinda bad for grating all those letters. Maybe I should wait at the fountain for this person. Make up for what I did. Outside, she unrolled the letter and stared at it again.

DEAR HARUHI, PLEASE MEET ME AT 5PM NEAR THE SCHOOL FOUNTAINS.

"Ok…" sighed Haruhi, and she made her way towards the fountains. I wonder who it could be.