Only You Karou!

A Ouran High Host Club Love Story!

Part Six

An Apology From … Hikaru?

I slammed the door shut as I entered my room. I rested against it as I stared at the floor the only sound coming from the dripping water that covered me. I stared at the small puddles starting to form around me and I closed my eyes tight in frustration. What had I done to make Hikaru hate me so much! Karou stood up for me one time and now I was public enemy number one. And yet there was nothing I could do about it.

I let out a defeated sigh and walked slowly to my bathroom to take a hot shower. With some difficulty I stripped off my wet clothes throwing them carelessly into the hamper and stepped into the warm shower. The hot water warmed my freezing body and I let my mind water as the steam swirled around me. It walked through the events of the day and instead of lingering on the bad I focused on how Karou had stood up for me. And yet when Hikaru had dowsed me in water he had said nothing …

I got out of the shower and redressed my eyes burning more with every second that passed. I laid down on my bed and hugged my pillow and finally let go of my pride and cried. The tears were streaming from my eyes and I could taste the saltiness on my lips. Once I started I couldn't stop, they just kept coming as I kept thinking about what Hikaru had said. I was nothing but the hired help. Even if I went back to Ouran Academy it would never be the same. I was nothing but a commoner and rich kids didn't want to be friends with a commoner. Rich kids especially didn't fall in love with the maid …

I cried until there was no more tears and even after that I just sat there my room turning steadily darker. I didn't bother even bother to get up and deliver the boys dinner sure that once Chei didn't see me down would deliver it for me. Besides by now I was sure that word of that afternoon had spread across the whole mansion. I was not looking forward to the week of staring and whispering that were sure to come. What I wouldn't give to be home right now with my dad by my side with a cup of hot coco.

I was just about to call my father when I heard my door open and the lights came on. I didn't even care to look to see who it was and I didn't need to as Chei came and sat in front of me on the bed. I looked up at her as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and looked down at me sympathetically. "I took the twins there dinner for you. I figured after er … what happened you wouldn't be in the mood to see them again today." she said with a slight smile.

"Oh yeah and wait til you hear this. The twin terrors have been arguing! Karou is very angry with Hikaru for what he did and said til he apologizes he will not share a room or meals with him. It seems you have caused quite a commotion young lady. I am not sure what to think about it actually." she said getting up and covering me with a blanket. As she was walking to the door she added "Oh and you have a visitor."

With a slight surprise I looked up and gasped as I saw my father standing there in my door way a cup of hot coco in each hand. He smiled at me warmly as he rushed to my side and handed me my cup. As I sat sipping my drink he talked about everything that was going on at home that I had missed and thankfully didn't bother me about that afternoon or my puffy eyes. He knew I would tell him when I was ready.

After about an hour of just enjoying each others company and watching some t.v he finally decided to try and bring up the issue at hand. "So my little sparrow do you want to talk about why your so upset? Because the Mizuki I know wouldn't let the antics of some stupid boy make her cry." he said as always understanding me perfectly.

"I know and I am not really bothered that Hikaru threw the water on me its what he said before hand. He said I was just the hired help and I should learn my place … and he was right. I want to go back to Ouran Academy but things are going to be so much different now. Will I still have my old friends or will I be treated different because I am not rich now … I know it shouldn't matter but it does! Why does it have to matter so much why cant they just love me for me hired help or heiress." I said my eyes starting to burn again and I felt the first small tears starting to leak.

My father wiped away the tears just like when I was little and he placed his arm around my shoulders. "I know how you feel. I was just a shop keeper for a small time natural medicine seller. I mostly catered to the poor who couldn't afford big time medicine and I was happy with my life. Then one day an heiress fell sick and no modern medicine could heal her. That's when her family turned to me. I managed to heal there daughter and in the course of healing her we fell in love. Less then a year later, with the help of her family, my shop was a big time business and I was married the girl of my dreams. You see your mother didn't care if I was rich or poor she loved me for me. And that's all that mattered. So I am not sure if this story helps or not but just remember that anyone would be crazy not to fall in love with a girl like you." he said planting a kiss on my forehead.

A little while later my father left me still thinking about what he said. So I went to sleep my head full of contradicting thoughts of love between the rich and the poor.

I woke up in the morning my head feeling fuzzy and my eyes slightly wet. Yet I felt better after a full nights rest. After the talk with my father the night before I felt much better. What would happen would happen rich or poor and all I could do was hope for the best. And that was exactly what I was planning to do.

I was just about to get changed when I heard a knocking on the door. I was just going to ignore it as I walked to my closet when I heard a voice say "Can I come in … its Hikaru." I was shocked and ran to the door but opened it cautiously expecting a trick. He came into the room a sad look on his face as he looked at me.

I just stared at him wondering what he could possibly be doing here in my room. For a couple minutes we just stood staring at each other and I felt that something was slightly off with him. "I came to apologize for yesterday. I was way out of line and I just … it was just unacceptable. I know your probably still mad at me so please take all the time you need but I do hope you can forgive me." he said with a bow.

I smiled and said "Its no big deal really. I was upset but my dad talked to me and I calmed down quite a bit. The thing is the water didn't bother me it was what was said before hand. But now I see that rich or poor it doesn't matter as long as you have people who accept you for you but thank you anyway."

Hikaru nodded with a smile and started to exit. I then couldn't hold it in any more I started to laugh. He turned and looked at me with a questioning look. "Tell the real Hikaru to try his worst because I am ready for him, Karou." Karou looked at me with surprise and then smiled sheepishly. "Thank you though Karou … it means a lot that you stopped by." I said as I closed the door on him and went to go change for another day as the hired help.