…I AM SO SORRY. I'm a horrible person! D: I've had this writers' block and this is the first time I've really opened Word, besides for beta-ing. I APOLOGIZE SO BADLY.

Also, freshman year of high school, which equals finals, new classes, new building, new people, and more. I'm sure you've been through it somewhat, or already have.

So, Here's the next chapter. By the way, I noticed last time I used the term "skipped." I meant, "skidded." …Yeah.

The beta position is still partially available. Much thanks to sciathan file and Gure-dono and the others for volunteering:D As for one I have, I'm still getting to know them. :)

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"…Haruhi, I think you're quite intelligent enough to know what a date is." Tamaki questioned the dumbstruck girl. "It's where two people go to different places and enjoy each other's company. Honestly," he scoffed, "you're a scholarship student. You should know these things." By now, his eyes were as equally large as hers. "…And besides! Didn't you go on a date with Hikaru back in high school? I'm pretty sure you did!"

She momentarily looked away and in that space of time, Tamaki raised an eyebrow, sensing her small bout of distress that was nearly invisible.

…Did something happen…? With Hikaru and…Haruhi?

Only Tamaki could sense these things. At least when they did not concern him. He was just that selfless, and maybe even dense.

With his newly risen suspicious assumption, Tamaki's nervousness grew stronger. Of course it was expected from him, of all people (and perhaps Kyoya), to keep a strong appearance while their insides squirmed uncomfortably. As Tamaki's mind's gears cranked helplessly, Haruhi simply saw the confused, yet "controlled" facade.

Tamaki was the only one she knew who was a master of disguise such as that.

"I'm not that stupid. I know what a date is."

"Ah, then!" He brightened, "Would you go one with me? As a just-friends thing, no obligation or strings attached or even anything out the deal! I'd just like to take you dinner and a movie because you know, we're just friends, right? Right? Ahaha, Of course we are. That's why you should say yes because it'll be completely innocent. Actually, it should better be called a get-together, not a date, because it's far more relaxed and strictly friendly. Unless, you'd like to call it a date, which, ahaha…I don't think you do. "

Tamaki talks very quickly now, I hardly understood a thing he said, Haruhi mused, I suppose he's gotten even more eccentric over the years.

"Could you please repeat that?" She murmured.

Tamaki stopped on a dime and stared at her blankly before raising a cautious finger that would soon be directed at her. "You."

She raised a brow.

"Me." He pointed to himself and his hands joined together to created a heart. "Friends."

Next, he acted out what would be a lousy impression of manual film camera. "Movie."

Then, his fist positioned sideways was brought to his mouth and was stopped short. "Dinner."

She was rather tempted to slap his hands. Now, really--just because she was a year younger most definitely did not mean that her intellect was any less developed.

"Oh, stop that. I know what you meant, I understood. You simply talked too fast. So when I said to repeat yourself, I didn't mean to lower my smarts to a preschool level." Haruhi huffed, placing her hands on her hips—in turn, caused her current counterpart to smirk knowingly, which she would question.

"You've gotten more feminine." He said simply and was forced to bit down on his lower lip to keep from laughing. It had nothing to do with the topic, but at the same time, it was so obvious he had to bring it to her attention.

"I have not. You're delirious." She defended, just before thinking back to a few incidents in the past, even within the last year, where she may have acted a teensy bit girly. As the golden silence grew longer, Tamaki's grin grew wider and it almost looked like he was eating his lip. He was so close to bursting out in giggles. Of course, giggling was a bit girly, and Haruhi could see that, even in him. …She had giggled quite a bit, and even blushed a bit more—

No. No, no, no. Don't fall under that, Haruhi, he'll win.

Haruhi was never one to listen to her subconscious, which was practically screaming at her normal conscious, so she blurted out, "Maybe I have grown to be slightly feminine, but don't expect anything out of it, senpai."

To her, this was defense. To him, it was admitting defeat.

"So you have! Learned something from the club's clients, no? O-Or maybe the twins brainwashed you or something? Kyoya bribed you? I-I can't see how this is an act of Mother Nature aging you…!" He was doubled over, holding his sides. Not completely laughing his French ass off, but too close for comfort—it was far too obvious that he was trying far too hard.

"Nothing of the sort. A-And besides, weren't were discussing something previously?" She managed a smooth change of subject as he straightened while wiping his eyes. "Something about a—" Date. "—Get-together?"

"…Ah, you're right. My mistake..." Tamaki smiled, once again on the brink. "Would you like to?"

His tension was eased, maybe from the rush of happy, but suddenly, this didn't seem so tough. And, despite how it seemed she did look to be a little more…tolerable of him for the first time since their reunion.

"It depends." She shrugged, finally voicing her part of the deal, "Where would we go? What would see? Cuisine? Location? I'm not particularly picky, but you could take me to a commoner's place and I wouldn't be very satisfied. Really, I only say so so that you're not flinging into dramatics when I'm ignoring you." Brute honesty was her trademark, wasn't it?

Usually, such a remark from her would have him half surrounded by walls and emo-clouds, but he was a man! A manly man at that! A manly, handsome man who had matured since he graduated high school…! And he had learned a few tricks of the trades since then.

So, instead of pouting his lips, he curled them into a smirk.

"Ootoro?"

Her eyes widened for a split-second but soon formed into sly eyes that looked him up and down. Identical emotions reflected in their eyes as they surveyed the other in seamless unison.

"Well, Tamaki Suoh," Haruhi stepped forward, offering her hand which he took unconsciously. She shook his and said with clear confidence, "I believe you have yourself a deal."

--

Yay? 8D

Nay? D:

I'm going to start being two chapters ahead, that way you won't have to wait so long.

-Still a horrible person D: -

…OH MY GOD. I HAVEN'T TOUCHED THIS SINCE AUGUST?

I should so not be laughing right now. XDD