"Right Here Waiting" Revised Edition 2013 © natsu_no_sora

Ouran High School Host Club 2002 © Hatori Bisco

I do not own anything. Support the mangaka by buying her works.

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Chapter 03: Vital Decisions

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With shaking legs and forming huge lump in her throat, Fujioka Haruhi gripped the staircase railing with both hands for dear life as the adrenaline in her system died down.

She felt like floating so high at the same time plummeting through a free fall. Her head and heart simultaneously pounded. But she refused to cry. She'd done that already.

She closed her eyes briefly and took a very deep breath. I can do this, she thought. She snapped her eyes open and had not been for her aching knee, she probably sprinted off to the gates of Ouran High School.

Kyouya removed his eyeglasses, shut his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth.

You are so fucked up, Kyouya, he thought remorsefully. He couldn't understand the swirling emotions that burst inside him painfully. He wanted Haruhi so bad yet he was building a cold block of thick walls between them. When had he become a masochist?

All these feelings were making him doubt his decision to end their intimate relationship. But whenever he felt himself slipping dangerously close to her, his inner demon reminded him of what made him break up with her in the first place.

The only thing that kept him from reaching out to her was the fact that his father, the powerful Ootori Yoshio, warned him about getting himself too concern with her.

Kyouya was not the one to be threatened, especially not by his father. He finally found a reason to live and he wasn't about to let her go without a fight.

But then, Ootori Yoshio resorted to his usual way of dealing things: he vowed to destroy Haruhi. With sinking heart, Kyouya knew his father has every bit of power to bring his opponent down.

It was a trap card.

Kyouya had nowhere else to go. He wasn't going to take any chances when it comes to Haruhi. He knew when to fight for her. And hell, he would fight for her. But he also knew when to put down his offense and build his defense for her sake. Even if it means breaking her heart.

For Kyouya, it was better to break her heart than to shatter her dreams.

Broken heart mends. Shattered dreams cannot; the monster that'll smash it will make sure of that.

Haruhi was ambitious. She had goals and priorities set up higher than him, he knew that. He always knew that. And that was one of the million things he loved about her.

Kyouya let out a defeated sigh and massaged his temple. He could feel the mother of all headaches coming to knock on his skull.

Haruhi mechanically opened the door to her apartment. The earlier confrontation with Kyouya kept on playing in her head.

"Oh, welcome back, Haruhi!" A squealing voice snapped her out of her reverie.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" She didn't mean to sound rude but she did anyway. Her dad winced dramatically.

"What, don't you want me around?" he pouted.

"No, it's not that! I mean, why aren't you at work? I thought you're on night shift? It's already passed 5, you'll be late."

"My shift starts at 8 tonight. I'm going to cook your favorites because I want to have dinner with my cute daughter. Go change clothes and just relax, okay?" With a pinch on her nose, her dad turned his attention to the TV.

Haruhi went into her room and sagged on her bed. Lately, the things happening around her were sucking her energy.

With a deep sigh, she laid flat on her back and stared at the ceiling. She stretched her hands upward, stared at it like it was most fascinating thing in the world as she curled and uncurled her fingers.

Memories flickered in her mind. Memories too precious to let go, too painful to remember. It was like a guilty pleasure to her. Now it was coming back to haunt her. To torment her.

Alright, according to Susan J. Elliot, there are three phases of breakup grief, Haruhi thought. She needed a help through this and science approach seemed the best. She was a scholar, after all. First is, Shock or Disbelief.

Another memory pierced through her: Are you trying playing joke on me, Kyouya?

The day he broken up with her. She remembered that all too well.

Yeah, that's right. I'm passed the shock now. The second is, Review and Painful Relinquishment- she choked. This must be it; she grimaced when her heart dipped low in her stomach.

And then the last one is, Acceptance.

The thought made her pause. Acceptance? Was she ready to accept that everything between her and the only guy she fell in love with was over and done? Was she ready to let go?

With pounding heart and wide eyes, Haruhi sat up slowly. She hardly blinked as she realized that, it was time to move on. Whether she liked it or not, life goes on and time won't be waiting for her.

She had to let go, no matter how hard it is.

Knock! Knock!

"Haruhi, honey? Dinner's ready!" Her dad's voiced resonated through her closed door.

Haruhi jolted back to reality. What? Dinner already? Time sure flies like a blur.

"Coming, dad!" She heaved herself off the bed with a sigh. She changed into comfortable sweat pants and fitted tank top. Whoever said she's flat chested, definitely haven't seen her in that sexy racer back.

"Oh, Haruhi! Sit down, sit down! Let's eat." An over-excited Ranka pulled her down to the floor.

The food was okay, which was a surprise since her dad wasn't exactly in good terms with their stove.

"How is it? Is it yummy?" He inquired enthusiastically.

"It's okay," she answered quietly.

Ranka's smile faded slightly as he eyed his daughter. One look at her, he knew something's bothering her.

"Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Huh?" Haruhi looked up to see Ranka's Dad Mode activated.

"Is everything alright?"

No, dad. She wanted to say. She put down her chopsticks and swallowed. This was a perfect timing to talk to him. "Dad..."

"What is it?" He stared at her in anticipation.

"Ouran is offering me a full scholarship abroad," she said. Okay, that wasn't what she wanted to say.

Ranka frowned; full scholarship abroad? That was good news, wasn't it? Why the somber face?

Haruhi continued, "I've been thinking of accepting it-"

"Of course, you should accept it! Why are you hesitating?" He said incredulously. "It's a great opportunity that I can't give you, honey. I know it's hard to study abroad but you can do it! You're brave and smart and I'm not telling you this because I'm your father but because it's the truth. I will support and cheer for you even if you're thousand miles away," he smiled.

"Thanks, dad," Haruhi allowed a small smile. But the somber look on her face didn't go away.

"Is there something more that you're not telling me?" He prompted.

She sighed exhaustedly.

The man took his daughter's hand. "You know you can tell me anything. Is the scholarship putting you under heavy pressure? Is there a problem in the host club? Did you have a fight with Kyouya again?"

The sudden grimace that flashed across her childish face was enough for Ranka to know that he hit the right spot.

Bingo, he thought. He had been fairly aware of their relationship since two years ago. He simply adored Kyouya and for him, there's no better man for his daughter than the young Ootori.

Ranka now understood her crestfallen expression. This wasn't the first time the couple had a fight. Come to think of it, they were always fighting about silly things and whatnots. But this one, he knew it was serious.

He exhaled, "What is it this time?"

Haruhi bit her lip. She felt like she was about to confess to a crime. She pulled away her hands from his father's grip and began fiddling with her fingers, avoiding his gaze.

Ranka narrowed his eyes at her, "Tell me, did he drag you again to that fancy restaurant you despise? Please, Haruhi, it's just a restaurant! You should be used to it by now-"

"Kyouya broke up with me, dad," she cut him off.

Ranka was stunned shock as he stared at her open-mouthed. "What?" He managed to utter in a hush whisper.

Haruhi fisted her hands tightly her knuckle bones became prominent. "He said he can't be with me anymore. He said our worlds were just drifting farther and farther apart," she explained in a small quivering voice.

Ranka exploded. "That's bullshit, Haruhi!" The girl flinched. "Do you honestly believe what that idiot said?"

He took Haruhi's silence as an affirmative answer. "Oh my god, and here I thought you were smart. Seriously, Haruhi, that guy's all gooey eyes on you! He must have a reason for breaking up with you. Something big. Why don't you two talk?"

"I don't know..." she mumbled. With the way he spoke to her this afternoon, she didn't know how to approach him anymore.

"Try," he insisted.

She inwardly sighed and nodded for the sake of her father's peace of mind.

"Tell me more about this scholarship," he asked after a few muted minutes.

"Chairman Suoh recommended me to a university in America. He submitted my grades and the school was impressed-"

"They should be," he interjected.

Rolling her eyes, Haruhi continued, "It's a full scholarship package; everything from living expenses to tuitions and school expenses will be provided. There'll also be an apartment unit to stay in."

"Ooohhhh, that's awesome! Go for it, my darling Haruhi! Daddy's here to cheer on you!" He exclaimed proudly.

Haruhi smiled. "Thank you," she said gratefully.

As they ate their dinner, her mind was swimming. She didn't know what to think anymore, or what to feel. There was definitely the hurt from Kyouya's cold treatment. There was the resolve of Susan J. Elliot's third phase of breakup; the Acceptance. There was also the confusion as to whether or not he really wanted to break up with her. She thought of what her dad said.

He must have a reason for breaking up with you. Something big.

A small part of her agreed. Maybe, he was right. Maybe Kyouya was really hiding something. She needed to find out. She must find out.

But how do you extract an answer from the shadow king? Now, that's a bigger question.

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01/17/13 OWARI

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SORA'S RAMBLING CORNER:

Hey, there. Thank you for dropping by! I hope you like my update :)

Major OOCness, I know. Grammatical errors and other mistakes, sorry about that. Please excuse my imperfection m(_ _)m

Please continue to support "Spring Petals" until the end.

Sarabaja~!