Chapter 14: Cold Feet
Hosting continued onward with everyone in unusually good moods. When hosting finally ended, Tamaki looked up at the clock in confusion and said to himself, "Done already? Wow time surly does fly." Tamaki stood up and stretched and thought about the schedule and realized it's the Twin's turn to clean up today. Well that's good. Tamaki thought to himself Now neither Haruhi or I will be sweaty when we have out little date. Tamaki did a small spin as he thought about going on a date with his Haruhi and he walked over to the others.
Kyoya looked towards Hikaru and Kaoru. "Hikaru, Kaoru, you have clean up duty today," he said, the light reflecting on his glasses perfectly for his tone of voice. "Make sure to do a good job." He didn't want to see the 'clean up' bill the club would have to pay if the hotel staff had to clean it up. It was best to just let the club members do it. "I'm going back to the rooms," he said bluntly. "Who's coming?"
Haruhi stood from her seat after all the customers had left and looked up at the clock. That didn't seem very long... But I suppose that's good in a way. I just hope my time with Tamaki-senpai won't fly by like that...
Tamaki came up from behind Haruhi as the others debated who was going to stay or not. Tamaki came up to Haruhi's side and nudged her a little to get her attention and smiled for her. At the moment he didn't have much he wanted to say with the other guys around however, he was ecstatic to go on his second date with Haruhi.
Hunny jumped up from his seat and ran over to Kyoya, smiling. He raised his hand high and said, "I'm coming, Kyo-chan!" Hunny looked over at Mori, wondering if he would want to follow or stay behind. His direction then turned to Haruhi and Tamaki and said, "What about you two? Aren't you coming?" Hunny knew they would, and he didn't really have to ask. It was just something to get them going.
Haruhi looked over at Hunny and nodded. "Oh, yeah, we're coming," she replied as she walked past Tamaki, signaling him to follow. After reaching Kyoya and Hunny, Haruhi turned to Mori and said, "Mori-senpai, are you going to follow us up, or stay down here with Hikaru & Kaoru?"
Tamaki nodded at Hunny's question as he let Haruhi answer for him. He eyed Haruhi as she walked past him and gave a small lover's sigh before deciding to tag along behind her like a little puppy.
Mori looked around at the general disorder of the room and he shook his head and responded to Haruhi, "Naw, I think I'll help them a little. Go on ahead." Mori, always good with grunt work, readily went and started pushing chairs to their proper places.
Once the others all left and He was left alone with the twins, he said to them as he worked, "Oye, should we do something about those two today? I think they're gonna skip the springs to be with each other today."
Hikaru and Kaoru grumbled to themselves when they heard that they had clean-up duty. Begrudgingly, they stood, beginning the tedious task. They both turned and looked at Mori when they heard that he would help. "Thanks!" They said, before going back to the job at hand. The sooner they finished the sooner they could try and spy on Tamaki and Haruhi. "And to answer your question Mori, definitely." Kaoru stated.
"We were planning on spying on then, and interrupting accordingly, without them knowing it was us of course, but I imagine you had a slightly less underhanded tactic in mind?" Hikaru asked.
Mori shrugged his shoulders at Hikaru's inquisition and then began to say, "My idea was basically stalk them and try to give them nudges as much as possible like when you..." Mori was about to tell Hikaru about the time the rest of the host club followed him and Haruhi around on their date but remembered that experience was to be the clubs little secret."-I mean like how you suggested." Mori corrected himself quickly and then avoided any more conversation from the two of them as he continued to fix all the chairs and tables.
Once they were done, Mori wiped the sweat from his brow and then said to the twins, "Let's go up to the rooms now. Tamaki won't go anywhere with her until he thinks that we all went to the springs.
The twins nodded, following Mori up to their rooms. Oh, the mischief they would create. Of course, nothing too obvious. They didn't want the two getting mad at them again . . .
And Hikaru was just a tad bit curious about Mori's little slip up earlier. But deciding that it wasn't important, he continued walking, tossing his hands into his pockets nonchalantly.
Kyoya led everyone to the room, silently being pleased with all of the images he now had to put on the club's website. He was glad he hid those camera's in the hotel. They might just prove to have a better use then he thought.
Hunny waved goodbye to Mori, and followed Kyoya out of the room, with Haruhi and Tamaki right behind them. As they began to approach their rooms, Hunny ran up next to Kyoya and whispered to him, "Kyo-chan, they both seem to be in a really good mood. Do you suppose Tama-chan will admit his feelings to Haru-chan today, while we're all at the springs?" Hunny thought there was a very high chance that Tamaki would. But he still wanted to hear Kyoya's thoughts. Kyoya was Tamaki's best friend after all. If anyone were to know Tamaki's intentions best, it would be Kyoya.
Kyoya thought about it. It really depended on what happened on this little 'date' of theirs. It was obvious that Tamaki had already realized his feelings, as well as Haruhi. "I don't know," Kyoya admitted. "Tamaki has always thought of us as a family. He doesn't really want to 'break' the relationships that his family has. Reveling his feelings to Haruhi might change things. Tamaki might realize that and start worrying. He doesn't know that we're all secretly supporting the two of them. So it's really unpredictable. Chances are, though, he will realize this, causing him to stall his confession. Then he'd talk to us, his 'family', about it. He'd make his final decision after that."
Hunny nodded in agreement with Kyoya and said, "I suppose. That does sound like something Tama-chan would do." Hunny looked down at his bun-bun, whom he was still holding, and mumbled to himself, "Either way, I still hope he admits his feelings soon, along with Haru-chan. It'll be a whole lot easier on them I bet."
Haruhi noticed Hunny whispering to Kyoya, but it didn't phase through her in the least. Nothing could possibly ruin Haruhi's unusually bright mood. She was far too excited about spending some time with Tamaki. Of course, she would never admit it though. A slight concern hit Haruhi though. She looked up at Tamaki and whispered to him, "Senpai, what if they find out that we're not actually going to the springs?"
Tamaki eyed Hunny and Kyoya shiftily before responding to Haruhi's question. They seemed to be having their own conversation so he thought it was safe for them to discuss their plans. "I told Mori that I would take over his job of looking after you for today." Tamaki whispered back under his breath, "I also told him that I wasn't feeling up to the springs for today so they won't question why I'm not in the springs." Tamaki smirked after he explained his brilliant plan to Haruhi. Tamaki then let out a muffled chuckle to himself as he thought to himself, I guess people really do go to the extremes for love. He side glanced at Haruhi again before sighing quietly as he thought but will it all be meaningless?
"Ah, I see. Clever thinking ahead, Senpai," Haruhi replied with a grin. She then focused her attention on Kyoya & Hunny, now curious as to what they were talking about. Eh...it's probably nothing that would concern me any.
As Hunny & Kyoya approached the rooms, Hunny looked over his shoulder at the two love-birds. While Kyoya was opening the door to their room, Hunny shouted back at them, "Hurry up, you two! We don't want to keep Rukia-chan waiting!" Hunny smiled at them and ran in the room after Kyoya.
Haruhi nodded and pulled out her own card key. She then looked up at Tamaki and said, "I'll see you in a bit, Senpai." Haruhi smiled at him and then ran over and let herself into her own room, closing the door behind her. Behind the closed door, Haruhi was smiling brightly. She couldn't wait for their little "date".
Haruhi sighed calmly and walked over to her suitcase. She picked it up, making sure to keep everything inside, and set it down next to "Rukia's" closet. If Haruhi was going to look good, she had to use something from this large closet.
This is going to be difficult. I want to look good, but I can't go too far. I still need to keep myself looking like a dude. Remember that, Haruhi, she thought to herself as she urgently went through her suitcase and closet.
After several minutes of searching, Haruhi finally decided on a slim pair of dark blue jeans with goldenrod stitching around the seams. She also threw on a white, button up shirt that that seemed a little small to a guy's standard but was large enough to not expose her chest. The shirt had a contemporary gold star design stitched onto one corner of the collar. She then found a pair of sandy colored sandals and slid them onto her feet. Haruhi then dug through Rukia's jewelry and found a plain, gold bracelet and locked it around her wrist. Haruhi also kept on the necklace Tamaki gave her and tucked it inside of her shirt.
Haruhi sighed and then made her way to the door, resting her hand on the door knob. Just as she was about to open it, she stopped and thought, What am I doing? If I go out now, the others will see and our plan will be ruined. I suppose my lack of focus just proves that I'm excited. Haruhi rubbed the back of her neck and made her way over to the love seat. She plopped herself on it and leaned back, waiting for Tamaki to knock at her door.
After Kyoya and Hunny entered the room, Tamaki smiled at Haruhi and entered the room himself. Once inside, Tamaki rushed over to his quadrant of the room and started shifting through all of his quickly thinking to himself, What do I wear? What do I wear? Tamaki was going through his clothes like crazy as he tried to find the perfect outfit that was appealing to the ladies' eye while casual at the same time.
After much searching and debating, Tamaki finally decided on a nice pair of light blue, designer jeans, a white, short sleeved, dress shirt, which he left the top two buttons unbuttoned to reveal a nice, clean, indigo t-shirt. Tamaki slipped on a nice pair of tennis shoes, clipped on a gold watch, threw on a pair of sleek sunglasses and left his pendent on under his t-shirt.
Tamaki then sat out on in the living room area as he tried to calm his nerves before going on this date and for all the other hosts to come back to the room and clear out again for the springs.
Kyoya walked into his room and lazily threw on a pair of green knee-length shorts and a white short sleeved shirt with light brown and blue stripes. He slipped on a pair of brown sandals before walking out to the 'meeting area'. All of today's excitement and real club activities were about to start.
Hunny happily walked out of his quadrant of the room, newly clothed. He wore a pair of dark red combat shorts, an unbuttoned black dress shirt that's outlines in white along the edges, and a tan t-shirt underneath. He quickly slipped his sockless feet into his brown sandals, and sat down on the couch.
As Mori & the twins walked into the room, Hunny smiled brightly at them, mainly at Mori. "Hurry up and get ready~! We want to beat the large crowd of people that's sure to come, don't we?" Plus, he knew Tamaki wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible, probably.
Mori had lead the twins up to the room to get ready to stalk the two love birds. Once Mori opened the door, he saw Tamaki already dressed for his little date in a stylish yet casual outfit. Looks like he's ready to go, Mori thought to himself as Hunny pushed him to his quadrant of the room, Best not to keep him waiting.
Mori looked through his clothes to find something comfortable to walk around in since he and the twins would be stalking Tamaki for the rest of the afternoon. He picked out a pair of dark jean shorts, an aqua t-shirt and a black, short sleeved dress shirt that he left unbuttoned. Mori then threw on a comfortable pair of tennis shoes so he'd be able to run in if need be.
Mori emerged from the quadrant once Hunny was dressed as well and said to the other guys, "c'mon we need to get a good spot in the springs."
The twins picked out matching pairs of tan cargo shorts, along with black tank tops, covered over with loose yellow sleeveless shirts. They put on comfortable shoes as well, before glancing at each other and giving each other twin devious smirks. Good spots in the hot springs indeed. They clasped their hands behind their backs. "Yeah, let's get going." They spoke, preparing to 'leave'.
After Kyoya took charge of the group and led them out of the room, Mori followed and waved at Tamaki and said simply, "Have fun." He kept an eye out behind him for movements of Tamaki or Haruhi while they all walked down towards the springs. Mori eventually decided at a point that they were safe enough away from Tamaki and Haruhi and Kyoya wasn't really paying attention to grab the twins by the collars and he dragged them away stealthily without even alerting Kyoya or Hunny.
Mori pulled the twins around a corner and held a finger up to shush them and pointed in a direction back to the rooms to go find the two love birds. After he felt they got the message he began to tip toe back to their target.
Hunny walked through the halls of the hotel happily. Just knowing that Haruhi & Tamaki were going to spend some time together made him happy. Plus, he was going to the hot springs! That alone was a rare treat--even for the rich.
Attempting to start a conversation, Hunny began to look over his shoulder and said, "Hey, Takashi--huh?" It was then that Hunny noticed that Mori and the twins weren't in sight; just Kyoya. I wonder where they went... Now looking at Kyoya, Hunny said, "Kyo-chan, do you think we should look around for them or go on ahead to the springs?" Hunny didn't want to be rude and leave his friends for the springs. But they did leave him and Kyoya first. Hunny would think of this as payback if they were to go to the hot springs.
Kyoya decided that he was tired and wanted to relax rather then run around all day. "We should just go to the springs. The can meet us there. And Tamaki's already said that he isn't coming into the springs today, so the others can fill us in on what happens if they feel the need to."
In reality, Kyoya had his agents and secret cameras all over, for protection and for pictures for the website and the magazine. But he would only publicize what was necessary for club profits, of course.
"Okay! Let's go, Kyo-chan!" Happily, Hunny led Kyoya to the springs. Hunny quickly got himself ready, put all his things into a locker, and patiently waited for Kyoya to be done and ready to go. Once he was, Hunny dashed out into the springs, making way to an open spot. As Kyoya followed Hunny in, the small third year sank down into the water, only making his eyes and above visible.
Gently, Hunny closed his eyes and thought, Could they have gone to watch after Tama-chan & Haru-chan? Knowing them probably... I wonder if anything will really happen though. Shrugging, Hunny re-emerged himself above the water and looked at Kyoya. "Kyo-chan...do you think Tama-chan will admit his feelings to Haru-chan anytime soon? As in today maybe?" Honestly, Hunny wasn't sure what to talk about, he was just curious to hear Kyoya's thoughts about all this.
Kyoya made himself comfortable in the springs. He thought momentarily about Hunny's question. Did everyone feel the need to ask him this question. Probably.
"That really depends, Hunny-senpai. Tamaki is probably scared right now, he won't want to get hurt. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't know that Haruhi likes him back. Or maybe he'll suddenly gather unheard of courage and tell her, but I highly doubt that. I think he might admit that he likes her to us before he actually tells her about his feelings." For all Kyoya knew, he was completely wrong. But it sounded like something Tamaki would do. It was something Tamaki would do, so he couldn't be proven wrong yet.
Tamaki was waiting patiently as the other guys finished dressing and finally left. He was a little baffled why Mori told him to "have fun" but he shrugged it off and he left the room himself. Tamaki took a deep breath before he walked across the hall to Haruhi's door. He knocked at the door three times and he waited for her to answer the door.
Haruhi perked up some when she heard knocking at her door. Quickly, she stood up and ran to the door. Before opening, she looked out the peephole in the door and then let out a sigh of relief. It was exactly who she expected: Tamaki.
Haruhi opened the door and stepped out into the hall as she closed the door behind her. Tamaki blushed as he saw Haruhi emerge from the room. Although she was dressed like a guy for the most part, he still thought she was very attractive. Looking up at Tamaki with a smile, she said, "You look nice, Senpai." Haruhi glanced down the hall both ways and then added, "We should probably get going."
Tamaki looked down in embarrassment and then said back to her, "Th-Thank you. You look good yourself." Tamaki then shook off his embarrassment and ushered for Haruhi to start walking. As he led her down to the garden, Tamaki remained silent since his mind was buzzing with thoughts of what could possibly go wrong with him asking her out. No, no, C'mon Tamaki, he thought to yourself, You can do this. You can do this.
The two of them walked down to the garden in a semi-awkward silence. Haruhi didn't know about Tamaki, but she certainly didn't really know what to say. She didn't want to take any chances at trying to start a conversation again, either. So instead, Haruhi decided to leave all the conversation starting with Tamaki. He was probably better at it than she was anyway.
Just as they entered the garden, Haruhi looked around in thought, wondering where they should go first. Haruhi glanced up at Tamaki and said, "So...do you want to go back to our spot under the peach tree, or walk around some?" Haruhi felt a little strange, calling it "their spot".
That's perfect! Tamaki thought to himself and then said back, "Why don't we walk around for a little bit and then we can go sit down at "our spot"?" Tamaki led Haruhi through the garden like the day before but they strolled very slowly through the garden since they weren't rushing to find the exit. Tamaki started chitchatting with her about random little things but was talking a lot less than he did the day before since he was nervous about asking Haruhi out.
Once they finally made it back to the peach tree, Tamaki gesture for Haruhi to sit down. He then took an inconspicuous deep breath and sat closely next to Haruhi, resting his arms on his thighs and interlocking his hands between his spread-apart knees.
Haruhi felt her heart race as Tamaki sat so closely next to her. The feeling was so different and unfamiliar to her, but it felt great either way. But that wasn't important now--something was on Tamaki's mind, and it obviously worried him some, or at least made him nervous. Haruhi leaned forward and intently waited for Tamaki to speak.
Tamaki sighed to try and release the tension in his chest before he looked at Haruhi with a partially serious, partially caring face and asked her calmly, "C-can I talk to you about something?"
Haruhi perked up slightly, curious and concerned as to what Tamaki wanted to talk about. It had to be something important: he stuttered. Excellent hosts like himself didn't stutter so openly like this. I wonder what's got him so nervous... Could it be...no, it couldn't be something like that. Relax, Haruhi. You're just getting your hopes up.
Putting on a concerned expression, Haruhi leaned forward again so she could see Tamaki--or at least the side of his face--and said, "What is it, Senpai? You can tell me."
Meanwhile, Mori had finally got on the trail of Tamaki and Haruhi as he saw them enter the ballroom. He gestured for the Twins to follow and they stealthily followed them through the garden, ducking into beds of flowers and behind trees any time they thought they were looking behind them.
As the two of them sat down, their three stalkers hat hidden behind two cherry blossom trees and they watched carefully as they talked. "This might be it guys." Mori said warning the twins of what might come.
The twins, crouching behind the tree, glanced over at Mori as he spoke. They nodded, looking at Tamaki. Suddenly the both of them were filled with the unrelenting urge to just screw everything up. However, they had been planning this from Haruhi's first day at the host club; they didn't want to ruin it now. The two 'lovebirds' had liked each other for some time now, even if they didn't realize it. And it would be all the more fun to tease them when they were actually together. Hikaru fidgeted slightly, eager for Tamaki to say what he had to say. Kaoru was in the same restless mood. "Mmhmm." They responded seriously.
Tamaki took a deep breath as he tried to ready himself to finally admit his feelings to Haruhi. C'mon Tamaki, you got this far, you can do it, he thought to try and encourage himself to speak. Tamaki opened his mouth to finally say something but his mind quickly ran over of what could possibly happen. Tamaki managed to stutter out, "I..." before a very serious matter twanged through his head: What if she says "no" ?
Tensions would rise between the two of them and things would never be the same between them and between the hosts ever again. Not only that but Tamaki would surly be heart broken for an unruly length of time which would interfere with his hosting. Tamaki hung his head without adding anything after that one syllable and thought, I can't do this... Not yet.
Tamaki thought quickly how he would respond that wouldn't give away his true feelings yet but would still help him get closer to Haruhi. "-I..." he started again, "wanted to ask... can things be less formal between us? You don't have to call me senpai anymore." he looked away from Haruhi as he remembered about the last time he tried this, "I mean, that is if you see me as something more than just someone you know."
Tamaki sighed depressively as he couldn't bear to look at Haruhi. His heart was unsure of what would happen if he would actually admit his feelings now and he didn't want to get hurt. However, he couldn't take the fact that he lost his courage and got cold feet at the last second.
"Tamaki you baka." Mori scolded Tamaki under his breath and he bit down on his thumb. You can't be serious that he still can't admit his feelings even in a situation like this! he thought bitterly to himself. Mori was almost sure that He was going to admit his feelings right then and there, but something kept him from doing so and Mori now wanted to strangle Tamaki for building Haruhi up like that and then knocking her down so harshly.
Haruhi nearly felt her heart drop, for she had gotten her hopes up. Despite what she had just told herself moments ago, she truly thought Tamaki would say something, or anything for that matter, about the two of them, and any possible feelings he may have for her. Haruhi sighed quietly to herself as she thought, Silly of me to think he would admit any possible feelings--of course, I know it's not possible. I mean, he thinks of me as his daughter & a friend, nothing else.
But his words were flowing through her head like never before:
"-I...wanted to ask... can things be less formal between us? You don't have to call me senpai anymore. I mean, that is if you see me as something more than just someone you know." They buzzed around her head, giving her a slight headache. But despite the headache, Haruhi did see Tamaki as something more than someone she just knew. Maybe not always, but she has for awhile, and even more so just recently. She eagerly wanted to take Tamaki up on this kind gesture.
Taking a quite, but deep breath, Haruhi calmly smiled at Tamaki and finally replied, "You should know that I think of you more than just someone I know. We--we're friends...a--and good ones at that..." For whatever reason, actually saying that they were just "friends" pained her more than it had the last time. Was it just yesterday? But at the same time, she was more than happy with their friendship. In many ways, she didn't want that to change, but in others, she did. More than anything.
"I--isn't that right, Senpai--er--Tamaki..." Haruhi had a feeling that her current smile was rather bleak.
Haruhi's words comforted Tamaki slightly, even thought they had an off, awkward ton to them. This was defiantly a positive for Tamaki since it told him that she wasn't oblivious to his existence like she had been in months past. I have to find out thought if she likes me before I can try this again though, Tamaki thought to himself as he stood up and stretched a little before offering a hand to Haruhi and said, "Of course, Haruhi-san." Tamaki gave a playful as he added the suffix to the end of Haruhi's name as a declaration of their deepening relationship.
Haruhi-san? The name, especially the suffix, rang through her head uncontrollably. It made her feel kind of awkward; but he was probably playing around with her some she decided. Grinning, Haruhi took Tamaki's hand and he helped her up from her seat. After letting go of Tamaki's hand, Haruhi looked around the area, wondering what the two of them should do. Well...we already walked around the garden some. I wonder if there's anything else we could really do, before it's time we head back for dinner. Curiously, Haruhi looked up at Tamaki, trying to figure out what he was thinking. She's been far too curious about that sort of thing lately, probably because of her newly found feelings.
Mori simmered in his anger at Tamaki for only a little while as he watched the two of them getting along. When Mori noticed that Haruhi was turning to look thief way, Mori pushed the twins over into some bushes while he hid behind a tree.
In the corner of her eye, Haruhi noticed some peaches from the tree above their spot had ripened enough to actually eat. Oh...I suppose I could get some for us. Haruhi walked over to the tree with her hands behind her back. Over her shoulder, Haruhi said, "Are you hungry? I'm sure a little snack wouldn't spoil our dinner."
"Sure, something to eat sounds great right now, " Tamaki said in agreement with Haruhi's idea. He watched with his thumbs in his pockets as Haruhi started searching the tree for a snack, not wanting to impede on her ability to do things by herself.
Haruhi then turned the face the tree once more. Carefully, she examined the peaches, trying to pick out the best of the best. Of course, she saw two on high branches. Nonetheless, Haruhi reached up towards them as she said, "These ones up here look pretty good, don't you think?" Too bad I can't reach them she added to herself in her head.
Tamaki looked up to where Haruhi was pointing and immediately saw the two fruit she was talking about. Tamaki walked over to the tree and said, "They sure do." Tamaki reached up the tree on his tip toes but even with his long arms, he couldn't reach the two fruit either. Damn I can't reach them either, he thought to himself as he looked to see if there was a sturdy branch he could climb on but he found none. He thought for a little bit about some way to reach the fruit and after awhile, a questionable idea came to mind.
"Well..."Tamaki said as he averted Haruhi's gave and rubbed his neck. He went down onto one knee and said as he pointed to his back with his thumb, "you could sit on my shoulders and I could get you up high enough for you to reach them."
Haruhi stared at Tamaki's back with wide eyes. I certainly didn't expect that in the least... But why pass up his offer? He already got himself positioned to do so, I mean. Nodding, Haruhi said with a slight stutter, "O--okay. I'll be sure to be real quick about it." Haruhi quickly glanced around, wondering if there was anyone watching. Luckily for them no one was even around, that she could see that is. After, Haruhi walked up behind Tamaki and gently climbed onto his shoulders, being sure not to hurt him in any way. She would feel terrible if she caused Tamaki any sort of pain, even just a small back pain.
As Tamaki stood, Haruhi carefully wrapped her arms around the top of Tamaki's head, so she wouldn't lose her balance and fall off. Letting out a sigh of relief, Haruhi unwrapped her right arm and then reached up for the two peaches. After grabbing the first one and setting it in her left hand, Haruhi reached for the second. Leaning forward slightly, Haruhi smiled as she held out the second one for Tamaki. "Here you go, Sen--Tamaki." Haruhi still wasn't used to calling him "Tamaki" rather than "Senpai" just yet.
Tamaki smiled slightly as Haruhi accepted his offer and he stood erect with her on his shoulders. Unfortunately, for Tamaki, he wasn't very strong and as Haruhi struggled to get the two peaches, Tamaki was also struggling to keep Haruhi from falling. As Tamaki silently grunted to himself, he thought, C'mon Tamaki, be a man! I'm sure Haruhi would like a guy who can carry more than his own weight both physically and metaphorically.
By the time Haruhi handed Tamaki the second peach, Tamaki's legs were just about to give up on him. "Th-Thank you," Tamaki said weakly as he took the fruit from her. However, at that point, Tamaki couldn't hold Haruhi anymore. Tamaki started to falter but he held onto Haruhi's legs as he forced his body onto his knees first, rather then just tipping over with Haruhi on his shoulders, before falling flat on his face with Haruhi sitting on top of him, unharmed.
Mori peaked around the edge of tree to watch Haruhi mount Tamaki's shoulders in an effort to pick two peaches. Mori smiled as he watched the couple work together. They might have not said it yet, he thought, but it's already like they have been together for years. As well as Mori thought they were doing a nice job, of course Tamaki had to screw it up and fall over. Mori just shook his head at him and continued to watch silently to see how Haruhi would react.
Hikaru and Kaoru laughed; they just couldn't help it. Seeing Tamaki simply fall over, with a clueless Haruhi was just priceless. They snickered, trying to keep the noise under control. They didn't want to be caught this early. Watching these two was just way to entertaining. Wiping the tears from their eyes they looked back to the soon-to-be couple, unable to keep the grins from their faces. They waited patiently for what Haruhi would say, not wanting to miss a moment of the two's 'bonding'.
Haruhi's eyes widened as she shouted in a slight panic, "T--Tamaki!" She jumped off his back and ran to his aid in front of him. "I took too long, didn't I? I'm sorry, Tamaki." As she helped him up from the ground, Haruhi examined his front side, trying to see if he was hurt in any way. "That was a pretty nasty fall. You're not hurt anywhere, are you?" Haruhi felt terrible about this. Although, this wasn't the first time she's fallen on top of him. That fact probably made matters worse.
Tamaki accepted Haruhi's help up and he stood up, rubbing his forehead slightly. "My head hurts a little," Tamaki said as he tried to tend to his "wound", "Other than that, I'm perfectly fine." He stopped rubbing his head for a moment to take the time and brush the dirt off his shirt and knees
In the corner of her eye, Haruhi noticed Tamaki's peach had rolled out of his hand from the fall. Grinning slightly, Haruhi grabbed it and held it in front of Tamaki's face. "You dropped it when you hit the ground; Again, I'm sorry."
Tamaki smiled as he took the fruit back from Haruhi and then rested a hand on her shoulder. "You worry too much sometimes," Tamaki said, "Although, it's a favorable trait to be kind and caring. I know I appreciate your caring." Tamaki rubbed the fruit off with a clean spot on his sleeve and the bit into the peach. After he finished the first bite, he said to Haruhi, "C'mon, let's look around the garden some more before heading back inside."
Editor comments: I apologize for not updating this story in months, I've been tied up with school and also this roleplay had hit a low point on the forum but it's strating to come back alive. Either way, I'm back to editing roleplays (including Back at the Order and possibly some new stories) and you can expect chapter 15 very soon. Thanks to all the readers