CHAPTER 2: Gifts and Surprises

Friday, 5:30 AM

Haruhi's POV

I woke up at the third buzz of my alarm clock. "Argh, another day," I groggily stood up from my bed and went to the bathroom to start my day. Strawberry scent filled the bathroom as I absent-mindedly scrub my hair. I recalled how the conversation with Dad went yesterday,

I cooked dinner and took a shower to somehow relieve the headache I had. I sat on the couch and thought of what gifts should I give to my friends. Since I didn't have that much money, I decided to make mini homemade cakes. I made several of them, each with different flavors, except for two identical ones for the two people who annoyed me the most. When I was done, I put them into transparent containers and put them in the fridge. 'Jeez, they won't fit in.' I muttered to myself, looking for a way to fit them all inside the tiny refrigerator. After some time, I decided to put the others in the freezer instead.

When dad arrived home, we ate in silence, barely talking. "Okay, I've had it! I can't bare the silent treatment you're giving me, what's the matter?" He insisted, interrupting the silence and stillness of the surroundings all together.

'Oh my gosh, it's the moment I've been waiting for.' I gulped. "Well, you see, the twins are going in a vacation. You remember them right, the two with the orange hair?" I started, not knowing what to say next. He nodded, prompting me to continue. "They wanted me to also go with them and I unintentionally said okay, so I'm wondering if you could let me go with them." I managed to utter out. I speculated Ranka's expressions shifting from approving to anger to sadness to shock to mortify then to straight face. He contemplated for, which seemed like hours and I began feeling drowsy. I let out an involuntary moan and was startled when he finally spoke up. "Okay, but only for a week!" I nodded in reply.

"Are you sure that idiotic blonde boy is not with you?"He demanded. I nodded again in response.

"Take good care of yourself, okay? And be sure to call me often, okay?" I nodded twice. After more interrogations and questions from Ranka, he finally let me sleep for the night.

I was about to head to my room until I remembered something. "Oh by the way, I made cakes today. I'm going to give them tomorrow to my friends. Before you go to work tomorrow, bring with you the biggest cake in the fridge. I made it for you; you can share it with your friends at work."

He suddenly beamed and hugged me tightly. "Aw, thank you! Daddy loves you so much!"

I hugged him back and bid him good night.

I still can't believe that he just asked if Tamaki-senpai isn't coming and once he knew he isn't, he suddenly said okay. 'My dad's acting weird lately.' I sighed.

After going through my preparations, I was ready to head to school. I grabbed the mini cakes from the fridge and put all of them in a plastic bag carefully, along with my lunch on the dining table and saw a little yellow note on it. 'I'll read it later,' I thought as I took it off and put it in my pocket. I closed the apartment's door, locked it and began my journey towards school. I looked up and saw the morning sun making its way up in the sky. I inhaled the fresh air as I walked on my way, I remembered the note that was on my packed lunch awhile ago and grabbed it from my pocket. It read,

I won't be coming home tonight. So please take care of yourself, okay? I love you!

I smiled. 'I love you too Dad.' I arrived at school rather earlier than I expected. Only a few students were in our classroom, some turned their heads to see who entered the room. I disregarded their stares and walked to my locker and took out the books and notebooks I needed for our schedule for today.

"Hey Haruhi," An approaching voice said. I spun around and saw Ryou making his way towards me. 'I wonder what he wants, he barely talks to me and I don't know him that much.' I said to myself with curiosity.

"Good morning, Ryou." I politely said and smiled. He faintly blushed and everyone in the classroom gazed and intently listened at our conversation. I can't help but be conscious of myself. 'Is something wrong with two people talking at the back of the classroom?'

"Well, I just want to ask for your help in our homework, that is if you could lend a hand." He said.

"Sure, wait a minute." I put down my books on my table and sat beside him. I asked him the things he did not understand and lectured him what Sensei had taught yesterday. As the minute passed by, our classmates started to sit beside us, some were even taking photos.

"So, there." I finally said, hoping he understood them. 'I didn't expect teaching someone would result into this.' I sighed. The crowd was now getting bigger and bigger as our classmates entered the classroom. Some were giggling and gossiping on how they also wanted me to tutor them.

"Oh, I get it! Thanks Haruhi!" He said smiling while answering the homework he had not accomplished yesterday. He answered one of the questions and asked me if it was right. I verified his solutions and nodded in agreement.

The door suddenly opened with a loud bang. All of us suddenly gazed at who opened it in such a manner. "Ohayo-," Hikaru stated with a sly smile in his face.

"-Haruhi," Kaoru ended with the identical smile in his face as well.

"Ohayo…" I dead panned, rolling my eyes. Their smiles vanished at the very instant they saw the person beside me. They gave me a 'who's-that-person-beside-you' look? I again rolled my eyes at them.

I glanced at the clock and saw that classes would be starting soon. "Hey, I'll be going to my seat now. Hurry and finish the homework, okay? Classes will start soon." I told him and got up from the chair and went to my own. As I approached my seat, two idiotic twins gave me an inquisitive, yet fiendish, looks.

"What?" I asked bewildered by their expressions.

"Why are you so close to Ryou?" Hikaru interrogated.

I blinked at them. "Huh? I'm just helping him with his homework. What's wrong with that? And why do you even want to know?" I choked out. They were taken aback, not responding.

"Well, uhh-" Kaoru started and as if on cue, the bell rang, cutting him on mid-air.

They were startled by the bell and were disoriented. "Hmpf," Hikaru said, stalking his way towards his seat beside me. 'Okay, that was weird, what's with them getting so worked up?' I shrugged the thought and gave all my attention to Sensei who had entered the room.

"Okay, everyone listen up." He said, causing all the students' heads jerk straight at him with full attentions. "Today will be the last day of our school for the Christmas vacation. And yes, there would be no academics today." My classmates suddenly cheered and shouted, even in the other sections, I heard their hooting. After all the students quieted down, Sensei continued his announcements. 'I wonder why they just said it now. They could have announced it or something earlier for everyone to prepare and all.'

"For those of you who think why we just announced it now, it's because of the principal. He wanted it to be a surprise." He answered as if he heard the question in the back of my mind.

"There would be indeed no academics today but, the projects that have a deadline due today and homework that the teachers gave out yesterday will be collected. They will be roaming around later to get them and give out some of their announcements as well. After that, each class would be having a Christmas party." Many gasped at his words, many murmured that they didn't bring their SLRs with them and won't be able to take photos. Some talked about how they will have a Christmas party that was announced so abruptly.

"Don't worry about the preparations, the school have taken it under their custody. Servants will bring the necessary things for the Christmas party. Music, food and all the party stuffs will be given. Also, there will be a program later after the last period which means there will be no club meetings today. Everyone is expected to go to the auditorium to watch the presentation that the selected students will perform. Oh before I forget, classes resume after two months." Everyone, once again, shouted and giggled in merriment. I heard them talking about where they would go this coming vacation. 'Rich bastards,' I thought after hearing their chitchats.

xxxx

The time passed by quickly, that I didn't know that we were already having our Christmas party until I saw the servants Sensei was talking about, entered our room. They set up an expensive-looking stereo at front with a microphone and put so many varieties of food on a huge table. We moved our chairs to the corners of the room to have space in the middle. The girls were all chattering and laughing getting all excited for the party. I looked for the two idiots and smiled, in such a way that was almost evil, as I saw them drooling over the food. I, as silently as I could, came up behind them.

"Boo!" I creepily spoke on their ears, trying to spook them off. Much to my content they jumped, surprised by my sudden prank. I laughed so hard at their disoriented looks, gaining attention from our classmates. "Kyaaaa! Haruhi is so kawaii when he laughs!" One of the girls said.

"Hey!" they both exclaimed, getting a little annoyed that they were actually hoaxed.

"You were both so occupied staring at the food." I laughed again. Many girls approached, took out their phones and asked us to take a photo with them. We were about to agree until somebody bombarded in our classroom, or should I say, a GROUP of people bombarded our classroom.

The shadow king suddenly appeared in front of us. "I'm sorry, but photos are not free. You could approach me if you want a photo with the host you want and we'll take a photo. The price also depends on which host you desire to have a photo with." Kyouya said, holding out a classy Polaroid. The girls soon gathered around him and I just rolled my eyes.

"My Haruhi, I missed you so much!" An irritating voice advanced towards me, lifting his arms to hug me. I was supposed to run away from him but I thought that since it was Christmas, why not treat him like a normal human for once, right? "Aw, my cute daughter!" He continued. His hug turned into a death hug.

"Can't breathe—" I choked out. I tried squirming from his hold to have some space.

"Oops! Sorry." He loosened but never did he disengage his arms around me. He continued to prattle on and on about how I should not go on with a vacation with the two devils and how he would miss me. 'Speaking of which, I don't even know where we are going. I'll ask the twins.' I thought, realizing.

"Tamaki-senpai, advance Merry Christmas! So would you please let go of me now?" I said in my polite voice and gave him my natural smile I always wore around people except for idiots like him. 'It's Christmas anyway, might as well treat him nicely.' I saw him blushed and released me.

He ran after his so-called wife, yelling. "Kyouya! Our daughter just smiled at me! She even wished me a Merry Christmas!" He made his way through the crowd and tried to hug Kyouya who was avoiding his touch.

I stifled a laugh at them. 'They're so cute being carefree and all.' I looked for Kaoru and Hikaru who were now devouring the food. I poked them and they immediately turned, hitting both of their heads in the process. "Oww!" They both exclaimed.

I laughed at their wrong move and asked, "You said we are leaving tomorrow, right? I already asked Ranka if I can come and he, oddly enough, allowed me. Anyway, where are we going?"

Hikaru grabbed something from his pocket and gave it to me. "Here, we're going there." I looked at the crumpled paper on my hands. I examined the details, descriptions and photos printed on the paper.

"Miran...yu?" I finally let out after reading them all.

"That's where we are going!" Kaoru retorted, munching a sandwich. "It's one of our nicest rest houses on top of a mountain. It would be so much fun! You could overlook the city when you're up there and you get to have a good view of the fireworks at night."

I tried imagining the place. "Oh…" I responded, comprehending.

"Haru-chan! Haru-chan!" An ecstatic boy came up from behind with Mori behind him.

"Hello, Hani-sempai. Advance Merry Christmas!" I said merrily.

He smiled his biggest smile and said, "Merry Christmas to Haru-chan says Hani and Usa-chan!" He exclaimed, waving his Usa-chan high up in the air. His fan girls suddenly squeaked and giggled.

We were talking about the favorite cake Hani-sempai wanted to give me until I heard someone called my name. A girl stood few feet away from us, staring at the ground, timidly. "Haruhi-kun, uhm… I… Well, I wanted to give you this." She showed a gift covered in blue wrapper and white ribbon, which was about twelve inches tall.

"Why, thank you for giving me a present." I accepted her gift humbly. She blushed and faintly said a 'you're welcome' before running away. I didn't have the chance to say I'm sorry that I didn't have anything to give to her.

Hikaru and Kaoru poked the thing on my hand. "What's inside?" Hikaru asked.

I stared at it. "I don't know."

"Open it," the other Hitachiin urged.

"I'll save it for Christmas," I uttered. I went to my chair, put it down and got the plastic bag with the homemade cakes. I made my way to the two who were still eating non-stop. "Here you go, an instant dessert." I handed them two identical chocolate cakes with a cherry on top. "Though, it isn't that yummy compared to the fancy cakes you eat, it's still the thought that counts, right? So, Merry Christmas!"

"Aw, it's so cute!" They both spoke, inspecting the cake. "Thanks Haru-chan!" The twins stood up from their chairs, hugged me so firmly and said, "Merry Christmas to you too!"

I gave the remaining cakes to the other host clubs and wished them a Merry Christmas. They were all delighted by my gift and said that they would give me their gifts on Christmas itself. I tried to convince them that it was unnecessary but they weren't the type of people whom you can persuade that easily. So, I gave up on that.

Soon, other girls started to form their lines in front of us, giving us their presents. I really didn't want any of it, but Kyouya said to me that if I decline to any offers he would triple my debt. Thus, I gratefully accepted each present they give.

"A-ano, Haru-chan…" The girl with the pixie hair from yesterday spoke.

"Oh hello!" I smiled in recognition.

She blushed and offered a gold rectangular box. "It's the, uhh, cheesecake I made last night. I wanted to give Haruhi-kun something special that can't be bought by money, so uhmm, I baked a homemade cheesecake." She shyly said, bowing her head to hide her embarrassment.

"Don't be embarrassed; this cheesecake must taste really good since you put a lot of effort in it. I'm very thankful that you thought of me as someone special and even baked this for me. What's your name? I believe you didn't introduce yourself yesterday nor did I have the chance to ask it yesterday." I asked with an apologetic face.

"M-mayu."

"Mayu, what a wonderful name; it suits you well." With that, she rushed out of the classroom, while all of my fan girls stared at me. They assumed that my favorite food is a cheesecake and regretted that they didn't buy a cheesecake. 'This is turning into a huge commotion.' I sighed.

xxxx

We were now stalking our way out of the auditorium, which was where the final program took place. "That was a nice presentation don't you think? But I think they've overdone it with their costumes. They were wearing neon and other colorful clothes! My eyes hurt until now!" Hikaru was throwing his hands randomly in the air to stress how irritated he was.

"Yeah, and there was this part where I didn't get a thing, then suddenly it was already finished." The other said. I rolled my eyes at their irrational comments. As we reached the campus grounds, I was contemplating on how would I ever bring home all the gifts I've received. Kyouya suddenly spoke up as if reading my mind, "Don't worry about it. Everything will be delivered at your place later and any more protest would just triple your debt." With that, I didn't question him any further. I waved them good bye and made my way home.

I was walking in a familiar street where I usually pass on my route going home. A smile crossed my face and thanked God that the place where we were going wasn't that bad; actually it looked nice and decent. 'I guess everything will be alright after all,' I thought as I continued walking towards the direction of my apartment.