Chapter 18 - "Thank you, Takashi. Thank you for everything."
Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club.
"Tamaki, no. Get away." With her hands raised defensively in front of her, she tried to smack the blonde's hands away, but to no such luck. After a hand slapping competition between the two, with many watching, Tamaki successfully managed to grasp Haruhi's wrist and yank her up from her seat beside Takashi. She stood beside Tamaki, her wrist still locked in his grasp and observed her group of friends before her, who were either smiling, smirking or laughing until tears rolled down their tomato red cheeks.
The brunette couldn't help cracking a small grin of her own as she observed everyone's smiling faces, and even Kyoya offered his own ghost of a smile, but hers soon faded when music began to play from the speakers situated on the left side of the wall. Haruhi faced the door, her back facing the wall opposite. She turned slightly, eyeing the large TV that hung on the wall, sighing when the TV flickered to life.
Why had she come here, she wondered? Why had she come, even though that she knew that sometime during the night she would get extremely embarrassed? It was because it was the night of Takashi's, Mitsukini's and Izumi's graduation. Tamaki had wheedled about never going to a commoner's karaoke bar, that he never experienced the joyous sensation of embarrassing yourself, or 'singing' a tune you barely know. He somehow managed to convince the twins, who then convinced Mitsukini, who then convinced Takashi. As soon as the word 'karaoke' escaped the blonde king's lips, Aya and Izumi were on board. The only people who had at least some common sense were Kyoya, Reiko and herself. They were not just about to waltz up to the bit of space at the far end of the room and prance about, warbling to some annoying tune. Nope. Not going to happen.
But it seemed like the blonde idiot had other ideas, and his first priority was to sing a duet with Haruhi. Haruhi down right knew that she couldn't sing, and she was more a person who sat and listened to music, nodding her head and tapping her foot occasionally, possibly humming from time to time. Even though a small gap in her memories were missing and no matter how hard she tried to patch up the broken pieces, nothing would come to mind even with the helpful prompts from the hosts, even if they mentioned something like 'singing with the Zuka Club'. So, try as she might, she could not for the life of her remember anything about 'Lobelia' or why the hosts would ever get nervous about her singing, and the word didn't ring a bell in her mind. Which for the hosts, was a great thing. But continuing on, the hosts had realised that Haruhi had changed since she lost a few scraps of memories. She was more open, more trusting and she smiled more often. But, the hosts didn't know if it was because of Mori or not, but it probably was. Seeing how the two acted together and all…
"Tamaki… Please? Can I sit down?"
"No! We're having quality time together, dearest daughter."
"For the love of…" The brunette's train of thought quickly dwindled to an end as she eyed the corner of the TV screen, her eyes crinkling in amusement. "Glee? Out of all the songs and artists and bands, you pick Glee?"
Tamaki reddened and blinked at the girl. "It wasn't me! Reiko chose it."
At the mention of her name, the black haired girl's head perked up and she looked at the TV on the wall. She squealed upon seeing the word Glee, and instantly sat up straighter to pay more attention. Haruhi blankly stared at him, her eyes watching him close as she bent forwards and scooped up a microphone. Tamaki did the same, practically sweating dropping as Haruhi kept her eyes trained on him. She furrowed her brows and uttered a quick 'I hate you all' and began to sing.
The twins were laughing, the black haired people of the group were trying to hide their smiles and the rest were singing along. The Kimura sisters were clapping and encouraging the brunette to sing louder, which never in fact happened. Tamaki sung loud, more than enough for the both of them, and he pranced around his little 'stage', his arms flailing every verse or so. Kyoya though, being the shadow king and always having the thoughts of profiting lodged into his mind, had set up a small camera in the corner, angled perfectly towards the back of the room, where the blonde and the brunette were singing. Unlike his usual self, he ghosted a small smile as he thought about the money he would receive from the girls that adored Tamaki, and possibly Haruhi. Kyoya wasn't sure if he would sell any videos that included Haruhi singing as it would blow her cover. Her singing voice was just a tad higher, and sounded a lot more feminine. Oh well. He was sure that he would be able to benefit himself and the club greatly, from all the money so that would soon rain from the girls purses.
"Are you going to go up and sing?" Jokingly, or even just asking the shadow king whether he was or was not sent a death glare towards Hikaru. The twin, much unlike his more collected brother, was drunk with happiness.
Natsumi, who had been sitting beside Kyoya turned to the two, her mismatched eyes wide with delight. "Oh, Kyo! Come on, sing for us." She jeered, nudging his arm playfully with her elbow.
"I am not going to get up from this seat. It is far too comfortable and I am not particularly in the mood to embarrass myself." Kyoya responded coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. Natsumi stared at him blankly, her mismatched eyes regarding him with unwavering determination. There was a lopsided smile plastered on to her pale face, one that shone with 'I'm sensing a challenge here.'
"No." Kyoya pushed up his glasses, the light glaring off the lenses. He usually would do that to act intimidating but in circumstances as such, he angle his glasses in such a way so that no-one could see the terror in his eyes. "I'm not going to partake in anything that is in your brain. I prefer sitting here, thank you very much."
"If that's what you wish." The reddish brunette offered another lopsided grin towards her black haired friend, to which he disregarded with a small roll of his eyes. Hikaru looked at the two observantly, watching all their little gestures towards each other. The two before him had been friends for quite a number of years, greater than the hosts towards Kyoya and Tamaki. The elder twin snapped out of his daze when he noticed the girl staring at him. "Wanna duet with me later, Hikaru?"
Hikaru blinked, not expecting that question at all so he nodded in response. Natsumi let out a small chuckle and she raised her fist, before playfully punching him in his arm. She laughed again, "Aw, loosen up Hikaru! It's only me. And besides, we're here to have some fun."
Hikaru, although drunk on happiness, listened to the reddish brunette and soon loosened up. He had always acted a little tense around the great friend of the two kings, especially as he could sense that something was up with Tamaki. Hikaru could sense that the blonde king didn't particularly like any guys other than himself, Kyoya, her brother and father talking to her. But the blonde king had nothing to worry about, for Hikaru had his eyes on a feisty little blonde classmate of his. Speaking of Aya, she was situated opposite him on the side of the room. She sat in the middle of her sister Izumi and Reiko, and the three were animatedly talking. If talking consisted of Izumi, the more reserved sister, adding a few comments every now and then, and Reiko, Honey's girlfriend, smiling nervously and chatting quietly, then yes, they were talking.
He glanced around the well sized room, his eyes stopping on Mori. Mori sat comfortably, not far from where Hikaru sat, alongside his cousin Honey. Honey was chirping away, his precious Usa in hand but would occasionally stop his lively chatting and stare in awe at his girlfriend, Reiko. Reiko hadn't been the most sociable of all girls, but Honey didn't seem to mind. In fact, he was quite happy that she wasn't sitting with him, but at the same time he was fairly upset. But, his girlfriend came first. Mori praised his small cousin, telling him that it was a good deed, although he said in a few words and a few gestures. But most of the time, the tall stoic giant would gaze up at the far end of the room where his lovely, own little girlfriend was awkwardly swaying from to side and singing along with Tamaki to 'Don't Stop Believing'. As before the rest of the girls, the exception Natsumi as she was lost in conversation with Kaoru and occasionally Kyoya, were chatting and encouraging Haruhi to sing more louder, to sing more livelier. Sometimes, the brunette up front would look at them and furrow her brows, but it was nothing more. Hikaru knew that deep down, the brunette was having fun even though she didn't wish to show it. A hand was shoved in the direction of his face, and his gaze travelled up the person's arm before it landed on none other than Natsumi. She was grinning down at him, her mismatched eyes alive with delight. It took a second or two for Hikaru to register that there was no singing, and that Natsumi was offering him to sing with her yet again. Hikaru gladly accepted, and he was yanked towards his feet and dragged to the far back of the room where the speakers lay menacingly, their smooth surfaces glinting in the dim, yet colourful light.
"What song?" Natsumi asked the elder twin, as she hoked and searched through the wide and varying list of songs, artists and bands on the little touch screen.
"Here, let me." The auburn haired teen stepped up beside Natsumi, and she moved away to give him room. As he scrolled through the vast collection, one song caught his eye. It was 'If It Means A Lot To You' by the band, 'A Day To Remember'. Hikaru adored this song, and his twin quite liked it. But, before asking Natsumi for her opinion, he accidentally clicked on the song and as the intro began to play, he turned on his heel and faced the reddish brunette. "Is this song okay?" He asked hesitantly, unsure if this girl liked this type of music or not.
Natsumi's head was bobbing along to the beat of the intro, and she only beamed at him in response. "One of my favourite songs. I'm glad you picked it." She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and checked to see if her microphone was on. She glanced at the rosy-cheeked teen and offered a crooked grin, "Now, let's sing this."
The intro finally ended, and it was Hikaru who started singing, followed by Natsumi after the first two verses or so. Everyone listened intently as this was more serious song than the previous that Haruhi and Tamaki had sung together. But also because of the reason that they had never heard the two sing before, the exception being Kaoru as he heard his brother practically all the time. Natsumi's voice was clear, but she was not the greatest singer, but no-one in this room actually was. They all had their preferred genres of music, which sung were fairly alright and the parts that Natsumi did sing, sounded great with the song that was playing. Hikaru gave it his all, and everyone smiled at his enthusiasm. Hikaru caught Aya's attention a few times and he winked at her when their gazes locked onto one another's. Everytime Hikaru winked or smiled at her, she was there to greet him with blushes.
The duets went on for quite a long time. Next up after that was Honey and Reiko, next the twins, then Aya and Natsumi, Honey and Tamaki and so forth. But after a while, everyone wanted a change. So, the solos came along. Those who had sang before were nervous to go and sing up by themselves, because they had no-one else. All eyes would be on them, watching their every movement and so forth. Izumi was getting tired of the absence of songs so she stood quickly, telling herself that what she was about to do was because she was highly caffeinated. She briskly walked towards the speakers, and typed in two words in the touch screen. The small blonde scooped up the microphone, pressed the song that she wanted and swivelled round, facing the rest of the group. No one had questioned her, but praised her bravery. She was the first to sing solo, and her actions would greatly be remembered. Haruhi's head perked up, once hearing the short intro of the song that her friend had chosen, and she thudded her hands against her lap in beat to the song. Izumi was flushing the entire time as she held her microphone up towards her mouth. Possibly five seconds into the song, she began to sing. Haruhi hummed along with her, a smile plastered onto her face. It was the song 'Gone, Gone, Gone.' by an artist named 'Phillip Phillips'. The song itself was upbeat and lively, and Izumi sang along happily. Although her posture screamed nervousness, her voice held no such thing. She sung quietly into the microphone, her eyes closed for a great remainder of time.
"Nice." Mori leant forwards and whispered into the brunette's ear. "Who's it by?"
"A man named Phillip Phillips." The brunette tilted her head back, as she rested her head against the black haired teen's broad shoulder. Takashi quirked an eyebrow, silently ridiculing the man's name. The brunette sighed and shook her head, but did not move it from his shoulders. Slowly and hesitantly, an arm snaked around Haruhi's waist, and Mori looked down at his girlfriend from time to time, noiselessly asking her if it was okay for him to do such a thing. Haruhi once again sighed, and told him it was fine; told him that there was no need to worry. She snuggled closer into his side, enjoying the feel of his warm arm around herself, as if to protect her. Haruhi found it adorable that Takashi was protective of her, and she couldn't help smiling. Her many friends that were in the room with her either smiled and thought it was cute, or either ignored it as they had gotten used to it over the past couple months. There was one person in this room who looked at the two in jealousy, but not the type of jealously that everyone expected. He was jealous because he couldn't do activities like that to the girl he liked, because he didn't know if she felt the same way. He was jealous of their love for one another. Tamaki sighed, resting his elbows on his knees as he bent forwards to stare at the wooden floor. Kyoya sat beside him, watching him noiselessly as his friend moped. The black haired teen sighed, and nudged his friend. Tamaki stood straight, but slumped back in the seat that he was sitting on and crossed his arms, a small frown tugging the corners of his mouth down.
"You know, Kimura is going to think you don't like her singing." He whispered towards his blonde friend, who only frowned further in response. "Please, cheer up. Natsumi's going to worry about you."
The blonde king only let out a small sigh at the mention of her name, which was unlike his usual energetic and loud self. "I know how you feel about her." Kyoya prompted, pushing his glasses up his thin nose with one poke of his slender fingers.
Tamaki jolted upright in his seat, his face flushed. "Keep your voice down!" Tamaki hissed, to which Kyoya smirked. The blonde once again crossed his arms yet again. "How did you know?"
"I've had my suspicions. And ever since the incident at my private tropical resort, I've been curious. I know a few things."
Tamaki stayed silent, and Kyoya carried on, "I've seen the way you've looked at her. I can see it in your eyes, you moron."
Tamaki bit his lip, and averted eye contact. His face was still flushed red, quite embarrassed that his friend had found out about his feelings regarding their female friend. "I've seen the way she looks at you too, Tamaki."
Tamaki glanced over towards his friend, noticing the sadness in his small smile. He looked up and into his eyes, noting the hidden sadness, and the way his eyelids dropped down slightly. "Do you like her?" Tamaki asked, furrowing his brow. He waited in anticipation for what his friend had to say. If Kyoya did like Natsumi, Tamaki would let his friend go for the girl. His friend's happiness was far greater than his own.
"No." He responded but with that single word, joy spread through Tamaki. "I don't. And if I even did, I know that you would hide your feelings towards her."
Tamaki opened his mouth to speak, to correct him but nothing came out. "I and you know it's true. You're too kind, and everyone hear can tell you multiple tales of your kindness."
"You too, Kyoya. You're kind too. Behind the calm, collected and calculating front, you're just a big softie in the inside."
Kyoya furrowed his brows and scowled, angling his head up slightly so the light reflected off the lenses. A tactic he would use to present himself as intimidating, or if he was secretly frightening or confused on how to feel. Tamaki only chuckled in good nature, and let his eyes wander about the room that every one was occupying. His eyes stopped on Natsumi who sat wedged between Aya and Reiko with Haruhi sitting on the black haired girl's left. She sat up straight but comfortably and with her legs crossed, her chin resting atop of her hand with her elbow leaning on her knee. He stared at her eyes that crinkled with laughter, her lopsided grin and her reddish brown hair that tumbled in waves down past her shoulders. Natsumi then shifted her head so she gazed at Tamaki and locked gazes. This caused Tamaki to flush harder, and swivel his gaze back to the smirking face of Kyoya. Natsumi, however, shrugged and switched her attention to Aya yet again.
"You need to tell her."
"What. Erm, excuse me?"
"I have never imagined a day when I give you advice on how to talk to girls. You're the club's prince, for goodness sake. You should know how to ask a girl out, you idiot."
"But, Kyoya! I can't… I, um. She's out of my league."
"Yes, yes she is."
"That actually hurt, Kyoya…"
Kyoya once again pushed up his glasses, but turned away to face the group of girls sitting on the opposite side of the room. "Natsumi? Can you come over here for a second, please?"
"Oh my goodness, what did you do? No please no, please! I'm a mess! I'm a mess… She's coming. Oh my word, look at her. She's co- hey, Natsumi!"
"Hey there. What's up, Kyo?"
"Can you do me a favour, Natsumi?"
"And what would that be?"
"Can you take Tamaki outside for some fresh air to the rooftops? I don't think he's feeling that well. Maybe the air and open space will help him."
"Now that you mention it, he looks awfully flushed." Natsumi placed her hand against Tamaki's forehead, brushing back his locks of hair. At the contact, Tamaki flushed a darker shade of red which was quite amusing and yet quite worrying to watch. "And yeah, I'll do it. Come on, Tamaki. Let's go get some air. I'll buy you a drink, okay? Come with me." The reddish brunette smiled down at the flushing blonde, her lopsided grin plastered onto her face. She offered an hand but when it was clear that Tamaki was in a sort of a trance, she took charged and grasped his hand, and gently brought him to his feet. "This way," She turned on her heel and walked to the door, her hand taking hold of his large, clammy palm, "and watch your step, Tamaki."
Tamaki glanced round to Kyoya as Natsumi set her hand on the door, and he looked utterly terrified. Kyoya gave him a quick thumbs up, and encouraged him on. As the door opened, and as the two disappeared, Kyoya had realised something. His friend would either come back dead or alive. He may have just sent his best friend out to his death. But, the only thing he could do was sit and pray for him to come back alive, and fully intact.
Haruhi watched Natsumi leading a red-faced Tamaki out of the room, her hand carefully holding his. The brunette looked up from her snuggling position, and locked eyes with Kyoya. Both nodded at each other, a sly smile tugging at the corner of their mouths. Mori watched her through amused eyes, finally coming to the conclusion that his little brunette had known that the two friends had liked one another. He himself had figured out that Tamaki held feelings towards the reddish brunette, but he wasn't so close to the girl to figure out hers. But judging by the way that Kyoya and Haruhi were looking at each other like they just accomplished the greatest thing of this century but yet in secrecy, he figured that Natsumi liked the blonde king too.
"Haruhi." In response, she let out a little hum as she was too comfortable to reply with words. She snuggled closer into his side, and Takashi wrapped his arm tighter around her small waist. He bent forwards and kissed the top of her hair, breathing in the scent that is his Haruhi. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Hikaru regarded the couple with smiling eyes, but said nothing. He was happy for the two, but a pang of jealousy squeezed his heart if he thought too deeply about their relationship. The auburn haired teen was only jealous in the sense that he had liked Haruhi before, way before her accident. It deeply affected him because he couldn't remember who he was, only partly remember the teen whose arms were wrapped around her waist. It could explain the reasons that he acted so harshly and stupidly towards the brunette, and especially the incident at Kyoya's. The elder twin shuddered as he thought about the idiotic thing he had done to his friend. He could have hurt her, or inevitably caused her death. But, she survived. She survived and their friendship furthered. But he was guilty. She had so openly forgiven him, along with Aya. He would never understand why she would because if he was in her shoes, he wouldn't be able to forgive those who had harmed her, but this was Haruhi. The brunette had cleared the dark path by lighting little candles to guide them. If Hikaru and Aya ever got together, which was sure to happen because Aya had caught Hikaru's attention, Hikaru would be sure to thank the brunette because it was her forgiveness that had brought the two together. Like many friendships, the people had to trust one another at a great level. Hikaru and Aya trusted each other greatly, and they had bonded simply over the fact that Haruhi had forgiven them.
Haruhi walked back towards the little karaoke room, arms full of multiple cans of various drinks. Takashi followed, a few cans nestled in one of his arms. The other was used to open doors for the brunette, and such. As there were many other karaoke rooms in the building, Haruhi's hearing was muddled. Music in one room was soft and gentle, another fast and furious, another slow and heavy, and so forth. It was not until Haruhi stood in front of the last door on the hallway, where she finally took a step back and regarded the teen beside her.
"Thank you, Takashi." The brunette smiled up at the black haired teen, her eyes warm. The tall teen curled his mouth into a lopsided smile as with one free arm he opened the closed door. The couple were met with a few pairs of arms, and as Haruhi glanced up as the majority of the cans that she was cradling were taken from her arms, she noticed that Tamaki and Natsumi had returned. They were the two that were taking the drinks.
The couple in the hallway were quickly ushered into the karaoke room, the music of a song playing in the background. They quickly settled down on the left side of the room, near the door and near Kyoya. A round of multiple 'thank you's flung about the room, but the brunette dismissed them with a little smile.
"Takashi?" At the mention of his name, the black haired teen leaned forwards, his head close to Haruhi's. He looked down at her, his eyebrows knitted together for a brief second, but as he saw his girlfriend's smile, he knew that all was well. "My mother was wrong, you know." The brunette gripped the edge of her seat, but soon settled with stuffing her hands into her pockets where she began to play with the fabric inside the little caverns.
She was not expecting an answer from Takashi, possibly only a tilt from his head or a raised eyebrow. Needless to say, she rested her head against her shoulder as he spoke lowly. "How so?"
"When she was alive and before the accident, she told me something. It's quite ironic, now that I think about it…" The brunette remembered a time where her mother was alive and happy, and in her mind she pictured the three of them - her laughing father, her smiling mother and her wide-eyed, five year old self.
"She told me that even though people change, your memories won't. Your memories of them won't."
The black haired teen was surprised, because during the time that he had known the brunette, he was never told of her fond memory. Takashi did understand though, as everyone wished to keep a few things private. The black haired teen did not utter a word, as he believed he did not need to speak. Not yet, not now. Later, when the time was right. Their little silence was swallowed up by the music reverberating around the furnished room, the thumping of feet, plus the laughs and the low buzz of chatter.
"I understand where my mother was coming from, but she was wrong." Haruhi ghosted a bittersweet smile, lifting her head to look around the room, and to her friends, "I have changed, and my memories have changed along with me."
"You're wrong," Takashi mumbled quietly, but his words were drowned out by the music.
Haruhi continued, oblivious to the fact that he had spoken. "My memories of everyone, of you, have changed. For the life of me, I can't remember what life was like before the accident. Before Natsumi, before Aya, before Izumi. Sometimes it comes to me, but most days I have no clue."
Instead of using words, Takashi snaked his arm around his brunette's shoulder, pulling her close so he could rest his chin atop her brown locks. Haruhi smiled into his chest, half of her face buried into his dark shirt, the other facing the room. "You're wrong." The black haired teen repeated, and because of how close they were, and that Haruhi could hear him clearly even though the room was filled with singing, laughter and chatter, she heard.
"You have not changed, nor have your memories. You are Haruhi, my Haruhi, a friend to us all. More importantly, you are my girlfriend."
He took a breath, looked at his girlfriend who stared up at him with wide eyes, and parted his mouth. "Your memories have not changed - they have only been altered. The accident affected your memories, but they have not changed. You have the memories that you and I and all of us, the entire host club, experienced but they are hidden, buried deep down the crevices in your brain. I'm not sure if there will be a day when they resurface but until then, you, I and everyone can create our own. To make up for your missing memories, we will patch up your missing ones with the creation of new memories, which will be ours, which will be everyone's."
"Thank you, Takashi. I really mean it..." Haruhi scrunched her eyes shut, her face turned in towards his shirt. Takashi smiled into her hair, briefly placing a kiss upon her locks.
"I love you, Takashi."
"And I you, Haruhi."
The brunette smiled into his chest, slowly turning her head to face her friends. They all had their eyes on Reiko, who was up at the front, and most were singing along with her. Haruhi glanced round at everyone, watching them smile, watching them laugh and most importantly, watching them have fun.
"Thank you, Takashi. Thank you for everything."
A/N: Hello everyone. It's me, JoNaNaNa here. But guess what? I changed my name to JoannaBananaus. Surprise!
As you all know, this is the last chapter of 'Memories'. It's been a good run, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Getting all these views, reviews, favourites and follows have really touched me. This was the first story I have ever uploaded, and because of all the positivity you guys have given me, you've helped me. You've given me greater confidence, and I will be eternally grateful.
I feel at loss now, as I write this little author's note. Although I can't guarantee that this will be 'little'... But besides that, I owe all of you an apology. I'm extremely sorry for making you wait for this final chapter. It's not the best chapter I've written, and I kind of rushed it in some place and you can tell in this chapter what parts I had difficulty writing. (I also apologise for the mistakes, which I know will be quite a lot. Hopefully I'll fix them if I spot them, but I'm too lazy to do it at the moment.)
As I said before, thank you! Thank you for sticking with me throughout this story. I love you. I love you guys. I'm serious.
I really don't want to finish writing this author's note, but life must go on. I'm sorry... I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Goodbye, and thanks for sticking with me.