Chapter 19: What is Love?—Strange People Appear
Hikari thought that she would faint. Did Hikaru and I really…? Hikaru tossed again in his sleep, turning his back towards her. The blankets fell off his back and revealed Hikaru's pajama pants, a light blue that matched his host rose. Hikari felt a wave of relief sweep through her body and she smacked her head onto her pillow.
I've got to stop getting worked up over this, she thought, turning her body to face the window. The moon continued to shine brightly through her room, preventing her from falling asleep again. She got out of her bed, wanting to leave the room. As she headed towards her exit, she noticed a dark blue robe with light blue stars on it lying across a chair. Hikari decided to take it on her trip (considering the fact that she didn't want to be seen in a silk night gown) and left the room.
The robe was really soft, temptingly Hikari to put it on. When she tied the knot on the robe, she noticed a door down the hall open. She quietly approached it, her heart beating with curiosity. She peeked inside seeing Haruhi sitting in an armchair with her chin in her hand, which rested on the big armrest.
"Haruhi?" Haruhi jumped with shock at the sudden sound that entered the room.
"Hikari," She said out of breath, "You scared me."
"I can tell." Hikari sat in an armchair that was across from Haruhi. "Can't sleep?" Haruhi nodded.
"Yeah. I'm also a little upset that Senpai made this sleepover without telling any of us."
"I think he was trying to be nice," Hikari replied. "He wants this family to be happy."
"I know."
"You seemed a little bothered." Haruhi looked at Hikari.
"Of course I was. Hikaru wanted to sleep with you and I couldn't stop him." Hikari thought that her heart stopped.
"Hikaru…and I…slept together…?" Haruhi nodded.
"Yeah. Senpai was against it at first, but Hikaru promised on his life that he would just sleep in the same bed with you and not do anything inappropriate." Hikari rubbed her head.
"Please don't scare me like that ever again."
"Sure thing." The two girls sat in the room and continued to think.
"So how did Tamaki-senpai say that he loved you?" Hikari asked. Haruhi began to pout again.
"Remember when Tamaki was pestering me about going to his house around the same time we found out about Mina and Kyouya-senpai's engagement?" Hikari nodded. "Well, I went over and we normally went into his bedroom. This time, though, he took me to the music room they had in their house. There was a bright, white piano in the center of the room that I assumed only he played on.
"'I want you to tell me how this song sounds,' he said to me before he played. Once I agreed, he began. I admit that it had a beautiful sound. I listened to it intently, like I was trying to find the meaning in it. Once he finished, he asked me with a smile what I thought.
"'It sounds wonderful, Senpai,' I said to him. He said that he was glad and rose from the piano.
"'There was actually another reason why I needed you here.' I couldn't guess why yet, but then I did. 'Fujioka Haruhi, from the day I met you, I knew that we were destined to be together. Not just as father and daughter at the time, but for something more grand.' He took my hands, like you said and held me close.
"'When we danced together at the cultural festival last year, I knew that we should progress forward and by Christmas we did. Now that a year has passed, something magical has developed…Haruhi…I love you.' I was speechless. He then took me home and told Dad that I was stressed and that I'd be fine the next day, which I slightly was. Then I found you and here we are." Hikari stared at her friend in amazement.
"Wow," she muttered, "I didn't think that Tamaki-senpai was that…into stuff like that. I thought that it was just an act in the Host Club."
"So did I, but as I said before, he'll wait for my answer."
"Do you love him too?" Haruhi shifted in her seat.
"Honestly?" Hikari nodded. "I don't know."
"And yet you'd be fine with marrying him," Hikari added. Haruhi blushed and continued to pout. "You shouldn't marry a guy you're not in love with."
"Well…I've got time." Hikari smiled.
"I know that when the time comes, you'll know your answer." Haruhi's pout suddenly disappeared; instead her lips curled into a small smile.
"I guess." The two girls listened to the night quietly for a while when Haruhi faced the door and sat up straight. "Do you hear that?" Hikari listened, but heard nothing.
"No. Should I?" Haruhi got up and looked down the hall.
"Someone else is up." Hikari followed Haruhi and looked down the hall.
"So they are," she whispered, "Should we see who it is?" Haruhi shook her head.
"I do not want to get involved again."
"Come on, Haruhi. You have no idea who they might be." Hikari's adventure urges were kicking in. "Besides, it may not be the Host club, but ghosts that lie around here so innocent girls like us find them."
"You've been reading too much," Haruhi said.
"So?"
"Well, think about it logically. Ghosts don't exist. It's probably the host talking about us." Hikari's face turned into a pout.
"Well, then let's see what they have to say about us." She grabbed Haruhi's wrist and lead her down the hall. The closer they were, the clearer the voices.
"My fellow children, I called in this meeting to discuss any suggestion about how to protect my daughter from the evil folks that ruin my daughter's happiness."
"Tono, she's staying at our house."
"There's nothing to worry about while we're there."
"THAT'S MY POINT! Brother, why did you agree to this?"
"Because Hikaru insisted on it since his and Kaoru's parents are away on business."
"But can't you see that Hikaru might do something improper to her?!"
"You know Tono…" Hikaru chuckled, "…I might have already done something improper last night." Hikari's widened and she stared at Haruhi. Haruhi stared back at her and shook her head.
"He's probably lying," she said. Hikari clenched her fists.
"He better be," she commented, "Or he'll be dead before he can say his own name."
"Hika-chan wouldn't do anything bad to Hiri-chan, right?"
"Ah."
"You're taking his side?" Tamaki yelled. The twins began to laugh.
"Relax, Tono," Hikaru said, "I'm only joking. I would never do anything like that."
"LIAR!"
"Excuse me," Kyouya interrupted, "but can we please change the topic." Tamaki calmed down. "You told me that you were curious about Hikari's past, right?"
"…Of course I'd be curious about my daughter's past."
"Kyouya," this time Hikaru spoke, "Is there anything that you can tell us about what happened to her six years ago?"
"Why no ask her yourself," Mori answered. Everyone looked up at him.
"Takashi, what do you mean?" Honey asked. Hikari heard footsteps approaching the door.
"Crap, they're gonna find us," Hikari whispered.
"Let's go," Haruhi said, but by the time they turned around, Mori-senpai opened the doors, shinning the room light over the two spies.
"Haruhi!" Tamaki shouted with open arms, "you look cute in your long sleeved nightgown." Haruhi gave him a disturbed look. Hikari saw Hikaru peeking over and giving her a smirk. She felt her cheeks burning and tore her eyes away.
"Hikari." Hikari looked up at Mori-senpai. "I think it's time to tell your story." Hikari looked at the host club. In their eyes, they were begging her to tell her tale. She slowly walked into the room and sat down on the couch between Hikaru and Kaoru, pulling her knees up to her chest so that she cold hug them.
"I guess it is time to tell my story." And with a deep breath, she began.
Hikari's story:
As you all know, I'm the daughter of an actor/playwright and a reporter. My mom had me when she was really young with my dad. She was…19 I believe. (The Host Club gasps at this point, except Kyouya and Haruhi). Yeah, I guess you could say that my parents fell in love as soon as they met. My mom was a freshman in high school and my dad was freshman in college. They met at a show my mom was writing about for her school paper and my dad hosted. Anyway, after my mom graduated, they decided to start living together.
Both their families were against the idea at first, but they soon saw that they wanted this more than anything and that it can help them accomplish their dreams. So when they accepted, they rented a little apartment in Yumi's neighborhood. A couple months later, mom was pregnant with me.
She was really nervous in having a baby at such a young age, but my dad told her everything was going to be alright, and it was. Mom and dad still worked, but they were there with me when I woke up and when I went to bed, which always made me feel secure. I did have a caretaker, but I don't remember her much. All I remember was staring at fairytale books and writing squiggles on a separate sheet of paper, as if I was writing my own story.
"Hikari-chan," Mom would say, "Are you writing a novel?" I would nod and smile. I couldn't speak yet and my dad would laugh.
"Hikari will be a fine writer. If she puts her mind to it, she'll succeed."
Natasha came into my life when I was five and has been my caretaker ever since. I think the other had to go somewhere else for some reason, but that doesn't matter. Everything was perfect! I met Yumi at school and we became best friends and we'd hang out a lot.
But…six years ago, my mom and dad were taking us to see one of dad's shows. I was really excited and couldn't wait to see what mom would write as a review (she'd be his number one critique).
"This is my best production yet," dad told us, "My dear, I think you might have to shower this show with praise."
"Darling, don't be full of yourself," she replied, "If you keep that up, your show will have a big ego and the critiques won't appreciate your work." He laughed.
"Hikari will go easy on her father, won't she?"
"If I like the show, I promise to give you the best review ever!" I said with excitement.
"That's my girl." The show was called Behind the Eyes of the Golden Sun. Even now that title makes my heart flip with joy. He said that he dedicated it to me with one wish.
"Your mother found the sun in my blue eyes. Natasha's found the sun in her boyfriend's black eyes. This play is to inspire you to find the golden sun in your man's eyes. If you do like the two ladies before you, you will be eternally happy." It was a fairytale that he made especially for me, which is why I analyze a person's eyes so much.
We got to our seats and the show was about to start. Mom and I were ready to take notes…when it happened.
The doors slammed shut and there was a sudden smell of gasoline. Someone was trying to use the speakers to talk to the audience, but it was cut off. I became really scared and began to tremble as people started screaming and running around the theater. My parents grabbed me and Natasha's hands and tried to keep together while heading towards the exit, but I got separated. Someone crashed into me, forcing my hands to slip away from my parents.
When I fell to the floor, the gasoline smell shot up into my nose, causing my head to spin. I sat up and tried covered it to block the scent away when I then noticed that my hair and left side of my body was covered in the smelly liquid, which made me gag. I tried to stand up, but something caught my dress, making me fall back on the ground. When I turned around to see what caught it, a huge, bright, orange-red fire glow grew in front of my face.
I looked away and started to pull my dress to break away, but my attempt disappeared as I saw the whole theater being eaten by the hungry flames. The red curtain turned into ashes before my eyes, seats began to explode, and the theater began to fall apart. I covered my head and began to cry helplessly; the smoke burning my lungs with each breath I took. I was scared that I would die in the fire and my family would see my burnt corpse instead of their daughter.
"HIKARI!" I heard. I stopped crying and saw my parents running towards me.
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm over here!" I shouted. They followed my voice and found me stuck. My mother hugged me ever so tightly, tears running down her face and onto my neck. My father hugged us both and for a moment, was happy again. But the fire wasn't happy with our joy.
The fire became angrier and grew taller to scare us apart. Dad took out his pocket knife and cut the hem of my dress off. Mom picked me up and they tried to find an escape route, but the rubble of the theater blocked them all off.
"We've got to save Hikari," my dad said, "That's our mission." He smiled and rubbed my head. "This is part of our adventure."
"Natasha!" my mom screamed as she saw Natasha pushing a small rubble piece aside.
"Hurry," she said, "I can push more aside, and-" There was a loud crackle sound followed by a rumble. More of the theater began to fall apart, the crackling echoing in my ears. My parents exchanged such sad looks with one another as if talking in their minds. What appeared to have been a decided decision, mom placed me on the floor and took off her necklace: a silver butterfly.
"Take this," she said, "It will protect you and lead you to your dream." She tied around my neck, hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. My dad did the same and pushed me through the space.
"Come on," I called back, but they shook their head. I knew what they were going to do and I tried to go back in, but Natasha held me back. The last thing that I saw was my parents holding each other's hands and reciting lines from my dad's play. I don't remember what they were, but whatever they were, it made them smile. They kissed and held each other tightly.
"MOMMY! DADDY!" I screamed, but it was too late, the fire wrapped around them and the rubble prevented me from seeing them again.
End of Story
"The rest is history. The Niwazaki's adopted me and here we are today." Everyone fell silent. Honey sniffled loudly, big water drops falling from his eyes. "I hope that this helps you in some way, Tamaki-senpai." Tamaki was too shocked to even react. Hikari looked around the room and saw that everyone was crying, or at least teary eyed.
"So you didn't cry for six years after that?" Kaoru asked, reminding her about the incident at Kyouya's villa (Chapter 8).
"That's right," Hikari said, "I thought that since my parents gave their lives up for me, I should do them a favor and not cry at small things that didn't matter much."
"I didn't know that you remembered that much," Natasha said. She and the rest of the girls came into the room while Hikari told her story.
"I don't remember the lines, though," Hikari said, "I wish I did." Yumi came onto the couch and clung around Hikari's neck.
"I can't believe that that happened to you. I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, Yumi," Hikari said returning the hug. "Please guys, don't cry on my behalf."
"It's hard though," Hikaru said, "To see your parents die before your eyes."
"Yeah," Haruhi said, "One minute they're hugging you, and then the next, they're gone forever. It's hard."
"Why didn't your family members on either parent's side take you in?" Hikaru asked.
"They didn't have enough money and or space for an extra person, so they put me up for adoption." Hikari answered, holding onto her legs longer. Silence swept through the room as everyone thought about Hikari's words. Eventually, Tamaki broke the silence.
"I'm glad that you told us that story. Now we can help you even better in the future. But let's not worry about the future just yet. We've got to get our beauty sleep for our host club tomorrow." With that being said, everyone went back into their rooms.
"You don't have to follow me," Hikari said to Hikaru.
"I know I don't," he replied, "But I thought that you might want me to sleep by you after you told your story." Hikari rolled her eyes. She then remembered waking up in a silky night gown with no memory about how she got it on.
"Hikaru?" she began to ask as she closed her bedroom door, "Did we really…sleep together? Not literally, but the other meaning that it gives." It took Hikaru a while to realize what she was saying.
"Ah. I get it." He came up to Hikari and unknotted her robe. "Do you remember anything that happened last night?" He slid the robe off Hikari as she shook her head.
"I see," said his velvet voice. Hikari saw Hikaru's golden eyes burn longingly for her. He cornered her against the bed post, pressing his bare, hot body against hers. "I'm not going to lie to you. I was really tempted to do so." His cold, pale fingers traced up and down the side of her body, causing her skin to shiver. "And I was going to do it, since you were willing to at the time." Hikari heard her blood move fast throughout her body, her heart beating in her ears. "But I didn't, because I knew that we would both regret it in the future." He let Hikari go and stretched his arms in the air.
"My maids came in and dressed you in that nightgown, by the way. I thought that it would be a nice trick." Hikari wanted to scream "GET OUT!" but she didn't. Instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed.
"I know that I will kill you later," she said, "But I wouldn't mind you sleeping next to me." Hikaru smiled and climbed into bed. He patted the side next to his, indicating for Hikari to be next to him. When she was under the covers, Hikaru wrapped his arms around her, and the two fell into a deep sleep.
Next Day at Lunch…
"You're lucky that Hikaru didn't push you off the bed," Kaoru commented, "He always kicks me off."
"I'm sorry Kaoru," Hikari said. "That would defiantly put me in a bad mood." The two sat down next to Hikaru and Haruhi, who was saving a table for them.
"Tono's late," Hikaru commented.
"Indeed he is," Kaoru added, "I wonder what's taking him so long?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Everyone turned and saw Kyouya sitting down at the table.
"Why are you all here anyway?" Haruhi asked.
"Is there any reason…" (Hikaru)
"…why we can't be here?" Kaoru finished.
"It's just rare that you guys have lunch with us, that's all," Haruhi pointed out.
"Well after hearing Hikari's story, I wanted to be near her more," Hikaru said.
"It's true. She's our little toy, until my special one comes to visit after school."
"Since when am I an inanimate object?" Hikari asked, but before the twins could answer she raised her hand. "Forget it." After a few bites of her food, Hikari noticed that someone was missing.
"Where's Mina?"
"She's watching Mori-senpai practice," Kyouya answered.
"But isn't Tokyo U far away?" Haruhi asked.
"Not really. She's been doing it for some time now."
Wow, Hikari thought, I guess Mina-chan really likes Mori-senpai enough to see him practice at the U.
After School
The Host Club is Now Open
"Umm…Hiroki-kun, I was wondering if you had that story for me?" A guest asked.
"I'm so sorry, my lady, but there was an accident at my house. I had wished to have it in your ivory hands today, but I do not. I'm terribly sorry." Hiroki could tell that his lyrical charm was winning his table over.
"Can you recite something for us?" another girl asked. Hiroki nodded and stared at the ladies before him.
"I never thought that I'd lose my home so quickly. I could still feel the heat rising from the remains of my home…our home. My hands felt hot burns as I was removing the rubble to find what I was looking for…I didn't find it. The wind blew whispers in my ear. The sound of her voice, like a perfect melody kept my hopes alive, burning hotter than the fire that was before me. I knew that I could continue on." The girls had their handkerchiefs out, dabbing their eyes from Hiroki's story.
"That was well said," Kyouya said as Hiroki was getting the girls some tea.
"Thank you, Kyouya-senpai," Hiroki replied. As he was heading to the kitchen, he couldn't help to see Mina with Mori-senpai again. She was handing him some baked goods and he ate it happily…he thinks. Mori's expression never changed throughout the time Hiroki has known him. He walked a little closer to the couple and hid behind a pillar to listen on their conversation.
"So how does this one taste?" Mina asked. Mori took another bit, paused, and then nodded. Mina's eyes grew wide with delight. "I'm so glad."
"Why are you spying on Mina-chan and Mori-senpai?" Haruhi asked, causing Hiroki to jump from shock.
"I just wanted to see how Mina and Mori-senpai were doing. That's all." Haruhi looked over Hiroki's shoulder and shrugged.
"If you keep that up, you'll turn into someone like Tamaki-senpai someday." Tamaki over heard and ran over to Haruhi.
"How could you think of me in such a way, Haruhi?" He begged, tears rolling down his face, his hands caressing her face.
"Can you stop sexually harassing me, Senpai?" Tamaki took more offense now. Hiroki wandered away from the two thinking, How can those two be dating? It looks more like they're getting on one another's nerve.
"Hikaru?" Hiroki hadn't noticed that he wandered towards Hikaru and Kaoru's table. "I heard rumors going around saying that you're dating someone. Is that true?" Hiroki felt a cold chill run down his spine. Hikaru was surprised with the question too, but he acted accordingly.
"Well, I wouldn't say that we're together, but we definitely fancy one another." The girls gasped. "But…" he caught Hiroki's eyes. "I wonder if she knows how much I really care for her."
"Oh my god!"
"Is it Niwazaki-san?"
"We heard it all over the school."
"Hikaru," Kaoru interrupted, "I can't believe that you would give up your own brother for a…stranger." A tear rolled down his face. Hikaru's smirk disappeared as he watched Kaoru cry. He jumped out of his chair and embraced his brother.
"No one can ever replace you in my heart Kaoru. You never have to feel insecure again."
"…Hikaru…" The girls squealed with delight as Hiroki returned to his table.
The Host Club is Now Closed
"So are you nervous about spending the night at Hikaru and Kaoru's place?" Haruhi asked. Hikari shrugged.
"I'm really not sure what to expect. But I am worried about Tamaki-senpai a little more." Tamaki was lecturing the twins about taking care of his daughter.
"And so you see," he concluded. "Hikari will keep in touch with her daddy and will report any improper things that you two intend to do to her."
"TONO!" the twins shouted together in rebellion. "THAT TAKES THE FUN OUT OF EVERYTHING!"
"I know that," Tamaki assured, "That's why I invited another special guest to stay over at your house."
"Senpai," Haruhi said, "Are you sure that sending another person might help?"
"Of course, my wife," he said, extending his hand above in the air, "Yumi-chan has offered to stay at the Hitachiin estate to keep the devilish twins under her control."
"She can only tame one devil, thought, Tono," Kaoru pointed out, "And if I'm not watching Hikaru, then you're daughter will really be in danger." Tamaki froze.
"Well, we can't change plans on Yumi, right Hikaru?"
"Of course, Kaoru. I'm sure that with Yumi over, I'll have a lot of time on my hands." He said his last statement with an evil grin.
"I'm going to meet you guys downstairs!" Hikari screamed as she ran to the Ouran gates. She was out of breath when she stopped running.
"This is going to be a long while," she panted, leaning against the Ouran walls. Faint footsteps caught her attention, causing her to breath quietly in order to hear.
"Hikari-san?" said a male voice. Hikari looked over at speaker. He was dressed in an Ouran uniform, but he didn't look familiar. "I didn't think you'd be here."
"Excuse me," Hikari said professionally, "But do I know you?" The boy laughed.
"Oh, I guess not. I was told that you liked being called 'Hikari-san' rather than by your last name. It's a shame really. You're last name is charming." Hikari rolled her eyes.
"It isn't, really."
"I think it is," he reassured, "Niwazaki Hikari. It's such a beautiful name for a beautiful lady." Hikari felt a knot tie in her stomach. She didn't like the way this boy talked about her name…her adoptive name more so. And worse of all, he's complementing her when she's clearly not interested.
"Look, could-"
"Could you please keep away from her?" Hikari felt two bodies rise behind her. Both of them had one arm wrapped around her. "If you continue to do this, then you will have to face the Hitachiin brothers." The boy just smiled.
"Please, Hikaru-kun, Kaoru-kun, I was only making conversation. I didn't know that you were actually taken, Hikari-san. If you were, then you shouldn't have been giving me hopes."
"Hopes for what?" Hikari barked. She felt her mind scanning over stories about people like him.
"I think you know. But have no fear. I'll keep your relationship a secret." He bowed and then made his exit.
"What was that all about?" Hikaru asked. Hikari shrugged.
"I honestly have no idea."
"If I were you, Hikari, I'd be really careful about being alone," Kaoru commented, "Stay with the club. You're safer around us." Hikari nodded. She didn't like the idea of following the club forever, but she knew that it would be safer for her if she did.
"Takashi-kun!" The three were taken back by the sudden scream. Hikari looked inside Ouran and saw Mori-senpai walking towards an Ouran student. "I didn't think you'd show." Mori shrugged. "Shall we go then?" She grabbed his hand and dragged him away from the main gate.
"What was that all about?" Hikaru asked.
"Wasn't Mori-senpai taking interest in Mina-chan?" Kaoru questioned.
"Where's Honey-senpai?" Hikari pointed out, "Aren't those two always together?"
"They are," Kaoru said, "But maybe Hana-chan kept him longer today." A long black limo pulled up and Hikaru wrapped his arm around Hikari's shoulder.
"Well then…shall we?"
The next day, Hikari showed up to school feeling exhausted. However, her appearance didn't show what she felt. People were shocked that Hikari was coming to school with the twins, bringing up questions about her dating Hikaru. As the whispers continued, Hikari placed her head on her desk, trying to find any sound that wasn't gossip.
"You look like you had a rough night, Hikari-san. Was everything alright at Hikaru's?"
"I guess, Mina. Kaoru and Yumi were up all night, so Hikaru and I had to move to the other side of their house. I didn't know that they had a bedroom on each side."
"That's what I heard," Mina said.
"Anyway," Hikari continued, "Hikaru was good otherwise. Actually, he's respecting me more now that I'm under his roof."
"That's a good sign."
"It is, really."
"Hey…I've got a question." Hikari raised her head as Mina played with her hands. Her cheeks slightly turned pink as a shy smile grew on her face.
"Does…Mori-senpai…have someone that he likes…in particular, I mean." Hikari was silent.
"Did Mori-senpai say anything to you that would imply that he liked someone else?" Hikari asked. Mina shook her head.
"Not really. Honey-senpai and Hana-chan came up to me and said that Mori-senpai had never been this communicative and committed to a person ever. It makes me really happy to hear that." Hikari smiled.
"Then everything's going to be alright," she reassured, "Mori-senpai may not say much, but he means well." Mina's smile grew wider.
After school, Hikari opened the doors to the third music room and was surprised at what she saw. Poor Haruhi was forced on a cute little Santa girl dress.
"There you have it, Tono," the twins said together, "Haruhi and Hikari will where this for the Christmas celebration." Tamaki was red all over.
"Why are you two dressing me up? Aren't I supposed to be a guy?" The brothers made a tsking noise through their teeth.
"Christmas is over a month away, so we've got to prepare."
"Christmas is going to be super fun!" Honey screamed, throwing his bunny in the air.
"Good grief," Haruhi said with a pout.
"Haruhi looks super cute," Hikari commented. The twins gave each other an evil smirk.
"We've got a costume for you too. Wanna try it on now?" Hikari shook her head.
"Maybe later."
"Do you like Christmas, Hikari?" Haruhi asked. Hikari couldn't help but smile.
"It's my favorite holiday next to my birthday," she answered.
"Then we're going to have fun preparing for this occasion," Tamaki announced. "But first…" Tamaki brings out a digital camera, "…I want to take pictures of my wife." There was a gasp.
"Tono, you perv!" (Hikaru)
"Red Card!" (Kaoru)
"Stay away from Haruhi!" They both shouted. As the three began their everyday fights, Hikari noticed the girl from yesterday walking towards the door with Mori-senpai.
"I wish you didn't have your club now, Takashi-kun. I wanted to tell you so much more."
"You can tell me more later," he said. The girl giggled.
"Try not to miss me too much." She let go of his hand, blew a kiss, and trotted down the hall.
What was that all about? Hikari wandered.
Meanwhile…
Kyouya's eyes remained locked on Hikari. He took out his notebook and saw a red circle around December 24.
"The time is approaching," he muttered to himself. "Hikari doesn't have much time left here." Kyouya's cell began to vibrate, telling him that he received a text message.
"Ima-san just informed me that the Niwazaki's are planning another attack. She's not sure what it is, but it's going to be another bad one. Please look out for her. Love, Natasha."
"Another attack, huh?" Kyouya flipped though his notebook. "They slapped her at their house, trashed the suite she was staying in. They wouldn't dare hurt her at a high place such as the Hitachiin estate. However…" Kyouya looked up.
"They could hurt her here at school."