Just to let everyone know, after this chapter I won't be able to update to around the 5th or 6th of October. I'm going to China!
Please wait for it! I've tried to make this chapter long to make up for it…
Disclaimer – Miyoko is the only thing I own in this story. Not Ouran.
Chapter 17 – Different Feelings
The next day, Hikaru was back. However, I could tell that everything was still not alright. He was barely speaking to his younger brother at all. Instead, he sat stonily by himself in the corner. The class of 1-A whispered quietly around him, but no-one dared to approach. Kaoru was also by himself, his head hanging as if there was a great weight upon his shoulders. When the class exited the large classroom for the cafeteria, I remained behind, knowing that Haruhi usually brought her lunch from home and ate it in the classroom. The first thing that I had decided to do was investigate her. Clearly she was the centre of this entire mess.
"What is it, Takaki?" she asked pleasantly when I approached her.
She was sitting at her desk, a small obento in front of her. Inside was homemade chicken sushi and perfectly cooked rice. It looked really delicious, but now was not the time to share lunches.
"Do you know what's wrong with Hikaru?"
I was so hasty with my question that she dropped her chopsticks in surprise.
"I didn't know that you two were friends," she replied.
"We're not." I insisted quickly, "I was just wondering, that's all."
She sighed heavily. Clearly this was upsetting her too.
"I don't know what's wrong," she confided, an air of gloom lingering in her voice. "He's been acting strange lately…"
Smiling kindly, I placed my hand on her shoulder comfortingly.
"Thanks anyway," I said, patting her softly.
"Takaki?"
My name was merely a small voice on the distant horizon. Although I was in class, surrounded by people, my mind was very far away.
"Takaki!" the voice persisted.
Finally I arrived back into reality and glanced upwards. The teacher was glaring at me angrily, an open mathematics book in her hand.
"Glad to have you join us," she said sarcastically. "Tell me the answer to problem seven."
"Oh," I stuttered, "It's, um, twenty-six?"
"No, it's one hundred and five," she corrected instantly. "Takaki, have you even looked at the question?"
"Yes, teacher," I lied, rapidly flicking through the book to the correct page.
I saw that the question was something about the area of a triangle. I couldn't believe that I would miss such an interesting subject as maths. What was wrong with me? I couldn't concentrate on anything for more than a minute.
School went by in a flash as I slept through lessons. I was out of it for the entire day. Everyone stared at me as oddly as they were staring at Hikaru. I suppose that I'd never been so unaware of class work in my entire school life at Ouran Academy.
"Are you alright, Miyoko-chan?" Kita whispered worriedly during Japanese.
Lately she had taken to calling me by this name. Normally it would have annoyed me to death, but today I was so completely distracted that it didn't bother me in the slightest.
"Do you have a fever?" Fuiju added, feeling my forehead discreetly. "Strange, it's not hot or anything…"
Pushing them both away, I shook my head subtly to avoid attention.
"I'm fine, you two," I reassured, sitting up animatedly as if to prove my point.
They didn't look at all convinced. I could feel their concerned expressions boring into me. It was very uncomfortable as I tried to pay attention for the first time.
"It's just," Fuiju began quietly, "You seem so different today."
Kita nodded sadly.
"You're always so active and full of spirit," she agreed. "Did something happen?"
Two metres away, Kaoru looked up in astonishment. Those two really weren't very good at keeping their vices quiet. He stared at me forlornly, as if there was something that he knew about what was happening. Did he know that I was investigating about his brother?
"No," I protested, blushing, "I'm fine."
I sighed as I stood outside the doors of Music Room Three for yet another day. Somehow, everything I did always came back to this place. An eager crowd of fangirls behind me. The random floating sakura petals, caressing the door as it swung clearly. The Host Club, dressed up yet again in one of their weird cosplay outfits. At least this place never changed. In a way, as much as I hated coming here, it was somewhat of a relief.
"Welcome!" the club chanted in unison.
Didn't these girls ever get bored of the same thing every day? Today they were dressed in Australian culture designs, right down to the hats with cork bobbles and brown ranger outfits. I smiled to myself. Five years ago I had visited Australia myself, and they had gotten the style right off. I had never seen any Australian wearing those before.
"G'day, my shielas," Tamaki said in a fake accent (again, I'd never heard any Australian say that), "Welcome to the Host Club, where today we are deep in the mysterious outback of Australia."
The girls next to me squealed in delight. "He's so cool and manly! Kyah!" they gushed.
For the first time that day, I felt like bursting into laughter, but that would blow my cover. I settled for looking excited at the sight of them.
"All of the plants you see here were flown in from my father's colleague's greenhouse in Sydney itself." Kyoya added informatively.
There were gum trees, grass trees and wattle. It was sad to see these poor plants so far from home. Sighing, I entered, feeling something sweep over my feet as I walked. Looking down, I saw that it was red sand. Had they flown that in too? Surely all this was a bit much. Shifting awkwardly, I could feel the sand seeping uncomfortably into my school shoes.
"Today we are serving lamingtons," Tamaki explained happily as we sat down, "They are a common form of desert in Australia. We will of course be serving them with our usual commoner's coffee."
"So, um, what did you do today, Tamaki-Senpai?" I asked nervously.
He took hold of my hands and stared deeply into my eyes. This would be so much more epic if he hadn't done it a thousand times before, I thought miserably.
"I was in the outback, my dear Sheila," he said exaggeratedly. "I was riding my kangaroo up Uluru to find this precious gift for you."
Holding out a small koala key ring, he placed it into my right palm.
"It is a sacred handcrafted item worth one hundred Australian dollars. Take it as a remembrance of our endless love," he added.
A large squeal erupted from our corner of the room. The fangirls had become over excited again.
"Tamaki-Senpai, give us one too!" they asked eagerly.
I sighed.
Eventually, it came to that time of day when the fangirls cried and I rejoiced happily. The Host Club was closing. Despite the delicate situation, things at the Host Club had gone relatively normally. The only difference to the usual was that Hikaru and Kaoru had spoken individually to their customers, instead of performing any of the creepy twincest acts that they would ordinarily put on. Myself, I was also preparing to leave, but I wanted to say goodbye to Kaoru before I left. We were friends after all.
"Hi," I said shyly, "See you tomorrow."
"Hmm?" he murmured distractedly, not really paying attention. "Yeah. See ya."
"Hey!" I shouted angrily, kicking his foot, "Why aren't you talking to me anymore?"
He shrugged vaguely.
"I d'know," he said, standing up. "Goodbye."
Before he could leave, a large clatter sounded from the other side of the room. Tamaki was chasing Haruhi again, holding out one of the mini koalas. Something was different this time. I could tell.
"Are you okay, Fujioka?" I asked nervously as she ran past as fast as possible.
Her eyes were desperate as she looked at me.
"I'm fine," she insisted, her face bright red. "I've just got a cold, that's all. I should go home."
"A cold?" Tamaki asked worriedly. "You must go to the hospital right away!"
"I'm fine, Tamaki-Senpai!" she insisted, looking terrified at the sight of him.
In seconds she had ran out of the room. Tamaki was visibly shaken.
"What did I do?" he asked miserably.
The club turned to comfort him. I stared out of the door, watching her small figure retreat out of sight. Well, that was weird, I thought.
Instantly, Hikaru stood up.
"Hikaru!" Kaoru protested, grabbing hold of his brother's arm only to be shaken off immediately.
Without a word, Hikaru also promptly left the Host Club room. All that was now left was the six of us. The others didn't look too surprised. I was the only one who was still trying to figure out what had happened.
"I'll go after him," Kaoru decided nervously, before following his brother.
It had been nearly twenty minutes since the host club had closed for the day. Kaoru was sitting on the floor of a dark empty classroom. I had been searching for him since that strange incident in the club room.
"Aha!" I declared, trying to cheer him up. "I've found you!"
He didn't even acknowledge me. My blood began to boil, but I quickly cooled it down. Now was evidently not the time to get angry at him.
"What is it?" I asked, concerned.
"Nothing," he repeated.
Punching him softly, I pulled him up to talk.
"Hey," I said, "You can't expect me to believe that. I'm not that stupid."
He took a deep breath.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked.
I frowned.
"What is?"
"Haruhi's obviously in love with Tono," he explained, "Hikaru – "
My stomach flopped.
"He loves her too." I realized.
Kaoru nodded, confirming my discovery.
"But what does that have to do with you?" I wondered.
My eyes widened as my brain clicked into the situation.
"You love her too." I told him, feeling slightly bitter at the thought.
He didn't answer. Instead he looked just as dejected as he had ever since that night. Putting aside my strange feelings, I decided to distract him from this problem.
"I know!" I said, brightening, "Come home with me and do some homework! It always makes me feel much better!"
I leapt up energetically at the idea. He opened his mouth to protest, but I had already pulled him along with me. I was determined to make him smile again, whatever it took.
"Let's go," I ordered, already calling Kameko to bring a car.
Hope you liked it! I'll try and update as soon as possible.
BTW, this is not supposed to be racist. It's a parody of the stupid stereotypes which people always give us Australians. (I am one myself :D)
Please review!