Wow, this is the 22nd chapter… never thought that Miyoko-chan would make it this far…

Anyways, enjoy and please review!

And as I'm sure that you have noticed, I don't own Ouran!

Chapter 22 – Aftermath

There was only one place where I could go after being banned from the Host Club. It had been my source of comfort for years and years. That place was the library.

I'm not sure exactly how long I stayed there, huddled amongst the tall shelves filled with stories of lives so much better than my own. My entire body was numb; I couldn't bring myself to even cry. Chess Club activities had finished before I had left the Host Club, so I was completely alone. This relieved me in a small way; no-one was around to witness my misery and humiliation. The only thing I knew is that it was already dark by the time that my sister came looking for me. She was worried as always - I told her that I'd lost a major chess competition. For me, this excuse was reliable enough.

After the two of us arrived back at our somewhat lonely home, Kameko sent me immediately to bed early with a mug of warm hot chocolate and my favourite onigiri. She knew me well enough to know that I wanted to be left alone after 'losing'. I felt bad about lying to her, but I was sure that she wouldn't understand. There was no way that I needed another person upset over my actions. Instead of sleeping, I sat on my bed and cried silently for the first time all afternoon. I didn't even know why I was doing it; I had always hated the Host Club and being forced to pretend that I was happy to be there was the worst of all. Now that it was all over, why wasn't I rejoicing? There was something that I couldn't shake out of my mind. Was it the look on Tamaki's face when he realized that I'd been faking my obsession over him and deceiving the entire club – or perhaps the timid and hurt way that Fuiju had asked 'Is it true, Miyoko?'. These incidents and so many more had made me hang my head in shame today… but there was something else behind it. I'd always been an insensitive, self-centred person – I had heard those sorts of reactions from people for my entire life. That hadn't changed…

Fidgeting around on my bed, I thought of Kaoru – his beautiful amber eyes, the way that they lit up when he smiled at me. He had always been so kind, even when I was yelling in his face or hitting him. I guess that my twisted, self-centred personality had finally gotten the better of him. The only reason why he'd put up with my stupidity and obnoxious attitude for so long was probably because he was just too nice for his own good. He had trusted a girl like me too easily. I knew that this was definitely true, but that didn't change the reality that Kaoru had done this to me deliberately. It felt like a cold stab wound into my chest. Nothing had ever felt so horrible to me before, except for the moment I found out that my own parents had abandoned my family and Japan over a year ago. But why was I so concerned about him? In a way he had done me a massive favour. What had happened to make what should have been a huge relief comparable to the worst day of my life?

It had been a long time since night had fallen and I could feel my eyes drooping. I had spent so much time crying that I'd lost track of the time for the second time that day. My alarm clock (in the shape of a pawn, of course!) read eleven thirty pm. I was so tired, my entire body simply fell onto the warmth of my satin pillow. I didn't even bother to pull the covers over my body, despite the fact that it was a cold winter night. To my aching head and heart, it felt like falling asleep next to a warm fire.

Maybe… it's because… he was always beside you, Miyoko…

My pounding headache had not cleared one bit by the morning. It had taken nearly all of my remaining energy to stumble out of my bed and downstairs. I was still wearing my school uniform from the day before. My body was so tired that it took me half an hour just to change into fresh clothes.

"Miyoko, breakfast is ready!" Kameko called cheerfully from the kitchen as I was tying my shoes.

"Coming!" I called nervously.

I had only just made it downstairs when she burst into the dining room, happily covered in flour and half of the tamagoyaki* which was this morning's meal.

"No thanks, Kameko, I'm not really hungry." I said, hurriedly brushing down my wild mane of hair which was the result of much tossing and turning. "I'm running late anyway. Goodbye!"

I attempted to sneak past and escape to the safety of the bus stop (Kameko had decided to get rid of our limousine to save the money we had left). Unfortunately, noting could stop the roving eyes of my older sister.

"Are you alright, Miyoko?" she asked worriedly, gently touching my shoulder. "You've been acting a little strange lately. Has something happened?"

"Mmm…" I mumbled vaguely.

"You've put your shoes on the wrong feet," she pointed out.

I peered down at my shoes perplexedly and realized that she was right.

"Oh, I'll fix them!" I exclaimed hurriedly, quickly slipping the offending footwear into their correct positions. "That was stupid, right Kameko?"

My bright hysteria didn't faze her.

"See ya!" I said hurriedly, "There's the bus!"

I had survived another questioning.

My face burned as I entered the crowded classroom. I was used to being ignored, but this time there was certain hostility about the way which everyone avoided my eyes which really unsettled me. I could feel people glaring at me whenever I turned my back. I couldn't blame them – the Host Club was by far the most popular club in the entire school. In their eyes, I was the worst of the worst – not only had I lied to them for six months, I had also make Tamaki, the Chairman's son and most popular guy in school cry. However, that was just the beginning.

I had barely sat down at my school desk when Hikaru stormed up and slapped me across the face. A large gasp emitted from across the entire of 1-A.

"What do you want?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"How could you do that to Tono?" he asked angrily.

I held my stinging cheek silently. There was nothing I could say to him – not even I knew the answer to his question. Hikaru's eyes flashed dangerously. It was clear that he was just getting started.

"Tono set up a club that has brought happiness to many people, yet you just come in and deceive all of it! Not just him, but your friends and everyone who cares about you at this school! How could you do this to people who care about you? You can be guaranteed that no one's going to join your stupid chess club now!" he continued. "Are you happy now, Takaki?"

His eyes watered as if he were about to cry. Hikaru put his face in his hands, obviously trying to hold himself back. I never knew that the Host Club meant so much to him. Seeing him so distraught brought tears to my own eyes as well. Why had I been so cruel and selfish to everyone? I'd ignorantly passed them all off as weirdoes and fangirls, as I did with nearly everyone I met.

"Hikaru," Kaoru said awkwardly, touching his brother's arm gently. "Let's go."

I'm certain that he glanced back nervously as he led Hikaru away, but there was no way I could meet his eyes now.

"He's right, you know," Kita spoke up, barely trying to keep the heated tone out of her voice. "How could you do this to us, Miyoko?"

"We were your friends," Fuiju added spitefully, breaking the silence even more.

I lowered my head. At last the tears which I had been holding back for so long were pouring down my cheeks. I was too ashamed to let my feelings show. I had no right anymore. Every cruel comment that my classmates said was deserved entirely.

After school, every girl and half of the boys headed down to Music Room 3, most of them supporting teddy bears, chocolates, flowers or cards filled with their pity. I'd heard that Tamaki was still very upset about the entire incident. Even Haruhi was ignoring me – that meant that it must have been true. There was nothing I could do but head down to the library and face Naoko's wrath.

As I opened the door that I knew so well a wave of cherry blossom petals floated out for no reason at all. I gulped.

"Welcome!" the Chess Club said in unison, all four of them dressed up in feudal Japan attire.

There was something very familiar about this scene.

*Japanese rolled omelet. I didn't know what this was either until the magic of Google enlightened me :D