Chapter 3: Fast Forwards and Time Skipping

April
Takashi stayed for a month. He learned to do laundry, wash dishes, and cook. It wasn't that he didn't want to learn, it's just that there was never a need to. Lucas' mom, Gail, returned from her business trip, and Dominic stayed for the last two weeks. Dominic was completely enamored with Takashi, as he was like this amazing samurai. He would watch him as Takashi did his morning training, much to Takashi's chagrin.

Gail whole heatedly approved of Takashi despite the fact he was "filthy rich." She could see he was very mature, wasting nothing in word or deed. His feelings for Izumi were genuine and deep. He was very traditional and conservative in their manner with each other, meaning, they were not sitting on each other's lap, spooning, or making out in front of everyone... which had always been a fear of hers when Izumi would start dating.

Since Takashi would be studying in Boston, school would not start until late August/early September. He left in April, returning to Japan to celebrate his birthday with his family, prepare his student VISA, and pack for Boston. Satoshi was happy and upset his brother would be leaving, but proud because Satoshi thought that leaving home was a sign of becoming a man.

June
The host club saw Haruhi and Tamaki off in June. She wanted to leave early to help her become acclimated to life in America/Boston, and allowing her enough time to adjust before starting school. Unbeknownst to her, Tamaki has picked her housing and would be living with her suite style.

"Does the boss really think Haruhi's going to be okay with that type of set up?" The twins asked in chorus, watching plane take off.

"Probably not," Kyoya adjust his glasses, "but it's beneficial for us. It makes housing much easier to find. The suite set up is much more favorable."

"How are we going to choose roommates, Kyo-chan?"

Kaoru piped up, "We should draw straws. I'm tired of sharing a room with Hikaru!"

August
Everyone had settled into their living situation - well, Haruhi got over the shock. Tamaki was so happy because their little host club family would be together for a bit longer. Izumi had driven up all day to get to Boston, arriving late at night and nearly collapsing from exhaustion. Lucas had come with her but drove the first leg.

"I get the couch? Why does Iz get a bed..." Lucas joked (the couch was ridiculously comfortable and large.)

"Ummm, because she's with Mori."

"A what?"

"Oh, Takashi... Mori-sempai," Hikaru explained.

"Oh yeah, that's right."

The next day, the group got together to explore Boston, going on the famous Duck Tour and eating lunch. They decided to cook a family meal, the guys cooking, much to Haruhi, Izumi and Lucas' horror. The three of them worked on making ice cream.

Everyone discussed each other's plans... Lucas and Izumi and brought an external hard drive of HD recordings on all the seasons of the Dance Competition - everyone wanted to know what it was about. (They gave up interest after Izumi came back to Japan from last year's audition.)

They didn't know much about American reality tv shows, but Tamaki, Hani, and the twins were obsessed.

"So you call the number on the screen to vote."

"Yep, whoever has the most votes wins."

"And you can call multiple times?"

"Yep. It's sad because more households vote for reality tv shows than they do for the presidential elections."

"Why is that?"

"Entertainment value?" Izumi shrugged, "Who knows?"

"So when will you guys audition?"

"Oh that's not for months... like next year."

"Why so long?"

"Oh, usually the winners, or the top 24 or whatever go on tour. Then after that tour ends, the new season starts."

"And in the meantime, the both of you are in training?" Kyoya asked.

"Yep. Non stop. We'll teach to earn money and train every other part."

"So what styles do you guys do?"

"Iz does contemporary mostly and is good at hip hop. I do contemporary and jazz and lyrical."

"And you have to learn other styles?"

"Yeah," Lucas laughed, "I failed at ballroom; completely different beast. I'll be focusing on that more so when we get back, that and hip hop."

"Izumi, are you going to be doing ballroom?" Haruhi asked.

"Yeah. I have to be prepared. I'm terrified of it though, you have to dance in heels. I dance barefoot, so that will change a lot."

They spent the rest of the weekend talking, sight-seeing, and cooking. The group was happy to finally see Haruhi and Tamaki together as a couple, but Haruhi was still embarrassed by Tamaki's openness.

"So she didn't mind him being in the host club after they were dating?"

"No." Takashi answered.

"That's surprising."

"Why is that, you didn't mind Mori being in it?" Kaoru asked.

"Yeah, but he didn't host after they got serious and went public." Hikaru replied.

"Well, no it's not that... Takashi's not that flirty. I mean, Tamaki's all "drink from my mouth" and "let me be in your dreams tonight," and physically flirtatious. Even I'd get a bit jealous if Takashi was all rubbing up on some other girl."

"Oh that?" Haruhi said, sitting down. "That's just how Tamaki is. I'm used to it. He just throws affection at whoever will catch it, whether or not they want it." Tamaki's face fell and the group laughed.

"That is a fair assessment if I do say," Kyoya noted.

Hani joined in, twisting the knife in Tamaki's back even more, "It's good that Haruhi accepts Tamaki's flirtatious abandon. He's so used to acting that way, it'll probably go on forever."

They all laughed at Tamaki. As much as they teased him for his 'over the top' ways, the loved him for it. It made them all happy to go along with his whims. He was like a child in so many ways, and it kept the rest of them from drowning in their own private fights of family, power, and position.

Izumi and Lucas left, going back to teach class and practice. The host club got ready for school, buying books, checking the syllabus, and finishing homework.

September to May of the following year
They all adjusted well to their new situations. The host club was probably having too much fun being in Boston, but it was great. Kaoru met a girl and became more independent of his brother. Tamaki became a devoted house-wife to Haruhi, learning how to cook and be a better man. Takashi joined him, in that endeavor, the two of them testing out meals. Hani grew, and although he and Takashi didn't hang out as much as they used to, their friendship just grew stronger. Kyoya was as calculating as ever, but his world was expanding so much by being exposed to different ways of thinking. He too, might have even met a girl: a very spirited, just as calculating girl from his marketing class. And, of course, they were all top of their classes.

Some of the group went home for winter break, others had their parents visit. Takashi and Hani visited Izumi and Lucas for a week before flying back to Japan to spend new years together.

In February, Izumi and Lucas flew to New York to audition. The judges were ecstatic to see them both back. Glad to hear that Lucas had studied and that Izumi was out of her program. Izumi had called the host club, who were all waiting together, to see if she passed the audition.

There was no time for Izumi and Takashi to visit with one another as she had to prepare for Vegas. She didn't even get a chance to call him during Vegas week, only texting to let him know that she survived another day and was more physically drained than she had ever been before.

Takashi was really proud of her for following her heart. After Lucas had explained how much she loved dancing and why she stopped, he really wanted her to do it and be happy again.

Everyone celebrated Takashi turning 20, except for Izumi. As much as he really wished her to be there, she was so busy now that she had passed Vegas week. They had to move to the group house and there were contracts to sign. He was glad that Lucas made it through so that she had someone to watch over her.

Everyone had cooked a dish for Takashi's birthday. They were all very adept at taking care of themselves now (although some were better at cleaning than others). They were at his and Hikaru's apartment celebrating dinner.

"You and Hani are almost done with your first year of university."

"Yeah, just a few more weeks to go until the end of the year."

"Are you guys going to go back?

Hani explained, "Yeah, the school year here will be over at the end of the month. We'll be able to go back home and have a few months to catch up before the new trimester starts."

"But what about Izumi's competition? Don't you want to stay to watch that?""

"Oh yeah! We'll probably leave mid-June or July. We want to spend time with our families. It's been so long since we've seen them."