After the encounter, Tamaki made an effort to go to the Ichikawa Summer Home twice a week. Every Tuesday and Thursday, he went there at 3pm and played piano with Natsuki. Then Tamaki would start a conversation.

He didn't approach it an over the top way, just a slow comfortable conversation. They would talk about everything from music to philosophy to school. It was warm and comfortable.

Then one day, Natsuki changed it up. As they were in the middle of playing Brahms Waltzes op. 39, she said, "What are people at Ouran like?"

Tamaki hesitated before responding, "Everyone is incredibly kind and hardworking. It's a great environment to learn and grow into adulthood. Is there anyone in particular that you want to know more about?"

She kept quiet and focused on playing a bit before gathering her courage, "What kind of man is my brother?"

"Well," Tamaki began. "I don't know Fuyuki-senpai very well. But from what I know, he is a kind and caring person. He puts all his heart into ensuring the ones he cares about are well, even if they don't realize it."

Natsuki smiled. "Is he happy?"

"I think that he is content, but there is a huge part of his life missing." As Tamaki and Natsuki finished the piece, he continued, "Would you like to attend Ouran?"

Natsuki pulled her hands away from the ivory keys and tucked them away under the piano. "I can't."

"Why not?"

She looked around the room before mumbling, "I'm not allowed to leave the Summer Home."

"You're allowed to do as you wish if that is what makes you happy," Tamaki said. He noticed Natsuki's hesitant face. "But if it'll ease your heart, the Suoh-Ichikawa Agreement that our parents drafted has a clause requiring you to attend Ouran High School, which I would like to activate now."

She didn't respond immediately. Her hands reached out to her bandages. "I can't go to Ouran."

"Don't worry about that," Tamaki said. "We have already found the perfect tutor for you if you do fall behind, but based on your academic records, it's impossible."

She could feel Tamaki's warm aura exuding out of his core. He meant every word he said, but she just didn't feel comfortable with the idea.

"I shouldn't."

"Why not?"

She stood up from the piano and walked a few paces away. "I make people sad." Sensing Tamaki's desire to protest, she corrected herself, "…my condition makes people sad. I don't want people to be sad. It's better for me to stay here."

"It's not better for anyone to be isolated from everyone they care about," Tamaki said. "You keep thinking of others before yourself. Every time I ask you for your opinion, you say you can't. I want to know what you want."

Natsuki jolted when she felt Tamaki grasp both her hands. The informal contact made the blood in her body rush to her face. She bowed her head downward to hide her face.

"All you have to do," Tamaki started as he moved both her hands into his left and moved his right hand under her chin. "Is tell me what you want." He applied a gentle and supportive press in his grip.

"I…I want…" Natsuki mustered the courage from within and swallowed hard before shouting, "I want to go to Ouran!"

Tamaki smiled warmly as he wrapped his arms around a weakened Natsuki, who had overexerted herself.

"Your wish is my command, princess."

Natsuki twiddled her fingers as she sat silently. There were so many thoughts swirling in her head. She didn't know where to begin.

"Miss, we've arrived," her driver announced as he pulled the car to a halt. As soon as the car came to a complete stop, Natsuki felt a breeze from her car door being opened. It was too quickly opened to have been her driver.

"Hello, Miss Ichikawa," the smooth voice of Kyouya Ootori flowed into her ears, instilling a smile on her face. "May I help you out of your car?"

Natsuki swung her feet out of the car and patted the air with her hands, hoping to make contact with Kyouya's palms. Eventually she did and Kyouya helped her out of her car and onto the sidewalk.

"Miss, here is your cane and your backpack," her driver said.

"I will be holding Miss Ichikawa's bag for her," Kyouya stated. The driver wearily sized up Kyouya, but grudgingly surrendered the bag to him.

He turned his attentions back to Natsuki. Surprising to Kyouya, the driver held Natsuki's hand with both hands and a bowed hand as he gave her the cane. As he placed the white cane into her hands, he looked at her sincerely and said, "Have a wonderful day at school. I know you'll make many friends."

"Please eat Ayame-san's bento box," he added. "She spent all morning making it. It has a lot of nutrients, so it will help keep your strength up."

"Nobu-san, you don't have to worry about me," Natsuki said. "I promise to call if anything happens. Thank you for driving me." She felt Kyouya wrap her left arm around his right arm.

"We should start heading into class, we don't want to be late on your first day, now do we?" Kyouya said. As soon as Natsuki nodded her head, Kyouya began guiding her at a quick pace towards the school.

Nobu stood there by the Ichikawa car, staring as his mistress disappeared into the school. He sighed.

Whenever he looked at Natsuki, he just saw the curious little girl 12 years ago that he took care of day in and day out. He didn't want to see the day that someone would hurt her beyond repair. But here he was watching her enter the ultimate source of manipulation, the home court of rich children with too much free time, the legendary Ouran Academy.

Natsuki felt herself becoming more and more with enchanted with Ouran. She could feel it overwhelming her senses. When she attended Ouran, she didn't remember it being so wonderful.

Did the primary school division have the sweet smell of roses drifting throughout the campus or was this reserved only for the high school? Was the uniform just as soft and velvety on her skin? Did everything have such a beautiful sound?

The air was filled with a sweetness that she couldn't even find in her private rose gardens. The sounds of fluttering dove wings and running water of fountains filled her ears. As they entered the hallway, the sounds of hallway chatter and steps of people built a lovely rhythm that she didn't even know she missed about school.

"Kyouya-senpai, who is this?" a feminine voice asked.

"This is Natsuki Ichikawa," Kyouya said in his host voice. "Miss Ichikawa will be transferring to Ouran's 2A class."

"Is that true?" another feminine voice chimed in. Before Natsuki knew it, she was unraveled from Kyouya's arm and surrounded by a group of Ouran students. They were all chirping around her, so much she could barely pick up all their words.

"Welcome to Ouran!"

"How do you like the school?"

"Your hair is so pretty! How'd you get it so black and shiny?"

"You look very nice in your uniform!"

"Please let me know if you ever need help getting around."

"You should join the gardening club!"

"No, choir is much more interesting!"

"Are you related to Fuyuki-senpai?"

Her ears perked and she turned her head towards the voice that uttered the name she was looking for. "Do you know him?" she asked.

As Natsuki spoke with the girls who were curious about the host club's new project, Kyouya kept an eye on the attention they were drawing. He couldn't but be drawn to certain voices.

"Wow, her voice was pretty cute," one of the boys at the sidelines whispered to his friend. Kyouya glanced at the two, Mamoru Kondo of class 2B and Hiroaki Tanaka of class 3C.

"Yeah, she kind of looks like Snow White," the friend responded. "You'd think she'll go out with me?"

The Kondo family runs several clothing factories, not very substantial. The Tanaka family owns a reasonably successful film company, but has not produced a blockbuster in over a decade.

In other words, unsuitable for Natsuki.

So Kyouya quickly reached out for Natsuki and interlocked their arms again, "Please ladies, don't overwhelm Miss Ichikawa. She'd love to befriend you all in the Third Music Room this afternoon."

"It was very nice to meet you all," Natsuki said as she bowed her head respectfully. Her ears picked up several high-pitched noises that were emitted from the girls, something that sounded like squeals. It made her worried about their health, but Kyouya was pulling her too far away to ask.

Kyouya escorted Natsuki to the 2A classroom and sat her down at the desk next to his. He opened her bag and began to place her textbooks and pencils on her desk accordingly.

"Your textbooks are organized alphabetically at 9 o'clock, your pencil at 3 o'clock, spare parchment at 1 o'clock," Kyouya informed her. "I'll be in the desk to your left, so feel free to ask me if you have any questions."

Natsuki ran her hands along her desk, familiarizing herself with what Kyouya said.

"This is perfect," she gushed. "Thank you for escorting me to class and introducing me to so many people, Kyo."

"It was no problem as it is simply my duty as Class President, Miss Ichikawa," Kyouya replied coolly.

Natsuki twiddled her index fingers underneath the desk, "I see." She tucked loose strands of her black hair behind her ear and revealed a warm smile. "Nonetheless, I want to say thank you. It's really nice to be in school."

"Well, we're glad to hear that," Kyouya said. "You've made quite the impression on the students already. Now it is time to make the impression permanent." The phrasing of the words troubled Natsuki. "As you have returned to Ouran to further the music program, we'd like to invite you to perform in at the Ouran Host Club meeting this afternoon."

"I'll be performing today?" she asked.

"Yes, at the host club," Kyouya said.

"I haven't prepared a piece."

"I'm sure you'll be able to pull something from your repertoire."

"Why am I performing in the host club? Is it equipped for a musical performance?"

"The host club is located in the Third Music Room. As one of the most popular clubs at Ouran, it gathers at least 65% of the student body to each of its meetings. It'll be a great way to introduce you to everyone."

He looked down at the shorter girl. She didn't seem very interested in what he said.

"Any mention of the host club will guarantee the presence of your brother," he added. He took note that a smile that snuck onto her face.

"Fuyuki,"

"Hn," Fuyuki grunted as he read his economics textbook. He usually spent his free time studying when he wasn't in class. Actually, if it wasn't for Kuze, Fuyuki would've never joined the American Football Club.

"Did you hear about the new transfer student?" Kuze continued, accustomed to Fuyuki's lack of interest. He casually tossed a football and caught it as he spoke.

"Some boys think she's pretty cute. They keep going on and on about how gentle she is with her words and how shiny her hair is."

"Mm."

Kuze caught the football mid-air and held it in his lap. "I mean, I have nothing against girls with disabilities. But I don't see myself dating a blind girl."

"What?" Fuyuki asked. He looked up from his economics book.

"Of course that catches the chivalrous Fuyuki's attention," Kuze said pleased with the new attention. "The new transfer student is blind. Actually, there's a rumor going around campus."

"About?"

"They say she's your sister, but that's imposs – " Kuze was interrupted with Fuyuki jolting up from his seated position, launching his textbooks in the process.

"Where is she?"

"I don't know," Kuze said. "Probably at the host club. She walked in with Ootori."

Immediately upon hearing the name, Fuyuki ran off to find the Third Music Room.

Kuze sat by the fountain by himself. "Huh, guess it wasn't a rumor."

Classes today went by well enough. Everyone was very friendly and kind to her, but she couldn't help but notice the whispers during the breaks between classes.

She hadn't anticipated that Kyouya and Tamaki would be so popular. But it made perfect sense. Tamaki had a warm aura, matched with a bubbly personality that made it easy to adore him.

But Kyouya's different. There was some sort of magical power than Kyouya had over everyone. They all adored him. Of course, he had that power in primary school as well. Kyouya always knew exactly what to say.

Natsuki was glad he was popular. If anyone deserved to have many friends, it would be Kyouya. She felt very lucky to have him in her life again. Kyouya was always very kind to her when they were younger. Maybe she could utilize this opportunity to ask him for his forgiveness…

"How'd you get into Ouran?" a sharp feminine voice asked, interrupting Natsuki's thoughts. Her voice was sharp. Maybe a first soprano with a bit of training.

Natsuki shook out of her train of thought, forgetting the question. "I'm sorry?"

"How'd you get into Ouran?" the girl repeated. Her voice softened a bit as she continued, "I mean, you're blind. There are clearly better schools that are catered for people like you. So why are you attending Ouran?"

Natsuki paused. It was a loaded question. She didn't know how to respond. "I think…Ouran is a…nice school to attend."

"There are many other nice schools that will be better suited for you," the girl persisted. "What makes Ouran unique is our attractive host club. Don't deny it! Everyone saw you scrolling in with linked arms to our Kyouya!"

"I didn't come to Ouran for the host club," Natsuki responded.

"So you didn't come to Ouran to meet Kyouya?" she pressed.

Natsuki kept silent.

"You aren't denying it! Clearly, you're using your disability to draw in the host club's attention through Tamaki's compassion. Now the host club is following orders to integrate you into the school."

"You really don't have anything to say?" another feminine voice chimed in. It was less softer, deeper, a first alto.

"I am not interested in dating anyone," Natsuki said, "I don't even know how Tamaki found me. He just showed up in my home one day, wanting me to fulfill some sort of music contract."

"If you're such a talented musician, why haven't we heard any of your work?" the first girl asked. "I think you're lying. We know nothing about you. You might not even be Ichikawa-senpai's sister. If you have any sort of conscience, you will remove yourself from the company of the host club. You're wasting their kindness."

The clutter of footsteps informed Natsuki that she stormed off in frustration.

After that interaction, Natsuki began to think more and more about everything. Then she began to worry that it was a bad idea to have come to Ouran.

Tamaki could be helping other people. She was fine before. She was content. She didn't need to cause so much trouble.

It'll be good for her to leave after today.

As soon as classes ended, Kyouya escorted her to the Third Music Room.

She sat at the piano with her hands clasped between her legs. She didn't know what people were interested in. Did they want a classical piano melody? Did they want a song with words? If she played an original song, would they even like it? She probably isn't even very good.

Then she heard someone hit a key.

"Pick a song that starts with that note," Kyouya said. He turned away from her and faced the surrounding customers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending our meeting," Kyouya announced. "For today's meeting, we have a special treat. We have been very fortunate to have Miss Natsuki Ichikawa agree to perform publicly for the first time in almost 12 years. Miss Ichikawa is a known master songstress. We'd like you all to have fun and hit a piano key at random. Miss Ichikawa will pull up a song from her repertoire that starts with that key. Please enjoy the performance."

The room filled with polite applause as Natsuki found a slow original song in her head.

She unclasped her hands and touched the ivory keys. Familiarizing herself with it. Then she began to play a simple melody.

"I know you're somewhere out there, somewhere far away," she sang. "I want you back, I want you back. My neighbors think I'm crazy, but they don't understand. You're all I have, you're all I have."

Natsuki heard a loud noise, but continued playing. Fuyuki had thrown open the doors of the Third Music Room, ready to fight anyone in there. But the first thing he saw was his Natsuki sitting under a spotlight, playing the piano.

"At night, when the stars light up my room, I sit by myself. Talking to the moon, trying to get to you in hopes you're on the other side, talking to me too. Or am I a fool, who sits alone, talking to the moon?"

She stopped when two arms pulled her up from the piano bench and spun her away. Before she could react, the perpetrator pulled her into an embrace.

"What are you doing here?" Fuyuki's voice traveled to her ears. It was deeper than what she remembered. But it was Fuyuki's voice through and through.

"Looking for you," she said relaxing into the embrace.

"Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars