The next day, the entire Ouran Academy was still discussing the closure of the Host Club. After the regulars got no answers from the hosts, they worried among themselves about how "Haruhi-kun" would take the news. Haruhi herself was praying quietly, to her mother and any other powers who could hear her, that all would be well. She saw how the twins kept mum despite their anger being written all over their faces, how Mori and Hani tried to act as though nothing had happened, and how Tamaki seemingly became more mature overnight. But, the one boy whom she did not see did not even appear in school today...
Meanwhile, over at the Otori residence...
Kyouya frowned as he stared at the computer screen. He had some pieces of the jigsaw, but he couldn't seem to piece them together. He had joined his father and brothers for a meeting concerning the pharmaceutical projects the company were currently undertaking. One of them was dealing with the illness Tamaki's mother was suffering from (systemic lupus erythematosus), and his father had said cryptically that he should maintain his ties with Tamaki...
The boy took off his specs and closed his eyes. His father had also challenged him to investigate further if he wanted to know what was going on. That was exactly what he did. But, he hated admitting defeat, that he, the Shadow King, could hit a brick wall once in a while. He had before him a list of labs working on a cure for systemic lupus erythematosus. All were controlled by the Otori Group, but a second party held significant minority shares as well, a company named "Anneau"...
Wait. The answer could have been right in front of him all this while. If the Chairman was involved, then Tamaki's mother was definitely the key. Anneau... Putting on his specs, Kyouya checked the meaning of the word in French. "Ring"... which is what Tamaki's name meant. So, this second company... The boy did some hard thinking. The reason why Tamaki's mother chose exile was because her family fortunes had fallen into hard times. Masaka...
Over at the academy...
"Sayuri-san, how is everything so far?"
"... Fine. Thank you, Tamaki-senpai." With Kyouya away, it was up to Tamaki to entertain the "exchange student". When he turned up at Class 1-A, the twins got up from their seats and left the classroom. The atmosphere was tense. All the more that she should not screw up, thought Haruhi. The club had enough problems already. Add her little "game" into the mix, and things could get out of hand real quickly...
"Are you sure you are alright?" The host could see that the "exchange student" was deep in thought.
"... It's just that I've seen so much since I came here. My world was completely at odds with what's going on here," said Haruhi half-jokingly.
"That's what exchange trips are for. I hope you take back fond memories of this place, and of us."
"I will. Arigato gozaimasu." 'Sayuri' stopped to take a deep bow. A bemused Tamaki quickly returned the compliment. Just then, his phone rang.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Tamaki, wherever you are, turn on the news. NOW." The line went dead.
"Who was that," asked Haruhi.
"It was Kyouya. Now, where can I find... Aha!" Tamaki nearly forgot that his phone was linked to the Net. He did some quick searches. As he read the latest happenings in the business world, the colour drained from his face. Seeing her companion in a daze, Haruhi snatched the phone from him. After making out the controls of the browser, she read the headlines with interest.
"Grantaine Enterprises Poised To Enter Pharmaceutical Industry With New Drug."
Ok, that was pretty ordinary. But... Haruhi stopped herself when she saw the second headline.
"Board of Directors of Suoh Group Set to Oust Chairwoman."
"Tamaki-senpai..."
"I'm sorry, Sayuri-san. I need to get back home." With that, he was off...
Suoh Group HQ, Conference Room No.1.
Yuzuru looked before him. He was now in the end-game. The stage is set...
"For the first motion of this Extraordinary General Meeting, as Chairman, I propose that the Chairwoman accept retirement to become an advisor to the Group. Those in favour, please raise your hand." The entire board raised their hands, except for the Chairwoman.
"...What is the meaning of this, Yuzuru?"
"For too long, you have worked hard for the Group. It is time for you to take a much-needed break and move onto less strenuous duties."
"I do not accept this motion. The shareholders..."
"I have here with me the approval letters from all our major shareholders, including Sir Gerald Anderson and Mr Gordon Steiner, among others. All are in agreement that I take over the running of the company." An aide took over the thick file and placed it before the lady. She went numb as she flipped through the pages. Her son had not been lying...
"Guards, the new advisor seemed to be in a state of shock. I kindly request your aid to escort her to the limo. My driver would take her home from there." He knew that his duties to the company were over, for now...
After the meeting... "Tomoko, how goes the arrangements?"
"The madam's flight is already on its way. But..."
"Speak your mind." The Chairman saw that his secretary was trying hard to find the right words.
"Chairman, pardon my insolence. But, did you really had to oust your own mother like that?"
"Tomoko, I did what I had to. That being said, I'm not an unfeeling man. I know exactly what I have to do next." Something in her boss's tone prompted Tomoko that the new Chairman's reign would be a more benign one...
In the main Suoh residence...
Tamaki paced up and down the hall. He wondered how his grandmother would take the news. Then the announcement came.
"Young Master, Madam has returned home."
When grandmother and grandson met face to face, both were at a loss for words. Finally...
"Oba-sama, I will not forgive Otosan for what he did today." The boy's tone was firm. The lady looked at him. Perhaps...
"Tamaki, follow me to the garden."
At the garden, as they gazed at the fountain, she spoke.
"Tamaki, do you know why I am opposed to your parents marrying?"
"Why?"
At Narita Airport...
He awaited her arrival, but he knew that he would get an earful first. Regardless, to have her here with him was enough...
"Sir, there she is."
When the couple met, there was much they wanted to say to each other. All reunited lovers had that. But, this time...
"Anata, I saw the news on my way here. You..."
"I know, Anne. That is why I sent for you. I want to do this properly." Though they had been separated for so long, Anne-Sophie Grantaine knew what he had in mind. The man she loved had not lost it after all, she thought.
"Now, there is another person I want to bring along. Come, we shall invite her, together."
"Who is she?" A smile finally appeared on his face.
"You'll see."
On their way to the main residence, Fujioka Haruhi stole glances at Tamaki's mother. She was really good-looking, thought the young lady...
"Haruhi-chan, do you love Tamaki?" She was also very blunt, noted Haruhi.
"Now, you're scaring her, Anne. I merely wish for Mother to accept her as being worthy of Tamaki's company. As for courtship, it is up to them." Haruhi's gaze went straight to the floor...
Outside the door, the trio could hear the piano playing away. Before entering, Yuzuru motioned for the ladies to remain behind.
"Fujioka, take care of her. She is not in the pink of health."
"I will, Chairman."
Yuzuru took a deep breath and opened the door.
In the hall, he saw his mother seated, listening to his son play the piano. The playing stopped as the pair took a look at who their guest was, and resumed. He came before his mother.
"Mother..."
"You're disturbing the performance." The tone was plain, as though she was scolding a bum who did not know how to behave himself at a concert.
"Mother, I wish to explain myself, to you and to Tamaki." The playing stopped.
"Speak."
"As a member of the company, I will not apologise for the ouster, but..." He knelt on one knee.
"As your son, I humbly seek your forgiveness."
"She is outside, isn't she? That woman."
"Yes, she is." Yuzuru figured out who his mother was talking about. He got up on his feet.
"Ask her to come in. There is much we need to talk about."
In the old madam's presence, Anne did a deep bow, while Yuzuru stood next to her. Despite himself, Tamaki kept perfectly still.
"Anne, did you know why I opposed your marriage to my son?"
"I do not, my lady."
"For the first time in my life, a woman is able to turn my son against me. Do you know how that feels?" The old lady was trembling slightly. It was a good thing that she had already told the tale once before.
"Madam..."
"Also, for a woman, he was willing to leave his own mother behind to live in a foreign land..."
"Mother, I was in love with Anne, but never did it cross my mind to abandon you in Japan, while I enjoy myself in France." A simple misunderstanding was at the root of all this? Yuzuru couldn't believe his ears. He continued, looking straight at his mother all the time.
"Mother, you cannot hope to hold onto me for the rest of my life. Your little boy will grow up one day. He needs to spread his wings and live his own life. But, I will never forget that I owe a debt to you, my mother."
The old dame closed her eyes, as she pondered his words. Suddenly, she let out a deep laugh, which caught everyone off-guard. After she was done, she sighed.
"Looks like I was paranoid even before I grew old. What a fool I was! For so long, too." She looked up at her son... and her future daughter-in-law.
"Perhaps, it was time for me to step aside."
"Mother, does that mean..." The old dame nodded.
"But, it will take me some time to warm to the term 'advisor'." She then turned towards her grandson.
"Go to your mother." Without further prompting, Tamaki got up from his seat. As mother and son hugged for the first time in so many years, the tears flowed freely. Nothing needed to be said, although there was so much catching up to do. Looking at the family reunion before her, the old dame realised that her son was right. She had lived for the Suoh Group for too long. It was time to take things a little easier, and to truly live her life...
"Mother, now that you have accepted Anne, I wish for another girl to be brought before you." Yuzuru hated to interrupt, but he reckoned that the "exchange student" had been waiting outside for some time now.
"Who is she?" Now, she had no idea who her son was talking about. Yuzuru left for the door. Anne saw the puzzled look on her son's face. She smiled and patted her son's hand.
"You'll see."
As Fujioka Haruhi stood before the matriarch, Tamaki was more than a little surprised.
"Sayuri-san, why are you here?" He couldn't figure out why an exchange student needed to see his grandmother. Anne too was getting confused, but Yuzuru gave her a "I'll tell you later" look.
"Young man, you need glasses. Even an old lady such as myself know who she is." She then turned towards the child.
"You can rest easy, for you may now stay on in Ouran."
"Thank you." Heartfelt words, complete with a grateful bow. Seeing that Tamaki still didn't get it, she took off her glasses.
"Tamaki-senpai." The change in looks and voice did the trick. Tamaki's lower jaw fell open.
"Earth to Tamaki-senpai: Do you read me?" Haruhi couldn't resist the snark. After all, she had been very polite for the past few days.
"How... Why..."
"It's a plan to let the school know of her true gender, my son." Yuzuru couldn't help but smile at the blabbering idiot which his son had turned into.
"Anata, you mean the students at Ouran all think that Haruhi-chan is a boy?" The reply, was a nod.
"Chairman, if you'll excuse me, I'll like to borrow a camera." Haruhi decided to shift the spotlight.
"Why, of course!" It was a joyous occasion, and should be remembered as such.
As the four posed for the family portrait, Haruhi took the photo. Even as Tamaki took in the familial bliss, he knew that after the roller-coaster ride, there was now someone who he could not live without...
"Tamaki?" As always, the Chairman needed a while to snap his son out of a daze.
"Eh? Oh." He saw Haruhi, still in the Ouran uniform for girls, complete with glasses and camera in hand. He walked up to her, and held her hand.
"Oba-sama, Oto-san, Okasan, I would like to seek your permission to court this fine lady." Haruhi went red to her ears while the trio nodded their approvals. The prince then turned towards her.
"I'm sorry. These few days must have been hard on you."
"It wasn't your fault."
As the couple looked into each other's eyes, Fujioka Haruhi knew that she had made her choice.