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Chapter 3
The next day Haruhi woke to the sound of her new phone ringing. She hadn't given Hikaru and Kaoru's phone back or given any of the hosts her new number yet. "Who?" Haruhi asked herself as she reached for her phone on her bedside table. She picked up the phone and hit the talk button.
"Moshi moshi?" Haruhi said into the phone.
"Hey Haruhi, it's me, Hiroki," the voice on the other end of the line said. (A/N: "Hiroki" means "Abundant joy/ strength.")
"Hiroki? How did you get my number?" Haruhi asked.
"That's a nice way to say hello to your old childhood friend," Hiroki teased.
"Gomen, it's great to hear from you. But how DID you get this number?" Haruhi asked again.
"Your dad gave it to me. I heard what happened…I…gomen," Hiroki said sadly.
"Arigato. That means a lot," Haruhi said.
"And I was wondering…do you need anything?" Hiroki asked.
"No, I'm fine. Arigato," Haruhi said in an unconvincing tone.
"You're lying. You can't fool me, I know you too well," Hiroki said.
"I don't want to trouble you," Haruhi admitted.
"It's no trouble! I want to help!...In fact…I'm gonna move in with you!" Hiroki announced happily.
"Nani? I thought you lived in Rome!" Haruhi said in shock.
"Nope! I'm moving back to Japan and now I'm gonna move in with you," Hiroki said.
"Demo-" Haruhi started, but was cut off by a knock on her door.
"Open the door!" Hiroki said from the door. Haruhi jumped out of bed and rushed to the door and flung it open. Hiroki quickly grabbed Haruhi and hugged her tightly.
Hiroki had medium length brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a simple black t-shirt and jeans. Haruhi and Hiroki grew up together. They looked very much alike, but Hiroki was taller. Hiroki was also 3½ years older than Haruhi. Haruhi thought of him as an older brother. In fact, she called him that all the time. Hiroki took care of her and he was very protective of her.
Hiroki's family was rich, or at least richer than Haruhi's family. Their families had been friends for generations and their great-grandfathers used to work together. They were very close until his father was transferred to Rome because of his job. The two stayed in touch by phone and e-mail, but it just wasn't the same. Hiroki's father had died and Hiroki and his older brother took over the company.
After Hiroki heard of Ryoji's death, he decided he should move in with Haruhi and take care of her. He talked to his brother and worked it out. He got a moving van immediately and called Haruhi when he was a few minutes away. Then he showed up on her doorstep and banged on the door until it opened.
"Why are you here, Nii-san?" Haruhi asked as he hugged.
"I already told you! I'm moving in! I'm gonna take care of you!" he said excitedly.
"Demo I don't need to be taken care of," Haruhi said.
"Yes you do, and I'm here to do it!" he said. There was no arguing with Hiroki. Once he made up his mind, he would never relent until he got it. He had always done stuff like this. He would decide something, Haruhi would try to talk him out of it, he refused, she gave up, and he dragged her along.
Haruhi sighed and agreed.
"Since it's the weekend, you can help me unpack, right?" Hiroki asked.
"Sure. Let's get started," Haruhi said with a sigh. They walked outside and Haruhi gasped. "Is that your car?" she asked.
"No," Hiroki said.
"Then whose is it?" Haruhi asked confusedly.
"It's our car," Hiroki said with a grin. Haruhi rolled her eyes and slapped his arm. He laughed and asked, "Hey, you don't have a license yet, right?"
"Yeah, so?" Haruhi asked.
"Good! I'll teach you!" Hiroki said with a grin. "But let's unload first," he said. Haruhi nodded. Hiroki turned on some music and they got started. They got about half way done before they took a break to eat lunch. They talked for a while before a certain subject came up. That subject was her dad.
It hurt to think of her dad. He would never come back. He could be annoying and childish sometimes, but Haruhi loved him anyway. She blamed herself for his death. She felt that if she could have convinced him not to take the job, he would still be alive. Hiroki could tell that was how she was feeling.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up. You know he would never have relented. He's like me, stubborn. Once he sets his sight on something, he won't stop till he gets it. There's nothing you could have done," Hiroki said with sympathy in his voice.
"I KNOW that…demo…I don't FEEL that," Haruhi admitted. She felt the tears spill down her face. Hiroki held her until she calmed down.
"I told you you needed me," Hiroki teased. Haruhi hit Hiroki but she still giggled.
"It will be nice to have someone around here again," Haruhi admitted.
"And you don't have a choice," Hiroki said with a laugh.
"I never do when it comes to you!" Haruhi teased. The pair laughed together for a while.
They finished unloading the van and unpacking. That night there was a thunderstorm. Haruhi screamed when the thunder cracked. Hiroki ran into Haruhi's room and found her hiding under her sheets.
"Haruhi, are you ok?" He asked.
"I-I'm fine," she lied. More thunder sounded and Haruhi cringed.
"You're still afraid of thunder? I thought you would've grown out of that by now," he said with a laugh.
"Sure, laugh at the terrified girl hiding in her sheets," Haruhi said.
"Gomen, I was trying to make you laugh," Hiroki said. He sat on her bed and pulled the sheets back. "Come here," he said with his arms out. She crawled over to him and he wrapped his arms around her. He grabbed his IPod out of his pocket and gave her the ear buds. He turned it on and leaned back against the headboard. She relaxed and curled up to him. He spent the night there with her. He tried to once, but she grabbed his shirt. She asked him to stay, so he did.
End of chapter 3! Hope ya like it! So TADA! The guest I mentioned before was Hiroki! What do ya think of him? Please R&R! Luv ya! =^^=