"Are you ready Haruhi?" Kyoya asks her in the back of his limo, as they pull into the school early Monday morning.
"I think so and thank you for picking me up this morning." She smiles, before kissing him.
"Not a problem, besides today could be interesting." He smirks looking first, of course at the necklace with the ring hanging around her neck and back up to look her face. "I plan on announcing that your debt is paid off today during the club meeting after school."
"Thank you so much for doing that Kyoya, are Hunny and Mori-sempai going to visit us today?" she asks
"Yes, but as I recall they already know your debt is paid off." He notes
"Yeah they do I just wanted to know if they were coming today." She smiles, before opening the door. "I guess I'll see you later Kyoya."
"See you later Haruhi and good luck today." He says kissing her swiftly on the lips, before letting her walk up to the school.
"Congratulations again on the engagement sir." Tachibana tells him from the front. "But are you ever going to tell her what she'll be given when your family finds out?"
"Thank you and try to remember that you are sworn to secrecy about knowing it." Kyoya tells him "And no I don't have any plans to tell her yet." He states, before following Haruhi out of the car.
"Your secrets are always safe with me Kyoya-sama." He confirms, as Kyoya simply nods and walks into the school.
When Haruhi walks into her classroom she sees two familiar twins talking quietly to one another in the back of the room. Taking a deep breath and holding her necklace tight she smiles and walks over to them. "Good morning Hikaru, Kaoru." She nods to them, before setting her bag down and turning to face Kaoru. Still not knowing how to face Hikaru without remembering what happened on Friday.
"Morning Haruhi," Kaoru smiles at her.
"Hikaru I-"before she can say anything else Hikaru moves over and hugs her.
"I'm sorry Haruhi." He says simply.
"Thank you for that Hikaru really, but I'm still not telling you who it is." She smirks hugging him back.
"Like I expected you too, but I am glad that things are still all right with us." he laughs letting her go and noticing the necklace hanging from her neck. "Holy hell Haruhi, what is that?" he asks pointing to the necklace, or rather the ring.
"What my necklace? My dad gave it to me." She says simply, as Kaoru walks over to get a closer look.
"You do know what that ring is right?" Kaoru asks her
"No what?" she asks faking confusion, as they look at her in disbelief. "I'm only kidding," she laughs "Yes I know it's an engagement ring, it belonged to my grandmother."
"And your dad is only giving it to you now?" Hikaru asks
"Well he couldn't exactly find it. We found it yesterday when we were cleaning his room." She sighs
"Nice," they laugh in unison "It is a really nice necklace though Haruhi, but are you sure you should be wearing it? People are going to find it odd that you're wearing an engagement ring around your neck."
"I don't care what people think today, really I'm just happy to have it around my neck." She smiles clutching it in her hand again.
"Well as long as you're all right with it." They shrug "It really is a pretty ring though Haruhi." They tell her, as more people begin coming into the classroom.
"Thanks guys," she laughs, as Miss Kuragano came over to say hello to the three of them.
"Good morning you three, I hope Valentine's Day was fun for you guys." She smiles
"It was really boring actually, we spent all day at our place playing video games, but we did get to help our mother design some outfits for her new spring line." The twins tell her.
"Can't wait to see them, what about you Haruhi? Have a fun weekend?" she asks
'That's an understatement,' she thinks "Actually mine was pretty boring as well. I went over to the park on Saturday and enjoyed watching couples embarrass themselves." She was referring to herself and Kyoya as well "and Sunday I just stayed home and helped my dad clean the apartment." She tells her.
"Where did you get that necklace?" she asks seeing it hanging from her neck.
"Oh my dad gave it to me, after we found it in his room." She explains "And before you ask the ring belonged to my grandmother."
"Well it's beautiful, planning to give it to someone special later?" she asks laughing
"Not for a long time yet." Haruhi laughs, as the teacher finally walks in. Saying bye to Momoka she turns back around to sit in her usual spot between the twins, as the class starts.
"Haruhi-kun that is such a pretty ring it's a shame you only just found it." One of her guests was telling her that afternoon.
"I think it's romantic that he found an engagement ring that's been in his family the day after Valentine's Day." Another guest was arguing.
'Oh these girls just live in a world of their own don't they? No one finds it odd that a boy is wearing an engagement ring as a necklace around his neck?' she sighs, before talking to them "Well let's just say my father was very happy when we found it, and I'm sure my mother would be as well."
"Oh right, did it belong to your father's mom or your mother's?" one asks
"It was my mother's, which was probably the reason my father was so relieved we found it." She laughs
"Well it's gorgeous." They state
"Thank you Kamiko-sempai, Saiyuki-sempai," she smiles her host smile.
Finally it was 5:00 and time for the guests to leave Haruhi got up to start cleaning the clubroom when Tamaki walks over to her. "Haruhi, what is this that the twins keep telling me, you're engaged?" he asks grabbing her shoulders and pouting.
Haruhi looks swiftly over at Kyoya, who visibly tenses up at Tamaki's words. "Sempai I don't know what the twins have told you, but it's only an engagement ring that's been in my family." She sighs showing the necklace to him. "And Hikaru Kaoru stop making things up." She snaps as the twins turn away from her acting like they were innocent.
"Looks like Haruhi was telling the truth about the ring, even if Tono did propose to her there's no way he would have been able to act that freaked out." Kaoru whispers to his brother at the other side of the room.
"I just wanted to make sure, I'm still positive it's Milord she's going out with secretly." Hikaru tells him looking over at the pair, as Haruhi was showing him her necklace.
'So the twins think it's Tamaki she's going out with.' Kyoya thinks overhearing the twin's conversation, as he closes his laptop. 'I suppose that can't be helped. I almost broke up with her because I thought she loved him.' Getting up to move over to where Haruhi was still trying to calm Tamaki down. "If I could interrupt, we have a meeting to start and I have an announcement I want you all to hear." He tells them
"Is something wrong Kyoya?" Tamaki asks finally letting Haruhi go.
"Nothing's wrong per se, but it depends on what Haruhi wants to do." Kyoya tells him, turning his gaze to look at Haruhi, who only blinked.
"What do you mean Sempai?" she asks faking the confusion in her voice.
"What's going on Kyoya-sempai?" The twins ask moving over to the three of them.
"Is Haru-chan all right?" Hunny asks, as he and Mori walk over to them.
Taking a deep sigh Kyoya answers them "As of today Haruhi has paid us back for that Renaissance vase she broke and is no longer in debt with the host club."
"…my debt's paid off?" she asks faking disbelief
"Yes, congratulations Haruhi." He smirks and to everybody's surprise she walks over to Kyoya and holds out her hand.
"Thank you for keeping track after all this time. I know it must've been a pain in the ass." She smiles at him
"It was no trouble at all," he smirks taking her hand and enjoying the warmth in them for a moment, before letting go.
"So that's it, she's going to leave us now?" Tamaki asks sadly
"As I recall Haruhi, you once said that you would stay in the club even if your debt was paid off." Kyoya points out
"Yes I did and I still plan too if that's all right with you Sempai?" she asks.
"That's perfectly acceptable Haruhi, but what do you want to do now? There's no real reason for you to keep pretending to be a boy." Kyoya asks her
"No there isn't and if it's all right with all of you I'd like to let the school know I'm a girl." Haruhi tells him
"But Haruhi, then you wouldn't be our secret princess anymore." Tamaki pouts
"And I'm sorry for that Sempai really, but I don't want to go through my last year of high school pretending to be a boy." She tells him, "Besides I'll always be the host club's secret princess, after all you helped me keep it secret for more than a year." She laughs
"True, but if you still want to stay with us what are you going to do?" The twins ask, "It's not like you can just continue to host girls."
"Well I figured if the girls still want to talk to me that's fine and I can just work as a hostess," she explains. She and Kyoya had already discussed this once before and as long as she didn't make all the guys fall for her then he was okay with it; at least he should be considering she is already his.
"You mean you're just going to entertain guys?" the twins ask in disbelief
"If they want to be hosted why not, after all it'll make profits go up and help promote the club by getting more people in here, before Tamaki and Kyoya-sempai graduate this year." She responds earning six pairs of eyes looking at her in shock "What?" she finally asks
"Nothing, except why do you sound so much like our shadow king?" the twins asks
"Haruhi don't be influenced into thinking too much like Kyoya." Tamaki warns
"Oh come on it's no big deal; besides you all know it's true we can get a lot more people in here if I become a hostess." She laughs
"…fine, but how do you want to announce that you're a girl?" Tamaki asks "I mean we can just tell the guests tomorrow during club, but that won't seem as…real."
"If you don't mind, why don't we just throw a ball and say we have a big announcement to make." Haruhi suggests "I mean with you and Kyoya-sempai graduating people may think it'll have something to do with disbanding the club or something and we can get more people to come to it and I'd rather not have to announce it twice if most people don't show up for the ball."
"Haruhi, you really do need to stop. That's the second time in ten minutes you've sounded like me." Kyoya smirks "but you do have a good point, since we never had a Christmas ball-"he glances at Tamaki "It may be another good reason to have one."
"We should probably invite everybody to this one, students and teachers alike." Tamaki adds "my father should probably attend as well."
"Okay, well if we start tomorrow, we can have this all planned out in about two weeks." Kyoya says making a note "Is that all right with you Haruhi?"
"That's perfect thank you so much for understanding guys." She smiles
"Whatever makes you happy Haruhi," Tamaki says going over to kiss the top of her head. "I have to go talk with my father, so I'll see you all tomorrow and I'll help you with the plans later Kyoya." He waves before heading out the door.
"Do you want a ride home Shadow Princess?" the twins ask smirking
"Oh shut up you two say what you want, but you know it makes sense for me to act as a hostess." She snaps playfully "and it's not like I haven't developed habits from all of you."
"True," they note, knowing she had developed a sort of cheeky streak from them. "So do you want a ride home?" the ask again
"Yes, thank you." She tells them grabbing her bag "I'll see you tomorrow then Kyoya-sempai." She smiles "And I'm sure I'll see you both again soon too," waving to Hunny and Mori, before following the twins out the door.
"I don't understand something Kyo-chan." Hunny says suddenly, as Kyoya starts packing up his things.
"What's that Sempai?" he asks, getting a bad feeling he knew where this was going.
"Her debt has been paid off since the beginning of the year, so why have you waited so long to announce it?" he asks
"Because Haruhi wanted me too and she wanted things to stay the same, but after the stabbing…" he trailed off. "She realized that if she didn't announce that she is a girl then people would always think of her as a boy, she'll be looking at colleges next year and doesn't want to be mistaken as something she's not."
"And she actually told you all this?" he asks surprised
"Yes, despite what people think Haruhi and I are good friends and do on occasion go out and are able to talk about things like that." He tells them
"Is that why she's beginning to sound and act a lot like you?" Mori surprisingly asks
"I don't know that was a first for me today too, but she did have some very good points." He smirks
"So you're all right with this ball idea, you know a lot of guys are going to really notice her after she reveals her secret." Hunny points out
"I'm not worried." He states
"Are you sure, I noticed how you tensed up when Tama-Chan thought that she was engaged." Hunny tells him "You don't think she is?"
"I only tensed up because for a half a second I thought it was true, but I know she's not." He tells them, 'At least not to any of them.'
"Right, well I guess we'll see you soon Kyo-chan." Hunny waves grabbing his things and going out the door.
"See you soon Hunny-sempai, Mori-sempai." Kyoya sighs before grabbing his things, locking up the club doors and heading home.
Two weeks later the ballroom was all set up, Musicians were flown in, waiters were ready to serve, and Haruhi was in her house getting into the dress the twins had made for her a few days earlier. Her dress was a lilac colored, strapless, floor length dress. The charming bodice added a touch of sparkle, at least according to the twins and the fabric was again taffeta, which seemed to be the twin's specialty. Looking at herself in the mirror she puts on her necklace, which she felt really completed, the outfit. Her father had already given her the daughter tag, before he left for work that evening. 'Tonight's the night' she thinks to herself, before putting on the matching shoes with the kitten heels and adding a touch of make-up.
"Haruhi are you ready yet?" she hears the twins outside her room.
'Damn it Kyoya, why did you let them in?' she growls, knowing he was the only one who had an extra key. After putting in yet another pin in her hair she went over and opened her door. "We still have another half an hour before we have to be there what's the big-"she was stopped, as she was staring only at the twins. "I thought you were all coming to pick me up and how did you get in here?"
"Relax Kyoya-sempai gave us his key and the others are in the limo waiting for us." They explained Hikaru lifting up his hand to show her the key. "You look fantastic by the way."
"Thank you, but why are you all here so early?" she asks curiously
"Well we thought you might need some help with the dress or make-up or something, but it looks as though you did fine on your own." Hikaru explains circling her, as if trying to find something to fix.
"Since when have you able to put on make-up so well?" Kaoru asks circling her the other way.
"Since I found out I don't like two certain twins touching my face all the time." She retorts picking up her purse, "are we going to go or what?"
"Aww, Haruhi doesn't like us anymore." They pout
'You two are beginning to sound too much like Tamaki-sempai." She laughs "Come on we should really get going."
"Weren't you the one who said we had plenty of time?" they asks
"Yes, but we don't want to keep the others waiting." She points out heading over to the door.
"All right," they sigh following her out and down to the waiting limo.
"Wow Haru-chan, you look pretty." Hunny tells her, as she and the twins climb into the limo. "Doesn't she Takashi?" he asks turning to face his cousin, who only grunts in reply and sends Haruhi a warm smile.
"Thank you Hunny-sempai, Mori-sempai." She smiles sitting in the empty seat next to Kyoya and facing Tamaki, who is blushing furiously. "Something the matter Sempai?" she asks him
"Nothing, you look incredible tonight." He tells her, before turning away and the limo drives off.
"Well everything is ready and we will announce your secret to the guests about a half an hour into the ball, by then most should realize that you are missing. I know it was at your own request, but again are you sure you want to hide in the back before bringing you out?" Kyoya asks her, as they pull into the school "You will be alone in a room until one of us comes and gets you."
"I'll be fine Kyoya-sempai, don't worry." She laughs
"Just don't go running off on us." He mutters snapping his notebook shut.
'I wonder if he's thinking about more than just tonight.' She thinks, as the limo stops and the driver gets out opening their door and they all filed out into the beautifully decorated ballroom. They decided to go for a "Midsummer's Night's Dream" theme complete with 10 different shades of green, fake and real plants, and vines were placed strategically all around the room to give it a forest atmosphere. As luck would have it there was even a full moon that night, so all of the drapes were opened to allow the light from the moon to make things seem more authentic.
"Wow, this place looks great." She exclaimed letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in and looking to Kyoya, though she knew the original idea was Tamaki's Kyoya was the one who had to set everything up.
"This is going to be one hell of a fun night." The twins smirk
"No pranks on the guests tonight you two," Kyoya says sternly
"We know," they sigh causing Haruhi to giggle quietly, as they whisper to her. "He never said anything about not pulling pranks on the boss."
"Just don't push it tonight guys," she warns them
"Don't worry we won't." They promise wandering over to where Tamaki was doing some last minute checks on everything.
"The guests could be arriving at any time, so Haruhi can I ask you to come with me and I'll show you where you'll be hiding for a while." Kyoya tells her
"Of course Sempai, see you guys in a while." She waves to the others, before following Kyoya out of the ballroom.
"Nervous?" he asks, as they walk down the quiet and dark corridor with only the full moon's reflection giving them enough light to show where they were going.
"Are you?" she asks curiously as they reach the door of Class 2-C
"Haruhi all I need is for you to still be wearing this." He tells her reaching for her neck and holding up the necklace. "And I'll be just fine." He smiles kissing the top of her head. "I love you Haruhi."
"I love you too Kyoya," she smiles, as he opens the door for her.
"Someone will pick you up in a little while." He says going back to his usual cold demeanor.
"I'll be waiting" she smiles again, before walking into the classroom and Kyoya heads back the ballroom.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the now separated couple the small boy-Lolita type of the host club had just witnessed the exchange between the two. 'Haruhi all I need is for you to be wearing this.' He repeats softly to himself, holding Usa-chan tightly and trying to think things through. 'I'm pretty sure the only thing Kyo-chan would be referring to is the necklace around her neck, but her necklace is only holding dog tags and…the engagement ring.' He thinks, the sudden realization hitting him hard. "They're…engaged without telling any of us?' He wonders a bit hurt. 'I love you Haruhi,' 'I love you too Kyoya,' their words coming back to mind.
"Hunny-sempai are you down here?" the voice of the twins brought him back to reality. "The guests are starting to arrive; we need you back in the ballroom."
"Coming," he calls to them 'They have to have a reason for not saying anything…so for now I guess I can keep quiet.' He sighs and heads back into the ballroom, 'besides maybe I'm wrong. I didn't actually see the necklace Haru-chan is wearing tonight.' He argues with himself before putting on a fake smile and greeting the guests with his fellow hosts.
'Damn these are such a bore,' Kyoya thinks to himself, after about twenty-five minutes of wandering around the room and finally settling at the entrance to greet the guests coming in. After greeting two young women he knew were regulars of Haruhi he was suddenly greeted with the presence of the chairman Yuzuru Suoh and unexpectedly his own father. "Mr. Chairman…Father it's good to see you, but what-?" he was cut off by Yoshio holding up his hand.
"I was merely invited to come tonight by Yuzuru and was mildly curious to know what is going to be announced." He tells his son; though the tension between the two waned since Haruhi's arrival it was still hard to have a conversation with his father that didn't make him think he was being assessed in some way.
Sensing the awkward tension between the two Yuzuru was smart enough to wander off and find his son, who was dancing with Akane.
"No we aren't telling anybody anything yet, this is simply a ball to show everybody that Haruhi is a girl." Kyoya informs his father
'So you're finally making that public?" he asks watching his son nod he adds "And where is young Miss Fujioka?"
"Waiting in another room, and if you'll excuse me I really should go get her for her entrance." He bows to his father, before walking away quickly. 'I need to warn her that my father is here and to hide the necklace.' He thinks catching Hunny's eyes and the hurt in them. 'What on earth happened to Hunny-sempai?' he wonders before nodding to Tamaki to get things started and walking out of the room.
"So Yoshio, you and your son still have…one would call it a bit odd relationship?" Yuzuru asks his friend wandering back over, after seeing Kyoya had left.
"There is nothing wrong about the relationship I have with any of my sons." He retorts back "And if there was such a thing as an odd relationship it would be you and that son of yours."
"So I dote on my only son a lot, what's the big deal?" he asks
I hardly see the fun in pulling pranks or attempting to embarrass him in front of Akane Yagasaki." Yoshio sighs "And I would hardly call that normal behavior."
"Have you been doing research on my students again?" Yuzuru asks
"Hardly, her father provides the security cameras and footage for all of my businesses, as well as yours Suoh." Yoshio points out
"So what, you want Miss Akane in your family?" he asks knowing Yoshio hardly pays attention to families involved in security, unless it involves his own police force.
"Nice try, but you know who I want to marry into my family." Yoshio smirks
Then it hits Yuzuru that Yagasaki's company probably were the ones who watched Haruhi get stabbed almost two months ago. "Yes of course your aim is still Haruhi Fujioka, and as much as I hate to admit it Yoshio I'm losing our bet." He informs him
"Oh? How did you come by this knowledge?" Yoshio asks grinning inwardly and honestly curious, as to how much he really knew.
"I have seen Miss Fujioka leaving the campus with only your son on several occasions, whether to simply take her home or not I don't know. I have also heard her call his name with no honorific many times, leaving me to believe that they are closer than they appear." He sighs "But if there is something going on those two are doing an incredible job at hiding it. I just hope that she doesn't come between our two sons." He says honestly
'They've been doing an incredible job at hiding it.' Yoshio laughs silently "I'm sure they'll find some way to not let this come between the two of them Yuzuru." He assures him
"…You already know there's something going on between Haruhi-san and Kyoya-kun don't you." Yuzuru sighs
"As if there's anything I don't already know." He laughs "After all she did save my sons' life I'm sure for more than just friendship, but I'm afraid I don't know any of the more important details and if Kyoya wishes to continue his…pursuit of her I'm not going to stop him."
"Even if he keeps it a secret from you?" he asks
"Knowing Kyoya he already knows I have a hunch and since I haven't done anything to stop it, is probably thinking I have already given my silent approval."
"Which you already have," Yuzuru points out
"Yes," he confirms, as Yuzuru sighs in defeat and turns to his son, who is on the top of the stairwell calling for everyone's attention and the rest of the hosts taking their places around him. The only two missing being Haruhi and Kyoya
"Haruhi, can I talk to you?" Kaoru asks from outside the classroom about twenty minutes after the ball had started.
"Sure come on in Kaoru." She encouraged, as the door opened up. She was sitting on one of the desks looking outside to the courtyard, the only light in the room being from the full moon outside. "Unless, you're going to confess to me like Hikaru?" she asks turning to face him.
"Of course not I love Hikaru too much to do that to him." He laughs
"What, so what you do in the clubroom isn't an act for you?" she asks dead serious
"No I care a lot for him, but not in that way." He assures her "Since when do you know terms like that?"
'Damn it Akito-san,' she sighs before answering him. "Never mind, what did you need to talk to me about? At first I thought they asked you to be the one to take me into the ballroom."
"Oh no, that won't be for another ten minutes." He assures her
"And you snuck away to talk to me, what do you want the wrath of the Shadow King?" she asks laughing, as he finally moved over to where she was sitting.
"Of course, besides Kyoya-sempai is greeting the guests. I bet he didn't even see me leave."
"Well whatever you want to talk to me about must be important if you wanted to do it alone, so what's up?" she asks, as he finally sits in the desk in front of her.
"You, me, and Hikaru are all best friends' right?" he asks
"Yes I love you both just-"
"I know just not in a romantic way." He sighs "Haruhi even if you don't answer me I have to at least ask, who are you dating?"
"As I told Hikaru, we're not exactly… dating and I refuse to say who it is."
"Yet you love him?"
"Yes and I know he really cares for me."
"Haruhi, at least give me a hint at who you're talking about?" he asks "I know we promised not to mess in your life anymore, but you have to understand we want to protect you if anything happens-"
"Nothing is going to happen I'll be fine." She smiles at him
"Is it Kyoya-sempai?" he asks suddenly, catching her completely off guard.
"That's-"but she was cut off by the door flying open and revealing Kyoya staring at the two of them. "Kyoya-sempai?" she asks blinking and finding his timing almost humorous.
"There you are Kaoru, we've been wondering where you disappeared to." He says to the younger twin coldly making Haruhi wonder if he had heard any of their previous conversation.
"Ah…right…I should be heading back." He stammers getting up and walking over to the door. "See you in a bit Haruhi," he waves, before leaving the room Kyoya closing the door behind him.
"Did you happen to hear anything he just asked me?" Haruhi asks nervously
"No, why did he confess to you as well?" he asks
"No," she replies happy he hadn't heard anything. "Is something wrong Kyoya?" she asks
"My father is here," he replies simply. It only takes a second for her to realize what he was saying.
"Oh, I guess I need to change this then." She blinks, lifting her hand up to the necklace.
"I'm sorry," he tells her
"It's all right it can't be helped. I'll just put it in my purse and don't worry I brought another one just in case." She smiles at him, before unhooking the clip and sliding it into her purse.
"You're always prepared aren't you?" he asks smirking
"I have to be in order to keep up with the club." She retorts pulling out her spare necklace. This one had a gold chain and on it were two charms. One was of the vase she broke to remind her of how she ended up with the host club to begin with and the other was a seashell to remind her of the beach and to remind her of everything that had happened there.
"Is that-?" he asks moving over to stand behind her.
"The necklace you gave me on our…what second date? Yes." She laughs sliding it around her neck, as Kyoya takes it from her and helps put it on.
"I'm surprised you still have it, but out of curiosity why didn't you put the ring on this one? "He asks kissing her neck, before moving back in front of her.
Honestly I forgot I had it." She confesses "And besides I really like it on the one my father gave me."
"It does look a lot better on you." He confirms "Anyways, Tamaki should be announcing your arrival now." He tells her holding out his hand. "Are you ready?"
"…yes," she takes a deep breath and places her hand on top of Kyoya's and he escorts her out of the room.
She stood outside the huge double doors clutching Kyoya's hand and waiting to hear Tamaki's cue to open the doors. "I never would have thought admitting I'm a girl would make me feel so nervous." She speaks up realizing to some extent how stupid it was to be nervous.
"They'll all just have to accept it eventually and you know the rest of the club, Akane, and even Kasanova are all right behind you on this." He tells her, as usual being the voice of reason.
"…you're right, but please stay with me." She asks
"I'll be right beside you the whole time Haruhi I promise." He smiles and kisses the top of her head, as they heard Tamaki on the other side of the door.
"Ladies and Gentleman I give you the Ouran Host club's secret princess Haruhi Fujioka." Kyoya opens the door and leads her out to where Tamaki was standing; as she reached the front and stared down at the multitude of people another wave of nerves hit her.
There was a mixed reaction to the announcement, a lot of surprised gasps from almost all of girls, a few sighs of relief from the boys, and some of the teachers who were there only smiled, as most of them knew of course. She recognizes Akane's voice when a 'Finally' was called out. She caught Mr. Ootori's gaze for a moment and he only smiled at her in encouragement, though it was so quick she wasn't sure she had even seen it. She then faced Mr. Suoh, who seemed to be encouraging her to say something. Glancing at Kyoya for a half a second she takes the microphone from Tamaki.
"Good evening everyone and thank you for coming, as Tamaki-sempai just announced I'm actually a girl and I want to deeply apologize for fooling you all for so long," she starts. Looking around the room to the many familiar faces her eyes rest on Kasanoda, who smiles at her to continue only making her realize that once again Kyoya was right and had the support of a lot of people. "Actually I want to ask you all a question, though I know I dressed as a boy and never said anything otherwise." She takes a deep breath "How did you not know I was a girl…I mean really?" she asks earning quite a few laughs around the room and people looking at one another like they had no clue as to how respond.
"Why did you hide it?" somebody asks after the noise had settled down.
"…There was something I had to do and pretending to be a boy was the only way I could do it." She tells them avoiding the details.
"So why did you join the Host Club?" Another asks
"I joined because all of the hosts were very kind and willing to help me with my…problem." She says "I also wish to thank all of them very much for helping me experience all that I have and that they are all the best friends anyone could have." Haruhi smiles turning to look at all of the other hosts.
Tamaki, who is blushing furiously, takes the microphone from her for only a moment and she backs up a bit to stand beside Kyoya. "The Host Club would also like to thank Haruhi for all she has done for the members and wish to invite her to stay and become our first Hostess."
"I would be honored to Sempai," she smiles bowing slightly, as Tamaki nods and turns back to the crowd. "So feel free to ask any of the Hosts or our newest Hostess anything for the rest of the evening and please enjoy yourselves." He smiles down to them and cues for the music to start up again.
"You were great Haruhi" Kyoya whispers to her, before sneaking away and letting the others swarm around congratulating her.
"Thanks guys, but I'm starving so if you'll excuse me." She smiles heading down the stairs and to the many curious people waiting downstairs for her.
Three hours had passed since the big announcement and Haruhi was exhausted from answering all of the questions, but was very happy to find out that all of her clients didn't care that she deceived them and still wanted to talk to her after school and simply be friends. A few of the boys who had come asked for her to dance with them, in which she politely accepted. She also danced with Tamaki and the twins more times than she cared to count earning some jealous looks from some of the girls, even Kyoya asked her to dance, but she knew it was only to talk to her privately.
"I think you should go over and talk to Hunny-sempai." Kyoya tells her, as they danced
"Is something wrong with him?" she asks worriedly, as she twirls
"I don't know he's been looking at both of us strangely all night."
"Oh, I hadn't noticed." She sighs
"It's fine it's not like you haven't been busy," he smirks. "I've been trying to speak with him, but he seems to be avoiding me and Mori-sempai keeps giving me sympathetic glances. I'm sure he'd talk to you though."
"Don't worry I'll straighten out whatever happened." She assures him as the song ends and he simply kisses her hand and walks away.
"Hunny-sempai, did I do something to make you mad?" Haruhi asks finding the small boy leaning against a tree. "You've been looking at me funny all night."
"I'm fine Haru-chan," he replies coldly looking up at her neck to see the necklace. 'That's not the engagement ring one.' He notes "…Haru-chan, have you been wearing that necklace all night?"
"Oh, yeah it's pretty right?" she asks smiling at him
"Did Kyo-chan give it to you?"
"…yeah, but how did you-?" she was stopped by Hunny giving her a bear hug.
'So I was wrong, they must just be dating in secret.' He thinks happily and knowing why they would want to keep it hidden, after all he knew Tamaki still hadn't confessed yet. "Congratulations Haru-chan," he tells her smiling.
"For what exactly?" she asks still confused
"It's nothing I'll see you later." He lets go and waves to her, before walking away seemingly happy and disappearing into the crowd.
'What on earth was that all about?' she thinks 'I'd better go find Kyoya.' Turning around she bumps into somebody and would've fallen over had that said person grabbed her arm before she fell.
"I'd rather you not visit my hospital as a patient again anytime soon Miss Fujioka." She recognizes the cold voice immediately, as she regains her balance and he lets her go.
"I apologize Mr. Ootori," she bows slightly "I didn't mean to bump into you."
"No harm done, I came over to talk to you as it is." He replies, as she looks up to speak to him. "I simply want to congratulate you on how well you handled yourself tonight; you've had no trouble I hope?"
"Only very few Ootori-san." She replies "I think some of the other ladies in here are realizing that I've been the only female member of a club full of boys and are taking it…hard I suppose." She sighs remembering earlier when a group of girls were glaring daggers at her.
"Not planning on taking it out on you I hope?" he asks
"If they were I'm sure Kyoya…Sempai, would let me know, or is keeping silent and handling it himself." She tells him afraid of someone hearing her saying his name with no honorific.
"Very true, but I'm sure you already knew what people would start to think if you revealed you are a girl." He asks
"I did know" She sighs and lowers her voice so only he would hear her. "But I don't care what they think I'm already with one of the members and they will all help me if a stupid rumor were to start." She states
"It's as Akito said, you are indeed a strong woman Haruhi-san." He laughs
"Thank you very much…Yoshio-san." She smiles dropping the proper formalities.
"Well I'm afraid I have to go, but I'm sure I'll see you again soon Fujioka-san." He half smiles
"I'm sure you will Ootori…Sama" she smiles, as he too disappears into the crowd.
It was very near two in the morning when Kyoya carried a sleeping Haruhi into her apartment, after dropping everybody else off and promising to get her home safely. Scared of waking her up he lays her on her bed and attempts to walk back out of the room, but manages to lose his footing and finds the wall before falling. Unfortunately he ended up pressing the light switch and turning it on, causing the lights to come on and Haruhi to stir.
"Dad-?" she mutters groggily
"Afraid it's just me Haruhi, sorry about that." He sighs walking back over to her
"Where…no I'm obviously in my room" she looks around "What time is it?" she asks sitting up.
"1:56 am" he informs her "You fell asleep on my shoulder in the limo ride home."
"Damn it, sorry about that," she groans swinging her legs off the bed and starting to take off her shoes and the multiple clips in her hair.
"You say sorry like it was a big deal for me." He laughs
"Surely it was hard to keep the act up with the others in the car?" she asks finding one of her father's t-shirts and throwing it on, before sliding the dress off from under the shirt all while yawning.
"It really wasn't that hard, given you were asleep. I simply took them home and promised to get you home safely." He states and surprised she was literally changing in front of him, though she wasn't revealing anything it was taking a lot of willpower for him to not do anything. 'She must really be half-asleep and not really paying attention to what she's doing.'
"Is something wrong Kyoya?" she asks putting on a pair of pajama pants.
'Temptress,' he thinks before answering. "I'm fine Haruhi just a bit tired. I should really be heading out.
"…Please stay," she asks
"I hardly think that would be appropriate Haruhi." He responds
"But you've stayed over before." She protests
'I really need to ask Ranka about this, she's not even in the right state of mind and I'm positive she's not drunk.' He thinks making a mental note to never let her drink any type of alcohol without him present.
"Please Kyoya? I promise I won't do anything." She begs
'That's not the issue here Haruhi. It's not you I'm worried about.' He sighs. She then proceeds to give him a pouty look that would make Tamaki jealous.
"Please? We both know I sleep better with you and you wake up better with me." She points out "And my dad's caught us sleeping together all the time and hasn't ever done anything."
He couldn't deny that and finally gives in; after all he could never deny Tamaki anything when he gave him those damn puppy eyes of his, why would his fiancée be any different. He strips down to his dress shirt and pants and crawls in with her and eventually they were both fast asleep, Haruhi being curled up comfortably in his chest.
It was almost three weeks after the ball and Haruhi was sitting in her usual seat in the clubroom talking to Akane, to her surprise Renge, and Momoka, as the other hosts were handing out roses for White Day. Haruhi was extremely happy to know that when she walked into her classroom on that Monday in the standard girl's uniform that her classmates accepted her again right away and didn't seem bothered that she had been keeping a secret from them.
"How have things been since your announcement Haruhi?" Momoka asks her.
"Not bad, but I think some girls are still mad at the fact that I've gotten so close to the rest of the hosts." She sighs
"Well that can't be helped, but it's not like any of them will do anything about it." Akane states next to her "they're all to afraid of what'll happen to them."
"I guess," she sighs
"I'll admit even I'm a little…jealous at the bond the seven of you seem to share." Momoka sighs "Even though Hunny and Mori-sempai aren't here today it's obvious to everyone that they all care for you deeply."
"I care for all of them a lot too and can't imagine my life without any of them." She sighs taking a sip of tea, as she watches Tamaki hand a girl a rose and say something to cause he too faint. Laughing to herself she almost didn't hear Renge's question.
"So Haruhi, you've been in the club for so long, surely one of the boys have caught your eyes?" she asks noticing her seemingly staring at Tamaki, after remembering what she did for him last year at the fair it wouldn't surprise her if Haruhi had a sort of crush on him.
"No, not really" she says turning back to face them.
"Are you sure Haruhi?" Akane asks noticing the slightest hint of a blush on her face; though she already knew who it was she couldn't help but get her flustered. "I mean that blush you're trying to hide is telling us otherwise."
"I don't have a crush on any of the members." She states 'It's already far past that.' She thinks moving her hand up to the necklace around her neck with the ring. The others laughing at her obvious lie, as the clock tower lets them know it was time to go.
"See you tomorrow Haruhi," they wave, before walking out the door.
"Haruhi," the twins call coming over
"Whatever it is no." she states, before getting up. She and Kaoru hadn't spoken about that night since it happened and she was glad he hadn't brought it back up again because she had no idea what to even say.
"Oh come on we just wanted to ask if we could pick out clothes for you to wear on our trip." They whine
"Trip?" she asks curiously, as they sigh.
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten about our class trip to New York, we leave at the end of next week" They tell her.
"I've told you both already I don't have a passport, so I'm not going." She states
"…But Kyoya-sempai told us this morning that you had acquired one." They ask her in confusion
"I'm pretty sure I don't have one, Kyoya-sempai what-?" she turns to face him, but he had already left for the day. 'Smart bastard,' she laughs inwardly. "Since he seems to think I have one…go ahead, just don't go overboard." She sighs
"Yay, we'll start right away see you later Haruhi," they wave, before running out the door.
"I give up," she sighs falling into one of the chairs. 'I wonder how long I've actually had a passport.' She wonders, as the back room opens and Tamaki comes into the room in only his boxers and throwing his shirt back on, only then she remembered not even five minutes ago that the twins spilt tea all over him, for once truly on accident and he had to go and change.
"Oh Haruhi sorry I didn't think anybody would still be in here." He stammers quickly trying to hide behind one of the chairs.
"It's all right Sempai," she laughs throwing him a pair of his pants, which for whatever reason were hanging from the back of the chair she was sitting in.
"Thanks" he murmurs, still hiding behind the chair as he puts them on. "Actually Haruhi…can I talk to you for a minute?" he asks rather seriously and walking towards her.
'Damn it, lately every time I hear those words it ends badly.' She thinks nervously "Of course Sempai, what is it?" she asks anyways, knowing it was better to hear it now then later.
"I wanted to…to" he stammers grabbing a rose off of one of the tables. "I wanted to give you this, as my White Day present to you." He lies handing the rose to her.
"That's not what you wanted to say Sempai, so what is it really on your mind?" she asks taking the rose anyways.
"You always could read me like a book Haruhi," he laughs and stands right in front of her "…all right I really wanted to tell you that; well I'm in love with you Haruhi." He states and leaving her to stand there in shock, as he leans down to kiss her.
Man that was a lot longer then I first thought it was going to be...actually I've noticed a lot of these chapters are getting longer oh well. I like how this one turned out, but i'm not so sure that it's that easy to follow. I feel like i'm putting a lot of things into one chapter and that it's to rushed, but I don't know if you guys like it that's all that counts. Hope you all liked this chapter and the next one will be up soon. xD