Chapter 16: Festivities and Families
"You're mother can't make it to the festival unfortunately as she planned," Isao greeted regretfully.
"What? But this is one of the biggest events in school!" Amelia exclaimed. "We just got past the sports event. Today is the detective mystery event that we planned, a parade and even a ballroom dance this afternoon. Everyone's families are going to be there!"
"I know Imai. But I can't control what Gina does in her job," Isao sighed in sympathy.
"I thought she said she cleared out her schedule?" Amelia shook her head.
"Unfortunately, she had to head to London for an unexpected project. She apologized for missing out this time Imai," Isao explained.
"Yeah I bet…" Amelia spat in disgust, grabbing her bag and heading to the door.
"Imai," Isao called out lightly. Amelia stopped midway out the door. She glanced at Isao, holding back tears. Isao hesitated and sighed as he walked up to her at the door.
"Try to have fun today," Isao smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You worked hard this week. You deserve to take a break from this."
Amelia swallowed hard, nodding slightly before heading out the door. Isao felt sympathy for the girl. He always knew that she needed her parents sometimes to tell her how good she's doing in school or how proud they were of her. Just…sometimes life gets in the way and doesn't let that happen. And even though she's only sixteen, she's still a child growing in a very harsh reality.
…
Amelia changed into her detective costume the twins gave her for the event. She was late. She couldn't feel that thrilled about the event anymore. The class started greeting families inside as she went in the backroom getting changed. As she put on her vest and buttoned up her shirt she saw her wolf necklace, looking at it intently in the reflection of the mirror.
She sighed, buttoning up the rest of her shirt and wrapping her tie around her neck, tying it into a bow in frustration.
"So much for family being here, eh Dad?" she growled in frustration staring into her reflection. "Guess I shouldn't expect anything else from Mom."
She ran a hand through her hair, buttoning up her vest and straightening it out.
"At least you would've been here if you were alive," she whispered frustrated, straightening up and walking out to the main event.
The room was already filled with family and classmates running the event. She was about to make her post until she heard the twins yell out.
"Imai!" they greeted, grabbing her arm. "Come meet our Mom!"
Amelia could feel them dragging her down the floor. The redheaded, beautifully dressed woman was already examining Haruhi.
"Good, looks very cute. Boys next time let me get her proper measurements next time?" Mrs. Hitachiin sighed as she fixed Haruhi's bow tie, Mr. Hitachiin a very quiet man standing next to her with an amused smile.
"Mom this is Imai too, she's the other one we told you about!" the twins sang. Amelia looked at them in disbelief. They talk about me with their parents?
She was even more off guard when Mrs. Hitachiin looked at her directly turning her attention away from Haruhi and eying her up and down like a fashion agent. She looks exactly like the twins do…Amelia staring in amazement.
"Oh Miss Wolfe! I remember you from your magazine covers. I collect them to get some inspiration on my next photo shoots with my girls," Mrs. Hitachiin smiled delightfully. Before Amelia could thank her with a smile on her face, Mrs. Hitachiin was running her fingers through her hair.
"It's such a shame you had to cut your hair. Although nothing hair extensions can't fix," Mrs. Hitachiin began observing fixing Amelia's costume. "Boys she has such a nice figure why are you hiding it under her vest?"
"Mom she needs to blend in remember?" the twins reminded. Mrs. Hitachiin rolled her eyes.
"Not an excuse for proper fitting clothes," she protested. Amelia looked rather amused between the twins and their mother. "Your mother going to be here darling? I heard Miss Pinto was on the guest list. She and I have worked a bit before and wanted to get a few pointers from her."
"Oh no unfortunately…" Amelia hesitated as Mrs. Hitachiin backed up.
The twins and Haruhi looked at Amelia in slight concern at the sudden announcement.
"Don't blame your mother too much darling. The industry is a very tough business to have family relations when you want to," Mrs. Hitachiin mentioned. It caught Amelia off guard at the sudden slight encouragement, although the fact that her mother wasn't there still hurt. She smiled sweetly at Amelia before looking at her sons.
"Feel free to come to dinner some time as well. I have so many things to try out that would fit you perfectly," Mrs. Hitachiin encouraged. "Right darling?"
"Of course that would be nice," Mr. Hitachiin agreed with a rather pleasant smile.
"We'll be heading out to the central building, boys take care of those two will you?" Mrs. Hitachiin waved her free hand goodbye as she took her husband's arm and headed out the door. Amelia, Haruhi and the twins followed to watch the Hitachiins leave.
"Hikaru, Kaoru, What does your father do exactly?" Haruhi questioned.
"He's an executive for a software development company. Essentially he married into the family," Hikaru replied.
"Hitachiin is from our mother's side," Kaoru added. "Our grandmother was a known for original floral arrangements."
"So many strong females in our family, we hope we can step it up since we're still show shy," the twins announced.
"Speaking of family," Haruhi looked at Amelia. "I thought your Mom was coming Imai."
Amelia could immediately feel a lump in her throat. She shook her head pushing passed the three of them heading away from the event.
"I don't want to talk about it," Amelia remarked with a growl.
"Imai where are you going?!" the twins called out.
"Taking a walk," Amelia spat, marching away from them and into the crowd. Haruhi gave a concerned look. The twins watched Amelia in confusion.
"Did I say something wrong?" Haruhi asked. The twins looked at her just as confused as she was.
"I don't think so," Hikaru replied.
"I think something happened to her mother," Kaoru added.
…
The Host Club gathered up to make way for the carriage for the parade. No sign of Amelia. When the others questioned it, the twins and Haruhi explained the situation.
"We can't start the parade without her!" Honey exclaimed. "Where is she?"
"So why exactly did she run off?" Tamaki questioned.
"Apparently she found out news her mother isn't coming to the festival," the twins answered. Tamaki gave a shocked and rather distraught face.
"Her mother isn't coming?! Why hasn't she said anything I would've tried to make her day a little more special for her!" Tamaki cried. "Daddy could've been there for his little girl!"
"I don't think that's what she needs senpai," Haruhi interjected. Tamaki regained his composure as they walked through the halls. "Although for once I agree with Tamaki on why she didn't tell us sooner."
"I doubt Imai is the kind of person who likes talking about her family life," Hikaru commented.
"Why not?" Haruhi asked. "We've known her for almost a year now. You'd think she would at least tell us if something was up." (speaking from someone who wants to do everything herself)
"Imai is one of those people that has a very odd personal life," Kyoya replied. Haruhi looked at him in confusion.
"The term odd coming from you is already a mystery. You might have to elaborate," Haruhi commented.
"Unfortunately no time for it now. We need to get the private parade started now or else our guests are unhappy," Kyoya mentioned.
"But what about Imai? Weren't we going to find her?" Tamaki questioned.
"We'll find her after the carriage when we meet up in the main hall with our guests and their families," Kyoya insisted lightly. "For now customers first."
…
When the Host Club arrived in the Central Building to interact with guests and their families, there was no sign of Amelia. By then they started getting concerned. Kyoya was entertaining a few of the parents into gambling games describing the club's main activities. He was obviously impressing the older generation into thinking the club was a rather productive and cultured group (aka lots of entertainment and costumes around the world).
"Any sign of Imai?" Tamaki questioned Haruhi and the twins.
"Honey and Mori haven't seen her in their carriage rides," Haruhi replied.
"And we haven't seen her anywhere in the main festival all day," the twins added in unison.
"Let me talk to Kyoya and see if he can call her estate," Tamaki suggested, going up to Kyoya as he parted with a few pairs of parents.
"Kyoya, do me a favor and call Isao, see if he's heard anything from Imai," Tamaki insisted quietly.
"Sure, give me a few minutes," Kyoya agreed, pulling out his cell phone and dialing Wolfe Estate.
"Thanks," Tamaki thanked before going back to Haruhi and the twins. When he got back to the group, Honey and Mori just returned from another carriage ride joining in.
"Any sign of her?" Hikaru questioned Honey.
"Not this round either. I'm starting to get worried," Honey replied.
"Yeah," Mori agreed.
"This is so strange. Why would she leave her duties with the club? It's so unlike her," Tamaki stated worriedly. Kyoya came over to the group hanging up the phone.
"Well?" the twins questioned.
"Unfortunately Isao hasn't heard or seen her since she's left this morning," Kyoya answered. "Looks like we'll have to find her after all."
"Master Tamaki, your father requires your presence. You must visit a few guests in the main hall," an older man came in interrupting their conversation.
"I'll be there in a minute," Tamaki responded. He looked over at the group. "Why don't you guys look for Imai? I'm sure she's on campus somewhere."
"Yes sir!" the twins responded. Tamaki left closing the door behind them as they kept to themselves as the guests moved to the main hall for the dance party.
"She must be really upset if she hasn't showed up in a few hours," Haruhi mentioned. Kyoya looked up in thought.
"Where haven't we checked?" he asked. The others looked up in thought.
"The Central Building, Class 1-A," the twins announced counting with their fingers.
"The library and gallery rooms," Honey added.
"West Building," Mori continued.
"What about the clubroom? Remember when she has a breakdown before the physical exams? She retreated to the music room," Haruhi explained. The others looked at her in curiosity and then smiled.
"Hikaru, Kaoru," Kyoya ordered. "Check the music room. We'll meet you in the main hall. Contact us if you find her."
"Yes, sir!"
…
Hikaru and Kaoru walked silently pondering for a while as they went down the long hall.
"You think she's still upset about her mother not showing up?" Hikaru asked, putting his arms behind his head.
"Maybe," Kaoru replied. "But I can't know for sure."
"You'd think she wouldn't be bothered considering her Mom isn't there that often," Hikaru observed.
"We always bothered in some way when Mom leaves on trips and not spend time with us," Kaoru reminded.
"Yeah but we grew out of that. We understood she works for a living," Hikaru corrected.
"I don't know if it's the same when her parents were separated," Kaoru mentioned.
"Why not? I mean she's just out to work right?" Hikaru asked as they started up the stairs.
"Think about it Hikaru. Her father is gone and her only living parent doesn't even see her," Kaoru replied. "I mean you saw the look on her face when Miss Pinto came to see her when we dropped her off. She was happy."
"That would be a little rough," Hikaru agreed. Suddenly they heard music from upstairs from a grand piano. They stopped looking up towards the music room. Hikaru looked at Kaoru.
"Do you hear that?" Hikaru asked. Suddenly he was running up the stairs. Kaoru looked at his brother in shock before running after him.
"Wait for me Hikaru!" he called out as they ran to the door of the music room.
They grabbed the latches, pulling them down and spreading the doors wide open. They stood there breathing heavy from running, seeing Amelia jump from the seat of the piano.
Amelia's head was turned facing them in shock, tears down her cheeks from crying. She even took off her tie and unbuttoned her vest from earlier. The twins smiled in relief that she was there.
"Shit! What are you two doing here?" she questioned, suddenly wiping the tears from her eyes and face. The twins closed the doors behind them walking up to her.
"You missed a good chunk of the festival," Hikaru replied.
"We were wondering where you ran off to. We were getting worried," Kaoru added.
"Well I'm right here," Amelia said her tone almost spitting at them. "You can go back to your party now."
Hikaru sat next to her on the piano bench.
"We're not leaving you up here alone," Hikaru sighed. Kaoru rested his side on the ground piano facing her.
"Why not?" Amelia rolled her eyes looking rather annoyed at them.
"Come on Imai, you've been crying…" Kaoru replied. As he answered Amelia tried to wipe off any evidence of her crying.
"Look I'm fine," Amelia denied, getting up. "Just you two go on without me."
Hikaru grabbed her arm.
"Imai," he protested. She ripped her arm out of his grip. She backed away from both of them, a lump in her throat. The twins looked at her face go from calm to suddenly something else.
"Why didn't you tell us your Mom wasn't coming?" Kaoru asked.
"We could've helped," Hikaru added.
"Oh yeah? Could you have gotten her from London to even see me for an hour today?" Amelia growled.
"No but-" the twins began getting interrupted.
"Yeah, you have your mom and dad here celebrating that you even go to this school. You know what I have? A parent who isn't even here because of some last minute bullshit and this!" Amelia growled ripping off her wolf pendent from around her neck. The twins stared at her stunned. They never saw her this angry before. They could see the tears streaming down her face. She gripped onto her necklace.
"This is the closest thing to family being here today," Amelia swallowed hard voice cracking from distraught. "I am so tired of Mom not being there. You know what's worse? Even with Dad gone nothing has changed!"
She throws her pendant across the room hearing it clank across the middle of the marble floor. The twins flinched at the sight. She swallowed hard, feeling her legs shake in anger, upset and just sadness. Something so small such as this apparently was a bigger deal to her than she thought. And her parents weren't around to see it.
Amelia eventually sat herself down on the floor shaking uncontrollably.
"Why didn't she come?" she cried silently. Hikaru ran up to her, sat down next to her, grabbing her and pulling her towards him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"It's okay…" he whispered. Kaoru walked over grabbing her wolf necklace, picking it up. "Our Mom is out a lot too."
"Yeah…she's been like that since we were young," Kaoru agreed, walking over to her and kneeling in front of her. She looked at them embarrassed.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered. "I was just really looking forward to seeing her…"
"Hey…" Kaoru comforted. "It's okay. We know that kind of thing is rough."
"Yeah we used to be angry when we didn't see our parents. But now we know why they're out and it's okay. If anything it gives us more freedom you know?" Hikaru encouraged.
"We get to hang out with who we want, when we want," Kaoru added going behind her and putting the necklace on her.
"And do what we want. I mean they trust us to make our own life," Hikaru concluded.
"Now…why don't we take you downstairs? We'll make sure to stick around with you for the rest of the time okay?" Kaoru suggested. Amelia nodded in agreement. Hikaru smiled.
"There's a good girl," Hikaru grinned, pulling her up. The twins looked at her face, fixing her hair and rubbing her eyes.
"I'm sorry I got so mad," Amelia apologized as she cleaned up.
"We know why and it's okay," the twins reassured.
"You know…I keep forgetting that you two are more family and I should've just had fun today," Amelia commented.
"We can still have fun at the dance party," the twins grinned. "Our treat."
She laughed, hugging both of them tightly.
"Thank you…"
…
Amelia followed the twins to the main hall. It was 5pm and the dance party had already started. As they entered, Tamaki grinned giving Amelia a hug. Amelia smiled and apologized.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Tamaki smiled. "You can make it up later if you want."
Kyoya approached her.
"Imai, I believe someone is here to see you," Kyoya announced. Amelia looked at him in confusion. He smiled and put an arm out. Amelia looked in his line of sight. She grinned when she saw Isao walking up to her with a grin on his face. She hugged him tightly as he laughed. The twins smiled as she laughed at his hug and he ruffled her hair. He bent down to her level and grinned.
"I have a surprise for you," Isao smiled sweetly. Amelia laughed lightly and grinned.
"What?" she questioned. Isao moved out of the way, showing a woman a few feet behind him. Amelia straightened up, her mouth gaping. Tamaki stood next to Kyoya staring at the woman in awe.
"Is that-?" Tamaki began to question.
"Mom!" Amelia exclaimed running through the room to Gina who grinned with eyes teary as much as Amelia. "What are you doing here?"
"London got canceled, so I came straight here before going back home. I didn't want to miss this…" Gina replied. Amelia laughed and hugged her tightly. The twins smiled sweetly.
"Yep that is Miss Pinto. Amelia's mother," Kyoya replied to Tamaki's questioning. Tamaki blinked before smiling in relief.
"She looks just like her. I can see where she gets her good looks from," Tamaki complimented. "Probably a good idea to be introduced don't you think?"
"I think that wouldn't be a bad idea!"
The twins grinned and waved at Gina.
"Hi Miss Pinto! Long time no see!" they grinned and shook hands with her. "Mom was looking for you earlier this morning!"
"Oh good! I'll see her after the event!" Gina grinned. Amelia grinned a wide grin laughing looking at her mother. The twins laughed softly. That was the first time they saw Amelia in a totally different light as she talked to her mother. They found out that Gina and Amelia behave the same, talk similarly, and take their good looks after each other, all of it. The surprise visit certainly made them feel at home as well.
…
By the end of the night, Gina was talking to Mrs. Hitachiin about projects while Amelia waited around with the twins. All the families were separating and heading home late that night. Isao even left a little after dinner to get some rest back at the estate. Amelia sat at a table with Hikaru and Kaoru as the others were already heading home. The twins were now exhausted but they were at least happy Amelia was hanging out with them.
"You really do look a lot like your Mom," Hikaru observed as they watched their parents.
"Speak for yourself," Amelia teased. "I was shocked seeing your mother this morning. I knew right away that she was related."
"Oh really? How did you know?" the twins asked, leaning forward on the table.
"Oh lets see," Amelia grinned looking between the two of them before leaning forward. "Hair, good looks. I'd say you two are definitely on par with the Hitachiin bloodline."
She smirked as they grinned.
"Yeah we're just a bunch of momma's little helpers," Hikaru laughed.
"She even used to dress us up in her latest designs. Thank God that she found models that weren't us," Kaoru smiled.
"She's been wanting a person to try out her dresses lately, you want to help?" Hikaru grinned. Amelia raised a brow and laughed.
"You are just finding an excuse to see me in a dress," Amelia smirked.
"Why not? You look pretty cute as you actually being a girl," Hikaru teased.
"Thanks I would've never known that," Amelia said sarcastically smirking.
"No I'm serious you can be quite a looker when you pull out those outfits of yours at home," Hikaru smirked slightly.
"Maybe we can get Mom to get her some new clothes to make it even better," Kaoru teased. Amelia rolled her eyes. Before she could object Gina and Mrs. Hitachiin walked over to them.
"Well we're ready to head home boys," Mrs. Hitachiin announced. The three of them got up.
"All right, we just need to get our things in the music room and we'll be out soon," the twins informed.
"We'll see you at home then. Your car is already outside so don't be too long," Mr. Hitachiin smiled.
"Gina do you want us to drop you off? You're on the way home. I would love to converse more about having Amelia try a few things for my fall collection!" Miss Hitachiin beamed.
"Sure! Amelia are you okay with that?" Gina asked. Amelia smiled.
"I'll call my driver to pick me up," Amelia reassured.
"Okay, I'll see you at home okay hun?" Gina grinned, hugging her and giving her a kiss.
"Thanks for coming out," Amelia smiled. "I'll see you at home. I won't be long."
Amelia smiled and the twins waited before waving at their parents and headed out of the room.
…
"I think Mom really likes you," Hikaru stated as they walked up the steps towards the music room.
"That or she just needs another model to try out her new wardrobe," Amelia joked as they went into the room. She took off her vest and tie going into her bag and pulling out her clothes. The brothers did the same taking off layers of their Victorian costuming.
"Nah Mom isn't usually as social with other parents," Kaoru grinned. Amelia shrugged going into the back room with her casual clothes. She changed behind the curtains into tight jeans, knee high boots, a long-sleeve shirt and her fitting leather jacket when she came back she hung up the costuming as the boys got changed in their own rooms as well. They came back out in their uniforms, except just keeping on their short-sleeved shirts, no tie putting their blazers in their bags.
"I just got to call my driver to pick me up," Amelia mentioned as she pulled out her phone.
"Don't worry about it we'll take you home," Hikaru mentioned as he pulled on his autumn coat.
"You sure?" Amelia asked. Kaoru grinned.
"Of course," he replied. She smiled as they headed out of the music room and towards the courtyard.
As they went outside, Amelia grinned turning around walking backwards facing them. The cool air and the night sky were clear and crisp.
"Halloween is close you guys up for another trick or treat year?" she questioned.
"We might want to do something different. Maybe see what happens with the class meeting on the type of event," Hikaru suggested.
She grinned.
"That sounds awesome," Amelia commented turning herself around and laughing. Kaoru smiled at the sight of her. Hikaru laughed and couldn't help but stare as well. When they got into the limo she sat in between them on the ride home.
Hikaru was surprised when she leaned on him the whole ride, putting her head on his shoulder. Kaoru blushed and smiled when Amelia reached over grabbing his hand, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles. They almost felt a slight moment of sadness when they reached her house. The limo stopped and she looked between them.
"Looks like we're here," Hikaru announced. She sat up and smiled.
"Okay. See you two tomorrow," she smiled.
Amelia leaned up kissing Hikaru on the cheek making him turn red and stunned again. She went over kissing Kaoru on the cheek as well and he turned just tomato red.
"Goodnight," she whispered at him with a smile on her face as she winked at Kaoru.
He swallowed hard feeling like he couldn't get her eyes off of her. She climbed over Hikaru who smiled trying to hide his astonished face. She closed the door behind her of the car, kissing her hand and putting it on the window. The boys turned red even more before the car started off, losing sight of her going inside.
"She has a habit of doing that doesn't she," Hikaru laughed embarrassingly. Kaoru laughed in the same manner.
"I guess we did something right," he agreed.
One thing that stuck out though to them was when Amelia smiles the way she does when she is truly happy.
She can be the most beautiful person we've ever seen…the twins they drove home.
And as Amelia headed up the stairs to her room, staring up at the ceiling feeling the happiness of the night. Although her stomach decided to give her butterflies. Why was it becoming so easy to get so close to them now?
And why do I find myself wanting so much more than that…? She still had no idea what kind of boundaries were going to be broken down once the twins finally realized what they felt for her. And that…will be the scariest thing they will ever face.