Haruhi sipped her water slowly while observing the silence from the hosts. They had all agreed to go out and have a small goodbye party for Kaoru. So far they had made it to the restaurant but beyond greeting each other, no one said anything.
Her heart went out to the twins who weren't even able to look at each other. The expression on the oldest brother's face reminded her of the sadness she felt with the loss of her mother. Kaoru too was hurting, she knew that he carried a tremendous amount of guilt in his heart.
"So, Kaoru, you'll be helping your mother with her designs?" Tamaki asked breaking the awkward silence.
"Yeah, she's got a big fashion show coming up and she could use an extra hand." The teen replied. He turned to his brother at last.
"Hikaru, I really don't have to go. If you want me to stay here, I-"
"You're going to be on that plane tomorrow morning, that's what I want. You don't have to be stuck with me all our lives, a lot of twins have separate lives and they make it okay."
"we're not 'a lot of twins' we only had each other and -"
"Kaoru, I'm not going to change my mind. It's not fair to you, you didn't want to chose so I did it for you. You'll be happy there." Hikaru said firmly.
Kaoru sighed.
"Okay Hikaru, if this is really what you want, I'll go."
"Good." Another silence followed, no one wanted Kaoru to leave but they wanted to support his decision.
"Kao-Chan, I know it's not easy for you to go, but you should be proud of yourself for trying. Hika-Chan, you did a good thing for Kao-Chan. I know it doesn't make it hurt less but you did."
"Thanks Honey-Senpai." The answer came in unison. Haruhi's heart was breaking as she realized it would be the last time they would be together as hosts and possibly the last time she would hear the simultaneous answer. The pain in her heart wasn't going to subside any time soon.
"Come on, we're supposed to be having a good time, after dinner, maybe we could-"
"It's not that I don't appreciate everything that happened today,or since joining the club. I just have to be up early tomorrow and I still have some packing to do." Kaoru said interrupting Tamaki's suggestion.
"I understand, you know Kaoru, we're really going to miss you."Tamaki said quietly.
"I'll miss you guys too. I'll call and visit."
"We know you will Kao-Chan. Tama-Chan, you should give it to him before we forget." Honey said staring down at the table.
"Right, Kaoru, we-We got you something but you probably want to wait to open in until your at home." Tamaki reached under the table and handed Kaoru a neatly wrapped gift, the paper was the same light blue color he would wear for school.
"It's not much, but we think you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will, thank you." He decided to wait until he left to open it.
"What time does your flight leave?" Haruhi asked.
"seven-Thirty." Kaoru replied.
"I know it's early, but maybe we can get together for breakfast before you go." Haruhi couldn't hold back her tears. She felt Honey pat her arm comfortingly.
"It's okay Haru-Chan, we're all sad."he whispered to her.
Kaoru had been the first to comfort her when she announced her pregnancy and had shielded her from her father's angry shouts. He was part of her security.
"You don't have anything to be upset about Kaoru, you'll have those models around you, if things don't work out with Sylvia, Clare and Evie seemed interested." Hikaru said, a mischievous smirk formed on his face. Kaoru's cheeks turned scarlet almost instantly.
"Hikaru, you're embarrassing me, stop it." The remaining hosts shook their heads in amusement.
"There's nothing wrong with it Kaoru, it's alright to have admirers. Girls love you,you can probably get anyone you want." Hikaru teased.
"That's not true...Pauline hates me." Kaoru's statement caused an eruption of laughter. Haruhi didn't know what had caused Hikaru to suddenly begin teasing his younger brother, but she hoped that they would be able to hold onto the humor as they said goodbye to Kaoru in the morning,it would be the only thing that would get them through it.