Author's Note:

Another Saturday, another chapter…

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xXx

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Date Posted: 3/25/2023

Trigger Warnings: Language

The Painful Truth - Chapter 17: Back to School

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Sunday, October 2:

Afternoon, Chiba Compound:

"Right this way, Kasanoda-sama. May I get you some tea?"

"No."

Fucking doctors. Wouldn't clear Bu to come. I get it, but fuck. We couldn't put it off any longer, but her not being here doesn't send the right message.

Shiryu, the head steward showed us into the main lounge. Seems to be taking this well but can't go by that. You get your syndicate taken over and you better fall in line, or no one will find the body. We're both hoping he'll prove loyal to her. She wants to bring her parents' assistant housekeeper over but has no idea who she'd replace the steward with.

"How can I assist you with your goals today?"

"First," I jerked my thumb at Bu's lawyer, "he's in charge."

"Miyagawa Masatoshi," he presented his card and the steward bowed. "I represent Himura Shinobu's business interests. Kasanoda-sama is here today to inspect the family areas of the compound."

"Of course, Miyagawa-sama." He studied the card closely then asked, "How may I assist you today?"

While he gave him the rundown of what they wanted to inspect, I looked around the lounge.

Shit. Dai had bad taste. Or maybe it was his wife. Don't know. Don't care.

This will all have to be redone.

.

For someone who I know for a fact wished me dead less than a week ago, Kasanoda-sama's being surprisingly polite. For him. He did order me to go back to Kasanoda-sama instead of Ritsu-sama. I have a lot of ground to make up with him.

She sent me along to do a full security assessment, but I'm also wearing a camera and mic. Best way for her to see how the old staff and muscle react to her being the head. Her lawyer and I are wearing earpieces, but she promised not to talk too much. We'll see.

"Tamura-san knows the compound almost as well as Chiba-sama did. He'll be able to give you the tour you want, Miyagawa-sama."

Good thing Dai left us his second. So far, Tamura-san's been helpful and open with information.

"While they're doing that," Kasanoda-sama walked back towards us from the window he was looking out of, "Shiryu will give me a tour of the main house and family areas."

.

"And this is the master suite."

Tacky and cheap. But I bet it cost plenty. Typical new money yakuza. His wife didn't come from the yakuza elite.

Time to get some answers.

I spun on my heal and glared at Shiryu. "What do you want for a future?"

"Well," he swallowed hard, "I want to live."

Clearly was never muscle. He's practically pissing himself.

"The Chiba's are all gone. They willingly turned over everything to Himura Shinobu. Are you ready to swear loyalty to her?"

Another hard swallow, "Yes."

"You don't sound completely sure. She's giving amnesty to anyone who walks away and stays away."

"I am sure, Kasanoda-sama. Forgive me, it's just that you're quite intimidating."

He actually shook when I tossed my head back and laughed. "If you think I'm bad, wait till you meet Bu. She's much scarier than I am."

I didn't hold back my grin when his eyes grew, and he lost more color. "Be sure."

"I am, Kasanoda-sama. My family has looked after this estate for three generations. I find my job rewarding and want to keep it."

"Your family?"

"My wife is the head cook, my son a chauffeur, my daughter a maid, and my uncle the assistant groundskeeper. My father was muscle."

Was? Must be dead. "And they all will pledge her loyalty?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Excellent." I slapped him on the shoulder, "Then let's talk about getting rid of all this ugly shit and getting some real furniture in here."

.

"Motherfucker."

Then I heard Kono clear his throat, reminding me I didn't mute my mic.

"Is he kidding with that shit? They actually run their protection like that?"

"Yes," he mumbled under his breath. He's standing far enough away from Tamura-san and Miyagawa-san to give me short, quiet answers.

"No wonder Daiju got away with so much. Dai's an idiot."

"Yes."

Miyagawa-san looked over his shoulder and into the lapel camera Kono's wearing. He can't just tell me to shut up, but that look sure did.

I looked down at my notes and tried to pay attention to what they were saying, but I can feel a headache building, and my eye is getting tired.

I can always watch the recording later to see if I miss something.

And who the fuck designed their compound? We might be several rungs under the Kasanoda's, but these guys are supposed to be almost level with us and been around for a couple generations. There's no excuse for that shithole of a compound.

There better be enough money in the accounts to fix most of this shit. The only security cameras I see are pointed outside the compound, and all the buildings need paint. It's practically peeling off that one over there.

"I want a meeting with Tamura-san on Tuesday after dinner. I want a laptop from their tech guys that's got access to everything by tomorrow night."

I watched Miyagawa-san nod over his shoulder and demand the meeting.

Fucking ridiculous.

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Phone call between Ritsu and Bu while he's driving back:

Ritsu: "I told him it's all got to go. Some of it's not fit for firewood."

Bu: "Not surprised. Dai's wife was hard as nails but had no taste. The shit she wore…"

Ritsu: "If you want to keep the entire compound working, you'll have to remodel most of it."

Bu: "Yeah. Saw that."

Ritsu: "And the family quarters? Fucking ugly."

Bu: "Remodel too or just redecorate?"

Ritsu: "Shit, Bu. I have no idea. That's a chick question."

Bu: "You'll be living there too, Asshole. Do you like the layout or are the walls in stupid places."

Ritsu: "Shit."

Bu: "Then I guess Gurinraifu [Green Life] better get designing."

Ritsu: "We'll need to hire an architect, a designer, a decorator."

Bu: "Fuck. I'll call Renge."

Ritsu: "Call her tomorrow. Your blood pressure's already too high."

Bu: "Fine."

Ritsu: "I'll be there soon, and you will take a nap."

Bu: "Only if you join me."

Ritsu: "You're fucking killing me, Bu."

.

xXx

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Dinner, Family Dining Room, Morinozuka Estate:

We were just finishing dessert when our head housekeeper came in with a box. "This was just delivered for you, Haruhi-sama."

Her eyes tightened slightly at the title, but she quickly smiled, "Thank you. Could you take it up to my room, please."

"Of course, Haruhi-sama."

I wonder what it is. It must be from either her company or someone she knows or security wouldn't have let it through no matter what the contents. It was wrapped in decorative paper, so it wasn't a mail order delivery.

Her head bent down, and she stared at her food, and my mind wandered back to this afternoon. Once we got back from the bookstore, I escorted her to her room and waited while she changed out of her suit and washed off her makeup. It took forever, and there were a couple times I almost knocked on her bathroom door to see if she was alright. But it's like she was reading my mind and called out apologizing for the delay.

We spent the afternoon either at the koi pond or playing Go in the game room. She never once talked about what happened.

My parents both watched her closely during dinner, especially Mother. She tried to talk about the bookstore, but Haruhi just shook her head. She barely ate anything, just moved it around on her plate.

She pushed her plate away and stood up. "Thank you for dinner. If you'll excuse me, I'll go see about that box."

I stood quickly to join her. If whatever's in that package upsets her, I want to be there.

"It's alright, Takashi. Finish your dinner. I'm almost positive it's clothes from Kaoru." The slight pink on her cheeks instantly made my face heat up remembering what I shouldn't have seen this morning.

"Hn."

"Clothes? What fun, Haruhi-chan. May I join you?"

Her steps hesitated slightly. "Of course, Umeko-san."

When they were out of earshot, Satoshi spoke up, "What's going on? Why is everyone so weird? Did something happen?"

Father focused sharply on him, "Where have you been all day?"

I'd been curious myself. He slept in, skipping the news show, but he told us that last night. Father could have easily asked Satoshi's security, but he considers that a breach of trust unless it's an emergency.

"Out at an arcade with some school friends." Female friends?

"Is your homework finished?"

He shifted in his seat, "Almost." Father's face darkened, and Satoshi continued, "But I'm finishing it tonight. It won't take long."

"Very well."

"But," he looked at both of us, "what happened today?"

Father told him about the bookstore, and he let out a low whistle. "No wonder she's so quiet."

.

Indeed.

After witnessing that panic attack in the limo, Umeko and I had a conference call with Haruhi-chan's agent and our PR department.

We will now be getting daily briefings summarizing news and social media about the group. We will not be blindsided again.

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I read the card and looked up at Umeko-san, "Yes, it's from Kaoru."

Lifting the lid off the lavishly wrapped box, I found Ouran uniform pants. And a skirt. "Elastic waist so I don't have to worry about zippers or buttons until my hand's better."

"How thoughtful."

Under them was a see-through, strapless, black corset. "What the hell?"

She pulled out the card, "Forgot to get this with the other undies. I know Mori will love it." Her eyes flicked between the corset and me, "Haruhi-chan, I know we haven't talked about…"

I held up a hand to stop her, "And we don't need to. Takashi and I haven't even been dating a month. Our physical relationship will evolve slowly. Besides," I picked up that black thing and shoved it in the back of a drawer, "I'm sure Kaoru's just teasing. He knows the only way I'd ever wear something like that is if…well, I can't even think when I'd wear that."

All of a sudden, Umeko-san burst into giggles. "I can't either. It's definitely not your style." She pulled out another black thing, "But this is."

It's a support tank. "It sure is. I guess I'll let him live." There were eight of them in various colors. I groaned when I saw the tags, "La Pearla? Seriously? He couldn't have gotten these at the mall or something?"

"Can you picture him going to the mall?" she smiled, still half giggling.

"No, I guess not."

Under the tanks were sports bras and practical underwear.

"Good. At least I have something normal now. I mean really, what was he thinking with all that expensive stuff."

"Ah, Haruhi-chan…"

"Who wears something that costs more than rent when they're sweating on a treadmill?"

"Haruhi-chan?"

"And the idea of sleeping in those little scraps of cloth during my period is ridiculous. Even with a tampon, I still leak sometimes."

"Haruhi-chan?"

I turned around from stuffing the new things into my drawer, "Yes?"

"What brand are those?"

I flipped the sports bra in my hand over and nearly said a word I would never say in front of Umeko-san. "Versace." I dug back into the drawer, looking at the others, "Dior. Balenciaga."

I dropped them back in the drawer and slammed it shut. I stared at the floor and groaned, "These are as bad as La Perla."

Umeko-san crossed the room and put her arm around me, "I know it's only been eight months, and you're still adjusting. It's a whole new world and it's easy for me and your friends to forget that." My head slumped onto her shoulder. "Let Kaoru do this for you. Let the others do things for you."

She guided me over to the sofa to sit. "They were all terrified when you were missing. They were so worried and couldn't do anything. Now that you're back, they'll probably be more attentive, wanting to know you're alright. They'll need reassurance."

"Yeah, I get that."

"And gifts and gestures are how they'll show it. And because of who we all are, those gifts and gestures will be expensive."

"But…"

"It's what they're used to doing. It's what they've been taught as socially correct."

"Surely by now, they know me better."

"They do. Some of them more than others. After all, Mitsukuni got those stuffed animals at a regular toy store."

I glanced over at the bed and snorted. Squishmallows. He gave me four. Four! Koko's curled up on the pineapple. The new cat, which I still haven't named, is sprawled across the rainbow walrus. Because it's Honey-senpai…Honey, there's a three layer cake with a strawberry on top. And last is my favorite. The one I went to sleep holding last night. A koi. It's the biggest at almost half my size.

The part that was funny was watching Shinobu accept hers without rolling her eyes. Not sure what he was thinking picking out a butterfly, a boba tea, and a banana for her. Though I'm sure Cho picked the dog.

"True. And the koi is cute."

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xXx

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Late Evening, Group Text [Emoji]:

Chika: Did you finish your essay for history, Satoshi?

Satoshi: Working on it now. You?

Chika: Finished last night.

Renge: 3A – ready for the ethics quiz tomorrow?

Kaoru: Y

Haruhi: reading now

Hikaru: Why?

Haruhi: for quiz…

Hikaru: I mean, why? You'll be at home

Haruhi: no at ouran

Yuki: Are you sure that's a good idea?

Haruhi: doc ok. No use r hand

Haruhi: practice l hand

Mori: She's been practicing writing with her left hand.

Hikaru: Yeah, but can anyone read it?

Mori: it's not bad

Haruhi: better than yours hika

Tamaki: My darling friend…you should stay in bed and rest. No need to strain yourself.

Haruhi: going

Shinobu: I'm not. Doc hasn't cleared me yet. Asshole's going…[face with tongue sticking out]

Ritsu: whatever

Karou: Tamaki, Cho, Honey, Mori – what are you doing? You have next 3 weeks off

Tamaki: I'll be at the gallery and co-op. lots to do before classes start again

Cho: not sure. Definitely sleeping in

Honey: I'll be at Bun Bun's…Cho-chan, let's go out for lunch!

Cho: Perfect. I'll pick you up at the office.

Honey: Can't wait [kiss]

Mori: Nozuka Supotsu BOD mtg wed prep

Karou: what about you, Akito?

Akito: doing short internship at Tokyo main. Shadowing their on-call psychologist for three weeks.

Hikaru: Boring…

Tamaki: Congratulations on the internship!

Renge: Those at Ouran, lunch in music rm 3?

Haruhi: n

Haruhi: dining rm

Yuki: Not sure that's a good idea. We were swarmed. I'm sure it will be worse for you.

Haruhi: get over with

Satoshi: when will you be back Shinobu?

Shinobu: Doc checking tomorrow Maybe Tues

Chika: Don't forget Wed is On Okuri check presentations

Haruhi: will b there

Shinobu: yeah

Kaoru: Haruhi, I'll have a suit ready for you. Anyone else?

Shinobu: Nope. Done with the suit shit.

Renge: riding leathers? [smiley face]

Shinobu: yeah, right. Won't embarrass anyone, just not a suit

Renge: I've got a vintage Dolce & Gabbana I'm dying to wear

Cho: I'm wearing one of your mother's dresses. Pink!

Yuki: I found one. Just had it fitted today.

Cho: You went shopping? Without me?

Yuki: oops

Renge: don't worry. We'll all go Saturday and bring Haruhi.

Haruhi: n

Renge: you'll be fine. We just won't let you carry anything

Haruhi: n

Renge: we'll see

Kaoru: can we come?

Renge: girls' day

Kaoru: You're no fun

Satoshi: Do I have to wear a suit?

Kaoru: just don't look like a slob

Hikaru: or worse…a commoner

Haruhi: Jerk

Chika: I'll send out details via email.

Renge: are we studying after? Dinner?

Honey: How about a bunny café?

Satoshi: No way

Honey: I know! Mine and Takashi's apartment! It will be great!

Tamaki: Are you alright with that, Mori?

Mori: Y

Renge: sounds great.

Yuki: Can't wait to see it

Akito: I'll be there

Hikaru: [thumbs up]

Tamaki: Don't forget sleepover at Co-op Saturday! We'll have so much fun

Renge: need trip to 100 yen store. Anyone want to go?

Satoshi: sure

Honey: get plenty of candy, Tama-chan

Tamaki: Of course, Honey-senpai

Honey: No -senpai…remember!

Tamaki: Of course, Honey…looks strange, but I'll get used to it

Honey: you better

Ritsu: Not sure we'll be there, Tamaki. Depends on Bu's health

Tamaki: But…everyone has to be there

Ritsu: we'll see what doc says

Tamaki: ok… [frown face]

Haruhi: back to reading

Shinobu: Yeah, I need to go too. Eye strain

Tamaki: [waiving hand] see you Wednesday

Satoshi: bye

Hikaru: see ya

Renge: I'll meet you at the dropoff, Haruhi and walk you to class

Haruhi: thanks

Kaoru: us too

Hikaru: yeah

Haruhi: ok

Yuki: bye

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xXx

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Monday, October 3:

Morning, First Class, Ouran:

"Haruhi, how are you doing?"

"I saw the news coverage. Are you sure you should be back so soon?"

"What was it like?"

"Were you scared?"

"How are you still friends with that yakuza bitch?"

I answered the polite questions, ignored the rude ones, and glared at the idiot that asked about Shinobu.

Maybe I'm not ready for this.

Nagata-san escorted me to my desk and stood at the end of the row. "Just signal if you need me, Haruhi-sama."

He reassured me that he doesn't mind sitting through my classes. I was up until early morning talking myself into asking him to stay with me. I wanted him here. Turns out, Akira-san and Takashi already told him he'd be sticking with me throughout the school day.

The crowds scare me. My hand's wrapped, but it could easily be bumped and reinjured. My face is still full of stitches. They're coming out this afternoon, and I can't wait. They're tricky to keep clean.

"Hey, Fujioka-san, you OK?"

I nodded to our class president and tried to take my laptop out of my bag. Renge was there in an instant. "Let me," and she helped me set it up so I could record the class.

"Alright, class. Settle down, please." Sensei started writing the assignment on the board. "Fujioka-chan, are you all set? We were told you'd be recording the lectures rather than trying to take notes with your left hand."

"Yes, Sensei," I nodded to my laptop.

"Alright." She turned to the rest of the class. "We're halfway through the school year, which means you only have a little over four months to finish your year-long project. I'll be scheduling individual meetings with each of you over the next week to see where you are and if you're on track."

My project.

I haven't done much on it lately. I found dozens of books in New York to help, but I've only read two of them so far. Maybe my scope is too big. Maybe I should narrow it down to a subset of women's rights. Voting? Financial? Medical? I don't want to limit the time frame or the geographical breadth.

.

"About time, Kasanoda. Thought you'd never come back."

"Shut it," I barked and gave them the look that scares Pops. Just a couple of dickheads from bottom dwelling syndicates. They bowed slightly and moved on. Fuckers.

"Nice." I swung around to glare again, but it was one of Bu's friends. "You kiss my friend with that face?"

"She likes it."

"I'll bet."

We took our seats, pulling out paper and textbooks. "Can I get your notes from last week? For me and Bu?"

"Sure. I'll make copies during the break." She lowered her voice and leaned closer, "How is she, really?"

"She'll be fine. Can't come back yet because of her eye. Can't move around much."

"She must love that."

I rolled my eyes. "You have no idea."

"Is she home? Can I visit?"

"Text her. If she doesn't want you there, she'll tell you."

"No shit."

.

xXx

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Late Morning, Shinobu's Rooms, Himura Syndicate:

I'm inside a yakuza compound.

I'm inside a yakuza compound.

I did not ask the guard to pinch me to see if I'm dreaming.

I offered to drive myself, but they picked me up at my office in a limousine! It was longer than twice my car.

They escorted me through security, taking my phone and putting it in something they called a Faraday box. Said it would block all signals. It's like they thought I was a spy! Then they x-rayed and searched my medical bag. It was stricter than the airport.

We're on our way to Himura-sama's rooms…ROOMS! I didn't see much of the compound so far. Just security and the main house. There are a few guards around and some maids, but no guns or anything.

"This way, Minoru-sensei. Himura-sama's in bed."

Her rooms turned out to be like an apartment within the house. They said it was her own 'wing'. They're bigger than my apartment, and I'm one of the best ophthalmologists in Japan.

This is so crazy.

.

Yeah, Ritsu was right. This guy's like a kid in a candy store getting to see the inside of a yakuza compound. Told security to give him the full treatment. For fun…

What did he think he'd see? Armed guards and drugs everywhere? Fucking movies are never realistic.

He had me sit on the edge of the bed. "This won't take long, Himura-sama." He called me -san in the hospital. Guess it's being here. "Just a quick look and pressure check."

I kinda want to go back tomorrow, but I really don't. Only to see everyone. I fucking hate school. It's boring and pointless. What good will cell division do me when someone's got a gun to my head or I'm trying to get the best of a tricky business deal.

And why doesn't Ouran have business classes? Do they just assume everyone's going to university after they graduate? A lot of the girls with marriage contracts won't be going. They'll be married within six months of graduation and pregnant within a year after that.

And I'm already married.

Just as long as Ritsu realizes I'm not pushing out a kid for several years.

"You're healing nicely. Right on track." He shoved his eye-looky-thingy back in his bag. "One more day should do it."

Our doc, Shishkura-sensei, is here for follow-up instructions, and the nurse is over there taking notes. I banned my mother from the room. She's making me crazy with the hovering.

"So, Wednesday?"

"Yes. You can go back to school on Wednesday, but no heavy lifting, no exercise including stairs, for another week. That also includes no," he lowered his voice, "sex."

"Yeah. I figured." Totally sucks. Ritsu and I are going to visit some of the weirder love hotel rooms when I'm cleared. My dreams were crazy last night.

"And I'd like to check you again Thursday after school."

He just wants another look at the compound.

"Alright. I can stop by your office after classes."

His shoulders slumped, and I held back a smirk.

"Or you could come by here on your way home from work." We did a background check. We know where this guy lives. And it's nowhere in between the hospital and the compound.

"That might be best," he practically gushed. Not a good actor. "I have a packed afternoon." Bet he doesn't have anything scheduled.

"OK. Security will work with your office like they did for today."

"Thank you, Himura-sama." He picked up his bag and shuffled his feet. "You will need to come into the office at the end of next week for a complete exam. I can't bring the needed equipment here."

"Makes sense." I tried not to laugh at his disappointment at not getting a third visit.

"I'll call your office and schedule it, Sensei," the nurse spoke up while scribbling. "Let me escort you out."

"Thank you."

I bet his head didn't stop spinning until he was back in the car.

Civilians.

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xXx

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After Classes, Office of Inoue Sayo (Haruhi's Therapist):

"We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to talk about, Haruhi-chan. We can talk about school or the ball. We haven't had a chance to talk about that yet."

She grabbed it like a lifeline.

"It was good. We raised so much money. And I met the princess and the prime minister."

"I know," I smiled remembering, "I followed the hashtags all night."

"Did you see Honey-senpai's bunny car?" I nodded. "I haven't gotten to ride in it yet."

"I'm sure you will soon."

"Probably not," she slumped in her seat. The next was said so quietly, I almost didn't hear it. "The windows aren't dark enough."

I watched the news show yesterday and then saw the tweets from the bookstore. Terror was all over her face.

I'll try bringing it up. Maybe she'll talk about it instead of the actual kidnaping. I'm pretty sure she's not ready for that yet. "There's a lot of attention on you now."

"The public is crazy."

"No argument here."

She looked up, and I tried not to wince at the tears. "Why do they care? I didn't do anything! I just happened to be there." Her eyebrows scrunched together, and her shoulders shrugged. "It doesn't make sense."

"It will blow over eventually."

"Only until the next thing," she snorted.

She's not wrong. The public is fascinated by her.

"The last time we spoke in the hospital, you were worried about a discussion with your security head."

"It went better than I thought it would…"

.

I took a quick glance at the clock.

Five more minutes.

And she hasn't even brought up the kidnapping.

"Let's end today on a positive note. Name something that's going well for you now."

"What?"

"Something positive."

Positive?

Then I remembered waking up this morning covered by two purring machines.

"I have a new cat. She crashed the ball and stowed away in my limo as we were leaving."

.

xXx

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After Classes, Tokyo Main:

"There you go, Fujioka-sama. All done."

Misawa-sensei held up a mirror so I could check out my stitchless face.

"It's wider than I thought."

"It will narrow and the color will blend over the next couple of weeks. I'm prescribing three different creams to help the scar fade." He handed me the first tube. "Use this as a cleanser for your entire face. It's extremely gentle and doesn't strip your natural oils." Then another tube. "Use this as your daily moisturizer. It can be used for your whole face." And now a jar. "This one's to help the scar fade. Use it morning and night right after you wash and before the standard moisturizer. I recommend no makeup for at least another two weeks. Put some of this cream on the scar several times throughout the day."

"Thank you, Sensei."

"The cleanser and moisturizer you'll use until they're gone then switch back to what you used before, though I recommend finding something gentler. As for the cream, we'll have another appointment in two weeks to see how things are going. If you aren't fading as much as we'd hoped, I'll refill it."

"Something gentler? So, soap isn't ok?"

Twenty minutes later and several samples and brochures for new soap…no, cleanser and moisturizer and I was being escorted back to the parking garage.

He suggested I ask Shinobu about her skin care routine. I'd heard him complement her on her skin in the hospital. It's probably the most expensive stuff in Japan.

At least I don't have to wear makeup for two weeks. Except for the photo shoot this Friday. He said they'd know how to take it off properly.

Apparently, that's not what soap is for.

.

I heard them coming just before Nagata opened the SUV door.

"Takashi?"

"Surprise." I stepped out to help her in. "I wanted to be the first to see you without the stitches."

My stomach flipped when she gave me her first full smile in over a week.

"The doctor said the scar will continue to fade and gave me some cream to help it."

I helped her into the SUV and climbed in next to her. I heard Nagata getting into the front. I'd already closed the partition.

"You look beautiful," I reached up and tucked some hair behind her ear. "Just beautiful."

I leaned forward and grazed her scar with my lips. She leaned into it, and I kept going, placing soft kisses up to her hairline.

"Takashi…" Her moan set me on fire, and my hands slipped around her waist to pull her against me. I can't believe we're together. After waiting years.

"Takashi…"

I pulled back at her shaking voice.

"Haruhi? I'm sorry. Did I…"

"No. I'm just really tired. Today was insane."

She turned to look out the window, and I leaned back in my seat.

Too fast. After everything she's been through, I must let her set the pace.

.

I watched two city blocks go by before he spoke again. "How were classes?"

"I checked the recorded lectures at lunch and they're clear. I'll be able to study from them and write up notes later after my hand's better." I looked down at it sitting in my lap still wrapped. Those stitches won't come out until later this week.

"I might have to narrow the scope of my history project. There's so much I could write about, I'm afraid of it expanding past what I can do well."

"I remember my project from that class. It's easy to find new information that doesn't quite align with your subject, but you want to include it because it's interesting."

"Exactly."

I leaned back in my seat, and it was quiet for another block or so.

"Were you mobbed by the students?"

I snorted, "Yes. It was crazy. But Renge and the twins kept everyone away before Nagata-san had to do a thing. They're really protective."

"Hn."

"Lunch was the worst. Some of the kids in my class gave me cards in the morning, but everyone else crowded me in the dining hall."

"Cards?" He tilted his head. "I thought they would have sent them to the house."

"Oh, there are plenty there as well, but they all wanted to give me the donation thank you's. You know the ones from Safe House and Kakurega for donating in my name? They got a lot of money just from Ouran students."

"I'm sure it will be put to good use."

"And now I have to go through hundreds of cards." I laid my head back on the seat and rubbed my temple.

"Haruhi?"

"Hmmm?"

"That's what your assistant's for. Let her go through them, sort them. You'll only need to respond to a small portion."

"Yeah. You'd think I'd be better at letting her do that stuff by now."

"It's a big adjustment."

I rolled my head to look at him, "What about you? Are you getting a new assistant?"

He tensed up, and I immediately regretted asking. "Aoi-san's doing the interviews."

Time to change the subject. "We're starting a new unit in art history, indigenous American art." I turned away from the window, "Maybe instead of a paddleboat up the river, I should have gone to the Southwest and visited some museums."

"We can always go back over winter break."

"Even if I thought that was remotely a good idea, the unit will be over by then." I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, "I wish I hadn't taken art history, but it's too late to change classes now."

His arm came around my shoulders and pulled me against him. I felt his voice rumble through his chest, "You'll do fine. I know you can."

"We'll see."

.

xXx

.

Dinner, Shido Estate:

"Uncle Kyoya! Uncle Kyoya! Look what I did at Ouran today!"

My son held up his painting from art class, and I could tell Kyoya had no idea what it was.

"It's very colorful, Sota." He reached down and pulled him up on his lap. "Tell me about it."

"This is Mom, and this is Yuki-chan, and this is Uncle Akito, and this is…"

Akito sat down next to me, "Kyoya's good with him."

"Better than I ever thought he'd be." I watched him watching them. "You thinking about having some of your own?"

He jerked his head toward me. "No. Not anytime soon. Yuki-chan and I probably won't even consider it until she's done with university."

"Well, with this little one on the way," I rubbed my huge belly, "and Sota already Kyoya's heir, you don't have to ever have any."

"My life doesn't look anything like I thought it would when Yoshio was around." He leaned back and drained his glass of wine. "Bastard."

"Yes. Amazing how much things have changed since February."

His eyes lit up as Yuki-chan walked into the lounge. "And all for the better."

.

I'd just cut another piece of my steak when Sota-kun spoke up, "When are you going back to California, Uncle Kyoya?"

"Well…" I'd asked Akito and Yuji to let me deliver the news to Fuyumi, Umeji, and Sota. "I've missed you so much, that I'm not going back."

His eyes grew as huge as saucers. "Really?"

"Really," I nodded.

Fuyumi couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice, "You're moving back?"

"Yes." I looked around the table, finally comfortable with my family. "The Conglomeration doesn't need me there. I can hire someone to run the US branch. With everything that's happened…" I trailed off, not really wanting to say it.

"Aww, little brother," she smirked at me, "you miss all of us."

"Yeah," I sighed, "I do."

"Yea! Uncle Kyoya, that means you can come to Ouran on family day, and we can go to the toy store, and we can swim together, and play with my Legos, and we can have so much fun."

"Yes, Kiddo," I ruffled his hair, "we sure can."

"The three of us should do something tomorrow before my internship starts on Wednesday."

I looked over at Akito like he'd grown a second head. He wants to do something with me and Sota? "Sota-kun has Ouran tomorrow."

Fuyumi set her water glass down and winked at Sota, "I think Sensei will understand. It's not often both of your uncles can spend the day with you."

Great.

"Ooooo! Can we go to KidZania!? I wanna go to KidZania!"

"Sure we can," Akito was quick to agree, but I pulled out my phone to check it out.

.

Never would I have imagined seeing my two brothers-in-law agreeing to take my son out for a day of playing around.

The best thing Yoshio ever did for his family was die.

"Says here kids can play-act their favorite careers with full uniforms and lots of accessories. Dentists, cooks, engineers, firemen. They have over forty to choose from."

"What about your job, Uncle Kyoya? Can I do that?"

Kyoya smiled, "Tell you what, if you really want to see what my job is like, you can come to work with me one morning then we can have lunch before you go back home."

"I bet they have a doctor set at KidZania, Sota-kun. You could see what it's like to do what I do."

"Ooooo," he turned to Fuyumi, "please can I go! Please. Please. I'll be soooo good. Please, Mom."

"As long as you're on your best behavior."

"I will. I will," he bounced in his seat. Then, all of a sudden, he turned those begging eyes on Yuki, "Can you come too? I'm sure your teacher will let you."

"Actually, I think it would be so much better for the three of you to have a men's day out." Her eyes flicked to Akito and back to Sota. "We'll do something ourselves later in the week."

That just got him more excited. "Men's day out!"

"Sure," Kyoya finally caved, "men's day out."

.

xXx

.

Evening, Gym, Morinozuka Estate:

"Excellent, Fujioka-sama. I can tell you've been doing the dexterity exercises we went through at the hospital."

I just nodded and continued to slowly tap my fingertips on the table, one after the other.

"Have you been icing you hand like we discussed?"

"Yes, twice a day after the exercises."

"Excellent," she made a notation in the folder she brought with her. "There's a new stretch I want to add to your routine."

She walked me through how to stretch the tendons in my forearm to keep my wrist and hand loose. Seemed odd to stretch my arm, but everything's connected.

"When can I start writing again?"

"We might try holding a pen next time. I think you'll find you hand gets tired much quicker than you're anticipating."

Nuts. I tried writing out some of my notes with my left hand, and the writing is worse than when I was little and just learning to write. I had to throw it away.

"That's it." Ishii-san shoved her folder back in her backpack. "Add that stretch to the dexterity exercises and keep up the icing. Our next appointment is Thursday after dinner."

"Thank you for coming here. I appreciate it." Especially after having to basically sneak out of the hospital after getting my stitches out. Ridiculous.

"Not a problem, Fujioka-sama." I tried to get her to call me Haruhi, but she said it's against hospital policy.

I was going to offer to walk her out, but one of the maids seemed to magically appear at the door. Was she standing out there the whole time just waiting? I hope not. What a waste of time.

Satoshi and Takashi are running on the treadmills. I walked over to join them. I feel I lost whatever muscle tone I managed to build just sitting around the hospital for the last week or so.

.

Haruhi came over and started up a treadmill but held her right hand up to her chest a little above her heart. "Haruhi? Are you alright?"

"Yes," she sighed and got the speed adjusted. She's going slower than normal. "My hand's just tired from the therapy and if I swing it while I'm walking, it will throb."

"Ice," Taka said and stopped running. "I'll get you some."

"I was going to ice it after I walked…" but he'd already crossed the room to the freezer.

When he came back, he hit her stop switch, and she stumbled a bit at the sudden stop. "Come sit down. I'll wrap your hand."

"But Takashi, I can ice it after or even while I'm walking."

"No. You need to be still while icing." He's not wrong, but even I know he's making her angry with his demands.

He took her left arm and tried to guide her over to a chair. Didn't surprise me when she jerked her arm away. At least he was barely holding on and not dragging her.

"I can walk on my own, Takashi."

His eyebrows rose and his shoulders slumped. "Of course, you can, Haruhi. I didn't mean to imply…"

"It's alright. I'm just tired." Instead of sitting down and letting him wrap her hand in the ice, she reached out and took the icepack. "I think I'll go back upstairs and ice it there. I'm sure you've got things to do tonight."

My idiot brother just stood there while she kissed him on the cheek, told us both goodnight, and left the gym.

That's when my ninety-minute timer went off, and I stopped the machine.

"Taka," I punched him in the shoulder, "you're an idiot. You can't treat her like that."

"I know, but I can't stop remembering finding her in that warehouse." His eyes stared off at something that wasn't there. "Tied to that chair, that knife through her hand, blood running down her face."

He's probably thinking about killing Daiju too. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."

That jerked him out of his flashback, and his eyes focused on mine. "Thanks, but not right now." He scrubbed his hands through his hair and shook his head. "I think I'll go back to the apartment and shower there."

And he left looking like a lost puppy.

.

I shouldn't have done that.

What was I thinking?

I know better than to force her.

She knows how to wrap her hand. I was there when the nurse showed her.

Mitsukuni wanted me to protect him. Liked when I took care of him.

Haruhi's independent. I can't compare them.

"Good night, Takashi-sama," one of the drivers said.

How'd I get to the garage?

"Hn."

I remembered to roll down my window so the reporters outside the gates could see me leaving.

.

xXx

.

Night, Various Locations Around Tokyo:

Tamaki:

"Don't forget your turn signal, Suoh-sama."

"Sorry." He pushed it up for a right turn.

And performed it perfectly.

"I want to go over Rainbow bridge."

"It's almost half an hour away from where we are now and then over an hour to get back to the estate from there."

His eyes flicked over to me then back to the road, "I need the practice if I want to drive myself to Todi in three weeks."

I said a quick prayer to whatever gods are listening. "Then you'll want to turn left in three lights."

.

Honami (Haruhi's Assistant):

To Do:

Go through donation mail and cards with Haruhi-sama. Some need her personal response

Finish procedures for donating gifts from her closet

Ask if I can unpack all the books from New York

Get organizer for new underclothes

.

Chika:

I'm so behind reviewing the potential new opportunities for Lightning Investments.

An app that draws and lays out manga to your specifications? Could be interesting. I wonder if Renge would beta test it for us.

Here's one that can manage all your smart devices in your house. Set it so if something happens it triggers another device, even if they aren't related. Open front door, lights in living rooms go on and internal cameras alert your phone.

I sent the rest of the board my approval and moved on to the next one.

.

Akito:

A navy button down? Does this make me look like an uncle?

I held the shirt up and checked it out in the mirror. I look like a doctor. I tossed it on the top of the pile and headed back into my closet.

I need to find something that blends in with the crowds and doesn't make me look like I'm in my forties.

This is the first time I'm taking Sota-kun out for fun. Just the three of us. I can't disappoint that little guy.

I frantically ripped through my shirts, trying to find something. Anything.

Why don't I have any t-shirts?

I wonder what Kyoya's wearing.

.

Sukuno (Tamaki's Gallery Assistant):

To Do:

Finalize guest list for shows 10 to 20 days out

Arrange shipping from Los Angeles for November show

Have new print of Ito Yuki's hung

.

Umeko and Akira:

"We're not sure who took the picture, but it was clearly taken in the hospital."

Akira's fingers were turning white as he gripped the tablet. "Let me hold that," and I pulled it out of his hands.

We're both staring at a picture of Haruhi-chan walking through the halls of Tokyo Main after having her stitches removed. She had no idea she was being photographed.

"From the height and the tilt, our best guess is someone was holding their phone down by their side so her security didn't realize it was on. It looks like a screen grab from a video."

The bookstore was yesterday. This is our first daily briefing with her agent, security, and our PR. And we're already dealing with a candid photo all over social media.

.

Kaoru and Hikaru:

"Yes…

"No…

"Yes…

"Yes…

I can't take it anymore.

"What the hell are you doing, Kaoru? You're making me crazy."

He looked across the room at me from the bed. "Approving the winter jewelry designs. I fucked up. They should have been approved last week."

"Can't you do it without talking? This class's coding project is the hardest yet."

"Yeah. Sorry."

I turned back to the tricky phone interface and tried to forget he's in the room.

.

Aoi (Umeko's Assistant):

To Do:

Arrange interviews for top three candidates for Takashi-sama's assistant

Kimono pickup before charity tea on Sunday

Meet with Takashi-sama regarding personal correspondence

.

Kyoya:

I drained my water bottle and mopped my face. Just one more kilometer.

It's been too long since I've run myself to exhaustion. I better get some good sleep tonight.

Tomorrow we have that meeting with Ogata-san. I hope Ishikawa's right about him, and he'll want to perform a complete security review for all the families. So many things need to change. The list I sent Morimoto was over five pages long.

I'll only be able to be with Sota-kun and Akito in the morning.

Ding.

I glanced at my phone.

Why's Akito texting me this late?

.

Cho:

Email to Keiko:

so it looks like the contract will happen. I'm waiting for the lawyers to finalize the next draft…

It's going to be so boring for the next three weeks. Honey-kun's going to be busy with his bakeries. I'm sure we'll go out, but the days will be so quiet. Maybe I should start a business…

Did you see that picture of Haruhi without her stitches? Do you think that scar will ever fade? It's huge!...

.

Iwahara (Renge's Assistant):

To Do:

Make appointment with decorator for update and viewing of new art pieces from America

Contact Ooka Co-op for bed measurements. Need linens for 14 beds

.

Haruhi:

"The budget is approved…"

And the text isn't typing. What am I doing wrong? The tech guy showed me how to set this up so I could dictate my emails.

"The budget is approved…"

Crap.

I swear I'm doing exactly what he showed me.

"The budget is approved…"

Forget it. I'll type with my left hand.

I need to get these answered for Tanaki-san before our meeting with the advertising agency tomorrow.

.

Renge:

Just what I needed.

And I got to try out that wonderful new bath oil Tamaki-kun gave me. He blushed so red when I opened it.

I took a deep breath and sunk deeper into the water. "Lilacs."

What a perfect setting to edit the latest volume for Paris Host Club.

.

Kawai (Haruhi's Agent's Assistant):

To Do:

Prep for meeting tomorrow at Petto Chinmi – pull copies of previous ads

Meet with Every Woman advertising division for copies of all ads and locations where they were published

Meet with tracking department to add more data for them to collect

.

Yuki:

It's only been three nights.

It's not like we share a bed all the time, but I've already gotten used to it. I sleep better when he's here with me.

How are we ever going to sleep apart after my birthday trip?

.

Mori and Honey:

"I don't like it."

"I thought you'd let it go?"

"I thought I did too, but he's staying in Tokyo. He'll be at Todi."

"Hn."

"Why aren't you more upset?"

I sat up from where I'd been laying on the sofa and looked over at my cousin and the cakes surrounding him. He'd barely made a dent so far. "Even after everything that happened, Haruhi knows him better than anyone else except for Tamaki. She says he's changed. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But," I stood up and headed for bed, "If he hurts anyone in the group again, especially Haruhi, he'll regret it forever."

"And I'll help," I heard as I walked down the hallway.

.

Eri (Cho's Personal Maid):

To Do:

Send out new dress for tailoring

Inventory hygiene – what's running low

Change out pillows for new

.

Ritsu and Shinobu:

"Relax. We're never going to get to sleep if you don't relax."

I had my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. But he kept shifting around.

"Can't help it. Still feels weird. Like your mother's going to burst in here any minute and shoot me."

"Not going to happen."

"It's still fucking weird."

"You think it's weird now, wait until the doc clears me and we can have sex again. I'm doing you all over the place."

"Bu…"

"In this bed, on the sofa, in the shower, in my closet, up against the door, bent over my desk…"

"Bu…"

"Hell, once it's past midnight, I'm dragging you all over the fucking compound."

"You're killing me, Bu."

"Yeah, but at least your relaxed now."

"No, just a different kind of stiff."

.

Morinozuka Security:

"It's the same group, Oshiro-sama."

"This is the third letter?"

"Fourth."

"Still nothing from social media?"

"No."

"Send it to the FBI. See if this changes their profile."

"Yes, Sir."

.

Pervert:

This is the best picture yet.

How can she turn my marriage proposal down after she sees this? She'll never even want to look at another man once she's seen this.

.

xXx

.

Author's Note:

Now that the girls are home from the hospital, you'll start to see less things happening on each day and maybe even some days being skipped. The tight timeline isn't necessary, and we'll never get anywhere with multiple chapters per day. That being said, I'm finding it hard to not write every little thing that happens, so bear with me.

Gotta say, I'm thinking back to Ritsu when we first met him and realizing just how far he's come. He went to the compound to see the family areas and clearly stated her lawyer was in charge. He and Bu have such an interesting relationship, and the different layers surprise me sometimes.

Any typos/grammar errors in any text discussions are intentional. Especially Haruhi's because of her hand.

Writing Haruhi's therapy session was hard. Not sure how much I'm going to include in future ones. She's not going to snap back right away, but she's also not going to spiral into a horrible depression. They'll both be dealing with it in their own ways, and I plan to have them help each other and become closer friends. (Will make for interesting issues in 10 years when Haruhi's a lawyer and Bu's running the syndicate.)

Even living with Ranka, I still picture Haruhi not knowing much about makeup and how to take it off. Sure, she's been in lots of different photoshoots by now, but I see her rolling her eyes at the elaborate routine to clean it all off and just using soap and water at home. Kinda like I did before mom found out and lectured me, though I'm not sure how she thought I'd know better if she didn't teach me…

Now that I've read it again, it's kind of a do nothing chapter. But it is setting up several things. Hope you like the roundup at the end. It's my way of transitioning from writing absolutely everything, to letting some things be imagined.

And Akito texting Kyoya to ask him what he's wearing…priceless…

.

Next Chapter:

Some business news for Ritsu…Discussions about soap…the uncles and the kid out for the day…we meet our new security consultant…Shinobu makes some syndicate decisions…and another bad surprise for Haruhi…

.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Ouran High School Host Club. I also do not own, nor am I making any money from, the following: Olympics, Lego, any real restaurant, business, artist, food product, movie, game, location, or really anything else that exists. I do, however, own any original characters and the plot of this story.