Chapter Text
-Chapter 47-
Suoh Miki!
Tamaki sat at his desk in the Main Suoh Mansion, staring blankly at the flickering screen of his laptop as the dawn broke over the horizon.
'France's Grantaine Company Announces Development of New Drug and Enters the Pharmaceutical Industry!'
'Suoh Corporation Board of Director's Meeting Ends in Decision to Seek the Current Director of the Board's Resignation!'
"What is this...?" He muttered, utterly shocked by what he was seeing.
However, before he could think anything more of the situation, a sudden alarm began to ring, shattering the tranquillity that had initially resonated within the Main Mansion. He whipped his head around in surprise, not understanding where the deafening sirens were originating from. The only clue he had was the panicked voices and hasty footsteps that were coming from outside his room in the long hallway.
"What's going on?" One of the chefs questioned.
"Someone is breaking out of the Second Mansion!" A maid responded, causing Tamaki to flinch up as he felt a cold sweat run down his back. His limbs stiffened, and his breath hitched in his throat as his eyes began to dart from left to right, a horrifying thought grew deep within and nagging him at the back of his mind.
Could it be...?
***
Panting heavily, Miki stood before the broken body-length window in Tamaki's room. Her ears were still ringing from how loud the sound of the shattering glass was as she tossed her brother's bedside lamp out the window mere moments ago. The cool April breeze immediately rushed into the stuffy room, bringing a sense of refreshment back to the air and instantly soothing Miki's heart. However, the tranquillity didn't last long as the sirens ringing throughout the mansion grounds quickly disrupted that peaceful scene. She took a shaky step backwards; her arms were sore from how many times she had to swing them in order to conjure the force needed to completely clear out the window frame of glass. However, the adrenaline that was pumping through her system easily nullified that pain. She hurried over the mattress she laid set out before the window, about to execute the next step of her plan when a series of thunderous knocks echoed from the locked doors behind her.
"Milady! What's going on in there?! Open these doors!"
Though Miki initially flinched slightly at that butler's commanding tone, she soon snapped out of her trance and grew even more agitated by the moment.
Arden would never speak to her that way.
Gathering all the strength in her body, Miki swiftly pushed the mattress out of the window with a firm shove, taking a small tumble forward due to how much her legs were trembling from the nervousness and minor excitement of this grand escape. She crawled over to the end of the window, peering down just in time to see the mattress land on the layer of grass and broken glass shards with a small 'thump.'
Huffing out short, staggering breaths, Miki scrambled to get back on her feet. All there was left was for her to jump and land safely on the mattress. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, blocking out the knocks behind her that grew more desperate by the second and listening to her heart hammering against her chest.
"Mother," She whispered. "Please give me strength."
Then as her eyes fluttered open, she pushed her feet off the ground and dashed forth, taking a leap of faith into the breaking dawn as her strawberry brown hair trailed behind her in a soft flutter.
***
"Tamaki! What's the matter?" Spotting his son make an unannounced entrance to his office in the Suoh Corporation Headquarters, Yuzuru quickly stood up from his chair behind the desk and rushed over with a broad smile. He had just attended to the board meeting, of which his mother was formally forced to resign from her position as Director, effectively ending her reign of terror over him, his lover and his kids for so long. As wonderful as that news was, he wasn't expecting to see Tamaki so soon, as he was meant to be attending school today. "What are you doing here?" He asked, quickly pressing the back of his hand against Tamaki's forehead. "Hm... You don't seem to have a fever though. Nevermind that." Unable to contain his eagerness, he quickly shook his head and grabbed his son by the shoulder as an excited grin spread across his cheeks. "Listen, Tamaki! I've got some great news." He announced. "Your mother's health is improving every day! I'm sorry I had to hide it from you, your mother's illness was very serious, and it took a while until we could find a cure. But there's no need to worry anymore!" He assured delightfully. "In fact, all our problem have been resolved. You can now see your mother anytime you-"
"At the price of what?" Not reacting to the news, Tamaki responded coldly, his words were more of a statement than a question.
"Huh?" Yuzuru blinked.
"Father. Answer me one thing." Reaching up to swat his father's hand off of himself, Tamaki lifted his gaze to stare at his father with eyes of disgust. "Where is Miki right now?" He questioned.
Taken aback by the question that seemingly came out of nowhere, Yuzuru stilled for a few moments before allowing his eyes to crinkle softly. "I see..." He uttered with a wry smile. "I'm sorry if the news this morning surprised you. I apologize for keeping my plans a secret from you and your grandmother. Miki had a very crucial mission to complete for me, but all of that is over now. You don't have to kowtow to your grandmother's whims anymore." He reminded, still attempting to cheer his son up with every piece of good news he had. "I know! Let's rehire everyone from the Second Mansion and bring Miki over as well." He suggested eagerly. "Once your mother's health improves a little more, the four of us can begin living together as a family." He declared proudly.
Tamaki's lips parted at his father's enthusiasm, he searched deep within himself, wondering if he felt anything of the sort with no avail. He could only find disappointment, disgust and sorrow rising within himself. "The four of us...?" He murmured lowly, clenching his hands into fists as his nails dug into the flesh of his palms. "Family...? Father... You don't get it."
"Tamaki?"
"What about grandmother?" Glaring up to meet Yuzuru's eyes, Tamaki began to shout. "Father, you don't understand my feelings at all! How could you do that to them? How could you even fathom sending Miki back to that hell after everything you've already put her through?" He accused. "How could you take away the most precious thing to grandmother in such a cruel way? All she wanted to do was maintain grandfather's legacy! They're your family, aren't they?! Aren't family supposed to be the most precious bonds?! " He roared at the top of his lungs, watching in a mixture of fury and pity as the man before him's expression turned dumbfounded. Slowly shaking his head, Tamaki took a staggering step backwards as tears began to swirl within his ocean-blue eyes. "I can't ever forgive what you've done, father...!" He said, collapsing to his knees and burying his face in his hands. "How could you...?" He muttered incoherently. "Why...?"
***
"Sir, a few students from Ouran Academy came to see you."
Not even an hour after Tamaki's departure, Yuzuru peered up at his secretary's announcement. His eyes were sunken, swollen, and the dark rings that surrounded them were ever so prominent from staying up all night. "Send them in." He instructed in a raspy voice.
Soon, the large double doors to his spacious office creaked open, and the familiar faces of his children's friends came filing in, each wearing tense expressions of their own. Yuzuru huffed out a breath as a fatigued smile formed on his lips. "I thought you'd come again." He said. "I'm heading to the airport to pick someone up, so I'm afraid I can't spare too much time. If you are here to talk about Tamaki, you just missed him. He was here earlier and indicated that he wouldn't ever forgive for my actions." He revealed as his gaze dropped to a wistful downcast. "Would you talk to him for me?" He requested. "The company wanted it this way, and I ultimately did it for Tamaki's sake."
"You didn't sir." Standing at the front-most in the group, Kyoya cut through Yuzuru's excuse like a sharp knife. "Ultimately, you did it for your own sake. Because you are the one who has lived under the Director's oppression longer than anyone else." He declared boldly, causing the hosts behind him to flinch up as they shifted their burning gaze to the second-year's backside.
"Ah." Interlacing his fingers, Yuzuru's eyes crinkled as he leaned forward to rest his chin on his hand. "Perhaps the third son of the Ootori family would understand me best. You're right, I've lived as her obedient son for a very long time." He admitted. "I let her force me into a loveless marriage, and even when she started demanding for an heir, I complied. But when I truly fell in love for the first time..." He paused for a moment as a blissful light seemingly illuminated within his coffee brown eyes. "It was as if my eyes were finally opened." He explained. "I was able to get a divorce with Elisa's help, but when my mother's threats spread from me to Anne and even Tamaki and... Well, you know the rest." He stated as his expression slowly tensed once more. "Now, at last, I gained enough power to overthrow my mother! I thought Tamaki would rejoice with me but..." He cut himself off, unable to continue as he remembered his son's parting words.
"You're unbelievable!" Hikaru immediately snapped. "Do you know how much you've hurt your children?!" He accused.
"Exactly!" Kaoru nodded his head furiously in agreement. "We know you've suffered too, but-"
"Quiet. We haven't heard everything yet." Kyoya said, extending his arm to stop the twins from literally pouncing on the man before shifting his attention back to Yuzuru. "So the reason you involved Kosaka was because you knew she had been acquainted with Haruhi's parents?" He questioned.
"That's right." Yuzuru nodded as Haruhi's eyes widened. "I knew my mother would soon deem Haruhi to be unfit to be associated with the Suoh family. I thought Kosaka's lingering feelings for Haruhi's father many years back would keep her from being as heavy-handed as another negotiator might have been." He elaborated. "Kosaka was also quite instrumental in for getting Tamaki into the main mansion. I wanted Tamaki to gain acceptance on his own talent and merits. But even after he had proven himself worthy 50 times over, my mother still stubbornly refused to acknowledge him. I decided then that she needed some encouragement from a neutral third-party. My mother wanted someone to watch Tamaki and those around him, so I took the opportunity to feed her that encouragement through Kosaka." He said as his eyes narrowed slightly. "If Tamaki had entered the Main Mansion after my mother's fall from power, then all he'd suffer for her approval would've been meaningless. That's why my priority was to get Tamaki into the Main Mansion before the board meeting, as I was able to count on Kosaka's accurate and cold analysis to convince my mother. Kosaka was perfect in her role as she also became quite an ally to the Fujioka's in the end." He huffed out a small laugh, as if demonstrating the little sense of pride he felt when the events went according to plan.
"So you have Kosaka-san playing into your hands right from the start..." Honey remarked. "So then was Miki-chan also part of your plan too?" He then asked.
Yuzuru shook his head. "Not quite." He murmured. "After all, that child has quite the natural talent in taking people by surprise."
"The truth is, my mother had been demanding for Miki's custodianship since I had received it six months ago. I knew she wanted Miki locked up again, so I figured that using her as a form of temporary red-herring when the time was right would be the smartest and safest choice." He spoke solemnly. "However, Elisa proved to be quite a serious problem in that aspect." He paused for a few moments, swallowing hard. "She may not have looked like it, but she has always been very protective of our daughter. Therefore I decided to wait until after the complete collapse of the Fernández dukedom and Elisa's relocation trip to make my move, so I could ensure that she nor Arden wouldn't be able to use what remaining power their family had left, to intervene in my plans of transferring her custodianship." He explained before allowing his gaze to dart up. "But do believe me when I say, once my mother had been taken care of, I had always planned on releasing Miki from house arrest, as I also want her to live with us as a family." He assured sincerely. "Either way, I do apologize for the harsh punishment I had to level on your club. It was because I knew you were looking into things I couldn't allow you to know, Kyoya." His eyes crinkled benevolently as he stared at the boy. "The length you would go through to protect my children truly is remarkable, but it would have been inconvenient if anything you stumbled on had ended up alerting my mother. Well, you can restart your club anytime you'd like. I'll let the principal know as well." He informed with a soft smile.
"Hey!" Hearing how calm the man was about the entire situation, the twins grumbled. "How dare you suspend our club just to keep from being inconvenienced-" They yelled, only to bu cut short when Kyoya stood before them once again and gestured for them to stand back despite how much his own body trembled with visible anger.
"I know you genuinely cared about your children, and you did what you did in order to rid them of your mother's control." He asserted, taking a deep breath in hopes of retaining his composure for the rest of the conversation. "But you misread my intentions. What I cannot forgive you for - is that used them to exact revenge on your mother!" He stated in a clear voice, causing Yuzuru to shrink back slightly at the sudden accusation. "Per the Director's instructions, you separated Tamaki from his mother and took him away from the only life he knew in France. You brought him here where she treated him with cold disdain as you said nothing to defend him. You left him to fend for himself while you waited on the development of that drug. And then, when the drug was on the verge of completion, you used Miki as a method to stall time. You passed her over to your mother as if she was an object, using her as bait to both satisfy and tear the Director's prying eyes away as you prepared for the grand reveal for this new drug and revival of the Grantaine Corporation." As he continued to list off each of Yuzuru's offences, Kyoya's voice only continued to burn with more hostility than ever. "You played the obedient son up to the very end, just so that you could take down your mother in the cruellest way possible. It wasn't just Kosaka you manipulated! You used your own children as pawns in your sick game against your mother!" He growled furiously, causing Yuzuru eyes to widen in realization.
"How could you do this to them?!" Beyond furious and on the verge losing his sense of reason, Kyoya lunged forward angrily only to barely be held back by Honey and Mori as their words of comfort fell short to his ears. "Are you not able to hear their voices?! They loved you! They looked up to you! They relied on you!" He exploded, voice growing louder with every sentence. "Yet you cause both of their childhoods to be filled with loneliness because of your petty rivalry and selfish actions. Just what..." He paused for a moment, pressing his lips together as he attempted to find his words. "Just what kind of fools do you take us for?!" The glare of his glasses reflecting Yuzuru's remorseful figure as he sunk his head between his shoulders, resting his forehead on his interlaced fingers.
As Mori readjusted his grip on an enraged Kyoya, he froze for a moment as he picked up a small shuffle sound from the hallway behind the thin crack in the large double doors. "Who's there?" Snapping his head around, he spoke in his low voice.
Immediately, the room stilled at his question as everyone's gaze darted towards the entrance in search of the signs of a possible intruder. Silence laid like a blanket that covered the room, muffling the slightest sound and raising the tension in the atmosphere as everyone stared expectingly at the faint crack in the grand double doors.
It didn't take long before the faint sound of footsteps could be heard echoing throughout the long corridor, and a figure appeared soon after, emerging from the shadows of the darkened hallway to stand before the doors. Kyoya felt his breath hitch as he instantly recognized the hue of hazel present in the person's eyes. He swallowed hard, watching as the door slowly creaked open to reveal the girl with strawberry brown hair, standing stiffly with a dazed look.
"Miki-senpai!"
"Miki-chan!"
The joyful calls for her name, however, fell short to Miki's ears. Her gaze was deadset ahead, staring blankly at Yuzuru with a chilling void in her hazel pupils. It was as if she had developed tunnel vision, as she paid no mind to the others surrounding them. "Father..." She murmured, slowly stepping forward, floating towards him as if she were a ghost.
"Miki..." Yuzuru felt his voice crack at the sight of her. "Why are you here already...? How..." He stammered as a sudden chill of fear and regret ran down his spine. "How much did you hear?" He asked.
"I broke myself out," Miki replied without a change in her tone or emotion. "I broke the window in Tamaki-kun's room and jumped out, using his mattress to break my fall. Aijima-san and Hotta-san found me, and I asked them to bring me here because they said I'd find both you and Kyoya-kun here." She explained, shifting her focus between her father's toffee brown eyes. "Now, may I asked you something?" She spoke. "Tell me, father... Was what Kyoya-kun said true?"
Instead of replying, Yuzuru averted his gaze sheepishly, unable to either confirm or deny the information she had overheard.
Kyoya was about to take a step forward once again, only for Honey and Mori to pull him back. He gritted his teeth at Yuzuru's response, snapping his attention towards Miki in fear of her reaction, only to find her completely dry-eyed.
"I see." She said, still not shifting her attention away from the man who shuffled guiltily under her piercing gaze. "Then, could I ask you something else, father?" She paused for a moment, biting her bottom lip. "Do you love me?" She questioned bluntly.
Yuzuru's lips parted slightly, only to find himself unable to make a peep. "At first, I didn't." He managed to gingerly choke out his words after a few attempts. "I... I don't think you would remember this, but... The first time when I visited you in your room, it had been nearly a year since you moved in. Up until then, Arden had chased me down around the Main Mansion, making a fuss and begging me to go see you. I was... Less than compliant." He reminisced, pressing his forehead to his shaky hands as if he were bowing his head in apology. "You were a child I was pressured into creating, then blackmailed into taking care of. You were a reminder to all of the misery and suffering my mother had placed Anne, Tamaki and I under. But then..." Slowly, he lifted his gaze from his hands and met Miki's emotionless face with a nostalgically wistful smile. "When I finally gave in and visited you, despite never even seeing me once prior to that, you called me 'Papa' and ran up to greet me with the sweetest smile I've ever seen on a child. Seeing that expression on you, I realized how stubborn I was being. You were just as much of a victim as the rest of us, and blaming you, a child, for all the things far beyond your control was extremely foolish of me. Since then, I swore that I would set you free from your hell and that you'd be nothing less than my beloved daughter." He resolved, gently tightening his grip on his folded hands. "So to answer your question, Miki. Yes, I love you very much." He proclaimed sincerely. "If I said that, would you believe me?" He asked, staring at his daughter with a pleading gaze.
Another beat of silence loomed within the room as the hosts turned to stare at Miki's backside, each wondering what she would do in the face of her father's honest words.
"Yes, father. I believe you." Miki replied, watching slowly as Yuzuru's eyes brightened with relief only to cock her head to the side as she continued. "If I said that, would you believe me?" She repeated her father's words, except hers, took on an entirely different meaning altogether. Yuzuru's smile dropped as he felt a shiver rattle up his spine at her expressionless face and toneless words."I don't matter because I was born to be a tool." Miki muttered, pressing a hand to her chest solemnly. "But Tamaki-kun is different. I understand that you were upset with grandmother's actions, I really do. But the way you were willing to use even Tamaki-kun, a child who was born out of the love between you and Anne-Sophie-san, to achieve your goal - it was cruel of you." She stated, turning on the ball of her foot and making her way out the door.
Watching as his only other child began to take long strides that distanced herself further and further away from him, Yuzuru jolted up from his seat. "Miki, I...!" His limbs stiffened, noticing that she has halted in her tracks at his call. "I..." He choked up, unable to find his words.
Miki stilled for a few moments. She pressed her lips together before glancing over her shoulder with a stony expression. "Face it, father. The 'you' right now, you are not a victim as you claim to be anymore." She spoke through a cracking voice. "You are not Rapunzel; you are the sorceress."
With that, she turned to pace past the members of the host club and exited the office.
"Miki-senpai!" Hikaru and Kaoru called after her, not knowing what to do at the moment. Kyoya however, immediately shook free of Honey and Mori's grasps. Snapping his attention towards Yuzuru, he shot him a sharp, disapproving glare before turning on the heel of his foot and running after Miki.
***
"Miki!" In the lobby of the Suoh Corporation building, Kyoya called out to the strawberry blonde as he sped walked after her. Despite his countless attempts to catch her attention and to get her to turn around, she was far too lost in the numbness of her mind to hear him. "Miki!" Fed up with her continually ignoring his calls, Kyoya reached out to grab her wrist. What he didn't expect, however, was just how weak her legs were. With one soft tug, her knees buckled, and she fell into his arms like a rag doll. It was as if she had been ready to snap and crumble at any moment, even before he had grabbed her.
"Kyoya-kun..." Leaning her head back to peer up at him, Miki murmured was a glassy stare, greeting him for the first time in a couple of days.
Finally able to get a better look at her, Kyoya glanced down, only to freeze at what he saw.
He was half-expecting for the usual doe-eyed expression to be staring back at him, but the girl that was wrapped in his arms, her eyes were lifeless. The sparkles of joy, the childlike curiosity and the many stories that were told within those hazel eyes with just a few simple blinks had vanished completely, leaving nothing but two black-hole like vortexes in their place.
That wasn't the Miki he knew.
She looked paler, thinner, and the dark circles around her eyes seemed even more prominent than it had ever been. Her usual fluffy and silky hair was now a little oily and dishevelled, not only that, but she was wearing the exact same outfit as she did when he last saw her. If anything, she resembled an antique ball-jointed doll than human.
"I'm sorry." As Miki slowly turned around to face him, she spoke in a flat voice. "I ordered Aijima-san and Hotta-san to bring me here."
Kyoya didn't immediately respond. Instead, he reached up gently and cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand as he studied her, noticing how she didn't even react to his movements anymore. Though it was quite evident she was looking directly back at him; it didn't seem so. Her hollow eyes seemed distant, like she was staring right through him and into a dark abyss. His brows drew closer, finding it painful to see her in a shell of her former self. Snaking his hand around her head, he reeled her into his chest. "If you want to cry, cry. It's fine." He assured, heaving a long sigh as he threaded a few fingers through her strawberry brown hair.
In his familiar arms, Miki blinked a few times. It was strange. Whenever Kyoya would hug her before, she would feel safe, happy and warm. But this time, there was none of that. She couldn't feel anything. Nothing but a stinging numbness that prickled her body and heart. "I told you, I don't like to cry." Wrapping her arm around him in return, Miki buried her face further into his chest as she searched desperately for the warmth she craved. "Because if I do, the tears will never stop."
"Miki-senpai!" The moment didn't last long; however, as Hikaru, Kaoru and Haruhi's voice exploded from behind them as them along with Honey and Mori came jogging after the two.
"Miki-senpai, are you alright?!"
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Slowly peeling away from Kyoya, Miki turned her head towards her oncoming friends. "Everyone..." She muttered before nodding a little, reassuring them that she was okay. Then her gaze shifted over to a boy she didn't recognize among the group. He was short, with brown hair, glasses and an unkempt appearance. She blinked. "Who are you? And why do you have the same voice as Haruhi?" She asked, pointing at the mysterious boy.
.
.
.
The hosts fell silent at the question, realizing that Miki hasn't exactly seen Haruhi in her pre-host club days, as she hadn't joined until after Haruhi had.
"Ahha..." Laughing awkwardly, Hikaru slapped a hand over the brunette's shoulder. "This is Haruhi." He introduced.
"It's a long story." Haruhi deadpanned.
Miki hummed. Before she could say anything else, however, another familiar voice erupted throughout the lobby, startling the workers and visitors present and immediately drawing the blonde's attention.
"Milady!"
Carrying a folder under his arm, Arden dashed into the spacious lobby, ignoring the estranged looks he received from bystanders as he practically slid through the crack of the automatic sliding door, not even waiting for it to open completely. He made a bee-line for his lady and immediately wrapped her into the tightest hug he could manage, dropping his folder in the process.
"It's Ar-chan!" Honey exclaimed in surprise.
"Arden...?" Standing stiffly in his hug, Miki uttered as she noticed how much he was trembling.
"Thank goodness..." Arden whispered, letting out a shaky sigh of relief as he readjusted his grip around her. "Thank goodness; you're alright... I went to the Second Suoh Mansion and found it completely empty. I feared something might have happened to you in my absence... So I... I..." He choked back his words, finding himself unable to continue. After taking a second to rekindle his emotions, he slowly attempted to pull away. "Let me take a look at you."
Feeling Arden's hand pushing her body further away, Miki immediately protested. "No!" She screamed, wrapping her arms around the man and pressing her cheek against his chest once again.
Startled by her reaction, Arden's brows furrowed in concern. "Milady...?" He addressed gingerly.
"You were right, Arden." Hazel eyes falling to a downcast, Miki muttered. "A smile can really change a life. But please don't look at me right now." She requested. "If you do, I'll be breaking the promise I made, because..." She hesitated for a moment. "Because I can't find it in myself to smile right now."
Arden's eyes rounded slightly at her words before glancing up towards the hosts. He found himself speechless, scanning across each of their saddened expressions before making eye contact with Kyoya who stared back at him with a neutral expression. He nodded, gesturing a quick thanks for his involvement in getting him back to Tokyo before allowing his arms to loosen around Miki. "Understood, milady. I will not look at you." Tilting his head upward as not to make eye contact with her, he assured. "Instead, please excuse me while I go take care of some personal matters." He said, using his peripheral vision to find the folder he had previously dropped.
"Arden..." Backing away from the butler as he knelt down to pick up the file, Miki murmured. "Where are you going?"
The young man with chai brown hair froze momentarily at the question. He bit his bottom lip, staring down thoughtfully at the folder in his hands before finding an uncontrollable flame begin to burn within his chest. "Seeking justice for you, milady." He replied.
***
"Suoh Yuzuru!"
Yuzuru's tired eyes darted up at the enraged call of his full name, spotting Arden Mederos stomping into his office with flames practically spewing out his emerald-like eyes. He must admit that he's seen this coming from a mile away, but the idea of facing against such a passionate ferocity made him a little nervous. "Arden," Resting his chin on his interlaced fingers, he spoke calmly. "You should know that it is rude to address your superior by name." He pointed out.
"Superior?!" Arden almost let out a dry chuckle. "Don't make me laugh! I am loyal to milady and milady only; I was merely courteous towards you out of respect for being her father. However, as things stand now, you have lost all respect from both her and I. Therefore, I don't see a reason why I should continue addressing you with a title higher than the one you ever deserved!" He declared, moving slowly and deliberately closer towards the desk where Yuzuru sat at.
Yuzuru's brows knitted closer together at the foul attitude a mere butler was showing him. "Even if you are angry, this is far more than I was expecting." He stated in a low voice. "Where is all this anger coming from?"
Arden flared his nostrils at the atrocity of that question, finding his breath quickening along with his pulse. "Why don't you take a look at this?" He huffed, slamming down the files he was holding in his arms. "Did you really think passing Milady's custodianship to your mother was the 'safest thing' to do? She wasn't merely planning on confining her for eternity!" He spoke, the veins on his forehead practically popping out.
Yuzuru felt his heart drop as he opened the cover of the paper folder.
'Adoption Papers'
"I wasn't just loitering around as I was waiting for my ride back," Arden continued. "I discovered that your mother was arranging for her adoption transfer to an anonymous contact. So I pulled some strings to get myself in touch with this person and offered up all of my savings to obtain the right as Milady's guardian!" He informed, tapping his index finger irritably on the table in emphasis.
Yuzuru's hands twitched at the notion. He bit his bottom lip, skimming through the files in disbelief. "How much did you pay?" Finally placing the papers down, he questioned. "I'll pay you back."
Arden paused for a second, studying the sincerity in Yuzuru's eyes. "500,000 Yen per month, with a yearly bonus of 4 Million Yen for 13 consecutive years of service. That amounts around 130 Million Yen." Taking a step back, Arden revealed as he let out a long sigh, attempting to even out his hyperventilation. "Nevertheless, I am not concerned with that amount of money in the slightest. My one and only priority is Milady's safety both physically and mentally, and I have no desire to pass along her custodianship as if it were a disdained hot-potato like you and your mother have done so far." He accused, watching as Yuzuru's eyes divert away in guilt. "In the end, I will do whatever Milady commands. So if you want the rights of being her legal guardian back, you better pray to every single god there is in your favourite Japanese Mythology that Milady will be generous enough to forgive you for all you have done to her!" He let out a guttural roar, glaring down at Yuzuru with his jewel-like eyes as if he were a predator staring down at its prey.
***
At the Tokyo Narita International Airport, Suoh Yuzuru sat in one of the VIP lounges alone contemplatively. It had been an exceptionally long day for him. He had pulled an all-nighter in anticipation, but the day didn't quite seem to play out as he expected. His mother had fallen out of power; his son chewed him out for his actions, he had unintentionally hurt his daughter, all the while learning that he was so close to permanently losing her from her furious butler. While all the events that had transpired were not all that pleasant, there was one thing he was confident could bring him some level of relief.
"Sir, your guest has arrived." His secretary entered the lounge with a quick bow.
"Oh." Snapping out of his thoughts, Yuzuru whipped his head around as he jumped to his feet, spotting a familiar figure step in behind the secretary. "Hello..." His eyes crinkled as he greeted the woman with soft blonde hair. "I've waited so long for this. I'm so glad you've come, Anne."
***
"Huh?! Milord's mother is in Japan?!" The twins exclaimed as they, Haruhi and Kyoya were holding a small meeting at the staircase connecting the second and third floor when Kyoya delivered the news. It had been three days since the big blow up at the Suoh Corporation headquarters, and despite Miki's return to Ouran academy, Tamaki was now notably absent.
"Yes." Kyoya nodded, readjusting his glasses on his nose bridge. "It seems that she's staying at the Roi Grand Hotel since she arrived three days ago." He informed.
"That's it!" Hikaru exclaimed as he pounded a fist on his open palm. "If Milord sees his mother, he'll be back to his old self in no time...!"
"Not quite," Shaking his head, Kyoya quickly shut down that notion. "It seems things aren't so simple. According to Tachibana, Tamaki is refusing to see his mother until he obtains his grandmother's forgiveness. And he's just been continuously playing the piano every day since then." He described, leaning his back against one of the nearby walls.
"What about Miki-senpai?" Haruhi then proceeded to ask. "How is she doing?"
"She and Arden returned to the Second Suoh Mansion after that other butler was recalled and have been living there since," Kyoya explained, flipping open his phone to skim through the messages he and the butler have exchanged. "It seems like the Chairman has made multiple attempts to rekindle with her and move her into the Main Mansion, but she simply won't budge." He revealed.
"I'll be honest, seeing Miki-senpai act like this is super unsettling," Hikaru admitted as he scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, she won't even come with us to try and visit the Main Mansion."
"And she didn't even crack when Kanazuki-san visited her." Kaoru pointed out sadly. "She's always so full of energy and smiling, so for her to be so quiet and unresponsive is..." His voice trailed off.
After a few seconds of silence, Kyoya pushed off the wall he was leaning on with a sigh. "Either way, the bell will be ringing soon." He reminded. "You all should head back.
"Okay..." The twins nodded in understanding.
"Um... Kyoya-senpai," Before leaving, Haruhi called out to her upperclassman. "Will we still be going today? To the Suoh Main Mansion?" She asked in confirmation.
"Of course," Glancing over his shoulder with a smirk, Kyoya answered. "We will continue visiting until we can see him." He smirked.
***
"Kyoya-kun..." Back in Classroom 3-A, Kyoya was just settling into his spot when Miki called out to him in a flat voice. "Where did you go?" She asked, not even moving her head to greet him.
"Haruhi and the twins called me out to discuss a few things, nothing for you to worry about," Kyoya responded, gaze darting over to see if she has somehow recovered bits and pieces of her former self. However, it was futile. She merely stared down at the cleared surface of her desk, eyes still as empty and detached as they have been for the past three days.
Before he had too much time to think about it, a figure approaching quickly caught his eye. "Excuse me, Ootori-san." Jounouchi Ayame appeared, stopping right before his desk as she addressed him.
"Jounouchi-san," Glancing up, Kyoya greeted her with a nod. "How can I help you?"
"I simply wanted to inquire you about the host club," Ayame explained. "Are you still on hiatus?"
Eyes flickering over to Miki momentarily, Kyoya then nodded. "Yes," He replied. "We're allowed to restart the club, but-"
"You're still waiting for Tamaki-sama to return, right?" Cutting him off halfway, Ayame finished his sentence knowingly. "Does this have a connection to the recent retirement of the Suoh Corporation's director? Or is it some problem with the legitimacy of his birth?" Her words immediately piqued Miki's interest while Kyoya flinched up at the sudden new development in the situation.
He narrowed his eyes, studying Ayame's ever-so serious expression carefully. "Jounouchi-san, what did you just say?" He questioned.
"Simply this," Folding her hands to rest on her lap elegantly, Ayame began. "Everyone knows there's an issue with the legitimacy of Tamaki-sama's birth and how his grandmother refused to acknowledge him. Though I haven't learned anything beyond what I uncovered back when I felt unfavourable towards him, it seems most of the host club's regular customers knew about the circumstances of his birth early on. It's quite natural for a fan to seek information about the one she adores after all. While it did create a bit of a stir when his situation became widely known, because of the kind person Tamaki-sama is, no one minded in the least. For that reason," She paused for a moment, her gaze shifting slightly over her shoulder as she gestured the small crowd that had began to gather around them as they speak. "Is there anything we can do to be of help to him?" She offered.
"We are all indebted to him and his club in one way or another," Stepping out the mass of people, Sumire pressed a hand to her chest. "That is why this time... We want to be of help to you too." She said, smiling softly at the two.
Miki then felt a light tug at the hem of her dress. She glanced over to spot Kirimi, standing next to her seat and holding an oversized stuffed cat. "Miki-neechan, is Tamaki-niichan coming back soon?" She asked innocently.
"I..." Miki opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't find her words at the moment. However, she didn't need to, as moments later, Reiko stepped forward to stand next to the little girl.
"This is for Tamaki-senpai," The raven-haired girl spoke as she offered her friend a wooden doll shaped into a cat. "It was entrusted to me by the former President. It's an ultra-special curse doll. It has a hundred times more the usual amount of curses to bring Tamaki-senpai the greatest fortune. And..." She hesitated for a second, before bringing forth a thin piece of paper covered in strange symbols. "I have a special talisman made for you again," She explained. "So you can reclaim your soul once more."
Taking the two object with a blank expression, Miki stared down at them. "My soul...?" She repeated quietly.
"That's right!" Appearing behind Reiko, Sora nodded enthusiastically. "Miki-chan hasn't been smiling ever since she came back from Spring Break, and Tamaki-sama stopped coming to school. Kanazuki-san here has been super worried." She winked, gently patting Reiko on the shoulder.
"Hey, Ootori! Is everything alright with Suoh?" Suddenly knocking on the sliding doors of Classroom 3-A, a couple of athletic club members from the previous school year barged in with relaxed attitudes.
Kyoya sweatdropped at the sight of them. "Shouldn't you be at the university division?" He questioned with a brow raise.
"Ha! What are you, my mom?" The vice-captain of the basketball team snickered before walking up and delivering a good-natured smack on Kyoya's shoulder. "Pass on our support to Suoh, okay?" He gave a carefree laugh, unaware of the irritated brow twitch that came from Kyoya.
Tamaki-kun... Can you hear them? Watching as people continued to pour into the classroom to offer their support, Miki thought to herself. The voices of the people cheering you on... Ever since the day you came to Japan alone, you've encountered so many people. And during the time you've spent here, you've touched the hearts of so many people. To the point that now...
You aren't alone anymore.
"Kyoya-kun." Calling out to him in a quiet voice, Miki turned her head, voluntarily initiating eye contact for the first time in days. For just a split second, Kyoya could've sworn he saw a flicker of light return to those hazel eyes. "Are you still going to visit Tamaki-kun today after school?" She asked.
"Of course." He gave a small nod.
"Can I come too?"
"Of course."
***
Standing before the massive gates of the Main Suoh Mansion, Kyoya reached forward to gently press the buzzer. He backed up a little, listening as a familiar chime played before a person was put through on the opposite end of the speaker.
"Yes?" A woman responded in a muffled voice.
"Pardon the repeated interruptions. It's Ootori again." Kyoya reminded routinely.
The receptionist let out an irritated sigh at his daily persistence. "I'm sorry sir, Master Tamaki is not seeing any visitors at this time." She informed.
Hearing that reply, Miki stepped forward into the range of the microphone. "If he is not accepting visitors, could you at least let me in please?" She requested.
The woman on the opposite end paused for a second. "Pardon, miss." She quickly recomposed herself by clearing her throat. "But you are...?"
"My name is Miki; I have lived here for 13 years," Miki answered.
There was a small silence on the opposite end. "... I apologize, miss." Finally, the woman spoke in a reluctant voice. "But we do not recognize anyone with that name." She pronounced clearly before hanging up.
Miki's eyes rounded slightly at the aloof response she was given in return.
"Judging by that little hesitation, they definitely recognized you..." Hikaru grumbled, ruffling his hair in annoyance.
"Wh.. the ...ll is th..." Miki muttered to no one in particular as her arms began to tremble.
"Miki-senpai..." Not being able to hear her incoherent words, Kaoru reached forward, attempting to comfort the blonde only for her to suddenly whip her head around with an expression he's never seen on her face before.
Anger.
"What the hell is that?!" She repeated, this time much louder, perhaps the loudest she's ever shouted in her entire life. "For thirteen years, I lived confined in this mansion against my will. How could they say directly to my face, that they do not recognize me now?!" She exclaimed incredulously. Her hands balled into fists, digging her nails into her palms as they trembled with rage. However, the adrenaline that began to pump through her veins completely nullified the pain as she took large strides away from the gate buzzer, the remaining hosts watching in shock at her first display of emotion in days.
"M-Miki-senpai, calm down-"
"Is it the Suoh name they want...?" Snapping her head towards Hikaru, Miki questioned with eyes blinded with fury. "If it's the Suoh name they want, then very well. I will go obtain that name myself, right now!" She declared, whipping out her flip phone in one swift motion and punching the familiar numbers.
It didn't take long, only one ring for the man to respond.
"Hello, Milady. How can I-"
"Take me to the Roi Grand Hotel immediately!" Cutting Arden's light-hearted greeting short, Miki commanded with an oppressive aura the butler found strangely familiar. "And find me Anne-Sophie-san's room number, I want to talk to her myself!" She proclaimed boldly.
Standing at the back, Kaoru shivered at the domineering atmosphere that emitted off of his usually sweet and gentle upperclassman. "Are you not going to stop her?" He asked, deadpanning up at Kyoya.
"Why would I?" Crossing his arms, Kyoya found a smug smirk forming on his lips at the sight. "I quite like this side of her." He hummed.
***
Arden heaved a long sigh as he tightened the white ribbon secured on the back of Miki's hair. "Milady, are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" He offered worriedly, moving to the side to readjust the skirt of her dress for absolutely no reason, all the while avoiding to look at her face.
Together, the two of them stood before the gorgeously detailed birch wood doors of the VIP Suite in the Roi Grand Hotel while Kyoya and the rest of the Hosts returned to Ouran Academy to meet up with Honey and Mori. Beyond this door, they would surely find Anne-Sophie, Tamaki's mother - the woman Miki had dreaded yet looked forward to meeting all of her life. As Arden had picked her up from the gates of the Main Mansion, he had brought along one of her more decorated and formal, cream and gold chiffon dress with him, claiming that it would help to make an even better impression as well as boost her confidence in the process. However, the confidence he had claimed has definitely not appeared within her yet. In fact, all of the rage, anger and ferocity seemed to have vanished as Arden drove closer and closer to the hotel, leaving nothing but fear in its wake. Miki's hands were clammy; one was pressed against her chest while the other rested before her. Both were trembling uncontrollably.
"Milady..."
"No." Letting out a shaky breath, Miki denied his offer. "I need to do this with my own power." She insisted, moving her hand to allow both to rest before her. "I will see you later" She assured both him and herself, staring forth at the doors with resolute eyes.
Arden felt his nose sore, and a choking sensation became ever more present in his throat. Blinking back the glossiness in his eyes, he lowered his head into a deep bow. "Yes, until we next meet." He affirmed. "Good Luck, Milady." He then whispered before grabbing hold on one of the handles and opening the door.
Instantly, a blinding light filled her vision as she began to walk forth stiffly and aimlessly, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Her legs muscles felt tight, yet sluggish. As if in any second, her knees would buckle and she would turn on her heel and run away from the situation. Her hands gripped each other tightly till her knuckles were practically going white, and a lump formed in her throat along with the strong desire to scream. She gulped down a breath to silence herself while forcing her legs to keep moving forward.
Arden had closed the doors behind her. There was no going back now.
It felt as if an eternity had passed until the light that crowded her vision slowly began to fade, revealing the familiar woman with soft, golden blonde hair tied into a simple yet elegant bun. She was faced away from Miki, standing by the large wall-length windows with her palms pressed against the glass as if she were searching for something or someone down below. She seemed to have heard the doors opening and closing as she began to turn around. "Darling- Oh!" She paused and blinked a few times, undoubtedly a little surprised to see a foreign girl to be standing along with her in the room.
"Oh my, it's you!" However, the initial confusion didn't last long as Anne-Sophie immediately recognized Miki soon after. "The girl from Barbizon. How are you feeling now?" Covering her mouth with the tips of her fingers, the woman broke into a sweet smile. "A little better from your trip, I hope?"
Miki held her breath, watching in a panic as Anne-Sophie began to take brisk steps towards Miki in hopes of checking up on her wellbeing. "W-Wait!" She took a hasty step back, extending her arms to act as a barricade. A small awkward silence quickly ensued as Anne-Sophie tilted her head, a little confused to why the girl would be rejecting her in such a rigid manner.
Miki pressed her lips together in an effort to stop them from quivering as she recomposed herself. Gently clearing her throat, Miki reached out with trembling hands to grab the hems of her dress and lowered her head to a formal curtsy. "Greetings, Anne-Sophie de Grantaine." She forced her voice out of her throat and past her lips. "My name is Miki; you may otherwise know me as Mira Luz Fernández, the firstborn daughter of Suoh Yuzuru and Elisa Delora Fernández. However, that is not the name I wish to take on." Lifting her head, Miki returned to her hands to their position before her. "With your permission, I would like to be formally recognized as 'Suoh Miki' from here on out and earn the rights to address Tamaki-kun as my elder brother." She spoke in a loud voice, pronouncing each word as clearly as she could.
Anne-Sophie flinched at the sudden bold announcement and request. She froze on the spot, her large sapphire-like eyes studying the girl with a sense of warmth, compassion and... Guilt. "I see... So it was you..." Her eyes crinkled as she began to gingerly take steps closer to the strawberry blonde. "Of course, I don't mind. Tamaki must be lucky, to have such a wonderful girl like you as his sister." She spoke tenderly. "But dear," Reaching out, Anne-Sophie gently pressed her palm against Miki's stiff cheek. "Don't make such a face; I'm sure a smile suits you far better."
Hearing those words, Miki felt her heart stop.
Don't make such a face, a smile suits you better.
Before she even realized, moisture had gathered within her eyes as they turned glossy. Then, a single teardrop escaped against her will, falling from her eyes and rolling down the back of Anne-Sophie's hand.
"A-Are you alright?" Feeling the wetness leaving a trail against her skin, Anne-Sophie quickly jolted her hand away in fear that she was doing something wrong. "Why are you crying? I'm sorry, was it something I said?" She asked anxiously.
Her words swiftly pulled Miki back to reality as she took a step back in reflection.
Am I... crying?
"I-I'm sorry. It's just... " Shaking her head, Miki quickly attempted to wipe away the moisture on her cheeks with the base of her palms, only to find herself unable to. Tears kept gathering and overflowing from her eyes, pouring forth like a never-ending waterfall that spilled down her cheeks. "I just..." She whimpered as she closed her eyes, attempting to stop the tears only to find them squeezing through the cracks between her eyelids. She was about to take another staggering step backward when she felt a gentle pair of arms encase and envelop her in a warm embrace. Her eyes shot wide open, spotting Anne-Sophie's serene expression staring right back.
"I'm sorry, Miki-chan." She apologized wistfully.
With those words, Miki felt something click within her as more tears came rolling down.
However, there weren't just simple tears this time.
As if Anne-Sophie had cast a magic spell, the numbness that plagued her senses ever since she was re-confined into the Second Suoh Mansion slowly began to dissipate, ushering in a gut-wrenching sensation that stung an endless series of pain into her chest. It felt nothing like fear, jealousy or disappointment. This time, it was far more powerful.
Sorrow.
Brick by brick, the walls that surrounded and contained that intense emotion began to tumble. She broke down. She covered her hands with her eyes, feeling as the droplets of tears began falling down one after another without resistance, and there was no sign of them stopping. As much as she tried to hold it in, the forgotten pain came out like an uproar from her throat in the form of a deafening scream that tore through the tranquillity of the hotel suite. She sobbed uncontrollably, her voice ripping through her heart, gut and lungs.
Anne-Sophie, however, didn't let go even in the face of that bone-chilling cry. Instead, she held on even tighter as she guided the weeping girl towards the ground, pressing her further into her chest as she crumbled into a sobbing mess. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." She whispered sorrowfully through tears of her own. "It must have been lonely and very painful. I'm sorry that you had to endure everything you did. I'm sorry that we adults were so selfish and dragged you into this mess. I'm sorry that you had to deal with the consequences of our thoughtless actions." She closed her eyes, gently stroking Miki's strawberry brown hair in an effort to comfort her. "I don't ask for your forgiveness, and you don't have to ever forgive me. But all I ask is for you to cry now... Let it all out..." She murmured, listening as Miki continued to weep.
Perhaps, all this time...
Rapunzel just wanted someone involved to apologize for what they put her through.
***
"Pardon the intrusion." Poking her head into the Chairman's Office in Ouran Academy, Haruhi hummed, spotting the Chairman sitting in his spot at the back of the room behind a spruce desk.
"No, no. I'm glad I could catch you while you were still at school today. Once in a while, I have to come to do my duties as Chairman, you know?" Yuzuru chuckled wryly as he searched through his piles of paper for what he needed to give the brunette, pulling out a brown envelope and passing it over to her with a fatigued smile. "This is for you. It's a little something we've started presenting to the top students in each year." He explained. "But it's fine if you decide you don't want it and dispose of it. Either way, I sincerely do commend you for your grades." He complimented, interlacing his fingers and resting his on them.
"Thank you very much," Haruhi muttered, staring down at the envelope curiously as she wondered about the contents inside.
Heaving a long sigh, Yuzuru closed his eyes. "My little coup put you in quite a spot, didn't it? For that, I am truly sorry. And I apologize for all the unpleasantness you've suffered as a result." He said.
"It's all right... I could tell by what you did that you cared about my well-being." Shaking her head, Haruhi quickly flashed a reassuring smile towards the dejected man. He's already endured enough from his family alone in the past week and really didn't need any unnecessary comments from her either way. "But Chairman, I do have one question." Holding the envelope close to her chest, Haruhi spoke, taking the silence as a means to continue. "Did you really love Tamaki-senpai more than Miki-senpai at one point?" She asked.
Yuzuru fell silent in the face of her question. His eyes flickered to a solemn downcast as he contemplated his response, formulating his words carefully. "No..." After a while, he finally responded. "Now that I think about it, I might have just been... Afraid of Miki." He explained as he brows slowly began to draw closer together. "I couldn't find it in myself to face her, because I knew very well that the countless hardships she's endured ever since she was born, were direct results of my selfish actions. I was afraid of her realizing that she had such a coward for a father. But when I first saw her," He paused for a moment, a look of peaceful nostalgia surfacing on his face. "I realized just how much she relied on me, and I wanted to protect her with everything I had. But that child is all grown-up now. She isn't a sheltered princess who could only look forward to my occasional visits anymore. She's carving her own path, making her own decisions and becoming more independent by the day." He remarked, tilting his head upwards to gaze towards the far distant behind Haruhi. "I suppose, in the end, I really did become the sorceress of her story." He huffed out a saddened laugh.
"What Kyoya said to me, really hit home." He revealed. "There was nothing I could say in my defence. But please believe me when I say, it never once crossed my mind to use Tamaki or Miki in such a cruel way. And even the 'revenge' upon my mother... It didn't start off that way." He muttered, returning his gaze to stare down at the strange wood patterns on the surface of his desk. "I just wanted my mother..." He hesitated, choking back his words slightly. "In the end, maybe all I wanted was for my mother to acknowledge me. My incredible mother, who could stand at the apex of everything and command it all... I guess I just wanted her to recognize that I was perfectly capable of managing my own business and choosing my wife. But instead, I wounded up hurting everyone I aimed to protect." He closed his eyes, breathing out another weary sigh. "I wonder what I should have done..." He uttered to no one in particular.
Haruhi's lips parted for a second as she studied Yuzuru's sorrowful expression. Then, before she could contemplate on whether or not she should say anything, her voice slipped past her lips. "I think you should have just talked to them." She said bluntly, catching the Chairman's attention as his eyes darted up. "That's something Miki-senpai says a lot, but for the most part, I do agree with the message behind it." Waving her hands to show that she meant no disrespect, Haruhi elaborated. "If you had just spoken to your children and the Director about all these things you're worried about and hoped for, none of these misunderstandings would've happened. I understand it now..." She muttered as she broke into a soft smile. "You and Tamaki-senpai are actually very alike. Even though you both always smile and talk endlessly about silly things, when it comes to what is really bothering you, you never say a word. I guess that makes you both extremely stubborn." She explained. "And that makes me think the Director might be the same way. I heard that after her husband died, she had to take over everything herself. For so long, you adhered to her decisions to protect those important to you, and I bet she never even asked you about it, did she?" Tilting her head to the side, she pointed out.
"No..." Yuzuru replied, staring flabbergasted at the brunette who has somehow uncovered so many things about his own family that even he hasn't been able to for nearly his entire lifetime.
"That's it!" Resting a hand before her lips, Haruhi chuckled lightly. "The three of you are really alike. So I'm sure you should all be able to understand one another, especially now with Miki-senpai apart of your family." She continued.
"Miki...?" Yuzuru raised an eyebrow curiously.
Haruhi gently nodded her head. "Maybe it's because of her sheltered upbringing, Miki-senpai has always had the ideals and attitude of a child. Which, in a strange way, has given her a sense of clarity on the world that many of us lose as we grow up." She described, shifting the files in her arms from one to another. "She always speaks her mind no matter what unless told otherwise. And as bad as that can be at times, I think it's one of the most interesting things about her. I think she'll be the perfect medium to your family since she'll be able to encourage you each to just speak your mind. So I think if you just talked to one another, you'll be fine." She assured with a tender smile.
Yuzuru pressed his lips together at Haruhi's words, sitting in silence thoughtfully. "That might be it..." He admitted. "All this time..." He breathed out his words before suddenly collapsing face first on his desk as tears began to pour forth from his eyes. "GYAHHHH!" He cried. "OH, WHAT HAVE I DONE?! HE'LL ONLY HATE ME MORE ONCE I TELL HIM!"
"C-Chairman...?" Haruhi sweatdropped, a little taken aback by the sudden shift in emotion from the man.
"Tamaki! Miki! Forgive your foolish father!" Yuzuru sobbed comedic tears as he began to bang his forehead on the desk, crying as if he were in some sort of melodramatic soap opera. "What was I thinking?! Why did I have to do it at a time like this?!" He howled in terror.
"What are you talking about?!" Haruhi exclaimed.
***
"I wonder when are they going to be back..." Tapping his index finger impatiently against the smooth surface of one of the many tables in Music Room #3, Kaoru uttered anxiously.
Sitting at the same table along with Hikaru and Kyoya, Honey chuckled as he took another bite from his cake. "Just be patient, Kao-chan. They'll be back soon." He reassured confidently.
"But this is so frustrating!" Collapsing onto the table in a small fit, Hikaru complained. "Haruhi was called to the Chairman's office, and Miki-senpai is going to see Milord's mother. Meanwhile, all we can do it wait." He described, huffing out a breath in annoyance.
Almost as if on cue, a light series of knocks rang on the doors followed by the sound of a small creak of one opening.
"Ah sorry, we are not in business right now-" Turning their heads towards the source of the sound, the twins hummed nonchalantly. Throughout the past few days, there have been occasional guests who have not been informed of the hiatus of the club and therefore accidentally barging in when they were least expecting. However, instead of a confused guest, they spotted their production designer standing at the doorway in a flowing cream and white chiffon dress and a wide-eyed expression.
"Miki-senpai...?" The twins muttered, jolting up from their seats as they stepped closer towards her.
Miki took a few moments, staring blankly at the twins. Then, the corner of her lips curled upwards as her expression broke into a radiant smile. "Hikaru, Kaoru!" She greeted the two, tilting her head slightly as strands of strawberry brown hair slipped down her shoulder and shimmered in the dusk that shone through the sheer curtains of the club room.
"Miki-senpai!" Kaoru's eyes gleamed at the sight. "It's Miki-senpai!" He cheered, reaching forward to encase the girl in a hug as him and his twin drag her further into the room.
"Miki-chan! You're back!" Honey bounced up from his seat, rushing around the table to join in the group hug.
Struggling to balance herself from the bone-crushing hugs she received from all directions, Miki chuckled lightly. "Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai," She greeted the two upperclassmen. "Are you here from the university department?"
Mori nodded as a relieved expression surfaced on his face.
Slowly standing up from his seat, Kyoya breathed out a wry sigh as he crossed his arms over his chest. He studied her for a moment, noticing that her eyes were a little swollen and puffy. "Your eyes are quite red," He pointed out. "Have you been crying?"
Miki flinched for a second before returning his questioning gaze with an awkward chuckle. "Ehehe..." Reaching up, she gently rubbed her eyes with her index finger. "Just a little." She admitted.
Kyoya's eyes softened for a moment before he took a deep breath. "So, how did it go?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, voicing the question that had been lingering on everyone's minds during that agonizing wait.
Lips parting slightly, Miki quickly cleared her throat as she stepped out of the group hug she had been centred in. Reaching out to grab the hems of her long dress, she lowered her head in an elegant curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you, everyone," She spoke in her usual airy voice. "My name is Suoh Miki, and I am the first-born daughter of the Suoh family. Please take care of me." She introduced herself, lifting her head and flashing the group a sweet smile.
"Does that mean...?" Honey's large beady eyes twinkled.
"Miki-senpai!" Hikaru and Kaoru began to shed tears of joy as they wrapped their arms around her neck, practically suffocating the girl in their mix of joy and relief.
Watching as Miki let out her familiar bell-like giggle, Kyoya's eyes crinkled softly. Then, as his and her gaze met, he huffed out a light smirk. "Welcome back." He said.
Miki blinked a couple of times as she processed his words. Indeed, the past week really felt as if she's been on an eternity-long journey, merely wandering aimlessly through an abyss of darkness. But now, she was finally back where she belonged. "I'm home!" Smiling brightly, she replied.
The happiness didn't last long, however, as the doors were slammed open with a loud 'smash' behind them as Haruhi charged into the Music Room in a panic. "Kyoya-senpai! Hikaru! Kaoru!" She shouted urgently, freezing for a moment when she spotted Miki, Honey and Mori.
"Haruhi!" The twins greeted her with an excited grin.
"Haru-chan!" Honey waved.
"Eh?" In the face of a boy she couldn't recognize, Miki blinked rapidly. "Is this Haruhi?" She asked, pointing at the brunette and questioning bluntly. "But he's a boy, and he looks so different..."
The hosts sweatdropped.
"Please don't tell me..." Hikaru grumbled as his eyebrow began to twitch.
"...She forgot everything that happened when she was through her mental shut down phase..." Kaoru finished with a deadpan expression.
"Ahh! Nevermind that - we've got a problem! " Setting aside that story for another time, Haruhi desperately worked to redirect the conversation back on track. "Tamaki-senpai's mother is taking the noon flight back to France tomorrow!" She announced loudly, causing the room to momentarily fall silent.
.
.
.
"EH?!" Everyone let out a collective yelp in surprise.
"Anne-Sophie-san never mentioned anything about that!" Miki gasped as she covered her lips with the tips of her fingers.
"But why?! She hasn't even seen Milord yet." Hikaru pointed out.
"It was only supposed to be a short visit." Haruhi shook her head. "That's how she got her doctor to agree to let her come. She's still in the middle of her treatment and travelling for an extended period of time it's too taxing on her health!" She explained.
"That Chairman..." Kaoru mumbled as a vein popped on his head. "How much trouble does he have to cause to the people around him?!"
"Tamaki-senpai is insisting that he won't meet his mother until he gets his grandmother's approval, and his mother intends to respect his wishes by going home without seeing him." Haruhi continued anxiously. "The Chairman is too depressed to do anything, so what do we do now?!" She asked frantically.
Hikaru took a second as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Then, after a few moments, a glisten flashed within his eyes. "Should we kidnap him?" He proposed abruptly, causing Kaoru, Haruhi and Miki to jolt at the thought.
"We'll go in and pull milord out of there - by force if it's necessary!" Huddling into a circle, Kaoru suggested. "If we get them to meet each other, something's sure to come of it."
"Yes, we could sneak into the Main Mansion!" Haruhi, who was practically crumbling under the overwhelming chain of events, agreed to the irrational nonsense that was sprouting up from the twins.
"If he makes a fuss, we can tie him up!" Hikaru asserted.
"And have a getaway driver waiting outside for our grand escape!" Miki added, lifting an all-knowing finger.
"Settle down, you four. Even you too, Haruhi?" Feeling his eyebrow twitch at the idiocy being displayed by his clubmates, Kyoya let out an exasperated sigh. "Exactly how light are you imagining the security at the Main Suoh Mansion to be? If by some miracle you make it onto the grounds, you'll be caught by security immediately." He pointed out, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Even so, we must help them meet!" Snapping her head around, Haruhi declared in a bold voice. "We can't let them miss this opportunity! Not when they are so close." She insisted.
Hearing the resolution in the brunette's voice, Honey and Mori swiftly exchanged a knowing glance. "Kyo-chan. Takashi and I will get Tama-chan out." The lolita stepped forward with a serious expression.
"But even you two will have a hard time..."
"Don't worry about us. I've got an idea." Flashing a determined smile, Honey nodded his head curtly. "Though there is not much time, so we need to act quickly!" He urged.
"Arden can help you as well!" Pressing a hand to her chest, Miki offered. "He worked in that mansion for 13 years; I'm sure he'll be of some use to you!"
Seeing the decision practically being made before his eyes without regards for any of his inputs or objections, Kyoya let out a long sigh of defeat as he gently shook his head. Turning away from the group, he quickly pulled out his phone and dialled his bodyguard team. "Tachibana, I need you to find the shortest route between the Suoh Main Mansion and Narita Airport for tomorrow." He ordered in an acute voice. "Use any mode of transportation necessary."
"Kyoya-senpai..." Watching as her upperclassman hung up the phone, Haruhi let out a small sigh of relief.
"Honestly, every once in awhile, you're just as reckless as those two," Kyoya remarked, glancing over his shoulder at the brunette. Then, turning to meet Miki's expecting gaze, he gave her a firm nod
Miki's eyes began to twinkle at his signal, lips curling into an excited grin, she turned to the rest of the host and extended her hand out as if she were a commander giving a tall order. "Listen up everyone; I give you all full permission to kidnap my brother. So I don't care whatever means you use, I swear on my honour of the Suoh family that we will bring Tamaki-kun to that airport tomorrow!" She pronounced in a crystal clear voice that resonated throughout the clubroom like a chiming bell.