Chapter Text
Haruhi Fujioka is a studious, nonchalant, straight-A student type of girl.
Haruhi Fujioka is a nice, easygoing, kind, caring girl.
Haruhi Fujioka is a honest, genuine girl.
Haruhi Fujioka is a nice girl.
Haruhi Fujioka is…
"Haruhi, you'll be late! Wake up!"
The fragrant aroma of boiling miso soup from the kitchen was heavy in the air first thing in the morning. It was cold today in Bunkyou, with an uncomfortable temperature high of -2 degrees (celsius), and even within the walls of the Fujioka residence the chill felt all-consuming.
"Haruhi!"
A tuft of brown hair from deep under a thick, dark red blanket began to stir. With a refreshing stretch and a small groan, Haruhi slowly sat up from a long night's rest. Yawning as the brown-haired student's attention was caught by the nearby clock on the bedside table, Haruhi was already beginning to take a mental inventory of the tasks for today... A quiz in third period, a promise with Hunny and Mori to eat lunch together today, Kaoru and Hikaru having asked to meet outside of the school gates at 8:15ish to talk before school officially starts, and--
And that's when Haruhi saw. It was already 7:52am.
"Oh, shit."
Haruhi's father, Ranka, with a handheld table full of freshly cooked breakfast, gently pushed the already cracked open door into his teenager's room, a knowing look on his face.
"Did someone stay up a bit too late studying...?" He pried, watching as Haruhi zoomed around the room, grabbing a multitude of items, including school supplies, satchel, and uniform, alongside some winter protective gear.
"Uh-- Yeah, sorry dad! I didn't realize how late it had gotten before I slept..."
"... hm..." Haruhi's uncharacteristically meek tone had Ranka raising an eyebrow. But, he said nothing.
"Happens to the best of us...!" He smiled softly as he walked fully in and placed the tray of food down on the desk. Haruhi zoomed past Ranka, uniform in hand as before he could even blink, Ranka heard the nearby bathroom door close. "... Say, are you gonna have time to eat though? Growing teenagers need their nutrition, y'know!" Ranka called as he stepped into the hallway connecting the bathroom and bedrooms of the apartment, a worried look on his face. The one day of the week he didn't have work, he swore to himself he'd make Haruhi a delicious breakfast... And yet...
"Uhm-! I'm sorry dad, I'm not so sure... I promised Hikaru and Kaoru I'd meet them in like.. 20 minutes? And it'll take me at least 15 to reach campus by foot..." Haruhi called back, hastily buttoning the white undershirt of the uniform.
"Oh, I see..." Ranka still smiled, doing his best to hide his disappointment. Although inside, there was definitely a mini-Ranka of sorts who was absolutely, for a lack of better words, crashing out.
"My little girl doesn't want to eat with her papa! Woe to the republic! Woe to the nation! What has become of my baby!" He thought dramatically.
"I'm so sorry dad... I wish I could, I know you don't get days off that often," The bathroom door opened, with Haruhi now fully dressed and zooming to get the rest of the belongings needed for school. "... I shouldn't have overslept, I don't know why my alarm clock didn't work..." Haruhi grumbled. Ranka just smiled again, following into the bedroom.
"... Hey, there will be more days, yeah? For now, just maybe don't stay up so late studying in the future..." He smiled as Haruhi, now having quickly packed up for school, came up to him with a guilt-ridden expression.
"... Yeah... Definitely."
Ranka pressed a small kiss to Haruhi's forehead, slipping a napkin-wrapped onigiri into his teenager's hand.
"Good thing your super smart Papa thought ahead!" Haruhi paused, processing what just happened, before laughing, arms throwing around Ranka's neck.
".. Thanks, super smart dad..."
Ranka beamed, arms wrapping around his "precious little girl."
"Any time... Now, don't be late!" Hesitantly letting go, Ranka started to lead Haruhi to the door. "Depending on club activities, maybe I can cook for us again tonight...?” Ranka chimed as Haruhi sat down to slide on the shoes that worked with the Ouran uniform: the only dress shoes the two could find within all of the nearby thrift shops. The supermarket is having a sale on pork belly, so maybe it's time to put the neighbor's marinade recipe to use! A little daddy daughter time, too!"
"..."
Haruhi gulped, putting on a bright smile for Ranka as he opened the door. "... Sounds like a plan, Dad."