Running footsteps could be heard as I ran down the stairs in a hurry. I hit the brakes in front of the mirror in the hallway and readjusted my bangs a little, wanting to look presentable for school.
As I did so, Hideki happened to pass by with a mug in his hands. He was still in his pajama and his blonde hair was all messed up. It seemed that he didn't get a good night rest.
"You’re up early." I began to say as I noticed his presence. "Don't talk..." He mumbled out as he took a sip from his coffee. "My head is killin' me." He replied with a sour face. He must be very tired. I should just let him be.
"S-sorry..." "You’re not the one who should be sorry. That mafia kid should apologize for putting his hands on you." He muttered out.
Oh yeah... He barged in on Hatsuharu and me yesterday. And things were going so well, too. He was opening up to me, for a little bit... I really felt like a princess. Although I won't admit it to Hatsuharu.
We were getting along just fine, until Hideki walked in the room. Being the protective sibling that he is, he freaked out and accused Hatsuharu for things that he didn’t even do!
So embarrassing.
But still... Up until Hideki walked in on us, everything was perfect... He even kissed me on the forehead.
"I wonder…" I spoke to myself as I placed my fingertip on my lower lip. Hatsuharu kissed me on the forehead… Did that mean anything to him, or did he just feel like doing it.
"Why did he go so far?" "Why did he go so far in what?! He did something, didn’t he! I knew it!" Hideki yelled loudly.
"Give it a rest. Hatsuharu’s a nice guy!" I grumbled loudly as I walked past him. Hideki had a blank expression on his face. "I see… I’m not needed anymore." He sulked. My facial expression softened up as I sighed deeply. "Don’t be like that." I began to say.
"Of course I still need you. "
"Really? You still need your dusty old brother?" His face beamed up. "Yup! You can start with the dishes while I go to school!" I retorted with a grin. Hideki merely laughed sarcastically as he took another sip from his cup.
"Very funny… "
I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I feel so loved right now. " He replied in a sarcastic tone. I laughed at his comment and stared at the clock on the wall.
"You’re my big brother and I’ll always be needi-Oh merde!! I need to go to school!!" I released him and ran out the door. "B-but... I need some company." Hideki complained with a pout. Etoile came walking in the hallway.
She glanced over at Hideki, already backing away slowly. Hideki grinned evilly as he tossed his mug in the kitchen behind him, letting it crash down loudly. He stalked the poor dog with his arms wide. "Time for your bath, Etoile..." He grinned widely.
'I'm out of here!!'
Etoile whined loudly as she ran off with her tail between her legs.
----------
The sun was shining brightly as I crossed through the many streets on my bicycle. "If I hurry, I can still make it in time." I sped up my pace, ignoring the cars I almost crashed into along the way. If only Dad could see me now. He’d have a serious seizure.
Kaibara High was closing in before me. I turned the corner harshly, making the tire screech out in agony. My bike happened to stop right before the gates. I jumped off and glanced over at my watch.
"Looks like I made it in time with ten minutes to spare." I grinned widely, although my bicycle was damaged emotionally by my way of driving. I quickly parked my bicycle and skipped onto the school grounds while waving my briefcase around in a cheerful manner.
I stopped skipping once I spotted a young girl in front of the school building. She had brown hair which end at her shoulders. She wore a cute white blouse with a turtleneck. The sleeves stopped halfway her arms, showing off her skin a little. A beige striped skirt was worn under it, making her outfit complete.
But what caught my eye the most is the fact that she was wearing a cat shaped backpack.
I wonder where she bought it?
What am I saying! I should help her out! Maybe she’s lost or something! "A-ano… Is there a problem? Can I help you with anything?" I asked her shyly. She turned her head, letting her hair flutter behind her in a fluent motion.
She’s really cute… Guys are probably stalking her wherever she goes.
"Well… I’m just waiting for someone." She spoke softly.
"Oh. I thought you lost your way." I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment. "Does this person go to school here? Maybe I can warn her, or him?" She stormed over to me in a rush and took a hold of my hands.
"Would you do that for me?" Her eyes seemed to sparkle brightly as she squeezed my hands softly. I sweat-dropped dramatically. She makes it awfully hard for me to turn her down.
"S-sure… No problem." I retorted with a nervous smile.
"That’s great!!" She engulfed me in a bone crushing hug as she laughed happily. She let go of me, making me rub my arms to relieve the pain. She sure is strong for a cute girl like herself.
"I’m Kagura! Thank you for helping me out!" She smiled at me, making me nod my head at her. "I’m Tanaka Haruhi. It’s nice to meet you, Kagura." I bowed quickly. Kagura seemed a little taken aback upon hearing my name. But she shook it off and smiled again.
"Okay. Are you meeting up with a boy or a girl?" I asked her, hoping that I could find the person she was looking for.
"It’s a boy of course! My fiancé is a charming young man whom I haven’t seen since…" She placed her fingertip on her lower lip as she sank into her own thoughts.
"Since?"
"Since yesterday!"
I crashed on the ground after hearing that. She must really like this guy.
"Congratulations on being engaged." I muttered out as I got back up again. "Here’s a picture of him that I always carry around!" She shoved the photo into my hands, making me stare at it.
Again, I sweat-dropped at the sight of seeing Kyo Sohma and Kagura on the picture. Kyo seemed to be in a dark mood while Kagura was overjoyed just being near him.
"Y-your engaged to… Kyo Sohma?" I stuttered out. Just the thought of seeing Kyo walking in the park with this cute girl by his side, holding hands together and enjoying each other’s company made me chuckle softly.
"So he does have a soft side to him. And to think that he’s actually engaged." I grinned widely. "So you know Kyo-kun?" She asked hopefully.
"We’re not the best of friends, but we get along just fine"
Memories of Kyo filled my mind where he seemed to growl at me or yell at me for being stupid… "That’s great!! You’re a real lifesaver!" Kagura squealed.
"No problem. But maybe it’s best for you to show up after school. I wouldn’t want for you to waste a whole day just to wait for him." I explained. "I guess you’re right." I handed the picture over to her as she smiled again.
"I think I’ll just go home for now. But I’ll be back as soon as school is over for today! He’ll be so happy to see me!" She was overjoyed as she ran off. She waved at me, making me wave back. "She seems nice…"
----------
Once I found myself in class, I banged my head onto my desk, feeling the need to sleep. "What’s wrong Haruhi!! Are you sick?!! Let me check your temperature!!" I heard a familiar voice yell into my ears, making me jump up like a Jack in a box. I relaxed once I saw Momiji’s face closing in on me.
"Oh… It’s just you Momiji." I began to say with a sigh of relief. Momiji placed himself on my desk with a playful grin on his face.
"How was the party yesterday?" I asked him, trying to start a conversation. "The party?" He began to say with a confused expression. Did he already forget?
"Oh yeah! It was fun. Too bad you didn’t drop by." He said.
"Gomen!" I spat out in shame for cancelling in the first place. "It’s okay!" Momiji laughed. I smiled along with him. "Where is Hatsuharu? Did he skip school again?" I chuckled out.
"Not really. He’s been punished by the teacher for beating up another student." Momiji explained. I sweat-dropped with a nervous smile creeping on my lips.
"That sure sounds like something he would do. But still, violence isn’t the answer." I muttered out.
----------
After class was done and over with, I made my way over to the cafeteria, seeing that it was lunchtime. Momiji had to sweep the classroom, so he couldn’t come along with me. I offered him my help, but he seemed ever so cheerful when he declined and got on with the sweeping.
"I’m so hungry…" I mumbled softly as I rubbed my stomach a few times. As I was walking down the hallway, I happened to pass the principal’s office. A voice could be heard as I stopped and stared at the door.
"What’s the damage this time?" A female voice asked the principal. I placed myself against the wall, right next to the door.
"As his Mother, don’t you want to know what he did?" The principal pointed out in confusion. "This is the first time you’ve ever showed up." He finished off.
"It doesn’t matter whether I show up or not. Nothing matters to him. He keeps on getting himself into trouble." The woman retorted with a harsh tone in her voice.
"Just once… I would like for you to actually listen to what I have to say instead of spouting nonsense, Mom." I heard Hatsuharu’s soft voice interrupt the woman who brought him into his world.
"I shouldn’t listen in on their conversation… It’s not my business." I whispered as I stared at the floor. But I couldn’t move. My feet were nailed to the floor, making it impossible for me to walk away.
"It’s too late for that. We already have so much to deal with back at home, and you insist on making it worse for the entire household." She hissed out to him.
"You can’t think for yourself. Why can’t you be more responsible!?"
"Ma’am… Calm down. There is no need to strike him that harshly. He still has some good points to him." The principal commented. I heard the woman sigh in frustration.
"Like I said… It doesn’t matter. Nothing comes through to you."
Hatsuharu sighed deeply at her words.
"I’m tired of having to hear all those bad rumors about you in the Sohma House. As your Mother, I don’t believe their cruel words. But now… I have no choice but to believe them after seeing what you’ve become." She said with no emotion in her voice.
"Believe me when I say that I’m not a failure." Hatsuharu argued back. It was quiet for a few seconds or so.
"You’re not a failure…" The woman whispered out. "You’re the sort of hopeless case that gives failure a bad name." I held my breath at her cold words. My Mom would never utter those words to me. Sure, she gets mad at me sometimes, but she never insults me or strikes me down in a cruel way.
"I have to go. I’m going to be late for work." The woman replied as she opened the door.
I quickly ducked down to the floor, not wanting for her to catch me red-handed. The faint sound of high heels clicking on the floor could be heard. The scent of her strong perfume filled my nostrils. I looked up to take a quick peek of the woman who claimed to be the Mother of Hatsuharu Sohma.
She had long raven black hair which end at her waist. She wore the crispest shirt I’ve ever seen in my life. She was also wearing a black suit with a pencil skirt and a nipped-in waist. Her legs were gleaming in sheer gloss tights. It seemed that she also wore a lot of make-up. But despite that, I felt intimidated and scared out of my wits for this woman.
Without even saying goodbye to Hatsuharu, she walked off. The sound of her heels clicking on the floor began to fade away as she turned the corner. I hugged my legs as I sighed in relief. "That was a close one…" I muttered out softly.
"It sure was."
I heard Hatsuharu’s voice close by. A little too close for my own good. It seemed that he squatted down beside me while being his usual blank self. And as usual, he scared the crap out of me.
"Waaah!! H-Hatsuharu!!" I spat out in utter shock. Hatsuharu got back on his feet and offered his hand for me to take. "You’re going to catch a cold if you keep sitting on the floor like that." He began to say as he smiled faintly.
I looked up at him, not finding any traces of sorrow or depression striking his face. He’s just the same as he always was. Why does he insist on hiding his true emotions? He must feel something! Be it anger, sorrow, regret… There must be something heavy weighing on his heart!
"I heard most of what was going on in there…" I spoke up, trying to make him feel something else other than utter blankness. I took a hold of his hand and allowed for him to help me up.
"I don’t mind." He grinned as he began to walk in a steady pace. "Hatsuharu…" He stopped walking and faced me with his hands in his pockets.
"Why aren’t you mad? Why don’t you feel any sorrow or regret at this moment? Why can’t you feel anything at all?" I asked.
"Why should I?" He answered.
"That was your Mother, right? She brought you into this world, right? Then why did she say all those awful things about you?" "Because she probably felt like it?" He retorted, making me grow even more upset at the current situation.
"She’s your Mother! She’s not supposed to say that to you! And you have the right to be angry at her! If it is painful, just shout it out! If you want to cry, then just let it out!" I explained, even though I was the one who was doing most of the yelling right now.
"Stop acting like you don’t care. Stop acting like a clueless little boy and wake up!" I finished off as I stared at the floor. I heard Hatsuharu sigh softly. "My Mom… She didn’t mean all those things she said about me. I know that much." He said as he stared at the floor.
"It would be nice if I had a Mom just like yours. But it’s not happening any time soon." I stared at him with a sorrowful expression gracing my face.
"Look… Just forget about my Mom. Forget the conversation that took place today. It’s not important." He commented as he stared at the window, avoiding my gaze altogether.
"I know she loves me… She just has a different way of showing it." He finished off with another grin. I felt the guilt pile up inside of me. Hatsuharu is so strong in his own way.
I always thought that I led a sorrowful life when I was a kid. With no’ one around to play with on those hot summer days. Just running on the beach with no worries. I felt so pathetic back then… I was such a loser. But what I didn’t realize is that my family was always there to support me.
Hideki was always there when I cried my eyes out.
Mom was always there when I felt the need to talk, just so that I could feel at ease again as the heavy burden was lifted from my tiny shoulders.
Dad made sure I was tucked safely in bed every night, with the covers falling over my frail body.
Those were just little things. They did much more for my benefit. They always thought of me first…
How did Hatsuharu take it as a little boy?
When he was crying, was there someone there to comfort him?
When he needed to talk, was his Mother there for him to listen to his troubled heart?
Was he tucked safely in his bed by his Father, or did he just remain alone in his room. In that dark atmosphere, where his heart had no’ one to depend on?
"Haru-tan? You’re so quiet all of a sudden. Was it something I said?" Hatsuharu spoke to me in that gentle tone of voice. I couldn’t help but to feel my eyes sting as my heart stirred in response for his misery. Soon enough, the tears made their way down my cheeks. I really couldn’t help it.
How could I be so selfish as to only think of myself? I only thought about my own misery, even though it was heaven on earth compared to what Hatsuharu went through, I bet.
"How… Why… I just…" I whispered softly as my vocabulary isn’t what it used to be anymore. Hatsuharu made his way over to me, his eyes intense and questioning.
Just great. I’m supposed to be here for him, not the other way around. He’s only inches away from me now. He seemed to be studying my face, as if he were searching for something.
"I’m sorry… I shouldn’t be the one crying here." I said as Hatsuharu didn’t say anything in response. Come to think of it. I’ve never seen him cry. Does he ever cry?
My thoughts were cut short as I felt his gentle breath on my skin. His eyes haven’t left mine. He moved his hands up to my face, cradling my tearstained cheeks. He grinned widely.
"Do you find me amusing?" I asked him. He just seemed to grin even more. "That’s not it… I just thought I could wipe away your tears with my thumb. Like in the movies." He joked as he laughed, letting his charming side take over for now.
"It’s not funny." I whispered, still in a foul mood. He stopped laughing and stared into my eyes with newfound interest.
"Do you mind…" He began to say. His bangs covering his eyes. "Do you mind… If I cling onto you like the clueless little boy that I am?" He asked me.
I think it’s the other way around. I’m more like the clueless little girl when it comes down to being strong and whatnot. Besides… If he’s the clueless little boy, what does that make me?
I’m sure he can handle the situation and just turn Black, so he doesn’t need my help. But there was something in his eyes that didn’t make it possible for me to refuse.
"N-no! Of course not! It’s not like I have anything better to do anyway! Yep! You can count on me! I-I got your back!" I ranted on and on, feeling my cheeks burn up even more with each passing second. I think I bit my tongue just now…
"That’s great to hear…" Hatsuharu smiled fondly, almost to the point of loving. But that doesn’t seem logical, now does it?
As if he wanted to show me otherwise, Hatsuharu leans down and brushes his lips against mine in a soft motion. I can feel his arms hesitantly wrapping themselves around me, but he still kept his distance.
I hardly noticed this. I didn’t do anything. My mind couldn’t even register what was happening at the moment.
Was he actually kissing me?
Out in the open no less!
As soon as I realized what happened, he already pulled back. I blinked my eyes a few times like a real idiot. He held my face again like he did before and leaned his forehead against mine.
"I know now why people like French kissing so much." He said in a joking matter.
Without a warning whatsoever, I go cross-eyed and crumple to the floor, laying sprawled on my back. Hatsuharu merely arched an eyebrow as he stared at my unconscious form.
"Must be her first kiss…" He sweat-dropped with a blank expression gracing his face.
----------
School ended in a flash. I never knew how fast time would fly by when your unconscious! It was an embarrassing moment to overcome, but I’m past it now. And it looked like Hatsuharu didn’t mention it at all. He was back to his normal blank self, which I’m glad for.
I was skipping through the hallway with my briefcase swaying wildly in the air. I suddenly felt a hand take a hold of my vest from behind. In a swift motion, I slammed my briefcase against the perpetrator’s face with a loud thud.
"What the hell is your problem?!"
The person held onto his face in pain as he stumbled back a little. "K-Kyo! I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there!" I jumped, surprised to see him here.
"Why do people insist on hurting me for no apparent reason whatsoever!!" He complained. Looks like he’s pretty pissed. I tried to help him out, but he wouldn’t let me.
"So?!"
He spat out as he faced me with a red mark on the right side of his face. I did my best not to laugh. "So what?" I asked him. "DIDN’T YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR ME?!!" Kyo yelled out for everyone to hear.
"Momiji told me you had something to say to me, so hurry up and say it so I can go home already!" Momiji. He’s an angel send from above! He must have told Kyo about it.
"O-oh.. That’s right! I forgot all about it!" I replied with my index-finger in the air. I took a hold of his wrist and dragged him all the way through the hallway, towards the school gates. Once there, I spotted the girl I met this morning.
"Stop pulling! I can walk myself!" Kyo retorted as he crossed his arms with his eyes closed. "I was supposed to bring you over to meet your fiancée." I said with a wide smile. Kyo opened one eye as he eyed me up and down.
"I don’t have a fiancée. I’m only sixteen years old, stupid." He commented. "If you don’t have a fiancée, who is she then?" I pointed at Kagura in confusion. Kyo’s face turned green in horror as he spotted Kagura.
"Oh no…" Kyo whispered under his breath.
"KYOOOOOOO-KUUUUUUN!!!"
"HELL NO!!"
Kyo seemed quite upset at the moment. I wonder why? Kagura ran up to the two of us and smiled like never before. Kyo on the other hand insisted on staying behind me. Did I miss something here?
"Kyo-kun… You don’t have to be shy." Kagura began to say in a singing tone. "I’m not shy!! I’m trying to save myself from any pain and suffering!!" Came Kyo’s harsh response.
"It’s a little bit of both, actually."
Hatsuharu popped up out of nowhere, along with Momiji, Yuki and Tohru. Momiji was happily eating a half pealed banana, chewing on it ever so softly. "This doesn’t concern you!!" Kyo yelled out. His face was as red as a tomato.
"Kyo-kun! I came all the way here just to greet you! Aren’t you happy?" "I’m happy with a large distance between us both!! Don’t make me get a restraining order on you!!"
Suddenly, Kagura’s personality changed dramatically as she dashed forward with me still between them. Kyo took a few steps back, only to trip over a banana peel. In his fall, he managed to drag me along with him. I closed my eyes as I prepared for my harsh fall as best as I could.
But apparently, I fell on top of Kyo, making me sigh in relief. I began to panic again as I heard a loud ‘poof’, not to mention a cloud of orange smoke surrounding my every being. As soon as the smoke died down, I was staring into a pair of red eyes that seemed to glow faintly.
"Cat." I whispered, not wanting to disturb the creature.
"Cat…"
