Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ Signs ❯ Signs ( One-Shot )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

SIGNS
An Ouran High School Host Club Challenge Ficlet

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


CHALLENGE(S): How can you tell that someone likes you "like THAT"? What signs does the character see when they're with the one they want? How can those signs be interrupted correctly?

AUTHOR'S NOTES: An introspective from one of the twins. But telling you which one may spoil the fun. *evil laughter* Based on comments/events from volume 5 of the manga (specifically episodes 18-20). A non-lemon piece. Go me! A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the story.




"Did you think of the possibility that he might fall in love?"

"Nah. He's still too stupid for that."

For my brother and I, the world always seemed small. Very small. There was us. And there was everyone else. If something didn't pertain to us, or interest us, it didn't exist. We didn't care about anyone or anything else.

Slowly, over the past year, our world has grown. We'd decided to someday adopt our classmate, Haruhi Fujioka. Destitute and highly practical, we took it upon ourselves to teach her about class and fabulous wealth. She's not a very good student, I must admit.

But she's been an awesome teacher.

I didn't see it at first, my world so microscopic and out of touch. But I've learned a great many things since coming into contact with Haruhi. Mostly about myself. My world has opened up, if only a little. I've missed out on a few things, but I'm very happy I didn't miss out on Haruhi.

I didn't recognize the new feelings and emotions that she was stirring up. All I saw was someone interesting to me. But as my world opened up, so did my heart. There was room for more than just myself, or my brother. Okay, maybe even the few friends we'd managed to keep around. I can't say the change felt...relieving or good in any way. I just dealt with it. Acknowledging it was just a big step for me.

Hikaru was taking steps too.

Baby steps, but we all have to start somewhere.

I don't know why I agreed to let him take Haruhi out on a date. Well, forced him to take my place at any rate. For all the changes I was going through I knew my brother was doing the same. And fighting it every step of the way. His interest in Haruhi was as acute as my own. The reasons may differ or be similar, but she was as much a part of his life as she was mine.

Thus, the first sign.

"Can't that guy tell that we don't care about him at all?"

SLAP!

"I won't let you insult my friend any further."

While Hikaru will never admit it, that slap did more than sting his cheek. The pain went deeper than his ego! As embarrassed as he was, he saw it in himself that he shouldn't act a certain way around others. Oh he fought it. But he took a hard earned lesson away from the whole experience. Even managed to successfully complete the task I'd given him. He was welcoming change, if only in the slightest of forms.

Then came sign number two.

As if lightening had struck, Hikaru hit a girl. I never thought I'd live to see the day. A sly one she was, saying mean things about Haruhi to get her into trouble with the teachers and other students. Still, we were raised better than that.

And yes, I was upset I didn't think of it first.

Actually, I think the rest of the host club felt that way.

The third sign happened purely by accident. Hunni had been bouncing around. Mori couldn't stop him from bouncing into Tamaki. Who in turn fell into Hikaru. Who in turn planted one face first into Haruhi.

Yep, he kissed her.

But while that kiss happened purely by chance, I think Hikaru took some form of courage, possibly determination from it.

The rest of the signs fell into place after that. His acceptance of foods he'd never touched before. His growing patience with others (and himself). His honesty and, dare I say it, willingness to be helpful (if only to one person). Trying things he'd never thought of trying. Saying all the right things, and meaning what he said. He didn't act high and mighty, though he still thought it. He even enjoyed watching those old movies! Black and white! And he hates subtitles!

I saw all the signs.

But I ignored them.

And now we're at odds with each other. Not like any of our normal squabbles though. This goes just a little deeper. Well okay, a lot deeper.

I'm in love with Haruhi Fujioka.

Unfortunately, so is he.

It's been months since she promised to let us both court her. Months of flashy gifts, trite word, showy acts of affection. We try to outdo each other at every turn. The school finds it fascinating. Our fellow Host Club members find it annoying. They're just unhappy, really.

Like me.

I'm not the one.

I've known all along.

The signs are all there. Forward and backward. Backward and forward. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that I love Haruhi. Only an idiot couldn't see it!

But...it's the idiot she loves.

Haruhi has grown too. Into a young woman more beautiful than the richest girl in school. And while she's taught me more about life, she's also taught Hikaru. We're both better for it, though I admit that he went through the most dramatic (and I mean dramatic literally) changes.

And just like that day, all I can do is stand back and watch.

It's fascinating, really, to see how my twin has matured. Perhaps matured is too strong a word, but it's the only word I know to describe what's happened to him. I'll never say it out loud, but I'm proud. Proud of the man he's becoming and proud that I had a hand in it.

I'm also happy for him. I think Haruhi deserves better, but Hikaru can't do any better than her. A person with the patience of a god and the understanding of a mother. He needs that. A lot. Much more than myself or anyone else I know.

So, I'm letting go. Of both of them. Perhaps, that is mature of me, yes?

My heart..aches. Strange. It hurts more than hitting my thumb with a hammer (I've tried it, don't do it at home). Hurts worse than if Haruhi had agreed to go out Milord. Hurts like...I don't think I've really experienced anything quite like it. I'm even crying if you can believe that.

Kaoru Hitatchin...crying.

The customers will love it!

~OWARI~

DISCLAIMER:
Ouran High School Host Club is a brilliant piece of work by creator Bisco Hatori. Originally published in 2003 by HAKUSENSHA, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, this masterpiece is being translated and published by VIZ Media for fans in America and Canada. I do not own a single piece of the characters used in this story. They were kidnapped and used here without permission.