Maria walked with Haruhi, the two talking about anything and everything. 

Chapter 7 

Asterism (pt 4)

"Maria, why don't you take a limo?" Haruhi asked. 

"Well, I'm not aloud to sit around and be lazy, you see. It's bad for my health. So exercise is very important towards me, so I walk wherever. The maids will wait in certain areas for me to come get what they fetched. I'm still rich and, well, pampered, so they make food and fetch me things. I just need to retrieve it." Maria explained, turning right. 

"What's wrong with your health?" Haruhi asked, walking beside her. 

"I am cursed with COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." Maria slightly frowned. 

Haruhi gasped at this fact. "Isn't that incurable?" Haruhi whispered, as if they were exchanging dark secrets. But in a way, they were. 

"And deadly." Maria sighed. 

"How did you get it?" Haruhi inquired.

"You see, I grew up most of my life without a mother figure. She died when I was 6. It was a house fire. Long story short, she never made it out alive." Maria pulled up her dress sleeve, and a very faint burn was showed. It ran up from her elbow to her shoulder. It looked like it continued onto her back, but the sleeve was only pulled up so far. 

Haruhi gasped. 

"The smoke damaged my lungs, and that's how I got it. Sometimes I wonder if I have stayed and helped her, if she would still be here today. ... By my side, smiling. Telling me to keep on going, helping me through tough times. Or just to give me a comforting hug, filling me with warmth. To scold me if I did something wrong, or be there during my accomplishments." Maria smiled, her eyes tearing up. She pulled down her sleeve and wiped her delicate eyes. Haruhi continued to frown. 

"I'm sorry, about the lost. I lost my mother too, y'know. I sometimes miss her too." Haruhi looked down. Maria smiled and took Haruhi's hand. 

"I guess that's just another reason why we need each other." Maria smiled, intertwining her hands with her's. Haruhi smiled, causing both of them to giggle. They both put their hands away and continued to walk. 

"Don't you take medications?" Haruhi asked. 

"Hai! I take pills 3 times in a 24 hour time lap. One at 6:00 in the morning, 12:00 in the afternoon, 7:00 in the afternoon. And I have an emergency inhaler in my locker just in case." Maria winked. Haruhi nodded. 

"And if you don't?" Haruhi asked.

"If I don't take my pills? Then I'll most likely be in a state where I won't be able to control my breathing." Maria explained. "Which might result to a faster death than planned." Maria lifted her shoulders and smiled. 

"What else do you need to do other than exercise and take your pills at their designated times?" Haruhi asked. Maybe she can help her deal with her COPD, or at least remind her to do those things. 

"Well, I need to change my furnace filters frequently. To keep dust from collecting and maybe getting into my lungs if I breathe the particles in. It also helps me breathe better. And during flu season, or if I go in an airport, I need to wear a mask. It's a safety precaution. Getting sick is critical for me. Which is another rule; don't go near the sick. I also need to eat a well balanced diet. It should be rich with vitamins and nutrients. I also must sleep well. If I don't get enough sleep, it might build up stress. Stress is very bad for me. It might make it difficult to breathe. Junk food or any sweets will cause a weight change, and it'll impact my heart and lungs. I must keep it to a minimum. I also should not be opened to too much excitement, it may bring up my heart rate. " Maria described. 

Haruhi nodded. She made a note to remember these things and maybe do more research. Maria now made a big part of her life. She's very important. 

As Maria and Haruhi stood in front of the Host Club room, they were accompanied by the Zuka Club. The group of girls opened the door, and they were met with very... unique girls. Wait, those aren't girls. That's the Host Club. 

"Maria!" Tamaki bounced towards Maria. "Do I look good?" He twirled in his dress. All their makeup was overdone.

"Ano..." Maria just stared at Tamaki surprised. He looked ridiculous. She looked over at Haruhi who was laughing pretty hard, and the Zuka Club who were steaming. "Tamaki?" Maria asked. 

"Yes?" Tamaki was hopeful.

"Where's Haruhi's pencil?" Maria gave Tamaki an un-amused look. 

"We got it back." Kyoya appeared behind Maria. He help up a pencil. Maria sparkled and took the pencil. Suddenly Maria noticed Kyoya's outfit. He, unlike the others, had no makeup. Well, other than lip gloss.

She dropped the pencil, and began to squish Kyoya's cheeks. "You're so cute!" Maria giggled. Kyoya felt disturbed, also uncomfortable. 

Meanwhile Tamaki was dead on the floor, his ghost flying out of his mouth. In pink letters above him, it said 'Rejected'. 

Maria picked up the pencil and scurried towards Haruhi. "Haruhi! I have your pencil!" Haruhi took it and smiled at Maria. 

Huni jumped on Maria and smiled. "Maria! Maria! Do I look cute?" Huni giggled. 

"Yes, you do, Huni. Maybe you should wear bunny ears to match with Usa-chan!" Huni sparkled. He then jumped on a tall giant.

"Takashi! Did you hear that! Let's go shopping for pink bunny ears later!" Huni sparkled. The tall giant called Takashi grunted in agreement. 

Maria walked over to Tamaki and bent down. She placed her hand on Tamaki's forehead. "Tamaki, I forgive you and the Host Club. Thank you for going so far for Haruhi." 

Tamaki's eyes opened. But he did this for her too. Will she ever look his way? 

"So Haruhi, will you transfer to Lobelia?" Benio asked. 

"Sorry, but I'll stay here at Ouran. I worked hard to get here, and I have a debt to pay." The three girls sighed. 

"Oh well. But we'll for sure get you next time, maiden!" The trio twirled out the doors, then slipped on banana peels.