Father fussed over me when I couldn't get the residual tears and redness from my face.

"Mitsumi, my darling," He held my hand tight while I was in bed, slowly falling asleep. "Should I take you out of school? I never should have taken you there, curse the Ootoris for being so influential. I should homeschool you once more, I'll bring in a tutor."

"Father," I say, placing my hand over his. He stops shaking. "I just overexerted myself. The cultural exposition is currently going on and my emotions ran high. Please, I love it at school."

"I can't," He takes a deep breath, I follow along. "I don't want to lose you too."

"And you won't," I promise, it hangs limply between both of us. "This is the best I've been in a long time. It's the happiest I've felt in a very long time. The school makes me feel like I'm alive, my friends make me feel normal."

He breathes out of his nose and closes his eyes, the frown lines deep on his forehead. He bites his lip like how I worry mine. He stands up, kisses my forehead and I lean into his touch.

"If you wish to go tomorrow," He says slowly, and I perk up. "You must be in a wheelchair. A wheelchair, and a school nurse on call. Understand?"

"Yes father."

"Oh my darling, I'm so very sorry. I am so sorry."

"Please don't be."

We stand and sit, the silence growing between us, but his worries, my sadness, our shared confusion on the whole matter stand between us.

"I'm tired, Father."

"Then I will leave you to sleep. Please call me or a nurse if something changes tonight, okay?"

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you so very much, Mitsumi."

He kisses my forehead once more and leaves the room, turning off the lights. A night nurse is only a button away and only a wall separates us.

"Mitsumi," Kyoya greets me at the limo. I give him a smile and he helps me up and the chauffeur comes out to unfold the wheelchair. It isn't a fancy one with customized features, I personally don't plan on being bound to it. If everything gets bad enough that I will need it for a long time, then I will make it nicer. For now, I stick with a black seat, black wheels, black footrests. Kyoya grabs my bag and places it in my lap for me.

"Thanks, Kyoya."

"My pleasure, although two more people did want to help."

I cringe at the thought of someone other than Kyoya helping me at this moment. Just because the words were said to me yesterday doesn't mean they've fully sunk in. After all, Mori kissed me. Not what some would call a real kiss, but a kiss none-the-less. I couldn't focus much on words after that.

"I'll see them later today," I say, Kyoya starting to push me towards the entrance. "It's too early for questions, don't you think?"

"And the Host Club is bound to ask questions." Kyoya murmurs, the accessibility ramp is a little too steep. For the sake of other kids with disabilities, the school could put in more effort, especially since this is an elite private academy. I hear Kyoya tsk at the effort, and I can't help but feel the guilt overwhelm. He pushes me to our classroom, the teacher having removed the chair at my desk. I set up my classwork for the day, Tamaki immersed in some books. He looks over, gives a smile before going back down. He then does a double take and gasps.

"Mitsumi, my dear!" He flounces over to me, the fussiness already edging into his voice. It makes my skin prickle. "How wonderful to see you after that abrupt departure! How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, thanks," I say, shrinking in my chair. He looks over at Kyoya, who acts like nothing is wrong; perfect. "Just precautions. Please don't dramatize this, okay?"

Tamaki looked taken aback, but there was a fleeting look of understanding. He nods and pats my head before heading to his desk. The bell rings, signalling class starting, and I bury myself into my work.

"The club is going to be doing something before opening," Kyoya says, Tamaki pushing me this time. "Haruhi is thinking of leaving Ouran."

"Which would be absolutely devastating!" Tamaki wails, his crocodile tears making his voice all wobbly. "How could my little girl even think of leaving us? Oh, the terror of her not being here!"

"Would you like me to be there?" I ask, turning to face Tamaki, who stops the dramatics. "I don't know what you have planned, but I'm not doing anything until later to be with Hani-Senpai and Mori."

"No honorifics, I see," Kyoya says, poking my head. I feel my face get hot and I try to hide it.

"If you want to see the performance of a lifetime," Tamaki announces. "Then of course you may join us!"

"Why not?"

I can't stop the tears of mirth from running down my face as Kyoya gets fitted into a purple dress with multiple layers of tulle and a hoop skirt. At least they're being historically accurate with the Olde English dresses. I wipe my eyes, but instantly start cackling at the twins' over usage of rouge. They look over and give me the stink eye, but I can't help it; they look so ridiculous. I calm my breathing as much as I can, my chest taking in as much oxygen as I can.

"And how is this going to keep Haruhi here?" I say, holding back giggles as the twins start to put makeup on Hani. "Being in Drag isn't giving me an explanation."

"Haruhi needs a more feminine atmosphere to stay here, otherwise she'll be trapped under the wiles of Benibara!" Tamaki passionately explains, the bold red lipstick making his mouth seem even bigger than before. I feel my lips twitch as I continue to fight back the laughter. "With us dressing like women, she will finally see that we are sisters to her, as well as brothers and fathers in our normal clothes."

"Alright," I say, chuckling. "Go for it. I'm excited to see her reaction."

"Speaking of which," Kyoya looks down at his watch. "Haruhi and the Zuka Club should be here any second. Please, get into your positions."

They all begin to get into their pose. I fold my arms into my lap and try to remain inconspicuous.

"Mitsumi."

I jolt and look over at the tall boy in a blue suit. Mori was the only Host Club member not in a dress, although I bet it would have been just as funny as the rest of them. He makes my skin go prickly and my face feels warm.

"Would you like me to wheel you away?"

"Just to a side table, please."

He nods and pushes me over within seconds. The lights go dim as they hide in the darkness. Spotlights are placed on each member and given their cue. Mori is still standing next to me. He places a hand on my shoulder and I can't help but look up at him.

"We will be done shortly," He mumbles. "And then you will join us at the exposition?"

"I promised I would," I replied, my voice breathy for some reason. My heart is racing. I bite my lip and my fingers begin to twitch. "I will need yours and Hani's help."

"Good."

He leans down and once again, the feather lightness, the soft warmth, hits my cheek. He walks away quickly and gets into position as loud voices approach the room.

The doors open, with Benibara and Haruhi leading the Zuka Club. For a minute, there is only confusion and silence. Then;

"Ouran!" Hikaru sings in a falsetto.

"Ouran!" His twin echoes.

Each boy sounds off, the deepest voice being Mori's and the highest being Tamaki's falsetto. Each boy sounds ridiculous, but the icing on the cake is when the lights fully turn on and show each other in their cleverly made dresses. The curls of the twins' pigtails bounce, Kyoya places a fan over his mouth, and Tamaki gives a big, bright smile.

"Oh Haruhi, welcome back!" Tamaki says, walking over to the pair. I'm slightly jealous of how he can handle the flouncy dress and heels so gracefully.

"Look Haru-Chan!" Squeals Hani, his long ponytail whipping around as he twirls over to the stunned girls. "I'm a princess now, aren't I cute?"

He is utterly adorable, but the makeup makes it seem more clownish than princessy, not that I'll ever tell him that. I stifle a laugh as Benibara begins to go off on Tamaki, who calmly explains the idiocy of the idea. They all act with flourish, even Mori jingling a tambourine that came with the costume. I had to look away, I don't know how Haruhi isn't cracking. However, I notice a tremor in her shoulders, the hilarity of the situation starting to make her move. Tamaki and Benibara continue to battle, the woman getting flushed with fury and Tamaki striking poses in his god awful dress.

Suddenly, it's far too much for Haruhi and she starts laughing, tears springing to her eyes and I can't help but giggle along, trying to be as quiet as I can.

"This is too much," She wheezes out, falling to her knees. "I don't even get what you're trying to do! I knew you were a bunch of goofballs, but jeez!"

She continues losing it, the majority of the two clubs looking at her, stunned. I giggle even louder, not even stifling it, and Mori and Kyoya snap their attention to me. Kyoya glares at me, a slight blush of embarrassment evident on his face. He covers it with his matching fan. Mori's eyes glint with mischief. I give him a watery smile, the laughter reducing me to tears again.

"Call me big sister!" The twins and Hani say, chasing around Haruhi, who's still cackling like crazy. "C'mon, do it! Just say it, big sister! Say it, please?"

They say it all in their falsettos, adding to the comedy of the situation. I place a hand over my heart as it beats faster. The lack of air from laughing so hard is making me dizzy, but I'm still in my wheelchair, so I'm steady. The four came close and I tried to move my wheels on my own, but they were stuck. Haruhi bumps into me a little, making her wince for a second.

"Sorry Haruhi," I cry, wiping the tears off my face. "There wasn't time to tell you about this, I was left in the dark until it happened."

"God, even if you told me I wouldn't believe you," She gasps out. She looks over at me and I cover the chair as much as I can with my school dress. She scans over it, but doesn't mention anything, which gives me a feeling of relief. She walks back over to the rest of the club, winded from running and laughing. I smile as she steadies her breath.

"Well maiden," Benibara says, her nose raised up snootily. "Have you made a choice?"

"Yeah, I have," Haruhi replies, brushing dust off her suit, and still chuckling a bit. "I'm sorry, but your club isn't for me. I think the idea of an all girls' school is great, and your views are very unique and interesting. But, I came to this school with a goal and plan for my future, so while I appreciate your offer, I really already knew that I was never going to leave Ouran Academy."

The Zuka Club quietly gasps, but I just smile; Haruhi tried and succeeded to get into this school and no others, why would she be able to leave something she worked so hard for so easily?

"Haruhi!" Tamaki cries, about to drag her into one of his tight hugs. "Hold on, if you knew you weren't going to leave, then why did you act so angry yesterday?" He frowns and points at the girl with his hand on his hip.

"How would you feel if I stole something of yours without asking you?" Haruhi yells, frightening the boy. She looks annoyed, more than scary, really. I look over ath Mori and he shakes his head. I sigh as the two bicker over something, the rest of the Host Club and the Zuka Club looking on.

"Um, Benio?" Inquires the taller girl of the two Zuka Club members. She simpers towards the leader, who sighs.

"Yes, I know."

Benibara looks at me and I give her a look of utter contempt. A good word for my list. She decides not to talk to me, which gives me a bit more relief.

"We're not going to give up on you, maiden," She says, making the Host Club, specifically Tamaki stop their shenanigans. "I swear this to you, someday we'll come and rescue you from this place! And when we do, we'll abolish the Host Club. Well, Adieu!" The three members twirl off, leaving the doors wide open enough for us to see them fall after slipping on banana peels. I hold back my laughter, but I admit a cruel smile did fall into my lips.

"Mitsu-Chan, let's go to the expo!" Hani says, running towards me, his dress making him slow down more than normal. Mori looks over and I feel my face get warm. I look at the shooter boy and nod. Hani and Mori change out of their costumes while the rest of the club sets up for guests to appear. I feel like an idle character as I watch the boys slowly set up tables, minding the hoops in their skirts. Kyoya vigorously wipes off the blush from his face, which just makes him more red.

"Kyoya, come here," I called over. He begrudgingly walks over and I take the makeup wipe from his hand and start getting the muck off his face. It feels more like facepaint than makeup, or maybe stage makeup that isn't as durable as regular makeup. It was difficult, to say the least. When I finally got it off, he gave me a look of thanks and then went off to get his dress off. He held the skirts above his elbows and in bunches, which showed his uniform underneath. I giggled a little bit before jumping; Mori placed his hand on my shoulder. I smile at him and he looks away, his ears turning pink.

"Mitsukuni is ready to go."

"Are you sure you won't mind pushing me?"

He nods his head and places his hands on the handles. He starts slowly and we head out the door, following the prancing older boy.

"Thank you, Takashi."

I hear him cough a little and I look behind me, a little alarmed. His face is a bright red.

"You're welcome, Mitsumi."