CHAPTER 26 – Everyone forgets

DISCLAIMER: Me not owns Ouran hosts.

RECAP:

"Then, would you want to chat with another person?" Yui inquired with a smirk. Her eyes were still on the frozen Yuki.

The woman, curious of what Yui meant, followed where Yui was looking.

"Yuki?"

~0~

"Uh," that was the smartest that Yuki could come up.

"Yuki! It really is you!" Yukiko came over to her daughter and hugged her. "I missed you so much. C'mon, give Mama a hug!"

Yuki just stood there, frozen, as Yukiko gave her a hug.

"How have you been? You have so much to tell me!" It was evident in her voice that she missed her daughter so much.

On the other hand, Yui kept a smirk. She knew Yuki would react this way when Yukiko hugs her.

She knew too well how to make Yuki's feelings waver.

"I haven't seen you this close ever since you started living at Akira's house," Yukiko said as she took a great look of her daughter.

"Mom?" Yuki finally found the courage to speak.

"You called me Mom again! I'm so happy!"

"P-Please let go of me."

Upon hearing those words, Yukiko immediately let go. A frown formed on her beautiful face. "I'm sorry. Are you still mad?"

"No! I should be the one sorry!" Yuki said that with her head bowed down so low.

"Yuki, at least look at me when you're talking to me," Yukiko pleaded but Yuki remained in her position. When she took a step forward, Yuki suddenly ran away.

"I chase her away," Yukiko said miserably.

"That's not it, Mom," Yui said coldly. "Yuki's just a coward."

~0~

Yuki kept running. She was running for no reason at all.

"I haven't seen you this close ever since you started living at Akira's house."

Has it really been that long since she left her real home? As far as she could remember, it had only been ever since she entered high school. It already felt like it had been forever since she left.

"Are you still mad?"

Mad? No, she wasn't mad at her. She never was. It was more like, she didn't know how to interact with her own family anymore. She only fought with Yui and her parents were hardly at home.

Now, she was having second thoughts. Maybe she shouldn't have ran away.

While running and thinking, she suddenly bumped into Hikaru.

"Yuki? Are you alright?" Hikaru asked the girl who immediately fell after bumping into him.

"Yeah, I'm just fine," Yuki said weakly. Hikaru held her arm and waist as he helped her up.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you. I don't know anyone and Kaoru's nowhere to be found. Then, girls are approaching me every now and then. It's annoying!" Hikaru said as they both started to walk but he kept ahold of her since she was still swaying.

"Hikaru, can you please shut up and worry about me first?!" Yuki suddenly blurted out. Both of them were shocked of what Yuki said.

"I'm sorry. That came out of nowhere," Yuki said emotionlessly.

"Hey Yuki, tell me honestly. What really happened to you?" Hikaru asked seriously which was a complete surprise to Yui. As far as she knew, Hikaru was hardly ever serious.

She took one peek at Hikaru's face to see if he was as serious as he sounded. And, he was, that it kinda scared her.

"Well?" Hikaru's impatient voice came.

"Uh..I..saw my...mom," she said vaguely. She had never open up to anyone about her family. Not even with Komaki. That was why she was still undecided what to tell and not to tell to Hikaru.

"Then?" she noticed that Hikaru's voice had gone gentler. It was more like Kaoru's but still Hikaru's.

"She hugged me and told me that she missed me," she said hesitantly because she knew too well what Hikaru would say next.

"So, what did you do?" And she was right. Everyone asks that question that most of the time was annoying. Why do people try to pry to other people's business anyway?

"I...uh...ran away," she finally said. For a little bit, just a little bit, she felt better.

"Without telling her that you missed her, too?" Hikaru asked which finally for the first time made her tears flow.

"Yes," she confessed.

~0~

"Hey Kaoru," Akira called her handsome date as she yawned.

"Yes?" Kaoru answered without taking his eyes off of his cellphone.

"I'm so bored!" she complained.

"It's not really that boring when you're doing something," he explained absentmindedly, his eyes still glued to his cellphone. And that, caught Akira's attention. What was so interesting in that thing that he wouldn't look at her?

"Hey Kaoru," she called again.

"Yes?" was his reply again.

"What so interesting in your cellphone that you wouldn't look at me when you're talking to me?" she asked.

"Wha...t?" Kaoru almost dropped his phone when he heard her. That just sounded so wrong in so many levels.

"What?!" she asked. Why? Well, his face made it seem like she said something so ridiculous.

"Just now, you sounded like a girlfriend trying to catch her boyfriend's attention," he explained hesitantly. This time, he looked at her to see how she would react.

"WHAT?! That's just... so wrong!" she argued as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

"Wait, isn't that Yuki?" he pointed at the girl who was wearing a blue dress. She was sitting on the floor until a guy who looked like Hikaru helped her up.

"Is that your twin brother?" Akira asked curiously. "Who knew that he could be a gentleman?"

"What do you actually think of us, huh?"

She shrugged her shoulder. "I dunno. Handsome guys who put up a host club just because you can't afford necessities?"

"Well, if you must know," Kaoru started off proudly and confidently. "In where we came from, we were raised to be gentlemen."

"You mean, your roles in that manga are handsome rich bastards who entertain ladies?" Akira asked.

"Verbally," he added.

"So why still entertain rich ladies when you're already well off yourself?"

"Well, that's because we are six handsome men plus Haruhi with too much time on their hands," Kaoru explained as he realized something. "Wait, didn't your little bird tell you these things?"

"Well, she did," Akira answered. "As a matter of fact, this little bird of mine told me everything that I need to know. But I only remembered the important parts."

"Then, why are you interested now?" Kaoru inquired.

"That's because I'm curious and when I-"

"Oi, look! Hikaru just hugged Yuki!" he exclaimed as he pointed at his twin and Yuki.

"The nerve of that pervert!" Akira was about to attack Hikaru but Kaoru pulled her arm.

"Let me go, Hitachiin!" Akira demanded as she tried to free herself of Kaoru's grip. "Are you just gonna let your perverted brother hug Yuki?"

"Wait! Before you do anything stupid, think first! If Yuki didn't want Hikaru to hug her, she would've pushed him away, wouldn't she?" Kaoru explained which somewhat calmed Akira.

"But, I still need to go," she told him as if asking for his permission.

"Give me one good reason then I'll let go of you," Kaoru said seriously for he felt that she's not in the mood for jokes. He just wanted to make it really was the case.

"The only time she lets anybody invade her personal space is when she cries."

Upon hearing that, he automatically let go of her hand.

"Thank you," she smiled warmly at him.

That was the first time that he realized how much Akira really loved her sister.

"Yuki~" they both heard a voice from behind before Akira could even take the first step. It was a new voice for Kaoru but a different story for Akira. She recognized that voice. It was a voice she knew too well and tried to forget but failed. That was when she realized why Yuki was crying.

"Kaoru!" she suddenly called.

"Why?" asked a startled Kaoru.

"Please go to Yuki and tell her that 'that person' is looking for her. She knows what that means already," Akira said quickly.

"Okay, but you owe me an explanation," Kaoru said his condition.

"I can't promise you everything but I will tell you enough," Akira promised.

Kaoru just smiled before running off to where Yuki was.

Now that Kaoru was out of the way, she must face 'her' alone. She must, in order to distract her away from Yuki.

"Yuki, where did you go now?" she heard the woman called again. On the other hand, she saw Kaoru talking to Yuki and Hikaru. She met Yuki's gaze. Yuki smiled at her which she just nodded in return.

Akira sighed. Yukiko wasn't a monster. She could easily talk to her normally. Just like her, Yukiko was only a human. There wasn't anything to be afraid of.

For the last time, Akira cheered herself and faced Yukiko, "Hi, mom. Long time no see."

~0~

Meanwhile, Kaoru led Yuki and Hikaru to a place far from Akira's whereabouts.

"Hey Kaoru, why did you bring us here? Who is 'that person'?" a confused Hikaru asked. His brows were already furrowed and the impatience in his eyes told him that he desperately needed answers.

Kaoru tried to ignore Hikaru's questions. Instead, he watched Yuki who was currently silent. The brunette's head was lowered down. He tried to read the expression in her eyes but failed for she had her emerald orbs glued to the ground.

"Kaoru! Don't just ignore me!" Hikaru pleaded. Frustration was evident in his voice. He was getting tired with all the charades that had been going on. First, Yuki cried. Then, Kaoru just appeared, bringing them to somewhere far just because 'that person' was there.

"Why don't you ask Yuki who 'that person' is and what's with all the drama?" Kaoru answered his question. Yet, it was more likely he was forcing Yuki to talk rather than actually answering his question.

It seemed like Kaoru didn't actually know anything himself. Rather, it was more like he was seeking answers himself. So, Hikaru diverted his attention to Yuki.

Like how she was moments ago, Yuki still didn't look okay. She didn't even sound okay. Earlier, Yuki was running away, crying. Then, she told him of her encounter with her mother.

Yuki's mother.

Come to think of it, ever since they arrived at the real world, Yuki had never introduced nor mentioned her parents.

And now, the Yuki who never showed a weak part of her couldn't even face them properly.

"Hikaru, Kaoru," Yuki spoke in a hoarse voiced. Her head was still facing the ground so any other emotion she had could not be deciphered. Her hoarse voice was the only clue they had which from the sound of it, told them she wasn't okay.

The twins didn't respond but their gaze landed on her.

"I'm sorry you have to bear with all this drama," Yuki's voice came somewhat shaky.

Hikaru and Kaoru just listened intently, not wanting too miss a thing.

Yuki faced them. She wasn't crying anymore but her eyes showed only of loneliness. She tried to smile but they knew better.

"I think..." she paused before taking a deep breath. "I think you should go back to your world."

~0~

"Akira, is that really you?" Yukiko seemed to be in a state of shock that she couldn't believe who was standing in front of her. It had been two years since she last saw Akira, the daughter that Yuzan disowned.

"Well, I'm pretty sure I am Akira," Akira said jokingly. 'See? It wasn't really that hard,' she tried to convince herself.

Yukiko pouted. "You're bullying me again!"

Akira let out a small laugh. It was nice to see that she was still the same. Now, she couldn't stop wondering if 'he' hadn't changed too.

"You're still the same, Yukiko," Akira said.

"Mom," Yukiko just said out of nowhere.

"Huh?"

"I want you to call me Mom. Just like the old times," Yukiko smiled warmly at her.

Akira let out a small smile. This was what she was a afraid of. With Yukiko being like this, she couldn't help but let her guard down around her. She needs to be extra careful with her every move. She must not show any hint of weakness. Not now that she had already managed to reach where she was now.

"Fine. Just because you're so stunning, Mom."

"Can...Can I... Uh...Can I hug you?" Yukiko asked sheepishly.

Akira spread her arms. "Come."

"I really missed you!" Yukiko exclaimed then hugged her daughter.

"I missed you, too," Akira whispered.

*clap clap clap*

"What a very touching mother and daughter reunion!" a man spoke as he clapped his hands. The two women broke free from the hug. Yukiko had a worried look while Akira looked like she could kill.

"Oh, why'd you stop? It was even a very touching scene, except the mother and daughter part wasn't real," he said as if trying to insult Akira.

Akira glared at him. Her teeth were clenched against each other. Her fists were so tightly closed that she started to shake from anger or maybe loathe.

The man noticed her which he found amusing. That girl could look like her father so much that it amuses him.

That anger burning in her eyes had tempted him to anger her more, wanting to see how it would turn out. But, that would only uncivilize things.

"Yukiko, I thought we talked about you staying away from," he paused briefly trying to find the right word then finally shot a mocking look at Akira as the word escaped his mouth, "Beggars."

Akira balled her fists, allowing her rage to flow through her veins. As she took a glimpse of the man whom she once called her father, his lips curved into a devilish smirk. That reminded her that she must never allow her anger to let her lose.

She, then, decided to return the smirk that he had so kindly gave her. "I won't get mad. That'll make you happy, right?"

He chuckled darkly. It was such a wonder how a man like him could be so overjoyed, considering the fact that he was such a stoic man.

"If it were those old times, I would have found you adorable. But, things change,huh?"

Akira forced out a small fake smile. "Yeah, things do change."

"Dad."

~0~

An unpleasant surprise. That's how Yuki's earlier statement could be described as of the moment. While Hikaru's mouth hung open, Kaoru tried to open his to say something but closed it immediately as he realized that no words came out of his mouth. A long moment of silence told had them captured.

Kaoru glanced at Hikaru who seemed to be taking the news worse than he had. Then, his golden eyes met Yuki's emerald ones. Those eyes had always held so much emotions that it looked like she had been bearing the world on her shoulders. One of the emotions she had that dominated her right now was pain. How he wanted to take it away from her.

But, he couldn't. At least, he knew that nothing he can do could ease the pain.

He opened his mouth again to say something. This time, for real. He wanted to comfort her. But the words he heard next were never something he even planned.

"Are you out of your mind, Yuki?!" Kaoru perked up, upon realizing that he was not the one who said those words. Hikaru.

"She is out of her mind," the male twins eyed the owner of the voice.

They looked at Yuki expectantly, waiting for her yet smart comeback.

Nothing came.

Yuki just stood there as if she was lifeless corpse. She did resembled one. The only advantage the corpse had against her was that it couldn't breathe no more.

Yui, on the other hand, had a smug look on her face. It puzzled Hikaru. Was seeing Yuki like this really make her feel victorious?

The thought transferred his rage from Yuki to Yui.

Yui smirked. "What? No snappy attitude for me? After all my effort of finding you?"

Still, Yuki's reply was silence. Yui took that as a cue to continue.

"Fine, don't talk. Honestly? This makes me feel better. At least I can see you suffering. You deserve it, anyway."

Hikaru and Kaoru were so confused and she knew it. But, she didn't care. She didn't care if they would hate her. Everybody does and she was used to it. At least, that's what she thought.

So, she went on, "You ruined Akira. You ruined our family. You ruined Mom and Dad. And most especially? You ruined my life! You hear that? . . Y'know, you ruin so many things. I think you should just disappear. You're the reason why-"

"That's enough, Yui," she heard a familiar male voice interrupted her. It was rough like Hikaru's but she knew it wasn't him.

"No, Kaoru," Yuki spoke for the first time. "Let her say anything that will make her feel better. It is true that I ruin so many things. She even forgot one thing. The host club. I ruined you guys and I'm sorry."

Kaoru's gaze softened. Yuki was carrying more than she could and it wasn't healthy. It was ruining her, too.

"NO, YUKI! Don't say sorry so easily. Sorry won't bring back everything. Sorry won't fix what's broken. Sorry won't bring back my beloved twin sister! Sorry is just a pathetic 5-letter word trying to make the world better!" Yui snapped.

They had been silent for a moment after Yui's rampage. Hikaru and Kaoru were in shock. Yuki eyed her twin expectantly.

"Got anything more to say?" Yuki asked after a long silence.

Yui's eyes narrowed even more. "Can you be any more heartless?"

Yuki forced out a smile but her eyes were still blank. "If only løoks could kill, I'd be dead right now."

"Maybe you should really be dead," Yui said emotionlessly.

"YUI, that's enough," an authorative voice spoke.

"Akira..." Yui's gaze softened at the sight of the brunette. She waited for their eyes to meet but Akira wouldn't even look her way. Why was Akira being cold? Had she done anything? She wanted to ask a lot of questions but all she could do was watch Akira approach Yuki. It was Yuki again. Yuki always gets the pity while she gets the blame. It was unfair. She couldn't even explain her side. It had always been like that.

"Yui, please go home. Your parents are already waiting," Akira said, still avoiding any eye contact. 'Go home'? They used to share the same thing. 'Your parents'? It used to be 'our' parents.

When did things started to become so complicated? She thought sadly.

~0~

"She left already," Kaoru informed Akira, who had tears furiously streaming down his face. "And why are you crying?"

"Nothing you'll be interested in," she said, quickly wiping of the tears on her face as her make up was smudged by the hot liquid.

"Look, this is all so frustrating already!" Hikaru snapped. For a long time, he had not said anything as he tried to absorb every single thing he heard. "First, Yuki cries because she misses her mom. Then, Kaoru just came saying 'that person' is here. Yui comes then snaps about Yuki ruining everything. Then you come crying. Now you're telling us that it's nothing we'd be interested in?!"

"I assure you, Hikaru, this drama ends now." Akira said, assuringly. "By tomorrow, it'll be just like nothing happened."

Hikaru and Kaoru eyed them incredously. "That's impossible," they pointed out.

"She right, guys. Tomorrow, everyone forgets," Yuki said.

~END OF CHAPTER~

OOPS! DON'T CLICK THAT CLOSE BUTTON YET! PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ MY VERY IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!

Hey, everyone! This is your lovely author reporting for duty! *dodges flying tomatoes and…watermelon?!* Wow, I really feel loved. Okay, I will do no explaining of why it's like I really never updated this story because I don't really have a good reason to begin with. Anyway, this is really long y'know? It's like 17 pages on MS Word! I actually wrote this in notes of my cellphone and it has no spell check so I apologize for any mistake.

So, in all seriousness ( I know! It's very rare!), I'd like to ask a question. And of course, I'd also like some answers, okay? I'll look stupid if I ask a question then no one answers. Not that I'm already not stupid. SO ANYWAY, here's the question: is my storyline still interesting? As I've said before (which I know I did), this story is planned out already but it is still early to make some MINOR changes. Is it too dramatic for your own good? I'm sorry but these are very important things for my Plot and I gotta keep this moving. And most especially, do I still have readers?! I've been getting a few faves and follow every now and then but it still makes me wonder if someone is actually reading this. Or maybe just not the ANs. Please guys, give me proof that I actually have HUMAN readers through your reviews. Even if it's just a dot, I'll be happy. But you know, more than just a single dot can make a feeling writer like me happier. So, PLEASE REVIEW. IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE! XD

So, I'll be thanking those who reviewed from the date I posted Chapter 22. It doesn't matter what chapter they reviewed.

BetweenTheInfuence

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SAYONARA!

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