A/N: Hello! I hope you enjoy this. I usually write fantasy stories, and I'm not too experienced with romance, so I feel like the plot may be a little weak for this story, but I did my best. I'm trying to give it the same atmosphere as the anime and manga. Any feedback is greatly appreciated, even if it's just a couple words!

With the distraction of the Host Club, Tsukiko started feeling comfortable enough to speak at home. The first time she spoke, she was surprised at how easy it was: "Please pass the tea." Her grandfather almost dropped the teapot. After that, she spoke at home often. She still didn't feel comfortable speaking outside, so The Host Club and her other friends didn't know she was talking again.

Late December, the night before the party, Tsukiko stayed behind after school to help the club with the final party preparations. She opted to sample cake with Hani, since it was the easiest thing to do. Things had mostly descended into chaos now, so she didn't feel too guilty slacking off.

Haruhi ran by and bumped their table. Mori righted all of their cake before it could fall. Tamaki, Kaoru, and Hikaru shot past, all holding three different kinds of dresses for her to wear. The twins had brought their mother's gown collection.

Tsukiko had wondered why they bothered, since Haruhi would be dressed as a Host anyway. But apparently this was a different kind of party, and Haruhi wouldn't be one of the featured Hosts. Kyouya already staged a pretend trip she would be on, and they had a brand new photo collection waiting in the back. Apparently separating Haruhi from her guests would only make them miss her more, though Tsukiko thought it was just because Tamaki wanted to see her dressed up.

Tsukiko looked at all three of them and got up. Haruhi gave her a look that plainly said: Help. Tsukiko wrote in huge, dark letters: STOP.

Tamaki stumbled to a stop in front of her, causing Kaoru and Hikaru to crash into him. Tsukiko put a hand on his arm to steady him and quickly let go, stepping back to put some distance between them. She hadn't been able to look him in the eye since that day in the rain. She flipped to a new page in her notebook: Haruhi could wear a dress that's like all three of those—pink, short-sleeved, and with sparkles.

"But we want her to wear this one," Kaoru and Hikaru said, holding up their dress of choice.

She could change. Tsukiko turned to Haruhi: I'm sorry, it's the best I can do.

Haruhi smiled. "How about Tsukiko-san wears them?"

Tsukiko shook her head: I have a dress.

"What does it look like?"

Light blue. And cotton.

"See? I have my dad to pick out a dress for me. Tsukiko's grandfather doesn't mind what she wears, clearly she needs more help than I do."

Tsukiko frowned. She hadn't been expecting this. I like my dress.

"Well," Kyouya said from behind her, making her jump. He'd been so quiet, she'd forgotten he was there. "Since you have been helping us with the club, you do need to have proper clothes."

I'm not a host.

"Nevertheless, your image still reflects back on us, our guests know you've been staying after hours." Kyouya snapped his notebook shut. "You need to be presentable too, Haruhi."

Tsukiko sighed. She liked pretty dresses, but she preferred cotton ones since they were more comfortable. Oh well. Resigned to her fate, Tsukiko browsed through the gown collection, while Kaoru and Hikaru pestered her with suggestions. Haruhi sighed in defeat and sat with Hani, the dress Tamaki picked on her lap.

Tsukiko spotted a blue one that was similar to the one she already had. Maybe she could get away without wearing a dress after all… Kyouya did only say "proper" clothes. She made sure to look resigned when she picked it up. I'll wear this one.

Hani smiled at her. "Good choice, Tsuki-chan!"

"The blue will wash your face out," Hikaru said. "You should wear a different one."

Smiling, she wrote: Nope. Decision made.

Outside, rain pounded against the windows and thunder rumbled. Haruhi gasped dropped the plate of cake she was holding. Tamaki rushed to her side and put his jacket over her head. That was a good idea, maybe if she didn't see or hear anything? Tsukiko looked around for something else to cover her with, but didn't see anything.

Kyouya stood by the window, dialing his cellphone. After a few moments, he sighed and hung up. "Looks like the storm cut out the phone lines."

Tsukiko tried hers, but it didn't work either. She knew her grandfather wouldn't be too worried, she'd stayed out with the club late before. But Haruhi… She could hide under the piano?

Nobody noticed. Tamaki and Hikaru were already huddled under the piano with her. Tsukiko looked down at her notebook and ripped out two pages, crumpling them up into little balls. She knelt in front of Haruhi and handed them to her. You could put these in your ears.

"Thanks, Tsukiko," Tamaki said, smiling.

Tsukiko's cheeks felt hot. She nodded and rose, hitting her head on the piano bench. Rubbing the sore spot, she resumed her seat at Hani and Mori's table. Hani had a brand new piece of cake, so he was unconcerned about the storm.

Mori glanced at her and Tsukiko smiled at him. She felt most at ease around Mori, because he didn't talk much like her. Sometimes it was nice to sit in silence. "You okay?"

Yeah, I just hit my head.

"I didn't mean that."

Tsukiko took a clip out of her hair and nibbled on it. What did he mean?

"We should postpone the party," Kyouya said.

"What?" Karou asked.

"The party has an outdoor component, and we can't do that with the storm. Besides, our guests are going to want to go home after school if it's storming. We should have a spring party instead."

Tsukiko looked at Tamaki. He was still caught up in comforting Haruhi, but once he realized the party was cancelled, he'd be disappointed. Mushrooms would be everywhere. We should make it bigger. All the clubs should come.

"That sounds fun, Tsuki-chan!" Hani said.

Tsukiko stared at Kyouya. He would be the deciding voice after all. Kyouya glanced at Tamaki, then looked back to Tsukiko. "Alright. It will be good for the other clubs to know more about our activities. And it'll give us exposure to new clients."

Tsukiko smiled and sat back down, as everyone except Tamaki, Haruhi, and Hikaru started discussing the new possibilities for the party. She poked her piece of strawberry cake while they talked. Tamaki would love having everyone together.

Before Tsukiko knew it, the thunder and lightning stopped, but it still rained outside. She let Hani give Haruhi the rest of their cake since she was still shaken up.

Usually, she'd waste no time sitting next to Tamaki and talking to him about music, or explaining various "commoner" things to him, but lately her face would get hot and her stomach would twist when they spoke, so Tsukiko stayed next to Mori. Tamaki immediately sprang into action when Kyouya told him of their plans.

He raced back and forth across the room, digging out all their old costumes and organizing from most to least successful around the room. Tsukiko watched as he ran by with a particularly large pile of clothes. One of the sleeves dragged on the ground and he stepped on it. Tamaki yelled and fell down mid-stride, sliding slowly across the floor.

Tsukiko couldn't help it and burst out laughing. Her laugh wasn't as weak as before, since her voice was a little stronger, and it echoed throughout the club room. "Y-Your face!" Eventually, Tsukiko calmed down and wiped her eyes. Everyone stared at her.

"Tsuki-chan, you did it!" Hani said, pulling her into a hug.

Tsukiko nodded, wondering what he meant, before she realized she'd spoken. "Oh. Um. Yeah, I actually started feeling better about it a while ago."

"You did?" Kaoru asked.

Hikaru walked over to her. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Tsukiko explained how sometimes she still didn't feel comfortable talking outside of home, and answered everyone's questions as best she could. Hikaru and Kaoru started trying to get her to say funny words and tongue-twisters, and Tsukiko was having so much fun that she didn't notice the rain stopping.

Tamaki, however, hadn't come up to her at all. When the commotion died down, Tsukiko looked around for him, but didn't see him anywhere. He must have slipped out in all the commotion.

She tried not to think about it.

The members started departing. Tsukiko stayed behind to try and clean up. Before he left with Hani, Mori briefly rested his hand on her head. "It will be okay." Tsukiko looked up at him. What was he talking about?

"What will?"

"With Tamaki."

"What?"

Mori smiled and patted her head again, then swung Hani up onto his shoulders. Tsukiko finished straightening the cushions and started her walk home, doing her best to not wonder why Tamaki had just left.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I have the rest of the story outlined, so I hope to update each week! Please review if you feel like it, even if it's just a few words!