Prologue

~Miyako~

Dear Hikaru,

Looking up from the decorative stationary that I was writing on, I stared at where the Hitachiin twins were sitting. I tapped the pencil eraser against my cheek, not knowing what to say.

I've been attending Ouran for almost a year now, I wrote carefully, almost trembling, and I think I've fallen for you.

It was so hard to admit, but I had to say it: I had fallen deep and hard for Hikaru Hitachiin. It all started when I saw how lonely they were, like how Misaki and I were. My desires to become friends with them grew and grew, but before I could become friends with them, I needed to be able to tell them apart. It would be rude if I didn't know. I knew that from experience. So I watched them for a long time, slowly figuring out the differences.

My mother says it's a silly little crush, but I'm hoping it can blossom into something more. I took a quick breath before adding, Of course, your heart may already be with another.

"Not including Kaoru," I said under my breath. I knew that Hikaru loved his twin more than anything the world could offer, and that Hikaru would always hang out with him, but sometimes… sometimes I wished that I could be the one receiving Hikaru's attention. I wished that we could become close, that he would rely on me.

I know that we don't talk much, so you can't possibly have feelings for me. But… I was hoping that you could meet me at the gardens after school, so maybe we can… talk?

I gripped my pencil, trying to stop the wave of emotions crashing over me. I didn't want to leave. I disagreed with my father – I didn't need to learn about the stupid culture of England. I didn't care if I will be inheriting that branch of our family business. It shouldn't matter. Not now, while there was an auburn-haired boy that had all my attention.

With much hope,
Miyako.

~Hikaru~

"Oh, look, another one," Kaoru said with disinterest, picking at the dirt underneath his nails.

"Don't they ever learn?" I sat at my desk and reached for the pink envelope. From the swirly handwriting and hearts on the front of the envelope, it was obviously a love letter. I ripped it open with ease and barely noted the expensive-looking paper. While I quickly unfolded the letter, Kaoru leaned over my shoulder to read the letter too.

Dear Hikaru,

I've been attending Ouran for almost a full year now, and I think I've fallen for you. My mother says it's just a silly little crush, but I'm hoping it can blossom into something more. Of course, your heart might already be with another.

I know that we don't talk much, so you can't possibly have feelings for me. But… I was hoping that you could meet me at the gardens after school, so maybe we can… talk?

With much hope,
Miyako

"She sounds so boring, like she recited a poetry book of something," Kaoru declared, "I'm glad that it's you who has to deal with her."

"Which Miyako do you think this is?" Hikaru rolled his eyes, "Doesn't matter anyways. I guess I better get this over with."

~Miyako~

I saw one of the Hitachiin twins approach me, and butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. Monster butterflies. Fluttering and crashing into all my organs. My knees were a little wobbly, but I prayed that he wouldn't notice.

As he came closer, I could see that it was HIkaru. He was holding the pink letter that I placed on his desk earlier.

It would be so much easier to tell them apart if they just changed their hairstyles and parted it differently, I thought to myself. He's so handsome.

I snapped myself from my thoughts and smiled cheerfully at the redhead in front of me, "Hey, Hika – "

Hikaru put his hands in his pockets and interrupted me, "Sorry, but I'm Kaoru. You accidentally put your love letter on my desk."

My mouth hung open as I gaped at him. There was no way! I couldn't have made a mistake! Why was he lying to me? I knew that this was Hikaru! Unless…. I had gotten their names wrong from the beginning, and it turns out that the twin I thought was Kaoru was Hikaru and the one I thought was Hikaru was Kaoru and… ugh! This was so confusing!

"No," I said shakily. I clenched my fists at my side, pushing my nails tightly against my skin, "I couldn't have made a mistake."

"I'm really sorry, but I'm Kaoru. And I know you like Hikaru and all, but…" Kaoru, or Hikaru claiming to be Kaoru, came closer to me until we were only inches apart. Automatically, a red blush flooded my cheeks, "Wouldn't you rather love me instead of Hikaru? After all, we're identical twins. It'd be no different."

"I… I…" I couldn't say anything. I squinted a little harder at him, trying to figure him out. This couldn't be Kaoru. This was Hikaru. It had to be.

As I stared into the amber eyes of the twin-that-was-definitely-Hikaru, I could see in them… I could see… He didn't care for me, did he? He wouldn't be playing tricks on me if he did. I didn't mean anything to him.

I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. I turned away, breaking eye contact with those gorgeous eyes.

"No…" I gathered my courage and faced him again. I clasped my hands in front of me, trying to stop them from shaking as I stuttered, "S-see… I thought I liked Hikaru-kun, but…"

I looked down at my hands, and tears slid down my face.

"Are you okay?" Hikaru asked, confusion evident in his voice.

I raised a shaking hand and slapped his cheek. My eyes were burning as I looked up at him, "I hate you, Hikaru Hitachiin! I can't believe that I ever thought I loved you!" I could feel more tears trickling down my cheeks. I sniffed, "I'm glad that I'll never, ever see you again!"

"Wait, what?" Hikaru stared after me in confusion, holding a hand to his red cheek.

I looked away, not able to stand looking at his face, "Goodbye, Hikaru-kun."

xXx

Everything in my room was in boxes, so they were the only items to support me as I cried against one of them. That's how Misaki found me – on the floor, leaning against one of the hard, brown boxes.

"Oi," she shook my shoulder, "Little twin sister, you okay?"

I sniffed and tried to stop sobbing. I shook my head. She sighed, "Does it have to do with that… erm, was it Hiroki? You know, that guy you have a crush on? Haraku! That's it! Did mean Haraku do something to you? When will I have to beat him up?"

"It's Hikaru, Misaki," I said, "And, well… I, um…."

"Yeeeeeesss?" she prodded. She poked me in the side, making me glare at her.

"…. I confessed to him today," I said in a small voice.

"Uwaaaaah! Really? Congratulations!" Misaki jumped up and grabbed my hand, dancing, "Well? How did it go?"

I stared at her blankly, "He lied to me and now I hate him."

"Oh…" Misaki knelt down on the ground next to me, and she took one of my hands, "Well, men are idiots anyways! They are imbeciles. Who cares if you never marry? You will always have me!"

"… how can you say that so cheerfully? Why are you talking about marriage?"

"I'm cheerful 'cause it's true! You have me!" Misaki smiled, pulling me up, "So let's go get some ice cream and watch some anime! Ooh, we should watch Princess Tutu! Wait, no, that's for children… but I can't help but love it anyways! Let's go watch it!" MIsaki dragged me into our family's private cinema while demanding the servants to bring two giant bowls of ice cream.

The joy of the moment was minimal when I remembered that tomorrow – no matter what happened today – we'd still be leaving for England for four years.

I'm going to miss him so much.

~Hikaru~

"She was so boring. I was hoping I could've gotten a little more fun," I told my twin brother. Kaoru rolled his eyes in response, telling me that he was getting bored of our game, too.

We were sitting on our balcony, watching the sky. The vastness of it made me feel a little lonelier.

I didn't tell him that the Misako-whatever-her-name-was girl was able to tell that I wasn't Kaoru. After all, she was gone now, and she was probably guessing. I didn't really understand what she was talking about, but at least I won't see her again.

Kaoru leaned his head on my shoulder, probably already closing his eyes. I was okay. It didn't matter if nobody could tell us apart, because we only needed each other.

A/N: Hello, everyone! If any of you readers came from my other story, Love's Lullaby, then I'm glad to have you again! But if you just happen to be passing by and you were interested in my new story, then welcome! I'm glad to have you all here.

Let me warn you, I'm not the best a updating. But if you guys can remind me to update, like maybe following/favoriting so I can an alert, or reviewing or PMing me, I'd be eternally grateful!

So that's all for now! I hope I see you guys for the next chapter! Don't forget to review!

9/28/17 edit: Hey guys! So MisAff is back in business! I'm working on editing all the chapters, so I'll be updating them as soon as I fix them. Then we'll continue on with the story!