And I'm back after almost a full year of an unplanned hiatus. I admit that I've lost interest in KHR since the end of the future arc and the entirety of this current one but the idea of GokuHaru has yet to leave my mind. I also admit that reading your reviews have also encouraged me to continue what I've started so I'll try my best to follow through to the end.

Warning that this chapter is un-beta'd so I apologize for any mistakes. Did I mention how hard it was to write from Gokudera's POV?

Disclaimer: I do not own KHR.

Warning: Spoilers for Bakudan Bambino, the light novel about Gokudera's past. If you want to read it, please go here: http:/ knights-manga. and here: http:/ . com/26339. html. (Just make sure you delete the spaces!

Dress- Second year of High School (September)

"Haru-chan, are you sure you should carry that box? Wasn't your cast removed just a few weeks ago?"

Haru shook her head, pausing long enough to assure her classmate. "It's okay, Shizue-chan. It's not heavy."

Another classmate chimed in. "Put that down! One of the guys should be lifting that up for you!"

"They're all changing into their outfits," Shizue told her.

Another classmate squealed. "I can't wait to see them! Haru-chan did an amazing job on the pattern! We're sure to win the festival's best costume award!" Shizue nodded, admiring her own costume that Haru designed for their café.

Haru was really proud of herself. The girl's design was a play on the traditional maid outfit consisting of a full hunter green dress with a skirt that hung right over the knees. On top was a small white apron that covered the chest with straps that formed an elegant crisscross pattern in the back that met into a huge bow. It took her several days to make the pattern for the festival.

For their high school's annual festival, class 2-D decided to run a dessert café. The class went all out on design and decorating, even requesting that they have live music. Dividing up task was for the most part pretty easy. Haru took the lead on the design and creation the uniforms. The boys would take care of the building and decorating, while the rest of the girls took care of the food and drinks. However, the class was stuck on what to do for the music. Options were limited to a drummer, a clarinet player, and someone who played the xylophone, but none of those seemed appropriate for their café. Asking someone outside the class was out of the question.

Haru remembered how stumped the class was over what to do. It was too good of an idea to just let go and if they pulled through with it, they were all but guaranteed a good chance to win the grand prize (which was a class trip to Disneyland). It wasn't until two days after their initial class meeting that their solution came to them in the unlikeliest form. Everyone was surprised when Gokudera raised his hand to volunteer his musical talents. Haru didn't even know that he could play the piano and was impressed that he was willing to volunteer for such a big role.

"Oi, so what do I need to do?"

Although she still wasn't impressed with his attitude. She turned around and looked the right-hand man. "If you were here on time-"

"The festival doesn't start for another hour, so don't bother."

Haru sighed through her nostrils and willed herself some patience. "You need to change into this," she said, handing a bag of clothes to him.

He doubtingly looked at the bag. "This isn't one of your crazy costumes is it? Cause there's no way in hell I'm playing in a lobster costume."

"HAHI? Just go and get changed!" she snapped, pushing him out the door. As soon as she saw he was heading toward the dressing room, Haru turned back around only to have many of her classmates staring at her.

"You're amazing, Haru-chan," one of the girls said.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're the only one in the class who can talk to Gokudera-kun like that. He's really cute but he's so hard to talk to."

"He's scary too." Several others agreed.

"He's not that bad," Haru defended. She meant that too. Ever since the hospital visit, things had lightened up between them and they were growing as friends. However, even he was still difficult to deal with at times; it wouldn't be the same if he wasn't.

"He just takes some getting used to," she said with a smile.

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Much to Gokudera's relief, he didn't have to play the piano in a lobster costume. Instead Haru prepared a simple outfit for him, consisting of maroon pants and a short vest paired with a white button down shirt. Haru even made him pull his hair back to look more professional.

It was weird to be playing in public again. The last time he had done so was for Carlo in that bar back in Italy, many years ago. While he practiced daily within his own home, he had rarely let anyone else listen to him. If it wasn't for the Tenth's encouragement and an annoying challenge from Yamamoto, he would have never volunteered.

Gokudera stared at the keys, willing himself to get over whatever bullshit that was going on inside his head. He wasn't a little kid anymore nor was he as confused and lost as he once was. Most of all he was strong, and in more ways than one.

He took a deep breath and pressed the first group of notes followed by the second and continued into the song. It wasn't so bad once he began to play. He'd always enjoyed playing the piano and before he could realized it, the song was over and the room was filled with applause. Slightly embarrassed, Gokudera quickly went into the next song.

It wasn't until after a couple of songs that he was interrupted.

"You play so wonderfully, I never would have guessed," Haru said, walking up to him.

Gokudera tried to look unimpressed. "Whatever."

Haru smiled, placing a cup of tea and snacks on a small table next to him. "Is everything okay?"

"Che. Everything's fine. Why are you asking?"

"You were hesitating and it looked like something was bothering you."

Gokudera's heartbeat quickened as he caught her eye. He didn't expect her to notice. "I- Don't worry about it," he said, turning his attention back to his music sheets.

"Are you sure?" she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"It's none of your business."

Haru winced a little but didn't snap back. "Fine. Let me know when you want to take your break," she told him before walking back to her post for the cafe.

As he began playing his next selection, he thought about what Haru said. He was still surprised that she noticed. Gokudera didn't think that he had made it so obvious but maybe it was because they were spending more time together. Since she was released from the hospital, he began taking the time to get to know her better. Nothing fancy, just actually making an effort to talk with her.

Gokudera looked up from the piano and found her seating new customers. He was impressed that she managed to design something that wasn't ridiculous. She even looked pretty good in it too.

The truth was that he no longer thought of Haru as obnoxious or troublesome. She was annoying at times, but it was tolerable. Gokudera discovered that the more he talked with her, the more interesting she seemed. She managed to challenge him in both wits and temperament and they were constantly bumping heads. But in an odd way he found that fun and endearing. Just like how he found her quirks and personality equally appealing. However, even if they were becoming friendlier with each other, there were a lot of things that Gokudera wasn't willing to share with Haru.

As Haru walked over to retrieve an order, she looked over towards him and met his eyes. She gave him a small smile, as if to say that she wasn't mad at him and would drop the earlier subject for now. Gokudera gave a brief nod in response and went back to the piano.

Well, maybe he would tell her later.

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Happy Holidays!