Sorry for the long wait oh my god. I finally graduated from school so I can actually focus on this story. In a way. I still need to get on with my life, but you get what I mean. xD I have way too many ideas for this fic. I can't drop it now!

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the chateau's gardens. Lunch was served by the porch where waiters came by to serve four courses of meals with names I couldn't pronounce. Each of the servings looked intricately designed that it seemed like a shame to take a bite of it. Afterwards, Anne-Sophie had stepped out of the French doors to spend time with Tamaki and I while the rest of the adults went to the drawing room for a good bottle of wine.

Tamaki's mother was not only gifted in playing the piano but was talented in making flower crowns. Together with the family butler, we roamed around the gardens to pick the flowers we liked the most. We even visited the glasshouse to take some of the roses that were especially separated and tended for Yuzuru's use.

So this is where Yuzuru gets his flowers, I mused as I walked down the aisle of white roses. Flowers don't appear out of nowhere.

"Tamaki mon petit, please be careful," I heard Tamaki's mother call out. The butler silently followed the little heir. Tamaki was running around the glasshouse to find his perfect set of flowers. I plucked out three pale peach ones, making sure not to touch any of the thorns. The ones I've picked were all bright-colored ones.

"Have you chosen your flowers, dear?" I quickly turned around to see Anne-Sophie by my shoulder. She had her flowers wrapped in a damp cloth while I held mine with both my hands. I nodded silently and trotted behind her to the table at the very middle of the glasshouse.

Once we were seated, Anne-Sophie lined up all the flowers in her preferred order. I did my best to copy her braiding but had to ask for help from time to time. While we braided, she idly told me how she recalled the day when Yuzuru had appeared by her door and smothered her with roses.

"They were very beautiful," she commented softly, eyes glazed and seemingly lost in the distant past.

After a while the family butler stopped by our table. In his arms were a variety of trimmed roses and Tamaki whose eyes were red and puffy. His little hands were littered with band-aids which were enough for Anne-Sophie to understand what had happened. Tamaki clung onto the butler like a lifeline looking very close to tears.

"Come here, mon petit…" She murmured in a motherly voice, taking the blonde child away from the butler's hands. She lightly shushed the child and kissed his aching knuckles, "Maman is here."

I tried to focus on braiding my flower crown, pushing down the grief that was searing in my stomach. Damn it, you're a grown woman. You shouldn't be jealous of a kid. I pursed my lips in shame. Idiot, you're such an idiot.

(You've had your time with your own mother long ago.)

Tamaki buried his head onto his mother's shoulder and stifled a whimper. "Now, now," his mother said, "Roses are like princesses. You mustn't pluck them hastily. They are to be treated gently and with respect." The blonde boy instantly stilled, holding his breath. "Chin up, mon petit." The boy craned his neck up, round eyes staring into his mother's with innocent wonder. "Smile. You are a prince, and princes are strong."

As if on cue, he smiled for his mother.

I mindlessly slid my hand onto the surface of the table and found out that I had no flowers left. Anne-Sophie seemed to have noticed as well and put her son down to the seat next to her. "Dear, have you finished your crown?"

I nodded, and tied the two ends together to show her my final output. The blonde woman ran her fingers through the green leaves that jutted out of my makeshift crown, "Beautifully done." I sheepishly gave her my thanks.

Tamaki's puffy red eyes were ogling my crown and his pile of assorted roses. It was really easy to tell he liked my work. Steeling my shoulders, I took my flower crown and shoved it onto the head of the blubbering mess of a boy who had only recovered a minute ago. Just this once. Hopefully he won't remember.

"King Tamaki, you mean." I muttered casually, "You're more than a prince." I had no idea what possessed me to do that but it just seemed like the perfect moment. Thankfully it fit his small head and suited the boy perfectly.

I told him it was my birthday present to him and he quickly smothered his cheeks onto my face (Y'know, his usual obnoxious and touchy hugs). Somewhere along the afternoon, the butler had arrived back to take a few pictures of this momentous occasion. Anne-Sophie had laced my head with a wonderful crown that was a little too big for my head, while Tamaki and I teamed up to make his mother a beautiful rose crown.

All in all, it was a good day. Dinner came and went. I was to sleep over at the chateau in Tamaki's bed chambers and the Tanakas were too busy to spend the night at their guest rooms due to their own private affairs and work. The driver would come by the morning to pick me up and the following week will be used to schedule my would-be classes.

Tamaki couldn't sleep without hearing a bedtime story from Anne-Sophie so by the time that was finished, the lights were finally off (with the exception of Tamaki's night light) and we finally went to bed.

I woke up in the middle of the night, unused to sleeping in someone else's home. It took me a while to adjust my eyes to the darkness with the help of the night light glowing dimly in the distance. Tamaki shifted from his sleep, tightening his hug on the new stuffed bear he received from his father. I rubbed my eyes to get rid of my remaining drowsiness.

I need a drink, I idly thought, pushing the duvets away from my legs.

After putting on my bed slippers, I made sure to turn off the night light. Moonlight poured down the moment I drew the curtains, giving enough light in Tamaki's room. I paused to look outside the window (it's so pretty) before heading towards the door.

I wasn't sure where the kitchen was but I knew how to get to the drawing room. My tiny feet pattered down the marble floor (sometimes I'd remember out of the blue how weird it is being a toddler's body). I briefly checked the grandfather clock that stood next to an elaborate statue of a bronze lion. It was nearly two in the morning. The lights by the servants' hall were mostly off. I decided not to wake them up when I could very well get myself a glass of water.

When I arrived outside the drawing room, I stood on my toes to reach for the door. To my surprise, the door wasn't closed properly. Puzzled, I warily pushed it open enough for me to peek in. The drawing room wasn't as big as the rest of the rooms in the chateau. It seemed to be built mainly to entertain a small amount of guests. The walls have retained most of its glory but with an addition to wall shelves for the glass and wine displays, and a new added bar corner.

It was dark inside except for the light by the bar. Yuzuru was slouching on one of the high chairs, nursing a glass of whiskey. He took a tiny swig before placing it back down on the table. There were thin trails of grey coming from Yuzuru's fingers. He placed his cigarette back on his lips and breathed in heavily. He blew the last remaining smoke before stubbing the light out on his ashtray.

I pushed the door even further, hoping to attract the man's attention. It did.

Yuzuru stiffened in his seat before whipping his head back to see who had found him in such a state. His face was shadowed greatly but I could see the outline of his shoulders easing its tension. Maybe he was relieved I wasn't Anne-Sophie.

"Oh hello there, Rei," He hoarsely called out, fanning the draught away from his face. "You're up early…" He stood up from his seat as I trotted towards him, unsure if I should say hi back or just keep quiet. He picked me up and gently brushed the hair out of my face, "Should we get you back to Tamaki's room…? He might be getting worried." I really doubted that since he was sleeping like a baby.

I shook my head and murmured back, "'m thirsty."

"Let me get you a drink then," Yuzuru smiled slightly. He placed me on the chair next to where he sat and moved to the bar counter to get some bottled water in the fridge. I assumed it was expensive because it was a glass bottle and not a plastic one. He poured the water over a tall glass before sliding it to my reach. I took a good long sip, wondering what's special about rich folk water over tap water. It really made no sense to me. The taste is a little different but it's just as bland as any kind of water.

I didn't notice Yuzuru had already sat back down next to me. I glanced at him and found that he was watching me drink. I awkwardly placed the glass down while keeping my gaze on him. The smile on his lips twitched in amusement before he went back to his drink.

His drink was expensive whiskey on the rocks. I could see an open bottle not far from the ashtray by his left. I guess it didn't matter if you were rich or not. All kinds of people seek out liquor to drink away their problems.

"Are you okay?" I managed to ask. I have no idea if he was going to be honest to a toddler but people need to speak out their problems instead of bottling their feelings in. I was sure he was very stressed right now, probably about his mom and everything.

Yuzuru smiled. It wasn't a happy one or a sad one, it was a smile you'd put when you're in the brink of breaking down. It looked so out of place with his handsome looks. It took me a moment to see the tiredness beneath it all. There were bags under his eyes. This might not be his first night drinking in the drawing room. He looked like he wanted to lie but thought better of it.

"No," he muttered, "No, I'm not…"

As much as I wanted to help him, I was in no position to give him wise guidance. I mean, a grown adult listening to a child's advice? I really don't think Yuzuru was drunk enough to let something like that slip by his notice.

"Has it really been four years…?" I watched him stare ahead, the sort of idle gesture someone does when they're in the middle of sorting out their thoughts, "All those days of filing divorce papers, arranging settlements…" Frustrated, he closed his eyes. "Why does it feel like it's never going to end?"

I pursed my lips as I let my hand tug gently on the sleeve of his shirt. Yuzuru looked up from his drink with a bit of surprise etched on his face. I squeezed his arm gently. It was the only thing that I could do that didn't seem suspiciously smart. I really wanted to let him know that people are worried about him; Hideo, Marie, and Anne-Sophie—that he doesn't have to worry about these things alone because everyone is in on it, not just him.

He buried his face on his palms. Underneath the light, I could barely see the red tinge on his cheeks. He's drunk. "…Christ, what am I doing? Spilling everything to a toddler…" Better to let it out than keep it in.

"I just…" He whispered, more to himself than to me. "I just want to be with Sophie… Is that too much to ask?" His voice broke the moment he brought Anne-Sophie into subject. No, no it isn't.

I looked over at him in worry. He was hunched forward, hair disarray from his running fingers. His clothes were wrinkled and his silk tie was nowhere to be found. It was a miracle he still looked dashing despite his crumpled appearance. Here was Yuzuru Suou, right next to me. Tamaki's father. Not as a side character from a story I read long ago, but a man under a lot of stress. A real human being.

"I'm—I'm not even allowed to marry her as part of the agreement. I mean- I'm glad I'm allowed to visit her and Tamaki and… I know Hideo is doing his best to help in order to let Tamaki be the rightful heir but how could I be happy for my son when I'm sending him off to his own arranged marriage…? I'm such a hypocrite…"

It's definitely the alcohol talking.

Fuck it. This guy needs help and there was no one awake to help him. If I can't give him word advice then I'll just do what a toddler can do. With one quick motion, I took the liberty to squeeze the man out of his misery. My tiny arms weren't enough to circle around him and from my position, it was the weirdest side hug I have ever given… but it was good enough.

"Feel better, okay?" I managed to say but it sound a little muffled because my face was on his cream-colored vest. It was probably the shittiest advice I've ever given. Because no, it's not okay. Someone just can't feel better just like that.

As much as I want to say 'I may not understand what you're going through but I'll be here for you if you need anything', there really isn't much to do as a little kid. This is the only thing I can do. Hug him until he feels better. I didn't hear anything from him but he hugged back in response, significantly tighter than mine.

I pretended not to notice the tears that fell down on my head.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because by the time I woke up, I was back in Tamaki's bedroom with my face pressed on their incredibly fluffy pillows. I wiped out any trace of tired drools from my face and quickly looked for the clock. It was nearly nine in the morning. I didn't know if they ate breakfast early or late but staying up at two in the morning probably took its toll on me. I figured Yuzuru must have tucked me in last night so it's all good.

"Rei!" Tamaki called, pushing past his double white doors and raced towards me like a runner to a finishing line.

He jumped onto his soft sheets and bounced in excitement, "Come on! Eat breakfast! I finished mine!" I wanted to disagree but it came out as a groan. The bed was just so inviting, and he's just too energetic in the morning…

Of course, my response was ignored because he started pulling me out of the bed. I combed my hair with my fingers and fixed my night dress, "I'm up, I'm up…" I wiped my face with my hands to get rid of the remaining drowsiness. Tamaki took this as an opportunity to tug me by the door as I slipped in my bed slippers.

Breakfast was croissants with jam, and some chilled fruits. There were some sunny-side up, mashed potatoes, and sausages but I wasn't in the mood to stuff myself with fried food just yet. By the time I was finished with my food and shower, my ride had arrived. Agnes, my personal maid was waiting by the door. She had handed my bags to the driver who had stowed them behind the car.

"We'll be seeing you next week, dear." Yuzuru smiled, patting my head.

I nodded and let Anne-Sophie kiss my forehead, "It was lovely meeting you, Rei."

Tamaki gave me another bone-crushing hug (something I would have to get used to over the next few years) before handing me off to Agnes. The driver opened the door for us and we slid our way onto the leather seats. I made sure to wave goodbye before we left.

The following week was the start of our classes. Tamaki would come by the Tanaka manor in order to participate with me. Lessons were the basics: Languages, Maths, Science, and History. We had three languages to drill into our heads: English, French, and Japanese. English was easy for me; I had breezed through the exams with flying colors while Tamaki had to struggle a bit.

I, on the other hand, was very bad with French. I was confused with the genders of nouns, the attachment of e in certain words, and the sentence structure. Its letters were the same as English but it had its own pronunciation entirely. Tamaki was a natural with the French language because whenever I wasn't visiting their home, they'd switch immediately to their French tongue.

Japanese was something I had to work on as well but I found it easier than French. It had its own characters entirely so it was expected that their sentence structure was just as different. Tamaki seemed to have been enjoying Japanese lessons as well. Writing the hiragana and katakana was like drawing lessons for him. The rest of the subjects were easy enough for me to cope with.

A few times a week, we'd swing by the Suou chateau for our extra-curricular lessons. That included physical education (morning exercises), arts, and music lessons. Arts were merely recreational activities like painting and drawing. Tamaki and I have been doing that for months now so it wasn't that much of a big deal. Music lessons were different. For the first few months, Anne-Sophie tried to teach me the basics on playing the piano but I was eventually pulled out of the classes by my mother, Marie.

"The violin! How about that, darling?" Marie chimed, pointing at the row of beautifully furbished string instruments. She had attended an orchestra event a few days ago and had fallen in love with the strings section. Marie had reasoned to Hideo that it would be lovely if Tamaki and I would play together rather than playing the same instrument.

The blonde boy was excelling in the piano like a natural and needed all of Anne-Sophie's attention to harvest his talents. I felt bad taking Anne-Sophie's time when she could be practicing with her young son so I vigorously agreed to Marie's suggestion.

"Where's your best sounding violin?" She asked the store clerk.

"The Stradivarius, ma'am. Although it isn't something a beginner should ha-"

"Don't be silly," Marie waved it off, "My daughter needs to have the best." I bit my lip in embarrassment and shrunk further away from her. The store clerk looked indignant for being cut off but he zipped his lips because we were, after all, his customers.

He went to the back of the room in order to fetch the Stradivarius. Marie tapped her long fingernails on the surface of the counter table as I shuffled my feet in discomfort. Her butlers stood, looming by the door. I could hear a commotion behind the employee's only door. I ignored it and played a simple melody on one of the store's upright pianos (Twinkle, twinkle little star if anyone's asking).

After playing my atrocious rendition of the chopsticks twice, a tall man appeared by the door next to the nervous store clerk with a piercing stare underneath his golden, round glasses. He had salt and pepper hair, and a greying beard. The man spoke with the store clerk in French who in return, left the room immediately. His dress shoes trudged noisily on the wooden floor. I could hear the butlers inching closer to Marie behind me. I really doubt the old man would be punching any customers soon but I guess it was just a precaution.

"I will only sell the Stradivarius to someone who can rightfully play it," The man said bluntly,

"We have the money." Marie stubbornly retorted.

The man darted his eyes from Marie to me. After a beat, he replied, "Can the girl play?"

Marie faltered, giving cautious glances to me and her butlers. "No… No lessons yet." The man whom have not introduced himself yet, continued to stare me down. Even though I was a grown woman, there was something about the man's air that was incredibly intimidating. He certainly has years more than me. I assumed he didn't take music lightly and was very particular with who he's selling his violins to.

"I have had famous violinists drop by my shop to get a hold of the Stradivarius," The man said, taking my finger and spreading it. "Each one of them I have refused despite paying twice its original price. What makes you think I will sell it to you and your daughter?"

I looked at Marie who seemed to have lost her speech after that. The man shook his head and turned to me, "Do you want to play the violin, little one?" I was going to say no because by the looks of Marie, she really wanted to leave the shop immediately. But as I looked into his eyes, I found myself reflecting on is question. If I were to say no, I would have to resume playing the piano with Tamaki.

That was definitely out. Competing against someone like Tamaki in playing the piano was something I'd rather not do. Not only because I wasn't fond of conflict, but because it'd be bad if there was tension between Marie and Anne-Sophie. Even I could see the little envy that had slithered in my new mother's eyes whenever the blonde woman would play Satie or Chopin.

But putting all that aside, I thought of what I wanted to do. I was given a new life, a new opportunity to do things I haven't done in my first life. I could focus on excelling in sports, academics, or even music—I had a whole life ahead of me. I'm not sure if there were a lot of people who are given the chance to live again but I'd definitely want to make the most of it.

The violin was a classical instrument I was curious about. Every time I heard someone play, the instrument would sing out raw emotions. I wanted to do that. I wanted an instrument I could play for myself, and to play like how Anne-Sophie played the piano.

I looked at the man and said, "Yes." The man seemed satisfied with my answer and nodded once. I wasn't sure if he had smiled or not but I could see a bit of twinkle in his eyes before he moved to the row of violins. He ran his hands on the surface of the violin like a swordsman choosing the perfect weapon. Finally, he picked a violin that was rich brown like honey.

He placed the bow on my hand and positioned my fingers to the right place. I was briefly surprised how he knew which hand was my dominant one. The man placed the bow on the strings and nodded his head again. I slid the bow slowly, letting it hum a very clear tone. Hearing it and feeling the instrument on my chin excited me. I sent him a grin and he returned it with a smile.

"Does she have a teacher yet?" The man asked.

Marie blinked a couple of times before shaking her head swiftly, "No, not yet. We're still finding her one."

"I'll teach her." He said it with such certainty that I didn't blame Marie for agreeing just as fast- especially after he had demonstrated his violin skills in front of Marie and her fellow butlers. I couldn't help but let my jaw slack as I watch him fiddle around with great speed, not once faltering on his pizzicatos as he played a piece by Paganini.

That was how I met my strict violin teacher, Edouard Bertrand.

Years passed by and my lessons advanced along with my friendship with Tamaki. He was becoming more and more like the boy I had read years ago but a lot less annoying (or perhaps I was getting used to his silly antics). I was six, and he was seven although that never stopped him from delivering his childish hugs.

"Rei!" He hugged me, and I was gracious enough never to dodge his hugs. His father has been visiting less and less because of his position as chairman of the Ouran Academy and not to mention his tasks as the Suou heir. Although it was a lot better than the story's old predicament (where Yuzuru wasn't allowed to speak to Anne-Sophie, let alone visit her), I could see Tamaki's bright eyes dull down whenever his father missed a celebration or two.

"You're going to break my back some day if you keep jumping on me," I responded out of habit.

"So mean!" He puffed his cheeks before pushing me to the kitchen doors. Hideo and Marie were always out or busy. Over the years I found it a bit to stuffy to eat at the big dining hall with Tamaki so we made it a habit to eat by the servants hall. Most of the Tanaka servants were still ghosting around the halls (I rarely see them) but Tamaki and I were quick to befriend Agnes, Tamaki's life old butler Yuji, and sometimes Hideo's personal valet, Roland would come by to eat as well.

Billie Holiday's rendition of Night and Day was playing by the counter's record player. It was a habit of the employees to play oldies whenever we ate lunch at the kitchen. Tamaki and I pulled out a stool and sat down next to his butler who had been tapping his fingers to the beat. "Night and day you are the one, only you beneath the moon and under the sun!"

Agnes bopped her head as she slid our bowl of soup, toasted pieces of sliced filone with jam smeared on its surface, and a slice of Camembert cheese. "Better eat that while it's hot, alright? Bon appétit!" I nodded in reply while Tamaki chirped a "Looks yummy~".

After a while, the phone by the wall started ringing. Agnes wiped her hands on her apron before bringing the phone to her ears, "Hello?" I watched as I took a bite of the crispy bread. Tamaki had crumbs all over his cheeks so I mindlessly took a napkin and wiped it off him. "Yes, ma'am. Yes." Ah, it was Marie.

"I'll be sure to get them dressed up, ma'am." Agnes nodded at Tamaki's butler and jerked her head to the door. I watched the man fold his copy of Le Figaro and threw the newspaper on the table. "Yes, I'll get the driver to start the car. We'll have them in Paris in no time, ma'am." There were a series of nods and 'yes' that I didn't bother listening into.

"Hear that? I think we're going somewhere…" I told Tamaki who had stuffed his mouth with the rest of the camembert cheese. He grimaced at the slight bitter taste. I figured expensive cheese weren't supposed to be eaten that way.

With all our home-schooling, I barely had time to go around France. We have stopped by in Cannes for the Tour De France and their lovely beaches, as well as the Louvre for educational purposes. Each time we were going on a trip, I would usually be ecstatic to have the opportunity to visit new places. I told myself that I'd get used to this—I couldn't. No matter how many years have gone by, I just couldn't. I used majority of my time (in both lives) dedicating myself to work so vacations like these were godsend.

"Well," Agnes said, finally putting the phone down. "Apparently, you're all invited to watch a fashion show in Paris."

"Fashion show?" Tamaki's butler, Yuji repeated.

"Ma'am's got VIP loyalty tickets and has a few extra to spare. She's been following the line for quite a while now, she said." Agnes replied, taking the empty bowls aside.

"We're going to Paris, Rei!" Tamaki cheered dramatically, flipping his hair in one smooth flourish, "Can you imagine? There's gonna be a party, and pretty clothes!" And he went on and on.

"What line was that again? I think I saw it here…" Yuji muttered, flipping through his newspaper and checking the lifestyle section. I on the other hand, felt increasingly uneasy. I didn't know why but I felt like I'm missing something very important…

"Ah, here it is. Hitachiin!"

Oh.

hah finally! done! hitachiin twins are up next pffft wonder how they'll meet