Hello everyone, it's Sheepy Near! I just wanna thank you all for sticking around this far! I love the 4 of you who've reviewed so far, and I'd love to get a little more feedback! I know I haven't showcased any of Norio's good qualities in any of these chapters, but I do assure you, he has some! Touching back on the review thing, I'm setting a challenge! If I get just 2 more reviews, I'll begin on the chapter after this one! Until then, have fun Flower-Buds!

With Honey's approval came the ephemeral scents of summer, of clinquant water, of cut grass, of sempiternal forests. The wind carried with it the scent of Norio's love. Every breeze that swept across his face left a light flush in its place.

As there were now no more hinderances, "meetings" were commonplace at Haruhi's, usually every weekend, except when Tamaki and the twins began getting too antsy at not seeing Haruhi. The three were kept unaware of their plots, as the simplest slip up could cause heartbreak for poor Norio. (it was assumed Kyoya already knew; Mommy always knew.)

Ronka, as a good parent should be, grew very suspicious of these frequent visits as well, especially when Akira and Hisoka joined in. He very nearly pulled the plug on the whole operation, demanding to be clued in. Once told, he readily allowed the use of his living room and his kitchen.

"With Bunny-senpai's approval, the plan to secure Mori-senpai's heart is a go!" Akira exclaimed at the newest meeting at Haruhi's house. The brunnette was still unsure how the tanned boy and freckled girl managed to locate her home, bursting in and refusing to leave until they were allowed on the meetings. She let it be, however, when Norio promised to keep them on a short leash. Before anyone could speak again, Ronka twirled into the room.

"Haruhi! You have another visitor."

The four pairs of eyes turned to the doorway as Honey stepped in, box of sweets in hand and alone. Of course, no one expected the older boy to rat out their "schemes", but the sight the taller man not being right behind him was a little jarring. But, whether oblivious to or ignoring the eyes on him, he sat down next to Haruhi with his usual cute grin.

"Hi guys! What do we have so far?" In his little arms were Usa-Chan, and Usagito. The little blond set the sweets on the table and looked around the room with eyes full of childish curiosity. Without hesitation, Akira grabbed a cake and munched on it noisily before speaking again.

"Anyway, with Bunny-senpai-"

"You mean, Honey-senpai?" Haruhi interrupted him with a raised eyebrow. Akira looked at Hisoka, and both of them gestured to the rabbits in Honey's hand as if to prove their point. Rolling her eyes, Haruhi sighed; now she had two more psychos in her life.

"Anyway, with Bunny-senpai's approval, the plan to secure Mori-senpai's heart is a go!" He reiterated for the last time, more full of annoyance than enthusiasm.

Hisoka raised her hand, and gave her best friend a pointed look. Flustered, Akira replied as if she spoke; "I know we don't have a plan! We're working on it, aren't we!?"

The senior hosts looked to Norio for an explanation, but he shook his head.

"Why not go up and just ask him?" The ever sensible Haruhi asked, but as usual, her plan was ignored.

"Pfft, have you seen Norio? He'd never get up the balls you'd need to ask anyone out, let alone anyone as hot and cool as Mori-senpai."

As much as it made him angry, Akira's observation was true; Norio did not have the emotion strength to ask anyone out, especially not the God that was Morinozuka Takeshi. The realization hit him hard in that moment.

What was he compared to Mori?

Just a scrawny pale mess of a boy, too cute to be taken seriously, too nervous to work it to his advantage like Honey, and too damn cowardly to confess to the man he loved.

As he continued his mental beatdown on his pride, a hand laid itself on his thigh. Hisoka's hazy eyes met his, and her usually blank face had the smallest of smiles.

It was as if he could see into her mind through her gaze, could hear her pointing out the things that made him great; he just needed to break out of his shell and as his eyes swept across the room, at his friends, people willing to go so far to help him, make him happy, he felt the cocoon on his heart splinter, just a little.

After couple more minutes of debating and interrupting, the five teens were able to come up with 3 plans. With a flourish, Akira slapped the piece of paper onto the table among the candy wrappers and cake plates. Scrawled in his messy handwriting was;

him a super sappy love letter!

(The very thought made Norio cringe; there was no way he'd have the courage for that!)

Next, written in Hisoka flowery script;

2. Sing him a song

(Out of the question as well, Norio couldn't sing to save his life.)

And finally, in Haruhi's sweet albiet messy handwriting;

3. Just tell him how you feel and ask him to give you a chance.

Though this was the least ridiculous method, it was by far the scariest. The very thought of going up to him, feeling those warm dark eyes focus on him, sent shivers up his spine.

Night came quickly, and as the sun set, so did Honey's eyes. By 9:00, the small boy was laying in Hisoka's lap, bunnies clutched in his hands.

"He's like what, 17?" Akira whispered in disbelief. Haruhi had already phoned Mori, and the four of them still awake all sat around the table chatting idly. Soon however, Ronka glided gracefully into the room.

"Haruhi! One of those host boys is here to pick up his friend!"

Norio stiffened as if on cue. Haruhi patted his shoulder before lifting Honey off of Hisoka's lap as gently as possible, said girl following close behind with the older boy's plushes in hand. The two boys stayed behind, listening intently to Haruhi's brief conversation with Mori.

After that, the night only seemed to grow older. One by one, Haruhi's guests left for their own homes, each brimming with enthusiasm and anxiousness; they had a plan to enact.