Unluckily, I don't have the time to reply to reviews today and today is the last chapter/update of Awkward Silence. I'm so happy so many people enjoyed it and felt inspired by it as well. I'm going to miss writing this fic, to be honest, but I have plenty of other fics to work on! KickAss is posted (an Ouran fic, the poll winner) and updated weekly, so be sure to check it out!

Hope you all enjoy the epilogue!

~CWA

Epilogue

A Month Later

I can't help but smile as I leave my apartment, a cooking book in my hands. I think this will make a great present for Ranka. After staying at his apartment with Haruhi during the whole fiasco with Ursula and Daiki, I've learned that Ranka doesn't know how to cook as well as he thinks he does and Haruhi is only slightly better at cooking than I am. That's still not very good. Though what is good is what's been going on in my life since the whole drama with Ursula. Now legally independent and working a part time job, I'm rather thrilled that I can support myself. It brings me security knowing I don't have to rely on anyone and while work money goes into bills and rent, the money I get from my books goes into fun things like dates with Takashi and surprise trips with the hosts. Not that I really go to Ouran anymore. It's not like I can afford to go to such a school myself and the child support I get from Ursula/Daiki's remaining funds goes into a savings account. Said savings account will go to having a stable future or if I ever decide to go to college. Which is unlikely. College has never really interested me and why would I just go there to get basic college when I can use that money to buy a house and insurance? Or maybe I'll just keep saving the money and use it as needed like if I ever go to the hospital or something.

Smiling a bit to myself, it doesn't take long for me to get to Haruhi's apartment. I mean I am literally just across the walkway from her. To be honest, we practically live at each other's apartment from how many times we take turns sleeping at each other's apartments. It's fun. Not to mention it cures the loneliness we both get sometimes (with me being alone and Haruhi's dad always at work at night). Thanks to my luck, I end up arriving just as Haruhi is leaving all decked out in the Ouran uniform with her book bag over her shoulder. She looks at me mildly surprised before just giving me a small smile,

"Oh, hey. You need to stop surprising me like that. You know I keep forgetting you don't go to Ouran anymore so I never expect to see you here…. But how is online school working for you anyway?"

She tilts her head curiously and I give her an easy grin. Online school is proving to be better than Ouran Academy. I don't have to interact too much. I don't have to worry about confrontations or what I look like. I have plenty of friends (the hosts as well as Masami, Chiko and Umi) and a boyfriend so there's really no need to go to a new public high school where I would either make more friends or enemies. Not to mention that I'm still getting over the anixety and minor depression so I don't think it'd be a good environment for me.

"It's going well," I explain to Haruhi, "My teachers are all pretty cool. It's set up that I can call the teachers myself if I have any questions or concerns and there's something like Skype but with a power point and a chat instead where the teacher goes over topics."

Haruhi nods her head,

"Sounds pretty cool, Riko. I hope it all works out for you. But if you don't mind I do have to hurry before I'm late. See you tonight at diner!"

She gives me a chipper wave of farewell before dashing off, leaving me at her still opened doorway of her apartment. I almost forgot that I have diner with them tonight. We're trying to have diner, all three of us, as often as we can. It gives us a chance to, I guess, form our own little personal family. Makes it feel like I really am Ranka's daughter with Haruhi as my sweet little sister. It's pretty obvious that both of them see it that way too. Makes me feel pretty loved and appreciated. Ranka, however, does sometimes over do it with pampering us girls, such pampering that both Haruhi and I know he can't afford. Said redhead is smiling as he practically drags me into the apartment,

"Riko! Dear! Come in, come in! You must be so tired from all the work you do, please keep me company! It's so lonely without anyone here during the day!"

He pouts at me, causing me to flush as I try to wiggle out of his grasp,

"Work isn't that bad," I insist, "It's actually pretty fun. And all I do is clean tables, really. It's not like I have to work myself to death taking orders like Janet. I only came by to drop the recipe book off because I do have to get to work again."

Working at the ice cream parlor really is a lot of fun. I mean, I get to hang out with Janet and she's become like a mother/sister to me. I know her motherly personality comes out a lot when I do something wrong or if I end up tripping/hurting myself by accident. She practically orders me to take a day off every time I so much as get a sore ankle from the roller skates. Not to mention how much medical advice she gives me as she insists that since her grandfather worked as a nurse, she knows at least the basics. I don't doubt her for a second since she seems so sure of herself.

But all I really do is clean tables and dishes. I don't have to cook or take orders. I occasionally work the register when Janet is busy, but it's not too bad. I only work the weekdays anyway and due to having a flexible schedule with online school, I'm able to take my time.

"You're no fun."

He continues to make faces at me, but visibly cheers up when I hand him the cook book I promised. His eyes are practically stars as he fawns over the book, flipping through it rapidly to get a glimpse of its contents. I hope he'll make one of the meals for tonight. I think that would be fun. Even more so if Haruhi and I help him make it. He gives me a quick thanks and be careful at work before he abruptly shuts the door, absorbed into the cooking book.

Shaking my head with a laugh, I have no other choice then to head to work.

Closing can not come soon enough, I swear. It's been a relatively slow day, which is great for Janet and I, but it just makes time pass so much slower. I have, of course, passed any free time today (which was a lot) texting various people. My boyfriend, Takashi, being the main person I was texting. Apparently he wants to take me on another date this weekend, which I agreed to. I also messaged the girls. Apparently Chiko has a new boyfriend, some guy named Nekozawa Umehito or something like that. Though the most shocking part is Umi and Masami have started dating. I'm happy for them. They make a cute couple. And it''s nice to see they both moved on from me/Takashi.

It seems like it's forever until the shop sign is finally switched to closed. I just finish up mopping before I'm done cleaning the shop for the night. The sun is long past set with it being about eleven at night and through the shop windows I can see the stars shining brightly.

I glance toward Janet. She's sitting down at a table, taking advantage of every second of free time she can get I imagine. I mean she is studying after all. From the looks of things, she is taking it pretty seriously. She has notebooks spread out all across the table as well as a few textbooks. There's pencil shavings everywhere and highlighters as well. It's kind of funny to see her as she chews on her pencil in though, her foot tapping lightly.

She doesn't even look up at me as I skate on over to her, making sure to grab the empty mug beside her. Something tells me she's going to need a refill on her caffeine.

"I got Princess and The Frog for you to watch so I hope your English has been approving."

It has been. I mean Janet has a habit of speaking in English a lot and considering that before, my English was limited at best. But thanks to taking a course on it in my online school, or at least starting a class anyway, it's been improving. Enough that I can at least follow along when people talk in English. I still can't read it at all and speaking takes me a while. But I'm improving so that's the good part.

"Thanks," I nod and head toward the counter.

Filling up her mug with a refill of the caffeine, I quickly take Princess and The Frog and stuff it into my nearby book bag that's hidden by the counter. That's the only safe place for it. In the back, it would get mulled by cooking stains. I'm glad that Janet has finally brought it over for me to watch. Especially since she insists that it's the greatest movie to ever exist. It's also where she gets all her old blind lady who lives in a bayou references so that alone interests me enough to watch it. As soon as that's done, I quickly take the newly filled mug of coffee to her,

"So how is it going for you," I question as I eye the psychology book in her hands.

Janet lets out a groan, throwing her head back,

"Lord help my soul. I just finished finished basic college and here I am doing it again. Just because I want to be a counselor."

I can't help but let out a laugh as I take a seat across from her. She looks at me a little bit amused and slightly irritated, making a face at me as she sticks out her tongue playfully. Poor Janet. I know that all this studying isn't easy on her, especially since it's clear to me how she's pretty ADHD a lot. She can stay concentrated on things for too long and I know it drives her insane that she just can't sit still and concentrate like she wants to.

"Speaking on," I chime, "If you're going to be a counselor, then about what the ice cream parlor?"

It's kind of been bothering me. I mean I would be happy for her, but I know she practically owns this place since her dad passed it onto her. The thought of her leaving here kind of breaks my heart, especially the idea of this place closing. It's a safe haven for myself and other people. A memory. A milestone. And so many other things. Though I have to admit I don't really like the grin on Janet's face,

"Funny story about that. See, Dad retired and left the shop to me, you know? You're already the manager- don't be humble and say you just clean tables because we both know you do a lot more than that. So I was thinking…. Maybe when the time comes, you'll take this place off my hands? You'll probably have to rename it, which is fine with me since I always thought this place needed an update, and I'll help you out a lot if you want."

I stare at her, a bit stunned and taken back. Technically speaking, she's right. She is the owner and the name tag on my apron does say manager. But I just… I never thought being manager would lead to something like this. The words just kind of replay in my mind over and over again like a looped recording. I'm vaguely aware of Janet packing her things up and laughing a bit at me as she does so,

"You don't have to have an answer now. Just any time before I retire myself would be good. Before I leave, be sure to get the book on the counter. I think one of the customers left it."

I just gently nod my head, still a bit dazed as I watch her exit the ice cream parlor/diner. I have a key so I can lock up myself when I go. Which I should probably get going now. Haruhi knows that I'm not able to make it to diner tonight- I texted her a few hours ago saying it was getting too late for diner and to eat without me. So I'm in no rush. But… God. Janet wants to give me the place. She actually trusts me to own this. I could possibly own this place.

With a wistful smile on my face and a heart full of hope, I finally get up from my seat and head toward the counter to get whatever book the customer left. I probably will put it with the lost and found in the corner of the shop with other things other customers have left- jackets mostly, but also notebooks and a few cell phones that have yet to be claimed.

My smile only grows when I see the book that's left behind is Heart's Lost by Riko Shibata with a shiny number one best seller sticker in the corner.