I don't own Ouran High School Host Club.

Everything seemed just a little bit different while inhaling American air. The trees seemed to move differently. The clouds floated closer, more codependent on one another. The host club appeared to keenly lean on one another.

Their collective year of American schooling was soon coming to an end, at which point they would all—save for Takashi—return to Japan. Having been charmed by the United States' east coast, he had decided to finish the remainder of his undergraduate schooling in Boston.

It was an unexpected step, considering the distance and time he would spend away from the one person he'd fashioned himself to most of his life. The truth was that Takashi was certain that he would miss Haruhi even more.

And so, as their time abroad together drew to a close, he was glad to have wound up spending their last afternoon enjoying each other's company, presently doing so while meandering the historical city's downtown.

Walking past a large window, Haruhi smiled while catching a glimpse of their reflections standing side-by-side. Sighing, she thought of their impending separation. She assured herself it was better not to dwell on it, that their friendship would survive. Besides, he had no obligation toward her, anyway. The logical aspects in front of her did little to soothe the dull heartache she was already feeling for his absence.

"Do you look forward to it?"

"Hn?" Her sudden words had eliminated their silence and caught him off guard.

"Being alone. Being so far away?"

"Yeah. It'll be something new."

"That's true." Having asked her only real question, Haruhi no longer knew where the conversation should go.

"I think it will be good to be alone. To not make decisions based around the needs of anyone else for a while."

"But you're still going to school with the intentions are becoming a lawyer and one day being the head of your family."

"Yeah."

"Do you look forward to that?"

"I think so. I enjoy law. It's smart to be using my time here to major in international relations. And I've always known that one day I'll transition to the head of our family business. I'm fine with it. Mainly I've just had the time to come to terms with it."

"I see."

"You know, my father's first passion is his dojo. He's always found a way to balance family, business and martial arts. So I'm not too worried.

It was clear by the look on his face that Takashi was confident that for him, only good things were to come.

"Of course," he went on, "I'm also excited to eventually be coming home."

Haruhi gave a weak grin. "Yeah. So am I. Two years is a long time."

"Hn. You'll keep busy. You always do."

"You're not switching where you live, are you?"

"No."

"Okay. I know where you live, then. I'll busy myself writing you."

He smiled. "Good."

.

"So overall, how was it spending so much time away?"

"Good."

Finding time to answer between various positions, moves and motions, Takashi was brief as always. Having been home for nearly a week, the two cousins had spent much of their time engaging in various martial arts with one another, anywhere they feasibly could.

In attempt to reacquaint with familiar places, as well as take advantage of a beautiful morning, they currently found themselves sparring on a patch of lawn at one of Ouran University's many student squares.

Takashi laughed as Mitsukuni landed a playful blow to his shoulder. His cousin, who was now at least half a foot taller since the last time he had been in Japan, was now a new creature in terms of their training; still understanding Mitsukuni's techniques and style, his gradually increasing height left adaptations to be made on Takashi's behalf.

Wrapping up their training session, the two prepared to make their way toward the off-campus apartment they were to share for the upcoming school year. Passing through the center of the square, Takashi unconsciously came to a stop while watching two girls attempting a feat of their own.

The longer of the two girls laid in the grass, her legs at a ninety-degree angle. Perched atop her feet was a smaller girl, balancing on her pelvis, working to reach behind and grasp her own ankles. Dressed in running shorts and a tank top, the definition to her well-worked muscles did not go unnoticed. Her face was shielded by a curtain of thick brunette hair. Though not easily visible, Takashi could see the girl was shaking from her efforts. On the ground, her partner offered an encouraging smile.

Maintaining her position for several seconds longer, the brunette eventually gave the signal to be let back down.

Standing next to him, Mitsukuni looked on with a grin. Waiting until the young woman had entirely descended he called out joyfully.

"Great job, Haru-Chan!"

Shocked to learn that he'd kept her identity to himself the entire time, Takashi shot his cousin a perplexed look.

Turning her head in their direction, the brunette's expression switched from one of general acknowledgment, to a look of incredible surprise. Bidding her partner goodbye, Haruhi began to make her way toward them.

"Mitsukuni..."

"What? Didn't you tell Haru-Chan you were home?"

"No."

"Oh. Well why not?"

"She stopped writing me. I took it to be a hint."

"I don't think so, Takashi." As Haruhi came closer, he cut his intended line of conversation short, in favor of a more approachable one.

"Haru-Chan! You've been practicing! Yoga looks good on you. And Takashi's home, isn't that great?"

She confirmed her agreement with a happy nod. Smiling for the two of them, Haruhi settled her focus on Takashi, who granted a quick smile for his old friend.

"Haruhi."

"Takashi! How are you?"

"Good. Happy to be home."

Though he knew his friend remained the same at the core, something about Haruhi had clearly changed. Having caught sight of this slightly older variation of her, he was left both confused by and appealed to her all the more.

Probing her with a curious stare, Haruhi lightly smiled, but looked away.

"Takashi, I'm sorry to have stopped writing. There was so much going on, and I kind of got overwhelmed."

"It's fine."

She looked up to him again, this time offering him the classic, familiar stare he was used to seeing out of her.

"I need to go take care of some stuff at the academic office, but I'll see you soon. Yes?"

"Hn."

Haruhi smiled. "Good. I'll see you later, too, Mitsukuni."

"I know! Bye, Haru-Chan!"

Taking off in the opposite direction, she threw both of them a wave before turning around and quickly walking away.

Realizing that Takashi was not likely to be the first to move from their current spot, Mitsukuni tossed himself onto the taller man's back and directed him toward home.

"Mitsukuni. Start talking."

"Gladly! After you."

Hello! So, this story is about halfway mapped out in my head. I'm pretty sure that I may be treading into overdone territory, but dangit, I've got an itch and I'm going to scratch it! I hope you enjoy. :D