The poor one in the library [Open]

[haruhi]

"What do you mean they are rented?"

Haruhi stared at the librarian, her right eye twitching. Not only they were rented. Oh, no. They were quite expensive. In fact, the price would certainly leave Haruhi without lunch for an entire month, and that was just one hour of study in the, well, study rooms.

The girl let out a breath, before looking around the place. She stood out like a sore thumb, some eyes placing on her like she was a freak in a circus. Sure, in any other place, it would be the other way around. Usually, people tended to stare at the pretty one, with the finest clothes and the fashion sense. The problem was that here, everyone looked that way, it was Haruhi who didn't. She wore her usual over sized sweater with brown pants, and even a tie. A normal look for anyone anywhere else. Here everyone wore those horribly expensive uniforms, even if they were, in fact, much prettier than her inexpensive clothes. But these were just so comfy...

Haruhi had been staring too long. The librarian coughed to get the girl's attention, and she suddenly jumped, smiling and bowing. "I'm sorry. Please forgive my troubles." She said, before taking a step aside. Someone seemed to have business with the librarian, and Haruhi was in the way.

The girl merely stood there, blinking at the arrived behind her thick glasses. Another student perhaps? These people were all far too pretty it shouldn't be allowed. Too much trouble, obviously. They took far too much time worrying about stupid things that she just couldn't understand them... And they probably didn't even have to study, they had a free pass to any university they wanted.

"Stupid rich kids..."

[chi]

Chi sighed, prodding the rather large book on the shelf uninterestedly. She wasn’t even looking to read at all, but the library was her sanctuary-despite the usual abundance of noise-and she didn’t want to go anywhere else anyway. There was a short moment of near silence before a shriek from the other side of the bookcase cut off all her thoughts. Obnoxious would’ve been the appropriate word to describe it. Then again, she found most of the Ouran students to be obnoxious anyway.

“I cannot believe some of them.” Blue eyes narrowed at the bookcase as the redhead replaced the book. Cue another burst of unnecessary laughter to her side. It was a wonder the librarian made no move to say anything to them. In truth, she had a very little tolerance for the Ouran students at all. They were all so arrogant and simple, nothing like her puzzles. One hand absently tugged at the non-uniform skirt, the other tapping on the spine of a new book slowly. “It’s ridiculous.”

After a moment, Chi locked her gaze on a teen talking to the librarian. He looked, put simply, out of place and astounded. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was an honor student there by scholarship. To her slight embarrassment, she had no idea what his name was. She had probably been too busy with her thoughts or work at the time to listen for it. Feeling slightly uneasy, the redhead watched him with what was almost pity.

He turned away from the librarian and she noted how feminine his features were. A girl took his place, a third year Chi had seen in the halls, and she frowned. It didn’t seem very fair, really. Again, she took note of the fact that he lacked the school uniform. Though it was probably for a different reason from her own-seeing as she’d purposely practically ruined the yellow monstrosity. Slipping a small smile on her face, Chi slipped from her place amongst the books.

“I could get that for you.” She offered unexpectedly, though it surprised her how easily the words seemed to come out. Under most circumstanced, she wasn’t so easily nice. Or, she wasn’t usually so nice to just anybody. Of the many personalities she had managed to keep up with, she rarely did anything without it having something in it for her. “It’s no trouble.”

[haruhi]

Haruhi kept bowing and apologizing, wondering what the heck she was doing at this place. This wasn't what she'd expected. Back when she got the scholarship, she'd expected the school to be full with serious, successful students, always focused in studies and the future. What she got was spoiled, rich jerks who took life far too easily. She wondered if they could even dress themselves. They probably had a multitude of servants, waiting to dress them and feed them and give them whatever the hell rich kids needed. She supposed she would too be that relaxed if she didn't have to worry about things like cooking, bills and money.

Someone spoke to her and it brought her out of her thoughts. Haruhi straightened, blinking at the newcomer. She took a moment to notice her appearance. She wasn't wearing an uniform, just like her. Perhaps she wasn't the only person who couldn't afford one? But she hadn't known of any other student who had won the scholarship. In fact, she was pretty sure she was the only one. Were they offering more than just one? It wouldn't surprise her. This school seemed to have the money to take in a few students for free.

Apart from her uniform, it was hard to ignore her bright red hair. That wasn't common in Japan. It probably was dyed, or maybe she was a foreigner. That could be it. It would certainly explain her odd appearance. There were far too many foreigners around, all of them cultured and rich. Then why wasn't she wearing her uniform?

"Ah, thank you so much." She said, smiling gently. This was a person you could tell was gentle, despite the harsh exterior. What did you call them? Tsundere? Haruhi took a step sideways, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. Well, it wasn't like she didn't have the money for it, right? Besides, Haruhi could certainly accept the free stuff these rich kids offered her, as long as she didn't have to bother her father, right? It was all part of hospitality and what not.

"I didn't know they charged for the study rooms." She commented sheepishly, "If I'd known I probably would have been more prepared." Or probably wouldn't have tried in the first place, more likely. Haruhi let out a breath, knowing full well this girl would know her background as soon as she took a glance. It wasn't that she was worried of being judged, but rather, she didn't want to be paid attention.

"Um... I'm Fujioka Haruhi, first year." She introduced herself. She was still smiling, given she had to be pleasant with this person. After all, she was offering to pay a very expensive study room. Maybe they could share it?

[chi]

“It’s no problem,” Chi sighed, leaving momentarily to speak with the woman that her companion had just left. As she expected, the conversation was short and easy, and the redhead returned to Haruhi with a rather forced smile. It wasn’t that the other was unpleasant, it was that she knew what she seemed like. She knew how people liked to view her, just another pompous student at some elite school. She, on the other hand, viewed herself differently.

“Being prepared is pointless around here. You never know what’s going to happen.” She walked past without sparing the brunette a glance, turning on her heel when a few feet away and gesturing for the girl to lead the way. She tugged absently on her hair, debating cutting the natural colored hair shorter, before looking back to Haruhi. “Go on.”

“Matsumuri, Chi. I’m in your class.” The blue eyed girl, frowning, nodded once at the name she received. A look of almost frustration fell onto her features and she looked away. “You don’t have to be so nice, you know. It’s weird. I’m not like…” she gestured to a gaggle of passing girls who almost upturned their nose when she did. “I’m not like most of the students at Ouran.”

“Ah,” Chi winced when she caught herself, shaking her head. “I don’t mean to sound rude,” she amended carefully, “I just don’t want you to have to act like you like me.” More or less, she didn’t find it appealing that most of the people at Ouran were all fake smiles and skin deep friendships-despite doing it herself. “It’s troublesome.”

[haruhi]

Haruhi blinked at the girl in surprise. She seemed so confident and grounded, so different from the people around this place. It was easy to like such a grounded person, especially for someone like Haruhi.

"Ah, you're in my class?" She repeated, scratching the back of her hair. She hadn't known that. "I'm sorry. I just don't pay much attention to others around here." Or around any other place. Sure, Haruhi was polite when she needed to be, but that was it. Looking for relationships or friendships was too troublesome.

Didn't have to be so nice? Bothersome?Haruhi blinked again and smiled. "You don't have to tell me that." She said, grinning warmly, "I know how you feel. You're not like others at all, so I understand. You're... grounded and seem far more interested in real life than the rest."

Haruhi gave her another smile, before taking the card offered by the librarian. "Thank you for the room, Miss Matsumuri." She said, bowing deeply. "I'll try to pay you back with- Ah, I know." Haruhi moved to get her backpack from her shoulder. After some looking, she finally came across what she wanted.

"Here." She offered, her hands holding an onigiri ball, carefully wrapped in plastic. "It's not as good as the food around here, but it might help soothe you some." She said, still smiling. It was such a simple gift, yet something that was entirely Haruhi.

"And any friendship offered from me is not an act, Miss Matsumuri." She added, hoping she would grab her offering. "I don't believe in pretending, especially around here. I'm not usually surrounded by these many rich kids, so I think it's pleasant to have someone to talk to."

Naturally, Haruhi was thinking that maybe this girl was just like her, a commoner like she'd been called so many times before. "But I understand your feelings. I won't trouble you anymore." With that, Haruhi bowed once again, smiled gently as she straighten up and turned. Who was to say there weren't any nice people around this place?

[chi]

“It’s fine,” Chi dismissed quickly, leaning her weight onto one leg and settling there almost expectantly. “It’s better not to take notice of most of them anyway.” Which was true enough, most of the Ouran students were better ignored in her mind.

Thrown off slightly by Haruhi’s smile, Chi returned it with an almost wary look. The boy-or girl, she still wasn’t quite sure-in front of her was bound to provide some amusement. She was quite like the puzzles the redhead had grown to like so much. When her companion spoke up again, a look of confusion crossed her features. It was obvious she had no idea what Haruhi was doing, even as she searched through her bag. Part of her was curious, the other remaining undoubtedly suspicious.

“It’s…” Instead of telling the brunette that it was fine, she smiled slightly. Despite herself, she continued to mind her words as carefully as if she was addressing anyone else. “Most people around here aren’t like you, either. Which isn’t a bad thing, just so you know.” She amended herself swiftly, “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to…” Chi started, surprised, when her classmate held out the onigiri. Reluctant for a moment, blue eyes lingered on her hand before she slowly took the offering. “Thank you. I’m sure it will be delicious.” She said finally, gingerly examining the ball before finally slipping it into her bag so that it was protected.

“Friendship?” Chi blinked twice, furrowing her brow momentarily before relaxing. It wasn’t a term she used often, nor had she ever called anyone a friend. She conceded silently that it would be nice to have a friend of some sort. “That’s refreshing.”

Chi wasn’t used to someone like Haruhi, which wasn’t at all surprising. She was much nicer, genuine, than the majority of people she had run into. “It’s Chi, if you would. I get enough of the ‘Miss’ at home.” Worrying her bottom lip for a moment, Chi took a breath and continued. “You must’ve gotten in on a scholarship, then?” she inquired carefully, rubbing her wrist.

“You…” Hesitant, yet again, Chi bit down on her lip again before releasing it. It was a bad habit, too revealing. ”You’re not… It’s not trouble.” Brushing red locks behind her ear, “Would you mind if I joined you?” Again, the blue eyed girl caught herself quickly, looking up. “Not to be a bother myself, of course.”

[haruhi]

Haruhi smiled at her response, her shoulders moving as she laughed. She tried to cover her laughter by biting on one finger though. "You're right. It's best to just let them do things their way." She said, obviously enjoying the fact that someone else considered them annoying.

"It's okay!" Haruhi smiled gently again, "That's actually a great compliment." She didn't want to look like the others. She liked to think she had a pretty good head over her shoulders and, despite their grades, she was sure most of these people lived in their own little world.

She nodded as the girl accepted her gift. "It's still not gourmet food though..." She mentioned, slightly embarrassed. It couldn't compare to the food they served in the cafeteria... Like Ootoro. Hmm. She wondered if they could eat some of that in here. She certainly couldn't afford eating there every day, but perhaps just once wouldn't hurt.

"Chi-chan." She said, nodding at the request. "Then you can call me Haruhi." She gave a nod, as if bowing slightly. So they were friends now. It was refreshing to know there weren't only air heads in this school.

"Yes. I'm the- ah, lucky one who got it." Haruhi smiled gently. "The competition was still pretty tough. It was mostly luck that got me here." She looked around, as if she wanted to point out where 'here' was. Besides, she didn't want to appear like she was bragging. Last thing she needed was someone telling others how the new kid was a show off. That would certainly get troublesome.

Haruhi was already leaving, turning and walking away, as the girl spoke. Looking over her shoulder, she nodded, smiling like she hadn't just moved away. "It won't be a bother. I'll enjoy the company." And she waited for Chi to catch up with her.

She started walking once again, ignoring her surroundings and any odd look thrown their way. These place was far too crowded for her taste.

"Has the school year been good for you, Chi-chan?" She started, trying to make some conversation. It was rather awkward to just walk side by side without it feeling slightly off. "I'm still trying to figure out what kind of subjects I want or which clubs I want to join. I know I don't want to play sports, since I'm very bad at them, but maybe languages..."

[chi]

Maybe it was a bit wrong to laugh at the expense of her peers, but Chi didn’t mind. After all, she did feel that way. “Mm, or they might get testy. Nothing good comes from testy, spoiled rich kids.” She mused good-humoredly, shaking off the thought that she might as well be insulting herself. Chi tilted her head to the side at Haruhi’s reassurance, blinking. “That’s good. I don’t think I could word it any other way anyway.”

“So?” Chi scoffed at the mention of the gourmet food and rolled her eyes slightly. “It gets old fast.” She mused, shaking her head. Chi’s eyes betrayed her for a moment, the redhead observed Haruhi with an almost calculating look. It wasn’t that something was wrong with her-it was more the opposite, really-the brunette was just far nicer than Chi had ever truly been herself upon first meeting someone.

“Haruhi.” Trying it out simply, the blue eyed girl found it fit her new friend quite well. She nodded once, smiling. She was doing a lot of that lately, more so than with the usual act. The ‘chan’ on the end of her own name, though, surprised her slightly. “It fits you.” She mused quietly, gaze distracted briefly by something just behind the brunette. Chi looked back to Haruhi swiftly, finding the thought of having the other as her first friend a very nice one.

“Luck.” The word came out in a drawl almost and Chi furrowed her brows, not quite understanding. She had never believed in luck-as it was far too convenient. In her mind, it was much different from that. “You make your own luck.” She said simply, “The only reason you got here was because you were-are-capable.”

Not that she’d admit it, but she found Haruhi to be just a tad too modest. Of course she didn’t mean it in a bad way. Modesty was a good trait, and it meant she wouldn’t get an overblown ego like so many other students. One hand ran through her hair again as was habit and the other pulled and fiddled with the top edge of her bag. She found it was easier to keep her hands occupied than just let them hang there, even if it made her seem jittery or uneasy.

“I don’t usually have company,” Chi admitted, striding after the girl quickly and falling into step beside her. “Thank you.” It occurred to her, briefly, that she might be apologizing too much and she made a mental note to keep herself from doing so too many times.

A few odd looks were tossed carelessly and not subtly at all at them, and Chi found herself watching her surroundings. It was another thing she had grown accustomed to doing, being almost on watch so often. She assumed silently that the attention was mainly focused on the fact that they weren’t dressed in their uniforms. And possibly on the fact that the two were from opposite ends of the line.

“Most of them aren’t even here to study…” she pointed out to herself, attention focused on a group of rather loudly conversing teens. She wasn’t bothered by it, the libraries being used as a hangout of sorts. Despite how annoying it could be.

“Ah, it’s been as well as expected.” She spoke up finally after rolling the question around in her head for a moment and nodding. “I don’t think I’ll be in any clubs-I don’t really have the time. My father,” here a grimace flashed over her features before being pushed away in favor of a smile, “Arranged all of my subjects and after school time. He didn’t think I could handle it.”

After another contemplative moment, Chi looked over to her newfound friend carefully. “What do you like to do-I mean, outside of school?”

[haruhi]

Haruhi smiled at the girl as she got huffy. Perhaps she'd over done it with her modesty? "Well, a lot of people tried to enter too. Ouran is famous for getting anyone into any university they want. It's just difficult to get in if you don't have the money to pay for it." She said it so lightly, not at all ashamed of her lack of money, though it was annoying when people acted like she was some kind of freak when they knew she wasn't as wealthy. "But thank you, Chi-chan! I really appreciate the compliment." After all, she'd said she was capable. That wasn't something she heard everyday.

"Me either." She admitted back, still smiling nonchalantly, "But it's a nice change to have someone to talk to. You're just easier to talk to than the rest of my classmates." She said it lightly, not at all meant it to be a compliment, just the hard true. Chi seemed far too grounded to be an Ouran student.

Another laugh escaped and Haruhi tried her best to keep quiet. They were still at the library after all. Still, it appeared like the rest of them didn't care that much for silence. Giggling and laughter came from every corner of the place, making Haruhi and Chi's talk quiet in comparison.

"You're right! I don't think they care that much for their grades." She threw a tired smile at a particularly noisy group. They were talking and joking so carelessly, without a worry for the future. She really didn't understand them. "I can see why, though." She said, still staring at that group. "Most students here have the possibility to pay any school in the world. I have to get a scholarship in order to have that, so I have to work hard on my grades."

They continued their way towards the study room, and Haruhi walked just around the corner to open the door for Chi. "I'm sure you can prove him wrong." She said, smiling awkwardly, "Though I can understand how it feels to have a meddlesome father." Her memories went to Ranka, hugging her and squeezing her and crying for attention. She shuddered at the thought and went inside the room.

"TH-THIS IS A STUDY ROOM?" Well, it really wasn't like the ones at her old school at all. The room was far too big, like every other room in the school. It seemed to even have a living room and quarters only for students. Sure, it wasn't as big as a class room, but it certainly got close. And all Haruhi had been expecting was a desk and some chairs... She let out a sigh, muttering under her breath about unnecessary costs.

Reluctantly, Haruhi walked inside, casually dropping her bag on the nearest table. "Eh, after school?" Haruhi looked at the roof for a moment, trying to think of something she liked to do. As soon as she figured it out, her expression softened and a small smile appeared. She looked down then, her eyes lost in thought and memories.

"I really enjoy cooking." She said, still lost, "My mother used to cook delicious food before she passed away. She left me behind some really good recipes though. So, whenever I can, I try to make them for my father, just to make him happy. I guess that's what I cherish the most."

She gave the girl another warm smile, almost as if thanking her for reminding her of such precious times. "What about you, Chi-chan?" She asked, "Is there something you like doing?"

[chi]

Slightly embarrassed of herself, Chi rubbed the back of her neck for a moment before letting her arm drop. “You’re right, I suppose.” She chuckled lightly, thinking on it for a moment. If so many people had entered, then the other teen was smarter than Chi had given her credit for. When thanked, she nodded once as she usually did and directed her gaze ahead of them carefully. It was unusual to know that Haruhi hadn’t had the same things she’d had, after associating with only those of her status. Not wrong, just a bit odd.

“I can understand that,” she conceded, shaking off her thoughts again. She was more unused to holding a conversation for so long-or, one she was actually interested in. Her attention flickered even more toward the conversation, “It’s hard to find common ground, in a way. A lot of them don’t want to be seen with someone of lower class.” Again, she hadn’t stopped to think about her words. She cast a sideways glance at Haruhi, “Sorry.”

Chi felt a smile pull the corners of her mouth up and she had to laugh. Of course the brunette was right; all of them, she included, could probably pay their way into any school they pleased. Chi, at least, had decided to do so without the help of money. Or, she was trying to. It was frustrating, yes, but far more rewarding than relying solely on her family.

“They don’t have to care for their grades.” She murmured to herself, listening to Haruhi and slowly processing a response. “Harsh. True, though. But, it feels better to earn it yourself. Well, I think it does.”

Chi almost twitched when Haruhi spoke again as they reached the study room. She suppressed it, along with the question bubbling up her through. Instead, she furrowed her brows in slight confusion at the brunette. “I try. He’s not meddlesome, so much as expectant. The heir to his company had to be perfect.”

Jumping at Haruhi’s loud exclamation, Chi’s head snapped in her companion’s direction at an alarming speed. She let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding and shook her head, chuckling lightly. “It could be worse,” she knew how unnecessary all of it was, despite having lived with it all her life, “There’s one almost twice this size in one of the other libraries.”

Chi joined her slowly, placing her bag in a spare seat and leaning her hip against the table. Haruhi looked almost lost, comfortable in memories and her own thoughts. Chi wondered, briefly, why she didn’t have anything to look back on like that. Her parents were bad, her life wasn’t horrible, but she couldn’t recall anything she was fond of.

“I…” somehow, she didn’t think a lie would quite fit there. It seemed almost wrong after the response she received, and she crossed her arms under her chest slowly. “I don’t do anything outside of school. My parents are… Busy, I suppose. And I don’t really like people often.” She hummed thoughtfully, obviously finding it to be not so bad. “I read. And I like puzzles, if that counts.”

[haruhi]

She really should have gotten used to be called 'lower class' by now. That was how most people around here called her. Either that or 'commoner'. Rich bastards. She pursed her lips and glared ahead as she called her that, and immediately smiled again when she apologized. "Ah, it's alright..." She said, despite her feelings. "I suppose it's true." It was actually. Most wouldn't talk to her because of it, not that Haruhi made an effort to be sociable either.

Haruhi's smile turned gentle once again, when she mentioned it felt better when you earned it. "Well, for someone who has a choice, it's rather admirable to think that way." She said, and actually meant it. It was rare to see anyone here care for their grades.

"Well, at least I don't have to worry about that with my father." She commented, smiling awkwardly. An heir... Haruhi stared sideways at the girl. "What kind of company does your father own, Chi-chan?" The girl seemed polished and somewhat proud. It was probably something big. Not that other students didn't have big companies behind them. Haruhi just normally didn't care much for such things.

Haruhi scratched the back of her head, making her short hair stand up even more. "Really? This school is amazing. I just wonder when they get the time to clean this place up. There has to be thousands of people cleaning it every night." She crossed her arms, frowning at the shiny floor. "It takes me all afternoon to keep my house clean, and it's small, and it's just two of us living there." Leave it to Haruhi to wonder about things like that.

She took a seat right by the table, already taking out her book as she listened to Chi. "Ah, puzzles!" She said with a wide smile. "That's a very intellectual hobby, Chi-chan. You must be really smart."

Haruhi took out her book and notebook, already turning her attention to business: English. She opened the book absentmindedly, looking for the chapter she left on.

"I was never good with puzzles." She commented, eyes still fixed on the book. "But I do enjoy reading from time to time. When I have enough time, I mean." She smiled embarrassed, turning to her new found friend. "What kind of books do you like?"

[chi]

“That doesn’t mean I should say it like it’s a bad thing.” She muttered, rolling her eyes subtly. Chi glanced around briefly before looking back to Haruhi, almost distracted, and nodding. “It’s not admirable.” She shrugged absently, “It’s more for a selfish reason than anything. But I suppose you can look at it that way.”

“It mostly revolves around technology, I think. I don’t really know.” She shrugged once, settling into a seat and directing her gaze to the ceiling. “I don’t really plan on actually inheriting it, so I never bothered to find out. Even if I didn’t want to do something else, he’ll probably find some way to keep it out of my hands for as long as possible.” She explained, tugging a book from her bag and placing it on the table.

“What does your father do?” she asked suddenly, looking up as she pulled a piece of paper and pencil from her bag as well. It wasn’t as if she had the time to do her work elsewhere, and she would like the spare time.

Chuckling, the redhead looked up completely from what she was doing. “It has to be quite an annoying job. This place is so big…” she trailed off, actually thinking about it. “Ah… I see a few people occasionally around the day as well, cleaning. It’s a wonder the place looks so clean all the time.” She frowned lightly, “Then again; we were all raised to be careful and clean and all that, maybe it has something to do with the cleanliness.”

She had already started on her Math, blue eyes narrowed in near annoyance at the numbers. It wasn’t as if she needed to do it-her father had said it was a test of sorts, and she should do her best on it because it could affect her classes. She had only really received it that morning-and she wondered if they would even question whether she cheated or not.

For what was probably the tenth time since she entered the library, Chi forced her thoughts away stubbornly. It didn’t take long to get halfway through, pausing to glance at the brunette curiously. She wondered if the boy-she decided not to dwell on how Haruhi could possibly be a girl-had any friends inside or outside of class. Or, for that matter, if he had so much as spoken to anyone outside of class.

“I… I suppose I am.” Chi managed quietly, finishing off another question almost hesitantly. She had never thought herself to be stupid, of course, but she had never really went and thought about it at all. She analyzed others more than she even thought about herself-it was a slightly disconcerting thought. “They’re… an acquired taste, you could say.”

Most people found her hobby with puzzles a bit odd. Then again, if they knew anything she did they would find it to be the most normal thing she did. She pondered for a moment what the least normal thing she did would be then. Adopting other personalities for multiple situations might’ve been it. Though, she lingered for a moment on how she treated people like puzzles. That wasn’t very normal. Normal, she finally decided silently, was in the eye of the beholder anyway.

Both eyes lifted from the finished problems and she placed the paper and pencil back in her bag, pulling the book in from of her without thinking about it. “I like mysteries, action.” She wrinkled her nose in slight distaste for a moment, eyes falling back to the newly started book. “My mom tried to get me into romances one-dreadful experience that was...” she traced the title with one finger, eyes staring unfocusedly at the black cover, “What about you?”

[haruhi]

"A selfish reason?" Haruhi stopped what she was doing to stare at the girl. She seemed proud, that was for sure, but selfish? No. She shook her head. "Whatever reason you have for it, I'm sure it isn't selfish." If there was one thing Haruhi was good at, was seeing at everyone as they were, appearances be damned, and she was sure this girl couldn't be selfish. "You don't appear selfish at all, Chi-chan. Don't confuse looking to be happy with selfishness. It is admirable that you fight for what you want."

"The same goes for your father, right?" Haruhi smiled fondly again. "All parents want is to see their children happy. I'm sure if you spoke your mind about what you want and you're passionate enough, they'll listen to you." She then blinked, eyes wide and smiled awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't say anything so weird to someone I just met. Please, forgive me."

Another smile and she was back to business. Had been plus a verb with 'ing' is past perfect continuous. Haruhi frowned at the book, well that was easy. Although, if you didn't considered her level and this school's level, it wouldn't be that simple for someone who was learning a new language.

The next question didn't phase Haruhi. "He works at an Okama bar at nights." She answered absentmindedly, still focusing on her homework, ignoring any and every shock that came from her random answer. Ing, it said, right?


Oh, but they were talking about hobbies now. Haruhi looked up, trying to come up with an answer. "I think I like detective novels too." She said, once she thought of all the books she ever read. "I'm don't have a particular interest, but I guess I enjoy those the most." She turned to smile again, "I want to become a lawyer someday, so these novels help me uncover those kind of mysteries in some way."

[chi]

Chi decided that maybe just nodding would be the right way to respond. Haruhi obviously had no intentions of thinking badly of her. Which was weird-everyone was always looking for weaknesses and cracks in a person, from what she saw. ‘Appearances can be deceiving’, she almost interjected. Instead she gave him a soft smile in response, finding her thoughts best kept to herself. Again, she found herself slightly confused with Haruhi, with trying to figure him out. It probably would have been best to give up trying to figure him out completely, but she had always liked a new challenge.

“It’s not a problem, Haruhi. Feel free to say whatever you like.” Chi shrugged, considering avoiding what she had said before opening the book. It would have been far too easy to tell her companion that no, her parents were not looking to see her happy. Or, maybe her mother was-but they were all too busy to care, really. “I’ll try that some time,” she lied smoothly, thumbing to the first chapter. It was too easy to say she would, and it would’ve been far too much trouble to actually try and explain. “Thanks.”

Surprised, the redhead looked up from the middle of a paragraph to look at Haruhi. She knew what an Okama bar was, of course, but she bit back the curiosity that still followed. “Hm.” She leaned back in her chair again, looking back to the book, though her eyes stayed locked on the first word. “Interesting. Ah, if you don’t mind my asking, what did your mother do?”

Brushing through the words absentmindedly, Chi blinked. Her current book, as it happened, was a mystery itself. “Lawyer…” she tilted her head to the side slightly, looking up. “That’s… Is that why you wanted to attend Ouran? Not to be nosy, of course.” She considered the profession and the teen with her. Persuasive, in a way, and she seemed smart, “You’ll be a great lawyer, I think.”

[haruhi]

"Ah, but it's not my place." She said, smiling awkwardly and raising a hand, in case the girl decided she was being too nosy. "It's just..." Her smile turned gentle then as she stared at the girl. "You seem like a person your parents have to be proud of. Very grounded and mature for someone who was raised like everyone else in this school. That's why I think, no matter what you want to do, they're going to support you."

As the studying started, the conversation turned more quiet, since they both had to focus on the text before them. Sure, Haruhi had no idea what Chi was doing, but it seemed like it was as important. At least, she said before that she did care for her grades, unlike others. It was best to let her focus.

"Um..." The question about her mother made Haruhi look up though. She smiled fondly at the memories of her childhood as the question itself brought back so many nice feelings. "She was a lawyer." She said, smiling proudly, "I remember how hard she used to work in every case she had, even if sometimes she wouldn't get paid. She really loved her job and helped many people. That's why I want to become a lawyer too."

Haruhi nodded and smiled at the compliment, "Thank you for saying so, Chi-chan." She said. After a moment of deep thought she turned to the girl again, still smiling, but looking more serious this time.

"If you don't mind me asking, Chi-chan," She started, turning even her body to look at the girl more clearly. "What is it that you want to do that your parents wouldn't approve of?" Considering Haruhi had an Okama for father, she could let a lot of things go, so she was pretty sure whatever Chi wanted wasn't going to blow her away.