You were just putting the kettle on the stove when there was a knock at your door. You were expecting Haruhi. The two of you always had tea on Sundays, especially after she found out about your little crush on Kaoru. She was there when Kaoru introduced you to Akira and saw the anguish written all over your face. Haruhi had become a great comfort to you and helped you try and to get over Kaoru.

You opened the door only to have your smile fall. Kaoru. "Oh h-hey, Kaoru. What are you doing here?" He blinked at you. You could see that his eyes were rimmed with red. He'd been crying recently. "How do you do that? Tell me and Hikaru apart?" You shrugged and moved to let him in, thinking to yourself, "Because I don't love your brother."

Kaoru glanced around your small home. "Were you expecting someone?" You nodded and told him about Haruhi. "Oh." You smiled. "But I have a few minutes." Kaoru sat down and didn't say a word. He just sat with his eyes downcast. You sat across from him and twiddled your thumbs, waiting for him to initiate conversation. After a few moments, you heard him sniffle.

"Kaoru, what's wrong?" you asked. It wasn't like Kaoru to cry. Not for real anyway. "Akira." Your brow furrowed. "She-" he cut off as he started sobbing and gasping. "Hey, hey," you cooed, coming over and wrapping your arms around his shoulders. "It's alright. Deep breaths, Kaoru." You held him until he calmed down.

"She never really liked me," he finally whispered. You pulled away from him to look into his teary amber eyes. "What?" you asked in disbelief. "She never liked me. The other hosts proved it." You cocked your head to the side and he continued, "Kyoya-Senpai recorded her saying that she was only interested in being with me because of my family name." In that moment, you saw red, but you knew you had to keep your cool.

"I'm sorry, Kaoru," you said softly. "I don't know why I'm surprised. I can't imagine anyone really liking me for something other than my family's money," he mumbled. This time, you couldn't keep your mouth shut. "Kaoru, anyone would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend, even if you were dirt poor. You're a wonderful person and a lot of people would love you for you. I know I do."

A thick silence settled over the two of you while Kaoru dried his tears. You were kicking yourself when you realized what you said. Now wasn't the time to tell your friend that you'd been crushing on him for a while. He just got his heartbroken. "Did you mean that, Y/N?" You nodded silently. No sense in taking it back. Kaoru smiled. "Thanks, Y/N. Maybe...after I take some time, we could go on a date?"

You shrugged. "We'll see. You need time to heal, I mean really heal. Then, if you still feel like it, we can give it a shot." Kaoru agreed and gave you a hug. You hugged back and tried to keep your happiness inside. Your heart was fluttering in your chest at the thought that there was hope for you and Kaoru after all.h+