My Name is Fire (OHSHC)

Chapter 3 - Keeping Secrets

"Fire?" I asked, bumping into a familiar average boy height person. His ashy black, shoulder length hair was unmistakable.

"'Sup, Haruhi, " he replied.

"Why are you here?"

"To shop," he replied.

We were at a farmer's market, the last place I would imagine a relative of Tamaki-senpai's would go. "I'd think you'd go to something that's more appropriate for rich people like you," I stated.

"I'd think that's stereotyping, " Fire responded with an air of a rebellious teenager. "Anyways, I'd die if I use too much of my bro's provided money."

"Why are you using your brother's money in the first place?" I asked curiously. "My dad pays for everything."

"Parents died, so my brothers, one being in college and one just out, take care of me. The chairman's technically supposed to take over the position, but he hasn't even completed the paperwork, though it was sent like a year ago."

I realized that Fire was unaffected by the mention of his dead parents, not even being bothered by it one bit. "Oh, sorry for your loss...?" I said uncertainly.

Fire looked at me in blatant annoyance. "Bit too late to say that," he said. "Did whatever people do when someone dies a many a months ago."

"Oh, it's just that my mom passed away too..."

"Sorry for your loss."

I sweatdropped. "You're contradicting yourself, Fire..."

"Don't take me seriously when it comes to my family," he said. "It's not that I have anything against them, it's just that they weren't per se the best. They always would make fun of my friends and say they are horrible and wouldn't even listen to me." His look didn't turn sad though, it turned mad. "I tried not to hate them, but all I managed was to not care."

"But, by talking about them to me, you are showing that you do care, in one way or another," I pointed out.

Fire inhaled sharply. "I care to some point, Haruhi, they we're good in some points. But I was so far from their laughs and smiles, I began to realize that I was a mistake."

That was enough, I knew. Fire looked so pained to talk about his parents and once full family, I felt guilty from asking anyways.

Fire, as a cousin of Tamaki-senpai, bounced back easily. Not actually happy, but the same neutral, broody teenager.

He spent his time around the farmer's market, whereas I tagged along. Fire soon caught the attention of the girls. I didn't myself, since I was dressed in girly attire. Fire, though, had a sense of style like a model and had on skinny jeans and a dark shirt saying "Keep Calm and Be Cool" over rolled up long sleeves.

The girls dropped at the sight, and Fire remained stoic as he went around. I caught some of the glares the girls shot, since it seemed we were boyfriend and girlfriend, going around like this.

Some girls were brave enough to ask for a picture, but Fire just said in his low voice, "I'm not open to taking a picture with a stranger."

The girls just said, "Kyaaa~okay!"

After practically the tenth girl, Fire sighed and said, "I'm going, Haruhi, this is so annoying."

"I'd expect someone related to Tamaki-senpai revelling in happiness," I commented. Fire shot one of his signature looks at me again.

"I'd expect that's stereotyping," Fire replied in my tone of voice. "Anyways, bye, man."

I waved goodbye in the market as Fire walked away with his basket in hand.