Haruhi's twin

Chapter 67: What to do about Akihiko?

Emi's pov

Since this week had been overly stressful in trying to get over what Akihiko did and trying to work on a project with him for class, I knew that I needed something to take my mind off of it. I wasn't going to turn to sweets like Honey-senpai does, especially because Haruhi would never let me eat as many sweets as Honey-senpai does. I sat down on the couch in the club room with a thump, feeling exhausted by everything. The only other people in the club room at the moment were Haruhi, Tamaki and Kyoya-senpai. We had gotten to the club room early since we had finished everything up in class early, we were also discussing which theme we were going with for the club today. Usually I'm excited for it but I was too stressed to care, I had Yuki tucked in my arms. Ever since she had been taken from right next to me, I haven't let her out of my sight. I was still traumatized from her going missing and Akihiko giving it to one of my customers, I wouldn't even let anyone else touch her as I was afraid of her being taken again. Haruhi was the only one I trusted enough to let hold her, I never had any doubts about trusting my own twin. "What's gotten you so exhausted, Emi?" Tamaki-senpai asked, he walked over and sat next to me. Honey and Mori both arrived just as we started brainstorming ideas for club, it seemed that Honey-senpai was worried about my mental health the whole day. "The project my teacher decided to give us." I sighed, rubbing my face. "They assigned Akihiko as her partner." Haruhi explained, placing a textbook on the coffee table in between the couches as she took a seat opposite of Tamaki and I. "What?!" Tamaki-senpai nearly exploded at the mention of his name, he hasn't looked at Akihiko the same since the incident. And Tamaki-senpai is usually the one who doesn't hold grudges, actually all of the host club can't seem to stand him anymore. The only person who remotely even listens to a word Akihiko says is Kyoya-senpai, which is odd since he is usually the only one not willing to listen to most people. Then again, Kyoya always said that having Akihiko around in the club room when he wasn't an official member made everything more difficult. "She really gave you Akihiko as a partner?" Tamaki asked, "Yes, she did. She thinks Akihiko needed a partner who was paying attention to the lesson in class." I explained, leaning back against the couch. "Has he tried to speak to you about what happened?" Kyoya-senpai looked up from his computer screen, the glare hitting his glasses. "Well... Yes, but I haven't listened to him or what he has to say. And every time he passed notes to me in class, Yori has intercepted the notes and threw them away." I ruffled my hair, "Should we listen to what he has to say?" Haruhi asked, "He has been wanting to apologize since it all happened. I feel like we should give him a chance." She added.

"I would want someone to give me a chance to apologize if I did wrong by them." Honey-senpai spoke up, shoving a large forkful of cake in his mouth. I grimaced as he somehow managed to finish the entire slice of the cake in one sitting, I never truly realized how traumatizing it was to see him down cake like it was water. I can now fully understand, Honey's younger brother, Chika, and how traumitzed he must have been when seeing this late at night. I'm suprised he hasn't had a tummy ache after eating all those sweets. Haruhi and I thought for a moment on his comment, he had a good point. After all, he did wrong by me and I listened to him after we broke up.

"A chance to do what? Possibly go behind our backs again and break our trust? No, nope. Not a chance." Kaoru said, walking into the club room with Hikaru following behind him.

"I bet his apology isn't even sincere." Hikaru muttered, "It is." I looked over my shoulder, Ian sauntering in with Yori and Anna behind him. "And how do you know that?" Tamaki-senpai asked, sitting up on the couch. "Because I actually talked to him. Not that I had an actual choice but he sincerely wants to apologize to Emi and Haruhi about the whole incident. He even cried." Ian placed his bookbag down on the floor, "Wait a minute... You're telling me, Akihiko, the most narcissitic guy we know, cried because nobody would give him the chance to apologize to Emi?" Yori started, "Yes, he did. I saw the tears for myself."

"And you're sure he wasn't faking those tears, Ian?" Kaoru quipped, he sat down on the couch next to me.

"Those tears were genuine, guys. He really is hurting deep down that he hurt Emi so badly. He just wants someone to hear him out. He sincerely wants to apologize for taking Yuki-chan in the first place. He asked me to get him an 'in' with you, Haruhi." Ian locked eyes with my sister as I held Yuki-chan, to be honest, I didn't want to even talk to Akihiko. But I have to do this project with him so it's either do it or fail the assignment and that is not something I want to do, not when Haruhi and I go in this school on a scholarship.

"An 'in'?" Haruhi looked confused. "Yes, but I told him that I can't do that. I told him to give you two space. Especially since he is not good with words." Ian sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "He never was good with words, especially comforting words." Anna crossed her arms, huffing lightly. "I don't trust him or his word. No matter how sincere he says he is. I say just ignore him." Kaoru sat back, "What do you think about that Haruhi? Do you want to hear him out at least?"  Ian asked, Haruhi looked at me, the two of us silently communicating with one another. She could tell I didn't want anything to do with Akihiko, he broke my trust and that is something that can't be easily given back.

"I'll listen to him. Emi doesn't have to. Is he in his club room?" She stood up, "Yeah, he should be." Ian nodded.

"You're going to talk to him now?" Anna asked, looking dumbfounded. "Yes, I am. Anyone else want to hear him out?" Haruhi looked around the room, "I'll go." Hikaru stood to his feet, we were surprised to hear that. "Hikaru!" Kaoru called, standing to his feet. "It'll be fine, Kaoru. We'll be back." The two walked out of the club room, leaving everyone in shock.

"I suppose now is a bad time to say that we'll be cosplaying as fairytale characters..." Tamaki-senpai chimed in.

"Do you even have to ask?" Yori questioned.