Haruhi's twin

Chapter 66: Akihiko's Guilt

Ian's pov

It has been a full week since Kasanoda, Tamaki-senpai and Yori found Emi's Plushie, Yuki-chan. To be honest, I was glad that they did because Emi seemed so miserable and I absolutely hated seeing her so upset. Especially because she has been a good friend to me and was there for me when the girl that I liked moved away. Since then, Emi's been in a somewhat good mood and it seemed that with time, she was getting better. The hosts were very protective of Emi now, it seemed like they wanted less and less people to have the opportunity to hurt her like Akihiko did. All I know is that after watching Kaoru punch Akihiko in that meeting, I definitely did not want to make him angry. Not ever. I also noticed within the week that Akihiko tried countless times to talk to the other host club members, even trying to get through to Haruhi, who immediately turned him away. All of the members, even those who weren't in the club such as Nekozawa Senpai, gave him the cold shoulder. I met Nekozawa senpai one day heading to the club room with Emi, the two of them have a very close bond. So it was only natural that he seemed so protective of her. So the only person he could turn to was apparently me, which I found completely ironic. I didn't want to help him either, not with the way he constantly made Emi uncomfortable by flirting with her. I also didn't want to help him because of the way he treated the people around him, including me, although I could see his guilt. And even though I had told him no the first time, he still wouldn't take that for an answer and kept coming back to me. This is how I found myself standing in the middle of his practice room, Akihiko basically pleading for me to help him.

"Please Ian, you have to get me an in. All I want is just to apologize to Emi and earn her trust back. Please."

"Why haven't you asked Haruhi? I'm not the one you should be coming to." I shook my head.

"Haruhi won't even look my way and every time I have approached both of them, Haruhi usually walks away with Emi in tow." He explained, I sighed in response. "She won't let me near her. Not even to apologize."

"Akihiko, honestly. You need to give her space. You need to give both of them space. I doubt Emi is ready to just forgive you after what you did, you took her most important item just to give it to some girl you want to woo. That plush is the one thing she's got left of her mother and you thought it was a great idea to just take it and give it away. You dug yourself this hole, Akihiko. Because you don't care about anyone else but yourself. That's how you've always been since we met you." I put my hands in my pocket, I looked away from him and up at the clock on the wall. Noting that it was almost time for the club to start, I was planning on attending the club meeting so I could hang out with Emi. After all, I am one of the male customers she has.

"I know.. I know I screwed up big time. I just want a chance to make things right. You have her ear, you have Haruhi's ear." He pointed out.

"I may have their ear but I'm not going to vouch for you and make them listen to me try and put you back in their good graces. You screwed yourself over and you broke their trust. You are the one who did all of this. You should be the one to reach out to them. Now I gotta head out, good luck with everything, Akihiko." I walked past him, grabbed my bag and headed towards the door. Behind me, I could hear Akihiko's breathing change. I put my hand on the doorknob, pressed down on the handle and opened the door just slightly. I sighed, looking down at the door handle. I was shocked when I heard Akihiko sniffling, "Akihiko," I spoke, I turned my head and looked over my shoulder. When Akihiko looked up at me, I was shocked to see the tears pouring from his eyes. He really felt guilty and upset with himself, those emotions coming from him were actually genuine. "I know it may not seem like it now..." I started, "But it will eventually get better. Just give them some space. And whatever you do, don't provoke Kaoru or Yori. Kaoru has proven that he will resort to punching you again and Yori might not hold back like he was during the meeting." I said. "Good luck, Akihiko. Honestly, I mean that." Akihiko wiped his tears, nodding his head.

"Thanks."

"Yea."

With that I left the practice room and headed down the hall where I ran into Anna, who seemed frazzled. So much so that she literally ran into me, the two of us collided. She yelped as we collided, I wrapped my arms around her to catch her. I fell backwards, holding onto Anna, who fell on top of me. Anna and I made eye contact with one another, a dark red blush adorning my cheeks. When she noticed our position, she immediately panicked and blushed beet red. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry, Ian." She pushed herself off of me onto her feet, brushed herself off and offered her hand to me. I took her hand, I was surprised when she pulled me onto my feet because it felt like she had no problem pulling me to my feet.

"It's okay. Honestly. I'm sorry too. I didn't pay attention to where I was going either. It's fine." I apologized, brushing myself off.

"I was in such a hurry. I'm so late for club, Kyoya-senpai is going to be so angry with me for being late again." She panicked, "I was actually just heading that way. Why don't we walk together?" I asked, "Sure." She smiled, I felt my heart pound out of my chest. The two of us headed down the hallway, talking and laughing with one another as we headed to the Host Club.