Absquatulate

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

//Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club.//

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHILDREN

"Asami," the young girl seems to be lost in her head as she stares mindlessly at the water fountain in front of her. She went into the garden at school to gather her thoughts before school started for the day. She needed some time to herself. She knows that the news of Emica's arrest will be buzzing everywhere today. She saw the headlines in the media when she went on her phone after she woke up. Every form of news outlet seems to be reporting on what is happening—even including how Emica is trying to go for custody. Thankfully, no one knows about the surrogacy yet excluding Asami's family and the police force. She wonders if Kyoya knows about it considering it is his father's police force. "Asami." Maybe she needs to leave and go hide forever in a hole. She wants to avoid the stares and whispers she'll be sure to get today. Paparazzi reappeared on her lawn, trying to capture any photos they could of her. People chased her down into the car, demanding that she tells them how she feels about the entire situation. Luckily, Tamaki kept them at bay and made sure no one got too close to her. Is he going to have to do that every morning now? What's going to happen when she goes home later? "Asami," she startles out of her thoughts as a gentle hand is caressing on her cheek. She glances up to lock her eyes with Takashi. "Are you okay?" People seem to be asking her that question a lot nowadays and each time, she is unsure how to answer them. With others, she often feels like she shouldn't burden them with her problems and bottles her emotions up; however, as she stares into the gentle and caring eyes of Takashi, the boy who eludes a protective aura, she finds herself throwing herself in his arms as she cries. He wraps his arms around her, softly stroking her hair and rubbing her back while she sobs. "It's okay, you don't have to hold your emotions in with me," he whispers, "I'm here for you."

"Em–Emica," she tries to say something to explain why she is crying. "Arrested b–but she–she,"

"You don't have to talk right now," he shushes her, "I'm here to listen once you're ready to talk after you get all your emotions out." She appreciates his comforting aura and hides her face in his chest as she sobs harder. Takashi glares at any student that tries to get close in curiosity. Most of them immediately turn away once they spot him and his dangerous expression, but a few students were brave enough to still try to approach him. Luckily, Takashi has befriended the animals in the garden by taking care of them and the birds start to peck at everyone they notice he is glaring at. The birds ward off any other stragglers in the garden from the two. Asami feels safe in his arms, knowing that he is protecting her from being seen by others. She eventually calms down, sniffling a bit when she hears the bell ring for class.

"We're going to be late," she says and tries to move, but he continues to hold her in place. "Takashi?"

"School can wait." He muses. "Let's focus on you right now." He gently brings his hands up to wipe away her tears and his finger linger on her cheek before dropping back to their original position—her back. "How are you feeling?" She is surprised at how much he is speaking to her considering he tends to be more quiet.

"I don't know what I feel." She admits. "I'm happy she got arrested, but I'm also sad about it. I'm angry she's trying to go for custody, but I'm also glad because that shows she still cares about me. I know I should hate her and I do because of all the pain she's caused my family and me, but..." she pauses.

"But she still raised you." He comments. "She was there for you in your vulnerable moments growing up. She was your mother and you still see her as such in a way."