Title: Soften Heart
Rating: T
Genre/s: Humor/Friendship/Romance
Character/s or Pairing/s: Kaoru
Author's Note: Well here is the 6th chapter. I hope you like it. I'm still not good about the developing crush of Sarah to Kaoru or maybe Kaoru to Sarah. Well whatever. Just read and review please!
Italics-English. Sarah is still adjusting in using the Japanese Language so there might be a mixed a italic and non italic in the story. ^^ I'll make a chapter something about the Japanese Language in a chapter of this story.
Thank you Dark-Scimitar for being my beta reader. :D
Summary: Sarah Anne Krummen, a student from Switzerland, doesn't know how to write or speak in Japanese. One day, she accidentally met the Host Club. What would happen to her life in Ouran? Will she fall in love? Will one of the host fall in love with her?
Disclaimer: I love Kaoru Hitachiin very, very much! But I couldn't keep him. I do not own Ouran High School Host Club. The real author is Hatori Bisco.
Chapter 6: Sarah-chan's Birthday
It's Sarah's Birthday! Sarah wasn't really excited about her birthday because she had experienced nothing really wonderful about it when she was in Switzerland. Sarah woke up early in the morning. She didn't know why. Maybe she was used to waking up early. She sighed and chuckled. “Oh great, I'm an early bird also.” she mumbled.
After doing her morning routine, Sarah went down to the dining room to eat her breakfast. She saw her mother, cooking some bacons. She went to her and kissed her mother. “Good morning, Mom!” she said. Her mother smiled at her as she placed the cooked bacons on the plate. Sarah sat down and started to eat. While they were eating, Mark came down from his room. He looked surprise when he saw Sarah eating already.
“You woke up early” he said as he kissed their mother.
After Sarah had finished her breakfast, she placed her plate in the sink. “I don't really know why. Maybe I'm used to it.” She slipped on her shoes, got her bag, and kissed their mom.
“Sarah, why are you going to school right away?” he asked, wanting to know something. His sister glanced at him.
“I just want to go to school.”
“Oh yeah before you go, I have one question.” he said, his sister stopped and turned to him.
“Yes?”
“Sarah, I've noticed that you always hang out with the twins and the nerd. Are you hanging out with the Host Club during club activities?” He saw his sister twitched a little and waited for an answer.
'Oh no. I'm dead meat.' Sarah thought. She regained her composure. “Me? We are just friends, Mark, and why would I stay with the Host Club during club activities? I joined a club and it's Classical Music Club. Mark, please don't be so suspicious. I didn't do anything risky.” she said as she left the house.
Mark sighed in relief. He felt that someone patted his shoulder. It was his Mom.
“Mom?” he asked.
“Mark, you shouldn't be too over protective. She might not like it if you continue. Just let her be and trust her. Even if she lied now, she won't fall in love with someone because she's dense.” her mother said. Mark smiled and chuckled.
“I guess you're right.”
Walking in the streets, Sarah looked at the vast blue sky, remorsefully. 'I don't want brother to get angry at the Host Club that's why I lied and lying is not a crime.' She sighed, depressed. Then someone patted her. She looked back and saw Keito smiling.
“Huh? Keito? Why are you here?” she asked.
“So you can speak in Japanese eh? You're silly, I'm not a super rich person but my parents want me to study here. I just walked to school everyday. Ah, I forgot something...” He trailed off as he pulled something out of his pocket. He gave Sarah a cute dog key chain. “Happy Birthday!” he proclaimed.
Sarah quietly observed the dog key chain. Keito looked at her, gloomy. “Why?”
“Nothing, it's just that this is my first time receiving gifts from someone.” she said as she still observed the key chain.
Keito raised his eyebrows. “Really? Never in your whole life?” The blonde girl nodded, reluctantly.
“Oh I see. Hey, later in lunch, we, Classical Music Club, will hold a party for you. Would you join us or should we do that during club activities?” he asked.
“Well I-” She was interrupted by two identical twins.
“Keito senpai...” Hikaru said, smiling.
“Sorry for that but unfortunately Sarah-chan cannot go to the club activities.” Kaoru finished the sentence.
Keito looked at them skeptically. “And why is that?”
“Keito senpai...” The twins chorused. They turned and looked at Sarah. “Sarah-chan we had an agreement with the schedule of club activities, right?” The twins asked.
“Well yes.” Sarah answered. She really didn't know what the twins were up to.
“Do you remember the rule?” Hikaru asked.
“Hmmm...let me see. Ah I get it, I will stay in a club for 2 days then after 2 days I would be in the other club.” She said.
“Yes and yesterday, Keito-senpai, Sarah had just visited us. So today is the second day.” Kaoru said.
“So, goodbye, Keito-senpai!” They chorused as they dragged the blonde girl with them.
“Hey, stop dragging me!” Sarah whined as she tried to escaped from the twins' grip.
“We don't wanna,” The twins replied back.
Sarah tried and tried to escape but then gave up. “Okay you win.” she said, sighing in defeat.
“That's a good girl.” Hikaru and Kaoru said.
'Lord, why does this happen to me everyday?' She thought as she let the twins dragged her to school.
“Good morning class,” The teacher greeted class 1-A.
“Good morning sensei!” The whole class greeted back.
“For today's art lesson, we're going to draw.” This statement caught Sarah's interest. She then immediately raised her hand.
“Teacher, you said we will draw today right? So are we going to draw whatever we want?” She asked. The teacher looked at her blankly.
“Good question, Sarah. I was going to announce this.” With this, Sarah sat down and listened.
“You have two options on what theme you're going to draw. First of all is Season then the second is Farewell. It should have an explanation on the back and the drawing must fit the theme. It would be your test and it consist of 60 points. You can choose whatever coloring materials you would use. Enjoy!” Their teacher said.
The whole class then began to choose their coloring materials. Sarah chose oil pastels, crayons, color pencils, and ¼ illustration board. After she had gotten the pencil and eraser out of her bag, She started to storm ideas.
'So the easiest theme to draw would be Season. Okay so let's go, Sarah!' She thought as she started to draw.
She drew a field of different varieties of flowers with many bright colors. Some of the flowers were blooming and some were still closed. She drew an apple tree on the the left side, a mountain on the upper side and placed gold flinch birds flying up in the sky. She drew the sun last. Then she began to color it with the oil pastel. She pressed the pastel hard but careful in the illustration board. At the finishing touch, she place the a title in cursive word. It says, My Spring Serenade. Sarah wrote her name and explanation on the paper.
It said:
I chose this title because whenever I think of Spring, it would always calm me down. I like Spring, it makes me happy when I am sad. It calms me because of the beautiful view. The flowers blooming, birds together singing and flying, and sun radiating its wonderful rays. Also one day, I hope that would be like the flower, blooming and showing its beautiful petals. Right now, in my opinion, I'm still a seed, waiting for someone to take care of me. When that person loves me and nurtures me, I will grow and bloom .
She passed it to her teacher. The teacher looked at her work and he was amazed.
“So you took art classes?” he asked, still looking dumbfounded.
Sarah smiled. “Yes sir.”
“You can take your lunch.” he said. Sarah bowed and smiled.
“Mark!” she shouted as she saw his brother.
“Hey! So how's your class? Did someone greet you this morning?”
“Well, Keito gave me a gift.” She said as she showed th dog key chain.
“Ah, it's cute.” her brother remarked
“Yes, it is." Then she looked at the time in her watch. She was late. Before she could dash off, the blonde looked at her brother. "Brother, I have to go now. I need to attend my club. Bye!”
“Ah, wait!” Before Mark could continue, Sarah already dashed off. He ran a hand through his hair. “ That girl.”
“Why do I have to wear this dress?” Sarah asked, looking ashamed and disgusted of herself.
“Because...” Hikaru trailed off as he put his face closer to Sarah's face.
Kaoru copied his brother's posture. “...it looks good on you.” he said.
Sarah seemed to be unaffected as she more focused on her dress. It made her uncomfortable. “Uhmm...I hate this dress. It looks like it's for prostitutes.”
The costume was elegant. The dress was color black while the apron was color white. It was made from the finest silk in the world. The outfit ends at the lower knees, and it's apron covered the black dress, while the ribbons tied around the waist. The dress was paired up with a long socks that ends in the thighs and a shiny, doll shoes.
The twins pouted at Sarah's words, “You're so rude. It's not for prostitutes.”
“We...” Hikaru said.
“...made these dresses for you two.” Kaoru continued.
"Because it looks good on you two.” they proclaimed.
“Oh really? If the other girls misunderstood me and they thought I'm seducing the Host Club, I'm going to kill you two.” said Sarah, giving off a menacing aura. The twins gulped.
“Your dress is no different from Haruhi's, except for the color.” Hikaru said, making Sarah feel a little more comfortable with the dress.
'Rich Bastards.' Haruhi thought.
Their todays theme was waiters and waitresses. The boys wore a white polo with long sleeve and a plain black pants. The girls really had to wear a maid outfit that ended up above the knees. Sarah wasn't use to wearing this kind of dress, but she would surely go for it for the sake of her debt.
They started the activity and welcomed the ladies. It was surprising that they didn't get angry at Sarah for wearing such dress. Sarah was really curious why, but she shook those thoughts away and served tea and coffee to the customers. She tried her best to look comfortable with it but she just couldn't.
“Sarah-chan!” Hani shouted. Sarah looked at the small blonde and went to him.
“What is it Hani?” she asked.
“Sarah-chan, come and eat a cake with us!” he proclaimed.
“Thanks Hani, but you still have some guest entertaining.” she said then she noticed the boy's frown. “...but I will eat a cake with you after the club activity.”
Hani smiled. “Yay! Sarah-chan will eat with me later! Cake! Cake!” He said.
'Come on Sarah. This is your birthday. Well I know it doesn't had any significance but at least have a new life.' She thought. So she served tea and coffee with a smile. Sometimes she would even entertain them by playing the piano or violin. At the end, she was feeling a little happy.
After all of the work, she was going to change her dress when the twins stopped her. “Tsk, tsk , tsk, you're not going to change your clothes yet,” The twins said.
Sarah raised her eyebrow. “Huh? Why? I finished my job.”
“No, you haven't finished your job yet.” Kyouya joined in as he fixed his eyeglasses. “Go to the Ouran Garden and you'll see something nice.”
Sarah sighed and followed because she can't do anything. 'Have patience, Sarah. This last task might help on cutting off your debt.' She thought as they walked to the Ouran Garden. When they had finally reach the place, Sarah's eyes widened. It was for her. There's a big cake and some desserts. They had a streamer that said "Happy Birthday Sarah-chan from the Host Club."
Sarah was dumbfounded and couldn't say anything. Tamaki then patted her head and said, “Why are you shocked? Don't tell me you didn't expect us to do this?”
“Tono's right for the first time. You didn't expect this one, did you?” the twins chorused.
Sarah was lost of words and she couldn't reply. Hani then held her hands. “Sarah-chan, let's eat the cake!” He proclaimed. Sarah was touched today. She really didn't know that someone would do this just for her birthday.
“Sarah-chan, are you crying?” A soft voice asked. Sarah looked at the person. It was one of the Hitachiin twins.
“Ah Kaoru, why are you here?” she asked as she wiped off her tears.
Kaoru looked at her skeptically. “How did you know I'm Kaoru and not Hikaru?” he asked as he sat next to her.
“Well, while I was with you, I had noticed some difference between you two. Your voice is much more softer while Hikaru's voice is more rowdier. “ She chuckled.
“Oh, I see.” Kaoru said as he took a bite from the blueberry cheesecake.
“So why are you here?” Sarah asked as she took a bite.
“Oh yeah that reminds me, I have something for you." Kaoru said as he shoved something in his pocket. “Close your eyes.” he ordered.
“Huh? Why?” Sarah asked.
“Trust me. This is a surprise.” Sarah shrugged and closed her eyes. She then felt that Kaoru was putting something on her hands.
“What is this?” Sarah asked as her eyes still close.
“Open your eyes.” Sarah did and she was shocked. It was just a bracelet but for Sarah, she never had receive anything like this ever since she remembered. The bracelets was in a chain of emerald stars. Sarah put it and looked at it. It was beautiful.
“Well, even though we're not close, I still gave you this as a gift. Thank you for being patient with us and Happy Birthday.” Kaoru blushed a little.
Sarah can't stop blushing and just nodded. “Thank you for the gift. It really is beautiful.” she said.
There was an awkward silence between them until Hikaru showed up. “Kaoru, we have to go!” When she saw Kaoru with Sarah, he remembered something. “Oh yeah Sarah-chan, Kaoru and I had something to give you.”
Sarah raised her eyebrow. “Huh? I thought... never mind” She didn't continue when Kaoru pleaded with his eyes.
“Our gift for you is that dress you're wearing.” Hikaru proclaimed.
Sarah sweat dropped. “This one?”
Hikaru nodded. “That dress was really made for you so keep it.” Hikaru said.
“I don't really know if I could accept this as a gift." She looked at herself, disgusted. "Okay, so I should change now.” Sarah said and left the twins.
When she came back from school, she saw Mark in front of her, tapping his foot on the floor.
“Where did you go to? Did you know it's 6 pm?” he asked.
“I was at school, practicing.” Sarah said.
“Oh really? And what do you called that extravagant bracelet?” He asked.
Sarah had realized that she had forgotten about the bracelet. “This is nothing.” Sarah said as she took off the bracelet on her wrist.
“Oh really?”
“Yes Mark. I bought it at a store.” She answered as she went up to her room.
Mark looked at her sister. “Well that was a weird reaction.”
In her room, Sarah placed the bag on her desk and lie down to her bed. She looked at the bracelet in her hands. She remembered Kaoru and blushed madly.
'Sarah, stop thinking about what happened earlier. It's only a birthday gift.' She thought as she punched herself weakly. 'But...' She looked at the ceiling absent-mindedly. “...after that, I can't stop remembering him.”
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