Garden: Takashi Morinozuka Love Story

19. The Ultimatum

No one had heard from Naomi or her brother after the incident. It hadn't been disclosed whether or not they'd been kicked out under Ouran's zero tolerance no bullying rule or if they'd been so viciously humiliated that they decided to never come back.

"At least you don't have to worry about them messing with you anymore," Hikaru reasoned after their math class.

"Yeah, but I still feel a little bad," Hibiki said.

"Why? They were bullying you. Bad things happen to bad people. It's called karma," Kaoru explained. Hibiki hummed quietly.

"We still haven't figured out a way to get you to stay here," Kaoru changed the subject.

"There's nothing we can do, guys. This is a very big opportunity for my father," Hibiki reasoned.

"Seems like you don't really wanna stay," Hikaru said, glancing at Hibiki via skeptical side eye.

"That's not true!" Hibiki piped up. "I love it here at Ouran. I love my friends and the host club! I love my teachers here and the friendships I've built with you all."

"You love Mori-senpai, too, isn't that right?" they hummed synchronously, leaning into her teasingly.

"What? I-it's not like that guys," Hibiki blushed.

"Debatable," the duo shrugged.

"Takashi and I..." Hibiki stopped to think about how she wanted to word that next sentence without giving the twins the wrong idea. To love Takashi - that would be taking it pretty far, wouldn't it? Surely, he couldn't feel that way about her. It was obvious he cared for her and, yes, they did have that night at Kyoya's resort, but she couldn't be sure that he loved her.

"Your face is all red, Hibiki," Kaoru noted.

"Aren't you just the cutest. You must be thinking about Takashi. That's the only reason," Hikaru pried.

"You guys are the worst!" Hibiki whined as she placed hands on her burning cheeks.

When the trio made it to their abandoned music room, everyone stood around, awkwardly looking to one another, and then turning towards Hibiki.

"What's wrong, guys?" she asked, her face still pink. Takashi, sitting on the ledge of a window didn't bother to look Hibiki's way.

"Takashi?" she muttered.

"We've been delivered a compelling ultimatum," Kyoya said as he approached Hibiki.

She ran home that day, pushing her way through the shop, ignoring her mother who'd cheerfully called her name as she entered, and ran upstairs. She slammed the door open and marched into the living room where her father sat at the table, sipping tea.

"Marriage?!" she shouted.

"Good evening to you, too Hibiki. Would you care for some tea?" he asked calmly.

"The only way you'll let me stay here is to get married?" she continued to holler.
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"Why don't you sit down and we have a civilized conversation about this, Hibiki. I'll pour you some tea," he said.

Hibiki sighed, trying to calm the raging irritation that boiled inside her, and sat on the opposite side of the table, facing her father. "Now, lets discuss this in a more peaceful manner," he said calmly.

"You went behind my back and set up an agreement with Mr. Ootori about an arranged marriage," she stated. Daisuke took a sip from his cup before he poured his daughter a cup.

"If you want to stay here in Japan, those are my conditions. Mr. Ootori doesn't seem to mind them at all. He thinks you'll be good for his son," Daisuke explained.