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[individuates]

I don't even know if this thing is working the way I think it does, but if this is getting through to whoever kidnapped me and brought me here... you clearly have no idea who I am, who you're dealing with and precisely whose wrath you have just provoked, so I'd better enlighten you. You have just provoked not one, but five of the biggest corporations in the country. I've acquaintances who could crush you with their little finger so whatever game you're playing? You'd be best off releasing me and ending it now before you get hurt. No matter what you do, you're only gonna end up being hunted down and taken care of. And when I say 'taken care of', I meant in the worst possible way.

[All of this is written in a pretty big rush, with lots of underlines, double-underlines, triple underlines, capital letters... he's totally venting, here. And the following comes as an afterthought.]

No amount of money is worth losing your faculties, believe me.

Comments

[hostess]

It's because the castle took it away from you. ..Hunny-senpai doesn't remember who Mori-senpai is at all.

[individuates]

[All right. Sitting down now. Very, very carefully.]

...and it's not coming back?

[hostess]

[She shakes her head slowly.]

No.. everyone loses something dear to them.

[individuates]

But... but that's not... [trails off, staring down at his hands before glancing at her]

...what did you lose? You don't look different...

[hostess]

I'm honestly not sure. I do have a guess, though.

[individuates]

[please distract him] ...what's your guess?

[hostess]

Well, I went to Ouran to get a good education so I could become a great lawyer, right?

[individuates]

Right. So... what's changed? You forgot your education?

[hostess]

No. I just don't really care about becoming a lawyer anymore. And that's the only thing I can really think that changed.

[individuates]

But... that was your dream. That's why you kept kicking my - our - asses at school and stuff.

...is it weird for you? For that to be gone?

[hostess]

[Haruhi shrugs a little listlessly. She hasn't really.. opened up to anyone about this, and even now it feels sort of weird.]

I guess.

[All of that drive is just.. gone.]

[individuates]

[nudges her gently] ...but Haruhi's still Haruhi.

It's not... completely gone, I think. Just hiding really well.

[hostess]

[Haruhi smiles a little at him, and it might be possible to see in her expression there, just for a second, how much she's missed both of the twins since she's been in the castle.]

I'm not worried. I'll get it back when the castle sends me home.

[individuates]

[he nods slowly. He'll... try to remember that.] Well since there's no school for you here anyway, it's probably okay for you to take a break from your studies, right?

[hostess]

[She gives him a slightly bewildered look.]

I still study.

[individuates]

[he looks completely startled for a moment, before he finally recovers and bursts out laughing]

[hostess]

[SHE IS... a little bewildered.]

What?!

[individuates]

[his laughter tails off a little sooner than usual, but he still has a small smile] Just like I said. Haruhi really is still Haruhi.

[hostess]

I guess so. I'm not sure who else I'd be if I weren't.

You should have a room in the castle, too, you know.

[individuates]

Mmm, I think that's where I started from. [he kind of freaked out and ran from there. A little bit awkwardly] ...but I don't remember where it was.

[hostess]

We'll both look for it a little later, then. It shouldn't be too hard.

Gahhhh, classes >_<

[individuates]

[nods slowly] All right. I guess that's okay.

Same here!

[hostess]

It's not so bad here. You'll get used to it, and maybe you'll be lucky -- and be home before you know it, mmkay?

So slow. My elementary kids killed me with cute. They made a play about English class.

[individuates]

I suppose. But... home's still home.

So... what does this place have to do for fun?

BAW. <3 What was it like?

[hostess]

There's a rec room filled with movies and video games. There's a giant pool, lots of places in town -- a huge library, too.