An American Rabbit in Japan

“See, Bunny, see?” Tamaki gestured excitedly to the beautifully vast garden. A table, set for eight with beautiful china (made of the finest gold-rimmed porcelain) and lavishly decorated with centerpieces made of fresh white roses and unlit candles, was covered with a delicate tablecloth that fluttered in the breeze underneath the airy canopy that had been set up. The sun reflected off of the magnificent chandelier (that had somehow been attached to the canopy) and cast rainbows down upon them. Some of Tamaki’s servants were playing as a string quartet, just to add that extra touch of elegance. Bunny decided to not comment on how the picnic was so unlike a picnic.

“Why is there an extra place set?” She asked as Tamaki pulled her chair out for her.

“It’s for Usa-chan!” Honey said brightly.

“Oh, of course,” Bunny said with a smile.

Once they were all seated, Tamaki’s servants brought out the food and they began to eat.

“So, Bunny, what do you think? Is this a good picnic?” Tamaki asked excitedly.

Before she answered, Bunny imagined what a picnic usually was back home: a large, brightly colored blanket spread out on a grassy hill or bit of land; home cooked meals that consisted of things like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and blueberry cobbler served on paper plates and cans of soda. A Frisbee was usually tucked away in the basket, along with a book or two.

Then Bunny looked back at what was around her.

“Uh, well…”

Tamaki’s eyes glittered expectantly.

Kyoya smirked, hiding his amusement behind the mysterious sheen of his glasses.

Hikaru and Kaoru grinned at each other, then at Bunny.

Mori chewed with contentment, and Honey smiled at Bunny, a smudge of cake icing on his cheek.

“It is… unlike any picnic I’ve ever been to.”

It was as if fireworks were lit inside Tamaki. He was overjoyed beyond words.

While he was in the process of coddling a very disgruntled Bunny, Kyoya checked his watch.

“I hate to break this up,” he said, his voice obviously stating the opposite, “but it’s beginning to get a bit late. We would hate to have Bunny in trouble with her host father.”

Tamaki was reluctant to relinquish his iron grip on Bunny, but Daddy always listens to Mommy.

***

Feeling much more comfortable in her own clothes and very sleepy due to a full tummy, Bunny was glad to be going back to the apartment. Secretly, she was also sad to be leaving the Host Club (she was hesitant to call them friends yet), but she wasn’t going to tell them that.

But she couldn’t go to bed just yet. The entire Host Club insisted on escorting her back, and was waiting as she searched her pockets for the key. A sinking feeling crept into her stomach as she checked her pockets again, not finding it the first time.

“Uh… I can’t find my key.” A wave of exasperation went through the group.

“This wouldn’t have happened if Haruhi was here,” Hikaru muttered to Kaoru. Tamaki elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

“Maybe the landlady has a spare,” Bunny said hopefully.

“Can I help you?” A woman suddenly appeared, seemingly out of thin air. She looked at Bunny’s shocked face and laughed. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh no, it’s fine,” laughed Bunny. “Ah, I seem to have lost my key.”

“Oh! You’re the Fujioka’s guest, aren’t you?” She and Bunny shook hands. “I’m Mrs. Takahata, the landlady.”

I’m Bunny.”

“Oh, what a cute name!” Bunny’s cheeks turned pink.

“Thank you. But, um… the key?”

“Oh! Yes, the key. I do have a spare.”

“…Can I borrow it?”

“No.” She continued before Bunny had time to respond. “Mr. Fujioka requested that I don’t let you have it; he came back while you were away. He took a lot of luggage with him, but he left this for you.” Mrs. Takahata pulled it out of her pocket and handed it to Bunny. It was a letter.

‘Dear Bunny,’ it read.

‘If you’re reading this, then Mizuzu-chi and I were accepted into the Mr. Mom Beauty pageant. There was such a small chance of us getting in that I didn’t say anything to you or Haruhi. Don’t worry though – you’re not homeless ;) I had something arranged with Kyoya in case we were able to go to the pageant. I left all of your bags and other things with Mrs. Takahata. Wish us luck!

Love, Ranka-papa & Mizuzu-chi.’

Bunny tried to say something, but not a sound would come out.

“Bunny? What does it say?” Tamaki tried to take a peek at the letter, but she had an iron grip on it. She stared blankly at Kyoya, holding out the letter to him. Eyebrows raised, he gently took it from her (although he had to tug on it a bit). As he read, his eyebrows sink down lower and lower. When he finished, he sighed deeply with great agitation and rubbed his eyes.

“I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this,” he sighed, flipping open his cell phone and dialing a number with lightening speed. “No offense, Bunny,” he said over his shoulder.

“None taken,” she said quietly. She leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor. Kyoya handed the letter back to her. She made a futile attempt to smile, but gave up.

“Bunny-chan,” asked a concerned Honey, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just… frustrated.” The word fit perfectly as she dropped her face into a frown and propped her head up on her hand.

Kyoya snapped his phone shut.

“Bunny, my family’s car is on the way to take us to my home now.”

“C’mon, Takashi, let’s get Bunny’s stuff for her.”

“Mm.”

They left with Mrs. Takahata.

“Bunny, we still need to do more bonding!” Tamaki wailed, clinging to Bunny like a child. “Why can’t you come stay with meeeee?”

Bunny secretly wondered the same thing. True, Tamaki was incredibly foolish, and a bit obnoxious, but it would be less awkward than staying with Kyoya.

Besides, Bunny thought, Kyoya just plain scares me. She really didn’t act like it, but that’s because you have to hide it.

I bet he can smell fear, she thought with a shudder. She meekly peeked at him through her bangs.

The light created a glare on his glasses that hid his eyes, which didn’t help. His jaw was set – clenched in… anger? Frustration, perhaps? Either way, it scared Bunny enough to really want to stay with Tamaki.

“Haruhi and her father entrusted Bunny to my care, which is why she’s staying with me. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, though. No offense,” he said nonchalantly to Bunny, again.

“None taken,” she replied, again.

All too soon, it seemed, one of the Ootori family’s limos pulled up outside the apartment complex. With no effort at all, Honey and Mori loaded Bunny’s bags and things into the car. Kyoya raised an eyebrow at the amount of bags she had brought from America, and then gave her a look. Bunny rolled her eyes.

Well, I am living here for a little while. Besides, it’s not like you have any room to talk.

They quickly said their goodbyes (before Tamaki could unnecessarily drag it out any longer) and were prepared to leave when Bunny realized she needed one more thing.

“Mrs. Takahata, did Ranka happen to leave a phone number, or mailing address?”

“Oh, yes! Sorry dear, I almost forgot.” She fished a piece of paper out of her pocket and gave it to the young girl. “Now, there’s a cell phone number, there’s an e-mail address, and here’s one you can send packages and things to. Tell him good luck for me!”

“Thank you, ma’am, I will!”

Once they were in the limo and on their way to Bunny’s next temporary home, Bunny let out a sigh that managed to make her bangs dance.

“Do you really find staying with me that discouraging?”

Bunny jumped when Kyoya spoke. Although there was amusement in his voice, and he was smiling at her, Bunny still wasn’t sure of how much trust she should put into it. Yes, Haruhi had told her that she was a pretty trustworthy guy, but Bunny was sure that she meant financially.

“Ah, no, of course not,” she said, smiling perkily.

Please don’t kill me in my sleep.