Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was first period and the last Monday of freshman year. I, like the sentimental person I was, could be found on the top floor near the corner staircase, shaking my friends violently by the shoulders and fake sobbing for effect.

"IF WE DON'T ACTUALLY HANG OUT THIS SUMMER I WILL BREAK INTO YOUR HOUSES AND BRING YOU HOME WITH ME!!" I said jokingly, obviously.

My friends lia, Ari, and Yashi laughed, surrendering and agreeing to all make an effort to hang.

"It would be great if we invite some of the others too!" Lia said with the soft smile she always wore when speaking.

"Oh yeah! That'd be fun! The more the merrier." Yashi added. Motherly as always

Ari nodded as she put her grandma starter pack and or personal project along with her yarn and crochet needle into her funnily enough previous crochet project, her handmade tote bag.

With the agreement stated, we began listing things to do till the warning bell.

With Ari and Lia departing for their shared science class, Yashi scurries her way to math. I moseyed on to the second floor of our small high school and went to my study Hall I shared with two good friends of mine, Daniel and Cameron.

Walking in, I saw them in the back corner of the classroom near the windows Cameron and Daniel were talking about the newest Fortnite update. Walking over I put my backpack on the floor near my desk and sat down on my seat.

"You guys talking about Fortnite? I'm actually excited. I begged my dad for both the Miku bundles, and he said yes, surprisingly. But I'm really missing the Olympus map, and the skins, of course. I never got any of them. It was my favorite, aside from the Peter Griffin update that one time. His map and his skin will be missed." I said dramatically

"Yup, we are hoping to play more on VC during the summer. You gonna join?" Daniel confirmed

"Probably I've got a packed schedule with my friends from Discord and the others. VC, Mall, VC, Hike, Meet Up, more mall, VC, beach. Either way, I am getting better at not test shooting my guns!!"

Cameron gave me a knowing look "Really? Are you though?"

I nodded, "Yes!! I am! Trust okay!" Cameron mmh'd "Liess. I'll believe it when I see it."

"You will! Just you wait! How about Friday after school?"

"I'm down."
"Yeah." Daniel and Cameron replied

The day went on as is. The only thing that was different was me running around the building and getting all my teachers and friends signatures from the School Psychologist to all the lunch ladies who gave me free chocolate froyo and cookies.

Getting off the bus and reaching my front door, I entered my house. The first thing I saw was my sister running up, taking hold of my shoulders, holding on tightly, a death grip.

"ELYSE! ELYSE! WE'RE MOVING TO JAPAN!"

What.

WHAT?!

I was stunned. Excited? All my friends plans, out the window. poofed out of existence. Just like that. But Japan? Both my sister and I yearned to go there. For the culture, the sights, the temples...the Manga and Anime, collectibles! But this HAD to be a lie.

"Wait, seriously??? You're Joking." I said, getting out of her grip and walking to our shared bedroom. I just couldn't believe it. It was too good to be true.

"Yes! Go downstairs, Mom and Dad are on the phone with Ann-Emilien and the rest of the main family!" Arianna blabbered as I set my stuff on the floor near my desk under my loft bed.

"You know how our French family legacy is rich? Like royalty rich?" Arianna beamed. This got me to believe her just a bit. She and I hated the French. Well, at least our family. The adults, that is. SOME of our French cousins are cool too, but most aren't anyway. Just a bunch of old-money snobby spoiled kids because they get the fortunes and we don't. Secretly shunned by the family since my dad married a Mexican Immigrant in America. My mom. The woman who fought her way into his family and gained full trust from his father and half-brother. Even my aunts' ex-husband favored her more than anyone else in the family. But everyone else just seemed to tolerate her. Not truly accept her. It made me sick. So if my sister is happy about something involving them, it had to mean they were surrendering. Surrendering something big.

"Yes. Why?" I replied, thinking about what they were discussing downstairs

"They are returning our rightful titles. Our houses! The other properties! Chateaus! Even the one that bitch who married our uncle stole! The Money! The antiques!.. It's all ours!" Arianna's smile was ear to ear.

"They wouldn't." I was in disarray. They just wouldn't. So why?? I needed to calm down. Think.

"They wouldn't. Especially after Bon-Papa's (Grandpa’s) death. In fact, they'd take from us. All the antiques we care for here." It was now impossible to believe.

"But they never even read his will to us. Dad realized and pointed it out when he was in a call, catching up with Ann-Emilien. He got Ann-Emilien to read it with Alexander's influence. Apparently, Bon-Papa wanted to give all the luxuries to his first son! And that's Dad! The only thing being distributed was his net worth. Dad getting the bigger portion, Anne getting the second biggest, and Alexander getting the smallest." Arianna said

"For real...? Can we listen in? I need proof." Arianna nodded, and we headed to the basement. Dad's office door was closed, but thankfully not soundproof. We could hear every word. They confirmed the move to Japan, the money already being transferred and used.

40 minutes passed, and the call finally ended. We hurried upstairs into our room and acted as if we never left. Arianna was opening Zenless Zone Zero, and I was turning on my computer to catch up on an anime.

We heard footsteps. Two loud voices followed. Mom and Dad.

"Girls, come to the Living Room. We need to speak to you about something. It's very Important." My mom said sitting down with Dad on one of the chairs from Grandma's old house that we use. Arianna and I enter the living room and sit on the couch. Dad opened his mouth to speak.

"As you know, Bon Papa passed away a few weeks ago. Well, Ann-Emilien never read his will out to us..."

As he continued speaking, confirming what we already kne,w He began talking about what would happen from now on.

"Now that we have everything rightfully repossessioned. What are we going to be doing now? Well, mom and I have thought about it and had just gotten news that the Chateau they were building in Japan finished only a month ago and... We decided that we should move there. Now I know this move will be hard. With Arianna in college in New York City and you, Elyse, wanting to finish high school here. We have enough funds to hopefully fix those roadblocks. Tomorrow, your Mom and I are going to the bank to pay off the rest of this house's payments. So that will only leave maintenance bills, usage, and ownership payments. Taking the mortgage out of the picture. That way, Arianna can still live here and still commute to school in the city. Coming to Japan for the holidays. As for Elyse, we have found a really great school to finish your high school years. So, although you won't finish your high school career here, the school is open to you taking courses digitally at the same time you attend the other school in Japan. And my apologies if this was short notice, but we have about 6 weeks to pack our belongings. We are keeping a good amount of furniture here since we wouldn't want Arianna to live in an unfurnished house. And just because we are now living in Japan doesn't mean this house isn't our home. For visits, we can always fly back."

So this was all real. We are moving to Japan. And I still couldn't wrap my mind around it.

Throughout the final week, I informed my friends of the bad/good news. Sad that I was leaving but happy I can come back anytime I want, and now I can even make my promise to my friends that they'll visit all the family chateaus real. My family decided to host a big and a small moving party after school was out for the summer. One was professional with a dress code, dancing, songs, and cake. almost like a prom. And the other one was personal and at our house, a barbecue.

I told my friends that this move won't make me not stay true to our promises to hang out, but it will be hard sometimes to see each other face to face, as well as online at times, due to the different time zones. The only time I can hang out frequently is on Discord, but some of my friends unfortunately didn't have it.

And with that, the final week at school came to a close.

Chapter Text

The 6 weeks came by fast. Parties, farewell gifts from friends and neighbors, packing, and very little time to play games. But we all made it work. Going to the mall for the last few times with my sister and our friends, or our own private group of friends. Bowling, Karaoke, and arcade games. It was bittersweet. But here I am, 1 hour early for our flight to Japan. The French family had private planes move our belongings to the house already, so the only things missing were us and what we carried in our suitcases and backs.

We landed. After a grueling 14 and a half hours spent doom-scrolling movies, playing game pigeon, other mobile games, and listening to music on the beloved yet underrated YouTube Music. Our parents slept through most of the flight, but me and Arianna found a way to stay busy. We regret it now. We were finally on Japanese soil. Unlike the process to board the plane, leaving the airport was much easier. Heading outside with our luggage and dog Obi.

We spotted Ann-Emilien and one of our uncles near a limo. A bit much in my opinion. Just because you're rich doesn't mean having a limo is necessary. Then again, I did want a Hearse... and renovate the back to be somewhat like a limo but better. So it wasn't my place to talk. Loading in the trunk, we all got into the car and our uncle drove to our estate in Bunkyo, Japan, only 28 minutes from Tokyo, where we landed.

Looking out the window, just by a glance, anyone can tell this is where high society lives. It was kind of intimidating, I mean, I'm going to be going to school with a bunch of nepo babies. No offense, of course, other than my family and close rich friends, I have nothing else to compare. I haven't even met these people yet.

Arriving to the estate we gazed at our French style chateau surrounded by Mexican architectural buildings as well as Japanese. So I give the family some praise for including my mother's family's heritage as well as the country where the home was built. It's respectful. There was an 8 almost 9-foot-tall stone wall surrounding the perimeter of the estate. The front is decorated with a Gothic-style tall gate, a passcode needed in order to get in. The chateau itself was humongous, even without the four garages. Walking into our house staff greeted us at the door. I smiled. My mom wouldn't have to slave away cleaning the house anymore, but knowing her, she'd find an excuse anyway, no matter who and how many people are helping, because she liked staying busy. We all introduced ourselves. We even later found out that the land was big enough for extra housing if any of our employees needed help in that front.

Ann-Emilien gave us a tour. The interior and exterior of the house was enormous. In the entrance, nothing was open concept, all old-timey. The first floor was the foyer, standard but elegant, next room had a conversation pit with a coffee table in the middle, the living room was decorated with a huge fireplace in the front and a wide TV, and a huge library somewhat filled. Next was the Kitchen, newest equipment and a pleasing room by its decor, and finally the formal dining room, a long table with an old French sheet on top. In the corner, a door led to the patio outside. overlooking a garden, a trail to the rest of the backyard, playground, swimming pool, and things that were too far out to see just yet. The second floor had 2 play rooms and 6 guest bedrooms, all with well-sized bathrooms. The third floor had 3 bedrooms and 4 studies. 1 bedroom was for my parents, the other 2 were for me and my sister. All bedrooms had private bathrooms, walk-in closets, and mine even had a reading nook. Every single one of us had our own studies. The Fourth floor was the gallery, and 5th floor was another floor for guests. Then the attic for storage. Going down to the basement, we had 6 rooms, an indoor pool with male and female separated bathrooms, a pool table and a Ping-Pong table with darts in their own room, the bar, the arcade room, the theater room, the storage room, and the gym. Heading outside, we went deeper into the property grounds. we had several gardens, 4 green houses, 2 tennis courts a pretty decent sized golf course, open field, huge outdoor pool with changing rooms separated by gender that had showers and a bathroom with 4 stalls and 4 sinks, and a very sizable pond with aquatic life and birds with a pavilion and bridge."

This place was HUGEE.

With that, the day came to a close. We saw our family off after they handed us all the documents regarding the house and 6 keys. We decided to spend the rest of our time before collapsing from jet lag to get familiar with the staff. I mean, they are living with us, so we have to know them on a personal family level. We liked the fact that we have extra help around the house, but no one should be deemed a servant.

Next thing on the agenda, 2 weeks to unpack and get familiar with our new home. After that, I get enrolled in Ouran formally. I really miss home.

Chapter Text

After finally moving in fully and getting somewhat familiar with my county..town...city??? Aghh I don't know! I'm an American, for God's sake! This will have to take more time getting used to.

Anyway, today was the day I was to go to Ouran for proper enrollment. Meeting the Chairman, getting a tour, my schedule, and... my dress. I really don't want to wear a uniform. If it's pretty, okay fine, I'll wear it. But if not, I'm not joking when I say I'll get on my knees and BEG not to wear it if I have to.

Waking up to my alarm at an outrageous hour for summer only because I like the extra free time, 5 am having 2 hours to get ready I freshened up and got dressed, just some casual wear, band tee with a ripped off shoulder collar and some nice high waist pants that flare slightly at the bottom. Nothing too special.

Heading downstairs, Mom was making eggs. One for her and one for me because the other two were still sound asleep.

"Morning, Mommy!" I said, running to her, hugging her from behind.

"Morning, Mi hita."

I broke my hug and set the breakfast table for us. Mom put the hot and ready eggs on our plates. We finished shortly. Thanking her, I got my mini bag and water, going outside, I turned on the car, and went to the passenger seat as my mom got her bag, water, and wallet.

25 minutes later, we finally arrived. After parking, we saw a man standing at the entrance. Tall, nicely aged, some would say like fine wine, but he looks like he was about my dad's age or somewhere near the early and late 50s. Fine wine to me would be 60 or 70, yknow? Like a silver fox kinda deal.

My inner rant came to an abrupt stop as my mom and I walked to him. My mom and I shook his hands, introducing ourselves in Japanese for better practice.

"Good morning, Sir. My name is Elyse de (LAST NAME). Thank you for allowing me to attend your school."

Surprised by my above-average Japanese, he replied.

"You speak Japanese?" He asked, his smile showed surprise

"A good amount," I said politely

"You sound great! a bit more practice and help, you'll be speaking like a native in no time!"

"Haha! Thank you! Everyone in my family has been trying their best learning the language!"

We then switched to English

"How many languages does your family speak?"

"English is the most frequently used language in our house. My Dad speaks French, Spanish, and English fluently. My Mom speaks Spanish and English fluently but with a bit of an accent sometimes. She speaks French well, and with Japanese, she tries her best. My sister and I speak English, French, and Spanish fluently. We are pretty good with Japanese, though."

We continued our conversation on the way to his office. When we finally reached it, Chairman Suoh suggested I explore some of the campus as they finish the paper, and will call me back for uniform fitting and course selection.

Exploring the campus, I realized how huge it was. In a matter of minutes, I found the music wing. I always loved music and was even in my town's and my high school's Chamber Choir. Every year, I considered joining the spring musical but always chickened out. But I did a solo in the cabaret! I did cry after it, though. I remember when I finished and went to the back of the stage, I speed walked to the choir room and cried. Later, heading back to the PAC(auditorium), I went to Yashi and cried even more, silently, of course, rambling about my mistakes.

I continued my voyage throughout the music wing. and began hearing multiple faint voices. Afraid I might alert them with my footsteps, I slowly walked back to the main office.

I was turning a corner. My eyes glued to my phone since I was watching Cookie Run Kingdom TikToks due to the release of a new character.

And BAM!

I knocked into someone.

Hand on my throbbing head, I open my eyes and look ahead of me.

"HARUHI??" I yelled. Shocked to see her so suddenly.

"ELYSE???" Haruhi looked back at me with the same amount of surprise.

Astonished, we both pulled ourselves to each other, embracing one another.

"I THOUGHT I'D NEVER HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN!" I said

"ME TOO! A FEW YEARS AFTER MOM DIED, DAD GOT TOO BUSY TO SEND MY LETTERS!" Haruhi said, holding me tighter.

"WHAT??? YOUR MOM DIED??? HOW? I'm SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, THOUGH! although I'm so relieved! I thought something bad happened to all of you guys! I was crying for weeks!" I said, burying my head in the crook of her neck, breathing in my friend's scent as to make sure I never lose it again.

"You cut your hair. Looks cute! But you should have gone for a messy pixie cut! But you'd look good with anything, honestly." I said, changing the subject and wanting to catch up.

Haruhi chuckled. God, I missed her so much. It was just yesterday she, her mom, and her dad lived in America for a year. Going to my school. Sharing Karate classes. She was my best friend. And she still is, whether we can communicate or not. If we were in different parts of the world.

"My mom got really sick, and thank you! So what are you doing in Japan anyway? The whole family here too?" Haruhi asked, pulling us out of the embrace with our hands still glued to each other's arms.

"Oh! Well, y'know the French family? They gave us all of the fortunes! Money, titles, estates, you name it! And recently, a commissioned Chateau in Japan just finished a few months ago! So our parents thought we could live here instead of France to widen our horizons. More experiences, opportunities, all that jazz. My mom and I are here to finish up Enrollment. " I said, pausing.

"wait.. Do you go here!!!!" I beamed at the likely possibility, I mean, she was already so smart last time I saw her in an educational setting. I knew her Brains would take her far. Plus, why would she be here if she wasn’t?

Haruhi did her signature chuckle

"Yes, I go here. I won a scholarship for my entrance exam scores. Full ride! Been here for a few months now! since April!"

"I'm so proud of you!! And I'm so happy we get to go to the same school once again!" I sighed, then realized. School year systems are different here from America. The school year starts in April and ends in March of next year. So in reality, I have 1 week of Summer break left. Setting aside the sad news, I reply.

"I really missed it. The whole gang did and still does, we all wonder how you are doing on a regular basis." I said, bringing up our friends.

"The others, how are they?" Haruhi said with a slightly sad expression

"They are good! Ever since everyone got a phone, we use Discord to talk! other platforms too, but Discord is our main. We have a channel called Haruhi's Shrine, too! Even if you left the country, you never left the friend group! We even tell the newest members of the group about you! All of them wanna meet you someday. Maybe now it's possible."

Haruhi looked at me in a dazed wonder

"Wow. That's so thoughtful of you guys, really. And yeah, maybe it is Possible now! It'd be nice to see familiar and new faces!"

I sighed with a smile

"Good thing we share an online calendar. Things would get even more hectic if not."

"Oh, speaking of online... I have a phone!!" Haruhi pulled out a phone. It might have been an old model, but it was in pristine condition.

"Really?!?! Wait! Now I can add your number, and you can download Discord to reconnect with the others!!" I took out my phone and went to contacts

"Good idea!" Haruhi followed suit, and we exchanged numbers. After that, I helped her download and create her Discord account.

"Once I get home, I'll send you the invite, kay? I gotta go and get fitted for that ugly uniform. I'm planning on begging not to wear it." I said with a smile, knowing this time the goodbye isn't for long.

"Haha! The Chairman is a considerate man. Just ask and give him a reason in a nice way. I'm sure he'll allow it."

"I hope you're right, Haruhi! Text you later!!" I said, hugging her, before heading to the Chairman's office.

Haruhi hugged back, and after a few good seconds, we broke free. "See you!" She replied, waking off to music room 3.

Chapter Text

I entered the office shortly after my bump-in with Haruhi and immediately saw the hideous eyesore of a dress. Diverting my gaze, I turned to my mom and the Chairman.

"Paperwork all done?" I asked ready to go home at this point

My mom replied with a smile, "Yup, now it's just your fitting! The dress looks beautiful!"

"yeahhhh suree," I said sarcastically. I was still going to try it on to please my mom, but I'm 100% going to voice my utter hatred for the mistake of what fashionably blind people would call a dress. It's not a dress, it's an abomination.

I go into the connected bathroom to try it on with the help of my mom. I was allergic to Polyester and cotton, but not so much that I'd die from it, so I still wear clothes made from those fabrics because walking around in silk or lace during the day is crazy to me. Silk and lace should only be worn a certain way in public, and it should be used for certain party dresses, but it's mainly important to wear to bed. Still, the fact that I'm wearing this dress makes me wish it killed me.

Getting out of the bathroom, I modeled the dress for a few minutes and popped the question.

"Chairman Suoh? Is it absolutely necessary to wear the uniform?" I said as politely as possible.

"Well, yes, but we can make exceptions.. For instance, if a student can't afford it. Why?" Chairman Suoh questioned

"It's just that the dress isn't quite flattering in my opinion. Also, the puffiness is unnecessary in my eyes. Sitting down would be uncomfortable it makes you easier to be pushed by accident in the halls or shoved. Plus, yellow isn't a very pleasing color to look at. It's too bright or too murky. Doesn't go well with the blue uniform for the boys." I said, accidentally sounding like a critic.

Catching myself, I apologized.

"Oh, shoot, sorry! I sounded rude! Uhh.. I'm sorry, it's a good dres,s but not practical, you know... Um, is it okay if I am an exception to maybe not wear the uniform..? Your choice, of course." I asked awkwardly yet politely.

Yuzuru Suoh, a bit taken aback, held his composer. "Hmm, I mean, I suppose. If it is a distraction to your studies. And you don't wear anything too wild and inappropriate, but I assume you already know that."

I smiled and looked to my mom for the okay.

"Fine." Estela decreed in an I don't care anymore manner.

"Thank you!!!" I was relieved I didn't have to wear that waste of decent fabric

After some banter, was course selection. Course selection here is different from American public schools. Since it was for rich kids who had a path pre-paved for them, there weren’t many sports or class elective selections. I got my core classes and then chose electives. Greek mythology class, Advanced Psychology, music theory, and history. Leaving me a lunch period as the 7th elective. With that, we said our goodbyes.

"Finally!!! We can go home!" Elyse said as she got in the passenger seat.