This is an "Extra Chapter" from Volume 03 of the Ouran High School Host Club manga series entitled, A Day in the Life of the Fujioka Family.
Synopsis
Chapter Summary
The story takes place eight years before the manga begins, when Ryouji "Ranka" Fujioka is 27 years old and still dressing primarily as a man. He works as a liquor store clerk and Haruhi Fujioka is seven years old, with long hair and bangs. She goes to Izumino District 3 Grade School. Kotoko Fujioka has been deceased for three years.
Ranka is his usual cheerful self while asking Haruhi about a certain note from the school. Haruhi simply answers, “paper.” Ranka notes that it's a request for parents to come the school’s Open House. He keeps talking about the Open House, but Haruhi distracts him by asking about their meal. Not wanting to disappoint her, he eats his soup and says it is tasty. Haruhi apologizes for the egg roll which did not turn out too well, but Ranka says that it's tasty, too. (A side note from Bisco Hatori states that Haruhi's cooking only included rice, soup and egg roll while Ranka cooks the main dish.
Ranka continues to brag about Haruhi’s miso soup and egg roll. Haruhi finishes eating, then prepares to go to her room to do homework, however, he grabs her as she's leaving and asks why she didn’t mention the Open House to him. Haruhi struggles to escape and he calls Haruhi a “bad girl" and asks what she did about the notification, saying that she shouldn’t claim that she forgot it. Haruhi explains that Ranka doesn't rest properly because he puts in a lot of overtime at work. (A flashback shows a listless Ranka who looks like he's about to faint.) Ranka says he could have taken a day off and made up work on another day. Haruhi screams her objections, shocking her dad.
Ranka takes a framed picture of Kotoko and sobs on it, thinking that Haruhi is going through a rebellious stage. Back at work, he shares his thoughts with the store's manager who jokes that Haruhi is acting the way she is because Ranka is gay. Ranka becomes angry and grabs the store manager's neck and explains that he was originally bisexual, but after Kotoko died, he swore that he would never love another woman. Ranka continues to come up with excuses for Haruhi's behavior, such as her being afraid of being bullied. The store manager tells Ranka to stop hallucinating, adding that since he made Ranka work so hard, he might also be held responsible for Haruhi's feelings on the matter, but does not believe that Haruhi is going through the “rebellious stage.” He suggests that Ranka think about improving their father-daughter communications and allows him to go home early. It's revealed that Ranka never finished high school.
When Haruhi returns from school the next day, she finds Ranka dressed in a business suit. She asks what's going on. Ranka replies that he thought of showing Haruhi his “manly side” from time to time and wonders if she likes him that way. Haruhi says not really, that all sides are the same to her. Back at Ranka’s workplace, he still ponders why Haruhi won't let him attend the Open House.
At the ongoing Open House, two women who look like mothers tell Haruhi that they're sad that Ryouji didn't attend, describing him as a "pretty daddy." Haruhi looks at other children happily talking about their families with their parents. That evening, the store manager brings Ranka home, intoxicated. Once inside, Ranka hugs Haruhi and Haruhi notices that he smells like alcohol. The store manager explains that not being able to go to the Open House was a big shock to Ranka, so she should be sure to invite her father to attend the next time there's an Open House at school. Haruhi replies that she won't, shocking Ranka further. Haruhi explains that she'd rather he rest at home because he's always so tired. In that way, they can spend the whole day together when they're both free. Hearing these words, Ranka hugs Haruhi tighter. He says that it was difficult for him to understand Haruhi's insistence that he not come to the Open House, but knows now that it's just Haruhi's way of showing her love.
Ryouji and Haruhi
A few days later, Ranka gets the day off and picks up Haruhi from school. He tells her that they will spend the entire day together, to which Haruhi agrees, holding onto her father’s hand as they walk back to their house.
Characters In Order of Appearance
- Ryouji "Ranka" Fujioka
- Haruhi Fujioka
- Kotoko Fujioka (photo only)
- Liquor store manager
- Class Moms