ONE OF MY FAVORITES GOD I LOVE THIS SERIES

Some good, fun stories and not much romance, that's good for me.

Wow, looking at my files, it’s been over a year since I’ve read any OHSHC, how sad. I finally asked about it and the library got caught up and I have all three volumes (yay). I have to say if you only tune into OHSHC for the funny, volume 16 is going to disappoint you. It’s actually very serious, bordering on dark.

For me, this is where the real story is. The silly is just the candy coating to a much more interesting and tragic tale. First off, Hunny and Mori are graduating and Mori is stepping out of his more subservient role to challenge Hunny to a martial arts match. We get to see their fathers, how the other students see the two eldest club members and Mori gets some needed character work.

From this, we fast forward a bit to spring break and the end of Haruhi’s first year at the school. What should be a happy time is marred by Tamaki’s grandmother inviting him to the main house. Whether or not Tamaki realizes the dark underpinnings to this isn’t clear but it has not escaped Kyoya nor Kaoru’s notice (and Kaoru is starting to really develop his own agendas and show his intelligence separate from his twin). Kyoya and Kaoru are aware that something is very very wrong with this.

And without being tremendously spoilery here, Tamaki is subjected a cruel set of circumstances by his grandmother, stripped of the servants who raised him, forbidden contact with her and his father at the main house, limiting his time at school for any after school things like the club and even taking away his dog.

Later we do see that Tamaki is somewhat aware he’s being screwed but he’s doing it to protect Haruhi. Unfortunately for them both, Grandma is still gunning for her.

This was not humorous in the least but it was a very interesting turn of events. The art was lovely (except for the shojo first kiss which was done very shojo art style, okay OHSHC is Shojo but you know what I mean, the hearts and flowers crap).

This also came with three short stories in it. The Egoist club which I could never get into. One with the twins grandmother which was okay but the one I really liked, and was very well done, was how Haruhi’s parents got together. It also answered something I wondered for a while. Is her father a straight man who likes dressing as a woman or is he bisexual?

Perfect. Beautiful. No notes. The angst makes my chest hurt but I love it, I can’t wait for the ultimate happy ending. The story of Ryoji and Kotoko at the end was an especially nice touch!!