This section contains SPOILERS. You have been warned.
"Kao-chan, do you like Haru-chan?"
"Hunny-senpai..." Long pause. "... yeah."
~ Mitsukuni Haninozuka to Kaoru Hitachiin (V10C45)
Shipper Nickname: KaoHaru
Does this pairing have a chance of happening?: No, not really.
Romance Record:
Kaoru is the first to actually admit in words aloud that he does like Haruhi. (V10C45)
Kaoru is the first, out of the host club, to confess to Haruhi. (C52)
Krys's Thoughts:
The younger of the twins, Kaoru also loves to flirt with and tease Haruhi with his brother. In the same scene with the ginger cookies (V1C3), Kaoru licks cream off Haruhi's cheek. Yes, with his tongue. In V5 during the summer job arc, Haruhi and Kaoru are talking outside the inn, and for once, Kaoru is by himself. A window falls from the second story and Kaoru protects Haruhi with his body. Is this the efforts of a friend or someone who wants to be more? At first, it just seems like harmless flirting. Apparently though, these feelings grow into something more for the younger Hitachiin twin.
I didn't think it would happen, but in Chapter 45, it's confirmed - Kaoru does in fact like Haruhi. However, this isn't something out of the blue. Hatori-sensei has dropped several hints along the way. The moments between Kaoru and Haruhi may not be as significant as say, falling in a net with her like Hikaru, but they're still there.
Kaoru admits his feelings aloud to Hunny, but there's still Hikaru to consider as well as Tamaki and the others. It is sometimes forgotten that Kaoru can be very perceptive. He knows and realizes his feelings. Despite this being revealed to the readers so much later in the series (it's already the 10th volume!), Kaoru has been the one to take the most action concerning his feelings. He confesses to Haruhi (C52), face to face - something he wanted to accomplish for himself.
From my reading of the aftermath of the confession (Chapter 53), I don't believe Haruhi truly understood that his confession was one of love. I think she thought it to be a simple statement of friendship-love. Plus the fact that, while he says he loves her, right after, he says that Hikaru is still more important to him. Judging from Haruhi's reaction to his confession, Kaoru concludes that Haruhi still has no desires in the romance department, as she is rather blind to the implications of the confession and Kaoru kissing her on the cheek. Kaoru officially labels his love for Haruhi as unrequited.
Still, Kaoru is satisfied because he did his best in confessing to her, and confronting his feelings. While he acknowledges it as love, he admits that his feelings for Haruhi aren't so strong that he wants her all to himself, in contrast to Hikaru's feelings. Now, Kaoru wants Hikaru to do his best in pursuing Haruhi - he's decided to help and support Hikaru, no matter what.
It seems this may be the end for the Kaoru and Haruhi pairing. Kaoru has stepped aside for his brother, but not without resolving his own feelings. I think there's been some beautiful character development, but I don't know if I like how tightly the Kaoru/Haruhi story arc has wrapped up. In Chapter 51, there's a gorgeous drawing of Kaoru looking at Haruhi from a window - a look of such adoration and love that it breaks my heart a little to know it ended like this for him. Kaoru, however, seems content with his decision, and I suppose we'll have to wait and see if Hatori-sensei will want to revive it. I think Kaoru's feelings are pretty much resolved though - if there were any chance for KaoHaru to survive, it would have to be on Haruhi's end. And that seems very unlikely to happen since she is Haruhi, and - well, Haruhi has still shown no romantic inclinations towards anyone. Yet. Haruhi has, in fact, started to develop feelings for a certain blonde.
What about the anime?:
Kaoru and Haruhi may have shared some flirtatious moments on Kaoru's end, but that was all in good jest and teasing more than anything substantial. It's hinted at that Kaoru may have feelings for her when Mori and Hunny talk at the end of Episode 23, but by the end of the anime series, there is still no romantic development between Kaoru and Haruhi. At most, anime-wise, these two are very good friends.
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