Before Haruhi attends Ouran Academy, she is described as an average girl as seen in flashbacks when she had long brown hair and wore a girl's uniform. However, upon enrolling at the prestigious school, her image changes drastically. When Haruhi is first introduced in the anime, she sports a nerdy, androgynous look that differs greatly from her middle-school appearance. Having gotten gum in her hair just before the school year begins, she cuts it short. Being unable to afford the expensive Ouran uniform, she wears shapeless, baggy clothing. With her messily-styled hairdo, large glasses (which once belonged to her grandfather) and masculine clothing, she is assumed to be a boy. Apart from the few times that she dons a wig during cosplay, Haruhi resembles a short boy with cropped brown hair. Her female clients often comment on her eyes, pointing they're feminine. Haruhi is sometimes likened to her deceased mother, Kotoko Fujioka. This resemblance is particularly notable when she dresses up as a female during some of the Host Club's schemes and events. Just before she leaves Japan to study in America, her biological gender is revealed as female in the manga, and though most students are initially disbelieving, they quickly accept and embrace the idea. Haruhi's appearance outside of school varies. She often wears simple tee-shirts and Bermuda shorts or a feminine dress coupled with jeans. Her father, Ryouji "Ranka" Fujioka, is persistent in his attempts to have Haruhi dress more in more feminine garb, but adores his daughter nonetheless. After Haruhi leaves for America, she grows her hair out until it reaches its original length, keeping it long throughout college. Haruhi's red rose. Haruhi's rose color in the Host Club is red. In Japanese culture, this signifies life and romance, an apt color for the heart and lifeblood of the series. In Western culture, the red rose is a symbol of beauty and perfection, which is how the Host Club boys view her. Throughout most of the world, the red rose symbolizes true romance and a loving heart. Personality Haruhi self-identifies as a biological female; however, she believes that gender is irrelevant in how a person is perceived or how their roles in society should be met, making her a non-conforming female. Her dressing as a boy and accompanying boyish behavior and speech at school is due to circumstances, versus gender dysphoria. She is blunt in her communication, seeing no point in being less than completely honest. Her insight into the motives of others' behavior is keen, though she is clueless about her own feelings, particularly when it comes to those of physical attraction or romance. Having been raised under less affluent circumstances than her classmates at Ouran Academy, she displays more practical and responsible qualities, and is not easily swayed by the Host Club's charms. Even when she first meets the boys, she only reacts nervously instead of becoming instantly infatuated like other girls. Haruhi also has a deeper voice than other female students, has short hair and dresses in an androgynous style most of the time; thus, she is not easily recognized as female. Although she may be unflappable under normal circumstances, she suffers from Brontophobia, which terrifies her to the point of paralysis. Apart from this, she tends to have a peaceful nature, refuses to shirk work and is crazy about gourmet food, especially ootoro, which is sometimes used as a bribe to involve her in the Host Club's crazier schemes. Without such bribery, however, Haruhi is described as "apathetic," especially when it comes to making decisions and, particularly, in regards to the Host Club itself. She is also rather oblivious when it comes to her own emotions, an example of this being her unawareness of her developing feelings for Tamaki Suoh over the course of the manga. Upon being designated a Host, she becomes an immediate hit with the guests due to her conversational skills and charming smiles, gaining her the title of the "Natural" type. Though often exasperated with her fellow club members, she cares deeply for them, in her own way. In return, the boys are quite protective of their "secret princess" and regard her with respect and affection in spite of any antics they may demonstrate.