Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall I ever in the near future own Ouran High School Host clubs. Tanaka Sayuri, however, I do claim as my own.
Sayuri really had no idea what she was doing there. Her left hand lay on the doorknob of the Third Music Room, and the other clutched the envelope that contained the invitation she had received during lunch. Apparently, the Ouran Host Club had somehow gotten word of her musical abilities and wished to initiate her into this club thing as the minstrel or resident musician of sorts. At least, that's what she had gathered from the rather cryptic invite.
The brunette second year pushed aside all of her uncertainties and pushed the door open. Her ears were greeted with the sound of light conversation and the tinkling of silverware against fine china plates. Her eyes were met with the sight of several dozen girls being entertained by a half dozen male students, the hosts, she assumed. Her immediate impression was that they were like male geisha, artists and companions for the lonely.
"Ah, Tanaka-san," said a voice off to her left. It belonged to Ootori Kyoya, a dark haired host who looked very official with his glasses and clipboard. His greeting brought Sayuri out of her analytical state.
"Konnichiwa," she greeted back. He seemed vaguely familiar. Perhaps he was in her class...She hadn't really been paying that much attention to the other students since she'd transferred to Ouran a week ago.
"You're early," he observed, after glancing down at his watch. The invitation had requested her presence at five o'clock, but it was only four fifteen.
The new girl shrugged. "My apologies if it is an inconvenience. I lost interest in wandering the halls aimlessly," she said in a business-like manner. This was business after all. She wondered for a brief moment if she would be paid for her services, but the thought evaporated quickly.
Kyoya was caught a bit off guard by this girl's attitude. She was very forward, to say the least that was for sure. "No, no. It is no trouble. If you would follow me, I will show you to a table for you to wait at until club activities are done for the day," he offered, making a sweeping gesture towards a back corner of the room.
Sayuri nodded and followed him, warily. Her social interactions with people her own age had been few and far between in the past. Not to mention somewhat disastrous. Then again, not much else could be expected from her past lifestyle. Her social inept-ness was a constant reminder that she was even less ordinary than her filthy rich peers here at Ouran. She sat and watched them for the better part of the hour, wishing that she could converse so easily with others.
After the clock chimed five times, the other girls slowly trickled out. Kyoya beckoned to Sayuri, and they, along with the rest of the Host Club, moved into the preparation room. The blond host, whom Sayuri had found to be quite over dramatic, took a seat at the head of the table. Everyone else took their seats, but Sayuri remained standing at the other end of the table. Her light blue eyes traveled over the hosts, finishing her silent analysis of each.
"Konbanwa!" the little sandy-haired host called to her, clutching his stuffed rabbit.
She grinned at his attempt to break the awkward silence. "Konbanwa," she replied, giving him a bow. She was fairly certain that he was her senior, even if he was rather small.
"I don't believe formal introductions have been made yet," Kyoya remarked. He rose from his seat and said, "Ootori Kyoya." Sayuri marked him as the behind-the-scenes guy.
The blond rose next, and was at Sayuri's side in an instant. He took her hand, brushed his lips against the back of it, then winked up at her. "Suou Tamaki," he said. He was most definitely their leader and the face of the club.
"Hitachiin Hikaru and Kaoru," the flaming red headed twins chorused, bowing to her, indicating that she was their senior. They were trouble-makers, as all twins that Sayuri had had the pleasure of knowing seemed to be.
"I'm Haninozuka Mitsukuni, but call me Hunny. And this is Usa-chan," the littlest host said, giving her a wide smile and holding up his pink bunny plushie. He had to be the cute factor in this club. "And this is Morinozuka Takashi," he added, nodding towards the tallest, and most silent, of the hosts. He was probably only in this for the little guy. She wondered why he did not speak for himself.
Lastly, the feminine looking host stood. "Fuijoka Haruhi," she said, bowing. So she too was a first year. Sayuri couldn't imagine how an innocent such as this last one had gotten involved with this club.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Sayuri replied politely. "I am Tanaka Sayuri, although I have a feeling that you all knew that." The mirth in her voice danced in her eyes. This received a resounding chuckle from most of the hosts, causing the girl to sigh inwardly in relief. So far, she had not created a total catastrophe. At the beckoning of Tamaki, she took her seat. She smoothed the skirt of her yellow dress, busying her hands.
"I'm sure you are anxious to know why you were invited here today," Tamaki said, flashing her a smile.
"Oh, only a little bit," the girl responded keeping her tone of voice completely serious.
Before Tamaki could make a dramatic response, Kyoya cut in, getting down to business. "It is a widely known fact that you are a musical genius," he said bluntly.
Sayuri was quite taken aback by this, never really having been told this before. Whoever had established that fact most likely had done so through her grandparents. But she remained silent, allowing him to continue.
"However, you have not shown any interest in joining a club that would benefit from your talents. There are many at this school who would give anything to have you in their club, for the prestige that you could bring to them would be enormous. We would like to offer you a position as the official Host Club musician," he concluded.
"And what would you be willing to give?" she asked, the business-lady her grandparents had raised rearing her head.
The glimmer of a knowing smile flickered across the shadow king's face. Hikaru and Kaoru sighed, getting the feeling that this meeting was going to be painfully boring. Perhaps they could turn it into a game. The two edged over to Tamaki, who looked equally bored as Kyoya and Sayuri hashed out the terms of the possible arrangement.
"My lord, let's play a game," the whispered in unison.
Tamaki looked to his left, then his right, taking in their mischievous glances. "What game?" he asked tentatively.
The devil-type twins shrugged, then looked around for inspiration. Mori sat stoically next to Hunny, who was devouring a sweet cake. Haruhi was trying to look interested in the discussion between the shadow king and the new girl and was failing miserably. Her hand moved slowly to cover her mouth as she let out a wide yawn. This sparked the twins' imagination and they turned back to Tamaki.
"Ok, my lord," they said.
"The game is simple," Hikaru began.
"Whoever gets Kyoya-senpai to yawn first wins," Kaoru finished.
They stared at the prince-type. "Well?" they asked together.
Before Tamaki could answer, a loud scraping noise filled the room as Sayuri's chair was pushed back. A softer 'thud' followed, produced by her small fists slamming against the table. "Absolutely not!" she cried, obviously opposed to whatever Kyoya had just suggested.
"Sayuri-senpai," Haruhi started, attempting to reason with the other girl.
"No," Sayuri said, cutting her off. "I'm sorry, Kyoya-san," she apologized before fleeing from the room.
Tamaki and the twins, who had not been paying much attention beforehand, stared after her with confusion written all over their faces.