OMG, why can't I do a freakin' oneshot? I suck at life! Anyways, I love the Japanese voice actor for Tamaki! He's also the voice of Light in Death Note and of Kiba from Wolf's Rain... so smexy.
Nanami sat quietly in the safety of the fourth music room, her hands fluidly and gracefully soaring over the keys in a manner that would even rival that of Chopin... that is until a loud ruckus in the room next door forced her away from the ivory keys of her ancient Steinway piano. Rising from the bench, Nanami pulled her golden hair back up into a twisted bun (she wore it down only when playing, and in private) and rolled down the heavy key cover. Closing the lid that protected the heart of the piano so dust wouldn't collect on the strings, Nanami tip-toed out of the sanctuary of the fourth music room and peeked inside the room next door only to come face to face with her worst fear.
The Ouran High School Host Club.
"Haruhi! Why aren't you excited about the Sakura festival?" came the loud, unanimous banter of the red headed Hitachiin twins, Kaoru and Hikaru.
"It just seems a little frivolous-" Haruhi stopped mid-sentence as she caught the unwanted blue stare of Nanami impeding on her form the doorway. Although Haruhi wore a male student uniform and hid in the testosterone sanctity of the Host Club (so no one would suspect her gender), Nanami found herself, nonetheless being enraptured by the situation within the room. It was a well known school tradition that the Host Club went all out at the end of the year, but it was simply... ethereal the way the decorations and ambiance were tweaked to the utmost subtle class. Unfortunately, she was caught staring.
"Haruhi, I'm sure I've told you time and time again that the preparations for the festival are to be an absolute secret!" The man in charge of the operation, Suou Tamaki, the utterly insufferable and undeniably charming upperclassmen strode into view to reprimand Haruhi, who had no idea what he was talking about.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Haruhi stated flatly, before her brown eyes perked up at his implication.
"If you don't know what I'm talking about, then why is your adorable friend waiting at the door?" Tamaki continued, tossing his meticulous blonde hair out of his eyes before casting a suave smile in Nanami's confused direction. Tamaki's obtrusive voice however, had carried through the Host Club, catching the attention of the other five members.
"I don't believe she's even been on our guest list, m'lord," the studious and mysterious Ootori Kyouya stated matter-of-factly as he pushed his thin framed glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose. Tamaki cursed the gods briefly before declaring even more boisterously:
"If only it had been another day! Then I would've invited you in with all the commodities and antiquities that a good host should always give to a visiting lady!" By this time, Nanami had realized she'd been spotted and fled back to her fourth music room where no one ever bothered to enter. There she was safe: no scrutiny, no ridicule... just her and her piano.
The next day at school, Nanami found herself in the fourth music room, sight reading a new piece by Bach, Legato in G minor. Very soothing, also very gloomy. Nanami continued to hear the clatter and clang of various celebration mishaps next door, although she never once allowed herself to return for a gander. However, she was startled one day when she heard the opening of the door as she sat behind the keys. Haruhi, the girl from the Host Club waved anxiously at the girl behind the piano before waltzing over without an invitation. Nanami sat frozen behind the bench before Haruhi spoke.
"I heard you playing as I went past. It sounded really good," she trailed off, looking at Nanami and judging her reaction.
"Thanks. Look, I'm sorry about the other day! I didn't mean to spy or anything-"
"No problem! Those guys over there are a little harsh about that kind of stuff anyway." The brown haired girl ghosted her fingers over the gleaming white finish on the piano before sighing.
"How come I don't see you around school too much..."
"I'm Nanami... and I guess I just... I don't really know. I go to class, and then I come here. What year are you Haruhi?"
"First, and you?"
"Second."
"Mm, just like Tamaki and Kyouya-sempai," Haruhi thought briskly before nodding as if to acknowledge their meeting.
"I hope to see you around Nanami!" the brunette smiled before leaving the blonde girl in an awkward silence with her music.
Strolling down the hall toward her fourth music room on a Friday afternoon, Nanami heard none of the normal boisterousness from the room next door. Deciding to chance it, Nanami gingerly opened the door to find the Host Room all but abandoned. The decorations for the Sakura festival were prepped to be hung in the courtyard, but the host club itself was absent. The large back double doors, leading to the veranda, however, swung open freely and led into the hedge maze that encased the 100 acre back yard of the school. Nanami didn't know quite what came over her as she entered the maze unwittingly becoming enraptured in the tall green hedges that hid the other pathways from views. I've never done anything like this before! I only hope I can get out of here before it's dark! the blonde girl fretted as she dashed down the long corridor-like pathways that winded and crossed until she came to a gazebo in the center. Roses hung wistfully from the roof and tangled down the posts that held up the wooden structure.
All the running it'd taken for Nanami to arrive at this place had left her feeling relieved of stress and almost... happy. She'd never felt quite so... happy in her life. Sitting down on the bench under the rose-shaded roof, Nanami felt strangely at peace. It almost feels like playing the piano, Nanami sighed as she rested her head on a wooden post, resting from her exertion through the maze. Soon after she had stopped to rest, Nanami perked up at the sound of someone running toward her. Suddenly, a figure was standing at the entrance to the gazebo. She was no longer alone. Cowering in her social shyness, Nanami scooted over so that the other side was left open for the stranger, though on closer inspection, he wasn't a stranger at all.
Panting unabashedly, Suou Tamaki flopped unceremoniously down onto the bench beside the confused and ignored blonde girl, who merely blinked her blue eyes while awaiting to be acknowledged. After a moment, when the host leader had caught his breath, he realized that the girl from a few days ago sat beside him under a set of most unusual circumstances. In the blink of an eye, the blonde host had regained all of his hostly composure before plucking a rose and extending it in a gesture of flattery to the surprised girl.
"We hardly met under the right circumstances so many days ago. I am Suou Tamaki, co-founder of the host club. Who might you be?" Tamaki's blue eyes glazed over with his unparalleled mastery of charm as he lifted Nanami's limp hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. A blush crept across Nanami's face before she responded shakily:
"Nanami."
"A glorious name for a glorious creature," Tamaki continued, releasing Nanami's hand before straightening his posture.
"Do you come here often?" Tamaki offered, acknowledging the girl's strained behavior and giving her a simply chance at conversation.
"Um, no, actually. I was just well, I was curious as to why no one was at the Host club so I stopped over because I didn't hear anyone and-"
"So you did come for a visit! How gracious of you," Tamaki gushed. Nanami now realized there'd been a reason she'd avoided contact with the Host Club. If they were all as relentless at achieving the affections of the girls at school, then she would absolutely loathe a visit to their club. They're all self-absorbed, Nanami reminded herself before she became too enveloped in Tamaki's undeniably good looks and charismatic personality. Accept Haruhi. She seems nice. After a few more moments conversation, Nanami could hardly believe herself. She was upholding an actual face to face chat with someone-a boy she didn't know, and she was enjoying it! Must be the evil enchantment of the host club. That's how they capture unsuspecting victims like myself. Even after this realization, Nanami remained in the gazebo with Tamaki. She couldn't help herself. He was offering his company, and she was accepting it; that's all there was to it.
"Perhaps we should head back to the school. It's getting dark," Tamaki suggested, getting to his feet and once again offering his hand to the girl beside him. Again, she accepted. What is the matter with me? Nanami scolded herself for being so obliged to this complete and somewhat annoying stranger. She suddenly choked at the implications. You have a crush on Tamaki! THE Suou Tamaki! Her inner mind was having a heart attack and laughing at the same time.
I've never had a crush before, Nanami realized, as she held hands with Tamaki through the darkening maze. Each time he turned around to reassure her that they would find their way out, Nanami's blushed deepened. Tamaki's long slender fingers were laced with her small, petite ones, perfect for hitting a fifth scale on the Steinway. G-minor was her favorite key...
"Oh!" Nanami recalled suddenly, pulling her hand from Tamaki's grasp and looking guiltily up at the twilight sky.
"What is it Nanami-chan?"
The endearment struck the blonde girl and she hastily tried to hide another blush. A nickname... like we're already friends. Nanami sighed. Ever since she'd dedicated herself to the piano all those years ago, she'd lost the ability to have friends. Her parents wouldn't allow social activities until she was a worldly and accomplished pianist.
"It's just that I forgot my sheet music in the school! If I don't get it by tomorrow, my parents will kill me!" After realizing what she'd just said, Nanami covered her mouth with her hands. No one needed to know about her personal life, least of all this flirtatious boy! And now, knowing she played an instrument, he could find her. There were only four music rooms; two used by the band, one used by the Host Club, and that left the fourth one open... If he discovered her though, would it really be a bad thing? Nanami smacked herself again for succumbing to the Host lord's charm.
"I know how that feels," Tamaki smiled over his shoulder continuing to lead the way to who knows where in the maze.
"Y-you do?" Nanami nearly stopped dead in her tracks. How could this care-free play boy have any idea of the kind of pressure she was under from her parents?
"Yes. I used to play the piano diligently. But now my father would rather have me work on managing the family business," Tamaki sighed wistfully.
"And what does your mother think of your music?" Nanami pried further; knowing full well it wasn't her place, but asking anyway. She was just so astonished that this flamboyant second year that she'd never acknowledged until last week and today actually shared something in common with her.
"In truth, I don't know what my mother thinks. We've been separated quite some time," Tamaki replied. A slight silence followed in which neither blonde could fill with words.
By the time they reached the school, the doors were locked and the sky was the color of midnight with a thousand stars glittering above. After realizing the school was closed for good, Nanami conceded to the fact that punishment awaited her at home. She sighed.
"Won't the host club be worried that you've been gone for so long?" the girl quizzed, seeing as how pretty much the entire campus had vacated. Nanami had momentarily given up on grieving her own problems, and acknowledged her empathetic nature that burned within her; filled with worry for other people.
"They mostly let me worry about me," Tamaki responded, turning back towards Nanami.
"And your family? What would they think of you being out this late?" Her parents never worried about her. As long as she showed up for piano lessons, they never questioned her whereabouts.
"Oh, they won't be a problem..." Nanami trailed off, wondering how best to end their meeting.
"I suppose I'll see you around?" the girl offered turning away from her companion and heading towards the road. Tamaki however, interrupted her getaway.
"It would simply be unfitting of me to leave you to get home yourself! I shall personally see you home," the blonde declared, summoning Nanami with him towards his limo which had been waiting outside since the end of the school day. She felt, once again, obligated to go with him. He is a host after all! He won't do anything inappropriate, Nanami reasoned with herself as she rode in the comfortable back seat of Tamaki's limousine, feeling slightly guilty that she was causing this imposition.
"Why, this isn't an imposition at all! Simply a man doing his duty to help out a kind and beautiful lady, such as yourself."
Flattery. Again. And you're falling for it. Again. The rest of the ride was silent as the limo rolled into Nanami's driveway and she proceeded from the vehicle.
"Now, now Nanami-chan. It would only be polite for me to walk you to the door, since we have come so far together." Nanami became quite startled by this revelation, but didn't protest. At the steps, the valiant Tamaki merely bid the girl adieu and flitted away into the night. Nanami, after the loss of the contact, sighed. She'd never been with one single person that long since she was a child. I hope I get to see him again, Nanami fantasized before she entered her house.
Going to bed that night, Nanami once again realized she was without her sheet music. She'd never hear the end of it from her parents, and that was what she dreaded most of all; the look of disappointment in their eyes when she showed up empty handed to her music lesson. With this thought floating in her head, the girl was troubled into an unfitful sleep.