Came up with this after binge watching a number of Man With a Mission videos, so all songs are own by them until I pick out new ones. Titles will be at the top of the ones I use. Only warnings are mentions of abuse, alcohol, cursing and soft hints of prostitiution.

Distance-Man With a Mission

"Is everything ready?"

A man wearing a large bear head chewing a cigarette turned to me as he stopped typing on his laptop.

"Just about."

"What about the drum set?" Another man stepped forward; a wolf with its tongue hanging out the side of its mouth on his head. "How are we getting it back this time?"

"I've got a pal in security. Once they're busy chasing us off the grounds, he'll pack it up and get it shipped back to your place." Bear replied, typing away. "We have to be quick though. Security might look bad now, but once they catch on we'll have to split up."

"How troublesome." A third bandmember complained, lightly tuning the bass guitar in front of him while wearing a snarling black panther head. "Tell me again why we've started crashing rich bastards' parties?"

"It was Rei's idea." Another younger man chuckled, a grinning fox head on his shoulders as he draped and arm across my shoulders.

"Oi, we said no using names while on the job." I grumbled, lightly shoving him off. "And I thought it'd be a good idea. We're still getting paid, right?"

Bear sighed. "Yeah, yeah. The uncle's paying us to do this and promised to slow security down since his niece is a big fan. Though I doubt her father will be thrilled, but you know." He shrugged. "Lights go out in five. Then, I'll wait for the guitar intro. Everyone ready?"

We nodded and moved to the door that would lead us into the ballroom.

"Good luck, guys." I smirked, reaching down and scooping up the deer head; putting it over my own.

"And… now."

Screams rang out from the people already in the ballroom as we snuck on stage and settled into position, before guitar began to play. The screaming calmed down as the people turned their gaze towards where the sound was coming from in the darkness, before the bass kicked in and the drums. The playing continued for a moment as excitement began to grow in the crowd as people started to recognize the tune playing and the spotlights kicked in to reveal the band on stage as I began to sing.

"Say, Look again it's missing
You felt it before He's coming for more
The daemon clutching you and blissing
Yeah, the mighty God's been watching down but here's the truth
We know that he was never here for us to listen
Cause everyone thinks they're under control
When it's a piece of cake for him just to plunder your soul ya know it
It happened in the start with Adam and Eve
Every blunder made in time is as usual on the roll

A slight hope maybe weak but strong enough to stand
The only thing we need just to get it in our hands
I'm reaching for it one more time
Let the voice roar Let it roar all over this land

Land."

The people began to cheer, having forgotten their usual manners at the sight of us playing and that fueled us into more of a frenzy as the chorus started up.

"Blast the horn. Relight. The world we change with all the might
Kono sekai wo koe yobikakete iru don't feel the distance
Relight. Prepare to fight. The world we want to change tonight
Yuzurenai ashita wo tsukami toru made don't feel the distance now."

Among the people cheering were the first signs of those older adults not exactly being thrilled with the sudden concert as they fought to push through the growing crowd of younger kids and get a hold of the security, so we picked up the pace.

"And everything is losing track where it's going to
We know that we don't wanna let it be or let it through
It's just a waste of time
Just waiting for the sign
Gotta start it on but here's one thing that you should know
You're the one to move. It's always the same
You're the one who choose. Nobody's ever there to blame.

Let us hold it in our hand again.
Get it on, Get it ready cause the "one more time" is now, now, now, now."

I started the second round of the chorus, holding up a finger and swinging my arm in a small circle to signal us wrapping it up. Security was on its way.

"Blast the horn. Relight. The world we change ignite tonight
Kaicha inai kako mo mirai mo sute hashiridasu we won't feel the distance
Relaugh. Prepare to fight. The world we want to change tonight
Koe wo furuwasete kakikeshite don't feel the distance now."

The guitar played its rift as I spoke to the crowd over their cheering.

"Did you all enjoy this?!"

They cheered loudly.

"Then you better keep looking for us! You better wait for us! Demand us! Because we might end up at your shindig next time! We might be crashing your rich ass party! And if you don't like it, then too bad! We're already coming for you."

Squeals rang out from the females of the group, before the lights went out and all they saw were the lights of our animal head's eyes. Then, those went out and we booked it out of there.I chuckled to myself once I'd caught my breath, having escaped the mansion and made it back to my apartment with my deer head, uncaught. I passed a hand over my violet dyed fauxhawk and unlocked the apartment door as my smile began to falter.

"I'm home." I called out softly and sighed heavily as the excitement and adrenaline from the concert faded at the sight of the messy, dark living room.

I removed my shoes and set the deer head in my bedroom before wandering back out into the living room and scooping up the empty beer cans scattered about and trying to make the room a bit more livable. I dropped off the trash bag in the kitchen and opened the fridge in search of something to make for dinner, but it was virtually empty. I found some eggs and cheese and managed to discover an unopened package of rice, making an omurice and setting it on the table. I didn't eat it though. There'd been only enough to make one and my mother should have been returning home in a minute or two, so I left it on the table and went into my room to prepare my things for school. I still can't believe they accepted two people this year for scholarships. A part of me is glad I can't afford the uniform though. They weren't exactly… my style. I heard the door then and hurried up with a grin, heading to greet my mother, only to find her pressed up against the wall in a lip-lock with an unfamiliar man.

"Mother?"

She pulled away with a groan and gave me a small glare as I glanced between her and the man still kissing her neck.

"I, um, made you dinner. It's on the table if you want it."

The man finally pulled up and gave me a look as well; both of them reeking of alcohol.

"Hm? Who's this?"

"My daughter." My mother grumbled. "Look, Rei, just throw it away. I'm going to be busy, so go stay at a friend's house or something."

"A-Ah, right." I muttered, moving to the kitchen table and wrapping up the food I'd made and putting it in the fridge where it would probably go untouched until it went bad.

"Oh, come now, Masako." The man holding her purred, shooting his brown eyes my way. "She might want some fun too."

A shiver went up my spine and I hurried to grab my school bag from my room.

"I'll just take the back way out." I said hastily. "Sorry for bothering you. Though, I'll go shopping tomorrow, mom. If you need anything just…" I looked back and saw the two making out once more; neither listening. "…Just write it down I guess."

I scurried from the room and into my bedroom; pulling on a hoodie and grabbing my bag before climbing out my bedroom window. The jump from the second story jarred my legs a bit, but it wasn't the first time I'd taken this route. My mom often brought various men home and some didn't take the word 'no' kindly when it came to leaving me be. It was annoying, but also upsetting. I just want my mother to be happy, dammit. And she had been for a while. I had had an abusive father when I was younger, but he'd been killed when he was drunk driving and wrapped the vehicle around a pole. I had thought we were finally free and that my mother and I were safe and could move on; have normal lives. Unfortunately, she had started to head down a similar path herself. She couldn't handle being a single mom and went from job to job until she managed to land one as a 'hostess'. Her taste in men hadn't really changed either. She always managed to find the sleezy, potentially abusive drunks.

I did my best though. I used the money I got from our band to buy groceries and make sure she had what she needed; giving her what money was left over once I'd bought food and saving a small amount of it for emergencies. I had worked during the school break as well, but I wasn't sure I'd have the time while school was in session. I was top of my class, after all. Needed to keep it up. And the band gigs were spontaneous, so finding a flexible job that would let me take a day off at the drop of a hat was hard. And now, I don't even have a place to stay. I plopped down on the park swing with a heavy sigh, swaying lightly back and forth as I kicked my feet in the sand. I'd try one of the band guys, but the whole point of us wearing those animal heads was to keep work and our personal lives separate. That, and they're all older than me except Toshi, our guitarist, but he's a middle schooler living with his parents and three siblings. They don't have space. Hisashi, the bassist, won't deal with me. I think he's got a deadline for his novel coming up. Kazuo, our techie and sampler guy, has to work at the security firm tomorrow morning and Yoichi, the drummer, has a wife and kids to deal with on top of working his restaurant. Guess I'm sleeping outside today.

I sighed heavily and considered moving to the bench nearby, but paused as a young girl stopped walking past. She blinked and I blinked, before I gave her a small smile and a little wave. She glanced down at my bag then and raised a brow in silent question as she adjusted her grocery bags. I had the feeling that she knew I was camping out and an embarrassed flush lit up my face as I looked away and scratched at my cheek.

"You okay?" She asked, making me turn back around to see she'd headed over.

"Ah, well, depends." I replied. "And I doubt you should be talking to weird people sitting on swings in the middle of the night."

She shrugged. "You're about my age and looked upset. And you're not that weird."

I raised a brow as she sat on the swing beside me and set down her groceries with a sigh of relief.

"Heavy?" I questioned and she nodded.

"My dad forgot to go shopping earlier and we were missing an ingredient for dinner… and a few other things."

"Oh."

We drifted into silence and my stomach growled rather loudly, making her smile.

"I take it you're hungry?"

I rubbed my stomach. "A bit, though I don't recommend inviting random strangers to your place for food."

"Yeah, but we went to middle school together."

I blinked, surprised. "What?"

She nodded as I looked her over again in confusion. "I'm Haruhi Fujioka."

"Um, Rei. Rei Kobayashi… You really went to Koishikawa?"

Haruhi nodded. "You were in the next class over, I think. Oh, sorry. I cut my hair recently because a kid stuck gum in it." She dug into her pocket and pulled out her middle school ID, showing it to me. "Does this help?"

I looked at it and my eyes went wide. "Ah! Yes! You were the other top student who go accepted into Ouran!"

She blinked. "You're the other scholarship student?"

I nodded, handing back the ID with a grin. "That's me. Small world, huh?"

She bobbed her head in agreement. "Yeah, no kidding. What are you doing out here though? It's really late. Aren't your parents worried?"

"O-Oh, well, um…" I scratched my cheek, trying to think up an excuse. "Not really? It's a bit complicated at home and I… I was told to go to a friend's place, but, well…"

"It's okay. You don't have to tell me." Haruhi waved off. "We didn't exactly know each other much in school anyway, but if you want, I'm sure my dad won't mind you coming over for dinner at least."

"What? But you just met me!"

"So? You seem like a good person and I might not know what's going on, but I'm not about to leave you here by yourself in the middle of the night. And my dad's probably already worried."

"Well, I guess if you're alright with it." I muttered, grabbing my bag and taking one of the grocery bags. "Let me help carry this then."

"Alright." She shrugged, picking up the other one and leading the way.

She lived in an apartment not much bigger than mine and when she opened the door a rather flamboyant woman grabbed her in a hug.

"Oh, Haruhi! Why did you take so long?! I was about to come after you!"

"Dad, I was fine. I just bumped into someone from my middle school, is all. I invited her over for dinner. Hope you don't mind."

The man turned to me after releasing Haruhi and grinned as I managed a smile.

"Hello. I'm Haruhi's father. You can call me Ranka." He greeted with a small bow and I bowed lightly in return.

"Rei Kobayashi. Sorry to intrude."

He raised a brow. "Your parents don't mind?"

"Ah, well, my mother told me to go stay with friends." I answered honestly, though still a bit uncomfortable. "Though, I uh… don't actually know Haruhi that well."

Haruhi sighed loudly. "I already told you, it's fine. She's the other scholarship student, dad."

"Oh! In that case, why don't you just stay over? You're both going to end up walking to school anyway, yes?" He smiled as I helped Haruhi unpack her groceries. "Oh, this is perfect! I'm so glad Haruhi has a girl friend to go with her to school."

I raised a brow at Haruhi, but she just silently shook her head, making me chuckle in amusement. Dinner was nice and I actually felt a bit jealous that Haruhi was able to have a nice meal with her father whereas my mother was either never around or never appreciated it. I love her though. That's why I try so hard. I keep my grades up, I cook for her even if it means it ends up in the trash later and I don't get anything. I'll do my best for her, because she deserves to be happy after what we've dealt with. I sighed softly as I looked up at the ceiling of Haruhi's room, and she rolled over in her futon to face me.

"You alright?"

I hummed. "I guess."

She raised a brow and I turned and smiled at her.

"Thanks. For letting me stay over and for dinner and everything."

"If your mom kicks you out again, you can come here, Rei." She offered, making me flinch upon knowing that she'd figured out what had happened.

"Um… alright. Thanks. It really does mean a lot."

"It's fine. I don't mind and… it'll be nice actually knowing someone at school."

"Yeah, I mean, we'll be surrounded by rich people. And with no uniforms, we'll be the odd one of the bunch."

Haruhi snorted. "Says the one with purple hair and ear piercings."

I chuckled. "Heh, touché."

She thinks I'm weird now, wait until she finds out I'm the lead singer of the underground band 'Creature Horde'.

School was surprisingly not bad once I got past the stares and whispers at my attire, I actually almost enjoyed myself. Haruhi hadn't even minded and I had half expected her to keep her distance when we showed up. My purple hair was mostly hidden by a beanie and I wore dark pants and a hoodie while having removed my piercings for now, but I didn't exactly make me someone who fit in, whereas she would have had an easier time in her dad's old sweater and slacks. Now, I just wish there was someplace quiet we could study.

"What do you think, Haruhi?" I sighed. "If this last place doesn't work out, we try the garden and then hang at your house?"

"Yeah. Sounds good, but seriously? There's four libraries and everyone's noisy as all get out. If you don't feel like studying, just go home!"

I nodded, humming my agreement as she gestured to a room coming up ahead.

"Should we try that one? It might be the only other place that's quiet."

I shrugged, glancing at the plaque above it labeled 'Third Music Room'. "Sure."

She opened the door and poked her head in, only for us to find six men standing to greet us.

"Welcome." They chorused and I blinked as Haruhi doubled over in shock.

"Oh, it's two guys." A couple of red-headed twins chorused with sighs.

"Watch your mouth. They are our important guests even if they are guys." A blonde said.

"Ah, actually—" I was cut off as he held out his hand to us in greeting.

"Welcome to the Ouran High School Host Club, rare scholarship students Haruhi Fujioka and Rei Kobayshi."

"How did you…" Haruhi started before I could and a man in glasses explained.

"It is my determination that common folk don't fit easily into our elegant culture and that a scholarship student would need pretty thick skin and mulish stubbornness just to make it through, let alone achieve anything. If no one knows you, it's an uphill climb to get noticed, know what I mean?"

"Huh…?" Haruhi sweatdropped as I scratched my cheek.

Well, there goes the whole 'quiet room to study' search. Why do I get the feeling we're about to get dragged into something troublesome? A hand landed on my shoulder and I jumped, staring in surprise as the blonde leader of the group draped his arms over Haruhi's and my shoulders almost proudly.

"In short, Fujioka-kun, Kobayashi-kun, you're trailblazers!" He said, rather loudly. "Top students in your class, yet you're poorer than a church mouse. Some may call you a weed, or despise your low-class status! There's nothing wrong with poverty, of course. You're crusaders and crusaders only need one thing. A reckless heart!"

"I don't know whether to feel offended or even more confused." I muttered. "And I didn't know they allowed things like Host Clubs in a high school."

"I can't believe the rumored students are gay." Someone said, making Haruhi and I whip around.

"Huh?"

"What is your type?" The blonde questioned us before we could even attempt to argue. "Wild man? Boy Lolita? Or am I more your style?" He drew his finger under our chins and we both took abrupt steps back; skin crawling at the breach in our personal space.

"No, it's not like that!" Haruhi wailed as a shorter blonde hurried over and grabbed her hand.

"Are you really a crusader, Haru-chan? Do you have tales of rescuing princesses? I love those!"

"Who are you calling 'Haru-chan'?!" She snapped at him and he rushed to a taller guy with tears in his eyes. "Look, we were just trying to find somewhere quiet! So, please excuse us."

"Ah, Haruhi!" I called out as she bumped into a stand that a vase was on, rushing over to try and save it from falling.

The handle skimmed the edge of my fingers as the stand it was on tipped under my weight. The vase, stand, and myself fell to the floor with a crash and I winced.

"Shit."

"Oh, no." One of the red-heads said, picking up a shard as the taller student helped me to my feet. "That Rune vase was supposed to be the feature for the school auction."

"What will we do?" The other twin questioned. "We were going to start the bidding at eight million yen."

Haruhi and I both paled.

"E-Eight million? I-I'll pay for it." Haruhi offered and I nodded.

"I'll help."

The twins though, held up their hands. "Can you?"

"You can't even buy your own uniforms."

We both winced at the jab as the glasses-wearing host turned to the blonde.

"What should we do, Tamaki?"

"Do you two know this proverb?" He asked, beginning to look more menacing than before. "'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'. If you don't have money, pay with your body."

I stiffened at that as a flash of my mother went through my mind's eye, but he hadn't finished.

"From now on, you are the Host's Club's dogs!"

Haruhi seemed to sort of fade away, but I raised a hand.

"Hold on. What do you mean, 'dogs'? What do you want us to do, exactly?"

The glasses-wearing host pushed them up on his face, reflecting light off the lenses. "Serve tea to our guests, clean up after us, do errands." He listed off. "Basically, anything we tell you. Though, seeing as you didn't break the vase, you're free to go, Kobayashi-kun."

Haruhi turned to me with wide, pleading eyes and I scoffed.

"Yeah, no. I'm staying. I'll help her out and be your dog, or whatever." I smiled at Haruhi. "It's the least I could do."

"R-Rei…"

"Then it's settled!" Tamaki grinned, clapping his hands. "We were about to open the club anyway, so take your positions men! Fujioka-kun, Kobayashi-kun, stand-by for right now so you can see what it is we do in this Host Club of ours."

"Right-o." I hummed, pulling Haruhi with me off to the side and leaning over to grin at her. "No worries, Haruhi. Between you and me, we'll be rid of this debt in no time."

Haruhi let out a sigh as the gaggle of girls in yellow dresses flooded in. "Yeah, let's hope so. And thanks, Rei, for staying to help me."

"It's no problem. Nothing waiting for me at home anyway other than a messy apartment. My mom will be sleeping after… working last night. And if you're stuck here, then I'll have nothing to do. Might as well help you out."

"Still, thanks."

I ruffled her hair and we turned our gazes to the hosts as they sat and had tea with their guests. Though, not in the normal fashion. I was rather surprised at the acts the group had going around.

"Where will you take me during the summer, Tamaki-kun?" A girl asked the blonde.

"Anywhere you want." He answered smoothly.

"What is your favorite music, Tamaki-kun?"

"Whatever you favor."

"I baked a cake today. Would you please eat some?"

He leaned in close to her. "If you feed it to me."

"Oh, my, Tamaki-kun." She swooned and I raised a brow.

"Bit dull."

We turned to the twins then, theirs being even more strange than Tamaki's.

"So, this guy—half asleep—tried to save the data he'd pulled an all-nighter compiling—"

"Not that story, Hikaru!"

Hikaru didn't stop though as the group chuckled. "—and came running to me, all in a panic—"

"Hikaru!" The other twin grew teary-eyes. "How could you tell that story in front of everyone?"

"Kaoru…" Hikaru held his twin's face fondly. "I'm so sorry, Kaoru. It's just because you were so cute that time."

"Hikaru!"

"Beautiful brotherly love!" Their girls cheered as Haruhi muttered beside me.

"I don't quite understand you people."

"We simply apply our individual talents to meet our needs of our customers. Tamaki, by the way, is our number one." Kyoya, the glasses host, handed us a paper of the request data and I sweatdropped.

"You're kidding. That guy has a request rate of seventy percent? Just by saying he loves the same things they do?"

Kyoya simply smiled. "You two will be handling basic chores for a while. You can refuse of course and leave, but my family's reach is long and wide. You have a passport, I trust?"

Ooh, he's got one of those sickly-sweet smiles. It's… kind of terrifying. I mused with a shiver, before a hot breath blew across my ear, making me jump alongside Haruhi.

"He's right. Work hard for the eight million yen, Funy-oka-kun, Ko-baka-shi-kun." Tamaki teased as Haruhi frowned.

"Please don't do that."

"Oh? This is one of my best techniques."

"We're not interested in that kind of thing." She grumbled. "Besides, man, woman. How we look is irrelevant, right? I don't understand why this kind of club even exists. It's what's on the inside that's important."

"Well, that's true…" He turned away dramatically. "And so cruel, how God sometimes bestows perfection inside and out! But console yourself with that if you like! I understand!"

He went on and on, but I noticed Haruhi was thinking about something and I tipped my head.

"What's up?"

"There's a word. Something that describes him."

"Dramatic? Troublesome? Annoying?" I listed off. "Narcissistic? Pain in the as—"

"Oh! I got it."

Tamaki looked pleased, thinking that we'd understood something he said, up until Haruhi spoke.

"You're obnoxious."

Tamaki slipped away and curled up in a depressed ball in a corner as the twins laughed loudly and pat our backs.

"That's telling him!"

"There aren't many people who could hurt him that much!"

"Better go apologize." I nudged her. "He's got control of the debt, after all and if he gets any more depressed, who knows what'll happen."

Haruhi sighed. "Yeah, I guess. Excuse me, Suoh-senpai?"

"'King'." Tamaki grumbled. "I go by that here."

"Okay then, Ki—"

Haruhi was cut off as the twins and Kyoya went over and pestered him for saying that. It was then though, that the two seniors returned; Honey on Mori's back.

"Sorry we're late!" Honey chirped, still surprising me with the fact that he was eighteen yet acted so child-like.

His guests seemed to love it though and even Haruhi agreed with me on how confusing the two were.

"We just wanted to study somewhere quiet." Haruhi sighed and the recovered Tamaki raised a brow.

"Why? What about your homes?"

"My dad brings his friends over during the day." Haruhi answered as I hummed.

"It was going to be our last resort. My house is a mess and my mother would get really upset if I brought someone over while she's sleeping."

"Oh. You don't get along with your father then?"

"We get along just fine. It's just that I don't want to bother him. He brought me up for ten years by himself and I thought I should do whatever I can."

"That kind of environment is pitiful, isn't it?" Tamaki mused, making me raise a brow.

"Huh? Not really."

I'm stuck in a similar situation, though slightly worse, and I do alright. Tamaki though, wasn't convinced and rambled on about some sort of drama he'd been watching, before making a sudden declaration.

"Your appearance makes the task all but hopeless, but I will do my best to teach you! Let's see. Let's make it one hundred! Yes! If you can get one hundred people to request you, you are debt free!"

I poked my head in and raised a hand. "Uh, can I just do chores?"

"No!" He demanded. "You too will need one hundred guests! With your bad-boy appearance, you might actually stand a bit of a chance. Training begins tomorrow!"

"Yay…" I said sarcastically and let out a long sigh.

Dear God, what have we gotten ourselves into?

"'Ouran Host Club First Motto: Be strong, be dignified, and be beautiful'." Rei frowned, holding up the small booklet Tamaki had handed her. "What sort of bullshit is this?"

She was promptly smacked upside the head with a newspaper he wielded.

"No cursing!"

"You said I'm the bad boy type! How am I not supposed to curse?!"

He ignored her as she grumbled under her breath and rubbed her head, turning back to Haruhi and showing her the proper way to set a glass down on the table.

"When you put down the glass, you have to use your pinky finger as a cushion. You eliminate the harsh sound and show grace."

"Okay, and this is so you don't annoy the customers?"

"No!" He held the glass up by his face. "Observe. Don't I look classy?"

Rei rolled her eyes as he went on leaning down on the table and looking up at Haruhi and her.

"When things get difficult, gazing up from a lower perspective can be an effective defuser."

Haruhi blinked as he remained there. "I don't feel anything."

"I haven't felt anything all day." Rei added and the blonde went and pouted in his corner of woe again.

"I'm sorry." Haruhi apologized, knowing they wouldn't get anywhere if they didn't placate him. "I was lying. I did feel a small spark."

"Haru-chan! Rei-chan!" Honey chirped, bounding over and latching onto Haruhi's waist. "Do you want to eat cake together?"

"Well, no." Haruhi said bluntly. "I don't really like sweets."

"Here then!" He held up a pink stuffed bunny. "You can hold Usa-chan!"

"Well, I'm not a big fan of rabbits either…"

Honey leaned in. "You don't like my Usa-chan?"

Haruhi looked at the rabbit, before giving in. "On second thought…"

"Yay!" Honey handed it over to her and looked at Rei. "What about you, Rei-chan? I don't have another Usa-chan, but do you want to share some cake with me?"

She blinked, looking down at his big brown eyes and unable but to break out in a grin and pick him up to sit on her shoulders.

"Sure! I haven't had sweets in ages! Do you have chocolate?"

"Uh-huh!" Honey chirped, not looking bothered by being up on her shoulders. "I've got all sorts of flavors!"

"Awesome!"

Kyoya cleared his throat though, interrupting them. "Actually, Rei-san, I need you and Haruhi to go to the store to pick up more coffee."

"Aw." Honey pouted as she helped him down.

"Sorry. I'll have some cake when I come back then."

"Promise?"

Rei grinned. "Sure."

Once the two lackeys were gone though, a young guest of Tamaki's frowned.

"I've heard, Tamaki-sama, that you're raising a couple of kittens that don't have proper pedigrees."

"Yes. Two real mongrels and pretty hopeless to be honest, but I couldn't let the poor kittens fend for themselves, could I?"

"Oh, how nice of you." She smiled, though it was a bit forced.

It was hard not to notice the raggedy, glasses-wearing commoner and the dark-clothed punk wandering around campus and she was less than pleased that they'd managed to force their way into Tamaki's good graces.

"Oh, they're back from shopping." Tamaki said not much later as Haruhi and Rei returned and started to take out the containers of coffee.

"Huh? What's this?"

"Coffee." Haruhi answered bluntly as Tamaki picked it up in confusion.

"Ground coffee?"

"Not ground, instant." Rei corrected. "I'm not about to waste time grinding your rich as—"

Her curse cut off with a wince when Haruhi stomped on her foot, but the hosts hadn't noticed as they grew excited about the commoner's coffee.

"Oh! The one you just pour hot water in?! How proletarian!"

"I've heard of it, but never seen it."

"So, it's true! Poor people have no time to grind their beans!"

"I've always wanted to try it! Let's brew some up!"

"Okay! I get the point!" Haruhi snapped. "I'll go buy the right one!"

"No! I'll drink it!" Tamaki declared as Rei rolled her eyes and grumbled as she leaned on the back of a couch nearby.

"Idiots. It's just coffee."

"They're just messing around, you know. That stuff won't suit their taste at all."

"Huh?" Rei tipped her head back to look at the young lady on the couch as Haruhi raised a brow.

"Oh, sorry. I was talking to myself." She smiled and Rei frowned lightly before Tamaki called the two over.

"Haruhi-kun! Rei-kun! Make us some of this commoner's coffee! Everyone's eager to try it."

The lady who'd spoken up a minute ago looked rather shocked too, but Rei and Haruhi sighed and prepared a number of cups of the commoner coffee, passing it out to the guests and hosts.

"We won't be responsible if they don't like it." Haruhi grumbled to Tamaki as she and Rei watched.

"If they don't like it?" Tamaki abruptly grabbed a woman who was hesitating. "Would you drink it from my mouth?"

"No. A-A cup's fine." She stuttered, face flushed and the group cheered, not seeing the one dissatisfied customer.

"Drinking such a thing… Tamaki-sama is getting crazy. Don't you think so, Ayanokoji-sama?"

She chuckled. "Well, it's all part of a new project of his, though he may be overdoing it a bit."

A phone went off then and Rei grimaced, pulling out a battered cell.

"Sorry. I need to take this." She muttered, ducking out of the crowd that wasn't paying attention and answering the phone.

She had another gig, and Ayanokoji did not appreciate the abrasiveness of her taking a call while hosting.

"So, when is it?" I asked, earning a raised brow from Haruhi as I scratched idly at a small cut on my cheek as I spoke to Kazuo—aka. Bear—over the phone. "Seriously? And you don't know if we'll have the venue down yet?"

I scowled as Haruhi spoke up softly.

"Who are you talking to?"

"In a minute." I muttered back, starting to speak to Bear again. "Alright, and is there any more minor stuff? Do we have a seat at the jazz bar yet?" I grinned. "Yes! How long? You know we have to keep changing it up or else people will start trying to hunt us down… A week? That's great. What about practice time?... Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Oh, that is brilliant! That'll give us time to work for the big gig. You're the best, Bear. See ya next week."

I hung up and Haruhi cleared her throat as we walked to the Third Music Room for more hosting activities.

"So? Who was that? And what's this about a gig?"

"Sh!" I shushed her, looking up and down the hall and speaking lowly even though there weren't any students around. "Look. I'm in a band, but I have to keep it a secret. Who knows how the school will react if they find out and everyone in the band keeps their identities secret too to protect their daily lives. It's the only way I can make money without anything interfering too much with my studies."

"Oh, okay. I'll keep quiet about it."

I smiled. "Why do you think I told you? It's only been a few weeks, but I trust you more than I trust those idiot hosts."

She snorted. "Tell me about it. What happened to your cheek?"

"Ah, something fell off a shelf yesterday at home. And managed to nick me. It's nothing, really." I lied.

"Alright."

Yeah, no way I was going to tell her someone chucked a rock at me during lunch break. Between that and the threatening note to stay away from the Host Club, I get the feeling I've upset someone. We entered the Third Music Room and I raised a brow at the group as they declared their new challenge of making instant ramen. I sighed and begrudgingly helped Haruhi as we gave them a few tips to keep the seasoning from sticking to the top of the lid, which only thrilled Tamaki further. The twins cut in though.

"It doesn't look right, does it, Kaoru?"

"Yeah, Hikaru. A poorly balanced equation indeed."

They proceeded to lecture Haruhi and I then about something I really didn't care about.

"Now, women are attracted to good looking gay guys and a tension between friendship and love can work, but…"

"…it takes a pair of twins like us to crank that sort of thing up to the maximum danger level."

They leaned in close with a hand from either on Haruhi's and my face.

"To be loved by two men who have such a close relationship. Ah, what stimulation!"

"The ultimate romance, wouldn't you say?"

"What does this have to do with us?" I questioned.

The two pulled away and sighed, hands up. "You can't even pass the first condition."

Tamaki joined in with a hum. "So, we're back to the problem of appearance. These glasses visually enlarge your eyes, don't they? Let's see…" He reached over and pulled Haruhi's glasses off.

"They were my grandfather's. I lost my contacts during the admission assembly."

Tamaki though, looked stunned and snapped his fingers.

"Hikaru! Kaoru!"

"Yes!" They pulled Haruhi away and placed her in a chair to trim her messy hair as Tamaki continued to give out instructions.

"Kyoya, ring up the school tailor! Mori-senpai, fetch your spare disposable contacts!"

"And me?" Honey asked.

"Honey-senpai, eat your cake!"

He pouted and started to slide over and I smiled, joining him; which cheered him up a bit. Dear God, this cake is delicious! I don't think I've ever had something this good! I mused as I ate a few pieces of chocolate mousse cake and Haruhi changed behind a curtain.

"Tamaki-senpai?"

"Did you finish changing?" He called out, making everyone turn as Haruhi came out in the male uniform.

"Um, this uniform…do I get to keep it?" She asked as the twins and Tamaki smiled in pleasure.

"Huh, doesn't look half bad." I mused, chomping down on a piece of cake as Tamaki tacked her in a hug and lifted her jaw.

"Cute! How lovely. You know, you could almost be a girl."

I resisted choking on my cake as the others smiled as well.

"Pretty Haru-chan."

"If you had that kind of face, why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"Shall we test him on some customers?" Kyoya offered and Tamaki grinned.

"That's the next phase. To see what sort of patrons this guy appeals too. Though first."

All eyes went to me and I paused; fork half raised to my mouth.

"Kaoru? Hikaru?" Tamaki smirked. "Beanie."

My eyes went wide and I ditched the cake, bolting upright and out of the chair, but it was too late. The twins were quick and in a split second, my beanie was off and my bright violet hair was revealed.

"Shit." I cursed, looking around for their reactions. "You're not going to get me expelled for this, are you?"

One of the twins leaned closer and I leaned back as he flicked my earlobe.

"You have multiple piercings too?"

I winced. "Y-Yeah. I take them out because I figure there were rules against them here."

Kyoya pushed up his glasses. "You'd be surprised. There's actually a number of students in Class D who have dyed hair and piercings. We're actually rather privileged when it comes to what we're allowed in the dress code, though uniforms are mandatory unless you're unable to afford them."

"No shit?" I muttered, turning to the twins. "You got some hair gel?"

They nodded and tossed me some as I headed to the changing room; grabbing the uniform Kyoya passed my way and digging into my bag for the small box I kept my ear piercings in. Once in there, I emerged feeling far more relaxed than usual with my hair styled back up into a fauxhawk, piercings replaced, tie loosened, and top button undone.

"God, that is so much better." I turned to look at the others who were gaping in shock. "What?"

"He really is the bad boy type…"

"Kind of scary, actually."

"Who you calling scary?" I complained, crossing my arms over my chest and they yelped, ducking behind Tamaki.

Honey came over though and grinned. "I like it! Rei-chan, you look really cool!"

I looked down at him and smiled, ruffling his hair. "This is how I always look, so thanks."

He beamed a smile back and Tamaki lifted a finger in the air.

"Right! Now we can open the club doors and you two can go show the people your new hot looks!"

Haruhi looked a little stiff, but seemed to soon get into the flow of things, whereas Rei was more of a natural than she was.

"So, Rei-san, what happened to your cheek?" A girl asked and she chuckled nervously.

"Ah, that? Something fell from a shelf at home, is all." She replied, leaning back on the couch and draping her arm over it. "It's no big deal, really."

The girl flushed a bit as another spoke up.

"Are those real piercings?"

Rei nodded. "Yup. First one I did myself." She smirked, making them gasp as she fiddled with the ring through her left earlobe.

"Did it hurt?"

"Only a bit."

"Do you have…" A girl leaned closer. "…tattoos too?"

Rei leaned forward as well, smirking. "Well, now, I think that's something I'll have to keep secret. Wouldn't want to scare you ladies too much."

She swooned as Rei chuckled and returned to her laid-back position; the twins looking rather surprised.

"Why do they like them?"

"Well, Haruhi's innocence is probably refreshing, whereas Rei has that bad boy feel that makes her… not so much devilish like you two, but more of a forbidden fruit that they can taste but never touch." Kyoya explained as Tamaki shifted on his couch to try and get a better look at the two.

"Your mother passed away from illness ten years ago?" A girl at Haruhi's table gasped softly. "What about household chores?"

"I do it myself." Haruhi answered simply, smiling softly. "My mother loved cooking and left a lot of recipes while she was hospitalized. It's been great learning them and my dad loves it when I get one right. I love those moments very much."

"A-A natural…?" Tamaki breathed out.

"Yup. Completely."

"No need for special techniques."

"And Rei?"

Eyes went to her as another girl gasped.

"Your father's gone?"

Rei nodded, smile gone and all seriousness. "Yeah. It's just me and my mom now, but I don't mind. She works hard and I just try to help out as best I can. She's always kicking me out of the house though, so it's hard."

"Really?!"

Rei smiled then, only a few people noticing that it was a little forced. "Ah, just trying to get me to go out and make friends, I assure you. She knows I'm a bit of a loner and tend to keep to myself. She works hard for my sake though, so I can't just go around and hang out with people all the time. Ah, not that I don't enjoy spending time with you ladies."

"No, it's okay, Rei-san!"

"We think your dedication to your mother is amazing!"

The twins sweatdropped. "Another smooth talker."

"Tamaki-sama, do you not have time for your own guests?" Ayanokoji chuckled lightly, annoyance tucked away as best she could.

"Ah, sorry, princess. I was just concerned about our newest hosts."

"You really take good care of them, don't you?" She commented.

"Because they're pretty interesting. By the way, would you like to try proletarian ramen?"

She brought a hand to her mouth. "You've really tried it?"

"I'm addicted to this thing called 'dagashi'." He admitted as Haruhi and Rei got up for a short break between customers. "Haruhi, Rei-kun! Allow me to introduce my regular, Ayanokoji-san."

"Oh, pleased to meet you." Haruhi said with a smile and Rei just waved lightly.

"Hey."

"Cute!" Tamaki shouted, tackling Haruhi in another hug. "That embarrassed smile is just adorable!"

"Hey! Get off, you!" Haruhi complained as Ayanokoji tried to get Tamaki's attention to no avail. "Ah! Rei! Help me!"

Rei scoffed. "Me? You were the one being all cutesy. You reap what you sow."

"Rei!" Haruhi complained, before calling out her only other hope. "Mori-senpai! Help me!"

Said man stepped into action and pulled her from Tamaki's grip, hoisting her up and lying her over his shoulder as Tamaki sweatdropped.

"Mori-senpai?"

"He asked for help, so I helped." The man answered, earning a surprised blink from Rei; who'd yet to hear his voice until now.

The next day, the twins started up a game of 'Which One is Hikaru' that Haruhi got dragged into; surprising them when she guessed correctly and didn't change her mind when they questioned it. The group noticed Haruhi had a bandage on her finger then and questioned her, but—like Rei—she lied easily and claimed she mishandled a knife while cooking dinner. She too, had been harassed as of late with small razor blades, pins, and wet textbooks. That being said, it was getting a little annoying when her and Rei spotted their bags out in the fountain outside.

"Shit." Rei cursed. "I had new music in there!"

"Come on. We better go get them before they get too bad. My wallet was in mine too."

They hurried off, bumping into Ayanokoji on her way up and Haruhi apologized.

"Ah, the commoners. You've shaped up well. Tamaki-sama's done a good job on you two. Why don't you fix the faults in your upbringing too?"

She hurried off as Rei clicked her tongue.

"Bitch."

"Rei." Haruhi chided her. "We don't know it's her."

"Please. She's just jealous we've got Tamaki's attention so she's playing petty games with us."

"You've been harassed too?" She questioned and Rei rolled her eyes.

"Did you seriously believe I just let something fall off a shelf on me? Someone chucked a rock at me during lunch yesterday." She rolled up her sleeves and gestured to some nicks on her arms alongside some older scars. "And tossed an angry cat at me this morning. I was lucky I spotted the razor blades in my bag before I reached in to grab a text book."

"My God, Rei, those scars…"

"Hm?" Rei looked down and realized then what she'd revealed; wincing. "Oh, right. They're from… It's… It's a long story."

"You don't have to tell me." Haruhi said, seeing that it was a bit upsetting to her and she managed a smile.

"Thanks. I'll… I'll tell you sooner or later. Just…"

"It's fine." Haruhi waved off with a small smile of her own. "In your own time."

They rolled up their pant legs and wadded into the fountain, pulling out their bags and books as Rei found her music folder and sighed.

"Man, it's wrecked."

"Sorry. Can you make out any of it? Copy it down somehow?"

Rei shook her head. "Nah. Ink's dripped all the way down. Can't tell what's notes and what's not. I'll have to start from scratch." She clicked her tongue. "Damn. I might not have it ready by the gig this next week."

"Can you work on it in the club?" Haruhi asked. "I'm sure you can make something up about it without them finding out you're in a band."

"Perhaps, but they'll find out I'm a singer and then I'll end up dragged into doing something like that for the club. That's the last thing I want. New songs or not, they'd recognize my voice when I sang."

Haruhi raised a brow as they pulled out more textbooks. "How?"

"Ah, well, we tend to crash rich people parties when we get the chance." Rei admitted, tossing a math textbook over her shoulder and onto dry land haphazardly. "The younger students and kids are really into our band, but the adults don't care for it, so on occasion we get the kid's cool uncle who will pay us to burst into a boring birthday party against their parent's wishes. It's good pay when it does happen, but we mostly do gigs in bars and such."

"How? You're still in high school."

"I'm the second youngest in the band." Rei grinned. "Our guitarist is the youngest and is in his second year of middle school. The other guys are in their twenties and thirties. Our tech guy sets up the gigs and meetings and such and the rest of us just coordinate via phone calls and emails." She raised the phone she'd kept in her pocket. "Makes me glad I always keep my phone in hand and not in my bag, or I'd have a problem."

"Hey, peasants!"

The two yelped as Tamaki punched their heads, looking annoyed. "What a nice hobby you two have. Skipping club activities and playing in the water?"

"Hey, not our fault that some—"

Haruhi cut Rei off with a hand over her mouth. "Sorry. We accidentally dropped our bags out the window, along with my wallet."

"You keep your wallet with your books? That's dumb." Tamaki scoffed, before pulling off his shirt. "Anyway, your searching method is really weak. You have to do it like this! Dramatically!"

He shoved his hands in the water and searched as Haruhi tried to stop him.

"It's okay! You'll get wet!"

"Fool. A little water isn't going to hurt my looks." Tamaki argued, before looking up and seeing the surprised expression Haruhi was making. "That cute look again. How do you do it?" He smiled, pinching Haruhi's cheeks. "Are you falling for me?"

"W-What?!"

"Anyway, let's continue searching." He smirked then. "Thirty percent finder's fee, right?"

"If that's the case, then you're on, Suoh!" Rei grinned, hair slightly hanging in her face from the water. "I'll find it first."

"In your dreams!"

I leaned back in my chair beside Haruhi, a bit annoyed with the young woman in front of us who was now rubbing her rich status in our faces.

"I see. That sounds troublesome." Ayanokoji mused, sipping her tea after we'd informer her we were pulling out our things from the fountain. "School bags jumping into ponds, what next?"

I rolled my eyes, but bit my tongue. Tamaki would be ticked if we upset his regular guest and I didn't want to place any more burden on Haruhi than there already was.

"But you went too far bothering Tamaki-sama. It was just a cheap school bag, after all." She said, leaning forward. "Best you don't misunderstand his interest. The reason you have his attention right now is because of your unusual backgrounds. Maybe all those weird things are happening because you are dragging Tamaki-sama along without thinking?"

"In short, you're jealous, right?" I sighed in annoyance. "We're not—"

A cup was thrown at my head and I cringed as I stood up with a growl and Ayanokoji jumped towards the nearest person with a scream.

"Help! Rei-kun suddenly became violent!"

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I snapped.

"I knew they were barbarians! Someone needs to throw these commoners ou—"

Water was poured on her head thanks to the twins, who looked down at her with unapologetic expressions.

"I'm sorry."

"Our hands slipped."

"Wha—"

Kyoya stepped in then, dropping a number of photos of Ayanokoji throwing our bags into the fountain.

"Did you take us for blind fools who wouldn't notice your shenanigans? Of course, we have evidence on the other issues as well."

Honey brought tears to his eyes as he pointed at her. "She's scary."

"Pitiful, really." Mori commented as Tamaki leaned in to do the final blows.

"You look beautiful outside…"

"Tamaki-sama! That guy, he—"

Tamaki brushed a hand through his hair. "Looks alone don't cut it. I'm sorry to say this, but can you please never come back?" He frowned seriously. "You tried to smear a member of the Host Club. You are barred henceforth."

She burst into tears and ran out as the twins sighed.

"We have that kind of customer every so often."

Haruhi looked at Tamaki in shock as he cleared his throat.

"As punishment for causing trouble, I'm adding another hundred customers to your work quota."

Haruhi gaped. "What?!"

He shrugged with a smile. "Because of you two, we've lost my regular and my exquisite body was reduced to menial labor to recover your wallet."

"Tamaki-senpai!"

"But I know you'll both manage it." He looked at me and grimaced. "Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

"Huh?"

Haruhi turned and her eyes widened, pulling out a handkerchief. "You're bleeding, Rei."

She wiped the cloth over my eyebrow and I winced as she showed me the dab of blood on her handkerchief.

"Well, shit." I grumbled, earning a whack on the shoulder from her as I pressed my fingers to the small wound. "No, I don't think so. It's not too bad. I've had worse. If I give it a minute, it'll stop bleeding on its own."

There was a sigh and Kyoya headed over with a first-aid kit as Mori pushed me down into a chair.

"I said I was fine."

"You best get it disinfected anyway." Kyoya answered and I scowled, but let him prep a cotton ball as Tamaki spotted something on the floor.

"What's this?"

Haruhi looked over and sighed. "It's probably mine."

Tamaki looked at the ID and paused.

"Haruhi?"

"Yes?"

"Are you a girl?"

"Yes." She answered simply. "Never said otherwise."

Tamaki went rigid, pointing at her in shock as she raised a brow, though the others around me sighed.

"He finally noticed."

"Probably had an instinctual suspicion."

"I knew it from the beginning."

"It's a pretty interesting development."

Haruhi though, hardly minded. "I figured it would be easier if you thought I was a guy. Can't say I fully appreciate the perceived differences between the sexes anyway and I'm not that interested in appearance either. Oh, but you were cool earlier, senpai."

Tamaki flushed and covered his mouth as Haruhi turned.

"And actually, I realized it's not that bad to be popular among the girls. Guess I'm a little bent that way. Maybe I should change what pronoun I use too… What do you think, Rei?"

"Hm? Oh, I don't care. I'm more of a male than you are, really. I had my hair short for ages."

Tamaki turned in shock once more. "Y-You're a girl too?"

"Yeah. I doubt Haruhi's dad would let me stay at her house on occasion otherwise." I said, crossing my legs.

"But you're so…"

"Punk? Yeah, I know." I smirked. "Terrifying, isn't it?"

He promptly grew pale and sank to the floor as Honey came over and chuckled.

"I like you just the way you are, Rei-chan!"

"Me too, little buddy. Me too."