Italics: thoughts of a character


Crap! I'm late for Host Club again! Haruhi was sprinting down the South Corridor to Music Room 3, again having spent too much time studying in the library before remembering her Host Club duties. Upon reaching the room, and opening its large doors, a beam of light shone out, temporarily blinding her…

'Welcome!'

When she regained her vision, imperial Russia greeted her.

Eeehh? But before she could start properly looking at the 6 cosplaying, handsome boys in front of her, they started to break away from their "positions".

'Oh, it's just Haruhi being late again,' Hikaru and Kaoru, dressed as Russian soldiers with matching black ushankas, said in unison. At this point, all 6 of them had learnt to anticipate such scenarios. They didn't really hate her for this too: after all, she was on a scholarship and thus needed to top the class.

'Ah, Haruhi!' a blond, tall, and handsome prince (or at least dressed like one) walked up to her as he exclaimed those words in a slightly extravagant manner. 'You've finally arrived! Here, let daddy help you into this replica dress of Catherine the-'

'Firstly Takami-senpai, I don't need your help. Secondly, I don't see why I should wear this,' came Haruhi's swift reply, which promptly sent Tamaki to sulk in his corner. I don't need your help… I don't need your help… I don't need your help…

'Yeah Tono, she isn't a baby you know. Why would she need help wearing a dress?' Hikaru chimed in.

'Besides, stop calling yourself daddy. You're not a tranny like Ranka-san, right Tono?' Kaoru said (without meaning to offend Haruhi, who didn't really care anyway.)

Haruhi decided to ignore the ensuing battle between Tamaki and the twins and took a seat next to the other 3 hosts.

'Hi Haruhi. Luckily for you today the guests are scheduled to come slightly later,' the bespectacled Ootori "Shadow King" Kyoya looked up from his file as he passed her a set of modern Russian soldier clothes. 'By the way, there will be a meeting later regarding next week's dance party, so don't forget to stay behind, Haruhi.'

'Ehhh? Does that mean I have to dance again? I-I'd rather not…'

'It's ok Haru-chan! You're so cute when you dance!' The short, third-year Mitsukuni "Honey" Haninosuka exclaimed as he paused in between mouthfuls of cake, while his silent cousin and best friend, Takashi "Mori" Morinozuka nodded in approval.

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[The Host Club is open for business]

'Tamaki-sama, you look so impressive in that princely attire!' Tamaki's guests swooned over his immaculate appearance, which even Haruhi had to silently admit was even more impressive today. 'You really remind me of a lonely prince fighting his way through dozens of barbarians in the harsh Russian winter, in order to meet his princess…'

'Thank you, my lady.' Tamaki replied as he shifted into his "Host King" mode. 'But even the coldest of winter shall surely, melt away at an instant once we gush out our love for each other…'

'Kyaaaaa!'

On the other side of the room, the twins were playing a card game with their own guests.

'No way! I can't believe I lost because of Hikaru's tricks again!' the younger twin shouted.

'Shush, Kaoru, keep your voice down. You don't need to get upset over a little card game,' Hikaru commented, prompting Kaoru to produce tears. Noticing this, Hikaru developed the act further: 'Don't cry Kaoru! I-I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings…forgive me!' By this point, Hikaru was hunched over Kaoru, holding his face as the girls watched in anticipation.

'Hikaru…' The reply sent shockwaves down the girls, who were ogling over the "forbidden twincest".

Meanwhile, Mori was plowing his way thorugh Matryoshka dolls, taking the dolls of decreasing sizes out of each other until, where the smallest doll was supposed to be placed, instead out came Honey. 'Ta-da!' the little host exclaimed as their guests marvelled at his cuteness, before he tucked into some bird's milk cake (a sweet Russian delicacy).

Yes, it's just another day at the Host Club, Haruhi's mind wondered as she sat entertaining her guests ('I haven't been to Russia before, but I do know it's a very cultured place.' 'Kyaa! Haruhi-kun, you're so deep!'). To be honest, she now felt an inseparable bond from the Host Club, regardless of just how evil Kyoya-senpai could be sometimes, or the crazy tricks the twins could play, or Tamaki with his narcissism and stupidity in general. (Seriously, how does he still call himself as her dad?) While studying was of course a big part of her life - especially so because of her scholarship - she now looked forward to Host Club activities after school, no matter how tiring or crazy they can sometimes become. Sometimes, she felt that if time stopped, she wouldn't mind, and a big reason for that is her friendship with the Host Club members. It really seemed like there would be no end to the Host Club and her bonds with each and every member of the club.

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Of course, in the short term such impressions could change, as an hour of supposed discussion partly devolved into yet another of Tamaki's 'As her daddy, I want to see Haruhi wearing a cute dress!' ideas, eagerly supported by the twins and Honey (Mori and Kyoya didn't really mind either way). This has been the umpteenth time such a notion has been suggested by Tamaki, and it was irritating Haruhi. Nevertheless, the meeting did end off on a good note, with most of the plans being finalised to be both extravagant and inexpensive (relatively), leading to a happy Host Club debrief (and a very happy Kyoya).

'Well, we should start practicing our dance moves within this week! And Haruhi,' Tamaki paused, staring into her face with puppy eyes, 'your daddy would be very pleased to offer his services in helping you practice too!'

'No, it's ok senpai.' 'Ahahahaha! Tono has been rejected again!' 'Shutup, devil brothers! I have a duty as Haruhi's father to ensure her dance will be perfect!'

As the bickering turned out into another standard commotion, Honey and Mori looked on, both too thinking about their friendships within the Host Club.

'You know, Takashi,' Honey said as he looked down onto Mori's head. 'Don't you think this dance ball will be very fun?'

'Yeah.'

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But no one knew it then, that it wouldn't just be not fun: it would be the catalyst for something terrible to befall the Host Club members.


AN: As my favourite anime/manga of all time, I decided to write this. While this chapter is meant to be close to a normal intro for Ouran, future chapters will most likely contain violence/adult stuff, and those will have warning labels at the top. Thanks for reading!