PROLOGUE

A bolt of lightning instantly flashed into the dark afternoon sky.

Then, thunder roared mightily as dark nimbus clouds continue floating and covering the firmament entirely.

In a few seconds, the grand clock tower rang loudly, signaling 5:00.

As the clock tower chimed many times, the rain began to pour down. Those raindrops never ceased falling heavier and harder as minutes went by.

Lightning. Thunder. Rain.

Surely, the students of Ouran Academy will find it difficult to get home. Most of them weren't able to bring umbrellas and obviously, they don't want to go home walking or running in the rain. On the bright side, some of them brought umbrellas. They started walking on the school grounds, approaching the main gate.

The clock tower stopped ringing. But the rain went on falling down.

"Alright, time's up, ladies."

The girls inside Music Room 3 let out a cry as Kyouya signaled them. They stood up and thanked the seven good-looking hosts before leaving the music room.

As usual, the hosts bade farewell, thus, ending the business of the Ouran High School Host Club for today.

After the girls left, the seven hosts let out a sigh of relief and went to their respective places.

Kyouya sat down on the red couch facing a garnished narra-made table and put his laptop on it. As always, his eyes were fixed on the radiating screen while typing with fast speed. Honey and Mori took their seats and enjoyed their afternoon snack: strawberry cake and Earl Gray tea.

"Yum! Strawberry cake is the best!" Honey exclaimed.

Mori simply agreed with what Honey said and ate quietly.

Haruhi sat between the Hitachiin twins on the long red sofa. Hikaru and Kaoru were busy doing "business", making Haruhi a little bit disturbed and somewhat annoyed after seeing the twins whispering with one another.

"What are you guys talking about?" Haruhi asked, her one eyebrow raised suspiciously.

"Can we ask you a favor?" the twins said altogether.

"What favor?" Haruhi said.

Hikaru and Kaoru let out their playful grins and put their arms around Haruhi.

"Can we come over to your house this Sunday evening? Let's have nabe (hot pot) for dinner!" they said, their eyes looking at Haruhi expectantly.

Haruhi let out a chuckle and nodded.

"Sure, why not? My Dad won't be home this weekend, so I think you guys can hang out in our place."

Tamaki's eyes were blazing with fury as he looked at the Hitachiin twins devilishly. Suddenly he jumped out and grabbed Haruhi away from the twins' hold. For sure, Tamaki's using his overprotectiveness (again) towards Haruhi.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF MY LITTLE GIRL, YOU TWO!" Tamaki blurted.

"Tamaki-sempai, s-stop hugging me. I-I can't breathe…" Haruhi protested, gasping for air.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Haruhi!" Tamaki exclaimed as he let go of Haruhi and laughed awkwardly.

"Does this mean that we're going too, Haru-chan?" Honey interrupted as he ran towards the brown-haired female, embracing her like a stuffed toy.

Haruhi couldn't resist smiling when she looked at Honey's face. She patted the short male's head gently and laughed. "Of course, Honey-sempai! Mori-sempai can come as well."

Mori walked towards Haruhi and Honey. "Thank you for inviting us, Haruhi."

Haruhi shrugged her shoulders, grinning. "No problem, Mori-sempai. All of you are always welcome to visit our house...I think."

"Rest assured that we will never give you burden when we get there, Haruhi. Since you will be our host on that day, giving you such trouble on our part wouldn't be nice." Kyouya said.

"Thanks, Kyouya-sempai. At least, we'll be eating nabe together." Haruhi said.

As the Host Club were in the middle of their "little" celebration, the lights suddenly went off.

"Gyah!"

Everybody gasped in fright as they found themselves in the middle of the dark. The day's going to be over and the night will come in a couple of minutes or so.

Suddenly, lightning bolted in an instant. Thunder came next.

"AHHH!"

"HARUHI!"

Everybody started to panic dreadfully. That striking bolt of lightning scared them to death, especially Haruhi, who was known having a terrible fear of thunderstorms. Realizing that Haruhi's beginning to get stiff and unable to move, the rest of the Host Club members guided her to the long sofa.

Haruhi sat on the sofa, trembling.

"Get my headphones and my phone in the bag, Kaoru." Hikaru commanded his younger twin brother while holding Haruhi's shoulders. Kaoru left hurriedly.

Tamaki took out a big blanket, wrapping it around Haruhi. Afterwards, he soothingly rubbed Haruhi's back with his palms, trying to comfort the struck female.

Honey and Mori looked for some flashlights at the emergency kit which Kyouya had prepared in times like this. Fortunately, they found seven small flashlights on that small kit. The two males ran back with the flashlights, and then gave one to each of the Host Club members.

Kaoru came back with the headphones and Hikaru's phone. He wore the headphones onto Haruhi to cover her ears. In a while, Haruhi's body stopped shaking.

"T-Thank you, guys…" Haruhi uttered, her voice wavering in fear.

"Don't worry, Haruhi. We're here with you." they said to her softly.

As the Host Club went still on their seats, they heard a rumbling sound. It was followed by a soft creak coming out of nowhere.

"W-What is that s-sound?" Honey said frightfully, holding Mori's hands tightly.

Everybody gazed their eyes at the main door. Much with their surprise, they noticed that the door is open.

The cold wind instantly blew on their faces, sending such shivers to their skins.

Tamaki's eyes went wide. "L-LOOK A-AT T-THAT…"

Gradually, the Host Club noticed a strange silhouette approaching. It moved slowly, making its way to the main door.

In a blink of an eye, the door slammed. Darkness was everywhere.

"AHHHHHHHH!" everybody shouted.

As everybody shouted with terror, they heard tingling, sharp sounds around them. The door opened again, this time, the wind blew harder.

However, they heard a shrieking voice as well. The voice sounded so…appalling and cold, that they all thought of one thing:

"GHOST! GHOST!"

"THERE'S A GHOST IN THE MUSIC ROOM!"

As these terrifying screams were heard inside the music room, the lights went on. The power came back to normal.

It was then that the Host Club, with their horrified faces, started staring at an unknown individual, sulking on one corner of the room just beside the main door.

Then there was dead silence.

The clock tower struck again. It's already 6:00 P.M.