Immersion

She freaked out. She really, REALLY did. Everyone knew she was cool and calm and composed. Nothing could faze her. She wasn't easily shocked like most people.

That was until this came along.

He didn't say anything but merely watched her. Shy and unsure, he waited.

It wasn't his idea anyway. It was the schools' or more specifically, his superintendent father's. There was no way that an activity like that existed before. He should've known that his father wouldn't oppose his choice. It must be obvious that he wanted to know her so much. Suddenly, he wished he didn't say anything at all. But she ought to know.

Haruhi Fujioka breathed deeply. She counted to ten. She stared up at him with enormous hazel eyes, as if begging him to take it back.

"Are you sure, Tamaki-senpai?" she said calmly. That was the trick. She had to stay calm. For how long she wasn't sure.

"Yes," Tamaki Suoh replied quietly. "I'm asking."

They were in a stalemate. She couldn't say no because he was the President's son and it was a school activity after all. She couldn't say yes because she knew that was inviting trouble and he was a big responsibility.

He knew that she was weighing her options in her mind. She was a smart girl. No doubt about it. If she wasn't, she wouldn't be accepted into prestigious Ouran High School. She wouldn't be a top student for nothing.

They didn't say anything. Time was running out. Host Club activities were about to start in ten minutes. She had to decide.

Tamaki preferred that they didn't talk about it in front of the others. It was a private matter, a secret conversation. They weren't alone much. He wanted to wait for her decision because it spelled life and death for him.

He reviewed everything on his mind. There was no way she would say no. He rarely asked anything of her. They might not be the best of friends but they had something. What that was still eluded him.

"So you're asking me if you and Kyouya-senpai can stay in my house for two days and one night," she said quietly "for a school activity that requires you to mingle with commoners."

He nodded slowly.

"You cannot pass this subject if you don't give a write-up about it. It was supposed to teach you awareness, compassion and understanding," she continued on.

Tamaki cringed but he nodded.

Haruhi stared at him. She noticed that the door opened subtly. The menacing glint made her think of Kyouya Ohtori's eyeglasses. He was listening in too.

She sighed tiredly. She really had no choice. If she didn't agree, Kyouya would be more than happy to blackmail her into agreeing. "Can I ask one more question, Tamaki-senpai?" she asked softly.

He nodded. Kyouya was listening behind the door. It was comforting to know that his best friend supported him.

"Why'd you choose my house?" Haruhi asked. She let out a deep breath. There, she said it!

"It's where I want to stay," Tamaki answered humbly "I feel like it's where I'd learn a lot of things. Please, Haruhi, let us in."

She blushed when she watched him bow deeply. It was strange that the great Suoh heir was asking her for a favor.

"Yes," Haruhi said quietly.

He raised teary violet eyes and was about to lunge forward to hug her when Kyouya intervened. She watched with a slightly amused smile as Tamaki was dragged away by his best friend. It was funny to know that they didn't want to push their luck.

It was interesting to note that she would be playing hostess to her father's favorite and least favorite Hosts. Maybe she should just worry about that later. She didn't get to continue that train of thought when she heard the Hitachiin twins yell her name. It was time to start working.

oOoOoOo

"Daddy, I have to tell you something." Haruhi said over dinner. She'd cooked a superb meal to put him in a good mood. But it would actually take more than a great dinner to make him agree.

"Yes?" Ryoki Fuijoka, or more commonly known as Ranka-san, said smilingly.

Haruhi didn't know why she was nervous. She was never nervous. She never got tense over exams, monthly periods or horror movies. It was an emotion that she rarely felt. She wanted to shake it away because she was talking to her father. Her father! He was the only one who would understand more than anyone in the entire world why she had to let her seniors share their living space.

"Can Tamaki-senpai and Kyouya-senpai stay over?" she asked hurriedly. Her fists clenched as she waited for it to sink in.

Ryoji was drinking water. He sputtered and spat. He turned shocked eyes to his only daughter. "WHAT!"

She knew it. Ryoji was such a drama queen.

"Daddy, they have a school activity that requires them to stay with a host family for at least two days and one night. They have to do it with a commoner's family." It sounded strange coming from her. "They need to write reports and everything…"

"I don't want that insect anywhere near us," Ryoji said firmly. "I say no."

Haruhi still had one more ace card.

"Tamaki-senpai is best friends with Kyouya-senpai," she explained matter-of-factly. "They're also partners for this project. Wouldn't you want to help Kyouya-senpai pass?"

Ryoji's ears pricked up at the mention of dear Kyouya Ohtori. He was especially fond of the young man. Kyouya was always nice, polite and charming towards him. It wasn't calculation at all. He simply preferred Kyouya over Tamaki.

Or perhaps he was just threatened by the foolish blond.

Maybe it was because he had a bad first impression. He did find him on top of his daughter! It was an embarrassing and compromising situation that still rankled. He really wanted to punish the stupid blond boy. It woke feelings of contempt and rage. He felt like he wanted to punch him.

Ryoji looked at Haruhi. She waited quietly. Oh, his beautiful daughter wanted it. She might not be aware but she really wanted it to happen. It might be a nuisance, a misadventure or troublesome activity but it would be interesting.

"Two days, you say?" he said casually.

Haruhi nodded. "They'd sleep wherever we want them to sleep. They'd eat what we eat. They'd definitely do what we want them to do. It's all in the rules."

The cross-dresser dad's eyes gleamed. That meant one thing. Slaves! He rubbed his palms together. But he resisted the urge to cackle. It was settled. Let the games begin.

She stared at her father. Oh, boy. "Will we let them in?"

"Absolutely," answered Ryoji who was really planning on getting back at Tamaki.

Haruhi sighed. It was getting worse. She ought to warn them.

oOoOoOo

The whole Host Club knew about their class activity. The rest of the guys were envious. Tamaki gloated while the twins begged her to take them as well. She rubbed her temples when she felt a headache coming on.

"You won't fit!" Haruhi said firmly. "I said only Tamaki-senpai and Kyouya-senpai are allowed to stay! It's for their assignment!"

It was scheduled to start next Friday. There were four more days to go. She wished she could press fast forward so that it will be over soon. It was going to be a long weekend. How will she survive it?

Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin pouted. They looked like they were ready to annoy her to death. Kyouya had to step in and remind them that they were supposed to be doing their hosting duties. She gave him a silent grateful smile.

Takashi Morinozuka and Mitsukuni Haninozuka also wanted to come along. They understood better than the twins though. It was not an unusual activity after all. Honey swore that he would be a good boy if she let him but she still refused.

"Won't Tama-chan and Kyou-chan get lonely?" Honey said innocently "They'd never gone there without us before!"

Haruhi stared at him. The twins looked up hopefully. She had to compose herself. Say no, say no, say no, she chanted. She didn't know how to handle Tamaki and Kyouya alone. How would she handle the rest of them?

"I think we can manage, Honey-senpai," said Tamaki in a deep voice.

"If you say so, Tama-chan!" Hani smiled infectiously. The twins looked simply murderous at the Pheromone King. "I'm sure you'd learn a lot if you stick with Haru-chan."

They both blushed.

Honey went away to climb on to Mori's back. Haruhi smiled a little. It was also a great opportunity to teach the King some lessons about the life of a commoner.

oOoOoOo

Sunshine flooded the bedroom. Haruhi opened her eyes. She glanced at the calendar on her bedside table. It was Friday. She closed her eyes again. It was too early for this!

She had to get up and get ready for school. Her father would still be asleep in the next room. There was no one else but her to cook breakfast. She still had a few chores to do as well.

Haruhi got up. She folded her futon before putting it away. Bath water should be hot and steamy to wake her up.

She took a short but refreshing bath while thinking about the Host Club. Today was the day.

How will she survive one whole weekend with Tamaki and Kyouya under the same roof? How will she cope with Tamaki's hyper energy and Kyouya's acerbic comments? Will she live to see the end of it all?

Those were still her thoughts while she cooked breakfast. She ate listlessly. Her father was still fast asleep. Working in a gay bar all night did take a toll Aon his body. She appreciated his efforts and loved him for it. It was a little thing to wake up early and cook breakfast for him.

Haruhi washed the dishes, grabbed her bag and locked the door behind her. She looked up at the bright blue sky. It was a beautiful day. A smile lit up her face. She shouldn't be so negative. She really should give Tamaki a chance.

She thought about it all the way to school. Tamaki would have a great time adjusting to their small house, their simple meals and their common hobbies. He would definitely make a fuss out of everything. He would annoy her father to death with his naïve questions and his bombastic speeches.

Tamaki was charming and funny but he was a bit of an idiot, in her opinion. She smiled. He'd be fine. He toned down his energetic personality whenever he wasn't around the other members. Kyouya would definitely adjust and he might think of more profitable ventures in his stay. But Tamaki will appreciate every aspect of it because he's so enthusiastic and open to those simple things…

Haruhi stopped walking. Why was she thinking about Tamaki anyway?

She pushed open the grand double doors that were the entrance to their school. Students from all classes milled around the corridors. Some exchanged gossip or love letters. She gave a smile and a nod to familiar faces. Some even went as far as greeting her.

Kyouya would be pleased that I work even before Hosting hours, she thought with an ironic smile.

It was never going to be a normal day after all.

oOoOoOo

A/N: For everyone who follows Baby, rest assured that I'm going to continue it. It just happened that I got sidetracked by this ficlet. Thanks for supporting the stories! _smiles_