A/N: I don't own Ouran Highschool Host Club–obviously. Also, I feel compelled to warn readers that this is going to be a longer story. I hope you'll keep reading anyway.

New A/N 12.2017: I recently rewrote this story to change an important element in Caine's backstory that I wasn't satisfied with. I hope you all are as content with the change as I am and continue to read and review my story.

Chapter One: Arrival at Ouran Academy

"Caine-sama, this is Otori Kyoya, the class president for your year," said the admissions counselor, "he will give you a tour around the school."

"Just let me know what you would like to see," the black-haired, glasses-clad boy standing opposite them added graciously, "if you have any special interests, for example."

Caine sighed. What I would like to see on this early Sunday morning, he thought, is my own bed. Instead, I've been dragged out to tour this massive and oppressively pink new school. To make matters worse, for some reason it was decided that Mira would get to stay home, and only I would have to come.

Gritting his teeth, he forced his face into a polite smile. I suppose this Otori boy probably doesn't want to be here either, and was only made to do it because he has the best scores in his class.

"I am very grateful to you for taking time out of your weekend to give me this tour, Otori-san," he forced himself to say in reply.

"It's no trouble at all."

Kyoya led Caine around the school grounds, here and there pointing out the many state-of-the-art facilities Ouran Academy had to offer. Caine was pleased to see four different libraries, as he loved to read, and he made note of some spots he hoped would be secluded enough to do so without interruption. From what he could see, it wasn't much different from the school he had attended in Kyoto, although he had to admit it was quite beautiful the way the brick buildings shone pink like the cherry blossoms blooming overhead. Maybe here he would have the chance to get a new start, fresh as the cherry blossoms and free of his troublesome past.

The two boys stopped near a fountain, the water sparkling as it arced beautifully through the sunlight.

"So, what brings you to Ouran Academy, Yabatsukuni-sama?"

An icicle-sharp stab of cold fear stabbed through Caine's heart. So much for the fresh start–apparently his name had preceded him. He braced himself; now he had no shield against those who would only see him for his famous name and the rumors that surrounded it, no protection from the whispering and shaming that had followed the fateful event the previous year when his reputation had been undeservedly tarnished forever.

"How . . . how did you know?" he gasped out in a whisper, trying not to show his anxiety.

"I make it my business to know everything about everyone here at Ouran," Kyoya replied, the light glinting off his glasses, and, for a moment, giving their opaque shine a sinister look. The sinister look passed quickly however, and he tilted his head to look sideways at Caine, seeing his unease.

He added, with some confusion, "What is it?"

"It . . . has news of me traveled to this school already?" Caine carefully asked, trying not to show his nerves and reveal the true intent of his question.

"No," Kyoya replied, "as far as I know, I am the only person who knows, aside from the administration. Actually, I was surprised to discover that you were coming here. Why?"

Caine breathed out a big sigh of relief. He had worried in vain.

"Well . . . you see, I prefer to be anonymous. So people will judge me based on my character, instead of my name."

He waited, nervous. It was a gamble, telling someone else with a famous name his reasons for anonymity. For all he knew, this Otori boy could be more like his sister, basking in the limelight of a wealthy family and an eminent name.

Again, he found needn't have worried. Kyoya nodded, gave a small smile, and said,

"I understand. A name like yours can be a burden to live under, sometimes. I will not reveal it to anyone without your permission, so there's no need for you to be concerned."

"Thank you," Caine replied. Maybe Ouran Academy would be different from his school in Kyoto.