Loving me in April

Author's note: The characters I used are the usual host club (focusing on Haru, Mori, Kaoru...), Nekozawa (Why? Cos, he's a cutie. Admit it!  Everyone likes mixed ah-dorable characters!), B list people like the football club dudes etc etc, plus (*drum rolls*) Manami, my main female protagonist who is a new student at Ouran. Nope, she's not a commoner, but one of those "rich bastard/ bitches" at Ouran. She was Haruhi's good friend in Middle High. Apparently I added her for more action as she takes the host club out of their tight wealthy worlds to do these normal teenagers would –like clubbing and all these sort!

There would be a love triangle thingy going on. I've already done the whole plot and my story should be around 10 chpts, seeing that I intend to write a couple of chpts on "8 years" later scenarios. Oh, those who are Mori's fans, do continue reading my story. And if you have suggestions or requests or hate mail, review this.

Gosh do I ah-gree with Tamaki! Spring is indeed the time for romance dramas! 

Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran High!!! But I own a pink flowery 'potato sack'-like top which I regularly wear for a laugh.

Chpt 1: Starlight

The cool air pecked Manami's cheeks as she stepped out of the gleaming white Mercedes. A whiff of birch caught her dainty nose. Her deep red Miu Miu ballet flats hit the ground and she peered around at her surroundings nervously. She was almost disappointed when no one gawked at her entrance. Previously at her ex Middle School, which was a public school, students would secretly wow at her polished appearance and her wealth. Hastily, she brushed a stray strand of hair away from her sepia eyes and hurried after her sister up the stairs to the assembly ground.

Ouran Academy had amazed her so much. She was in awe when she saw the gleaming walls and handsome features her older sister, Makoto had told her about. Friends were leaning at the white-washed polished walls chatting and cliques huddled together for group hugs. She could have sworn each tile on the ground was hand-painted. There was an unexplainable obvious empowering air around that would strike panic in a commoner. A pang of loneliness struck her and she felt lost. All those well-groomed kids with their fancy $1000 haircuts and tanned skin, yakking away (of course demurely) about their holidays at the Hamptons or summer villa in the Caribbean made her feel quite left out and inferior. Recalling the time when a school staff came to Wantanabe's mansion to personally brief her about school activities and telling her that she was accepted to class 1-B due to her grades and family status, she had then been crossly hurt. She instantly cheered at the thought at finding new friends and for the first time mixing with rich kids. It would be a blast. Suddenly, Manami caught a glimpse of a friendly face with tousled dark hair in the crowd. She made her way there so she could at least find someone to talk to.

Then she was roughly stopped by a hand which grasped her shoulder tightly.

"Young Lady stop there!" the discipline master Sir Kuro ordered, in such a commanding tone that Manami thought only knights in the 15th century, in between battle cries would use.

Several students turned their head and the hall became almost silent. Students hardly got reprimanded here.

"What happened to your uniform?" He asked sternly.

"Oh, I..."

Manami had the family's tailor alter the uniform for her. Instead of the blooming sleeves and full length skirt, she currently modelled a short capped sleeved yellow dress with an almost mini skirt. Plus she had abandoned the sensible Mary-Janes for Miu Miu. In Tokyo shopping streets or high school almost every girl wore cute mini-skirts, and she grew up with that, thus hating the new uniform instantly. Her sister, who would be starting Year 2, told her that she was unclassy and embarrassing. That's when Manami stuck out her tongue and turned on her heels.

Remembering her mother's words to stay out of trouble and be a good girl on the first week (like she always had been) and her plans to be an "Alpha' in school, she smiled sweetly despite the whispers and buffered fingers pointed at her, around her and said consciously, choosing her words" Well, if I'm not wrong, a rule in the school handbook stated that form of expression is highly encouraged in this school and I am merely following the rule. Besides, I don't see how making slight improvements on the uniform to make it look decent is illegal? Neither is it sinful? Rule five of the book says 'Thou shalt refrain from sinning.'"

Then she turned a little red, hating herself for that lame cocky excuse.

Gawd, how embarrassing... And she wasn't even sure if a school handbook even existed.

"Zee is unacceptable." insisted the prim and proper man.

In a panic, Manami said "Every designer has to start from somewhere right?"

Surprisingly, the frowning man twirled his moustache and simple replied with a "Very well zan."

"Phew.." Manami heaved a sign of relief. Putting her hand to her mouth, she giggled a little at how well the silly disciplinary master took that. He's such a whimsical little folk, she thought. By the time she looked back, that familiar person was already gone.

The morning bell chimed a melancholic tune indicating that morning classes were to start in 5 minutes.

Oh bother… Manami hurried away, her glossy straight hair, which she had been so proud of until she saw the students' who had hair with waves so lustrous they move like the oceans swishing, bouncing with every step as she looked left and right frantically. Where's my timetable and the campus map?

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The light from the afternoon sun danced across corridor. It was peculiar that not a single student was in sight. Manami was annoyed with herself that she was still lost in such a labyrinth of a school even though it was four days into the week. To top it, the school was full of silly giggly girls who spent an average 4 figure sum at a piece of clothing and boys who were always talking about the rise of this or that share and discussing investment strategies. Well, at least the boys were more down to earth.

Sure, it was a case of pot calling the kettles black. It's normal to be obsessed with shopping and all that... Manami reasoned out to herself. She was also mulling over what the queer tittle-tattle her new friends had earlier. Host club eh? Like a male harem? She had heard bits and pieces of the natter and a lot of cooing. Master Suou... Chocolates... Ootori... Christmas Eve party... Despite being a very inquisitive person, she hadn't asked what it was all about.

Now, where is the darn dark room? Maybe sucking up to be teacher's pet was a huge mistake. Running errands after school was not her idea of fun.

Compelling music from Music Room 3 drifted across the hallway, capturing the attention of Manami.

The door creaked open as Manami peeped in. A bright light almost blinded her. Blinking in confusion and after regaining her sight, she saw the silhouettes of seven men.

"Welcome to the host club little kitty!" drawled an attractive blond haired teen with what seemed to be the world's most charming smile, holding a rose out to her.

All Manami could manage was a "huh?" as she was dragged in by what seemed to be an ah-dorable bunny-like creature in a suit. She was surprised to see the spacious room filled with sand, cactus and items that boast a blend of frontier and Victorian mix.

With that, the blond gave a shake of his head, pull the rose stem out of his mouth and presented it to her. The others just grinned behind her. "Howdy!"

Manami accepted it uncertainly "Ah... a cowboy party. I was just looking for the photography club".

"I see what a likely excuse. You must have heard of the host club with guys both beautiful inside of outside. Although, some more gorgeous than the other. I'm glad that our fame has spread so far." Eyes still sparkling like diamonds, he droned on and on. "And you haven't..."

"Haruhi!!!" screamed Manami in joy. She ran up to the pretty boy with huge eyes and grabbed her hands.

"Eh... Why are you in boy attire? Is it an 'In' thing around?" The cocked up eyebrow registered confusion. "Oh, I think I saw that the last Teen Vogue that Anne Cole was doing centre spread on male apparels goes lady-wards. Yeah, that must be it!" She concluded with a beam.

Instantly, the twins sidled from behind and clamped a hand over Manami's mouth, leading her away from their present clients sitting on the antique couches and sipping imported butterscotch tea. "Shhh... you'll ruin things."

Hastily, they explained the situation to Manami, oblivious to Tamaki who was constantly trying to barge in with a "get-to-know-your-daughter's-friends" mood. "Daddy wants to join your social circle" he insisted sulkily. In the end, with a flip of his hair, Tamaki sauntered over to join a couple of ah-doring fan girls who squealed excitedly at his presence.

"Manami! I thought you went to a boarding school in Australia?"

"Daddy thought that it was better for me to join sis in Ouran High. Anyway, I can't live a day with traditional Japanese food. It would be weird or too showy to send my chef over..."

"Ah.. "

Manami grabbed Haruhi's arm and mumbled "By the way, how does it feel to be surrounded by so many handsome hot-blooded males?"

Haruhi whispered back "You know, they a tad irritating... ..."

While they were chatting, the twins were performing their occasional skits.

One of the girls asked "How is life as a cowboy?"

"The overgrazing of grass has left our horses starving and the harsh winters that gone pass have demoralized some of our spirit. Yet, the radiance from the beautiful maiden I see before me with her bouncy curls has warmed the inner depths of my icy heart." Kaoru replied dramatically with a mock swipe across his forehead.

Hikaru gasped audibly "Kaoru! What about me? What about the nights we spent huddled up in a one-man tent under a single blanket during the Great Ration?"

"Hikaru! Of course, I would never forget you." A lone glistering tear slipped out of Kaoru's eyes. "And what we did that faithful night at the cattle range." He lowered his head and bit his thumb.

As such, the girls starting swooning madly. "Then what happened? What happened?!!"

"Cowboy culture is indeed deeply homophobic, I see" Manami laughed glancing across the room.

Haruhi sneaked a peek at Tamaki, who was also sneaking a look at Haruhi from the side of the faux bull model and muttered "The weird one is Senior Suou. 80% of his time is spent muttering sweet nothings."

"Point!" Manami drew a tick in the air. "What time is it?"

"Erm.. .4ish." Haruhi squinted at the clock. She wasn't used to this brand of contact lenses.

Manami got up, grabbing the box tightly to her chest. "I've got to go to get this delivered to Noriko of 3A."

At the same time, Kyoya came over, smiled at Haruhi pleasantly and said with a tone oozing with honey "You had a couple of customers to entertain at 4, Haruhi.", stressing at the past tense.

He looks like a cross between an evil Lord and a lady who sells hot cross buns down the lane, thought Manami mentally reminding herself never to offend him in whatever circumstances.

"Sorry, Kyoya senpai!" And Haruhi rushed off clumsily in her heavy boots.

"By the way, your haircut is way cute!" Manami called out after her.

Kyoya turned to Manami "I assume you would be coming here tomorrow again. Who would you like to designate?"

"Oh, Haruhi I guess."

"I would strongly advise a male who is more appealing to you." There was definitely something avaricious about Kyoya senapi.

"Erm... In that case, since senior has reiterated, the tall one over there." Manami twirled a lock of hair with her finger.

"Mori Senpai? Good choice. He comes with Hani Senpai. Right, I'll book you for the 3.30 slot." Kyoya scribbled in his leather notebook with a Mont Blanc fountain pen.

When Manami was out of the Music room, then she realized that she still didn't know the location of the photography club room. The school was a place of perplexing turns which made her addled. Moreover, the unexpected meeting of her old schoolmate and the discovery a strange club which did not fit into any category made her full a little woozy. As a result, she decided to take a chance with the hooded student with a funny cat hand puppet near the Einstein portrait.

So how is it?? Review puh-lease! Thank you for taking time to read my debut story!