Haruhi appreciated Chika and Satoshi were both on time and eager to be present for the first day.
"It really will be easy," she told them. "Just be yourselves."
"What?!" Tamaki rushed over. "Easy?! This is an art! Sure, you're a natural, but everyone knows what new hosts need! You should. You received the very best tutoring by yours truly!" He inserted himself between the younger Huninosuka and Morinozuka. "Stick with your King, noble young warriors, and I will teach you the ways of the host!"
Chika lowered his head in irritation. "Is it necessary to touch so much?"
"This should be interesting," Satoshi smiled. "Thank you, senpai."
Tamaki glowed. "That's the spirit! We're going to be meeting a lot of new guests! First year girls can be charmingly timid, and it's such a glorious feeling bringing them into bloom!"
"There are a lot of new students," Haruhi said. "Not just first years. We had two new students in our class today." She looked at the twins for confirmation.
Kaoru nodded. "Yeah, and they made quite a splash."
Hikaru held up two fingers. "Two in particular. Stunners, the both of them. The girl's an ice queen, but the short boy wasn't bad."
"I wouldn't call her an ice queen," Haruhi said. "You just don't like her because she wouldn't play when you sassed her."
Hikaru frowned and plugged his headphones in again.
Kaoru leaned forward. "The guy was fun, what little he said. Had the whole class eating out of his hand in minutes."
Kyoya didn't look up from his computer. "Which boy was that?"
"Haruna Himawari," Kaoru supplied.
"Ah," he said, still typing. "Homeschooled until now. Interesting."
Tamaki blinked. "Homeschooled? With such good social skills? Well that is rare."
Hikaru, listening despite his headphones, grinned wryly. "Born entertainer, I'd guess. Desperate for attention."
Haruhi noticed a small smile appear and disappear from Kyoya's face and looked to see if Tamaki caught it. It was hard to tell, still, even after dating him for a full school break. While he wore his emotions on his sleeve, his thought process wasn't always obvious.
Right now he just seemed absorbed in thought. "Hm. Maybe there's other talented young men out there this year… There is the question of the club's legacy…" He looked at Kyoya.
"There are quite a lot of transfers this year," Kyoya replied to the question Tamaki never asked. "It might be a good move, bringing in a new member. A bit like giving our new guests a host who can relate to the experience of learning how a new school operates."
"Hey!" Chika interjected. "What do you think we are?!"
Hikaru, seeing an opportunity, popped up behind him, suddenly all attention. "Oh well you're not new. You're successors!"
Kaoru joined him, standing on a chair to "pop" up behind the lanky Morinozuka. "Yeah, you've had a big lead-up in all the merchandise and a full spread in the newsletter. There's nothing new or unexpected about you two."
Satoshi tried not to show his blush. "R-really? With pictures and everything?"
"It's decided!" Tamaki declared. "We will have a contest for who will be this year's new Host!"
Haruhi let the rest of them cheer and question and chatter. She was just glad Tamaki had his next project. She smiled a little, comforted he was just the same even though they were together.
"Whoever it is," Kyoya said, having suddenly appeared behind her, "will have to be willing and able to keep your identity quiet. The last thing we need is for Tamaki to land at odds with the winner."
Haruhi, after recovering from the chills he sent up her spine, sighed. "Um, right." She wasn't entirely sure what he meant, but the contest suddenly seemed much more important.
Kyoya and Tamaki moved fast. By the start of classes the next day, the whole school was buzzing with news of the contest. Class 2A kept discussion until homeroom when the twins and most of the girls in the class rushed to Himawari.
"Are you going to compete, Himawari?"
"Oh you'd be a shoe-in!"
"I'd request you for sure, if you made it!"
"Do you think you're Host Club material, Haruna?" Hikaru purred, sitting on the new boy's desk.
Himawari was short, not quite as short as Huni. Haruhi didn't think she was an excellent judge of appearance, at least not compared to the twins, but he certainly drew attention. He had a perky flash of blonde hair, a slight figure, and beautiful features, not to mention a natural grace in his stride and gesture. That smile sure set girls blushing.
"I don't know?" Himwari said, smiling sheepishly. "Honestly, this is the first I heard of it!"
Kaoru looked at Himawari's companion. "You were at the club yesterday. What did you think?"
Haruhi was impressed with the pair of them. Where Himawari was short and spunky, Nakarami Inari was tall, lovely, and somewhat distant, but comments she made showed a razor sharp personality.
"Hima would fit in very well," she said, sitting back in her desk chair. "It's nothing like any place I've ever seen." She looked at Himawari, thinking. "Honestly, I wasn't planning to go back. I only went because I was told the Ouran experience wasn't complete without at least giving it a try. I'd go back just for the tea, if not the conversation."
Even Haruhi felt the chill off that comment.
Himawari pouted and half the girls cooed. "Ina, don't be sour. Wouldn't it be fun? I mean, you keep telling me to try new things? What if I really really really like it?"
Even Inari looked affected at that, but Haruhi saw something else she couldn't quite place. Probably worry. But that could just be the two of them. Himawari seemed to have the same kind of spark that got Tamaki in trouble sometimes.
"Yes, I did say that." She folded her arms. "Okay. Yeah, this might be fun. I'll even come watch. Just know you'll probably win and that comes with some baggage."
Himawari tackled her in a hug. "Yay! Come cheer me on, Oneechan!"
The girls squealed and the twins watched before looking at each other, then to Haruhi. "Those two remind you of anybody?"
Haruhi rolled her eyes and refocused on her reading. "Yeah."
Haruhi and the twins arrived before the contest to find Tamaki ordering Satoshi and Chika while they rearranged furniture. As soon as the door fell shut, he whipped around to the twins. "You two! Come on, hop to it! We need all this stuff moved to be ready for the contest!"
The twins glowered. "Don't wanna."
Tamaki straightened up to his full "kingly" stature. "The sooner you pitch in, the sooner we'll all get to sit back and watch our contestants do their stuff!"
Kyoya looked up from surveying the three sitting areas take shape around the room's center point. "They'll need challenges, of course. The Host Club is full of surprises." He leveled a sideways glance at the twins. "I expect you'll help demonstrate that."
The twins grinned and joined the first years, adding their own instructions for how things should be arranged. Probably for optimum meddling.
"That got them up and going," she commented to Kyoya, watching them work. "So how's this going to work?"
"Tamaki's narrowed the contestants down to three. Seeing as we're looking for someone who can consistently draw a crowd, this is a practical competition. There will be no appointments for us. Guests will give their vote for our new host on their way out."
Haruhi looked to see a massive gilded box by the door, quills and ballots at the ready. She smiled a little. "Letting them feel a part of it?"
Kyoya adjusted his glasses. "Our guests like an… interactive experience."
Haruhi wondered if the ballots would even be counted. In the end, there was a lot more to the Host Club than just being popular.
The contestants arrived first. Out of the three, Himawari got there last. Inari came in with him.
The twins appeared instantly. "Sorry, but guests have to wait outside until we officially open," they said in unison.
Haruhi expected they would have been less polite if Tamaki hadn't been in the room.
Himawari looked upset. "Ina?"
"No, no. It's alright. Listen, just enjoy yourself. Okay?" she smiled at Hima as if encouraging him to smile too. She held both his hands. "I'll be back."
Hima brightened up. "Okay!"
Inari took in the room with a quick glance and Haruhi met her eyes briefly before she left.
"There's our third contestant!" Tamaki crowed, coming over and throwing an arm around Himawari. "Come join the others! Don't be shy! Come along, everyone! It's almost time to begin!"
Tamaki was in his element. The guests flooded in and he introduced each contestant, soothing hurt feelings about regular appointments being rescheduled, and psyching everyone up to make their first picks.
Haruhi was concerned about Himawari and decided to keep an eye on his area. In the seconds before Tamaki let the guests pick a seat, she caught a glimmer of nerves show up in his otherwise confident expression. "Hey," she said, offering a smile. "This is supposed to be fun."
Himawari blinked in surprise then relaxed, grinning back. "Thanks, Haruhi."
In that moment, a light bulb went on.
Inari followed at the back of the flood of guests, taking her seat with the other girls waiting for space with the contestants. She tried to get Himawari's attention, but when that didn't work Haruhi made her way over.
"Are you going to sit at Himawari's table?"
Inari caught her tone and looked at her carefully before smiling a little, a smile that had volumes behind it. "I'm not too sure. And I think you know why."
Haruhi nodded a little. "They're good guys. Really. I know joining has been good for me, and I didn't even want to at first."
Ina watched the twins squish up on either side of Hima to blow in each ear. She grinned when Hima hooked an arm around each of them, wetted his pinky fingers, and gave them a simultaneous wet-willy. "Hima doesn't get much time to make real friends."
"But you're around?" Haruhi supplied.
She calmed down some, letting some tension out of her shoulders. "Since we were little, yeah." She looked at Haruhi furtively. "And you'll take care of Hima?"
Haruhi blinked in surprised. "Well, we all will. Honest. I told you, they're good guys."
Inari stared across the room at Kyoya. "What about him?"
Haruhi wasn't sure how much to sugarcoat that and her pause must have been long enough to give it away. "Kyoya-senpai cares about the welfare of everyone in the club."
She didn't seem convinced and stood a little taller, firm. "Right. Well. You can take appointments, can't you?"
"Um, sure."
"Then I'd like one for tomorrow. With him. And there will be a significant donation to the Spring Auction if you can make it a private interview." She straightened her dress. "Emphasis on 'interview'."
Haruhi wasn't quite sure if she should be taking notes. "Okay."
Inari started toward the door.
"Wait, aren't you going to wait to sit with Himawari?"
Inari paused and smiled at her. "Are you kidding? Hima has this whole crowd in hand. I'll see you all tomorrow, Haruhi."
She left with a brief, playful wave to Hima.
Haruhi could tell at a glance Hima was winning over guests and Hosts alike, drawing them in like flies. Even the twins were captivated, now recovered from Hima's mischievous come-back. It had been ages since they'd been so interested.
Haruhi wondered how many other lightbulbs had come on.
"I WON!" Hima declared during homeroom when the twins told her.
Inari and the other girls cheered too, full of their congratulations.
"Tamaki's not going to like that you told," Haruhi said, though she really wasn't too upset. It was nice to see them taking an interest.
"Are you kidding?" Hikaru said smugly.
"This is the best thing to happen since you came on," Kaoru agreed.
They grinned at Haruhi. "Wait till the boss figures out he's done it again!"
Well, at least they could catch on, Haruhi thought.
"I'm not surprised, though," Hikaru said, with an air of boredom. "He's gotten slower on the uptake."
"Especially since the two of you got together," Kaoru agreed, leaning on his brother.
"What did you do? Drug his tea or something?" Hikaru smirked.
"No, he's always been a little slow on that stuff."
Kaoru giggled.
"YAAAAY!" Himawari tackled the twins in a hug, nearly knocking them off the desks they perched on. "This is gonna be great! I can't wait to show you some of my tricks!" Hima mushed up close to each of their shoulders. "We're gonna be great friends! Hima, Hika, and Kao!"
Kaoru smiled, but Hikaru smirked. "You've got a lot to learn, rookie!"
The two of them pulled Hima off to the side, and, unfortunately, they looked far too comfortable conspiring in the corner.
Inari picked up her things. "So, what can we expect for today? The grand first day of the winner?"
Haruhi thought a second. "Well, Tamaki-senpai's been pretty secretive about all this, but that's probably just him flying on whims and doesn't actually know what he wants to do. Whatever it is, it's sure to be over the top."
"Then it'll be fine." Inari said. "Hima can get easily bored. Keep an eye on them for me?"
"Where are you going?" Haruhi asked, checking the time.
"I have a rehearsal for music class. The spring recital is coming up," she said. "Apparently it's where everyone shows off what they've learned over winter break. New school, so… I need to make a good impression."
Haruhi blinked in surprise. "Recital?"
She smiled. "There are other clubs here than just yours. Though this one is linked to composition class. I'll be there on time, though. You did set up my appointment?"
"Yeah, but" –
"See you then, Haruhi," she said, and left.
"WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBER!" The room was a shower of sparkling confetti and trophy decorations. A massive rose wreath dropped onto Himawari, the twins stepping immediately to the side when they came in.
Tamaki landed in front of Hima wearing a grand crown and sweeping fur-lined cape. "Consider this your royal welcome! Bow to your KING!"
As he stood there glittering, Hima glanced at first one twin then the other. "Um. Thank you, Suoh-senpai, but" –
"We're all family here! Tamaki-senpai or Your Majesty is just fine!" He plopped a hand on Hima's head with fatherly affection.
"Oh. Well, thank you, Tamaki-senpai, but I'm not sure if I actually want to be in the club. The audition was fun and all – I just kind of liked the competition!"
Tamaki's cape suddenly fluttered in an icy breeze. "Don't… want… the club?"
Hima smiled wide and offered a handshake. "No hard feelings, senpai?"
"How? What? You? No? HOW COULD ANYONE SAY NO?! MAAAAAMAAAAA!"
Hikaru and Kaoru busted out laughing and Hima joined in.
Tamaki leveled a laser beam glare on the twins. "What?!"
"Now now, Tamaki," Kyoya said, making a note. "Consider this the inaugural prank. They are in the same grade, and you keep saying the Twins could do with more friends."
"But not the kind that pranks ME!"
"You make quite an easy mark," Kyoya said, matter-of-factly. "Ah. Haruhi, a word about the appointment you scheduled yesterday?"
Costumes on, the whole room was transformed into an Ascot-themed tea party worthy of English royalty celebrating Himawari's victory over the competition.
Inari arrived a few minutes later than the more eager guests. Haruhi hoped to catch her before her appointment time with Kyoya, but he intercepted her before Haruhi had a chance to warn her.
"Welcome, princess," he said, voice dripping with charm. "It seems we have an appointment."
She nodded. "Yes, I remember. And my conditions?"
"I'm afraid we have a club policy against private interviews. Conditions of propriety, you understand," he said, adjusting his glasses. "But this time is yours and the novelty of a new member will afford some privacy at my usual table." He gestured to a place in the corner set with tea for two. He offered his arm. "My lady?"
She stiffened. "Well, don't you lay it on thick?" she said quietly, but she took the offered arm and let him lead her to the table.
Haruhi felt nervous just looking at them, but couldn't keep from seeing a pair of fierce people meeting for the first time and armed with their own collections of secrets. Unfortunately, Tamaki's mind was on trying to swing Hima in his favor rather than the Twins'.
Inari sat when he held her chair, and she tended to their tea cups rather than waiting for him. "I hear you take a close interest in background histories," she said. "Himawari has an interesting one, don't you think?"
He leaned back in his chair and inclined his head in the smallest of nods. "Very. Rather colorful, and it does make me wonder what brings her to the club."
Haruhi glanced around to be sure no one heard, but most of the club was swamping around the drama of Hima and Tamaki vs. Hima and the Twins. At least they got it out quick.
"She's used to attention," Ina returned quickly. "But people who know best what she needs decided at least a semester in a conventional education center would be good for her. And others who care about her pointed out a certain identifying tattoo would be visible in the girls' uniform."
Kyoya smiled a little and took a sip from his cup. "True enough. And is this some way to keep even further under the radar?"
"I don't agree this is a good idea," Inari said suddenly. "Not yet. I love her like a sister. If I don't feel she's safe, at a word from me she'll be out of this club and out of this school and nobody will be the wiser."
"Safe." Kyoya examined her expression carefully. Finding no crack in her resolve, he changed tack. "What makes you think we're a threat?"
"You," she said, "for a start. Second, the twins know and I don't trust them as far as I can throw them."
"Wise approach," he nodded slowly.
"Third, if Suoh-senpai finds out about her, and he's already got his girlfriend hidden here in plain sight, he could easily turn her out on her ass," she said shrewdly. "He's too honest, and honesty isn't going to help Hima in this situation."
Kyoya skillfully hid how her comment made his shoulders stiffen. "I see. Do you intend to return his honesty with your own?"
Inari blinked. "What do you mean?"
Finally, a crack in her armor. He leaned forward, elbows on the table to take one of her hands in his. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, a move that usually filled his guests' cheeks with a rich red blush.
Inari's face drained a little of its color.
"We each have a secret we're guarding very carefully," he purred, "for a person we care very much about. I'm going to tell you something – Tamaki set up the contest for Himawari. He may not understand what he's done yet, but I promise his finding out will not be a threat to her or her career. That is, of course, if you understand we will not be threatened."
Inari pulled her hand from his and rubbed it free of any remaining feeling from his touch. "I can see you're not joking, but clearly your research is shallow and poorly conducted if you'd ever think I'd tell anyone about Haruhi. I like her. She's good people. One of the few good people I've met since coming to this school. She obviously loves this place, God help her, and I'd be an awful friend to her if I ruined it over something selfish. I'd sooner take Hima away than hurt Haruhi."
She stood up and he sat back stiffly. "I will not take up more of your time. Put me down for regular appointments with Hima, please. If she chooses to stay with you all, and I must share my best friend, at least I'll get a set time to see her and be sure she's being treated well."
Kyoya met her angry gaze with a blank one of his own. "Of course. And I promise, she's in the very best hands here in the Host Club."
She raised an eyebrow, skeptical but allowing it. "I appreciate the sentiment." She bowed politely. "Thank you for your time, Ootori-senpai," she said, and left the club immediately.
Haruhi looked to check on Kyoya after seeing Inari leave, but just that quickly he was back to work.
Chika and Satoshi closed the door on the last guest at the end of club hours.
"Well done, everyone!" Tamaki said, happily. "I can tell this year is going to be just as wonderful as the last! Himawari, our little Entertainer, is a shining gem in our treasure chest of charm!"
The Twins beamed. "It's official! She's in!"
Chika and Satoshi stared. "She?"
Tamaki looked at them. "Don't you think you're funny!" he laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, Hima, they're just silly."
"But they're right," she smiled, still looking very dapper in her suit and Ascot tie. "Looks like I did a good job, huh? I can play a boy really well, huh? Huh?"
Tamaki paled to a ghost of himself. "Whaaaaaat?"
"That's right, Boss! You did it again!" the Twins sang in unison.
"Haruhiiii! I didn't do it on purpose!" Tamaki wailed, diving to grab her feet. "Please don't be mad at me! I'm not unfaithful! I really didn't know!"
Haruhi blushed in embarrassment and rolled her eyes. "Stop. For real."
Kyoya stepped up behind Hima and smiled. "Yes, you do play a boy very well. And you can trust us to be the very definition of discreet."
Hima smiled up at him. "I know! Ina said so!"
The Twins appeared on either side of Kyoya. "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you wonder why she's in the boys' uniform rather than the girls'?" Kyoya clicked his smartphone and a big screen lit up with a massive promotional picture of a highly-dolled up and colorful girls' pop group.
Haruhi cocked her head to one side. "That's Colocross… all the girls in my old school couldn't get enough of them. What do they have to do with this?"
Hikaru cocked his head too. "And when did we get a jumbo screen?"
Hima jumped in front of the screen. "Oh good! You don't see it! This should help!" Hima did a turn and posed, suddenly showing off full pouting lips, wide sparkling idol eyes, and one leg popped up to match one of the band members.
The Twins blew up. "OH MY GOD, YOU'RE MIDORI FROM COLOCROSS!"
"That's right," Kyoya said. "Our very own pop star idol." He gave Tamaki a small smug smile. "Looks like we're going up in the world."
