It was funny, in its own way, how often she found herself there. Day after day, sitting there at the table, listening to the girls' questions and responding with whatever came to mind. She used to hate coming, she used to find the whole thing irrational, and irritating…
Oh wait, she still does.
"Ha-ru-hi!" Hikaru, Kaoru following in step beside him, came down the hallway towards her, "I wonder what Milord-"
"-has decided to do today." Kaoru finished for him.
"I'm sure it's something completely unnecessary." Haruhi concluded, walking up the stairs.
"Probably, but-"
"-Milord did say he had a surprise."
The three of them walked through the doors to the third music room, unsurprised by the scene before them. Hunny was eating his cake with bun-bun, Mori looking towards the window. Then there was Tamaki, waltzing around doing some extravagant speech that would end with them all wearing obnoxious clothing and him being the fantastic creator of "beauty." Kyouya didn't pay him any mind, but continued jotting things down on his notepad and occasionally agreeing with Tamaki; though she was sure he didn't agree at all.
"Haruhiii!" Tamaki glided over to her, "You're finally here! Daddy has the most wonderful cosplay for today!"
"Oh great, what now?" she sighed.
"We will be secret agents to our beloved ladies! Tuxes and roses, with shades to boot! What gentle lady wouldn't want to dine with danger! A romance, tragic because of our double lives that keep us from ever living together peacefully, yet beautiful because of our true passion! It's almost Romeo and Juliet-" Tamaki just kept going with his usually ranting and raving about what an excellent idea it would be.
"That sounds nice senpai, but won't the club open soon?" Haruhi attempted to talk over Tamaki's rambling.
"Oh! Quickly men! Agents are always punctual, let's go!"
"This was-" Hikaru started.
"-the big surprise?"
"How boring," they said in unison.
"The surprise? Why, not at all," Tamaki continued, "I'll announce the surprise when the ladies arrive!"
"Ten minutes." Kyouya glanced at him.
"Ah! Hurry up! Wouldn't want them waiting now would we?" Tamaki rushed them into changing.
Haruhi didn't exactly love changing, but she enjoyed the three or four minutes of peace she gained from doing it. When she was done, she looked in the mirror. She was a little pleased to see that she didn't look all that bad in a tux. Her slim figure made her perfect for all the ridiculous cosplay outfits Tamaki-senpai made her wear. Even if she did find him annoying, part of her worried about him sometimes. He had been in deep thought often lately, what could he be thinking about? What if something was really bothering him? Should she ask, or would it be rude?
Before she got to really dwell on it Hunny came bouncing along.
"Haru-chan! Are you ready to play?" He asked in his usual bubbly voice.
"Uh... yeah, coming!" She finished her fixing her tie and joined the rest of the members.
Each of them was nicely dressed, black tuxes and hair combed back. Haruhi noticed Hikaru glance at his brother with a strangely mischievous look. 'What are they up to now?' she thought. She let it go though; they were always up to something. Tamaki was welcoming the girls with his speech about the loveliness of today's "glorious mission." They all clapped when he finished and several squeals could be heard in the music room. After everyone had calmed down the girls began going off to each of their preferred hosts. As Tamaki walked towards his table, he fell flat on his face.
"AHHH! What in the world—" He looked down to find a banana peel on the floor. "You homosexual supporting characters!" He was about to chase them when Kyouya walked over, notepad in hand.
"MOMMY! Did you see that!? They purposely tripped me in front of the costumers! It doesn't look agently to trip on a banana!!! Do something!" He pointed at the two smug brothers.
"You have guests, dad." Kyouya pushed his glasses up a bit, "Let's not disappoint them with your absence." He walked away casually.
Tamaki glared at the twins, letting it go momentarily. He would surely get them back later.
"Oh Tamaki, what if something happens to you?" One of the girls was gazing at him; she was clearly eating the agent material right up.
"Something happen?" He placed his hand under her chin, pulling her close, "Do not fear my beautiful darling, come what may, I shall always return to you…"
"Ohhhh~" She fainted, and the girls all clapped and giggled happily.
"Wonder when Milord will spill the news?" The twins glanced over at Tamaki's scene.
"What news?" One of their own guests inquired.
"We don't know for sure." Kaoru sighed.
"Besides, it doesn't matter really… as long as Kaoru stays close to me."
"Hikaru!" he whined, "don't say those things in front of them…"
"I'm sorry dear brother, I just can't hide these feelings anymore!" Hikaru and Kaoru held each other, just another one of their 'brotherly love' acts as usual.
Haruhi ignored them, trying to focus on her guests. 'I just don't get it…'
A soft dinging sound of glass filled the room.
"Can I have everyone's attention for a moment please?" Tamaki was standing, tapping his glass gently with his over-done princely smile. "I have an announcement to make!"
"Finally." The twins sat up, still arm in arm, looking slightly bored.
"Next Saturday, the Host Club will be hosting an extravagant masquerade! All of you are invited to come! There will be food, dancing, and games for all, so please attend!" Tamaki said cheerfully. "Unlike many of our activities, this will be open to everyone at Ouran, so please feel free to notify all your friends." He continued, "It will begin at 7:00 P.M. and end at the stroke of midnight." He finished dramatically, bending over in a bow, one arm extended.
Lots of clapping of excitement and random comments such as "Oh I can't wait!" and "I'm definitely going!" rang throughout the room.
"Isn't it romantic Haruhi? A night of dancing with handsome young men, never knowing who it might be!? True love could happen for anyone! It's simply magical, don't you think?" One of Haruhi's guests was smiling at her.
"Well, I don't know, I mean how do you know you aren't dancing with someone you don't even like?" They looked at her, thinking about it.
"You just know! That's why it's so romantic, you are attending right Haruhi!?" They all waited in suspense.
"I don't think so- unless it's mandatory…"
"It is." The twins each put an arm over her shoulders, standing on both sides of her.
"Uh… then I suppose I am." She sighed and looked down.
"You don't like these sorts of things do you, Haruhi?" The same customer asked.
"Not really, but I can't wait to see you ladies in your dresses." Haruhi gave her natural grin and the girls giggled and blushed.
"But you won't know who is who, remember!?" One pointed out, still giggling.
"Maybe I'll… just know?" Haruhi grinned again, the girls squealing now.
The twins attacked her with huggles.
"Ha-ru-hi! You are adorable!" They chanted while the girls were getting up to leave as the day came to a close.
"Get off and stop harassing my daughter!" Tamaki dashed over trying to pry Haruhi away from the twins.
"No! She's our classmate!" Hikaru refused.
"Yeah, let go!" Kaoru replied.
"All of you let go!" Haruhi demanded, "I can't breathe!"
They stepped away and laughed.
"We were thinking Milord—" Hikaru began.
"-that perhaps, since it is a masquerade-"
"-Haruhi could attend-"
"-as a girl." They ended.
"As a girl!?" Tamaki repeated, shocked. "What if someone finds out?"
"She will be wearing a mask." Hikaru stated simply.
"And we could always say it was her cousin, like we did at open house when your grandmother visited and Renge noticed her." Kaoru added.
"They'll notice a host missing!" Tamaki insisted, worried.
"No they won't! It's open to the whole school, boys and girls will be attending and we will be hidden by masks. No one will know who is who, and therefore no one will notice one missing." Hikaru stated, looking at him, in a matter-of-factly way.
"Unless you just don't want Haruhi dancing with any other boys, Milord…" Kaoru pried.
"Brother I think you might be onto something."
"Could it be? Milord would be jealous… how unsightly." He mused.
"Indeed, how perverted…" Hikaru joined.
"I'm NOT a pervert!" Tamaki jumped, "I am only concerned about losing our precious Haruhi as a host club member!"
"Whatever…" The twins kept up.
"Are you sure no one will notice?" Tamaki questioned, beginning to fantasize about dancing with Haruhi dressed up, the secrecy of masks fueling their love as they twirl in the moonlight.
"Positive."
"Kyouya!?" Tamaki pointed.
"Hmm?" He glanced up.
"Make sure Haruhi has a dress for Saturday! Operation Dance-With-Haruhi-As-A-Girl is in motion!" Tamaki declared.
Everyone stared at him strangely. They had no idea what he was dreaming.
"Huh?" Haruhi had just been sitting their ignoring them for the last ten minutes.
"Haruhi! You are attending as a girl! You will be dancing with me." Tamaki said.
"With you?" The twins leered.
"Yes, with me. I'm her daddy!" Tamaki complained.
The twins pulled Tamaki aside and they all hunched over in a corner.
"But how will you know which girl is Haruhi?" They questioned him.
"I-I-I will figure it out." Tamaki looked confused for a moment, thinking about it.
"How about a different game-" Hikaru chimed.
"-about dancing with Haruhi."
"The first one to dance with Haruhi-"
"-and figure out that it's her-"
"wins." They grinned.
"Wins what?" Tamaki looked slightly intrigued, but mostly annoyed.
"A kiss." Kyouya interrupted them.
"WHAT!?" Haruhi piped up, glaring at them.
"A k-k-kiss!? She's my daughter! Her lips can't be tainted by the likes of you two devils!" He accused.
"Then you better win!" They laughed, grinning evilly.
"I never agreed to that!" Haruhi was fuming.
"I'll cut your debt by a fourth." Kyouya smiled.
"A fourth!? Let's see… that leaves…" Haruhi trailed doing the math in her head. "Fine, but only on the cheek. Oh! And nothing fishy like the Christmas party with Ms. Kanako!" She finished, irritated but willing to do anything to get her debt gone faster.
"I want to play!" Hunny joined the game.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to join as well, but if I find her first, I'll add a fourth to the debt." Kyouya beamed.
"B-But that's not fair—" She was cut off by the twins and Tamaki huggling her.
They ignored her complaints, having their minds set on the game. The Host Club was going to have a busy week.