It was just another Tuesday at the elite Ouran Private Academy. A playground for the fabulously wealthy and famous, Ouran Private Academy was a particularly rigorous school for the sons and daughters of the most well-known families around. But for many of Ouran's students, the extracurricular activities were the school's chief draw. To be quite specific, the Ouran Host Club.
Having just been released from their final class, the Hitachiin twins were walking together toward Music Room #3, the location of the infamous Ouran Host Club, where they would spend their afternoon working. Or, as the boss would have it, doing their best to ignore Tamaki's and Haruhi's displays of affection. Although their relief to have Tamaki back with the Host Club for good overshadowed most of the pain, it still stung to see Tamaki get the girl. That was true for both the twins and Kyoya, who had all seen her as a romantic interest.
Entering through the doors of Music Room #3, the twins found the room already occupied by the other host club members. Honey was sitting near a window eating a slice of cake (big surprise there) with Usa-chan seated in his lap. Mori sat across from Honey, listening to something the smaller boy was saying with a stoic expression.
Tamaki was explaining something to Haruhi in the center of the room, complete with lots of arm waving, shouting, jumping around, and extreme facial expressions. Kyoya sat closest to the door, typing away on his laptop with his notebook lying nearby. From the way the older boy glanced up with increasing frequency, he was attempting to conceal the fact that he couldn't stop watching Haruhi and Tamaki.
"Watcha working on, Kyoya?" The twins asked in unison, leaning over their friend's shoulders to get a better look at the computer screen. As best they could tell, it was all numbers and values; more accounting work. Kyoya readjusted his glasses on his nose. "Just calculating some expenses. I'm expecting another of Tamaki's grand schemes any day now, so our funding must be prepared."
"Aha," The twins replied, their tones completely lacking enthusiasm. Together, they walked over to their preferred couch and sat down.
"There's really not much to do here," Kaoru noticed, looking around the salon. As usual, the scent of rose petals lingered in the air.
"You're right. Not until our clients arrive, at least," Hikaru finished, also studying their surroundings. And then it's back to putting on a show for them, Hikaru thought, glancing quickly at his brother.
Kaoru picked up one of the teacups from the table across from the couch and examined it in detail. "How many are we supposed to have today, do you know?"
"Around fifteen, I believe," the older twin replied.
"Hikaru, Kaoru, you didn't come say hello." Turning around, the Hitachiin brothers found themselves staring at Haruhi Fujioka, the club's only girl host (although for the sake of her debt, she cross-dressed. Not that her debt existed anymore.) and the former crush of both twins.
"We're sorry Haruhi," Kaoru apologized. Hikaru finished his brother's thought with, "You simply looked a little busy there with Tamaki." Haruhi blushed lightly. Teasing the petite brunette never got boring.
"You're my friends, you're always welcome to say hello." Haruhi hadn't meant to injure the twins' feelings, but hearing her call them "friends" still stung. Just a little bit. She went on, "Besides, I would've appreciated an interruption. Tamaki was trying to convince me of the importance of cosplaying as popular anime characters next week."
Hikaru exploded into laughter as Kaoru asked, completely deadpan, "Oh really? Which show?"
"He can't make up his mind," Haruhi said with a knowing smile.
"The Host Club will be open for business in two minutes. Take up your positions, men!" Kyoya announced. His words stirred everyone into motion. The group scrambled to arrange themselves presentably in clear sight of the doorway, where their customers would soon be entering the salon. One minute until opening. The rose petals were in place. The Host Club was set to open with its usual roses, light, and of course, its boys.
The doors to Music Room #3 opened slowly, spilling rose petals, light, and a gentle breeze into the hallway where they swirled around the waiting ladies. Just beyond the petals and glamour, the Ouran Host Club awaited their guests, arranged as if posing for a photo. "Welcome!"
"So, ladies, how was your day today?" Hikaru asked as the twins sat down on a couch with their first customers. Kaoru settled himself beside his brother and smiled at the girls. There were three of them, all customers who came on a semi-regular basis.
"Oh, it was lovely. It's-It's better now that we're with you, though," one of the girls replied, looking down a smidge to conceal a blush. The twins smiled.
"I'm so glad!" Kaoru exclaimed, his face lit up with joy. In a classic Hitachiin act of "brotherly love," Kaoru reached for the teapot to serve their guests the tea they'd been promised, only to pull his hand back with a startled cry of pain as the steaming pot was too hot, and burned his fingers.
"Kaoru!" Hikaru cried, "Let me see your hand."
Kaoru, who had been gingerly inspecting his injuries, met Hikaru's eyes almost mournfully, looking out from beneath locks of auburn hair. "No brother, don't trouble yourself. It's just a small burn, it doesn't hurt much."
"Nonsense, baka! Let me see it!" Hikaru demanded, holding out a hand toward his brother. Kaoru curled his burnt fingers into a loose fist and pulled it against his chest.
When Kaoru did not respond, Hikaru's worried expression softened. "Kaoru…" He'd said his brother's name so softly, so gently, that the younger twin simply couldn't resist reaching out to reassure Hikaru. Of course, the elder Hitachiin only used this as an opportunity to grab hold of his brother's hand, bringing the reddened fingers to his lips, and tenderly kissing Kaoru's burns.
Their customers squealed with emotion, but the show wasn't over yet. Same old games, week after week. I wonder if they can see that we're both broken inside, longing for the affections of one whom we cannot have. Kaoru's face reddened as his brother warned, "You must be more careful, Kaoru. I cannot bear to see you in pain. Especially if you insist on being so stubborn about letting me ease your pain."
"Hikaru," Kaoru croaked, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry…"
"Although, I will admit, your stubbornness can be quite endearing. For example, when we are alone…" Hikaru placed a finger under his brother's chin, using it to guide the younger twin's gaze into his eyes as he leaned toward Kaoru. Startled, Kaoru fell back on the couch, only managing to catch himself with one elbow. Hikaru was not discouraged by this, though, and continued to lean in until their faces were close enough to feel the other's warm breath on their skin.
"H-Hikaru!" Kaoru complained, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. Hikaru merely chuckled. Their customers, meanwhile, were on the verge of getting nosebleeds.
It's always been the same tricks for us. Going through the same motions, week after week. We put on a good show, but what does this say about our relationship? My brother means the world to me, but the world thinks we are lovers. If he were to love me that way, would I be able to love him back? Is it possible that, somehow, someway, we could have feelings, deeper ones, for one another? He is my brother, but could he ever be my lover, too?