I know. I know. Why am I putting out another story when I have plenty of others unfinished and neglected? I wish I knew the answer myself. Without further ado I present Thankless Theater.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Highschool Host Club. Bisco Hatori does.
Bright brown eyes glistened as they avidly watched the flamboyant actors displayed across the screen.
"Oh Sophie! How could you betray me this way!" The actor held their arm above their eyes, as if they couldn't bare to see anymore. Sophie, an actress with heavy makeup and a skin tight dress seemed to be begging at the young man's feet, her sobs overacted and obnoxious.
"Oh Harald! I'll never cheat again! Please just take me back!" Her voice high and grating on the ears as she dry heaved in what she thought looked like natural sobbing.
"I...I don't think I can trust you anymore...besides I've...I've met someone else." The young dashing man said with too many dramatic pauses. Sophie yelled no, tugging at his pants, her sobs shaking her entire body a tad too much to be believable. Despite the horrible acting, brown eyes teared up allowing herself to be swept away with the emotions. Just as the two actors inched closer and closer together their lips aching for one last goodbye kiss, the screen went black. She took a moment to blink away the tears before realizing what had happened.
"Hey! I was watching that!" a little girl around the age of seven jumped up from her spot nestled a few inches away from the TV. Brown hair uncombed and in disarray revealed her binging habits, as she had been holed away in her room after discovering the wonderfully strange world of soap operas. A few feet away a maid matched the girl's glare, with a stern upper lip that began to chastise.
"Watching one of your little shows is not a proper excuse to skip out on dinner Miss Hideyoshi" The maid started moving around the bedroom, fixing sheets and pillows all while tossing a disapproving look towards the amount of junk food hidden in the nooks and crannies.
"Big deal." the young girl puffed blowing a raspberry at the older woman behind her back. "Why would I want to have dinner with those stuffy people my parents call friends?" her grumples fell on uncaring ears. Despite this she continued complaining, pacing around the room. "All they talk about is numbers and stocks, and everything else business related. It's almost like they are all robots!" she finished with a flop on her bed, the one the maid just finished making. Another glare towards the child was sent, before a swift swat to the girls legs made her shout in pain. "I just made that bed and it would do you some good not to mess it up before bedtime." The younger girl just jumped off the now wrinkled bed and started pacing once more. "Your parents are beginning to worry. Not to mention you haven't hung out with any of your friends since last month." The maid ranted off, trying to talk some sense into the child. "You are starting second grade this year. Now is the time to branch out make lifelong friends, learn about the company and your dut-" The stern woman turned around only to spot Miss Hideyoshi mocking her with her hand shaped into that of a puppet. A vein seemed to pop. "Miss Aiyana Hideyoshi!" Said girl stopped dead in her tracks, her face going pale after realizing she had been caught. "That is in no way the behavior of a young lady. Now I suggest you straighten out before your parents hear about this." Aiyana just slumpped her shoulders and rolled her eyes. Why does everything have to be so boring and rule oriented. She was still just a kid and already they want her to start playing the role of adult with proper duties and required skill sets. She swears on her life that knowing the different types of teacups and what company produces them will never be a useful skill in her life. Nor knowing what each fork is used for. Who cares if one is significantly smaller than the others with only three prongs. As long as it can pick up food, Aiyana couldn't care less. "Yes Mrs. Sumisu." Aiyana grounded out with reluctance. But when Mrs. Sumisu cleared her throat, with a raised eyebrow, Aiyana knew she couldn't get off scot free without some sort of apology. "I'm sorry Mrs. Sumisu." she let out with a sigh hanging her head down. Addressed maid only shook her head with a click of her tongue.
"That's more like it. Now perhaps you should apologize to your parents tomorrow before dinner too, which you will show up to. No excuses." Aiyana's head shot right up her mouth opened ready to argue.
"But the world premiere of-" She was curtly cut off.
"We have recording capabilities in this household." with that she headed towards the door but not before picking up the TV remote. "No more TV tonight. Go ahead and sleep. You have a bright and early morning tomorrow." Just as abruptly as she came in, she was out with a loud slam of the door. Aiyana's disgruntled face melted into a smirk as she checked the door once more to make sure her maid wasn't coming back before catapulted herself onto her bed. Her hand slide under the cool silk pillow, her fingers itching to find her hidden compartment. With victory shining in her eyes, she pulled out a duplicate remote and swiftly turned back on the TV being mindful to turn the volume off and put on subtitles. She stretched out onto her oversized bed purposely messing up the sheets in silent disobedience. Her eyes seemed to come alive flickering back and forth as if vowing to not miss a single movement displayed on the screen. The bluish glow illuminated her smile, her freckles ghosting over her checks lit with a blush.
Pearls shimmered and shined dotting the cream colored dress that was as puffy as a ball gown. A critical eye scanned for any missing pazazz, narrowing at any little mistake in the craftsmanship, her pen scraping across her notebook.
"Too much tooling, and the beading is sloppy. The underlying seem isn't strong enough to withhold the weight of the beads, thus the overall structure of the piece is unstable." the voice listed off without a reprimanding tone. She rested her glasses around her neck, the bright red chain attached allowing so. "Aiyana, I know you can do better."
An older version of the freckled faced Miss sat gripping the edge of her seat. At her teachers words she deflated into the plush chair. The room was lined with all sorts of colorful costumes from a variety of different periods and themes, shelfs overflowing with hat boxes and accessories. For a middle school theater department, the place was well funded and rich with life. Though you would expect nothing less from Ouran.
"I must have rushed too much." Aiyana meekly supplied, tucking a strand of her unruly hair behind her ear. Her fingers were wrapped in bandages as she reached to tug down on her sleeves.
"Those who rush make multiples of mistakes. Mistakes we can't afford. If you want to be a costume designer so much you should know at least this much." Aiyana gulped and nodded once more. Her teacher, Miss Morita, seemed to take pity on the poor girl. Or well poor was the wrong adjective for her seeing as her parents owned the upcoming renewable energy plants and cooperation. But no matter how rich ones life is, it's up to the person themselves to enrich their own mind and soul. Aiyana wanted to do just that. Miss Morita could clearly see the burning passion in her eyes, so inexperienced yet willing to develop and grow. "Despite the abundance of mistakes, it's not bad for someone with as little time as yourself." She wrote a few more tips and suggestions on her notebook and proceeded to rip the page out handing it to Aiyana. She took the page with careful hands, treating it like the most precious thing in the world. "Have the dress fixed by next week and I'll think about putting it in the show." Miss Morita placed her glasses back on her face, flipping her notebook over a few pages to review her schedule. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have a meeting with our lighting director." Her swift feet moved towards the door, but before she could make it through the large arch, a pair of slender arms engulfed her from behind. Aiyana's voiced was muffled by her teachers clothing.
"Thank you." Just as quickly as they were there, Aiyana's arms rested once more at her sides before bowing deeply to the head costume designer. Said designer ruffled the mop on top of Aiyana's head before leaving, the click of her heels soften in volume as the distance grew between the two. Aiyana zipped up the dress back in its plastic carrier, a large smile growing on her face more and more before she found herself grinning like an idiot, her checks swallowing her eyes in happiness. Though before she can be too happy about being given a second chance, she needed to work on her geometry homework. Afterall her parent's number one rule was school first, theater second.
Perfectly styled blonde hair blew in the wind as the warmth of the spring sun began to heat the air. Violet eyes looked straight ahead, lost in thought. Young girl's hushed whispers fell on deaf ears as Tamaki Suoh, looked onward, a subtle flick of his head that sent the wisps of bangs swiftly to the side had the girls swooning. Though as Tamaki kept walking in bliss, out of nowhere his foot slips. The culprit? A banana peel. Without an ounce of grace, the blonde haired man fell hard on his face, a low groan emitting clearly in the air as the girls all held their breath in horror. And like that the spell was broken. Vicious laugher broke the still air. Bright auburn hair twisted in all sorts of directions, the look effortless. The Hitachiin twins weren't known as the mischievous type for nothing.
"A-ahahaha! Can you believe it Kaoru!? He actually slipped on it!" Long slender fingers moved to wipe a tear from the corner of Hikaru's eye.
"Haruhi owes us ten bucks!" Kaoru laughed hard as he lend on his brother's frame. Some of the girls around them started to join in on the laughter, eating up the twins antics. Tamaki had just begun to pick himself up again only for his hand to land on the slippery peel once more. It's a wonder how his face doesn't end up bruised by the end of the day. The twins's laugher was renewed as they now both doubled over onto the floor, tears spilling freely out of their eyes. The clatter of china chimed as another person walked up to the scene.
"You guys. That wasn't very nice." the flat voice stated. Tamaki rose at Haruhi's words a hand falling over his heart. He was touched.
"H-Haruhi." He uttered her name in sappy disbelief, his eyes hopeful and warmed. And just as he was about to crush the younger host in his loving arms, he stopped dead in his tracks.
"What a waste of a banana." she mumbled as she continued on her way back to her table. Tamaki watched in heartbreak as she left him in the cold. He hung his head in mock shame walking back to his own table. A bold customer offered up her handkerchief to said somber man only for his attitude to shift an entire 180. He tilted her chin up boring his eyes into hers before whispering sweet nothings into the young maidens ear. The twins all laughed out moved to Haruhi's table wrapping their arms around her smaller frame. She didn't bother struggling knowing the two's grip is that of a python. The more you struggle to escape the tighter they squeeze.
"Would you two mind going back to your own table? I'm trying to serve tea here."
"You still owe us that ten bucks though Haruhi." Hikaru stated matter of factly.
"You aren't trying to rip us off are you?" Kaoru joined in, their innocent grins growing a little too amused for Haruhi's liking.
"For your guys information I never bet you ten dollars. That is just some idiotic rumor you are trying to spread." The twins pouted at Haruhi's lack of reaction. Though the two both thought of an idea as if a light switch had been turned on. They released the girl opting to instead lean back with a lone hand across their forehead.
"Oh you poor commoner Haruhi! So poor that you can't even uphold your bets." One of the twins grounded out in a mock dramatic style.
"Don't worry our dear commoner Haruhi." Hikaru repeated as he patted her head, to which she swatted away his hand. "We will forgive your blunder if you stay the weekend over at our place."
"We can do..." Kaoru started out
"...All sorts of fun things" Hikaru finished. The twins once again twisted their arms around their toy as if they were a protective cocoon. The girls around swooned all red in the face.
"You tainted twins stay away from my Haruhi!" Tamaki finally yelled after catching wind of the situation. "I'll gladly pay off Haruhi's debt to you nasty tricksters!" The idiot king stood regally as a knight in shining armor as if offering up some of his pocket change was saving the world from hunger. Everyone in the host club broke out into a clap, congratulating Tamaki on being so selfless and willing to help out a commoner. Haruhi felt the seeds on annoyance bud within.
"I don't need your stinking money. Nor am I going over to your house this weekend you guys." She turned to address Hikaru and Kaoru. The two just shrugged and said "suit yourself" before skipping off back to their table. Tamaki however did not bounce back from his beloved daughter's rejection, bothering her more as to find out why she would reject her 'dear daddy's money.'
A bell chimed out, signaling the host clubs hours are over. Almost right after the disappointed sighs and groans of the customers sounded. Once all the girls were gone Haruhi busied herself by cleaning up the teacups mindful not to chip a single one least Kyoya add it to her debt, plus interest. Haruhi shivered. As if he were a mind reader the cool type spoke up.
"Careful with those teacups, Haruhi. Those are a Hav-"
"Haviland Limoges. Hand Painted in France by several Edwardian Period porcelain artists." a chippy voice interrupted.
"Ah, Miss Kasugazaki. What a delight to see you. Kyoya hid his irritation at being interrupted behind the glare of his glasses.
"Kana-chan!" Honey had finally finished his piece of cake, or well pieces of cake, and had crumbs and icing littering his lips. He crawled up her stature giving her a big hug before hopping off. "What are you doing here?" he asked innocently the question everyone was wondering themselves. While she answered the questioned, Mori had bent down at one knee handkerchief in hand preparing to wipe Honey's face clean.
"I'm actually here for a favor." she gnawed on her lip, twisting her foot around on her tippy toes out of nerves. Tamaki instantly came alive, gesturing out an open hand towards Kanako, rose petals seeming coming out of nowhere.
"Anything for a cute princess such as yourself." Haruhi couldn't help but roll her eyes at the man's actions.
"I was hoping one you guys could accompany me to the spring play this week." at the several raised eyebrows she received she managed to catch onto their misleading thoughts her face reddening. " I-I don't mean as a date or anything! As you all know I'm engaged to Toru." The hosts all seemed to relax at her restatement. Haruhi was still confused, her eyebrows furrowing in thought.
"But why do you need one of us to accompany you?" her voice was the voice of reason as most of the other hosts didn't even think of asking for more information all of them ready to help out an old friend.
Kanako scratched her face as she searched for the right words. "Well you see...a group of...friends and I were planning on going. But this girl in my class, Tami-san invited herself and her boyfriend." the hosts just nodded along. "Now all my friends are running around like headless chickens trying to find dates seeing as Tami-san will surely flaunt hers." she finished with a sigh. "Toru is away overseas and I don't want to be poked fun at all night."
A light bulb seemed to go off over Haruhi's head as she smacked her fist into her other hand.
"Oh! So you want us as an accessory for the night." Haruhi blunted stated, making Kanako blushed at her straightforwardness.
"That's not a very roundabout way of saying it. Haruhi." Kyoya commented. He pushed up his glasses. "I'm sorry to inform you Miss. Kasugazaki but the host club is not a rental service." Kanako's eyes dug into the floor only for Tamaki's hand to lift up her chin, making her meet his eyes.
"Don't mind Kyoya. Of course we will help you."
"Tamaki." Kyoya voice strained in warning.
"Oh don't be such a sourpu-" A deadly glare was sent towards the blondes directions freezing him to his core. "Aha- I mean what's the harm of helping out an old friend." Tamaki laughed nervously. After he was met with silence Tamaki resulted to tactic two. Begging. "Pleaseeeee mommmmyyy" His violet eyes took on the familiar doe like innocent of a dogs. The twins not wanting to miss out on a chance to annoy the VP only joined Tamaki their voice mixing and mingling as they beg alongside their president.
"Yeah. Pleaseeee mommy."
"We will be good…"
"We swear." they say in unison.
A tick slowly grew in size on Kyoya's forehead. He only shook his head pushed up his glasses. He had nothing to gain by helping out the Kasugazaki family. However, the attendance at the spring plays have been picking up lately. Networking might not be such a bad idea there. And if it got the three idiots in front of him to stop begging like the dimwits they were then he wasn't about to say no.
"Alright fine."
"Yay! We are going to see the play with Kana-chan!" Honey shouted out of excitement. The twins and Tamaki all joined in on the celebrations, all actually surprised they wore down the shadow king. Haruhi slowly made her way said raven haired host.
"Kyoya. Do you mind if I sit this one out. There is a sale at the market that night and I need-"
"If I have to sit through this nonsense then there is no way I am sparing you." Haruhi was ready to openingly fire back only for his next words to chill her to the bone. "Besides you wouldn't want me to accidentally charge your account for such affairs making your debt increase now would you?" Haruhi just hung her head, knowing it was not an empty threat.
"Hey Kana-chan! What is the spring play this semester?"
"The great Greek play, Medea" she clasped Honey's hands in her own and proceeded to spin him around.
"Medea? Is that the lizard haired lady?" Hikaru asked.
"I thought she had snakes for hair." Kaoru corrected slinging his arm around his brother as they both furrowed their eyebrows in thought.
"You guys are thinking about Medusa. Medea is an enchantress who-"
"Whoa! No spoilers Haruhi!" the twins both yelled as they covered her mouth. Her muffled complaints only amused the twins further. She pushed both of their hands away frowning deeply.
"We already learned about them in english class last semester. You guys should already know what happens." she deadpanned.
"Nope. Never heard of her." They both shrugged and walked away already bored. If Haruhi was paid for everytime she sighed she would be richer than all the host club members combined. She felt an impending headache coming on as she faintly wondered if the market sale would miraculously extend until saturday morning.