Tamaki Suoh.
Born René Tamaki Richard de Grantaine Suoh, his mother was quite the controversial woman. She was seen as a homewrecker, a mistress in his grandmother's eyes, but to Yuzuru Suoh, Anne-Sophie was the woman he wanted to marry. Never mind his legal marriage. He was tied to that woman out of nothing but convenience. There was no love, or passion. She was rich and so was he, and they were the terms of their marriage. Yuzuru's leaving her for Anne-Sophie would be better for everyone: including his son.
Yuzuru's mother was far from pleased when she heard news of Anne-Sophie's pregnancy. Her grandson, Suoh family heir, born to a poor French girl out of wedlock? Shizue Suoh could not have that.
Yuzuru resented his mother for making him return to Japan while his lover, his true wife was in France with their son. For fourteen years, Yuzuru had nothing to do with his beloved French family. He divorced his "convenient" wife, and continued his dedicated work as chairman for Ouran Academy.
Shizue, in learning of Anne-Sophie's failing health, jumped at this opportunity and made a plan. It worked out perfectly.
In no time 'Tamaki' was in Japan, never to see his mother again. It was odd for him at first, going from René de Grantaine to Tamaki Suoh. Going from French customs to Japanese. Going from caring for his sickly mother, day in, day out, to being his family's heir. While it wasn't something he desired, what Tamaki did crave was his grandmother's approval. The young Suoh boy missed his ill mother greatly, but he always thought that by granting his grandmother's wishes, he would gain her love. He only wished to see his mother again.
Tamaki began making friends in Japan. First, there was Kyoya Ootori.
Kyoya was a peculiar individual. At least, that was Tamaki's first impression of him. The youngest boy of the Ootori family was driven, determined to become heir above his two older brothers. He was manipulative, but in the best way. Tamaki never thought that being manipulative was a very good or gentlemanly thing, but Kyoya proved him wrong (and it wasn't the first or last time he would). Kyoya Ootori knew how to use his family name and status to his advantage. Above that, he knew how to use his intelligence – but, only if it was convenient and benefitted him, of course.
Tamaki was quite proud of himself for convincing the soon-to-be Shadow King to start a club with him. A host club.
The youngest Suoh never was the sharpest pencil in the box. He never noticed that many of his 'grand schemes' were born from subtle hints from Kyoya. One of these grand schemes was to ask possible high school first years to join their club. Tamaki knew immediately who would benefit from the club. Naturally, the job of a host is to make women happy, but he wanted his hosts to be happy too.
He, of course, knew the stories of Mitsukuni Haninozuka. He was Japan's deadliest weapon! When he approached his senior, Tamaki knew how to go about things. He wanted the 4'10" martial arts champion to know it was okay to be himself. If they were going to be a club, be friends, be a family, it meant they all had to accept one another. Once Haninozuka-Senpai had accepted, Tamaki thought it only fair to as Takashi Morinozuka to join. The 6'4" cousin to Mitsukuni would make a great host, after all.
Tamaki's biggest challenge was the Hitachiin twins. Tamaki never thought anyone could be so closed off to the world. He didn't think he'd ever understand them. They wanted to be told apart, he could tell, but maybe if they allowed people to tell them apart, it somehow made them more vulnerable to the world? Tamaki had plenty of theories as to why Hikaru and Kaoru were so closed off, but he dare not ask. He knew better than that. He just felt very fortunate that, by chance, he managed to tell them apart.
Their first year of hosting was an instant success. Tamaki was so fond of the small family he made in Japan. While it took everyone time to warm to each other, they couldn't wait for what their second year of hosting would entail – though Kyoya, Hikaru and Kaoru would never admit it.
No one could have prepared the group of boys for what was to come.
Their first day back was relatively slow. As they stood apprehensively in their places in Music Room #3, the Hitachiins grew irritated and the 'king' grew antsy. He was going to voice his concerns to Kyoya when the door opened. That is, the door to the rest of his life.
Haruhi Fujioka. First year. Class 1-A. Everyone in Ouran knew of the scholarship student. Only the host club, however, was destined to truly know the commoner.
8 million Yen. In the beginning, it was all about playing back the debt Haruhi had landed herself in, and Tamaki knew that. Though, he liked to think his 'darling daughter' really did enjoy their little family. He tried not to take it to heart when she clamed she only wanted to achieve her large guest quota. He believed she had also grown fond of their company.
Tamaki thought of his mother everyday. She would love the host club – they would be successful in bringing that rare, beautiful smile back to her face that he could only achieve when he played the piano. It was a smile that lit up Tamaki's world at the darkest times, if only through memories. She would especially love Haruhi. He could see Anne-Sophie telling him to ask her out - he had fallen head over heels for the girl, but he would respect her boundaries. If she wasn't interested, it wasn't his place to push her. He was happy to protect her as a father rather than lover so long as she was happy.
So, now he sat in Music Room #3, observing his family. The previously closed-off twins were surrounded by customers, surrounded by friends, laughing, joking.
Tamaki's seniors were enjoying tea, cake, the company of their guests. They were enjoying just being themselves.
Kyoya, the backbone of the club, was sitting at his laptop. Tamaki couldn't help but smile – as much as Kyoya may complain about the business of the club, Tamaki knew he was exactly where he wanted to be: working to improve his future, while in the company of family. (Okay, that second part was all Tamaki's assumption, but he felt he had good enough judgement to know his best friend by now).
Tamaki's eyes fell to his little girl. The host club's secret. She was a natural host. Haruhi pulled off being a male host well, (sometimes too well for Tamaki's liking). She seemed to be happy there, and her happiness was all that mattered to him.
The host club king felt a surge of pride as he watched his friends. He may have had to come to Japan with nothing but sweet memories of his mother, but look at what he had now.
He had friends.
He had family.
He was forever indebted for what they have given to him.
THE END.