Chapter One
Raise your hand if you have any clue where a metric shit-ton of teenage girls could be going in a high school at three in the afternoon.
Anybody?
I didn't think so.
I've been following these girls for quite a while- okay, it's been five minutes- and they seem rather excited about their destination. I don't think I've seen this much excitement since Mr. Honaka decided to retire. Nobody really liked him. He always gave out detention for the dumbest reasons, and he would throw out dress-code warnings left and right, even though everybody has to wear uniforms. After he left, a bunch of the student body had this huge party. I, thankfully, was unable to attend that night.
I don't know what is wrong with this school. Nobody seems to care about anything. I understand that we get some leeway because we are rich. But they act like they're just here to have a good time.
And I think some of the clubs here just add to that problem. I have heard that there is a club here full of boys who call themselves a 'Host Club' or something. It sounds really dumb.
I suppose I would find that a bit strange. I mean, I'm not exactly a social butterfly. In fact, I'm not even a butterfly. Come to think of it, I only have four friends.
Huh.
Go figure.
The girls come to an abrupt stop, and I see a door open up ahead. The girls shuffle into the room, and then the door is slammed shut behind them. I notice the sign says 'Music Room #3'.
Oh, crap. My curiosity level is spiking. Remember what happened with that cat who got curious?
Crap.
I step towards the door and grasp the handle, turning it slowly until I hear a click. The door glides open, and I peer inside. I found the girls. But guess what else I found? The Host Club.
Crap.
Because I refuse to involve myself in something as fucked-up as this, I shut the door. But I guess airflow hates me, because the next thing I know, the loud sound of the door shutting reverberates down the hall. I immediately turn to walk away, but the door opens up behind me.
Crap.
A young man that I recognize instantly steps out into the hallway, a certain air of elegance about him.
"What's wrong, miss?" he asks. "Are you lost?"
Am I lost? I didn't think I was lost. At what point can one be defined as 'lost'? Why does he care anyways?
I don't really know how to answer him. I just stare at him in confusion until he's suddenly standing in front of me and brushing hair out of my face, causing me to instinctively jerk my head back.
"It's alright. There is no need to be afraid."
Okay, now he's really creeping me out.
"Please, come in," he insists. He holds the door open for me.
Crap.
I cautiously step into the room. The room is a pink color, and it's dotted with couches and tables and tea trays. The second the door closes behind me, two red-headed boys jump up from the couch to greet me.
Crap.
"Ooh! A newcomer!" one says.
"Hello, princess. What's your name?" asks the other.
In this moment, I feel like one of those laptops that crash a lot, and it says ERROR in big red letters on your screen. You know those moments? When my internal mechanic finally fixes my brain a split second later, I manage to squeak out, "Sakura Midori."
A tall, black haired young man walks over to us with a small, blond boy perched on his shoulders.
"Hi Saku-chan!" says the small, blond, and cute one.
I've seen this one around. His name is Mitsukuni Haninozuka. But most people just call him Hunny. He's a third year student that looks like he should still be in elementary school. I don't think any human on earth should have the capability to be that cute. He's going to explode any minute, I can feel it. I have a soft spot for him, though. He really is just adorable.
The one that is carrying him is also a third year student. He always accompanies Hunny. His name is Takashi Morinozuka, more commonly known as Mori. He rarely speaks, and is almost always seen with Hunny.
The two redheads are twins named Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin. They're underclassmen, so I don't know them very well. I've seen them run full-speed down the hall every once in awhile, but that's about it.
The tall blond one is Tamaki Suou. He is in the same class as me, but I've not really bothered talking to him. From what I can tell, he's a real lady's man, and I would probably end up punching him if he even came close to me.
A flash of black amongst the red velvet couches catches my eye.
Oooohhhhh, crap.
My gaze shifts over to said couch, and I see Kyoya Ohtori sitting with his laptop. I've known him for two years, yet we barely talk. He sits next to me in class. But I haven't bothered talking to him either. But not for the same reason as Tamaki. I may… have a small (very small) crush on him. Possibly. I don't know. Shut up!
Crap.
"So what kind of guys are you into?" Hikaru asks me. It's weird how I was just suddenly able to tell which one is which. It's the voices, I think.
I mutter quietly, "This is so stupid."
Kyoya looks up at me from his laptop, and our eyes lock. He seems confused, yet understanding. Intrigued, and also amused. All of these things cross over his face in a single glance. Our eyes only met for an instant, but by the time I look away, it feels like an eternity.
I notice Mori looking at me oddly, so I just give him a miniscule shake of my head. For someone so quiet, he sure is observant.
HE KNOWS.
"Tamaki," says Kyoya, "I think you should leave her alone." He looks me in the eye once more, and his eyes glint. "For now, at least."
Crap.
The way he said it sends shivers up my spine, and I avert my gaze to the ground. Of course Kyoya mother-fucking Ohtori would notice if anyone has any interest in him. He's Kyoya FREAKING Ohtori, for fuck's sake! He certainly knows what he's doing, because the way he looks at me says that he might have an interest, as well.
"Aw! Kyoya-senpai!" the twins complain. "Stop being such a party-pooper."
"So… Sakura… you don't like the Host Club?" Tamaki asks in a sort of heart-broken way. What a drama-queen.
With my eyes still on the ground, I manage to mutter, "Freakin' players…"
I turn and bolt out the door before anybody can complain.
Crap.
