Squared shoulders; narrowed eyes; clenched jaws. The stage was set for a battle of epic testosterone proportions, the battle for the heart of one blunt commoner that none had anticipated.
Charming, soft-hearted Souh Tamaki; Cool, calculating Ootori Kyouya; Reckless, fun-loving Hitachiin Hikaru; Caring, thoughtful Hitachiin Kaoru; Stoic, protective Morinozuka Takashi; and then…there was magic-loving, recovering light-phobic Nekozawa Umehito. Of all the boys gathered, the general feeling was that there was no way in hell the blond sorcerer stood half the chance that his opponents did. Haruhi knew them all better; they all knew Haruhi better; and, he was the odd one out. They would bond together to take him out of the running before they sank their claws into each other.
But his feelings for the girl—oh yes, he knew all about her, though the circumstances that caused her deception were lost to him—were strong; He would no give up. For once in Umehito's life, he would fight back.
Not that the situation wasn't unfortunate; it had come about in the most unsuspecting way. It was rather that Hikaru had lost his temper. And just as Haruhi was out with a cold, leaving the unbridled twins without a babysitter, she had left him with no bodyguard. A simply inquiry on the petit Host's health had irked the older twin, which lead to not-so-subtle and malicious words aimed at hurting his senpai's feelings. Umehito recoiled slightly, but let it roll off his back, which lead to the flashlight, which would have made everything fine and dandy had it had done its job. But instead of causing damage, it had absolutely no effect on the Black Magic Club's president, which is what caused the jealous Hikaru to snap.
"You think because she was nice to you that have some friendship now or something?" the amber-eyed boy shouted, bitterly spitting out the word friendship like it left a nasty taste in his mouth. "You come here everyday to see her, so you think she's in love with you? Don't make me laugh!" He spat.
"Hikaru…" Kaoru's gentle voice was a distinct contrast to his outraged brother's.
"Yes, do calm down, Hikaru," Kyouya said, stepping forward. His tone was neutral, but his eyes glinted behind his glasses. "Although, I am curious, senpai: do you have any…intentions towards Haruhi?"
Nekozawa gulped as the other Host Club members came forward.
"I…I do," the fair-faced senior said softly, but firmly. "I'm in love with her." The words seemed to give him strength, and he straightened his shoulders defiantly and set his jaw.
And now he was staring down the six handsome boys of Ouran's most popular club. Haruhi's image floated between them like a ghost. From his perch on his cousin's tall shoulder, Hunni watched with horrified interest as Mori sighed, Kaoru coughed, Hikaru seethed, Tamaki gaped and Kyouya smirked. Nekozawa took it all in stride, not backing down or running away and he was immensely proud of himself. The prize at stake was more than he had ever fought for, and part of him was glad that everything was now out in the open.
She is beautiful, and therefore to be wooed; She is woman, and therefore to be won. Indeed. He would not be giving up, not this time, or anytime from here on forward.
"Very well, Nekozawa-senpai," Kyouya said finally, the smirk never leaving his face. "I see that you'll not bow out. I look forward to the challenge."
The other Host members gasped and sputtered, but Umehito merely blinked and turned to leave.
"So do I, Ootori-kun, so do I."