Chapter 1: And So It Begins

It felt strange wandering onto the grounds of the prestigious Ouran Academy. Not that what occurred on this beautiful campus was a secret to anyone, but the school very much existed in it's own little bubble realm. And those that weren't a part of the bubble stared on in curiosity and awe, only able to speculate at what a wonderful kind of haven it might be. Because the school was so elusive and elitist to the masses, it had developed a reputation that mystified the common citizen, becoming a kind of magical realm of impossibility in the minds of some. The only way in, it seemed, was to be rich enough to buy yourself a pass.

Of course, there were a few exceptions. Ella stood at the front gate with a map clutched in hand—one she had printed directly from the internet—and let her gaze wander over the campus, pristine and beautiful at the blooming start of spring. She hesitated in stepping foot onto the grounds, feeling like an intruder. Like a stranger in a strange land. She didn't belong anywhere near here, and she knew it. (Probably just like everyone else that saw her knew it, too.) But her friend—a student at Ouran Academy—absolutely insisted that they meet here on campus. "I know we can't go to the same school while you're here," she had said, "but you must at least visit Ouran! You'll love it, I promise!"

So here Ella stood, dazed and confused, at the front gate. Warily taking her first step onto the grounds, she paused and flinched as if she expected some alarm to sound across campus. Warning, warning! The sole of an inexpensive sneaker is tarnishing the front walkway. Please use precaution. Granted, none of that actually happened—but noticing some of the strange looks she acquired from students passing by, that was certainly what it felt like had happened.

She kept herself focused entirely on the map. This campus was enormous, and there was no telling how many days she might be trapped here if she were to get lost somewhere. "Especially in those gardens…" Ella muttered to herself, picking her head up for a moment and noticing the massive network of rose bushes and flowering trees just over the hill that had been marked on the map. "Who even has time to maintain something like that?"

She continued following along the path she had marked out, weaving through small gardens, past ponds, and under archways. Classes seemed to just be letting out as students in high-end uniforms were now spilling out of buildings every which way, making Ella even more anxious and self-conscious. Thinking she should have dressed up for the occasion, she tried to push the anxiety out of her mind and focus on taking the correct turns. If she kept her head down and walked as fast as she could, then no one would bother her—right?

Of course, that only worked if you knew where you were going. Ella paused suddenly, coming across a four-way intersection she didn't see on the map. Had she strayed off her planned route? She was standing next to a Roman style fountain, the sound of its trickling water blending in with the mindless chatter and scuttling footfalls of more students passing by that didn't pay her any attention in the least. Save for the occasional skeptical and impetuous look. "Oh, man…" she muttered, twisting the map this way and that. "Where am I now?"

"Pardon moi, madame," a bright but silky voice called out, a bit louder than necessary, "but it appears you may be lost. Perhaps I can be of some assistance?"

Ella turned, startled, to find the voice belonging to a tall boy with golden hair and violet eyes. His walk had purpose as he held his head high and proud, and it seemed he had a naturally flirtatious sway to his movement that just set his caricature over the top. Behind him trailed a dark-haired, significantly less flamboyant student, whose analytical gaze was only slightly softened by the glasses that sat on his nose. Of all the students that had looked at Ella strangely as she wandered the campus, the look she received from this one was colder than any other; still, he said nothing, as the golden-haired boy offered a flourished hair-flip and a charming smile, insisting on helping.

"O-Oh, that won't be necessary," Ella stuttered. "I have a map here, I-I just need to figure out where I am…"

But still, Prince Charming persisted. "Of course, let's have a look!" He then stepped up next to her and loomed over her shoulder, peering down at the map. Ella shuddered as his shadow came over her, his face too close for comfort. "And… here!"

She shook her head, snapping out of it. "Wh-What?"

"Your location," he said, "on the map. You'll find yourself right here at this intersection!"

"Really?" Ella glanced at where the boy's finger was pointing. It was only slightly off of her planned route. She hadn't really gotten lost at all. "Oh, great. Thanks so much—"

"Tamaki Suoh, at your service, m'lady," Prince Charming said with an exaggerated bow. "And this is Kyoya Ootori. It appears you're headed for the north-side gazebo, yes?"

Ella started backing away slowly. "I… I mean…" Why did this student insist on helping her? And why did the dark-haired one—Kyoya, was it?—keep glaring at her?

"Then it would be our utmost honor to escort you, my lovely princess, to the north-side ga—!"

But Ella was gone. "Thanks again, Suoh-san!" The expression of gratitude came from a distance, as she had turned left and dashed out of there down a different pathway.

What a strange interaction…! If anything, the responses of those two students fuelled the mystical reputation that Ouran Academy held in the minds of so many citizens. Perhaps those magical rumors weren't entirely misplaced. After all, Ella was fairly certain she had just met a real life prince. With those perfect looks and that charming—albeit, a bit ridiculous—attitude, there was no way he wasn't a prince. Right?

Having gotten back on track, Ella had no trouble finding the rest of her way to her destination. As she turned the last corner around a towering, magnificent structure of an academic building, she saw the shining white gazebo just off in the distance. It reflected the sunlight beautifully on this clear and perfect afternoon, and a light breeze caused the pink and red roses that grew over top to dance slightly. Ella checked her watch—she was only a couple minutes late, so her friend should still be here waiting…

But where was she? Ella didn't see her friend anywhere. And as she approached the gazebo and stepped up under the white canopy, she realized there were no female students here at all. In fact, the only other student she saw was male, and she couldn't help but feel like she had interrupted something important.

Though he was sitting down, leaning up against one of the gazebo's posts, he looked to be quite tall. He had black spiky hair, and he looked like he was staring off into space, brooding about something important. Whatever it was, his thoughts seemed to be derailed one he noticed Ella, and he immediately got to his feet.

"M-My apologies, I was just looking for—"

"Ella?" Standing over her now, she realized just how tall this student actually was (he must have been over six foot), and his shadow quickly overtook her. His voice was deep and soft, but it still startled Ella.

"…That's me," she answered, narrowing her eyes in confusion. How did he know who she was? She was almost certain she'd never seen him before.

His face was expressionless as he pulled out a single white rose from behind his back, but something in his eyes looked sad. "I'm sorry…" was all he said, extending his hand and offering her the rose.

Ella blinked in disbelief. She glanced from the rose up to this student's face and back, several times, trying to make sense of this situation. She did not reach for the rose. She did not move at all. "E-Excuse me?"

But he didn't say anything more. He just stood there solidly and never broke eye contact, like nothing could bowl him over if it tried, as he waited for her to accept the rose. Ella thought he might stand there all day if she never took it from him. "You're… You're sorry? For what?" she tried again, absolutely bewildered.

The boy before her still did not waver, but he frowned ever-so-slightly. "I just… can't reciprocate your feelings." He said simply, raising the rose a little more as if to offer it to her again.

"My feelings?" Ella repeated, now even more confused than before. "I'm sorry, but do I even know you?"

Finally, a reaction. The spiky-haired boy in front of her raised his eyebrows in surprise, his eyes no longer frowning. He stared at her for a moment longer with a suddenly curious—and somewhat nervous—gaze before realizing that she wasn't joking around. While he continued to refrain from saying anything, he simply reached into his pocket and pulled out a nicely folded piece of paper that had been torn out of someone's notebook. The paper had been folded shut and sealed with a small sticker, red and in the shape of a heart.

Ella hesitated as he held out this paper to her, just as she had stared inquisitively at the rose, but did eventually snatch is out of his hand and unfold it. She shot the student a skeptical glare before averting her gaze down to the words on the notebook page and beginning to read. The handwriting was swirly and written in perfect script—certainly not Ella's handwriting—and the content went a little something like this:

To my dearest Mori-san,

I just cannot contain myself any longer! Your dark and brooding aura has drawn me nearer to you day by day, and, like a moth is drawn to flame, I cannot escape these feelings. They burn inside my soul like wildfire! I know you do not see me, as I have never had the courage to confront you regarding the chains you've unwittingly used to entrap my heart, but I must ask you—nay, I beg you! Please, free me from these feelings! I must speak with you about my unending love for you, and perhaps your beautiful voice may liberate my soul.

Would you do me the honor of meeting me in the north-side gazebo at 3:00 tomorrow? It would mean the absolute world to me!

Yours truly,

Ella Thomas

"What the heck is this?!" Ella shouted suddenly, realizing her name was signed at the bottom. The whole letter made her want to puke—it didn't even make any sense!—but the signature at the bottom was the worst part. "I swear," she breathed, looking up at the boy that was now towering over her, "I didn't write any of this."

His eyes went wide with curiosity, his hand still extended in offering the white rose. He hadn't moved an inch.

Ella folded the paper back up and took hold of his free hand, folding his fingers around the note so he would take it back. "Not that I dislike you or anything—I'm sure you're a great guy—but I've never even seen you before in my life…"

Looking at the note that was now crumpled in his hand, Mori finally got rid of the rose by placing it gently on the ground, now glancing several times between the note in his hand and the girl in front of him. He looked into her eyes, and there was genuine discomfort and confusion, just as he was sure there was in his eyes. This entire confession session had backfired on him, and he didn't understand why.

Looking to wiggle her way out of this awkward situation in the least awkward way possible, Ella explained, "I don't know who gave you that letter, but the only reason I'm here is to—" She paused immediately as something in her brain clicked, her big brown eyes opening even wider with sudden realization. "To meet my… my friend…" she trailed off, all the puzzle pieces coming together.

A loud, grating cackle suddenly filled the air. It was a cackle that both Ella and Mori knew quite well—far better than either of them wished they did. That cackle was always the precursor to the entrance of some wackadoodle nutjob. That cackle was the soundtrack of irritation and pompous hyperbole.

That cackle could only mean one thing.

Both Mori and Ella felt their stomachs drop as they realized what had happened. They shouted the name at the same time.

"RENGE?!"

A/N. So that's chapter one. What do you think? Is it worth continuing? Any comments and critiques you have to offer at all are greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for reading! :DD