A/N: For those of you reading my other fic Forgotten Love, I fully intend to update soon =). This idea just struck me over the weekend and the power-that-be demanded it be written. Enjoy!
Thoughts in italics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran, sadly. And I don't own Code Geass either, for which I curse the gods every day.
Ashford Academy Host Club – A Code Geass/Ouran Fanfic Crossover by Ashbender
May 10th 2017 a.t.b – Japan
Suzaku Kururugi, son of former Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi and newly arrived second-year high school student at Ashford Academy, was lost.
Now, where did that guy(Kyoya, was that his name?) say this place was was? He thought, rounding a corner to a wide and empty hallway. I could have sworn he said to come right up here after lunch.
His mind flashed back to earlier in the day, just before class, when he had been approached by a young man about his own age with black hair, wearing glasses and a relaxed look.
"Hello. You are the military prodigy Suzaku Kururugi, yes?" He said, eyebrow raising questioningly.
"Yes," Suzaku said, confused as to why a stranger would approach him so calmly. "Why?"
Satisfied, he continued. "Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Kyoya Ootori. Perhaps you have heard of my father, the head of the esteemed Ootori group?"
Taking a slight step back, realization crept over his face. The Ootori group was a very well run and financed medical organization, going so far as receiving a large military contract for medical supplies and specialized training of army and naval medics. "Yes, I am familiar with that name. What can I do for you, Kyoya?"
"Actually, I have been asked by Tamaki Suoh to pass on an invitation to join him in the Third Music Room, on the southern hallway of the top floor of this building, after lunch. He also said to let you know that it was regarding a chance of a lifetime, one that he thinks you will be unable to refuse."
"Third Music Room? Uh...alright then.." Suzaku responded, still confused. I've haven't even been here a day yet, why does the co-chairman's son want to talk to me? This school sure is weird. "I guess I'll see him there."
"Splendid" Kyoya replied, smiling. "I look forward to seeing you there." Having delivered his message, he turned and walked down the hall, heading to class. Suzaku, still confused, quickly collected his things and headed headed off to class himself.
Clearing his head, Suzaku still struggled to find the room he had been invited to. Maybe I should ask someone for directions? Well I could, if anyone was around. He continued walking, his ears slowly registering the sound of piano music coming from somewhere around the next corner.
Maybe that means I'm close to where I'm supposed to be! He thought happily, speeding up to almost a jogging pace. As he turned the corner, he saw the sign hanging over the nearest door, indicating the room which he could now clearly hear the music coming from.
"Third Music Room," He said aloud, walking slowly toward the door. "Well, this is where Kyoya said to come. I wonder what it is this Tamaki guy wants me for?" Reaching the door, he extended his hand and knocked. Hearing know response, he turned the knob and opened the door, loudly declaring himself as he entered.
"Hi, I'm Suzaku Kururugi, I was told to-" he began, only to be blinded by a bright light coming from the center of the room, cutting him off. As he shielded his eyes, he could make out a black shape in the middle of the light.
"Welcome." Suzaku heard the shape say in a calm, soothing tone. Eyes adjusting, he managed to discern five figures, all men, grouped around another man sitting in a rather fancy looking chair. As his vision adjusted, he noted the features of the men one by one. In the chair sat Kyoya Ootori, kneeling in front of him was a boy who looked like he was no older than twelve or thirteen. Flanking the chair to either side was a pair of twins, completely identical down to the last strand of red hair. Finally, another black haired figure, large enough to tower over any other member of the group by at least a foot, stood behind with back turned to him, . What... Suzaku thought, not quite able to comprehend what he had gotten into.
Still hearing the music, he turned to notice a sixth figure sitting at a bench in front of a grand piano, hands flying over the keys as he finished the notes to the song. He was a tall blonde, a little bit older than Suzaku, who looked up just as Suzaku finished his cursory appraisal
"Ahh, you must be Suzaku then." The boy said, standing up from the bench to approach the newcomer. When he was a little less than arm's length from him, he extended his hand "Allow me to introduce myself: I am Tamaki Suoh. Welcome to the Ashford Academy Host Club."
Suzaku, having expected as much because of the other boy's attitude, slowly reached his own hand out to meet Tamaki's. "Uh, hi. Did you say Host Club?"
"Yes he did." Kyoya replied, getting up from his seat to walk over to the two, focusing on the now open notebook in his hand as he stopped a short distance from Suzaku. Then, stopping at a certain page, he began to read aloud:
"Suzaku Kururugi. Seventeen years old, brown hair, green eyes. Son of former Prime Minister Genbu Kururugi, who was removed from office 5 years ago due to that years legislative elections resulting in a majority of representatives with Pro-Britannian sentiments. After his removal, he still retained his seat, and continues to serve in the House of Representatives as the leader of the Anti-Britannian opposition. He voted vehemently against allowing the establishment of the Holy Britannian Imperial settlement 10 miles outside of Tokyo, as well as removing the government-sanctioned monopoly on Sakuradite mining held by Kirihara Industries in order to allow foreign, namely Britannian, investment. Failing at stopping those measures, he would find his success in his son Suzaku, raising him to be a disciplined and athletic boy as well as having him tutored in martial arts and military strategy by then Colonel Tohdoh Kyoshiro until age 16. After being recommended by now General Tohdoh for early admission to officer candidacy school, he graduated top of his class as well as passing his exams in Knightmare Piloting and Command with flying colors, he was commissioned as Shoui in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, serving as Tohdoh's aide in the Mobile Autonomous Knight Special Weapons Division. Suzaku has conducted training exercises in the South Pacific, and is considered by many in the military to be the division's most talented pilot. Currently enrolled in class 2B at Ashford Academy, although most of the faculty acknowledges this is due more to his family's social status than any intellectual failings." Having satisfactorily recited the information he collected, he closed his notebook and adjusted his gaze to look at Suzaku, who had been rendered dumbstruck by the recitation.
Tamaki, seeing Kyoya was finished, chimed in. "As you can see, we have done our research on you, and as far as I'm concerned, you're perfect."
"Perfect for what? How do you know so much about me? What is this?" Suzaku asked, eyes darting between Tamaki and Kyoya, hopelessly confused. "What is it you want from me? You said something about a 'chance of a lifetime'?"
"Why, we want to extend to you the opportunity to join us, of course!" Tamaki said gleefully, arms sweeping out to encompass the whole room. "This is only our second year you see, and I think that we could use a new host to help attract more customers." Realizing how that sounded, he quickly amended his words. "Not that we picked you at random or anything, of course; I chose you when I heard from my father that you would be attending; I thought you seemed to be exactly the type of host we were missing."
"And what kind is that?" Suzaku queried, still skeptical.
"A disciplined, good natured, obedient type!" Tamaki boomed, spinning to face Suzaku again. "I mean, look at you! Immaculate uniform, refined look, I'd be willing to bet there isn't a speck of dust or a hair out of place on you!" Moving in to stare Suzaku in the eyes, he then asked the question: "So, are you interested?"
"Um, I'm uh...not sure." Suzaku muttered, averting his gaze to look around the room. Sure seems strange, but who knows? It could be fun...
Just then he was approached by the little boy, who was now holding a cute stuffed bunny. "Hello, Suza-chan. Would you like to see my bunny?" He greeted, holding out the bunny for Suzaku to see.
"Suza-chan? Aren't you a little young to call me that?" he replied, squatting down to look at the bunny.
"Of course not silly! I'm eighteen!"
"Eighteen?" Suzaku said questioningly. "But you look so young..."
"Of course he does." A voice from his left side stated. Turning, he saw one of the twins standing behind him to the left, with the other on the right continuing the statement. "He's our shota Honey-sempai. He may look young, but he's in his third year. Isn't that right, Mori-sempai?"
"Yeah" the tall black haired host replied, coming over and lifting the small boy onto his shoulders. "Come on, it's time for your afternoon nap."
"Now that you mention it, I was getting a little tired." Honey replied, stifling a yawn as Mori headed towards the door, turning to wave at Suzaku. "Nice to meet you Suza-chan, hope you decide to join us!"
"Nice to meet you too, Honey sempai." Suzaku said, returning his wave, then turning to the twins. "So, who are you two?"
"I'm Hikaru Hitachiin, and he is Kaoru." The twin to his right said, pointing to his brother.
"Or," the other continued. "Am I Hikaru, and he's Kaoru?"
"Uh," Suzaku murmured, twisting his head back and forth between the two rapidly. "I'm, uh, not sure, sorry."
"Don't worry about it." They replied, walking off together. "Hope to see you join us Suzaku-sempai!" They shouted in tandem as they headed for the door.
"Well then, that took care of the introductions." Kyoya noted, walking up beside Suzaku. "Since classes are starting up again in a few minutes, I would suggest we take our leave now. Nice to meet you, Suzaku."
Tamaki, now alone with Suzaku, approached him casually. "So, what do you think? As you can see, you would be the perfect new addition to the group."
"Well, I'm still not sure," Suzaku said. "Maybe I could let you know later?"
"Well..how about this?" Tamaki offered his hand moving to stroke his chin. "How about you come by and be a host after school, just for today, and see how you like it? I promise you'll have fun." To solidify the arrangement, Tamaki extended his hand again
Suzaku thought about it for a moment. Well, I don't have much else to do, and I still haven't seen Lelouch yet, so...
"Sure, why not?" Suzaku stated, grabbing Tamaki's hand and pumping it firmly. "Well, I need to get to class, so I guess I'll see you later Tamaki." With that, he headed out the door, leaving Tamaki to his thoughts.
Hmm, just like I expected him to be. Well, he'll be a great addition, plus Kyoya thinks we could use a new face for the second year. But honestly, I just think Suzaku could use some friends; according to Kyoya's data he never was very social. At any rate, I need to be off too. And with that, he too walked out the door, turning out the light to head to afternoon classes.
Later: The Host Club is Open for Business
"So, Suzaku, would you tell us a little bit about yourself?" The girl inquired, pouring him tea from a fine china teapot into a matching cup. She was one of three girls that had requested him for the hour, all of them leaning towards him as he accepted the cup from the girl, taking it and sipping lightly from it.
"Well, what would you all like to know about me?" He asked, already preparing several answers to popular questions he had received during the day. After this, I think that we'll only have one more session today. That's good, this is getting a little exhausting. With these three, that'll have been fourteen girls just today, that seems like more than the other guys. Hopefully, they're just interested in the new host, cause I don't think I can handle this many every day.
The three began asking questions all at once: "Well, where do you like to vacation? What sort of hobbies do you have? What do you use on your hair? What sports do you play?". They asked with such rapidity and inquisitive enthusiasm that Suzaku had a hard time listening to them, much less thinking of which to answer first. He brought his hands up and smiled nervously, about ready to ask them to slow down and let him talk when he noticed the door to the Music Room opening, and a tall black haired boy with purple eyes and carrying a suitcase walked in. As soon as he saw him, the thought of a similar boy, though five years younger, popped into his mind. No, it couldn't be...
"Lelouch?" Suzaku half asked, half shouted across the room as he stood up. The boy, apparently, hearing him, turned towards the sound and his eyes widened at the sight of his childhood friend.
"Suzaku!" Lelouch called back, quickening his pace as he walked over towards the table. Suzaku, quickly apologizing the the girls and excusing himself, met him halfway, quickly wrapping his arms around Lelouch in a tight hug.
"I can't believe it, it's been years! How have you been? What have you been up to? What are you doing in here, of all places?"
"Ahh...Suzaku..." Lelouch gasped, "You're...crushing...my lungs."
Immediatedly releasing the Britannian boy, Suzaku quickly apologized. "Oh, sorry about that! Glad to see you're still as nonathletic as ever, though. But what are you doing here? I hadn't seen you at all during classes."
"Oh well, That's probably because I'm in class 2A, so we don't have any of the same classes." Lelouch explained. "Anyway, I had heard you were transferring, but I didn't expect you to be here for another few days. You must come to dinner tonight and see Nunally, we have our own rooms courtesy of the Ashfords in the Student Council Building. But how long has it been since we saw each other? Four years? Five? And what are you doing in the Host Club? Did our dear class flirt Tamaki rope you into this venture?"
"Five years." Suzaku responded, remembering the day when Lelouch had left the Kururugi shrine, just a few weeks after his father lost his reelection as Prime Minister. After that, he hadn't heard anything about the exiled prince, though there had been reports he went missing. I can ask him that tonight, where other people won't be listening in, he thought, beginning to notice they were drawing a crowd. "And yes, Tamaki asked me to try out being a host for today to help me decide whether or not to join. What about you, are you a host as well?"
Lelouch chuckled, giving Suzaku the impression of a scoff. "No, no, I'm here on business for our dear Student Council President, Milly Ashford. And some more personal business as well."
Before Suzaku could ask what he meant by personal business, Tamaki had caught sight of the two and headed over, his own clients trailing just behind, as interested in the scene as he. "Well what is this?" he asked, eyeing the two as he walked up. "Are the two of you old friends then? It is so great to see old friends reunited after so long!"
Lelouch turned his focus to the eccentric blonde. "Yes it is, however becoming reacquainted with Suzaku was not my original purpose for coming here." Standing in front of the Host Club King, he continued, taking on a more formal tone. "Mr. Tamaki Suoh, I have been sent to offer congratulations on the part of our Student Council President, Ms. Camilla Ashford, on your first month as a successfully rechartered club. She would also like to offer you an extension of her wager from last year to the Spring Festival and your Club event, the Spring Ball. Same stakes as last time, of course."
Tamaki, interest piqued, responded. "So, she would like to lose yet again to our magnificent event? Very well then, I accept, Mr. Vice President Lelouch Lamperouge." He extended his hand, Lelouch meeting it and shaking it firmly.
"Good, now that my business here is concluded, perhaps I may turn now to my pleasure.." Lelouch said, turning his head to rest his eyes on Kyoya, standing casually to one side while reading something from his notebook. "Kyoya, I take it my session is still open?"
"Yes, of course," Kyoya replied, flipping his notebook shut. "Shall we continue to the back room then?"
"Sounds good, Lelouch replied, turning towards the door to the room in question as he turned to continue his discussion, the two of them now the third target of the room's complete attention.
"Shall you go first this time, or should I?" Kyoya asked, now walking by Lelouch's side, a slight smirk noticeable on his face to Suzaku, who now watched his old friend with confusion.
"Well, I went first last time, so it's only fair that you go first this time." Lelouch casually said back, opening the door for Kyoya to walk through. Turning to Suzaku, he added. "Just come by the Student Council Building around seven. Sayoko will let you in and we can have dinner and talk more then, alright?"
"Oh! Uh, sure," Suzaku said, the instructions snapping him back to reality.
With that, Lelouch waled through the door, closing it behind him. As the door shut, things remained quiet for a few seconds. Then, as one single entity, all the girls in the room began screaming. Several of them came up to Suzaku, bombarding him with questions.
"Wow, how do you know Lelouch? Was he always that cute? Was he always like that around guys? What sort of food does he like?" Yet again, Suzaku was at a loss, but not so much because of the questions as to his own confusion over what had just occurred.
Wait a minute...is Lelouch gay?? He thought quickly, blocking out the girls' incessant queries.
"Alright, alright, alright!" Tamaki shouted over the din, slowly winning over the tide of squeaking girls. "We at the Host Club consider it our duty to keep private the interactions between our hosts and clients, whether they be women or men. If you would be so kind as to return to your tables and continue your sessions, I would be most appreciative."
With that, people began to filter back to their former activities, Suzaku sitting down with his female companions and beginning to answer their questions, still far too confused to think about anything else.
As he closed the door, Lelouch carefully pressed his ear to the door and waited. Hearing the collective scream a few seconds later, he smiled and turned back to his compatriot. "Now then," he began, sitting down at the table and opening his suitcase "Shall we begin?". Inside was a red and black chess set, which he pulled out and began setting up on the table, black pieces along his side while white across from him.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Kyoya replied, taking the seat across from Lelouch, his hand tracing over the white army. Settling on a pawn, he moved it forward two spaces. "I must wonder though: is it really necessary for you to perpetuate the notion amongst the female population that you are, in fact, gay?"
"It has its benefits." Lelouch added, hand securing a knight and advancing it. "It allows me to play against a skilled chess player on campus while conversing openly on my plans, as well as preventing me from being approached by girls searching for a date on a daily basis."
"Odd," Kyoya observed, easily sliding his bishop diagonally across the board, probing his opponent's line. "Most men your age enjoy the attention lavished on them by members of the fairer sex." He frowned, watching as Lelouch countered his bishop with a pawn advance. "Or maybe it's not that you don't enjoy it, but that you already have a woman you are involved with. Secretly, perhaps?"
The response made Lelouch waver a bit, then chuckle lightly. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised: You're far more analytical and aware than most people suspect."
They made several moves; quick exchanges that ended with the loss of a bishop and knight on Kyoya's part while Lelouch had lost a knight and several pawns. "So, now that Suzaku is going to school here, does that mean you'll explain to him your thoughts regarding Britannia?"
"He knows most of them, at least on my standpoint regarding general principles. I may fill him in on my ideas on more recent events, but I doubt his father's views differ much than my own, so there won't be much need."
"Fair enough." Kyoya murmured, sliding his remaining bishop forward to counter an advance by Lelouch's rook and queen. "If your father did decide that there was more to be gained through controlling Japan rather than collaborating with the legitimate government, what possible assistance do you think we could count on from the resident Britannian population?"
Hands on both sides continuing to move and counter-move. "Most of the normal people hold no issue with the Japanese, and would likely be sympathetic to the cause, especially considering the potential collateral damage that could be visited on the Settlement. The Japanese military may not consider it a major threat, with the current restrictions on military presence, but the Imperial Military may very well not care about the collateral damage if they need to deal with Japanese Defense Forces around the settlement. The Ashfords have invested a lot in developing the old Ganymede model into mining and construction equipment for the Suoh family's various investments, be they skyscrapers or interests in Kirihara Industries, as well as streamlining and integrating it with Japanese technology for military applications, so they would have far more interest in an independent Japan than a Britannian sovereignty which would reject them for want of a noble title. And that's checkmate." Lelouch added, placing his queen down triumphantly.
Kyoya took a moment to view the board. Where he had been pushing using his rooks to clear out Lelouch's pawns to provide for a smooth checkmate, his foe had quickly and daringly moved the black king out to help block his line of retreat whilst the queen had moved in for the kill with support from his bishop. "Well, so it is." He said as he stood, walking over to shake Lelouch's hand as he rose. "I suppose I will see you tomorrow then?"
"Same time, as usual." Lelouch replied, freeing his hand and packing up the board. Once all the pieces were resting in the felt, he turned and headed for the door. Just as he reached for the doorknob, he heard Kyoya's voice.
"Lelouch, may I ask you something?"
Turning, he watched Kyoya questioningly. "Of course."
Having gained permission, he continued. "Your King always likes to lead from the front. Could I expect the same from you in real battle, Your Majesty?"
Lelouch, openly smirking now, responded smugly. "Of course, B6." He then opened the door and left.
As Lelouch headed down the stairs to the grounds, lost in thought, he accidentally ran into a strange looking student, who spilled their books all across the stairwell when they collided. Quickly, the young man got up, muttering an apology as he gathered up his books.
Lelouch, bending down to help, quickly sorted through his mind, trying to put a name to the face. Japanese, I know that much...was it Fukuyama? Handing the books back to him, he asked. "I'm sorry, but you look familiar, and I can't remember your name..."
"Its Haruhi, Haruhi Fujioka." The student replied sullenly.
"Ah yes, that's right." Having the name, his mind sorted through the pertinent information. Honor student. Bookish, here on scholarship.
"Hey, can I ask you something real quick?" Haruhi's question snapped him back to the present.
Lelouch, curious, replied. "Sure. It's the least I can do for running into you, what is it?"
"Well," the student began, "I kinda need somewhere to study, and all the library rooms are full. Do you know somewhere quiet?"
As soon as he heard the question, an idea had occurred in Lelouch's mind. "I know just the place." Turning, he began to give him directions, gesturing with his hands. "If you turn left here and head up this staircase to the Southern hallway, you'll find a door labeled 'Third Music Room'. It should be completely empty."
"Really? Thanks!" Haruhi exclaimed, dashing up the stairs. Watching the student run out of sight, Lelouch began to chuckle.
Let's see what Tamaki does with that. He thought, continuing down the stairs. Who knows, maybe he'll make something interesting out of her.
A/N: So, what did y'all think? I put in the Host Club is Open bit as a reference to the anime, where they flash that for a few seconds before they go to the Host Club segment. Not sure if they use it in the manga, but anyway...
Please review, you KNOW you want to =P