[ disclaimer : I do not own Ouran High School Host Club! ]

[ chapter one : because they want me to ]

"It isn't fair," Hunny had almost continuously complained ever since they exited the headmaster's office last week. His parents had forced him to join a national kendo competition, threatening to cut him off if he didn't at least participate in one more martial arts event before graduating high school. What with it being his third year at Ouran Academy already, time was running out fast. The head of the Haninozuka family had been very firm about this.

The short boy felt a pat on his head and looked up to see a boy with brighter blonde hair smile down at him. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. Mori-senpai will be with you, at least." In agreement, the person in question nodded silently. Tamaki enthusiastically continued, "And the rest of the Host Club will watch your every match!"

"Apparently," muttered one of the twins. Hikaru folded his arms across his chest.

The other sighed next to him. "As if we don't already know who the winner is going to be." Despite his tone, both Kaoru and his brother gave confident supportive smiles.

Not that they needed to convince Hunny. He knew what a prodigy he was, despite what one might assume based on his appearance. And Mori was extremely good at kendo too—that was why he was chosen to represent their school in the competition as well. There were two others, a boy and a girl. Neither of whom were there yet. "There" being the school gate where a bus was waiting to take them to the hotel where the event was.

Hunny frowned at the bus in front of them, the bus driver playing a game on his phone out of boredom. Wasn't a whole bus a little too big for four student and one supervising teacher?

Out of the blue, Haruhi voiced this exact question out loud. She knew Ouran was one of those super prestigious school for the wealthy but still... A bus this big was surely too much. Being the only commoner in their group, she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't see it the way she did. In addition, she was also the only girl, not that anyone else outside the Host Club knew.

Readjusting his glasses, Kyoya had an answer, as he usually did. "Yes, the kendo team does only consist of four representatives but the Academy always sends at least part of the cheerleading team and a photographer or two for documentation."

Haruhi blinked at him but then exhaled tiredly, "I guess that makes sense. But where are they?"

The seven hosts had been standing there for almost fifteen minutes and they only got there five minutes early so they could get all their farewells and wishes out of the way. Not even the teacher was here yet!

Truthfully, Hunny hoped there had been some sudden reason that would mean he and Mori wouldn't have to participate in the competition anymore. He had already planned to throw the match away because he knew that if he won (which was likely), he would have to move on to the next round which would be held on another day at another place... and the next, and the next, and so on. He didn't want this to drag on longer than it needed to for him. How he wished to go back to his cakes...

The lolita host didn't tell his friends that, of course. They did delay starring club activities so they could wave the two martial artists off.

"What a drag," the Hitachiins said simultaneously. Kaoru added with a shake of his head, "And the headmaster was worried about Hunny-senpai's loyalty?"

"Hey, boss, are you sure it's okay for us to be here for so long?" Hikaru asked tiredly.

The blonde club president frowned at them both. Then he looked around, scanning the expanse of the compound. He spotted figures approaching from the side of the main school building. "There they are!" He waved his arms unnecessarily, signalling them.

A few arms raised into the air to wave back.

Hunny made a disapproving sound which caught Mori's attention. His cousin stared at the smaller boy. It was obvious Hunny didn't like the situation he was put in. The usual optimism and cheeriness was gone, replaced with a pout. Hunny was sulking.

As the latecomers got closer, laughter and loud chatter could be heard. Kyoya counted them.

Four girls, two boys... Yes, that was just about right. These were the ones they had been waiting for. They carried and pulled their luggage with them, prepared for the three-day trip. An older man who could only be the teacher in charge was scolding them as they walked.

"What were you lot thinking?!" he howled. "I had to look all over the school for you!"

One girl, brunette and freckled, let out a sheepish giggle. "We lost track of time, Toyoda-sensei. We said we're sorry!"

The teacher scowled. "You have, Ishikawa. I have yet to hear anything from the rest of you."

"Hey, come on, guys! Don't throw me under the bus."

"It's your fault for confessing, Nao!" The boy with a camera in his hands playfully punched his friend's shoulder.

Another girl was less playful when she threw her fist at the boy's arm. "We were already caught, you idiot." She nudged the other girl next to her. "Sorry, Toyoda-sensei!" they said in chorus, one a bit more enthusiastic than the other.

"Pfft, it was just a little bit of fun," the remaining girl protested, chuckling.

"Your little bit of fun has put us behind schedule, Someya. Get your butts on board before I—"

The photographer spoke again. "Careful, sensei. You really shouldn't threaten your students—"

"I'm warning you..."

With a small squeak the boy hurried forward, much to the others amusement. Upon uniting with the waiting hosts, Mr Todoya apologized profusely and explained how these six students had thrown a small pizza party to celebrate the beginning of a "journey", as quoted. The students exchanged some words, some less pleasant than others but nothing worth mentioning.

The only quiet one among them was the first to address the hosts directly. He bowed to Hunny and Mori. "I'm really sorry! I told them—"

The girl called Someya snorted to interrupt him. "Do we really have to be so formal? Feel free to just call me Kuni, guys." She folded her arms and leaned against the side of the bus. Her tomboyish haircut suited her gruff behaviour.

"You probably don't remember me, Hunny-senpai," the guy continued somewhat nervously, "but I used to train under you before, uh... you know, you l-left."

"Hunny-chan used to be a martial arts coach?" one if the girls squealed. This one had highlights in her hair. Hunny knew her because she was a frequent client of the Host Club and she usually requested him. Inoe, was it? "That is so cute!"

Her sister was Shizue and she always asked for Tamaki when she came the club. She clapped her hands excitedly. "When I heard that two of the hosts are part of the kendo team, I didn't expect Hunny-chan!"

"Are you kidding?" Hikaru scoffed in amusement.

Tamaki chuckled warmly. "He's a pro! And so is Mori-senpai."

"Oh, I can't wait to see them in action!" said the one the teacher had called Ishikawa.

In a few seconds the three girls had surrounded them, giggling as they asked if he and Mori could show them some of their moves. Before any others could join in on the chatter, Hunny let out a tired sigh. "Can we go already?" he whined.

They continued to fangirl about him but more quietly and with more giggles about how cute the lolita was when he pouted. Mori looked at him with mild surprise that didn't really show on his features. "Mitsukuni," he said. The thing about silent people is that people tend to listen to them when they finally speak.

Hunny looked back at him. "But Takashi... I want to go home already."

As if on cue, the supervising teacher finally realized that they should get going if they wanted to get to the hotel near the competition venue before dark. He ushered them to hurry up. After a few more words were exchanged between the hosts and the kendo group, the latter clambered onto the bus.

The bus driver put down his phone with a tired sigh and started up the engine.