Hello everyone! Thank you for taking the interest in reading my fanfic (^_^) this is actually my first ever fanfic so please bear with me a little. I am actually excited and nervous at the same time ||-_-|
AN: I don't own the beautiful characters of Ouran (though I wish I could:p). I only own the OCs in this fanfic. This is the product of my so-called studying session in my marketing class. Hahaha! :D Anyway, I hope you'll like it *bow*. Please review, constructive criticisms are very much appreciated. Please help me improve. Thank you all! *bow*
Title: The art of Negotiation
Chapter 1
'I guess it's not meant form me. But it feels sucks and makes your heart ache. I wanted to cry but I can't' then I sighed it makes me more sad listening to sad violin songs. Darn it! Why my ipod did play that song? I even put it in shuffle mode. Probability is so scary sometimes the lower percentage of the probability happens in the least expected and timely situation. Again with a deep sigh. Oh well, I still continued to listen to it to feel the catharsis, to release all the negative energies that I have, to at least lessen this heavy feeling. I'm not a talented person but when I want something I put my heart and soul to it. But it sucks when you invest with no return.
My name is Ichimaru Kaname. The youngest among three children of the Ichimaru family, a prominent family in the food industry, and the only daughter in the family which means I have to older brothers. Both of my brothers are now in college and doing on the job training in our family business. My family owns several first class restaurants in Japan. It's both Japanese and Italian restaurants and of course with tie ups with many prominent and high class hotels. Despite the fact that I am not the heir of our company I want to take the advantage of my position to help my brothers in continuing the fruits and labor of our ancestors. Unlike my brothers, who are geared and honed by father in the business perspective I prefer in dealing with the food (products), customer service and interior design of our restaurants. I occasionally give business suggestions if I think there is a need to especially when my brothers are very engrossed in strategic planning. I am very much interested in music, movies, literature, food, culture and structures – bottom line I like art in general. I travel a lot and eat in different places in order to acquire new knowledge. Whenever I'm in a foreign land people are quite amazed that I don't look like Japanese maybe because I have a fair complexion. My father is pure Japanese and my mother is Japanese-Brazilian so that explains why. I'm taller than the other girls at school… quite tall 5'9", same height as the other boys, my hair like my mother is dark brown and my eyes are quite bigger than the normal Japanese eyes. I stand out a lot and I'm used to it. My policy is what you see is what you get. And ask me and I'll answer truthfully. I am not much of a school buff. I only study for the sake of passing and not humiliating myself and my family by getting lower grades. Though I am not interested in studying I am included in the top 10 in our year. The last time I remember I was in rank 8. Anyway, the list of names changes every exam period. The only thing that didn't change is Ootori-kun being rank 1 and Suoh-kun being rank 2 considering they do hosting jobs in the afternoon. You gotta be impressed with these two.
As I walked aimlessly in the corridor I bumped in to Suoh-kun, Suoh Tamaki son of the chairman of Ouran and my classmate, who is in a hurry probably going to his club. 'Ow! My apologies I was spacing out' I said immediately staring sincerely at Suoh-kun. 'My apologies as well Ichi-chan. I was running because Kyouya will kill me if I will be late' he said with a giggle. I giggled as well I know Ootori-kun is a nice person but we know in our class he is very strict in everything especially with himself so I kinda imagine what will happen with Suoh-kun if he gets late.
'Ah… Ichi-chan, do you have any plans this afternoon?' he asked
'None. Why?' I replied
'Want to come with me in the Host Club? I will be your personal host if you will allow me to, Kaname-hime' he said with dreamy eyes. He took my right hand and gave it a kiss and immediately blushed. I am used with Suoh-kun doing it with many girls in the school but it feels different when he is doing it with you. It feels special.
'Sure. If you insist' I answered. I guess I was swept by his charms. I mean who isn't? Suoh-kun is a half French and he is used to charm ladies. I guess it is in his blood. I remember when I went to Paris, I saw men displaying their affections to women. It was a very romantic scenery. Men who are not scared to profess their love to their significant other in front of people how romantic is that? I actually secretly wished for that to happen to me.
Suoh-kun and I walked together going to the third music room. It took us fifteen minutes to reach the room. He opened the door and I saw six other men doing some preparations to start the club activities. 'Tamaki, only ten minutes to open the host club' a familiar deep voice spoke, it was Ootori-kun, 'you're lucky that we are not scheduled for a cosplay today'. 'I'm sorry Kyouya, I was summoned by father to go to his office and I left the after class without informing you' Suoh-kun nervously explained.
'Wow, that's a shock and I thought Suoh-kun is the president of the club. Hmm… Ootori-kun is the shadow king. Scary' I thought to myself. I wanted to help Suoh-kun so I supported his explanation 'I'm sorry to butt in but Suoh-kun was really trying his best to be here on time. We actually bumped with each other as he was running in the hallway', 'and I was spacing out' I said to myself. 'Tamaki, next time please inform me immediately…' he said coldly. Tamaki nodded. '…and welcome Ichimaru-san. It's rare to see you visiting' he said smilingly. His mood actually changes. I've seen that kind of smile. I knew in an instant that it was a fake smile.
'I was invited by Suoh-kun' I answered smilingly. I just want to return Ootori-kun's smile.
'Yup! And I told her that she will be assigned to me this whole afternoon' Tamaki excitedly explained while pulling my two hands.
'No, that can't be done' Ootori-kun said bluntly.
'But why? I want Ichi-chan to be designated to me!' Tamaki acting childish by stomping his right foot.
'There are many guests that had been reserved in this afternoon assigned to you. They had placed their reservations in our website since last month. Now, the one who is almost late for the club activity is being demanding?' Ootori-kun explained. As Ootori-kun is now angrier and scarier than before.
'But… I'm sorry Ichi-chan…' Suoh-kun said looking sad and rejected. 'Kyouya, if I am fully booked who among the members who have lesser guests?' he finally managed. Suoh-kun was probably guilty for inviting me.
'I am. I have no guests for today' Ootori-kun responded.
'What? No fair! How come?' Suoh-kun retorted.
'I excluded my name in the reservation panel in our website to give me time to finish this month's budget reports for the food, costumes and other miscellaneous. Unless you wanted to switch places with me, Tamaki?' Ootori-kun retorted giving Suoh-kun a sharp look.
'As expected from the Shadow King he runs the show' I thought to myself.
Suoh-kun did not protest but gave a big sigh. He finally managed a reply 'Alright. Ichi-chan this afternoon Kyouya is the assigned host for you. I hope you will enjoy your stay here this afternoon'.
'Don't worry about it Suoh-kun. I guess I will have an intellectual conversation with Ootori-kun after all he is the top student in our year' I said reassuringly. But I don't know why I said intellectual conversation. Darn it it's probably because I'm nervous being alone with Ootori-kun.
After I spoke I heard hard laughs from the twins. They kept repeating the words intellectual conversation in union and were laughing as if it's the end of the world. It is as if the words intellectual conversation is sarcasm but truthfully I was being modest.
'Tono, Kyouya-senpai, you were in a heated argument…' said the pink haired twin
'…you forgot to introduce this witty ojousan' said the blue haired twin
'Oh, my apologies.' Tamaki replied 'This is Ichimaru Kaname our classmate. Ichi-chan these are the Hitachiin brothers, the pink one is Hikaru and the blue one is Kaoru…' pointing at the twins
'This is Haninozuka Mitsukini-senpai you may call him Honey-senpai' pointing at a little kid holding a bunny stuffed toy. 'Waah! Kana-chan! This is usa-chan my bunny. Do you like it?' he said excitedly. He has a cute bunny I wanted to hug it. 'Yes. Its very cute Honey-senpai'.
'…this is Morinozuka Takashi-senpai or you may call him Mori-Senpai' Suoh-kun pointing at the tall dark haired guy. Mori-senpai only nodded and smiled quite the opposite of Honey-senpai.
'…and this is my beautiful daughter Fujioka Haruhi' he said while hugging Fujioka-kun tightly.
'Daughter?' I asked.
I saw Suoh-kun panicked 'did I say daughter? I mean son…' giving me a nervous laugh.
I simply smiled and nodded. 'Nice to meet you all. My name is Ichimaru Kaname.'
Suoh-kun was absolutely hiding something. But it really didn't matter. I don't want to pry in other people's business.
'Ichimaru-san, this way please' Ootori-kun stretched his right hand gesturing me in a secluded table. It was a small round table perfect for two people. The table was placed on the right most area of the room; it is near the window where I can see the garden. The sunlight was passing through the window and it feels warm and refreshing.
'Ootori-kun, you may actually continue what you are supposed to do. It's fine by me. I know what you wanted to beat the deadline' Talk about having a private meeting. It is as if I am a client of a businessman. Ootori-kun just emits that kind of aura. Though, I kinda know what Ootori-kun feels wanting to accomplish a specific deadline. I saw that with my brothers but Ootori-kun as a student he acts like a real business executive. Does he know when to be just an ordinary student? I sighed and just drink a cup of tea that Fujioka-kun prepared for us.