New fanfic!
YAY!
A friend of mine got me to watch Ouran anime since I'm a complete noob and hadn't seen it yet. The moment it ended this story popped into my head and wouldn't leave me alone!
I apologise if some characters seem a little OOC, but I guess you can consider this a slight AU(?)
Hope you guys like it~!
ONWARDS!
The air was wrong.
It was too sweet, smelling of flowers and fresh grass instead of salt, heat, and spice.
The colours were all in muted shades of pastel instead of complimentary bold blocks.
She hated the place.
The house she was to call home from now on was cold, large, and empty. The car she was chauffeured around in was sleek and modern, all leather seats and gold accents.
She preferred a beach shack and Mo-Ped that you'd have to hit a few times to get it to run. She had those things, back in Spain with her grandpapa.
She had the heat and spice and faulty Mo-Ped.
Here in Japan she had cherry blossoms and cold marble floors and maids and butlers that looked wary of her.
She didn't belong in Spain, and she didn't belong in Japan.
So where did that leave her?
{Two years later}
"Your first day of school is also a first impression, Young Miss," a clipped voice stated.
Hazel eyes slid to the stern woman staring at her over a travel-size laptop, the reflection of the screen glaring off the horned glasses perched on a thin nose. The woman's name was Ran and despite taking up little physical space, her presence was enough to suffocate an entire football stadium. "First impressions are crucial to maintain a perfect social standard befitting of your… breeding."
"I'm transferring midway through the final semester. Is it still classified as 'first day of school'?"
A manicured finger slid Ran's glasses back up her nose, her thin lips pursing. She ignored the final question. "Yes, you are. Which is why you must listen to me, Miss Merry. Your father would be disappointed if you did not make necessary connections that could benefit you later in life."
Merry knew what she was talking about. Business connections, which were little more than amicable 'friends with benefits,' so to speak. In a place that teemed with the children of the filthy rich and famous it was to be expected, especially for the young heirs and heiresses.
Real friendships probably didn't even matter.
The limousine pulled up to the curb in front of pristine lawns and fabulously pink architecture. Ran snapped her laptop shut, critically eyeing the driver as he hopped out of the driver's seat and scurried over to open the door for them. "You're four minutes late. Be thankful I calculate an hour's worth of leeway into Miss Merry's schedule so your tardiness does not interrupt her day."
The driver paled slightly, bowing low as Ran slid out of the car and onto the pavement. "Forgive me, Ma'am. It won't happen again."
"Be sure it doesn't," she sniffed, turning her back on the man. "Come along, Young Miss, or you'll be late for your appointment with the Dean."
Merry inwardly sighed and grabbed her messenger bag as well as a lockable battered hard-case covered in faded travel stickers. Inside was her most prized possession. She slung them both over her shoulder and slid out of the car into the bright afternoon.
"May I help you with your bags, Miss?" the driver asked.
Merry shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you for driving me this morning."
The man flushed happily. "A pleasure, Ma'am!"
"Miss Merry!" Ran snapped, drumming her fingers against the outside of her laptop.
Merry gave a short nod goodbye to the driver and hurried after Ran, trying to ignore the way the woman's heels click-clacked with every step she took.
"Ouran is a prestigious Academy for the privileged," Ran stated, working her way through the school grounds like she'd been there a million times before. Merry tried not to obviously gawk at everything. It was all so… shiny. "Your father, being the brilliant man he is, chose this school so you could benefit the most from your education. He would prefer you to be well-rounded, well-informed and well-liked by peers and teachers alike. It is here that you are expected to build the foundations you will carry into the future. You are to maintain an A average in all classes and if you find you are struggling you will inform me and I will hire a tutor. Is that understood, Young Miss?"
"Yes."
Ran glanced over her shoulder. "Your father hired me because I am the best at handling… cases like yours. My guidelines are for your benefit. Your schedule is forwarded to your father for approval before it is handed to me. I am to be your Handler until you graduate. No exceptions."
Merry pursed her lips slightly at the 'handler' shtick, but if she opened her mouth she'd be on the receiving end of a lecture. Nodding and staying quiet was her best option.
Everywhere she looked there was polished stone and trimmed hedges. The students were of the neat pleats and crisp collar variety. She felt oddly out of place amongst the soft yellow and navy uniforms in her uncomfortable pressed trousers and silken blouse.
Ran had laid out her clothes for the interview with the Dean, all of her other clothes mysteriously 'missing' when she hopped out of the shower.
The trip to the Dean's office took much longer than expected, purely because of the sheer expanse of the school grounds. Ouran was a place built to impress, and its intention was certainly met.
Ran gestured for Merry to take a seat on the plush looking chairs while she spoke to the Dean's secretary in hushed, clipped tones. Her pants had barely brushed the seat when the Dean's door opened, revealing a man with salt-pepper hair and laugh lines. He opened the door further.
"You must be Ms Yoshi and Miss Watanabe, correct?"
"Yes," Ran spoke for the both of them.
The Dean gestured for them to enter his office. "Please, come in. We have a lot to discuss."
Merry tried not to let her mind wander, but after idle pleasantries and having to watch Ran plaster on an obviously fake smile, she tuned out. The Dean's office was large and opulent, like the rest of the school. Oil paintings lined the walls, as well as certificates from a number of notable international colleges and photographs of the many grand benefactors for the school. The furniture was antique mahogany, the curtains were silk and the carpet soft and plush.
It was tastefully overdone without being gaudy.
"Miss Merry."
Ran's voice snapped her out of her haze. She sat a little straighter. "Yes?"
"Mr Hiroshi and I have some matters to discuss. Please leave the room and wait for me outside."
Merry nodded, slinging her bags over her shoulder. "Alright." To deal with Ran, either agree or keep it short and sweet. She left the room, letting the door click back into place. The secretary stopped typing for a moment, looking at her over the marble counter before returning to her work. Merry slumped into a waiting chair.
Everything was so bright, but not in a cheery way. The whole place looked like it had been doused in a fine coat of lacquer. There wasn't a speck of dust in sight.
It was mildly disturbing.
She was musing over how many people must be hired to keep the school in pristine condition when the secretary cleared her throat delicately. "Excuse me, Miss Watanabe?"
"Merry, please."
"Miss Merry, would you like something to eat? Or perhaps a cup of tea?"
Her ears perked up, but not at the mention of food. The way their voices carried…
The acoustics in the hallway were soft, but nice. In fact, this school must have a music room somewhere. She was beginning to feel twitchy at the prospect of simply sitting and waiting for Ran to finish with Dean Hiroshi. She peered around for a moment before looking at the fidgeting secretary. "Actually, do you have a map of the school?"
"O-of course, Ma'am. One moment."
One printed and official looking map of Ouran later, Merry was wandering the halls, following the fine print that wasn't in her first language. She'd deal with Ran's wrath later, right now she was bored and had a school to explore.
She ignored the stares of the lingering students and gripped her bag straps tighter, her map long since been shoved into her pocket. She had a feeling she was going the wrong way. She huffed, blowing a lock of raven hair that had escaped its tight bun out of her face.
She needed directions.
A group of boys came around the corner of a building, laughing and playfully shoving each other. They settled as she approached them, a few in the back whispering rapidly to each other.
"Excuse me?"
One boy with light brown hair and brown eyes blinked at her before clearing his throat. "Y-yes?"
"I was wondering if you could tell me where the music room is?"
They all seemed to slump, one even going so far as to burst into tears.
"Sure," the boy muttered dejectedly. He pointed over his shoulder. "That building, top floor, end of the northern hallway."
She gave him a small smile and bowed her head. "Thank you."
He promptly turned red. "N-no problem! Anytime!"
She made her way into the building, going over the boy's direction in her mind. Which way was north? Oh, that way.
She climbed the carpeted stairs, taking a moment to stare out of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a sparkling pond filled with koi fish. It really was a pretty school, but it didn't feel like home.
She glanced up at the plaque, hearing soft chatter coming from behind the grand set of double doors. Must be students finishing up their practice for the day. "Music Room 3, huh?" She steeled her nerves. "Well, here goes nothing."
She pressed down on the handle and opened the door, automatically blinded by the bright light coming from inside. Rose petals swirled around her, tickling her nose and brushing against her hair. She sneezed lightly before gawping at the sight in front of her.
Delicate china, buttercream cakes and doilies.
She leaned out of the door, looking at the plaque again. It still said Music Room 3. Her face settled into impassive frustration. She should have known. How silly of her to think a music room was used for actual music in a place like this.
"Welcome, dearest Princess, to the Host-"
She slammed the door and stalked down the hallway, intent on finding Music Room 1 or 2.
It was a pity she couldn't use 3. The acoustics were beautiful.
Reviews are welcome :3