STELLAR

(an Ouran High School Host Club fanfiction)

by Shiroi Ryuu

A stranger's just someone

that you've forgotten

How will we know if we've met before

or done this dance, Mystery Man?

Didn't I know you?

(Oh, Hello by Circa Survive)

CHAPTER ONE: HELLO AGAIN

Haruhi Fujioka had forgotten how Tokyo looked like at night. The neon lights winked and flashed at her in rainbow colors, the buildings almost dancing. The night air was cold and clear, the rising smoke from her cigarette forming gray curlicues in the dark.

She had been standing on a street corner for ten minutes, shivering and continuing to smoke as cars drove by and pedestrians pushed by her. The PA system droned on but she had no idea what was said. A crowd of rowdy teenagers pushed out of the bar behind her, all of them clearly underage. A flurry of banter and happy conversation reached her ears and she stared at them, at the faces that seemed so young, so carefree…

I used to be like that, she thought, heaving a sigh and pulling another drag from her cigarette. Oh, well.

She continued to stand on the street corner until the group of teenagers disappeared down the block, their laughter still reaching her ears. She turned up her collar and pulled in her coat closer, but the night air was already piercing through her skinny frame. A drink would warm me up, she thought, and turned to walk down the avenue.

As she walked, she mused at how many construction sites there were in the city. She had been gone for only five years, but now much of the city has changed, old buildings were always being torn down to be replaced with new and unique architecture, that she had to look for a familiar spot to know where she was. As if she was gone for a decade.

Five years, since her father died.

Ever since then, Haruhi Fujioka was alone. Really alone. A week after the funeral she was on the plane to Boston, and since then, she never came back. Until now.

Haruhi turned around another corner and found herself in a familiar area and in front of a familiar bar. With a jolt she realized that she was where her father used to work.

What am I doing here?

She stomped the last of her cigarette on the floor and stared at the sign. XOXO in gaudy pink neon with a scattering of red flashing hearts. She remembered how her dad snuck her in the dressing room every night until she was eight years old, and she watched him put garish green eyeshadow and 5-inch heels. She remembered how she fold her dad's costumes and put back his brushes and wigs, while her father flirted with his customers. Occasionally, she would hear his father's voice fill the air as he sang American songs on karaoke, and the wild applauses afterward. She would take a peek behind the curtains and watch her father laugh and wave coquettishly at his roaring audience.

And she was here again, her eight-year-old self coming back to haunt her. She put her hand to the tinted glass doors, hesitating, half-hoping to find her father grinning at her to welcome her in.

Pushing open the doors, she was greeted by a blast of warm air and loud noises. She could see that the tables were all filled, and its occupants were applauding loudly at the dancers onstage. The emcee, whom Haruhi quickly recognized as her father's old boss, came out and announced the next performer.

"And now, put your hands together foooor… AIMIMI-SAN!"

The crowd erupted in hoots and screams. Haruhi perched herself on the nearest bar stool and tried to get the barman's attention, but he was staring avidly at the stage, abandoning the glass he was wiping on the counter. Slightly annoyed, Haruhi turned to look at the sea of people near the stage, who were also wearing the same excited expression. Whoever this Aimimi-san was, she thought, I bet he's really good.

Drums rolled and the red glitter curtain went up. Haruhi watched as a redhead emerged from the shadows, flanked by three dancers in identical black wigs. He was wearing a brilliant turquoise dress with spangles and his cheeks were heavily rouged. He waved to the audience and again the crowd stomped and cheered. He put a hand up to silence them.

"Good evening, lovelies! Everybody up for a bit of fun?" The crowd roared louder and louder, their screams vibrating the walls. He winked at the audience and with a flourish at the musicians, began an energetic pop song. Everybody sang and clapped along to the music.

Haruhi watched as Aimimi sang. His gestures were fluid and perfect, and he moved in sync with the dancers. He was mesmerizing, and his smile was so engaging that though Haruhi disliked this kind of entertainment, she cheered as enthusiastically as everyone when Aimimi launched into three more songs, holding a captivated audience well with his catchy charm. Infectious. Like her dad.

"Thank you very much," He winked again and blew kisses at the audience, who kept chanting for more, but he just grinned playfully and disappeared amidst their cheering.

That guy, Haruhi mused, he's almost as good as my dad.

OOO

It was already one in the morning when the show ended. The staff was already hauling beer bottles in crates and cleaning up the tables when Haruhi went up to Ryoko, her dad's former boss, who was at the register counting the money.

"Hi, Ryoko-san," she began, and the man looked up.

"Haru-chan! Gosh, what a lovely surprise!" Ryoko pushed back the register drawer and pulled Haruhi in a one-armed hug. "Oh, my gosh! It's been a while! You've grown skinnier!"

"Uh... it's university doing that to me," Haruhi said, sheepishly.

"University! Following your mother's footsteps, I see! Come, come, sit down!" Ryoko then pulled a couple of chairs and Haruhi sat down across him.

"Uh, I can't stay long... I just went to check out the place." Haruhi felt an upwelling of sadness as she stared at the empty stage.

Ryoko laughed. "Well, I won't keep you long. I just wanted to ask... how are you doing?"

"I'm okay, mostly. I... just came for a break from law school before another semester starts." Haruhi stared at the tabletop, suddenly feeling ill at ease. Her lungs itched for a cigarette. Ryoko smiled and patted her hand.

"Ryoji would be very proud of you, studying law abroad! With brains like yours, it's no wonder that you'll be a success as soon as you graduate!"

Haruhi's fists tightened. She couldn't tell Ryoko that she had been booted out of the scholarship list this semester. Images of her father's proud face as he told his colleagues about her achievements caused her a pang in her throat.

I failed, Dad. I'm only too glad you couldn't see me now.

Ryoko noticed her silence and nodded, "Oh, Haru-dear, I know you miss your dad. Me too. XOXO hasn't been the same since he... left."

Haruhi didn't answer. Memories of her father's funeral filled her head.

A smooth voice dragged Haruhi out of the heaviness that permeated her thoughts. "Ryoko-san? I'll be going--"

Haruhi looked up into a pair of deep, purple eyes. Those eyes...

I'd know those eyes anywhere.

"Tamaki?"

Author's Notes:

Wow, it's the first time I've written fanfiction in a long while! Thank you for reading through the end. I'm looking for Beta readers for this fic, so if anyone wants to, just email me at cosmik (at) gmail (dot) com!

Reviews are much appreciated. I shall elaborate more as the story progresses.

Stellar © Shiroi Ryuu 2006