It had been several weeks since Haruhi Fujioka had become a host, and while she couldn't say she was getting used to the antics of her fellow hosts, spending her afternoons in the third Music Room was becoming routine. The stress of her 8 million yen debt was slowly fading as she began to enjoy her time in the Host Club, save for Kyoya's quips on her debt. At first, she wasn't so sure that she could balance both the Club and her academics, seeing as how her scholarship with Ouran Academy depended on her being first in her class. However, with the wide range of resources and tutors available at the Academy, academics didn't stand a chance against Haruhi.

Club hours had just ended, and the hosts were gathered on the fine sofas around a coffee table engaged in their daily meeting, which usually just consisted of everybody giving a brief account of that day's clients and ensuring that the general atmosphere was up to Tamaki's standards. It was at this time that they would also plan any events that would take place that week, but Haruhi usually liked to simply unravel after entertaining guests for so long. She had always had a knack for conversation and others took to her, although after a long day of classes it was certainly tiring. She sat back and idly listened to the conversation, while planning a trip to the supermarket the next day.

"I think we should have another cosplay event," Tamaki declared. "This time it will be Latin American fashion! Hikaru and Kaoru, your mother can supply us with the outfits we need, and I've already asked the Dance Club to perform a salsa dancing routine, of which we will also perform in! It will be one of our most beautiful and lively events yet!" The twins and Honey were making 'oohs' and 'aahs,' while Kyoya jotted down notes in his black book.

"Dance Club? I didn't know we had a Dance Club," she mused, "although I guess I shouldn't be too surprised."

"Ouran Academy is one of the most prestigious schools in all of Japan," said Kyoya, still taking notes. "Any kind of club you could probably imagine is almost sure to be found within the Academy."

Haruhi watched Kyoya take notes for a few seconds and thought back to when she first took a tour of Ouran Academy. She remembered receiving a couple of pamphlets for different clubs, but she hadn't really looked at any of them very closely. She had only intended to pursue her education; at least that was how she felt before being roped into this Host Club business.

"Tanaka-senpai, do you know where Remi-san is today?"

Tanaka glanced over to where Keiko was standing, packing up her things. "Remi-san asked me permission to spend today's club hours over at the Host Club, and I decided it wouldn't be a problem."

Keiko sighed in irritation. There were a few girls in the Science Club who spent the occasional day with the Host Club, which she wouldn't normally have minded. However, Remi hadn't finished a single of her projects, and the annual Engineering Challenge was only a couple of months away. They were barely a month into the first trimester and already she was tired of hearing about the Host Club.

"Right. Thanks, senpai. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, leaving the science lab with all of her belongings.

Keiko walked briskly to where her chauffer normally picked her up, her thoughts racing. It would be her first year competing against other teams, and she wanted desperately to make a name for herself there. She had been working in the lab tirelessly, constantly designing or building or testing one of her creations.

Once at home, Keiko nearly collapsed in her bed in exhaustion. The past week had been filled with constant pressure and she hadn't allowed herself a moment of relaxation until now. She simply lied there for what seemed like hours, when her cell phone went off, playing some popular hip hop tune. Keiko searched a moment for the cell phone and answered it.

"Keiko?"

"Oh, Misa-chan! What's going on?" she asked, a sudden warmth in her voice after hearing the voice on the other end of the call.

"Keiko! Some of the girls in the Club have been asking me to visit the Host Club with them, and today I finally went and oh my goodness! They're all so handsome and sweet and I had the time of my life!"

Keiko chuckled at her friend's story. "Oh, not you too, Misa! That Host Club is stealing all of our girls on the Science Club!"

Misa giggled back. "They sure got me! They must be stealing all of us because smart girls have such good taste. Maybe you're so opposed to the Host Club because you don't have good taste."

"I'm sure that's it," Keiko replied with a small grin. "Or maybe I'm just more interested in working hard than I am in boys." Misa's silliness always had the power to bring Keiko out of a slump, even when she didn't know she was in one.

"Well, that's actually not the reason I called" the other girl responded with a twinge of embarrassment, "We have a physics test tomorrow and I'm a little confused about some of the material, and I know it's your best subject, so…"

"Say no more," Keiko replied with a smile. "What do you need help with?"

After several hours of homework and studying, Keiko was drifting off at her desk. She took a deep breath and closed various notebooks, slipping them into her schoolbag. She always enjoyed the feeling of neatly packing away her books and papers; it was always a sort of catharsis after studying for many long hours.

A ringing at the door roused her from her thoughts. "Excuse me, Keiko-san? Your father has requested your presence in the dining hall," spoke one of the family servants from the other side of the door. Keiko breathed out another sigh. Her father and mother didn't speak to her very often and when they did, it was usually some reprimanding. The family's ever-growing company was becoming widely successful, so it wasn't unusual for one or both parents to be out, probably in some business meeting. Not that they ever told her about it.

"I'll be down shortly, thank you for letting me know," Keiko called back to the servant. She threw on one of her nicer looking sweaters and brushed out her hair, taking care to make sure she didn't look too unruly, something her mother had a tendency to complain about. Keiko hadn't inherited her mother's elegant dark, wavy curls; her curls were naturally much thicker and tighter, sometimes bordering on messy, which was a definite no-go around upper class peers and guests. Luckily, their family could afford personal hair stylists and all the best hair relaxing products, which she used often.

After taking one last glance in the mirror, Keiko left her room and strolled through the majestic hallway silently. If there was one thing true about the Ishida family, it was that they never spared any expense, and that especially applied to the family home, in all of its grandeur. The halls were warmly lit, and beautifully furnished with opulent rugs and décor. She descended a spiraling staircase into the dining area, where she noticed both of her parents waiting silently. She bowed her head towards both of them and found a seat.

The Ishida family dining hall was certainly not out of character with the rest of the house- large and noble. To the best of her memory, however, the magnificent hall was always filled with a looming sense of solemnity. She was of course, appreciative of expensive things, but the feeling in this room was almost oppressive. Maybe that was just because of her parents, though. The dining hall was, after all, where most of their family meetings took place.

"Keiko, your mother and I have been considering something lately, something we think will be good for you," said her father, his gaze suddenly intensely focused on her. Keiko suppressed a sigh, knowing that it would only annoy her mother, who was also staring at her and nodding slowly. No hello, no 'how has school been' or anything. Typical.

"Your mother and I are very successful and the Ishida Company is growing bigger than it ever has been, and this is due to our hard work and dedication. As you know, you are next in line to inherit the family business, correct?"

Keiko nodded slowly, confused as to where this conversation was going. Her parents almost never acknowledged the idea of Keiko inheriting the family business, she honestly expected that her father would reveal he was an immortal vampire or something, anything to stop him having to pass the company to anyone else, even his own daughter. She was an only child and had often wondered that if she had a sibling, they would be much more eager to give up the reins. Her parents were never particularly warm or encouraging, but they had provided her with a lavish upbringing and the most elite education she could hope for. Keiko glanced sideways at her mother, who was pursing her lips nervously, an unusual sight.

…What's going on? Keiko thought to herself, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"You are a hardworking student, one of Ouran Academy's most prestigious students. And yet… we need to know that you have the ambition, the drive to take on this company. It's no easy job, to be sure, and we just aren't sure that you are giving enough focus to your potential as the head of the Ishida Company."

Her eyes widened in shock. Where was this coming from? She had been excluded from the company her entire life and so devoted everything to her education and now… she wasn't ambitious enough? "Father, I have the ambition, I swear! Please, if you could just-"

"Keiko!" interrupted her mother, breaking her silence. "Don't be so disrespectful. You lash out with your emotions, and that is exactly why we are hesitant to let you inherit this company. We both worked hard for what we have, and we expect you to do the same, if you truly care about your future with the Ishida Company."

Keiko sat back, trying to restrain the tears welling in her eyes. It frustrated her how much her mother's scornful tone could affect her, even if she had been calm and collected moments before. "So," Keiko said, struggling to keep her voice even, "How can I prove to you both that I am worthy of the company?"

The two exchanged glances. "Well," her father began, "We had an idea that may not excite you at first, but we both agree that it would be an excellent test for you, Keiko."

Great.

"All your life, your basic necessities and much more were given to you without question. We decided that it may be… enriching for you to be completely independent for a few months. You can't run a company if you don't even know how to manage yourself in this world. Once you have shown that you are competent enough-"

It was too much. Keiko stood abruptly, cutting him off mid-sentence. Screw being respectful.

"You think I should do what? What do you mean, I'm going to be independent?!"

He was obviously growing angrier by the second, but kept his composure. There were few things that made her father snap, but talking back to him always seemed to do the trick. Great, Keiko… you just can't keep your mouth shut, can you?

"I have already secured accommodations for you, and of course your tuition will be paid for, but besides that, you are on your own. You will be responsible for your own meals, rent, and upkeep of your apartment. If you are as determined as you say you are, it should be no problem for you."

It was a joke. It must be a joke. She was being forced out of her family home- the home she grew up in, and for what? To live the life of a commoner, to prove that she was ambitious enough to take over the company? How would eating cheap supermarket food or sweeping some dingy apartment floor going to prove that she could run a company? It was completely ridiculous.

Her mother gave an apologetic smile. It drove her insane. "Listen, Keiko… it may sound like a crazy idea, but experience is the most valuable lesson you can ever have. And what better time than now?" she asked, her demeanor having completely flip-flopped. "You're young, you're smart; think of it as a test. If you are worthy of the Ishida Company, then you will come out on the other side standing taller than ever before."

Keiko nodded weakly; there was no other option.

Keiko stood in her bedroom, taking in all the lavish furniture as if for the very first time. Her bed was large and luxurious, a canopy draped over it to shield her from the rest of the world. The expensive draperies, the small cushioned nook over by the window. She wandered around the room, admiring everything about it, finally stopping at the desk.

It was an antique desk, made of the finest mahogany that money could buy. It was rich in color, the sides were covered in elaborate engravings. The several drawers were all pristinely organized. The desk had belonged to her grandfather, and it was one of her most prized possessions. Of course, she wasn't allowed to take anything with her except a couple of outfits and whatever she needed for school. Everything else would remain here, untouched.

Her parents had informed her that she would continue living in the Ishida family home until the current school week was over. Then, over the weekend she would be taken to her new apartment, and then officially left to her own devices. The thought of being completely alone was unnerving- no servants or chauffeurs or parents. She was so frustrated. Why didn't her parents have any faith in her? Why were they trying to improve her character in such a strange way? Keiko would have been elated to have both her parents as personal mentors, offering guidance and grooming her to one day take over the company, but instead it was this. None of it made any sense at all.

Keiko climbed into one of her personal family limousine for the last time before her exile. It had been difficult to go to school and stay focused for the week, trying to pretend that everything was normal and her whole life wasn't about to change, for who knows how long. If she was going to afford living on her own, she needed a job, so her last few days at home were spent job hunting, which was a lot more difficult than she expected it to be. Hoping to keep the whole situation a secret for as long as possible, she hadn't told any of her friends about what was happening. They would probably laugh, or even worse, pity her. Either way, she was on the way to her new apartment now, and she felt her uncertainty all over her body. Her arms and legs were heavy, her stomach was a pit of butterflies. What did this new life have in store for her?

"It seems we are here, Ishida-san," said the chauffeur.

"Thank you, Inomata-san," Keiko replied while gathering her bags. Shuji Inomata had been her personal chauffeur for several years now, but while living on her own, Keiko wasn't allowed to have contact with any of the family's servants, and that included day-to-day transportation.

The outside of the apartment building was relatively simple in appearance, modern but not as superior as the sort of buildings that Keiko was used to. It was five stories tall, she could see that each apartment had an outside balcony which overlooked the road and a small garden area in front of the complex. Inomata helped her carry her bags and a small suitcase up to the third floor, where her new home was. She glanced at a small scribbled note she clutched in her hands, reading 'Floor 3, suite 17'

Suite 17. Once they reached the third floor, it was the first door on the left. Tentatively, she pulled the key from her pocket and unlocked the door, opening it slowly.

As soon as she stepped inside the apartment, the narrow hallway leading in and the low ceilings immediately made her feel confined. It was such a tight space, the entire apartment was probably less than half the size of her bedroom back home!

No… this, this is my home now. I just need time to get used to it.

As Inomata placed her last few bags on the floor, Keiko bowed her head towards him, and he mirrored the gesture. "Thank you for the help, Inomata-san. I suppose I should get settled in to my new home now, so… wish me luck," she said, with a halfhearted smile. The man smiled back at her.

"I'm sure your parents mean well, Ishida-san. If they think that this will help you, then I'm sure they know what they are doing. I wish you good luck." He turned, and left. Keiko watched him through the window as the man climbed gracefully into the limousine and drove away. She was here now, alone.

Her time as an elite member of society was over;Keiko Ishida was officially a commoner.