I sighed, long and hard as I struggled to ignore the murmurs and stares I was receiving from other students. This is all that stupid Tamaki's fault. Him, and that blackmailing rich bastard Kyoya. It had been a week since I had been forced to join their club and today was my first day, and I was less than pleased about it. Not only had they forced me to quit the gardening club and wear this ridiculous uniform—which was what was gathering attention from people—but they had caused me to lose a good chunk of my time spent with Kasanoda. Even I knew that friendships were harder to keep when we only spent the lunch hour discussing things. And even then, we mostly spent the time to discuss how to better improve the care of the fruits and vegetables in the greenhouse. In the club or not, I had practically raised a good number of those plants and I wasn't about to let some blonde and his shadow ruin my hard work. That being said, I felt bad for how I left the Host Club last week.
I very rarely lost my temper, but they seemed to push all the right buttons that day and with how the day had already been going for me, I had snapped at Tamaki a bit harsher than I usually would have. Kyoya, honestly deserved it, and Tamaki did too, since it was he who put the Shadow King up to it. But the other hosts didn't need to see that. Well, the twins, maybe. They seem like the annoying type, but even then, I shouldn't have lost my temper. I let out yet another sigh as I opened the doors to the third music room and felt my eyebrow twitch in annoyance at the brightly colored kimonos the group were wearing.
"Ah, excellent timing." Kyoya said, pushing up his glasses. "Yours is in the changing room, Ookawa-san."
"No way in hell." I said bluntly, tossing a thumb over at the tallest host. "Unless mine is like Morinozuka-senpai's, there's no way I'm wearing anything like that."
Said host was wearing a darker version of the kimonos the others were wearing. It being a simple, solid dark blue shade with a brown obi around the waist. The others were wearing more vibrant shades of pinks, golds, oranges and greens, and just looking at them made my eyes hurt. Kyoya though, didn't seem to like my answer and pushed up his glasses.
"If you do not, then I will be forced to add more to your debt."
I turned to him with a challenging look. "Go for it. I'll work as hard as you want me to in order to repay this debt, but if I don't want to do something, I won't. I'm not some servant dog."
Two sets of arms wrapped around my shoulders and I gave the twins a bored look as they let out long whistles.
"Wow."
"Never thought someone would..."
"...stand up to Kyoya-senpai like that."
"Impressive."
Honey bounded over then, looking up at me with teary eyes. "B-But Toru-chan. I wanted to see you in a kimono."
His puppy dog eyes hardly bothered me, being nothing compared to the things I'd seen back home.
"That's nice, Haninozuka-senpai, but I'm not wearing anything I don't want to."
He pouted, looking more upset that his childish act didn't work on me, than being upset I didn't do what he said, when Tamaki pulled a hand through his hair with a sigh.
"Well, we can't force him to wear it, so we'll just have to make do without him."
I felt my brows furrow, getting the feeling that he was giving in far too easily for my liking.
"Though that means he won't be hosting." Tamaki went on, turning away, though I swear I saw a smug smile on his lips. "And no hosting, means no working off the debt."
I stiffened, hearing the twins snicker behind me as I realized I'd once again been outsmarted and that I'd end up wearing the outfit whether I wanted to or not.
"Fine!" I snapped, throwing my hands up and stomping towards the changing rooms. "I'll wear the stupid kimono! But I've got my other club after this, so I'm very damn well leaving early!"
Kyoya smirked as I passed him. "Very well, I'll be sure to add the amount lost while you're absent to your debt."
I stopped and put a hand out, flicking him off before I slid the curtain shut and cursed under my breath as I stripped to put on the black and gold embroidered kimono; being sure to wear my white undershirt underneath of it as I came to realize something. Tamaki called me a 'he' just now, didn't he? I looked down at my bust, wincing slightly before I pulled the kimono over my shoulders. I can see why. Not much feminine about me, but whatever. I'll leave them to figure it all out. As I expertly tied the obi around myself, I slipped on the sandals and stepped out; pulling my ponytail out of the back of my shirt to lay over my shoulder as I did so, only to stop when I caught all the hosts staring at me.
"Wah! You look so cool, Toru-chan!" Honey beamed as the twins gave me a thumbs up.
"Perfect fit!"
Tamaki was the one to tackle me in a hug though. "My darling son! You look amazing!"
"I'm not your son." I grumbled, not really knowing what to do about the praise other than stand there embarrassed and fidgeting slightly; wondering if I should shove Tamaki off or not.
When he started nuzzling my face though, I grew annoyed and turned my head before promptly biting down harshly on his ear. He wailed and ran over to the others as I stuck my tongue out in disgust.
"Mommy! Our son bit me!" He wailed, clinging to Kyoya who ignored him as the twins turned to me with grossed out faces.
"Why would you bite him?"
"I used it on my dogs at home. Makes then subservient." I said, not caring how Tamaki went into a corner and started crying as he drew circles on the ground, muttering about me calling him a dog after I bit him.
The twins though, busted up laughing and clung to each other as they did so before Kyoya clapped his hands together and brought everyone's attention to him.
"Alright, enough dawdling. It's about time we opened up the club."
The group moved to welcome guests at the door and Kyoya positioned me on the other side of one of the twins as we all chorused 'welcome' to the guests and I tried to relax a bit. After all, there was no reason for me to be angry with the students who came into the room. I actually planned on being more than pleasant to them, despite the fact that all I wanted to do was leave and go enjoy my time with the horses for my other club. As I headed to the table Kyoya designated for me though, I couldn't help but see how everyone else hosted. I can get ideas on what I should be doing in order to get more customers and pay off this stupid debt I landed myself. The faster I'm out of this club, the better. I passed by Tamaki's table first and couldn't help but grimace at his cheesy lines and teary eyes, quickly moving onto the next table; the twins.
They didn't do too bad. At first. The moment they turned to incest was the moment I paled and scuttled away. Kyoya wasn't even hosting and apparently was doing some sort of business with Haruhi; who I was beginning to have mixed feelings about. There was just something about him that rang bells in my head, though I shrugged the feeling off. The feminine guy hardly needs more attention. I mused, arms crossed and hidden under my sleeves, when Mori suddenly rushed past me to where Honey was, catching my eye as he slipped on the small blonde's sandal; earning coos from the girls around them and a slight blush from me. I don't know what it was, but there was just something about the tall, silent senior that I liked. He reminds me of the horses. Complicated to figure out, but once you get to know them, they can be quite loyal and caring. I was nearly at my table when one of the twins bumped into me and something fell to the floor. I picked it up and gave it a look, before holding it out to the twin; catching Haruhi's attention as well.
"You dropped this… uh..." I struggled to figure out which twin it was. "...Kaoru?"
He nodded, looking a little surprised and taking the bottle of tear drops from me as Haruhi gave him a suspicious look and went to say something; only for him to cover Haruhi's mouth.
"To tell you the truth, this is common knowledge among hosts."
Hikaru hurried over then and handed him a small box with a pink sweet in it. "Here you go. Some high class Japanese teacake that commoners would never be able to buy."
I felt my eyebrow twitch in annoyance at his words, but Haruhi accepted the treat in surprise.
"You'll give it to me?"
Some of the guests hurried over in excitement, crowding around the group of us.
"Haruhi-kun, you like Japanese teacakes?" One asked.
"No, but I was thinking that I might place this before the grave of my late mother as an offering."
I felt my heart ache knowing that Haruhi had lost his mother and I made a mental note that I needed to call mine, before some of the guests spotted me and one of them spoke up.
"O-Oh. Who's this?"
Kyoya headed over with a proper business smile and gestured to me. "This is Toru Ookawa, a new host in training. We don't have a type for him yet, but please feel welcome to make appointments with me should you feel interested."
The guests turned to me expectantly and I felt heat rush up to my face in embarrassment as I hastily bowed.
"A-Ah, hello. It's nice to meet you all. Please take care of me here at the Host Club."
I stood upright with a small smile and a number of the guests soon had blushes of their own, before I was swarmed by them as they all started asking questions.
"What class are you in, Toru-san?"
"2-A."
"You're with Tamaki-kun and Kyoya-kun!"
"Do you have any hobbies?"
"What do your parents do?"
"Well, I, um… I'm part of the equestrian club and used to be a part of the gardening club before I joined the Host Club. I rather enjoy working with animals, horses especially." I said, starting to lose my nervousness while talking about my hobbies. "And my parents own a farm up in Hokkaido. I only transferred here this year to study business in order to take over the farm when I'm older and get into training horses."
I hadn't noticed that the hosts had joined the guests and started listening to our conversation as we moved to a table with some couches.
"A farm?"
"Do you have lots of animals there?"
"What kind of things do you grow?"
"Does this mean you live alone?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Ah, well, we have horses and cows and pigs that we take care of. And as far as plants go, we grow our own corn and cabbage as well as other things like watermelon and strawberries. It depends on the season, really. And I do live alone, but it's not too bad. I'm willing to do just about anything to keep some of the burden off my parents. They both tend to work far too much and my dad's already in ill health." I sighed, thinking about my family back home. "My little brother and sister won't be able to do much, so I hope they hired help for while I'm gone."
"Your siblings help on the farm?"
"What are they like?"
"Hm? Oh, they're pretty cute." I smiled, missing some of the hosts getting a little red in the face when I did. "They're twins, five years old and they do their best to help out. Mostly doing little things like picking fruits and vegetables or feeding the animals."
"Don't you touch me, you faker!" Someone shouted, making me jump up out of my seat at the noise to see a student shouting at Tamaki by the door. "I cannot believe you're recognized as a prince in this club! A prince shouldn't sprinkle his love so easily! It makes girls' hearts tremble if you smile with sorrow! But why do you look so stupid?! It's as if you're a light-headed narcissist! Useless! Too ordinary! You're the worst!"
Tamaki started falling backwards as I took the initiative and began herding the guests out before things got too crazy. I had to thank a number of them though, because they insisted on returning to request me the next time—though I hadn't the slightest idea of what I'd done to earn that—and I chose to change out of the stuffy kimono and into my uniform. I'll listen to this new girl a bit though, before I head off to the horses. She really let into Tamaki, so it'll definitely be interesting to watch.
"Fiancée? Kyoya-senpai's?!" The twins explained as I exited the changing room and eyed the smiling girl.
"Yes. I'm Renge Houshakuji. I'll be in 2-A from tomorrow."
I noticed Tamaki in his corner again, but ignored him in favor of sitting down on one of the couches and munching on a leftover piece of cake that was sitting there; leftover from Honey, no doubt. That kid can shovel these things away like crazy. I sort of tuned everyone out there, only getting bits and pieces of the conversation that Renge was having with the hosts, before I heard something familiar.
"You! Who looks like Ichijo Miyabi-kun from 'Uki Doki Memorial'!"
I turned to her and blinked. "Uki Doki Memorial?"
The other hosts freaked out then, panicking. "Otaku?!"
I gave them a look. "Uh, no. I had a friend in my dorm my first year of agricultural school who was really into dating sims. That being one of them. And if I remember right, she did have this figurine of this Miyabi guy who does look like Glasses over there."
I tossed a thumb over at Kyoya who brought a hand to his chin in thought.
"I see. A girl with a lot of interest in characters. She replaces me with her favorite character, makes me her fiancé, and gets lost in her wild fantasies."
"Her wild fantasies?" Tamaki muttered, a bit frightened of Renge and probably wondering why Kyoya was alright with all of this. "Isn't she your fiancée?"
"I don't remember affirming that fact even once." He said coldly, making Tamaki sigh in relief; though Renge was hardly bothered by Kyoya's coldness.
"From what I see from the report, you're managing everything in this club, Kyoya-sama?"
"Yes!" Honey chirped. "Kyo-chan is the store manager."
"The store manager! It suits him very well!" Renge said, clutching her hands together. "It was my dream to be a draw-girl for the store."
"We don't need one. We're a Host Club." One twin said as the other sighed along with him.
"We're not a bakery."
She ignored them. "I've decided! At the same time, I'll prepare to be a bride! I'll be an administrative assistant for the Host Club!"
Tamaki went to argue, myself wishing I had some popcorn for this, especially since Kyoya said 'play nice' and they dumped everything onto Haruhi. Somehow, he got dragged into baking cookies with Renge and, as badly as I felt for the poor guy, I thought a nap would be a better way to spend my time. I was woken up by one of the twins hovering over me offering me a cookie, but in my blurred state of mind, I went to stretch and knocked his hand out from under him. It wouldn't have been so bad, if he'd not placed a hand on my chest to stop his fall; instantly turning red as I did the same and promptly punched him on the head as I struggled to keep myself calm. Another lightbulb lighting up as the twin hurried off.
"Come on. Keep it together, Toru." I muttered to myself through grit teeth. "Only a little bit longer and then you're free."
But with a wailing Tamaki, a crying Honey, and two very embarrassed pervy twins, I was about all but spent by the time Renge shouted once more.
"You're all not good enough. Everyone's characteristics are very bad! You lack any negative aspects and girls find that dreadfully dull! Girls are weak for beautiful men involved in trauma! Girls will be bored with your so-called dummy actions soon enough! Are you trying to make Kyoya-sama's store go bankrupt?! We'll be renouncing your characters starting today! You first!" She pointed at Honey who whimpered. "Having cuteness outside and inside is the same as toddlers! Thus, change it to 'having a cute face, but actually being a beast'!"
Tears formed in Honey's eyes and I felt a bit bad for him, but Renge went on.
"Morinozuka-senpai! Take care of Haninozuka-senpai by staying with him all the time! And dignify the speeches you make once in a while! Twins, suffer from the fact that people can't tell the difference between the two of you! And be in a basketball club! Haruhi-kun! You'll be a super poor honor student, but you're being bullied! And you, Tamaki-san! Be an institute's idol and people always compliment your appearance, but actually you have a huge complex. Lonely prince!"
"What about..."
"...Toru-kun?" The twins said, drawing her attention to me and I actually stiffened at her intense look; it reminding me of the bull we'd once had at the farm back home and sending a shiver of fear up my spine.
"You act all nice in front of young women, but the truth is you're actually a sadist, who likes to put others in their place below you and runs a group of delinquents!"
"Ha?" I questioned, scowling and feeling very much like Kasanoda in that moment.
She didn't bother responding though and I scowled as even Kyoya didn't seem to want to do anything to stop the woman. Worst part was, he even seemed to be enjoying it alongside Tamaki. I had a club to get to though, and went ahead to change before sneaking out of the clubroom with a sigh. Stupid morons. Don't drag me into your idiotic nonsense. I mentally complained, heading out to take care of the horses.
I scowled angrily, glaring down at Haruhi with a click of my tongue. "This is it? Some big hotshot you are."
"T-Toru-senpai?" Haruhi stuttered out, looking frightened.
"Oh, shut up." I snapped, a devilish smirk slowly slipping onto my face as I pulled out a riding crop from my back pocket; whacking it against my palm. "Looks like I'm going to have to be the one to show you who's really at the top of the food chain."
"Cut!" Renge shouted out and I dropped the smirk and turned to her in annoyance.
"The hell kind of line is that? Nobody says anything about people being ranked on a food chain anymore." I complained, but she ignored me and went on to shoot directions at the film crew she brought for whatever this strange skit was.
"What is this? A film crew?" Haruhi questioned, looking a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing as I replaced the riding crop and snagged a towel from a chair nearby to dry my wet hair.
"I heard she hired them from Hollywood." Kyoya mentioned, making my scowl deepen.
Rich bastards…
"When did it change from character reformation to a short film?" Haruhi continued and Hikaru sighed.
"She said something like an opening theme."
"You can't be serious. Isn't this a club? What do you need an opening theme for?" I drawled, pulling out the tie on my pony tail to dry out my hair.
The twins weren't too pleased either, mentioning something about Renge getting their relationship roles wrong or something. Tamaki was still as enthusiastic as ever though and was quick to drag Haruhi away to discuss his newfound skills in acting. I yawned, wrinkling my nose as I wished I had some coffee this morning before I was dragged out here, but Renge's annoying voice called out.
"Haruhi-kun! Toru-kun! Can you two help me for a bit?"
I grumbled low in my throat, but Haruhi gave my shoulder a pat with a small smile.
"Come on. Sooner we do as she says, the sooner this can be over."
I scoffed. "Yeah, right. If blondie is enjoying it, it'll never be over." I complained, tying my hair back again and tossing the damp towel aside as we headed over to where Renge was.
"Yes? What is it?" Haruhi asked once we rounded the corner, only to see two Class-D students looking annoyed with Renge.
"I'd like these people to be in the film too." She smiled as the two looked us over with questioning looks.
"What's the matter? A scholarship student?"
"And isn't that Kasanoda-san's dog?"
Dog? The hell…
Renge threw her fists up in the air in excitement, distracting me from the two's words. "There should always be bad guys in the climax! The club members unite upon being hurt by true villains!"
"Wait, Renge-chan—" Haruhi attempted to stop her and I groaned, seeing where this was going as the ignorant woman continued.
"The story ends wonderfully when the villains reform themselves after Kyoya-sama's touching line!"
"Renge-chan." Haruhi tried again. "Maybe it's convenient for you, but if you only see people 2-dimensionally, don't you think there's so much that you miss?"
Renge blinked, obviously confused, and grabbed a hold of the nearest guy. "I don't quite understand what you're talking about. Well, anyway, please come and stand by."
"Uwah! Asshole! Don't just say whatever you want!" The guy complained, yanking his hand out of her grip and shoving her. "Don't act so big headed just because you're from Class-A!"
"Watch out!" Haruhi shouted, diving for her when she noticed that Renge was headed for some filming equipment.
"Haruhi!" I shouted, going to stop her, but a solid fist landed on my cheek and I stumbled back from the two guys who grinned at me.
"With Kasanoda-san not around, you're free pickings."
"I wonder how he'll react when he finds his dog looking like garbage."
I lifted my lips in a snarl. "I'm not a dog, bastards."
"We'll see about that!"
I dodged the next punch and went to retaliate, only to remember something. Crap! I'm here on scholarship! If it gets discovered that I was in a fight, I'll get kicked out of school! I stopped the punch before it could hit the guy, who—thought pale—chuckled nervously.
"Heh, what's wrong? Even without Kasanoda-san, you're still on a leash?"
"Che." I clicked my tongue, taking a step back only to turn as I heard a clatter. "Haruhi!"
The distraction was good enough for the two guys, one of whom kicked me hard in the stomach and knocked me to the ground before he discovered the riding crop I had on me and I mentally cursed. I blocked a few hits with my arm before there was another shout—from Tamaki this time—and the two guys panicked.
"Suoh!"
Tamaki took one look at Haruhi and went to hit the guys, but I managed to get half-way to my feet and grabbed his hand.
"Let me go, Toru." He snapped with a look I didn't think was possible for him.
"Tamaki, I don't care who your parents are, but the moment you hit him, you're going to get in trouble. So leave it. They're not worth it."
He turned to me to argue, but probably caught sight of my own injuries and looked shocked as the two attempted to run off. Mori was quick to catch them, and escorted the struggling teens away with a stern look as Tamaki went to comfort Haruhi. I felt angry that the young host was in tears, but upon him replying that his contact had just moved, I slumped my shoulders with a sigh. God, this club is just too bipolar for me to keep up with.
"Camera, did you get that?!" Renge shouted then, making me look up with panicked eyes.
No. If she gets a tape of this out, I'll lose my scholarship!
"This is it! It's perfect! Now, only thing we need is Kyoya-sama's touching—" She was cut off as there was a crash and all eyes went to Kyoya in shock; him having smashed the camera lens. "K-Kyoya-sama…"
"I'm very sorry." Kyoya said, voice stern and unforgiving. "But we cannot leave evidence of the club members' violent acts. And it's very unpleasant of you causing this kind of trouble."
"Why?" Renge cried. "Kyoya-sama, you should have said, 'Don't' worry about it' and pat my head gently. If it's Kyoya-sama…"
"But that's not the real Kyoya." Tamaki mused as Mori and Honey returned and Hikaru sighed.
"Well, it's ok, actually. It was rather fun."
"Speak for yourself." I grumbled, wincing as I pulled myself to my feet.
"Whoa."
"What happened to you?" The twins questioned and I glared at them.
"What do you think? I can't exactly fight back when I'm on a scholarship. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to the nurse's office."
"We'll come too!" Honey chirped, riding on Mori's shoulders and I didn't even have the energy to argue.
"Fine. Whatever."
The walk didn't take long, but it felt like ages before I was in the nurse's office. The nurse wasn't around though, so I helped myself to the alcohol, swabs, and bandages, only for Mori to take them from me.
"Wha—"
"Let me do it." He said gruffly and I snapped my mouth closed, having not heard his voice until now and silently wanting to hear it again.
I slowly nodded and hopped up onto the bed nearby as he went about grabbing the swabs to clean my palm, which I'd scraped when I'd fallen. I remained silent, wincing slightly at the sting, which Honey spotted.
"Does it hurt, Toru-chan?"
"It's fine." I grumbled. "Like I said before, I've dealt with worse."
"Like that scar on your side?"
I stiffened, frowning at him. "When did you—"
"When you took off your jacket after the tea spilled. It caught on your shirt." He informed me and I sighed, lightly touching the area where it was.
"Look, I don't want to talk about it, okay?" It was a stupid mistake.
"Okay." He chirped, dropping the subject surprisingly easily before Mori startled me by grabbing my other hand.
"W-What—"
He pulled up my sleeve and I winced at the bruising welts appearing on my arm.
"Wha! Toru-chan, that looks like it hurts. What happened?!"
"They got a hold of the riding crop." I grumbled as Mori went to get me an ice pack.
Honey winced as Mori returned, wrapping my arm up studiously, before placing the ice pack on my arm gently. I went to hold it myself, but paused as I briefly looked at his large hand in comparison with my own; flushing slightly before clearing my throat and holding the ice pack in place as he pulled his hand away.
"T-Thanks."
"Ah." He grunted with a small smile, before my phone buzzed and I scrambled to take it out.
I paled at the number. "Oh, God."
"Toru-chan?" Honey called out in worry as I stood and made for the door.
"Ah, sorry. Tell the others to just hang onto my bag until tomorrow. I-I really have to go."
"Toru-chan? What's wrong?"
"Nothing! I swear!" I called out, rushing out of the school as I quickly dialed familiar numbers on my phone. "Hello? Mom? Is he alright? Is he okay? The hospital? Which one? I-I've got time! I can make it before visiting hours are over, really! No? A-Are you sure? But mom, I—" I winced when she cut me off, slowing my pace until I stopped and pulled a hand through my hair. "N-No. You're right. Just… Just keep me posted, yeah? If it gets any worse, I'm coming home. I don't need you collapsing too. Tell dad he's an idiot and I love him. Yeah. Bye."
I hung up, tears welling up before I cursed under my breath and wiped them away.
"Idiot. You big stupid moron."
