A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. Right now, I intend on developing the relationships, but I'll be adding in some romance. Since I haven't decided on a pairing yet, perhaps you guys can all vote on why my character should end up with? Really anyone but Tamaki, since he and Haruhi have their thing going on. Anyways, don't forget to read and review! :)
"What's she doing?"
The entire host club huddled together to watch in awe as certain teen girl, who was currently sitting on a windowsill, was hunched over and currently working hard on, dare I say it, homework. Bubblegum pink-tipped hair fell over her face, shielding her from everyone else in the room. Not that she needed it. The aura she gave off could freeze hell over. Twice. No one dared approach the corner.
"Why is she here?"
"Who does homework at the Host Club?"
"She scares me."
"Akira Daisuke, class 1-A, she just transferred from the United States. Her cousin is Natsumi Satou, one of our most reliable regulars." Kyoya didn't even bother looking up from his black book. Everyone turned to him, shocked that he knew such information. But of course, he profiled everyone that stepped food within the clubroom. Finally, he looked up, turning to Haruhi and the twins. "Actually, she should be in your class."
"Oh yeah," Haruhi said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "She sat behind Hikaru and played games all day on her computer."
"We don't know her too well," the twins said in unison, shrugging.
"Hm, well she's scaring the customers," Kyoya noted as girls reeled back from the corner. "But I don't think it'd be wise to ban her from the club, considering who her cousin is…"
"Aha! Perfect candidate!" Tamaki grinned, pointing Akira rather rudely. "Our mission is to put a smile on every girl that comes to our humble abo-."
"Humble? Please, you're dressed as a medieval king," Haruhi commented, shaking her head.
"-our duty to help this needy child! Daddy demands it!" Tamaki cried, plowing on as though there were no interruption at all. Haruhi couldn't help but wonder if he heard her at all. "Mommy, back me up on this."
"As long as it doesn't interfere with the clubs normal activities," Kyoya muttered, clearly exasperated as he resumed writing in his ever-present book. Sometimes Tamaki could be a real handful. Turning, he began to walk away. "Don't forget about your appointments."
"Great! Whoever doesn't have an appointment shall assign themselves to our new mission!" Out of nowhere, Tamaki managed to pull out a random whiteboard. Scrawled on it were the words 'Operation Put a Smile on Akira Daisuke's Face a.k.a. Operation Happy'. "So here's what we'll do…" Pulling out his plastic sword, he used it as a pointer, explaining everything written down.
Tucking a lock of my blonde hair behind my ear, I looked down at the extra math homework I'd been given. No word in the English, or Japanese, vocabulary could describe the hatred I felt towards Hikaru and sensei at this exact moment. For about the fifteenth time, I crossed out my work to a problem and began reworking it. Not only was math my worst subject, but I hated it with a fiery passion. Sighing, I looked around. Some of the Host Club members were gathered around a whiteboard in what looked like a makeshift meeting. Funny, I didn't see that board earlier, I thought, watching them curiously.
Not long afterwards, it looked like they were fighting over something. There was hushed name-calling, hair-pulling, and face-poking. Finally, just as soon as the tiny tussle started, it stopped. Almost as one, they all turned. They're looking at me, I thought, feeling their eyes as I quickly returned to the frustratingly difficult packet. Tapping my pencil on the papers, I tried to block all sounds and feelings as I churned numbers in my head. It just resulted in a massive headache. How the hell can Natsumi like this place, I thought, rubbing my temples.
"Aki-chan!"
A young boy, looking like he shouldn't even be out of elementary school, gazed up at me, clutching a stuffed pink bunny. Behind him stood a much taller, more intimidating and muscular boy. Their names… Mori and Honey, I remembered, having heard it during my long wait in music room no. 3. Turning my head, I kept my expression blank as I looked at the blonde child. Although at first glance the male looked to be incredibly young, upon closer inspection, I could see my rather obvious mistake.
"Do you want to share some cake with me?" He smiled sweetly. "Or you can hold Usa-chan!"
I blinked twice, unfazed by his actions. This kid's seventeen. "Shouldn't you act your own age?"
Honey froze, mouth slightly agape. If I'd bothered paying attention, I'd have noticed people begin to inch away slowly. But of course, being me, even if I had noticed, I wouldn't have done anything. Uncaring, I simply ended up looking back at the math packet. In the three hours I'd been toiling away at it, only half a page was completely filled out. This sucks.
"Act…my…age?" What used to be a cute grin was slowly morphing into a look of anger. Usa-chan slipped out of his grasp as he curled his small hands into fists.
Great, someone's being a bit touchy. Better get this dealt with. I sighed, dropping my pencil on my lap. Then, just as I'd been taught, I struck.
"Honey, are you hurt?" Quickly, Mori grabbed Honey as his knees gave way and his fists unclenched. He was clearly worried as the blonde's body completely relaxed in his arms. It was clear that nothing life-threatening had happened to the boy, but Mori was still worried as he watched over Honey. My heart ached as I saw them and I felt the first hints of guilt for striking at Honey.
"She surprised me, is all," Honey said, getting up and reaching to pick up his toy. I could see that his legs still shook, not from fear but as a side-effect. Pressure points really are great, I thought, beginning to pack up. There was no point in staying here any longer. Around us, club activities continued, leading me to wonder if anyone had even noticed.
"Akira." Of course, at this moment, my brunette cousin stood up. For the first time since I'd known her, Natsumi's timing was nearly spot-on. "I think it's time we got going. Pick up my tab, won't you?" I watched as she and her friends stood, along with many of the other girls. I guess they were switching hosts or something.
Looking around, I caught sight of a boy wearing glasses and holding a clipboard. He's probably the one, I thought, grabbing my bag. Glancing back at Honey, my heart skipped a beat. For a moment, he looked just like… I shook my head, trying to get those thoughts out. Turning to him, I muttered, "I-I'm sorry."
Honey only smiled. "It's okay, Aki-chan!" Damn, he gets over things fast.
Turning away, I walked towards the guy wearing the glasses. He was writing in a book, so I cleared my throat in order to get his attention. Behind me, I sensed that the others in the Host Club were converging around the boy and his friend.
"Yes?" He looked down at me, his demeaning tone making my blood boil.
"Natsumi Satou, what does she owe?" I asked, barely able to contain myself. I held my leather wallet, prepared to count out the money.
"Let's see now, she bought…" The guy just kept on talking about stuff I really couldn't care less about. Adjusting the messenger bag's strap, I crossed my arms and tapped my foot, hoping that I could even figure out the foreign money. Why can't it all be uniform, like in America? "…comes to fifty-three thouand, six hundred, and twenty-seven yen."
I mentally slapped myself. Fifty-three thousand? What the hell could she have done here? Reluctantly, I counted out the absurdly large amount of cash, handing the bills and coins over. Because they can't have only bills. That'd be too easy, I thought, sticking my wallet into my bag again. Turning away, I began heading out.
"Have a lovely day," he called out, although I hardly thought he meant it. Acting as though I didn't hear him, I kept moving.
