For a while now, I sat poking at my chicken and peas. The dining table was really silent, even though it was really just Daichi, my step dad, and I. When I gazed over at Daichi, he had his chin resting on the table, nibbling slowly at the lonely little pea that was stuck on his fork. It looked like he could go to bed early tonight. "Daichi," I hear my step dad begin, as if to initiate a conversation this awkward silence, "Talk to me, what happened today? Anything fun?"
"No..." He grumbled, "It was the same thing as always. We sang songs, read books, ate snacks... It was boring..."
"Oh, Daichi. That's only the easiest part of being a kid. By the time you reach kindergarten, then the hard work begins. Oh, and Yuri."
I straightened up and looked at him, addressing clearly, "Yes, sir?"
"I remember your mother saying that you never went to preschool."
"I didn't need to. My dad taught me everything I needed to know. I was alright with it."
"He even taught you how to strangle rats. You're definitely alright with that."
I bet he doesn't even know the difference between a strangled rat and an E string.
As he finished his comment, one of the maids walked in, "Sorry to interrupt, sir. But we have a visitor. He said he specifically wanted to see Yuri."
The old man glanced over at me before turning back the maid, "Well he has a pair of legs, send him in!"
"Of course."
See me? Who'd want to see me? Even Daichi suddenly seemed a bit excited about this visitor. Anyone new in the home, and he's immediately up and ready to meet. I kept my eyes on the door, and within a few seconds… One of the hosts from earlier walked in through the door. He was referred to as the "Shadow King", I think. "Oh, uh… K-Kyoya, right?" I stood up, sizing him up as he stood a foot away from me holding a black folder in his hand.
"You know this kid?" My step father questioned, and I could almost hear his brow furrowing as he glared down at the both of us.
"I actually just met him today."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," Kyoya nodded at him before walking over to me with a black folder in his hand. He handed it to me, and my mouth was still open from the surprise. I stammered again, "H-How did you know where I live...?"
"I have my sources, Yuri," He said, keeping that kind smile on his lips, "But you left your music folder in the room before you left. You must've been too eager to get out today."
"What- Oh y-yeah..." I manage to laugh.
"We'd still welcome you to our club, as a client or host. Of course if you're still interested."
"I'll think about it. Thanks, by the way."
"No problem." He looked at his watch, "Well, I should be going now. Goodnight, Yuri."
He turned around and left before I could say anything else. When I turned around, Daichi was standing, palms flat on the table and having a big open mouthed smile on his face. "That guy seems nice," He said.
"More like a creep," Our superior muttered, "He knew where we lived. Yuri, does he keep track of where everyone lives?"
"Um... I don't know... I only talked to him today." The rest of my words drifted off and I went upstairs to put this way in my room. As I scaled up the stairs, I opened up the folder to see if they took anything while it was still sitting on the floor. But as I opened it, the first thing that showed up in front of all my sheets of music was another piece of paper, written in cursive saying, Come join us, Yuri!
The hosts' names were written on it. Honey's was signed in pink, Mori's in dark blue, Hikaru's in light blue, and Kaoru's in orange while Kyoya's was dark purple and Tamaki just had his name signed in white with black outlines.
As I got to my room, I tucked my folder in my armpit and used both hands to crumple the little happy cheerful note. Then I tossed it in my trash bin next to my desk, or I tried to at least. I ended up missing, and I set my folder on my desk. Not long after I crashed down on my bed and decided to skip dessert. I wasn't very hungry and I didn't have much a sweet tooth either. I just wanted to rest my sore body. It's been aching all day and my bandages were really starting to itch. Oh. Bandages.
I stood back up, making sure the door was closed so I could disrobe. I only threw my shirt off, and I slowly began to peel off the bandages. Some parts were soaked up in my blood, but the scars at least stopped bleeding. I threw them into the trash, actually making it in this time. Though my eyes again gazed over at the crumpled up paper that landed not too far from the small trash bin. I don't know how long I was looking at it. It was really silly, but I just couldn't take my eyes off of it.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to make some friends. I hummed in thought, tapping my foot against the ground with my arms crossed. But I'd only be there to entertain girls... After giving it one good look, returned to my bed, pulling the covers over my body and attempting to clear my mind of the event that occurred.
The music room full of students was noisier than the day before, and by that, I really meant that more kids were playing loud enough, giving me the perfect opportunity to practice a simple song composed by Mozart when no one was really listening. Though as I flipped through my folder for that song, I realized that the first page was missing. A feeling of panic stabbed at my stomach, shortly followed by relief. It's probably in that music room. I stood up, shrugging the strap of my bag over my shoulder as I rose from the chair, leaving the noisy room and making my way past all the noisy students who were standing in the halls like a herd of cows. In annoyance, I gently pushed my way through, walking and dodging students until I came to a staircase that no one rarely seems to be walking up. Then there was the empty hallway that lead straight to Music Room #3. From where I stood, I could hear the squeals and giggles of girls from the room. I let out a heavy breath before setting my hand on the handle.
Just like walking into a classroom. Only you're late. I twisted the door open, peering through like a shy little kitten. The hosts were in there, sitting and chatting with the girls. I could see that Honey was mostly eating large slices of cake with his stuffed bunny sitting beside him, and the girls for whatever reason thought that was cute. What? I silently stepped in, closing the door slowly behind me as if I wasn't trying to get caught as no seemed to notice me just yet. Now where did I leave that piece? I walked into the middle of the room, still trying not to be a distraction as my eyes scanned the floor and on the empty tables. God, it better be in here. I finally got on my hands and knees, looking under the tables and under the couches, looking for anything that simply looked like a flat piece of paper.
"Um… Excuse me?" At the sound of the sudden voice, I jumped up, only to bend back over immediately after my head came into contact with the table. I let out a soft grunt, covering the throbbing area with the palm of my hand as I stood up, looking to see where that voice came from. Standing a foot away from me was a girl who looked as if she were in a higher class. "I apologize," She gasped, covering her mouth a bit, "I didn't mean to scare you."
"Oh, no, it's alright," I forced a smile, rubbing my hand on the back of my head in attempt to dull the throbbing pain.
"Are you sure?"
"Mm hmm. A bump on the head isn't the end of the world."
That earned a chuckle out of her, and there was a sudden glow of interest in her eyes, "Well, I just saw you over here, and I don't think I've ever seen you before."
"Well, I'm actually new here."
"I see, and so it appears you've stumbled onto the infamous Host Club. Have you considered joining it?"
"What? Oh, I didn't come here to join it or anything, I just-"
"So you're a client?"
I paused slightly when I saw the glimmer of surprise in her expression. What's she so surprised about? After I didn't say anything, she continued, "It's okay. I'm not… What's the word...? 'Disgusted' or anything, and I'm not trying to offend. It's just that it's not often the club gets male clients. If you ask me, I think you might be the first."
Male client? Wait a minute… She thinks I'm here for only the pleasures from the club? So... She thinks I'm a homosexual? I turned red, which really didn't help the situation, "Well, no- I'm not here for that either- I just left something here that I'm trying to find-"
"So, look who came back," At the sound of the sudden voice, I almost jumped. This is not how I wanted it to turn out… "So did you finally decide to join the host club?" I couldn't tell if it was Hikaru or Kaoru who said that. I honestly may never know.
"Well why else would he be here?"
I wanted to say something until I saw Tamaki set the boys aside, looking down at me, "Well if it isn't our dear violinist! You've come just in time, friend. We're in business. So have you finally made your choice?"
"I just came to look for something," I spoke, maybe a bit too anxiously, "I think I left some sheet music here yesterday, and so far I'm not getting anywhere with you guys asking me if I'm going to join your stupid club."
Within a matter of seconds, Tamaki went from being a friendly ladies' man to a sensitive and insecure child sitting with his back turned in the corner, I guess right after I said 'stupid'. The twins didn't seem taken back though, in fact they appeared to be more amused by Tamaki's behavior as they silently snickered behind me.
"You know, this club really isn't that bad," The girl beside me began, looking slightly offended as well. But before she could go on to defending it, the twins came to her aid.
"Don't take it personal, miss."
"Yeah, he just hasn't been in the club long enough."
"But he's new here, so cut him some slack. He'll warm up here eventually."
"Oh my god... I never said anything about joining!" I said firmly, almost growling.
"You know you want to though-"
I was just about five seconds away from releasing my frustration, but it all melted away as soon as the corners of my eyes caught a glimpse of the main host in the corner. Finally turning over fully to look at him, not only did the corner grow gloomier and darker the more I stared at it, but I could feel a wave of regret splashing against my stomach. Well, now I feel like a jerk.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I approached him, yet he didn't turn around to look at me. "Look, I'm sorry I snapped, it's just been a long day for me and..."
I heard him scoff distressfully, probably not too convinced that I meant it. What else can I say? "Hmm… Okay, listen. I… I'll stay for today…"
This seemed to raise his spirits as he turned around, looking up at me with his puppy-dog eyes, "So you'll join after all?!"
"Um… Not exactly." Before I could wreck his spirits once again, I spoke once more, "But it's just to make sure that I'm actually going to like it. It's nothing personal."
He stood up, "Oh, you'll like it for sure."
"Yeah, sure…"
As the rest of my words drifted off, another girl approached the both of us, "Tamaki, is everything alright?"
"Of course, princess," He pushed me up a bit, "Oh, and allow me to introduce you to Yuri Ryota. He'll be a new member of our host club." She gave me a look, but I knew that her focus was on my black eye. Looking disgusted at first, I gave her a small smile, and she immediately lightened up, "Well it's nice to meet you, Yuri Ryota." Oh wow. That was quick.
"It's a pleasure, um..."
"Maru."
"Nice to meet you, Maru."
"Now, Yuri," Tamaki began, "As a host here, you must do everything in your power to keep these women happy."
"I know-"
"Which also means being a perfect gentleman." He hooked Maru's hand with mine, "Now go on out there and show them what you can do!"
"Wait can't I just see what you guys do before-"
"Now both of you run along, alright?"
"But-"
"Oh don't be shy, Yuri," Maru began, "Let me introduce you to some of my friends!"
"So, Yuri, you're new here right?"
"Yeah."
I sat on the couch next to Maru, and across from us were two girls named Suki and Nori. So far, I was kind of heating up on the inside as I didn't know how I was supposed to make themselves feel enjoyed. Do I just... Sit and talk?
"Where did you go before this?"
"Um…It was just a regular public school." It was really a bit more complicated than that, but I didn't want to bore them with some lousy backstory. Truth be told, I only spent half a year in that school until my step dad decided that the kids there were a "bad influence" (You know, everyone in that age started getting into drugs and all those other extreme activities), and then decided to have me homeschooled. The woman he hired was one of those educators that would smack my hand with a ruler stick if I wasn't paying attention or if I did something wrong. That was until a client at his work mentioned Ouran, and after hearing other positive reviews about it, he had me enrolled, saying how it'll make me into a successful person by the time I graduate.
"A public school?"
"Was it full of commoners?"
"What kind of kids attended there?"
"There were some middle class students," I answered, almost stuttering due to my surprise at the instant rush of questions. "But for the most part, they were all really well-behaved. Some were a little wild at times, but nothing too extreme."
"Really?" Nori began, "I never would imagine another commoner as calm and controlled as Haruhi."
Haruhi...? Oh yeah, he's in my class with those twins. Before I could talk any further, sure enough, Haruhi came strolling around the corner with a tray in hand, full of dishes and napkins, "Hey, ladies? Any dishes here I could take, or are you still working on your coffee?"
"We're still working on it, Haruhi," Maru hummed, blushing a bit, "Thanks anyway!"
As I caught myself literally staring at Haruhi, I could almost tell that something seemed... Different (Not the most descriptive word, but it's close enough, I guess). I wasn't just saying that because he was the only commoner attending here, but his appearance seemed rather feminine. Through the thick blazer and shirt, I could still see some curves, and that voice sounds almost too feminine. Wait... I could feel something click for me as I realized that Haruhi was actually a girl. Mischievous twins. Two childlike hosts. Now a female host. This club sure has everything. Not knowing if I should say anything at all, I bit down on my jaw as the girls naively watched her walk away. Do they know? Do the guys know?
"So, Yuri," Maru straightened up, "I've been meaning to get to this, but you play the violin?"
"What? Me- Oh yeah, definitely," Almost distracted for a moment, I, too, straightened up and turned my focus back to the girls.
Then the interest in the girls' eyes lightened up, followed by a wave of questions that I also couldn't help but lighten up to.
"How long have you been playing?"
"Do you play with the orchestra here?"
"Who would you say are your favorite artists?"
Are they really interested in this? Who would've known? With a smile, I answered each question while feeling a mix of sentimentality and enjoyment. While answering how long I've been playing the violin, I couldn't help but think of my dad. I could almost hear his voice, teaching me about the violin's anatomy and the notes on each string. "My dad was a great teacher and composer," I continued, "He even tried to teach me how to play other instruments as well, but the violin really stuck with me the most."
"Your dad sounds like a great man," Suki commented, "Does he still play a variety of instruments?"
"He played them until the day he died..." I sunk down in my chair a bit, still keeping my smile, but it wasn't as nostalgic or soft as the one a few seconds earlier.
"Oh... I'm sorry to hear."
"Um... It's fine, really. Sometimes I like to think that he's conducting a choir or orchestra of angels."
From their mouths, I could hear soft sounds of, "Aw..."
Though from behind me, this emotional moment of the girls was interrupted by soft, yet messy snivels coming from behind me. As I turned my head around, I could see Tamaki hugging tightly onto a small, pink cushion as he gazed at me with tear eyes from behind a couch. Somewhere in between those cries, I could make out words like, "That's so cute, but so sad at the same time...!"
At this, I couldn't help but chuckle, starting to feel a sense of enjoyment. Maybe this club won't be so bad after all. I guess as long as I keep the girls interested and learn more about the guys, I can fit in just right.
