Two years later, Kazuuchi had moved from his old kitchen and was now working at the last floor of the est wings, in a top of the range and always clean opened kitchen, under the enamoured eyes of three high school girls sitting at the worktop of said kitchen on comfy and padded stool.
_ Neh, Kazuuchi-kun, how do you decide what you'll bake from one day to the other?
_ Hum? It depend on the product I can put my hand on, really.
He shrugged with a lenient smile, oblivious to the red cheeks of his customers at the look of his strong forarms. He couldn't understand the fuss they made about his cooking. Simple work, really. Always the same things done, as long as ou had a good recipe and good ingredients half the work was done. On another note, he was really impressed by the other hosts, who could entertain any girl all day long without getting bored or awkward when he needed his kitchen to keep himself busy. He wasn't really good in idle talk, and if his custormers didn't had the determination to brought up subject after subject, well... he would be another Mori, but in a more awkward way.
He really was thankfull for the constent chit-chat of his customers, really.
_ Kazuuchi-sempai, called Ootori Kyoya, the vice president of the club. I'm afraid Honey-sempai finished all the cake of his table.
_ Yeah, I tought so, I put some scones in the oven some time ago, it should be done soon. Meantime would a fruits carpaccio do?
Kyoya adjusted his glasses on his nose smugly. None was more happy to have Kazuuchi a part of the club than him. With Honey's intake of cake everyday, the club would have gone bakrupt if the cakes had had to be bought. As it was, buying the ingredient was a lot less expensive, and most of the time Kazuuchi provided them with the fruits from his family business without costs.
_ It would be perfect, thank you. I'll take them myself.
The cook watched the dark-haired leave, before looking at his customers. With a hand in his hair and an embarassed look yet still smiling leniantly, he took another plate from the fridge and putted it in front of them.
_ Would a peach flavored white tea do? It's getting late and I would hate to waste your appetit before diner.
_ Aw, sempai you're so kind ! Fawned the three girls with stars in their eyes.
Yeah, he would never understand women, thought Kazuuchi while making tea. He took the scones out of the oven, stuffed the cream in, and arranged them on a pyramidal three stories cake display with mixed berries.
_ I'll be right bake, just the time to delivers that to Honey's table.
On his way, he walked past the new addition to the club, the Hiitatchin's twins, Kaoru and Hikaru who were in the middle of their act of... whatever it was. Kazuuchi wasn't exactly sure of what it was they were doing but since it amused them and entertained their guests, he guessed it couldn't be too bad.
_ Yo Hani, last service of scone for the day, he declared while putting the scones in the middle of the table.
_ Yeay, scones ! Thanks Kazuu-chan, I love scones !
_ Is there any kind of pastry you don't like? Laughed Kazuuchi.
Sometimes, he really was scared of his classmate abyssal stomach for sweets.
_ Thanks for the fruits, Kazuuchi-sempai, sheepishly said one of the guest. They taste delicious, like always.
_ Ah, it's nothing really, I figured they'd taste sweeter in such cute company.
At these words, all the girls turned a bright red. Oblivious to the effect of his own words, Kazuuchi put his hand in his hair before wishing them a good day and returning to his kitchen.
_ Would you want something special tomeorow ? He asked while serving tea. I was thinking about a strawberry and vanilla mousse with finger biscuits.
_ Ah, I love strawberries ! All three girls claimed together.
_ I thought so, he smiled.
Later that day, after the last of their customers left, he cleaned the counter one last time before going to the dress room to take back his jacket, tie and bag. He was taking off his headband when he returned in the main room, today it was a bright pink with white unicorns on it.
_ What's with the unicorns ? Asked the twins, mocking.
_ Hm ? This ? My sisters picked it for me, Kazuuchi said like it was no big deal.
_ I think it's cute ! Cheered Honey.
_ It's not manly at whole ! Replied Hikaru.
_ The customers seems to like it though, stated Kyoya.
_ Of course ! Tamaki screamed. It's the proof of love from Kazuuchi-sempai's dear little sisters ! Any princess would be sensible to such lovely gift !
_ But why a headband ? Asked Kaoru.
_ It's more practical. This way I don't have to worry about my hair when I bake, Kazuuchi shrugged.
_ Then just use gel to keep them in place ! The twins exclaimed in choir.
Kazuuchi merely just scoffed and headed for the door.
_ If you don't mind I'll leave now, gotta save the maid from the Hori army.
The twins looked puzzled at these words, and Kyoya laughed.
_ He does have an awfully lot of young sibling.
_ That much ?
_ Yeah ! And very healthy too ! Honey completed happily. Neh Takashi? Remember when we went there ? They relly love their brother.
_ Yeah.
_ That's nice, Tamaki said dreamily.
Next morning, Kazuuchi arrived school after having accompanied his siblings to Ouran junior school in the same chaos as usual. The morning at the Hori mansion alwaus were a battlefield, all the maids and butlers were enlisted to help, because all hands were needed to survive it. Between giving breakfirst while avoiding any food war to start, then clean up and dress up and find the second socks, or the lost shoes, check the school back and lunch bag... well, Kazuuchi felt like he could lead a war successfully with his organization and diplomatic skills.
He sighed softly while taking his seat close to the windows. He could see the procession of luxuous car stoping and going, delivering students school before leaving. Some people greeted themselves in the courtyard, blue and yellow moving around the place happily under the shade of the cherry tree that were starting to turn pink. He should soon think about the next family outing to go watch the cherry blossom. He tried to change the place every year, but it was getting harder to find place safe enough to bring loads of over active kids. Maybe he could find a date were their parents could be their too.
The class started to fill with student, and his short moment of quiet came to an end as he started greeting his classmates. Soon, Honey and Mori arride too, and the blond boy was quick to say hi and wonder about the next club session.
_ I wonder what we'll do this afternoon, neh Kazuu-chan?
_ Well, I can't tell for what we'll do, but I can tell ya what we'll eat if ya want.
_ Yeay ! I love you baking Kazuu-chan ! What will it be? I can't wait !
_ If I say strawberry mousse and cat's tongue ? Of course there will be real strawberries too, and maybe some crème brulée ? Now that I think of it a banana flambée could be nice too. I'll have to see what tea serves with it though...
_ Coffee, Mori said.
_ Coffee huh? Not a bad idea, it might help make the sweetnest stand out more.
_ Good job Takashi !
_ Hm.
_ Want some dorayaki too ?
_ Hm.
It was considerate of Kazuuchi, to always find some japanese treats for Mori, since he liked it better than european sweets. Of course, the cook himself thought it wasn't much, since it was his job at the club to make sure everyone had something to eat.
Enventually the teacher arrived and classed started. He didn't had any difficulty on class, mostly because he review the basics every single day by helping his siblings doing their homeworks. He might not get stellar marks, but was still above average. Which was enough for him.
By lunch time, he got up and headed to the club's room to get started on the mousse, since it had to rest a while in the fridge to take. Then, he took out his lunch, composed of simple onigiri and some dried ham. He couldn't help but enjoy the quiet while it could last. The club room seemed more empty than ever without the constent chit-chat of conversation and Tamaki's dramatics antics. Empty, and bigger, like it wasn't really the same room. He made himself some coffee and took off his jacket before sitting at the windows with a book.
Yeah, he didn't really like those jacket, it always compressed him at the shoulder, just like the tie always felt too tight around his neck. He couldn't help but get rid of the things at the first opportunities. Anyway, soon enough, his coffee break was over, and he quickly cleaned in the sink before going back in class.
On his way, he accidentaly bumped into a neglected looking guy, and books flew everywhere.
_ Ah sorry my bad ! Kazuuchi apologized as he kneeled to gather the stuff on the floor.
_ It's okay, simply replied the guy without looking at him.
He gave him back the impressive amount of books and paper, and digged in his back to take out a bright red apple that he put on the pile with an apologetic smile.
_ Here, take one for the troubles. Needs help to carry those in your class?
_ Thanks, but it's fine, I can manage.
The guy was tiny and had disheveled brown hair along with glasses that would have made jealous Harry Potter. Plus, he wasn't wearing a uniform, so it was easy to deduce that this guy was the scolarship student everyone was talking about.
_ Can I really have this? He asked, looking at the apple.
_ Sure, I have plenty of those back in the club room. If you're sure hten, I'll be heading to class. See ya around.
He had a thought for his sibligs teacher, giving this apple had reminded him of the bag he had left them to deal with the kids. It was a simple enough strategy, if one of his brother started being to noisy or hyper, usualy giving him an apple was enough to keep him busy. And it didn't spoil his appetit, this was a win win situation.
Ah, it felt like all he had in mind this day was his family life, was he becoming an old man before the time ? He just gave an apple at a random kid for god sake ! Geez, something had to be done about this, he had to at least put a fight to keep his youth from slipping away…
Later that day, he came back to the club room to finish preparing for the afternoon's activity. He was the first to arrive, like usual, and took on his routine of getting some scones, madelaine, and cat-tongue biscuits. Not to long after he started, Kyoya and Tamaki showed up, the blond boy talking with passion about something:
_ … and I had no idea commoners could do such things !
_ How may I ask did you happened to enter a domestic shop? Kyoya sighed, looking a little annoyed.
_ I'm not really sure, I was looking for a kotatsu for the club ! Can you imagine Kyoya?! We should host around kotatsu it would be that much more welcoming ! Don't you think?!
_ Kotatsu makes you lazy, Kazuuchi muttered.
_ What did you just say, sempai?! Tamaki screamed in horror.
_ I said they make you lazy, once you sat at one, you start making up excuses and end up as an irresponsible slacker.
_ But… but !
_ You hear him, no kotatsu, Kyoya decided. We don't want to neglect our dear guests now, do we?
Tamaki went to pout in a corner, and Kyoya smiled smugly before clapping his notebook and going to check on the tea sets. Seeing as his club president was feeling down - no matter if the reason was childish - Kazuuchi took pity on him and started to peel an apple and cut it in small pieces to compose a flower in a plate.
_ Here boss, cheer up, he said giving him the plate.
The blonds eyes widened at the sight of the pretty flower and suddenly he was on his two feet screaming :
_ Kazuuchi-sempai I had no idea you were such an artist !
_ It's just an apple, the pastry guy replied, a little embarrassed.
_ Just an apple ? It's more than that ! it's artcraft ! It's a masterpiece of culinary work and cleverness !
_ So it's the total opposite of the lord ! two voices suddenly spoke.
_ Yes ! Wait, what ?! Did you just called me a fool ?!
_ Oh, I'm impressed he took notice.
_ So he IS aware of it !
_ Alright kids, enough teasing, more preparing, Kazuuchi stepped in before it turned into chaos.
_ Say, sempai, why to know how to sculpt fruits?
_ It's easier to make kids eat fruits when it doesn't look like said fruit.
The answer was given evidently, and the twins shared a look of incredulity.
_ Is there even one thing you do that doesn't have anything to do with your siblings ?
_ Sure, like… Hum… Kazuuchi started to sweat. Okay, maybe not, so what ?!
_ Aw, he's the perfect big bro !
Suddenly, he started to regret saying anything and grab the attention of the two devilish brothers. He wasn't used to tease for evident reason, being a responsible big brother and son and classmate, so he had no idea how to respond but by getting on the defensive. Smelling his weakness like sharks smell blood, the Hitachin got ready to strive on their prey but were interrupted when the door opened, letting in Honey and Mori.
_ Sorry we're late ! the small blond greeted them.
_ Hello, Honey-sempai, Mori-sempai ! Tamaki responded.
_ Lets get ready for the opening, Kyoya declared.
_ Yes ! Let's get ready for the firsts princesses ! The blond echoed.
Kazuuchi sighed, saved, and took his position. Not to soon, because just as he did so, the door opened. Rose petals fell from the ceiling rushed into the doorway, showering the newcomer and temporarily hidding him from sight.
_ Welcome to the Host Club !
Silence fell went it came to their attention that said newcomer was a guy. Which looked like he just saw a ghost. Which Kazuuchi kinda could understand since the kid was obviously not used to the Ouran way and honestly teenage hosts ? Himself he would feel like dying of embarrassment when his mind dwelled to long on that fact.
_ What, it's a guy ? the twins blurted in unisson.
_ A host club ?! The newbie repeated. Oh, and the apple guy.
Apple guy ?!
Here we go, first chapter and a bit more detail about Kazuuchi ! I hope I didn't messed with any of the original character of the manga, I'm walking on egg to make them as faithful to themselves as possible. By the way are you interested in some recipe like in the prologue? Like the description of what he does to realize the recipe and all ? Might as well make it educational x'D
Answer to the reviews : (THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING ! б（＞ε＜）∂ )
RavynLex : Thank you ! It's nice to feel welcome :D I'm glad to hear my english isn't to bad, I'll keep on doing my best ! You bet Honey will like him xD But as you can see Kyoya is the one who really like him since he can save money thanks to him :p I hope this chapter wasn't too awkward, I'm afraid to mess up the characters so it take me time to write the interaction, mostly with Tamaki. I hope you still like it so far !
HanaeTakahashi : Thank you ! I'm glad you like it :D I'm basically writing my type xD Inspired from an Otome game and another manga. I hope this chapter pleased you too !