Chapter Two: The Experiment
Kaoru was on the left of Haruhi and Hikaru was on the right. Honey was tugging on Mori's pant leg, ensuring that he would follow him. Kyouya was in the far corner of the music room, still typing. The twins agreed that he could listen if he wants, but he can't interfere in any way.
Honey sat beside Mori-Senpai. He would enjoy it if the experiment worked, and Mori getting more outgoing right in front of his eyes. If he gets embarrassed, Honey would be there for him.
Hikaru and Kaoru connected their shoulders and each of them held one index finger up. "Number one, the greeting. Say 'Hey' with some enthusiasm and interest in them, since they have interest in you." They took turns finishing eachother's sentences.
"Hey." Mori still said in monotone. He tried to crack a good smile, which ended up with a slightly twitchy eye. He didn't feel comfortable, talking like this to his audience, consisting mostly of boys (Hikaru, Kaoru, Honey, and Tamaki), and a girl pretending to be a boy (Haruhi).
"Way to go, Mori! Woo hoo! That's a lot of progress!" Tamaki and Honey cheered Mori on.
"Maybe you'll get more comfortable with us as the audience, and then there will be more progress!" Honey chirped while Hikaru and Kaoru gave him a thumbs-up, looking identical as always.
Tamaki had an idea. "For inspiration, think of Ranka-San!" Haruhi glared at him.
"I think he just complimented and insulted Ranka-San at the same time." The twins said in unison.
Meanwhile at home, Haruhi's biological father was going inside. Ranka looked like he was having a stroke and dropped his house keys. "My… my 'Tamaki's insulting me' sense is tingling."
At school, Kyouya grinnes slyly. He had just finished a little calculation. "Hmm. 51 chance that Mori can't change… This week is going to be fun."
"Ranka? Okay." Mori said. He paused for a long moment and everybody gulped. "…HEY!" Mori repeated and struck a 'Ranka-pose'. Haruhi's jaw dropped. Honey was creeped out. Tamaki sat in his corner, stroking one of his mushrooms saying "It's okay, it's okay, it's okay" a couple of times. Hikaru was amazed.
Kaoru stood up and patted Mori on his back. "That was so good! Just try not to strike a pose or sound like Ryuji. Other than that, everything was great and the enthusiasm was just right! Can you do it again?"
Mori tried, but they all came out monotone.
Kaoru sighed. "I guess only Ranka-San can say what he says multiple times. Hikaru, prepare your mind. We have to think of some new costumes." Haruhi chuckled at the thought of Hikaru and Kaoru wearing lavish girl outfits. She knew Kyouya was smiling evilly right now.