I, Hanabi Mirei, own nothing of Ouran High School Host Club.

I don't even own Kadomiya Keiichi as he belongs to Bisco Hatori-sama as well.

I only own my OCs and this fanfiction.

Have fun reading!

This fanfiction is based on the manga version of Ouran High School Host Club.

May I Love You?

By Hanabi Mirei

CHAPTER 2

The sound of feet halting to a sudden stop before stepping forward and backward again resounded in the closed room. Sweat was clinging on everyone's skin as they kept practicing with their partners and that including me. I charged to my opponent, aiming a kick on his jaw. The boy in front of me barely had the chance to dodge my kick, but he did. He tried to counter my attack by taking a hold of my flying foot, but I moved it to the side as quickly as possible before pushing my palm to his chest. He was falling backward when I grabbed the front of his clothes and I pulled him upwards, aiming to forcefully drop him to the floor behind me.

BANG!

"The fight has ended. The winner is," announce the mentor who was watching the friendly match, "Kadomiya Keiichi!"

I offered my hand towards my fallen companion with a smile. He replied me with his own as he accepted my offer. I gently pulled him up and bowed.

"Thanks for the match!" both of us said with our face facing the wooden floor since we bowed our heads towards each other.

I went to sit down after I took some gulps of water from my water bottle beside a nearby wall and wiped my running sweat. My eyes scanned the room as I panted. I was in the dojo where the Karate club was. It was a large empty room with wooden tiles and you could see the paper sliding door here and there that lead to several places. The walls were painted white and there were some calligraphic words in a long piece of paper decorating them. It was just like a typical dojo with the exception of the quality of all of them, of course.

I closed my eyes for a few minutes, resting my pounding heart and rapid breathing. After I'd done so, I looked around the room to study the other students match. It was never wrong to gain more knowledge, right? Not long after that that I heard someone called for me when I was mesmerized in one of my senpai's match.

"Kadomiya-kun! Someone wants to see you outside the dojo!" shouted one of the students.

I answered with a simple "Yes," before stepping outside. Wondering about how should I excuse myself towards the expected blonde haired senior, I sighed. This was getting to me more and more each day due to his persistence. Just imagine yourself being asked to do some job that you have no interest in every single day. And more than twice a day at that.

Turning towards the open door to see a blonde, but instead, I saw…

"Keiichi," a deep voice coming from the tall student in front of me.

My eyes widened slightly out of surprised as I greeted him, "Ah, good afternoon, Takashi-nii!"

The Morinozuka smiled lightly, almost unseen, "Tamaki asked you to join the club."

He certainly didn't beat around the bush.

I was surprised yet again. From the way he spoke, it was enough for me to tell that he was not asking. He was just stating the obvious which I think he got the news from the... obnoxious senior of mine. Though, that also answered my questioned the rumor that he too joined the club as he would always follow his cousin, Haninozuka Mitsukuni. How else would he be chatting with me about this?

"Yeah, he has been asking me to accept his offer like non-stop." I chuckled while scratching the back of my head.

Takashi only nodded, still looking at me with a questioning stare, making me let out a small groan.

"I haven't told my parents about this. They would expect me to go for those business lessons they have prepared, anyways. Therefore, I see no point in telling them soon." I looked at my bare feet.

It was the truth. I didn't make any fake excuses to either of the senpais that had asked about this host club. My parents were rather a perfectionist. They wanted their child to give them the best result just to increase the chance of me being good enough to continue what my ancestors had done. Although, that was something I was not able to accomplish nor was it the thing that I wanted to do for in the future.

I may had been placed as the smartest student in my year, won every competition that the school asked me to join, capable of speaking in several language with fluency, and had the charming vibe that made people turned to me while thinking, "Hmm… I would like to get to know this person". That person, however, was not the real me. It was just me trying to make a difference in my life. Just me, trying to be that perfect child, fighting the fact that perfection which did not exist.

And I did not think that being in the host club would bring me closer to that goal. Yes, I am that kind of child who would say yes to everything my parents said.

"I see." Said the high school student, though I interpreted this as, "You know what you should do, no?"

I nodded slowly, still looking at the ground. My head suddenly felt a warm sensation on the top and I turned to see that he was patting my head as if saying, "I ask you to consider your answer.".

My mouth was tucked into a smile at his different attempt of making me join the host club. A very nice change, for your information.

"If you say so, Takashi-nii!", I rolled my eyes playfully, earning a ruffling on my head.

With that the black haired boy turned around and went to who-knows-where, but I bet he would go back to Haninozuka-senpai's side. He put his left hand inside his pocket, while waved at me with the other eventhough his back was the one facing me. I waved in reply before going back to practice.

Morinozuka Takashi was one of the closest people I had in my life. I met him when I was first introduced to karate. I was amazed by his performance and looked up to him until now. Yes, I know that Haninozuka Mitsukuni was just a bit better than the stoic boy, but I barely knew him eventhough he was always with the Morinozuka. Still, I deeply respect both of them as their kouhai.

oOoOoOo

It had been about a week after Takashi-nii and I talked, and about two weeks after Suoh-senpai had continuously asked me and the Hitachiin twins to join the host club. Both of us kept on refusing while Suoh-senpai kept on persuading. Well, kept on guessing for the twins, I assumed. I kind of know about that since the Suoh was guessing over and over again whenever he and the twins met before or after turning to me. And today was no different…

"The one who're reading the book right now is Hikaru!" his voice boomed inside my classroom.

The twins glanced at the blonde, "What is this, coming to our classroom like this?"

"Am I right? Did I get I right?" Suoh-senpai ignored Hitachiin Hikaru's… or maybe Hitachiin Kaoru's comment.

One of the twins answered, "No, you didn't."

"I've discovered something!..." And the senpai kept on talking with the twins.

I sighed, knowing that soon enough I would get persuade. My mouth had repeatedly said the same words, and I didn't understand which part about the word 'busy' that he didn't get.

"Oi, something wrong with ya, Kadomiya?" Saotome asked as he saw me looked away from the scene a bit far behind us.

I shook my head, "No… It's nothing."

"It must be something since Suoh-senpai had been looking for you like every single day and asking about… what was it?" Masato closed his eyes, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to recall the words.

"About a club that he wanted me to join in. I couldn't because I would be busier in my high school years." I sluggishly explained.

I hadn't talked about the club to my parents. Eventhough Takashi-nii had encouraged me to do so, I was still afraid to talk about this. My parents were a busy man and woman. There was barely time to speak with each other as they had made it clear that they disliked to be seen when they were working. It was disturbing. They drilled that into my head ever since I was a child. The only possible time to talk was during dinner, though dinner shouldn't be filled with this kind of conversation, right?

Masato waved his hand at me when he noticed that I was not listening to him. I snapped out before rubbing the back of my neck, trying to focus on what was happening now.

"You spaced out… again." Masato held his hands in defeat.

"Sorry, but I think I'm going to go home for today." I picked up all the things scattered on my desk and placed it neatly into my bag.

"You're copying the Hitachiin twins, you know?" he leaned forward from his chair in front of me.

I raised my eyebrows a bit, "Huh?"

"The Hitachiin twins had just gone home when you spaced out." Said the maroon haired friend.

My eyes went towards the seats of the twins and saw that they were indeed gone. I must have been thinking so hard that I didn't even notice that the door of the classroom was opened wide. A blur of blonde caught my eye and soon enough the senior was in front of me with his hopeful eyes.

"It's still a "No", Suoh-senpai. I'm sorry and I have to get going now. Have a nice day." I said my good bye at him.

I waved my hands, saying good bye to my classmates who saw me leaving the class. Trying to ignore Suoh-senpai's loud "Waaaaait!", I quickened my pace to the entrance, where car after car was picking up its master and mistress. I stood there with the other students. Seeing no one that I know of, I didn't bother giving my greetings to them. They didn't bother me with greetings as well and patiently waited for their car to arrive. Just a few minutes later, I saw some girls kept on staring at me and whispering to each other. I refrained myself from looking at their direction, knowing that they would squeal loudly. One by one walked down the stairs to meet their butler and maid. My mind ran wildly from thoughts to another to busy myself.

'Two months from now, the class will hold a film festival as a closing ceremony. I do hope they won't serve movies with too much blood scenes. It made me puke last year. Two months from now, I will go into the third year of middle school. Nothing's wrong with it. I will be seeing the same classmates as now. Two months from now, the host club will commence. Wait a second, why am I even thinking of joining that club?' my stopped my head from thinking further and tried to find other topic, or perhaps recalling upcoming events.

'Today is the 20th of February. The Saotome's Corporation 30th Anniversary is on the 25th... 25th of April. It's nearing...' I thought.

A familiar looking car was nearing up and I got inside of it as my family's butler opened the door for me. He made a short chit-chat of how school had been going, how were my friends, and such which I answered calmly with a smile on my face. Thanking him for asking how I was, I then asked for the schedule for today. Trying to remember all the things I had to do after this 15 minutes ride, I prepared myself for the usual tight schedule.

"Today's schedule is just an extended dinner time for Young Master Keiichi and Master Kadomiya. He asked me to let you know that there will be something he would like to discuss, particularly about Mistress Kadomiya." He elaborated.

My once closed eyes were opened immediately at the mention of my mother, "Is something wrong with Mother? Is she sick?"

My back straightened up and I went into a serious mood. Did she get into an accident? But shouldn't I be dismissed much earlier when I was at school if that happened?

"No, nothing happened to the mistress." The butler shook his head.

"I see..." I went back to lean on the limo's seat, gladness was apparent in my voice.

I wouldn't want anything to happen to her. I loved her.

The limo was then filled with silence all the way to the Kadomiya resident.

oOoOoOo

I knocked on the door several times before entering the dining room. I had freshened up and it was now dinner time. Curiosity filled me since the time on the car of the subject that was brought by Father. Hearing a muffled, "Come in" from the other side of the door, I shook my head to dismiss all the questions since Father would answered them.

Expecting to see a man in suit on the head chair of the long table, I blinked my eyes when I saw my Mother sitting next to him. If the topic of our talk is the woman beside him, then why bringing her in? Or maybe he will dismiss her after dinner? Or Mother was actually involved in this conversation?

Questions, questions, questions...

I smiled at both of them, earning a reply from Mother and a nod from my father, "Good evening, Father and Mother."

"Good evening, Keiichi." Greeted Mother.

I took my usual seat on the long table and waited. Father gave the signal to his loyal butler to serve them dinner and he did with the other maids. I quietly eat my dinner after drinking some water to relief my slight thirst. It made it easier to swallow down the food to my throat as well.

We ate in silence, from the appetizer to the main dish and lastly dessert. It was when the main courses were given was Father started the conversation.

"How was your school, Keiichi? I hope you have done well like always." He said while cutting a piece of meat.

"Yes, Father. I have done my best at the final examination and earned first rank out of all the students." I stopped myself from digging the curry rice on the plate.

Mother smiled proudly at me, "Well done, my dear. I knew you are able to out rank that Aiga boy (AU: I will explain this further in the bottom Author Note) from the start."

Father nodded, agreeing the woman's statement.

"It will not be long until you begin your high school years, Keiichi. I expect you to keep your studies and achievement to the top for years after as well. You are not allowed to put stains on the golden cloth the Kadomiya has sewn." Father continued to remind me of my duties.

"Yes, Father..." I nodded with a smile on my face as I faced him before I continued to eat my dinner.

Drilled with what I had to face later in the future, I just did whatever he wanted me to do without complain. Complaining was not acceptable. If you have time to complain, it means that you have more than enough time to complete a task.

The word "host club" suddenly entered my mind.

Should I give this a shot?

... Later. I'll do it later, nearing the end of dinner.

The chit-chat continues lightly inside the dining room. After dessert had been finished, I gulped down the remaining water in the glass before putting the glass back to where it was. Opening my mouth to tell them, I was once again cut by the head of Kadomiya.

"Keiichi." He turned to face me with his hands on the table, fingers laced near his nose.

"Yes, Father?"

"I'm would like to talk to you about a certain matter regarding this afternoon."

'Ah, this is it.' I thought with my hands clenched under the table.

"Of course, Father."

Kadomiya Hideaki turned to his wife, silently asking for privacy which she nodded. The woman kissed my temple lovingly before walking out of the room. The man then asked me to follow him to his study instead of talking to me in the room. I followed him obediently, walking from hall to hall and a staircase. When we arrived, we walked inside the clean study and we sat facing each other.

He pushed a hidden button on the side of his table, not wanting to have any interruption or someone hearing the conversation they were going to have. Noticing the sudden wary act, I immediately took it as a clue of what we were going to talk about. We sat there in silence, not knowing what words should be given to start the conversation.

These were the only time that I'd seen my father aged much older than he actually was.

oOoOoOo

"Keiichi, I have heard that you were asked by Suoh Yuzuru's son to join a club later in high school." Hideaki started.

It was another dinner time the next day. I was quite caught of guard by the sudden mention of the club. I was about to tell him about that for sure today, but he beat me to it, I guess.

"You know what you should do, yes?" he made sure.

I answered him the typical things about relationships in business and gave him the plan I thought he would be pleased with.

He shook his head, though and gave me a different plan.

Not questioning my father, I remained on my seat with my fist clenched lightly.

"I understand... Excuse me, Father, but what about those lessons that you have arranged for me for those years in high school?" I boldly asked, quite surprised by the sudden confidence I got.

"Ah, I have change my plans about that. You are going to be brought directly inside of the company's business and attend things there. This way is more efficient than attending lessons." He informed me.

"I see. Thank you, Father." Nodding my head with a slight smile.

"Now, go. You are dismissed." He said before turning to the paper on his desk.

I bowed and left the study to my room, processing everything.

I dully remembered passing our used to be happy family photo attached on the wall, looking grand and magnificent, without a second glance that I always gave.

... Or so I thought.

Author's Note :

Hello, again dear readers! :D

How is it going? ;)

Well, this is the second chapter of May I Love You?. What do you think? Let me know please! Or perhaps you kind of get the whole mystery in this fic? XD Let me know please! Or you could just answer the answer like the order below :

1) How are you? XD And Happy early Easter to those who celebrates this event!

2) Tell me about what you think about this chapter and which part makes the most impression please :D

3) Would you want me to put a bit of Keiichi's profile? ;) Or a Q&A talk perhaps?

4) Did you find a lot of confusion and mystery in this story?

5) What do you think will happen in the next chapter?

And for the NOTE that I've written in the middle of the chapter about the Aiga boy, I will explain about him further here. This Aiga boy was known as Soga Kazukiyo, the president of class 1A in Ouran High School. He had dark brown hair that was parted in the middle and he wore dark framed glasses as well.
In the anime episode, Until the Day it Becomes a Pumpkin, it's revealed that Kazukiyo has a crush on Kurokano Momoka and wants to prove he's not scared so he can impress her in the Halloween event. Though his fears get the best of him, he lasts longer than Momoka, who's paired with Renge.
When the twins overhear that Kazukiyo is a scaredy cat, they immediately join his team for Class 1-A's Halloween scarefest and prank him relentlessly. When their team becomes separated, Kaoru and Kazukiyo wind up locked in a room together. Kaoru is surprisingly friendly to Kazukiyo in the absence of his brother, despite his clear annoyance that Kazukiyo can't tell them apart, and admits that he and Hikaru had made a plan for Kazukiyo to prove his bravery to his secret crush, Momoka.
In the manga, it had the same main point there. By the way, I copy all of those explanation from ouran wikia, mind you.

I had a slight dilemma about using his name in the manga which was Aiga Kazukiyo or Soga Kazukiyo, but I did say that this fic is based on the manga so Aiga Kazukiyo it is!

SPOILER : Keiichi's and Kazukiyo's score was... uhm, I don't really know the word, but you could say that they were trying to beat each other academically. So sometimes Keiichi had the best score, but sometimes it's Kazukiyo's. The word is competitive, no?

I would like to thank the reviewers :

Wilhelm Wigworthy, Guest, Kookie, and ZeamagiriZyenn for reviewing the first chapter!

For Guest : Thank you for reading this first Ouran fanfiction of mine! I am so happy that my hard work of making the first chapter payed off! I tried to make it as original as possible and avoid Mary-Sue-ness of the OC and OOC of the canons! Do hope I'm doing well... By the way, I would love to hear more of your thoughts in your review for this chapter and the future ones! XD

For Kookie : Thank you for reading this story! And thank you for your compliments! I do hope my plot won't bore you or the other readers there for the later chapters... D: But, I'm also hoping to read more of your opinion for this chapter and the future ones! :3

I would like to thank all of you silent readers out there for reading May I Love You?! Thank you for the favorites (FullofStars and Thetroublewithexes) and for the follow (CaityPanda, FullofStars, Wilhelm Wigworthy, and ZeamagiriZyenn)!

If you don't want to miss the update for this story, feel free to follow this story and if you like this story, don't forget to click the favorite button! :D

Well, that's all for the author note, I guess. :I

See you next time!

Love,

Hanabi Mirei :)