Chapter 1

"Welcome to the Host Club. May I help y-"

A male student greeted Yuumei with a bow, however his words were cut off as he rose and was able to take a closer look at her. He gripped a notebook to his chest, his bewildered eyes shielded by a pair of glasses beneath his black hair, as thoughts and memories flooded his mind.

Yuumei did not notice him immediately for she was taken aback by the sight behind those double doors. At first she was momentarily blinded by the abundance of light the wall of windows welcomed. When her eyes adjusted, she gaped at the high-ceilinged room filled with luxurious furniture and elegant decor. Yet what mostly caught her attention was the fact that the supposed "music" room was filled with sitting areas, most of which occupied by female students, not a single musical instrument in sight.

A cough broke her trance, as she quickly turned her head to the source she finally noticed the student that greeted her. His eyes were somewhat expectant and she wondered how long she had been distracted. "Oh I'm so sorry! I was just uhh…a little surprised," she laughed nervously, "I need to see Suoh-san."

His head slightly lowered as his hand reached up to adjust his glasses, when his gaze returned to Yummei a charming smile appeared on his face. "I'm afraid Tamaki is occupied at the moment, but please take a seat and he will be over to serve you in a few minutes."

"Serve?" she questioned his unusual choice of words. "Wait, earlier, did you say this is a…a host club?"

He smirked, "yes, this is the school's Host Club. I'm assuming you don't attend Ouran, you're not wearing a uniform."

Yuumei was surprised by his confirmation, but focused on the simple task she had to accomplish, "well, not at the moment, I'll be starting next week. Anyway, I just need to deliver letter to Suoh-san. It's from his father," Yuumei showed him the envelope, hoping the handwriting or the crest would prove her lack of any intentions of staying.

"Then in that case, please wait here. I shall bring him to you," his arms relaxed, lowering the notebook to his side.

"Thank you," Yuumei sighed in relief as the student walked away.

Finally alone, the fact dawned on her. Yuumei was in a host club, a high school's host club.

What! Do they seriously have a Host Club in school?! This is weird…but I guess that explains why there are so many girls here, Yuumei casually held the envelope with both hands in front of her legs and made sure her demeanor did not show her thoughts, And Tamaki's a host? And I thought he was scandalous enough.

Having never been to a Host club, Yuumei cautiously scanned the room. Almost all of the sitting areas were occupied by female students, but upon closer inspection she finally noticed the handful of male students that were dispersed throughout. All they seemed to be doing was entertaining the females with conversation, yet with such a crowd these hosts must be incredibly entertaining.

A pink bunny caught Yuumei's attention. A small blonde boy tightly held onto it as he seemed to be engrossed in a very animated conversation. Then his childlike features brightened as a slice of cake was placed on the table before him by an incredibly tall male student whose eyes were serious. The tall, dark haired student sat beside the small boy and held the pink bunny as the boy indulged himself with cake. A giggle escaped Yuumei's lips as she watched the serious student hold the adorable pink bunny.

"That's Huni and Mori."

Yuumei jumped at the sudden closeness of the voice and quickly turned in search of the owner.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Yuumei's eyes landed on a blonde male bowing gracefully before her, "my name is Suoh Tamaki. I believe you've come to deliver something from my father?" his blue eyes inquired. His foreign blood was evident in his appearance and, frankly, they served him well.

She nodded and held out the envelope for him, "yes, here it is."

"Thank you," he smiled at her and took the envelope, immediately opening and reading it.

For a moment, Yuumei took in his appearance, giving an image to the gossip that she had heard so many times. This was the boy that had struggled but his struggle did not seem evident in his gentleman-like manner.

A fit of feminine laughter interrupted Yuumei's thoughts and reminded her where she was. "It was nice to meet you Suoh-san. I'll leave you to your umm...activities," she tried her best to hide her eagerness to leave and lightly bowed.

"Wait!" he called out to her, "will you grant me your name?"

Yuumei was slightly confused with his interest in her identity, nevertheless she granted his request. "I apologize for not introducing myself," she offered an apologetic look, "My name is Hitsumatsu Yuumei."

Tamaki's eyes slowly grew in awe. His words came slowly, "Hitsumatsu, as in the Hitsumatsu Restaurants?"

"Yes," she nodded proudly.

The envelope he held fell to the floor almost immediately. Tamaki's face lit up as his widely opened eyes and excited grin never left Yuumei's face. He took both of her hands in his and exclaimed passionately, "I love love LOVEEE your Japanese food! It is as it the angels of heaven fly to your kitchens and bless the food to make them taste so heavenly!"

Yuumei's brows furrowed in bewilderment, her mouth gaped with a lack of response. "Umm, thank you, thank you! Compliments are always appreciated, I will make sure to pass them on to my father," she plastered a smile over her confusion.

"Well in this case, they are definitely well deserved!" His gaze finally left her and his hands released hers as he took a step back, finally noticing her attire. "Oh, you're not wearing a uniform. Are you not a student?"

Yuumei was amused at his child-like attention span, not what she expected from the gentleman she met earlier. "Not quite, I just transferred and will be starting school next week."

"Then how perfect it is that you are here at the Host Club! You must stay and meet my friends! For what is school without friends, right Yuumei?" Tamaki took Yuumei's wrist and began dragging her deeper into the room.

Once again, Yuumei was awakened to the fact that she was in a Host club and now being forced to participate in it. Her eyes were anxious and her mouth opened and closed trying to find the right words to politely decline his offer. "But..I uhh…Tamaki-san…"

Catching a sight of the situation, the black haired student that initially greeted Yuumei laughed to himself. He walked towards the two to inquire about what Tamaki was doing to the poor girl.

"Ah Kyouya! You didn't tell me that his lovely lady is a Hitsumatsu!" Tamaki stopped walking to talk to his fellow host.

"I'm afraid we didn't get the chance to introduce ourselves," he turned to her and smirked, "I am Ohtori Kyouya."

Ohtori?

"Hitsumatsu Yuumei," her smile could no longer hide her nervousness.

"She is a Hitsumatsu, Kyouya!" Tamaki blurted, his enthusiasm never dissipating.

"Yes she is," Kyouya mumbled.

"Tell me, which of their restaurants is your favorite? Personally, I…"

As Tamaki rambled on, a thought began to emerge in Yuumei's head. The student in front of her was starting to seem familiar. His black hair, his piercing eyes behind glasses, his demeanor, and his atmosphere…

Ohtori?

"Follow me, Yuumei!" Tamaki once again tugged on her wrist and brought her to an empty sitting area. "You are new to Ouran and here you are at the Third Music Room. You must experience the Host Club!" Tamaki tossed his arms in the air.

"No!" Yuumei instinctively blurted out, but as soon as the word left her lips she regretted it. It was, after all, rude.

The joy began to evaporate from Tamaki's face as he lowered his arms and looked at her. Kyouya, surprised by her sudden outburst, also turned his attention to her.

"I mean…I should really be going. You guys seem busy and all…." she said trying to be polite.

The disappointment was clear on Tamaki's face, "oh is there somewhere else you need to be, Yuumei?"

Her mouth hung open, unable to lie.

"I apologize for imposing. I just thought I would welcome you to the school with the Host club," a weak smile graced his face.

Yuumei sat down and sighed, unable to handle the boy's dismay, "actually, it would be nice to be welcomed," she plastered another smile on her lips, her brows somewhat worried, "I'll stay, Tamaki-san."

The glee quickly returned to Tamaki's expression as if it had never left. "So what is your type, Yuumei?"

"Type?"

"Do you like the Princely type?" he leaned closer, his fingertips tilting her chin, "like me?" he whispered.

Yuumei's eyes grew, unsure of how to react. His sudden closeness and change in demeanor was simply too much.

"Why don't you start her off with Haruhi?" Kyouya suggested.

Tamaki released her face and straightened up while she composed herself, causing Kyouya to lightly laugh.

"That's a wonderful idea, Kyouya! Haruhi would be perfect, she's a natural after all," Tamaki exclaimed proudly, "Just wait here, Yuumei, ok?" he said before skipping away.

"Don't worry, Haruhi is less…like that," Kyouya reassured, motioning towards Tamaki's direction.

She smiled in relief, "thanks. I-"

"I hope you enjoy your time here," he abruptly said then turned to leave.

What was that about?

But Yuumei didn't concern herself with him at the moment and focused on the dilemma at hand. She had become a customer at a high school Host Club. Granted the "hosts" she had met so far weren't too bad to look at, but still she could not ignore the peculiarity of her situation.

What has the chairman gotten me into?

"Excuse me, I'm Fujioka Haruhi. I heard you're a new student."

Yuumei turned to the voice and found a petite, rather effeminate-looking student with brown hair. She stood up, "yes, I'm Hitsumatsu Yuumei."

Well at least he seems nice and harmless.

The host's big, brown eyes momentarily froze, but he seemed to quickly regain himself, "it's nice to meet you, please sit down."

"Likewise."

The two of them sat beside each other on a sofa, angled so that they faced the other. Yuumei began to feel nervous and awkward, but tried to maintain herself to be polite.

"You have a nice name," Haruhi began, "I remember a friend that had the same name."

"Oh, what a coincidence."

"Yes. We were close friends in elementary school, but I haven't seen her since then."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but I guess it happens. Does she no longer attend Ouran?"

The host blinked at her, "oh no, it's not like that," Haruhi giggled rather cutely, "I forgot you were new. I'm uh, well, a commoner. We didn't attend Ouran."

"Oh." This sparked Yuumei's interest.

"Yes. She moved after elementary school and sadly we weren't able to stay in contact…" Haruhi's eyes were reminiscent.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Yuumei tried to change the topic, "you know, I actually lived as a commoner when I was younger."

Haruhi's eyes quickly returned to hers, intrigued.

"See my father is the second son, so he didn't really expect to inherit the company. When he married my mother, who was a commoner, he decided to live a life more like hers. But, in the end, my dad did became the successor, so after elementary school we moved and lived with this lifestyle." Yuumei smiled at Haruhi's interest.

Haruhi grinned at her story, "that's interesting. It's unique for your father to make that decision in the beginning."

"Definitely." Yuumei began to recollect the memories of her childhood, it had seemed so long since she thought about them. "Come to think of it, I think my best friend in elementary school was named Haruhi too."

The host laughed, "now that's a big coincidence. Do you still talk?"

"Sadly no, I'm afraid I'm in the same position as you."

"Ah."

Yuumei's eyes drifted to the floor as she desperately tried to remember her childhood friend's face. She could remember several memories of the two of them, but her friend's face was blurry in each one. The one thing that Yuumei could remember were her eyes. She had always thought her eyes reflected her friend's personality perfectly. They were sweet and kind like her.

"I guess it really does happen," the host beside her comforted.

Yuumei was thankful for the host's gentle words and returned her gaze,"I guess-"

However, the moment their eyes met, Yuumei immediately remembered the face of her childhood friend. She could see it there right in front of her. Her brown hair, small face, petite frame, gentle expressions, and her kind eyes.

"Haruhi…" she said involuntarily as she stared at the puzzled host. "It's you, Haruhi. From elementary school." Yuumei desperately wanted the host to acknowledge her, to say that she was right.

Then, the host's expression flickered with understanding. In an instant Haruhi was able to see how the face of her friend so long ago grew to the person before her eyes.

"Yui?"