In Her Shadow
Chapter Two
First Encounters
"Hey, Taka-chan," Hoshimi approached her. They were in Takara's large room on the top floor of the school. Takara wore an extremely tight tube top sun yellow shirt that showed off most of her midriff. Today, she was not sporting her usual jean jacket. Her blue jeans shorts were so short, they were practically not there. Her scarf, a yellow one, was tied around her left thigh.
"Hoshi-chan." Takara greeted her. Hoshimi wore a soft pink short sleeved dress with a white under layer. A sash was tied around her waist into a large bow at the back. Her scarf, a pink one as to be expected, was tied in her hair, a bow at the top. She had a noodle strap, white purse hanging from one shoulder.
"Taka-chan, please tell me you at least went to one class today."
"I was really tired from the trip over from Taiwan."
"Takara, you know better than that." Hoshimi scolded.
"I know, I know…"
"You will go with me to visit the clubs, won't you?" Hoshimi's eyes widened, the innocence there shining brighter than usual.
Takara smiled, "But of course."
"Yay!" Hoshimi's more serious demeanor dropped. Her smile was big and bright.
Takara shook her head, sighing. How she changed from personality to personality so quickly was still a mystery to her.
"Come on, we're already late!" Hoshimi grabbed a hold of Takara's arm, "Kagami will be furious with us!"
"Where have you two been!" Kagami scolded them, "I told you we were supposed to check out the clubs today!"
"Sorry Kagami." The two said in unison.
"Damn it, where is Kouseki?" Kagami questioned.
"I think she's still in the library." Miyuki said. Today she was wearing long white jeans and a white short sleeved shirt. Today, she used her scarf as a belt in her white jeans, of course hers was white.
"She's still there?" Kazashi questioned.
"Oh, Kazashi," Hoshimi cried out, "I forgot to give you this; I finished washing it!" Hoshimi immediately tied Kazashi's blue green scarf around her right wrist.
"Thanks Hoshimi." Kazashi said.
"With that business over," Kagami cut in, annoyed, "Which club shall we see first?"
"How about…The Ouran Host Club?" Kouseki was suddenly coming up behind them.
"Now she chooses to show up." Tsuru said randomly. She was wearing an extremely short purple dress trimmed with gold. The sleeves were long. Her scarf was tied around her right ankle, purple.
"Well I would've been on time if someone had alerted me." Kouseki glared at her little sister, who smiled cutely back at her. "Don't give me that innocent little smile of yours!"
"Come now, don't blame our little Kazashi." Takara said, her mischievous grin playing again, "It's not her fault she's so scatter brained."
"Hey!" Kazashi commented quietly.
"What were you saying about The Ouran Host Club again?" Miyuki broke into the conversation.
"Well…I was just suggesting that we go to that one first…" Kouseki said.
"Isn't that the one Hitachiin-senpai is in?" Kazashi questioned.
"We're not hear to satisfy your crush." Takara said angrily.
"He is NOT my crush." Kouseki objected, equally angry, "Besides, we have to start somewhere."
"But why that one specifically?" Hoshimi asked.
"Because her crush is there." Takara said.
"I told you! He is not my crush. I just…kind of sort of…owe him a favor…"
"Why?" Kagami asked. "We've only been here for a night and a day."
"Well, he did save Kazashi yesterday."
"I wouldn't call that a save." Kagami said, "It's not like she would've died if she hit the floor."
"Yeah, but it saved her a lot of face to not to. It would've been more embarrassing if she had."
"But – !"
"Jieh Jieh," Kazashi cut in with her usual quiet voice. She was much smaller than everyone else in there group, and suddenly she felt much smaller with everyone looking at her, even if they were all friends. "I-I…I would like to thank Hitachiin-senpai for last n-night t-t-too…"
Kagami sighed with exasperation, but smiled at her. Rubbing the top of Kazashi's head affectionately, she said, "Oh alright, we'll go."
"Now remember, everything has to be perfect." Tamaki informed his subordinates.
"Why?" The twins asked.
"We have to impress our newest guests, no?" Tamaki raised a brow.
"Why'd you two have to go and invite them here?" Haruhi asked dryly.
"Eh, dunno. Just felt like it." They answered.
"Great." Haruhi rolled her eyes.
"I wanna meet these new people." Honey said sweetly, "I can show them Usa-chan!"
"They could prove to be quite profitable to the Club." Kyouya said, pushing his glasses back.
"Why? They don't have to pay anything, right?" Haruhi said truthfully.
"You'll see." Kyouya said, thinking, 'Things may just turn out…Interesting.'
"Now, let's get set up, shall we?" Tamaki said.
Kagami just barely reached for the door when it suddenly opened. Eyes wide, they watched as the perfect scene unfolded. The petals of red roses floating in swirls towards them, Tamaki sat in a comfortable chair at the center of his friends, all grouped nicely around them. And around them were already seated guests, all waiting for the return of their hosts.
"Welcome, treasured guests." Tamaki said. "Let me introduce you to our Hosts. The Wild Type, Morinozuka Takeshi. Our Loli-shota Type, Haninozuka Mitsukuni. Cool Type, Ootori Kyouya. The Little Devils Type, Hitachiin Hikaru and Kaoru. The Natural Type, Fuioka Haruhi. And lastly, me, The Prince Type. Pick any you'd like."
The girls stared dumbstruck at them.
"What are we supposed to do?" Hoshimi questioned in a whispered tone.
"I'm…Not sure…" Takara whispered back.
"Ah, you have arrived." Hikaru and Kaoru approached Kouseki and Kagami, bowing to them. Each offered the other a rose before taking their hands and bringing them over to their group.
"Just go with the flow!" Tsuru winked at her comrades. She peered closely at each and every one of the hosts. Her eyes suddenly fell on him, and her curiosity was peaked. "Him." She pointed to Tamaki.
"Me?" He asked, smiling at him. He was suddenly up, tilting her backwards, saying dreamily, "Even with this short encounter, have you already fallen for me?"
Tsuru laughed nervously at him before saying apologetically to him, "I'm sorry, but, I meant," She pushed him back so she could push him back so she was standing straight. She pointed with great confidence, "Him." They were all startled when Tsuru pointed to the on standing behind him, at Kyouya. She walked to him, grabbing his hand, "So, where are we going to sit?"
"Right this way." Kyouya, never letting down his cool demeanor, led her to his group.
"I feel left out…" Tamaki said in an overly dramatic depressed tone, hunched up in the corner.
"Huh?" Honey, somehow ending up behind and between Takara and Hoshimi. "Ooh…"
Hoshimi looked down at the short boy, "Oh, what a cute little boy!" She pat him on the head.
Takara chuckled, "Always love to baby people as usual."
"Do you want to meet Usa-chan?" Honey asked with big eyes.
Hoshimi leaned down so she was eye level with him, "And who might Usa-chan be?"
"Usa-chan is my bunny!" Honey exclaimed loudly. All of a sudden, he realized Usa-chan wasn't in his arms. "Waaaaaaah!!! Where has Usa-chan gone!! Waaaaaaah!!!"
"Mitsukuni, here is Usa-chan." Mori, on his knees, kneeled to give Honey back his stuffed bunny.
"T-takashi…" Honey said, eyes tearing up. "Takashi!"
"Aaaaah!!" The girls squealed with delight, "He's so cute!!!"
Takara frowned, sighing and shaking her head, "Fan girls, great."
"Come now, Taka-chan, even you can't deny he is cute." Hoshimi smiled at Honey.
"This is Usa-chan!!" Honey said, cheered up by Mori. He thrust the bunny into Hoshimi's face, who giggled.
"Usa-chan is very cute." Hoshimi said nicely.
"Aah!? What's your name?" Honey asked.
"I'm Hoshimi. This is my friend Takara."
"I'm Honey, and this is Mori-chan."
Mori nodded as an introduction.
Honey turned around, saying, "What's that Usa-chan? You wanna give Hoshi-chan something?"
"Hoshi-chan?" Takara said, an amused smile on her face.
"Here you go!" Honey turned around, flashing Usa-chan. In its paw was a rose, offered to Hoshimi.
"Oh, how sweet. Thank you." Hoshimi took the rose.
"Come on!" Honey tugged on her dress, grasping it lightly. "You'll come sit with us, right?"
"Of course." Hoshimi leaned down, cupping his cheek lightly, under the belief that he was much younger than he was.
"This way, please." Mori commented, and they followed.
"I've been ignored so many times…" Tamaki said to himself, still neglected and in the corner.
Kazashi's concern for anyone looking sad overcame her shyness, and she approached him, lightly touching his back, "Um, a-are you okay?"
Tamaki suddenly was up, doing what he usually did. He took her up by the chin, saying, "What a lovely sight to behold. Is it possible that you have chosen to allow me to be in your presence?"
Kazashi's face lit up like a fresh tomato, looking up at him.
"So modest," Tamaki gave her a soft smile, "I hope you will find in time to enjoy our encounters."
"Take your hands off my sister, you pervert!!" Kagami suddenly approached them, yanking Tamaki off her. "Taking advantage of one so much younger than you!!"
All the girls, and for added effects, the boys gasped too. Tamaki looked the furious Kagami, eyes wide with shock and hurt, "P-Pervert? T-taking advantage!?"
"J-Jieh Jieh, don't hurt him!" Kazashi protested.
"So much younger than him?" The twins said.
"Eh, what do you mean?" Hikaru questioned.
Prying her hands off him, Kouseki explained, "Kazashi is our younger sister, and she's only thirteen."
"Hah?" Kaoru peered closely at Kazashi, "She's only thirteen?"
"But then why is she here?" Haruhi asked with her usual dryness.
"It's actually quite simple." Tsuru said, looking over the back of the couch she was sitting on next to Kyouya. "She's a genius."
"Halt everything!" Tamaki shouted. Everyone was silenced. "We are in the presence of a Kisai!!"
The girls were, of course dumbstruck. Haruhi sighed, pitying Tamaki and his tiny brain size.
Kazashi's blush only deepened, "I-I'm no genius…"
"Not sense." Tamaki kneeled to her, "Forgive me Hime Kazashi, for not recognizing your greatness earlier."
"Cut it out already." Kagami said, glaring at him.
"Eh, can we get back to us." The twins crowded around her, bringing her back to sit with them and Kouseki as well as their two regulars.
"Your friend is…overly dramatic, isn't he?" Hoshimi asked.
"Nah, he just likes to impress ladies." Honey answered cutely, sitting next to her. Takara was in front of him while Mori sat next to her in front of Hoshimi.
"Is Kazashi really a genius?" Hikaru asked.
"I guess you could say that." Kouseki answered, "She skipped a few grades here and there, and she just so happened to be in the same grade as Kagami and I."
"Oh." The twins said in unison, "How interesting! So she is a genius!"
"I don't understand why you're teling them anything, Kouseki." Kagami said, as usual, annoyed, "It's none of their business."
"Come, Jieh," Kouseki said with a grin, "They aren't that bad."
"What does 'Jieh' mean?" Kaoru asked.
"It's the less formal term for big sister." Kouseki, of course, answered, "You see, even though we are twins, she's still older by a few seconds. I'm sure one of you is older than the other."
"Yah, Hikaru's older." Kaoru said
"And Kaoru's younger." HIkaru said.
"Stop asking questions that have nothing to do with you; I thought I said it was none of your business!" Kagami glared at the two with a bone chilling glare.
They pulled away in fear, looking at her with wide eyes.
"Oh, I'm so scared." Kaoru said quietly and defenselessly, tearing up.
"Don't worry, I will protect you." Hikaru gently caressed his cheek, wiping the tears away. Their fan girls leaned forward into the scene, completely eating the scene up.
"Hi…karu…" Kaoru said quietly.
"Stay close, and I will hold you."
"Like you did afterwards, Hikaru?"
"Yes, Kaoru."
"Eeeeeeeeeeee!!!" The girls squealed with delight.
Kouseki placed a hand in front of her mouth to try to stifle her laughter. Kagami rolled her eyes with anger and annoyance.
"Come, come, Hime, you must sit with me!" Tamaki offered her his arm.
Blushing still, Kazashi, trained to be polite, took the arm offered to her. Tamaki proceeded to escort her to sit with his usual group.
"So, how is it that such a young little one can be quite so beautiful?" Tamaki asked.
Kazashi turned away in embarrassment, "Please, my sisters will not like your false flattery."
"False flattery!" Tamaki drew back in indignation, "Nothing I have ever said to any female is false!"
"But still, do you really want Kagami to thrash you?" Kazashi turned to him, looking him in the eyes.
"You're eyes are most radiant, especially when you look into mine with them." Tamaki commented. "And with such concern for me?"
"Stop it," Kazashi looked away in embarrassment.
Haruhi looked around at those seated. She remembered there being one more girl. That's when she noticed Miyuki, half turned to leave out the door, half turned to walk further into the room. She seemed undecided, and her quietness had caused her to not be noticed by the others, who were used to louder characters.
"Ah, miss, would you like to come in?" Haruhi asked her simply.
Miyuki side glanced her. A smile suddenly appeared on her face, but just as suddenly it was gone.
Haruhi's eyes widened slightly, 'Did she smile? Or did I just imagine it? To fast to tell…'
"Might I bother you for a seat near the window." Miyuki said in a voice barely above a whisper.
Haruhi nodded, leading her to the window, "Your friends seem to be enjoying themselves."
"Yes." Miyuki answered simply.
"Tea?"
Miyuki shook her head, "British tea is delicious, but too heavy for me. I prefer tea from Taiwan."
Tamaki was suddenly shouting, "Kyouya!"
"Yes of course, right away." Kyouya was instantly calling to buy imported tea from Taiwan.
"It might not come today, but you should definitely come back later." Haruhi said, "We'll keep a stock for you if you'd like."
"I don't need any favors, thank you." Miyuki answered, cold as snow. Haruhi studied her closer. Miyuki's eyes were distant, unfeeling. They were nearly blank, and they were unnerving if you stared into them too long. "Is there something the matter?" Miyuki inquired.
Haruhi was, actually, startled. She'd felt as if she'd been falling when looking into her eyes, falling into a cold, and distant place, that was always snowing and always covered in a layer of snow or ice. 'How did they ever break into this girl?'
"You seem to be much more feminine than the others here in this club." Miyuki answered. Her eyes had taken on a more sadistic manner.
Haruhi could just barely make out the beginnings of a sadistic smile: 'This girl is enjoying seeing me squirm!'
"Perhaps I can get some tips out of you about what color dress suits me better later."
Haruhi's eyes widened again, thinking, 'This girl…How creepy…Where is Tamaki when you need him to rudely burst into the conversation?' She side glanced over to Tamaki, who was talking intently with Kazashi, who looked like she'd rather not be the center of attention. 'And she seemed so nice at the door…'
"You don't talk much, do you?" Tsuru stated, sipping lightly from her teacup.
Kyouya sat across from her, "I'm not usually a designated Host. I do mainly management."
"I can't imagine why." Tsuru said, "You may not talk much, but you answer questions you're asked, and you're definitely not bad to look at it."
Kyouya studied her before accepting her compliments.
"So polite too." Tsuru commented. "Tall, beautiful eyes, luscious hair too."
Kyouya was feeling very interested. Why was she going on about him? She didn't even know him…Perhaps she was trying to play a mean joke on him. But her words seemed sincere, but so did a lot of things in this world. She wasn't making any sense at all.
"Are you just going to sit there gaping at me?" Tsuru grinned at him with a sly grin and dazzlingly narrowed eyes.
And why was she looking at him like that?
"Would you like some more tea?" Tsuru asked him.
"Aren't I supposed to be the host?"
"Well you're still just sitting there, and your tea is very low. I thought you'd like some more."
Tsuru poured tea carefully into his cup and set the teapot down.
"Aren't you going to pour more fore yourself."
"I don't really have a taste for English teas. Besides, I'd much rather indulge you with it."
She smiled a large, but genuine smile at him. Things certainly were turning out interesting…
"Haninozuka-san," Hoshimi said, "Might you and Mori-senpai get Taka-chan and I some more tea, please?"
"Yeah, Hoshi-chan!!" Honey grabbed Mori's hand and dragged him off somewhere to get more tea, Mori looking back at the two girls.
Takara burst into laughter, but tried to calm herself, "Oh man, that was harder than it looks."
Hoshimi sighed, frowning, "How long exactly does Miyuki plan on doing this until she reveals her true self?"
Takara, still unable to hold down her laughter, said, "Well, her new act sure is very funny! I think she's got Fujioka-san fooled, definitely!"
"Takara, cut it out!" Hoshimi said, "You're going to blow Miyuki's cover!"
Takara stifled her laughter, wincing, "Sorry."
"Hoshi-chan! I have your tea!!"
The sound of shattering cups and dropping metal resounded throughout the entire Club room, filling the room with that sound.
To Be Continued…
Kisai: Japanese for genius