The beginnings of Spring were apparent at Ouran Academy. The snow had melted for the year. The frost on the grass had melted into a cold dew that grazed the students' ankles. The change in season provided a change in attitude of the students attending the school. Various clubs would use the change to provide revenue. While the Host Club would be showing clients the blooming cherry blossoms, other clubs would be challenged.
Kei sighed. The Spring Musical was coming up, and things couldn't be more stressful. As president of the Drama Club, she was in charge of finding people in different clubs to help produce the musical. The script and cast had been picked - that was no problem. However, she needed a few extra hands with costumes, props, backdrops, lights, and music.
With a plethora of various posters under her arms, Kei began posting colorful posters to advertise her special musical adaptation of the movie Footloose. She desperately hoped she could get the help she needed. The Drama Club typically had enough people that could help with production, but people were dropping out due to Spring colds left and right.
After a long time hanging up posters, it was finally time to invade some clubs. It was customary to ask other clubs for help with different parts of production. Kei knew one place where she could find the resources she'd need. She stood in front of Music Room Three, which was where the infamous Host Club entertained guests. She opened the door and slowly walked inside. She hoped to go unnoticed until she found the president.
"Greetings, Sato-senpai. What brings you to the Host Club?" Kyoya Ootori, vice-president of the club, asked. Kei smiled at him.
"I actually decided to swing by to talk business. You see, the Spring Musical is coming up. The Drama Club has been preparing for it for a while now. Unfortunately, we seem to be a bit short-handed. The word on the street is that the members of this club have some skills I could utilize greatly," she explained. Kyoya grinned slightly. Business was something he could talk about for hours.
"That sounds fine. What help were you looking for?"
"Let's see..." Kei muttered, counting off on her fingers, "we need help with stagecraft, costumes, musical arrangements. Oh! And we need help running the stage lights. That's actually the most important. We don't have anyone off stage that is qualified for that," Kei disclosed.
"The Host Club could indeed help with most of that. The lights are something none of us specialize in, unfortunately. However, I know someone that may be able to help you," Kyoya offered.
"Who?"
"You see that door over there?" Kyoya pointed out, "That is where the Black Magic Club resides. The president, Nekozawa-senpai, knows quite a deal about lights," Kyoya suggested.
"Okay, then. How about I talk to Nekozawa now? Then when I'm done, you guys should be wrapped up here. We could have a club discussion and make the negotiations?" Kei asked.
"I believe that would work well, sir!" Kyoya accepted.
"That's great. I will talk to everyone in a bit. Thank you for your time," Kei finished. With a swift bow, it was off to the Black Magic Club.
Despite being in the same class, Kei had never really spoken to Umehito Nekozawa. It wasn't that she was scared of him. She didn't ever think he was a weirdo, either. She just never had a reason. One of the values her parents taught her was not to bother a person without a valid reason. Now, however, she had her reason. Kei had approached the ominous door in the back of the music room. She slowly opened it and walked into the darkness.
"Hello?" Kei called out. She saw a small flame coming closer. It wasn't long until she discovered it was Nekozawa holding a candle in one hand and Beelzenef in the other.
"Well isn't this a surprise? Welcome, Sato!" Nekozawa greeted. Kei smiled at him.
"Hello, sir. How are you?"
"I am absolutely magnificent! The air is nice and dreary today! Perfect for some spells and perhaps some curses too!" Nekozawa replied with an evil laugh. Kei giggled.
"That sounds like fun. Before you start some magic, I have an important question!" she noted.
"Well, now, I may just have an answer," Nekozawa responded, smiling ominously.
"The Drama Club is getting ready to do the Spring Musical. We have plenty of actors, but we're shorthanded on production. I already have some contenders for most of my problems, but one still remains. A little birdie named Kyoya Ootori informed me that you might be able to help run the lights," Kei explained.
Nekozawa thought about the request for a moment. There was nothing he hated more than the brightness of lights. Running the lights sounded like a bad idea at first. However, there was one thing that running the lights meant. He would have control over them. He'd be controlling the enemy.
"I guess that would be fine with me," Nekozawa accepted.
"That's great! Name your price, and I'll pay you right now!" Kei offered excitedly.
"I think 5000 yen should cover it," he stated. Kei pulled out her wallet. She counted out the money and handed it to him.
"That's mighty nice of you charging so little," Kei pointed out.
"I have a feeling Kyoya Ootori will be charging you well enough. Save your money for the leech," Nekozawa returned. Kei laughed.
"That's probably true," she agreed, impulsively petting Beelzenef's head, "I guess I'll talk to you later. I promised Ootori I'd return to negotiate with his club after I was done." Kei turned around and began walking away.
"I'll be waiting!" Nekozawa affirmed. When Kei left, he took a minute to replay the previous events in his head. What an interesting man...he thought to himself. Kei was one of the only people that didn't show any fear to him upon meeting. Kei didn't say anything mean about Beelzenef's presence, either. In fact, Kei pet the puppet.
"That Sato sure is interesting. He's polite. Peculiarly, he's also a very pretty boy. I may not have to curse this one," Nekozawa muttered to himself.
Kei sat down in front of Kyoya. Behind her, a few girls were putting stuff away and cleaning. She smiled sheepishly. For some reason, negotiating with Kyoya was much scarier than asking Nekozawa for help. Perhaps Kyoya was truly evil. She cleared her throat. She pulled out a small notebook and a pencil and began writing a list.
"As stated before, I need help with costumes, props, backdrops...oh, and musical arrangements," Kei listed, writing each item down. She handed it to the Shadow King. She crossed her legs and waiting patiently for his reply. Kyoya pushed his glasses up and looked at her.
"I know just who to put on the job for all this," Kyoya remarked, "Hikaru. Kaoru. Piper. Aika. Kinoko. Could you please come over here for a minute?" the five previously mentioned dropped what they were doing and meandered over.
"Sato-senpai needs your help with her club's musical," Kyoya reported. Piper and Aika both showed more interest. The other three looked weary.
"We don't know anything about musicals," the twins countered.
"I don't need help with acting! I just need some skilled hands to help with production!" Kei responded.
"And that's where you all come in. I have volunteered your services to Sato-senpai. Hikaru and Kaoru, you two will help him with costumes. Piper and Aika, you two will help him with musical arrangements. Kinoko, you will help him with stagecraft," Kyoya explained.
"How come I don't get a partner?" Kinoko asked.
"I could team you up with Shiro. However, you always say his art is scarce. I wasn't sure if you'd like to be paired with him," Kyoya answered. She sighed.
"I'll force something out of him. I just don't want to work alone," Kinoko muttered.
"I guess we have no problems helping with costumes," Hikaru admitted.
"We have no objections either!" Piper proclaimed. Kei smiled happily.
"Thank you so much," she turned to Kyoya, "how much would you like me to pay you?"
"I would like 150,000 yen," he answered with a smile. Kei winced. Nekozawa was right. Kyoya was prepared to bleed her dry. She pulled out her wallet and counted the money out. Almost all the money in it was removed. She handed it to him dejectedly.
"Here you go..." she murmured. Kyoya snatched it.
"Thank you, sir!" he said with a smile.