Rivalry
Chapter Two – And so it Begins
"Tamaki, will you listen?"
The blonde boy paused, everyone did, and they turned to see an agitated Kyouya grasping at his notebook so hard his knuckles turned white. He took a moment to adjust his glasses and sighed, Tamaki looked up and raised his eyebrows.
"What is it?" he said, posing so that his head rested on the back of his hand, his lips turned into an amused little smile.
"Emirii Shanbara and Hinata Moore have set out to start a hostess club, my sources tell me that Emirii is the one who thought of it and the leader."
Tamaki tilted his head, musing over what Kyouya said, "Ah I see… But why the worried tone, Kyouya? So a few girls are starting a club…"
The dark haired boy shook his head and mentally counted to ten, reminding himself not to hit the other man. He smiled gently and showed Tamaki the two photos of the girls he had managed to obtain. The blonde raised his brow slightly and took the two photos in his hands,
"Yes, they're very pretty… Now what is your point?"
Sighing, Kyouya pointed at the smaller chestnut haired girl, "That is Hinata Moore. She's a fiery girl, one of the younger second years with a real temper and I've witnessed her sharp tongue and sarcasm firsthand. Also, you'll notice her surname is foreign."
The colour drained from Tamaki Suoh's face, "You don't mean…"
Kyouya nodded, "Yes. They have the power of accents behind them."
"Oh dear god," the taller boy ran a hand through his hair and he looked at the picture of the doll-like girl as if she was an omen sent upon him from his worst enemies.
"English as well I think…"
Tamaki covered his ears and shook his head as if to block out any more bad news. When he had returned to his normal state, Kyouya tapped the picture of the blonde girl, smiling gently at the image.
"And that is Emirii Shanbara. Do not let her appearance fool you; she is far from the sweet girl she appears to be. She won't have anything against her word and will argue her point and will make the other back down."
"I get it! I get it!" Tamaki sighed, "If those girls are in charge then they could offer spaces for our customers in their club…"
"And if the secret about Haruhi gets out…"
"Don't say such things!" the blonde boy said angrily, his brow furrowed, "I won't let them have Haruhi…"
Kyouya smiled, the other members of the host club gathered, each with mixed expressions on their faces. Tamaki took a deep breath and smiled back at his dark haired companion, "I guess we've gained a rival, right?"
Meanwhile in Music Room Six
The girls in front of them seemed terrified, they were all but shaking. Hinata sighed and slumped in her seat, she was still annoyed that she allowed herself to be roped into such affairs. However, Emirii was pacing from one end of the line to the other, her eyes hungrily looking the girls up and down as if to just make sure she had chosen the right girls. With a satisfied nod, she backed away and gave them all a great smile; one that she hoped would reassure them all.
"Hello girls, I understand that you are all probably wondering why we asked you to attend today…"
"Asked them?" Hinata said, raising an eyebrow and sniggering, "You all but bundled them into a sack and dragged them by their hair."
The blonde turned around sharply and gave the smaller girl a look that would stop the thug Kasanoda in his tracks. Hinata, however, was used to it and simply shrugged before giving her an elfish smile. Emirii turned back around on her heel and coughed,
"Anyway," she said briskly, "We're thinking about starting a club… For hostesses."
A gentle faced girl with auburn hair shyly peered at the two girls in front of them with a sweetness that would make any man turn and stare, "A-as in, like the host club?"
"Yes, like the host club." Emirii said confidently, "I trust you ladies will help? We chose you ourselves because each of you has a certain charm that we think would be a very useful aspect of this club."
There was an awkward pause, Emirii shuffled uncomfortably on the spot and Hinata sighed. Emirii was fine at arguing but motivational speaking was not her 'forte' so to speak. Instead, the fiery small girl stepped to the shy girl, whom had previously spoken.
"Anika Takahashi, right?" she nodded and Hinata grinned,
"You're the 'shy' type. Boys will like you because they feel the need to look out for you, you're also Scottish and have red hair which gives a 'Celtic' charm." She gave the girls shoulder a pat and moved down the line.
"And then there's Miss Akemi Rinka. You're the daughter of some big designer people, right? You have a sneaky aura about you, guys find that 'alluring' or whatever… Also, wouldn't you like to get back at the stupid Hitachiin brothers?"
The blonde girl in front of Hinata smirked gently and held out a hand primly, Emirii rushed forward and shook it in a business-like way and continued down the line next to her smaller companion.
"Rumiko Asai…More commonly known as 'Asa', yes? You have an innocence about you, boys like that. You're like… The female equivalent to Mitskuni Haninozuka."
The girl in front of her gave a small nod and her black hair bobbed around her head in shocking shining waves, Emirii grinned at her and gave her a cheeky wink. Hinata nudged her friend in the rib, reminding her to behave.
"And then Miyuki…Er… I'm sorry, I don't know your second name?"
"Its just Miyuki," the bluntness of her reply made Hinata cringe away, taking a moment to regain herself. She nodded and played with a strand of her hair,
"Oh…Er.. Yes. Anyway. You have an intelligent aura about you and I've heard from a few people on campus that you have good leadership skills which means when Emirii screws up…"
"Hey!"
Hinata received a thump at the back of her head, she winced and rubbed it but continued on otherwise like nothing happened, "You can help us out."
Miyuki raised an eyebrow somewhat quizzically, however, she seemed like she wasn't going to argue and the corners of her mouth twitched as if she was fighting back a bemused smile.
"And then last but obviously not least, Rose Umasami. You have a bit of a dominant edge. Believe it or not, boys like being told what to do, they find it appealing."
Rose smiled gently, obviously pleased to be seen as 'dominant.' She played with her second earring on her left ear feebly and nodded along with what Hinata was saying.
The small elfish girl backed away from the line and sat in her seat once more, deciding that they all seemed hook and that her blonde companion didn't stand a chance in screwing it up now.
Emirii smiled, giving a sassy little twirl and strutting slightly to where Hinata sat, her hands clasped behind her back and a cheery little smile on her face. "Now, you may ask what Hinata and I have that is useful to the club…"
The chestnut haired girl looked at her friend despairingly, "Emirii that isn't necessary…"
"Look at Hina, if you will." Hinata groaned as Emirii paced around her, "She has features that make her look innocent, an South Londoner accent and recklessly customizes her uniform."
"I just wear converses…"
"People will stereotype her to be a ruffian and hope to handle her and lets not forget that short temper of hers…"
"Shut the hell up, Emirii!"
"Anyway," Emirii said cutting off the protesting small girl to her right, "I'm here to sort out financial benefits, negotiation deals and cosplay. Also to entertain boys with more… refined tastes."
Hinata sighed, butting in before her friend screwed the plan up completely, "Moving on. We hope we can count on you five to help us make this club the best it can be."
The line of girls shuffled uncomfortably and tried to compose themselves, as if to come across like they were considering it. Hinata flashed them a smile, knowing that they were all hooked. As if on cue, they all nodded excitedly. Emirii gave a squeal and ran over to them, randomly hugging members and thanking them graciously, her elegant features lighting up with excitement. Hina stayed on her seat, only paying much attention when auburn hair came into her view. She smiled at the girl she had first picked on as an example,
"Hi Anika. Thanks for the help," she said leaning on her palm.
The Scottish girl twiddled with her thumbs slightly before giving the smaller girl a smile, "Hinata… Do you think we'll really surpass the host club?"
"In all honest, I have no idea… It'd be nice to see the look on that absolute tool Tamaki Suoh's face if we did though."
As if on clue, the door swung open and seven handsome figures entered the room loudly. Hinata looked around boredly and gave an amused little smile when she caught the eye of one Kyouya Ootori. Emirii smiled, her green eyes lighting up as she did so. The rest of the girls either looked bashful or shared Emirii's excitement, Tamaki swayed over to Rose his deep blue eyes pleading.
"Please princess, don't do this… Come to the host club, we'll treat you well."
"Bite me, pretty boy," she said bluntly, sniffing and turning away. Tamaki faltered before regaining composure and smiling gently but before he could even attempt to say anything Kyouya cut him off.
"Emirii, you don't know what you're getting yourself into," he said with curt politeness. The blonde girl smiled and waltzed over to him, stroking his cheek and tapping the bridge of his glasses.
"I think I do, Ootori. You needn't worry." They exchanged firm looks for a few seconds but the dramatic atmosphere was cut off by abrupt laughter and yells. Emirii turned to see Akemi crowded by the two Hitachiin brothers.
"You guys picked her to be in the club?" Kaoru said through his chortles,
"She'll scare them off! I'll give you all two days tops before you go out of business," Hikaru joined in.
Akemi's face was growing hot and she yelled back, her temper getting the better of her, "Shut up doppelgangers!"
Now Emirii thought of it, it seemed that everyone but Haruhi, Mori and Hinata (the lazier of the groups) were arguing with each other. She gave a small chuckle and flicked her wrist, signaling the host's dismissal,
"Leave now. We'll see what happens soon enough," she said with a cheeky wink.
The host members straightened up and each of them waltzed out of the door with feigned attitude. Tamaki peeked behind the door before they shutting and gave them all a dazzling smile,
"Bring it on, ladies."
