When my eyes adjust to the brightness of the room, I manage to take in the sight before me. The room is bizarrely gargantuan for a music room, with colossal crystalline windows, and there are polished wooden tables and soft pink couches scattered in groups. Each couch is occupied with females awaiting…I'm not quite sure yet.

Directly before me, there are seven (exceedingly beautiful) teenage boys staring at Misora, Chiyo and me.

"Welcome, my lovely princesses—" Tamaki halts mid-sentence as he notices that I am standing in the doorway. "Oh!" Tamaki jumps gracefully out of his throne-like seat and takes four ling strides to us. "Kosuke-san! There you are! We've been expecting your arrival!" Tamaki then turns to Misora and Chiyo, giving them a charming smile. They practically melt at the sight. "Princesses, if you would please go take a seat, the Host Club will begin in just a moment."

"OK, Tamaki-sempai!" Misora and Chiyo sigh, stepping past us to go sit down at one of the couches. They're in a lovesick daze all the way.

"Hi, Kosuke-san," Haruhi smiles slightly and waves to me.

"Hello, Haruhi-san," I smile back and wave in turn.

Tamaki puts a hand on my shoulder—does he have a manicure?—and turns me away from Haruhi so that I face the remainder of the Host Club. They each take me in, seemingly intrigued. "Gentlemen, this is Kosuke Nakahara."

Two identical twins slink up to us. They both have pale skin and sleek strawberry blonde hair. Their eyes remind me of a foxes', a dark mix of gold and amber hues. They're both wearing the Ouran male uniform. The only visible difference between them to the human eye is the parts of their hair. "Aren't you the new guy in class 1-A?" they both ask in flawless unison. It's as if they speak in one voice.

"Yes, sirs," I nod.

They both raise perfectly cut eyebrows at precisely the same time. "'Sirs'?"

"Onto more serious business, gentlemen," Tamaki declares. The twins roll their eyes exasperatedly and slink away. Tamaki turns to me with a charming smile, teeth so white it nearly leaves spots in my vision. "Kosuke Nakahara, we want you to join our Club!"

My faux-ruby eyes widen instinctively. "Pardon?"

"You've been deemed Host-Club-material by the women of this school," a male with jet hair (that makes his pale skin appear paler) states. He wears spectacles, and the light of the room causes them to obscure his eyes' color, but I can see a glint of gray through the glass. "They've deemed you as the 'Polite Type' and I'm positive they'd love it if you joined the Club."

"I apologize, 'Polite Type'?"

"All of the Hosts have Types in the Club," explains Tamaki. He turns on his heel en pointe and presses his hand to his chest. "I myself am the 'Princely Type.'" His hand then moves in the directions of the remaining hosts. "The others include the 'Natural Type', the 'Cool Type', the 'Little Devil Type', the 'Loli-Shota Type,' and the 'Wild Type.'"

"I apologize sincerely, but I'm not sure if I should participate in a club at the moment," I tell them. "I've only just arrived here this morning."

Tamaki doesn't seem fazed in the slightest. He only charmingly replies, "At least stay for the evening so you can see what we do."

I pause and reply, "Yes, sir. May I have a moment to contact my mother?"

ROUND 1: HONEY AND MORI!

"Kosu-chan, could you hold Usa-Chan while I cut the cake?" A small child with large brown eyes and smooth blonde hair asks as he raises a pale pink stuffed rabbit to me. He appears no older than six, and he's wearing white T-shirt with a red collar and hem, a blue jacket with a yellow hood, black jeans and red sneakers. I believe he's the Loli-Shota Type. The male sitting next to him is even taller than Rituko, with shaggy jet hair and dark charcoal eyes, wearing a white undershirt, a plaid red button-up, jeans, and black sneakers.

"Yes, sir," I reply, taking the stuffed rabbit from his hands with my own. For a split moment, I think the rabbit actually blushes, but I am aware it can't possibly do that. The three females seated with us whisper something along the lines of me being so polite.

"Here, Mori-chan, you can have a big piece," the Loli-Shota Boy pushes the blade of a silver knife into the cake, pulling out a slice equivalent to the size of a football. He then begins to move it to Mori-chan's china plate. Uh-oh.

"Excuse me," I say as quickly as possible, "I don't believe—"

Too late. The cake hit the floor in a splatter of pink icing, white frosting, and chocolate filling. A bit of the frosting lands on my shoe in the process.

"—that's a well idea..." I finish quietly, more to myself.

The Loli-Shota Boy stares at the fallen piece of cake for a long moment of silence. Then, tears well up in his eyes and his lip trembles. I stiffen uncomfortably. "Takashi...I dropped your cake..."

"Mitsukuni..."

The tall male leans over and wipes the tears from the Loli-Shota Boy's big brown eyes, dragging his thumbs down his cheeks. The small child bursts into tears and jumps into Tall Boy's arms with a loud cry of, "TAKASHI!"

The females seated at our table erupt into squeals, their faces flushed with mirth. For a moment, I wonder if there's ever been an accident regarding a customer falling ill from exposure to these…displays.

I simple observe the scene with a confusedly blank face.

The small male turns to me and beams brightly. He laughs loudly and proclaims, "I think Usa-Chan likes you!"

I look down at the stuffed rabbit in my lap. Then, smiling in the slightest, I extend it out for him, "You can tell Usa-Chan I like him, too."

The females squeal loud enough to cause ringing in my ears. One collapses limply and my previous wonder is answered.

ROUND 2: TAMAKI!

"Kasuke-san, would you please pour us some tea?" Tamaki asks from the couch opposite to mine. A female with braided, fiery orange hair is sitting beside him. Her eyes never leave his face. It reminds me of the Greek paintings of humans encountering gods, their faces so awed that they are nearly uncanny.

"Yes, sir," I reply, taking hold of the white-and-blue China teapot and pouring the pale brown liquid into two separate cups. Steam rises from the liquid surfaces.

"So you were the one who invited Kosuke-san to the Host Club, Tamaki-sempai?" the girl asks as I hand her a cup. She continues to remain her gaze on Tamaki without watching her own hands.

"Correct, my princess," Tamaki answers as he takes his teacup from my extended hand. He takes a long sip almost manually.

"Tamaki-sempai, how do you come up with such good ideas?" She breaths, her voice filled with awe. I am becoming concerned regarding the healthcare of these females.

"From my inspiration," Tamaki says as he sets his tea cup down upon the pristine saucer. He places his pinky upon the saucer before he does so, as if to cushion it.

"What's your inspiration?"

Suddenly, almost without visibly moving, Tamaki places one hand on her slim waist, taking her right hand with the other, and he leans in as if he's about to kiss her. the sudden advance alarms me. I wouldn't think that Tamaki would be so…open with his charm. "You, of course."

The girl breathlessly giggles, her cheeks rosy.

Again, I simply observe with a confusedly blank face.

ROUND 3: KYOYA!

"So you don't necessarily host, correct?" I ask the male with the spectacles as I stand beside him. He's writing incessantly in a black notebook, but I can't see what he's writing. I don't attempt to do so, deciding that it would be intrusive.

"Not really. I usually just manage the Host Club's profits," he replies. His gaze never once leaves the notebook.

"You're the club's manager, correct?"

"Correct. Though I will interact with the customers every now and then," he pauses in his notebook to look at me, and for the first time, I'm able to see his charcoal eyes perfectly. "You should go ahead and move on. The club will be ending not too long from now."

"Yes, sir," I bow to him respectfully.

I turn on my heel to leave him be, but only three steps later, he calls, "Kosuke-san?"

I turn to face him. He's looking at me once again in a manner that I could only describe as fascination. "Yes, sir?"

"Your last name is Nakahara, correct?"

"Yes, sir." I reply curtly.

He does not speak a word of reply. I turn once again and leave him be.

ROUND 4: KAORU AND HIKARU!

"Kosuke-san, please refill our cups for us," The second twin says, pushing his China cup towards me as his brother does the same with his. The way that they move, so in unison, as if mirror images, is uncanny and to be truthful to myself, it somewhat frightens me.

"Yes, sirs," I reply as I take hold of the table's China teapot. I pour the steaming tea into the delicate painted cups.

When I finish, the Twins both reach out to retrieve them.

As they do so, the first twin 'accidentally' knocks his cup over, splashing his hand in hot liquid.

The first twin gasps sharply, clutching his finger in pain. The second twin immediately reaches over, placing one hand on his brother's back and the other on his arm. He looks quite alarmed. "Kaoru! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Twin One chokes out. He pauses, and I wonder how exactly hot tea could cause such panic. "Just clumsy, is all."

The second twin engulfs the first in a tight embrace, mindful to avoid his 'injured' finger. He clings to the material of his blazer as if he would never see him again. "You have to be more careful, Kaoru. Promise me that."

"I promise, Hikaru..." The first twin buries his face into the other's neck.

The females at our table—I had almost forgotten that they're here—sigh and giggle in pure bliss.

And I simply observe, confusedly expressionless, my face rosy.

ROUND 5: HARUHI!

"Kosuke-san, have you ever tried pre-ground coffee before?" A female with lush chocolate hair, Momoka, I believe, inquires as we sit at the final table.

"Do you mean insta—?"

"Here, try some." One of Mamoka's friends pushes a China cup of dark liquid in my direction. I delicately lift it to my lips and take a sip.

I set the cup back on the saucer afterwards, but raising my gaze, I realize that they are intensely awaiting a reaction of any sort. I manage a tight smile and say, "It's very nice, indeed."

The three females sigh and whisper to each other. As they do, I lean over to Haruhi. "They do realize it's just instant coffee, yes?"

"To everyone here, it's like water from the Fountain of Youth," she replies, and we both chuckle.


Tamaki and I hold the doors open for the last of the customers leaving for the day. When all of the ladies leave, Tamaki and I close the doors shut. Before I can speak a word, Tamaki latches his hands onto my shoulders, violet eyes gleaming in hope. "So, Kosuke-san, what do you think?"

I cradle my chin between my index finger and my thumb. "So what you do is you converse with women to entertain and/or please them, correct?"

"Yeah!" the small child beams, bouncing on the heels of his feet, still holding 'Usa-Chan' in his arms.

I think intensely, humming a bit. Surely, I appear to be am male, and I'm sure I act as if I were well enough, but would it likely be a good idea to talk to females like this with other males?

"We'd really like it if you joined!" Tamaki tells me enthusiastically.

"Hm..."

"You can eat sweets with me and Takashi!" the small child offers. The tall male behind him nods in agreement.

"Hmm..."

"It's really fun," Haruhi puts in. She seems reluctant to say so.

"Hmmm..."

"You can pick on Tono with us," the twins offer with devious grins. I pause.

"Hmmmm..."

The male wearing glasses leans in to whisper in my ear, "If you don't join, I'll tell everyone in school you're a girl."

My eyes widen at notice.

"I accept your offer," I quickly tell Tamaki, putting on my best fake-smile. I nearly stumble over my own words.

Tamaki squeals and pulls me into an embrace so constricting it cuts the air from my lungs. "Welcome to the Host Club, my son!"

The small child cheers, "Yay! Kosu-chan's in the club now!"

"New toy! New toy! New toy!" the Twins cheer as they pump their fists into the air.

A bead of sweat rolls down my face.

"Now, I think we should get on to introductions," Tamaki smiles sincerely. "I'm Tamaki Suoh, if you didn't already know." He slightly turns me to face the others. "That's Haruhi Fujioka, but of course you've already met." Haruhi waves to me kindly. "Those two over there are Kaoru and Hikaru Hitachiin." The two Twins join arms, smirking. Tamaki leans in to whisper, "Avoid them. These are cousins Mitsukuni 'Hani' Haninozuka and Takashi 'Mori' Morinozuka." The small child giggles as the tall male hums. "And that there is Kyoya Ootori." The male with the glasses doesn't look up from his notebook.

"You will begin your hosting tomorrow," Tamaki says, opening the door for the others as he does so. "Welcome to the Ouran Host Club!"

"See you tomorrow, Kosu-chan!" Honey smiles at me before he and Takashi follow Tamaki out the door.

"Bye, Toy!" Kaoru and Hikaru wave to me, smirking deviously, before exiting the room. I sigh to myself inwardly.

"Bye, Kosuke-san," Haruhi smiles to me as she exits.

"Goodbye," I tell all of them as the door closes.

Only Kyoya and I remain. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife. I purse my lips and tap my fingers.

"How did you know—?"

"You're Heartbeat Rating Device," Kyoya says, finally shutting his black notebook and turning to me. Instinctively, my left hand tightens around the device around my right wrist. I can tell the green lines going across the screen are getting higher. "I'm aware of the technology your family is inventing. That there was made with the help of Ootori Medical. You were the first owner of the HRD, and you come in monthly for check-ups. All it took was a little bit of background-searching, and I found out."

A bead of sweat rolls down my face. Of all the luck to have…"Well this is unfortunate..."

"For you, probably, but the club will get more profits from you as a Host," Kyoya says bluntly, stepping past me to the door. As he opens it, he turns to me with an odd smile. It makes me uncomfortable instantly. "Welcome to the Host Club."

Then he shuts the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

0000000000000000000

I walk away from the building to the sleek black limousine awaiting me. When I open the door, Mother, Minami, and Honami are already inside. Rituko's likely at martial-arts class. I close the door behind me as I sit in my seat, buckling the seatbelt around my waist. I smile down at Minami, who already seems anxious to speak to me. "So were you brave at school today?"

Minami nods enthusiastically, brown curls bouncing. "Yeah, I was! I made some new friends!"

"Good, we'll do whatever you want tonight," I smile at her as pat the top of her curls.

"Yay!"

"So what kind of club did you join?" Mother smiles at me.

"It's called a Host Club."

"What do they do?"

"They...entertain girls by talking to them."

"That sounds nice, dear," Mother beams, turning the corner. A bead of sweat rolls down my face. Mother thinks everything sounds nice. That was not an exaggeration. I felt that I could return home and tell her that I had begun a cult, began a career as a drug seller, murdered three men and kidnapped a child, and she's simply ask if I was hungry.

"You're not concerned?" I inquire tensely.

"Nope. I know you only make the best decisions and that you wouldn't join a club you know is bad news," she says warmly. I decide not to tell her that I didn't join by my own will. Not that she would mind…

"No one's been picking on you, have they?" Honami asks warningly. Cautiously.

"No, not at all," I smile at her nervously. Whenever I accidentally reveal that someone's taunting me, Honami bursts into flames and confronts the person face-to-face. Or, in some occasions, face-to-fist. Perhaps that's the reason we moved, actually.

"They'd better not be," she growls, staring out the window. Another bead of sweat rolls down my face as I chuckle nervously. She's my sister, and I love her, but heaven forbid is she doesn't frighten me at times.

"Nobody found out that you're a girl, did they?" Mother asks, glancing at me from the screen of her cell phone.

"...One person did."

Mother's eyebrows rise. Not in alarm or warning, but in interest. "Are they nice?"

"Yes, ma'am, so I don't believe this is a problem."

"You're right, sweetheart. It's alright if she knows. I'm glad to hear you're making friends already."


4 Hours Later-8:00 PM

Minami leaps into bed, the wooden frame creaking under her small weight. She was wearing her pajamas: a red, pink, orange, and brown polka-dotted nightgown with cream-colored lace and a mouse on the front. As well as her blanket, she was holding Kawaī, her stuffed mouse, in her arms. I pulled up her mice-designed covers around her small frame.

"That was fun."

For her special request, we spent two hours dressing up in any clothes we could lay our hands upon, assorted her dolls and gave them makeovers, played Hide-and-Seek three times, cooked a batch of cookies, and skated on the polished floors in our socks. She's undoubtedly exhausted as of now, as am I.

"Yes it was, Little Mouse." I kiss her forehead tenderly and adjust her pillow.

"Kosuke?"

"Yes?"

"Are you happy?"

"Yes, I'm happy."

"Really?"

"Truly."

"Okay. Goodnight, Little Mouse."

"Goodnight, Kosuke."

NEXT TIME

During a seemingly regular day of hosting, Kosuke is caught between a feud that leads to dangerous circumstances.