Title : Game Master
Author : Meiko Kairi
Chapter Title : Modus Operandi

Main Pairing : Hikaru x Haruhi

Category : Romance / Humour
Rating : For Teen(s) – T; May contain language or scenes not suitable for very young readers!

Summary : AU. Haruhi, the commoner, thought that in her new school she could study well enough but instead, she found herself playing a dangerous bet with a Hitachiin.

Standard Disclaimer : Ouran High School Host Club Does Not Belong To Me.

- - -

The lovely and sweet songs of the mockingbirds filled the chilly morning's air that make the rooster incredibly and reasonably jealous of them.

For this reason, a naïve child coined its idea of a simple legend why a rooster crows every morning. It is, according to this child, is because this poor un-flying bird wants to beat this mockingbird in singing : in terms of loudness.

So everyday, living up to its legend, the king of the morning and alarm-clocks "cock-a-doodled", marking a start of a beautiful day.

Everyone thinks like this. Everyone. Except Haruhi.

This girl, who had woke at the wrong side of the bed frowned at the reflection of hers viewed at the human-height mirror. She sighed and averted her eyes from it, wanting to see no more.

Yes. For everyone this is the start of a beautiful day – but for Haruhi this is the start of a chaotic day.

- - -

Ayaka's P.O.V.

"Ayaka-san!" called my minion number one as soon as I entered the room in such a wild fashion and ramped my way though the center, feeling like a top model. "Your hairstyle looks fantastic!" she praised.

I smiled the smile that I always practice whenever I'm in front of a mirror and battered by lashes. Some say that battering lashes is cheap and obvious, I say they're just jealous for I can do it so seductively.

Anyways, I don't wanna explain further to people like you how the glamorous mind and beauty of mine works. You'll just end up drooling like Tarzan who had his first sight on Jane. I'll just tell this in a simpler version for your mediocre intelligence to comprehend : This the nth praise I've receive since the first time I've got this hair. And 'Oh how I love it'!

What's the connection? Go figure.

Then again, as what my intelligence is, I don't like my beauty go to waste so to be continued to be stared and awed, I lifted my head up-high and flipped my newly French-curled hair. I'm sure my hair bounced back nicely for all the boys in our class almost seemed to be at the verge of bowing down and kissing my royal feet.

"I'm glad you noticed. My favourite hair-stylist Mark Duane Shabbles (1) made this," I said in British accent. Though I know deep inside I sounded so fake, I suppose they're distracted by my beauty so it's okay.

My "friends" gasped in delight and surprise and the rest of the class as well flocked around me.

Now, now. Isn't this how you call paying respects to the queen? Fu fu fu. I love it.

"M-Mark Duane Shabbles? Isn't he the top stylist in Europe and America?"

I, once again grinned with pride. I'm pleased for they know him. Now I could brag more. "Yeah, he's the one,"

"And to think he's the one who came flying instead of the other way around!"

I laughed heartily and my beautiful shinning shimmering eyes met green-eyed ones. "Of course! I'm the royal Ayaka-sama after-all," I said and all of them seemed to agree with me.

This is when I can confidently conclude that the class is in my hands.

Wanna know what's with my look? Duh. Stupid people. Am I the only character here who has brains?

I need to impress Hikaru-sama today. Past happenings lessened my charm.

Damn Fujioka.

With my silently-elegant and not-so-exaggerated hairdo, I'll make Hikaru-sama worship the ground that I walk and I'll make Fujioka die of envy.

I'll get both of them by this.

Fu fu fu.

- - -

Omniscient-sama's P.O.V.

'I knew this isn't going to be a good day...' Haruhi deadpanned the first time the class saw her with the uniform. God, she never wanted to skip school before like she wanted to do – now.

She sat on her seat and busied herself on reviewing her homework. All of her classmates' heads were facing the blackboard but she could feel (or is she just being paranoid?) the eyes of theirs rolling to the side to take a look at her.

Seems like Ayaka isn't the only one who has a new look.

One of them couldn't hold back anymore and gave a long and high-pitched laugh. The whole class followed. Apparently, they were just waiting for someone who's brave enough to do this because of the rumour and threat of what a Hitachiin could do. I mean, no one in his or her right mind would go step on a button that says in neon sign : Danger, explodes when stepped.

If you know someone who's that dire, please do tell me.

Amazingly and not-amazingly, it was the self-proclaimed intelligent Ayaka who was idiotic enough to trigger the "live bomb". Hmm. Well. Okay. I would have to admit, maybe she just misread the sign – or was oblivious to it. Whatever it was, we don't know for Ayaka's "intelligent" brain is so unreadable and random.

Maybe the "live bomb" doesn't really exist and just an elaborated hoax. Because now Hikaru, whom everyone referred to as the "live bomb" was in-fact ironically the one who had the loudest laugh – that was if he wasn't covering his mouth and pinching his sides.

"Wow Fujioka, you look great!" Ayaka remarked with sarcasm making the whole class laugh louder.

"..."

Ayaka twitched at Haruhi's disregarding. She's very much attention-hunger and when she speaks, she wants everyone to listen. The teacher hasn't arrived yet so she sees this as a chance to pound Haruhi. She got up from her seat and stood just in-front of Haruhi, tapping her shoe impatiently at the marbled floor, "Aren't you gonna say something? Like 'Thank you'?"

Haruhi briefly shot Ayaka a cold glare then back to her assignment, "Thank you, your wig looks good on you too,"

Silence fell. Laughter died.

Who would have thought that Haruhi has a dark, dark, sense of humour? But heck it made the royal and almighty Ayaka feel small she couldn't retort back.

Her million-dollar hairstyle looked like a wig!? She wanted to scream so much that she feel her knees shaking.

Ah. Power of words. Hikaru couldn't help to admire her.

Okay. It's not for the reason that Haruhi's a "bully in disguise". She really has no ill-intention when she said that. She really thought it was a wig. Plus, she too thinks that the elegant lady-like and European-style soft yellow uniform doesn't go well with her dark-rimmed glasses. Even Hikaru who insisted those uniform to her was convinced that she looked better without the uniform.

However, she had no choice for she needed to abide school rules. She would have to wear it sooner or later after-all, she just chose to made it sooner.

- - -

Hikaru's P.O.V.

I had A-Lunch set at the cafeteria. Alone.

Man... this boredom is killing me. It's no fun when Kaoru and Haruhi aren't around. Speaking of her, I never did see even a shadow of her passing the cafeteria.

Where the heck does she eat her lunch? Don't tell me she packs her lunch?

... Don't bother to tell me ...

I spotted Haruhi sitting on one of the class' chairs alone – eating her lunch in a lunch box.

She seemed not to notice my entrance for she just keep stuffing onigiris into her mouth and read a thick library-borrowed book.

Why do I always see her reading?

I ahem-ed to alarm her that she's not alone.

It failed to alarm her but I did get her attention.

She pushed her glasses and briefly eyed me then back to the book. I think it's about Japanese language. Bah. I hate that subject.

"Oh, it's you, Hitachiin Hikaru-san,"

I twitched at hearing my whole name. It doesn't sound good to my ears so I said : "Quit calling me that, Hikaru would do. Besides aren't we 'friends' already?"

She paused from pulling the chopsticks out of her mouth – she even stopped reading – it was either she was considering about what I offered or she was just savouring the taste of her teriyaki.

Having received zero response. I sighed and almost give up but hope shot up : she shrugged.

"It saves time so I guess it's fine, Hikaru,"

I think it took me a long time to register to my psyche what did she just drawled because the time it did, she was already munching the last piece of meat of her lunch.

I don't know but there's this strange heat creeping up my face – dammit. Tell me I'm not blushing.

I think I am.

I rubbed by face instantly upon realization and avoided her scrutinizing gaze.

"By any chance," she started while I (I think for the first time) helplessly gulped the lump on my throat. 'If you're gonna say if I've fallen for you, the answer is absolute : NO!' "Are you allergic to sun's rays?" she continued and I've been reminded that we're seated just beside the windowpane.

I almost fall down from my chair, "N-No," I chucked nervously and patted her shoulder, "Anyways, how was the fit?" I said, starting a new topic to distract her.

"It's fine though it's uncalled for,"

"What are you saying? We're classmates and I should do my best to help someone in need, right?" she gave me a look – unimpressed. I quickly wrack my brain for some nice topic but some thing left my mouth. It's : "The class made fun out of you again,"

She gave me this deadpanned look, not having a care. God, is she capable of human or normal emotions? "So?"

"So?" I echoed to be sarcastic and copied her tone, "Don't tell me you're not affected,"

This is something I've never seen before (not like I've known her for long) she placed her chin between her thumb and index finger, thinking pose. "Now that you've mentioned it, I think I am affected,"

I tried not to sound so surprised, "Really?"

"Yeah, such busybodies. I can't concentrate in my studies,"

"T-That's all?"

She made a pout which I thought it looked kinda cute if you wound just include half of her face. "Why are you here anyway? Don't you have some studying to do?"

"Nothing. I'm waiting for our next class," I quickly said then I persistently went back to the last topic, "It would be nice if you'd let me give you a new look,"

She shot me a disgusted look. "No thanks, I like the way I look,"

"You actually like it?" I said then let out a high-pitched snicker.

She didn't answer and went on reading her book. This, I thought I wouldn't accomplish anything from asking Haruhi's permission every time.

This inspiration struck me.

I immediately acted by my body's jolt to apply the inspiration. I grabbed her hand as I hauled her up. There in her eyes is a rare emotion from Haruhi : shock.

In my mind I couldn't help but to scream : This is called "appropriate" emotions, Haruhi!

Excitement filled me with my new discovery and matters about school skipped out of my mind as I dragged her to the limo parking already at the front of school's gate – ignoring her futile protests.

It's time to rumble.

- - -

1 – He's just a made-up character. I don't know anyone in fashion or hair industry. If such person really exists it is pure coincidence.

Author's Note :
Hoe!!! Thank you for your reviews! The arrival of the other host club-ers will be moved.

I know most of you are thinking that Hikaru would lose the game but this fic is just getting started. I'll try to make Haruhi suffer a bit too. XD

Edited as of 08-10-07 : I'm sorry for those who have seen the "edited" chapter three! My computer acted up. When I uploaded the edited version it didn't show up. It's weird... I think it has virus or something... Anyways, hope you liked this version than that of the first. I was so random then.

R & R Corner

REVIEW : ..."I only have to say that Haruhi most likely wouldn't have blushed when Hikaru fell on her (She didn't blush when Kyouya pinned her to the bed nor when she was huddled under the table with Tamaki nor when she was in a net with Hikaru (she even moved to unintentionally give him a nice view of her front), she didn't blush even when the Hitachiin licked her face. That girl is either made of stone or the MOST clueless person, concerning romance.)"

REPLY : Oh my god! Thank you for telling me. The info kind of slipped off my mind. I'll probably change the second chapter. Please tell me more if you find other OOCness so I could watch out for them. :)

REVIEW : ..."lemon won't be bad..i think..."...

REPLY : Ahahaha. I'm sorry but it started as "T". I would have to stick with it until the end or it'll be unfair for others who can't read rated-Ms. I hope you'll still like it. :)

REVIEW : ..."Ayaka reminds me of a freshman version of Ayanokoji XD (there's not much villian in ouran, so it's fun to see how it would be if it didn't just end in the first episode of the original)."...

REPLY : Yeah! I'll be planning to put Ayanokoji-san in the future. You know the usual villain and another villain. Opps! Noo! I spoiled. XD

REVIEW : "The last scene is"...

REPLY : The last scene is what? Care to tell me:)

REVIEW : ..."i have a suggestion in the next chapter you should let her dad forcefully grow her hair with a hair growth shampoo and let her wear the girl's uniform! she would look totally HOT! Hikaru would definitely lose like the pathetic loser he is acting like now!"...

REPLY : Nice! That cracked me up actually! Tee-hee. XD

REVIEW : ..."I enjoy your writing style and your unique plots."...

REPLY : Nah. The plot isn't exactly unique. I've seen few stories with bets and something but I'm glad you enjoyed it.