Hey readers! Please forgive the late chapter! It's longer then the chapters before it so maybe you guys won't hate me Please enjoy, read, and review!

Chapter 3: PLAY BALL!

Arriving at the club, I am shocked at the number of girls there. I don't think I've ever seen so many girls at a club before. Maybe the Host Club is more popular than I thought. I set the sack down on the table before sitting down myself.

"Kaede-san, would you mind serving the coffee to the guest? The other club members are busy with customers at this time." Kyoya tells me just as I sat down.

"Yes, Ootori-Senpai." I said as I went into the kitchen. Carrying a tray full of cups with instant coffee I walk to the nearest table. I try my best to hide my face and ignore the twins' act. Do girls actually like that kind of stuff?

"Would you like a cup of coffee?" I said giving them all a shy smile.

"Yes, we would. Thank you Kae-kun!" The girls at the twins' table. I think I saw one of them blush but I couldn't really tell.

I replied, "Your welcome" I didn't notice the other host members keeping a sharp-eye on me as I walk to the next table.

"Kae-kun, are you going to become a host like how Haruhi did?" one of the girls at Tamaki's table asks me.

I shrugged as I poured one of the girls a cup of tea.

"Oh. Well I'm sure you will become a good host" She says giving me a smile.

"Thank you" I respond and smile back at her. The girl, Akira, is now a slight shade of red.

I set the now empty tray back into the kitchen and took a seat in an empty table away from everyone else. Taking out a book I started to read. A couple of days after I arrived in Tokyo I got a job working at a bookstore. Reading is my next favorite subject besides history. I love to read because I just focus on the main character and the life they live instead of my life. The clock strikes five o'clock bringing me out of my book.

"I am sorry Ladies but the host club activities are winding down for the day. Before you leave, come to me to check out our newest items if you haven't already. I hope to see you all tomorrow." Kyoya said while giving his host smile.

I glanced up from my book and looked around at the club members. It was then that I realized that the male members of the host club are more handsome than any other guys at Ouran. I think to myself before shaking my head. They doesn't know I am girl so there's no reason for me to think stuff like that.

After all the customers left, I'm still sitting at the table reading. I hear someone pull out a chair and sit next to me. When I look up from my book the club crowds around me.

"Yes?" I say while raising my eyebrow.

"Hmm."

"What?"

Tamaki opens his mouth to speak but Kyoya beats him to it, "I was reading your profile today and it was missing a lot of information. Why is that?"

"My profile is none of your business, Ootori-Senpai." I say to Kyoya with annoyance in my words. 'Who does this guy think he is?' I thought as I closed the book after marking my place.

"Actually it is, Yoko-san. You see, I am the third son of the Ootori Family. My father wants me to learn everything about anyone who steps foot in this school for business purposes." Kyoya states while glaring at me. 'Oh so that's who he is.'

I glare at him with the same amount of force. How could I be of any importance to his father? I don't even know his father! It's not problem that he has to try to impress his father by being a know-it-all.

"What was missing?" I ask.

"Well, it said nothing of your parents, your old house, or anyone you or your family had contact with while in Germany." Kyoya answers.

'Should I tell them? I sure if they tell the police afterwards and then Mr. Cattivo would definitely would kill my family. What excuse could I have?'

I sighed. 'I can't tell anyone and I don't want to take a risk. For the sake of my family, I'm going to lie, even if I lose people who could become my friends.'

"My family died in a fire." I said looking down at my book. I didn't want to go into any details because I'm sure they could understand why there wouldn't be much information in my profile. I closed my eyes trying to stop the tears from falling. I was always good at lying and fake crying. After a while I glanced up at the club.

Honey, Tamaki, Hikaru, and Karou look at me with tears in their eyes. Haruhi gives me a sad smile. Mori has a straight face but I see sadness in his eyes. Kyoya stares at me his eyes hidden by a glare in his glasses. Does he know something? If he does then maybe I can trick him somehow into believing me.

"We are sorry Kae-kun!" Honey says causing me to feel guilty about how nice they are being.

"No, don't be. It's okay. I've learned to just move on."

"Was it just your parents who died in the fire?" Kyoya questioned with a glare in his glasses that hides his beautiful onyx eyes. All of the club members have beautiful eyes. As weird as it sounds, I'm attracted by someone by the color of their eyes. Because eyes tell the truth even when the mouth does not. 'I feel like he planning how to kill me or something' I sweat dropped.

"No my twin brother died also." I told them before I could stop myself. 'Dang it! What if they find out that Addison is the only boy twin and that girl is me! I'll just be really cautious. Hopefully, I haven't screwed this up.' I thought to myself. I looked up at the club. I sigh in relief to see no confused or questioning looks from them.

Their looks cause my eyes fill up with tears. 'I can't cry. Crying makes one vulnerable. I can't be weak, I have to be strong. Because being strong is all I have left. I can't tell them the truth. I don't like talking about my family. In my mind, I am a coward. I should've stayed at the prison but I ran away instead. I can't even get help. Headquarters still haven't given anyone any orders. It's probably too late now. My family is most-likely dead by now. I think it's best if they were. But a part of me still thinks that there is a chance. The desire to save my family is far too great to give up on them. I made a promise. A promise that could cost me my life in the end. I need to figure out a plan to save them. And I need a plan fast.' The whole club hugs me except for Mori and Kyoya. Mori isn't an affectionate person so he just pats my head. 'I never was hugged when I was a child. The people at my school just left me alone. Since they left me alone I built walls around myself. But there is just something about this club that is slowly breaking the walls that have been around me for way too long. I didn't know what to do when they hugged me. Should I hug back? I've never really been hugged before but somewhere deep inside there is happiness. I wonder what they will think if my secret gets out. Maybe they will understand and could possibly help? But I can't tell them, not yet. Only because of my family's safety and theirs. Why do I even care about the host club? I know, it's because they are like a family. Something I miss. Something I need. Maybe I can find a way to trust them. Isn't this the way to make friends?' I think to myself as they let me go.

"Kaede-san, if you family is dead then who are you staying with?" Haruhi asks me.

"A women named Ms. Sasaki, who I met in Germany. But she is returning next week." I tell Haruhi.

"Where will you live after that? I can't have my son living on the street!" Tamaki exclaims putting his hands on my shoulders.

I still flinched under his touch as I replied, "I'm not your son, Tamaki-Senpai. Don't worry I'll figure something out." I ignore Tamaki as he starts ripping up paper in his corner of woe.

"If you need a place to stay you're welcome to stay with me after she leaves." Haruhi says.

I replied, "Thank you, Haruhi."

Tamaki stops building a hamster home and rushes to Haruhi., "BUT Haruhi! but Kaede is a BOY! As your daddy I say he can't live with you!"

"Tamaki-Senpai it's not your choice, it's mine. How much times have I told you that you are not my dad!" Haruhi says getting irritated at Tamaki. Tamaki goes to his corner of woe while grumbling.

"Mommy's girl. Why is daughter so mean to Daddy? She must hate me."

"Who is 'Mommy?" I wondered out loud.

"Sadly, that title belongs to me. Considering that I am the vice-president of this club." Kyoya speaks from behind his black notebook.

"hmm." I said.

"Senpai I don't hate you." Haruhi assures Tamaki trying to cheer him up.

"I forgive you. Your so cute Haruhi!" Tamaki says while hugging and rubbing his cheek against Haruhi's.

"The boss is such a pervert." Hikaru and Karou chorus.

"Take that back you two doppelgängers!" Tamaki starts chasing them around the room.

"Are they always like this?" I question as I watch the three energetic boys.

"Not all the time. Hikaru and Karou just love messes with Tamaki-Senapi but they mean no harm." Haruhi says in a monotone.

"Oh." I say as Tamaki starts throwing stuff at the twins. How can the rest of the club deal with these three? I wonder as I look around the room. Honey-Senpai and Mori-Senpai are sitting at a table eating strawberry cake. Well, Honey is eating while Mori is just sitting there listening to twins now started to flirt with Haruhi causing Tamaki to get jealous and yell at them. And now Tamaki is in his corner of woe. Rejected. Then there's Kyoya, standing quietly beside me, writing in a black notebook. I glance sideways at him. 'What is he writing all the time?' I thought to myself.

"Do you ever take a break, Ootori-Senpai?" I asked the guy with glasses beside me.

"I don't have time to take a break, Kaede-san. This club takes a lot of planning to make sure everything is in order. If things do not go correctly then it's not just the club that pays for it. The customers here are all the heirs of their family business. In order to expand family business every girl who comes to this room must be happy no matter the cost."

"Hmm, I see. So this club was just created for business?" I questioned.

"No of course not," Kauro puts his arm around my shoulder as Hikaru speaks and copies his brother, "Boss created this club when he was in our year."

"Okay but why?" I wondered.

"I created this club because I wanted friends. I am determined to keep this club together no matter what happens. This club is the closest thing I have to a family." Tamaki says while giving me a genuine smile and his eyes on the verge of tears. He's such a drama queen, well "king" in his case.

Being the daughter of a spy, I managed to do some researching on my own during my free class. I didn't have time to read everyone's file. But I read that Tamaki has family issues, he isn't able to see his mother who lives in France because of his grandmother. I can tell that he misses her very much. 'He has the same determination I do. Despite how naïve and obnoxious he is, I can't help but feel a little sorry for him.'

I replied, "I am sorry Suoh-Senpai. You do have friends, amazing friends who care a lot about you."

"It's okay. Just so you know, Kae-kun, they are your friends also." Tamaki tells me while motioning to the rest of the club. Friends?

"Friends?"

"What? Have you never had friends before?" A twin asked me. His hair is parted on the right but I forgot which one he is.

I look at the ground before whispering, "No.."

Honey came up to me and looked me in the eye since he's shorter than I am, "Well, we are happy to be your first friends, ne?" He gives me a hug and a smile then returns to eat some cake.

The whole club nodded in agreement. I feel like this club is like a team. They all are different but they all work well together. I suddenly got an idea,

"Are any of you up for a game of baseball?"

"I've heard of that game before! But I don't know how to play." Tamaki said with a excited glint in his eyes.

Luckly, the Baseball park was nearby so it didn't take long for us to arrive. They didn't know how to play the game so I had to teach them. After explaining the game three times, We are ready to start the game. It would've been two times if the twins didn't insult Tamaki which caused him to build a hamster home in the middle of the field.

"Do you guys understand your place?" I asked as I took my spot as pitcher. The host club weren't the only people playing. I managed to get my twenty three-year old boss, Hitori to play, Naomi, a girl my age that I befriened at work, Arai who is a friend of Haruhi's, and Haruhi's father, Ryoji, but he told me to call him Ranka.

"Ready Tamaki-Senpai?" I asked as I got ready to throw the ball.

He nodded his head and tighten his grip of the upside down bat.

I dropped my arm, "Suoh-Senpai, your holding the bat upside down."

Tamaki blushes in embarrassment as his switches his bat around. The twins, both in the right and left outfield are rolling on the ground laughing. But before Tamaki has time to yell at them, I throw the baseball at him. He swings too late and the ball lands perfectly into Mori's mitt.

"Nice catch, Mori-Senpai!" I smiled at him before turning to Tamaki, "Tamaki-Senpai! You have to concentrate! Lets try this again. And please keep your eye on the ball this time." I say to the flushed blonde. Mori returned my smile while my back was turned.

I throw ball all at Tamaki. Tamaki hits the ball right out of the park.

"What did I do wrong?" Tamaki says as he starts crying.

'What an idiot' I think as I walked toward Tamaki.

"Suoh-Senpai, you didn't lose the ball you got a home run! That is a good thing. Now you have to run on all the bases. " I assure Tamaki as I help him up. He starts running from base to base as I look around the field.

"The score is now 1 to 0" I said as Tamaki's team cheers.

There are four other members besides myself on my team, the twins, Mori-Senpai, Honey-Senpai, and Naomi. Kyoya just sat on the bench the entire time writing in his black book. On Tamaki's team there is Haruhi, Ranka, Mr. Hitori, Ari, and of course, Tamaki. With that being said, Naomi steps up to the plate.

"Ready to lose, Naomi?" I tell her as I get ready to throw the ball.

She replied, "Me? Lose? Oh please, Kaede, we both know that I won't allow that. You too nice to not go easy on it. "

I sighed and agreed with her while she laughed and stuck her tongue out. 'Maybe I'm too nice' I thought to myself before I threw my fastest ball. She manages to hit a home run and races through the bases and slides into home plate.

After playing baseball for about two hours, we are exhausted. The ending score was 8-12 which means that my team won. Mr. Hitori, Ranka, Haruhi, Naomi, and Arai already left. So it's just me, the twins, Mori, Honey, Tamaki, and Kyoya.

"Thank you Kae-kun for showing us how to play!" Honey says in his cheery voice.

"Anytime, Honey-Senapi." I reply while giving him a small smile.

"So that's what commoners do for fun." Hikaru said.

"We should do that again sometime, Kaede-kun" Karou tells me as he and his brother put their arms around my shoulders.

"Sounds good to me." I shrugged them off then got my stuff together. I had Tamaki's beloved bear which I have to clean once I get home. I turned to the remaining Host club members.

"I gotta go guys." I said as I began to walk home.

"Wait, Kaede-kun! We can just take you home!" Tamaki tells me as he catches up to me.

"Thank you but no. I don't live too far away from here." I commented and started walking again.

It took me fifteen minutes to get home.

"Hi Ayame" I said as I walked through the door.

"Hey Kaede. How was school?" Ayame replies from the kitchen.

I tell her about the Host club and the rest of my day.

"I see. I'm glad you are making friends. I just put a load of clothes in the washer so you can put his bear in there."

"Thank you, Ayame." I say as I went to put the bear with the load.

After doing that, I went back into the livingroom and sat on the couch.

"Ayame, Have you gotten any news of orders yet?" I said barely above a whisper.

Ayame answers when she hears my question, "No I'm sorry I haven't, Hun. But remember, you come from a family of strong and brave people. I can assure you that they will be fine. "

"Why is it taking so long?" I asked.

"Headquarters is dealing with the Italian Mafia. It's not an easy job, It takes a lot of planning to do. "

I sighed and turned on the TV. Tired from today's events I fell asleep.

Ayame puts the clothes from the washer into the drier when she saw me resting.

After a while, I feel someone shake my shoulders.

"Kaede. Kaede. Wake up" A voice says as I open my eyes.

"What?" I asked while glaring at Ayame.

"I have bad news."

"What is it?"

Ayame pulls out Tamaki's bear from behind her back. Instead of being brown, the bear is now a bright pink and is missing an eye.

"MEIN GOTT! HOW ZE HECK DID ZAT HAPPEN?" I yelled as I grabbed the bear.

"I honestly don't know. I'm sorry Kaede." Ayame shrugs before continuing, "I don't know how to get it back to normal."

I sighed and calmed down, "It's okay. It was just an accident. Tamaki is going to kill me though. Maybe Haruhi can help." I pulled out my phone and called said girl.

She answers, "Hello?"

"Hey, Haru-chan, I um need your help."

"It's pink." Haruhi says in a monotone as I show her Tamaki's bear.

'Thank you for pointing out the obvious!' I think to myself as we both sit down on the couch.

"Kyoya-Senpai will probably raise my debt and Tamaki-Senpai is going to kill me!" I continue to ramble until Haruhi holds up her hand.

"Wait a second, Kaede-san. I don't think Tamaki will be that angry. If he is then he'll calm down after a while. As for Kyoya, maybe we can get him to understand?" Haruhi shrugs.

"I'm dead." I says as I put my head in my hands.

Haruhi asks, "Is there any chance you could have a replacement teddy bear in your closet?"

I replied, "Well that could be possible but I don't have many belongs because of the fire. But Ms. Sasaki sometimes put her stuff in there. "

"Oh. Can we check?"

"Sure, I guess." I said as I lead her to my closet.

Luckily, there's no female clothing is my closet. Ayame and I thought ahead for when someone comes over. If I'm honest I do miss looking like a girl and wearing girl clothes. But it's the best for me to keep up this 'Kaede' act.

"Would this work?" I questioned as I pulled out a teddy bear that looks like Tamaki's except it's fur is a few shades lighter.

"Hmm." Haruhi puts on her thinking face before coming up with an idea. "I got it! You could tell Tamaki that your washer causes everything to lighten a few shades. Tamaki might be understanding since you're a, in Tamaki's words, 'commoner'.

"I sure hope he understands. I really don't want an add to my debt." I says as I leave to put the light brown teddy in my bag. I return to my room to see Haruhi holding up the only picture I have left of my family.

"Oh, is this your family?" I nodded my head before she continued. "They look nice. I miss my mom sometimes, too." Haruhi said as she set the picture down.

"My condolences, Haru-chan." I said as I motioned her to sit down on my bed.

"It's fine." Haruhi takes a look at the picture again before looking up at me. Since I am 5'7" I'm taller than the short brown-haired girl. When I don't reply Haruhi continues,

"Kaede-san, didn't you said you had a twin brother?" Haruhi looks at the picture once again before settling her look on me.

'Uh oh. What am I going to do? I could tell her. Haruhi does seem like a gossiping type. Now that I think about it, none of the Host club members do. They are all so causious about keeping Haruhi's secret. Maybe they could keep mine? Is that a risk I'm willing to take? They will probably find out sooner or later.' I looked at the picture before looking at Haruhi.

"Yes, I did." I said as I put my head down.

"Then who's that?" She says as she points to me in the picture.

I couldn't think of what I should do next. I was having a battle inside of my head on if I should tell her or not. After a while, I picked one, no matter the outcome.

I started speaking, "Haur-chan, can you keep a secret?"

She replied, "Of course."

I sighed, "My name is Adelaide Cosette Shuneman. " I allowed my voice to return to its natural octave. I replayed that sentence in my head a thousand times thinking how foreign my name sounded. I continued to tell Haruhi everything except for a few punishments I was given. I didn't tell her the reason my family was taken. Honestly, I'm unclear about it myself, my Vati never told me. I just guessed that it was because he's a spy. Now that I think about it, I don't know what kind of work my Vati does. I know he's a spy of course but what kind? Maybe I'll find out sooner it later. After a long awkward silence, I looked at Haruhi. If she was shocked or feeling any emotion she sure didn't show it.

"I'm sorry." I said as I put my head in my hands and hid my face from her. My apologly wasn't just to her, it was for the Host club, and it was also for my family. I felt like I let everyone down.

Haruhi, someone who doesn't show much affection, pulls me into a side hug and started talking again, "I wish you would've told someone sooner. The Host club may be immature and rich and annoying but they could keep this secret. Has there been any orders to save them?" I shook my head. Haruhi gives me a sympatric look, "I'm sure they will be okay. Maybe Kyoya's police force could help?"

"He has his own police force? Rich brat..." I said as Haruhi released me.

Haruhi laughs and replies, "I thought the same thing when I first met the Host club. His police force is actually the best in Japan."

"How did you meet them?" I asked.

"I was looking for a library and stumbled into the music room by accidently. I broke a vase worth 8 million yen and had to become their dog. After a while they let me become a host."

"Oh. I didn't know you went through the same thing." I said.

"Yeah. Their not so bad after you get to know them. They are actually pretty trustworthy and good people." Haruhi tells me. She looks at the time for a second before looking back at me.

"I gotta go. Thank you for having me over. Don't worry too much about Tamaki. He's a nice guy. I'll see you tomorrow, Adelaide."

"Your welcome. Oh and Haru-chan can you do me a favor?" I asked as I get up beforing continuing.

"Don't tell the Host club yet or anyone. And could you please call me Kaede?" I questioned.

"Sure, Kaede-san." Haruhi says before she gets ready to leave.

"Thank you, Haruhi. For everything."

"Your welcome, Kaede." Haruhi replies as she leaves. Her apartment is across the street so it isn't far for her to walk.

After watching her return home safely, I sighed and settled on my bed back in my room. I'm pretty sure this was the longest day in my life. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. An image of my family goes through my mind as I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

I'm sorry for the late chapter! Please forgive me! If you have any ideas of themes for the host club don't hesitant to message me! :) I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to review! Oh and don't forget to vote on which character you think Adelaide should end up with!