4. Where it all Began
My thinking session proved futile. By the time I had arranged my thoughts on a piece of paper, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
When I reached my class, I was irritated and flustered beyond belief. The rose maze gazebo was the perfect place to think…if you knew your way around, unlike a certain idiot. In my panic to get to class, I ran through the rose walls, decorating my face with little scratches and tearing my clothes. I totally knew how to impress my upperclassmen.
Seeing my state and how late I was, the teacher didn't bother with an introduction and wordlessly sent me to my seat.
Well, at least I got something positive out of it.
English with the third years went by smoothly. I was pretty much ignored except for a little blonde boy that could've passed for an elementary kid. He kept smiling at me and looked as if he was itching to ask my name.
Mitsukuni Haninozuka.
With my amazing ninja skills (Ha!), I was able to dash out of there before he arrived at my desk.
I quietly made my way towards the first year classrooms, slipping into the 1-A class for Japanese, my last class, before the bell rang. Things were finally starting to look up, I noted with a tiny smile.
As with the last class, Japanese went by smoothly. I struggled with the writing the most as I had no one to practice back home, but Haruhi was as nice as ever and helped me every now then. I shot her a grateful smile as the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. I mentally cheered. I had made it, but now, to look for a job.
My thoughts were halted as the twins came over to our table. They eyed me with the same mischievous smiles I had spat my drink out to. What? Those smiles were scarily cute, and they looked better in person than on a screen or book. I shuddered as I realized the smiles were directed at me and not Haruhi.
Oh, shit.
Before I knew it, the twins had each grasped one of my arms and whisked me off to what I presume the Host Club, chanting "a new toy, a new toy!" Haruhi trailed behind, yelling at the devil incarnates to put their senpai down, but, knowing them, her request would go unfulfilled.
Fearing a little for my life, my brain finally caught up to the situation, alerting me that I was going to meet the Host Club.
This day could not get better and worse.
They shoved me through the door, making me land on all fours due to the impact. I got up and turned around to growl at them, but a little blonde blur prevented me from doing so.
It screamed in delight, spinning me around until I landed on the floor again.
"Er, hello, Ho-" I shut my mouth, realizing I had to pretend I didn't know them or anything about their lives. "Um, aren't you in my English class?"
He nodded rapidly. "I'm Mitsukuni Haninozuka, but everybody calls me Honey! This is Usa-chan!"
"Hello, Honey-senpai, Usa-chan! I'm Gia Novoa." I greeted, pretending everything was fine.
This was going to be hard. My otaku heart was racing too fast for it to be healthy, and I had to force a blush from spreading across my face. Yeah…I was not going to make it out alive if I stayed here any longer.
"Er, it was nice meeting you, but I really have to get home! Excuse me," I said, picking myself and Honey up.
I made three huge mistakes, however, as I was exiting the Host Club. One, I forgot about the devilish twins. Two, I forgot about the other hosts, specifically a purple-eyed blonde. Three, I looked at Honey and fell victim to his brown doe eyes.
I was grabbed by the twins, refusing to let go of their toy, but they were quickly replaced by Tamaki as he yelled at them to leave "Gia-hime" alone. Then, I looked into Honey eyes, and I knew I was done for.
"Fine! I'll stay!" I exclaimed, angry Honey's eyes had such great power over me.
Only then did I take a look around, curious about the other hosts and the theme.
My eyes widened as I noticed a vase in the corner.
The Medici Valencian Vase
My heart raced anxiously, drowning the buzzing thoughts in my head as the blood rushed out of my face, leaving me very pale.
"Novoa-senpai, are you okay? You look a little pale." I heard Haruhi ask, but I was focused on the vase.
"I- um, where did you get that vase?" I countered, pointing to the vase that started it all.
"It's for our Renaissance theme today, Princess~! Isn't it radiant?" Tamaki gushed, taking my hand and leading me closer to the vase.
"It is. Er, please don't call me princess, uh…" I trailed off, pretending I had no clue who was addressing me as princess.
"I forgot my manners! Welcome to the Host Club, Gia-hime," Tamaki exclaimed, completely disregarding my request. "I am Tamaki Suoh, the king of the club~"
He began to introduce the other hosts, but was cut off by the twins.
"I'm Karou," one of them began.
"And I'm Hikaru," the other finished.
"I believe we've already met, Novoa-san," Kyoya said, giving me another polite smile as he wrote in his black notebook.
"Gigi-chan! You already know who I am, and this is Takashi, but everybody calls him Mori!" Honey enthusiastically said, pointing to Mori, who only nodded in acknowledgement.
Holy mother of Teresa.
Mori was, for the lack of a better word, gorgeous. The manga and anime did him no justice. I could practically feel my body flush at his little nod, but I squashed it down. I couldn't lose my cool now.
Realizing they had only introduced themselves, except for Haruhi as I already knew her…oh. This was going to be fun.
I innocently smiled, tilting my head cutely as I asked, "What's a Host Club?"
I listened to Tamaki's explanation, cackling madly in the inside as he fell into my trap.
I nodded in understanding, going in for the kill. They weren't open yet, but, judging from the way Kyoya kept looking at his watch, they would be open in a minute or so.
Perfect.
"If this is a club to entertain girls, then why is Fujioka-san, a girl, in it?"
I smirked. My question had done exactly what I wanted, but, before anybody could deny it, Kyoya ushered them into place.
"Welcome to the Host Club~"
Being a devil incarnate myself, I designated Haruhi to be my host. If I was forced to be here, instead of looking for a job, I was going to enjoy myself at the Host's expense.
Haruhi was unfazed, making my job much more fun. She answered all of my "girly" questions with a calm façade, making many of her other guests swoon at Haruhi's expanse girl knowledge.
"Haruhi-kun, you really understand girls," they cooed, squealing in delight with little hearts in their eyes.
She gave them a soft smile, effectively rendering their brains into mush.
Other girls began to take notice, listening into our conversation with the same girly delight.
The twins were shooting me glares and Tamaki looked depressed at the loss of some of his customers, but I just smiled, oblivious to Kyoya's fast scribbling.
I had promised myself a long time ago that I would help Haruhi pay off her debt. At that time, I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to actually do something about it, but might as well keep my promise while I'm here.
When club duties were finally over for the hosts, Haruhi thanked me, knowing her designation rates would surely go up. Tamaki and the twins, however, were not so happy, but they ignored it in favor of commenting how manly Haruhi was.
I snorted and looked at Haruhi, who confirmed she was a girl, despite the idiot trio's protests.
"Ah! Mommy!" Tamaki cried. "Gia-hime knows about Haruhi!"
I quirked an eyebrow in confusion, fully embracing my role of pretending not to know anything, before questioning Tamaki's theatrics. "Who's Mommy?"
"Judging by club positions, that'd be me," Kyoya answered smoothly, pushing his glasses up.
"Cute. So, mommy," I mocked, "What are we going to do?"
Kyoya's glasses flashed, reflecting the light of the room. I was playing a dangerous game, but I needed to be in the Host Club.
"Novoa-senpai won't reveal my gender, guys," Haruhi monotonously declared, but no one paid attention as Tamaki chose to exclaim my "punishment" at that same exact time.
"You shall be a waitress for the Host Club!"
I smiled brightly.
"Okay! Shall we clean up, so we can go home?" I asked, not bothering to wait for an answer as I began to gather some of the props.
Honey was ecstatic at my membership, quickly jumping on the bandwagon to clean. The other hosts soon relented and lent a helping hand.
