Oddity Chapter 4
It was the next day saw Haruhi still in her, 'Apprentice-Host' stage, standing near Ayatsuri and watching the Hosts in action. Ayatsuri, on the other hand, had dragged a chair and a small table over to a corner of the room and was also observing the goings on whilst sipping at tea and typing on her laptop.
In the middle of the room, there was the blonde drama queen- I mean king, flirting ridiculously with the naïve and paying females. "Where will you take me during the summer Tamaki-kun?" a girl in a puffy yellow uniform asked with a large blush on her face.
Tamaki, who was sitting near her, delicately grabbed her chin, before replying, "Anywhere you want." Making the girl swoon. Another female eagerly moved to take her place as number one Tamaki's 'Schmooze 'Em' (1) hit list.
"What is your favorite music Tamaki-kun?" she asked, a look of blind, fangirly adoration on her moderately pretty face.
"Whatever you favor, my princess." He said, looking up at her from where he was picking up a cup of tea from a low table. She blushed like a tomato, and lost herself in her fantasies of listening to music with 'her Tamaki-sama'. Then one of the other girls surrounding shyly spoke up.
"I baked a cake today, would you please eat some?" she asked a pitifully large amount of hope in her voice, considering the question she was asking.
Tamaki leaned over closer to her, "If you feed me." He answered in a low voice.
She blushed hard, holding her dainty hands up to her cheeks and smiling goofily, "Oh my, Tamaki-kun."
Making a face at the spectacle, Ayatsuri decided to turn her attention towards the twins she scared the crap out of the other day, who were on the farthest side of the room from her little corner. Hikaru was laughing heartily, in the middle of telling a story.
"And so then, this guy formatted the data he made overnight while he was still half-asleep!" Hikaru laughed, gesturing towards his twin brother.
Kaoru interrupted, "Hikaru! That's!" he sputtered with a furious (faked) blush. But Hikaru continued with his story as one of their customer commented how cute Kaoru was.
"And he panicked and cried to me---"
"Hikaru!" Kaoru yelped in embarrassed anger. Hikaru stopped and looked over at his brother, who looked like he was about to cry. "You're so cruel… in front of everyone… telling that story." He whispered pitifully.
Hikaru looked at him with regret, "Kaoru… I'm so sorry Kaoru… it's just that you were so cute that time…"
"Hikaru!" Kaoru gasped as they held hands.
The customers around them shrieked in happiness, "Beautiful brotherly love! Kyaa!" they cried, 'squee-ing' with delight and blushes on their faces. One of the more imaginative girls fainted, a small dribble of blood making its way down her blouse from her nose.
"I don't get it." Haruhi stated uncomfortably, "Why do they like that so much?" she asked, though the question was directed more at herself than Ayatsuri. Said redhead smirked and opened her mouth to comment, when Kyouya appeared.
"Our motto is to make use of each of our characteristics to answer our customers' needs." He stated, arms crossed, his glasses flashing in the light from the chandeliers on the ceiling.
Ayatsuri gave a small grin, staring out at the lively girls and Hosts, "Tamaki's their favorite Host, isn't he?" she asked amusedly. Kyouya turned to her in surprise.
"Yes actually. How did you know?" he asked with hidden curiosity. Ayatsuri merely smiled at him.
"I guessed. He seems to be the most generic one, so the girls wouldn't have to have specific fetishes to request him." Her smile took on an impish edge, "There's also the fact that it is a simple matter to hack into your finances and see who gets the most profit." Kyouya looked a bit disgruntled, at least until she started talking about ways to gain more profit. "Did you know that you could use a different material for clothing? It's cheaper and with the same quality. You could have saved about two-hundred dollars per Host." She said, showing him a few files on her laptop as he bent to look over her shoulder in interest.
Haruhi stared at them in with a little bemusement, before deciding to interrupt before they got too absorbed in their financing. "Tamaki is the most popular?" she asked incredulously. Kyouya straightened up and adjusted his glasses as he looked at her.
"Yes. He is our best." He handed her his notebook, opened to a certain page. "Seven out of ten customers request him." He gave a polite smile, changing the subject; "You will be taking cares of the chores for a while. Run away if you want, but I have an excellent staff at home. I hope you have a passport. (2)" He stated the last one questioningly, still with the smile on his lips.
'Devil's smile.' Haruhi thought nervously, slumping in depression.
Tamaki suddenly appeared behind her, holding his chin and leaning over her shoulder. "He's right, you know. Work hard to pay off the eight million yen! You'll never be popular that way." He indicated her slumped posture.
Haruhi though, had jumped away completely ignoring his words in favor of concentrating on the fact that he had intruded her personal space… again. "Please don't do that." She said exasperatedly.
"Oh?" Tamaki asked with surprise. "This is one of my best techniques." He said.
"I'm not interested in that sort of thing." She deadpanned. "Besides. It doesn't really matter, does it? Guy, girl, or appearance… I don't understand why a club like this exists. It's what's on the inside that counts, right?"
Tamaki stared at her seriously for a moment, "Well… True…" and then his seriousness was lost to his drama. "It's barbarous! God sometimes creates humans with perfect bodies and contents. It's not that I mean to brag about it, but you need to tell yourself that, otherwise how could you live with yourself, with you looking the way you do…" he continued to ramble on, but Haruhi blocked him out, fed up.
'Argh…' she thought in irritation. 'This guy… How to say this… Troublesome? Not that word… something more like…' She made a little 'Aha!' sound. "I know!" she said. Tamaki turned to her.
"Oh, you've understood?" Tamaki asked peppily.
"It's annoying."
Tamaki stared at her with wide eyes, before retreating to a clear place on the floor and crouching there to sulk. Then the twins came up and started congratulating her and patting her on the back of her head. Ayatsuri narrowed her eyes at them, not that they could see behind her sunglasses. She still didn't like the twins that much.
She watched as they remarked about how Haruhi was a 'commoner with a lot of nerve' after all. Then Haruhi awkwardly called to Tamaki, subconsciously curtseying, "Ah… Souh-senpai…"
"King." He interrupted. She stared at him quizzically. "I go by that here." He stated.
"Alright, Kin…?" Haruhi started to say, but trailed off as other Hosts blatantly called him almost anything but 'king'. The girls were distracted from the pitiful sight as Mori walked in, carrying Hani on his back.
"Sorry we are late!" Hani said happily as Mori piggybacked him over to where their customers were waiting. The uniformed girls squealed happily and called the seniors' names. "I fell asleep while I was waiting for Takashi's other club activity to be over." Here he paused to rub his watering eyes blearily. "I'm still kinda sleepy." He mumbled. The girls surrounding the two giggled at his cuteness, while Ayatsuri watched them with softened eyes behind her sunglasses.
Soon though, the Hosting session was over, and Haruhi was dragged off by Tamaki to learn more meaningless Host mannerisms. Ayatsuri walked over to supervise the lesson to make sure that Tamaki didn't do something too stupid. She effortlessly caught Tamaki's hand as he went to smack Haruhi on the head for putting a glass down without cushioning it with her pinky finger. "Hit Haruhi and I'll hit you harder." She said in a pleasant tone. Tamaki shrunk away fearfully while Haruhi sweat-dropped.
Then, the lessons were done and Ayatsuri and Haruhi were on their way back to the apartment complex after saying goodbye to some of the more agreeable Hosts. "So did you like your etiquette lesson?" Ayatsuri asked blandly as she made a sharp turn on the road with her Tempest. She pushed down on the gas petal, swerving around a few slow-going cars. Haruhi didn't bother answering; she just hung onto the hanging bar on the ceiling of the car as Ayatsuri made another tight turn, hugging the curb a bit too closely for the brunette's tastes.
When they arrived in the apartment complex's parking lot, Haruhi gratefully stumbled out of the car and wobbled her way up the steps towards her apartment, Ayatsuri following her until they reached the door to the redhead's residence. "Have a good evening Ru-chan." She stated, smiling as she shut the door.
I-am-a-line-don't-mind-me-I-am-just-dividing-the-story
The day after, when school was done, Ayatsuri was once again observing from the corner, though she didn't pay as much attention as she did the day before. Haruhi was out getting groceries for the Hosts, mainly coffee. The redhead was pretty sure that the rich kids didn't count on the fact that Haruhi didn't have the same mentality as them, and would probably buy the cheapest stuff in the store.
Ayatsuri checked her watch thoughtfully, ignoring the 'kyaa'ing (3) from the customers at their respective Hosts' actions. 'It's about time Haruhi got back from the store. I hope she remembered to get me that specific brand of drink that I asked her for. And those cakes from that awesome bakery.' But before, Ayatsuri could start salivating at the thought of donuts, she heard a remark that she didn't like the sound of.
"Tamaki-sama, I heard about it. I heard you were taking care of the kitty with no pedigree." A girl said in a semi-disdainful tone.
"Yeah… it's pretty sad to be called a kitty. But you can't leave the worrisome alone, right?" Tamaki said with a charming smile as roses appeared out of nowhere and surrounded him.
Just then, Haruhi walked through the door, carrying a big, brown, paper bag filled to the brim with groceries. Tamaki turned towards her, "Oh, thank you for buying the things little piggy. Did you find everything okay?" he asked carelessly.
Haruhi looked a bit miffed at the nickname and the subsequent snort of laughter from her friend that it caused, but otherwise ignored him and started to set out the groceries on a side table. But as she set out the coffee, Tamaki blinked in confusion. "What is this?" he asked inquisitively, picking up the small, plastic container of instant coffee that the brunette had bought.
"Coffee. It was one of the items on the note." She answered blankly, wondering why he didn't know since he was the one who wrote the list of items she was to buy.
"Is this already ground?" he asked. "I've never seen this brand."
Haruhi blinked. "No, it's an instant one."
"Instant?" Tamaki said. "Ooh!! Isn't this the one peasants made? That is you pour hot water on, it's ready to drink?" he asked in excitement. Ayatsuri watched in a amusement as all the Hosts crowded around him, wanting to get a look at the small item, making comments.
"I see… So this is the rumored peasants'…" Kyouya muttered contemplatively.
"So it's true that poor people don't even have time to grind beans?" Hikaru asked in awe.
"Such lovely wisdom from peasants." Kaoru added on to his brother's statement.
"I wanted to try it once. Peasants' coffee." Hani said dreamily.
Haruhi watched the proceedings in disbelief and irritation. "I'll go buy the right one! I'm sorry it wasn't the expensive coffee beans that you usually use!" she snapped.
"No, it's okay. I'll drink it!" Tamaki said with stars in his eyes.
"Ooh Tono, you have courage!" Hikaru said with a smirk.
Kaoru was more occupied with the price. "It's only three hundred yen for one hundred grams of coffee! That's cheaper than a single cup!" he said, surprised.
Ayatsuri could just imagine her childhood friend swearing at them in her mind. She got up to walk towards the irritated brunette, but stopped when she heard the demeaning girl from before saying something more. "They are playing around too much. There is no way that it suits their taste." She said the last part contemptuously.
Haruhi turned to her, not having noticed her there before. "Huh?" she asked, only having half-heard the scornful comment.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just talking to myself." The girl said with a fake smile.
"O…kay?" Haruhi said to herself, but then Tamaki started to call her over.
"Haruhi! Come make us some peasant's coffee for us!" he exclaimed gleefully. When she turned to him, he said, "Everyone's waiting for you." And gestured to the customers and Hosts lined up.
"Eh?" Haruhi said, bemused. She didn't notice that the derisive girl was twitching in disbelief and anger, though Ayatsuri did.
'Hmmm… is she a threat to Haruhi…? Well, even if she isn't, I still don't like her. Maybe I could call in some friends in to take care of her… or maybe just do it myself…' she thought the last part with an evil smirk on her face, which was spotted by Haruhi.
Haruhi scrambled for a something to distract her friend from whatever nefarious deed she was thinking of, "Ah! Tsu-chan, will you come help me make the coffee? Then you can have your tea and donuts." she added the last part as a bribe. Ayatsuri snapped out of her progressively more violent thoughts and slunk her way over unenthusiastically to help make the coffee.
Soon, they had made enough for everyone that wanted to try it, and Ayatsuri moved off to a table near a window with her favorite Chai tea (4) and a glazed bun. She settled down into a cushiony chair, squirming a little until she was comfortable, and started one of her favorite hobbies. Watching people and their reactions to everything. It was one of the reasons that she was the leader of the toughest gang at her old school. She was very observant and had a sharp mind, able to some up with escape routes, or revenge plots on a seconds notice.
Quickly, she snapped out of her reminiscing, the only outward change being the clearing of her slightly clouded eyes, to continue observing, or would have if Kyouya hadn't walked up beside her.
"You're not one to get in the thick of things are you?" he asked with a smirk, looking down at her seated form from his standing height.
She tilted her head at him, no expression on her face. "Oh I can if I want too. Right now though, there is more to be gained from just observing the…" she trailed off as she noticed two girls off to the side, set apart from the rest of them. Reddish-black eyes narrowed behind her sunglasses as she noticed that one of them was that girl she didn't like. The other one was bearing a worried expression, gazing at Tamaki as if he had lost his mind, and had an unconsciously submissive posture towards the other girl.
The only snippets of their conversation she caught were, "Tamaki-sama… crazy… Ayanokouji-no-kimi? (5)" from the subservient girl and, "Only… polite… peasant… kindness… problem… dealt with." Ayatsuri's hand subconsciously went to the small knife holster inside her right sleeve (6) in anger as she pieced together the conversation.
'This… Ayanokouji needs to be kept an eye on.' She thought, before going back to watching Haruhi like a hawk. Kyouya had also noticed and was thinking along the same lines, but did not bring it to attention, instead going back to their conversing with the seated girl.
"What is it that you are drinking?" he asked curiously, "It isn't coffee, or tea." he stated after delicately sniffing the scent of her drink.
Ayatsuri gave a small grin. "It's Chai, my favorite drink of all time. It's very sweet and relatively cheap to buy. I asked Haruhi to get it for me when Tamaki sent her to get groceries."
Kyouya nodded and scribbled something down in his notebook, probably about the possibilty of having Chai tea as a optional drink for the customers. He then noticed Ayatsuri looking at something specific, and he turned curiously, only to find her watching Haruhi interact with the Hosts. "They have no idea that she is a girl, do they?" the redhead asked him in amusement.
Kyouya smirked, already having known that from looking up her school ID. "Not a clue."
A few minutes after that, the Hosting session was done for the day, and so, the two non-feminine girls, after Ayatsuri bid farewell to the seniors and her black-haired classmate, walked out of the Third Music Room and through the halls of Ouran in the direction of the exit. Haruhi had made Ayatsuri walk with her to school instead of driving because of the redhead's driving style. It made her regret not having a driver's license yet every time she had to get in the passenger seat with Ayatsuri driving. And so, with much whining and clinging to her car from Ayatsuri, they had walked to school.
Haruhi had been discreetly observing her friend, and saw the absentmindedness and her hands drifting towards her knives, so she finally decided to speak up, "What's bothering you Tsu-chan?" she asked cautiously, not wanting to provoke her red-haired friend.
Ayatsuri blinked behind her sunglasses, before giving Haruhi an answer that she knew would put the brunette off asking anymore questions, "Oh nothing… just thinking that maybe I might have some guys to… incapacitate if they touch you anymore…" she trailed off purposely, watching Haruhi's eyes widen, before she started to power walk, leaving behind her friend, who was strolling along at a lazy pace.
Ayatsuri chuckled softly as Haruhi was soon nowhere to be seen, probably already walking home by herself instead of waiting for her. 'Hmmm… do I have anything to do at home today?' Ayatsuri thought absently. 'If Haruhi doesn't need a ride and is already going to the apartment complex without me, I could do something a little more interesting instead of going directly home.' A small smirk made its way to her face as she decided, and she turned at the next random intersection in the halls, intent on exploring the school.
I-am-a-line-dividing-this-chapter-from-the-author's-note
Author's Note:
Okay, sorry that this chapter took so long. I got lazy. '-.- But, now this story is officially over 10,000 words! –Gives cheesy grin-
(1): About this… I don't really know. I just always imagine Tamaki as some cheesy schmoozer guy, I suppose. Heheh.
(2): Meaning that he'd run her out of Japan.
(3): You know what I mean here right? That annoying fangirls squeal that threatens to pierce your eardrums every time you hear it.
(4): If you haven't ever had this stuff, try it! It's awesomely awesome! –Drools-
(5): '-no-kimi' is an old fashioned, but noble way of saying '-san'
(6): She's a bit more violent than most girls, in case you didn't notice. That gang that I mentioned in the first chapter is a bit more intimidating than just a group of pranksters who throw teachers into manure piles. That just happens to be the thing they got blamed/caught doing.