Character Info (return to original characters)

Name: Takashi "Mori" Morinozuka. Honey calls him Takashi.

Age: 17. Birthday: May 5

Height: 6'4 (192cm)

Type: The Stoic Type

Chapter 6: Ouran Gets New Students

"Yukimura… Stars…?" Haruhi tries the name out on her lips for the three billionth time. The clients had long since left, but the hosts remained thoughtfully lounging around the room. Rin sat on the couch surrounded by her… Friends? Posse? Co-workers? Haruhi hadn't quite figured out what they were.

She turns to look at Kyoya, who's sitting at his laptop and typing like a madman. Somehow, he didn't know anything about the Yukimura Stars Project, which meant that he'd been researching for the next couple hours or so until he'd be able to find credible information.

"Ah, here it is" Kyoya finally says.

"Kya!" Haruhi exclaims, startled by Kyoya's sudden outburst. He ignores her and continues to read. Nodding with finality, he shuts the laptop and turns towards the group of young people sitting at the couch.

"You're not looking at a screen anymore, so I guess you've learned what you wanted to about Daddy's project" Rin comments, meeting Kyoya's brown eyes with her own blue ones.

"Indeed" Kyoya remarks, adjusting his glasses. "It's quite fascinating, and it appears to be very successful as well."

"Well, we are living proof of its success" the one named Melissa quips, placing her hands on her hips. "I should hope we are, at least. Living, that is."

"So, are these your friends, Rin?" Tamaki asks, eyeing the good-looking group with unabashed curiosity. Rin looks around at the people who she was talking to and shrugs.

"I guess they are. I've never really thought of them as friends, since we've always just worked together in the studio. But now that I really think about it, they've treated me like friends from the start, so I guess we are."

"That was so sweet of you to say!" Melissa exclaims, hugging Rin tightly around the neck.

"I'm glad you see us that way. We've seen you as friends for quite a long time, you know" Chiyo says, fixing the bow in Rin's hair.

"Alright!" Ryuu exclaims, slapping Satoru on the back excitedly. "Did you hear that? She said we're her friends!"

"It shouldn't be that big of a deal" Rin chokes out as she attempts to untangle herself from Melissa's tight embrace.

"You honestly think it isn't?" Melissa questions, immediately letting go and tilting her head to the side.

"You have no idea how long we've been waiting for you to accept us into your life" Suzume says.

"I will admit that all of us have been anxious for this moment" Kazuki remarks. "Even Masato."

"Tch" is the white-haired jerk's only response.

"If he doesn't talk at all -" Hikaru begins.

"How is he in charge of foreign negotiations?" Kaoru finishes.

"He chooses not to talk. But he can speak several different languages" Rin says, finally able to get off the couch. "He's like a combination of Mori-senpai's stoic-ness and Kyoya's cold personality."

"I feel like that was meant to be an insult" Kyoya comments, smiling.

"Take it how you want" Rin responds.

"Is Lissa-chan going to stay here?" Honey asks, tugging on the sleeve of Melissa's white, V-neck, short-sleeved t-shirt. She looks at him and stars fill her eyes.

"What do you mean by that?" She asks gently.

"Are you going to transfer here?" Mori fills in.

"Whoa" the twins gasp in awe.

"Mori-senpai asked -" Hikaru begins.

"- her a question" Kaoru finishes. Ignoring the twins, Melissa simply shrugs, smiling up at the man who towered over her like a giant.

"I don't know. But that might not be a bad idea" she says, looking over her shoulder at Rin and winking.

"You can't be serious" Rin drones in a monotone voice.

"That's a great idea!" Suzume bursts out, jumping up and fist-pumping the air.

"I don't see why not" Kazuki adds. "It might do some good for all us."

"Agreed" Chiyo says, folding her arms over her chest and smiling.

"Hear that, Satoru? We're gonna go to school!" Ryuu says, thumping his friend on the back again.

"Maybe you'll finally be able to learn something!" Satoru teases, grinning. "Then you could actually help out with tech for Rin's shows."

"Get off" Ryuu retorts, laughing.

"I refuse." Everyone turns to look at the boy with white hair. He's leaning against the wall in the shadows with his arms folded across his chest. He looks up at everyone with glowing, lavender eyes.

"What did you say?" Melissa asks, her voice becoming a low growl. Honey takes a step back from the short girl, the twins start to tremble, and Tamaki takes cover behind Haruhi.

"I said, I refuse" Masato repeats calmly in a smooth, arrogant voice. Melissa's eyes narrow and she stalks over to him. Grabbing the pale blue scarf he wore around his neck, Melissa yanks Masato down to her level so she can look him directly in the eye.

"Kazuki is the chief manager, and I'm the leader of this little group" she says, her voice cold and commanding. Her whole demeanor had changed from warm, bubbly, and energetic to cruel and respect-demanding.

"Tch. And what are you going to do about it?" He asks, a sadistic smirk crossing his features.

"You know d**n well what I'll do" she responds. "Unless you'd like a demonstration?"

"Be my guest." The seven Hosts watch in horror as the girl who weighed no more than ninety-five pounds easily threw down the boy who was a little less than a foot taller than her. Tightening her grip on his scarf, Melissa had peeled him away from the wall, swung him around, and promptly slammed him into the ground. The Hosts stare at her with a mix of fear and wonder.

"That was amazing, Lissa-chan!" Honey finally exclaims, breaking the silence.

"Amazing? How?" Melissa asks him, tilting her head to the side. An arrow that reads "oblivious" points at her with flashing lights.

"This happens all the time" Ryuu adds, also with an arrow reading "oblivious." Rin and the rest of her stage crew nod in agreement.

"Melissa's known for her agility and strength. Not only is she extremely successful in the performance world, but she's also known to teach female self-defense classes in America on occasion" Kazuki comments, helping Masato up.

"Oh? You don't look so confident anymore" Rin remarks snidely.

"Shut it, Yukimura" he growls.

"Yukimura? You don't call her Rin?" Tamaki asks, surprised.

"Of course not. I don't care to be friendly with her."

"He never has and never will" Rin states matter-of-factly. "Well then, I'm sure you'd like for them to join as Hosts and Hostesses. Correct?"

"No" Kyoya says flatly.

"No?" Rin raises an eyebrow.

"The club is getting crowded as is. They may visit as clients of course, but I'm against their joining."

"I'm fine with that" Melissa says, shrugging. "I don't think Satoru or Kazumi could handle it anyway."

"But we'll still come by and visit every day!" Suzume exclaims.

"And we'll be attending as students from now on" Chiyo adds.

"I think the academy is about to get a whole lot louder" Haruhi says, half to herself.

I apologize that this chapter was A) Short and B) Lame. It had to be written to bridge into the next events, so please don't kill me.

~Melissa-Disney99