"Right this way Kyon." Mori lead the two of us across the tables to my corner where I will be conducting my hosting services. What a coincidence. It's right next to Koizumi's.

The arrangements of my corner were exactly like Koizumi's. the curved long bench that could fit around five to six people sitting side by side. The round table was set in the middle. Both of our corners were separated by a low wall like the ones dividing group tables at a fast food joint. From where I was I could easily see Koizumi from across and was close enough to talk from our respective posts.

"Where are Asakura and Nagato?" I asked Mori.

"I sent your two friends to the bar for a drink while you changed. I'll call them over." She said walking off.

I went over to my own corner to get familiar with my new work space when I was quickly grabbed by the arm. The person holding me was Mori.

"Your two lady friends give me an idea." She said dragging me away from my corner.

I was stuffed next to Koizumi in his corner. Then she took off the sign that read 'Koizumi Itsuki the Crimson Superball' and took out another sign to replace it reading 'Special Double Service Corner.' With a marker she whipped out from her pocket she quickly added a few things at the bottom,'Featuring Koizumi Itsuki and introducing Kyon, the…" the stopped writing.

"I forgot to give you a host name Kyon." Mori explained.

Aha, a host name. This might be interesting. So what was it going to be? I expect something close to 'Blue Ultra Sphere' or the like.

She took a dramatic pause to think up the name. This tension is killing me.

"Don't worry Kyon. Mori gives out all the names for the hosts here. I haven't heard of one that's below the standards so far." Koizumi assured.

"Do you like yours?"

"I'm just glad it's not what my customers call me..."

"Be proud Kyon! The fact I am bestowing this name unto you is proof that you have been accepted as an official full host here." She declared, brandishing the marker in my direction. She added the few final words that completed the new sign. She turned it over to reveal my new name.

"Behold! From today on, your host name will be-"

"KYON THE CHARMING GENERAL PERSON!!!"

"No…" I immediately replied bluntly.

"What?! I think it's great! Nobody rejects Mori's naming!" Mori yelled back.

"Can we go with something more casual sounding?"

"That is forbidden! I poured all of my heart and soul into this name! If you reject it, only death awaits you!!!"

"But really… Charming General Person?"

"Name or death?!"

"Think about it-"

"NAME OR DEATH?!"

"Name please…"

And the matter was settled concluding with Koizumi's solitary applause.

…

"But why group us together?" I asked curious what she was trying to do.

"Since it's your first day I think it would be nice if you worked with a partner so you can get a feel for the job. If you have any questions, just ask Koizumi. He'll be able to help you with what you need. The second reason is, your friend Asakura explained the reason why she followed you along. It appears that you two owe her for her very generous meal this morning. So what would be better than having a couple service for you two and the both of them?"

"I see…"

"I'll go over and call them over. You guys get ready. I'm leaving him to you Koizumi. Take care!" Mori said walking off in the direction of the bar.

"I was pretty sure you were going to pick 'death' over the name." Koizumi smiled.

"You're one to talk!"

"It appears so…"

…

"So Koizumi, you heard what Mori said. Teach me something. Just how to I keep these women entertained?" I asked taking a bottle of soda from under the table. I also handed one to Koizumi.

"I'm not exactly sure. I usually just start with a conversation." He said taking off the cap off the bottle.

"Is it really that simple?" I mean, there has to be more to it if people keep coming back for more.

"I hear that the hosts are supposed to get close to the client. You think women like hosts from the get go but they're actually trying to get to know the host and if he's the right type. In order to do that the host is supposed to give out an intimate feel to attract the customer. It takes a while and eventually if the host is right, they keep coming back and they become regulars." Koizumi said taking a sip.

"I can imagine. I don't think you're completely new to this." I chuckled. Koizumi choked on his soda, turning a shade of red similar to one of his own regulars.

"I didn't know…" Koizumi said with his head down, hiding his blush.

"What kinds of intimate methods are you familiar with? I'm so curious to know."

"Don't ask me… I'm still new to this." Koizumi sighed raising his head.

What's the point of sitting me next to Koizumi if he's new himself? Mori should've paired me up with another guy that knows what he's doing. It was then that I noticed something strange about… everything.

"Hey Koizumi, where are the other hosts? I haven't met any since we got here."

"So you've noticed." Koizumi replied casually.

"You don't sound surprised. You know something don't you? Where are they?"

"They don't exist." He bluntly replied.

"They don't? Then how the heck do you run this place without any hosts? Don't tell me you're the only one working. What about over there?" I said pointing over to the far side of the bar. "There's got to be someone around."

"Go see for yourself."

I walked around the bar searching for the other hosts. As Koizumi said there were none in sight. Now that I take a closer look there aren't any customers here either. I ran back to Koizumi.

"Alright, this is creepy. Why the heck are we the only ones in the bar?"

"Well we're not the only ones. There's Mori, Nagato, and Asakura with us."

"Do they know? I should be pretty surprised to walk into a seemingly teeming host bar and find it empty."

"Besides us who are conscious of this dimension, to them this world feels like the real thing instead of a fabricated reality."

"So you're saying that Mori, Nagato, and Asakura all believe an feel there are people in the bar?"

"Sure, we can see them, talk to them, touch them because they're the people that are we're supposed to interact with. They are 'important' in this reality. It's how they were made. No I shouldn't put it that way, it's how the illusion of the reality works. Besides the people that Haruhi feels some relevance towards, everyone else belongs to the illusion. Look back at the place you just came back from."

I stood and looked way over in the part of the bar that I thought at first was empty. Music was playing and It did feel as though there was actually a party going on at that side.

"There are people there?"

"No it's the background. If the illusion was that weak then you would be walking around empty streets, completely alone. It wouldn't be a very good imitation if there was nobody in sight. There are indeed some stronger illusions per say, the students and classmates at our school, and there are the weaker ones like the ones we see here in the bar. Just scenery to adjust to whatever setting we're in. A librarian might be able to help us borrow or take out a book, but there are some we cannot interact with like the other people in the bar. They're supposed to be there, but we are not supposed to meet or get attached."

"Did you know this from the start? Did I know this from the start?"

"I knew the conditions before I entered. You didn't know until I talked to you on the phone. I set you off from the illusion so you can better understand the type of world this was, so you wouldn't get too attached."

"Why are you so worked up about me getting attached? I'm not that desperate to live here forever. I want to get back too."

"The strength of the connections you trigger are as strong as your will to return. It's useful to know. There is another reason though…"

"What?"

Koizumi sat straight and waved across the bar.

"They're here." Koizumi pointed out.

Nagato and Asakura were approaching the table.

…

"Well look at you Kyon! All nice and dressed up I see." Asakura smiled. Nagato stared with fascination.

"Welcome ladies. This is the couple service corner, where we satisfy double the customers with double the hosts." Koizumi said coolly in his host mode. He's completely shut off everything else except business. "Please choose your host." He added.

"Right to business I see." Asakura said. She turned to Nagato. "So Nagato, who're you going to pick?"

Nagato examined both of us. Eyes narrowed, with her expression she might as well have been choosing between one of us over a burning pot of lava.

"Well... If it's that hard to choose do you mind if I start off?" She asked.

Nagato nodded and back off.

"I think I'll go with Itsuki." She smiled, sliding into the bench next to Koizumi.

"That leaves Nagato to Kyon." Asakura said. She winked at me from across Koizumi. What's that supposed to mean? Nagato joined us at the table. Entering from my side she sat next to me and leaned. Leaned very close as if she was trying to sleep on my lap.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Oh!" Asakura suddenly went. "Umm... Nagato had a bit too much to drink at the bar." She said awkwardly like a very bad actor. She tried to smile it off and hoped I'd buy it.

Nagato pressed even more into my side. I was almost leaning into Koizumi. Was she trying to tell me Nagato was drunk? Nagato moaned as such and was completely looking to me for support.

"The last time I remembered, there are no alcoholic drinks served at our bar." Koizumi said with his chin in his hand assuming one of his host positions.

The table jumped and by the looks of it Asakura had launched a kick at Koizumi, it hit it's mark. Nagato didn't notice, I sure did, Asakura was the one who kicked so she would know, Koizumi was wiping off his tears so that's obvious.

"Sorry Nagato... It didn't work out."

As expected the drunk thing was all an act. Nagato sat up straight looking disappointed.

"It is a host's job to satisfy our customers with by any reasonable means at hand. So it would be okay to do whatever you wish with Kyon here." Koizumi said, rubbing his shin under the table, trying to redeem himself.

The table jumped a second time, Nagato didn't notice, Asakura sure did, I was the one who kicked so I would know, Koizumi despite having that smile super glued to his face wiped additional tears from his eyes.

Nagato looked at me as if asking me for permission. If I said no, Asakura would come at me with a knife... I would like some more breakfast...

"It's fine." I said. Nagato once again fell over like a stiff plank and leaned onto me, I wouldn't be surprised if she fell asleep in this position right now.

…

Well what do you know... she did fall asleep, in my lap.

"My my, lucky Kyon! You should be proud Nagato would be comfortable enough to fall asleep next to you." Asakura smiled.

I didn't know how to reply. I'm open to some suggestions. I just looked down at Nagato's sleeping face.

"I might not have sensed it but it appears that you attract some very special types." She said. "I never thought Suzumiya would become this open with a person since she entered high school."

"You seem to have known her for a long time."

"Oh yes, we went to the same middle school. We were never in the same class, but I knew her from around. Barely talked to anyone."

"Don't know about strange girls, but if you want some attraction from Haruhi you better ask Koizumi."

The table jumped a third time. Asakura knew, Koizumi kicked so he would know. If I didn't know I wouldn't have dodged.

"Is that true Koizumi? Does she talk to you often?"

"Only once in a while... I didn't really know exactly who she was at the time." Koizumi managed to squeeze out from his burning red smile. If it wasn't his duty as a host he would've broken down right here and now.

"I understand what Haruhi sees in Itsuki-chan, don't make fun of him Kyon." Asakura said affectionately, closing in on Koizumi who turned even redder.

"Thank you." He squeaked covering his eyes.

Oh ho, doesn't feel so good when the client takes the lead huh? I'd expect... The deadly Asakura is not one to be underestimated. Don't compare to the shy Haruhi who softens up at the slightest mention of how nice her hair is. She's not as easy as a catch.

"Just kidding, sorry for teasing." Asakura laughed. Koizumi sighed, was it one of relief or disappointment? "It's a bit late now. We better get going. Asakura said checking the time on her phone and putting her purse over her shoulder.

She woke up Nagato and we escorted the two to the exit.

"See you at school!" Asakura waved.

"Bye Itsuki, Kyon." Nagato said rubbing her eyes.

The two left and we returned to our double service table.

We only took a few more steps when...

"Uwa! Tsuruya, why did you take me here?!"

"Did ya read the sign outside?! Double service!"

"But this is a host bar!"

"Who cares?! Double service is exactly what the two of us need! The best way to end the night if you ask me!"

I froze in my steps. Koizumi as well. They were no mere illusions.

To Our Beloved Reader: I apologize for another big delay. Since I had to move this weekend I didn't get chance at the keyboard with all the pack that needed to be done. It also to it's own time getting my computer set as well, so this week has been extremely busy.

Despite the absence of new updates I'm pleased to see that there are people continuing to read my stories as well as add this one to their alerts and etc.

The only thing putting me off is the lack of readers for my other fanfic 'Tsuruya's Bliss! Taniguchi's Melancholy'. I thought it was material good enough to do way better than it's currently doing. I'm mentioning this in the hopes that the many readers of this story might give a chance at this one as well. It's just as enjoyable and I'm sure it won't disappoint so please give it a chance.

So, with only the minor organizing needed after a move, I'm pleased to announce that I will be having plenty of time to write my stories and I that I don't expect a delay for my next chapter.

Thanks For Reading: LordPlagus777