Lady Grey

Chapter Ten: The Shadow Queen's Admirer!

"But Kyouya-sama, I thought Lady Grey was your fav-"

"My father doesn't pay you to think!" Kyouya suddenly snapped, and the entire Ootori Family looked up quickly from their breakfast, Kyouya glaring down the poor maid who stood trembling with teapot in hand. The youngest Ootori turned away, folding up the napkin in her lap before chucking it onto the dining table. She rose from her seat, shoving the chair in with a flutter of her school uniform. She hoisted her satchel up, looking to the maid for a moment before heading off. "Nevermind."

"Kyouya," Her brother Akito began, but was cut off by his little sister's sudden outburst:

"Why is this house always out of everything but Lady Grey?!"

And Kyouya slammed the large double doors to her house shut as she headed outside for school.

The ride to school was long, or so it seemed. Kyouya bit out a reply to the driver, who sensed she was in a bad mood and remained silent for the rest of the journey. The young woman stared out the window, catching her ash-brown eyes in its reflection, even when she tried to focus on the outside world. In hindsight, she shouldn't have snapped at the maid. It wasn't her fault that Lady Grey was turning out to be the bane of her existence. The sight of it, the smell of it... it made her nauseous, as all Kyouya could think about was that flashback she saw, of her... him!, in the hospital...

She released a heavy sigh, lifting a hand up to her forehead. Her mind was jumbled with thoughts.

Which is the real world? Is it this one, or the one where I'm dying...?

Was she really a woman? Or was he a man?

And regardless of the answer...

I'm in love with Tamaki. Kyouya stared down at her knees in thought, and the phrase rolled over her head a thousand times over. Did it matter? Whether man or woman, they were completely incompatible. And now, with her father dangling marriage, deceit, and family honor over her head, even though she did love him, it was...

"It's impossible.." Kyouya murmured thoughtfully, eyes on the passing scenery outside. "Incomprehensible. A foolish notion.

"...What is Otousama thinking?"

...How many times had she wondered that?

Kyouya let out another sigh. First thing was first. Today was a Host Club day, so she would need to be on her toes and not allow her thoughts to wander. The clients were becoming more persistent on obtaining the boy's time... she's have to come out with an inventive way to deter their attentions and string them along for a little longer.

"Perhaps I should create some more downloadable content..." Kyouya murmured, and her black leather book was already out, a pen procured seemingly out of nowhere as she twirled it delicately in her fingers, going straight to writing her ideas down. "Or maybe another photoshoot is in order. I'll have to ask the Photography Club if they can book an opening for us..."

And second...

...She would apologize to the maid, once she got home.

Lady Grey.

The girls were certainly swooning today, Kyouya noted, which meant it was a perfect time to sell some product. At the moment, the young woman was sitting on her knees before a low table, dressed in a regal black kimono with golden speckles across the front, a matching golden obi flush against her abdomen in a fine flower bow at the back. At the moment she was jotting something down in her black ledger, always looking the part of a proper businesswoman, even in the feudal era.

Tamaki was currently entertaining the guests as he should, which Kyouya was glad for. He was getting into his period drama role, wearing a ponytail extension in his hair that trailed down one shoulder. Tamaki sat, flanked by the many girls who had come to see him.

The twins were busy, as well as Honey and Mori, who both were looking good in their costumes. Kyouya made a note to send a thank you gift to the Hitachiin twins' mother, for the kimono rentals.

...Speaking of kimono rentals...

Kyouya heard the tale-tell sound of clomping geta, and she glanced to the side to see Haruhi walking over, almost swaddled in her kimono with all the fabric trailing from it. Kyouya's brows lifted a bit, watching as the brown-haired boy-poser came over.

"Hey, Kyouya-senpai," Haruhi greeted. "You look really nice in that kimono."

"Thank you, Haruhi," Kyouya spoke, and a small smile flit on her face. "You look very handsome yourself... though, the rental fee on that kimono is nothing to sneeze at."

Haruhi's face blanched.

"Don't worry," Kyouya added, turning back to her ledger. "I won't charge you interest like I normally would; I think a flat rate is quite enough for you."

She must have seemed like some heartless tax collector, by the look on Haruhi's face. However, a few girls who attended the Host Club event walked over, moving past the stunned brunette.

"Hello, Kyouya-senpai," One of the girls greeted. Ever since the incident with Hana, nothing unsavory had transpired between she and the rest of the female population. It seemed now, everyone was certain that Kyouya was just Tamaki's friend, and that was it. She was no threat in the realm of romance. Kyouya, while relieved, wasn't exactly sure how to feel, now that she had come to her own conclusion about how she felt about Tamaki. "I was wondering... are you planning to release anymore picture books of the Host Club?"

Kyouya offered an amiable smile. "Unfortunately, we don't have anything planned as of yet, Princesses."

The Hitachiin twins peeked over from behind a highly decorative yellow screen. "But doesn't the Host Club make a lot of money with the sell of promotional items?"

"Well yes," Kyouya stated, looking to them. "But the pictures were of very low quality; nothing but amature hidden camera shots. However..." And she reached up, pushing up her glasses. "If we want to create some higher-quality money-making products..."

And already, Kyouya was fiddling around with a calculator she had pulled out from the folds of her kimono. "I'm afraid we'd have to draw money from the school's budget. Hm..."

Haruhi glanced over at Kyouya, looking the woman over for a moment before shaking her head. She started heading towards the rest of the group. Kyouya finished up her own calculations, and, upon hearing Tamaki's incessant exclamations of romance, rose elegantly from her table, walking over with ledger in hand.

Kyouya was about to make a quip that Tamaki was sexual embarrassing Haruhi again, however before she could make fun of her best friend, Tamaki's royal-blue gaze shot to the side, at the entrance. Kyouya and the rest of the Host Club glanced over, only to see what looked to be a girl peeking around the doorway.

The twins took off towards her, exclaiming about a new guest. Tamaki, however, was quick to rush over as well, instantly berating them for their brash behavior. The rest of the Host Club watched, but Kyouya, however...

This girl... Kyouya's eyes narrowed slightly behind her glasses. Where have I...?

"GET AWAY FROM ME YOU PHONY!"

Kyouya's attention snapped back to Tamaki, who was backing away from the screaming girl who had smacked him right in the face. The blond covered his face, tears brimming at the corners of his eyes.

"Ph-phony..?! Tamaki exclaimed. "Wh-what do you mean...?!"

"Just what I said!" And the girl stepped out of the shadows; a cute, honey-blond lady with matching amber eyes. She pointed accusingly towards Tamaki. "You're a phony!

"I find it hard to believe that someone like you is the 'Prince' character of this Host Club!"

Tamaki made a noise. Kyouya's frown only deepened in thought as the newcomer continued, "You shouldn't go spreading your love around so easily you stupid! You must be a dim-witted narcissist!" As the honey-haired girl spoke, Kyouya could almost see Tamaki being pierced through the heart with her harp words. "You're incompetent! You're a commoner! You're disgusting!"

Tamaki dramatically spun around, fainting towards the floor. Kyouya glanced down at him, before looking up, now getting a clear view of the girl who was brave enough to insult one of the most beloved idols in school.

Amber and ashen-brown met. Suddenly, the name snapped into Kyouya's head, and the black-haired woman's eyes widened a touch. "Ah... you're..."

Renge's eyes shot open wide, welling with tear of joy as they landed on the girl before her. "Oh, oh my God! It's you! It's really you!" She ran across the floor, trampling over Tamaki before throwing herself in Kyouya's arms. The young woman caught Renge as the honey-haired girl grasped tight to her waist in a hug. "Kyouya! My one and only~!"

Kyouya's expression was unreadable as she held onto Renge, who was suddenly burying herself in Kyouya's soft chest. The Host Club stared with shocked expressions... but in reality? No one was more surprised than Kyouya herself. It only further made her wonder...

This life...

...Which was the true reality?

Lady Grey.

Renge sat across from the Host Club after the session closed. Everyone had changed back into their school uniforms. Introductions were in order...

...But Kyouya already knew who she was.

"My name is Renge Houshakuji," The honey-haired girl spoke, a pleasant smile on her face. Her hands were folded elegantly in her lap. "And I just transferred here to Ouran Academy."

Kyouya stared back at the other girl with ashen-brown eyes. Now... Kyouya had some insight into this already. She quite remembered something similar to this already, in the other life. Rnge had been attracted to he—him, due to the fact that he resembled an otome game character in the dating simulation Uki Doki Memorial. She was the daughter of an important business partner of the Ootori family... so now, on to of winning over Tamaki...

She was another issue altogether.

This time, however, Kyouya wasn't a boy. Surely, the fact that his gender was modified in this world, whichever one was true, would have some sort of influence as to how things would play out.

"So Kyouya," And Renge was on her feet, pushing Tamaki out of her way as she took a seat beside the other woman. "I heard you were one of the starting founders of this Host Club; is that true?"

Kyouya glanced over to her. "Yes, that's correct. While Tamaki is ultimately in charge, I handle the club's finance reports and overall expenditure. The background work, if you will."

"You're so amazing!" Renge leaned into Kyouya. "And so beautiful, too. You must be so talented... managing all of these stupid boys probably takes its toll on you!"

The conversation was going a little differently. It was to be expected. At least Renge wasn't going around proclaiming that Kyouya was her fiancee or anything like that. The eyes of the Host Club was all on her, waiting to hear her answer. "...They can be pests."

"Kyouya!" Tamaki exclaimed, eyes wide. The raven-haired beautiful ignored his protests, but the twins also did their own exclamation. Renge, however, seemed pleased with the answer.

"As I thought!" And Renge stood. "That's it! Effective immediately, the Host Club is now under new management!" And she spun towards them, the soft folds of her pastel-yellow dress fluttering with every movement. "I think it's about time...

"That Kyouya gets a well-deserved vacation from all of you!"

There was an audible gasp from the Host Club (excluding Mori, who just stared blankly ahead). Kyouya, who had been sitting poised on one of the couches, just stared with a stunned expression on her face. Yes...

...This was definitely different... from what she remembered.

And so in one fell swoop, Renge Houshakuji was the new Host Club manager.

The Host Club, as they parted Music Room #3, all seemed a bit anxious. Renge was walking along with Kyouya as they exited, chatting the woman up about all the ideas she had in mind. Tamaki trailed hurriedly after, eyes wide with fear as he attempted to gain Kyouya's attention. Haruhi made her escape to get back home. Honey and Mori, like Haruhi, abandoned ship in favor of heading to their own driver.

"This could be interesting," Hikaru commented, and he tossed his satchel against his shoulder, walking towards their driver that had just pulled up. Kaoru glanced to his twin. The other boy pressed his lips together thoughtfully, before glancing over towards the three figures of Tamaki, Renge, and Kyouya that parted off in another direction.

Kyouya's black hair was shiny. Her dress kicked about in the breeze outside, ruffling around her calves. Kaoru watched her for a moment, amber eyes surveying the Host Club's Shadow Queen in contemplation.

...But in the end, he turned away, heading into the car with Hikaru.

Thank you for being patient with me! This chapter was short, but I promise the next one won't take as long to come out. Just wanted to update and keep the story moving... I promise I'm still here!

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