Well, everyone, boredom has struck YET AGAIN… so here's a new chapter.
Host Betting Tallies:
Mori- 3
Tamaki- 2
Kyoya- 2
Honey- 0
Hikaru- 0
Kaoru- 0
(c'mon, guys, isn't there anyone who wants to vote for the others?)
Reviewer Thanks
Vrukalakos: Thank you! And don't worry, Ranka will be back to… er, 'normal' soon enough, lol
Faerie Fire: True, true… hard coming up on what idea he'd use, tho. …And I love that pairing too! :D
Hunnylover: In one episode ("Honey's Three Bitter Days", English version) Tamaki mentioned that Honey's grandmother made him the stuffed bunny, so I decided to throw a bit like that in. So glad you enjoyed it! ^-^ …And yes. Cuteness always has a sneaky side. …And yes, Tamaki has to quit with the interfering! XD
KageNoNeko: Thank you, and I'll check it out :)
Gingiiie666: Cute… AND sneaky, lol
Disclaimer: No, I do NOT own the Host Club. Yes, it IS hard to admit it.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Haruhi walked down the block to her apartment, relieved that the weekend had finally arrived… which meant there were only two more days left to this ridiculous competition, and then her life would get back to normal.
…Okay, somewhat normal.
At least the weather is starting to clear up a bit, she thought, looking up at the cloudy skies, seeing a hint of sunlight peeking through the grayness. I guess I'll be getting a break for a while.
She entered the apartment, where- much to her joy- her father was home. His arm was in a cast and a couple bumps were on his head, but he still looked like the cross-dressing man she knew.
…Only, he was in men's clothes… and his hair was shorter… and he had no make-up…
"Oh, Haruhi, you're home!" Ranka exclaimed. "I was just on my way out to head to the store,"
Haruhi arched an eyebrow. "You're… going to the store… dressed like a man?" she asked, a bit surprised. Her father refused to go anywhere without his cross-dressing get-up, so the experience was new.
"Well, I AM a man, aren't I? Why would you think otherwise?"
"Um… because you're usually a cross-dresser. You work at the okama, remember?"
Ranka rubbed his head. "Do I?"
"Yeah, you're bar-name is Ranka… You sure you're feeling okay?"
"Yes, of course I am. …I just find it so strange…"
"I guess your memory is still adjusting." Haruhi sat her bag down and grabbed her handbag. "Here, I'll run to the store. You just stick around and try to reminisce, okay?"
"Alright," Ranka handed over the grocery list, and Haruhi was out the door. As his daughter walked to the store, he sat on a pillow, looking around the room… and his eyes fell upon the photograph of his wife. He picked it up, staring at it, and suddenly an old memory began to replay in his mind…
Ryoji walked down the street, keeping the shopping bags he held close to him. If anyone were to see what were in them, if one of his school-friends happened to be passing by and caught a glance… He walked faster, his eyes darting side-to-side.
He was never this nervous when it came to his 'hobby'- at least that's how his mother described it, while his father labeled it as 'a condition', believing their son was gay. He wasn't gay- he was only bisexual. Ryoji liked to dress like a girl, just to express himself- it started when he was seven, wanting to see what it was like to wear skirts and dresses and make-up, and soon he couldn't resist! It was all in good fun… until everyone started to point and laugh at him in Junior High, forcing him to dress-up in private.
He was so concerned about being caught that he wasn't watching where he was going and bumped into a woman his age, the shopping bags falling out of his arms, some of the merchandise spilling onto the sidewalk. "Agh! Sorry!" he gasped, hastily picking up his things before the woman could see.
Too late. She had picked up a tube of lipstick. "No, it's my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going…" she said, handing him the lipstick, then looked at the rest of his bags.
He jerked them away, blushing. "Yeah, uh, it's okay. Well, gotta go!"
"Hold it! …Are you that Fujioka kid I've heard so much about?"
He froze, turning white. "Um… m-maybe… See ya!" He bolted down the street, running around the corner, breathing heavily. That was TOO close! he thought.
"Excuse me."
"GAH!" he spun around, seeing that the woman had followed him. She was fast! He then began to tremble, falling on his knees. "Oh, please don't laugh at me, I know it's weird that I'm a guy and I dress like a girl, but I can't help it, I like it too much, please don't judge me!"
Then the woman laughed… but not the tormenting laugh he often heard from others, but a more friendlier one. "It's okay, I don't mind."
He stared at her, stunned. "You… don't?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. I have a couple friends who work at an okama, so it's not really that much of a shock to me." she held out her hand. "My name is Ojiama Kotoko, by the way."
"Uh… Fujioka Ryoji," He shook her hand, feeling a tingling sensation as he did so. "So… you don't mind men who dress like women, huh?"
"Not at all. I mean, some girls dress like boys, right? Why not the other way around?"
Ryoji beamed. "Finally, someone who understands!"
Kotoko then grabbed his hand. "C'mon, I'll show you that bar. We can get a couple drinks if you want, too."
He smiled, blushing. "O-Okay…"
They walked to the okama, where they sat down at a table. To Ryoji's surprise, several men, some younger than he was, were dressed- quite convincingly- as women! I've got to get some tips from these guys! he thought.
"Kotoko, darling! So nice to see you again!" said an older cross-dresser as he walked up to them, and his eyes fell on Ryoji. "Ooh, who is this hansom young man?"
"Hi, Misuzu. This is Ryoji. He's a cross-dresser, and I decided to show him the okama." Kotoko replied.
"Hello," Ryoji said, nervously.
"Oh, I'm so glad you brought him. It's been a while since we've seen a new face! Especially of a fellow cross-dresser!" Misuzu exclaimed. "You know, Ryoji, if you're interested, we have a position open."
"Eh heh, I'll think about it." Ryoji turned to Kotoko as Misuzu walked off. "Wow, I didn't know there were so many other cross-dressers. I thought I was the only one!"
"Well, once you look around, you realize there's always someone like you, if not someone who understands you," Kotoko replied, patting his hand.
He smiled in return. He had never met someone who showed such kindness to him before!
After having a drink, they left the bar, walking down the sidewalk. The sun was beginning to set, and the air was cool, and the city-lights started to brighten up the shadows… though Ryoji paid more attention to Kotoka than the scenery. She's so cool… Kotoka not only makes me feel calm, but every time our hands touch, it feels as if she's warming my soul. he thought, smiling at her. I don't think I've ever met a woman like her… and I don't think I will. She smiled back at him, and he felt his heart dance…
Ranka blinked, letting a tear slide down his face. "Kotoko…" he whispered, a small sob escaping his throat. He stood up and walked into his room, taking a glance at himself in the mirror…
0o0o0o0o0
Haruhi returned from the store. "Dad, I'm back!" she called, setting the groceries on the counter in the kitchen. "Do you want me to cook tonight, because if you're not feeling well-"
She paused, seeing her father step into the room, wearing a beautiful red dress, rouge lipstick, and golden hoop earrings. In his now-short hair was a rose hair-clip. "Let me cook tonight, Haruhi," he said, smiling. "You've already had a long day at school, so there's no need for you to put some extra work on your hands,"
Haruhi blinked. "Wow… You really underwent a complete outfit change while I was gone. What helped you?"
Ranka smiled. "Oh… something just jogged my memory of who I really am,"
In the sitting room, sunlight shined on Kotoka's picture.
0o0o0o0o0o0
A/N: Just felt like putting in a bit about how Ranka met Kotoka, all the while getting his memory back. Hope you liked!
Also, if any of you have some ideas on what kind of method Mori could use, I'm open.
Please review. Please place a bet. Please DON'T flame. ^-^