The days following the Circus Caper were fairly normal. We agreed to not talk about it around school, to avoid any bad vibes of the Host Club (Kyoya's words, not mine.) I only told Misora and Chiyo that there was 'a small problem and Haruhi was perfectly fine.' Which wasn't the whole truth, but not necessarily a lie.
True to his word, Kaoru hadn't told Hikaru about my being a girl. Nor did he tell anyone else, for that matter, which I was extremely thankful for. He talks to me more casually now, but not enough so that anyone will notice a significant change in our relationship.
Honami and Rituko became concerned with the Host Club, or, namely, me being in it. I couldn't blame them. We'd already been concerned with the police twice, not to mention my heart attack. I told them everything would be fine, but I still think they're concerned about me, very much so. Unsurprisingly, Mother was not concerned. She told my siblings that if the Host Clubt turned into too much off a hassle, I would quit by myself. That's the kind of person Mother is: she doesn't concern for anyone if they can take matters into their own hands. That's why I love her.
To my surprise, we would be going to the beach today. The beach is one of my favorite places in the world, and I haven't gone since the summer. I was disappointed, however, that I wouldn't be able to go swimming. I'd probably only be able to go into the water a few feet, up to my calves. I considered wearing a full-body swimming suit, but executed that idea, knowing the swimming suit would be too tight and would show off what little curves I had.
I found out that I didn't actually need to be disappointed. We wouldn't be going into the water, after all. We were actually going on a yacht owned by the Ootoris, and we would be returning at around eight o'clock. So, after physical education, I decided to wear a sky blue jacket made out of polyester pique, as well as a pair of leather sandals and plaid shorts colored white, beige, deep grey, and lion.
Before I can push open the door to Music Room #3, two sets of arms take mine and pull me down the hall.
"We're taking our limousine to the beach," the twins tell me as they turn a corner, dragging me between them. They're both wearing black-and-red shorts and white polo shirts.
I attempt to stand, but only end up stumbling. I sigh, "May I walk on my own?"
"Nah, this is too fun," They respond with their signature Cheshire-cat smiles.
They drag me all the way down the stairs, through the halls, and finally outside to their limousine. They threw me inside like a rag doll, causing me to land on the rubber floor. Climbing inside, they pull me up into the leather seat between them like a child.
"So is this your first time on a yacht?" They ask me as the limousine moves forward smoothly.
"Yes," I answer, buckling my seatbelt.
"Doesn't your family own one?"
"No. We've never needed one."
They gawk. "Never ne-?!" They cut off in groans, holding their foreheads in their palms. "You're a lot like Haruhi, sometimes, you know?"
"I don't see any false logic in that," I tell them, "Why should you buy something expensive if you're never going to need it?"
"Because you can," they answer, as if it's completely obvious why.
"I apologize if I'm being rude, but there is absolutely no logic in that answer."
"In the words of our grandfather, 'There's no need for logic if you have money to make up for it.'"
"I take it your grandfather was very wealthy?"
"So wealthy he had a different house for every day of the week." They smirk at me, winking.
I sigh at that. Very much expected.
It's a beautiful day to spend at the beach, or on a yacht, for that matter. The sand's so white it's almost like snow. The aquamarine sky above is clear, part for a few fluffly small clouds that speckle it. The sun's high above, making the robin egg blue water glimmer. The air smells of salt and barbecuing food. People are splashed across the sand, either tanning, swimming, building sandcastles, collecting shells, or playing volleyball. A wooden dock stretches out into the water, leading to a large white yacht at the end. The Ootoris' yacht is so large it looks like it could actually be a cruise. 大鳥 is written in gold at the bow.
"See?" The twins tease as we head for the harbor, our feet kicking up small bits of sand as we walk down the wooden boardwalk. "You can do things with money."
"But is this a necissity?" I inquire, pulling down my jacket sleeve to cover my HRD from the salty mist.
"Absolutely."
I shouldn't have asked.
As we reach the end of the harbor, I can make out the other Hosts waiting for us. Honey is raving about how much he loved boat rides, Mori's completely silent, Kyoya (as usual) is writing in his black notebook and Tamaki's lecturing Haruhi on what to do in case the yacht sinks.
"And remember to put on the life jacket correctly. If you don't you'll either drown or you'll choke t-" Tamaki stops short as he sees us approaching. He bursts into a huge grin. "There you three are! We've been waiting!" He's dressed in a short-sleeved white shirt patterned in leaves and flowers, with khaki shorts and sandals.
"We had to pick up Kosuke before we got here," the twins reply. "Can you believe that he only thinks you should buy stuff if you need it?"
"There is perfect logic in that," Haruhi says, raising an eyebrow at them. She's wearing a simple yellow hoodie with green plaid shorts.
"I appreciate it," I tell her, and she smiles.
"Is that everyone?" Tamaki asks Kyoya, still beaming.
Kyoya looks inside his black notebook and answers, "Yes. Everyone who signed up is here and accounted for." Kyoya is clad in khaki shorts and a polo shirt striped navy blue and white.
So is that something he writes in his notebook?
"Alright men, everyone on board!" Tamaki walks up the wooden stepping ladder that leads up to the yacht like an army soldier.
"Let's go, Takashi!" Honey grabs Mori's hand and pulls him up the ladder. As always, Honey looks adorable, dressed in a orange polo shirt, jean shorts, and an olive beach hat. Mori is dressed older, in a teal button-up and knee-long khakis.
"Is this your first time on a boat?" Haruhi asks me as we walk in step up the ladder, the salty breeze making our hair waver madly.
"I went fishing in a small one when I was younger. But I've never been in a large one before."
"Me neither," Haruhi tells me as we step onto the yacht's wooden flooring. "I'm hoping it's going to be fun." Then, with a small drop of sweat rolling down her temple, she adds, "But knowing our luck with the Host Club, we'll probably end up like the Titanic."
I smile a bit. "I'm sure it'll be fun up until that point."
"Like the Titanic," Haruhi nods, and we chuckle.
The next two hours were very fun, as a matter of fact.
The customers spent their time tanning, shuffle boarding, sitting in the small movie theater, dining in the catered seafood hall, swimming in the on-deck pool, or the spa. The Hosts were stationed in different areas and activities: Haruhi in tanning (though she did none), Hikaru and Kaoru in the movie theater, Honey and Mori in the dining hall (so Honey could eat as many cakes as possible), Tamaki in the spa, Kyoya in the pool, and myself in shuffle-boarding. Customers changed Hosts periodically so they could experience every activity as well as every Host.
I take my tang and push it against the blue weight in front of me. It slides across the polished wooden deck, stopping in the 3 area.
"Nice one, Kosuke!" Misora cheers from behind me. Today, for the special occasion, she's dressed in an apple green bikini with a maize cover-up designed in deep pink lillies. Her long, light aurburn hair falls in silky waves down her waist. She and I are on the same team, and so far, we're in the lead.
"I appreciate it," I give her a small smile, brushing my wind-blown, platinum blond bangs out of my eyes.
"I thought you said you've never played before," Chiyo gives me a playful glare. Chiyo is dressed in a one-piece, blue-gray swimsuit with cerulean straps. Like Misora, she has a cover-up on, but hers is red-violet and decorated in gold boho designs. She's on the opposite team, playing with a pretty blond named Shigemi.
"I haven't, you have my word," I tell her with a chuckle. "It's just a very extreme case of beginner's luck."
Misora, Chiyo, Shigemi, and the girls watching us laugh.
Suddenly, there's a soft wailing sound that makes everyone silent. There's a slight rumble beneath our feet, and the water bubbling behind the propellers begins to move unevenly, calming and bubbling and calming again.
"Is something wrong?" Misora asks.
"Perhaps there's engine trouble?" I offer as the wailing continues.
"Isn't that really dangerous?" Chiyo asks, eyes flashing in worry. The girls around us begin to murmur in concern, some looking a bit scared.
"Why don't I go talk to the captain?"
The girls sigh in relief. Misora asks, "Are you sure you wouldn't mind?"
"Of course not," I assure her with a small, comforting smile. "You can choose someone to replace me while I go talk to him."
Misora nods, and I hand her my tang before walking across the deck to the bridge.
It took me a good ten minutes to find the bridge, given the yacht's large size and neverending rooms. Luckily, the constant maps and common logic that the bridge would be near the front helped.
When I find the bridge, I push the swinging door open. The room has polished wooden floors, and the little walls that showed were azure, framed in gold wood. An unbelievably large control panel curves around the front of the bridge, covered in endless buttons, dials, and switches, as well as one large steering wheel. The captain of the yacht is standing in front of the wheel, dressed head to toe in a white uniform, complete with a black-billed hat and gold embroidery. I take notice in the fact that he's moving from dial to dial a bit quickly.
"Excuse me?"
The captain turns to me, and I get a batter look at his face. He has deep, persian blue eyes and a large nose. His jet black hair is thick and unthinning, and it connects to a bushy beard that's turned gray in the chin. "Oh, 'ello there, sonny. What can I help yeh with?"
"I apologize for barging in on you, sir, but there was an odd...occurance near the propellers and the guests were worried," I tell him with a bow.
"No need fer apologies," the captain waves with a hand, switching yet another dial. I can hear him mumble a curse.
"So I trust that everything is well?"
"Well..." the captain pauses, taking off his hat to run a hand through his hair, making it tousle. "I 'tink there might be some steam trouble down in the engine room."
"I see." I pause for a moment, then I ask, "Is there any way I may be of assistance?"
"No, a caurse not," the captain waves his hands in unison dismissal. "I'm not supposed ter waste the guests' time."
"But I'm volunteering, sir. I'd be happy to help."
"Well...If yeh could help me check downstahrs while I stahp the boat fer a minute, I'd greatleh appreciate it."
"Of course, Mr..."
"Kiyoshi Ehime, at yer service." The captain takes off his cap, placing it over his heart and bowing.
"I appreciate it, Mr. Ehime."
"You don't have ter call me mister, sonny."
"Yes, sir, Captain Ehime."
Captian Ehime sighs, and then says, "Well, let's go check out tha' engine room. We ain't gettin' any yanger."