The host club members sat in the music room after school, silently awaiting what information Kyoya had to shar with them. Not only did they have no clue, Rin was involved as well. He had told the twins to make sure she was brought to the meeting along with Zaina to hear what had to be said. Haruhi knew there was nothing dangerous from her being there, but the express orders from Kyoya are what troubled her. He was back to work as the Shadow King once more.
Though he never really stopped if you think about it…he tends to throw curve balls when you least expect it. I wonder what could be the big news this time though. Didn't look like Rin knew and Zaina's as clueless about this as much as the rest of us. She frowned a little as she pondered the endless possibilities of why they were summoned together. She looked around the room once more to see if they were waiting on someone just as Takashi walked in with a drowsy Mistukini in his arms. Settling the small blonde into a seat, he sat next to him silently and looked straight ahead to the doors on the other side of the room where Tamaki and Kyoya appear from as if on cue at the final arrivals.
"Good, we're all here." Tamaki grinned with his usual exuberance. "It's come to my knowledge that Rin's sister-in-law will be writing an article about our lovely Ouran Academy and our Host Club will be focal point as well. This is our chance to reach the hearts of the many commoners and give them some of our luxurious world in which they are no able to partake in!"
"Yes, we will be a highlight in the article. It seems our club is known in more than just the school alone. Word of our club has caught the attention of the female students in various schools in the area ranging from rivaling institutions to commoner institutions." Kyoya spoke frankly, briefly glancing down at his notebook and adjusted his glasses.
"They lack Host Clubs of their own, so they seek to know more of us, their idols!" Everyone knew the blaze of determination was lit in their president and nothing would be able to stop him and whatever idea that was to come next. Haruhi could already feel the headache this would be causing as Zaina stared blankly at the other members.
"They don't have Host Clubs? What? Then what do they do after class? What's the point of school?" Kaoru asked, raising his hand into the air. Haruhi's eyebrow twitched at this.
"What about the best-looking guys in their schools…do they just do nothing? Is there no sense of ranking?" Hikaru added in, shooting his hand up into the air as well. The corner of Zaina's mouth twitched as he tacked on to the thought.
"Tragic, isn't it? Ladies, forsaken by those with good looks and wealth! It's a crime that we must correct!" Tamaki nodded his head sternly as Mitsukini joined in the horror of such news. The forkful of cake that was perfectly poised to enter his mouth was long forgotten as the metal clattered on the porcelain. Both girls looked at the dramatic blond with blanks stares in hopes to avoid showing their real reactions towards their reactions.
"They don't have a Host Club?! But, but what about having tea and cake! Do they not eat delicious cake after school?" He turned to his cousin with his watery eyes to see the silent giant was off put by this information by the slight furrow of his brows.
They think not having a Host Club is abnormal…I just, I don't…welcome to the lifestyles of the rich and famous. She sighed, glancing over at Haruhi and see that she too was equally exhausted by this overdramatic response. A lot of places lack a Host Club…in fact a Host Club is something people go to when and just want company instead of being alone for an evening. Like renting a boyfriend or girlfriend for a date.
"They really don't have a lot of things we have here. The lack of a Host Club is a major loss, but their lunches are even different. Most pack their lunch and bring it with them! I know because Zaina does it all the time." Rin nodded her head.
Et tu, Rin? The two of them thought as they looked to the only other female in the room. They looked to one another and found solace in knowing at least they were not alone. They had each other.
"Yes, they are quite lacking in refinements like us…and that is why we must do our best to give them more! Show them our shining and glimmering world, share some of our light to give them hope and possibly strive for better! Not only as heirs of great lineage and wealth, but as the members of the Host Club we must! 1. Good looks that attract the public eye; 2. More wealth than you can imagine; 3. Chivalry that will never be able to overlook the hideous wickedness of this world. That's what makes up the Ouran Host Club. As such, we must do our duty to the forgotten flowers of the commoners and enrich the lives of the men to be more!" Tamaki gallantly spoke, the other male hosts and Rin applauding his little motivational speech as Haruhi and Zaina stood off to the side, sighing in unison.
"Is that really the definition of the Host Club?" Zaina turned to Haruhi.
"Sadly yes…they have good intentions though, so I guess that can somewhat make up for it? I don't even know…it's all so exhausting to even think about." Her shoulders slumped as she tried to organize everything that was just unloaded on them.
"I honestly would love to see how they'd last in a regular high school for a week…but then again, they'd know how to charm their way through everything." Zaina crossed her arms as her shoulders dropped, tugging at the growing tension from all this unneeded stress.
"So how are we going to share the Host Club with the commoners mi 'lord?" Hikaru asked, curious of what the plan of action would be.
"Well first step is to get them as interested in us as possible. The greater the interest in this article, the better the chance we can get an exclusive piece on us." He nodded his head in approval of his plan.
"The first bit of information Miyuki wants from the Host Club is just basic information on what the club does and basic information like who is the most popular host." Rin spoke up. "I was thinking that maybe we can do a poll of some kind at some point so that I can gather this information. Kyoya was kind enough to help me with the other information."
"The most popular host? But that's pretty clear with Tamaki having the most designations, right?" Honey spoke up after taking a big bite of cake.
"That is true, he isn't the king for nothing." Kaoru nodded his head.
"We won't be giving a simple who is the most popular. We need to showcase more than just once host after all. There are a few categories that we will be ranked in. The best way to rank them will be through the next few sessions we have." Kyoya explained to clarify this bit, Haruhi frowning at this addition. He never added to anything or aided anyone unless he saw a profit for the club. There was something more to this and she was not pleased at the prospect of more to do than what they already pull off as hosts. He pushed up his glasses and Zaina blinked as they ominously flashed. He turned to Haruhi to make sure she was not just seeing things. The slight nod only proved her eyes were not fooling her. Kyoya's glasses flashed and that was a sign from the universe that something far more stressful was underway.
"Oh, so we'll be ranked in things like 'Cutest' or 'Sweetest'?" Mitsukini beamed at the thought, Zaina certain that if he was drawn the best way to draw such an expression would be with cute flowers all around.
"So, I guess that you'll be in the ranking as well. Though I feel for you, it's a bit entertaining to think what the ladies of Ouran view you as." She looked to Haruhi who scowled in response.
"I'm so glad one of us is having fun with this." She grumbled, slouching forward as the energy is zapped out of her from just thinking about what all this could entail. "He's definitely given him an idea on what to dress us up like…I just know it."
"Dress you up like?" Zaina raised a brow at this.
"Ah, that's right. You or Rin haven't experienced the frivolous spending of the Host Club." She gave an empty smile to Zaina which suddenly shifted a nervous one as she felt the pointed glare of a certain bespectacled individual. "I mean it's really a site though! Definitely worth experience!" She quickly added until the gaze left her back. Heaving a sigh of relief, she turned back to the two commanding the show.
"Usually, we are the ones to decide on what theme we should go by but I'm curious to know what ideas we can come up with as a group and choose from there." Tamaki grinned at the open forum he has concocted. "Your input is more than appreciated as well, my dear Rin, I'm sure a maiden such as you will only come up with the finest ideas!"
"Oh, you flatter me too much Tamaki! Of course, I'll do the best I can and give any idea I've got!" She smiled with equal excitement, if not almost rivaling to his own. "I want this to be as much a success as you so that we can let the commoners know what else they can emulate from us to enrich their lives!"
Et to, My lady? Zaina sighed as the others looked to one another. This was certainly something that was not frequently done in decision making for the Host Club from the looks of it, but they all knew what they must do as silence filled the room. Zaina notices a few things in the room though and silently got to work as they all brainstormed.
"Oh, oh, I know! Let's all be pastry chefs! We can make all sorts of cute cakes and sweets for everyone to eat! I want to make something with strawberry! Like a sweet filled danish or, no, wait, I want to make cupcakes and decorate them with little strawberries! Like mini strawberry cakes we usually have!" Mitsukini threw is hand in the air, practically bouncing in his seat. His once polished plate was now replaced with a new slice and his big eyes widened and glittered with delight.
"That is certainly a unique idea Honey," Tamaki nodded his head. "But I think it best we leave the baking to the actual chefs. Though dressing up as such is no trouble." He wrote the idea up on the whiteboard beside him and set the marker down on the table when he noticed a cup of tea for him. He happily sipped at is as Kyoya silently sipped his own. Some snacks were suddenly beside the Hitachiin twins, Rin, and Haruhi along with beverages to which they happily ate without a second thought. Takashi noticed tea for himself as well and looked around to see that everyone had something.
Mitsukini is usually the only one who eats cake while we meet up like this. He noted as he recalled a few of the past visits. Instantly is eyes fell on Zaina who was standing where she had always been but this time there was a service cart with her and a towel on her arm that was bent exactly at ninety degrees in front of her. A perfectly polished polite smile was on her face as she watched everyone, but mostly their food and drink. He sipped as his tea and watched as she maneuvered around the room efficiently and silently all without disturbing the meeting as ideas were thrown up on to the board. He had never paid attention to help before, so to see how much is done in the background was a little surprising.
Kyoya had not taken note of the slight change at first until he had taken his first sip of tea. The fact that he had tea was the biggest give away that something was different. His eyes made quick work to find Zaina standing where she was once sitting with Rin Chibana. She stood with perfect straight posture and her eyes kept tabs on refreshments. He had not expected her to take such initiative, but he was certainly impressed that she had and so expertly as well. It only proved that she was well trained in hospitality as well as guarding.
She did say a Chibana's employee who couldn't do this much isn't worth their salt. He recalled the once made comment. To think I'd be impressed by a body guard. He chuckled to himself as his eyes fell on to Rin. You certainly take and odd approach with your help, that is a known fact of your family…but it certainly reaps it benefits with excellent work and unimaginable loyalty…it only makes me more curious of who you are. He sipped his tea and typed away at his computer as the next idea was thrown up on to the board. There were certainly some good options but for a later date.
"Why not a boy band theme?" Rin finally spoke up.
"Boy band?" Hikaru questioned.
"Yeah, a boy band! They're always so popular with the ladies and they each have a personality type. Like the charismatic lead singer or the aloof yet mysterious choreographer or similar things like that. We can poll attendees in the next visit and see what personality type they see each of you in and we can put that in the article." She confidently spoke, a proud smile on her lips at the idea she came up with.
That isn't a bad idea. We can see what personality they see each of us and in the next or a following visit we can all be dressed up as the type. He thought to himself, formulating a plan and developing the idea further.
"So, all of us dressed up like some pop idol group? That's definitely a different idea than what we usually do." Kaoru thought aloud.
"It would be a surprise for everyone if that did happen." Haruhi nodded her head, a bit grateful that there was no way Tamaki could dress her up a woman and or force them to match alone.
"Oh, oh, maybe we can team up with a boy band? They can teach us some moves or give some tips to sell the idol persona!" Mitsukini grinned at the idea. "What do you think Takashi?" He looked to see the ever-blank expression on his face but was able to read his response with ease as he turned back to the group. "Takashi doesn't mine the idea!"
"We would need to find a boy band to work with," Kyoya finally spoke up after some silent typing away at his computer. "There are two that seem to be quite popular right now that are touring together. He turned his laptop screen to show the two groups of six, one mostly in white military style coats and the other one a dark navy blue military style coats. Each had similar looks between some members but overall, there was a difference to them as well.
"I've heard of those bands, but I don't think we have any direct connection to them. I can ask my brother who is an actor though." Rin frowned as she tried to think of any sort of connection.
"We can see if our mother has worked with them on clothing. They certainly have good taste though." Kaoru spoke for him and his brother, it another vague and possible dead end. It was clear that Takashi, Mitsukini, and Tamaki also lacked connections to the music realm. Kyoya was no different in this matter as well. He was not about to give in so easy. There was a connection or he would make one, each of them came from a family with money and power to make things happen. This would simple be a make it happen moment.
Zaina stared at the screen silently, a sight frown on her lips. They reminded her of something. She had heard their music and knew of them, but she was not some raging fan. It was always just in passing when she heard or seen the promotions.
What is it about them? She searched through her mind as she looked at their faces one by one when she finally settled on the white-haired leader of the boy band with the white uniform. His green eyes caught her attention the most. That's it! "Wasabi man!" She suddenly exclaimed as it finally hit her. "Huh, so he wasn't lying about being such a big deal."