Episode: Karuizawa Refreshing Battle
Song: Senbon Zakura – ICBM Remix - Kran
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Ouran High School Host Club'. I only own Okita Yuu, Okita Rin, Kurasawa Teru, and anyone related to the three.
A/N: Holy Prussia, I can't believe the word count has reached 70,000, I knew the story would be kind of lengthy but I didn't expect that. And nearly 150 in Reviews, Favorites, and Follows. You guys just make me squeal in joy, I never expected so many people to enjoy this story. And to thank everyone for being just so awesome, I hope you enjoy today's extra-long chapter~!
"Hikaru, your phone is ringing." Kaoru's soft voice spoke up as the sound of a guitar began echoing through the pair's room. Groaning softly he rolled over and began nudging his brother in the side when he realized he wasn't moving. There was no way he would be able to get back to sleep if the phone kept ringing. "Hikaru!"
"Kaoru, you pick it up." Hikaru answered in a huff as he pulled the blankets over his head, trying to drown out both his brother and his phone.
"No, that's the ringtone of Tono." Kaoru answered which caused Hikaru to only groan, it was too early to deal with the Host King.
"Damn it." Hikaru growled before lifting the blankets off his head and reaching over for his cellphone. "Why do we have to wake up to this messed up ringtone three days into summer vacation?" Giving another sigh, the teen flipped open his phone, thus accepting the call.
"That person wakes up too early." Kaoru mumbled before leaning against his brother's shoulder, leaning his head against the phone so he could hear as well.
"Hello?"
"My daughter! My daughter is missing!" Both boys flinched as Hikaru pulled the phone away from their ears, Tamaki could be so loud. "I can't get in contact with her! She must've been kidnapped! Contact the police! Mobilize the self-defense army if it becomes necessary!"
"Just calm down Tono." Hikaru sighed into the phone what Tamaki was rambling on about this time.
"Haru-chan is missing?!" Honey cried out in shock and it took Hikaru a few moments to realize he was on a conference call.
"That's right!" Tamaki cried out in hysterics "Ever since the first day of summer vacation, I've tried calling her home many times every day! I can't even get in touch with her dad's workplace!"
"Tamaki-senpai, I've already t-tried telling you Haruhi-chan is not missing." Hikaru felt his heartbeat pick up as he heard the sound of the shy host's voice. It had been almost two weeks since Yuu kissed him in the park. It was strange to think of themselves as anything other than friends, but he couldn't say didn't love it.
"It must be that they weren't able to pay their rent and forced into slavery! If that's not it, then they must've run away during the night!" Tamaki continued completely ignoring what Yuu had just said. Hikaru and Kaoru could hear the light sigh being released from the girl and knew she was probably shaking her head.
"Ahh Haru-chan!" Honey cried out and it was easy to tell that the older teen was now crying.
"Tono, your voice is way too loud; Yuu-chan's trying to talk to you." Hikaru finally spoke up once more as he was growing tired of his senior's rambling. He also didn't enjoy the total disregard to what Yuu was trying to tell him.
"Tamaki-senpai, Haruhi is in Karuizawa on vacation right now." Yuu spoke with a hint of relief in her voice once Tamaki had quieted long enough for her to speak.
"She hasn't been kidnapped?" Both brothers had to stop themselves from face palming.
"No she hasn't, I'm actually here in Karuizawa on vacation with her." Yuu answered calmly yet immediately regretted her words once Tamaki began yelling once more.
"What?! Both of my precious daughters are on vacations together and didn't invite daddy!?"
"I-It was kind of short notice-"
"I'll be there soon! Daddy wants to spend family time with both of his lovely daughter!" Yuu paled as she registered the words Tamaki had just spoken.
"Wha- Wait! Tamaki-senpai! I don't think that'-" Yuu tried speaking yet a click sounded through the phone, meaning their king had already hung up the phone. That meant he had also ended the conference call with the other members of the Host.
Silence engulfed the room has Hikaru and Kaoru both stared at the small cell phone. After a few moments, Hikaru released a sigh and closed the phone tossing it behind his head. A soft thus echoed, meaning the phone had landed on the pillow behind him.
"They could have told us they were taking a trip together." Kaoru rose a brow at his brother's words before seeing the slightly annoyed expression that took over his features. Sighing inwardly he knew his brother still had a long way to go.
"Breakfast is ready, let's eat."
~X~
Yuu stared at her phone for a few moments. The 'Call Ended' scene had long since disappeared and was replaced with the cute Pokemon background she had set. She had a sinking feeling that she would soon have to deal with the members of the Host. She loved those loveable idiots, and enjoyed spending time with them. But she knew Haruhi wanted a peaceful summer vacation, and there was nothing peaceful about the Host Club.
"Is something wrong?" Yuu perked as she raised her head and spotted her friend walking into the room the two shared. The chestnut haired girl had a large basket filled with unfolded sheets and blankets. Yuu could only guess she was about to start washing laundry.
"Prepare…" Yuu answered which only caused Haruhi to arch a brow in confusion. "Prepare for the storm, because it's coming."
"But the weatherman said it would be sunny and clear today." Confusion was easily seen on Haruhi's face and Yuu almost couldn't help but face palm. Maybe her choice of words were a little too vague. She wondered briefly if she should try and explain, but decided against it. Let Haruhi her last few hours without worrying about the impending storm that was headed towards them.
After Haruhi left the room, Yuu decided would take a quick shower before heading downstairs to begin her morning chores.
It was after her shower, after she had changed, and after she had begun working on the pastries they would be serving that day did she hear it. The loud sound of a helicopter from the backyard.
"Haruhi! Are you alright?! Daddy's here!"
"I tried warning her…" Yuu sighed as she tried to finish icing the many cupcakes that lay before her
"My, what a lovely bunch of cute boys~!" Misuzu cried out in delight after a few minutes of silence. "Are you all Haruhi's acquaintances?" No one answered the okama's question, though he knew the answer anyways. "Just call me Misuzu-cchi, okay?"
"He used to work with Ranka-san at their bar." Kyouya piped up answering the unspoken question everyone had on their minds.
"Why do you know this?" Tamaki demanded as he sent his vice president a heated look.
"Yeah, really?" Haruhi mumbled soon after Tamaki asked his own question.
"I started running this place two years ago! It was my dream, you know? To own a cute pension like this!" Misuzu cried out in delight, disliking not being the center of attention.
"But, why is Haru-chan and Yuu-chan working here?" Honey questioned as he looked over Haruhi's attire once more and watched as Yuu walked out from the kitchen.
"Since Ranka-san went on a staff trip, he was worried about Haruhi being all alone, so she's being taken care of here. Haruhi invited Yuu to come alone with her." Kyouya answered Honey's questioned before pushing his slipping glasses up his nose.
"So why do you know this?!" Tamaki seethed as his sent his vice president another heated glare. Why didn't Kyouya tell him information like this?!
"Oh, don't say 'taking care'" Misuzu piped up once more dragging attention back to himself. "This place isn't affluent enough to employ staff yet, so Haruhi-chan and Yuu-chan coming here has really helped me a lot. Haruhi-chan is a really good worker, and Yuu-chan bakes all my desserts~! I feel bad that their salaries are so low though…" Misuzu pouted lightly
"I t-told you to stop worrying about paying me, just count my r-room as payment for helping you out." Yuu spoke up as she began wiping her hands into a towel. Her hands were covered in flour and she really didn't want to get it everywhere.
"I can't possibly do that Yuu-chan~! You've been such a big help, I can't possibly not pay you!" Yuu knew this was going to be a never ending argument. She just couldn't accept the Okama's money. She had money and she didn't need more. "Now how about you two take a break and go spend some time with your friends." The girls didn't have time to argue as they were shooed out back by Misuzu.
That was how they found themselves seated at the small tables that sat on the back deck. Yuu seated at one table with Hikaru, Kaoru, Haruhi, and Honey. While Takashi stood beside Honey and Kyouya sat at his own table.
"I-If my cupcakes burn…" Yuu trailed off once she realized Hikaru was staring at her with a small smirk. This caused her face to quickly burn a bright red. The reaction only caused the teen to chuckle lightly at her. "D-Don't laugh i-it's not funny."
"So a part-time job?" Kaoru piped up as he turned his attention away from his brother and his girlfriend. "So that's why you refused a trip to Bali with Yuu and us."
"I don't ever remembering agreeing to a trip to Bali." Yuu spoke quickly as she turned her attention to Kaoru, trying to will away the heat in her cheeks.
"We asked you to come to Switzerland with us, too!" Honey spoke as a bright smile lit up his features. Takashi soon chiming in after him with a quiet 'Yeah'
"Well, I don't have a passport." Haruhi answered quickly, she believed she had told them this once before.
"This is why I put forth the idea of using one of my resorts for a cheap price." Kyouya piped up from his table. His words though caused everyone to sweat drop.
"Why have you all asked Haruhi out in private like that?" Tamaki spoke quietly as his head hung low and he started shaking in place. It caused everyone to turn their attention towards him. "So it's fine if you guys all get to have fun? So you all don't have any sense of solidarity? I, as club chairman, worked very hard every day to come up with plans on how we could all have fun together…." Tamaki finished as he collapsed to his knees. Yuu couldn't help but feel extremely sad for the older teen.
"Can you all go home?" Haruhi questioned right after Tamaki finished talking causing the older teen to twitch on the ground. "I'm going to have to meet you guys every day again once the new semester begins. Everyone has the right to spend their holiday however they want, right?"
"Haruhi, that was really rude to say right after hearing what Tamaki had to say." Haruhi turned her attention towards Yuu and raised a brow. How was that rude?
Kyouya decided it was his turn to talk once more as he pulled out a small book and began reading from it. "Academy Rules, Item Nine. 'A student is forbidden to take on part-time jobs.'"
Haruhi froze in place, she hadn't heard about that rule before. "Eh? Umm, Really?"
"Did you know? That person is doing part-time work without the school's permission." Haruhi twitched in her seat as she turned her attention on the two devil twins that were grinning in her direction. "My, what a courageous person."
"Coming to Karuizawa on occasion to escape the heat is a pretty good idea." Honey piped up and he sat on top of Takashi's shoulders. When he had moved there, no one knew.
"We're tired of foreign countries." Kyouya piped as he pushed the frames of his glasses up his nose.
"Indeed, everyone has the right to spend their holiday however they want." Tamaki spoke as a smile graced her features. It was a smile that Haruhi didn't enjoy. "Therefore, you have no right to stop us. We shall be staying at the pension as VIP guests then."
The look of pure horror on Haruhi's face couldn't be matched. Yuu felt momentarily sorry for the girl, until she realized that, that meant she would have to put up with the club as well…. great.
"N-Nooo!" Haruhi screamed out in terror yet was ignored as the six male members of the Host left to find Misuzu and ask about rooms. It wasn't hard locating the okama and asking.
"I'm sorry, I'd love to let all of you stay, but there's only one guest room left." Misuzu answered with a small frown, he really wished he could say yes and have these fine young men stay.
"Just… one room? Very well. Then, I, as club chairman shall represent the club and-" Tamaki proclaimed yet stopped mid-sentence as the small blonde host spoke up.
"Tama-chan, that's cheap." Honey cried out as small tears formed in those large doe eyes. It's wasn't his pitiful expression though that caused Tamaki to flinch, it was his words.
"So it's fine if you get to have the fun? So you don't have any sense of solidarity?" Hikaru question from behind Tamaki, words that caused the upper classman to flinch once more.
"I wonder who was the one complaining about that just a moment ago." Kaoru piped up after his brother causing Tamaki to back up with a shock expression.
Their words began processing in the King's brain and soon he was staring down at the ground in pure shock. Were their words true? Was he really a cheap person? Someone that was fine keeping all the fun to himself.
"I don't like that look." Yuu spoke up when she noticed the looks the twins were giving on another. It was an 'I have an idea' look she had seen a few times before.
"Hey, Hey Tono. I thought of a pretty fun game; would you like to take part?" Hikaru questioned ignoring his girlfriend's words. Too interested in the kinds of reactions they would receive from Tamaki.
"It's called 'Competition for the Guest Room – Refreshing Part – Time Job in Karuizawa." Kaoru spoke up after his brother. Telling everyone the name of their game, it was sure a mouth full.
"We'll work one day at this pension that is desperate for manpower." "And whoever makes the most favorable impression on Misuzu-san gets to become the guest here." Both brother explained the rules and watched to see what kind of reactions they would receive.
"Interesting! Let's go with that proposal!" Misuzu cried out in delight, shocking both Haruhi and Yuu with his sudden outburst. "Yes, if the refreshing kid that I choose stays here as a guest, than the popularity of this pension will rise as well. No doubt about it!" Haruhi deflated once she heard Misuzu approve of their 'game'
"We look forward to working~!"
"Work very hard, than! I won't be treating you as guest until I make my decision." With those words the 'Competition for the Guest Room – Refreshing Part – Time Job in Karuizawa' game began.
"…How fun…" Haruhi mumbled before hanging her head in defeat. Her peaceful time was ruined, there was no way she could enjoy her vacation now.
~X~
"Misuzu-san I've finished b-baking the bread for today, do you want me to start working on more cakes?" Yuu questioned as she exited the kitchen, a towel in hand as she dried her hands from previously washing them. She wasn't expecting to see her 'boss' evaluating the twins who were showing two young ladies to their room.
"A bit arrogant in their attitude, but since you can't really hate them, refreshing rating plus five points." Misuzu spoke and Yuu couldn't help but feel small joy at his words. Of course she was rooting for Hikaru and Kaoru to win this 'game'. She would really enjoy spending her vacation with the two boys. She just refuse to admit that out loud, that was a tad bit embarrassing. "Ah Takashi-kun, that table isn't really stable. Could you go fix it in the backyard?" Misuzu questioned the tall senior who gave her a look before nodding.
"Understood." He replied before reaching down and picking up the small table with absolute ease. Leaving for the backyard to complete the task he was asked to do.
"Nothing unnecessary in his actions! Refreshing rating, plus ten points~!" T-That wasn't good…
"Umm, what's this refreshing rating?" Haruhi questioned as she approached Misuzu quite confused. Yuu decided this was her time to listen in too, maybe she could try and help the two boys if she knew what Misuzu was looking for.
"What do guests want from this Karuizawa?" Misuzu suddenly questioned causing Haruhi to raise a brow in confusion.
"Umm, the coolness or something?"
"Not just that." Misuzu answered as a small smile graced his lips. "The refreshing breeze that they can't experience when in urban area. The refreshing scenery here, and at last but not least, the sight of refreshing men!" Haruhi couldn't help but sweat drop at those words. "Everyone come to Karuizawa in search of this refreshing feeling! This is a competition for how much they can appeal this refreshing feeling to girls that come to Karuizawa." Misuzu cried out before he spun out the backdoor giggling loudly.
Yuu took this moment to think on Misuzu words. He was looking for 'refreshing' feelings in the boys. And by the looks of it, Takashi would be the one winning this game. So if she wanted Hikaru and Kaoru to win she needed to find a way to make them mirror Takashi.
"He's really enjoying this." Haruhi mumbled before sighing and turning towards her friend. "Are you finished with your chores? Would you like to join me outside for a little while?" Haruhi questioned which caused Yuu to leave her thoughts.
"Huh? O-Oh yes! I'm sorry I was thinking. A-And I'm sorry for not realizing you were t-talking with me." Yuu ramble as she realized Haruhi was trying to speak with her. She blushed once she realized her rambling and settled on nodding her head ad following the girl to the back deck.
"Kyouya-senpai?" Haruhi questioned once the pair made their way to the deck. "You're not going to take part in the game?" The older teen turned his attention away from the small book that rested in his hands towards the two girls that now stood by the table he was seated at.
"Yeah, even if I win, there's really no point in staying alone in this kind of pension." Kyouya spoke which caused Yuu to feel slightly offended. Even if he scared the crap out of her she wouldn't just leave him by himself if he won. "I'll just watch this show for a bit, then I'll just go to the summer house here."
"Summer house?" Haruhi questioned with a raised brow, what did he mean by that?
"That's right, everyone has one in his area." Yuu could see the clear annoyance on Haruhi's features. "And about this refreshing competition, who do you think will win? How about a bet?" A small smirk formed on Kyouya's lips which alerted both girls not to accept his bet
"No thank you!" Both girls spoke at the same time and blushed when they realized they had answered at the same time.
"I have no clue." Haruhi answered after a minute had pasted and Kyouya was still looking at them awaiting an answer to his other question.
"Really? It's quite easy if you just think about it." Kyouya smile before turning his gaze towards Honey, who was seated beside Tamaki in the yard. "First, Honey-senpai. Visually, he's more cute than refreshing, so he's out." Turning his attention towards Tamaki, Kyouya began once more. "Tamaki is refreshing if he does nothing, but he's getting way too worked up for this competition. So he appears quite sultry. Just looking at it, the winners should be Hikaru and Kaoru." Yuu felt herself beam on the inside, but she knew there was also another competitor.
"But there's also Takashi-senpai…" Yuu spoke softly as her gaze drifted to the teen that was in the yard working on the table Misuzu had asked him to finished. He was currently shirtless and it was easy to see the girls that were staring at him in the window.
"A long shot entry…" Kyouya spoke, his smirk never leaving his lips.
"So, Mori-senpai?" Haruhi question but frown when Kyouya began shaking his head.
"If Honey-senpai drops out of the competition, Mori-senpai will probably quit, as well. He's only participating along with him."
"So in the end-"
"-We are the winners."
Both Yuu and Haruhi turned their attention behind them, surprised by the two boy's sudden appearance. Weren't they supposed to be inside helping guests to their rooms?
"I just noticed, but the guest room that's available is a single, so it's not possible for both of you to stay there." Haruhi spoke as she began thinking of the only room that was left open.
"Ah don't worry; we'll bring a bed from out summer house." Hikaru spoke before Kaoru finished for him. "If that's not possible, we'll just find a way to sleep together."
"You two are really always together." Haruhi spoke as a soft smile formed on her lips. It was nice that siblings were as close as they were.
"Well yeah, we were born together, and we didn't have any other friends." Hikaru spoke before turning his gaze towards Yuu. The look caused the girl to burn bright red in response. It was an action that Kyouya took notice to.
"Up until a few years, we thought everyone else in the world was an idiot." Kaoru spoke as he eyed his brother out of the corner of his eyes. Hadn't Yuu said she wanted to keep their relationship a secret? His brother wasn't doing a good job doing that.
"But, if it's Yuu-chan, we'll let you join us." Haruhi turned her attention away from her blushing friend back towards Hikaru. The boy was smiling enjoying how red Yuu was turning at his words. "Let's sleep together from now on, the three of us." The smile only grew in size and Yuu wished she could disappear.
"I-I-I'm fine….t-thank you…."
"The contest is not over yet." Kyouya spoke as he tried turning the attention back towards their previous conversation. Yuu couldn't help but silently thank him; she didn't know how much more she could take. "I have many ways to make this game more interesting."
"What's this? Kyouya-senpai, you're going to side with Tono?" Kaoru questioned as stopped leaning against the railing to the deck. He was quite interested now.
"Even so, we're not going to lose." Hikaru spoke as a smirk formed on his own lips. He was determined to win this game. Because he wanted to win this more than his 'King'
~X~
The day continued much like it had when the game began. Takashi was racking in points like crazy, Hikaru and Kaoru were steadily catching up with him, and Tamaki was losing points left and right. It was amusing at first, but Yuu slowly started to lose interest in the game.
She didn't think of herself as a jealous person, but when she watched girls stare at Hikaru and Kaoru with lust-filled eyes, she felt the feeling start taking over. It wasn't a nice feeling, and she scolded herself for feeling that way. She couldn't get mad over something so trivial when Hikaru was a Host. Where were these feelings suddenly coming from?
Sighing she shook her head before turning off the oven. She had finished baking the afternoon desserts; she really needed to take a walk. It was when she began walking onto the back deck did she hear music suddenly echo through the pension. She paused in her step before realizing that it had to be Tamaki playing the piano located in the diner.
"We got beat, huh?" A voice poke up causing Yuu to perked. Looking to her right she saw Kaoru who had been sweeping the deck. Letting out a small chuckle be put the broom down before leaning against the railing.
"Kaoru-kun? Are you out here alone?" Yuu questioned as she walked towards the boy who just took notice to her. "Where's Hikaru-kun?"
"He went to get some garbage bags." Kaoru spoke before turning and smiling at the girl before him. "What brings you out here?"
"I need some air, clear my thoughts." Yuu answered before blushing lightly, she knew her wording would lead to questioning.
"About?"
"U-Umm…. I don't know why b-but…." She didn't finished, didn't get a chance to finish. Because she suddenly found the air knocked out of her lungs. It took a moment to realize that Kaoru had tackled her. She didn't understand why, until she shifted her gaze to the side and noticed the broken vase.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Are you okay?!" The voice came from above, so she could only assume that someone had accidentally knocked the vase out of a window.
"It's was close, but we safe, right?" Kaoru answered loud enough so the people above could hear. But the questioned was directed at her.
"K-Kaoru-kun, your face is bleeding." Yuu spoke as she found her voice to be slightly shaky. Kaoru on the other hand blinked before reaching a hand to his throbbing cheeks. Moving his fingers back he saw that they were covered in blood.
"Ah, I got cut."
"Don't say that so calmly! Y-You could have been seriously injured!" Kaoru could only chuckle lightly as he found himself being punched in the arm. The hit was too soft to actually hurt, but he knew she wasn't intending to hurt him.
"Kaoru! Yuu! Are you both okay?" Both teens perked when they heard the other voice. Turning their attention they saw Hikaru running towards them.
"Yeah, I got cut a bit." Kaoru answered with a small smile, this caused his brother to sigh in return before he rested his head against his shoulder. "Hikaru?" Kaoru questioned slightly confused by his twin's actions.
"Don't scare me like that." Hikaru spoke softly which cause Kaoru's eyes to soften.
"Yeah…sorry."
"Bravo!" Yuu jumped and almost released a scream when the voice suddenly echoed through the yard. It was only when her eyes finally found the source was she shocked.
"Misuzu-san! I don't think dancing on the roof is safe!"
"Refreshing brotherly love is so wonderful! Misuzu-cchi is too touched! You guys get a perfect 100 points! The winners are the Hitachiin brothers!" Misuzu cried as he continued dancing on top of the pension. Yuu still didn't think it was safe, but decided to ignore him.
Turning her attention back towards the brother she realized they had rose to their feet. So she quickly rushed to get to her own feet, only to trip and fall back to the floor.
"Klutz." Yuu blushed brightly as she noticed Hikaru standing in front of her, hand extended out. Taking his hand he helped her to her feet, chuckling lightly.
"C- Congratulations….on winning." Yuu spoke as the heat in her cheeks began to grow. "I-I look forward to spending my v-vacation with you guys."
"Why, thank you." Both boys answered with large smirks. W-Were they trying to fool her into believing they had planned this all out? Maybe a few months back she would had believed them, but not now.
"D-Don't try and fool me, I know you two hadn't planned that." Yuu answered quiet confident in her words. "I know you both too well to believe that." They stared at her slightly shock before she smiled at the two. "N-Now let me show you to the room you'll be staying in, so we can bandage up that cut."
A/N: So loooonnnnggg so tired, now to work on my homework….ugh.
This chapter was really only made to set up the next chapter, which will NOT be the Haruhi-Hikaru Date episode. It's something else I've had planned. So you can just look at this as filler :/