"Haruhi! You look so cute in your kimono!"
"Almost like a girl!"
"Thanks," She said.
"Susumu-senpai, you look so handsome!"
"Thank you. I really like the pattern on mine," He said.
Haruhi's lips curled into a smile, and she elbowed him, "You like this, huh?"
Susumu let out a small laugh. "I do like this experience a little bit."
"Haruhi, Susumu, it seems you've had a pretty steady flow of new customers lately, keep up the good work," Kyoya says, stroking a brush on a scroll. "I'm not going to charge you interest on your debt like I normally keep this up, and you should be able to pay it off, although the rental fees on those kimono you're both wearing are nothing to sneeze at."
'He's like some kind of heartless tax collector...' Haruhi thought.
"Hello, Kyoya," A black-haired girl had approached Kyoya. Her friend was beside her, admiring Kyoya dressed in a kimono. "I can't get over how great you look in that kimono," She said. Her friend elbowed her in the side for being so quick to express her romantic thoughts.
The black-haired girl rolled her eyes, then focused on Kyoya once more. "Are you planning on releasing any more pictures books of the host club?"
"Unfortunately, we don't have anything planned at present, ladies," Kyoya answered, putting on a fake smile.
From the other side of the screen, the twins stuck their noses into the conversation upon hearing Kyoya.
"But doesn't the club make a lot of money," Hikaru started.
"From the sale of promotional items?" Koaru asked.
"That's true, but the items are poor quality. Those picture books were full of nothing but amateur hidden camera shots. However, if we want to make some higher quality money making products," Kyoya's glasses glinted, "I'm afraid we'd have to draw money from the school's budget."
"Well, I'll never finish my collage," Nozomi grumbled. She walked back to the table, plopped her bottom down on the plush cushion, sighed, and let her face fall into her hands. "Why does this keep happening?"
Susumu set down down a cup of steaming tea in front of Nozomi. "This might perk you up."
Nozomi smiled. "Thanks!"
He wrapped his fingers around another cup, lifted it off the serving tray, then placed it beside Aki. "Here you are, but be careful it's still hot."
Aki thanked him. She brought the cup to her lips, and sipped the hot tea.
"I'll take those amateur shots off his hands, since he'll just end up throwing them away," Nozomi said before sipping from her own cup. She sighed happily, staring into the green tea swirling in the cup, "Hey, it totally works! I do feel better!"
Susumu smiled. "I told you."
"Those pictures aren't good quality," Aki said to Nozomi.
"I know, but I want some photos of Kyoya," She told Aki, fiddling with her brown side ponytail, "Anything to fill the empty half of my wall collage above my shipping shrine."
Aki knitted her brows together. "You really need to stop making those things. I didn't like it when you made one of me and Tetsuya."
Nozomi slammed her hands on the table, leaning her body forward. "But it totally works! Because of my shipping shrine's special powers, you two are a canon ship! When the moment happens, I'm gonna be there to capture all of it!"
Rage churned inside of her, then upon opening her eyes behind her black-framed glasses, Aki glared coldly at her.
Nozomi could feel the effects of Aki's icy glare working on her. Her mouth was completely frozen shut. "Why do you keep shipping real people together, Nozomi?! When will you learn to stop meddling into other peoples' lives?! You can't force someone into a relationship, that's wrong!"
"Aki, do you need Susumu's tea to calm you down?" Nozomi asked, voice shaking, mildly afraid.
"I am calm!" She snapped.
Nozomi looked left, then right. She shrugged. "Guess Susumu ran off when you exploded. I can't blame him, you're a scary ice demon lady."
"Nozomi, shut it," Aki growled.
Nozomi used a cushion nearby to hide her face.
"Stop gripping my kimono like that. If it gets ruined, neither of us can pay for it," Haruhi complained to her brother who was using her as a shield to hide from Aki. "I thought you were getting used to talking to other people."
Susumu straightened up. "I'm still unsure about how to handle certain situations."
"I didn't know Aki-senpai has a temper. She's usually so calm."
"Haru-chan, I don't know how but I lost one of my sandals," Honey came to Haruhi for help, rubbing his eyes.
Haruhi walked to his direction, Susumu trailing behind her. "But you were just wearing them earlier, weren't you?" She asked Honey.
"Mitsukuni, I noticed you dropped it," Mori lifted Honey's foot and slipped the lost sandal on his foot.
"Takashi," Honey sniffled, embracing Mori.
"How sweet."
"Isn't it though."
"Looks like tears are popular with the ladies today," Haruhi muttered, "But how are they all able to cry so easily?"
When she accidentally bumped into Hikaru, a small item fell out of his sleeve. Haruhi picked it up off the floor. "What's this?" Haruhi asked, holding up a bottle of eyedrops.
"For your information, it's common for a host to use eye drops," Hikaru said.
"No woman alive can resist a man on the brink of tears," Koaru said.
"That's cheating," Haruhi said.
"Oh, don't be such a party-pooper," Hikaru poked Haruhi's cheek.
"There are women who don't like dishonest men," Susumu muttered.
"Hey, quit frowning," Hikaru said to him.
"Here, Haruhi," Koaru pulled out a small box containing a confectionery, and placed it in Haruhi's hand, "This is for you."
"It's for me?" Haruhi asked, staring at the box fondly.
"You're the cutest."
"I didn't know you liked sweets, Haruhi-kun!"
"Well, to be honest with you, I don't really," Haruhi said truthfully, "But, you know, I think it would be a nice memorial offering for my mother."
"How admirable of you. Such devotion to your mother's memory. Please, Haruhi, take as many of these as you like," Tamaki stacked more boxes on top of Haruhi's first one.
"Let me guess, the tears are fake?" Haruhi asked.
"How could you?" Tamaki sounded hurt, "My tears are always genuine, Haruhi. Being able to cry without the use of eye drops is the mark of a true host." He circled Haruhi, "Tell me, do I impress you? Have you fallen for me yet?"
She scoffed. "You wish."
"My romantic overtures do not seem to be reaching you for some reason," Tamaki rubbed his chin, "Perhaps I should add a little more panache to my character."
Haruhi noticed a girl spying on them from around a pillar.
"Looks like the host club has a brand-new guest," The twins walked over to the girl.
"Come on in," Hikaru invited her inside, "What are you waiting for?"
"Watching from afar is no fun," Koaru held a rose in front of the girl's face, "Please, Miss."
"Stop that. How many times do I have to tell you boys to be more courteous to our first-time guests?" Tamaki scolded them, causing the girl to jump from fright, "Please, you don't have to be afraid, my princess. I welcome you to the Ouran Host Club."
She parted her lips to speak.
"Yes?" Tamaki asked.
"No! Don't touch me, you're phony!" She cried out at the top of her voice and slapped Tamaki.
Tamaki touched the imprint on his face, and he stepped back due to the shock, "What do you mean I'm phony?"
"Just what I said, you're phony. I find it hard to believe that someone like you is the prince character of this host club," She shouted, "You shouldn't go spreading your love around so easily like that, you stupid! You must be a dim-witted narcissist! You're incompetent! You're a commoner! You're disgusting!"
"He's created a new technique! One-man slow-motion!"
Gazing at the unconscious blond sprawled on the floor, the hosts had taken their time in noticing the smile growing on the bright-eyed girl's face. It was then Kyoya turned around. He inspected the young girl from her dark-blonde hair to her black shoes. Kyoya had the most surprised look on his face. "I don't suppose you are-" He had no time to finish his sentence.
"Kyoya-sama!"
In one swift movement, the young girl had ran to Kyoya and wrapped her arms around his body, hugging him. "How I've longed to meet you! My one and only prince charming!"
Susumu stared with wide, surprised eyes.
The others were at a loss for words and the twins uttered a confused "eh?"
Nozomi glared daggers at the girl who kept squeezing Kyoya, while Aki leaned on the wall, crossing one foot over the other. She let out an annoyed sigh when she had heard Nozomi mutter she'll get rid of the girl before the end of the week.
"Aki-senpai, is Nozomi-senpai okay?" Haruhi asked.
Aki lifted up her chin. "I'd stay away. When she gets like this, she drops her cheerful personality and becomes that-" She gestured to Nozomi's gloom.
Haruhi sweat-dropped. "Will she get back to normal?"
"She's a fujoshi, a shipper, and a headache, of course she's not normal," Aki told Haruhi.
"Get away from her, Haruhi-kun," Aki warned the next minute.
Haruhi slowly retracted her hand that had almost touched Nozomi's shoulder.
...
"Fiance? Kyoya-senpai's?"
"Of course. My name is Hoshakuji Renge," She introduced herself, "And I'm transferring into Ouran Academy's Class 1-A tomorrow."
Hikaru turned his head, then raised his eyebrows. "Why is he sulking?"
Koaru leaned back on the sofa, placing his arms behind his head. "Because Kaa-san was keeping a secret from Otou-san."
Kyoya sighed, "Whatever. Why does everyone insist on referring to us like we're husband and wife?"
"Ours was a story of love at first sight," Renge placed both hands on her cheeks, dreamily imagining her "prince", "I couldn't resist the way you were adoring those flowers in the backyard when you thought no one else was looking. And how sweet it was when you reached out to that poor little injured kitten."
Susumu could keep his eyes on his book, he always can, though something burning up inside of him told him to look up and to not ignore what was happening right in front of him. Silently reading, he could still hear everything. He didn't believe it. According to his own observations about Kyoya, he's not the kindest boy in the school. A young man who looked like he could melt into the darkness, and conjure shadows from his mysterious black book to do his bidding. Susumu sees a Shadow King, a shrewd man who will strike fear into your heart.
He told himself that he would try to get to know his schoolmates and stop avoiding people in general, but its different with Kyoya. He is fearful for himself when Kyoya is near him. He tries to get away from him, like that time he disappeared on Kyoya during the physical exams. Just the way Kyoya looks at him sends shivers down his back. Susumu felt his heart beat like it was trying to jump out of his chest and run away.
"You're my real-life Ichijo Miyabi," She pointed at Kyoya.
"Uki?" Haruhi tilted her head, confused.
"Doki?" Honey was just as confused.
Susumu had lifted his head and let out a soft "huh?"
"Otaku!" Tamaki shouted.
"Otaku?" Hikaru cried.
"Hmm," Mori grunted.
"I've never seen one!" Koaru shouted.
"I get it now," Kyoya put a finger under his chin after collecting his thoughts, "You're in love with that character. You're projecting the love onto me, and you somehow deluded yourself into thinking that we're engaged. I assume this Miyabi character probably wears glasses as well."
"So, she made it up," Tamaki said, "You're not really her fiance, right?"
"Well no, I don't remember ever asking for her hand in marriage," Kyoya said, "Besides this is the first time I've ever met the woman."
Tamaki released the sigh he'd held back.
"According to my research, I understand that you are in charge managing the that true, Kyoya?" Renge asked.
"That's right. Kyo-chan is our director," Honey confirmed.
"That's perfect! Oh wow, I've always wanted to wear a sandwich board to advertise a business," Renge sighed dreamily, clasping her hands together.
"We don't advertise," The twins said, "We're just a Host Club."
Renge twirled. "I've made up my mind. From now on, I'm gonna be the manager of this host club."
"Um, listen, Kyoya," Tamaki nervously poked his head from behind the couch.
"Miss Hoshakuji is the only daughter of a very important Ootori family client," Kyoya said, knowing exactly what Tamaki was going to say, "So, please be polite and try not to offend her, all right?"
"Put that way," Tamaki sighed. He and the twins pat Haruhi on both her shoulders, causing her to flinch.
"Haruhi, this can be considered as part of our host training," Tamaki said, "This one's all yours."
Before she could decline or make a quick dash herself, the boys minus two had all dashed out of the room.
Susumu comforted her by patting her shoulder.
"I want to make some sweets for Kyoya-sama," Renge said.
"We have a baker who can teach you," Kyoya stated, guiding Renge's attention over to Susumu.
Kyoya placed his hand on Susumu's shoulder. "Failure will increase your debt considerably," Kyoya lowered his voice to ensure only Susumu would hear.
Susumu felt those same shivers run up and down his body again.
"I know some cookie recipes we could try," Susumu suggested.
"Let's bake cookies!" Renge cheered.
"But," Haruhi interrupted, "Forget it."
...
"Susumu-Senpai, can we put sugar in the cream?" Renge asked.
"Yes," Susumu answered, carrying the whisk with him as he walked around the metal counter. "How is the chocolate coming along?"
Renge smiled. "Look!"
Haruhi hurriedly grabbed an oven mitt, then took the pot of chocolate off the hot stove. "It can't be heated over a direct flame," Haruhi said to Renge, "Chocolate should be melted using a water bath."
"The cream over there, also," Renge pointed.
"Oh no," Susumu rushed to the batch of cream rising out of the large bowl. "Well, the cream is wasted."
"We have a little problem," Haruhi interrupted.
"No, no, no!" He rushed to the other oven. He snatched the oven mitts from Haruhi, grabbed the metal bar and opened the oven. He reached in, then pulled out a tray of burnt cookies. "No. These cookies are overdone."
Renge looked at her cookies. "Sorry."
"It's okay. Haruhi, check on the sugar cookies, please," Susumu forced a smile. "How do they look?"
"Edible, at least," Haruhi replied.
Renge absorbed the sugary scent wafting out of the oven. "Mmm, Haruhi-kun, they smell so good!"
"What to do about hers though," Haruhi thought.
"Susumu-senpai, I can't give mine to Kyoya-sama!" Renge cried.
"I have some chocolate chip biscuits in the oven, you can give those ones to him," Susumu suggested.
"I'd be taking credit for your cookies, is that okay?" She asked.
"You can," Susumu nodded.
Renge smiled. "Thank you, Susumu-senpai!"
Haruhi looked at Susumu. "We'd have to say something if the cooking classroom burned down."
"We have a fire extinguisher over there," Susumu pointed his thumb at the fire extinguisher on stand by.
"That couldn't put out an entire fire on its own," Haruhi stated.
"Renge-chan, please step away from the oven," Susumu quickly asked her, and she listened.
Susumu and Haruhi both sighed.
...
Renge showed Kyoya "her" batch of cookies. "Kyoya-sama, Susumu-senpai and Haruhi-kun taught me how to make commoner's cookies!"
Kyoya looked at the biscuits. "These look delicious."
"I didn't know what sort you liked," Renge admitted and then she smiled, "I hope you like it."
"Not bad," He took the batch when it was handed to him.
A light shade of pink dusted her cheeks. "You're always so sweet to me, Kyoya-sama!"
Susumu stared at the batch of burnt cookies in his hand. 'She's actually never baked before today.'
"Renge-chan, can I taste one of your cookies?" Honey asked.
Renge pinched Honey's cheek tightly. "Shut up."
Tears welled up in Honey's brown eyes. "Wah! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!" Once Renge had let him go, he ran straight for Susumu and threw his arms around him. "Susu-chan, it hurts!"
"Honey-senpai," Susumu stroked Honey's head while the third-year cried into his chest. He looked at Mori for help. "Look, Mori-senpai is right there. You don't have to cry, Mori-senpai is beside you."
Honey glanced up at Mori, then he hugged him. "Takashi!"
Mori smiled at Susumu.
Susumu returned it.
"I think what I made tastes pretty good," Haruhi took a bite out of her cookie.
"May I try?" Hikaru snapped off a half of the cookie still in her mouth.
"Uh oh, Haruhi, you've got crumbs on your face," Koaru licked the crumbs off Haruhi's face.
"Did you see what they just did? He took a bite-"
"And suddenly, the trio of classmates are closer than they've ever been before," Kyoya commented.
"You know, you could've just told me and I would've wiped it off," Haruhi wiped her cheek, then she faced Hikaru, "And if you wanted to try one, there's plenty here."
"That's not the way you're supposed to react, Haruhi," Tamaki shouted, placing his hands on her face, "You have to stay strong and reject them, then casually brush them to the side. Do you understand?"
"This is sexual harassment, Senpai," Haruhi said.
"Sexual harassment? If that counts as sexual harassment, then they're twice as guilty! Someone, call the police!"
"Cut it out, boss. We're sorry."
"Lukewarm. Every single one of you, except for Kyoya, all of your characters are lukewarm," Renge shouted at everybody, "Each of you needs to have some sort of 'dark side'. Girls are vulnerable to handsome young men who are troubled. If you keep carrying on like this, it's only a matter of time before the girls get tired of you and stop coming all together. Are you trying to ruin my precious Kyoya's business? As your manager, it's my duty to change your character backgrounds," Renge pointed at Honey, "Let's start with you! If all you are is cute, inside and out, then you're no different to a baby. Therefore, from now on, you are the baby-faced thug. Morinozuka-senpai, you're his childhood-friend, the flunky. The twins will be basketball players enslaved in their own world. Haruhi-kun, you're an honor student who's constantly being bullied. Susumu-senpai, you're the shyest boy in the school who has a brother complex. And as for you, Tamaki, you're the school idol who's admired for your good looks but you actually have an inferiority complex you're hiding from the world, the lonely prince.
"And Kyoya, you're perfect just the way you are now. So I want you to stay as kind and affectionate as ever, 'kay?" Renge gushed.
Kyoya placed a hand on his chest, "Thank you, I'm honored."
"The lonely prince. It's true," Tamaki said, "That title is perfect for me."
Haruhi's eyebrow twitched. "Yeah, right, she couldn't be farther from the truth."
"Come on, Kyoya senpai!" Hikaru exclaimed.
"You've gotta do something," Koaru begged.
"Why? It seems like the boss is up for it," Kyoya directed their gaze to Tamaki.
"How does this look, Renge?" Tamaki asked, striking a pose, "Do you think these poses work for a lonely prince?"
"Oh wow, you're pretty good at that, Tamaki-senpai," Renge admired, "But you know it would be even more effective if you were standing in the rain."
"Let's just wait to see how things turn out. I bet it will be interesting," Kyoya said, "It always is."
...
Susumu had his arms wrapped protectively around Haruhi, shielding her from Mori and Honey who stood in front of them intimidatingly.
"You know, it really pisses me off when people don't know their place," Honey had a dangerous look in his eyes. Suddenly his eyes started dripping tears and he jumped into Haruhi's arms. Susumu gently stroked Honey's back. "I'm so sorry, Haru-chan, Susu-chan! I can't do this any more!"
"Cut! Cut! Cut! Cut! What's wrong with you?" Renge shouted at Honey, "You got to stick to the script!"
"But I can't!" Honey cried.
"Can we take a breather for a few minutes, please?" Susumu asked for Honey's sake.
"Fine! Stop rolling, cameraman!"
"Yes, boss."
Renge turned to the director. "I want the rain to make things seem tragic."
"I suspected Honey-senpai couldn't handle the scene," Susumu said, "He felt sad for saying those things to us, even though we were only acting."
"Weren't you having a disagreement with Renge about that scene earlier?" Haruhi asked.
"I tried to talk to her. She was being unreasonable," He sighed, then placed his right hand on his forehead and closed his eyes. "Emotions will keep on running high if she asks us to act out something like that again. I can't imagine what disastrous moment will happen next."
Haruhi had grabbed a towel to dry herself off. "Maybe, I could talk to Renge."
Susumu took the towel Haruhi handed to him, draping it over his head to dry his hair. "Since I couldn't get through to her, would it really make a difference if you talked to her?"
Haruhi thought about it, then answered with, "It might work."
Susumu twisted the soaked towel, causing the water to rain on the pavement. "We should wait, she looks busy."
"How'd we go from changing our characters to shooting a movie about them?" Hikaru complained.
"And why is there an entire film crew to shoot it?" Haruhi asked.
"Apparently, she flew them in from Hollywood," Kyoya gave the answer while he kept writing, "Don't you recognize the director? He directed the vampire movie, 'Millennial Snow'. It was the number one grossing box office hit in America last year."
"Damn, these rich people," Haruhi muttered.
"And another thing, how come this stupid script portrays Kaoru as the seme?" Hikaru made another complaint.
"Yeah," Koaru agreed.
"Seme?" Haruhi blinked, turning to her brother, "What does that mean?"
Susumu stayed silent, casting his eyes on the ground.
Haruhi caught on very quickly, circling around her brother to make eye-contact with him. "It's an inappropriate word, isn't it?"
"Yes," He nodded, "I unfortunately learned the word from Nozomi."
"Aren't you an ungrateful apprentice," Nozomi shouted, "I thought I taught you better."
To their surprise, Nozomi and Aki had entered the picture, strolling over to the group.
"Hi, Nozomi-senpai, Aki-senpai," Haruhi greeted, "I haven't seen you for two days. What were you doing?"
"Running around," Aki answered, crossing her arms. "I had caught her stalking Ootori-san with a camera."
Haruhi blinked. "What?"
"Nozomi-senpai-"
"Is a stalker?"
Nozomi shrugged. "When you want something done, you have to do it yourself, as they say."
"That doesn't give you a reason to follow someone around!" Aki shouted at her.
"Why were you following Ootori-san?" Susumu asked quietly.
"I needed to get that reference for you," She said, pulling out a photo. She handed it to Susumu.
Susumu took the photo, then turned it over and saw it was a good shot of Kyoya. "That'll do, right?"
"Yeah," Susumu answered Nozomi, staring at the photo, "It's good quality."
Nozomi rubbed her fist on her chest, confidently. "I'm a pretty good photographer."
Haruhi looked at the photo. "This is really good quality."
Nozomi grinned. "Don't I know it!"
The twins took a look at the photo, too, then looked at Nozomi. "Why did you take a picture of Kyoya-senpai?"
"That's between me and Susumu," Nozomi said as she draped her arm around his shoulder.
"Yeah," He agreed.
The twins grumbled, curious to know.
"We're not gonna tell," Nozomi teased.
...
Tamaki ran up to Haruhi. "Haruhi! So how was I? Did you like my performance?"
Haruho got up out of her chair. "It was pretty awesome," She handed a towel to him, "I'm surprised you were able to get into your character like that, you were really believable."
Tamaki dried himself off. "I've discovered a new, darker side of myself. I'm starting to think it might be a good idea to explore it."
"Are you sure about that?" Haruhi asked, "Because I think you're fine just the way you are now, Senpai."
"You do?" Tamaki turned red, then he looked away. "Well, if you say so Haruhi."
"Hey, Haruhi, you're on!" Renge called.
"Coming!"
Renge was located around the corner of a school building. She held out one hand to introduce Haruhi to two intimidating young men, smiling due to finding these students. Haruhi wanted to put distance between herself, Renge and the two boys, but Renge was so intent on using the them in her film, she was too blinded by her own happiness that she couldn't see how she was angering the boys. "That's when all the club members come together to fight against the real villains at their school," Renge had explained, "According to the script, these two are from a wealthy family that got their wealthy by being a part of the Japanese mafia. Don't you think that's a brilliant casting choice?"
Haruhi had tried to warn Renge.
"Just come over here and wait for your cue," Renge pulled one of the boys by the arm.
The light-brown haired guy pried Renge off his arm, "You think you can push me around? You don't even now me!" The guy pushed Renge towards the equipment leaning on the wall.
Renge braced for an impact that never came. She slowly opened her eyes and saw that Haruhi had jumped behind her and taken the full blow to protect Renge. "Are you okay, Haruhi?!"
"That guy was right, Renge," Haruhi said, covering her eyes with her hand, "You can't do that, if you judge people by their appearance, you're stereotyping them and you'll never see the person inside."
"Um, I don't understand what you're trying to say," Renge said, confused.
Tamaki and Susumu had heard the commotion and rushed to see what had happened. "What happened, Haruhi?" Haruhi turned to look at them, and once Tamaki saw those tears in her eyes, his anger overtook him. It took control of his body. He grabbed the culprit by the shirt then slammed him against the wall. Tamaki's frightening glare bore into him. "So which one of you jerks started this?"
"Wait, Suoh! It's not what you think!" The other guy stopped Tamaki, "That girl started it!"
Susumu rushed to her side. He knelt in front of her and checked everywhere on her body for injuries. "Are you okay? Where does it hurt?"
"I'm fine, Onii-chan," Haruhi tried to tell him, but she kept rubbing her eyes.
"Is it your eyes?" Susumu asked.
Tamaki got on his knees and caressed Haruhi's cheeks with his hands. "Haruhi, are you in any pain?"
"Yeah," Haruhi said, "It's my contact."
"Your contact?" Tamaki and Susumu repeated.
"Yeah," Haruhi nodded, "I guess it must've slipped out."
Tamaki stared at her before breaking out into laughter, "I see how it is. You're able to cry without using eye drops, so you're a full fledged host now!"
"I'm glad you're okay, Haruhi. You had me absolutely terrified," Susumu chuckled a little, "I'm sure my heart would stop if you were ever hurt."
"You don't have to get so worried all the time," Haruhi said, "I can take care of myself."
"I know you can," Susumu smiled.
"What matters is you're safe," Tamaki said to Haruhi.
Haruhi smiled.
"You-you-" Renge whipped around to face the camera crew behind her, "Please tell me you got that, cameraman!"
"Yes, boss!"
"Other than Haruhi's contact falling out, that was an ideal final scene!" Renge exclaim, clutching the script, "All it needs now is a movie narration by my sweet Kyoya!"
Crash!
They all turned around to see Kyoya had broken the camera lens.
"What'd you do to my camera?"
"What? Is something wrong? Renge asked.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I cannot allow there to be any record of a club member engaging in violence," said Kyoya, "I think you've caused enough trouble around here, Renge. Please stop being such a pest."
"A pest," Renge repeated, tears falling from her eyes.
"He's cold-hearted," Aki said bluntly.
Nozomi slapped her on the shoulder. "Shut up, this is a crucial moment!"
"But you're supposed to pat me on the head and tell me not to worry! You're supposed to be kind and affectionate, Kyoya!" Renge cried, "Why are you acting so differently, now, tell me why!"
"Because that's not the real Kyoya," Tamaki said.
Renge fell to the ground, crying.
"Does it really matter?" Regge lifted her face to see Haruhi crouched in front of her. "Who cares if Kyoya is a little different than you expected him to be. Take a good look at the person inside and get to know 'em little by little. It's a lot more fun that way," Haruhi smiled.
"You should get to know the person to better understand them," Susumu crouched beside Renge. He pat her on the head tenderly. "Don't worry, you'll find a nice guy. Maybe even in the place you least expected."
"Do you feel a chill?" Nozomi asked.
"Out here?" Aki questioned, lifting her eyebrows. "I'd roll up my sleeves, not throw on a winter coat."
Nozomi sneezed.
...
"I bought the video of that film you made!"
"I bought it too!
"And so did I!"
The hosts blinked.
"You did?" Tamaki asked.
"That scene in the rain was just phenomenal!"
"I love the lonely prince!"
"The loving relationship between Hikaru and Koaru was so sweet!"
"I kept spamming the replay button," Nozomi said, "I couldn't stop watching your scene in the rain, Tamaki. You're an amazing actor. Did you think about doing a scene with Kyoya?" Nozomi was giggling.
"No," Tamaki answered nervously.
"Kyoya-" Tamaki started.
"I may have broken the camera's lens, but the footage that we'd already shot wasn't damaged," Kyoya said, "But naturally I did cut out that one violent scene. Sales have been pretty good so far. That Hollywood film crew did a fantastic job, but then I guess that's to be expected."
"So is this what you meant by interesting?" The twins questioned.
"It's best to have as much money as we can in the club's budget."
"And just when did he start calculating all of this?" Haruhi wondered aloud.
"He hides his thoughts very well," Aki said.
"Oh, Aki-senpai, hi," Haruhi greeted her.
Aki lifted her hand in greeting. "You and Susumu were really believable in your scene."
"I never knew I could act," Haruhi said.
"It's a useful skill," Aki told her, "My older brother is a rising actor and he can't go anywhere without being recognized. My family's tried to get me into entertainment but I'm looking into a simpler profession. I'll probably major in chemistry in college."
"Sometimes simple is the way to go," Haruhi agreed, "I have my own goals for the future."
"I'd like to hear about it."
"Good day, everyone," Renge approached the hosts.
"Renge?" Tamaki was surprised to see her, "But I thought you'd gone back to France already?"
"I can't believe I didn't realize this sooner. It was so chivalrous of you to risk your life to protect me, I could feel the love when you lectured me about judging people," She took Haruhi's hands, "When you said it was fun to get to know people little by little, you were talking about me."
"Yeah," Haruhi said, confused.
Renge noticed Susumu drawing in his sketch book and walked up to him, leaving Haruhi for a minute. Susumu lifted his face when she looked at him up close. "I didn't see it before. I would've missed it if you hadn't told me I'd find him in the the place I least expected," Renge blushed, "It's you, Susumu-senpai."
Susumu flipped his sketchbook closed and moved back when Renge inched closer. Susumu tried to think of an answer. "I don't what to say."
Nozomi hugged herself, shivering due to the unexpected return of the same chilly air. "Where is it coming from?"
"Nozomi-senpai, you're shivering," Haruhi noticed, "Are you catching a cold?"
"I never get sick," then Nozomi sneezed.
Susumu jumped out of his seat when she tried to grab his arm. He picked up his sketchbook and moved away from her. "Renge-chan, Ican't leave right now, I need to work on a commission."
"Want to spend some time together later?" Renge asked.
"Maybe."
"Okay!"
Renge took Haruhi's arm.
"Come on, Haruhi, let's go to my house and play some games together!" Renge dragged Haruhi along, "I think it's time you got to know me better."
"Hey, Kyoya-senpai," Hikaru got his attention.
"You okay with that?" Koaru asked.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Kyoya said, "Everything Renge said it true."
Nozomi sneezed.
"No it isn't!" Tamaki objected.
"But I thought you were the one who wanted her to have a female friend in the first place," Kyoya said.
"Well, yeah, a female companion," Tamaki argued, "Not a girlfriend!"
"Come on, Haruhi!" Renge exclaimed, "Let's go play together!"
"No, wait! Don't take Haruhi from me!" Tamaki chased after them.
Nozomi sniffled. "Do you know why it's so cold in here, Kyoya?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. The room temperature is warm," Kyoya answered.
Nozomi shivered.
"Perhaps, you have caught a cold," Kyoya said.
"I never get sick," Nozomi said for the second time.
"I can brew you a cup of cocao," Susumu suggested, "It's sure to warm you up."
"Susumu, make me cocoa!" Nozomi ordered.
"I'll have to get the ingredients first and-"
Susumu was hugged from behind, preventing him from leaving.
"Yay! You're such a good friend, Susumu!" The second after she embraced Susumu, Nozomi sneezed, twice this time.
"Nozomi, if you feel sick, you should go home," Susumu said, concerned.
"I never get sick!"