Look I'm not dead! I've been wanting to do this side story for Renette for awhile so I hope you enjoy! It feels good to write her again since I've been so caught on my Vampire Knight Fanfic (which I will go back to after this) :D

Another day and the host club was just as busy as always. Rows and rows of girls lined the tables talking and swooning at the members.

Today was circus themed thanks to the King himself and everyone was feeling the spirit, everyone except Renette of course.

She sat off to the side of the mayhem with a book in her hands, trying to ignore the noise.

But of course that wasn't easy seeing Tamaki slid in next to her. "Why aren't you joining in the festivities Renette? Is my beauty to wonderful to behold today? I do make a wonderful ring master."

Renette glanced up from her book only for a moment before rolling her eyes. "Yeah sure, that's totally it."

Tamaki beamed, not understanding her sarcasm and took the book out of her hands while giving her his signature smirk. "I knew you were falling for me! At last you admit it."

Renette stood up in angry and pointed at Tamaki. "What the hell Souh?! Give me that back!" before stepping on his foot and snatching the book from him.

Tamaki squeaked and held his foot in pain. "Ow! Mommyyy she hurt me!"

Kyoya ignored the King and continued writing down the budget for the month while the rest of the host club strolled over to them.

Haruhi smiled at Renette and tried to calm her down. "What exactly are you reading Renette?"

The girl in question turned to Haruhi and waved the book in the air. "Ahh it's this stupid math textbook. There is this big exam in a couple days and I'd rather not fail the test….so leave me alone Souh."

Tamaki returned to her side now wearing glasses, he pushed them up to his nose and gave his signature style. "Oh, is that it? Well then, I will gladly be your tutor."

Renette gave Souh the Are you stupid face and sighed. "Like I'd want you to tutor me, Souh. I actually want to pass this test."

Tamaki froze and took his glasses off in seriousness. "I'll have you know I take my studies very seriously just like my job as a host."

He opened his eyes and and realized that he wasn't talking to her anymore. In fact Renette was across the room, ignoring his self bragging. He was fuming. "Hey are you even listening to me!"

She looked up from her book and rolled her eyes "I mean honestly I only listen to about five percent of what you say."

Tamaki gasped at this realization and crawled into his depression corner, covering his knees with his arms. The twins noticed her annoyance and snaked there arms around her in concern. "You seem a bit more annoyed than usual Renette you okay?"

She gave a frustrated sigh and ran her fingers through her hair. "Yeah its just, I have certain people on my ass if I don't get the highest grade on this dang test, so I'm stressed."

The twins looked sadly to each other and Hikaru rubbed her head like a child. They understood what she meant.

Haruhi noticed this and raised her eyebrow in confusion as Tamaki returned once more, having regained his composer. "You know, you could say that even though my job as a host can be so taxing, I find time to be the best student in Ouran."

Kyoya looked up from his book and scoffed. "Says who?"

Tamaki put his hand up to silence his friend as he continued in his fantasy. "Not now Kyoya. Yes, it is rather challenging to balance such unique skills as I and still maintain such exceptional mathematics grades."

Renette glaned at the king's speech and waved him off. "Challenging?, Yeah okay sure."

Tamaki suddenly stopped at smiled. "Yes of course! Being a host is something only the most trained and beautiful people are capable of. It's easy to be wary of someone who doesn't understand the constant struggles."

At his last words Renette sharpy put down her book and ticked her eyebrow in annoyance. Did he just insult her? "And what is that supposed to mean? That I can't do the easiest job in the world that even a monkey could do..?"

Hikaru and Karou looked nervously between the king and their friend. He was certainly digging himself a hole here. "Well you do come off a bit rough sometimes. Not a good quality to have as a host."

At this point Renette was fuming which caused Karou to reach out to her. "Renette…"

She looked down at his hand before slapping it away and angrily pointing to Tamaki. "You know what Souh, screw you! I could have all the boys at this school wrapped around my finger if I wanted to! And I bet I could do it even faster than you could in a week!"

Tamaki was taken back by her tone but held his ground. At this point everyone had circled the two and wondered what would become of this situation. "Fine then. If you can gain more customers in a week then I can in a year, then I will say you are the superior host. But if you can't then you will have to participate in all the host club cosplays for the rest of the term!"

Renette thought about this challenge for a moment before reaching her hand out and shaking the Kings. "Deal."

Everyone in the audience oohed and ahhed about the new battle as the twins looked strangely nervous. "Are you sure you wanna do this?"

Tamaki smirked at the fact that the twins were taking his side for once. "Yeah Renette, are you sure you can beat the King?"

The twins looked between each other before standing on either side of Renette. "We didn't mean meant you boss."

Tamaki's mouth flung open as he promised to himself that he wouldn't lose to that orange haired devil.

A few hours later the twins and Renette returned home and Renette disappeared into her room. After an hour The twins looked between each other and carefully approached her door. They realized it was opened a slight crack as they slipped inside.

He gasped at the sight they saw before them. Hung on the walls were multiple sheets of paper with various styles of writing on them. On further inspection they realized that they were various different boys in Ouran and certain facts about them.

Then found her sitting in the middle of the circle typing something onto her laptop. "Can't be a host he says? Well I'm gonna make you eat those words Souh."

Hikaru and Karou looked at each other before quietly slipping back out of the door. Oh boy was the boss in for a surprise tomorrow.

The next day approached quicker than expected and everyone was wondering how Renette was going to pull this accusation off. It seemed impossible to beat Tamaki.

Even Tamaki himself was keeping an eye out just to see what she would try. He saw her pull up with the twins and step out of the car before hurrying over. "Good morning Renette. I can't wait to see just how you're going to beat me."

She looked at him for a moment before sticking her tongue out and walking away. It didn't seem like she was even trying.

When they arrived at their class room Renette scanned the room for the first candidate. She paused when she saw the same boy she flirted with when the twins and her were fighting. He seemed to be working on his latest art piece for the exhibit next week. Perfect.

She moved over to him when she felt Karou touch her arm. "Renette are you sure you wanna do this?"

Hikaru moved beside him and nodded his head. "Yeah you don't need to prove anything to the boss. You have us after all."

She looked at them for a quick second before rubbing their heads and smirked "Oh boys you know I can't give up a challenge like this."

And then she was gone. Renette carefully walked over to his desk and sat in the side across from him. "Hey, Toya?"

He whipped his head up and immediately looked at the twins who were giving him unhappy looks. Toya quickly gathered his things and moved to stand. "Uhh hey Renette! Sorry I have to go."

She put her hand out to stop him and shouted. "Wait! Please don't leave. The twins won't do anything to you, I promise."

Toya glanced nervously and noticed that the twins weren't giving him murder gazes and decided to sit back down. "What do you need?"

Renette sighed thankfully and rested her arms on the back of the chair. "Look, I'm sorry about a couple days ago. I was angry at the twins and I wanted to get back at them. It was wrong."

He put his pencil down and was flabbergasted at what she had just said. Was she apologizing? He didn't know that she was capable of that. "Uhh it's okay. No harm done."

Renette smiled slightly which made his heart jump a beat. Had he ever even seen her smile before. "Ahh good. I felt like crap but now everything is good, except this stupid test."

Toya turned his head to the side in question. "Test?"

She nodded her head and sighed dramatically "Yeah, this math exams coming up and I can't really fail. Although math was never my strong suit. There are just so many numbers and symbols and words, ugh it's gross."

He looked at the math textbook on his desk and then back at the twins. Were they going to kill him for this? "Uhh I mean I have some free time if you would like some help?"

Renette face lit up and grabbed his hand before shaking it up and down. "Really?! Oh my god I would love you forever! Please save me from these numbers!"

He just nodded his hand before pulling away from her. "Yeah sure it's no problem. I guess I'll see you later then?"

She nodded her head as he left the classroom. When he was gone Renette face dropped and she turned to the twins before winking. Easy as pie.

A couple hours later Renette walked into the music room with Toya by her side. The other members were just as surprised as the public. The fact that she got one customer was already a shock.

Tamaki leaned over his place on the sofa and watched the two carefully. He was almost certain that she wouldn't be able to pull it off. "So she got a customer, no matter I will still prove that I'm a superior host."

Renette brought Toya to sit at small table and pulled out her textbooks before opening the page. He did the same a offered her a pencil which she expected.

After that silence resumed and he tried to come up with a topic of conversation besides school work. "So uhh Renette, what do you like to do for fun?"

She paused and looked up and blinked the few times. Haruhi noticed her turn her head away just like the first time they met. She seemed uncomfortable "Oh uhhh not much. I usually just hang out with Hikaru and Karou."

Toya closed his eyes and put his pencil down. "But I mean don't you do anything else? Like with other people? I only ever see you with the twins."

Renette held her breath and hissed "I don't think that's any of your damn business."

The entire room went quiet and Renette noticed her mistake. Tamaki nodded his head triumphantly and turned to the other members "See? That orange haired devil can't do this. That just proves I am the superior host."

Toya moved to stand and walk away when Rennette called out to him. "Wait!"

Then she let out a loud annoying sigh and played with the ends of her hair. "Ugh Tamaki's right I can't do this! I'm just not good enough for it."

Toya paused at turned to meet her. "Can't do what?"

Renette slowly slumped in her chair and closed her book. " Actually talking to people and becoming a host.I knew it was pointless. And, you were right about the twins. The truth is I just don't know how to talk to other people."

Tamaki froze in his seat as his eyes glued to Rennette. This was a side he had never seen before. "What is she doing?"

Suddenly the twins appeared next to him and narrowed there eyes. "She's winning."

Tamaki's eyes grew wide as he turned back to the show in front of them.

Toya moved a step closer and let Renette finish. "I always end up saying the wrong thing and having them hate me. So I thought it was better to limit my friends. But here I am trying and failing once more. I'm sorry Toya,I'll leave."

She stood up and started to walk past Toya when he turned and grabbed her arm. "Wait. You don't have to leave. I'm sorry I didn't understand."

Renette blinked her eyes in surprise and questioned "But don't you hate me now?"

He shook his head vigorously. "Of course not. Now come on, let's finish this practice test."

Just then Renette smiled, and I mean really smiled to him. Toya was so taken back by the response that a light blush rose up into his cheeks. The entire host club was in awe over her reaction except the twins who were clinging onto the edge of the sofa tightly.

Koyoa moved over to the two and pointed to Renette "Renette it's time to play your set for today."

She nodded her head quickly and turned to Toya. "I'm sorry do you mind?"

He glanced at the textbooks and nodded. "No it's okay, I would love to hear you play."

Renette smiled again and moved to the center before taking her violin and pointing to Toya. "If you all wouldn't mind I would like to play something new today, please enjoy."

Then her fingers pressed onto the strings as she closed her eyes. The sound that came out was truly beautiful. The air around them felt full with overwhelming emotion, her emotions.

Hikaru closed his eyes painfully and clinged onto the sofa even harder. No one understood what this song was except them.

Toya was glued to her movements and gasped when he saw a single tear pour down her face. No one had ever seen her cry before.

When the performance was over an overwhelming crowd could be heard through the doorway. Dozens of students were watching her as she lightly bowed before giving a warm smile. All of the boys in the area swooned and clapped loudly.

Just a few days later and Renette almost had the entire school gawking at her. They walked her to class, eat with her, and became frequent members of the host club. Tamaki was shocked about how quickly this occurred. She had almost beat him with a day left!

When after school came a hundred boys circled her and laughed at all her jokes. The rumors going around were that she was just misunderstood and that she wasn't that bad after all. Plus she was a model.

The twins watched from the side bitterly as Renette laughed at another joke. Tamaki snaked up behind them and shouted"How did she get this many customers in a few days!?"

Karou just shrugged his shoulders as Hikaru refused to answer. The boss blinked a few times before whispering. "She only needs one more boy to request her and then I'm done for!"

Suddenly the door creaked open and a skinny boy with glasses walked in and stuttered. "Umm hello. I'm looking for Renette. I would like to request her."

Tamaki's face dropped as his whole entire world crumbled beneath him. She had won. She had beat the King of the host club.

He turned to her who smirked slightly before stepping over to him. "It's seems like you have something to say, King of the host club?"

Tamaki gulped and looked around for help but every other member had disappeared. Then he swallowed and muttered. "You win."

She blinked a few times and leaned in closer. "I'm sorry I didn't hear that. Could you say it again?"

He grumped loudly before shouting. "Okay fine you win! You are the superior host."

Renette turned her face into a twisted smile before glancing at the boys. "Thank you Souh."

Then she turned to her adoring fans and waved them off. "Alright boys shows over, time to go home."

They are looked at her confused and didn't make a move to leave. Renette balled her first and used her foot to kick the table next to them over, causing all of the contents to spill. "What are you waiting for? I told you to get out!"

Toya emerged from the group and question. "Renette are you okay? I know you don't know how to talk to people but this isn't it."

Just then Rennette gave a low chuckle and pointed at him. "How stupid can you possibly be? I know how to talk to people just fine. This was all a game Toya. It didn't mean anything."

The crowd around him gasped and whispered insults at her as Toya grabbed a pitcher of tea on the table and angrily glared before pouring the contents on her head. "You're terrible. I wish I never talked to you!"

Then just as fast as they came, the boys left in a huff leaving only the host club members. Rennette stood trenched in tea staring at the ground with an unreadable expression. Haruhi reached out for her in concern. "Renette?"

She closed her eyes and when she opened them she had the same smirk she always had. "Ahh man how rude. I mean, I like tea but I didn't want to wear it. Oh well, I guess I better change!"

Renette then slipped out of the doorway leaving everyone to question what had just happened.

Tamaki sat on the side of the fountain wondering about the events that just occurred. It was no lie that she was indeed talented at deception but it bothered him the way she looked drenched in tea.

Suddenly a piece of plastic presses against his skin and he looked up to find Renette. She was holding some sort of snack. "Hey, you want this? I got it for free at this market and I know you like commer things so…"

He carefully grabbed the snack as he watched her sit down next to him. He sighed at opened the bag. "I guess you were right. You are the superior host."

She glanced at him before pulling out her own snack and opening it. "No I'm not Souh."

He looked at her and question. "Of course you are you got so many requests in a couple days!"

Renette took a small bite and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and you saw how it ended. I don't, do well with people. That part wasn't a lie."

Tamaki looked away and questioned. "Why did you do that? You could've been popular and all the rumors would have been cleared. So why did you ruin it?"

She slowly put down her snack and answered. "It's just, hard to trust people. It's better this way."

He sharply turned to her and frowned. "How is that better?"

Renette smiled sadly and looked away. "Experiences have taught me not to be naive. So I don't trust easily. Fake friends and people, I don't want that. I can't handle that anymore. So, I just don't."

Tamaki thought about her sentence and looked away from her. "Except with the twins."

She then gave him an unreadable expression and muttered. "Yeah sure, like the twins."

He wondered what that meant but decided to ask another question. "Why are you telling me this?"

Renette looked up at the fountain and thought about this. "I don't know. I guess, a part of me wants to."

Tamaki blinked a few times and a light feeling rose in his chest. All they ever did was argue and bicker but he felt like she had just let him into her world, just a bit.

She then got frustrated and put her hands up. "But, don't expect this Souh. It's not like we are going to have these girl talks now, okay?"

He laughed at her comment before rubbing the top of her head like the twins do. She gasped at jumped up all while trying to hide an irritating blush. "You do that again and I will break your arm!"

Tamaki smiled and nodded his head before watching her leave. She sure was interesting

Renette walked out down the hallway with her face cast down and only thinking about moving forward.

Numerous whispers and comments were heard all around her. They spoke as if she wasn't there and that she couldn't hear the hate they were spewing.

Phrases like "I told you she was a bitch." "She didn't fool me" "She's just like those twins" "How terrible" were echos around her as she passed through the doors.

Looking up she saw Hikaru and Karou waiting for her just like they always did after school. They had such pitiful looks on their faces as she approached them.

Just then a group of guys passed by and cruelly whispered so she could hear. "Look she's back with those twins. Seems they are the only ones that will tolerate her."

Hikaru grinded his teeth in anger and lifted his first up at the boy to swing. How dare they. "Why you..!"

He suddenly paused when Renette carefully slowly placed her hand on his arm and pushed it back down. Then she shook her head, clearly telling him not to go through with it.

Hikaru paused and understood what she wanted. Lowering his hand he watched her slide into the car without a word.

The twins followed, each took their place on the end seat, next to Renette. Who just closed her eyes and leaned her head against the headrest.

Karou opened his mouth to speak when she quickly pulled out her phone and placed headphones over her ears. Clearly a sign that she didn't wanna talk.

Karou sighed in worry and gave up before looking out the window.

Renette let herself get carried away in the music and tried to think think about the unpleasant things circling her memory. She wouldn't let the past repeat itself.

She gasped slightly when she felt a hand cover her right one and opened her eyes to see Hikaru looking away from her with his own headphones in.

Hikaru's hand gently squeezed her's when another one joined, expect on her left.

She looked the other way and found Karou looking out the window. His hand lightly wrapped around hers and lightly gave it a squeeze.

Renette looked between the two and realized what they were doing. They didn't need words to understand everything about each other. .Hikaru and Karou were trying to comfort her.

She smiled slightly at the action and remembered that it was better like this. She didn't need a million friends. Here was enough.

This chapter is really telling to Renette's character I think. Because it shows that she is capable of making friends but she just chooses not to for some reason. Even with the twins she didn't really say that she fully trusted them with her convo with Tamaki.