A/N: I don't see a lot of disclaimers anymore, but just in case I don't own OHSHC. I only own my oc, Gingko/Airi.

Prologue: A Familiar Start!

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Rich people didn't have friends. Tamaki didn't want to believe this, but he was extremely conflicted by the thought. He'd been living in Japan for a couple of months now, learning how to be a gentleman that can blend into the upper class. He wondered if his father was testing these skills by placing him in this situation. He had mentioned before that when he started attending Ouran Academy, he should seek out and befriend Kyoya Ootori, a young man in the same grade as him. He was the 3rd son of the prominent Ootori household. A family that specialized in medicine among other things. They were on the same level as the Suoh household in terms of power.

"Tamaki, the Ootori's and Suoh's have long done business with each other. It would be good to get along with the boy. Beneficial, even."

Was this truly how he was going to make friends? What a burdensome, cruel request to make, especially on his first day! As much as he wanted to, he couldn't object and knew he must do as he was told. Still, if he was going to live in Japan and be forced to make friends with higher connections, he needed to make the most of it! After all those videos and books that his father brought him over the years, he decided during his stay here that he was going to do everything! As all the ideas of what to do first ran through his head, he knew he couldn't get ahead of himself and needed to start off small. A kotatsu. He was going to sit at a kotatsu and enjoy laughing and peeling oranges while playing footsies with his friends when he made them. Hopefully. He was meant to head over to the teacher's lounge and wait for the student representatives to greet him, but he needed to roam around the academy first! His father wouldn't approve of his wanderings, but the academy was massive and beautiful. He needed to look it over with unknowing eyes at least once! As he walked the halls, he remained conscious of how loud his footsteps were. A gracious gentleman shouldn't stomp about, he must walk like a dove flies. With beauty and grace, as if his life depended on only being adored. He was a miracle of God after all. As Tamaki chuckled to himself, upping his ego and self-esteem, he paused his antics when he heard a sniffle.

Someone was weeping nearby. Maybe it was a ghost?! He grabbed his face in terror as he quickly psyched himself out. Could there be a ghost?! Japan's notorious for its old buildings and ghost stories. Ghost stories wouldn't exist unless someone had seen a ghoul or banshee.

"Oh no I'm going to die! This is an omen that this devilishly handsome face will never be able to grace this hall ever aaaaaaagain!" He told himself, panicking.

That was when the weeping stopped. Then came a hiccup and the voice of a young girl echoed out "W-Who's there…?"

Tamaki breathed out a sigh of relief. It was just a student! Quickly, he walked over to where the voice was coming from. However, panicking at the closing footsteps, the girl suddenly yelled out "D-Don't come over here!"

Tamaki halted, confused.

"Just go away! Just go back to class…" She hiccuped. The pain in her voice pulled at his heartstrings. He felt awful for the girl. Carefully walking towards the pillar she was hiding behind, he debated leaving her there as she requested. Yet, as she tried to hold back her whines and sniffles, he decided to stay. There were times after he came to Japan that he needed someone to comfort him. The nights he missed his mother were the longest he'd ever have to lay through. He knew what it was like to be alone and hurt, so he wanted to be there for this girl. Even if they never spoke to each other again. Gently placing his back against the pillar and sliding down to sit, Tamaki mulled over what he could say to her. It was clear she didn't want to talk about the problem, especially with a stranger, so he needed a different approach.

He mulled over the Japanese thing's he'd heard from his father and learned from his dvd's and magazines. That's when an idea came to mind: ramen. He perked up, stating, "You know, ever since I've arrived in Japan I've noticed how nice and polite everyone is, but! I never knew you all were such sloppy ramen eaters!"

When he heard her still hiccuping, he decided to amp up his tone. "I'd like to taste the most wondrous homemade ramen! I haven't been able to bring myself to taste it because as a gentleman, I can't possibly imagine eating it like a pig! Slobbering all over it, there must be another way to compliment the chef without disgracing oneself of course-"

"Where the hell…did you learn that?" Her raspy voice uttered out quietly in disbelief and confusion. "That's not right?"

Tamaki whipped around in shock, looking at her direction but not at her. Lighting hit him and he yelled out "It's not?! That can't be!" His entire world began to crumble. How could he be wrong? He's studied about Japan for years now! So many books, so many movies and videos. There is no possible way he could be wrong. In fact, he may be more of an expert about the Japanese than they are of themselves! Maybe this mademoiselle was the one who didn't know?

"Have you ever eaten homemade ramen at a restaurant?" He asked her quickly, testing her. He leaned in intensely, awaiting her response.

She paused, before saying a little loudly "... No, but I've never heard of something that super ridiculous before in my life!' He had her.

"Ah hah! Then maybe you're the one that's wrong! I know everything there is about Japan-" He began arrogantly listing off the thing's that he'd seen and learned, acting as if his life depended on it. However, despite being half serious, it was all a ruse. She was finally talking to him, and by the sounds of the minimized sniffling she had calmed down from whatever was upsetting her. He felt quite accomplished.

"Omg will you just shut it!" She abruptly yelled, fed up with his yammering. Whipping around the pillar, she quickly scooted towards him and halted when she saw his face. He paused as well, surprised that the girl he was pestering all along was a foreigner. As they gazed at each other for a moment, Tamaki got his bearings and gave her a gracious, gentlemanly smile. He then took out his handkerchief and caressed the girl's cheeks with it, wiping away the leftover tears from her eyes. Her eyes widened at the gesture and she was left speechless, a blush growing on her face.

He broke the silence, saying "A maiden such as yourself is too beautiful to be shedding tears. However, they should be ever so lucky to be falling from such sparkling, alluring eyes that resemble a spring rose in bloom."

"...I…I…" She was left speechless, like all the maidens he's spoken to before. His charm and flattery was his most important skill. He's left many girls happy and in love in his wake. But, none of that matters to Tamaki when he's trying to help someone forget their troubles. He was happy he could do that much for her-

"Go out with me!" She exclaimed, grasping his hand. His train of thoughts were completely broken then and there. This was not his intention at all.

…

Tamaki was mulling over the confession he got. He had no time to answer the girl because they were discovered by the professor who was sent to look for him. It looked like the man was familiar with the girl as he began scolding her for missing homeroom, and quickly sent her on her way. She complied easily, but made a face at the professor behind his back before farewelling Tamaki with a wink as she skipped off joyfully in the opposite direction. Whatever ailed her was long forgotten in the end, and now he was left a flustered mess. Sure, he'd been confessed to many times in the past, but never suddenly like that! She was certainly a bold maiden. Her personality reflected in her wardrobe quite well. Despite wearing the uniform, she took luxuries in stylizing her hair and makeup to stand out. He wondered if the other students here dressed as eccentric as her?

He had no time to think about the girl anymore as his professor introduced him to his class representatives. One of which was the infamous Kyoya Ootori. The boy his father assigned him to befriend. Tamaki hoped that they'd get along well.

She was on Cloud 9, daydreaming about the handsome foreigner who came to save her this morning. She was heartbroken because her recent boyfriend met her that morning to break up with her, but who cares about him! She's fallen in love with an angel sent from above. She thought about his shining blond hair, piercing purple eyes that shone like jewels, and his smile! His smile was the most kindest, alluring expression she's ever seen. His looks were heavenly. On top of that he was caring and sweet! He was so empathetic to her emotions. He cared about her (a complete stranger) enough to distract her from her tears, what a gentleman! That's her ideal type, someone so caring and handsome. He would certainly make her happy. She had fallen in love at first sight. She needed to be with him, no matter what! Such an ideal boy would be snatched up quickly, so she asked him out without a second thought. Too bad that professor caught them before he could accept her confession. She was snapped out of her daydream as she scribbled on her paper, irked. That man! The moment he receives word from the class representatives that she's skipped out on homeroom, he goes looking for her. Why couldn't they just understand that a girl can't think about school or anything when she's freshly heartbroken.

Glaring over at that uptight girl, Ayame Jounouchi, and that cold boy, Kyoya Ootori, she realized that he was missing. That's not fair! How come he can ditch all he wants but she can't? Her mood worsened as she huffed and double checked her perfectly manicured nails. She then gazed affectionately to the handkerchief the boy had left behind. The cloth was definitely imported silk and pure white. She could tell he was sensitive too by the small embroidered white rose in the corner. The thing was as pristine as he was. Once break started, she'd hunt him down and finish their conversation. She couldn't wait for him to be her boyfriend. For their first date she'd take him to the best ramen restaurant in Japan in celebration of how he saved her from heartbreak.

Her delusions were halted yet again when the professor caught their attention. She had completely forgotten- today was the day her class would receive a foreign exchange student. As the entire world came to a slow and pink flowers appeared all around, her heart could only flutter with joy and love as she saw the boy from before make his grand entrance. Everyone around him faded away as she focused on only him and his alluring smile. She clasped her hands, leaning forward. She realized this was fate. This was her fate! It was true love, they were meant to be. She thought her boyfriend dumping her this morning was the end of the world. She was ready to give up on love when he walked into her life and brought her so much compassion and color. Her boyfriend dumping her was no coincidence. Neither was meeting this boy in the hallway, and having him be a part of her class. They're soulmates. They were truly meant to be together.

Tamaki Suoh would be hers.

…

The moment the bell rang she pounced up and latched herself onto Tamaki's arm before could leave his seat, requesting to speak to him in private. Tamaki, ever the gentleman, obliged with a bright, kind smile. As they both walked out of the classroom, they were unaware of the chattering of their classmates and the watchful eyes of a certain bespectacled boy with glaring lenses. She was red in the face as they sauntered along, leading him to a nearly empty hallway. Despite Ouran's junior division building being massive, there were never any truly private areas. Too many students liked to roam about or stand around, so she had to make do with what she was given. She reluctantly let go of Tamaki's arm and faced him, now nervous. She always got this way when she confessed her feelings to a boy. Doesn't matter how many boys she's confessed too, she'll always be a pure blubbering mess when she confesses her love. A pile of mush would do better than her right now in all honesty.

Taking a deep breath, she looked him in the eyes and tried to profess her love when he stopped her. He wasn't being rude, but it looked like he misinterpreted her calling him out there. Tamaki seemed to be the dense type. Well, it didn't matter. She loved him with all his flaws anyway.

"I had no idea we were in the same grade!" He loudly cheered. "It's quite a relief to see a familiar face among complete strangers."

She decided it was best to play along with him for now. She didn't want him to get the wrong idea that she was a rude, selfish girl right off the bat. "Yeah, I was super hella surprised! What a cool coincidence!" Except it wasn't. Fate brought them together so they were meant to be.

He chuckled at her response, repeating "'Super hella'? What a cute way to speak! My textbooks never told me that Japanese girls spoke this way. Unless this is a mannerism exclusive to foreigners?"

Ah yes, of course he'd presume she was a foreigner like himself. But, she wasn't. She'd been born in Japan and was living overseas for a bit before coming back to attend Ouran Academy at her mother's request. To the outside eye she looks like a foreigner because she's a hafu, but through and through she was a born and bred Japanese girl. Her mother insisted on her learning the customs and lifestyle in case her father ever decided on the spot she'd take over his oil and aviation business. She doubted that'd ever happen. Having an illegitimate child take over the company instead of your two purebred sons would be quite the scandal. Her existence was enough trouble for him to take on in a lifetime. So, she stayed quiet and did her best to live a normal school life among her peers. She only wanted to live happily, fall in love, and do whatever she wanted. Unfortunately, that proved to be harder than she thought.

"Nope~ that's all me, Tama-chi!" She gave him a flirtatious wink. "I'm one of a kind around here."

His eyes lit up and he laughed. "Wow, my first day and I've already gotten a cool nickname! Mon ami, you've made me the happiest boy today."

He quickly clasped her hands and drew her closer to him. Blushing, she was entranced by his gaze. Was he going to kiss her? So soon!? Did he actually remember her confession from earlier? What game was he playing here? Oh, who cares! His lips looked so soft… so much softer than her last boyfriend's. Right as she prepared to close her eyes, he interrupted the mood.

"Would you do me the honor… of joining Kyoya and I under a kotatsu!" Her face fell. He was being serious, judging from the way his expression glimmered with expectation. Seriously, what kind of game was he playing? He continued, "Kyoya promised me during our tour that when I'd visit his house, he'd have a kotatsu for us to sit under. By having you join us, we'd have an extra set of legs to play footsies with! You could be our sister!"

An alarm set off in her head. She needed to nip this whole "sister" idea in the butt, now. She quickly blurted out, "But I'm not your sister! We-We don't even look alike, at all!"

Tamaki's expression shifted to realization. Nodding in understanding, he made her breathe out a sigh of relief. She exhaled too soon though as he followed up with "You're right! We're not siblings. We're best friends! And best friends can be closer and more loving than family, especially when we're sitting under a kotatsu. You're completely right!"

All the energy drained from her body as she gaped like a fish. He really didn't want to go out with her. That hadn't even crossed his mind when she called him out here. She had never been rejected and friend-zoned before so quickly in her life.

Tamaki Suoh sure was a different kind of handsome breed.

"Ah! How could I be so rude?!" He suddenly shrieked out, but she couldn't care to focus anymore. Reeling over the cruel rejection he had unknowingly given her right now. "I don't even know my best friend's name- I've been quite the callous gentleman! I'm so disappointed in myself."

Callous? Definitely. The way he had placed her feelings in a whirlwind throughout this entire exchange. Not even her ex-boyfriend put her into such a hurricane of confusion! Bouncing back, she just stared at the boy as he unclaimed her hands and stepped back, bowing.

"Pardon me for my rudeness, Miss, but what might your name be?" He stood back up with a charming, open smile that made her melt. She couldn't stay mad at that face. She should consider herself lucky to be rejected by such a handsome guy. But, maybe if she stuck around as his "best friend" she could win over his heart?

Well, that was her new mission: make Tamaki Suoh fall in love with her!

"Don't worry about it, Tama-chi!" She giggled, waving him off. "I'm sure the move to Japan and attending Ouran Academy has been a lot for you. It was for me when I first started, so congrats on surviving your first day!"

She then bowed politely like she had been taught several times before. As much as she hated doing it, first impressions were key! Back straight, hands in front of her, angle just right. Her bow was perfect, like herself. Her speech was casual, but with Tamaki's personality she was sure he'd adore her anyway. "The name's Takemura Airi. You can call me Airi or Airi-chan. Nice to meet ya!"

Softly, he took her hand and kissed it. She swooned. "Well then, Airi-chan, would you do me the honor of joining Kyoya and I under a kotatsu this weekend."

She winked at him, replying cheerily "Of course!"

Airi had her eye on the prize. Her days at Ouran Academy were going to become much more interesting again.

A/N: It's been forever since I uploaded a fanfic. I was on here consistently back in 2013 and now that I'm in my twenties I'm still fanficing even if I haven't been uploading anything for a couple years now. Ngl, I regret ditching my old account cause it would've been nice to upload this story on there but it is what it is. Depending on how I feel I'll try to update this every month. I made this because I got really mad about a fic I read on here a while back so like I'm writing this in retaliation lol. Anyway! I hope yall like Airi, she's pretty cute and lovesick and I feel like those characters get a bad rep even tho they're pretty fun! Feel free to review or follow if ya wanna. Thanks! ^_^