Disclaimer: I don't Ouran High School Hosts Club. They're owned by Bisco Hatori. The Original Ouran Characters are the property of their owners and are used with permission.
CHAPTER ONE
~Music Room 3 is open!
The doors to music room 3 opened, revealing a group of young men dressed in costumes from the samurai era of Japan. Each of them seemed as though they were heroes pulled right out of the ancient Japanese history books and exhibits in the museum. Their guests of the day all gushed and squealed at their favorite hosts dressed as heroes of yesteryear.
"The promise of your heart, my darling, will let me fighter harder in battle to come back to you." Tamaki Suoh, the resident king of the host club, ran a finger under the chin of the girl he was speaking to. "Your beauty will be enough to sustain me as I fight to protect you."
"Tamaki-Sama!" The girl squealed out. "You're so brave!"
"I'll always be brave for you, my darling princess…."
"Kyaaa! Tamaki-Sama!"
Across the room, the Hitachiin twins sat at a table together as they watched their guests sample the yōkan that Kaoru had made.
"These are so good, Kaoru!"
"I love the little figs in the middle!"
"Ooh, can you make some for me?"
Kaoru laughed softly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm taking orders right now. If you wish to have more, there are ple-Hikaru!"
Hikaru looked up from the now-empty plate and gave an innocent smile. "What? I love these things, and you only make them once every year, so I thought I'd eat my fill."
"Hikaru, I made those special for our guests," Kaoru looked away from his brother. "If you wanted more, I could've made you some."
"Kaoru…" Hikaru pulled his brother close. "I'm sorry, Kaoru, I watched you slave over that hot stove that I just had to be the first to taste them...please forgive me."
"I forgive you…." Kaoru whispered.
"Kyaaaa!"
"Oh, the twins' brotherly love is so beautiful!"
"I'm gonna faint!"
"Those girls are so wigged out over there," Haruhi Fujioka walked past the table carrying a tea set; she set the tray on the table in front of her and stayed silent, watching her boyfriend with their shared guests.
"Haruhi and I spent the night babysittin' my nephew," Marcus Sakurai gave a dimpled smile as he showed them pictures of Haruhi playing with his nephew. "KJ loves playin' with the tanuki."
"Aww, so cute!"
"Haruhi-Kun's such a natural with children!"
"Ooh, you two have to adopt if you ever get married!"
Marcus laughed quietly as he looked up and saw Haruhi was watching them. "Babe, tell 'em about how KJ fell asleep on your lap last night after you read a story to him."
Haruhi smiled. "It was adorable," she said with a small laugh. "He fell asleep before we could get to the third page of The Cat In The Hat."
"Aww, sooo cute!"
"Kyaaaaa, I want to see the baby!"
The fangirls continued screaming in unison as they began giggling at the thought of their favorite hosts taking care of babies.
The door to the music room slowly opened, and Jenny walked into the room, she looked up at hearing a squeal, and the next thing she knew, her cousin had tackled her to the floor. The bag she was holding flew from her hands, landing in a heap on the floor.
"Chi-Chi! What the heck?!"
"Bun-Buuuuns!" China squealed, cuddling her cousin. "Where have you been? I missed you so much!"
"Aww, Chi-Chi, I was at cheerleading practice," Jenny rubbed her cousin's head gently and smiled. "I told you that I'd be a little late today. Don't be sad."
"My Bun-Buns."
"Chi-Chi, you're such a baby."
China giggled and cuddled her more. "I want cuddles." she insisted. "You owe me, and you're gonna be gone for the whole weekend!"
"You can cuddle Romey," Jenny reminded her before looking over and seeing Marcus had picked up the bag she had been carrying. "Marky, don't start with me; that's my uniform for the competition, and don't worry, I am gonna be bunking in a room with Sergei and Kozue; the coach already said it was ok."
"I wasn't goin' to say anythin' about that," Marcus said, rolling his eyes. "Bunny, I trust you, and I know you'll be fine."
"Good," Jenny said. "I cannot wait for the competition, to be around fellow cheerleaders who share in one thing...the common sisterhood of cheerleading."
"This is a competition, right?" Hikaru asked as he picked up China and held her. "Those powder puffs are going to be competitive."
"No, no, you don't understand; cheerleading is a universal sign of friendship," Jenny said. "At the end of the day, all the teams become friends, and we cheer each other on."
"You're going into this with high hopes," Kaoru said. "You know that they're going to be out for blood."
"No, it's fine," Jenny said. "It's going to be fun, and I cannot wait til the competition, and this is going to be the first time I get to do something I love."
"What about being an idol?"
"Or the spokes girl for Strawberry Sugar Stars?"
"Those are fun, too, but my first love has always been cheerleading," Jenny said. "While Marky and Chi-Chi chose rough and tumble sports, I chose something fun and simple."
"You have high hopes in the other teams," Hikaru shook his head and carried China off. "Good luck, though, Rabunzel."
"Hey, you guys are coming too," Jenny said as she fished the tickets out of her pocket. "You guys have to come to cheer me on, ok?"
"Hell yeah! Karu! Turn this boat around and get me the tickets!" China knocked on his head.
"You want to go watch girls jump around and hear ear-bleeding music?" Hikaru asked. "Dude! Chinabi, this weekend was our date!"
"Please?" Jenny said as she handed the tickets to the hosts and girls. "You can still go on your date with Chi-Chi, and I promise it won't be too long."
"Do we have to go?" Haruhi asked quietly. "I'm not into cheerleading."
"Yes, 'cause you and Marky have to come to see me," Jenny explained. "I promise it'll be fun and a lot to do."
"And we can bring the donut, baby." Marcus smiled as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Fine, fine," Haruhi rolled her eyes. "You owe me an all-you-can-eat buffet meal, and I want extra crawdad cuddles."
"With or sans clothes?"
"Surprise me."
~Thursday~
"I hate it here already," Hikaru grumbled as he held China's hand as everyone walked through the large convention center. "I saw three guys dressed like cheerleaders and two girls run past yelling about having spirit .and Chinabi, why'd you have to sweet talk that dude into letting us into that lame gift shop?"
China rolled her eyes and held up a stuffed Afro Gunso. "Because it has this in it, but if you don't want it."
"Of course I do...I can probably get that lame uniform off him." Hikaru said and looked up as he saw a bunch of cheerleaders run past them.
"A paradise of girls in mini skirts," Mori said quietly and blinked when he saw a person from the Ouran Academy team run past them and throw up into a nearby trash can. "That can't be good."
"Maybe they're nervous?" Mimi suggested and saw another girl from the Ouran team run past them.
"My team will be fine!" Jenny cried from near a door as she talked to an official. "They're just nervous."
"Sorry, miss, but if they're not well, they'll have to disqualify them." the official said. "I'm so sorry."
"Bunny, what's wrong wit' 'em?"
"Marky...everyone…" Jenny said, tearing up. "I don't know...everyone was fine when we got here, and then afterward, they all started getting sick, even our coach."
"Did they eat anythin'?"
"Not that I know of...I mean, there were boxes of chocolates from the Saint Lobelia team sitting on the tables in our dressing area," Jenny said softly. "I didn't eat any of them 'cause I always get a nervous stomach before a competition."
"You still got the chocolates?"
"Umn...no, I threw them out," Jenny said softly. "But if I don't have a team, we'll be disqualified...unless…everyone."
"How many do y'all need?" Marcus asked with a sigh.
"Err...well, like all of you?" Jenny asked with a small smile. "I mean, you guys don't have to do it if you don't want to."
"Yeah, good luck," Hikaru said as he was about to walk away but was held by China. "Chinabi, come on! I don't do cheerleading!"
"But you won't get to see me in the uniform." China smiled.
"Chinabiiii!" Hikaru whined but sighed. "Fine, I'll help, but I swear if I get my ass kicked afterward, it's your fault."
"Uh, you sure you want us to help?" Haruhi asked nervously. "I mean, some of us aren't athletic .and I doubt you'll want all of us to help."
"It's just til my team gets better," Jenny insisted. "Plus, you guys are all athletic. Let's see, Marky and Takashi, you guys can be the ones who toss the girls into the air and catch them. Chi-Chi, Romey, and Sally can do floor stunts and dancing; Mimi, Ren, Haruchi, and Honey, you guys can be the flyers."
"Flyers?"
"The ones who get tossed into the air," Jenny said. "The twins, Maki and Kyo, can be the supports; they can dance and do stunts as well."
"Seriously?" Haruhi asked as she paled. "Usada, why?!"
"You guys said you'd help," Jenny said. "Come on; we'll get you some uniforms. There are extras in the back."
"Imma need support Spanx."
"Come on; I'll show you where they have some extras that the sponsors gave us," Jenny said as she led China and the other girls to the table.
"Are we seriously going to do this?" Hikaru mumbled. "Marcus, why'd you have to open your big mouth? Our school could've forfeited, and you're a football player; you sure you want to be seen in a goofy uniform?"
"I do have to agree with Hikaru," Kaoru said. "We don't know the first thing about doing cheerleader stuff. I mean, I've seen it in those bad cheerleading movies."
"And we may make fools out of ourselves," Tamaki added. "But Petit Lapin would've cried all the way home had Marcus not volunteered for us to help."
"Our family don't quit. End of story." Marcus said as he adjusted KJ in the chest carrier.
"And how are you going to do anything with a baby on your chest?" Hikaru asked. "I could watch him while you guys go out there."
Marcus looked up at a woman and smiled. "Yo, Fuyu."
"Oh? Marcus?" Fuyumi Ootori walked over to them and smiled brightly. "What are you doing here? I had no idea you'd be here too and with little KJ too!"
KJ squealed and reached for her.
"We need you to watch him for a while. We gotta help Bunny."
"Sure, I can watch my lil cutie," Fuyumi said. "Aww, KJ-kun, do you want to come to your other mommy? I brought some baby snacks."
"Fuuumaaaaa."
"That's right." Fuyumi giggled as she took KJ into her arms and smoothed his cheeks. "That's right! My baby! I love you! I love you! Come on, and we'll go find your daddy."
KJ squealed excitedly before waving bye to the hosts.
"Lucky kid…" Hikaru grumbled.
"Hell no!" Haruhi was heard yelling as she ran out of the uniform dressing area and glared. "I am not putting on a fake ass ponytail! Marcus, save me!"
"Babe, if you put it on, I'll take everything off later."
"But it's a heavy ponytail!" Haruhi cried. "I already feel goofy in this uniform. I want to kick my own ass!"
"Little Girl."
"Ugh, fine! I'll go put that ponytail on," Haruhi mumbled. "But you owe me! I want extra everything!"
"As much as you can handle."
"That girls' uniform looks like some pervert designed it," Hikaru mumbled. "There is no way my Chinabi would be caught dead in-oh god Chinabi…."
China grinned as she landed a forward handspring. "Well?"
"You look...look,-" Hikaru said, staring at her. "Hot damn, I get to have my hands all over you while you're in that uniform! Excuse me, guys, I have to change into the boys' uniform now to help Rabunzel." he ran off to find a uniform.
"Knew he'd love it."
"Squishy-chan, you're super cute!" Honey squealed. "Are you gonna have fun and help Bun-chan?"
"Yep, come here and cuddle me, Baby Boy!"
"Yay!" Honey ran and cuddled China and laughed. "Lookie! Takashi has on the male uniform."
Mori smirked as he looked at China. "Chupa."
"Takatree, I wanna climb you."
Mori pat her head. "Later." he walked over to Marcus and held out a uniform that'd fit him. "Suit up he-bitch."
"Get on your knees bitch." Marcus took the uniform and started changing out in the open, much to the excitement of the other cheerleaders.
"Oh my god, whose team is he on?!"
"Eek, he's so hot!"
"Look at dem abs!"
"Well damn, I'd turn gay to be with him in an instant!"
Marcus winked at the girls as he pulled his shirt off.
"God, I want to jump Purple Rain," Sally said with a low whistle. "Haruki's a lucky tanuki to be able to climb him every night."
"Marcus-san is handsome, yeek! Not as hot as China-dear, though!" Romey said, holding her chest as she had been pinched.
"Crawdad, stop bein' a stripper!"
"Why?" Marcus asked as he took his pants off.
There were loud screams as a few cheerleaders from the other teams began fainting.
"Let me at him!" Sally cried as she began running to jump Marcus, only to be caught by Tamaki. "Rene! Let me ride the Purple rain train to freedom!"
"Sally, just no," Tamaki mumbled. "Marcus is with Haruhi and should be doing that for her, not other people."
Marcus winked at Sally before speaking in Spanish and laughing.
"Hot damn!"
"Marcus Ray!" Haruhi hissed.
"Yes, Baby Girl?" he asked with a small growl.
"Please don't do a peep show," Haruhi said, blushing. "Get dressed, and don't be a stripper for strangers. You're mine."
Marcus smiled and pulled her in for a kiss.
"Kyaaaaaa, so hot!"
"Lucky!"
"I'm gonna faint!"
"Seriously, you guys? Finish getting ready and meet me in the backstage area." Jenny said, walking off. "And please don't make baby draunkis here!"
"So, let me get this straight, we have to hop around and dance to music?" Hikaru asked, looking around the backstage area. "Rabunzel, I thought cheerleaders did dumb-ass cheers."
"We do, but we also perform, too," Jenny said simply. "Our team is pretty good though, err, we always lose cause our routines are not-well, they're more on the side of being sophisticated and fitting for our school."
"Then why do you care so much about winning?!" Hikaru demanded. "Ugh, Chinabi, control your wacky ass cousin!"
"We're not doing the lame routine anyway!" Jenny cried. "I switched out the CDs before we got here, and we're doing a better routine."
"A better routine? What kind is that, Jenny-dear?" Romey asked curiously. "Do we need to do anything special for it?
"Nope, just follow my lead, and you should be good." Jenny grabbed her pom poms off the nearby table. "Everyone, thank you again; I owe you one."
"You don't have to thank us, Petit Lapin," Tamaki took her hands into his. "You're a host club member, and we will make every girl happy, even if it's one of our own."
"So what do we need to do, Bun-chan?" Honey asked curiously. Me and Muireann can help with cheers!"
"Well, actually, you two are tiny and will be flyers along with Haruchi," Jenny said simply.
"Flyers?" Haruhi asked. "What's that?"
"You get tossed into the air and caught." Jenny then pointed at Marcus, Mori, and Hikaru. "Marky, Taka, and Hikachu, you three will be our bases. It's your job to catch the flyers. And, umm, Kao, Romes, Sals, and Ren, you guys are our spotters. Basically, you guys help Marky, Taka, and Hikachu to ensure no one falls."
"What about me, Petit Lapin?" Tamaki asked.
"Simple floor stunts with Me, Kyo-pon, and Chi-Chi."
"Floor stunts?" Kyoya rolled his eyes. "Jennifer Anne, wouldn't it be better if I act as an assistant coach or maybe help sway the judges to choose our team?"
"Kyo-pon, I need you here with me," Jenny told him, placing a hand on his cheek and gazing into his eyes. "You said you'd help me with anything, no matter how dumb."
"I said that didn't I?"
"Yes."
"Oh, puke!" China cried and glared at the two; she grabbed her cousin's wrist and pulled her away. "Bun-Buns, come on, we should make sure that no one fucks with our music."
"Oh, we'll be back!" Jenny called as she followed her cousin. "Chi-Chi, don't pull so hard!"
"I just don't understand how anyone could enjoy this," Haruhi grumbled as she watched a team perform. "They're going to make us look like fools."
"Bunny would be upset if we quit," Marcus told her and wrapped his arms around Haruhi's waist. "Tanuki, I promise we'll spend time alone after this is all over."
"Fine." Haruhi shook her head.
"Ouran Academy team on deck!" called an official as they walked past.
"On deck?"
"We're going on a boat? How exciting!"
"That means to get ready." Sally rolled her eyes. "Oh man, this is going to be like those Bring it on Movies, aren't they?"
"It probably won't be that bad, Sally-san," Ren pointed out. She froze up when she saw the Saint Lobelia team walk past them. She quickly hid behind the taller girl as she saw the Zuka Club walk past them.
"Oh look, Chizuru, it's the Ouran Academy Host Club," Hinako Tsubuki said in disgust. "What are you doing here?"
"Did you guys come to seduce fair maidens?" Chizuru Mihara questioned. "Or are you here to watch your team lose to us for the tenth year?"
"What did you just say?!" Sally hissed. "We ain't losing to anyone, and our team is kick ass even if you guys tried to poison them!"
"Oh we heard about that," Hinako held back a giggle. "Shame they might've had a chance."
"A snowball's chase in hell, Hinagiku." Chizuru began to laugh. "Oh my, look at that; you're all wearing the uniforms. Does this mean you're going to try to beat us?"
"Listen here, you harpies," Hikaru stepped forward. "Our team will wipe the floor with you. My beautiful Pekoponian queen is an expert cheerleader and can out-dance anyone."
"Not to mention that all of us are great at cheering," Romey spoke up. "We won't lose to cheaters anyway."
"We have skills and beauty to beat you," Mimi said. "And we have Takashi and Mark-chan, who are strong bases!"
"And Haru-chan can fly high," Honey added. "So can Rencha!"
Chizuru and Hinako began laughing in unison at the words of the group. They began speaking to one another quickly and then started back with their taunting of the club.
"Suzuran, Hinagiku, what's this commotion about?" Benio Amakusa walked over to where the group was, and instantly, she made eye contact with Tamaki and narrowed her eyes. "Oh, it's you, Suoh; I thought I smelled a rat."
Tamaki sighed heavily. "Hello, Amakusa,"
"Nice uniform; where'd you buy it?"
"Off some gigolo; I think it was your father."
Benio's face flared up red, and they heard laughter. She turned around and saw the other hosts laughing. She regained her composure and turned back to Tamaki. "Clever Suoh, I wouldn't speak so freely about your parents, considering your lineage tainted by an outsider."
"What did you just say?"
"Well, it's a well-known fact that your father ended his marriage for his paramour," Benio said as she shrugged. "I mean, it's a stain on high society to think that a bastard son would ever take over the Suoh family fortune."
"Ah, hell, grab him!"
"Boss! Calm down; it's not worth it!"
"Tamaki, don't let her get to you!"
"Jefferson, you don't want to end up in jail!"
"Wah! When did Tama-Chan get so strong?!"
The hosts instantly grabbed Tamaki and held him back as they saw the blonde's eyes flash dangerously, and he was muttering in quiet angry French.
"I know you ain't just try to come for my boyfriend's head!" Sally let out a loud yell and ran toward Benio before she was grabbed and held back by Romey, Ren, and Mimi.
"Sally-dear, please calm down!"
"Benio-Sama, that was a nasty thing to say!" Ren snapped. "You don't speak anything nasty about Tamaki-Sama."
"Yeah, get lost! You started this by coming over here to mess with us." Mimi said darkly. "Go away before you regret it."
Benio ignored Mimi and walked over to Ren, and smiled gently. "Why, my darling little lotus, mommy was only trying to protect you from that nasty blonde person over there; you don't want to become HIS paramour, do you?"
"Let me go this instant!" Tamaki shouted in fury.
"Not a chance; we ain't got enough manpower to pull you off her."
"And you can't hit a girl, boss."
"If she grows one more hair on her chin, he's legally allowed to hit her."
"Mark-chan!"
Benio smirked and walked away, satisfied with what she and her friends had done to anger the host club. She knew if anything, they'd lose because of the anger and focus. She yelped out when she hit the floor.
"Benibara!"
"Are you ok?!"
Benio held up a hand and stood up; she looked over and saw China flipping her off. She merely glared at her and walked away.
"What the hell happened here?" China asked. "Why are Baby Mama and B being held like they're in bondage?"
"The Zuka club came over to cause trouble," Haruhi explained. "They pressed the Suoh-san button."
"No one speaks horribly of my mother or family!" Tamaki shouted in fury. "Those harpies won't get away with it!"
"When we're done kicking their asses in this, I'm going to kick their asses up and down the street!" Sally shouted before her speech dissolved into angry Spanish.
"Oi Sally, we may not win because we're not a real team." Hikaru pointed out. "We haven't been trained in cheerleading."
"Even if by some miracle we place, then we'd still have to compete the next day." Kyoya had let Tamaki's arms go. "And even then, all of us aren't athletic enough to keep up the strenuous activity."
"You might not be strong, Toyota, but some of us are," Marcus said. "All of us can't let Saint Sypllhis win."
"Everyone, Cheerleading is about-."
"We know, eternal sisterhood and the greater good of cheering for your team." everyone said in unison.
"That's right." Jenny smiled at everyone. "Come on let's get ready; it'll be our turn soon. By the way, I promise it'll be fun."
"Ouran Academy on deck!" called out one of the workers looking at their list.
"We're here!" Jenny walked over to the worker. "And we're ready."
"I see," The worker looked at the hosts and girls a moment before shaking his head. "Go on out."
"Alright."
The hosts and girls walked out as they saw many people in the crowd cheering while a few people were already mocking the team.
"They're so mean!" Mimi cried. "Bun-Chan, I don't want to do this if they're going to be mean."
"They're going to hate us," Hikaru grumbled and looked behind him at China. "Chinabi, I'm quitting right now. You're on your own."
"No, you're not," China told him and pushed him over to where the position that Jenny directed them to stand for the start of their turn.
"Ouran Academy's up next. This is their 10th year in the competition with a brand new squad. There were rumors of the team being sick at the last minute, but their new head cheerleader assured us that it was nerves." an announcer said. "Let's see what they're made of."
A silence fell over the crowd as the sound of classical music began playing, and the hosts and girls began their routine to the music. The crowd could be heard murmuring about the team's lame routine.
"Stop!" Jenny called out and pretended to be shocked at the music choice. "Oops, wrong song! Let's try this again!"
The sound of hip-hop music began playing as Jenny and China began dancing to the song playing. They looked at the other hosts and girls, signaling them to follow their movements. Marcus, Mori, and Hikaru began tossing the Haruhi, Honey, and Mimi into the air and catching them.
"What the hell!?" Haruhi cried as she was tossed and then caught by Marcus. She looked down at him and blushed when he caught her.
Romey, Ren, and China danced to the music as Sally, Kyoya, and Tamaki performed acrobatics in front of them. The whole routine seemed shaky, but the audience didn't seem to mind as they were impressed by how the team's performance had seemed to stray from their past routines.
The music stopped as everyone called out Ouran's name. Jenny gasped and remembered they had to do a cheer without the music.
"Ah, I…"
"Mon ami! Let's go, Ouran Academy!" Tamaki called out as he picked up a set of blue pom-poms off the floor and began jumping around and performing flips. "We're the school with brains, beauty, and bountiful gifts! We're the best team in the land and out of sight!"
Everyone in the arena was quiet for a few seconds before cheering filled the air, indicating they enjoyed the team's new and improved routine.
"The Ouran Academy team's routine, while unique, was something we haven't seen from them in their ten years of competing. The announcer said. "Give it up for them one more time!"
The crowd began cheering as the hosts and girls left the gym floor and went backstage to await the competition to end.
"That was amazing!" Romey giggled. "I can't believe we managed to pull it off! Hey, if we have to do it again, I don't mind."
"What was that?"
"Was that a cheer?
"It wasn't very good now, was it?
The hosts and girls saw the Zuka club, and their team was laughing at them. Sally and China were heard growling, but Tamaki held out an arm to stop the two girls from attacking the other team.
"Rene, what the fuck?!"
"Yeah, B, move, or you will be moved."
"Ladies, we're a sophisticated team that doesn't need to resort to violence," Tamaki told them. "We're going to prove that we're better and not give them the satisfaction of our anger or annoyance."
"This coming from a person who was three minutes away from beating that Benio chick senseless," Hikaru called. "Oi boss, practice what you preach."
"It's shameful your team had to get sick at the last second!" Hinako said as she and the other members of the team walked over. "You guys are probably gonna lose anyway."
"Save yourself the embarrassment and leave," Chizuru added. "Our team will take the trophy when we win the finals."
"I do agree your team did terribly," Benio said. "Oh, please return our lotus to us; she belongs on our team."
"I'm not going anywhere," Ren spoke up. "I am with the right team and would rather not let my friends down."
"You naughty girl, how can you disobey your beloved mother like this?" Benio said as she pulled out a handkerchief from her uniform and placed it on her face in mock sadness. "You're breaking my heart!"
"Oh, shut up," Mimi said. "Rencha's our friend, and she isn't going to crawl over to you 'cause you're acting like Tama-chan."
"Yeah, go away, you pesky thing," Romey told Benio, waving a hand. "Shoo shoo."
"All of you will be shamed anyway when WE beat you," Kaoru said. "Just like the Iron chef competition. We know you guys cheated."
"We did no such thing!" Benio cried. "Saint Lobelia is better than your pathetic school. Not to mention Hitachiin, you only won because your cooking was subpar."
"Subpar?" Kaoru placed a finger to his cheek in thought." Nope, it wasn't subpar; it was better than using premade meals like your team."
"Everyone, please stop this," Jenny said as she held a hand to Benio. "I am impressed with your team's routine and wish you the best of luck. After all, cheerleading brings people together to have fun, not be mean."
Benio stared at the smaller girl. "You're being nice?" she asked in surprise. "You're being kind to us?"
"Yes, cheerleading is about eternal sisterhood and the spirit of being friends in the end," Jenny explained. "If anything, I wish you all the luck!"
Benio snorted and laughed loudly as she slapped Jenny's outstretched hand away. "Wow, Suoh has trained you well."
"Maki hasn't trained me at all," Jenny said. "I believe that all teams are special in their own way."
"Your team won't win," Chizuru said. "Stop that nice girl act."
"You're one of Suoh's little playthings," Hinako said.
"I am no one's plaything; I am being truthful when I say good luck," Jenny said as she stepped forward, holding her hand out again. "Let's be friends after this competition is done."
"Hmph, disgusting," Benio said as she signaled for her team to get away from the group.
"Oh, did I make them upset?" Jenny asked softly. "I guess they're still not over what happened at cheer camp during our spring break."
"What happened?"
"If there is something we can use as leverage against those harpies, tell us," Sally said. "Come on, Suouette, tell us."
"Alright, it started during cheer camp's annual opening day."
End Chapter
