Morinozuka Takashi sat on a large stuffed loveseat in Ouran High School's third music room next to his cousin Haninozuka Mitsukuni, also known as Hunny-Senpai to most of the student body. The Schools Host Club that they participated in was in full swing on an otherwise casual Wednesday evening. They currently were entertaining four of the school's female students, who sat on plush chairs of their own, around an ornate coffee table covered with several different types of cakes and a pristine china tea set.
Three of the ladies in the bright yellow school dresses were some of Hunny's regulars who enjoyed the company of the child-like host that his cousin portrayed. The fourth was a first year who was experiencing the joys of the Host club for the first time. She was a member of the kendo club that Takashi participated in and was curious about the other club that 'Mori-Senpai' was a member of; however, after sitting down at their table she to became quickly enthralled with his cousin's cuteness. His cousin's personality tended to do that.
None of Takashi's regular designators had arrived today, although that suited him fine. He wasn't one for idle conversation and preferred to observe his surroundings. His table, due to his persistence, was set off from the rest with his small couch braced against one of the rooms walls giving him a clear view of the entire room.
He watched across the room as the other groups interacted with their own guests. The twins, Hikaru and Kaoru, were doing what in their words was a 'brotherly love' routine which their designators ate up like candy. One hung off the other in a dramatic embrace as their lips inched closer and closer to each other but never touching. The girls at their table were currently shrieking with glee clinging to one another watching the 'forbidden love' displayed before their eyes.
Off to the left of their table was the Host Club's president, Tamaki. He stood on top of his own table with a rose in his mouth as a swirl of flower pedal floated around him. Takashi had always wonder how he had done that, probably dark magic for all he knew. The president, or the 'Prince type' host, was by far the most popular of the hosts, always drawing the largest crowd of girls who he would treat like princesses. He was also the corniest of all the hosts in Takashi's opinion, not to say he didn't like the man, but he just felt so… fake to him.
Directly across the room with his own couch pressed against the opposing wall sat the club's Shadow King. Ootori Kyoya was the vice-president of the host club and the financial manager. Always looking for a way to turn a profit, he too kept constant watch of everyone in the room, keeping records of all members, customers, and preferences while constantly updating profiles on his laptop. Not much escaped the Shadow King's observant eyes. He was designated as the 'cool type' host and while he did take clients, his main priority always seemed to be pushing products such as the photo albums he made of the members.
Kyoya look up from working on his laptop to meet Takashi's gaze. Takashi nodded in acknowledgement and received one in return before he turned back to his cousin and designators. He noticed that one of the ladies had finished the tea that she had been drinking, he picked up the teapot from the silver tray catching her attention.
He dipped his head a little and fixed her with a look that asked, 'would you like some more?' She nodded slightly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks and he silently reach across the table and took her cup and saucer. After filling her cup and handing it back he placed the pot back on the tray and turned to his cousin. Noticing the short boy had some crumbs on his face Takashi produced a white handkerchief from his blazer's inside pocket and whipped the blondes face clean.
This aroused a reaction from the four girls causing them to swoon over how cute Hunny-Senpai was and how loyal Mori-Senpai was taking care of the blonde Lolita. Takashi's training prevented him from rolling his eyes at the young ladies as he kept his expression neutral. Seeing that his clients were currently content Takashi turned his attention back to watching the room. His gaze falling on the final member of the host club.
Now here was an interesting case, Fujioka Haruhi or the 'natural type' was the only female member in the host club; however, aside from the other six members and a few other people in the school, everyone else thought she was a male student. A misconception brought about by her short hair and petite physique, although one she never tried to correct. She was the schools only 'commoner' as most students would put it, she did not come from a wealthy family and had made it into the school by winning a scholarship for her outstanding grades. The scholarship program was new to the school with her being the only current participant.
The scholarships main requirement was that she had to remain the top student in her class, a matter that she took with the utmost seriousness. The only reason that she was working in the club was the large debt she had racked up by breaking an expensive vase on her first day. So now she dressed in the school's male uniform and worked in the club to pay off her debt.
She had been in the club for several month's now and managed to steal the hearts of most of the members, although she seemed to be completely dense when it came to matters of the heart. Tamaki, the twins, and even Kyoya had fallen for the girl's natural charm, although the latter of the four seemed to have moved past his infatuation with the arrival of a new student named Houshakuji Renge. The only Host who was apparently immune to Haruhi's charm was Mitsukuni.
Yes, even Takashi himself had developed a crush on the school's scholarship student, although he never really had an urge to act upon it. It was inevitable he thought, he did always have a soft spot for small cute things, and she did have his preferred body type. Aside from her physical appearance, she had shown herself to be an incredibly hard worker with unwavering determination. She was loyal to a fault with an intelligence second to none. In short, Takashi thought the world of her.
He had figured that by now one of the twins or Tamaki would have swooped in and snatched her up with how obviously in love they were with her. However, for some damned reason they kept scooting around it, as though they were too scared to make the first move, or they were waiting for her to realize her feelings for them. Well at least the twins anyway, Tamaki seemed to live in his own little world and probably didn't understand his own feelings.
It rather annoyed Takashi how men such as them, men who were in a club that's main source of income was flirting and wooing women, were passively sitting around waiting for someone they longed for all because they lacked the nerve to properly pursue her. However, unlike the other hosts in the club, Takashi was a man of action and right then and there he got the urge. The urge to pursue the girl he had developed feelings for over that last several months, and with no better time than the present he rose from the cushioned seat he shared with his cousin.
"Excuse me ladies." He said with a slight bow.
"Takashi?" Mitsukuni looked up questioningly at his tall cousin and their eyes locked. Mitsukuni searched his eyes for a moment before a genuine grin crossed his face as he tilted his head and said, "Good luck."
"So cute!" Exclaimed the ladies who the cousins had currently been entertaining as Takashi nodded in conformation. He turned on his heel and strode across the room at a determined pace. Several of the room's occupants, including Kyoya, noticed the tall host as he approached Haruhi.
"Mori-Senpai?" Haruhi questioned as the 'Wild Host' arrived at her designated seating area. "Is their something I can help you with?" He gave her a slight smile then turned his attention to her current designators.
"Please pardon my intrusion ladies." Takashi said with a polite bow before turning his attention back to the crossdressing host.
"No problem." One of the girls replied with a gulp to the handsome man who towered before them. Her hands subconsciously grabbing hold of the other girls on either side of her. They could tell something was about to happen as they watched with bated breath.
Takashi sunk to one knee so he could be closer to eye level with Haruhi. He gently, attentively, reached out and grasped her hand. She didn't pull back as a slight blush crossed her delicate face at his bold action.
"Haruhi," Takashi said in his deep tone causing her breathing to hitch. "If you are free this weekend, would you like to accompany me on a date?"
"A date?" Haruhi whispered, her face growing several shades deeper. Although her blush was nothing in comparison to her designators who were watching the transaction. She glanced their way and saw they were waiting intently on what her answer would be.
'A date with Mori-Senpai.' She thought, she had been unaware that he had felt that way towards her. She would be lying to herself if she said that she hadn't entertained the idea once or twice. Mori-Senpai was a very loyal friend, one who was always watching out for her. He'd protected her several occasions in the past. Although he wasn't much for conversation, she had always taken comfort in his silence.
'But why did he have to ask now?' Haruhi thought. 'Does he not understand what will happen when news of this spreads through the school?' Which it surely would, juicy gossip like this was sure to spread like wild fire once her clients left the room. The strong, silent, and mysterious Mori asking the small, feminine, but 'male' Haruhi on a romantic date. Such a scandalous thing would surely be the subject of conversation for weeks to come. So why did he have to do this now, wasn't he worried about his image with school population?
She looked deep into his grey eyes trying to find reason in his course of actions, and that's when she saw it. Morinozuka Takashi always kept up a stoic, emotionless expression on his face, but his eyes were truly windows to his soul. They always displayed his true emotions, and right now they were making it obvious that he didn't care what anyone thought about him. All he cared about was her, and her answer.
"I would love too." She said with a small, shy smile. Her designators let out loud shrieks to her answer, one of the poor ladies even fainted at the cuteness overload. A small smile grace Takashi's normally stoic face as he brought her small hand up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her knuckles sending a shiver up her spine.
"Then I shall see you this Saturday." Takashi said as he released her hand and stood to his full height.
"I look forward to it, Mori-Senpai."
Takashi turned, gave a slight bow to Haruhi's clients then began to return to his seat and cousin leaving a very flustered Haruhi.
"So, where were we ladies?" Haruhi asked her designators as she tried to control the crimson blush that had remained on her face. She quickly realized that her group of clients had doubled, almost tripled, as girls had left the other hosts to come over and watch the interaction between Mori-Senpai and herself. Shocked by the sudden presence of so many watchful eyes, she frantically looked around the room for help.
Mori-Senpai had just returned to his seat and was engaging in some mild conversation with his cousin who was giggling wildly. Kyoya sat typing rapidly on his laptop seemingly ignoring the situation completely. The twins, who were usually in sync with one another, had opposing expressions. Hikaru had a look of anger on his face and was glaring across the room at Mori-Senpai, while Kaoru smiled softly at Haruhi. Tamaki was huddling in a corner of the room with several of his designator standing worriedly around him.
Seeing that no one would be coming to her rescue, Haruhi looked at her wrist watch and was relieved to see that only ten minutes remained for the days club activities. With a small sigh she put on her most natural smile and mentally prepared herself to survive the next few minutes.
"So, how'd it go?" Mitsukuni asked his cousin as sat back down next to him. His three regulars had run off to join in the gossip pit that had begun to circle Haruhi, leaving the kendo girl alone with the cousins. Takashi just looked down at his charge and nodded slightly. "That's good"
"More tea?" Takashi asked the first year as though nothing had transpired in the last few minutes. She sat there staring at him for a few moments with a look of consternation on her face, before glancing over at the large gaggle of girls then back.
"Is it always like this?" She asked.
"More or less." Hunny replied with his casual sunny disposition. "But today is special."
Alright, chapter one! This is my first time trying to right anything romantic, not really my forte. So, to any readers who happen upon this story, please bear with me. Please comment, review, and criticize it's what helps me become a better writer. Plus, I enjoy getting feedback.