Chapter One:
The Past Catches Up!
...
Only those with excellent social standing and those from filthy rich families are lucky enough to spend their time here at the elite private school, Ouran Academy. The Ouran Host Club is where the school's handsomest boys, with too much time on their hands, entertain young ladies who also have way too much time on their hands. Just think of it as Ouran Academy's elegant playground for the super-rich and beautiful.
...
It's been pretty peaceful today. It kinda feels like the calm before the storm. Haruhi thought as she stared out the classroom window. The pedals from the trees were falling gracefully, the weather was a perfect mix of warm and breezy, and the twins hadn't caused a dramatic scene since the beginning of school. True, it's only been around an hour since school started, but that was a new record for all of them.
Just the other day the twins and Tamaki had gotten into a silly argument about how Tamaki thought they were disrupting her classes, tainting her chances of getting good grades with all their shenanigans and pranks. Thankfully, Honey and Takashi had ended it before things had escalated and Haruhi was able to get away long enough to make it to class that morning.
Still, everything seemed to be completely normal, which was making her a bit suspicious. Her instincts were telling her that something was gonna happen. Not necessarily a bad thing, but she wasn't sure if it was going to be a good thing either.
"Oh wow, look at that!" Haruhi heard one of the girls in front of her exclaim. She followed her gaze, tilting her head curiously as she saw a motorcycle pull up to the school's front entrance. Haruhi had seen motorcycles before, of course, but it wasn't that common around where she lived, and it was even rarer for her to see one near the school like this.
The girl had drawn a bit of attention from the class when she said this and the twins were soon by Haruhi's side, all of them staring at the person who had climbed off the bike. You couldn't see them very well from their position, but as far as she could tell it was a boy, no, maybe a man? They seemed to be quite tall. They weren't wearing the school uniform either and looked quite foreign and wild.
"I smell a troublemaker. What do you think, Haruhi? Will they make more trouble than us?" Hikaru commented, a mischievous smile coming to his face.
"Yeah. He kinda looks like a gangster. Finally, something interesting is happening today." Kaoru added, having the same smile.
Oh no. She thought, an annoyed expression coming to her face as she turned her attention back to the front, where the professor was trying to get everyone's attention.
"Now everyone, let's focus! There are some topics we need to go over for next week's quiz!"
"But professor, that man looks like he's a gang member! He's coming straight to the school!" One of the boys spoke up, pointing to the window. The professor approached the window before letting out a tired sigh.
"That's just the new transfer student. Everyone back to your seats, it's nothing to be concerned about."
"Is he part of a gang?! He looks like he's about to harass someone!"
"He is not part of a gang. You all should be excited. It's not often one gets in just through passing the exams, and his scores were nearly perfect. All of your grades would be as good if you paid attention. Now, back to the lesson!" The whole class groaned simultaneously as Haruhi stole another glance out the window. She could have just imagined it, but she swore she saw a flash of pink after the boy took off his helmet. He disappeared behind a wall before she could get a closer look.
Pink hair. How strange. It's not often you see someone with pink hair. She thought before turning away.
...
Haruhi got up when the bell rang again, signaling the end of her next class. Ever since that morning, the school had been abuzz with rumors of the new student. Transferring in the middle of a school year was already interesting enough, but Haruhi had overheard that he was also a fellow, well, commoner, making him quite the talk.
Since he was also a commoner, Haruhi had also been dragged into the limelight and multiple students had asked her if she knew the boy. Strangely enough, Haruhi didn't even know his name, and neither did anyone else seem to know. It was quite silly how many rumors were going around yet no one knew anything about him.
Haruhi paused in her tracks for a moment when she overheard a pair of girls who were walking past.
"Oh! Do you think it's a gang?"
"Maybe, but I only saw one of them! He was just standing near the front office, staring into space."
"Wow, did he have tattoos?"
"None that I could see, but he had piercings all over his ears and wore sunglasses so no one could see his eyes! I swear he's up to no good!"
Haruhi watched after the girls for a bit before turning away and heading back down the hall to the cafeteria. She couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed at everyone's actions. The rumors were quite harsh. She couldn't do much, but she just hoped that people wouldn't treat the boy differently because of his appearance. Bullying wasn't too common in this school, but it wasn't non-existent.
I mean, Haruhi herself had been the victim of bullying for a bit when she first joined the Host club, but Kyoya had talked to her about it, saying that the majority of the students here were too prideful and worried about their reputations to bully others.
It bothered her, knowing that this student could be pushed away and outcasted for being different. In fact, it bothered her so much that she ran headfirst into someone while her head was bowed down.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" She quickly apologized as the person reached forward to gently grab her arm, helping her from falling over.
"Don't worry about it, kid. You seemed like you were distracted anyhow."
Haruhi looked up when she faintly recognized the voice. Her eyes widened the same time the other person seemed to freeze in surprise.
"R-Riku?!" Haruhi blurted out. The boy stared for a moment before a wide grin came to his face.
"Well well, if it isn't Haruhi Fujioka!"
...
"I had no idea you went to Ouran, Riku-senpai." Haruhi said to the boy who was now sitting next to her. They had moved from the staring eyes in the cafeteria to one of the outside benches in the shade.
"I just got transferred a few days ago. After moving back, I figured I might as well try my luck and take the entrance exams. I almost had a heart attack when I saw I got accepted." Riku replied, letting out a sigh as he looked up at the tree branches above them with a smile.
"Well, I'm not surprised. You aced all the exams and tests we had in junior high."
"That's right, we were mortal enemies. Everyone always betted on who would get the top score each exam."
"Come on, don't exaggerate. I never saw you as my mortal enemy."
"Heh, that was one of the nice things about you." He grew quiet for a moment, seeming to study her before he added: "By the way, you cut your hair. Why's that?"
"Oh, a kid got some gum in my hair."
"Yikes. Still, that's quite the guts. I don't think I could ever bring myself to cut my hair." Haruhi watched as he ran a hand through his hair. Just like back then, his hair was still a light, pastel pink, and reached a bit past his shoulders. She had always wondered why he kept his hair long, and had even asked him before. He said he kept it long for his grandma, who had always liked to braid his hair. In fact, he had a braid in his hair right now, which Riku caught Haruhi staring at.
"You know, she'll be a bit sad when I tell her about your hair. She loved to braid yours."
"How is she, by the way?"
"Oh, she-she's fine. She definitely missed you and your father's visits. Your dad was a blast to have around."
"He missed you guys too. We never got to say goodbye."
"Right…" He trailed off, seeming to be lost in thought.
"Hey, Riku-senpai?"
"Huh?"
"Why'd you guys leave? I mean, you never told anyone. Not even any of the teachers. We tried calling but it said the number was disconnected, and my dad asked around the neighborhood but no one knew anything. Did something happen?"
"Yeah. Nothing major, but my grandma needed to get some surgery. We needed to move to get her the help."
"Is she okay?!"
"Oh, yeah, she's fine! We decided to stay until she recovered and after that, well, I didn't wanna stress her out by moving again."
"Why'd you decide to come back?"
"It was actually her that decided it. She really missed living here. Oh, and guess what? We were able to get our old apartment back and everything! How strange."
"Strange is definitely the word I would use to describe today. It's such a coincidence that all of this is happening. I mean, it's been three years, but I'm glad you're back."
"Me too. Hey, enough about me. What about you? How've you been? Has it been rough here, being in a school where everyone calls you 'commoner'?"
"Have people called you that?"
"Sure have. Not in a rude way or anything. They just seem fascinated with me, like I'm an exotic animal in a zoo. I had a lot of them ask about my piercings."
"I figured. They did the same thing when I first started."
"Hm. This'll definitely be a fun year. I'm-" He cut off when the school bell began to ring, signaling the end of lunch.
"Alrighty. We should be heading back inside now." Riku said, climbing to his feet before stretching out his arms.
"Well, this'll probably be the last time we see each other today. I don't think we have any classes together."
"True. Still, it would be nice to catch up with you."
Riku thought for a moment before asking:
"How about after school? I don't have any plans."
"Oh, I would but I have a club I go to."
"Really? What club? I wouldn't mind hanging out if they're cool with it."
"It's a Host club I got wrapped into by accident. Don't get me wrong! They're all really nice and I actually like being there, but it may be a bit strange for you. And I think Kyoya-senpai would be against it if you're not a customer."
"Well, if you're a Host, I can just request you, can't I?"
"Hm, you're right. But are you sure you-"
"Oh come on Haruhi, you're talking to the guy who took down 12 thugs with my bare hands!"
"I thought that was another rumor?"
"Sure was, but don't worry about me! Unless you're worried about me scaring all the locals."
Well, now that you mention it-
"Anyways, wanna walk to class together? I still haven't found my way around this place."
Haruhi gave him a warm smile.
"Yeah, let's go!"
...
Haruhi couldn't help but glance up when she heard the door open, but was only disappointed again when she saw that it was another group of girls.
"Haruhi, are you alright?"
She quickly turned back to her guests, the three of them looking at her with worried expressions as one of them questioned her.
"She's right, you seem distracted. Did something happen?"
"Hah, yeah, I guess so." Haruhi replied, giving them a smile as she relaxed back in her chair. "I ran into an old friend of mine."
"Oh, really?! What are they like? Are they coming here to visit?"
"I think so, though I would understand if they didn't. It's been years since we last saw each other."
"Aw, how sweet!"
"When were you gonna tell us about this, Haruhi?"
She turned with a tired expression to the twins, who had spoken up from behind her.
"Are you hiding your past friends from us?" Hikaru asked.
"Yeah, you're not embarrassed by us, are you?" Kaoru added, both of them sharing blank expressions as they leaned on the back of her chair.
"Actually, I'm more worried about you guys. He's pretty intimidating at first glance."
Hikaru and Kaoru exchanged looks of surprise before asking in unison:
"He?"
"Yes, him. If he does come, please be nice to him. He's a good person." Haruhi missed the mischievous grins they gave each other as she turned back to her guests.
"Anyways, let me grab some more tea. Do any of you want some cake? Honey-senpai ordered a bunch and would love to share some with you all." Haruhi asked as she got up.
"Oh, yes please!"
"Some for me too!" They responded, looking at her with blushing faces. She nodded her head, smiling before quickly hurrying off, not wanting to get caught up in the twins' shenanigans. When she put a good distance between herself and them she let out a tired sigh.
I guess he's not coming after all. I really wanted to ask him more about what's been going on these past few years. He left so suddenly back then, I was really worried. Maybe I could ask for-
Her thoughts cut off as she bumped into someone. She opened her mouth to apologize but stopped when she looked up, her eyes widening as a smile came to her face when she recognized who it was.
"Riku-senpai, you made it!" He grinned down at her, patting her head affectionately as he said:
"Of course I did. Sorry, I had to take care of a few things at the school office before coming here. Kinda strange to have a Host club in a music room out of all places, but I guess it doesn't matter too much since you've got 50-something music rooms here."
"Oh! By the way, I wanted to ask for your number, so that we can plan things out more easily."
"Huh, really? I didn't think it would be this easy for me to get your number."
"Well, you were one of my only friends back then. Of course I would like to talk and spend some time with you."
"Just like the old days?"
Haruhi smiled.
"Just like the old days. Why don't you take a seat? I've got a few guests I'm scheduled with, but after that I'm sure we can talk some more." Haruhi then gestured to the nearest unoccupied couch, which he glanced at before turning back to her.
"Sure. Take your time. This club seems important to you, and besides, I've got nothing else planned for today. Do I get free food?" He asked that last question in a whisper and Haruhi let out a small laugh.
"Only if you're a guest. You'll have to request me through Kyoya-senpai though. He's in charge of that sort of stuff."
"Oh. Where is this 'Kyoya'?"
Haruhi turned toward Kyoya, pausing as she saw him, Tamaki, and the twins watching their interaction with wide eyes. She inwardly sighed, knowing they were going to interrogate him as soon as she left his side.
"He's the one with glasses and dark hair over there, next to the blonde. That's Tamaki-senpai. He's the 'King' of the Host club."
"The one who's staring menacingly at me?"
"Yeah, that one. Look, I'm sorry Riku-senpai, but they're probably gonna bug you the whole time you're here."
"Ah, I've dealt with worse. And just call me Riku. I've always felt old every time you called me senpai."
"Are you sure?"
"100% positive. Catch 'ya later Haruhi." He then waved her off before heading toward the four other members. Haruhi watched him with a worried look before heading off to grab some tea and cakes.
The twins probably already recognized him from this morning, and if they didn't they definitely would be able to tie him to the current rumors roaming around about the transfer student. Knowing them and Tamaki, they would explode everything out of proportion. They would most likely have some sort of secret meeting to discuss what to do with the new stranger in their midst.
And he was also a boy, which would add even more to the drama. Who knows what wild stories Tamaki would come up with, but Haruhi was confident that Riku would be able to deal with them. Actually, now that she thought about it, she was kinda worried for everyone else.
Back then, Riku never took anything bad from anyone. He was always confident, easy-going, and kind, but no one at the school bothered to see that side of him. When she had first come to the same junior high, rumors had also followed him there. He had gotten in trouble by the authorities and school staff multiple times, and had even been suspended his first year there.
But after Haruhi came during his last year there he had been clean. According to her older classmates, he had taken time off from school and after he had come back he'd completely changed. Still, with his track record, everyone had grown to be scared or too nervous around him.
Haruhi couldn't help but smile fondly when she thought of how they first met. There were so many coincidences that led to their friendship, it was almost like fate. She just hoped that maybe he would stay this time.
...