"So, Haruhi, I take it that you've been like this since morning, and you have no idea how it happened," concluded the vice-president. The only female Host Club member nodded. Kyouya looked at his file.
"Well, other than the difference in your height, I see nothing else wrong with you. Everything should be as per normal. Oh, the cost of your new uniform will be added to your debt."
"Kyouya-senpai, we've already paid for it," reminded the twins. The Shadow King shrugged his shoulders and cancelled the addition. He then turned towards his president.
"Tamaki, snap out of it. The Club will be open for business shortly." When the blond didn't respond, Kyouya gave Haruhi a good look. She should be up to the job...
"Haruhi, you'll take the central seat when we greet our first guest today. In his present state, Tamaki's better off standing with the rest of us."
"Hai..." Although she had her doubts, Haruhi decided to comply. After some preparations, the Host Club opened for business. As she sat uneasily in the seat, Kyouya whispered into her ear.
"Remember what you're supposed to do. If you screw this up, it's another 100,000 yen to your debt." Haruhi gulped. Soon, someone depressed the door handle of the music room. When the door swung open, Haruhi used her best voice to lead the other boys.
"Irashaimasu!!" (Fortunately, Tamaki had recovered and joined in.) Kasugazaki Kanako, who still visited the Club every now and then since Toru's departure, literally found it hard to catch her breath. Haruhi walked towards the 2-B student and knelt down on a knee. She then took the girl's hand and gently kissed the back of it.
"Welcome, Kanako-senpai, to the Host Club. We're glad to have you as our first guest for the day, and hope that you would enjoy your time here."
"Haruhi-kun..." Despite having a fiance, for a moment, Kanako wouldn't mind if she had to marry Haruhi on the spot. The other Host Club boys stared in wonder.
"Her natural style..." began Hikaru.
"Together with her new height..." continued Kaoru.
"Equals unlimited potential. You should be careful, Tamaki. Haruhi might just be our next Host King," said Kyouya. But, the blond wasn't listening. He, too, was amazed at the girl's performance.
That beginning set the tone for the day. Haruhi's waiting list had swelled, mainly because of the guests wanting to ask her about her condition. But, as Haruhi went about her hosting, the girls became less concerned about questioning her. Instead, the girl had become their new Prince Charming. Kyouya smiled at her progress. The rookie had managed to secure exactly 50 percent of their guests today.
"Looks like Haruhi's giving Tono a run for his money," observed Kaoru. His brother nodded in agreement. Since the twins could no longer treat her as their toy, it had been a boring day for both of them.
"Takashi, Haru-chan's becoming like Tama-chan now, ne?"
"...Ah."
"Tamaki-sama, Haruhi-kun's quite charming today, isn't he?"
"Of course, my lady. All our hosts have their own individual charms," replied Tamaki. As usual, the roses appeared on cue. The guests who requested for Tamaki seriously had a problem: They wanted both Tamaki AND Haruhi to be their hosts. Kyouya made a note of it in his file...
After Host Club hours...
"Ah, Tamaki, Haruhi. I have a new plan concerning the two of you."
"What is it, Kyouya?"
"Kyouya-senpai?" Haruhi had a bad feeling about this.
"From tomorrow onwards, you two shall host your guests together." It took the rest of the Host Club some time to take in the news. Then...
"NANI?!?!?" (Tamaki and the twins)
"Takashi, I was right!" (Mori nodded in reply.)
"From what I've observed, Haruhi's hosting style has already affected Tamaki's guests. It would be good if our two Kings were to conduct their hosting together."
"Me, together with Tamaki-senpai? It wouldn't work, Kyouya-senpai. I'm not a smooth talker..."
"Haruhi, I meant every word I say to the guests. Why don't you believe Otosan?" Tamaki rested his hands on Haruhi's shoulders.
"This is weird. Haruhi's about the same height as Tono, yet he's still playing the father-daughter game," said Kaoru in disbelief.
"Please take your hands off me, Tamaki-senpai. It's irritating." In an instant, Tamaki was at his corner.
"Regardless, we'll conduct a trial tomorrow, although in my opinion, it's a no-lose situation. If there are no further questions, please continue with the clean-up, Haruhi." The girl sighed. However, as she resumed her work, she didn't notice Mori looking at her. Becasue of his height, it had been hard for him to be comfortable in the presence of girls. Now, at least he didn't stand a head taller than Haruhi. Perhaps... Hani looked at his cousin, then at Usa-chan.
"Usa-chan, Takashi's in love," whispered the loli-shota host to his bunny. He let out a light laugh as he and Mori stepped out of the music room, with the tall teen still having his eyes on one particular girl...
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!