We returned to Tokyo Sunday evening and quickly got wrapped up in schoolwork. The relief I experienced at the beach was still wrapped around me like a favorite blanket, but there was also something gnawing at the back of my mind that I kept trying to ignore.
I kissed Tamaki.
Tamaki kissed me back.
And we hadn't talked about it or even acknowledged what happened.
I want to, too, he had said when I confessed I had wanted to kiss him. Want, not wanted. Present tense. As every hour passed, the thoughts grew louder and louder.
So by Monday afternoon, it was all I could think about. When the opportunity presented itself to get instant coffee from the store with Haruhi, I jumped at it to delay direct involvement in host activities. We managed to fetch our groceries relatively quickly, but on our way back to campus we were delayed by some fans of mine stopping us and begging for selfies.
"Lori-san, is this your new boyfriend?" One woman asked, referring to Haruhi.
"Just a good friend!" I told her, smiling into her camera phone.
Once the crowd had dispersed enough, I excused us and we ended up having to run back to Ouran to hopefully not be too late.
"Sorry, Haruhi!" I said while trying to readjust the grocery bag in my hands.
"It's ok. I just know if I'm late Tamaki will never let me hear the end of it!" She replied. At just the mention of his name, I felt my stomach flip. I was so distracted by the thought of the handsome blonde that I almost didn't see Haruhi trip and start to fall. I heard her yell out in shock and I immediately turned to try and help her, but was surprised to see a beautiful, tall woman dressed in a men's Ouran uniform already standing there with Haruhi in her arms.
"Are you alright?" The woman asked. "It'd be such a pity to damage that cute face, young lady." I should have been surprised that this woman could see through Haruhi's gender-bending disguise, but I wasn't.
"I'm ok. But we really need to get going." Haruhi replied, straightening her clothes.
"We're late for our club activities." I explained, suddenly feeling suspicious of this woman.
"Of course, Miss Robin." The woman turned her attention to me, a sly smile on her face. "I was just looking for the Host Club. I assume you both will be able to lead me there?"
"Right this way." I smiled back at her, trying to hide that I was onto her. I didn't know what she was planning, but something was off. We quickly made our way to the music room and could hear some girls arguing with Tamaki from down the hall.
"That's a rather strict view. What kind of vow would you prefer?" We heard our friend ask, trying his best to give the girls whatever they were looking for.
"Well, I would never leave her alone." the woman we met outside said, stepping into the club room. "If we fight, we fight together. If we die, we die together. I swear never to leave your side, even after my final breath." She grabbed Haruhi's hand and knelt to place a gentle kiss there causing chaos to erupt amongst the hosts. Two girls from the crowd emerged and rushed to our sides.
"You're late Master Benibara!" one said.
"Where did you find somebody so cute, Benibara?" asked the other.
Oooh. That's it. It clicked that these women must be from Lobelia Academy. A school that heavily recruited me to attend all through my touring days. The all-girls school was a draw at first, but Camille did some recon for me and revealed that most of these women are a little nutty and probably not a good fit for me. It was on that trip, though, that she also toured Ouran and made the recommendation for me to attend here instead.
As the girls fawned over Haruhi, I took a moment to put the club's groceries away. I watched from afar as Tamaki freaked out and ended up getting punched by Benibara. The rest of the club ushered my friend away from the women.
"They're dumber than I thought." Benibara said as I put on a pot of tea for the group. "A light-headed group lacking history, and filled with street trash!" Well, now. That's just rude and uncalled for.
"Who are you!? You're not from Ouran!" Tamaki screamed from across the room.
"That's right," the women explained, stepping into formation and ripping off their Ouran uniforms. "Saint Lobelia second year, Benio Amakusa!"
"Second year Chizuru Maihara!"
"First year Hinako Tsuwabuki!" The girls all introduced themselves with a flourish.
"We're the Saint Lobelia Womens Institute's White Lily Club. Otherwise known as the Zuka Club!" They cheered. While the boys seemed to freak out about the all-girls school and possible lesbian tendencies, etc, Haruhi joined me in putting away groceries. By the time they were all unloaded, most of the hosts had lost interest with the twins even being so brazen as to bluntly tell them to go home. Taking the words right out of my mouth, honestly. If they were here for the reasons I think they are, then it'd be great for them to be escorted out.
"I don't care if your president is some halfer," Benibara said, sounding extremely offensive, "Using your superficial looks to spread false love and play with pure female hearts is a complete degradation of women! Indulging in your greed in the name of 'club activities!' But involving a one-of-a-kind talent and a delicate female flower!? Unforgivable! I will have the Host Club disbanded immediately!" Ah shit. Here we go. I knew they'd involve me somehow, but I was surprised to see them pull in Haruhi.
"I understand your intent," I heard Kyoya say as Haruhi and I came out with trays of tea and coffee for our unwelcome guests. "But since our president is out cold from culture shock, can you come back later?" I looked to the couch where the boys had tucked in Tamaki with my stolen teddy bear. I knew he still had it somewhere! Jerk.
"Um, excuse me. We made some coffee." Haruhi spoke up.
"Thank you! How kind you are!" Benibara swooned as the other girls followed suit.
"I want coffee made by a true princess!" One of the girls said, trying to cozy up to me. I wordlessly handed her a glass before I felt someone grab my waist and drag me away from the women. I looked up to see Tamaki holding me protectively with Haruhi behind us.
"You girls are all wrong! What can come from a woman loving a woman!?" He screamed, flailing his free arm wildly. I always knew he was raised with extremely old-world values, but in this moment he just sounded ignorant. As he continued his rant, one of the girls accidentally spilled her coffee over Tamaki's hand. Not the nicest way to shut him up, but definitely effective. While the girls argued with the hosts about starting the transfer process for Haruhi to Lobelia, I grabbed a first aid kit and some ice for Tamaki's burnt hand.
"Wait a second!" Haruhi said. "There seems to be some misunderstanding.. Like the idea of the host club having a shallow history…"
"It is shallow. The club is only two years old."
"The boss created it when he started high school." The twins explained.
"And I've never heard of Tamaki being a halfer!" Haruhi added. I guess it was more of a colloquial term.
"Yah, that's a true fact. His mom is French and his dad is Japanese." I explained, wrapping his hand.
"You.. um.. said greed but it's not like we're taking fees from the guests…" Haruhi was grasping at straws now.
"It's more like a point system based on the amount the girls buy from our club auction site." Kyoya cleared that up. "Look Haruhi, your mechanical pencil just sold for a nice profit. And Lori, your coffee cup just set a new record." I glanced over Haruhi's shoulder and saw a photo of my favorite go-to mug for a pre-club caffeine boost.
While Haruhi yelled at the boys, I simply glared at them. Tamaki was trying to make things right, explaining to Haruhi that he never meant to lie about anything. I felt someone gently take my hand. I looked up to see Benio standing over me, holding my hand to her chest.
"We came for you, my dear. Your talents are being wasted here. Please reconsider our invitation to join our institution. We will make sure everything you could ever require is covered and will ensure any show you have is sold out with your top fans. A Lobelia education is top-notch, but the connections you make there are for life." She pressed a gentle kiss to my hand. I looked at Tamaki to see fear in his eyes.
"I'll consider it." I told her, still looking at Tamaki. It wasn't just him I was annoyed with in that moment. I wasn't going to be used as a pawn by anyone ever again.
"We'll be back tomorrow for an answer. Adieu." The girls said, finally leaving.
"I think I'll take my leave for today." Haruhi said shortly.
"Can I stay with you tonight, Haruhi?" I asked, equally as annoyed.
"Sure" She answered. And with that, we left the boys to consider their mistakes.