After a classically showy apology by Kyoko, Tamaki quickly forgives the poor repentant girl. He is quick to brush off the insult as he realizes he must have startled her with his sudden presence.

In fact, he is curious about the person who he reminds her off. Surely someone who can emit such a dashing aura as he can could never be a bastard. She must have mistaken him for someone else. The idea doesn't suit the Prince type after all. Perhaps she might have met a fake prince. A princely impostor. Slowly a plan forms in his head. He must find out who this impostor was and challenge him to match to see who the most handsome was and then after rightly claiming his title as most handsome in the land he could then restore his good name and all the prince types of the world . Resolved, he decides the best way to go about it is to invite Kyoko over to the Host club and gently ply her with questions while she relaxes. Then once that happens she'll be willing to listen to his demands and he can introduce her to her fellow commoner Haruhi. He couldn't wait for the two girls to meet each other they had so much in common (i.e are from common backgrounds) this will unlock Haruhi's girly side and ingratiate him further with the two scholars plus he gets the added benefit of welcoming the poor girl to the wonderful and glamorous world of the elite. But first he must ask her.

Tamaki, approaching her after the last class , calls out.

"Kyoko-chan, on behalf of the Host club I invite you to tea with me this afternoon!"

"Host Club?" an image of Kyoko as a bar host pops out wondering what he could mean. She was determined to keep away from him as his resemblance to Sho was going to be a problem to her leading a peaceful high school life. Even if he couldn't help it, she didn't want any reminders of her past mucking up her school experience.

"Exactly." Tamaki brightens. "It's a place where rich young ladies with too much time in their hands go to relax with and be hosted by rich young men who also have way too much time in their hands. In short a glamorous and care-free lifestyle for the rich and beautiful." With a flourish Tamaki continues to wax poetically on the virtues of the host club.

Kyoko for the most part was starry-eyed at the mention of being around rich young ladies relaxing but quickly comes to her senses when he mentions the part of free time. Upset at what she's about to do even if it means not being around the exuberant prince, she politely bows as she utters her rejection. "Thank you for the invitation but I'll have to decline your offer."

"EH!" He shrieks, "But surely you have time. It's the first day of term." Tamaki is concerned about his plans at getting Kyoko to tell him about the fake prince and unlocking Haruhi's feminine side. It's also the first time a girl has rejected his invitation to be hosted.

"That may be true. But I have to get to work right after this. My acting class starts at 4:30 so I have to get out early if I want to make it on time."

"Then maybe some other day when you don't have class." Tamaki hedges his plans to interrogate the scholarship student, rapidly slipping away.

"I'm sorry but I'll be busy with work the other days. I really don't have any free time. Thank you for the offer though '' With that she walks away and resolves to have anything to do with him no sense acquiring a high class loafer to replace the mooch she just shook off. Plus she can barely make ends meet as is. The school books and uniform nearly emptied her savings. She needs to work to make her acting class payments plus her new transportation costs. It just wasn't practical to ride a bike in this dress. She'd tried and nearly ripped the hem till she gave up and took the bus. She just didn't have time to relax.

*Although* She thinks to herself. * The idea of having tea with a bunch of rich young ladies does seem rather fun. Too bad I couldn't be the one to host them instead* She giggles to herself on her way to work.

Days pass by. Tamaki persists in inviting her to the host club at every opportunity and Kyoko firmly and politely rejects him. Maintaining her distance as to not give him any ideas. In other news, Tamaki's fans or roughly 90 % of the female population in Ouran had begun to stare daggers at Kyoko for her constantly rejecting their sweet prince.

"Who does she think she is? Rejecting him like that."

"Aren't commoners supposed to defer to their betters or something?"

"Yeah, so she appeared in that commercial she's not even that cute."

"She's just the Merit Scholar surely her job can't be that hard"

On and on the whispers went and Kyoko's dreams of a normal happy high school life went with it. Kyoko used to the uncomfortable sighs *First I get bullied for being too close to the class prince and now I'm being bullied for not wanting to hang out with one. I just can't win.* To think her thoughts of Ojousamas could be so wrong. They were just a s petty and catty as her old classmates. *No no no* she thinks shaking her head *surely my ideal rich young lady was out there somewhere* Her angels came up to encourage her. Don't give up. Yeah she's definitely out there. Just keep calm and smile. Remember not to lose your cool. And smile she did despite the whispers and badgering she stayed calm and polite to her classmates. Politely bowing out after class and doing her duties as called. She needed to head out so she could prepare for the dinner rush at the Darumaya.

Meanwhile the male population was starting to become curious about the so-called new commoner girl, especially since she seemed to be immune to Tamaki's persuasion skills and charms. Not the least of these was Kyoya who was carefully taking notes of the Merit Scholar's behavior and her impact on the school rumor mill. Her seemingly unfazed appearance in the face of hostility and her deft refusal of Tamaki's advances were a complete mismatch from the first day when she yelled at both him and Tamaki. The boy's curiosity was certainly something to take note of as was the budding hostility and cattiness among the girls.. Plus Tamaki was starting to get on his nerves being unbearable with his corner of woe. Maybe he could do some research as to where she was going just so he wouldn't deal with the headache of Tamaki moping after every rejection. Surely she could spare some time for him.

Later that Evening, The Darumaya Restaurant

"Irasshaimase! (welcome) How may I help you today?" Kyoko asks as she approaches the table, not noticing her two classmates are sitting there.

"By getting this idiot off my back and accepting his invitation for tea. Oh and one house special please." Kyoya replies as he looks up at Kyoko.

"Ootori-san! Suoh-San! What are you two doing here?" Kyoko exclaimed looking at her classmates, seated next to them were 4 other good looking guys all wearing the school uniform.

"Well since I couldn't bring you too visit the Host club. I decided to bring the Host Club to you." Tamaki exclaimed gesturing to the people around him.

"Kyoya-senpai found out where you work and he got us to all come here after school." One of the orange heads supplied.

"Yeah," the other one who if she wasn't mistaken was probably his twin added. "Hey is it true you don't have to do the full class day."

"Yes," She replies, shocked that they would follow her here. Her mind reeling. "If it conflicts with work. I can probably choose between only attending morning or afternoon classes."

"Wicked" the twins reply.

"Hear that Haruhi, you should have applied for the merit scholarship instead."

"And why, would I want the ability to skip classes."

"Oh you're no fun."

"Ahem" Kyoya interrupts. "I do believe you forgot to introduce yourselves."

Here Tamaki's dramatics interrupts " Where are our let me" cue imaginary trumpets blaring. Kyoko sweat drops as she witnesses the most dramatic group introduction/ ordering in her life.

"Introducing the host club's cute type Mitsukuni Haninozuka and his cousin the wild type Takashi Morinuzukai"

"Hi! Nice to meet you Ko-chan! I've heard so much about you! Do you serve cake here?"

"Hey, I'd like the grilled fish"

"The devilish twins of Ouaran Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin"

"I'm Hikaru and I'll have the beef"

"I'm Kaoru and I'll have the pork."

"And our very own commoner and natural type Haruhi Fujioka!"

"Hi, sorry for all this. I'll have the chicken please."

"And of course you know me and Kyoya over here. I'm the prince type and Kyoya's the cool type. And i'll also have the house special"

"Greetings, I do hope you're writing this all down. I'd hate for you to get my order wrong."

And together we are the Ouran High school Host Club and our mission is to make ladies smile." With that an overwhelming bishounen aura began to surround the table enough to distract nearby customers.

Determined to regain her bearings, Kyoko replied "I thought your mission was to waste other people's time?" With that she quickly and deftly put on her nakai mask as she held her notebook out.

"Anyway that's 2 house specials, 1 chicken, 1 beef, 1 pork, 1 grilled fish and a slice of cake. Would that be all?

"Make a whole cake please and some green tea."

"Okay then, will do. Please wait and I will send this to the chef."

"Ah wait", Tamaki exclaims, he was determined to get behind the mystery of the Merit scholar's refusal to spend time with them. Surely she can't be that busy the restaurant wasn't even half-full. "Kyoko-chan, how about you sit with us and relax."

"No can do, I have other customers waiting."

"Ah but surely they'll understand. Why don't you…."

"No." And with her professional mask firmly in place she rebuffs Tamaki's overtures and heads over to the table next to theirs. Her customer service smile ready and shining.

"Too bad Milord." Hikaru starts noticing Tamaki's stricken expression.

"Yeah," Kaoru adds,"It must be tough to be dismissed so easily."

"Although…." They both start "it does seem to be a trend with the commoner students in the academy." Prodding the blond second year.

"Why you devil twins! Why I outta.. Haruhi!" At this Tamaki turns to the newest host "you don't dismiss daddy right."

"Knock it off senpai, you're making a scene Also you're not my daddy remember." Haruhi states. Immediately making Tamaki curl up in a ball.

"My daughter doesn't respect me anymore."

"It's hard to say you ever really had her respect in the first place Milord"

"Still who knew this was where she was working." Huni ponders observing Kyoko go about getting orders. He looks around taking in the unique decor of the restaurant.

"That" Kyoya responds "and she does commercial work and is currently a founding member of L.M.E's Loveme section."

"Loveme what's that? Haruhi asks.

"It's a mysterious section created by L.M.E. president Lory Takarada. According to rumors, those who are in it are under the special supervision of the president himself."

"And she's one of the founding members."

"One of two actually, the other one is Kanae Kotonami who was with her in the Kurara commercial."

"I saw that," Kaoru interjects " the one with two girls running across the field."

"Indeed."

"Wah' Huni exclaims so she must be a super talented person to get the attention of such a prestigious figure."

"Perhaps, we'll have to look and see if she is."

"Well right now all I see is her being very talented at taking down orders. Nothing super special."

"Says you. Haruhi interjects looking at the twins. "I bet you've never waiter-ed a table in your life."

"We'll never have too"

"That's not the point."

And with the uttering of muttered rich bastards, a commotion was heard from the other side of the room. Some of the drunk customers near the bar were starting to get into an argument. The Okami attempts to break it up while her husband restocks at the back.

"Please sirs, they're no need to fight."

"This man is a liar!"

"I am not!"

"Yeah, you are and a cheat though"

"Am not"

As the fight escalates the host club becomes worried but before they can intervene. Kyoko emerges from the curtain separating the reception and the dining hall, her aura radiating a somehow cool and serene atmosphere as she faces the two guests.

"Is there something a matter here?" She asks with a beautiful smile on her face.

"Kyoko-chan these guys were just."Okami starts but falters at Kyoko's sudden change in demeanor.

"Excuse me sirs." Kyoko's Nakai spirit shining bright. "But I must ask that you lower your voices. You are disturbing the other guests.

"Ah but he…" one of them tries to interrupt suddenly unable to speak at her calming aura.

"Please." Her aura overwhelming the men as they seated themselves back down. She replies with a serene smile. "Shall I get you some water and your check?"

Yes...Thank you." The two men are almost catatonic as they stare at each other as she leaves.

"Did you see that?" Haruhi asks, watching the scene unfold. Mildly impressed at how little chaos unfolded. If only it could happen in the club.

"Yeah" Hikaru adds "She just calmed them down in 10 seconds flat like she was catnip or something?"

"She's….. " Tamaki starts unable to really comprehend the scene in front of them as the hosts never had to deal with intoxicated guests before.

"A professional. Someone who's been in the game long enough not to let anything faze her and is always in control of the situation." With that Kyoya begins to write in his notebook a noticeable glint bouncing off his glasses. As another waitress brings them their drinks.

"What are you planning, Kyoya-senpai?"

"Nothing, as of yet. But I think there's a lot we could learn from the new Merit Scholar" *And* his mind supplies *a lot we could gain if we play our cards right*

Author's note: With that Kyoko meets the rest of the hosts. She's not yet a Ouran host although I did think of ways to get Kyoko into the club room. The persistent thought of she's on a schedule wouldn't leave me so I had to get the hosts to come to her. Obviously Kyoya is once again showing off his Shadow King tendencies and is now planning to make Kyoko part of his plans. What those plans are I haven't decided yet. Hopefully it includes something that's mutually beneficial. Kyoko doesn't deserve to be taken advantage of.