Chapter 14: A Challenge From Lobelia Girls' Academy
Haruhi rose a brow as she stopped writing as three girls stood in front of her. "Really? All the afternoon classes have been canceled?" She asked the three girls in front of her.
A Girl tilted her head. "You mean no one told you?" She blinked.
"It's going to be crazy around here for the next two days. Ouran is hosting an exposition for the cultural clubs." Another girl added.
"Drama and choral clubs from a bunch of other schools have been invited. It's a big event this school hosts annually." The last girl of the trio added with a smile.
Haruhi looked on with interest. "Is that so?" She said before I stepped up.
"Wait, wait, wait. So I can just leave school right now since afternoon classes are canceled." I asked the three girls in front of Haruhi and me."
The three girls looked to each other before at me. "I guess so, but don't you want to-" I didn't let them finish as I rushed out of the room.
"Freedom!" I shouted as I ran through the halls and towards the exit. My freedom was short lived when I ran into a pair of girls. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," I told the girls as I covered my mouth.
A girl with light brown hair stood up from the ground and smiled at me. "It's quite alright young lady, but why were you in such a rush?" She asked me as she helped the other brunette beside her up.
A rubbed the back of my neck nervously with an embarrassed blush. "Well, I-I mean who wouldn't want to leave school early?" I asked them making the two girls giggle.
"You wouldn't want to miss the activities though, wouldn't you?" The light brunette asked me making me glance back. "Oh, our apologies, young lady. My name is Chizuru Maihara, but you may call me Suzuran." She smiled softly at me.
"And I, maiden, is Hinako Tsuwabuki, but call me Hinagiku." The shorter of the two told me as she took my hand and kissed it. Okay, they are not from this school, that's obvious from their clothes.
"My name is Danielle, Hideyoshi," I told them before I watched the two of them look me over.
"What a beautiful name," Suzuran said as she lifted up my chin. "Have you by any chance know where this host club is?" She asked making me blink.
"Yeah, I'm part of the club, follow me," I told them as I turned towards the host club.
So I lead the two of them to the Host Club headquarters. "This looks like the place," Suzuran said as she looked up at the sign above the double doors. Hinagiku nodded in agreement before the two of them opened the doors as I followed behind.
"Welcome, ladies." The others said to the two newcomers. 'What are they wearing?' I thought as my eye twitched at the sight of them dressed as knights.
"Well, well, well. I see you two ladies are from another school. I certainly hope we haven't startled you. We love first-time guests." Tamaki said as he held his sword in front of him before walking towards them.
"Wait are weapons allowed in school?" I asked but was rudely ignored as Tamaki continued.
"I'm glad you've come, princesses. My darlings, even if the world were to be destroyed, I'd put my life on the line as your faithful knight and servant. I will protect you." He declared as he knelt in front of them.
I just watched from the sidelines as Suzuran chuckled slightly. "Oh my, do you really think you'll be able to protect us? That's awfully arrogant of you, wouldn't you agree? You think that's what a woman wants to hear? Well, you're wrong." She told him as Hinagiku patter her shoulder.
"Come on. Give him a break, sister Suzuran. Men are just lowly life forms who don't care about anything other than perpetuating their testosterone latent image. By protecting us he's actually attempting to disguise the fact that he is weak and unable of even protecting himself." Hinagiku said making me sweatdrop.
I have a feeling they're anti-man. "You're such a clever girl, Hinagiku," Suzuran commented with a giggle. I'm surprised Tamaki didn't overreact about their comments.
He did surprise me when he answered calmly. "Don't you think that's a little harsh? Fine then. What do women like you want to hear?" Tamaki asked as he stood up.
"Maybe, something like "I would never leave my lover alone." If we fight, it'll be together. If we fail, we fail together. Even if I were to die, I promise you that I will never leave your side, my love." A new voice said making me look over to see Haruhi with a taller girl kissing her hand.
"Benibara, we thought you'd never show," Hinagiku said as the two walked over to them.
"What are we going to do with you? So tell us where you found this lovely young lady." Suzuran questioned as they looked at Haruhi.
"I just met her outside of the school. She may be dressed as a boy, but I knew the truth. She has such pretty maidenly eyes." This Benibara said as she looked closely into Haruhi's eyes. I could tell this weirded Haruhi out a bit.
"Uh thanks, I guess," Haruhi said as she still held a brown paper bag of stuff in her hands.
"Wow, her skin is incredibly soft," Hinagiku commented as she rubbed her arm.
"Isn't it, though? Well, Benibara we found ourselves a maiden as well." Suzuran said as she walked over and pulled me over to them. Of course, that's when Tamaki intervened.
"Hey! Don't go touching my Haruhi without asking my permission." Tamaki shouted as he rushed over before Benibara narrowed her eyes and punched him in the face, sending him back.
"Leave her alone." She threatened as I took a step back. She was tough, I didn't want to get in her way. I paused when Benibara looked at me with soft eyes and traveled over to me. "And what is this young maiden's name?" She asked me as she too lifted my chin.
I stepped back and held out my hand for a handshake. "I'm Danielle," I told her as I watched her look down at me in surprise before her expression softened and took my hand. "What a beautiful name." She told me.
I couldn't help but mentally groan as I heard Tamaki talk to the other hosts. "She punched me. She's so violent." He whined as I watched Benibara look slightly annoyed before standing straight up.
"Get ahold of yourself," Honey told Tamaki as I watched the hosts surround him.
I heard Benibara scoff at them. "Guess the rumors we heard are true. You guys are just a bunch of weak little punks with no sense between you." She insulted them.
"Those uniforms." Kyoya noticed. "I assume you ladies are from Lobelia girls' academy." He said as he looked up at them.
"That's correct," Benibara told them. Suddenly I got weirded out when they took off their uniforms and threw them in the air.
"Lobelia!" Benibara sang in a suit.
"Lobelia!" Suzuran sang as she wore a yellow dress with blue ribbons
"Lobelia!" Hinagiku harmonized as she wore a pink frilly dress.
'Okay, I'm getting the female host club vibes from them.' I thought as I watched them pose.
"St. Lobelia academy, high school 2nd-year, Benio Amakusa," Benibara said as she had a white flower in her mouth.
"Lobelia!" The three chorused.
"2nd-year student, Chizuru Maihara," Suzuran said as she held a frilly fan up to her face before they sang their school name again.
"1st-year student, Hinako Tsuwabuki." said as she held the same flower in her hand as they all sang their school name again.
"Lobelia!"
The three of them grouped together in front of the host club. "We are the members of St. Lobelia academy's white lily league, also known as..." Benibara lead on before the three did a full out finally from a musical,
"The Zuka club!" They exclaimed as the Host Club just stared at them blankly.
This was getting too weird for me. Two Host Clubs was two too many for me.
"The Zuka club?" Tamaki asked before falling over, passing out.
Suddenly the twins started bursting out into fits of laughter.
"Oh man, what a stupid name. The Zuka club. My stomach hurts." Hikaru gasped as he kept laughing.
"The Zuka club. That's priceless. And they had those get-ups on under their uniforms." Kaoru continued as they both couldn't stop laughing.
They really don't realize they do the same thing. I realized as I got even more weirded out. Suddenly the ground opened up as Renge rose from the floor. By now I wasn't surprised by this, I don't think anything else could surprise me now.
"You shouldn't underestimate the Zuka club. I may not know much about instant coffee, but I'm fascinated with girls' schools. St. Lobelia academy, it is truly a woman's world there. The Zuka club is a group of strong young maidens who consider women to be superior in every way. The club prides itself on its 30-year history. It's a society of maidens, by maidens, for maidens. The Zuka club activities include maidens' tea parties, the maiden debate forum, and most importantly, musical reviews performed by the society's top members." Renge explained as she drank some coffee, but obviously not liking it.
"You sure have a vast world of knowledge, Renge," Kyoya noted down on his clipboard of mysteries.
"Well, I've always admired St, Lobelias. I just couldn't go to school there, though. What would I do without any boys?" Renge said as she descended back into the ground.
"A maiden's beauty. It means possessing a spirit pure enough to not give in to power or to lust." Suzuran declared softly. They're contradicting their words, by fawning of Haruhi and me.
"As a girl, you... For a girl, you... We've had quite enough of all your oppressive male contempt for womankind." Hinagiku glared at the host club.
"And our pride... comes from having meaningful relationships based on equality. Because of the same sex. And yes, that includes relationships of love." Benibara said as she wore a fake mustache as the other two leaned against her.
"Yeah, you tell them, Benio." "You're awesome, Benibara." Suzuran and Hinagiku told her with a smile.
"Whatever. We're so over it." Kaoru said boredly as he looked into the bag of stuff Haruhi had as the other host club members were doing their own things.
'Man, they get bored easily when it has nothing to do with them, why are they so alike?' I thought as I could hardly comprehend what the actual fuck was going on. "Why don't you gals just scram?" Hikaru waved his hand, expecting the girls to just leave them alone.
Hinagiku gave off a smirk and a chuckle at their reaction. "I find it hard to believe that you silly boys have nothing to say about our sublime female love." She bragged as they all clung to Benibara.
Hikaru rolled his eyes at the women. "What the hell is she talking about?" He asked before looking over at Kaoru who took out a brand of instant coffee. "Hey, I haven't seen this one before. I guess it's a new one." Kaoru said as they looked at the brand.
"Are you guys going to do anything? They're basically insulting you guys." I told them as I watched them laze about. "Danielle, it's fine," Haruhi told me as she started making coffee for our three guests.
"You should feel sorry for them, Hinagiku. Their patented host skills don't work on us. Now they're all flustered and they don't know what to do with themselves." Suzuran said even though it was obvious they weren't affected by them, I mean seriously, the guys aren't even paying attention to them!
"True. I must say I'm glad we decided to perform here. It was fun to sneak a peek at the notorious Ouran host club." Benibara said as she eyed the hosts as they did whatever.
Honey looked up at Mori with a raised brow. "Hey guys, are we really notorious?" He asked as Mori nodded and said, "Yeah."
I felt a touch on my shoulder making me look over to Benibara. "And to think they're dragging these sweet young girls down with them." She said lifting my chin up before pointing at the host club angrily, "The host club's president may be a pretty little halfer. But he shouldn't be using his looks to create a fictitious romance. Attempting to fool the heart of a pure young maiden is demeaning. Your so-called club activities are nothing more than debasing macho fantasies. I promise you. We will bring you guys down. The Ouran host club will be abolished." She declared as the trio raised their hands up in the air, "All hail Zuka club."
"Um, I think you guys got it all wrong. The Host club may be full of idiots, but they're not doing anything to upset their guests, they do what they want them to do. That's the whole point." I argued with them making them shake their heads.
"That's what they want you to think darling, you're starting to be corrupt by these putrescent men!" Benibara said making me sigh. I can't even stick my own thoughts and opinions in their head without being denied.
"I see." Kyoya hummed before continuing, "I understand your concern. But do you think maybe we could finish this later?" He asked the women making Benibara let out a slight smirk, "Are you saying that you're not going to face us?" She asked. "Not at all," Kyoya said before motioning to Tamaki. "It's just that our president is still bed-ridden from the initial culture shock." He told them as the others surrounded Tamaki who was in a bed.
"You see, Tama-chan is having his nappy time right now." Honey said as he held a stuffed bear in front of Tamaki, "Wake him up!" Benibara shouted angrily.
"Excuse me, I made some coffee. Would you ladies like to have some?" Haruhi asked as she brought over a tray full of coffee. Benibara's sour mood faded as she walked over to Haruhi, "Why yes. Aren't you the sweetest thing?" She said as the three of them took the coffee. "You're a real pearl among swine." Suzuran complimented before taking a sip.
"You know, coffee made by a maiden always has a more fragrant aroma," Benibara said as she took a sip. "But this stuff is just instant," Haruhi told them. "How about the four of us have a little tea party?" Hinagiku said happily.
Tamaki suddenly woke up and angrily stormed over, "You, girls, have it all wrong! Don't you see there's nothing to be gained in a romantic relationship between two women? If that were the case, then why did God create Adam and Eve?" He said before tripping, making his finger go into the scolding coffee making his eyes widen and jump back holding his hand, "Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot..." He exclaimed as he collapsed to the ground.
'How can he be so stupid?' I thought as I watched Haruhi walk over and bandage his finger. Even I wouldn't make a mistake like that, that would make me look like a bigger idiot.
"Now that we know what's going on, we can't allow these maidens to stay here. We'll prepare their paperwork and have them transfer to Lobelia at once and welcome them into the Zuka club." Benibara said making my eyes widen. "Woah, Woah, woah. Hold on a minute," I said shaking my hands.
"Yeah, just wait for a second, will you? There seems to have been some misunderstandings here. I mean, first of all, you called senpai a halfer." Haruhi said before Honey piped up, "'Cause he is a halfer. He's half French and half Japanese." Honey smiled as Tamaki rubbed the back of his neck making her stutter. "Oh well. Uh anyway, I don't think it's fair for you to pick on the host club just because you don't think they have the same history as you do." She said, trying to defend the host club before her confidence being broken more by the twins.
"We barely have any history. We were just founded two years ago." "Yeah, the boss created it whenever he started high school here." The two said as her shoulders slumped down.
"Be that as it may, saying their club activity is only held to satisfy their appetites is just wrong. I mean, it's not like the host club's charging their guests or anything." She said, her voice going a little quiet as she mover her finger around.
"Well, I wouldn't call it a charge. We do have a point system. We offer priority services based on the winning bids for auctions held on our website." Kyoya said as he went on his computer, "Check this out, Haruhi. Your used mechanical pencil just sold with a winning bid of 30,000 yen. Good for you." He said as she looked at the computer in shock, "What! But I thought I'd lost that pencil. Why didn't you tell me about this before, Kyoya senpai? I had no idea you were collecting money." She shouted at him.
Kyoya just kept a straight face, "So, you thought we were all just working here as volunteers? While it's not much because of the expensive organizing events, we happen to make a small profit from the online auctions." He said making both her and I shocked, to say the least.
"You can't sell other people's thing without asking permission. That's stealing!" Haruhi shouted angrily before the culprits chimed in, "It wasn't stealing. You dropped that pencil on the floor." The twin said before Haruhi glaring at them.
Tamaki went over, tearing up a sobbing, "Waah. I'm sorry, Haruhi. It's not like we were hiding it from you. Here, you can have mine. It's got a cute teddy bear on it." Tamaki said holding up a mechanical pencil with a teddy bear head on the tip. "Senpai, I don't want your pencil." Haruhi sighed as Tamaki's mood changed drastically, "Then to make it up to you, how about I do this? I'll tell you the secrets to my success in my fondest memories." He offered, making Haruhi roll her eyes.
"Not to be rude, senpai, but I'm pretty sure no one is really interested in that information." She said making him gasp and step back, "Not interested?"
It's as if they wanted Haruhi to leave, good thing I'm not being targeted... Wait, they want me to join an all girl's school too.
"Oh, you poor dear. I can't believe they've been deceiving you." Suzuran said placing a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, why don't we just dump these losers and come with us?" Hinagiku said pulling me over before Benibara raised her hand, "Hold on, Hinagiku. These young maidens had quite a day. We'll give you some time to think about it. We'll come back for your answer tomorrow. Well then, adieu." She said leaving with the others making me let out a sigh of relieve.
I looked over at Haruhi, "Hey, everything's going to be alr-" I was cut off when I saw Haruhi's death stare, good thing it wasn't aimed at me, but it was still scary. "I better be going. I've got some thinking to do." She said before walking out and slamming the door shut behind her.
"Um, what are we going to do? I can't go to a girl's school, there are some things I know they'll notice!" I exclaimed before Tamaki placed a hand on my shoulder, "We know, Daniel can't go to this school, but what about Haruhi!? Gentlemen, just think about it. Haruhi may be basically indifferent, but if she had to choose, we know that she tends to favor men's clothing. And besides, when she first joined the host club, didn't she tell us that 'being fused over by a couple of girls might not be so bad'" He said before letting go and moving to look out the window.
"Why didn't I realize this before? Perhaps they would be a better match for Haruhi. Maybe she'd be better off with the Zuka club." Tamaki said sadly making the others nod.
"Yeah, she's perfect for a girls' school." Kaoru muttered before Honey jumped up with tears in his eyes, "Haru-chan is going to transfer away."
"What are we going to do?" "Haruhi is so smart. Passing Lobelia's scholarship tests would be a piece of cake." The twins exclaimed, "And Lobelia academy has the money to pay off the 8 million yen debt she owes us." Kyoya said making me just want to punch him.
"How can you be so cold and think about money!?" I asked Kyoya angrily before Tamaki butted in, "Calm down, gentlemen. It'll be all right. Listen to what I have to say. I have a secret plan." He said as we gathered around each other.
I have a feeling it'll be stupid, but I didn't have any plans of my own to try to convince Haruhi to stay... Even though I would leave this school when and if I get the chance.
"So is everyone ready?" Tamaki asked as he wore a big, pink frilly dress.
"This is stupid," I commented as I put on a suit like the one Mori was wearing.
"Would you rather wear a dress?" The twins teased making me glare at them, "As if, I want to wear a dress like that." I huffed making the two snicker.
"Everyone, get in position, I hear them coming," Tamaki said turning off the lights.
I honestly don't think this will work, mainly because we all look so stupid like this... At least I wear boy clothes this time.
My thoughts were interrupted as the doors opened up, letting in some light, 'Haruhi, you better not leave when we do this!' I yelled mentally as the twins started singing, 'Ouran!' being followed by Mori, then Kyoya, and me, before Honey and Finally Tamaki with a grand;
"Ouran!"
"The Host club welcomes you!" We all said in sync as I tried not to cringe at how stupid we sounded.
"Oh, Haruhi, welcome back." Tamaki said lifting up a fan before Honey went up to her, "Look, Haru-chan. I'm a princess now. Are they cute?" He asked with a giggle.
I just watched as Benibara got furious, "What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to make fun of womankind?" She asked, angrily before Tamaki shook his head.
"What? No, that's not it at all. Everything's going according to plan. Our strategy is guaranteed to make even a crying child smile. It's the freebie campaign. My dears, you ladies have all lived sheltered lives at Lobelia, so you might not know, that commoners are weak. They have a weakness for free things. Haruhi, you may be distracted by the Zuka club. But choose us. And you gain not only a host club full of brothers but sisters as well." He said motioning to us, "See. This way, you can experience feminine bonding while staying in the host club. Isn't that a great idea?" He asked before spinning around and looking at Haruhi, "Aren't I pretty?" He asked in his version of a girl's voice.
The twins giggled as they went over and used their girl voices, "We're the Hitachiin sisters. Which one of us is prettier?" They asked before Hikaru added, "I'm just teasing you." He said as Kaoru laughed.
"Listen, Haru-chan, You can call me big sis from now on." Honey said as he looked up at her, smiling.
"Why you... Do you idiots really think you can win her over like this? I've had enough of your fooling around." Benibara shouted before laughter broke the tension.
Looking at Haruhi I saw how she was laughing her ass off at us, "This is too much. I don't even get what you're trying to do. I knew you were a bunch of goofballs, but geez..." She gasped as she kept laughing.
The twins and Honey grinned before going over, "Are we really that funny? Call me big sister. Come on, do it. Just say it. Big sister. Say it, please." They said as they chased a laughing Haruhi.
"Come on. Cut it out. What were you thinking? What's gotten into you guys?" Haruhi asked as she wiped a tear from her eye. "We don't want you to leave, besides, I don't want to be left alone with these morons," I told her. "We don't want you to leave the host club, Haruhi," Hikaru said looking away.
"So, you have made your decision, maiden." Benibara told me making me nod, "Sorry." I told her before she looked over to Haruhi, "Well, maiden, have you made a choice?" She asked making Haruhi look up at the three of them and smiled. "Yeah, I have. I'm sorry but your club's not for me. I think the idea of a girls' school is great. And your views are very unique and interesting. But I came to this school with a goal and a plan for my future. So while I appreciate your offer, I really already knew that I was never going to leave Ouran academy." She smiled with her eyes closed.
Tamaki smiled before his eyes widen and hurried over to her, "Haruhi. Hold on. If you knew you weren't going to leave, then why did you act so angry yesterday?" He asked her, holding onto her shoulders. Haruhi tsked, "How would you feel if I stole something of yours without asking you? I really liked that mechanical pencil. It was easy to write with." She shouted at him, making him let go.
"I'm sorry. But I was nice and offered my teddy-bear pencil in return, and you said you didn't want it." He said taking out that stupid pencil once more, Haruhi rolling her eyes as a result, "That's right. I still don't want it."
"Well, this is nice an all, but can I get out of these clothes?" I asked tugging at the collar of my suit, "But it looks cute on you." The twins teased with a grin making me growl at them.
"Listen up! We're not going to give up on you two maidens. I swear this to you. Someday, we'll come and rescue you from this place. And when we do, we'll abolish the Ouran host club." Benibara interrupted before softening her eyes, "Well, adieu." She said as the three span off, ending up slipping on banana peels.
"How did-" I started to ask before Renge suddenly appeared eating a banana with a monkey, "And so, a new rival, the Zuka club has appeared. From this point on, the story's gonna get even more exciting. What's gonna happen to our beloved host club boys next? Hang in there, host club. Don't give up, boys." She exclaimed before taking another bite from the banana from her hand.
"Hey, it's not your job to cook things up." Tamaki shouted angrily.
Oh god, how can things get any weirder?