Chapter 6: Hosting the Host Club
It was a Sunday morning and Sam was finally able to sleep in. The American only stirred a little when her host sister got up for the day and left. Around 10 in the morning was when Sam finally arose while still groggy from her sleep. In the time she has spent in Japan with Haruhi and Ranka, they have truly become like her family members. Meaning she was no longer self-conscious around them. She could leave the bathroom in just her towel or walk around the apartment in her sports bra. This morning was no different.
Sam heard voices coming from the living room and assumed it was Haruhi and Ranka. The girl exited the bedroom in just her boy shorts underwear and a crop top that went just above her belly button that said: No Pants Are The Best Pants. Her eyes were still shut as she rubbed them to get the sleep away and fully wake up. She stumbled to the living room.
"Hey Haru, can you make some coffee," Sam grumbled as she entered the room.
"Sure," Haruhi said from the kitchen and chuckled.
Why was she chuckling? What was so weird about asking for coffee? She did this every day. Samantha finally opened her eyes to the sight in front of her. Six sets of eyes were staring at her widely. Sam stared back at the host boys with a blank face. She simply blinked at them, not fully awake enough to process the situation. The boys simply blinked back, not able to say a word. This had to be some weird dream, right? There was no way these spoiled, rich, boys would want to come hang out in a commoner's dwelling.
"I'm going back to bed," Sam stated while turning around to return to the bedroom.
Haruhi ran over to her host sister and stopped her by the shoulders. She began to harshly whisper in her ear.
"Oh no! You are not leaving me here alone to host these guys! Go put some pants on and get your butt back out here," Haruhi ordered.
"Fine. But my coffee better be ready when I'm back," Sam agreed.
The girl slipped back into the bedroom. It was Sunday and she was feeling lazy. Regardless of whether or not these boys were rich and high fashioned she was going to dress comfy. She wasn't in the mood to impress anyone. Not even Tamaki. Besides, they are the ones who barged into her domain, so she could dress however she wanted. Sam decided on wearing a pair of gray high waist sweatpants along with her white Calvin Kline sports bra. She also put on a long cream colored sweater. After brushing her hair out she quickly placed it in a low messy bun just to get the hair out of her face. Once she was reasonably presentable she returned to the others.
When she entered the living area a cup of hot coffee, just the way she liked it, was shoved into her hands. Sam gave Haruhi a grateful smile. There was no way in hell she would be able to handle these boys before her morning coffee.
"Thanks Haru," Sam told her sister before turning her attention to the boys. "Good morning, gentleman. What brings you to commoner's-ville?" Sam asked sarcastically.
"Put her in the list of non-morning people right below Kyoya-Senpai, and Hani-Senpai," Hikaru joked.
"Well excuse my rudeness. We normally don't have visitors on Sunday mornings. I am a creature of habit who likes to lounge around without pants while having my morning coffee," Sam frowned as she continued to drink her caffeine.
"I'm surprised the boss didn't pass out seeing you with so little clothes on," Hikaru grinned.
"Or at least get a nose-bleed," Kaoru added.
"W-what!?" Tamaki stuttered. "What kind of pervert do you take me for?"
"It's not like he hasn't seen me with less on," Sam remarked.
Tamaki's face turned bright red as he thought back to the time at the beach when she lost her top. Everyone else just simply dropped their jaws in surprise. They thought she meant that the two of them have gone farther than they thought.
"Get your minds out of the gutter, people! You all have seen me in less. I wore a bikini to the beach. That was basically like strutting around in a bra and underwear," Sam shrugged.
Everything seemed to quiet down when Haruhi returned with the host's tea. Everyone sat around the room drinking their tea and eating the delicious cake Hani-Senpai brought. Sam could never turn down cake for breakfast. Especially when one of the slices was chocolate on chocolate. Once everyone was finished Sam collected the cups and plates. Haruhi offered to give her a hand, but Sam declined her. While Sam was in the kitchen washing the dishes she overheard the boys asking for lunch.
"Now we're the ones who dropped in on you without warning," Kyoya began. "So we'll put up the money. Why not order your favorite sushi, or something?"
"No, that's okay!" Haruhi replied, hesitantly. "Kyoya-Senpai, I'm going to dread it later if it's on you."
"Not to worry," Kyoya said nonchalantly as he took out a gold credit card. "This comes from the sales of photos of you and Samantha that were auctioned."
Sam almost dropped the cup she was drying, and quickly spun around. She glared at Kyoya, pissed.
"You did WHAT?!"
"We do it for every host," Kyoya reassured. "They always bring in a lot of money."
"The funny thing is that I don't remember taking any photos, Kyoya," Sam growled.
"Let's just say that I have my sources," Kyoya replied mysteriously.
Sam's jaw dropped in anger and turned to Tamaki. "How is this okay? You're the president and you're just going to allow this?"
Tamaki paled as he looked back and forth between his best friend and his crush. His mouth opened and closed anxiously as he had no idea what to do. He hated confrontation or when any of the hosts fight. They were all supposed to be one big happy family that got along. Ever since the beach Sam has been acting extra cold towards Kyoya.
"O-kay!" Haruhi said loudly, trying to diffuse the situation. "Sam, why don't we make some lunch. I know you like to impress people with your cooking skills."
Sam took in a deep breath, held it for five seconds, before releasing it. It's something her mom had taught her to do when she was really frustrated or angry. Which makes since because that's who she got her temper from.
"Sure," Sam agreed. "But we'll have to go to the store and get a few more things."
"Oh, I'm coming!" The twins announced. "We want to come to the commoner's supermarket, too!"
"Me too, me too!" Hani-Senpai chimed in.
"This might be a good learning experience for all of us," Kyoya said, implying that everyone was now going.
"Ugh, let me get my purse." Sam groaned when everyone started to file out of the apartment.
She began to walk back towards her room when she saw Tamaki sitting on his knees. He was in front of the family's shine. It had Haruhi's mom, and the newest addition that was added when Sam first arrived - her Papa Jaxon.
"Tamaki," Sam questioned as she stood behind him. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just paying my respects to Haruhi's mother, and -" he held up Papa Jaxon's picture with a confused look.
"That's my Papa Jaxon," Sam leaned over Tamaki's shoulder to admire the picture.
It was a grayed hair man while a long beard. He had a camo hat, and shirt on with a pair of overalls on top. He was giving the camera the cheesiest grin.
"He passed away the summer before I came here. Unfortunately he was very stressed at the time and ended up having a heart attack," she told him solemnly.
"He looks like he was a very good man," Tamaki said softly.
"He was," Sam agreed.
Tamaki returned the picture to the shrine before suddenly turning around. "W-we're keeping everyone waiting. How about we get going?" Tamaki stuttered as he began to get up.
The klutz must have tripped on something because he came flying towards Samantha. The pair ended up in a heap on the floor after knocking heads. Tamaki was on top of Sam. She groaned and rubbed her sore head. Tamaki looked down at her with worry.
"I'm sorry, Samantha," Tamaki quickly apologized.
"Ugh, it's okay. You're just really heavy for a tall, lanky guy," Sam chuckled.
"Haruhi, Samantha, I'm home! Why is the front door open," a familiar higher pitched man's voice rang from the front door.
Sam glanced to her left from her spot below Tamaki. Her red haired host father had returned from his overnight shift at work. Sam grinned.
"Hey Pops, welcome home," Sam greeted.
"Pops!?" Tamaki almost shrieked while realizing that this cross-dressing man was Haruhi's father, which made him Samantha's host father.
Needless to say, Ranka was not happy to come home and see some strange boy holding his newest daughter below him on the floor. If looks could kill then Tamaki would already be dead. Ranka quickly went to diffuse the situation by ripping Tamaki off of Samantha while addressing only her.
"Hi honey! I'm sorry for leaving you and Haruhi all alone last night." Ranka smiled through his anger. "You two must have been lonesome. "
Samantha sat there in shock. She never really expected Ranka to be this overprotective with her when it came to boys. Sure it made since with Haruhi, but it felt a little nice that he placed her in the same category. It was like she really was his daughter. Although compared to what her blood father would have done to Tamaki, getting thrown into a wall by Ranka was nothing.
"Oh, dear. My left arm aches like I just knocked down the biggest beast of the century," Ranka said while rolling his shoulder. "Maybe I'm working too hard. I'd sure like some hot tea."
Instantly Tamaki was on his feet in the kitchen. He grabbed the teapot and was running around like a mad man. He wanted to make things up to Ranka and get on his good side.
"Right! T-Tea! Sam, do you boil your water with firewood? Where should I put the firewood?!" Tamaki frantically asked when he was suddenly knocked down by a very ferocious Ranka.
"Oh, dear. I seem to have found a huge pest," he gave Tamaki an evil grin. "And why exactly have you been dropping honorifics when addressing my host daughter?!"
Suddenly the twins peered through the open front door.
"Sir, you were taking so long that we -" Hikaru started, but stopped once seeing the situation.
"Oh, so that guy that passed us downstairs is Haruhi and Samantha's dad, after all," Kaoru concluded.
"Hikaru! Kaoru! Thank God that you're here! It's divine intervention," Tamaki dramatically cried from his place on the ground.
Sam rolled her eyes at the entire situation. She stepped over Tamaki's sobbing body before the twins started to walk all over him. The American went to her room to achieve the goal she originally had. Her purse was in plain sight and she quickly grabbed it before returning to the madness. When Sam entered the main area all of the hosts had returned and were speaking with Ranka. Samantha was just as surprised as everyone when Ranka said everyone by name and their year.
"I always love hearing stories about you two," Ranka happily addressed the twins.
"Huh? Haruhi and Samantha-Senpai talk about us," the twins asked, intrigued.
"Mm-mm. It's always from Kyoya on the phone," the man happily turned towards Kyoya as the two of them clapped hands.
"Ranka, you really are beautiful," Kyoya grinned.
"What," everyone gasped in surprise.
"We're looking after his precious daughters," Kyoya snidely informed Tamaki. "It's only natural that I say hello, and give periodic reports on them, right? Ordinarily that would be your job, right?"
"Knock it off, Kyoya," Samantha glared at him.
"Don't worry, Samantha. I even reached out to your parents. You were wondering how I was able to get those pictures weren't you," he raised an eyebrow at her.
"What," Sam shouted in surprise. "How?! I know for a fact that my mom doesn't answer calls from unknown numbers."
"It wasn't easy since neither of them an international lines. However I was able to be patched through on a video call," Kyoya said nonchalantly.
"You facetimed my parents?" This weirded Samantha out even more. "Wait a second, they just gave you pictures of me?!"
"After a little bit of explaining, yes."
"They are so dead," Sam growled as she stepped into the kitchen, leaving the sliding door between rooms half open.
Sam opened her phone and began to facetime her mother. She tapped her foot impatiently while waiting for her to answer. Granted it was 10pm their time, but it was Saturday for them so they could still be up. Finally her mother picked up the phone. Her glasses were on the bridge on her nose as she peered down at her phone. She must have been in her lazy boy, because a familiar lamp could be seen behind her.
"Oh," her mother said thinking it might be someone else. "Hi pumpkin, how are you?"
"Whoa, why did you answer the phone like that," Sam questioned.
"It's nothing. I just thought you were going to be someone else, but I'm glad that it's you! You don't call us as often as you said you would," her mother pouted.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that," Sam said feeling a little guilty. "Who was supposed to call you?"
"Well usually," her mother began.
Suddenly two hands gripped onto Sam's shoulders from behind. Black hair and glasses could be seen out of the corner of her eye. What the hell was Kyoya doing?!
"Hello, Mrs. Jaxon," Kyoya grinned at Sam's mother while speaking perfect English.
What weirded her out even more was that her mother practically squealed when seeing him.
"Kyoya! There you are! How are you, dear," her mother asked with a smile.
"Jesus, Liz! Calm yourself. He's still underage, you know," Sam's father grumbled in the background. His remark made Sam smile. He was blunt as ever.
"You were waiting on a call from Kyoya!?" Sam yelled.
"I always call your parents, and Ranka on Sunday to keep them update from the week's events," Kyoya informed her.
"And thank God he does," her dad growled while stealing the phone from her mother and holding it awkwardly close to his face. "You never told us that you were attacked by a group of drunk men! I swear on the Lord if something else like that happens I will be on the first flight there to drag your ass back to the farm!"
"You told them," Sam growled at Kyoya while hitting his stomach. "Did he also tell you that he-" She was soon cut off by Kyoya stealing her phone.
"Ranka, would you like to speak with Samantha's parents," Kyoya practically tossed him the phone.
"Elizabeth, Dan! How have you two been," Ranka spoke two the American couple.
Kyoya then turned to Samantha and closed the dividing door to the living room and kitchen. He slowly started to walk towards her. Sam didn't like the dark look in his eyes. She backed herself up to the counter as he got close.
"I don't appreciate people black mailing me," Kyoya said quietly.
"Then you shouldn't have done what you did, and you shouldn't have told my parents about those drunk idiots," she defended herself.
"You might not realize this now, but I am looking out for you," he informed her.
"More like you're looking out for yourself! You only care about your reputation," Sam spat.
"Do you really think so little of me," Kyoya asked.
"You know, Kyoya, I actually thought pretty highly of you," Samantha started, but was interrupted by a high pitched voice.
"Sami-Chan, your parents are super funny," Hani-Senpai giggled from the living room.
The sliding door between the two rooms opened slightly. Tamaki popped his head through and stared at the pair suspiciously.
"What are you two doing," Tamaki asked.
"Nothing," Sam quickly answered before pushing past Kyoya into the living room.
She spoke with her parents for a little while before hanging up, so they could go to bed. Sam then turned to Haruhi.
"These idiots are probably getting hungry. Wanna still go to the supermarket with me," she asked her sister.
"Of course," Haruhi agreed leaving with Sam.
"I wanna come," Tamaki said.
"No," the girls said over their shoulders as they ventured off into town.
As the girls walked to the store the boys and Ranka stalked behind them. Neither girl noticed. The two just kept on chatting.
"Can you believe Kyoya has been in constant contact with our parents? What a creep!" Sam said.
"Sam, what happened between you and Kyoya? Everything seemed okay until we went to the beach," Haruhi asked.
"It's -" Sam started, not knowing what she should tell her. "It's a long story. All you need to know is that he did someone bad and it hurt me. It'll be a long time before I can really consider him my friend again."
Haruhi didn't press any further on the subject. Although she was very curious as to what went down. She made a mental note to try and find out more later.
The girls entered the store and made a game plan as to who was going to grab what. After some thought the two split off. Samantha was in the produce aisle completely oblivious to what was going on behind her. Only when she turned around did she notice Tamaki on the ground in front of her acting dramatic as usual. A small smile played on the girl's lips.
"Tamaki, what are you doing here? And why are you on the ground?" Samantha asked.
Tamaki quickly jumped to his feet and acted cheerful.
"Oh, er, um… I just suddenly wanted to carry your shopping basket for you, Sam," Tamaki quickly replied as a blush formed on his cheeks. "Yes, daddy loves carrying shopping baskets! Can you believe it?"
"You're so weird," Sam let out a loud laugh as she passed the boy her basket.
A blush continued to rise up Tamaki's face. Sam couldn't wipe the smile off her face. This boy was something else! How sweet was he to offer to carry her groceries?
"Was there anything special you wanted to eat, T?" Sam asked nonchalantly while browsing.
Tamaki's eyes widened a little at the nickname she just bestowed upon him. And she wanted to cook him food! The butterflies in his stomach returned once more. These nerves only seem to come out whenever he was around Sam.
"Um, a stewpot. With lots of meat in it, and no chrysanthemum," Tamaki suggested, adorably.
"You're right. When there are a lot of people a stewpot would be better, huh," Sam smiled up at him which made Tamaki's heart speed up.
Tamaki had never seen such a beautiful smile in his whole life. He was really falling for this girl and falling fast.
Your smile like daylight dripping through the mountain pines, pure sunshine, summertime. Your smile like a wheat field in the southern breeze, apple trees, sweet and right.