"Perhaps Ms. Kitasaki can arrange a private discussion with you, Haruhi," Kyoya said smoothly. "Once we are finished with today's activities." He was the first to speak.
The other hosts had mixed reactions.
The twins were watching intently, alternately glancing at each other to send unspoken signals. Mori was also gazing quietly in that direction. Hunny had even paused in eating his cake. The fork full of cake was hovering in the air as the shortest member of the host club looked on inquisitorially.
Tamaki had spent the first few seconds wallowing in despair that a girl had run away from him. Then the dark clouds cleared and he was filled with pride. Obviously his hard work training Haruhi to be a host had paid off!
Minako slowly released Haruhi and took a step back. She looked away for a moment, gaze unfocused, and when she turned back her expression was pleasantly neutral. She bowed her head slightly to Kyoya in acknowledgment. "Of course, I would not want to interfere with anything," she said politely. "Please let me know what is convenient, Haruhi." She smiled. "It's good to see a familiar face."
Haruhi looked at Minako, head tilting. "It's good to see you too, Minako," the host said, returning the smile with her own. (Tamaki flailed in delight in the background) "I should have some time in a little over an hour," she said thoughtfully. "How about then?"
Minako nodded quickly.
Kyoya interjected again. "Perhaps I can show you around and get you settled until then," he suggested. It wasn't really a suggestion. "I know Tamaki had started to explain a little, but let me tell you about our monthly events. You may find one to your liking."
Kyoya knew who she was of course. He made a habit of familiarizing himself with every student at Ouran. Everyone here had connections of some kind, so it was best to be aware of them. Minako Kiasaki had just transferred to Ouran. The Kitasaki family was a prominent one, their wealth stemmed from the investment company they had started decades before and they had a successful number of resorts. Minako's father had recently become the family's patriarch. It had created a bit of a scandal since he had been disowned years ago before being brought back into the family fairly recently. Kyoya hadn't known of her connection to Haruhi, nor had he expected to run into a first year transfer student so soon. This would be corrected soon enough.
Haruhi watched them move away. "I didn't know she was going here…"
Minako had been ecstatic to see Haruhi. She had stayed in contact with the other girl through email, but Haruhi had never mentioned where she went to school! But of course she wouldn't, Minako thought ruefully.
She had to tone down her excitement once she remembered the others in the room. She nodded as Kyoya talked, concentrating on keeping her smile and letting her hands fall gracefully instead of fidgeting with her dress or twirling her fingers around her curls. She needed to make a good impression, for the sake of her family.
So she played her part. She used her time to introduce herself to some of the other girls. She did her best to remember names. The time passed by quickly enough.
Apparently when Kyoya had suggested a private conversation, he had meant one without all of the girls of Ouran High School visiting the host club. Now Minako found herself back on one of those luxurious couches sitting next to Haruhi, but still surrounded by the other members of the host club.
"How do you know Haruhi?" Hikaru and Kaoru chorused.
"We have been friends since elementary school," Minako explained thoughtfully, brushing one of her long curls behind her ear. "And in middle school. My family moved a couple years ago, but we have been able to stay in contact through email." She gripped the skirt of her dress before smoothing out the light yellow fabric. "You didn't tell me you made it into Ouran though!"
Haruhi had nodded in affirmation as the other girl talked. "Oh, I guess I didn't mention I made it in…" the short haired girl mused. "I suppose I always thought the academic programs were more important that whatever the high school's location was."
"So you've known Haru-chan a long time then!" Hunny pipped up, shifting Usa-chan as he ate another bite of cake.
"Regardless," Kyoya began, adjusting his glasses so they glinted dangerously. "I trust you understand that it's in Haruhi's best interest that her true gender is not revealed."
"I understand," Minako said. Her politely neutral expression broke for a moment as she glanced sidelong at Haruhi.
Haruhi shrugged. "I really don't mind either way. This just makes it easier to pay things off."
Minako nodded, pressing a finger against her pursed lips. "Well then," her expression turned slightly mischievous, "It will be like when we were little Haru-kun."
Cue another one of those shared glances between the Hitachiin brothers. Kyoya just barely raised a single brow.
She stood to make her leave. "Until next time," she said graciously. She managed to suppress her giggle. Maybe she still needed to work on her poker face(and her diplomacy), but sometimes she couldn't help her teasing. Something told her that this would be a interesting year.
Cue closing music. Thus concluds our intro.
What will happen next?