Marianna Lorena - Ouran Academy Friday, April 8th
I entered Music Room 3 and saw a group of male students. I recognized the familiar short blonde-haired and tall spiked haired seniors in my English class. "Hello boys," I greeted with a smile.
I sat down at the head of the long dining table in the room. I couldn't see any musical instruments which was odd considering this was a music room. "Hello sensei," a boy with glasses told me.
"Are you the club president?" I asked him.
"No, I'm merely the vice president."
"Where is the club president then?"
"He's still in the cafeteria Lorena-sensei," Honey answered me.
I gave him a small smile and said, "I see, well let's get around to eating lunch and begin the meeting."
"Lorena-sensei," a ginger-haired boy spoke. I blinked and realized he had a twin.
"Your name sounds foreign. Where are you from?" the other ginger asked me.
"I'm originally from San Francisco," I responded with a tight-lipped smile. I opened my bento and began to eat the rice and hotdogs in it. "By the time lunch ends you guys need to have your activities for next week scheduled."
"Cake!" Honey shouted interrupting me. I raised a brow.
"The cake is already a given for the snack menu," the vice president said.
"Okay well, it sounds like you guys are planning on there being food which is a good start. What was your name again?"
"Ootori Kyoya, Lorena-sensei."
"Right Ootori, I'm going to write that down for myself." I pulled out my notebook from my bag and wrote his name down. "And what are your guy's names?"
"Hitachiin Hikaru," the first twin began.
"Hitachiin Kaoru," the second twin finished.
"Okay Hitachiin Hikaru and Kaoru," I said aloud while writing down their names. "And then I know Haninozuka Mitsukini aka 'Honey' and Morinozuka Takashi aka 'Mori'."
"That's right sensei," Honey smiled. "I'm the Lolita type!"
"Lo-lita ty-pe?" I repeated in English to myself.
"Every guest that comes in gets to designate a particular host. There's Honey who is the Lolita type, Mori who is the Wild Type, Hikaru and Kaoru are the Mischevious types, Tamaki is the Princely type and I'm the cool type," Ootori explained.
"Alright, so each of you has a particular persona that the girls get to choose from," I summarized. "So what ideas do you have for next week?"
"I would like to have standard club visits where we have guests sitting in chairs around tables in the room. On Wednesday we can have a viewing of the sakura trees," Ootori said.
"Sorry I'm late!" a loud voice yelled. I scrunched my eyes together in distaste.
"Who are you?" I asked the blonde-haired boy who sauntered into the room.
"I am Suoh Tamaki, my beloved princess," he sang. My eyes widened in surprise as he grabbed one of my hands and kissed it. I slapped his hand away.
"Tamaki-senpai," Kaoru began.
"She's our sensei," Hikaru finished with a smirk.
"I'm sorry sensei," he bowed blushing a deep shade of red. I rubbed my hand against the fabric of my skirt in disgust.
"So you're the son of the Chairman?"
"Yes…" I lamented this fact as I would have loved to give him a week's worth of detention for touching my hand.
"So we have a flower viewing of the sakura trees on the list of activities," I reviewed. "Any other ideas?"
"We should have a ball!" Suoh exclaimed.
"A ball?" one of the Hitachiin twins questioned.
"That's a lot of work to pull off boss," the other twin finished.
"It will be the perfect way to start the new school year."
"Who deals with finances?" I asked before Tamaki could get farther into his scheme.
"I do sensei," Ootori replied.
"And do you think you have enough money to be able to host a ball?"
"We have enough funds from last year that can be used."
"See, it's all coming into place," Suoh grinned.
"Yay!" Honey cheered. "We're going to have a ball!" The little blonde began to dance in circles around his chair. I sighed and looked at the Hitachiin twins who didn't seem too pleased.
"Is this really okay sensei?" Hikaru asked.
"Well if you all have the funds and can organize it in time, I see no qualms with it. I won't be supervising any of it as I'm only required to be at club field trips held outside of school grounds."
"It makes no difference to her then," I heard Kaoru mutter under his breath.
"Thank you sensei," Suoh beamed in delight.
I ignored his comment and looked to Ootori. "Today I filled out the Activity Form for you. Next meeting I expect one of the club officers to fill it out. Remember to send me your financial report for the month by April 30th."
"Yes, Lorena-sensei."
"So next up is recruitment."
"Recruitment?" Suoh questioned.
"Your club needs to have at least three new members this year in order to be considered a club. Chairman Suoh wants to ensure that clubs don't become exclusive only to upperclassmen," I explained.
"We only have two new members so far," Honey giggled. "Hika-chan and Kao-chan."
"That's ⅔ of the way done then. All you need is one more new member."
"It's not so simple. Not just anyone can be a host Lorena-sensei," Suoh began. "It takes someone of true beauty and character to be able to entertain women."
"Well then, you'd better look far and wide to find another host," I deadpanned.
"We'll be sure to find someone else to join the club," Ootori reassured me.
"Well that's all we have on the agenda for now," I smiled realizing that we still had fifteen minutes left of lunch.
"Do you need help with anything before class starts Lorena-sensei?" Honey asked me. I glanced at him and his stuffed bunny carefully.
"No thank you Honey," I ruffled his hair. "I have some important documents from Chairman Suoh to look over." I packed up my bento hurriedly, not noticing the disappointed look on the small senior's face.
Sylvia Sanchez (Suzume) - Yakazawa District Friday, April 8th
"What's your name kid?" Big G questioned.
"It's Eli," the tiny freshman answered.
"Alright, Eli you want to work in the drug trade, prostitution or go into running a business?" Yinyin asked.
"Choose wisely honey," Snake grinned in delight.
"P-prositution," Eli stuttered out.
"Beat him in boys!" Yinyin cheered out. I ran forward in delight and grabbed Eli's arm. He grunted and I elbowed him in the jaw. Hiro kicked him in the stomach while other Kalyuga gang members began to take their turn with him. In just a single minute, Eli was on the ground holding onto his neck and head for dear life. I stomped on his body with all my force and gave a groan when Big G blew the whistle.
"Welcome to Kalyuga Eli," Snake said. He plucked the boy off the ground and patted his shoulders. Snake took almost all the new members that came to initiation today which was no surprise. Big G gained three new soldiers which was good for him.
Music began to play at the pool area and I numbly followed Hiro and the rest of the crew out there. Three girls in bikinis started handing out beer to everyone. I took mine mutely and sat down on a beach chair. "Why you being such a sour puss Scar?" Hiro asked.
"I'm not," I huffed. "I'm just bored, that's all."
"Bored huh?" a slithery voice interrupted. I rolled my eyes upon seeing Silver.
"I can make you feel more entertained Scar," Knuckles chuckled. He started rubbing my shoulders.
"Fuck off," I hissed.
"How are you honestly wearing that long sleeve shirt?" a girl asked joining in the conversation.
"None of your god damn business you skank."
"I heard it's cuz she's deformed," another girl speculated. I glanced at her breasts and wondered how much trouble I'd be in for cutting them up slowly.
"Aw come on guys, give Scar and I a break," Hiro intervened. "We literally just got into some shit with the Yama a few days ago."
"So you two were the ones at the gas station then," the first girl murmured.
"Well, that explains why you two losers weren't at the auto shop this week," Knuckles mused.
"That was us all right," Hiro bragged. "We took out a least a dozen Yama members at once." Hiro went off on a tangent that was completely fabricated with overexaggerated zeal. I took a sip of my beer and sighed, rubbing my fingers on my temple.
After about three more minutes of Hiro's lame-ass storytelling, I decided to leave. I went up the stairs of the hotel and climbed up to the roof. The music down below sounded faint up here. My feet led me to a ledge and I silently glanced down.
There were people walking down below. They were just tiny specs. Most of them probably had ordinary jobs, ordinary families and ordinary lives. What would it have been like to be one of them?
I turned my gaze over to my left where I had a bird's eye view of the pool. A sense of longing filled me up as I watched everyone down below. The gang was my job, my family, and my life but lately something was missing.
"Hold it there," a familiar voice said.
"What?" I asked narrowing my eyes at Hiro. He had followed me.
"Well strip," he ordered.
"What the fuck?" I hissed.
"You wanted a sex in hoe," he joked.
"Like hell," I spat in annoyance while he laughed. "Why did you follow me?"
"Because you're upset about what everyone down there was saying. You shouldn't let it get to you. People are going to talk shit now and then. It's no big deal."
"I'm not upset, if I was I would have smacked the shit out of blonde bitch down there."
"Very funny Suzume," he grinned.
"It is Hiro." I smiled.
He sipped on his drink. "All of this kind of makes you feel… what's the word? It's a fancy-ass word…"
"Nostalgic?"
"Yeah nostalgic."
"I guess so. Initiation made me think about my dad."
"You never told me much about him. Did he abandon you and your mom?"
"He didn't abandon us exactly," I sighed. "But I'm still not really ready to go into it all."
"Fair enough. Initiation made me think of how lonely and desperate I felt before joining Kalyuga. Now I'm swimming in a sea of bitches."
"That was so touching," I rolled my eyes. He sighed and I raised a brow.
"What's the sigh about?"
"My mom found out my phone number."
"Shit, how do you think she found out?"
"I have no fucking idea. She got dumped by her stupid husband so she wants me to let her move in."
"Mmm," I hummed. "So they divorced then?"
"Yeah… I'm not letting her stay with me. She abandoned me for that son of a bitch so she got what she deserved."
I threw my hands up, "That's your call. My mom and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of shit but in my culture family always comes first."
"Anyways, you wanna have some real fun?" he asked me.
"Not really," I replied in a bored tone.
"Pussy," he teased. He pointed to the next building. "Let's jump over."
"Are you nuts?" I questioned.
"If you don't come I'll leave you," he chuckled. He carefully used his hand to stand on the ledge, barely fitting. He threw himself into the air and he rolled onto the other rooftop. I swallowed as he gestured for me to do the same. I steadied myself into a standing position and looked down. The people below seemed to be continuing on as though I didn't matter. As I threw myself, a scream escaping my lips I knew I didn't matter, yet that didn't stop me. I landed on top of Hiro who laughed.
"You asshole."
He laughed and helped me up. "You seemed tense," he told me with a smirk.
"And jumping off a roof was the perfect solution?"
"Of course," he declared sticking his tongue out at me. I laughed at that, shaking my head. I spotted everyone else still drinking and partying and decided I preferred to leave.
"Let's get ice cream," I suggested, eager to eat some food.
"That actually sounds good," he grinned.
Marianna Lorena Ouran Academy Friday, April 8th
I clutched the fabric of my dress and glanced up at the enormous estate. "Come on Lorena-san, you don't want to be left behind," Aki-san told me.
"Sorry," I apologized. I scurried after her in my silver heels. I glanced around at all the elegant decore of the mansion. Upon entering there were tons of servants greeting guests.
"Good evening, may we please see your invitations?" a man said. I pulled out the invitation from my purse and held it out. He glanced over at Aki-san's invitation first and then glanced at mine. "Feel free to go on ahead ladies, keep it moving."
Aki-san grabbed my hand. "The Suoh mansion is really nice huh?"
"Yes, it is."
"The ball was held at the Ootori mansion during the 10th anniversary. Now let me tell you, that was big." I couldn't quite believe that. This place was huge already, how could you get much bigger?
"This is your first ball correct Lorena-san?" Aki-san's husband asked.
"Yes," I nodded to him.
"Wait up!" Seno-san called. We stopped at the top of the staircase and glanced down below. Seno-san and Mishi-san were walking up the steps, each of them had their arms wrapped around their husbands. I tried not to let my smile drop at this.
"Hello," Mishi-san smiled. "Lorena-san, this is my husband Aito." I shook his hand and we both bowed at each other.
"And this is my husband Hisato," Seno-san introduced me. He didn't shake my hand but merely nodded in my direction. I tried not to take offense at this action but I did feel a kick in the gut.
"Well, I'm ready to eat some delicious food," Aki-san announced. She led us through the hall and into the ballroom. There were people dancing in the middle and tables on the outside with food.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," Chairman Suoh said. I looked at the stage as the red curtains opened. "I welcome you to the 15th annual Ouran Academy Ball. I created Ouran Academy with the intention of giving my son and children in Japan a place to become successful young men and women in society. It is an honor to have our wonderful staff here at Ouran attending this evening along with our board members." Everyone clapped and the curtains were drawn.
My friends drifted to the dance floor and I decided to grab a plate and sample the food. I particularly liked the fancy tuna.
As I watched the couples dance I thought briefly for a moment about my high school prom. The dancing was much less sophisticated at my prom and was certainly less elegant. I grabbed my phone from my purse and saw that I had another missed call. I bit my lip and sighed.
I glanced across the hall and saw Mori and Honey. A small smile graced my lips. The two seniors were dancing together, spinning in circles, not caring about following the rhythm of the classical music playing.
When the song ended the two seniors were near me so I decided to greet them saying, "Hello boys, how are you both enjoying the ball?"
"Hi, Lorena-sensei! We're having lots of fun, right Takasi?" Honey grinned. He hugged his Usa-chan tightly to his chest.
"Ah," Mori grunted.
"That's good to hear."
"Takashi can you take Usa-chan to the bathroom," Honey told Mori. I tried not to choke on my food as I saw the tall boy take the stuffed bunny away. Honey gave me a warm smile and took a step towards me. I unconsciously took a step back and winced as my back hit the wall. "Are you okay Lorena-sensei?"
"Yes, that was just me being clumsy," I chuckled.
"Would you like to dance with me Lorena-sensei?"
"Umm… I don't really know how to dance Honey otherwise I would."
"That's okay." He grabbed my plate out of my hands and dragged me to the dance floor. For someone so tiny he had a lot of force. He placed my hands on his shoulders and his hands were on my waist. We swayed back and forth to the music playing and I couldn't help but laugh.
"I guess it's impossible for us to do a proper waltz," I commented to him.
"I can never really find a dance partner at these types of things considering my size." I nodded in understanding.
"Well, this is my first time at a ball," I confessed to change the subject slightly.
"So does that mean I'm your first dance?" Honey asked me. I couldn't help but smile at his excited face.
"I guess that does," I nodded. He cheered and lifted his arm to spin me. I took a moment to understand so I felt awkward when I finally did spin around. Luckily Honey didn't seem to mind and he kept eagerly swaying me back and forth.
When the music ended Honey bowed to me and I followed suit. He skipped away and I couldn't help but giggle. "There you are," Mishi-san said grabbing my arm. "All of our husbands decided to go for a drink so we decided to come and find you since you disappeared. I see you were dancing with Haninozuka Mitsukuni."
"Honey was in my class," Aki-san announced.
"Mine too," Seno-san chimed.
"He's so cute!" they both squealed together.
I laughed. "Yeah, he really is. He's also really helpful. He's always asking me what he can help me with"
"That's good to hear. He was always so serious but since starting high school I've noticed him become much happier," Seno-san observed.
"No one believes me but I think he is very mischevious deep down," Aki-san declared. "I've noticed how he's always gotten out of trouble by sweet-talking the staff."
"He's the farthest thing from mischevious. It's the Hitachiin twins that are getting into trouble non-stop," Seno-san disagreed.
"Well, it's sweet that you have a student who wants to dance with you," Mishi-san jumped in.
"We're all too old for that huh?" Seno-san laughed. Mishi-san and Aki-san joined in.
"Hello!" Chairman Suoh boomed interrupting us.
"Hello Chairman Suoh," we all said in sync.
"I'd like to dance with all my wonderful female staff at Ouran. Is it okay for me to take Lorena-san from you all for just a moment?" Chairman Suoh asked.
"Oh yes," Aki-san answered for everyone. "I'm sure she'd love to dance." I didn't have time to shoot Aki-san a glare before Chairman Suoh took my hand and led me to the dance floor. Unlike my dance with Honey, Chairman Suoh held me in a proper stance for a waltz. I struggled to follow his lead but somehow managed to stay upright. I stepped on his feet multiple times but he didn't comment on it.
"Have you had a chance to go through the file Lorena-san?"
"Yes, Chairman Suoh I have," I nodded nervously. I stepped on his foot again.
"And what do you think?"
"I thought you were giving me until Monday to decide."
"I am, but I'd just like to gauge how you feel."
"I think she's a very resilient young woman considering everything she's been through but I'm really not sure I'm the right person to mentor her."
"It's intrusive of me I know," Chairman Suoh began. "But I had one of my business partners, Ootori Yoshio, look into your past." My eyes widened in shock. "Of all the staff here at Ouran, you would best be able to understand her the most."
"Our situations are completely different," I protested. I took a deep breath to maintain my composure.
"Even though they are different, there are similarities in your struggles. Sanchez needs a strong positive female role model to help her invest in her future."
"I'll consider it and give you my final answer on Monday," I told him firmly. The song hadn't ended yet but Chairman Suoh loosened his grip on me. I took the opportunity to leave. Chairman Suoh immediately went back to where my friends were and took Mishi-san to the dance floor next. I moved towards the open balcony. There were a few couples there talking but there was some room in the right corner. I sat down on a chair and sighed.
Sanchez Suzume was someone who really needed a second chance but was I the right person to help her have one?
Sylvia Sanchez (Suzume) - Yakazawa District Friday April 8th
"I understand why you didn't want to say anything, but it's the right thing to do." I glanced down at the tape and sighed. Those words still bothered me even after three years.
"Suzume?" My mom walked into the living room. I jumped in surprise.
"I thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow."
"Chairman Suoh saw me and told me to go back home. He was outraged that they had me working and staying at the mansion while it was your first week at school. That crotchety old head maid Yuha-san lied to me about my schedule."
"Are they finally going to fire her?"
"I doubt it."
"Too bad, I thought something interesting finally happened to you at work," I huffed. She laughed at that.
"What'cha got there?" she asked in English.
"A tape of the International Math and Science Competition that my teacher wants me to join."
"Wow, it's only your first week at Ouran and you're already involved in something. I told you that a different school would be good for you."
"I wouldn't get too excited, I never said I'd do the damn thing," I snarked.
"Did Tamaki show you around?"
"Yeah," I lied.
"Well don't keep me in suspense. Let's watch it." I bit back a retort and put the tape in our VCR.
This is a recording for a private viewing of the 24th Annual International Math and Science Competition. Contestants come from all parts of the globe to be a part of this exciting adventure of math and scientific progress.
The screen showed rows and lines of teams, with billboards, and gadgets, speaking with small groups of people, displaying their work. They were all so smart looking.
In the math division, we have our top three teams. Ouran Academy (Japan) at third place, Reliance (U.S) and Xi's Academy for Boys (China). The deciding question was the following:
Derive the both Fundamental Theorems of Calculus and explain their connections to the original mathematician who created the theorem.
My eyes bulged out of my head in shock. What kind of question was that? It was like history and math combined. I sighed as I watched Kyoya on the screen. He was so quick with his pencil, but the boy from Xi's academy beat him to it and held out his answer for the judges to evaluate. I shivered at the intensity from everyone. How could anyone spend time to learn random crap about some mathematician?
I watched as the previous rounds included applications from science, debates on the usefulness of certain formulas from all across the wide range of topics. My ears perked up when I heard them ask a question about cars. I answered it in my head easily, while the boys and girls from Reliance seemed to struggle.
"That's so easy," I scoffed.
"That one seemed pretty hard to me," my mom commented. I ignored her comment and kept my eyes glued to the screen. This competition seemed intriguing to say the least.
At the end of the video my mom looked to me and said, "I think you should do it Sylvia."
"I don't really know…"
"It's up to you. I already forced you into going to Ouran but I hope you know I did it so you could have a second chance. It's why I moved us here to Japan in the first place. All you have to do is take it mija."
"...you didn't want to say anything, but it's the right thing to do." I wished she had realized that people like me didn't deserve second chances.
