Hello everyone! So I have been trying to upload this chapter since Saturday, but for some odd reason it wasn't letting me upload. But now it was able to! I wanna thank everyone who reviewed, added to their story alerts, favorites, etc. Well, all I can say is that I hope you all enjoy the next two chapters!

Disclaimer: Ouran, plot and characters, belong to Bisco Hatori. Every other character belongs to me! ^^

Chapter 27: The Rise of the Rival

One week. Well almost a full week since Takashi and I shared our first small kiss. Kisses should be the proper term since we only kissed twice. Right now I was on my way to the Third Music Room since afternoon classes got canceled. Why, you might ask.

Apparently Ouran is holding a campus-wide exhibition event for the cultural clubs during the next two days. This also includes other groups and choirs from other schools to come. I guess this is a big annual event or something like that. Luckily for me, this isn't mandatory so I'm just gonna go and relax and hopefully take a nap.

I now stood in front of the door that was going to be my sanctuary for sleep. I opened it and stepped in, but sadly, I wasn't the only one there.

"Ah, Setsuna-senpai!" Hikaru and Kaori waved at me once I laid a foot into the room.

Hikaru and Kaoru were dressed as what looked like Squires from back in the day when there were knights. The two wore brown pants that had some white at the hem and white long socks and brown shoes. Their top was white with light blue strips and a long chest piece – or so I think that's what's it called – that was the same blue with yellow, making it look like a window. On their heads was a large blue hat that had a giant white feather. They both held fencing swords.

"I'm guessing we have a theme today," I said to them while I walked over.

"Yup! We have your dress ready –" They began before I interrupted them.

"Don't you remember that I get to pick my own outfit for a theme? I remember you promising me that when I was forced into on of Yuzuha-san's bathing suits. And at our last theme, which Super Smash Bros. Brawl, I was given a costume. So that means, I get to chose what I wear today," I grinned with triumph after explaining to them.

"No fair!" They stuck their tongues out at me.

I laughed, "Alright boys, now what's our theme and lead me to the costumes."

We walked towards the dressing room where all the costumes were at.

"The theme today is Knights and Squires," Hikaru said as he opened the door.

"Everyone, besides Haruhi, is already getting into their costumes," Kaoru told me as he grabbed my hand and led me to a box where the clothes are at.

"Where is Haruhi?" I asked.

"Buying instant coffee," They said simultaneously.

I sweat dropped. They had to become addicted to instant coffee. Then again, I'm a bit addicted to it myself.

"So, Setsuna-senpai, what are you going to dress up as?" Kaoru asked.

I placed a hand on my chin and said, "Maybe I can be Robin Hood or dress up like a knight. Like Joan of Arc or something."

"We're out of Knight costumes, but we do have some costume pieces that can be turned into a Robin Hood costume," Hikaru said while pulling out some green leggings.

"Sweet!"

We dug around the box and managed to find my costume. I was pushed into the dressing room and was told to hurry since we were opening in about two minutes. I began to take off my blazer, blouse, and shorts leaving me only in my undergarments. The first thing I placed on was the green leggings. It was an easy task and I then placed on a white long sleeved shirt that went past my butt. On top of that I placed a brown leather vest that had to be tied, like a corset but in the front. It was a bit tight across my chest but it was fine. Around my waist was a black belt. All that was left was to do was place on my brown boots and I was good.

After putting on my green hat that had a feather and my hair into a small pony tail – which surprised me that I was able to, I walked out of the dressing room and into the main room only to find Tamaki talking to two girls, one with short brown hair and grey-blue like eyes and the other one –who was taller- with a lighter shade of long brown hair and grey eyes, both which had long burgundy school skirts, a sailor top, and white long socks with white heels.

Tamaki's suit of armor was white and red white a long white cape. Hunny's suit of armor was pink and purple. In his hands was Usa-chan. Kyoya's suit of armor was silver and had what looked like a purple skirt behind his waist. Takashi's armor was a darker silver and dark blue.

I walked over to the others and was about to ask something when another girl with really short hair and was taller than the others showed up. She wore the same uniform as the other two already. But the thing that really surprised me the most was that she had her arm around Haruhi's shoulder.

I just blinked as she said some phrases. A bit random too.

"We shall fight together…" She whirled Haruhi, "…and we shall perish together if we are not allowed to live." By now she was on her knees as held Haruhi's hand. "Even if my life ends, I swear to never leave your side for eternity."

And that's when it happened, she kissed Haruhi's hand.

We all stared at her as our background changed into a midnight blue with yellow stars. Takashi and Kyoya had a blank look on their faces. Hikaru and Kaoru looked shocked. Hunny had a small blush on his face and looked a bit amazed as his pink flowers floated around him. Tamaki on the other hand was shocked as a sweat drop was placed over his left eye and purple lines were over his right.

"Wha-wha" Was the only thing he was able to mutter out.

"Benibara-sama, you're late," the short haired girl said as she and the other walked over to the one who hand Haruhi.

"You problematic person…And where did you pick up such a charming lady?" The other asked.

The tall one stood up and said, "Ah, just out there. I could tell immediately, even if she was wearing man's clothes." She twirled Haruhi and brought her down so she could look straight into her eyes, "Behold, her lucid maiden eyes!"

"Excuse me…"Haruhi said as purple lines also now surrounded her eyes.

Now the other two were caressing Haruhi.

"My, her skin is so beautiful," Short hair said while rubbing Haruhi's arm.

The long haired one then said while rubbing Haruhi's leg with her face, "Really…she is great material that can be sharpened into something brilliant."

I was a bit freaked out at what they were doing to Haruhi. I mean sure they are giving her nice compliments and all, but they don't have to be that touchy-feely.

Apparently Tamaki also seemed to agree with me as he now ran towards the group, "Hold it! Don't be touching my Haruhi without my permission!"

He reached out to grab her but was punched away by the tall one, who had a stress mark on her head.

"Don't touch her, you snob!"

'Hey! No one is allowed to punch Tamaki. Except me, of course!' I thought in my head as I looked at the girl.

"She punched me! She's so violent!" Tamaki cried as he backed away.

Out of no where, I was now holding a giant cherry lollipop in my hand. I looked towards my right and there I saw that everyone else was holding something. Takashi had Tamaki's bear; Kyoya held an ice cream cone; Hunny was holding Usa-chan; Hikaru held our country's flag; and Kaoru held two balloons. Not knowing what to do with it, I just started licking it.

"Tama-chan, be strong," Hunny encouraged him.

"They are even more inferior than rumors say…a group of randomly selected light-minded fiends with little history," The tall one said as she and the other two girls stood in front of our group.

"That uniform…" Kyoya began as he fixed his glasses, "you girls are from Lobelia Girls' Academy, right?"

"Indeed."

And then, their uniforms were thrown in the air.

A purple light now shined down upon the tall girl as she stood up while singing, now clad in a purple coat, white pants, and a purple hat, "Lobelia~"

On my left a blue light appeared, which shined down on the girl with long hair who now wore a blue dress, "Lobelia~"

Lastly on my right, a pink light shined down on the short haired girl who now wore a pink dress, "Lobelia~!"

"St. Lobelia Girls' Academy, high school junior, Amakusa Benio," Benio said while removing the hat and had a white lily that she held with her mouth.

a.k.a. The Lady of the Red Rose

"Lobelia~" The three sang as they lifted their lilies up towards the sky as a yellow light shined down on them.

"High school junior, Maihara Chizuru," the one with long hair and the blue dress introduced herself.

a.k.a. The Lady of the Lily

"Lobelia~" They sang once more with their right knee popped out like a dancers.

"High school freshman, Tsuwabuki Hinako," The short haired girl with the pink dress introduced herself.

a.k.a. The Lady of the Daisy

"Lobelia~!"

"We are the White Lily Society of St. Lobelia Girls' Academy, also known as…" Benio began before she threw her hat. As the hat flew, their clubs name finally appeared in bright lights.

"Zuka Club!" The three shouted as they now wore theses strange outfits with large feathers behind them.

"This is just too much, man," I said to myself as I sweat dropped.

Behind us was now a purple background. We just stared at them the entire time without making a move.

The Host Club

A white light appeared behind the Zuka Club.

The Zuka Club

I turned to look at Tamaki as he was now completely white. For some odd reason, I heard some random beeping going on in the background and decided to look up. Another sweat drop appeared as a pink arrow was pointing down at us with our club name and a purple one was over the Zuka Club with their club name.

"Z-Zuka Club?" The pale faced Tamaki spoke before falling to the ground.

By now, the twins were dying of laughter. They were laughing so hard that tears were falling from their eyes and they had to hold their sides.

"Awesome naming sense!" Hikaru said as he kept laughing. "Zuka Club, man! Damn, my stomach hurts!"

"Zuka Club is the best!" Kaoru pounded on the floor before getting up. "They went through the trouble of hiding costumes under their uniforms!"

That's when the one voice I really didn't feel like hearing at the moment suddenly appeared.

"You cannot underestimate the Zuka Club!"

Now the twins stopped laughing.

"Oh-hohoho!"

High-power Motor

"Oh-hohohoho…I may not know instant coffee, but leave it to me to be moe about girls' schools," Renge spoke as she appeared before us with her damn lift.

An umbrella was over her while she was wearing a kimono and had a cup of instant coffee with her. She took a sip of her cup before making a face showing that she didn't like it. She wiped her mouth before speaking while throwing a plate that held her cup and napkin to the ground.

"St. Lobelia Girls' Academy: the garden of maidens. Within the school, the Zuka Club are a gathering of maiden whom are amongst the strongest advocates of women supremacy. A society that prides itself for its thirty-year history, it is a society of maidens, by maidens, and for maidens.

"Activities of the Zuka Club include the maiden tea party, the maiden discussion…And above all, the musical show presented by the top members of the society," Renge finally finished explaining about the club.

"Jeez, talk about obsession," I muttered to the twins. They nodded their heads as a form of agreeing.

"Renge-kun, you cover a wide field of knowledge," Kyoya said now that he was back into his uniform.

"This is nothing more than an admiration from my part. The fact that there are no guys around spells utter failure for me," Renge said before finally disappearing.

"A maiden's beauty," Chizuru began, "It is a pure energy that rivals exterior looks, power, and lust."

"'Because we're women', 'We're just women'…We are tried of this oppressive discrimination of women by men," Hinako said next.

"Our pride…A mutual relationship from the depths of our souls because of our common gender and resolve. For example…" Benio began before finishing as she now held Chizuru and Hinako in her arms, "It could even be a love relationship."

"Oh, you Benio," Chizuru said.

"Benibara-sama…" Hinako said next.

We were all now back in our uniforms – I have no idea how that happened, it did though – and all doing something: Hikaru was playing some video game; Hunny was watching him; Kaoru looked through the instant coffee; I was going through my iPod with one ear bud in my left ear; Kyoya was reading a book; and Takashi was swinging his sword around.

"Ah, I'm tried of laughing," Kaoru said as he lifted a can of instant coffee.

Hikaru then spoke without looking away from his game, "Actually, just go home."

"Oh my, oh my. Are you all like speechless before our noble love?" Hinako asked as she began to laugh like if they won or something.

"What is she talking about?"

"Don't know, Hikaru. Don't know," I said to him as I picked to listen to Hollywood Undead.

"Ah, I haven't drank this one before. It's a new one," Kaoru exclaimed picking one from the bag.

"Stop making fun of them, Hinagiku. They are very troubled because their best host techniques don't work on us," Chizuru said as she took the fake mustache off of Benio's face.

"However, it was worthwhile to have come peeked at this notorious Ouran Host Club after our show," Benio said.

"We're notorious?" Hunny asked while looking at Takashi's direction.

"Who knows," Takashi responded.

"Just ignore them, Hunny," I said as I bobbed my head to the music.

"I can't believe they've got such a helpless female student involved in their activities," Benio said as she now looked at Haruhi.

"Huh?" was Haruhi's response.

"Wow, I can't believe that they weren't able to tell that there was a female right in their faces," I mocked as I stood up from my seat stretching my arms. "You guys should probably get your eyes fixed or something."

"What!? Another female?!" Benio exclaimed as she now looked towards my direction.

"Wow what a beautiful figure she has under those clothes," Chizuru said as she suddenly appeared before me.

"She has such beautiful long legs that are nicely shaped," Hinako said as she ran her hands down my legs.

I squirmed when I felt them touching my body. Luckily for me, I was pulled back to my seat thanks to Kaoru.

It now looked like Benio was irritated as she said, "I don't care if your president is a half or not, but to use flashy looks to create a fictitious love and fool the pure heart of maidens is complete discrimination against females. To call this a club activity and use it for your own greed and profit is totally inexcusable!

"I swear that I will abolish the Ouran Host Club at once!"

"Hail Zuka Club!" The three shouted while they now wore orange army suits and had a flag behind them that said women.

"I see. I understand your intention, but could we continue this another time?" Kyoya said while looking directly at Benio.

Benio returned the look and said, "Are you saying you will not face us?"

"No…but our president is still in culture shock," Kyoya said directing towards Tamaki who was currently passed out.

"Umm, Tama-chan is sleepy man right now," Hunny explained to them.

"Get him up!" Benio was now pissed.

"Umm, I made coffee; would you like some?" Haruhi asked politely as she held a tray of drinks.

"Thank you! How nice of you!" Benio over exaggerated herself just for a cup of coffee.

"You're like a jewel in a dunghill," Chizuru said.

"The coffee made by you, fair maiden, has such lovely fragrance," Benio said.

"It's just instant coffee," I said to them as I ate a cookie that I had found.

"Then, let's have a tea party amongst the five of us," Hinako said next.

I heard movement and I moved my head to look. I saw Tamaki getting up and now began to run towards our direction.

"You guys are wrong! What productivity is there in a love between two women?! Why do you think God made Adam and Eve-" Tamaki barely finished before slipping on a random banana peel and sadly placing his finger in a hot cup of instant coffee.

"Hot, hot, hot, hot-" Tamaki shouted while waving his finger around before Hunny showed up and blew air at it.

I walked back towards the others while Haruhi walked over Tamaki.

"I'm getting hungry," I stated as I sat down on the couch. I just watched Haruhi bandage Tamaki and that's when I noticed a light blush on his cheek. Hmm, this is rather interesting.

That's when something was placed in front of me. It was another giant lollipop that was a cherry flavored. I looked at who gave it to me and saw that it was Takashi.

I smiled at him and said, "Thank you!"

He smiled back at me.

"Looks like it's not even worth a talk," I heard Benio say. I turned to look and the next thing she did shocked me. She grabbed Haruhi's wrist and pulled her up. "Now that we know the state of matters, we cannot leave the fair maidens in a club like this."

Their including me in this now!?

"We shall process their admission papers to Lobelia immediately and bring them to the Zuka Club."

WHAT!?

"P-Please…wait. I'm sure there are a lot of misunderstandings, like saying Tamaki-senpai is a half…" Haruhi began.

"Tama-chan is a half! He's half-French, half-Japanese!" Hunny explained with a smile and flowers. In the back, Tamaki just rubbed the back of his head.

I looked at Haruhi as a sweat drop appeared.

"Well, I don't think it's right to make false charges and say the Host Club has little history and stuff…"

"Well, we don't have any history," Hikaru said. "This is only our second year."

Haruhi's face faltered.

"The club was established when tono entered high school," Kaoru said.

"Well, I think it's going over the line to say that the club is in for our own greed and profit. It's not like we're getting money from our customers-"

"Actually, it's a point system." A dark blue background with clouds of despair fell over Haruhi as Kyoya explained, "On our club homepage's net auction, customers can redeem their points for credit toward their items."

A little ghost Haruhi flew next to me as I looked at her.

"Ah, look Haruhi. The mechanical pencil that you used has been auctioned off for 30,000 yen ($300). Aren't you glad?"

"Wh- That was the one I thought lost! This is the first time I've heard of all this! I didn't know we're getting money for this!" Haruhi shouted with an anger mark over her head.

"You think we're doing this as a volunteer service? Well, if you subtract all the funds used on event planning, clothing, foods and drinks, our profit margin is actually quite minimal," Kyoya explained while Haruhi had purple lines falling under and above her eyes. But she snapped back up.

"That's no reason for you to sell my belongings! You thieves!" Haruhi shouted with fangs.

"We're not thieves! It was on the ground!" Hikaru and Kaoru said.

'Of course, they would be the main suspects since they are in her class,' I thought before licking my lollipop.

Haruhi turned to look at them. At first they were standing behind her, but they suddenly moved back to the couch in front of me looking innocent as Kaoru drank instant coffee and Hikaru looked calm.

And then, Tamaki began to cry.

"I'm sorry, Haruhi!" He was now in front of Haruhi and held her face while she looked away a bit annoyed. "It's not like we were hiding this! Here, I'll give you my mechanical pencil. Look, it's the one with a bear."

"I don't want that kind of thing," Haruhi simply said.

"Then, I'll tell you all about my birth, along with the magnificent memories of my seventeen years!"

"Actually, that's the most irrelevant information that was new to me today."

Tamaki was now in shock. "Ir-rele-vant?"

He ran off to his wall of depression, drawing on the floor with his finger. Hunny was next to him.

"Poor girl..." Chizuru began, "You're in shock because of all the lies, right?"

"Hey, leave those people and come join us," Hinako said next.

"Well, wait, Hinagiku. The fair maiden is disturbed right now. We shall ask her again tomorrow. We look forward to a good response from you," Benio placed her hand on Haruhi's shoulder. "Well then, adieu!"

They pirouetted their way out of the room while laughing. Finally.

I was standing next to Takashi, still licking my lollipop when I felt something…bad looming over us. Haruhi, who was facing the door, suddenly turned to look at us. Let me tell you, we all got scared.

"I, too, shall excuse myself for today."

With that, she left. And that's when Tamaki cried.

"Why did we have to tell her the truth and add oil to the fire?" Tamaki shouted.

"The truth is the truth," Kyoya said.

"Selling her pencil must've been bad," Hunny said.

"It could have been a memento from her mother," Kaoru said next while holding his chin in a thinking matter.

"Actually, I think it's just an extra from the electronics store," Hikaru stated.

I was about to say something but I was interrupted by Tamaki who now stood in front of the window.

"My humble servants, just think about it. While Haruhi is basically indifferent about it, if we had to say, she actually has a preference for male clothing. Besides, back when she joined the Host Club, she said this, didn't she?"

I was a bit confused as to what he was saying since I wasn't here when she had joined the club.

"Why did we not notice all this time? Maybe she…might be more fitted to be…in the Zuka Club than the Host Club…"

That's when we all turned blue and besides us the words "He's got a point!" appeared.

"And perfect for girls' school," Kaoru said.

"Haru-chan's going to transfer!" Hunny cried.

"What are we going to do?" Hikaru said with a sweat drop.

"With Haruhi's head, Lobelia's scholarship exam should be a piece of cake!" Kaoru stated next.

"And Lobelia is likely to pay off her eight million yen debt for her," Kyoya said. Leave it to him to worry about the money.

"Calm down! Calm down, my humble servants! Listen to what I have to say! I have a secret plan!"

"Am I included in this plan, Tamaki?" I asked him while I held the lollipop out in front of me.

"Of course, Setsuna-senpai! We don't want you to transfer out!" Tamaki stated as he ran up to me and held my hands.

"Tono, she can't transfer out," Hikaru and Kaoru said.

"Why not?" Hunny asked.

"Because okaa-san is paying for her tuition," Hikaru said.

"If she was to transfer out, her otou-san would have to pay for the tuition," Kaoru said next.

"Besides, I like it here," I smiled at them all.

"Setsuna-senpai, you're so cute!" Tamaki suddenly shouted and glomped me before the twirling began.

"Ta-Tamaki! Can't breathe!" I shouted as he kept spinning.

Luckily, my savior appeared and lifted me up and away from Tamaki.

"Thanks, Takashi," I smiled at him as a blush appeared on my cheeks since he held me close.

"Ah," He blushed as well.

I turned away and that's when I realized something. "Did you guys take any of my stuff to sell on this so called auction page?"

"Nope. You're much harder to take from," the twins simply stated.

I sweat dropped. It soon faded away and I turned to ask Tamaki, "Well what is it that you need me to do in this plan of yours, Tamaki?"

After hearing Tamaki explain the whole plan to us, the only thing in my mind that I was only able to think was how funny this was going to turn out.