Whoo! Sorry for the way late update, but I ended up rewriting this four times because things weren't turning out like i wanted them to and then I was at my grandparents and couldn't update but now i have returned! i hope you like this chapter, although i apologize if it gets a bit...crazy near the end. ^^ please review!

Cherry blossom petals fell gracefully to the ground around me as I stared up into the branches of the tree. The Host Club was working outdoors today in celebration of spring and, having never witnessed cherry blossoms my whole life, this experience in and of itself was breathtaking to me. Technically, this was supposed to be my first day hosting but I had somehow managed to disappear from Kyoya's radar and I was currently hiding behind one of the many trees surrounding Honey and Mori's area.

The view was pretty nice; giving me the chance to keep an eye on Fu-kun, who was still upset with me. I really have to make it up to him, but it's hard to do that and hide from my guests at the same time.

"Kohaku-senpai? What are you doing?"

My eyes widened and I rushed over to Haruhi's side, covering her mouth with one hand and shushing her.

"Shhh! I'm trying to hide!"

She rolled her eyes and I released her once I saw Kyoya was occupied with selling photo albums to the insane mob of guests. Turning back to the group, I paled when I noticed that two guests were blushing not a foot next to me. Calm down! It's just two people! If you ignore them you won't have a problem. Taking a deep breath, I sat down and relaxed a bit, risking a glance at Fu-kun who actually looked back at me this time.

"So…why are you hiding?"

I tore my gaze away and gave Haruhi a look.

"You'd be hiding too if Ootori-kun was looking for you. I doubt he appreciates me hiding before he can hand me any guests."

She sighed. "Why don't you just try and talk to them? They're really nice girls once you get to know them and besides, you can't just hide from him forever. Trust me."

We both shivered, knowing the kind of power that backed Kyoya up, and I looked over at the two guests as they stared back confused.

"I guess I could try…If Fu-kun will forgive me for getting mad at him earlier."

All gazes switched over to the white ferret resting on Mori's shoulder and I finally heard a response accompanied with a sigh. Took you long enough. I had to go make friends with a tanuki and a baby chick in order to have a decent conversation. Good pals and all, but not as intelligent as I would like…I forgive you, kid. He jumped down and rushed over to me, shimmying up my kimono to lick my cheek. I laughed with a large smile, easing the mood as the two guests 'aw'-ed at the affectionate scene.

"Yay! Fu-kun and Ko-kun made up! That's really good, right Takashi?"

"Ah."

Honey then decided to make some tea in celebration. Unfortunately, he was having a bit of a hard time with it and was spilling the majority of it, and there was no way I was going to tell him. Nudging Haruhi with my elbow, I leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Aren't you going to tell him?"

"I, uh, don't think I can."

I knew what she meant. Neither of us wanted to be the bearer of bad news and most importantly, neither of us wanted to see him cry afterwards. It was then, our savior arrived in the form of the human wall known as Mori.

"Mitsukuni. You spilled too much."

He was right too. There was maybe barely a sip of the tea left and almost immediately, Honey's eyes welled up with tears. The guests sucked up to him to keep him from crying and Mori even brought over some dango to cheer him up. Haruhi quickly excused herself to the bathroom and I decided to follow her.

"W-Wait up, Haruhi!"

Something pulled me back by my collar and I turned around to meet the calm face of Kyoya. The sunlight flashing on his glasses told me he wasn't happy with me and that I would be lucky if I was still alive after the punishment he had planned.

"Kohaku-senpai, I believe that you were supposed to be hosting today and yet you seemed to have skipped out. Now what do you think I should do about that?"

I went to turn to Haruhi for help, but she had already disappeared and left me to deal with the Shadow King on my own. Thanks for the support, Haruhi. Looking back at him I smiled nervously.

"U-Um, let me off with a w-warning?"

"Not quite. I believe that cleaning all of the tables and bringing the china back to the club room will work as a punishment for now." He dropped me to the ground, somewhat happy that he was just making me clean and not forcing a debt on me or anything. "Oh, and Kohaku-senpai?"

"Y-Yeah?"

Oh crap. I think I spoke too soon.

"The cost of your…games will be added to your debt."

"Debt?! What debt?!"

"Yes. We have replaced everything you've lost during your burglary and we will send it to your house as soon as you give us the address, but the cost of everything has exceeded the amount you've earned."

"H-How much do I owe?"

"Adding in the cost of the guests…2 million yen."

T-Two million yen?!…Wait, how much is that?

"Um, stupid question, but how much would that be in dollars? I-I can't fathom the amount q-quite yet."

He raised an eyebrow at that and wrote something down in his notebook, making me realize my mistake a bit too late. Great! Now he knows where I came from!

"Roughly $18,823 although I do question why you don't-"

"Mommy!"

Thank you Tamaki! I hurried off to clean off the tables and stack the china in boxes, ignoring the stupid conversation going on behind me about how much time Haruhi spends with the twins versus Tamaki. Instead, I decided to have an intelligent conversation with Fu-kun.

Hey, Fu-kun? Hm? You think I should give Kyoya my address? It would save me the trouble of trying to find a way to get everything to my apartment, but then he'll know where I live and that's just asking for disaster. You might as well. He'll find out eventually anyway since you live next door to Haruhi and he will only tell blondie and the others if they ask for it, so I don't see why not.

I thought over what he said and decided that he was right. I already finished putting everything away in boxes and cleaning up the tables, so I pulled out my little black notebook and a pen. When I opened the book, I smiled sadly at the family photo I kept inside and then turned to a blank page where I wrote down my address before tearing it out. Heading over to Kyoya, I waited patiently while he wrote in his notebook until he spoke to me first.

"Can I help you, Kohaku-senpai?"

"Yeah. Here." I handed him the piece of paper. "It's so you can send the stuff to my apartment…and…I'm sorry for running off like I did. I shouldn't have disappointed the guests like that and then left you to deal with apologizing to them. And I'll actually try to host on Monday…So, uh, yeah. I'm really sorry."

I bowed, my face flushed after realizing that I spoke that long without stuttering. Lifting my head when I received no response, I stared at Kyoya's surprised face before he covered it up with his usual I'm-holier-than-thou look.

"Well then, I will see to it that your things are delivered by tonight."

He didn't say anything after that and just nonchalantly went back to writing in his black book. I smiled a little bit to myself, knowing that that was just Kyoya's way of saying 'thank you' since he didn't bring up what happened earlier with the whole dollar-yen thing. I suddenly felt lighter and went off to see what the others were up to, when everything came crashing down once more as Honey wrapped his hands around my waist.

"Neh, neh, Ko-kun? Can we compare our heights on physical examination day?"

It's hard trying to remember that he's eighteen with that look. Poor guy. He must really hate physicals deep down. Wait a minute…

"Ph-Physical examination day?"

I paled, having completely forgotten about that until this very moment, and stumbled out a response to Honey.

"Uh, s-sure." He looked at me in concern and I quickly covered up my worry. "We could compare heights and maybe you'll grow really tall like Mori-kun overnight!"

"Woah! That'd be really cool, Ko-kun!"

I laughed at the excited look he had on his face, just barely catching the thankful look he had hidden behind it. My laugh died out though and I began silently freaking out. This isn't good. This isn't good at all!…Then again, I don't really have a need to hide it. I'm just doing it for the fun of it, but didn't Kyoya mention something about cross-dressing being against Ouran rules?

"Ugh, this isn't going to work out, is it?"

"What's not going to work out, Ko-kun?"

I jumped and stared wide eyed at Honey, forgetting he was still in front of me. It was then I decided to bounce some ideas off of him, just for another opinion.

"Honey-kun, if you had a secret that you didn't care if others found out about, but enjoyed the fact that nobody knew about it, and that secret was in danger of being exposed…what would you do?"

"Hm…" He scrunched up his face in thought and hugged Usa-chan a bit tighter before answering. "I think I would try to keep it secret."

"What if someone found out, though?"

"Then I wouldn't be disappointed. Sometimes it's better if someone finds out, right Ko-chan?"

"Right."

I understood where he was coming from, but then I realized something. Did he just call me Ko-chan? Glancing back at him as he hurried off, I shook my head in denial. Nah…But that doesn't help the fact that I hate physicals and I don't want the Host Club finding out so soon! Couldn't you just skip? Not go to school that day or something? His voice sounded bored and uncaring, so I pulled him off my shoulder and began shaking him in front of my face as I hid behind a tree.

"Are you crazy?! If I do that, Kyoya will be all over me! He'll be asking questions nonstop!"

Then just let them figure it out! It's not that big of a deal anyway! You're only hiding it for fun!

"Agh! You don't understand!"

"Don't understand what, might I ask?"

I stopped shaking Fu-kun and stared wide-eyed at Kyoya, wondering just how much he heard.

"Um…How much of t-that did you hear?"

He didn't answer and I kept my own mouth shut for fear that I might just give away something he didn't hear. It was quiet for a moment; the only sound being the rest of the Host Club fondling over Haruhi when he pushed up his glasses and spoke.

"I highly doubt an animal of its intelligence would actually understand you…" Hey! "…and shouldn't you also be bringing those boxes to the clubroom before I increase your debt?"

"R-Right."

I stood there, not moving for a while longer when Kyoya rolled his eyes from underneath his lenses.

"Now, would be nice."

"Right!"

I sounded a bit more confident this time and scrambled off to do the man's bidding, beyond happy when Mori offered to carry the other box for me. All I have to do now is find a way to get out of the physicals…and with Kyoya's family owning all the doctors, it's not going to be easy.

When the day for the third years to take the physical exam came up, I had been promptly notified by the principal that I would have the physical with a special doctor (sworn to secrecy and hired by my mysterious donor, thank God) in another room.

Secretly, I wondered who this donor was, but Fu-kun said not to worry about it and that he was practically nonexistent so I did. Oh, and all my new things safely arrived the night before and Kyoya had even managed to recover my antique typewriter! Although the note in it said that he wasn't the only one interested in it and the price of that alone was nearly half my total debt. Lucky me.

Anyway, that day went by without a hitch and I didn't have to worry about hosting until after the weekend. What I did have to worry about though, was Kyoya asking questions when he got a look at my medical records. You see, despite the fact that I took the physical with my own doctor, my records still have to go to the school so they have them on hand should anything happen.

Normally I wouldn't mind since they made sure to state that I was male, but those wonderful records also stated a few other things. For instance, the fact that I had severe allergies; mostly to certain foods, but also to some plants as well. Kyoya is definitely going to bug me about that, but at least I got out of helping Haruhi the other day.

It was true. I had somehow gotten sick from all the stress I had piling up and was unable to make it the day of her physical. Although Kyoya did call and confirm that I was actually sick. I wonder how he got my cell number. He took your phone from your bag a few days ago and put him in your contacts. Why didn't you tell me about this?! You never asked.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, removing my glasses as I walked into the host club. Needless to say, I'd had an exhausting past couple of days.

"Hikaru! Kaoru!" And Tamaki's about to make it worse. "I left both of you in charge of the club's website because you promised to do it seriously!"

I watched as Tamaki's fists shook at his sides in anger and the twins gave him a dull look. That's right. This is when they made those photo-shopped photos of Haruhi and there's something else, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

"We are taking it seriously."

"Yeah, we stayed up the whole night yesterday working on it."

"In order to create this masterpiece! Haruhi's Composite Photograph!"

Honey and I went over to the computer as Tamaki went off at the twins. Haruhi looked absolutely petrified and I pat her on the back as Honey spoke.

"Waaaah! Haru-chan, you're so cool!"

"Think of it this way, Haruhi-kun, it's not like they made you fat with a double chin or anything."

"Gee, thanks."

"Outrageous! Do you know you're wasting your talents by doing this! Shame on you!"

"What?"

"But we even did one…"

"…of Kohaku-senpai!"

I turned around and looked at them with a curious expression.

"C-Can I see?"

"What?!"

It wasn't just the twins who said this, but practically everyone else in the room (aside from Mori and Kyoya who don't speak much at all). While the twins grabbed the computer to show me, Haruhi gave me a crazed look.

"Why do you even want to see what they did?"

I shrugged. "I-I just want to see what others think I'm like. I don't care what most people think about me generally, but it's interesting to see someone else's perspective every once in a while. Plus, how they see me gives me an insight to how they act."

"Oh. I think I get it."

I nodded, knowing that Haruhi was pretty logical and would understand it right away but the twins, who were listening in, didn't quite get it.

"What do…"

"…you mean?"

"I'll tell you later."

Gazing at the screen, now filled with my half naked photo-shopped picture of me smirking with a slogan saying 'I may be shy, but I know how to bite', I felt my lip twitch in amusement. They did a pretty good job. I've always wondered what I'd look like as a guy.

For a while after that, they kept asking me what I meant earlier and I continued to refuse to answer them. Then, I heard them sigh. The twins? Sighing? Oh no. I totally forgot about the fight. I wonder if I'll somehow get dragged into it. I though about it for the moment, plugging in my headphones and totally missed the fact that Nekozawa had just walked in only to run out screaming murder.

"I am an arms dealer

Fitting you with weapons in the form of words

And I don't really care which side wins

As long as the room keeps singing

That's just the business I'm in"

I smirked at the song choice as I thought about how much Haruhi's simple words will start a war between the twins.

"I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

I'm a leading man

And the lies I weave are oh so intricate, oh so intricate

I wrote the gospel on giving up

(You look pretty sinking)

But the real bombshells have already sunk

(Prima donnas of the gutter)

At night we're painting your trash gold while you sleep

Crashing not like hips or cars

No, more like p-p-p-parties"

More like they're the leading 'men' those twins are pretty mischievous, but I can say the same about Kyoya. I thought and glanced at him, shivering when we made eye contact. Although, it was more eye-to-flashing glasses contact.

I heard the twins sigh again and spotted them over by the window just as a very angry Tamaki stalked up to them. I watched as he handed out their punishment, however I didn't quite know why he was punishing them. Oh well.

"Time to open the club, Tamaki."

I immediately paled, remembering what I had told Kyoya last week about me actually trying to host and begrudgingly made my way over to my position with the other hosts. As the club commenced, I slowly began to get used to speaking with my guests. It helped that they were quiet, shy types and my own shyness seemed to have some sort of appeal to them. That, and Kyoya actually allowed me to have my table right by Haruhi's which helped greatly.

"So, um, Kohaku-senpai?"

"Ah, y-yes?"

"Well, we know Haruhi-kun can tell the twins apart and we w-were just wondering if you could too. Since you're with him all the time, I mean! I don't mean to pry or anything."

I mentally chuckled at the light brown haired girl, who I now knew as Ayako. She's cute. I noticed her face flush a bright red and I realized I had said that out loud. Nice one, Romeo.

"A-Ah. I-I mean, when you g-get flustered. I-It's cute. As are you t-two as well."

I lowered my head in embarrassment at getting caught speaking my thoughts out loud as her and the other two guests I had 'kya'-ed. Then, I got around to answering their question.

"A-Actually, I do think I-I know the differences between them but I think H-Haruhi-kun might know them b-better."

"Then let's go ask him!"

"B-But-"

I was cut off when my three guests dragged me over to Haruhi's side, Fu-kun barely hanging on to my shoulder in the process. As my guests flocked over with hers, she gave me an odd look to which I replied.

"T-They wanted to know the differences between the twins a-and I thought you'd know better than me, but y-you don't have to answer!"

Is that really smart? Huh? If she doesn't get the fight started, then how would that affect future events? Fu-kun was right, and I knew it. If the fight doesn't happen, then the twins won't go to her place until who-knows-when. Which means, Tamaki won't meet Ranka and won't have the chance at furthering their relationship in the supermarket. How complicated. It sucks, knowing everything that can happen and not wanting to change the plot. Even being here has already changed a few things. Better encourage her to say the differences now.

"Ah, n-never mind, Haruhi-kun. I just wanted to know if y-you found the same differences I did."

"Okay. If I really must say, Hikaru-kun is slightly more mischievous than Kaoru-kun."

I heard the snicker from Kaoru and I knew the fighting had just begun when Haruhi tapped me on the shoulder.

"What about you, Kohaku-senpai? You said earlier that you could tell from the photo."

Great. She's somehow managed to drag me into this. I wonder what they'll want from me.

"W-Well, Kaoru-kun is a bit more level headed and Hikaru-kun a bit mischievous, b-but I think…" I'm really going to regret saying this, I'm sure. "if they were to be s-separated that H-Hikaru-kun would cause more trouble while Kaoru-kun would be…calmer?"

I stated the last part like a question, uncertain about the effects my words would have on the two twins and when I glanced at them, I became scared for my well-being. On one hand, they both seemed somewhat happy that I could tell them apart, but they also seemed frightened and angry at me for mentioning separation. God. I knew this was a bad idea. Handing Fu-kun over to the safety of Haruhi for the moment I cautiously walked over to apologize for my harsh words, only to get some of the backlash of their 'fake' verbal argument.

"Even if I am the brain behind the plots, the one who deeply planned every execution is you, Kaoru. If you don't like it, then don't do it, idiot."

"You are so silly, it's pathetic. I can't take it lying down. You're even the one who came up with the toy concept…Hikaru, actually, you like Haruhi right? It's so obvious you're always touching her."

For a split second I looked around and notice Kyoya had already gotten rid of the guests, something in his eyes telling me that this would be going on both, Haruhi and mine's debt. Hurrying to defuse the situation, I stumbled when I heard the next line coming out of Hikaru's mouth.

"Why do you have to say that? Why would I like someone who is like a little fox? I anything, I'd say you're the one who has a crush on Kohaku-senpai!"

"What?!"

"I've seen the way you look at him when he's not looking. I bet the two of you are all gay for each other!"

I blanked out as Renge popped up out of nowhere saying something about a 'love quadruple' with me as an outside reference and 'eating three bowls of rice'. My mind was on other things really, like what Hikaru had said. In the plot this never happens and when Kaoru claims Hikaru loves Haruhi it's based on fact. Does that mean the same with Kaoru? But he doesn't know I'm a girl, so he's gay? I mean, I expected it in a way. A manga with one girl (two now) and six boys. Someone has to be secretly swinging that way, but I-I don't think I like him that way. He's more of a crazy, plotting younger brother! A-And, although I'm not gay, I respect people that are and I somehow feel really offended with what he said. Just because someone is gay doesn't mean you have to call them out like that. Fake or not, this is already getting to be too much to handle. Hey, you okay?

I snapped out of my daze slightly, noticing that I was still standing there like an idiot and that my eyes itched a bit. Fu-kun was nudging my cheek with his head and as I reached up, I grasped the fact that I had tears streaming down my face. My eyes widened. I can't let them see me like this! It'll…It'll ruin the plot! Possibly, but that's not the reason you don't want them to see. I knew he was right, but that wasn't what I wanted to hear at the moment. Quickly wiping my tears away, I grabbed my bag and said a weak goodbye to Kyoya who was the only one paying attention. Brushing past him, I was forced to stop when his hand grasped my shoulder.

"What?"

He slowly released me. "Nothing. We may have to cancel tomorrow, but I still expect you to be here."

"Right."

I nodded and left, planning on bringing my larger headphones so I could drown out the twins for the next couple of days. Sometimes I wonder why I'm even here. I only seem to be making things worse. That's not true, and you know it. Stop being so pessimistic and…I hate to say this, but go spend some time at the gym. I don't need a blubbering twenty year old wailing into my sleep time. I chuckled, slightly happier. Thanks for cheering me up, Fu-kun. Yeah, sure. Just looked like you needed it.

Somehow, Mori and Honey decided that today would be a great day to drag me to the school's cafeteria since I had brought food with me today and Honey wanted some. Why they couldn't just share with me in the classroom, I may never know, but the universe must really hate me. We'd just walked in after meeting up with Tamaki and Kyoya, and Honey noticed the twins getting angry.

"That's enough. If you're quarreling you must be punished! Hika-chan, Kao-chan, have each half of the cake and you'll be all right."

I hurried over, seeing the sparks flying through the air between them, and grabbed Honey and the cake before taking them to safety just as the twins exploded. Honey looked up at me confused.

"Sorry, Honey-kun, but I don't think you should bother them right now."

"B-But-"

He had tears pooling up at the corner of his eyes and I swallowed nervously.

"I-I saved your cake though!"

"Wah! Thanks, Ko-kun!"

He smiled widely as Mori, him, and I headed over to a table to sit down. Disaster averted. Now I just have to be prepared for flying food. Can't save the vice principal, but I suppose I can help Tamaki later. Glancing over at the pink haired twin, I watched as he asked Haruhi what's in her bento.

"Yesterday's leftovers and eggs, sunny side up."

"I'll exchange yours with mine. When I asked for something different than Kaoru's, I ended up with something I don't like."

He abruptly grabbed her bento and she looked at his food in surprise. Pulling out a camera I already had prepared for blackmail purposes, I snapped picture after picture as Haruhi lifted the fork to her mouth and relished in the bliss that was high class food. I smirked as I went over the pictures when a shiver went up my spine. Something dark and ominous is behind me. Yup. Glasses. Kyoya's breath brushed the nape of my neck as he whispered in my ear, causing my face to flush slightly.

"I want copies of those for the album. I'll lower your debt accordingly."

He pulled away and went on eating his food like nothing happened as I practically melted into my seat. Something went into my open mouth and I began chewing, shocked at the taste of something amazing. I moaned in pleasure and Honey giggled at me. God, this is better than the cake and I don't even know what it is.

"Is Takashi's sushi good, Ko-kun?"

I nodded, albeit reluctantly. My first time having sushi was not a good experience and since then I had vowed to never eat it again. Even when I did try some after that, I nearly got sick afterwards so this was a shock to me that Mori's sushi was so good. I looked up at him and smiled a bit.

"Um, thanks. It was good."

"Ah."

"Neh, Ko-kun! What do you have for lunch?"

I glanced down at my food and flinched at what I had.

"N-Nothing much. A turkey wrap from the convenience store, an apple, and a piece of carrot cake that I was bored enough to make."

As I looked back up at Honey, his eyes were practically devouring my carrot cake and I pushed my lunch towards him.

"You can have the cake if you want, Honey-kun. I have plenty at my apartment."

His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and my piece of cake was gone in seconds. Taking my lunch back, I smiled at him as he complimented me.

"Wow! That was really good, Ko-kun!"

Suddenly, he was scooped up and being thrown across the room by the twins and Mori had to jump in and save him. Picking up Honey's abandoned tray, I blocked a flying piece of…something (crème brulee maybe?) from hitting Kyoya, who nodded in thanks I assume, before I started walking towards the vice principal. Ducking, a fork flew over my head and landed in his soup, splashing up into his face. He was surprisingly calm as he cleaned his face, but I could see the tick mark on his forehead.

"Who is the main culprit?"

The two twins pointed at each other, but Tamaki was in-between them and got the blame. With a sigh, I walked over to the vice principal and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Um, sir? I-I don't think you should put the blame on Tamaki-kun."

"Oh? And why not?"

I looked over at the twins as they wondered if I was going to rat them out or not. I can't do that to them. Even if this is a fake fight and it's causing all kinds of trouble. Maybe…I can make them feel guilty enough that they'll make it up to me or something. Sighing again, I bowed low at the waist and put on an act.

"I-I'm sorry, sir! I was t-the one who threw the fork, so please don't get angry at Tamaki-kun!"

The elderly man's scowl slowly relaxed a bit and he too let out a sigh.

"Thank you for being honest-"

"K-Kohaku Nishimura, sir."

His eyes widened at the name, as though recognizing it somehow, but he continued.

"Nishimura-san then, but I cannot leave you unpunished. Therefore, I want you to clean up the cafeteria. I hope to find it in better condition that when you first walked in."

"Yes, sir."

I bowed again and he left with a nod, before Tamaki hugged me with tears streaming down his face.

"Thank you so much, Kohaku-senpai! I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't saved me!"

"Y-You're welcome, but could you let me go? I kind of n-need to get started."

He released me and I went to get the supplies that someone had left for me in a corner. Grabbing a cloth, I looked over the chaos that the twins had left behind for me and mentally groaned. Food on the walls and floor, random objects scattered around the room; some broken, others not. Then I have to dust, sweep, mop, and clean the windows and any other stupid objects they put in here for decoration. Not to mention those two left already, but I have a feeling they're still watching. I pulled on my headphones and started cleaning up the food on the floor and walls, singing alone to the perfect song for the twins; if they were indeed watching.

"Lie awake in bed at night

And think about your life

Do you want to be different?

Try to let go of the truth

The battles of your youth

'Cause this is just a game

It's a beautiful lie

It's the perfect denial

Such a beautiful lie to believe in

So beautiful, beautiful it makes me"

It certainly explained the game the twins were playing and I soon lost myself to the music as I began sweeping up a broken vase, Fu-kun helping by holding the dust pan. What I didn't know, was that the host club hadn't left yet and they were listening to me sing as they helped clean with me.

"It's time to forget about the past

To wash away what happened last

Hide behind and empty face

Don't ask too much, just say

'Cause this is just a game

It's a beautiful lie

It's the perfect denial

Such a beautiful lie to believe in

So beautiful, beautiful it makes me"

I switched to cleaning the tables during the short instrumental.

"Everyone's looking at me

I'm running around in circles, baby

A quiet desperation's building higher

I've got to remember this is just a game

So beautiful, beautiful

It's a beautiful lie

So beautiful, beautiful

It's a beautiful lie

So beautiful, beautiful

It's a beautiful lie

It's the perfect denial

Such a beautiful lie to believe in

So beautiful, beautiful it makes me"

The song ended and I had finished with the tables, ready to move on to the windows, but the room was already clean. Of course, I paled. Crap. I sang in front of the host club?! Fu-kun! What? They were helping and I didn't want to ruin your 'me' time. I scowled and picked him up by the scruff while wagging my finger at him.

"You pesky little thing. You should've told me they were still here!"

"Ko-kun! You're a really good singer!"

I stopped getting angry at Fu-kun and looked at Honey and the other hosts who nodded, or in Tamaki's case, cried.

"Why didn't my son tell me?!"

I dodged his hug. "B-Because! I-I'm not that good a-and I don't sing in front of anyone b-but my…family."

I got a bit depressed as I remembered my family back home, but quickly shook it off at the concerned looks the group was giving me. Then, a cough rang out above the silence.

"I suggest we head back to the club room before the twins destroy anything in there. After all, it'll be Haruhi-kun and Kohaku-senpai who will end up cleaning it if the twins decide to break anything."

The two of us looked at each other in shock before hurrying to the club room to make sure nothing was broken. Luckily, nothing had been destroyed although I did spot a few traps here and there that they were in the process of setting up without anyone noticing. I let out a sigh of relief and slumped down into a chair at a table Kyoya had set up for a discussion.

"Why?!" Tamaki wailed. "Because of them, I feel the rest of us are becoming more worn out."

That's because you aren't used to cleaning yet you helped me out anyway. Kyoya ignored Tamaki and began typing away on his calculator.

"If this situation persists, we may have to cancel the brotherly love setting. I can assure you the request rates will decrease and I'll have to think about their punishment later. Oh, and Haruhi-kun, Kohaku-senpai? Neither of you have to worry about any responsibility, okay? Even if this was caused by both of your insensitive comments."

His smile said otherwise, but I stopped caring a while ago. The twins were just screwing around until they could trick Haruhi into letting them go to her house anyway.

"Never let the twins get bored." I mumbled under my breath. Kyoya seemed to have caught it though and he gave me a curious look that I ignored. Haruhi, Honey, and Tamaki began talking about the twins and how they were constantly together, all information that I already knew, while I silently thought back to my younger brother and sister.

They weren't that much younger than me, really. My sister, Sarah, was actually just two years younger than me and my brother, Patrick, two years younger than her. Yet, they were constantly together and reminded me of the twins. Especially with all the troubles they caused when they were left on their own together. I always wanted my own quiet house when I got older, but now that I have it, I wonder if it was really worth it.

"I definitely must punish you both!"

I jumped out of my seat at the yell and took up a kickboxing stance.

"Where's the fire?!"

Honey laughed and jumped on my back. "There's no fire, Ko-kun! Tama-chan is just chasing Hika-chan and Kao-chan. They made him angry."

"Oh." I felt embarrassed at how I reacted, but snapped out of it when Haruhi walked past me. Hm, I always thought their fight lasted longer. Guess not. I mentally shrugged and put Honey on my shoulders while Fu-kun hung on to my head, and began following Haruhi to where the twins had stopped. Tamaki was a mess, after landing in all the traps they had along the way, and I smirked as I passed Honey over to Mori.

"Stop joking! I am the one who's troubled here. I don't have to look exactly like Kaoru. Being treated by others as you, I am already fed up and sick with that! Actually, I hate you the most!"

I knew that in reality Hikaru wasn't thinking that at all, but I must've not been as happy as I thought I'd be, knowing that the twins' fight was a fake. The last few things that they said really hurt for some reason.

"Regarding that, I've always wanted to tell you too. Look at this! This is the cursed voodoo doll I got from Nekozawa-senpai! You're name has already been written on the back of the doll, Hikaru. Now I will let you taste the same anguish as the voodoo doll!"

Haruhi stepped forward, claiming that they were going too far, but they didn't hear her so she resorted to a more physical way of getting their attention. She hit them both hard across the top of their heads, took the cursed doll, and yelled as she lectured them.

"Stop that! Don't use that kind of thing for such a stupid quarrel! Both of you are bad, and causing trouble for the people around you is even worse! Now apologize to everyone! If you two don't make up and shake hands now, you two will never ever set foot in my house in this lifetime!"

The twins were surprised at first, this being the first time Haruhi has ever raised her voice like that at them, but the moment she said what they wanted her to they smirked. Coming up behind her, they put their arms on each others' shoulders.

"So you're saying…"

"…if we call a truce…"

"…we can go to your house?"

Haruhi flipped over the doll in her hands and saw the word 'FAIL' before she gaped, now knowing that she had been tricked. Taking that in stride, the twins began one of their acts.

"I am so sorry, Kaoru! Even though I was only following the script, those words were really too much!"

"Don't say that! I was so worried that you would get hurt! What would I do then?!"

"Kaoru! I'll never let you go!"

"Hikaru!"

Honey walked over to them, holding his bunny and sort of crying. He was more upset that he too had been tricked, but I had a feeling that he figured it out part way through. Those jerks. Not only did I have to clean up the cafeteria because of them, but that really hurt; what they had said earlier. I don't even know what I should do about them. Should I just let it go? Should I get angry at them for using me like that? The whole gay thing from before really had me pissed. Then do something about it! Your depressed mood is starting to bother me.

Fu-kun was right, I was pissed. So I stood up, my bangs were shielding my eyes as I walked over to the twins and the conversation they were having only made it worse.

"You did a good job acting, Kaoru."

"You too, Hikaru. Good job coming up with the script."

"Thanks…Huh? You need something, Kohaku-senpai?"

My fist suddenly shot out and met with Hikaru's face. He fell to the floor in shock as the rest of the host club stared, trying to figure out what was going on, before I turned around and clobbered Kaoru too. Hikaru stood up and grabbed my collar, pissed that I had just gone and hit them without an explanation.

"What the hell's your problem?!"

"Dumbass." I whispered at first, but I quickly began yelling. Something no one was expecting coming from me. "You're both dumbasses! Faking this just because you were bored! And then dragging other people into it?! Did you ever think once-just once-that what you idiots were saying might actually hurt people?!"

He looked a bit taken aback for a moment, but quickly sobered up and went back to being stubborn.

"What are you talking about?! We never-"

He stopped mid sentence and his eyes widened as he looked at me. Tears were streaking down my face and my lips were quivering as I tried to hold back sobs. I was beyond upset at this point for multiple reasons and Hikaru let me go, not knowing how to deal with what was happening. Even Kaoru seemed at a loss and tried to back up his brother a bit.

"Senpai. We really don't know-"

"Bull shit! You're screwing with everyone's feelings and then making others have to clean up after you! Do you know how hard it is to remember it's just a game?! That it's just a beautiful lie?!"

I saw the recognition in their eyes as I pulled out the lyrics to the song I was singing in the cafeteria. They were there.

"You idiots were there and you didn't even try to help! Even before that, I saw how mad you were at me for mentioning separating you two! Which part of this fight was fake and which part was real?! You think it's hard fighting and dealing with each other?! Try having no one to fight with anymore because they've been forcibly taken from you!"

I stood there panting while the others just looked at me in surprised and concern. The twins themselves were stunned and Fu-kun was the one who spoke first. Kid…I'm sorry. I didn't know why he was apologizing, but that just about threw me over the edge. One sob escaped my throat before I swallowed it down and walked out of the door; Fu-kun following before climbing up my shoulders as I put my headphones over my ears.

"Kaoru-kun, Hikaru-kun I expect the two of you to apologize to Kohaku-senpai tomorrow."

Honey nodded. "Tama-chan is right. You made Ko-kun really upset."

Kaoru did feel a bit guilty about what he had done and he turned his head to stare at his brother. Hikaru felt bad about what they had done too, but he still wasn't quite sure what Kohaku was so angry about.

"I just don't understand what he was so angry about."

Haruhi glared at him, furious about the way he nonchalantly said that but before she could snap at him, Kyoya spoke first.

"He left yesterday after your little 'gay' comment looking like he had been crying. I would assume it had something to do with that, as well as what he said at the end of his…rant."

"You think it's hard fighting and dealing with each other?! Try having no one to fight with anymore because they've been forcibly taken from you!"

The host club collectively reflected on those words and Kyoya frowned as he wrote something down in his notebook.

"It seems he's hiding quite a bit from us."

Haruhi too, frowned. "He made it sound like he doesn't have any family. Could that be why he was so angry with them? Something happened to his family where they were taken from him?

"He was trying to help…In his own way. Don't you think, Kaoru-kun, Hikaru-kun?"

The twins glanced over at Tamaki and they seemed confused as Tamaki continued.

"'Which part of this fight was fake and which part was real' is what he said, correct? Kohaku-senpai may have found some aspects of your fight that were real and he didn't want the two of you to fight when you could be taken away from each other at any moment."

Tamaki paused and Haruhi stared at him in slight awe. She had never seen Tamaki act so serious before and everything he was saying seemed so…true. As though he knew what Kohaku was going through.

"Something is troubling Kohaku-senpai and I believe it is our job to help him through it. What do you think, men?"

He smirked at the group of five men and Haruhi. He knew what it felt like to lose someone and, while he doesn't know what exactly happened to Kohaku, he wanted to do everything he could for his fellow host club member to see his smile again.

"Ah."

"Yeah! Let's go help Ko-kun!"

"I suppose we can make some time in our busy schedule."

"Can't just leave it alone…"

"Especially after what happened…"

"Let's do it!"

"He has been a bit depressed, but let's just try not to get too carried away."

Throwing his fist up into the air, Tamaki shouted.

"Then, let operation 'Make Kohaku Smile Again' commence!"