"Tama-chan's not here?" Honey asked surprised. The host club was lounging in the music room, aware that their leader had not shown up. It was rare for Tamaki to miss school.
"Apparently he has taken a sick day," Kyouya said while writing in the club's account book.
"Is he alright?" Haruhi spoke out as she prepared coffee for the guests that were about to arrive.
"He'll probably be back tomorrow, no reason for us to worry. Places everyone!"
One week later...
Kyouya pulled out his cell phone and dialed Tamaki's number. He stood in front of the corridor listening to the ringing until it switched to the dial tone. Still no answer. He knew something was wrong, very wrong. He hasn't seen Tamaki for days and the dramatic blonde never returned any of his calls. Kyouya tried to get answers from Tamaki's father, but refused to say anything.
"I think it's best if Tamaki tells you what's going on," he told Kyouya. He could tell whatever was going on that this was serious from the bags formed under the man's eyes.
"Kyouya-sempai!" He turned to see that it was Haruhi who called out his name.
"Ah, Haruhi."
"Have you heard from Tamaki-sempai yet?"
"No, still got nothing."
"Oh," Haruhi replied glumly. Although the blonde can get on her nerves at times, she was concerned about him. His sudden, long absence had left the host club worried. They walked to the music room while conversing about classes, club activities, and of course, Tamaki.
"What do you think happened to him?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. Tamaki has never ignored my calls before and when I went to his house the other day, the housekeeper refused to let me in."
The two of them continued to walk in silence until they reached the doors to the club room. The muffled sound of music was heard behind the door.
"Could it be..." Kyouya's eyes widen as he burst the doors opened. Playing the grand piano was their missing prince.
"Oh, hi guys." Tamaki greeted with cheer as he looked up.
"Sempai?" Haruhi mumbled in disbelief. Kyouya just stood there, unsure of how to react. This was no doubt Tamaki, but something was off with the prince. His gold curls went in various directions rather than it's usual symmetrical style. He was a slight shade paler and his cheekbones were more prominent than the last time he saw him. There were subtle dark circles around his indigo the untrained eye, he looked like he was simply tired, to someone who has known Tamaki since middle school, he was a mess. But that didn't stop Tamaki from trying to hide his appearance.
The twins were playfully wrestling each other when they stumbled into music room and saw Tamaki.
"Tono?!" Kaoru asked shocked.
"Where the hell have you been?!" Hikaru demanded. But Tamaki just laughed it off.
"It's good to see you guys too." He smiled to the twins confusion. They were interrupted by the sound of Honey and Mori's footsteps.
"Tama-chan!" Honey exclaimed as he jumped into Tamaki's arms. "Did you miss us?"
Mori didn't say anything, however his eyes glinted when he first saw Tamaki.
"Guys, I'm fine. I just had a really bad cold, but I feel much better now."
"Why didn't you answer any of our calls?" Hikaru asked.
"I lost my voice during that time. I'm sorry, I should've sent a message to let you know I was alright."
"Tama-chan! Tama-chan! Can we order chocolate cake to celebrate your return!"
"Of course, Honey-sempai! And perhaps my darling daughter will make me some of that delicious commoner's coffee?" He said, pouting his lip for extra effect.
"Fine, I'll go boil the water."
"Geez Tono, how sick were you to miss so much school?" Kaoru asked as he and the rest of the host club moved to the couch, leaving Kyouya behind.
I'm sorry, I should've sent a message to let you know I was alright? What kind of explanation was that?! Eight days. That's how long he was absent. He wasn't seen by any of the host club members for eight days. Kyouya sighed, it didn't matter right now. Tamaki was back and the host club was together again. Whatever is wrong with the prince will be revealed sooner or later. And he was going to find out.