xChapter 6x

The hallways of the Ouran Academy are packed, much like other schools. Teens from left to right are crowding the halls, catching up with friends about the latest gossip around their class, both socially and school-like. Some are talking loudly, while others merely in whispers; either way their voices reverberate through the halls.

Haruhi ran quickly to the third music room as fast as she possibly can. She doesn't want to be late for her first day as the new host; it would be impolite considering her client's previous host was chivalrous. She ran up the stairs and zigzagged her way past oncoming students and teachers. As soon as she got further up the building, there is less traffic. She came to a momentary stop in front of the door to the music room to catch her breath. Running three flights of stairs at breakneck speed really took a toll on her. After steadying her heart and straightening her blazer, she opened the door to be familiarly greeted by rose petals.

"Welcome," the rest of the host club greeted her.

"Relax. It's just me," she replied monotonously.

"Haruhi," the twins sang in unison. "Guess what's our theme?"

She scanned the area. "Knights?"

"So close!" they replied.

"Early 19th century gentry," Kaoru informed. "The Romantic Era."

"You do you know it's not about love or anything," she said. The two just stared at her and she sighed in response. "Forget it you two. If you want to wear those costumes, then it really doesn't matter."

"Ready for the day, Haruhi?" Kyoya asked as he crept up to her. "If you're not, then the proposal is still up for grabs."

She snapped her head in the direction of the dark haired man. "I'll do just fine, Kyoya-senpai. You don't need to worry about me." She made her way through the decorations to the changing room to change into the costume suited for the atmosphere created by the host club.

-----

"So Haruhi-kun, do you know the whereabouts of Tamaki?" one of the clients, Yui, asked her.

"At the present moment, we don't seem to know." The young lady sighed. Looking at the depressed face of the young girl, quickly added, "However, we have a guess on where he is."

"I see. So he's still missing," another girl stated. She sat back in her seat and took a sip of her tea.

Haruhi looked at the young ladies surrounding her. All of their faces were dejected and had a sense of longing. She put on the best of her smiles and took the tray of sweets. "Would I interest you all in a éclair?" She observed how only a few perked up and grabbed a confection, while the rest continued to drink their tea silently. Haruhi sighed. This is a disaster! There is barely a response from her clients and they don't seem to go for the "natural" type, well at least that is how she has it in her mind. "It seems as though we are in need of some more tea. If you all excuse me," she said rather nervously. She stood from the couch and made her way to the mini "kitchen."

As soon as she closed the door, she let out a big sigh.

"Not as easy as it looks."

She quickly jumped to see Kyoya at the corner, pen and notebook still in hand.

"Kyoya-senpai. I don't think it's necessary for you to sneak up on me."

"I was not sneaking. I was already in this room when you walked in. I merely pronounce my presence." (A/N: i love this line!!! x3)

"Nonetheless, you frightened me." She moved to the counter and opened a cabinet. She moved a couple jars of the instant coffee in order to get the jasmine tea at the back. She quickly took out a couple of leaves and added it to the tea ball. She moved swiftly to the end of the counter in order to get the boiling water, when she realized Kyoya taking the kettle and pouring the boiling water in the teapot. "That isn't necessary, Kyoya-senpai. I could have done it myself."

"Au contraire. You need all the help that you can get."

She added the tea ball in the teapot and replied, "I can safely assume it isn't the tea you're talking about." He smiled. "I'm perfectly capable of handling the clients of Tamaki. The help, especially yours isn't needed." She carefully lifted the tray and started heading towards the door.

"You can't hold out much longer," were the last words she heard before she joined her clientele.

-----

A pair of light brown eyes followed the brunette host to her table. After seeing her sit at her place, he turned back towards the door that she just left. A few moments later, Kyoya exited and sat at the corner table and proceeded to type in his laptop. He seethed. He knows he needs to execute his plan soon or else everything is lost.

-----

Elsewhere...

A pair of violet eyes stared out of the elegantly curtained window. The sun is slowly dimming as the minutes past. The rosy glow that the sun emanated casts itself unto the flawless porcelain face of the viewer. Across the immaculate lawn, the hustle and bustle of the city lights began their glimmer. One by one, each and every shop slowly turned their lights to attract any late night gathers, and surely there were a lot.

A soft knock snapped the young man from his reverie. "Come in."

An simply dressed woman, though the dress must have been expensive, in her late thirties entered. She carried with her a cream colored, embroidered shawl. She steps inside the room and glances around the area. Her violet eyes meets another pair of violet. "I understand I'm interrupting something important?"

The young man smiled and walked towards the young woman. He circled his arms around her and replied, "It's really not important mother."

"You must understand by now that I know you far better than anyone." She stepped out of his embrace as he let her go. She stared at the face of her son and analyzed his sense of anxiety. "Now what has been troubling you?"