Enjoy~

Introducing Myself and Them

I feel my cheeks turn a faded pink.

The room I stepped into was a bar sort of place. An elegant bar.

A long island counter was situated at a side, its white surface polished and glinting under the brilliant white emitting from the glass lights on the ceiling. Six shimmering silver chairs lined the counter in alternating plush colors; red, blue ,red, blue, red, blue.

Rows and rows of bottles of various shapes and sizes were arranged neatly on a white shelf behind the counter, and glass cups hung from a hanging glass holder right above the preparation counter.

Walls of the room were painted a dark midnight blue as well as the ceiling. Certain areas of the ceilings were painted deep purple, especially areas where indented lights are built in. Several paintings were hung neatly around the wide area; and to one side, a huge silvery white clock ticked away.

One wall had a large window going across it, revealing the brilliant city lights of Tokyo and implying that this place was located several floors up. See-through light blue curtains laced the window, with red linings. Around the corners of the room, black sofas were placed with two to three mini café tables of a luscious white.

Other than the sofas, white tables with glass surfaces were in place as well, each with two of the same seats at the island counter. At one side, there was a hallway turning into another area, presumably the bathroom.

The place was beautifully designed. Simple and elegant yet expensive.

But my pink cheeks did not occur because of the beauty of the room.

It was the room's occupants before I stepped in.

Many men, beautiful men may I add, were scattered across the room, adding to the room's beauty with their presence. They however, converged into the center of the room when I opened the white door. They now stood lined, all their gorgeous eyes trained on me.

What was this place?!

What kind of place would have so many gorgeous men gathered into one enclosed space? Wouldn't this be sinful, stealing the world of male eye candy?

I couldn't focus my eyes on anyone on them though I did linger longer on one before my attention is dragged elsewhere.

I had a feeling my eyes were slightly wider than usual from…shock? Surprise? Curiosity?

One of them stepped forward and I nearly took a step back if not for Aya's hand, sneakily placed on my back to keep me from moving backwards.

The man smiled, one hand rising to brush smooth locks out of his eyes. Entrancing gray eyes captured mine as he took one of my shaking hands and raised it to his lips.

Lightly, he ran his lips over my knuckles which I noted had turned pale as understanding slowly dawned on me.

His gaze did not break away from mine as he kissed my hand, and neither did it when he straightened up and flashed a brilliant smile my way.

"Good evening, milady." He spoke. His voice was rich and toned; deep and clearly shows his full-grown adulthood. It was charismatic even. "My name is Atobe Keigo and welcome, to Club Prism."

My mouth fell open as it finally hit me where my friends had taken me.

This was a host club.

---

I was now seated at one of the black sofas, with all these men gathered around me.

I felt…imprisoned.

Aya and the others were all on one side of the sofa, standing and not sitting with me; leaving me to deal with a group of men that can make girls envious. They were calmly sipping away at beer and wine while I suffer from claustrophobia, made worse with the fact that the walls were walls of beautiful males.

These entire male looked down at me, all of them adorned in different attires but they were all dressed formally to some point and elegantly. The one named Atobe Keigo, wore a dark purple suit left undone, with a button up shirt underneath, the top two unbuttoned. On any other person, it would look gaudy but it suited him and accentuated his hair and eyes. A necklace with a blue gem hung loosely around his neck.

My eyes this time slowly trailed one male to the other, starting from the end of the line. They all looked beautiful and it made remembering each one difficult for the next one would be just as stunning and blow the image of the previous away from my mind. However, when my eyes stopped on one particular male, the one which my eyes lingered on for a millisecond longer previously, my mouth fell open as an "Oh" of surprise left my mouth.

He stared back at me, eyes amused and a smirk in place.

But before I could even say anything about him, the Atobe Keigo spoke once again, this time directing his words towards Aya first.

"So, she's the birthday girl here, Yunami-hime?" He addressed, voice fluid. Aya nodded as she smirked into her wine glass. "Yes, she is, Atobe-san."

Atobe looked at me once again, the eyes of all the men behind him following suit. I tried to look anywhere but at any of them as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, even though the sofa was one of the most sinfully soft seat I had ever sat on.

Before Atobe could speak, another man stepped up next to him, serene eyes finding mine eventually. His dark blue suit with a white shirt underneath and black tie matched his indigo blue hair. He chuckled softly and his velvet voice echoed around the room.

"I'm Yukimura Seiichi." He introduced, bowing slightly as he did so. "May I ask for your name, Miss?"

Somebody shoot me right now before I die of beauty overdose.

"I-Ishimaru Kumiko…"I answered shyly feeling my face burn scarlet. To the side, I could hear Asuka laughing sadistically, quietly to herself.

"Ishimaru-san is it?" Yukimura smiled. He then turned to Atobe. "Seeing as this is the dear friend of one of our regular customers, and a darling one at that, let's make sure we give her a warm welcome." He said in his ever soft tranquil voice.

Atobe raised an eyebrow at Yukimura. "Ahn? What are you talking about Yukimura? Our welcomes are always ever gracious no matter to who." He turned around to address the other…..hosts.

"But since she's turning 18 today, which is a really special day as you all know; let's take our welcome to a higher level." He declared, arms spreading to his side. He turned to a dark skinned man who stood at the end of the line. He was in a black suit this time but had a cloth draped over one arm. Despite being bald, he had this powerful aura around him as well and that made him almost up to par with the other gorgeous males.

"Jackal, get out the champagne and glasses~ We'll be having a 6 story tower today." Atobe ordered Jackal, whom I now figured out was the bartender most likely.

Asuka choked on her beer for a moment. "What?! We didn't ask for a champagne tower!" She exclaimed astounded. Even Aya and the other to had wide eyes.

My face was only confused. Champagne tower? What was that?

I turned to face the male whom approached me, upon seeing my confused features. Actually, I noticed he was already lingering there when all the other dispersed to prepare or whatever it is they had to do. He stopped across from me in his black suit, which was left to flare out unlike Yukimura's which were buttoned up with a tie tucked in. A stunning red dress shirt with the two top buttons undone, similar to Atobe, contrasted his dark suit. He had a black tie placed on loosely to finish off the elegant yet casual image.

"It's a fountain of sorts, where we stack glasses on top of each other and pour champagne down it. They usually cost a lot, and 6 stories can sometimes amount up to 1,000,000 yen depending on the champagne brand. But I'm guessing Atobe is having this on the house this time."

I looked up at him and my mouth went slack for a moment again. "Y-you?" I whispered disbelievingly.

He smirked. "Didn't think to see you again." A chuckle escaped his lips.

Those pale lavender eyes and attention-grabbing mop of hair and all too familiar voice. It was the same man from the department store.

"Marui Bunta." He introduced himself, carefully reaching over the white table and took one of my hands, placing a fleeting kiss upon it. "At your service~"

I stared at him with wide eyes, my mouth still in that same slacked position. His other hand reached over and lightly placed themselves under my chin, pushing it up gently; consequently closing my mouth.

"A beautiful girl such as yourself will attract bad wolves if you leave it hanging open like that; it tempts them you know." He teased. I flushed scarlet and my first instinct was to pull my hand back but he held it in place; firm yet gentle.

"You're a-!" I choked out.

He laughed. "Is it that hard to believe?" He asked.

"N-No…not really just…." I trailed off, not knowing what I wanted to say. This was just….new to me I guess.

He smiled at my uncertainty and nervousness. "This is your first time right?"

I nodded meekly, not daring to look into his eyes. I felt him lightly tug my hand, causing me to look over. His eyes held that same amusement which I always find in it, but the liveliness had toned to a milder level.

"Then we'll have to make sure you have the greatest time ever, wont we?" He asked, though I doubted the question was directed at me. I realized several of the other men in the room were paying attention to our conversation as well, and they all smirked, some smiled, and nodded at Marui's open-ended question.

Marui indicated to me with a light swing of his head to the side, to head towards the other side of the club room. Hesitantly, I stood from the sofa seat which I felt most comfortable in right now.

As I walked around the table, Marui's hand still holding onto mine, I was suddenly assaulted from the side by a force which pushed me back down onto the couch.

"Yea!!!And it's your 18th birthday too! I remember my 18th birthday! It was a blast so you should have blast too!!" A hyper voice cheered into my ears.

I found myself staring into brown orbs, and light copper hair brushed my face. My heart rate shot through the healthy zone as I noticed the proximity of this new person to me, and that his body was melded much too closely into mine.

Where's the person who promised to shoot me?!

He was suddenly lifted off me by Marui, who was frowning. "Akutagawa, what did Atobe say about personal space and respect? You're going to get it from him again if you keep assaulting customers."

Jirou looked at Marui with guilt ridden eyes. "But I only do it to people I like…and Kumiko-chan is just so adorable I couldn't help it!" He exclaimed, waving his hands around like a kid. His attire was similar to Marui, only his suit was a deep ocean blue with an orange dress shirt, which had darker orange and white stripes going it. He didn't wear a tie but he had the same gem as Atobe, only a magenta color.

Another voice came from behind the two men; this one deeper than both Marui and Jirou's and had a slight accent to it. I saw a man with long deep blue hair which brushed his shoulders and wore glasses. But the glasses did not hamper his appearance and if possible, it made him all the more attractive, seductive even.

"I'm sure Jirou meant no harm by it, and the Kumiko-hime has not been hurt either, so all is well, isn't it?" He concluded to both Marui and Jirou, not before flashing a seductive smirk my way. "Unless of course, if Kumiko-hime here actually had been hurt, then we'll have to take responsibility."

Jirou turned to me alarmed. "Eh?!! Kumiko-chan!! I didn't hurt you did I?!"

I stood from my seat once again, shaking my head at Jirou. "No, I'm not hurt." I smiled at him, finding it hard to get mad at him. If it was any other person, I know I would have said some rude things by now. But for some reason, Jirou's personality just makes any anger I think I ever had (if I had any) at him disperse.

The blue haired male from before stepped up to me, and I now took note that his attire was different. This one wore a white t-shirt which clung to his toned figure lightly and over it, a dark moss green business-type jacket. It gave him that same elegant and formal look but it was still casual enough for him to walk out onto the streets of Tokyo like that and not stand out; though his looks would have gained him attention anyways.

He took my hand and like the ones before him, kissed it. "My name is Oshitari Yuushi, but please, I would love it if you called me Yuushi." He purred casually. My eyes went slightly wide at his request.

Call him by his first name? I hardly knew the man!

A cough from the side pulled my attention away from this sinfully delicious person in front of me who just pulled a shocking request.

Another male with red-hair that was a darker color's than Marui's, close to magenta, stood. His eyes were a brilliant mahogany which had a look of slight amusement and annoyance in it. "That's just Yuushi for you. Don't mind him, Kumiko-chan." He said as he turned to me.

Oshitari straightened himself up, but he kept his hold on my hand. "Oi Gakuto, just-" He was cut off when Gakuto stepped right in front of him, facing me, and as a result, forced Oshitari to release my hand which he instantly took instead. "Mukahi Gakuto," he murmured before kissing it as well.

I swear the number of kisses I was getting is beyond the indicated healthy number for a girl.

Behind him, Oshitari frowned. Pushing his glasses up, he scoffed softly before smiling at me. "I'm terribly sorry for the lack of manners of my partners, Kumiko-hime." He started as Gakuto turned around to face him with an indignant look.

Oshitari quickly darted his eyes over to Gakuto, which were set in a small glare. "I'll be sure to report it to Atobe, especially Jirou's act towards you."

And behind him, Jirou let out a 'yeep' of sorts.

"Ah-…I-It's okay, Oshitari-san….Akutagawa-san didn't hurt me and neither did Mukahi-san…"

"Yea! What did I do other than pay my respects to her?"

"I thought you said I didn't hurt her so it was fine?!"

I watched as Oshitari casually draped an arm over each male's shoulder, and lead them away towards Atobe who was by the bar, talking away with Aya, Rinko, Yura and Asuka.

I heard Marui laugh as I looked over at him, worry evident in my eyes. "Aren't you going to do anything…?"

Marui shook his head, still chuckling. "Worst Oshitari can do is to steal all their customers, but he wont. It's against company rules."

"Rules?" I echoed. I didn't know host clubs had rules.

Marui smiled. "Yes." Seeing my confusion, he elaborated as he slipped an arm around my waist and started to bring me around. "It's your first visit to a host club so I'm not surprised you don't know. But there are rules we go by, host clubs and hostess clubs alike. But it differs from one club to another. Some clubs do not mind if a customer changes hosts every night or maybe even every hour. But ours work by an eternal nomination system."

"Eternal nomination system?" I repeated again, finding this term quite….fancy and bombastic.

Marui nodded. "That's where the customer after their first visit or so, will nominate a host, you can say. After nominating a host, the customer is not allowed to change hosts anymore unless a special situation calls for it, which you must discuss with the club about first."

I tilted my head to the side, not understanding. "But why do that anyway? Won't it hurt business?" I was so taken by these rules that I did not even feel nervous about his arm around my waist.

Marui smiled at me, his eyes glinting amusedly. "Hosts have feelings too you know. Don't you think we'll feel like trash if a customer 'dumps' us right after the first night?" He asked me.

I looked down at the floor, feeling my cheeks color again. "You're right I guess…"

"Atobe takes the feelings of hosts and customers alike seriously. This is actually a sticky business we're in." Marui spoke before another voice came in.

"Surprisingly enough! I never knew that guy to be such a deep thinker anyways."

I turned to find two more males approaching, one with short brown hair and similar brown eyes; the other with a mop of brilliant silver hair and golden brown orbs.

Internally, I sighed. More beautiful men. I wonder if I was starting to pale in comparison of beauty yet? I think I already lost on the first round with Atobe….

"Don't say that, Shishido-san. I'm sure you had always respected Atobe-san…" The silver haired one said in a soft, hesitant voice. I assumed that the brown haired, Shishido, was the one who made the comment earlier then.

Shishido rolled his eyes but still gave me a small smile anyways. Somehow, I had the feeling he didn't want to give that smile but did it because it was his job…..I don't know. Maybe it's just me being pessimistic again.

"Yea, sure…whatever you say Choutarou." Shishido spoke offhandedly.

Choutarou just shook his head before smiling at me shyly, a hand nervously rubbing the back of his head. "I'm Ootori Choutarou, and this is Shishido Ryou, Ishimaru-san." He bowed. "Pleased to meet you."

I felt compelled to bow in return at his politeness and cuteness. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Ootori-san, Shishido-san." I replied, giving a tiny smile.

"Yea…but honestly, this is a sticky business." Shishido agreed with Marui, hands stuffed into the pockets of his black slacks. He didn't wear any dress shirt; he just wore a black long-sleeved suit with a low V-collar which revealed his rippling muscles on his chest. He also wore a silver chain with an orange gem, much like the one Jirou and Atobe had.

Ootori on the other hand had a similar suit as Shishido's, but evening blue instead and he wore a button up shirt underneath it which was a dark ocean blue color. The top two buttons were undone as usual which showed his collarbone, and he had the collar up. Kumiko didn't think Ootori would dress as such, he seemed like such a modest man, so most likely the other hosts here had coerced him or something into dressing as so.

"Sometimes, we get women who are facing emotional problems either with their husbands or spouses, you know? And they are so unstable that we have to deal with them carefully without stepping over the line. Women and girls like that usually crave attention; and our job as hosts is to give attention. But we can't have them confusing our work with actual interest." Shishido shrugged. "Some of the people we get are interesting and that naturally peaks ours as well, but it's easy to confuse work interest, common interest, curiosity interest, and love interest." Shishido went on as I listened attentively.

I didn't think that being a host was such a tough job. I thought all they ever did was flirt with girls and get laid. Well, not literally get laid….maybe…I don't know…I heard stories that some hosts sleep with their customers….maybe not them…..whatever. I was confusing myself.

Marui's voice cut in on my thoughts then. "But back to the original topic, naturally if you are to ever come back here again, you would have to pick one of us to be your host." He informed me, staring at my face to try and gauge my thoughts.

I stared at my hands, playing with the belt around my waist nervously. "I don't know…" I muttered under my breath, sure that they did not hear my answer. I wasn't sure if I wanted to come back. I have enough social problems as it is with my friends! How can I open up to….hosts?!

Ootori noticed my hesitation and nervousness I supposed, which is why he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We won't force you to come back of course," He laughed. "Though please do not think badly of us….we aren't exactly those…prostitute type of people…." He said softly, chuckling nervously at this touchy subject. "Think of us more like a harbor, or pillar. Someone who will listen to you when needed, when no one else can do it…"

"Yea, we don't even charge for entrance! Only drinks," A new voice laughed.

I didn't see the new person as I was still focused on Ootori's intense eyes. Why is it that I feel like he's reading right through my soul?

"Sometimes, friends don't exactly fall back for you. That's what hosts are here for, at least, that's what I believe. We talk to you and listen when no one else does, we even flirt if you're feeling lonely," Ootori laughed at an attempt to ease me which was working. "And there's so many of us here, surely one or more will always be available for you to fall back on. And surely, any customer would have peaked the interest of at least one of us, which will ensure their sincerity….I think." Ootori finished, scratching his chin cutely in doubt.

I couldn't help but giggle, the nervousness I felt flickering away from my stomach.

A burden on one of my shoulders made me look over to find Marui leaning onto me with his arms. A bubblegum was being blown by him as he winked at me. Popping it, he said, "We're like packable friends, you know. Take us out when you need us and put us away when you don't."

"That's a bleak way to put." That new voice came again.

"Hey, don't doubt my genius Niou." Marui retorted.

I looked at this Niou person. He had striking silver hair similar to Ootori and mischievous blue eyes. A black band held his long hair into a low ponytail, which draped over one of his shoulders. He wore a similar attire to Ootori, only a black shirt underneath with a loose white tie.

This new man just screamed sensuality from every single fiber of his being.

His pace was slow and deliberate as he moved towards me, intense blue eyes focused on mine. I found myself unable to hold his gaze any longer if I wanted to keep my sanity, so I averted it and chose to look at the porcelain floor instead.

My reflection stared back up at me from underneath, and I saw Niou's reflection as well, right in front of mine. He too was looking down at the floor, and speaking to me while looking at my reflection; it was as if he's communicating to my reflection instead.

"Though, it's true in a way." He shrugged nonchalantly before smirking at me. I saw his reflection's hand move and suddenly, I felt cool hands on mine. I looked up as he brought it to his lips, giving me the standard greeting most of the hosts here had done; a kiss on the hand. "However, it will be heartbreaking if you don't come back again…" He said in a low voice, sapphire eyes staring into mine.

I heard my own heart thudding away at a fast pace as crimson once again colored my face. Dear Gods, are you sure that Aya and the others didn't kill me during my birthday and I was actually in a heaven of some sort now?

But I destroyed that train of thought later on. What was I thinking? This was their job. They are only showing even remote interest because I was a customer. If it was in any other situation, I bet they would have ignored me like a fly.

These were no ordinary men talking to me.

They were especially trained to seduce and flirt, to make a girl feel wanted.

A whistle gained my attention and I found Asuka off to one side with Aya grinning. Each had a bottle of beer in their hands.

"Woot~ You're a big hit here, Kumiko-chan!" Aya said as she approached, eyes wiggling at me. I shot her an annoyed look.

"Yea, I know. When I first came here, I only ever got the voluntary attention of two! And here you are, with four men around you and God knows how many before this." Asuka added teasingly, feigning hurt.

Niou closed his eyes and smirked, before slipping his arm around my waist. "Of course that's the case Chiyoko-hime~puri." Niou purred at Asuka before grabbing my chin and turning me towards him. "Kumiko-hime here, unlike you, is quite an angel."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Asuka glare at Niou for that comment before she huffed and smirked. "That's understandable. I'm much too devilish for any men to handle anyways."

Beside me, Marui crossed his arms and gave a small pout. "That's just painful Chiyoko-san. Really painful."

"Did it hurt your pride?"

"I think it'd hurt the pride of all men." Ootori laughed, once again in an attempt to break the sizzling atmosphere. He could just feel it! If this did not end, it would not go well. Even I felt the atmosphere here tense. Asuka had one heck of a pride for a girl, that it can match any male ego. Put her together with the wrong male and it'd be raining cats and dogs soon.

"Niou even addresses Kumiko-chan by her first name…" I heard Aya whisper to Asuka.

Asuka gave a small snort before pulling me away from Niou. "Bout time you got your alcohol ridden hands away from my friend~"Asuka jested, though I think she meant the comment to be harmful.

Niou raised both his hands, in the universal sign for surrender. "Got it…for now only though." He winked at me, making me flush and look away.

Overdose of men…too hot, too hot, too hot, too hot-!I'm just a normal girl, damn it!

A snap of someone's fingers brought all our attention to the center of the room. Atobe stood there with one hand raised, a knowing smirk on his face as he found my eyes. Next to him stood Jackal and several other people I have yet to meet; Oshitari and Jirou were there as well, the latter with an excited look on his face.

"Ishimaru-hime," He started and I felt obliged to keep my eyes on him this time. "Will you do us the honor?"

Together, they stepped away to reveal a 7 tower made of glass wine cups placed onto a table draped with a white cloth. I felt my jaw drop. Around the tower were several bottles of champagne….an expensive brand to boot.

Was Marui sure about this being on the house? Because I know I would be working the rest of my life off trying to pay the bill this champagne tower would surely cost; in addition to all the bottles.

Aya better have the money because I'm not going to be generous today.

I was dragged to the table by an enthused Asuka and positioned before the tower; eyes still wide with disbelief. This was going to be the most expensive birthday I will ever have and had.

Jackal walked up to me and handed me a bottle of champagne, the cork already taken off. I held the bottle gingerly in my arms, afraid I will break it wit my clumsy hands.

Atobe then snapped his fingers again. "Champagne call!" He said, his strong voice carrying around the room.

Immediately, the other males who weren't with me and not at the table previously all came from wherever they were (I didn't take notice as I was too busy trying to keep calm in the midst of handsome men) and stood around the table.

I gulped, not liking the looks of this. There were a lot of people here. And a lot of people are bad news for me. That means I would become nervous. And when I became nervous, bad things happen. I felt someone pat my shoulder and I turned to see Yura's comforting face.

I calmed slightly. Yura would make sure I did not make a laughing stock of myself….I hope.

"Champagne call?" I asked in a soft voice to Asuka beside me. Atobe heard and answered instead.

"When someone buys a bottle of champagne, we have a champagne call. You can say it's a bit like a celebration since champagnes are usually expensive. This one you're holding costs 9300[1] yen alone." He said with a smirk which only grew wider as my eyes grew wider.

9300 yen!!!? And that did not include the 5 other bottles!! Someone, PLEASE, shoot me!!

I turned to stared wide-eyed at Aya and Asuka who grinned sheepishly at me. Didn't I told them nothing grand?!

"Don't worry Ishimaru-hime," Atobe gained my attention again. "It's on the house."

"On the house?" I squeaked. He better not be pulling my leg. 46000+ yen was no joke. It's too much for my young and maimed heart to handle such a joke.

Oshitari spoke up from next to Atobe. "Had the name Atobe not chimed a bell in you, Kumiko-hime?" He asked, amusement lacing his voice. I shook my head, my eyes remaining as wide as saucers.

Atobe flicked his hair then. "Arn~ My name did not mean anything to you? Maa, it doesn't matter. I can forgive such a sinful act since it's you."

I stared at him. What has me got to do with forgiveness?

He turned to everyone around the table. "What should we do in celebration of her birthday and this champagne call then?" He asked, open for any suggestions.

Jirou instantly jumped up, waving his hand and nearly knocking over one expensive bottle of champagne on the table. "Ooh! Oooh!! Let's do-" He was cut off by Gakuto before he could even voice his opinion.

"No, we did that last time." Gakuto said nonchalantly as if a bottle of champagne is bought by customers regularly. This place must have rich regulars. I certainly was not one.

Jirou pouted and I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my face. He was such an adorable person despite his age.

"Why don't we let Kumiko-chan decide what she wants to do?" Marui's voice came in.

I looked at the red-haired male, his lavender eyes capturing my gaze. I stared into his ethereal orbs from across the table, feeling entranced. The champagne bottle would have slip from my loosening grip if not for Atobe's hand on my shoulder breaking the trance I was in.

I looked up at his figure, once again feeling inferior in height (I reached to the base of his neck) and possibly aesthetics as well.

"Yes, why don't you decide what we do?" He agreed with Marui, amusement tracing his features at my baffled expression.

"Umm…" I mused, not even sure what people do at champagne calls. I felt everyone's gaze on me, from every single direction. Back, front, left, right, northwest, northeast…

Yura came to my rescue before I hyperventilated.

"Why not give her sometime to think it over? We can do the activity last and drink the champagne first." She voiced. I silently thanked the heavens to give me a friend like her.

Atobe nodded in compliance. He held one hand out the side, and Jackal placed a wet cloth into it. Yura pulled on my arm and I looked at her.

"It's tradition for the champagne buyer, or receiver in your case, to drink the champagne first, straight from the bottle. After that, it's passed around for everyone to drink from." She informed me once again. I stared at her, waiting for her to crack up laughing.

She didn't.

"Wait….what?" I stammered. "I never drank anything with alcohol in it before!" I quickly said. I didn't want my first time tasting alcohol to be in front of a group of gorgeous men. I was sure I was bound to get drunk on the very first few drop and do something foolish.

Aya grinned from beside Asuka. "Which is why there's a first time for everything! It's your first time turning 18(obviously), first time at a host club, first time seeing a champagne tower and now, it's going to be your first time drinking alcohol! And expensive alcohol too!! I didn't even get red wine for my 18th birthday…" she added as an afterthought. I stared at her wondering if her words were supposed to be comforting.

Aya caught my gaze and appeared hurt for a moment.

Suddenly, I felt guilty. Guilty that I wasn't appreciating what my friends were doing for me. I bet it had cost them a lot, either financially or time wise, to arrange this birthday for me. How much college aged people in the world actually give the effort to take their friends to a host club? The idea usually wouldn't even cross their minds as host clubs are usually so expensive.

But here we are, at Club Prism, a VERY expensive host club and my friends even got me a champagne tower amounting up to 46000 yen in the package. It must have taken them a lot of effort to either cough up that money or convince the Club to give it to them for free.

And I wasn't even appreciating it.

I should be shot honestly….for being a terrible friend.

Not only that, it's my 18th birthday for God's sake! I should at least give an effort to not be a pessimistic hag and enjoy it! If not for my sake, then for my friends.

As Atobe looked at me, waiting for me to make the first move, I decided then.

With a determined glare at the champagne bottle, which drew several laughter from the people around ( I probably looked like a pouting kid whom the bottle sinned), I lifted it to my lips.

I was going to make my birthday a drunken one if I have to!

My head tilted back as the bittersweet liquid pulsed down my throat. I felt a few streams of the high-class substance slipping down my chin. But a wet cloth held underneath it caught all of it, letting none get on my dress. I noted that it was held by Atobe.

Cheers and claps erupted around the table, the loudest coming from Aya's screams, as I noticed that I had down more than a quarter of the bottle already. I found that I actually liked the taste of the champagne. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be…

I was forced to stop drinking as Aya pulled the bottle downwards and away from my lips, but still held in my hand. She looked at me, with exalted happiness and slight surprise that I actually did it. I smiled back at her.

She grinned but my vision of her was suddenly blocked by a familiar figure. "Me next!!" Jirou cheered. "I want Kumiko-chan to hold the cloth for me."

At the corner of my eyes, I saw Atobe roll his eye. "Be patient Jirou."

I laughed, a strange feeling bubbling in the pit of my stomach. I realized with hidden surprise that I was actually starting to enjoy myself. "It's alright, Atobe-san." I took the cloth from him and handed the bottle to Jirou, who took it with childish excitement.

I had an inkling this host's selling point would be his cute and outspoken personality.

I held the clothe to his chin as I looked at him with entertained eyes. "Are you ready, Akutagawa-chan?" This joy that was coursing through my body gave me a new confidence which was unfamiliar to me. But I didn't think about it right now.

I was enjoying myself and that's all that mattered for now.

Jirou pouted. "Don't call me chan, Kumiko-chan!" he cried childishly.

Gakuto huffed and crossed his arms several people down. "Just drink it already! I want my turn!"

Jirou did so without argument. He tipped the bottle up, and I watched through the dark tinted bottle as the dull crimson liquid flowed down and slowly emptied. I felt the cloth soak more with the burning liquid, dyeing it a dull maroon.

Once again, the cheers went around and they encouraged Jirou to drink more though I could see he will stagger soon; a faint red was starting to stain his cheeks. This was a pretty strong drink here.

Suddenly, for some reason, I felt the urge to look to the side and when I did, I caught Marui's intense gaze. He wasn't clapping or cheering like his cohorts. He was just standing there, arms crossed, and staring at me.

Once again, I felt myself pulled into his gaze and the cheers around me drowned away as all I could focus on was his eyes; his lavender eyes.

They were so bright and dancing with life, windows that showed the type of life he led; a life filled with adventure.

Unlike mine.

In my eyes, I knew he could only see dull, dark orbs; a normal brown unlike his unique purple. I knew mine reflected nothing. I didn't have anything special in my life and my friends were few; hence I did not have a new adventure everyday. My life was routine- Wake up, to college, home, work, studies and repeat. Only gloom can possibly be traced within mine.

Jirou shifting broke my gaze with Marui, to my displeasure, but I gave my attention to Jirou anyways. He finally took the bottle away from his lips and laughter went about as he staggered slightly. Instinctively, I held onto his arm to support him, pressing the cloth to his chin to wipe away any remnants of champagne.

The bottle was passed around the circle again.

[1] 1000+ USD.

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