The expensive chandeliers that hung from the tall ceiling provided a truly romantic lighting. Wrapped in the finest fabrics of dark blue, the silverware reflected brief glimmers of light from an array of expensive candles spread across the top of each table. The tables themselves were blanketed by cloths of snowy white. The fabric of the tablecloths provided a fine sensation for idle hands that sought rest atop the surface of the covered wood. Across the room, on a stage, nimble fingers flew expertly across the keys of a piano while the audience provided a soft applause after each performance.
Somewhere, in the midst of the sea of tables, waiters and waitresses, and incredible people, there sat the Ouran High School Host Club, all of whom were equally incredible people. The blond haired "prince-type" maintained a charming smile as he lifted a glass of clear liquid to his lips. The adorable child-like "loli-shota" had traces of cake lingering clfose to his lips. Ever so calculating, the "cool-type" sipped his soup (extra spicy) while observing the group with a calm gaze. Two, identical "little devils" cuddled their toy, the "natural", with extra affection. Somber, yet observant, the "wild-type" sat and watched the events unfold.
"Takashi," Hunny said as he looked at his cousin with a bubbly smile, "would you like some cake?"
"... No," Takashi Morinozuka replied, watching the cheerful blond pop a forkful of vanilla frosting into his mouth.
"It's not as good as I thought it'd taste," Haruhi admitted as she let her shoulders slump. She gulped down a bit of water, trying to rid the foul taste from her mouth.
"And you remained in the Host Club just for it," Kaoru joked as he watched the girl's face twist.
"I told you already, I didn't stay just for the ootoro."
"But it was a major contributing factor, wasn't it?" Hikaru added.
Haruhi shrugged the comment off and looked at Tamaki who had seemingly drifted off into another world of piano keys and music sheets. The soft sounds that filled the banquet hall seemed to have a deep affect on the Host Club's president. He was a talented pianist himself, but the expertly executed sounds must have truly touched him.
"I don't see why father hired this man. Even I could play better than him," Tamaki finally said, taking another sip from his water.
Haruhi could feel her eye twitching. She should have known better.
"Haru-chan!" Hunny said from across the table. He looked at the girl with a happy smile.
"Yes, Hunny-senpai?" Haruhi inquired.
"Do you want to go swimming after we eat?"
"In an hour," Takashi added for his cousin.
Hunny sent a pout at Takashi, "That's so long!"
"An hour."
Hunny sighed and finished off the last of his cake, knowing he wouldn't win the argument.
"That sounds fine," Haruhi said, reassuringly, as the blond senior's face lit up at her agreement.
"I guess I'd better go change then," Haruhi said as she stood up to leave.
"We'll come with you," the two twins added in a deadpanned tone.
Kyoya slapped a hand across Tamaki's mouth before the blond could start bellowing. He would have to try and get the two brothers to lay off on teasing the club president because he doubted the Host Club King would tone down his ranting. Anything concerning the sole-female of their group would provoke him to go off on a rant.
"I don't think that's necessary," Haruhi replied in a flat voice.
The twins tossed an arm, each, across her shoulders before saying, "We've got to change too."
"Considering everyone seems to possess the desire to go swimming, we'll meet at the pool in an hour," Kyoya said as he patted his lips dry with his napkin, his other hand still covering his friend's mouth. The blond's face had turned a deep crimson, but Kyoya was unmoved by the struggles and muffled protests.
"Come on Takashi!" Hunny said as he stood from his seat after finishing off the last of the cake. Takashi nodded and rose from his seat to follow his cousin back to their room. The two twins had already dragged Haruhi away with them, so Kyoya and the blond were left alone.
Noticing that the blond's face was reverting back to a more natural shade, Kyoya removed his hand and wiped it on his napkin.
"For future reference, I'd prefer not having to wipe your saliva off my hand."
"Mother is so mean!" Tamaki cried out in protest.
"We aren't at Ouran at the moment, Tamaki," Kyoya said, "you know it's unwise to capture the eye of the public. This is our future world."
"But that doesn't mean I can allow those poltergeists to dangle off her for the whole week!" Tamaki said, slumping down into the Victorian-styled seat.
Kyoya shrugged, "That's not our top concern at the time."
"Yeah," Tamaki admitted with a dry laugh. He tilted his head back and emitted a deep sigh.
Halfway across the ship, in room 4291, Kaoru and Hikaru were busily digging through Haruhi's drawer.
"I don't remember bringing so many things," Haruhi said as she looked at the small opening between the two twins. Hikaru had just picked up something pink and lacy, but she had only caught a brief glimpse of it.
"Maybe Ranka-san added them," Kaoru offered, grinning. His back was turned and it was unlikely that she had caught the look on his face.
"It means you have more options to choose from!" Hikaru added.
Haruhi rolled her eyes, "As long as you didn't toss any of the clothes I brought with me overboard."
"Us?" Hikaru asked, faking a hurt expression at her accusation.
"We'd never!" Kaoru proclaimed, finally grabbing the item he was looking for.
Kaoru and Hikaru both turned around, holding out one piece of the bikini in each hand with a, "ta-da!"
"I know I definitely did not pack that," Haruhi said as she stared at the two.
Hikaru was holding the top piece of the white bikini. There was a dog tag attached to the string in the center which held the piece together. The bottom, which Kaoru held up, was a simple white bikini bottom with the words "Hitachiin" written elegantly across the butt in silver.
Haruhi leaned in closer, practically pressing her face against the bikini top in order to read the small font printed across the tag.
"Property of Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin..."
Hikaru and Kaoru burst out into wide grins.
"Come on, go put it on!" Hikaru said, extending his piece to Haruhi.
Haruhi shook her head, "Why can't I just wear one that I originally packed?"
"Those are so boring," Kaoru replied, "besides, don't you like this one more?"
"No."
Hikaru and Kaoru who had been prepared for that answer, decided that it was time to proceed with their "Plan B".
"But," Hikaru said, tears forming in his eyes, "this is one of our first designs."
"We've never made one for anyone else, ever. Just for ourselves," Kaoru replied, lowering his gaze to the bikini bottom in his hands as if recalling memories of the time when all they had was each other.
"You're the first person, besides us, to ever receive one of our designs, and the first thing you do is throw it back in our faces?" Hikaru continued, feeling the liquid pour from his eyes.
Haruhi glanced at the two twins, as if finally beginning to sympathize with their problem. "Can't I wear the other white one you gave me?" Haruhi asked.
"That's the one mother made!" the twins wailed, "Everyone loves mother's designs."
"We made this one," Hikaru said, with a forced hiccup as he held up the bikini top towards her.
"And we slaved over it, with you in mind. We thought you'd love it... but you hate it... you hate us," Kaoru sobbed.
Haruhi looked at the two twins, truly fooled by their act, "I'll wear it. I didn't know it meant so much to the two of you."
"You're such a good friend!" Kaoru and Hikaru cried out together, wrapping themselves around the girl and pressing the bikini into her arms. They let her wander off to the bathroom in a daze as they held each other tightly, emitting a few more sobs and hiccups for good measure.
Haruhi could only nod in a stupor before shutting the bathroom door behind her. She would do this for her friends.
Kaoru and Hikaru stopped their tears and rubbed their eyes.
"My lord is rather useful," Kaoru said to his twin, "we never would have learned how to perform such dramatics and cry at the same time without him."
Hikaru shrugged, hating to admit he needed anyone for anything, especially the idiot king, "I'm sure we could've found a way."
"Well," Kaoru said with a knowing smile dancing across his lips, "let's get changed."