Chapter 2: The Host Club Ball
"Haruhi! The annual Christmas part ball is almost up…I'm wondering…are you going to come as a host?" Renge asks Haruhi on their way to the music room.
"Ahh…I'm not sure."
"Well, I have a lot of dresses that would look amazing on you. I'm quite a collector…and it would be such a waste for you not to wear them." Renge says, she looks at Haruhi and bats her eyelashes…which was very odd as to the Renge that would be so pushy. "And besides…Tamaki is bound to melt with the sight of you in a gown."
"Now, I get it…you just want to use me to make Tamaki-sempai do something for you."
"Ahahaha…well yes, but really I would very much like it if I wouldn't be the only girl joining the host club.."
"Oh...well, in that case, yes, I would love to join you."
"Haaruuhii!! Is it true that you're going to be a girl at the Host Club Ball?" Before I could even answer Kaoru appears out of nowhere.
"You are?!" He wailed out. His eyes all bright and glimmering.
"Daughter!! Why do yo wish to expose yourself?!" Aw great, here comes the king.
"Huh? I don't get why everybody's making such a fuss about this. I agreed to dress as a girl so that Renge won't feel so alone." I said coolly. It was true, time that Renge had a girl companion, I thought.
"Does that mean Renge isn't gong with me?" Kyoya asked. I was stunned. For the first time, he actually showed – feeling. And even more shocking, he was, in fact, sad.
"Uhh…well…I didn't know…that…" I couldn't comment, this is Kyoya were talking about for Christ sake! The guy who held on to the precious clipboard of his and remaining as cold and as silent as the night sky. I just mumbled playing with my fingers, looking down.
Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who stood silent. So was Kaoru, Hikaru, Tamaki, Hunny, and even Mori-sempai. Who wouldn't be mute after hearing such a statement from K-Y-O-Y-A Ootori!!
Kyoya sighed. Then returned into staring at papers full of numbers and stuff.
"I didn't think she would come with me anyway…" He said softly. Tamaki looking at him with concern. I couldn't help but question, was this also his first time to see him disappointed but just when I was about to say something, when Renge showed up.
"Of course I'm going with you…" She exclaimed. Renge smiled, and not that usual scary grin…a real smile…
"I thought you were going with Haruhi." Kyoya said, his tone soft and kind of…sad…
I had a feeling that we didn't exist in that room anymore, that we just grew gray and invisible letting them talk things out.
"Kyoya-kun…." In a split second, they were hugging. In one single moment, its as if Kyoya was acting like a guest and Renge was a client. But even more, Kyoya doesn't actually take clients of his own. We melted, literally melted, into nothing. Disappearing into Nekozawa's dark lair, watching from the sidelines, staring at them. Just…staring. "I am going with Haruhi, but not as an escort, you've got that position already right?" Kyoya smiled and kissed Renge on the cheek which just made Tamaki pass out, the Hitachiin twins drop jaws, Hunny stare with shining bright eyes, Mori…being Mori, and me…well I just wanted to pass out myself but I got tempted to stay there until I'm finally convinced that it was real. Then I heard Renge giggle, and yes, it was all very real.
Then, I heard footsteps…quiet footsteps…then suddenly a puppet started poking my back…I turned around…slowly…
"What are you guys doing here?" It was Nekozawa, shoot!
"We were just…paying hide and seek." Kaoru said.
"Yes, and Renge and Kyoya are the seekers…and we just thought it would be ok if we hid here…" Hikaru continued.
"Oh, Kyoya…and Renge…?" That sentence caught my attention, I glanced over at Nekozawa, he took off his hood and just stood there, completely silent. Was he sad? If he was, what was it about?
"Nekozawa, are you alright?" I asked him, it seems that he didn't hear me, he just stood there. But after sometime I notice him move, walking closer to where I was seated. I thought he was going to tell me something but instead he took a peek at Kyoya and Renge, still apparently talking, acting like a couple.
"Renge…" I heard Nekozawa, he sighed after saying her name then put his hood back on and left us there. Left me there, wondering, maybe I wasn't alone.
"Kyoya-sempai…" My curiosity got the better of me as I ran after the Host Club's accountant, clerk and over-all manager, not to mention Tamaki's 'mother'.
"Yes?" He said, he looked up and took of his glasses. Slow-motion mode, god he's cute.
"Uhmm…well…" I mumbled, here I am again, I just can't be blunt in this manner. "You and Renge eh?" I finally asked him, he smiled. Again. Why. Is. So. Gorgeous?
"It shouldn't come off to you as such a surprise Fujioka, you were the one who suggested Renge. I was just following your all knowing opinion, after all…time to move on, right?" I froze, unable to answer. I couldn't believe him. He put back his glasses then started walking, and after a while, I found myself standing there, staring at the pond from one of the insanely tall windows of the Academy.
"So, Haruhi, who are you going with?" Kaoru asked me, we sat at one of the benches in the Academy's rose garden. Just the two of us, it would be much more comfortable if I wasn't wearing a wig and even more comfortable if I wasn't wearing a blue venus-cut dress that didn't quite reach my knee, I hate staring at my legs. At least Kaoru wasn't staring at them, I'm hoping he isn't. It feels so odd, I remembered the 'date' I had with Hikaru. Sheesh, it feels like I'm dating them both.
"Uhmm…isn't it obvious?" I looked at him until he finally caught my eye. Maybe staring at Kaoru's cat like eyes would give him a clue. Was it me, or was he blushing?
"Oh…"
"But I mean, if you want to…you're probably already going with someone." He must be going out with someone, when is he not? He looked away, there you go, he is going out with someone. I was ready to leave, foolish as it sounds I didn't get dressed this way by Renge just to get rejected. I stood up but he pulled me back and before I knew it…he kissed me.