A/N: Well, a few people put this on their review list, so I guess you all want more, huh? And thanks to Sebastian's Servant Felicia and loves2readandwrite (who was not signed in). The second chapter is here. It takes place on the Saturday after the first. So, it's time to start the show.

The days after the show had been decided were fairly normal days, besides for Ranka-san freaking out about how Haruhi needed more "cute clothes". Though that wasn't so uncommon lately either.

Finally, Saturday came. The school day was mostly filled with the students telling each other what they were planning to do over summer break and the teachers issuing a bit of homework to "keep their minds fresh", knowing that most of them were just going to do it at the last minute and Google all of the answers anyway.

The nine students who were to be participating in the show over the break were all approached by people who led them to very fancy cars (for Haruhi they were, for the others they were pretty standard) to take them to the mansion that the show would take place in.

When they arrived, Haruhi looked at it and sighed. It was gigantic. Way too big. And Western styled to top it off. Seriously, there was no way they'd ever need every room in a place this big for just nine people, even with a camera crew.

When she voiced this thought, Kyoya told her that according to the contract, there was no camera crew. There were instead hidden cameras placed everywhere throughout the place besides in the bathrooms.

"Then there's even more unnecessary room!" Haruhi said a bit irritably. Stupid rich people always having to show off!

"Ah! Welcome, everyone! Ohohohoho!" said an all-too familiar voice.

They all turned to look blankly at Renge, with an expression that read clear as day, "Why are you here?"

She explained before they got to actually ask, however.

"Welcome to "Haruhi's Heart Contest"! I am your host, Renge Houshakuji! And let me explain to everyone exactly how this show will work.

"This entire show is split into parts. Each elimination will end the previous part. Eliminations will take place every four days. For the first four sections, everyone will get one date with Haruhi during that section.

"When only four contestants remain, they will all get two dates before the elimination so that it may become easier for Haruhi to chose."

"Alternately, that could make it even harder…" the brunette in question grumbled.

"And then, when only two remain, Haruhi will be given an entire 24 hour vacation with one and then the other, and then the third day will be her deliberation day!

"On the last day, she will chose the winner of the Haruhi's Heart Contest!"

After that explanation, they were all whisked away to the rooms that were given to them and told about the rules of the game, which stated that they weren't allowed to leave the grounds unless they were on a date, and that none of the men were allowed to enter Haruhi's room under any circumstances.

"So, Haruhi-chan," Renge said to the girl, "time to get ready!"

"R-ready? For what?"

"We're having a barbeque by the pool out back so that today could just be a 'taking it easy' day. So, get in your bathing suit!"

"Ah. I don't know if I packed one…" she said, digging around in her bag.

The otaku laughed. "You won't need any of those clothes! The television station is fully supplying your wardrobe for the show!" To prove her point, she opened the enormous walk-in closet that was about the size of Haruhi's entire bedroom at her house.

Damn rich people, she thought as she allowed Renge to pick out a swimsuit for her.

The guys changed fairly quickly and were all gathered at the pool.

Tamaki had grudgingly agreed to the rule that they were all allowed to hit on Haruhi without interference from each other.

This at least made it more fair and meant that Tamaki couldn't interrupt under his usual "that's my daughter" grounds, so everyone else had been all for it.

Nekozawa was sitting under a small tent with his cloak pulled tightly around him. It was way too bright out here for his tastes, so he relished in what little darkness could be found.

Honey was dangling his legs by the side of the pool with Mori watching him close by to make sure he didn't fall in.

Tamaki and Kyoya were playing a game of Othello (which the former was losing horrendously at), while Kasanoda sat fidgeting slightly, glancing at the door every now and then waiting for Haruhi to arrive.

The Hitachiin twins were off by themselves, analyzing their competition.

"Well, the most competition should come from Kyoya and our lord," Kaoru whispered to his twin.

"Provided our lord can realize that in the first place," Hikaru added. "But what would happen if it just came down to us?"

"Then I'd tell her to pick you," the younger said as though it were obvious.

"Huh?"

"I said before, I'm only here to support you, Hikaru. I don't feel that way about Haruhi. Whether or not you do is for you to figure out."

"This is…a game though. That's all it would be."

Just then, the door to the house opened and Haruhi was pushed outside by Renge wearing an orange and yellow stripped bikini.

"Ah…Hey," she said awkwardly as she felt everyone's eyes on her.

"Haru-chan! Haru-chan!" Honey called to her. "Let's get in the water! I was waiting for you!"

"Ah, you know I'm not a fan of swimming Honey-senpai," she said. "I'll sit by the edge, okay?"

Accepting her response, Honey put on his swimmies and jumped in.

"H-Haruhi!" Tamaki called, running over to her. "Don't go in the sun without applying sunscreen!"

"Eh? Oh, I already put it on before coming out. But I couldn't get my back…"

"I'll do it!" the blond insisted, pulling her over to a lounging chair.

She smiled slightly. "Thank you, senpai." She called back to Honey, "I'll be right back!"

She layed with her stomach down on the chair and let Tamaki start rubbing the lotion on her, his face reddening slightly.

He thought maybe he should try to give her a massage along with it, but stopped when he heard a loud "Ow!"

"H-huh? Are you okay? Did I hurt you? PAPA'S SORRY, HARUHI!"

The brunette rolled her eyes. "It's fine. You just pressed way too hard on my shoulder. And I think you've got it all in." She got up. "Thanks though, senpai," she said going back to sit by the water's edge where Honey was happily splashing around with Mori who had joined him.

"Maybe this won't be so bad, since everyone's having fun…" Haruhi murmured to herself.

Suddenly, she had someone sitting down on either side of her.

"You should have fun too," they both said.

"Ah, you too," she sighed looking back and forth between Hikaru and Kaoru who had made themselves comfortable beside her. "It's just a lot and very sudden."

"Then, you should have some fun today…" Kaoru began.

"…to take your mind off of it," his twin finished.

And with that, she felt two hands on either side of her push her into the pool.

When she came up, sputtering slightly she glared at them while they grinned at her before jumping in as well.

"Heeeey! Everyone get in the pool!" Honey called loudly. "We can play 'Marco-Polo'!"

"No. I'm getting out," Haruhi said, swimming over to the ladder.

"But, but you're already in! Can't you at least play once?" he gave her his puppy eyes.

Everyone else besides Nekozawa, who had only come a little closer but was still in the safety of the shade had already gotten in, so Haruhi sighed. "Fine. Nekozawa-san! Since you're not playing, make sure the person who's 'Marco' doesn't cheat!"

He nodded and gave a creepy grin. All cheaters shall be cursed for eternity, then."

Tamaki 'eep"ed and hid behind Kyoya, who rolled his eyes which were not hidden behind his glasses as they normally were. He opted for contacts for the time in the pool.

They played a few rounds and had a lot of fun. They tried not to think of today as part of the competition, but some of the guys did small things to try to win points with Haruhi, like offering her a towel, getting her a drink, things like that.

Haruhi, being who she was, didn't think much of it however and just enjoyed everyone's company until it was declared by Renge that everyone would have to go to their rooms now.

The room assignments were like so…

Haruhi of course got her own room and the biggest one, which she wanted to protest about, but knew it would be pointless.

The Hitachiin twins were put together because the people who did the rooms figured they'd want that anyway.

Mori and Honey were also together, which also made sense.

Haruhi wondered vaguely if someone had a grudge against Tamaki when she realized he was put with Nekozawa.

And that left Kasanoda and Kyoya. They'd likely leave each other alone for the most part, so no worries there.

"So, Haruhi," Renge said, having come to check on her before leaving for the guest house, which she got all to herself, "the first cycle starts tomorrow! You get two dates!"

"Who with?" she asked.

"Tsk, tsk. Sorry, but I'm not allowed to tell. Just get some rest, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Haruhi sighed, laying down as Renge left.

Tomorrow, the real show will begin…

A/N: So, yeah. This is mainly a chapter to get acquainted with how it'll work. I'll make a separate chapter for each date and a chapter for each elimination. Like I said, I'll be updating as often as possible, so check for new chapters or put it on your review list if you want more. Reviews are always welcome. See ya next time!