Chapter 7

Lost

Miyuki's POV

My heart beat unusually fast. My body was difficult to move. The hand that held on to the door handle felt so cold and numb. But why? Just because what lies beyond that door was my last chance to escape from the clutches of that school? Because if I mess up the meeting I'll have to spend two years there? Because I might end up like Ishido-sama? I shuddered. Since I entered high school, I don't think I've ever felt so scared.

I took a deep breath. The coldness of the door handle reminded me to enter the room. Twisting the handle slowly, the door opened.

"Excuse me." I said softly as I pushed the door open. The room that I saw was brightly lit. It was far more spacious than I originally thought. There were even paintings on walls and expensive furniture inside. 'So this is an Ouran office.'

"Ah, so you're finally here Takayagi-san." I heard someone say. There was a man standing behind a large wooden desk with a warm smile on his face.

"Good afternoon, sir." I said as I bowed.

"Good afternoon to you as well." He replied. After that, he told me to come in and have a seat. I looked around the room once more. It really was lavish.

Sou-sama congratulated me on a job well-done. He commented that my score on the test was impressive.

"Although," He started. "We took the liberty of taking a look at your grades at your old school and, to be honest, we were shocked."

Inwardly, I swallowed. I could understand though. My grades weren't as good as a scholarship student should have. I barely passed my subjects. I wondered if this was going to affect the scholarship. Was it? Holding my breath, I waited for Sou-sama to add something else. There was a momentary pause. The only sounds that could be heard were the sound of the grandfather clock that, strangely enough, was inside the office.

"I uh…" I tried to say something but I couldn't find the words. What should I say? I had low grades because I kept falling asleep in class discussions and tests because of my work? My attention span is as short as a blink of an eye? That would just make it worst.

"But we were impressed by the inter-school competition you won last year." He said as he picked up a folder that was on his desk and flipped through it.

Inter-school competition? Last year? I didn't remember any school activities last year. Heck, I could barely remember the school activities this year. What was it? Could it be that Sou-sama has mixed up my folder with another participant's folder?

Sou-sama still had his gaze on the folder. He was reading it intently. A small sense of panic began to make its' way into me. My hands, which were at my sides, were still shaking.

Last year… What had I won? I thought about it deeply. Something happened I'm sure of that. But what?

"Takayagi-san, I'm afraid you'll have a failing grade this semester…"

Who said that?

'History…Teacher…Grade…Bargain…Remember, darn it."

"Excuse me, Sou-sama?" I said. Sou-sama turned to me and gave a small smile. "The inter-school competition, was it the Chess match last year?"

He nodded. "Yes, it was. A lot of schools participated, not to mention a lot of star students. But among all those bright students participating, you were the one who was victorious. And you were only a first year back then. That's what made us confirm your scholarship into Ouran."

I blinked. That was what confirmed my admission to Ouran? How lucky.

I looked at Sou-sama and smiled. "Thank you very much, Sou-sama." Bowing as I said so.

Sou-sama smiled back and said, "It's alright, but the person you should be thanking is yourself. Getting a scholarship isn't easy, especially with your grades."

He handed me two paper bags, one a lot bigger than the other, and said that it was my uniform and the text books that I will be using. I thanked him once more as I took the bags from him. At one bag I spotted a yellow-like cloth and the other some books.

"Ah, before you leave Takayagi-san, may I ask you something?" Sou-sama said as I was heading for the door.

I nodded. "How long have you been competing at chess? We've checked your school records and the only chess competition we found was last years. And you're not even part of the chess team."

"Oh that," I dreaded that question. Lying would do no good, so I decided to tell the truth, albeit shakily. "Well actually Sou-sama, the only reason why I joined was to pass World History."

There was a confused expression that settled on Sou-sama's face. A light blush appeared on my cheeks as I rubbed the back of my head with one hand. "Last year, at one semester, I was failing World History. My parents didn't like the fact that I was failing, so I decided to ask Mishima-sensei, our history teacher, if there was a way for me to pass." I swallowed and looked at the floor with embarrassment. "And sensei really had no idea how she could pass me. She said that I didn't participate in class and had very low scores in tests. But sensei was the head teacher of the chess team, which had an important competition coming up. The chess team was lacking one member, so I asked if I could join to pass her subject. Sensei was skeptical at first but since the competition was growing near she accepted me. But she'd let me pass only if I could win a few matches. And that's it." I said those words slowly and in a bit in a stuttered voice.

I couldn't see Sou-sama's face, since I was looking at the floor, but I could tell he was pretty shocked. An awkward silence filled the room. Maybe I shouldn't have told him.

"So you entered just to pass a subject?" He asked. I nodded slowly. "And you won because of that failing grade?" I nodded again. "Why did you fail in history? Was it difficult for you?"

"No it's not that." I said. "I just kept falling asleep during class discussions and I can't stay awake during tests."

"I see…" He said. After a few moments he turned to me and smiled. "You know Takayagi-san, to be honest, the staff and I was skeptical of your score at the entrance exam at first, what with your past grades and all. In fact, most of the staff thought you cheated-

"But I didn't cheat." I said defensively.

"I know that." He said. "We placed video cameras at the examination room, and we didn't see any suspicious activity from you. And with what you just said has just took all my suspicions."

I blinked. "Really?"

"Of course. Not many people could've done what you did." He said. "Just make sure that you won't get a failing grade here."

It took me a few seconds to fully understand what Sou-sama said. When I finally understood, I smiled and nodded at him. "Yes."

I finally got out of the large office when, as if on cue, my phone rang, or rather vibrated as I always keep it in silent mode. The vibrating of my phone continued as I kept on walking towards the seemingly infinite hallways. Usually when my phone vibrates I ignore it, most of the calls I receive are from Kaya who usually calls just out of boredom. But I was in a tolerable mood so I put down the two paper bags that Sou-sama just gave me, took my phone from the pocket of my bag, flipped it open, and answered it.

"Hello?" I said as I went closer to the wall as to not block anyone who might pass by, but with the wide hallway it seemed impossible.

"Congratulations!" Three people chorused.

Puzzled, I took a look at the screen of my phone and saw the caller id. It was a long distance call- from my parents.

"Miyuki, are you there sweetie?" I heard mom's soft somewhat crackled voice echo a bit in the hallway.

"Yes, I'm here." I replied.

As soon as I confirmed my presence there, there were suddenly arrays of 'congratulations', 'I'm so proud of you', and even 'were you just sleeping?'. I almost immediately recognized the voices. One was from my mom, then one from my dad, and finally my brother. Hearing their voices brought a smile to my face. Even though I've been living by myself for three years, I still get the occasional yearning for the soft tapping noises from my mom's typewriter, or the smell of one of my brother's cooking, or even dad's advices which I always fail to understand. But it was my decision after all.

Once my parents plus brother quieted down a bit, I thanked them for calling and told them that I was already in Ouran and had just talked with the superintendent.

"You're in Ouran right now?" My brother said.

I nodded but then realized that he couldn't see my nod I said, "Yes.'

"So is Ouran worth the work? Is it beautiful? What does it look like?" I heard my mom say.

"Ouran is…" I started. I couldn't quite choose one word to describe this place, sure I could tell my mother all of what I could think of this place but I wanted to go home already. "Very big."

"How articulate of you, dear." My dad said sarcastically. I'm not known for talking, come to think of it I'm not known for my writing either but that's just because it's a secret.

"I'm sorry, dad." I said. "It's just that I'm really tired, Ouran was so far away from home."

I heard my parent's let out a breath. "Miyuki," My brother said. "Don't overdo it, okay?"

"Sure." Afterwards, I asked how everyone was, not because I needed to but because I want to. The last time I saw my parents was a month ago. And I last saw my brother last Christmas.

They told me that they were well and after that I told them that I needed to go. Some good lucks' and goodbyes' were thrown around and I closed my phone. Sighing for no particular reason, I grabbed the paper bags once again. I walked down the hallway, trying to find my way out. Fortunately for me, Sou-sama gave me a map of Ouran just in case I got lost.

The map, which was previously folded, was a lot larger than I thought. It contained numerous drawings, mostly box-like which symbolized rooms. I noticed that the drawings had writings inside them. Classrooms, libraries, offices, music rooms, and more. A lot more. My eyes scanned the map for the 'Exit'.

After a few seconds of searching, I realized that there would be no specific 'Exit'. Instead, there was 'Gate', which was good enough for me.

'Let's see…' I thought as searched for the superintendent's office on the map. There weren't many offices compared to classrooms or other rooms so it was easy to find. Folding the map in half and holding it with my left hand, I stared at the section where the S. (superintendent) Office was located. I also checked all the nearby rooms. If I could find a specific room or landmark, maybe just maybe I can locate where I am. The problem was, I had been walking for a while and I had no idea where I was.

'Maybe I shouldn't have wandered off without looking at the map.' I thought. Was I hopelessly lost? I checked the hallway. No one else was there. Yes, I was hopelessly lost. So I did what everyone else would do if they get lost in a large, prestigious and extremely wealthy school- wander around until something happens.

My footsteps made soft echoes at the hallway, just as they did when I arrived there earlier that day. It was nostalgic. Weird, in fact. The only thing different was that the guy who I strongly think I should know but I'm not sure because I really can't remember him or his name at all wasn't there to hit me with a door and help me. Seriously, who was that guy? But even if I were to find him, I didn't want him to help me. Next week I would be entering Ouran and I can't always have a chaperone. I needed to know Ouran inside out. And I thought that I might as well start now.

I wandered deeper into the hallway, which really seemed endless. I checked my wrist watch. 'I should've been home by now.' As I was walking I thought of all the things I could've done if I was home, like sleeping or reading. Looking around, I noticed that one place in particular looked familiar. Without really thinking, I walked faster, as if running towards a memory. I stopped as I saw double doors with a sign 'Third music room' above it.

'Okay, I know that I remember that I read Third Music Room before.' I thought. 'But where exactly? And when? Oh no. This is just like that guy I know I should know.'

Standing outside the Third Music room like that gave me the itching feeling that I've been there before. I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice that there was someone walking, or rather, running my way. The footsteps were audible but I made no attempt to move. I was still trying to remember if I've been at the Third Music room before.

What made me snap out of my thoughts was the boisterous voice saying, "Haruhi! Sorry for leaving you alone! Daddy's coming!" And, for the second time today, something hit me. Only this time, I was hit from behind. I tried to catch myself by leaning on the door but it opened just I was about to. I saw a flash of light before I fell face first to the ground.

'Ow.' I thought. It took me a few seconds to understand what had just happened. It all happened too fast. There was a heavy load resting on top of me. 'What hit me this time?'

"I'm so sorry." A voice said. That's when I realized that I wasn't hit by a thing, but by a person. The load, er, person got off of me and I stood up as well. I dusted off some dirt from my uniform before realizing that the room wasn't as empty as I thought.

"Hime," A male blonde said dramatically (he was the one who hit me). The guy took my right hand and knelt on one knee. Kissing my hand gently he said, "Please forgive me for what I have done. I was too stirred up at the moment to notice your beauty and presence. But…" He left his sentence hanging as he stood up, raised my face gently with two fingers, looked me straight in the eye and said in a hushed flirty kind of tone, "It was probably you're immense beauty that made me lose my balance."

'If this were a shoujo manga…' I cut-off my thought and inwardly shuddered. 'Never mind.'

The guy was still looking at me straight in the eye and I, in turn, stared back and blinked. 'This guy looks familiar. Oh great, another face I can't remember.'

I noticed that the other people in the room were waiting for me to say something, so I just calmly said, "It's alright." And with that, I broke free from his hold, took a few cautionary steps back, and bowed slightly. My bags, which disappeared the moment I fell, were in the hands of two identical twins with impish smiles on their faces.

"These are yours-" One started.

"I presume?" The other finished. It was amazing, they were in perfect synch.

I nodded as I reluctantly reached for my bags. My hands were mere centimeters away from my bags before the twins held them higher.

The one on the right first spoke, "But first…"

"You have to play…" The one on the left said.

"The… Which on is Hikaru game!" They said simultaneously as they did dramatic mirror reflected poses.

All I could do was blink as their Cheshire grins grew wider as they noticed my confusion and naïveté. 'Who's Hikaru? And why do I have to know who he is?' I thought. My body clock kept telling me to just go home with or without those bags. I should've been home about an hour ago. I could've slept, er, work rather than stay in Ouran. But, since I willed myself to change, I decided to let that pass. 'Thirty more minutes.' I thought.

I turned to the twins and said in a forceful, I assumed, tone. "I'm sorry, but I have no time for this. Please give me back my bags." I walked closer to them and, predictably, they took a few steps back taunting me by raising the arms that held my bags slightly higher. I was almost the same height as they were, but unfortunately, that didn't provoke them.

"Look-

I stopped short as something grabbed me on the arm and gently pulled me backwards. Before I could react, my body was softly turned around and I was staring face to face with the guy that hit me earlier.

"I'm sorry, hime." He started. "But I cannot let you leave until I apologize to you properly." But didn't you just apologize earlier? I wanted to say. Maybe if I did say that, I could've been home free. But no, I just had to be curious.

I opened my mouth to say something but the guy (the one holding me) interrupted. "I know!" He declared. Eventually he let go of me, but I still couldn't get away. Then, he said, "The host club shall give you free service for today!" It was strange, because the way he said it was like he just granted my life long wish. But I didn't even know what he was talking about.

I was going to refuse when the others inside the room were obviously shocked of the offer that the guy had just said.

"Tamaki-senpai, won't Kyouya-senpai be mad?" A brown haired, kind of short, person said.

"Yeah, tono." The twins chorused. "Free isn't part of Kyouya-senpai's vocabulary."

The guy, whose name was supposedly Tamaki, flinched. "But it's not like one free service could hurt. I mean, I can't just leave the situation as is. I wouldn't be a gentleman at all!" Everyone, except for a tall black haired guy who was, ironically, standing next to a short blonde guy, sweat dropped. What did that have to do with being a gentleman?

"Anou, I appreciate what you're trying to do but I really am fine. I need to go home and-" I said, inching away from him.

"So which type do you prefer, hime?" He asked, not showing any signs that he heard me at all. "The Host Club has a wide variety of hosts."

"But I-

"We have…" He then went on and on about the different types of Hosts there are in the host club, introducing me to each on of them. And eventually I gave up trying to refuse his offer and dozed off as he continued blabb- talking. So I just waited until he was finished talking and finally tell him that I really need to go home, for the nth time. That guy was so loquacious- I had to admit, his vocabulary was astonishing. It's like he could go on forever. But the others inside the room seem to be used to that already.

"So which type piques your interest, hime?" He asked as I was shot back to reality. I looked around the room. They were waiting for my answer. That was my chance. Surely he couldn't interrupt me at that time. "I-

"Or would you rather designate me, hime?" I was wrong.

Inwardly, I flinched. My desire to go home has increased to 70%. Why can't that Tamaki guy understand that I was fine and that going to some Host club would be pissing me off even more than getting hit by him earlier?

"Hime?" He asked. His eyes sparkled, waiting for my answer.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do," Even though I had no idea what. "But I really must be going." I said curtly.

Quickly, I walked away from him and towards the exit. I could've screamed when I felt something tug at one of my sleeves.

"Ne, ne, why don't you have some tea and cakes with us?" A younger, cuter voice said in contrast with the lower and older voice from that guy earlier. I turned to where the voice came from and I had to look down to see who it was. He looked like an elementary student wearing a high school student's uniform. Blonde hair, brown eyes, I had to admit, he was pretty cute.

My face softened as the short guy, whose name I couldn't remember, said, "You'll love the cakes that we have here, ne, Takashi?" He turned to the tall, dark haired guy next to him that I hardly noticed before.

"Un." He replied, his expression unchanging.

The short blonde guy was giving me the 'Big brown eyes' treatment that were killing me. How could I refuse him like that? That was cheating. There has got to be a rule for that. It's so unfair!

"N-no thanks." It took all the will power I could muster to say those words. And even then I had to avert his gaze.

"Why not, hime?" The Tamaki guy said as he miraculously appeared at my side. "I could at least offer you that."

My eyes narrowed as I slouched. "I'm fine, really." I said in a low yet exasperated tone.

"So we'll have tea then." He said, not having listened to me at all. "Haruhi!" He hollered to a brown haired, short, compared to the others, girl. An expression of boredom on her face. So I wasn't the only one who had better things to do than stay at the Third Music Room.

"Hime, er, sorry but I have yet to learn your name." He said.

I blinked. 'Oh yeah. I forgot about that.'

"It's Takayagi. Takayagi Miyuki."

"Ah, what a lovely name. As expected from someone who is as equally lovely." He said. All of a sudden, my desire to go home had become 80%. "So, Takayagi-chan then. Haruhi, why don't you bring us some tea? Takayagi-chan, if there's something in particular that you want, then feel free to ask Haruhi.

Takayagi-chan, you remember Haruhi right? The natural type?" He asked.

Then I answered something that I regret the most. Something that I really shouldn't have said. It was what started it all. It was the beginning of the end.

When Tamaki was introducing the other hosts, I was half listening, half dozing off/ daydreaming. But when he introduced Fujioka Haruhi, his tone was different. Distinctive actually. It was the only name I could remember. (He practically fawned over her). So I got temporarily snapped out of my reverie when he said her name. There was definitely something different with the way that that Tamaki guy was referring to the girl. It was weird.

Innocently, I absent mindedly pointed to the said girl and said, "She's that girl wearing the boy's uniform, right?"

A/N: Kyouya made no appearance in this chapter, sorry about that *gets pelted by garbage*. I hope you enjoyed this one. Tell me what you think by a review if you want. Constructive criticism is highly appreciated.