Friday had finally come and while others were looking forward to the end of school, Kohaku was dreading it. She had to attend Host Club today and most likely perform, what she had to perform she had no idea. She could only hope that they didn't give her new pieces to play, though she had no idea what to expect. The club seemed very strange and extremely crazy, the very idea of a Host club seemed weird but they were rich kids with nothing better to do. Well, all except Fujioka – San, he had been roped into the Host club in a similar way although he had to actually host.
Despite the fact that Kohaku wished for the classes to pass extremely slowly, it seemed that within a blink of an eye the school day was over and Kohaku was standing in front of the door to the third music room. Slowly she pushed the door open and stepped inside only to be greeted by the hosts in various costumes.
"Ah, you came Nakamura – San," Kyoya said as he walked over to her.
Inclining her head ever so slightly, she allowed her eyes to take in the strange yet alluring sight of the Host Club.
"You must be wondering why everyone is dressed so differently, it seems that Tamaki decided that the theme for today would be tragic couples so as you can see every Host is dressed as one half of this tragic couple. Now let's go over what you shall play for us today."
Kyoya pulled out several music sheets and handed them over to Kohaku who scanned through them.
"I can play these on piano, is that all you want me to play?" Kohaku asked, hoping that this was all.
"Well, I would like to ask you to play a piece on your violin but I couldn't find anything that would fit with the theme. Do you have anything in mind?"
Kohaku furrowed her eyebrows in thought before pulling out her violin and beginning to play a slow, haunting song.
The entire Host club watched as the girl played, her fingers trembled giving the notes an eerie, echoing effect that only added to the emotion of the song. The piece didn't seem too complex but the emotion that Kohaku gave off as she played, with her eyes shut and her face serene only helped enhance the song and capture the listeners.
As Kohaku paused for a moment, Kyoya was about to speak, assuming that she had finished, before he was interrupted by the low, final notes of the piece.
As Kohaku placed her violin back in its case along with her bow, she glanced up at Kyoya who smiled and nodded at her. Taking this as a yes, she moved her belongings over by the grand piano that was situated by the window and started to place the sheet music in the order she would play it. The pieces while some were complex had been ones that she had learned for music class and should have no problem playing.
Kyoya walked over to the rest of the Host Club and began going over the final preparations before Hikaru and Kaoru interrupted him.
"Hey, shouldn't the performer change? She sticks out wearing her uniform," Hikaru pointed out.
"Yeah, we should put her in a dress, maybe black so she doesn't stand out too much but we'd need to measure her to make sure it fits." Kaoru mused.
Haruhi pointed it the one flaw in their plan; "She doesn't like men touching her though so you guys won't be able to measure her without her panicking. Either way, I think she looks fine."
Hikaru rolled his eyes at the girl; "You also thought it was fine to cut your hair by yourself and wear your father's clothes to school. If she is going to perform for the customers, she can't look like one of them."
Kyoya adjusted his glasses; "They are right, try and figure out a way to have her dressed appropriately before the customers arrive Hikaru and Kaoru. Without causing her to have a panic attack."
"Okay Mommy," the twins chimed in unison, hurrying away before Kyoya got the chance to glare at them.
The twins grinned as they walked over to the quiet girl and eyeing her up and down.
"What do you think Kaoru? A knee length black dress, perhaps a high neckline and cinched in at the waist."
"Hmm, yes. The dress, while modest won't look entirely horrible on her, I'm sure we have one just like you described in the costume room but will it fit her?"
Kohaku looked up at the twins who were standing beside the piano discussing some dress.
"Are you talking to me?" She asked quietly, fidgeting with her music.
"Yep, you need to give us your measurements so we can make sure the dress fits you," One of the twins, Kohaku wasn't sure which, answered with a grin.
"Umm, I'm not sure of my measurements. All I know is my…" Kohaku trailed off into a mumble which the twins couldn't hear. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"What was that?" Hikaru asked, stepping closer to hear the girl.
"Umm, err… Ahh. Never mind! I don't need a dress, I'm fine now please, please go away." She refused to meet the eyes of either twin and instead sat down to quickly go over the pieces she was to play.
"I'm afraid you do need a dress, the Host club has high standards and all of our members must be dressed to impress our customers. That now includes you, Nakamura – San. Don't worry; I've called a maid to help you with fitting the dress." Kyoya once again adjusted his glasses and Kohaku knew that she had no say but before giving in entirely, she pointed out the obvious.
"I can't afford to pay you for the dress."
Kyoya merely smiled, his glasses glinting in the light as he said; "No need to worry, it will be added to your debt. Although with your wonderful playing you should be able to pay it off in no time."
Kohaku blinked as she realised that there would be no say in this, not only would she have to wear a dress that she didn't want to wear, but she would have to pay for it.
Out of nowhere, two maids popped up and grabbed Kohaku and pulled her into the nearby changing room. The changing room was bigger than average but still it seemed small. Fortunately, Kohaku was not given time to think about the size of the changing room as the two maids began undoing her uniform and pulling it off, leaving her in only her underwear, white tights and shoes.
"Please take off your shoes, Nakamura – Sama." One of the maids requested.
"Ah, why?" Kohaku asked.
"The tights that you are wearing will clash with the dress, you will have to remove them," the other maid explained.
"O-o-okay, I guess I have to." Kohaku unfastened her shoes and slipped them off, before pulling down her tights leaving her feeling very exposed in front of these two strangers.
As soon as she had removed the offending items, one of the maids, she never did catch either of their names, pulled out a measuring tape and before Kohaku could blink was wrapping it around various parts of her body and calling out numbers.
"What are you doing?" Kohaku's breathing increased as her space was invaded and hands touched were they shouldn't.
"Taking your measurements for future outfits, Nakamura – Sama," the maids said in unison.
"Luckily, the dress that has been selected for you should fit you almost perfectly."
A black dress was held out in front of Kohaku and she hesitated before slipping it on and allowing the maid to zip it up. Once it was zipped up, it felt rather tight around her chest and Kohaku didn't like how her arms were left bare. She couldn't deny the quality of the dress though, it felt amazing against her skin and it wasn't entirely figure hugging with the skirt flaring out slightly at her hips. As the maids instructed her, Kohaku slipped her school shoes on and quickly left the changing room.
She hadn't expected the entire host club to be waiting for her though and took a step back in shock.
"It looks better than I thought, Hikaru. We really do have good taste when it comes to ladies clothes," Kaoru grinned, putting his arm around his brother.
"Ku – Chan, you look so cute!" Honey called out.
"Now you look like you are a performer worthy of the Host Club!" Tamaki exclaimed, pointing at Kohaku.
Kyoya merely nodded in approval before speaking; "The customers will begin to arrive in a few minutes, everyone to their places. Nakamura – San, please begin playing as soon as the customers enter."
Kohaku nodded and quickly walked over to the grand piano; she placed her hands on the keys and waited for her cue.
"Welcome to the Host Club, fair maidens!" A voice cried and Kohaku began to delicately press the keys.
As the girls walked into the Host club, they were overwhelmed. It was a clash of various time periods and for once the room was modestly decorated allowing the girls to focus on the handsome hosts in front of them.
"Welcome to the Host Club, fair maidens!" Tamaki cried out, dressed in medieval attire as he reached out and kneeled before his customers.
"My Queens, I am Sir Tamaki, one of the Hosts of the Round Table. It is an honour to be in your presence." He lowered his head as he knelt down on one knee, before looking at the girls through his eyelashes.
The girls blushed and gave out squeals of delight as Tamaki led them to their thrones for the day.
Haruhi sat with a group of girls, who starred in awe at her outfit, Haruhi was dressed in Victorian clothes that were fitting of a man of high status.
"You look so handsome, Haruhi – Kun!" A girl exclaimed, blushing when Haruhi smiled at her.
"Thank you. Tamaki – Senpai wanted us to dress up as characters that were part of a tragic romance. I am Prince Albert, who married Queen Victoria after she ascended the throne. After he died, it was said that Queen Victoria mourned his death for forty years. She only wore black to mourn her lost love." Haruhi smiled sadly as the girls sniffled.
"That's so sad!" One of the girls cried.
"Isn't it? If I were Prince Albert, I wouldn't want the love of my life to mourn for the rest of their lives. I would want them to be happy again, wouldn't you?" Haruhi asked earnestly with a soft smile causing the girls to swoon.
Meanwhile, the twins sat staring at each other with heavy eyes.
"You let her come between us Kaoru; if I couldn't have you then no one would be able to."
Hikaru tilted his brother's chin up to face him as the girls watched on with misty eyes.
"I only pretended to love her to make you jealous, but you made her fall in love with you. You were meant to come back to me, Kaoru."
As he ran his hand down his brother's chest and placed it over his heart he spoke again; "When I found out about her coming between us, I had to kill her. I wanted you all to myself Kaoru, you are all mine."
Tears leaked from Kaoru's eyes as he whispered; "Oh, Hikaru!"
The girls watched on, sniffling into their handkerchiefs with watery eyes at the sight of the tragic, forbidden love before them.
As the Club continued, tissues had to be handed out regularly as the girls cried when the stories of the tragic lovers unfolded. Kohaku played, mostly unnoticed in the background, only receiving a few glances from the customers before they became too enraptured in their hosts once more.
Only when Kohaku began to play her last piece, the one on violin, did all of the customers watch her. As Kohaku played the sorrowful piece, all talking in the room quietened as they listened to the violin cry out a haunting song.
As Kohaku finished the piece, a silence fell over the room, only to be broken by Hikaru who said; "Listen Kaoru, the music wept for us, for our loss," before embracing his brother close to him.
The girls, who had been hosted by the twins, clung to each other, crying about their tragic relationship and how it was so romantic.
As the girls left the Host club, thoroughly satisfied by their visit, Kohaku glanced at her watch before sitting back down at the grand piano.
"Eh? Ku – Chan? Aren't you going home?" Honey asked, noticing that the girl had pulled out several sheets of music and placed them on the stand.
"I need to practice," was the only answer Honey received before Kohaku's hands began to skim over the keys, not pressing them enough to make a sound, but giving the girl a feel of how the piece in front of her should be played.
"What are you practicing?" Hikaru asked, walking up behind her. When Kohaku never answered, he leaned over her shoulder to read the title of the sheet music.
"Rěverie by Debussy? Isn't that a classical piece?" Hikaru asked, still leaning over Kohaku.
"Debussy is a well-known French – composer Hikaru, his work is well known within the impressionist field." Kyoya explained while going over the day's finances.
Hikaru shrugged before going over to sit by Kyoya; "So Shadow King, what's the result?"
Kyoya smirked; "The customers loved the theme, despite the tragic sense and it seems that our performer over there was well liked too. They say she added to the atmosphere and that while her piano playing did not captivate the audience, it didn't fade into the background. In other words, she did exactly what she was supposed to; I even have a few requests for private performances."
"Eh? How did you figure all of that out?" Tamaki asked.
"Simple, the customers fill out a comment card whenever we try something new. Have you just noticed this Tamaki?" Kyoya pointed to the table by the door where a pile of cards sat, abandoned.
Tamaki muttered something about 'focusing too much on the themes' and went off to sulk in his corner when a soft song could be heard from the piano.
Kohaku's fingers slowly pressed each key, going at a slower tempo as she played the piece in front of her. Her hands moved instinctively to each note and while she made no audible mistakes, there were times where she nearly pressed the wrong key before hastily realising her mistake and correcting it.
Once she played the piece through once, she repeated it again but faster. This time there were a few audible mistakes, but nothing major, things that could easily be fixed. Once she finished playing the piece she gathered her music before realising that Honey was sitting beside the piano, watching her.
Giving a start, she spoke quietly; "Yes Haninozuka – Senpai?"
Honey grinned at her, "You were great, Ku – Chan! I really liked that song."
Kohaku shook her head, "I made a lot of mistakes and wasn't even playing it at full speed. I need a lot of practice."
Kyoya spoke from his desk, "You really are a natural at piano aren't you? Have you ever played that piece before?"
"No, that was the first time."
"You did well for someone who had never played it before."
Kohaku blushed, not used to compliments before gathering her stuff.
"I should go, I have to get home. Umm, where is my uniform?" Kohaku asked, looking around for the yellow dress and her tights.
"In that bag over there." Kyoya pointed it out, "Why are you in such a rush? You aren't working tonight, right?"
Kohaku picked up her uniform and went to go change, ignoring his question until she emerged from the changing room.
"I have to study and practice for my job tomorrow, Ootori – San. Unless there is anything else you wish to discuss with me?" Kohaku asked her voice slightly bitter as she stared at her feet.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, there was. Last night you said we were all busy tomorrow, why?" Kyoya watched Kohaku fidget with the hem of her skirt before mumbling.
"What was that?" He asked, smirking.
"I said it was because I don't want you to come to my acoustic set!" She said loudly before covering her mouth in shock.
"Why not Ku – Chan? I want to see you play again!" Honey tugged on Kohaku's hand, pouting up at her.
Kohaku stuttered at the face Honey was giving her, not at all anxious over how close he was.
"Well, uhm, I don't like people from school watching me sing. I get nervous and I mess up. Anyway, it's not an elite club so I doubt you will all like it."
"Ah! Do not judge us harshly! Haruhi here has been teaching us about a commoner's lifestyle; it would be very informative if we watched how commoners had fun! We can learn many things from the knowledge of the commoners!" Tamaki exclaimed, holding onto Haruhi.
Kohaku blinked and looked at Haruhi who just rolled her eyes at Tamaki's behaviour.
"I want to see you sing those kinds of songs again anyway," Hikaru and Kaoru both said throwing an arm over Kohaku's shoulders causing her to freeze.
Feeling Kohaku freeze up at their touch, both twins realized what they had done and removed there
Kohaku took a shaky breath and clenched her fists before trying to relax once more. "An acoustic set is different, the songs are different. You'd probably be bored watching me anyway so that's why I said you were all busy."
The lie was obvious to the whole room and Kohaku began to make her way out of the room when Kyoya spoke once more;
"And if we were to come and see you?" Without turning Kohaku knew that he was smirking so trying to seem casual she shrugged her shoulders.
"If you come and it bores you then don't complain." She threw back a forced smile at Kyoya who merely smirked at her as she left.
"Does that mean we can go see her Kyo – Chan?" Honey asked.
"She can't really stop us anyway," he replied.
"We must go and support her! She is a part of our family now and family sticks together!" Tamaki exclaimed posing dramatically while the rest shook their head at his delusions.
A/N: HAPPY HALLOWEEN WOO. I hope that if you're going out that you have a great time, I was at a party last night and it was great. We had a visit from the fire brigade because a neighbor phoned them about candles that were light as decoration! It took a minute for us to realize they weren't people trick or treating.
Anyway the violin piece that is mentioned in this chapter, while not named, I kind of have this song in mind for it.
Sad Romance (Violin Solo) - Ji PyeongKeyon
Listening to this makes me wish I didn't quit violin when I was 11.
Thanks to those who have added this to their story alert/favorites! And thank you to Itsgoose2u and 2featherbraids for reviewing!