So, here we are with Chapter 2. It's still focused largely on the Ouran characters but rest assured the Katawa Shoujo characters will become much more prominent very soon.

Chapter 2: Fabricated Personalities

"If you aim to please every girl at Yamaku, then you'll need a wide variety of hosts to appease the fickle whims of women," Kyoya said amiably, his kind exterior masking the seething anger underneath.

What kind of bullshit is Suou trying to pull? A freaking host club in a high school? Is he trying to attract ridicule...? My father instructed me to try to befriend Tamaki due to his family connections and so I will... I'll play along with his games for now, Kyoya thought even as he continued to smile at Tamaki.

"Grand thinking, Kyoya! Do you have anyone in mind?" Tamaki asked excitedly.

"You, of course, are the princely type. I am the cool, collected type. Over in the Karate Club, we have our boy lolita type, Mitsukuni Haninozuka, and his ever present gentle giant companion, Takashi Morinozuka. The final two students critical to the success of our club are the Hitachiin twins Hikaru and Kaoru. They will infuse our club with the brotherly love many young women completely adore," Kyoya listed. He then looked up to Tamaki and continued, "They may prove to be... uncooperative at first but with my detailed records taken at Queen Hakamichi's request and your charisma, I'm sure we can sway them."

"Brilliant, Kyoya! Tell me about this Haninozuka's location if you would, I wish to begin with our boy lolita!" Tamaki said. With a curt nod, Kyoya led the way to the Karate Club.

"Hya, hya, kyaaa!" The cries of the collective Karate Club rang through Yamaku's gymnasium as they performed a multitude of physical exercises centered around kicks. A diminutive, blonde boy was leading them in their exercises with a tall, black-haired young man standing stoically at his side. Both were dressed in traditional training karate gi and wore black belts around their waists. Even with the karate attire making it less obvious, Tamaki could not help but notice that the boy seemed to lack arms as his sleeves stayed by his sides limply and the man had visibly metallic prosthetic legs. He did completely admire, however, that both of them rose above their disabilities to reach such elevated positions in a club that obviously demanded a great deal of physical ability out of them.

"That young man leading them is Mitsukuni-san," Kyoya remarked, gesturing toward Haninozuka as he said so. Tamaki looked at him skeptically.

"He's the boy lolita type you were referring to? He doesn't seem the type," speculated Tamaki.

"Oh, just wait and observe, my friend. I think you will find my own observations to be proven valid."

In an attempt to watch Haninozuka and Morinozuka without being spotted themselves, Tamaki and Kyoya occupied themselves with weight-lifting. Neither of them were seriously fully devoted to this task, however. Tamaki was covertly watching Haninozuka with barely contained glee whereas Kyoya was watching Tamaki and carefully taking note of his expressions.

My sources indicate that under all of Tamaki's bluster lies a perceptive soul. I must admit I'm curious as to whether he's a genuine idiot or pretending to be... Kyoya thought as he carefully observed Tamaki.

Based on his current state, Kyoya was leaning more toward him being a genuine idiot.

"Alright, five-minute break, men!" Haninozuka shouted after another one of their exercises concluded. He began to walk away in a manner that reeked of braggadocio, the falseness of the situation only enhanced by his students' obviously manufactured comments complimenting their master's toughness and such. Haninozuka himself, however, did not seem to notice as Kyoya saw a small smile creep onto his face.

"It seems very obvious to me that Mitsukuni is just pretending to be the epitome of masculinity when he desires to be something else..." Tamaki quietly mused.

A begrudgingly impressed Kyoya provided more information, "It is very likely his father forced him to become such a character. The Haninozuka lineage is well-known for producing children extraordinary in the field of martial arts, and this Haninozuka is no exception despite his small stature and... the tragedy in which he lost the use of his arms."

"So, what things does Mitsukuni really like?" Tamaki inquired, quickly moving away from the sensitive topic of Haninozuka's accident.

"My sources indicate that he enjoys items considered cute. Stuffed animals, sweets, those kinds of items."

"Well, I suppose we'll need to bring out his cute side so he can become the boy lolita the host club needs," Tamaki thought out loud. Kyoya answered with a curt nod. "So, what about the tall guy next to him?"

"Takashi Morinozuka. We won't need to worry about him; wherever his lord goes, he follows," Kyoya said. "Now, let's construct a plan to sway Mitsukuni-san, shall we?"

It was nighttime when Haninozuka walked to the gymnasium doors with the aim of getting a bit of extra practice in before curfew hit in fifteen minutes. He was about to push the door open with his shoulder when Mori placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Takashi?" Haninozuka turned to Mori with a questioning expression. His questioning expression quickly became one of pure confusion as he saw the bright pink plush rabbit of his, a string tied around its neck, that was peeking its head out just around the corner. "Usa-chan...?"

My beloved... but no! I must become the most manly man alive just as my father wishes of me! That bunny must DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH!

In a blind rage, Haninozuka kicked Usa-chan rapidly with a variety of kicks from the Mitsuhani fighting style, created by Mitsukuni Haninozuka himself. This fighting style was an adaptation of the traditional Haninozuka fighting style with a multitude of kicks added and every punch taken out due to Haninozuka's lack of arms. Most would not persevere if they suffered an accident as horrible as Haninozuka's… but he did. Due to his efforts, he was now considered the most powerful martial artist in all of Japan, even being considered stronger than people years his senior.

His skill could be easily seen through the flurry of strong kicks he let loose on the doll before it was pulled away. Satisfied, Haninozuka began to enter the gym again, but Mori stopped him.

"Follow Usa-chan," Mori said in his typical brusque manner. Haninozuka looked at him, conflicted emotions spiraling through him. "Make yourself into the person you want to be rather than the person your father wants you to be."

"Yes, you're right, Takashi... I'll follow Usa-chan!" Haninozuka said, his indecision gone in an instant. He rounded the corner quickly while Mori followed him calmly.

I can finally eat sweets and snuggle with Usa-chan as I've always dreamed of! Haninozuka thought, a blissful smile forming on his face as he ran after Usa-chan. After a few jovial seconds of dashing, Haninozuka came to a halt as he noticed the new foreigner and a guy with glasses holding Usa-chan.

"Welcome, Mitsukuni! I take it you've decided to embrace cute stuff again like you did when you were younger?" The foreigner said with a glimmering smile.

"Yes!"

"Wonderful! You may be wondering why I went through all of this trouble to bring you to embrace your cute side. Well, the answer to your question is simple," Tamaki's smile widened considerably. "I want you in my club! So, let's form a club together... Honey!"

The newly christened Honey smiled, "Yes, of course! Honey would love to!"

Mori quickly interjected, "Tamaki, what kind of club?"

Would require Mitsukuni to change his name to some crazy name like Honey? A male prostitution ring or something equally insane?

"Ah, a male prostitution ring," Kyoya said.

Tamaki saw Mori's normally stoic expression change to one of disgust for a mere moment. In desperation, Tamaki spoke up again, "No, no, Takashi, Kyoya is merely joking! The club I wish to form is a host club!"

Mori opened his mouth to speak, but Tamaki cut him off, anticipating what he was about to say. "No, no, a host club is not a male prostitution ring!'

He explained his intentions for the host club and, while Mori was unconvinced and was actually even more turned off from this horrible idea the more he heard, he could very clearly see that Mitsukuni was growing more and more excited with every word Tamaki uttered. Mitsukuni's excitement came to a fever pitch when Tamaki reached the part about each host's role in the club.

"...And you, Honey, will be the boy lolita type."

"Oh, oh, really? I get to be in a fun club and eat sweets all club and snuggle with Usa-chan all club? That sounds so great! Takashi, can we join this club right now?" Mitsukuni asked, looking up at Mori with the innocent eyes he had missed for so long. Mori smiled at his friend for the first time since all of this madness with the macho Mitsukuni had begun.

"Yes, Mitsukuni."

For even if I do have misgivings about this, at least it will teach you there is no shame in shedding the false personality your father wishes of you in favor of your true self. It seems healthy for you and, even if I myself have no interest in it, I'll follow your lead.

"Wonderful! Now, our host club will not officially begin until we recruit our last two members, the Hitachiin twins. You are familiar with them, yes?"

"Yeah, but those are some really lonely brothers! How are you going to recruit them, Tama-chan?"

"Oh, don't worry, Kyoya and I... we have our ways," said Tamaki with a conspiratorial wink.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Tamaki, but it's more like I have my way and you just do whatever I tell you," Kyoya said jokingly. The four of them laughed jovially for all of them were happy at the events that had transpired, even Kyoya.

I have to admit this club is finally beginning to slightly interest me... a completely original idea that nobody has ever done before that I can build up myself and call my own. A perfect way to get out of my brothers' shadows.

As the four laughed, Kyoya glanced at his watch and realized he had missed something rather important in the midst of this moment of happiness.

"Well, my friends, we've missed curfew by about ten minutes. We... should leave now," Kyoya spoke calmly even though he was really on the verge of bursting.

If I get in trouble because of Tamaki's ridiculous ideas, I am going to kill that love-blinded idiot!

Due to this startling news, all four of them ran away in a hurry. In their haste, they failed to notice the trio of young women hiding rather inadequately in a bush on the side of the road they were running on even as they sprinted right past it.

"We really should follow their lead and return to our dorm rooms," a blue-haired girl said, obviously exasperated with the antics of her companions. Her eyes were noticeably drooping and she constantly shook her head in an attempt to stay awake. "I don't want to be caught by the campus police, it'd be bad for us."

"Relax, Suzu, we'll be good. We've skipped curfew many times before and you've never cared before, so why now?" A purple-haired, dark-skinned girl with a left arm that ended in a bandaged stump teased. "Or is it that you're just not that interested in this topic as you were in the others?"

"Well, I don't think I need to remind you girls -"

"Yes, you've reminded us already, you're a lesbian and you don't care about these hot guys. You've said it like eight times already," a dark-skinned girl with black hair and prosthetic legs interrupted Suzu. "But even so... wow! This is amazing, Miki! A host club where we can go stare at dreamy boys and have them flirt with us and eat food! Amazing, amazing, amazing!"

"Maybe this host club is amazing for you, Molly, but what I really want is a lesbian hostess club. I've snuck into one before. It was nice. Much better than this stupid host club," said Suzu with a loud yawn.

"Aw, come on, stop complaining, you're ruining the romantic, wishful air here!" Miki complained.

"Well, you shouldn't have dragged me here then," Suzu replied, growing more annoyed and tired the more Miki and Molly spoke. "I don't see why you did anyway. You're only gonna need to carry me back to my room when I fall - "

Suzu suddenly stopped complaining. Miki and Molly looked toward her, both desperately hoping she was just joking. However, their wishful thinking was just that; wishful, for Suzu had very clearly fallen asleep. The odd position in which Suzu was sitting caused her to tip over and Miki quickly reached out to grab her before she hit the ground.

"Oh crap, this isn't good," whispered Miki.

"Definitely not! Not a good time for her narcolepsy to kick in! Suzu, why would you do this to us?"

"Hey, don't blame Suzu, it's not her fault," Miki said sharply.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that..." responded Molly guiltily.

"No problem, but... uh… Molly. You've gotta hoist her right arm over your left shoulder and I'll handle her right shoulder," Miki ordered. Molly complied without a hint of hesitation.

"Okay, let's get goin'."

I think Kapur will be just fine... Suzu thought hopefully.

I have not been able to read Scissorlips' wonderful Suzu route or Suriko's excellent Summer Clover route for Miki yet, so my interpretations of these characters will probably be very different from the interpretations generally regarded as official. I am certain my interpretation of Suzu is completely different from Scissorlips' in one area at least (her sexuality as you've seen) and it is very likely she will differ drastically in many others. I do think I've read enough of the Suzu route to get the general gist of her character, but who knows... they're too underdeveloped now anyways for it to really matter, but it certainly will when they become much more important later. In any case, I've disappointed myself by not making this chapter much longer than the first but I guess it's better than padding it out by throwing stuff in that really wouldn't fit. I'll make it happen eventually!