Author's Note:

Prompts are welcome.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea.

And as always, reviews are appreciated!

Damn Rich Bastards

3. The Host Club And Ramen

The lunch room was full, but not in the way Haruhi remembered her middle school lunch room to be. There were no loud shouts, no happy chattering and no rushed eating on rectangular metal tables. Instead, there were round tables with delicate tablecloths and plush chairs, waiters pushing carts of appetizers and gourmet meals.

Standing in the doorway, Haruhi felt she was about to enter another world. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. Anything associated with Ouran Academy would be otherworldly and strange, she should have known that by now.

I hate all these rich people.

Moving to the meal counter, Haruhi simply asked for a bowl of boiling water and turned around to face the seating hall, only to meet two grinning redheads standing right in front of her. One arm snaked around her waist and another around her shoulders.

"Haruhi," crooned both Hikaru and Kaoru in unison. "Come sit with us."

At the table she was whisked to sat the rest of the Host Club, all eyeing her with surprise. All of a sudden, Haruhi saw a blur of blonde rushing at her and hastily set down her bowl of water before being tackled into a crushing hug.

"My daughter came to eat with her daddy! I'm so happy, Haruhi is so nice to me, the bes-"

"Senpai, cut it out!" Haruhi struggled out of Tamaki's death grip and stumbled into her seat, not even looking up to see the Host Club King sink woefully into his chair a few seats away from her, muttering about mean daughters.

Honey paused in his cake eating to greet her. "Welcome Haru-chan, I'm happy you came to eat with us." Mori nodded from his seat next to the short senior.

"Haruhi," said Hikaru from her right, his chin cupped in his right hand. "Why do you just have a bowl of water?"

"Yeah," said Kaoru from her left, his chin cupped in his left hand. "I thought commoners could at least afford some food."

"What! Haruhi is going hungry? She has no money to buy food? Her father must be in debt to someone powerful from the okama bar, and now my daughter has to suffer!" Tamaki stood up proudly. "Don't worry Haruhi, daddy will buy you lunch, everyday."

Haruhi stared at Tamaki, rolled her eyes and in a dry tone, said, "Shut up senpai." She pulled out a white packet from her school bag and held it up for the others to see. "I'm having ramen today. All I need is water to make it."

Her shoulders slumped again at the blank looks she received.

Right, I forgot. Rich people.

Without a word, she tore open the packet, held up the dry noodles, put it in the water, added the flavouring and sauces and then covered the bowl with a plate. Looking up, she saw six pairs of eyes lift from the bowl to her face, still blank. After a few more minutes of quiet sitting - maybe I should bring more things like this, they all seem to shut up... - Haruhi then lifted the plate, and with her chopsticks, gave the now cooked noodles a stir. "Ramen." She looked at the rest of the Host Club and put some in her mouth. "I'sh goodh."

The twins immediately began to attack her bowl with their own chopsticks, "Let us try, let us try!" while Tamaki hovered behind her trying to get a proper look at the noodles, "All that came from that one packet? Ingenious, commoners never cease to amaze me."

"It looks rather unhealthy," said Kyoya. He was eyeing the bowl curiously though, with his black notebook open in front of him.

"It's okay Kyo-chan, Haru-chan seems to like it. Besides, you all keep saying my cakes are unhealthy, but I'm just fine", said Honey happily, another slice of cake in front of him. Mori simply nodded once more.

"Can you get some more, Haruhi?" asked Hikaru. "We could have a ramen day tomorrow?"

"Yes!" Haruhi flinched at the sudden outburst from behind her. "As Host Club King, I proclaim tomorrow to be Ramen Day, and, if this ramen proves to be as convenient and addictive as instant coffee, then let ramen be the official food of the Host Club!" Tamaki waved his hand and ended with a flourish.

Haruhi groaned silently.

"Speaking of instant coffee, we seem to have run out," said Kyoya. "Haruhi, do you mind picking some more up?" He was looking at her with a Host smile. "It would be best to buy the ramen as well, a month's supply should do, don't you think?" He scribbled something in his notebook and nodded. "The Host Club will pay, of course, since you don't have enough, given your common status and your debt."

Ah, the debt.

"Of course, Kyoya-senpai," she said through gritted teeth.

Damn rich bastards.