"I'm not wearing that, Tamaki-senpai," said Haruhi stubbornly.
It was yet another day at the Host Club, which meant yet another day of dressing up according to Tamaki's whims. Normally, she wouldn't put up as much of a fight, but what he was asking of her today was just too much.
"I'm not dressing up as a bride," said Haruhi with disdain. The mere concept of a wedding disgusted her, and the idea of giving herself completely to someone seemed wrong. Of course Tamaki would choose that which she hated most as their atmosphere for the day.
"Please, Haruhi?" Tamaki pleaded. "Will you do it for Daddy?"
Haruhi sighed. She was going to cave; everyone knew it. It was just a matter of when, and what she could get them to change before then. Tamaki's pleas continued as the twins pitched in.
"Please, Haruhi?" Hikaru and Kaoru echoed pitifully.
"Our mother made the dress especially for you," said Hikaru.
"One look at you, and she couldn't not make a dress for you," added Kaoru.
"Don't insult our dear mother's fine work," the twins concluded pleadingly.
Haruhi was the only one not dressed yet. Tamaki was, of course, dressed as the groom, wearing a dashing black tuxedo with a pink tie and corsage. Kyoya-senpai was the best man, also dressed in black but with a dark blue tie and corsage instead. Something about "Clashing personalities needed clashing flowers." Mori-senpai and Huni-senpai were the ring bearer and flower girl, respectively, with Mori matching Tamaki and Huni in a pink copy of the dress in Haruhi's arms. Kaoru was the maid of honor, dressed in a dark blue dress because "redheads can't wear pink!". Hikaru was the master of ceremonies and wore a black tuxedo with dark blue accessories.
"Perhaps," suggested Kyoya, "it might be a tad easier for Haruhi if I were her groom. I'm slightly. . .ahem, calmer than Tamaki, and it might be easier for her to act as my bride than Tamaki's."
Everyone gawked at the Shadow King. Even Mori-senpai's eyebrows were raised. Kyoya Ohtori, offering to help? What was going on?
"Also, studies show that ladies tend to enjoy watching dark-haired couples, so it would be in the Host Club's best interests if we made the switch," added Kyoya. Everyone but Tamaki sighed in relief; that sounded like normal Kyoya.
"B—But Mother, h—how can you suggest such a thing?" sputtered Tamaki. "I am the president of the Host Club, so naturally I should be the groom!"
Something's not right about Tamaki's ramblings, Haruhi thought. They're more controlled. It was true; Tamaki was not shouting or running off to his corner of doom. Haruhi tilted her head as she tried to figure out what was wrong with the blond.
"I only have the Host Club's best interests in mind," said Kyoya innocently. "So what do you say, Fujioka-san? Will you put on the dress if I am your groom rather than Tamaki?"
Kyoya's not that innocent. He has something up his sleeve. And why is Tamaki more controlled? He almost looks . . . nervous. Almost . . . unsure.
The room grew silent as they awaited Haruhi's decision.
"I'm not wearing that, Tamaki-senpai," said Haruhi stubbornly.
Tamaki's eyes widened at Haruhi's comment, and he struggled to remain under control. This wasn't part of the plan! She was supposed to willingly dress up, then during the fake ceremony realize that marrying him wouldn't be so bad.
"I'm not dressing up as a bride," said Haruhi with disdain.
But she has to! "Please, Haruhi?" Tamaki pleaded. "Will you do it for Daddy?" Tamaki continued pleading as Hikaru and Kaoru pitched in.
"Please, Haruhi?" echoed the twins pitifully. Whether they realized it or not, Tamaki had just recruited them to his side.
"Our mother made the dress especially for you," said Hikaru as he sidled up next to Haruhi.
"One look at you, and she couldn't not make a dress for you," added Kaoru. He took up the other side of the girl.
"Don't insult our dear mother's fine work," the twins concluded pleadingly.
Tamaki continued his pleas as Haruhi looked somewhat absentmindedly around the room. Please, Haruhi! Tamaki begged in his head as well as out loud. I'm trying to save you from Mother, but you have to cooperate! Tamaki knew this was important, so he tried to keep the begging turned down a couple notches.
"Perhaps," suggested Kyoya, "it might be a tad easier for Haruhi if I were her groom. I'm slightly. . .ahem, calmer than Tamaki, and it might be easier for her to act as my bride than Tamaki's."
Tamaki whipped around to look at his best friend, and his jaw dropped. What was Mother thinking? This would ruin his plan to win Haruhi! Plus he, Tamaki, was the president and father; naturally, he should have the most important male part in their cosplay!
"Also, studies show that ladies tend to enjoy watching brunette couples, so it would be in the Host Club's best interests if we made the switch," added Kyoya.
Mentally, Tamaki had already retreated to making mushrooms, even though Haruhi hadn't said anything in Kyoya's favor yet. Outwardly, Tamaki only let a little of this panic escape, for he was trying to make a good impression on Haruhi. He wanted to prove he could control himself.
"B—But Mother, h—how can you suggest such a thing?" sputtered Tamaki. "I am the president of the Host Club, so naturally I should be the groom!" Tamaki felt this was a very valid point, but Kyoya still had more up his sleeve.
"I only have the Host Club's best interests in mind," said Kyoya innocently. "So what do you say, Fujioka-san? Will you put on the dress if I am your groom rather than Tamaki?"
Tamaki sucked in a deep breath as he waited for Haruhi's answer. She couldn't do it; she was his bride. That's how this cosplay was supposed to work, with Haruhi and Tamaki as the bride and groom. It was supposed to be clever foreshadowing for the real thing.
"Well . . . I guess I can do it," she said grudgingly. "Just in case Kyoya-senpai decided he would add to my debt if I didn't play his bride."
Tamaki desperately wanted to retreat to his corner and wail, but instead he let his jaw drop again before stuttering nonsense words.
"Ahhh! Guys, I can dress myself!" said a startled Haruhi.
Tamaki continued gaping as the twins whisked Haruhi into the dressing room. He didn't even try to stop them, so shocked was he that his plan hadn't worked. They were supposed to be whisking Haruhi off because she was going to be his bride, not Kyoya's. What was he going to do, now that he had to be the best man at the wedding of the girl he wanted to marry? To shield her from the evils of the world, including Mother, Tamaki added. Any good father would try to keep her from marrying someone completely not suited for her.
But would a good father go to such lengths as to marry her? Tamaki's mind gently chided.
"Ahem." Kyoya cleared his throat, and Tamaki turned to look at him again. "It really is in the Host Club's best interests." He paused, but continued when Tamaki didn't answer him, "as a whole and individually."
"Mother." Tamaki paused to get serious. Now it was all about impressions. "Kyoya, why are you doing this?" he whispered.
"My father's company is on the line, Tamaki," said Kyoya quietly. "I had it once, but I gave it back so my father would think I didn't care. It will be a very long time before another opportunity opens up to buy it. There is nothing I wouldn't do, including convincing Haruhi to marry me, to get it." Kyoya paused to take his glasses off and begin cleaning them before continuing, "If you really want this, Tamaki, you had better step up your game. If you don't, Haruhi will be mine by the end of the month." Kyoya replaced the glasses on his face.
Tamaki took a deep breath. "Very well, Kyoya, if that is how you feel. I can't allow my Haruhi to be with someone like you, only interested in business. She deserves someone who will love her, and while I love her as a father, it will be better than nothing. I won't go down without a fight." This is my daughter we're haggling over. Of course I won't go down without a fight.
"You realize we can't be friends through this ordeal," Kyoya calmly pointed out.
Tamaki nodded. "But we must act like nothing is going on."
"Indeed." The two shook hands. Good bye, Kyoya, and good luck.
The former friends glared at each other until a voice interrupted them.
"Okay, let's get this over with," said Haruhi as she came from the dressing room, Hikaru and Kaoru following behind her proudly.
Tamaki inhaled sharply at the beautiful sight before him.
"I'm not wearing that, Tamaki-senpai," said Haruhi stubbornly.
Kyoya continued typing from his place on the couch. Haruhi complains – check. His plan was coming into affect without a hitch. So begins Day 1 of The Battle for Her Hand.
"I'm not dressing up as a bride," said Haruhi with disdain.
Kyoya perked up slightly at the word bride, the keyword for the next phase of his plan. An evil smile spread across his face.
"Please, Haruhi?" Tamaki pleaded. "Will you do it for Daddy?"
Tamaki begs – check.
"Please, Haruhi?" echoed the twins.
Twins beg – check. All was going according to plan, as Kyoya knew it would. It was almost time for him to chime in with his "innocent" suggestion. The only thing he had left to do was give Haruhi some time to think so he wouldn't seem too eager.
After watching Haruhi scan the room thoughtfully, Kyoya set his laptop aside and suggested, "Perhaps it might be a tad easier for Haruhi if I were her groom. I'm slightly . . . ahem, calmer than Tamaki, and it might be easier for her to act as my bride than Tamaki's." Subliminal insults were always good when competing for something.
Host Club's jaws drop – check.
Kyoya stood up. "Also, studies show that ladies tend to enjoy watching dark-haired couples, so it would be in the Host Club's best interests if we did the switch," added Kyoya. Do something in character so as not to attract suspicion – check. Host Club sighs in relief – check.
"B—But Mother, h—how can you suggest such a thing?" Tamaki sputtered. "I am the president of the Host Club, so naturally I should be the groom!"
Tamaki tries to stop me – check.
Tamaki freaks out and retreats to his corner of doom to grow mushrooms –no check.
Kyoya's eyebrows rose. Hmm . . . of course Tamaki was trying to use this as part of his plan for Haruhi. He's trying to keep himself under control so it won't appear that he likes Haruhi. If only he hadn't underestimated me. Kyoya mentally made a pitying sound. Poor Tamaki. He's been off-color all day, probably anxious for this moment. Then Kyoya realized something.
Tamaki was nervous.
He wants this. He wants her. Well, he's not getting her that easily. Haruhi will be my bride, and no one, especially Tamaki, will stand in my way.
Kyoya turned back to Haruhi as she began speaking.
"Well . . . I guess I can do it," she said hesitantly. "Just in case Kyoya-senpai decided he would add to my debt if I didn't play his bride."
Dangle Haruhi's debt in her face – unnecessary.
Haruhi agrees – check.
"Ahhh! Guys, I can dress myself!" said a startled Haruhi.
The twins kidnap Haruhi and take her to the dressing room after taking a couple seconds for recovery – check.
"Let's go get some cake, Mori-san!"
Mori and Huni go back to the way things were before the Phase One began – check.
Kyoya walked over to Tamaki, who was staring after Haruhi with dumbfound look on his face. I hope he realizes he'll have to do better than that from now on. Kyoya cleared his throat; Tamaki turned to look at him.
"It really is in the Host Club's best interests," Kyoya said. Tamaki didn't answer, so Kyoya added, "as a whole and individually." I propose the challenge – check.
Tamaki's eyes widened. "Mother . . . Kyoya, why are you doing this?" he whispered.
"My father's company is on the line, Tamaki," said Kyoya quietly. "I had it once, but I gave it back so my father would think I didn't care. It will be a very long time before another opportunity opens up to buy it. There is nothing I wouldn't do, including convincing Haruhi to marry me, to get it." Kyoya paused so Tamaki could take it all in. He took his glasses off and cleaned them on his shirt as he continued matter-of-factly, "If you really want this, Tamaki, you had better step up your game. If you don't, Haruhi will be mine by the end of the month." Kyoya replaced the glasses on his face. Make it seem like I'm not interested in Haruhi as a person – check.
Tamaki took a deep breath. "Very well, Kyoya, if that is how you feel. I can't allow my Haruhi to be with someone like you, only interested in business. She deserves someone who will love her, and while I love her as a father, it will be better than nothing. I won't go down without a fight." Tamaki accepts the challenge – check.
"You realize we can't be friends through this ordeal," Kyoya calmly pointed out.
Tamaki nodded. "But we must act like nothing is going on."
"Indeed." The two shook hands. Competitors detach themselves from each other – check.
The former friends glared at each other until a voice interrupted them.
"Okay, let's get this over with," said Haruhi as she came from the dressing room, Hikaru and Kaoru following behind her proudly.
Haruhi exits dressing room looking beautiful – check.
Tamaki inhales sharply – check.
Phase One – complete.