Chapter 16: Introducing Mina's Childhood friend and Kyouya's Fiancée.
Three weeks ago, I had encountered with a headless spirit. Now I'm faced with a bigger problem at hand: The warlock took my magic and sold it to the highest power in the kingdom. How can I save my sister when she's held inside a birdcage? All of these questions poured into my head as I played with the hem of my dress. All of a sudden, a knocking was at my door.
Hikari closed her eyes and shook her head. The image of her story faded away into the back of her mind and she found herself in her hotel room.
"How long was I out for?" She asked aloud. Her eyes wandered towards a red alarm clock that read the time and as if she sat on a pin, Hikari flew out of her seat.
"I'M LATE!" The knocking repeated, distracting Hikari from her packing. She shoved her homework, school books, and writing notebooks in her bag; grabbed her breakfast, and opened the door. The person standing took the coffee cup from her mouth and took the muffin from her hand.
"Hon, if you keep on doing this, you'll one day wear your breakfast to school."
"I know, Natasha," Hikari said, "But I had a wonderful idea from my story; the one about the mystical witch. I've been on a writers block for that story for such a long time that I was relieved to finally have a workable idea."
"It's nice to see you writing out in the open," Natasha commented. Hikari nodded.
"I know. And did you see how fast my stories went out at the Cultural Festival? That defiantly got me motivated." Natasha just smiled. Hikari continued to talk about her story on the way to school while Natasha nodded and drove. Once they arrived at the school gates, Hikari stopped talking.
"We're here? Already?"
"Yes we are," Natasha answered, "You've been talking the whole trip."
"Wow. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Let's just get you off to school." As Hikari got out, she noticed Kyouya leaning on the gateway.
"Natasha," she said, "I think someone's here to see you." Natasha got out of the car with a small smile on her lips. Kyouya looked up and approached the two ladies at a smooth pace.
"I'll go on ahead," Hikari said, "I'll see you later." Once she entered the school grounds, far away from the couple, Kyouya spoke.
"I've got some good news." Natasha drew a quick breath. "Tamaki's father had made it so that the Niwazaki's are no longer in charge of Hikari. However, we have to talk to the government about changing guardianship."
"It's at least a start. So who's in charge of Hikari school wise?"
"You are." Natasha smiled, clapped, and jumped on Kyouya, causing them to topple over onto the concrete ground. Natasha was about to apologize when Kyouya looked at her with such pain in his eyes.
"Kyouya," Natasha said still lying on top of him, "What's wrong?" Kyouya helped Natasha up.
"They've picked someone." He grabbed her hands, holding them tightly. "They found someone for me to marry." Natasha stopped breathing and stared into his dark, dark eyes.
"Oh," she muttered.
"That doesn't change how I feel about you," he said, "I can still get out of it."
"How?" She pleaded.
"If I talk to the girl and convince her to decline the offer, then we're off the hook." Natasha smiled, taking a deep breath. "However," Kyouya muttered, "it'll be hard for her to decline the offer."
"I have faith in you," Natasha said, "You do what you can." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "The fact that you still love me is all that matters to me." Kyouya chuckled.
Meanwhile
"So Kyouya-senpai is going to be forced to marry someone else," Kaoru whispered.
"Well he better make sure that he gets out of it," Hikaru whispered back, "Or else Natasha doesn't deserve him.
"Silence, my children," Tamaki shushed, "We'll make sure that your uncle stays with Lady Natasha."
"Yes sir!" The twins said in unison. Hikari, Haruhi, Honey, and Mori just stood behind them, amazed that the three guys must interfere with Kyouya's life.
"They just want to butt in," Haruhi commented.
"Poor Kyou-chan," Honey said, "He has to marry a random girl. Does he even know her?" Mori just shrugged. Eventually, the school bell rang, drawing the couple apart and bringing in the three spies.
Throughout the day, Hikari couldn't help but to think about Kyouya being forced to marry someone else. I remember reading about that when I was trying to convince Kyouya-senpai to get back with Natasha, she thought. I wonder now who the girl is. Hikari was so lost in her thought that she didn't notice someone trying to grab her attention.
"Hikari-san." Hikari finally pulled herself out of her pool of thoughts and faced the person. "You seem a little upset about something."
"Oh, Mina-chan," she said, "Oh no, nothing serious." Mina pulled a chair from another desk and brought it next to Hikari.
"You can tell me anything if something's wrong. Our lives have now intertwined with one another, making us dear friends," Mina explained. Hikari couldn't help but smile.
"You seem to be more like yourself nowadays," Hikari pointed out. Mina smiled shyly.
"Well, ever since you brought me to the host club, Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai welcomed me with open arms. They've allowed me to be with them before, after, and during their host hours. I have to say, it was they who brought me out of my shy shell." Hikari laughed.
"Hey, no copying my stories!"
"But I couldn't get them out of my head," Mina objected, "The way that you wrote about that shy girl conquering her stage fright was incredible." As Mina continued to obsess over Hikari's writing, Hikari couldn't help but to feel a little guilty in keeping Hiroki a secret. Although Mina has been coming to the host club for some time, she hasn't noticed Hikari disappearing and turning into Hiroki.
It's better this way, Hikari thought, Too many people are already involved in my crazy life. I don't want other people to suffer because of me. Soon the day came to an end and Hikari continued to think about Natasha and Kyouya.
"Hikari!" Haruhi shouted from behind. She ran towards Hikari waving her hand wildly in the air. "Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Tamaki's father was able to change the guardianship over you at the school." Hikari mouth widened into a big smile.
"Really?" Haruhi nodded.
"Now nothing's been changed legally by the government, but the Niwazaki's can't take you away from school. The only thing is that you can't go home alone. An Ouran student or Natasha can take you home. No one else." Hikari embraced Haruhi tightly.
"Thank you so much, Haruhi. You have no idea what this means to me." Haruhi returned the hug and smiled. As they entered the third music room, they saw Kyouya glaring down at Tamaki and the twins.
"WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO SPY ON US?" he growled. The twins shook in fear as Tamaki tried to explain their actions.
"B-b-but brother," he began, "W-w-we want t-to help you s-stay with N-N-Natasha…PLEASE DON'T KILL US!"
"Kyouya…senpai?" Hikari said.
"Oh boy," Haruhi said as she exhaled, "It's the eyes of the devil all over again."
"Eyes of the devil?" Hikari repeated. Haruhi nodded.
"Kyouya-senpai is just like Honey-senpai in that they both have a blood type of AB. They also hate being woken up early and have a low blood pressure."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Hikari questioned.
"Basically," Haruhi summed up, "You don't want to mess with Kyouya-senpai." Hikari nodded as Hikaru ran behind her. Hikari looked into Kyouya's eyes and saw frustration. He's really not looking forward to this marriage.
"Kyou-chan must be sad about the wedding thing," Honey commented.
"Ah,"
"Well, we shouldn't interfere. Not until we know more details about the matter," Haruhi said. Hikari didn't say anything. She just looked at Kyouya's eyes. There was anger swirling around his black color, and the feeling of losing someone precious. He doesn't want to lose Natasha again.
After the host club let out, Hikari waited for Natasha to pick her up outside the school gates. She was lost in the thought about her story when she heard quiet voices behind the Ouran walls.
"Wow, You must be really happy!" said a little voice. It sounded like a little kid to Hikari.
"I am. He actually offered me another piece of cake!"
"That's an improvement. Normally he's just really quiet right?"
"Yeah. I really wish that you could meet them."
"Well…" Hikari pressed her back against the wall trying to hear more. Wait, she thought, Why an I spying on two random people. Am I turning into Hikaru? Hikari clenched her fist.
No, I will not stoop down to their level. She lifted her back from the wall, standing straight and acting proper.
"NO WAY!" screamed the second voice. Hikari nearly stumbled forward from the sudden loud noise that erupted. "You actually know them all?!"
"Well…not all of them, just the one that's been protecting me for a while. He tries really hard to make sure that nothing happens to my bunny…so…"
A bunny? Protected for a while…wait a minute. Hikari looked behind the Ouran wall and saw two girls huddled together near a rose bush. One of them was a little girl wearing a pink dress with white tights. She wore pink shoes to match and clung on tightly to a yellow bunny rabbit. The other girl was an Ouran student that Hikari had classes with. She looked from one girl to another with her eyes wide open.
"Mina-chan," she began to say slowly, "Is the girl that you were talking about…Hana-chan?" Mina turned pink and buried her face in her hands.
"Oh no, now you know the person."
"Hold it together, Mina-chan," Hana said patting her back, "She's a good guy." Mina looked up at her friend, actual tears running down her face.
"Remember when I told you that there were two girls that came to see Honey-kun? (See Chapter 6) Well she was one of them." Mina looked at Hikari and back to her friend.
"Okay," she said drying her tears. "I'm sorry, Hikari-san." Hikari pulled in her dress and sat down.
"It's alright, Mina-chan," Hikari said, "I'm just surprised that you're still here. I thought you left after the club closed."
"I did," Mina said, "But I had to talk to Hana-chan first. So I called her over here." Mina's suddenly grew with fear. "DID YOU HEAR WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT?" Hikari shook her head.
"No, I didn't," She said, "I heard little mumbling and that's why I came looking. I wanted to make sure that it wasn't my imagination." Mina sighed in relief and smiled at Hana-chan.
"I really wish that you can come up to the club. Since you know Honey-senpai, you should." Hana held onto her bunny rabbit and turned a little pink.
"Well…I would…but I don't to be a bother…"
"You really should come to the host club," Hikari encouraged, "It would be nice for you to see him at work." Hana-chan looked up and placed a big grin on her face.
"Then it's decided," Hikari announced, "Come by after school and you'll meet all of the host members."
Next day in the Host Club room
"So Mina's bringing someone special?" Haruhi asked while Hikari got changed.
"Yep. They're both looking forward to it and I think that some good might come out of it," Hikari answered, throwing her dress over the railing. Haruhi took it and folded neatly.
"Well she defiantly seems different than at Halloween," Haruhi commented.
"I know. And remember at the Cultural festival when she danced with both Honey-senpai and Mori-senpai?" Haruhi nodded. There was a knock at the door and then the creaking sound of it opening.
"Hikari-chan! Five minutes, Hikari-chan!"
"Thanks Yumi-chan." Haruhi giggled. "And what seems so funny, Fujioka-san?"
"Nothing. Just hurry up, Hiroki-kun." Hikari pulled back the curtains and put her hands in her pockets.
"Let's go."
The Host Club is now Open
Hiroki was looking for Mina and Hana-chan, hoping that they would come.
"Hiroki-kun, are you alright?" One of the guests asked.
"Oh, it's nothing, my dear. I was just thinking about locking you up in an underwater castle, guarded by a man eating shark. And I would have to rescue you from being eaten by this monstrous creature. The journey is long, but I'm willing to do it." The girl blushed and squealed with delight. When Hiroki heard voices approaching the door, he hoped that it was his special guests.
The door opened slightly before she entered, but Hiroki knew that it was Mina. She pushed the door open all the way and entered. She was alone.
Where's Hana-chan? Mina walked towards Honey and Mori's table with a serious face.
"Nana-chan, what's wrong?" Honey asked. She whispered something in his ear as his face lit up. "REALLY?!" Mina smiled as Honey skipped out through the door.
"What was that all about?" Hikaru asked.
"I'm not sure," Kaoru answered, "Maybe Mina-chan was trying to get Mori-senpai alone."
"Kaoru," Haruhi said, "Don't make assumptions like that." Kaoru smiled at Haruhi.
"Haruhi, do you know what a girl looks like when they like someone?" he asked. Haruhi looked annoyed, but shook her head.
"Well, it's simple really. You just see how they act around people. She acts differently around Mori-senpai."
"You're right!" Tamaki said behind a couch. Haruhi and Hiroki gave a questioning look at the couch.
"Where did that come form?" Hiroki asked.
"Be careful about asking that question," Haruhi warned, but Tamaki didn't hear.
"We must figure out a way to unite their love together." Hiroki heard scribbling behind him. He turned his head and saw Kyouya remaining focus on what he was writing.
"What are you writing?" he asked.
"It's nothing that concerns you," he answered without looking up.
"Are you trying to figure out a way to get out of the engagement?" Kyouya stopped writing and looked at him. Hiroki just stared back, giving off a "naïve" vibe so he can get Kyouya to talk. Kyouya began to look angry, his lips tightening into a thin line, but it then they curled into a smile.
"Right," he said, "If it wasn't for you, Natasha and I wouldn't be back together." Hiroki placed a grin on her face.
"So?" Kyouya closed his notebook shut and walked towards the rest of the host members.
"You just focus on yourself." Hiroki began to pout and wandered next to the other club members. "So what is everyone staring at?" He asked.
"Oh," Hiroki said, "Kaoru was explaining how Mina-chan might have a crush on Mori-senpai, but maybe-" he stopped talking and saw Kyouya freezing in place. "Kyouya-senpai?"
"Tamaki." Tamaki looked up at Kyouya. "Do you have a plan to put those two together?" Everyone gasped.
"Kyouya-senpai wants to interfere?" Hikaru asked.
"Kyouya-senpai is really Tamaki's brother," Kaoru commented.
"Kyouya-senpai, this isn't like you," Haruhi pointed out, but Kyouya ignored them all. He grabbed his chin with his index finger and thumb, lost in thought. Hiroki looked at Kyouya and then back at Mina. Mina was talking to Mori-senpai, who was nodding, smiling, and offering her more tea.
"Takashi! Look who came to visit!" Everyone's eyes looked at the front doors and saw Honey holding hands with a little girl in a yellow dress as if trying to match the Ouran uniform.
"Is that"
"Hana-chan?" The twins asked after one another. All of the girls in the host club screamed.
"Oh my god!"
"Is that Honey-senpai's girlfriend?"
"I didn't think he'd have one."
Honey ignored the comments and led Hana to his table. "Here," he said, "Have some cake with me." Hana-chan hesitated before answering with a shy smile.
The Host Club is now Closed
"So, everyone, this is Hana-chan," Honey presented. Hana bowed, clinging onto her yellow bunny.
"It's nice to meet Honey-kun's friends," she said, "Thank you for also taking care of my best friend."
"Best friend?" Hikaru questioned.
"She means Mina-san," Kyouya answered.
"So Mina-chan and Hana-chan are like Mori-senpai and Honey-senpai," Kaoru commented. Mina blushed as Hana smiled.
"That's so cool!" she said while Hikari quietly headed towards the back of the room. "Where are you going, Hikari-chan?" Hikari stopped still, not knowing how to react.
"Now now, Hana-chan," Tamaki said, trying to charm her with his hosting ability, "Hiroki-kun doesn't like t be called by a girl's name when he's obviously-"
"Hikari-san?" Mina interrupted, "Hiroki-kun can't be Hikari-san, Hana-chan. Hikari-san's a girl and not a guy." Hana shook her head and skipped her way towards Hikari.
"You are Hikari-chan, aren't you?" She gave Hikari a puppy face that resembled Tamaki's. Her eyes grew big and the chandeliers made them shine bright; her lower lips overlapped the top lip, completing the face entirely. Hikari sighed and took down her hair.
"Sorry, Mina," she said, "But there is no Hiroki-kun." Mina held her mouth shut with her hands.
"I guess we both had secrets that we didn't share with one another." Hikari found her necklace sitting comfortably on her neck. "Because of certain circumstances, I had to disguise myself as a host…It's actually because of my writing." Haruhi grabbed Hikari's shoulder as if indicated that she didn't have to say any more.
"It's alright, Haruhi," she said, "Mina's now a part of our family, so she should know." Mina didn't move as Hikari explained her situation with the host club, the Niwazaki's, her late parent's, and Natasha. Once she finished, Hana-chan reacted the same as Honey did: Tears running down her face.
"Poor Hikari-chan," she sobbed. Honey held her hand, trying to calm her down. Mina finally removed her hands from her mouth and stared at Hikari.
"So all in all," Hikari concluded, "Hiroki-kun of the Host club doesn't exist." Silence roamed the room, making Hikari's last sentence hang freely in the air.
"Actually," Hikaru said breaking the silence, "Hiroki does exist…" He looked over at Hikari with as smirk. "…Hiroki-kun is just gay." Hikari flushed as Mina and Yumi began to laugh. Mina's laugh was cut short when she noticed that she wasn't the only one that found Hikaru's comment funny.
"Wow, Hikaru, I think that you made Hikari turn 15 shades of red," she said as she ignored Mina losing her balance, causing her to fall on the couch.
"Wh-who are you?" She stuttered. Yumi looked at the surprised girl.
"Oh, sorry, I'm Kayume Yumi. Kaoru's girlfriend." Mina's mouth fell to the ground (metaphorically speaking). Kaoru rubbed the back of his head and turned a little pink.
"So both twins are taken?" she asked, "I didn't hear anything about Kaoru."
"And you know, Nana-chan," Honey said, "There's also the fact that-" Haruhi's hand flew in front of Honey's mouth, preventing him from speaking.
"I think that's enough facts for one day," Haruhi commented, "Let's let Mina-chan's mind digest the fact that we've already shoved down her throat."
"Oh no," Mina interjected, "Your not shoving anything. I'm happy to hear these things. But I do agree that I've been given a lot of facts today." And with that, the club was dismissed.
Later that evening
"Was it wrong of me to stop him?" Haruhi asked while Hikari continued to do the dishes.
"No way. I think that if Honey was about to say that you were actually a girl, Mina would have a stroke, the club would be sued, and we'd be asked to demolish the club entirely." Haruhi smiled and looked out Hikari's window.
"This is some view," she complimented, "Kyouya-senpai gave you the best?" Hikari shook her head.
"It was the only hotel that had a free suite for me."
"Ah, I see now." The quiet sound of the night filled Hikari's ears. Haruhi stared at her tea mug and sighed.
"Haruhi, is everything alright?" Haruhi looked up and smiled again.
"Yeah," she answered, "It's just…has Hikaru ever written you something?"
"Written to me something?" Hikari repeated, "What sort of something?" Haruhi shook her head.
"Forget about it. I'm just talking nonsense. Thanks for the dinner again."
"No problem. Natasha and Kyouya-senpai are going to be together a lot, so I need someone to take me home." Haruhi continued her smile and let herself out while Hikari wondered into her dark room, finding herself surprisingly tired.
It was from all that writing that I did, she thought to herself. She pulled back the covers and fell into a deep sleep.
A Few Days Later…
"Hikari-san, what's Mori-senpai's favorite food?" Mina pestered.
"I don't know," Hikari answered, "Honey-senpai would probably know the answer to that question."
"But you're in the same club as him," Mina pointed out, "So you've gotta know!"
"Why do you need to know so much?" Minas face began to turn bright red.
"N-no reason really," She stuttered, "I just wanted to see if I can make him something. That's all." She went back to her desk and left Hikari alone.
I wonder if what Kaoru said was true, she thought to herself throughout class. Is it possible that Mina-chan likes Mori-senpai?
As the day quickly came to a close, Mina and Hikari went to the third music room and prepared for the Host Club to open. Before Hikari went towards the back room, she noticed Kyouya typing away on his laptop. His eyes were glued to the screen, moving as it scanned what was on it.
"Kyouya-senpai has been like that since we got here," Haruhi said as if reading Hikari's thoughts.
"Do you think it's about the engagement?" Hikari asked. Haruhi nodded. A slip and a fall caught the two girl's attention. Tamaki's face was pinned to the floor while the rest of his body was in the air. Near him was the cause of his fall…a banana peel.
"Okay," Hikari said, "We've got to do something about these banana peels."
"Sorry, but we can't." Hikari placed her hands on her hips and faced the twins.
"Why?"
"Because," Kaoru said, "Hikaru and I like to eat the bananas."
"It's Tono's fault for not looking at where he's going," Hikaru added.
"Well, it's your fault for not throwing your trash in the trash can," Haruhi said. Tamaki stood up, fire burning in his eyes that were glued on the twins.
"Why…you…twins…" he growled while the twins howled with laughter. "I was trying to think of a plan to unite Mina-chan and Mori-senpai's love AND think of a way to get Kyouya out of his engagement." Kyouya took his eyes away from his screen and adjusted his glasses.
"Tamaki," he said, "I've got a better idea that might save you the effort." But Tamaki wasn't listening. Instead he continued to chase the twins around the room.
"You have a plan, Kyouya-senpai?" Hikari asked. Kyouya gave her a little smile.
"Things aren't actually as bad as I thought they were now that I know she likes another." Hikari and Haruhi gave each other suspicious looks.
"Kyouya-senpai," Haruhi began, "Why are you so interested in this planning thing?" Kyouya looked at his watch.
"Don't you two have to get ready for the club to open?" Hikari and Haruhi shrugged their shoulders and went into the back room to change.
The Host Club is now Open
Everything seemed calm as Hiroki wandered around. He was writing on his notepad, picking up phrases and ideas for his latest works. When he stumbled upon Mori and Honey, he noticed that Hana-chan and Mina were their only guests.
"Hana-chan, Hana-chan," Honey picked up a fork and aimed it at Hana's mouth, "Say 'Ah'." Hana-chan opened her mouth wide as honey put the cake piece in her mouth.
"Yummy!" she said with cake crumbs falling out of her mouth. Once she swallowed, she did the same thing to Honey.
"Hana-chan," Mina interrupted, "you've got cake all over your mouth." She was about to reach for her handkerchief on the table when her hand accidentally bumped into Mori-senpai's hand.
"Oh my…I'm sorry. You can have it," She said, her voice sounding surprised.
"It's nothing. You can take it," Mori replied. Mina rejected it again, saying that she had another one. When she looked in her pocket, she realized that the one on the table was the only one.
"Here." Mori handed her his handkerchief. "A trade." Mina hesitated before she gave a small smile and took it. Hiroki couldn't help but feel happy for the young couple that was sitting before her.
"Hiroki," Haruhi whispered, "I need to talk to you in the back. It's urgent." Hiroki followed Haruhi into the back and took down his hair.
Hikari now
"What wrong, Haruhi?" Hikari asked. Haruhi grabbed her hands and took a deep breath.
"I know who Kyouya-senpai's fiancée is," she answered. Hikari's eyes grew wide with curiosity.
"Who?" She whispered. Haruhi let go of her hands and slightly opened the door. Hikari easily saw Mina having a good time and Hana-chan throwing her yellow bunny in the air. Haruhi took another breath.
"Kyouya-senpai's fiancée…is Fujisaki Mina." Hikari felt as if her heart stopped.
"So you're saying that…" Haruhi nodded. Hikari looked back at the happy couple in the Host room.
"Kyouya-senpai…is going to marry Mina-chan?"