Chapter 3

The time came for the girls at the club to leave. Mikado bid Anri goodbye and promised to see her again next time. After the last girl left, Mikado was jumped on from behind as his best friend clung onto him. The scene could almost be likened to that of a baby monkey hanging off of its mother's back.

"M-Masaomi!" Mikado choked out from Masaomi's sudden weight as he hung onto Mikado. Mikado wasn't very strong to begin with, and Masaomi weighed more than him. The twins fell to the floor and laughed hysterically. Tamaki hunched over and also laughed hard. Haruhi's cheeks covered with a light pink as they covered their mouth and giggled at the humorous display of the two friends.

Mikado blushed again, thankful at least that the girls didn't manage to see his friend's silliness. Mikado groaned. Since he was not very strong to begin with, Masaomi's combined weight caused the two of them to topple onto the ground.

The three laughing male hosts were now crying from laughing so much. Mikado groaned again, this time from the painful impact. Masaomi laughed nervously and blushed as he awkwardly got off of Mikado.

"Um, sorry about that."

Mikado managed to stand up again and glared at his friend in annoyance.

"I just couldn't help myself!" He hugged Mikado from behind. "My little Mikado did so well interacting with the boobaliciously hot Anri!" He wiped away an imaginary tear. "I'm just so proud of my little flirt apprentice. It'll be no time at all now before you're boyfriend and girlfriend, shacking up, and I'm your best man at the wedding!"

Mikado shrugged Masaomi off of him and crossed his arms. He was blushing again.

"M-Masaomi! I told you not to call her that! And-and who said anything about shacking up or marriage!?"

Haruhi walked over to them and put a hand on Mikado's shoulder.

"I think Mikado is doing just fine taking his time with this girl. There is nothing wrong with that. Plus, he seemed to do a good job today just talking with her."

Mikado glanced at Haruhi and gave a small smile.

"Th-thank you, Haruhi."

They smiled back and removed their hand from Mikado's shoulder. Tamaki seemed to have finally caught his breath as he walked over to them. He pointed his finger in Mikado's face again, which Mikado couldn't help but flinch at. It really was rather annoying that this guy kept doing that.

"You have done very well today, I agree. That girl is sure to be yours before you know it!"

"W-well, I didn't say that she would mine-"

"However, it is clear that we still have work to be done. We need to have you practice talking with girls more. That way, you can eventually work up the courage to ask this Anri out!" Tamaki started walking around to the other hosts barking orders about some sort of plan to help Mikado out. Mikado just sighed, figuring that nothing he could say would stop this guy from enacting a plan. Haruhi just shook her head at the club's usual hijinks. Masaomi laughed at the whole situation.

So, here Mikado was. It was another day at the host club. Anri had been coming consistently now. Mikado and Anri would get a good chance to catch up and simply hangout with each other. Although, the other host members were always pushing for Mikado to take the next step with Anri and to finally ask her out.

This time, Mikado had been informed ahead of time that Anri was being stalled so he could get some time practicing with other girls before trying out what he learned on Anri. Mikado sighed at the thought, still horribly embarrassed by this whole ordeal. At least he would get to see Anri. That was the main plus side.

Today was thankfully a normal dress up day, which meant that the hosts were wearing their normal Ouran Prep uniforms. Mikado was definitely relieved he wouldn't be wearing anything ridiculous this time. Plus, Anri seemed to have liked the way the Ouran uniforms looked.

Mikado was talking with some girls he was hosting. Masaomi was near him chatting with his guests like he normally was (although when Anri was around, Mikado would usually be given more space).

The girls were asking Mikado questions about his life and how he ended up where he was. He didn't mind talking about something so normal. They seemed to love hearing how down to earth his life was. Even though this made him blush, Mikado really didn't mind talking with them. Maybe talking with girls was becoming easier for him. Mikado thought he should perhaps thank the annoying blonde duo after all.

Mikado was describing his hometown Saitama when he overheard,

"Excuse me, but who are you? I don't believe I've seen you around here before."

At the moment, Mikado was too caught up in hosting, that he didn't catch how suspicious the question seemed that Kyoya had directed at somebody. He just figured it was another new guest or something. However, Mikado heard a maniacal laugh. The new person answered,

"Oh, you most likely haven't. You see, I'm not a student. Ha! Well, I'm sure you could probably tell that based on how old I look." Mikado froze, recognizing the voice of the new guest. Gulping, Mikado looked over towards the entrance. He paled after seeing the very person he feared he heard. Standing in front of Kyoya was the raven-black-haired, parka wearing, information broker Izaya Orihara.

"You see, Mr. Ootori, I was just here hoping to visit a specific host." Izaya looked directly at Mikado who quickly glanced away. Mikado didn't notice how the girls he was hosting looked at him with concern.

Tamaki bounded over to Kyoya and Izaya.

"What's going on here? Another new guest who is also male? I do believe we advertised that this club was directed towards the entertainment of young ladies. Never the less though, I won't refuse a guest."

Izaya smirked and bowed to the blonde. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Suoh. My name is Izaya Orihara."

At hearing that name, Masaomi, seeming to forget about his guests, marched over to Izaya with clenched fists.

"Izaya Orihara! What are you doing here!?" Due to Masaomi's outburst, everyone in the room had turned over to see what was occurring in that direction. Tamaki looked back and forth, surprise and confusion spread on his face. Kyoya simply raised an eyebrow at the circumstances.

"Masaomi? You know this man?"

Izaya laughed at Tamaki's question.

"Oh yes. Kida-kun and I go way back."

Masaomi was seething at Izaya's condescending look. He shifted his gaze to Tamaki.

"Sempai, Izaya should not be allowed to visit the host club. He is a danger to the girls."

Tamaki's eyes widened at that. "Danger? What do you mean? Just who is this guy?"

Izaya laughed again. "Why, I am an information broker. In the past, I've interacted with Masaomi on various business occasions regarding gang related activities." Lots of whispering and chattering filled the room at his words.

Mikado didn't need to look up to know that Izaya's gaze was on him now as well.

"I've done business with Mikado-kun as well, also gang related."

Mikado let out a sigh.

"Do you really think you're in a position to be warning of danger Masaomi, hmm?" Izaya leaned in towards Masaomi as he chided. Masaomi took a step back and continued his piercing glare.

"After all, I'm pretty sure gang leaders are better known to be occupied by dangerous people than informants are."

Masaomi froze as Izaya said that.

"Besides, you weren't able to protect miss Saki-chan. Who's to say you won't make the same mistake again? It was your involvement in gangs that got her into danger in the first place. You really think you're any better now just because you've supposedly 'left' that life behind to join a supposedly chivalrous host club? Will they trust you anymore knowing what kind of person you have been? Not so vigilant now are we, hmm~?"

Mikado had a really bad feeling about Izaya being there; especially with what he had just heard Izaya say to Masaomi. Taking a deep breath, Mikado stood up and walked over to where Izaya was. Izaya smirked wide at Mikado. Mikado stood somewhat in front of Masaomi, stretching his arm out slightly in case he needed to hold Masaomi back.

"O-Orihara-san? W-wha- "Mikado cleared his throat. "What are you doing here?"

Izaya's stance relaxed to one that resembled him being carefree. "Well you see, as I was trying to say before Kida-kun so rudely tried to have me thrown out, I had come to speak with a specific new host here."

Mikado had his suspicions as to what kind of conversation Izaya had in mind. Mikado took a step forward and then quietly asked,

"Are you sure you want to do this here?"

Izaya smirked again. "Well you see, Mikado, my sources had told me that the pair of you couldn't be found anywhere in the city. Finally, I gathered that you were here at Ouran. Since you're hosts now, I gathered that you would busy. Plus, since you were already here, I figured I might as well take advantage of the opportunity."

"Just what exactly is it that you wanted to talk about, Izaya?" Masaomi started. "We have no reason to speak with you. That is, not anymore." He narrowed his eyes as he said those last words. Izaya let out a small laugh.

"We may have nothing to speak of, Kida. But I'm not here for you." Izaya indicated Mikado.

"I'm here to speak with Mikado."

"Uh uh!" Masaomi stood in front of Mikado, attempting to block Izaya's view. "No way. We are not letting you talk alone with him. Nope. Just why exactly would you want to speak with Mikado anyways?"

Izaya lifted his eyebrows up in amusement. "Well, I do believe that is none of your business Kida-kun."

Masaomi practically growled at that. Izaya sighed.

"I can assure you though that my objective here wasn't to come and taunt you two- "

"-pfft. Yeah right!"

Izaya rolled his eyes then sighed. He looked at Mikado with eyes that had slightly softened. "This however is regarding…business. That is, business regarding a certain online gang that I need to speak with Mikado about."

Mikado was unsure how to take the change in the man's expression. He's never seen anything like it before from the man. It unnerved Mikado for some reason. As the group pondered a response, a soft gasp could be heard from the door. Th group all turned to face the front to see who had reacted.

Anri was standing there, standing still. She was gaping and her eyes were locked on Izaya. Nobody moved for a moment. Then, after getting over her previous shock, Anri glared at the informant and clenched her fists tightly. She marched over to them. Mikado and Masaomi backed up slightly, anxious because they rarely ever saw her like that, and she stood protectively in front of them. Masaomi lightly grabbed her arms as though afraid he would have to hold her back, despite being near needing that only moments earlier.

As she glared at him, her eyes started glowing red.

Tamaki clumsily stumbled back a couple of feet and let out a small girlish squeal.

"W-w-what is going on!? That girl's eyes are glowing red!" He cried out in shock.

There was more whispering in the room. This time, there were exchanged responses of fear.

Izaya seemed unaffected by the girl's silent threat, and simply smirked at her in an irritating way. The softness previously in his eyes was now gone.

"You know, I thought you would be more careful with who you show your inhuman eyes to."

At his remark, Anri then gasped suddenly, her eyes returning to their normal soft brown. She glanced around at the people around the room, dreading the fearful looks now shot at her. She turned back to Izaya and glared again, yet this time less intensively.

"Guys enough." Mikado finally put in. The group looked towards him. Mikado sighed.

"It's fine. I'll just talk to him about whatever it is he wants."

Masaomi started to protest, but then Mikado shot him a look attempting to warn and reassure his friend. Anri looked confused, but not as much as the other occupants of the host club. Mikado cleared his throat.

"Tamaki Sempai, do you have anywhere more private for Orihara-san and I to converse?"

Tamaki didn't respond for a moment. He was still processing everything he had just witnessed.

Kyoya stepped forward.

"I believe we have an adjourning room to this music room that we will sometimes allow guests who request a private hosting to occupy." Kyoya then looked to Tamaki, as though expecting him to say something. Tamaki then seemed to get his bearings back as he blinked and then nodded.

"Yes, as a matter of fact we do." He cleared his throat. "Masaomi, could you look after Mikado's guests in the meantime?" Tamaki looked over to the girls' Mikado had been hosting. "If that is alright with you young ladies that is." The girls were silent for a moment, but then they nodded shyly and blushed lightly.

Apparently Tamaki had gathered the tension of the situation. It was unusual for him to be willing to take a host away from clients. Nobody was complaining yet though.

Masaomi shot Mikado a concerned look, before going back to his area on the couch to entertain more girls. Anri hung back, and also gave Mikado a worried look.

"M-Mikado? Ar-are you sure about this?" She leaned over to whisper into his ear, "You know the kind of things this man has done."

Mikado blushed slightly at feeling her warm breath against his ear. As she pulled back again, he nodded hesitantly.

"Yes, I'm sure. I can handle this Anri." Mikado responded quietly. Anri let out a sad sigh. She cast Mikado and Izaya another wary glance before going to join Masaomi and the other girls.

Tamaki gave Mikado and Izaya a glance that was difficult to decipher. Mikado wanted to say it was either confusion, concern, wariness, curiosity, or a mix of them.

"Alright then. Gentlemen, follow me."

Mikado picked up a new tray of treats, before following Tamaki into the adjourning room. Izaya followed as well. The table was already set up, as though recently another guest had requested the private room. Tamaki stood to the side as Mikado placed the tray on the table. Mikado wondered if he was supposed to go about the normal procedure as a host. Considering Izaya was a male, Mikado felt extremely awkward about it. Mikado walked over to Tamaki and quietly asked,

"Um, do I…?" Before Mikado could finish his question Tamaki nodded, already knowing what Mikado was going to ask. It was weird seeing Tamaki without that goofy grin on his face. He seemed so serious and oddly guarded. Mikado sighed and blushed as he pulled Izaya's chair out for him. Izaya let out a small chuckle of amusement as he sat in the chair.

"Why, thank you Mikado-kun~."

Mikado avoided looking at the smirk he knew Izaya had plastered on his face. Mikado began to get Izaya's tea set up, asking what preference he had. Then he asked which treats Izaya would like on his plate. After finishing serving him Mikado sat down at his own chair. Izaya looked over Tamaki expectantly, as though wondering why he was still there. Tamaki cleared his throat and walked over to their table. He leaned in towards Izaya and said,

"Just so you know, Mr. Orihara-san, our objective may be to take care of our guests, but we hosts are also very protective of our other hosts. Now I may not know much about you, but I have observed enough to feel the need to say, if in any way shape or form I feel like Mikado has become harmed by you, you will surely regret it for the rest of your life. Am I clear?"

Izaya didn't seem affected at all, except for cocking one of his eyebrows at the unexpected threat. Mikado was completely taken aback. He never expected Tamaki sempai to be so protective of him. Mikado hadn't exactly welcomed him as a friend with open arms. In fact, he had pretty much fought Tamaki's suggestions every step of the way. Mikado didn't really understand why Tamaki was being so protective of him now. Tamaki didn't even know the whole situation, yet guessed from the four's interactions that he should be protective. Mikado definitely looked at Tamaki differently now.

Despite not getting a reaction, Tamaki straightened back up again as his usual smile graced his features again.

"Well, I suppose I'll leave you two to it then. Enjoy your time at the host club~! Oh, and let me know if you need anything. Remember, we're just on the other side of this wall." And with that, Tamaki pretty much danced out of the room. Mikado couldn't help but continue staring after where Tamaki had been. He was still taken aback from the change of character he had just witnessed. A familiar chuckle brought Mikado back to why he was here in the first place. He looked over to Izaya, who was smirking and had amusement gleaming in his crimson eyes.

"So, Mikado. Shall we get started then?"