Sorry this took so long… oh well, I'm on summer holiday now so next one should be quicker!

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Um… I don't own Ouran :D

Chapter 20 – An Ordinary Day

It had been just a day since I'd found out about… everything. Although this is in reality a short time, it seemed like an entire lifetime since the day before.

The sound of aimless chatter and laughter burnt into my ears, so much that I received a severe headache. My ordinary life hadn't changed. As usual, I was visiting the Host Club in the afternoon. Girls were screaming with joy, but I rolled my eyes. I couldn't even be bothered to hide my dissatisfaction. The entire club just seemed so predictable now – Kyoya was scheming, Tamaki was being a drama king and Haruhi just seemed bored with it all. On top of that, the twin's 'show' could be heard above the squeals of delight from their many visitors, Honey was sitting at a table eating yet another cake, and Mori simply wasn't saying anything at all. Sighing, I remembered that I had a job to perform.

"Welcome my princess," Tamaki greeted warmly, as he always did.

I nodded indifferently in slight recognition. Before he could reply, I sat down robotically onto the overpriced, overstuffed and overly decorated club lounge. I was completely out of it. It would not be until Kita pointed it out the next day that I register the fact that Tamaki and the fangirls were staring at me as if I'd just announced my permanent retirement from the Chess Club. After all, due to my exaggerated charade I had always appeared to be one of the most enthusiastic clients ever to walk the floor of Music Room 3. Even people who only knew the fake aspects of my personality could tell that I wasn't myself.

We sat in silence. Clearly Tamaki had no idea what had happened to me. I suppose that it would have been quite freaky to him – a girl who'd been all over him just a few days before was now virtually a machine. Clearing his throat nervously, he attempted to take my hand gently. I slid my hand from his grasp uninterestedly.

"So, how are you, my princess?" he asked, sounding slightly confused.

"Fine," I answered shortly.

He blinked in surprise at the coldness of my voice, but kept trying.

"Do you have a fever?" he continued. "Please allow me the honour of holding your hand until you recover."

Although I was fully aware of how phony his entire act was, he still seemed to be genuinely concerned about me. Shrugging him off absentmindedly, I stood up.

"I'm sorry," I apologized tonelessly.

Before Tamaki could react, I was dusting off my school books and hurrying out of the door. Hopefully Naoko would not mind if my report was a little early today.

He was sitting at his desk in the library, studying an economics textbook intently. Not that this was anything out of the ordinary. For the record, I'd never seen him do anything else while he was here in the library.

"What is it, Miyoko?" he said, not taking his eyes off the long winded and complicated explanation of supply and demand.

"Um, you asked me to report, President," I tried awkwardly, "about my 'job'."

The book closed with a loud snap. He stared at me disapprovingly through his antique glasses.

"What did I do?" I asked, frowning.

As business-like as ever, Naoko put down his book and stacked a large file of papers importantly. Squinting, I saw that the file had 'Host Club Operation' scrawled across it in black ink. He cleared his throat.

"I have been meaning to talk to you about your 'work'," he explained, scanning the thick text. "According to my reports, your acting has not been as… effective today as previous studies have revealed. You were quite distant and unconvincing this afternoon, correct?"

How had he known about that? I'd only just left the place! Did news really travel around Ouran High that fast?

"What?" I spluttered in disbelief. "That was only half an hour – "

"I have my sources," he interrupted mysteriously, continuing to examine the information.

I rolled my eyes. Sometimes this guy was as bad as Kyoya.

"Back to topic," he said, continuing his drone as if nothing had happened, "We have reason to believe that you are failing in your task. If this poor work effort continues, you will never be offered the position of President after I have graduated. It is a great shame; I was seriously considering you as a viable candidate…"

I blinked. Didn't this guy have any empathy at all? For months now I had lived a double life, sacrificing my own studying and chess time to meet his standards. I had provided valuable information for the running of his club. Yet this was how he thanked me? One day where my cover slipped and suddenly I was out of the running?

"What do you have to say for yourself?" he finished.

My blood was boiling by this time. He didn't even care.

"You idiot!" I shouted angrily, slapping him across the cheek. "Do you even know anything?"

Naoko seemed stunned by my retaliation. However, after a minute he had straightened his glasses and returned to his usual professional front.

"Perhaps I was wrong to entrust you with this task," he said, oblivious to the red mark slowly creeping across his right cheek. "I will have to review this current arrangement…"

I realized that I didn't even matter in this so called 'arrangement'. The only thing that was in this stupid mess for him was customer ratings and his father's approval. It was a business game for him. It didn't matter if I or anyone else was hurt in the process.

"Do you even know what happened a year ago?" I tried.

Despite the fact that he'd used me for his personal agenda, I guess that I still had a slight glimmer of hope that Naoko was in some way, human. Not for my sake – but for his own.

"Of course," he replied. "I always keep up with the business world."

I sighed. He didn't even look upset. There was no chance for him. If I wanted any chance to become President, than I'd just have to deal with it.

"I'll work harder, President." I promised half-heartily.

He nodded slightly, engrossed once again in the economic problem.

He had retreated back into his little world completely. There was no reason for me to stay here any longer. I was halfway to the door when I stopped.

"Naoko?" I called for the last time.

"Mm?" he replied distractedly.

"I'm sorry."

The next lunchtime, I was sitting by myself in the library, playing chess. I wasn't getting very far with the game. After all, it isn't exactly recommended to play chess with no opponent.

I was engrossed with making my next move (playing white) when a hand reached onto the board and moved the black queen. I looked up, confused. A familiar boy was standing next to the table.

"Checkmate," Kaoru said, smiling.

I examined the board hurriedly. He was right. But how had he known? Kaoru had never beaten me at chess before! What was happening to the world?

"Why are you here?" I asked irritably, still fuming at having lost.

He looked hurt.

"I was worried," he explained. "You seemed upset yesterday."

I blushed. He was worried about me?

"It was nothing," I replied hotly. "I was just – I mean I was just sad, that's all."

I pretended to be engrossed in my fingernails, secretly ashamed that he had seen through me. Kaoru sat down in the chair across from me and took my hand gently.

"How is it?" he asked sadly.

I shrugged.

"Nothing's sunk in yet, I guess." I said truthfully. "It's just that Naoko – "

He frowned, his beautiful amber eyes full of concern. I sighed, and quickly explained what had happened with Naoko after I had left the Host Club.

After a long silence, he asked me a strange question.

"What are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?" I asked. "I'll just do what he wants. He's evil, but it's the only way I can become President next year."

He sighed sadly. It was as if he was disappointed or something.

"What's wrong?" I said huffily.

"Nothing."