Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High school Host Club. If I did, I would be a character and I would marry Kyouya. Don't own the other things you recognize here either.
Plot Summary: Katherine Yuri Inoue is your typical, average, half-Japanese, half-Spanish fifteen year old living in America. Except… She is secretly a Junior CIA agent, in training to become a full-fledged CIA agent. When she disobeys an order from her superior in order to save some people's lives from impending danger, she is sent to Japan on an individual assignment as a "punishment". Her mission: to find the Japanese ambassador's long lost niece. In Japan, she goes undercover as an Ouran Academy High school student. Kathy, who now goes by her Japanese middle name, Yuri, plans to find the ambassador's niece and return to America as soon as possible. However, she did not plan on finding herself with a group of new (and weird) friends, a club she has never heard of, a debt to pay, and… Love? Also, this secret agent not only has her identity and intentions to keep secret but a past as well that she doesn't want anybody to find out. Who is she really? And is only reason she doesn't want to stay in Japan because she was forced to? Or something else? And perhaps her newfound friends and a certain someone can change her mind…
_ _ _
Chapter 10- Battles
A girl notices Kyouya's frequent concerns about Yuri and begins seeing our heroine as a rival for Kyouya's affections though Yuri insists that Kyouya is simply her senpai. Also, a Kendo match between Yuri and Mori has been arranged with some surprising, and beneficial, results. Furthermore, Kyouya is starting to… *gasp!*… care!!!
Monday
Ouran Academy
7:30 A.M.
"I'll see you later Yuri."
Haruhi waved good-bye as she headed towards the direction of the library. She has a History test that day and has to study. Yuri knows that if Haruhi studies in the classroom, she'll be harassed by the twins. Good thing the library opens early every morning for students like Haruhi. Though she would go with her friend since she has nothing to do, Yuri has issues of her own.
She spent all of Sunday reviewing her files repeatedly. But it is evident: the information she got barely matched the descriptions of the ambassador's niece. Two girls, one from 2-B and the other from 1-D, almost fit but the thing is that, the one from 2-B spends every other month with her mother's mother and the one from 1-D's mother used to be a drug addict who died from overdose, not an accident. She's going nowhere. She nearly tore her hair out last night as she sent an e-mail to her teammates to let them know that nothing's helping. For sure, they're spending most of their time now trying to get information that would hopefully help her.
She sighed as she slowly walked towards the East wing to get to her Homeroom. But before she can mount the stairs, she stared out to the courtyard and noticed a bunch of Grade school kids gathered at one part of the neatly trimmed lawn. One of them, a little girl with her in cute pigtails, is crying. Curious and feeling sorry for the kid, she changed her course towards them.
"Hey, what's happening here?" she asked.
The crying girl sniffled and said, "Kaname-chan is stuck in a tree."
A question mark appeared on top of Yuri's head. "Kaname-chan?"
The girl nodded and pointed up the tree. Yuri looked up to see a brown and white cat on top of a branch, meowing softly.
"I was going to take him to our classroom for show and tell but he got away," she explained, looking at the older girl sadly. "Can you help him senpai?"
The other kids looked at her too, their cute sad faces tearing a whole in her heart. Sighing softly, Yuri placed her book bag and Math text book underneath the tree. She took off her shoes and folded the sleeves of her dress to her elbows so that they wouldn't bother her. Taking a deep breath, she began to climb. The tree's bark is surely going to dirty her stockings but she'll survive. And she's wearing a pair of biking shorts underneath her uniform anyway so climbing the tree won't be as uncomfortable.
Reaching the branch where the cat is, Yuri stretched her arm to scoop him up but he shied away from her. Mumbling under her breath, she settled herself on the branch and began to ease towards the animal. When she was close enough, she cautiously picked him up. However, the cat doesn't feel like cooperating. He began to struggle and managed to scratch her arm. Yuri hissed in pain but refused to let him go.
"You can do it senpai!" a little boy cheered.
"Kaname-chan, be nice!" the little girl scolded her cat. "Senpai is trying to help you!"
But the cat is rebelling! Before she can do anything, the cat flew out of her arms and into his owners', leaving an out of balanced Yuri behind. The teenage girl shrieked as she tried to maintain her balance but failed. She can feel herself falling but instantly grabbed a branch. Now, she's just… Hanging.
This is not good… This is SO not good!
"Yuri!"
She closed her eyes. Out of all the people to find me like this, it has to be Tamaki-senpai. Well… At least it's not-.
"Kyouya! One of our daughters in trouble!"
Never mind.
"Yuri, do you mind explaining why you're up there," the stoic Shadow King asked, a little annoyed.
She laughed sarcastically. "Oh nothing senpai. Just, you know, hanging out. Not to mention that a cat scratched my arm bloody then flew away from me like Superman causing me to lose my balance and hang from a tree. Just the usual."
He fixed his glasses. "A little irritated this morning I see."
"My darling daughter! Daddy will save you!" Tamaki cried, waving his hands desperately, the Elementary kids staring at him with interst.
"You do know if you climb that tree Tamaki, your uniform will be ruined an-."
"It matters not Okaa-san for my daughter is in trouble!"
"Tamaki-senpai, I'm fine," the said "daughter" answered, trying to pull herself up. "I can take care of myself."
"You better let me catch you Yuri," Kyouya said, placing his things on the grass.
"I'm fine," she insisted.
They watched as she managed to pull half of her body onto the branch. Unfortunately, since it's so early in the morning, her upper body strength is not very… Strong.
She lost her grip on the branch and felt herself falling towards the ground. She expected cold, hard, prickly grass but instead, she landed on something else… Rather someone. When she looked up, heat flowed into her cheeks as she realized what a compromising position she is in. Kyouya must have been standing right underneath her just in case she does fall (which she did). She had knocked him onto his back when she fell. Now, here she is, blushing furiously, her hands on his chest, their legs tangled together, and their faces inches apart. As quick as the wind, she got off him.
"G-Gomen senpai," she mumbled.
"Oh no! What happened to Kyouya-sama!" a girl screamed.
"Is he hurt?" another said.
"Oh, I hope not," a third added.
They looked to see some of the Host Club's usual customers staring wide-eyed at Kyouya on the ground. He calmly stood up, picked up his things, and adjusted his glasses, no hint of embarrassment on his face. He smiled at the girls and they almost fainted in joy.
"I'm alright ladies, no harm done," he said. "It's a good thing that Yuri here is alright as well."
Yuri blushed and bowed. "Gomen for falling on you Kyouya-senpai."
He just continued smiling and patted her on the head. Meanwhile, Tamaki gathered her into his arms, mumbling words of gratitude that his darling daughter has escaped unharmed. Yuri just rolled her eyes and patted him on the back. When he finally let go of her, she felt a tug on her dress. She looked down to see the little girl, who is looking at her worriedly.
"Gomenasai senpai," she said, timidly, holding her cat. "Kaname-chan hurt you."
Yuri just smiled and kneeled to the little girl's height. "I'm fine sweetie. I think I startled him so it was partly my fault." She patted her on the head and petted the cat.
To her surprise, Kyouya kneeled beside her and smiled warmly at the little girl. "Don't worry. Your senpai does not blame you or your cat."
Oh snap! Is that... A genuine smile on Kyouya Ootori's face?
The little girl looked up at this handsome senpai, adoringly. "I hope you're alright too senpai."
Kyouya chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm alright. Now, you and your friends go back to class okay? And keep an eye on Kaname-chan from now on."
The little girl nodded. Then, she and her friends walked off towards the direction of their classrooms. Yuri sighed then stared at the scratches on her arm. She decided to run to the nearest bathroom to wash the blood off. She stood up, put her shoes back on and picked up her stuff. As she turned to say good-bye to Tamaki and Kyouya, she noticed a girl from the corner of her eye. She has curly blonde hair and blue eyes. A second year. And she looks a little… Mad.
What's her problem? Yuri asked herself.
"Um… Kyouya-senpai, I'm-."
"No need to apologize again Yuri," he said. "Although this would not have happened if you just let me catch you. And now, the back of my uniform is ruined."
She hung her head. "I'm sorry."
He just shook his head. "Tamaki, I'm heading to the laundry rooms. I think you should accompany Yuri to the Nurse to see about those cuts."
"I'm fine."
"That's what you said before you fell on me."
"Like I said, I'm sorry. But, really I was just fine."
"You didn't look fine to me."
"Maybe you weren't looking close enough."
"I'm certain that you were in a damsel-in-distress situation."
"No, I wasn't. I could have gotten myself down just fine."
"Really? I saw you try yet fail."
"I had it-."
Tamaki placed a hand on her arm. He looked worried. "Um… I think it's best if we should tend to your cuts Yuri."
He looks very sincere and actually worried. Yuri can't help but give up on her verbal fight with Kyouya and nod at Tamaki.
"I'll see you in class Tamaki," Kyouya said, removing his uniform jacket and placing it on his arm. He turned around and walked away from them. His fangirls are, meanwhile, trailing behind him, occasionally asking if he's alright.
Frowning at the Shadow King's retreating back, Yuri allowed Tamaki to tow her to the nurse's office.
_ _ _
"Why is he always like that?"
Tamaki looked at his "daughter", surprised. After the nurse washed, tended, and placed band-aids over her cuts, he decided to walk her to class. And all the while, she was mumbling some incoherent things. This is the first sentence he heard her say clearly for the past few minutes.
"Who?" he asked.
"Kyouya-senpai. Why does he think that I can't take care of myself? He's treating me like I'm a baby who needs rearing. What is wrong with him? Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't take care of myself."
Tamaki shrugged. "He's Okaa-san."
"He is NOT my Okaa-san." She crossed her arms, pouting childishly. "Seriously, he only acts like a mother towards me. He barely cares about the others. What is up with him?"
Her blonde-haired companion simply chuckled and draped an arm over her shoulder. "Oh my dear, dear, dear daughter. You must understand that sometimes, parents have favorites. In this case, you're Okaa-san's favorite and of course, Haruhi is mine. But that does not mean we do not care about the others…"
And we went on and on about the beauty and flaws of families. Yuri hardly listened. She's too busy cursing Kyouya in her head.
_ _ _
3:15 PM
Music Room Number Three
The Host Club is currently in session.
There is no theme for that day and Yuri is relieved that she can at least stay in her uniform. She's still mad at Kyouya and had ignored him since the beginning of the club. Meanwhile, business is usual inside the Third Music Room.
Tamaki is, as usual, having a long soliloquy about the beauty of his customers. The twins are playing the "Which one is Hikaru?" game with their flock of admirers. Mori is sitting with a cake-eating Hunny. Haruhi with her usual bunch. Just the usual except for one teeny tiny thing. Today, Kyouya has customers. Yes. The Shadow King. The Vice President who does nothing except type, write, calculate, type, write, and calculate some more throughout the whole club period. It happens at least one, twice, or never a week. His customers simply sit on chairs in front of him, just watching or they would sit on a couch at an empty table and… Watch. Yep. He makes no attempt to keep them there. He just does his usual… And they…They just… Watch.
The servant girl/pianist approached the table where Kyouya's customers are sitting for the day. It is a far distance from where he is sitting but a good view of his cool form. She asked the customers if they want some tea. They obliged and she poured it for them, offering cake and cookies as well. She is about to leave when she heard someone call her name. She turned around. It was the same girl as she saw that morning, the one who gave her evil looks. She is sitting with her legs crossed, her palm under her chin, smiling rather sadistically at her. Though suspicious, Yuri sweetly smiles and says, "Yes?"
The second-year uncrossed her legs then stood up. "Walk with me."
Puzzled and still holding her tray of teacups and cake, Yuri followed her to a secluded corner near the window, far away from everybody else. The girl turned around and smiled then circled around Yuri so that her back would be to the rest of the club. Yuri turned around to face her and the room. Now that they can't see her face, the girl's smile turned into a frown. There's a malicious glint in her eyes that Yuri suddenly felt her body tense.
"Yuri-san," she said, coldly.
"Is there anything you need from me senpai?" she said politely.
The girl smiled, maliciously. "As a matter of fact, there is something you can do for me." The smiled disappeared. "I need you to stay away from Kyouya-kun."
Yuri gave a start. "Huh?"
The girl tilted her head to the side. "I see the way you get close to Kyouya-kun, attracting his attention. That pathetic stunt today about helping that Grade School girl was a way to get his concern for poor little Yuri-san. Tsk, tsk, tsk" She shook her head as if she feels sorry for her. "Just so you know financial aid girl, Kyouya-kun belongs to me. And how could you even think that a guy like him, prestigious and intelligent would be attracted to a no-name poor girl like you who needs the government to pay for her tuition 'cause she can't afford it."
Yuri narrowed her eyes at the sudden accusation and insult. "Excuse me? What is your problem? Just because the government pays for me to go here does not mean you can insult me. You don't even know me. And Kyouya-senpai? I'm his kohai and nothing else. I don't see him in that way and I don't think I ever will. You want Kyouya-senpai? You can have him. I don't care." She smiled sweetly even though her insides are burning with humiliation. She's in her dark mode and no one crosses her when she's like this. "But if you ever, ever, insult me again, you better watch it. You don't know me and you don't know what I'm capable of."
The girl giggled, mockingly. "Oh, I'm so frightened by a poor-girl." She walked around Yuri again so that they are switching places. She smiled sweetly. Too sweetly. "I'm glad we had this talk Yuri-san."
With another malicious smile, she started walking away from the window. Passing by Yuri, the girl knocked the tray off Yuri's hands with her elbow. The porcelain fell on the floor with a loud crash that everyone inside the Music Room looked up from whatever they were doing. The girl placed her hands over her mouth in "horror".
"Oh, I'm sorry Yuri-san. I'm so clumsy."
The black-haired, pink-streaked girl just stared, disbelievingly, at the floor. That did NOT just happen. That girl… That evil little witch! Who does she think she is?
"Oh no! The cakes!" Hunny said, in horror.
"Only Hunny-senpai would be more worried about the cake than Yuri," Hikaru said, as he and Kaoru and a few of their customers went to see the commotion like it's a tourist attraction.
Haruhi is instantly out of her seat and, like a mother hen to her chicks, ran towards Yuri. "Are you alright? What happened?"
"Oh, Haruhi-kun," the evil witch said, in fake worry. "It was an accident. I'm such a klutz."
"I'm fine Haruhi," Yuri said, in a soft calm voice, her eyes on the debris in front of her.
"My daughter! How-."
"No harm done senpai. Really
Meanwhile, Kyouya finished what he was typing then stood up and approached the small group that had formed around Yuri.
"Yuri-."
"I'll clean it up senpai, don't worry."
"Yes, please do. And I just want to inform you that the cost of the broken dishes and the uneaten cakes are added to your debt."
Once frozen with numbness, Yuri looked up, startled and angry.
"What?"
"The broken dishes-."
"I heard what you said senpai. But why are you adding this to my debt? It wasn't my fault!"
"You can't really expect the Host Club to have the customer pay for accidentally breaking the dishes."
"You can if it was on purpose," Yuri insisted, losing her patience.
"Oh dear, Yuri-san, are you saying that I did that on purpose?" the evil witch sweetly said with a horrified look. "Kyouya-kun, it was an accident. You know me enough that I would never do anything like this."
"You're lying! She's lying senpai!"
"I have known Azami Saitama since Elementary school Yuri. Now, clean this up." He turned to everybody else. "Please return to your businesses. Nothing else is apparent here."
Then he walked away, leaving Yuri with the mess and the blame. Azami, the witch, smirked at her then returned to her table.
Shaking with fury, she dropped on her hands on the floor to pick up the shards and the wasted pastries. How could Kyouya do that? She didn't do anything! Seriously, if he really knows that girl, then he would know that she is evil, sadistic, and totally unworthy of his affections! If ever he does see her in that way… And is that witch blind? How could she say that she, Katherine Yuri Inoue, could ever be attracted to Kyouya Ootori?! That's only going to happen when it starts raining gumdrops!
Preoccupied with her angry thoughts, Yuri realized too late that upon picking up the last, not to mention the biggest and sharpest, shard of porcelain, she picked it up too hastily that the next thing she knew, she is hissing in pain at the fresh new cut it made on her index finger.
This is SO not my day, she screamed in her head, as blood began to flow from the wound. First, a cat scratches my arm. Now, this?!
"Oh man, Yuri."
Haruhi kneeled down next to her and took her hand, despite jealous protests from the customers she left behind.
"My daughter!!!"
"She's alright senpai. The cut's not that deep so there's no need to take her to the nurse."
"But Haruhi-."
"Just go back to your customers and let me take care of this."
She inspected the cut closely as Tamaki went back to his group, occasionally shooting worried glances in the two girls' direction. Haruhi told Yuri to sit at one of the empty couches while she throws out the broken shards. Yuri does so, too tired and disgruntled to argue. Haruhi entered the pantry and emerged with the First Aid Kit. As the brown-haired girl tended to her cuts, Yuri can feel the jealous eyes of Haruhi's customers.
"Kyouya-senpai is such a pain," she mumbled, flinching from the alcohol-dabbed cotton ball.
"Hmm… I guess so," Haruhi, replied, nodding.
"I mean, that wasn't my fault! That girl, she did it! She thought I like Kyouya. Like, no! I mean, I like him as a senpai and a friend and all but for her to take it to the next level… Ugh... I can't stand it Haruhi! How do you stand him?!"
Haruhi only shrugged as she disposed the bloody cotton ball inside a plastic bag. "I guess it's because I've been in the Host Club longer." She took out a clean cotton ball and wet it with a little bit of alcohol. "I've grown used to him increasing my debt every time I break something, whether on purpose or by accident."
"But at least you broke them. I didn't break anything."
"I know you didn't. I was watching you both and I saw what she did." She placed the cotton ball inside the plastic bag and took out a tin of band-aids. Taking one out and wrapping it around Yuri's finger, she continued, "I doubt he'll bother listening to me anyway. He mostly cares about the customers."
She began to pack up the bottle of alcohol, the band-aid tin, and cotton balls inside the First Aid Kit. "But you know, despite Kyouya-senpai, being who he is, he really does have the best of intentions. You have to admit, he can be kind in his own way."
Yuri scoffed. "Right."
Haruhi chuckled. "I'll just put this back."
The other girl shook her head and took the First Aid Kit from her. "Let me. You're customers look like they're about to murder me so you better go back and explain yourself."
Haruhi sighed. "Right. Pretending to be a boy is a pain sometimes"
Yuri patted her friend's arm, sympathetically.
_ _ _
5:30 P.M.
The Host Club is now closed. Come Again Soon!
After the tables have been cleaned, the dishes washed and dried, and the Automatic Fish Feeder turned on, the two only female members of the Host Club got their things ready to leave after another tiring day of entertaining girls who have so much time in their hands. The twins had left earlier and so did Mori and Hunny. Kyouya went to do "some unfinished business with a client" and so Tamaki is sitting at the piano, waiting for Kyouya to come back so they can leave together. So, out of mere curiosity and boredom, he borrowed one of Yuri's piano pieces,Yiruma's River Flows In You.
"Tamaki-senpai, we're leaving," Haruhi informed him.
He looked up from his piano playing to look at the two girls at the door. "Kyouya is not here yet?"
They shook their heads. He sighed sadly and waved.
"Mata ashita!" they said.
"Mata ashita my daughters," he replied.
Haruhi rolled her eyes while Yuri shook her head. They waved back and left the room. They had an exhausting day. Despite, her injuries, Yuri still had to play the piano and take requests. Haruhi had told Kyouya what really happened with Azami but he only nodded and didn't remark. She almost yelled at him to get his head together and do the right thing but Yuri told her to just drop the subject. The last thing she wants it to have her and Haruhi's debt raised higher than it already is.
Together, they walked down the hall, talking about schoolwork, the sale at the grocery store that weekend, and Tamaki's sudden interest in her Music Binder which he would occasionally stare at with interest until Yuri finally asked him if he wants to look at the songs she has in there. Since most of the songs in her collection or western and "commoner", Tamaki appeared delighted and begged her to lend some to him so he can make copies. And so, her piano pieces for David Archuleta's Crush and Angels, Bryan Adams' Here I am, High School Musical's What I've Been Looking For and Breaking Free, the Jonas Brothers' Hello Beautiful, and, of course, Yiruma's River Flows In You are currently in the Host Prince's possession.
As the two girls turned a corner, they stopped in their tracks: Kyouya and the witch… Er… Azami are both talking. A very serious conversation it seems. They hid behind the wall, peeking from the side, curiously.
"What's he doing with her?" Yuri hissed.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you sound jealous," Haruhi whispered, containing her giggle.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous of her?" she whispered back, irritated.
They are so busy watching Kyouya and Azami that they did not notice a third person slink behind them until he said, "Why are you whispering?"
They jumped and Yuri almost shriek but clamped her hand over her mouth just is time. They breathed deeply when they realized it's just Tamaki.
"Shhh…." they both said.
"We're trying to hear senpai," Haruhi said.
The Host King looked stunned for a moment then nodded, silently. The three strained their ears to hear the conversation.
"… mistaken Kyouya-kun," Azami was saying, insistently. "I would never do that."
"We have a witness Azami-san," Kyouya coolly replied.
The girl placed her hands on her hips. "Really? And who is star witness of yours?"
"That information is confidential. We cannot allow you to attack someone out of mere anger during or even outside club hours." He pushed his glasses higher up his nose. "Now, Azami-san, if you ever pull a stunt like that on Yuri or any club member ever again, I will have no choice but to ban you from attending the Host Club, which is a shame by the way since you are one of our best customers. However, for now, I will let you off with a warning."
Azami looks like she wants to argue but she pursed her lips, turned around, and walked away… Rather… Stomped away.
"Way to go senpai," Haruhi whispered.
"What just happened?" Tamaki asked quietly, clueless at the situation.
Meanwhile, Yuri stood surprised and thunderstruck. He… Did that… For her?... He dissed one of his own customers to defend her? No one's ever done that for her before… She's always been the one who defended other people… It's such a nice… Funny feeling… She can feel something in the pit of her stomach that she can't describe… She's… Touched… By what he did…
Kyouya's glasses glinted through the lights as he fixed it again. Then, without turning around to look at them, he said, "You three can come out now."
Sheepishly, they emerged from their hiding place. He now turned to face them.
"I could hear you, you know," he said, smirking. "Tamaki, I'll wait for you outside."
Tamaki remained rooted to the spot. "Kyouya, what hap-."
"I'll explain later." He turned around and began to walk away.
Yuri, without thinking, followed him. Haruhi stayed back, knowing they need to talk. She just hopes it's not going to result to another war.
_ _ _
"Senpai! Matte!"
Kyouya stopped and turned around. "Yes?"
Yuri just stood staring at him for a bit. When her eyes connected with his, she had a startling revelation. She never noticed how… Nice his eyes are before. They're too dark to be brown or grey but too light to be black… Kind of in between… Like his personality. Not too evil, not too nice. Just in between…
Why on earth am I thinking about his eyes?! she scolded herself.
She shook her head free from the thoughts before bowing and saying, "Arigatou."
"For?"
"For what you did just now."
He chuckled lightly. "I would do that for any club member Yuri. After all, as Vice President, my concern is that there should be no enmity between any member of the Host Club and a customer to ensure that that customer will return. You do understand that right?"
"Right. I'll try to understand the part when you added the broken dishes to my debt, which I still don't get because you know that that wasn't my fault. But the part about you actually caring, well, that I kind of do understand."
She gave him a small smile and returned to Haruhi before he can think of a comeback that he is NOT the caring type.
He can feel the blood rush into his cheeks as her words replayed in his head. He doesn't care! He's the Shadow King! Why is it that whenever this girl talks about how… Nice he is… It always gives him a funny feeling that he has no words to describe. What on earth is this girl doing to him?!
_ _ _
The next day, the members of the Host Club are informed to meet at the club room earlier than usual. Yuri asked Haruhi to let the others know that she'll be late since she has to stop by the library really quick before going to the Third Music Room. When Haruhi entered the club room, a question mark appeared at the top of her head when she saw all the Hosts gathered at Kyouya's table, watching something on his laptop. Yes, even Hunny had stayed away from his cake and is sitting on Mori's shoulder to see the laptop, though he has a cupcake with a bite mark on one side on his hand.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" she asked, placing her things on one of the couches. "I thought we're going to have a meeting?"
"We are," Kaoru replied, without looking at her. "But Kyouya-senpai found something on the internet that is very interesting."
"Very interesting indeed," Hikaru added.
"I merely want my laptop back and they refuse to budge until they see this video I accidentally found on a commoner website," Kyouya defended.
"It's terrible Haruhi," Tamaki said, dramatically though his eyes did not stray from the video. His cheeks are red. "It's terrible how these evil doppelgangers invade in your darling sister's private life. It's terrible! Terrible! I can't take it!"
And to Haruhi's surprise, the Host Prince broke out of the group and ran like a maniac towards the pantry, shutting the door behind him. Confused and curious, Haruhi approached the remaining members. She looked over the twins' shoulders and what she saw made her go pale and stumble backwards. No wonder Tamaki ran off!
"Y-You guys, t-that's…" Haruhi simply has no words. How could they? Were they really that curious? What is wrong with them? Does Yuri know?
She backed away slowly. She's going to run as fast as she can to the library and-.
The door opened and a "Sorry I'm late" floated throughout the room.
The Hosts at the table looked up. Haruhi looked at Yuri in horror. Oh no! Should I tell her? Or should I go over there and hide that laptop. No, I don't think Kyouya-senpai will appreciate that…
"Nice to see 'ya Yu-chan!" Hunny greeted, waving. "Let's go grab some cake before the meeting Takashi."
"Okay," Mori answered, walking towards the pantry. There are pink tints on his cheeks.
And like Tamaki before him, he shut the door.
Yuri raised an eyebrow as she placed her things next to Haruhi's. That was a bit weird. Wait… Why are the twins are looking at her strangely? Not to mention mischievously? She wonders what they're up to. And why is Haruhi looking at her like that?
That is when she noticed Kyouya's laptop. A familiar song and a familiar conversation is emitting from the speakers. What the-?
She walked quickly towards the table and squeezed herself in between the twins. Kyouya tried to minimize the window but she grabbed laptop and turned it towards her. Her jaw fell open in shock.
I thought Cami deleted this!
The Hosts were watching a video on the commoner website known as Youtube. Yuri recognized Cami's account and the very few videos her friend posted in there. She saw in the description that Cami had only put their last names and not their first. That must be how they found the vid. Just type in her last name and the video will pop out. And they found that one vid from last year… That one vid when she had let herself go and actually have fun…
Video
They, at first, look miserable with their mops and buckets of soap water. They got into trouble for "starting" a fight in the training grounds that morning when a member from a rival team called Yuri an "emo Japanese chick" and some insulting words that she does not wish to repeat for the sake of the reader. This had provoked Jake which led him to nearly pummel the guy into a pulp. So, here they are, cleaning the giant gym from that day's training sessions as a price for "disrupting the class".
Cami, for some reason, brought a camera and began filming them in the middle of cleaning while they were taking a break.
Yuri is sitting Indian-style with a bucket and a mop on her right side and a red, black-streaked haired Mandy on her left. Both girls are wearing sleeveless shirts (Yuri in black and Mandy in purple), a pair of jean shorts, and sneakers. And… She's laughing… Hysterically.
"… his face was priceless!" Mandy was saying, also laughing.
"I know!" A shaggy blonde-haired boy, Jake, suddenly appeared beside Yuri and placed an arm over her shoulders. "That's what he gets for insulting our Japanese girl..."
"You know, as funny as that was, you really shouldn't have done it," Yuri answered. "But I admit, it was satisfying to see the black eye."
They started laughing again. Camille, who was holding the camera, is shaking with laughter. The video became a little blurry before focusing again.
"Hey! Someone left the boom box here."
The camera switched to two boys, one with light brown hair (Dylan) and the with dark brown hair (David).
"Cool!" Cami said, her voice loud because she is nearest to the camera. "Play something! I'm bored!"
There were shouts of agreement and David began taking out the CD's next to the boom box. "Okay you guys. Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, or Brittney Spears?"
"Put in N*Sync!" Jake called.
David put in the CD and music blasted throughout the gym. The two boys began bobbing their heads to the music.
You might've been hurt, babe
That ain't no lie
You've seen them all come and go (ooooh)
"You are so not serious," Yuri said, as the camera returned to her. She, Mandy, and Jake watched in the dancing boys' direction for a while until the camera turned to the two boys again.
Dylan had gotten an idea and started swinging his mop in a really cool dance. David, beside him, mimicked his friend's moves and soon, they had choreographed a dance.
Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don't wanna lose it again
But I'm not like them
Yuri's voice floated from somewhere near the camera. "Oh my gosh! That's so cool! Teach me that!"
The camera followed her as she got up from the floor, grabbed her mop, and joined the two boys across the gym. Dylan began to show her the dance moves and she followed them with ease. Yes. She and the two boys are dancing with a mop.
Every little thing I do
Never seems enough for you
You don't wanna lose it again
But I'm not like them
Baby, when you finally
Get to love somebody(somebody)
Guess what, it's gonna be me
It's gonna be me (eeaeayeh)
There came a squeal and soon, Mandy and Jake are brandishing their mops. A few seconds later, the camera is set down somewhere where it can capture all of them and a blonde-hiared girl, Camille appeared and joined in. They decided to rewind the song and do the whole thing from the beginning.
At the end, they started laughing, hysterically. Then, Jake came up behind Yuri and grabbed her by the waist and spun her around. She giggled, uncontrollably, screaming for him to put her down.
"Awww… Aren't they the cutest?" Mandy said, in between laughs.
"Like, yeah!" Cami agreed, running towards the camera. Soon, the blonde-haired, pink wearing girl disappeared from the video and the camera began to move again.
Then, the video ended with Jake chasing Yuri around the room and the others commenting about how cute they look, the N*Sync song playing in the background.
End
"I can't believe you guys watched this without notifying me!" Yuri screamed, as she quickly exited the window. She stomped, irritated, towards one of the couches and plopped down on it, her arms crossed.
I am SO having a talk with Cami tonight!
"Kyouya-senpai, how could you?!" she shrieked.
He simply shrugged in reply and returned to his laptop.
Meanwhile, Hikaru and Kaoru are suddenly on either side of her, their arms draped across her shoulders.
"My, my, my," Hikaru said. "Aren't we a little irritated today?"
"I'm irritated because you saw a video of me that you are not supposed to see!"
"But why not?" Kaoru said. "You were so cute!"
"But Kaoru, even if she did look cute, you are still the cutest to me."
"Hikaru, don't say that. You're embarrassing me."
"Forgive me. But, you are just so adorable when you're embarrassed."
"Hikaru…"
The twins' faces began to get close. Yuri rolled her eyes and pushed their faces apart, forcefully with her hands, before getting up from the couch and stomping away. The twins, meanwhile, started laughing at their own act.
"But, seriously Yuri," Kaoru said, wiping a tear from his eye. "You were quite amazing. You never told us you dance."
"And we've never seen much of your skin before," Hikaru added, chuckling. "Except that time with the Hawaii theme."
"But that wasn't much," his twin said. "The skirt was too long. This time, your lovely legs caught our attention. Even tono went red in the face and hid inside the pantry."
Yuri blushed. She only wore that outfit that day because 1.) It was summer!, 2.) They were cleaning!, and 3.) Cami made her! Groaning, she fell face down on a different couch across from where the twins are sitting. Haruhi, who had remained nervous throughout the whole ordeal, patted the back of her head and began to say words which she hopes are comforting.
"By the way, why were you and your friends cleaning a gym?" Kaoru asked.
Yuri got up and sat Indian-style on the couch. "We were at detention. My friend beat up a guy who insulted me during class."
"You looked pretty cozy with him," Hikaru commented.
Both are grinning, as if they want to suggest something. And she perfectly knows what they're thinking.
"He's my bestfriend! What do you expect?"
"Suuuuurrrrre," they chorused.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Yuri and the others, Kyouya had saved the link of the video. And while he was watching it with the others, he can't help but stare at the Yuri in the video. She's so… Different. There is a different kind of joy in her face. One that is actually genuine, unlike the ones in the other two videos in the same account (yes, he watched them too.)
In one video, she was just sitting on a couch, clutching a book called "Twilight" while her two friends seem to be having a heated discussion with the boys about "why women are attracted to vampires." In another video, she is joining in a debate about a character named "Adrian" from a show called "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (Kyouya can tell that she dislikes this character by her bitter and sarcastic remarks about Adrian"virtue")… And you may ask, how did he find videos of Yuri when he can't even find a single information about her? Well… He found the videos while randomly typing her name on Google. For some reason, Yuri and here friends were careful not to say their first names on the videos and had simply stated their last names in the description.
However… The reader must know… He read the comments on that particular video… The suggestive comments about Yuri made Kyouya's blood boil. How could they talk so… Inappropriately about her? Don't they have morals? And has Yuri read any of those comments… And… When that blonde-haired guy placed an arm around her shoulders… When he wrapped his arms around her waist and twirled her around… Kyouya, for some reason, felt something tearing at his heart. He finds that he wants to be in that video. He wants to be the one twirling her around while she giggles. And he-.
Surprised at these sudden thoughts, Kyouya shook his head free from them. What is he thinking anyway? And why did he suddenly think them?! Is he delusional?!
Getting himself together, Kyouya cleared his throat.
"Hikaru, Kaoru, call Tamaki, Hunny-senpai, and Mori-senpai from the pantry," he ordered, opening a new window on the laptop. "Since we are all here, it's time to start the meeting."
A few minutes later, Tamaki came back out, red in the face when he saw Yuri. She told him to erase the images from his mind. Mori simply looked at her then patted her on the head while Hunny went on and on about how "Kawaii!" she was in that video.
When they had gathered at his table, each member on an individual chair, Kyouya stood up and turned his laptop around to show them a chart.
"What you're seeing are ticket sales," he explained. "As you can see, the sales ended today and are officially sold out. Most of the tickets were bought by members of the Kendo Club and Karate Club."
Haruhi raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"Ticket sales for what, exactly?"
"I'm getting to that. This ticket sale is for the kendo match between Yuri and Mori-senpai."
Mori and Yuri's heads shot up in attention. "Eh?" they chorused.
Kyouya fixed his glasses before continuing. "I recall Mori-senpai challenging Yuri to a kendo match last Saturday. I though this would be a perfect opportunity to gain more profits don't you think?"
"But Kyouya-senpai," Yuri said, raising her hand. "Don't you think it's a little… Too public? I mean, I was hoping it would be nice, simple match at a dojo or something. With just the Host Club as the audience. I mean, something could go wrong and-."
"I know what you're thinking Yuri but I already took care of everything. Trust me, it will be worth it."
"But-."
"Mori-senpai, any objections?"
Mori thought about this for a minute. They waited for his decision, anxiously. Finally, he looked up at them and nodded. "It's fine with me."
"But senpai-," Yuri started to protest.
"You'll be alright. I'll talk to the Kendo Club about it so they'll know why we're having a match." Mori smiled encouragingly at her.
Kyouya clapped his hands once. "It's decided then. The match is this Friday. All of our customers are going to be there so it won't hurt to do some hosting before it begins. The rest of the tickets have been bought by more than one-fourth of the male students."
Yuri facepalmed. Haruhi patted her on the shoulder, sympathetically.
"Now, Tamaki. You said you wish to discuss something?"
Tamaki cleared his throat and stood up, looking professional. "I want you all to get ready for Thursday's theme which is…" He continued looking serious and they all waited, curious. "Circus."
Everyone, except Kyouya, fell on the floor, anime-style.
_ _ _
Friday
2:50 P.M.
Welcome to the Kendo Match between Takashi Morinozuka and Yuri Inoue.
It is beautiful and nice sunny day with a slight breeze. A perfect day. Outside of Ouran Academy, in the open meadow, bleachers have been installed in a circle for that day's Kendo Match. The stands are filled with the audience. More than half are girls, frequent customers of the Host Club and the rest are boys. Boys from the Kendo Club… Boys from the Karate Club… Even boys from the Football team and the Basketball team are there. The three sole members of the Newspaper Club are also among the crowd, covering the match for their next issue which, they hope, people will buy since it involves the Host Club.
Renge and the twins had volunteered to be the commentators for the match and are in the commentator's box, entertaining the audience with fun stories and whatnot. Of course, the twins are using their brotherly love act which causes the female audience to shriek in delight with the male audience covering their ears. Tamaki and Kyouya are in a box of their own. Kyouya is calculating the expenses of the bleachers that they had temporarily installed and the snacks provided for the audience while Tamaki is talking to his usual customers behind him, expressing his concern for his darling daughter but knows that "Mori-senpai will surely take care of her."
Meanwhile, Haruhi is concerned about Yuri. Deeply concerned. The poor girl, in her borrowed Kendo outfit (Kaori's), couldn't stay still and have been pacing and muttering about Kyouya being a jerk for scheduling the match so soon and leaving her not much time to prepare. Both girls are in a tent outside the temporary arena while Mori is in another tent nearby with Hunny and a few members of the Kendo Club.
"Yuri, just relax," Haruhi cooed from where she is taking out water bottles from a cooler and placing them in paper bags. She has the feeling that they are a necessity based on the obvious stress on Yuri's face. "You'll be fine."
Yuri stopped her pacing. "Right. I'll be fine. Just fine." She chuckled nervously. "Sure… I'm going to embarrass myself out there Haruhi! I'll be a laughingstock!"
Haruhi grabbed her by the shoulders to keep the other girl from pacing again. "You'll. Be. Fine. Okay?" With each word, she gave her friend and a gentle shake.
"Right. Right. Sorry." Yuri gave her a faint smile. "It's just that… I've never been challenged to a Kendo match with lots of people around before and… Well, it's making me really nervous."
Haruhi sighed. "Just get out there and do your best okay? I think that's all that matters here. You don't have to win. So, Mori-senpai challenged you? So what? I don't think he'll see you as a joke if you lose against him. He's not going to treat any different than he usually does. So, just calm down, okay?"
Her friend nodded, gratefully. "Thanks Haruhi."
The two girls heard the swish of the tent entrance and turned their heads toward it. Mori came in, also dressed in his Kendo outfit, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Haruhi, can I talk to Yuri alone please?" he asked.
Haruhi gave a start. "Oh. Sure." She grabbed the paper bags full of water bottles and some towels. "I'll see you guys in a few."
She exited the tent, leaving the two alone. Mori turned to Yuri.
"You nervous?"
"Yeah. A lot."
"I can tell." He cracked a smile. "But don't be." He ruffled her wavy hair. "When I challenged you to this match, it was not only because your cousin asked me to." Yuri looked up at him curiously. "When your cousin mentioned that she used to train at my family's dojo and that she taught you, I wanted to see. I wanted to know how long you would last against me and what your capabilities are. I wanted to know if your cousin taught you well." He smiled at her. "I hope you don't mind."
The young girl shook her head. "Not at all senpai."
Mori smiled, gave her a nod, and exited without another word. Sighing softly, Yuri sank on a chair. She grabbed a hair scrunchie and placed her hair on a ponytail. Mori's right. She'll be alright. Like Haruhi said, he's not going to treat her any different if she loses against him. Calmed by this thought, Yuri began to relax a little.
_ _ _
"Hohohohoho. Hohohohoho. And now, the moment we've all been waiting for, Morinuzuka versus Inoue!"
Renge's voice echoed throughout the arena. The crowd went wild as the two competitors entered the circle. They met at the center and bowed before returning to the side where a companion is waiting for them. Hunny and a member of the Kendo Club are with Mori while Haruhi is with Yuri.
"Now, this match, as you all know was arranged by our darling Kyouya-kun," Renge said, her eyes turning dreamy. Even if she now has a crush on Haruhi, her obvious affections for Kyouya are still apparent at times. The crowd sweatdropped as she began to speak about their "darling, perfect Kyouya" instead of the match.
Finally the twins tapped her on the shoulder and whispered on her ear.
"Oh right! The match." She giggled nervously and began explaining the rules of Kendo.
She has to speak quickly of course since the crowd is getting anxious and excited. Finally, when she went over the last rule, the two competitors put on their protective armor and helmet, grabbed their shinai (wooden swords), and met each other in the middle of the ring. The referee, actually a member of the Kendo Club who volunteered to be the referee, gave the signal.
Mori came at her so fast that Yuri didn't even realize until her instinct told her to block the attack. Wood crashed against wood as each attack is blocked by Yuri. He's too fast for her… As fast Kaori when they were training for the last few days. Yuri can feel the burn in her arms as she struggled to find an opening while at the same time, blocking his sword. She can barely hear Renge and the twins' comments, the roar of the crowd, and the squeals of Mori's admirers. She can't hear Haruhi's and Hunny's shouts of encouragement and Tamaki's worried cries. All she hears are her shouts and Mori's. All she hears is the sound their swords made as they connected. She is aware of her constant loss of breath but she's used to this. She's used to being pushed to the limit like this. And though it's painful, she can honestly say that it feels good to be battling.
After what feels like hours of just blocking attacks, the whistle blew and the round ended. It was a draw. The members of the Kendo Club are shocked. Since when did Mori ever battle someone with it ending on a draw? But, one said it's just the first round. He'll make it up on the next. But the next is the same: Mori attacking and Yuri blocking. This occurred until the fourth round. Everyone is confused… And astounded. There is no winner and there is no loser. What's more is that this is Takashi Morinuzuka! The future owner of the Morinuzuka dojo!
The fifth round, Yuri had grown accustomed to her senpai's moves, though he seems to be adding something new with each round. But, nonetheless, she is beginning to see openings. Gathering all her strength and nerve, she caused the crowd to gasp loudly and in sync as she began attacking Mori. Whether the third year boy is shocked or nonchalant with her sudden aggressiveness, it didn't show. He just blocked as she attacked him. And she did the same with his. However, this round, like the others, also ended in a draw.
The crowd is now in awe. They have no words to describe this.
The match went on for three hours and eight rounds. Unfortunately, they had to end it. When the two swords ended up under each opponent's chin, Kyouya knew that the match had gone long enough. Everyone has to go home since it's already 6 P.M. They never expected the match to go on this long. And with no winner or loser. Some went home disappointed. But most were delighted. The boys were glad that at least Mori did not lose to a girl. Meanwhile… The girls are happy because 1.) Mori did not get hurt, 2.) Mori did not lose, and 3.) That shows boys what girls are made of!
_ _ _
As she downed her second bottle of ice water inside her tent, Yuri sighed deeply. Okay. She didn't lose. But, she didn't win either. But that's okay. Right?
"Yuri? Can I come in?"
She looked up from where she is sitting. "Sure Mori-senpai."
The tall boy entered and just stood there for a while, watching her, not sure what to say. Finally, he gave her a small smile. "Good job today."
Then, he left.
_ _ _
The week after…
Kyouya Ootori is pleased… Very pleased… If he's not the Shadow King, you'll most likely see him skipping to class… Though as much as we long for that scene, it's just not possible… But… He is VERY pleased… You may ask why… Well… Let's go to the Third Music Room and see for ourselves, shall we?
The Host Club is currently in session. The Shadow King's fingers are flying over the calculator keys and the laptop keyboard, excitedly calculating and recording the profits of the day. The numbers are making him so happy, if that's even possible. They are very, very, very busy that day. They've never been this busy before. Well… It's all because of the new customers… Yes, new customers… And these new customers are not the usual bunch… No… Because these customers are boys. It's not just Kasanoda visiting Haruhi anymore. Nope. There are a lot more, but they're not at the Host Club to see Haruhi Fujioka… Nope, they're at the Host Club to see Yuri Inoue.
Ever since the results of the Kendo match, more and more boys seem to notice how different Yuri is from the other girls at Ouran. This girl is not concerned about her appearance, what she's wearing, or what other girls think about her. She's so… Different. And that's what they like about her. And Kyouya is very happy with this. She's attracting so many new customers and not just boys who saw her at the match. Boys who never saw the match got curious and started coming in small hordes to see if this Yuri girl is for real. Apparently, Renge had hired someone to take the video of the whole match which is now posted on the Host Club website and gets about 1000 hits every hour. The sudden requests for Yuri's company seem to make her an unofficial hostess.
"Eh, Nekozawa-senpai is here again?" Hikaru commented.
Kyouya perked up his ears at these words as his fingers ceased typing. He turned, and saw the black-clad third year enter the room and tap Yuri on the shoulder. She turned around, smiled warmly at him and told him to take a seat to which he obliged. Meanwhile, she is playing the piano and talking to the customers at the same time. The boys had grabbed chairs and had formed a semi-circle around her. Sometimes, they'd start a topic about one thing or another. Mostly, they just sit and watch her play, listening to her voice as she talks. And Umehito Nekozawa has been a frequent customer as well.
"Hmmm… That's the third time this week," Kaoru observed. "Doesn't he have duties with the Black Magic Club?"
"Don't know. I guess he leaves it to the Vice President."
Kyouya felt something tug at his heart as he watches the boys interact with Yuri... A really big urge to go over there and kick those boys out of the club room. Occasionally, one of them would ask for a one-on-one company with the girl. The others would oblige, with the request for one as well. She never gets to all of them by the time the club ends but they don't seem to mind. They can always talk to her in the hallway the next day.
Frustrated at the sudden realization that he is being an overprotective "mother" towards Yuri, he shook his head and pushed the thoughts aside. It doesn't matter. Yuri's customers are bringing in a lot of money. There's no need to be overprotective now. Right?