Chapter 4

"Oh Tamaki. My dearest Tamaki, why are you so beautiful?"

"I'm hoping to catch your eye even if it's just one second."

"Then why is your voice so very sweet and mellow?"

"To set your nerves at ease, so that my true feelings might reach your heart."

"Why are your eyes filled with tears every time you look at me?"

"Because the side of your beautiful smile causes the fountain inside of me to start overflowing."

I can't take it anymore! I'm in the emo corner...trying to get away from to over exposure to corny pick up lines! I hugged my knees and rocked back and forth. What have I done to deserve this? It was cosplay day and our theme was a traditional Japanese thing. I was wearing a Kimono along with every other host, I was hoping to stay there for the rest of the day...but Haruhi found me and dragged me out.

"If I have to go through with this you do to."

I tried to pull myself back but with no luck. I sighed and went back to being the waitress, in a kimono! Just an hour left and then I can go home. I found the twins and saw them with some girls.

"I think it's adorable that you're wearing matching kimonos."

"Our mother designed everything the hosts are wearing today. If you see something you like, we can take our order for you."Hikaru stated.

So you're the culprits behind all of this! You shall pay for this...

My thought were interrupted by Karou who said

"Our grandmother even helped us put them on."

Hikaru pulled his brother close to him and whispered seductivly "But you know the only one who will be undressing you with me, Kaoru."

Kaoru blushed "Hikaru, you're embarrassing me, in front of everybody."

I knew they were going to do that! I just knew it!

I decided to find a normal person to stay with...and by normal I meant Haruhi. I sat down with her as two girls came over and said

"Haruhi! You look so cute in your kimono."

"Almost like a girl."

Haruhi blankly replied "Thanks."

Suddenly the voice of Kyoya mad eme jump out of my skin.

"Haruhi, you've booked another appointment. It seems you had a pretty steady flow of new customers lately. Keep up the good work. I'm not going to charge you interest on your debt like I normally would. So keep this up, and you should be able to pay it off, although the rental fee on that kimono you're wearing is nothing to sneeze at."

Haruhi whispered to me "He is like some kind of heartless tax collector..."

I nodded as the girls gazed at him

"Hello Kyoya, I can't get over how great you look in that kimono. Are you planning to release any more picture books of the host club?"

Kyoya smiled "Unfortunately, we don't have anything planned presently, ladies."

Hikaru popped up and began "But doesn't the club make a lot of money?"

Kaoru came up and finished "From the sale of promotional items?"

Kyoya turned to them "That's true. But the items were poor quality. Those picture books were full of nothing but amateur hidden camera shots. However, if we want to create some higher-quality, money-making products, I'm afraid we have to draw money from the school budget."

If it wasn't for Kyoya, the host club would spiral into the depths of bankruptcy.

Suddenly I heard the cry of Hunny "Haru-chan, Mari-chan, I don't know how, but I have lost one of my sandals."

Haruhi bent down to him and asked "But you were just wearing them, weren't you?"

Mori, who had just popped up, said "Mitsukuni."

He grabbed Hunny's foot and put the missing sandal. Mori looked at him and said "I noticed that you dropped it."

Hunny cried and hugged Mori. While the girls looked at them all I could think about was that Mori had actually spoken! While in my daydream I bumped into Hikaru and something fell out of his sleve. I picked it up and asked

"what's this?" The twins stood next to me as Hikaru said

"For your information, it's common for a host to use eye drops."

"No woman alive can resist a man on the blink of tears." Kaoru smiled.

Well I can...and that must have been how they have been able to cry so easily.

I sighed as Haruhi stated "That's cheating."

Hikaru nuzzled her head "Oh, don't be such a party-pooper."

Kaoru held something in his hand and gave it to Haruhi "Here, Haruhi. This is for you."

I looked at it and it was a sweet, that looked like a peach. A girl came up to Haruhi and asked

"I didn't know you liked sweets, Haruhi."

Haruhi stammered "Oh, to be honest with you, I don't really. But, you know, I think it would be a nice memorial offering for my mother."

All the girls swooned as Tamaki rushed over...bringing his ego with him.

"How admirable of you! Such devotion to your mother's memory. Please, Haruhi, take as many as you like."

Haruhi just looked at him unimpressed "Let me guess. The tears are fake."

Tamaki gasped "How could you? My tears are always genuine, Haruhi. Being able to cry without the use of eye drops is the mark of a true host. Tell me. Do I impress you? Have you fallen for me yet?"

Pffft he wishes.

I looked at the door and saw a girl looking in, she was trying to hide herself but still wanted to look in. Everyone else noticed as the twins said in unison

"Looks like the host club has a brand-new guest."

They gracefully went to the door as Kaoru held a rose to her "Come on in. What are you waiting for?"

Hikaru continued "Watching from afar is no fun."

They both finished "Please, Miss."

Tamaki stood in front of them and said "Stop that. How many times do I have to tell you, boys to be more courteous to our first-time guests. Please, you don't have to be afraid, my princess. I welcome you to the Ouran host club. Yes?"

The girl pushed him away and screamed "No! Don't touch me, you phony!"

Tamaki stumbled back and looked at her in horror "What do you mean? I'm phony?"

She pointed at him and said with authority "Just what I said. You're phony. I find it hard to believe that someone like you is the prince character of this host club! You shouldn't go spreading your love around so easily like that you're stupid! You must be a dim-witted narcissist! You're incompetent! You're a commoner. You're disgusting."

Has it happened? Has the heavens smiled upon me today? Finally! A girl who hasn't fallen for his charms! Oh thank you lord thank you!

By this point Tamaki had fallen to the floor. Kyoya, who had been simply observing the entire time, asked

"I don't suppose you are..."

The girl cried and ran to him "It's you, Kyoya. Oh, I've longed to meet you. My one and only prince charming."

The club finished about an hour later as we sat down on the sofa's with the girl as she started explaining why she was here.

"You're fiancee?"

"Kyoya senpai?" Hikaru and Kaoru asked.

The girl replied "Of course. My name is Renge Hoshakuji. I'm transferring into Ouran academy's 1st-year class A tomorrow."

We all turned around and saw Tamaki in his emo corner, growing mushrooms for some reason. Hikaru asked

"Why is he sulking?"

Kaoru replied teasingly "Because mommy was keeping a secret from daddy."

Kyoya rolled his eyes and shook his head "Whatever. Why does everyone insist on referring to us like husband and wife?"

Renge had completly ignored the sulking Tamaki as she continued "Ours is the story of love at first sight. I couldn't resist the way you were adoring those flowers at back yard when you thought no one else was looking. And how sweet it was of you to reach out to that poor little injured kitten."

Hikaru and Kaoru just looked at her confused "She's serious?"

Me and Haruhi were just as confused, so Haruhi asked Renge "Could you have the wrong person?"

Renge shouted "No way! I could recognize my love anywhere. He's a gentleman who is kind to everyone and doesn't ask for anything in return. He likes solitude, but in fact sometimes he gets lonely. He looks like the star of the popular dating sim, Uki-doki Memorial. You're my real life Ichijo Miyabi."

She finished while pointing at Kyoya, and by this point we were all beyod confused. We kept on asking each other if this is the right Kyoya she's talking about? I mean...he's called the shadow king for god sake! Kyoya, who was just casually chilling on the sofa, said

"I get it now. You're in love with that character. You're projecting the love onto me, and you somehow deluded yourself that you're thinking we're engaged. I assume this Miyabi character probably wears glasses as well."

We all surrounded him as Tamaki asked "So, she made it up. You're not really her fiance, right?"

Kyoya replied "No, I don't remember ever asking for her hand in marriage. Besides this is the first time I've ever met the woman."

Well why didn't you tell us that before?!

Renge sat next to Kyoya and stated "According to my research, I understand that you are in charge managing the club. Is that true, Kyoya?"

Hunny hugged his bunny and said "That's right. Kyo-chan is our director."

Renge sighed and gazed into the distance "You are the club director. That's perfect. I've always wanted to wear a sandwich board to advertise a business."

Hikaru and Kaoru stated "We don't advertise. We're just a host club."

Renge completly ignored them and shouted "I've made up my mind. From now on, I'm to be the manager of this host club."

Tamaki went behind Kyoya and started "Listen, Kyoya."

But Kyoya interupted "Miss Hoshokuji is the only daughter of a very important Otori family client. So, please be polite and try not to offend her, all right?"

Renge looked at us and smiled "Well, boys, I can't wait to work with you." Well this should be fun...

The next day arrived quickly and all of the host club members were sitting at the sofa area, Tamaki then said to us

"I thought about it a lot last night, and maybe having a lady manager isn't such a bad idea."

Hikaru and Kaoru asked "Why do you say that?"

"Well, it's fairly obvious, isn't it? Renge just transferred into the same class as Haruhi. So if Haruhi has a girl friend around, it could bring up female within her. Renge's girlish air of tenderness might be able to stimulate haruhi's own sense of femininity."

I was just about tio argue when he continued "Now is our change to help Haruhi get in touch with feminine side. This is an important project, men. She doesn't have any friends in class right now except for these two shady twins. That's not good for her."

Right that's it! I looked at Tamaki and growled "what am I? Invisible? I'm Haruhi's best friend...and I'm a girl! So are you saying I'm no good for her?"

Tamaki looked at me rather frightened as the twins were snickering. Tamaki stuttered

"I-it's not that, you're a great friend to my little girl. You're my little girl to but you don't encourage Haruhi to get in touch with her feminine side."

I looked at him and smirked evily "you're digging yourself a hole here blondie...you better be careful from now on."

Tamaki gulped as the door opened and Renge walked in. She happily said

"Hey, everyone. You'd be happy to know that your new manager, Renge has baked all of you some cookies."

Tamaki, who was more than grateful that she arrived, shouted "Oh, isn't she lady-like? I'm so moved by your generosity."

Renge just looked at him unimpressed "I didn't bake these cookies for you, you phony prince."

Tamaki gasped and went to his emo corner.

Man this girl is getting better and better.

But then she had to turn all girly and flirt with Kyoya

"Oh sorry, I burnt them a little bit. I did the best I could. And I already know what you're going to say. Oh, you're always so sweet to me, Kyoya."

Hunny had tried one of the cookies and stated "She wasn't kidding these cookies really are burnt."

Mori, who is speaking more than usual, said "Don't eat that, Mitsukuni. It's bad for you."

All of a sudden Renge chased after them...while looking like Medusa? Poor Hunny was crying

"waaah she's scaring me!"

I sighed and went to Haruhi who had the cookies. I grabbed one as she did to, we both took a bite and we said

"They're not that bad at all. They've got a good flavor to them."

Hikaru lifted Haruhi's chin and asked "May I try?"

And while she had the cookie in her mouth...he took a bite of it! I was going to scream but Kaoru came up to me and whispered

"Oh oh, Maria, you've got crumbs on your face." He came close to me...and licked the crumbs off my face! Tamaki had realised what they were doing and started screaming

"Did you see what they just did it?"

Kyoya had just blinked and calmly said "And suddenly, the group of classmates are closer than they've ever been before."

I looked at Kaoru and rubbed my cheek "You know, you could just told me and I would wipe it off."

Haruhi nodded and looked at Hikaru "And if you wanted to try one, they're plenty here."

Tamaki grabbed both of us and screamed "That's not the way you're supposed to react. You have to stay strong and reject them, then casually brush them to the side. Do you understand?"

We just looked at him and said in unsion "This is sexual harassment, senpai."

Tamaki went wide eyed and shouted even louder "Sexual harassment? If that counts as sexual harassment, then they're twice as guilty! Someone, call the police."

Hikaru and Kaoru raised their hands in defense "Cut it out, boss. We're sorry."

As they continued arguing me and Haruhi casually started sliding away...but we were stopped by Renge's shouting.

"Every single one of you except for Kyoya, all of your characters are lukewarm. Each of you needs to have some sort of dark side. You understand? Girls are vulnerable to handsome young men who are troubled.

If you keep carrying on like this, it's only a matter of time before the girls get tired of you and stop coming all together. Are you trying to ruin my precious Kyoya's business?

As your manager, it's my duty to change your character backgrounds. Let's start with you! If all you are is cute, inside and out, then you're no different to a baby. Therefore, from now on, you are the baby faced thug.

And Mori sepnai, you are his childhood-friend flunky. The twins will be basket player who is slaved in their own world. Haruhi, you're an honor student who's constantly being bullied.

Maria, you're the pretty new girl who is constantly harrased by boys and always needs saving, the damsel in distress.

And as for you, Tamaki, you're the school idol who's admired for your good looks but you actually have an inferiority complex you're hiding from the world. The lonely prince."

Tamaki gasped as we all did.Why am I the damsel in distress? No fair! I wanna be a kick ass ninja or something!

And of course Renge just sighed dreamily to Kyoya "Oh, Kyoya, you're perfect just the way you are now. So I want you to stay as kind and affectionate as ever, 'kay?"

Kyoya put his hand to his chest and replied "Thank you, I'm honored."

Suddenly there was a spotlight on Tamaki...for some unknown reason as he said "The lonely prince. It's true. That title is perfect for me." 7

Haruhi looked of to somewhere, as if she was talking to someone "Yeah, right. She couldn't be farther from the truth."

Great now she's started talking to invisible people.

Hikaru and Kaoru pulled Kyoya away from Renge and whispered "Come on, Kyoya senpai."

"You've gotta do something."

Kyoya shrugged "Why? It seems like the boss is up for it."

We all looked at Tamaki who was posing and said "How does this look, Renge? Do you think these poses work for a lonely prince?"

Renge clasped her hands together and praised "Oh well, you're pretty good Tamaki. But you know it would be even more effective if you were standing in rain."

I walked over to Kyoya and tapped his shoulder

"come on, surely this has gone a bit too far."

Kyoya grinned "Let's just wait to see how things turn out. I bet it will be interesting. It always is."

The next day was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky and it was rather warm...but I was soaking wet from the movie that was being shot! Renge had decided to show off our new personalities by shooting a movie about us. I couldn't stop thinking about my scenario. In the script I'm in the school showers all alone, then some bullies come in and pin me against the wall trying to seduce me. And all I do is cry for help like a proper damsel in distress. I shook my head trying to get the idea out of it, I was sitting in a chair used in the movies as I saw Hunny crying to Haruhi

"So sorry, Haru-chan! I can't do this any more!" Renge looked like Medusa again and screamed

"Cut! Cut! Cut! Cut! What's wrong with you? You got to stick to the script. Stop rolling, camera man."

"Yes, boss."

"I want the rain to make things seem tragic."

The man, who was using a hose as rain, stopped it and Haruhi came to me with a towel in hand. Hikaru and Kaoru were sitting either side of me as Hikaru asked

"How'd it go from changing our characters to shooting a movie about them?"

Haruhi continued "And why is there an entire film crew here to shoot it?"

Kyoya looked up from his black notebook and said "Apparently, she flew them in from Hollywood. Don't you recognize the director? He directed the vampire movie, Millennial Snow. It was the No. 1 grossing box-office hit in America last year."

Damn these rich people.

Hikaru looked at the script and asked "And another thing, how come this stupid script portrays Kaoru as the pitcher?" Kaoru agreed as me and Haruhi asked

"What does that mean?"

The twins looked at us and said "If you don't now, never mind."

I just shook my head and gave Haruhi my seat, it was going to be my scene soon...I was dreading it. I was called on as I was told to get undressed.

"You want me naked? Forget it!"

The director looked at me and begged "come on darling it won't be for long, no one will be able to see youe body because were going to cover it up with steam."

I rolled my eyes "and what about the thugs who walk in and harrass me?"

He didn't say anything and as I was about to protest I heard a clang and a scream. I ran towards to sound and saw Haruhi on the ground next to Renge.

"Are you okay, Haruhi?"

Haruhi looked at Renge and said "That guy was right, Renge. You can't do that. If you judge people by their appearance you're stereotyping, then you'll never see the person inside."

I looked at the two boys who were standing there, bewildered. They had this harsh look about them and I'm guessing Renge stereotyped them to think they were part of a gang or something. As I figured out what had happened Tamaki came up next to me and shouted

"What happened, Haruhi?"

He looked at Haruhi who had tears in her eyes. He growled and pinned one of the boys against the wall

"So, which one of you jerks started this?"

The other boy panicked "Wait, Suou! It's not what you think. That girl started it. She was giving us a hard time."

Haruhi got up and defended them "He's telling the truth, senpai. It wasn't their fault. They were provoked."

Tamaki let go of the man as they ran away. He cupped Haruhi's head into his hands and asked

"Haruhi, are you in any pain?"

Haruhi rubbed her eye and said "Yeah, it's my contact."

Tamaki questioned "Your contact?"

Haruhi smiled "Yeah, I guess it must've slipped out."

Tamaki looked at her and laughed "I see how it is. You're able to cry without using eye drops. So, you're a full-fledged host now."

I chuckled as Renge shouted "You, you, please tell me you got that, Camera man."

The film crew behind us gave her a thumbs up.

Wait a minute when did they start filming that?

Renge continued "Other than Haruhi's contact falling out, that was an ideal final scene! All it needs now is a moving narration by my sweet Kyoya."

Just then Kyoya walked over and smashed the camera with a rock. The film crew gasped

"What'd you do to my camera?"

Renge looked at Kyoya and asked "Why? Is something wrong?"

Kyoya looked at Renge and put the rock down "I'm terribly sorry, but I cannot allow there to be any record of a club member engaging in violence. I think it caused enough trouble around here, Renge. Please stop being such a pest."

Woah...that's a bit harsh. I looked at Renge who had tears in her eyes.

"A pest. But you're supposed to pat me on the head and told me not to worry. You're supposed to be kind and affectionate, Kyoya. Why are you acting so differently now? Tell me why." Tears fell down her face as Tamaki stated

"Because that's not the real Kyoya."

Renge turned around to face us and fell to her knees and started crying. Haruhi knelt down to her and said

"Does it really matter? Who cares if Kyoya is a little different than you expected him to be. Take a good look at the person inside and get to know him little by little. It's a lot more fun that way."

She looked at Haruhi and continued to cry, I walked over to Kyoya and said

"surely you could have been a bit easier on her."

He looked at me and shook hsi head "if I didn't call her a pest...then she would never have known the real me."

He was right of course, he wasn't the perfect prince charming that Renge had hoped for. I went over to Renge and helped her up.

"I know you were expecting Kyoya to be the perfect guy you feel in love with in that game, but no one is perfect. We are all unique and there is a guy out there who is pefect for you. You just haven't met him yet."

She hugged me and said "you're so nice to me, why would you do that?"

I chuckled "because no one deserves to be unhappy."

I took her away and got her calm, we finished the movie everyone went home. Haruhi went home already because they shot my scene last. I got dressed into my normal clothes and when I got out of the changing rooms Kyoya was leaning against the wall waiting for me.

"Kyoya, what are you still doing here? I thought you would have gone home first."

He walked over to me and asked "there's something that I wanted to ask. Did you mean what you said to Renge? That no one deserves to be unhappy?"

Although I was a bit confused of why he was asking I replied "well yes I did. Even though she did get on my nerves a bit with this changing characters and shooting a movie business. She's not a bad person, she's kind at heart and I just hate seeing people unhappy."

He looked at me a bit dumbfounded and chuckled "you're a wonderful woman Maria." I blushed a little as Kyoya suddenly remembered.

"Oh by the way would you like a lift home?"

I panicked and hastily replied "oh no thanks! I'm not that far from here I'll be fine. Well see you on Monday bye!"

I ran off before he could say anything. I can't let him know...none of them can. The only one I can trust is Haruhi.

On Monday after school the host club welcomes their guests. They all shouted that they bought the DVD of all of us.

"I love the lonely prince."

"And the loving relationship between Hikaru and Kaoru was so sweet."

"I want to see Honey acting like a thug again."

"And Haruhi's poignant expression."

"And Maria looked so pretty as the damsel, she's so luckly to always be around the guys."

Tamaki looked at Kyoya and questioned what was going on. Kyoya simply replied

"I may have broken the camera's lens, but the footage that we had already shot wasn't damaged. Naturally, I did cut out that one violent scene. Sales have been pretty good so far. That Hollywood film crew did a fantastic job. But I guess that's to be expected."

Hikaru and Kaoru asked "So, is this what you meant by interesting?"

Kyoya looked up from his black notebook "It's best to have as much money as we can in the club's budget."

Haruhi whispered to me "And just when did he start calculating all of this?" I shrugged, knowing him he probably did it as soon as Renge appeared.

And speak on the devil Renge came in and said "Good day, everyone."

We all turned to look at her as Tamaki asked "Renge? But I thought you've gone back to France already."

Renge sighed and grabbed Haruhi's hands "I can't believe I didn't realize this sooner. It was so chivalrous of you to risk your life to protect me. I can feel the love when you lectured me about judging people. When you said it was fun to get to know people little by little, you were talking about me."

Haruhi just blinked and said "Yeah..."

Renge pulled Haruhi by the arm and yelled "Come on, Haruhi. Let's go to my house and play some games together. I think it's time you got to know me better."

Hikaru looked at Kyoya and began "Hey, Kyoya senpai."

"You okay with that?" Kaoru finished.

Kyoya simply shrugged "Why wouldn't I be? Everything Renge said is true."

Tamaki popped up and screamed "No, it isn't."

Kyoya chuckled "But I thought you are the one who wanted her to have a female friend in the first place."

Tamaki screamed "Oh, yeah female companion. Not a girlfriend!"

Renge continued to pull Haruhi away as Tamaki ran after them crying "No, wait. Don't take Haruhi from me."

I laughed and looked at Kyoya, remembering about his offer to take me home. I wish I just had the courage to tell the guys about me...and my life.

A/N: Oooo a cliffhanger! I have decided to hint about Maria's home life...but of course it won't be given away so easily. Mwahahahaha! I of course have planned when you find out what her home life is like. And because I'm so nice, I'll tell you that I'm going to make my own part of the story which is linked into episode 10. But that's all I'm saying to you. Anyway I hope you liked it and I love you all! Bye bye :)