Chapter 6

"So boss, what should our next theme be?"

"I don't know I'm trying to think!"

It was the 500th time Hikaru asked Tamaki what our theme was for today. We all got to the host club early to decide on a cosplay theme but Tamaki was having a hard time thinking. Haruhi whispered next to me

"you're pretty creative Maria, think of something before Tamaki's brain explodes."

I laughed and thought for a moment...then I snapped my fingers "Hey Tamaki! How about we do an Arabian theme?"

Tamaki looked at me and hugged me tight "oh your such a clever girl! Daddy's so proud of you! Come on everyone, we have no time to loose!"

He finally let me go and ran off with the others to sort everything out for this afternoon. I was sprawled on the floor trying to breath again, then a voice behind me laughed

"looks like you got Tamaki's hug of death."

"Not funny Haruhi." I moaned as she helped me up.

They boys came back with all the equipment for this afternoon, they gave me a costume and told me to get changed while they decorated the room. I went into the changing room and put on my Arabian themed outfit. My tummy showed at the top stopped just under my chest...I looked like princess Jasmine from Aladdin. I sighed and went back to the others. Everything was decorated perfectly and they were all dressed.

Man these guys don't waste time.

Tamaki sat in his chair and we all surrounded him. The door opened suddenly and we all said "Welcome to the Ouran host club."

But when we looked it was a little boy in a green uniform.

Hikaru sighed "Oh, it's just a kid."

Kaoru continued "Not only that it's just a boy."

Tamaki looked at the boy and asked "What's wrong, little boy? Did you come to my palace in search for something?"

The boy looked at Tamaki "Are you the king of this place?"

Oh no...he said it.

Tamaki sighed happily and asked "Come closer, lost one. What was it you just called me, little boy?"

The boy looked at him confusingly "The king."

Tamaki gasped and clasped his hands onto his cheeks. "Oh, the king! Yes, I am the king of the Ouran host club. Long live the host king!"

Oh christ now it's gonna take another 2 hours to get him out of king mode.

But my thoughts were interrupted by the boy who shouted "I'm an elementary 5th-year, Shiro Takaoji! I want the host club king to take me on as an apprentice."

Errrr...what?

Of course Tamaki accepted and not long after all the girls came flocking in. A girl, who was with Tamaki, asked

"Oh my, Tamaki, you have an apprentice?"

Tamaki replied "Yes. He's still in elementary school, but I like the fire in his eyes."

No...you just like the fact that he calls you 'king'.

"But are you sure it's okay for such a young boy to become a host?" The girl questioned.

Tamaki saw his oppotunity and pulled her in close "Why wouldn't it be? Love has nothing to do with age. Take us for instance. Whenever I look at you, my heart starts pounding. Suddenly I feel no different than a love sick little boy."

"Oh, Tamaki." All through that Shiro was watching right up close.

I was standing with Haruhi and Kyoya and Haruhi asked "Don't you think it's weird he's making the kid observe him up close like that?"

Kyoya shifted his glasses and explained "There is a theory that people are considered more beautiful, the closer they're seems to live by that theory. Well let's leave them alone."

So I did, I walked away and served some girls drinks until I heard the girl shout as she left "Tamaki, you're an idiot!"

She ran away crying as Tamaki shouted after her

"No wait, my mermaid princess!"

Oh wow...a customer was upset by him.

I just decided to find out later as I continued serving everyone. But all I could hear was Shiro shouting and complaining about how weird everyone was here. From all his panicking he bumped into Haruhi

"Are you all right? I know. It's kind of hard to get used to all those weirdos around here. It took me a while to get just all those craziness. So don't freak out. I'm sure you'll get used to it."

Haruhi said trying to reassure him. But this kid was smarter than he led on and asked

"Are you a cross dresser?"

He figured it out?! I'll give him some credit he's smart.

Tamaki and the twins panicked and Tamaki covered Shiro's eyes

"Okay, that's enough. I think Shiro should take care of the tea for us, don't you?"

Kaoru patted Haruhi's shoulders "Wow Haruhi, you're looking extra manly today."

Hikaru laughed nervously "Now do what the boss says and let Shiro take care of that tea set. It's part of his training. You're too macho for tea sets."

Is that really the best you can do guys?

Haruhi gave the boy the tray "Now be careful with it. It's pretty heavy."

But as soon as she let go he dropped it! Rather than an apology he stated

"It's not my fault I dropped it. It's you fault because you're the one who made me take it in the first place."

What?! He was being far too rude for my liking! Kyoya even came over and said to poor Haruhi "Haruhi, that's another 100,000 yen."

I ran over and Shiro shouted "Hey, you should make the cross dresser do all your stupid chores! I'm not here to carry tea sets! I'm here to learn how to make women happy!"

Tamaki gritted his teeth "You won't get anywhere with that attitude. And I am not going to let you disrespect Haruhi! So put this brat in isolation!"

Hikaru and Kaoru saluted "You got it, boss."

All of a sudden a giant cage fell from the ceiling and landed on Shiro, trapping him in the cage.

Shiro struggled against the bars "What's going on here!? Why'd you put me in a cage all of a sudden!?"

I whispered to Haruhi "Yeah, where did it come from? This is supposed to be a music room, right?"

Haruhi just shrugged as Shiro continued shouting and struggling "This is no way to treat your loyal apprentice! Now let me out of this cage!"

Tamaki just casually sat in his chair and sipped his tea "Not until you've learned your lesson. I made you my apprentice because I thought you were serious about becoming a host, but I guess I was wrong."

Shiro shouted "I am serious! Totally serious!"

He fell to his knees and whimpered "I want you to teach me how to make a woman happy. I'm gonna run out of time. Please won't you teach me? You're a host because you like girls. You like bringing smile to a girl's face. That's why you do it, right? Please won't you teach me to be like you. You're a genius at it! You're the king!"

Tamaki looked at him with happy eyes and said "Well, you may be a brat, but I admire your desire to become a host, so I'll teach you. You know, Shiro, you and I are so much alike."

Haruhi and I whispered "You poor kid."

Shiro's face lit up "Then, you'll help me become the kind of host that can make any women happy?"

Tamaki smiled "Of course. Making a woman happy is the soul purpose of being host. If this is what you really want, Shiro, then you have to figure out how to use the material you already have."

Shiro looked at him confused "What does that mean?"

Shiro turned around at the voice of Kyoya "You see, here at the Ouran host club, our policies to use our individual personality traits to meet the needs of our guests. For example, there is Tamaki, who is the princely type. There's the strong silent type. The boy-Lolita type. The little-devil type. And the cool type. It's all about variety. And now our group is complete with the addition of Haruhi, the natural."

Haruhi looked at me confused "The natural?"

Shiro then looked at me and pointed "Then who is she?"

Everyone looked at me and thought, I didn't have a title as I was just the maid but Tamaki hugged me and said

"why, she's the sweetheart! With her kindness and beauty who can resist her?"

I just looked at him unimpressed thanks for the comment...but I don't wanna be the sweetheart!

He didn't notice my look as Kyoya continued "It would seem that right now we have the perfect blend of characteristics, so it's going to be difficult to find a new type for Shiro."

Hikaru began "If you go by his age, he should be the boy-lolita type."

Kaoru finished "But Honey senpai's already got that covered."

Hunny started crying "Is he going to replace me?"

I picked him up and hugged him "of course not! Don't you worry!"

But suddenly a voice shouted from nowhere "Oh come on! Is that all you got?"

Renge popped up from the floor again on her giant machine.

What's up with this place? It's supposed to be a music room.

Renge pointed to the boys and sighed "Sorry to interrupt gentlemen, but what's with the lackluster character analysis? I must say I'm quite disappointed. I thought I taught you better."

I put Hunny down as Tamaki said while picking Hunny up "All right then Miss manager, how would you work Shiro into our collection of characters? He can't be the boy-lolita because Honey's already got that covered."

Renge yelled "You just don't get it, do you? Now listen up! There are plenty of girls out there who have a thing for younger boys or boys with baby faces. These girls would be considered as Shota fans. Now Shota can be a very broad category. So it's important to know that genre can be broken down into many different smaller sub-categories. For example, Shota fans with interest in lolita boys would favor a boy like Haninozuka senpai. But this little boy is different. If I had to pick a character for him... Yes! He'd be the naughty boy type without a doubt!"

Shiro looked at her confused "The naughty type?"

The cage lifted up as Renge blew her whistle "Now to play as the naughty type, you have to wear shorts. Okay. You gotta have bumps and bruises! Give him a couple of scars! Run like a spoiled child! Make it reckless. Now I want you to trip and make it big!"

Shiro ran and tripped over and fell hard onto the floor.

This training is horrible!

I went to tell Renge to stop when Kyoya grabbed my shoulder "best not to interrupt she's getting him prepared."

I struggled "but he's getting hurt! This training is too harsh!"

Renge knelt down to the boy and said "Are you okay, little boy?"

She blew her whistle again "Now, give 'em your catch phrase!"

Shiro wiped his face "No big deal. It was nothing."

Renge clasped her face into her hands "Oh, that was perfect! Absolutely perfect, Shiro!"

Kyoya let me go as Tamaki clapped "That was outstanding. I never knew you were such a great coach, Renge."

Renge smiled and giggled but Shiro shouted "I've had enough of you people! This is so stupid! None of this is ever gonna help me make her happy."

Haruhi asked me "Who's her?"

I shrugged as Shiro ran out of the room. Tamaki reached out and shouted "Wait, Shiro. We haven't taught you how to apply the techniques you've learned yet!"

Renge stood ontop of her freaky-ass machine thing and said "I swear younger boys are good for nothing. I went to all that trouble to coach him. And he quits."

She disappeared into the floor as Tamaki said "I can't believe he ditched us just because he didn't like the lesson. What a selfish little brat."

I walked up to Tamaki and said "There aren't many people who would enjoy that kind of lesson. But never mind that. Were you listening to what he said?"

Haruhi came up to us and continued "He said he was gonna run out of time. What do you think he means by that? I think that, maybe, it's a girl."

We gathered around the chairs and talked about Shiro. I spoke up first "look, I thought that training was too harsh anyway. Besides it was pretty obvious that he is trying to get someone's attention. But who?"

Everyone shrugged as Tamaki said "All right men...and ladies, it's time to initiate our mission."

Haruhi, myself and Hunny looked at him confused. Haruhi asked "What do you mean?"

"What mission?" Hunny questioned.

Tamaki looked at them and said "I've assessed the situation. We'll infiltrate the elementary school. You two are going in."

Before they could say anything they were dragged away by the twins. I looked at Tamaki and sighed

"what are you planning? That we just sneak into his school and find out what's going on?"

He simply nodded and said "Haruhi and Hunny will go in with disguises on of course...you can dress up to if you want."

He smiled while holding up a uniform for me. I growled "you won't catch me dead in that...and if you even try your a dead man."

Tamaki gasped and went into his emo corner. About an hour later, and after many attempts to get Tamaki out of the emo corner, we arrived at Shiro's school, Haruhi was wearing a wig with the girls' elementary school uniform while Hunny was wearing the boys' one.

We all watched them from behind a door as the twins said "Isn't she the cutest?"

Tamaki squealed "Ah, look at her in that mini skirt. Haruhi looks like a little doll!"

Kyoya stated from his notebook "So basically you just wanted to see her dressed up like that."

I walked over to Tamaki and whispered into his ear "I'l kill you later for that you pervert."

Tamaki screamed and ran behind Kyoya, I also looked at the twins "same goes for you two."

They gasped and ran behind Kyoya as well. I smirked in triumph and followed Haruhi to Shiro's classroom.

Tamaki asked "So the kid's classroom is empty, isn't it?"

Hikaru and Kaoru casually walked in "This sure takes me back."

Kaoru asked "I wonder if doodles are still on my desk?"

Kyoya shook his head "Doubtful. The school changes out the desk every year."

Haruhi looked at the guys annoyed and asked "Hey, if you're just gonna barge in here like that, then why are we wearing these stupid disguises?"

Hikaru waved his hand "Don't worry about it."

Kaoru continued "There's no one here to catch us."

Just then a teacher could be heard down the hallway and we all hid amung the desks.

"No one here to catch us huh?" I teased Kaoru.

He rolled his eyes and whispered "If the teacher finds us,"

"we'll have a hard time explaining why we snuck in." Hikaru finished.

Haurih whispered to the guys "Shh, shut up guys. Just keep your lip zipped."

She zipped her lips and the twins and Tamaki did the same.

Pfft how pathetic.

I stood up and went to the door, the teacher was well down the hallway by now. "It's all right. He's gone. But you guys, we came here to get the scoop on Shiro. So what do you think we should do now?"

Kyoya, who was looking at some pictures, said "Well, here is something interesting."

I went over to him "What did you find?"

Everyone followed as Kyoya pointed at a picture of Shiro "So, he's in the classical music club."

Haruhi looked at the picture and smiled "He looks like he's enjoying himself. It's nice to see him with a smile on his face. I had no idea he looked so sweet."

Tamaki nodded in agreement as we all went to find Shiro, we looked in all the classrooms...

I bet all the kids at this school think we're a bunch of weirdos.

Hunny pointed "There he is. There's Shiro-Chan."

We looked in through the window at what looked like the classical music club. Shiro was talking to a girl before she started playing. I had to admit she was very good for a girl her age.

Another girl came out of the room as Tamaki handed her a rose "Pardon me, mademoiselle. I've never seen a rose more lovely than you, my dear. Here, this is for you. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about that young lady playing the piano. Do you know her?

The girl nodded "That's Hina Kamishiro."

Tamaki repeated "Her name is Hina?"

The girl nodded again "That's right, but you better not fall in love with her."

Tamaki asked why as the girl explained "Didn't you know? Hina has to move away soon. Her dad just got a new job in Germany. So they have to move there at the end of the week."

The door swung open as Shiro looked at us angrily "What do you think you're doing!? I want you idiots to leave immediately!"

Tamaki picked Shiro up and put him on his shoulders

"Put me down! What are you doing?! Let me go! Just put me down!"Shiro struggled against Tamaki, even when we finally got back.

Tamaki threw Shiro onto the sofa as Shiro shouted "What is your problem, you big idiot!?"

Tamaki remarked "I'm sorry but you're the idiot! You said you wanted me to teach you how to make women happy. But that's not it, is it? You're not concerned with the happiness of just any woman. You've got your sights set on one woman in particular. You only care about one, and that's Hina Kamishiro!

But I'm afraid, there's nothing I can do to help you with that. Listen, Shiro. I know that I told you it's the job of a host to make women happy. But when you care for someone, you must find the courage to express what is in your heart! You have to tell her how you feel about her! You didn't come to me looking to become a full-fledged host. You want to be a full-fledged man."

Shiro looked down at the ground in defeat and sighed "It doesn't matter anymore. I've run out of time. I just... I wanted to hear her play before she left for good. That's all."

Tamaki started walking over to a giant yellow curtain and said "That piece she played, it's Mozart's sonata in D major for two pianos, isn't it?"

He pulled back the curtain to reveal a giant grand piano. Haruhi and I looked at each other

"Wait a minute. Since when is there a grand piano in here?"

Kaoru stated "Well this is a music room, after all."

"So why wouldn't it have a grand piano?" Hikaru asked.

Kyoya repeated "It is a music room, after all."

"It is a music room." Mori said.

"It's always been there. We've just had it covered up." Hunny stated.

Well now I feel stupid.

Tamaki sat down at the piano and started playing the piece the girl played. His fingers glided across the keys of the piano as a beautiful melody came from it. Haruhi and I watched in awe and amazement...I had no idea he could play like that!

Tamaki said while playing "For the next week you will spend your mornings, lunches, recesses, and free time after school in piano lessons with me."

Shiro asked "But why?"

Tamaki smirked "You wanted to be my apprentice, right? Besides, that young lady looked like she wanted nothing more than to play the piano with you."

I smiled as he began teaching Shiro the tricks of the piano. A week later Tamaki sent an invitation to the girl named Hina as we all got dressed up in suits...yes even me! I was very happy I didn't have to wear a frilly dress! The door opened as the girl stood there looking at us as we bowed before her

"Welcome princess. We've been waiting."

Tamaki stepped away and bowed "I present to you Shiro Takaoji's piano recital. If you please, princess."

Shiro was sitting at the piano looking at Hina. He smiled "Let's play together, Hina."

The girl giggled "Okay!" She sat down and played with Shiro. They didn't stop looking at each other, it was rather sweet.

Tamaki whispered "We did a good thing."

Haruhi replied "He loves with all his heart. So I guess that's one more way Shiro takes after you, huh senapi?"

Tamaki smiled "Oh yes, I'd say so."

A few days later Hina left for Germany with her father. Shiro was with us again as I asked

"So you've been exchanging e-mails with Hina everyday now that she's in Germany?"

Shiro grinned while being surrounded by girls "Yeah, more or less. I like her, but she can get pretty jealous for an elementary school girl. She'd be upset if she knew I was with you ladies, so let's keep this our little secret."

The girls squealed and they said

"Naughty boys are the best."

"I could kiss you."

They kissed him on the cheek as Tamaki screamed

"You brat, what are you doing?! Those are my guests!"

Shiro scoffed "Well, it looks like they've found someone they like better. It's so easy to steal your customers. I think there's a new host king in town."

Tamaki shouted again and was being restrained by the twins.

Kaoru struggled "I thought he would make it through without exploding this time."

Hikaru continued "We should have known he was going to blow up sooner or later."

I shook my head as Haruhi said to me "Shiro really does have a lot in common with Tamaki senpai. I get the feeling that Senpai was also a spoiled brat when he was a kid."

Tamaki gasped and shouted to Haruhi "I was not a spoiled brat! I was nothing like him when I was a kid! I was a sweet, innocent, precocious adorable angel! Do you hear me!?"

I whispered to Haruhi "you're on your own on this one."

I shuffled away and said to Kyoya "Umm...I'll be going now. I'm done for the day."

Kyoya nodded "aren't you taking Haruhi with you?"

I shook my head "no, she's busy at the moment with Tamaki. He's giving me a headache."

I waved goodbye and shut the door behind me. I smirked and walked down the hallways to the outside of the building.

I swear it seems like Tamaki hasn't grown up at all.

I chuckled as I walked home in the lovely late spring weather.

A/N: I am very sorry if it is bad...I just wanted to get it out for you all today so I kinda rushed. Well I don't have much to say except..I hope you liked it and please review! :)