Chapter 9

I sat back in my chair, relaxed and calm. For some reason there were no lessons today...but I wasn't complaining it's quite nice to relax for a while. Haruhi sat next to me and frowned "Why aren't we working? I thought that was part of going to school."

I looked at her dumbfounded "Are you kidding? I mean I do like to work but it's nice to relax once in a while."

Haruhi shrugged "Yeah I guess...but I just want to know why classes we're cancelled."

Two girls who were standing in front of us turned around as one asked "You mean, no one told you?"

The other girl stated "It's going to be crazy around here for the next two days. Ouran is hosting an exposition for the cultural clubs."

The other girl continued "Drama and choral clubs from a bunch of other schools have been invited. It's a big event this school hosts annually."

"Is that so?" Haruhi asked.

They nodded as I yelped "Yes this is going to be perfect! I can catch up on work I've missed...and even get ahead of others."

The girls giggled as the twins suddenly came over to Haruhi "Go buy some more, Haruhi."

I looked at them confused "What? More coffee? But she only got some the other day."

Haruhi frowned "Why do I have to go get it?"

Hikaru stated "Because you're the only commoner. No one else knows where to buy it apart from Maria, but we need her to set up the club this afternoon."

Kaoru jumped in and said "We've even been serving it to our guest lately. Besides, it's part of your job."

Haruhi sighed and moaned "But the cultural club exposition starts soon."

Hikaru and Kaoru picked Haruhi up and carried her to the door. Hikaru smiled "Yeah, but it's not mandatory. So if you're not interested, you don't have to go."

Kaoru added "And with that being said,"

They dropped Haruhi at the door and waved "Be careful out there."

Damn those jerks...I'm running out of torture methods for those two.

Haruhi frowned and walked out to get some coffee. Suddenly the twins grabbed my arms and yelled "Time to set up the club Maria! Remember it's cosplay day!"

Oh yeah I almost forgot. I hate Wednesdays.

They dragged me to the club as Tamaki squealed "Oooo Maria I think you're gonna like our theme today! It's knights and princesses! We have a lovely princess dress for you! So go get changed!"

I looked at it and tried to run away "You won't catch me dead in that thing! I'll never wear it!"

But the twins grabbed me and threw me into the changing room with the dress. I hate this dress!

I sighed and put the dress on unwillingly. I looked in the mirror and felt like crying, it was a long pink dress which showed a bit too much cleavage for my liking. And to top it all off a pink tiara to match...God I hate my life sometimes. I walked out and the guys were all dressed as knight in shining armor...literally.

Hunny saw me and hugged me tight "wow you look so pretty Mari-chan! I knew pink would suit you!"

I patted his head "Thanks Hunny, I'm glad you like it."

The other boys looked at me and Tamaki jumped in excitement "Ooo you really do look like a princess! It's so cute!"

Hikaru smirked "Our mother designed the dress just for you."

Kaoru finished "We showed her a picture of you and she said you would be great as a model."

By this point my eye was twitching like mad. I glared at them and said "Do this to me again...and you are gonna wish you never met me."

Tamaki and the twins ran away crying as Kyoya came up to me. He smirked "Be careful what you say Maria, you still owe us money remember."

I growled "I know...but I look ridiculous, this dress is showing too much cleavage "

Kyoya looked at my chest and looked away quickly. I thought I saw a blush playing up on his faced but I shook it off. Not long after all the guests came in, some asked me where Haruhi was while others told me how cute I looked in the dress. I had to grit my teeth through that...all the girls left about an hour later and we all relaxed.

Just before we were going to clear up the door opened to reveal two girls in uniforms I didn't recognize As usual the boys welcomed them and Tamaki put on his act

"Well, well, well. I see you ladies are from another school. I certainly hope we haven't startled you. We love first-time guests. I'm glad you've come, princesses. My darlings, even if the world were to be destroyed, I'd put my life on the line as your faithful knight and servant. I will protect you."

Good grief...

But then one of the girls laughed "Oh my, do you really think you'll be able to protect us? That's awfully arrogant of you. Wouldn't you agree? You think that's what a woman wants to hear. Well you're wrong."

The other girl smirked "Come on. Give him a break, sister Suzuran. Men are just lowly life forms who don't care about anything other than perpetuating their testosterone latent image by protecting us. He's actually attempting to disguise the fact that he's weak and unable to even protect himself."

Ok that was really cool that they didn't give in to Tamaki's act but ouch that's a bit harsh.

Tamaki frowned "Don't you think that's a little harsh? Fine then. What do a woman like you want to hear?"

Just then we turned to see a woman standing...holding Haruhi's hand! "Maybe, something like I would never leave my lover alone. If we fight, it'll be together. If we fail, we fail together. Even if I were to die, I promise you that I will never leave your side, my love."

Haruhi just stared at her confused as the girl named Hingiku said "Benibara, we thought you'd never show."

The other girl named Suzuran asked "What are we going to do with you? So tell us where you found this lovely young lady."

What?! How the hell did they know that!

The tall girl called Benibara smiled "I just met outside of the school. She may be dressed as a boy, but I knew the truth. She has such pretty maidenly eyes."

She pulled Haruhi close as Haruhi just said "Thanks, I guess."

Just then all of those girls started stroking Haruhi's legs and arms! Hinagiku smiled "Wow, her skin is incredibly soft."

Suzuran agreed "Isn't it, though. I think this one's going to be a little diamond in a rock."

Tamaki noticed this and ran to them screaming "Don't go touching my Haruhi without asking my permission!"

But Benibara punched him away "Leave her alone."

Tamaki grabbed his face in shock and cried "She punched me. She's so violent."

One of the girls noticed me and smiled "Oh look, isn't she just amazing?"

The three girls came over to me and stroked my skin "She's so pretty, such a heavenly face." Hinagiku said.

This is really uncomfortable...help me.

Kyoya looked at them and asked "Those uniforms. I assume you, ladies are from Lobelia girls' academy." Thank God for Kyoya!

They stopped stroking me as Benibara smiled "That's correct."

Just then they ripped off their clothes to reveal some weird costumes. And they started singing!

Note to self...never do drugs.

"St. Lobelia academy, high school 2nd-year, Benio Amakusa."

"2nd-year student, Chizuru Maihara."

"1st-year student Hinako Tsuwabuki."

After introducing themselves Benibara finally said "We are the members of St. Lobelia academy's white lily league, also known as the Zuka club!"

Tamaki looked at them bewildered "The Zuka club?" Before I could say anything the twins started laughing their asses off.

Hikaru laughed "Oh man, what a stupid name. The Zuka club. My stomach hurts!"

Koaru clutched his stomach in laughter "The Zuka club. That's priceless. And they had those get-ups under their uniforms."

Yeah how did they get those on under their uniforms anyway?

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar annoying sound "You shouldn't underestimate the Zuka club."

And once again Renge came up on her giant machine and sipped her coffee.

If she does that again...she is sooo dead.

Renge continued "I may not know much about instant coffee, but I'm fascinated with girls' schools. St. Lobelia academy, it is truly a woman's world there. The Zuka club is a group of strong young maidens who consider women to be superior in every way.

"The club prides itself on its 30 year history. It's a society of maidens, by maidens, for maidens. The Zuka club activities include maidens' tea parties, the maiden debate forum, and most importantly, musical reviews performed by the society's top members."

Hmmm sounds like my kind of school...although their sexist to boys their ideas are pretty good.

Kyoya had taken off his armor suit, as had everyone else, and said "You sure have a vast world of knowledge, Renge."

Renge sat on her machine again and sighed "Well, I've always admired St, lobelias. I just couldn't go to school there, though. What would I do without any boys?"

That explains soooo much!

I snuck away to avoid anymore mischief and found Haruhi in the little kitchen...yes they have a little kitchen in a music room. The kitchen isn't very big, it's a box room with just a few appliances such as a kettle and a toaster.

Haruhi was making coffee and was almost finished, she looked at me and shrugged "I thought I would make them some coffee, they are guests after all."

I giggled and imitated Tamaki "Awww your so cute Haruhi!"

She rolled her eyes at me "Whatever."

I then saw some biscuits I baked the other day and said "Hey maybe I should give them some of my biscuits as well."

She nodded and put the tea on the tray. I placed some biscuits onto a plate and we took the refreshments to the girls. Haruhi walked up to them shyly "Excuse me, I made some coffee. Would you ladies like to have some?"

I added "And I made some biscuits, would you like some?"

Benibara dramatically smiled "Oh yes. Aren't you this sweetest things?"

The three girls took their drinks and some biscuits as Suzuran said "You two are real pearls among swine."

Benibara sipped her drink and added seductively "You know, coffee made by a maiden always has a more fragrant aroma."

Haruhi looked at her confused "But this stuff is just instant."

Hinagiku stepped beside me and asked "How about the five of us have a little tea party?"

I couldn't reply, I was in so much shock these girls were hitting on me and Haruhi.

But Tamaki's screaming shook me out of my shock "You, girls have it all wrong! Don't you see there's nothing to gain in a romantic relationship just between two women? If that were the case, why did God create Adam and Eve?"

He suddenly stopped as I saw his finger in the hot coffee he ran around screaming "Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot..." and tried to blow on it.

Haruhi knelt down to him and sighed "You gotta be more careful, Senpai."

He blushed as she wrapped a bandage around his burnt finger. Tamaki looked at it in shock "Thanks, Haruhi. Do you always carry bandages around with you?"

Haruhi laughed "Nah, the supermarket was giving them out when I purchased instant coffee. You always get free stuff at the supermarket."

That is very true, just the other day I got a free hairband...even though I don't need it as I have a bob.

Benibara stood above them and shook her head "This little conversation doesn't seem to be going anywhere."

Suddenly she grabbed Haruhi's hand and pulled her up towards her, and she did the same to me. "Now that we know what's going on, we can't allow these maidens to stay here. We'll prepare their paperwork and have them transfer to Lobelia at once and welcome them into the Zuka club." What?! Wait a second!

I got out of her grasp and waved my hands defensively "Hey just wait a second, will you. There seems to have been some misunderstandings here. I mean, first of all, you called senpai a halfer."

Hunny came up behind me and stated "Because he is a halfer. He's half French and half Japanese."

Not helping Hunny...

Haruhi got out of Benibara's grasp and added "Oh well. Anyway, I don't think it's fair for you to pick on the host club just because you don't think they have the same history as you do."

Hikaru began "We barely have any history. We're just founded two years ago."

Kaoru finished "Yeah, the boss created it whenever he started high school here."

Haruhi sighed and wiggled her finger, she had obviously given up but kept on trying anyway "Be that as it may, saying their club activity is only held to satisfy their appetites is just wrong. I mean, it's not like the host club's charging their guest or anything."

Kyoya said from his laptop "Well, I wouldn't call it a charge. We do have a point system. We offer priority services based on the winning bids of auctions held on our web site. Check this out, Haruhi. Your used mechanical pencil just sold for a winning bid of 30,000 yen. Good for you."

What?! Haruhi and I ran over to the laptop and saw that her pencil had really been sold! Haruhi shouted "What! But I thought I lost that pencil. Why didn't you tell me about this before, Kyoya senpai? I have no idea you're collecting money."

Kyoya calmly replied "So, you thought we were all just working here as volunteers? Why? It's not much because of expensive organizing events. We happen to make a small profit from the on line auction."

I knew that it wasn't my pencil but that was awful, I shouted in anger "You can't sell other people's thing without asking permission. That's stealing!"

The twins pointed out from behind us "It wasn't stealing. She dropped that pencil on the floor."

We turned to them and growled in anger. Tamaki came over and cried to Haruhi "Waah. I'm sorry, Haruhi. It's not like we were hiding it from you. Here, you can have mine. It's got a cute teddy bear on it."

Haruhi bluntly stated "Senpai, I don't want your pencil."

Tamaki smiled, trying to make everything better, and danced "Then make it up to you. How about I do this? I'll tell you the secrets to my success in my fondest memories."

Haruhi quickly replied "Not to be rude, senpai, but I'm not really interested in that information."

Tamaki gasped in shock and stepped back "Not interested." He crouched down into his emo corner and the girls surrounded us.

Suzuran patted our shoulders "Oh, you poor dears. I can't believe they're deceiving you."

Hinagiku shook her head in disgust "Hey, why don't you just dump these losers and come with us?"

Benibara raised her hand calmly and said "Hold on, Hinagiku. These young maiden's had quite a day. We'll give you some time to think about it. I'll come back for your answer tomorrow. Well then, adieu."

They waved goodbye and twirled their way out of the room. Haruhi and I turned to the boys in anger.

Haruhi spat "I better be going. I've got some thinking to do."

She started to leave as I shook my head at them "What is wrong with you?"

I ran after Haruhi and slammed the door behind us.

We first of all walked in silence, just trying to get the anger out of our system. We sat at a window ledge and looked out of the window.

Haruhi mumbled "I can't believe they did that. I liked that pencil. Maybe I should go to Lobelia."

I looked at her in shock, I mean I know they did a bad thing but that's a bit extreme. I rubbed my temples and sighed "I think we should go home and breath for a while, we can't think straight at the moment as we're angry, don't make rash decisions all of a sudden."

Haruhi nodded as we walked home, I dropped her at her house and I went to mine not long after. I found my mum in her usual place on the sofa. I slumped down next to her and my mum instantly picked up my bad mood.

"What's wrong dear? Did something happen at school today?"

I nodded and told her about the girls from Lobelia and what the guys did. At first my mum just absorbed it in, but she then smiled "Honey, I don't think you need to worry. These boys seem like proper gentlemen and they wouldn't do anything to hurt you two. I know that what they did was unfair but they could have done far worse. Besides at least they told you about what they did."

She was right of course, at least they had the guts to admit it to us. I hugged my mum and said "Thanks mum, your the best."

We ate dinner soon after and I went straight to bed.

The next day I put on my skinny blue jeans, a black tank top and some black converses to match. I picked up Haruhi and we walked to school together, as classes were still cancelled we made our way to the host club. I tapped Haruhi's shoulder and smiled

"I'm not leaving, I mean I know they did a bad thing but they would neer hurt us on purpose..."

Before I could finish Haruhi interrupted "I'm not either, to be honest I almost forgot about it."

We laughed as we heard a familiar voice say to us "Hi young maidens."

We looked to see the three Lobelia girls from yesterday standing in front of us.

Hinagiku smiled "We've come for your decision. Are you prepared to leave?"

Suzuran grabbed my arm and nodded "We're ready to confront those ouran host club idiots and set things straight once and for all."

Haruhi looked at them confused and asked "Set what straight?"

Benibara grabbed our arms and pulled us to the Host club "That you should come with us and go to school with your own kind."

She pushed open the door but we all looked in a bit confused. The room was pitch black and I couldn't see anyone. Before we said anything we all heard male voices singing

"Ouran!" Hikaru?

"Ouran!" Kaoru?

"Ouran!" Mori?

"Ouran!" Kyoya?

"Ouran!" Hunny?

"Ouran!" Tamaki?

The lights suddenly switched on to reval...they guys dressed up as girls (apart from Mori) singing "Host club welcomes you!"

We just stood there in shock, not knowing what to say. I couldn't get any words out of my mouth and Tamaki danced over to us "Oh, Haruhi, Maria, welcome back."

Hunny twirled to us and giggled "Look, I'm a princess now. Are I cute?"

Benibara growled at them "What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to make fun of woman kind?"

Tamaki chuckled "What? No, that's not it at all. Everything's going according to plan. Our strategy is guaranteed to make even a crying child smile. It's the freebie campaign."

It's a what?!

Tamaki continued "My dears, you ladies have all lived sheltered lives at Lobelia, so you might not know the commoners are weak. They have a weakness for free things. Haruhi, Maria, you may be distracted by the Zuka club. But choose us. And you gain not only host club full of brothers but sisters as well. See. This way, you can experience feminine bonding while staying in the host club. Is that a great idea? Aren't I pretty?"

He moved away from us as Hikaru and Kaoru came over to us and said "We're the Hitachiin sisters. Which one of us is prettier?"

Hikaru nudged us and smiled "I'm just teasing you."

Kaoru giggled in a girly manner as Hunny said to us "Listen, Haru-chan, Mari-chan. You can call me big sis from now on."

Mori came over shaking his tambourine while Kyoya stood next to him holding a fan over his face.

Benibara shouted angrily at them "Why you. Do you idiots really think you can win her over like this? I've had enough of your fooling around."

I couldn't hold it in any longer I fell about laughing as Haruhi did to, she laughed "This is too much. I don't even get what you're trying to do. I knew you were a bunch of goofballs, but geez..."

We fell to the floor laughing as Hikaru, Kaoru and Hunny said to us "Are we really that funny? Call me big sister. Come on, do it. Just say it. Big sister. Say it please."

It made us laugh even more!

I wiped the tears from my eyes and chuckled "Come on. Cut it out. What were you thinking? What's got into you guys?"

Hikaru looked at us and frowned "We did this because we don't want you to leave the host club."

Haruhi and I looked at them and smiled, we got up as Benibara asked us "Well, maidens, have you made a choice?"

Haruhi looked at them and said "Yeah, we have. I'm sorry but your club's not for us. We think the idea of a girls' school is great. And your views are very unique and interesting. But we came to this school with a goal on a plan for our while we appreciate your offer, we really already knew that we were never going to leave Ouran academy."

I nodded in agreement as Tamaki came up to us "Hold on. If you knew you weren't going to leave, then why did you act so angry yesterday?"

Haruhi looked a him and shouted "How would you feel if I stole something of yours without asking you? I really liked that mechanical pencil. It was easy to write with."

Tamaki cried again and cupped Haruhi's face "I'm sorry. But I was nice and I offered my teddy-bear pencil in return, and you said you didn't want it."

Haruhi buntly replied "That's right and I still don't want it."

I chuckled and suddenly had a great idea, but before I could carry it out I heard Benibara state "We're not going to give up on you, maidens. I swear this to you. Some day, we'll come and rescue you from this place. And when we do, we'll abolish the Ouran host club. Well, adieu."

The girls twirled out of the building again and I turned around to the sound of Renge coming up from her machine sipping coffee "And so, a new rival, the Zuka club has appeared. From this point on, the story's gonna get more exciting. What's gonna happen to our beloved host club boys next? Hang in there, host club. Don't give up, boys."

Tamaki waved his fist at her and shouted "Hey, it's not your job to cook things up."

Suddenly he slipped on a banana peel and fell on his back.

What is up with banana's in this place?

I finally saw my chance, I grabbed my phone when Tamaki got up and pointed my camera at them "Hey guys! Smile for the camera!"

They turned to me without realizing as I took the picture. "Oh revenge is as sweet as chocolate!"

I looked at the boys who started running after me, I ran out of the club laughing and shouted back "Don't worry guys! I'll make sure the bidding on this photo is high!"

They screamed as I continued laughing and running from the boys in drag.

A/N: Hahahaha I laughed so much at this episode! I'm laughing now just thinking about those boys in drag. I would actually love to take a picture of them like that. Anyway I hope you like it and stay tuned for next weeks chapter :)