Chapter 23
Another Wednesday came around and it was cosplay day...but for the first time I was actually excited and happy to cosplay. Today the theme was the late Edo era and the boys were dressed as Shinsengumi members.

Two girls said to Tamaki "Tamaki, you're dressed as Ryoma Sakamoto, right?"

"He's so wild and handsome!"

Tamaki, very much in character, replied "Yeah, I'm handsome and wild, and I'm gonna steal your hearts, pretty ladies."

The girls squealed "Oh! We love it when you talk like a Samurai, Tamaki!"

Haruhi looked at me and questioned "Why is he speaking Tosa dialect? You know, I never would have thought that late-Edo era cosplay would be this popular."

Hikaru came up to us and began "Come on, you can't be serious. That's like one of the basics."

Kaoru continued "There are plenty of girls that find the late Edo Era totally fascinating, particularly the Shinsengumi."

Hunny finished "And most of the girls who like it are complete maniacs about it."

Renge suddenly spoke up, wearing an orange kimono "Are they popular because of the noble nature in which they sacrifice their young lives for their country?Or could it be because of their stoic determination, their choice to live out their lives by the Bushido Code? Or could it be..."

Kaoru began to pretend to be hurt, falling to the ground when Hikaru grabbed him and pulled him close "Don't die."

"I'm done for brother. Let me go."

Many girls started squealing with joy and Renge continued "That we're intrigued because the worship of this group of renegade young men is somewhat forbidden. The Ikeda-ya Inn maybe well known but it's only because of Hijikata. Just imagining him after the battle of Toba Fushimi. His back to the north as he sorrowfully wandered the streets of his homeland intending to defending the honour of the Shinsengumi all by himself! Oh! I could eat three giant bowls of rice!"

I muttered, a bit stunned by her flamboyant nature, "That was one hell of a history lesson, Renge."

Kyoya, who was writing in his book as always, stated "Not having us cast ourselves in specific roles was good advice. Allowing the guests just to be free to fantasize on their own was truly a brilliant idea, Renge. I'm very impressed."

Renge boasted "I told you it would work, but you know, I think dressing Haruhi as Souji Okita was perfect!"

Girls then stated "He is wonderful and the handsome, evanescent young swordsman!"

"Haruhi, please don't die! I couldn't handle it!"

Hahahaha I bet Haruhi is probably thinking about food...the glutton. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see many girls staring at me, one of them shouted "Maria, you look to beautiful!"

"You really look like a geisha!"

Since I couldn't dress up as a Shinengumi member I was made to wear a geisha costume, as it was a common thing back in the Edo era. I smiled at the girls "Thank you ladies that's very kind of you."

Suddenly Mori stabbed this spear into the door and Haruhi shouted "Mori senpai?!"

Kaoru began "Why the sudden lunge?!"

"You're not getting enough attention?!" Hikaru continued.

Tamaki cried "Please calm down, Mori senpai! I know you're upset that you only have one line an episode. We're 3/4 into the season and you haven't had your own episode. Is that it?! I'm sorry!"

What are they talking about? Episode? This isn't an anime you know...

But then Mori removed the spear and opened the door, "No. We have a trespasser."

I looked down and saw a red haired boy with mean looking features staring at Mori. The boy then stood and and shouted "Takashi Morinozuka!"

We shouted "A surprise attack!"

But then he bowed down and said "Senpai, please take me on as your apprentice!" ...huh?

After closing the Host Club for the day and getting changed back into our clothes Haruhi, myself, Kyoya, the twins and Tamaki were sitting on one sofa with Kasanoda on the other. Mori was watching Hunny eat cake on another table.

Kyoya opened his book and stated "Ritsu Kasanoda, 1st year Class D. Heir to the 3rd generation head of the Kasanoda syndicate, the most powerful gang in the Kanto area. He was admitted this year into Ouran Academy's High School. He has long red hair, a mean looking appearance, is reserved and has a few friends.

It is said that if your eyes meets his, you'll have bad dreams for 3 months. If you bump into him, you'll end up in the hospital. And talking back to him sends you to an early grave. He is so feared by his classmates that they call him the Walking Blizzard."

Tamaki questioned "Seriously? But why would a human weapon like yourself want to be Mori senpai's apprentice?"

Kasanoda stated "Well because, look, I may be tough but I'm not a human weapon. I was just born with a face that makes me look mean all the time."

The twins added "Well, at least you're aware of it, Kasanova."

Kasanoda quickly corrected "It's Kasanoda."

The twins tilted their heads "Bossanova?"

Kasanoda's eye twitched "I said it was Kasanoda! Do you wanna die?!"

Tamaki and the twins quickly retreated behind the sofa as the twins said "He really is mean looking."

Kasanoda sighed "Uh sorry about that. This always happens because of the way I look. I've always had this mean look ever since I was born. Even when I was just a tyke, my dad would say 'Just you wait. My son's gonna be the greatest gangster of all time.' So, ever since I was a kid, I've been taught how to be the Godfather of a gang.

My pops was a good teacher and he made me a true gangster. That's great and all but everyone is afraid to come near me. Even my fellows are scared of me. So, I'm all alone. It's like they forget I'm young and sometimes I just wanna play. I wanna get out with my fellows and play a game of Kick the Can!"

Tamaki nodded in agreement "A good game of Kankeri is awesome!"

Kasanoda continued "But I've been living the life of a gangster and I don't know how to interact with regular people." Oh that poor guy...

Then he ran over to Mori and bowed again "Morinozuka senpai, that's why I need you to show me, how do you manage to have so many friends, when you're just as mean looking as me? You're expressionless, distant, and you hardly ever talk. Plus, you've got a mug that looks like a watchdog from hell. So, how come you've got so many friends? What are you doing that I'm not? Please teach me your secrets! I'm begging you!"

Mori held his face in his hands as Hunny asked "Hey Takashi, are you okay?"

Mori replied "I'm just a little lightheaded..."

Hikaru turned to Tamaki "What now Boss?"

Kaoru continued "Don't you think we should do something about this?"

Tamaki stood up with a serious expression on his face "Just leave him alone. Don't get involved. Like he said, he wants to be Mori senpai's apprentice. So, that means Mori senpai decides what to do. This isn't something that any of us should be interfering with."

Wow, Tamaki is turning into a mature, young man.

Just then we heard Mori say "Tamaki..." We looked at Mori and he had the expression with said that he wanted his help and to get him out of the situation.

Tamaki quickly smiled "Well, in that case, since you insist, Mori senpai, I, Tamaki Suou promise you I will do whatever I can to assist you."

Haruhi mumbled "Yeah, right. He wanted to get involved so badly he couldn't bear it." I take that back, Tamaki will always be Tamaki.

Tamaki knelt down to Kasanoda and lifted his head "Now lift your head, Bossanova."

Kasanoda sighed "Listen, it's Kasanoda."

Tamaki ignored him "From now on you may adress me as King, okay, Bossanova?"

"That's not my name."

"Are you listening to me, Bossanova?!"

"Yeah."

Tamaki began "There are many differences between you and our beloved Mori senpai, but there is also one very definitive thing that you are lacking. And that is a lovely item."

Kasanoda gasped in shock "A lovely item?!"

Tamaki continued "Bossanova, I would like to introduce you to a lovely item named Mitsukuni. Sure, Mori senpai may be kind of mean looking and he may seem distant when you first meet him. But what if we put Mitsukuni on his shoulders? Suddenly, it's like he's a forest Teddy Bear that all the animals adore! In addition, this lovely item also plays up Mori senpai's strong and silent character.

Even without saying anything, just by placing Hunny senpai next to him, people begin to have a new found admiration for Mori senpai. Suddenly he's seen in a positive light as a nice, quiet young gentleman. That's the plan. I'm not exaggerating when I say most of Mori senpai's charm's directly related to his friend, Hunny senpai."

Haruhi and the twins all said "Yeah, you're right."

Haruhi began "Now that you mention it, Mori senpai..."

Hikaru continued "doesn't really do anything."

"Yeah, his position is totally a bust." Kaoru finished.

Hunny began to cry "Takashi, have you really been using me this entire time?"

Mori stood up from his chair with a shocked expression on his face and began to quickly shake his head.

Tamaki continued "I'm sorry, but Hunny senpai is on a long term lease to Mori senpai right now, so I can't let you borrow him."

Hunny began to cry even more "Is Tama-chan telling the truth?! Are you renting me?!"

Mori's jaw dropped and he violently shook his head.

Poor Mori, this is not his day is it?

Tamaki, totally ignoring the mess he made stated "Don't worry. I'll come up with something to take his place. So, the next thing we need to discuss is your disturbing Yankee fashion sense. Now, Hitachiin Brothers."

The twins saluted "Sir!"

Tamaki continued "It's your job to make this man more fashionable!"

The twins leaped into the air towards Kasanoda "Roger!"

They dragged Kasanoda away and I sighed "That poor soul. He was so young."

I began walking out when Tamaki cried "Hey where are you going? Don't you want to see our masterpiece?"

I turned to him and sighed "No thank you, knowing the twins they are gonna go over the top, the results are gonna be horrible and frankly I don't wanna be a part of it. See you guys tomorrow."

I walked out the door and went back home, doing my daily chores and helping mum. Dinner came around and I told mum about the boy we met today. She said "Oh the poor thing, all he needs are some friends. Why don't you be friends with him Maria?"

I nodded "I am, he seems nice and, to be honest, not that scary. But I don't understand why the guys thought changing his clothes would make a difference?"

Mum nodded "Yes it's not about what's on the outside, it's what's on the inside that counts. I think that other pupils just need to give him a chance."

The next day school went by quickly; I had my favourite lessons and everyone was in the club room. Kyoya was helping me with my maths homework when Kasanoda came in and told us that someone tried to hit Mori with a flower pot.

Tamaki raised his eyebrow "Huh? Somebody's out to get Mori senpai?"

Kasanoda nodded "No doubt about it. I was there. I saw everything. He's obviously gotten on somebody's bad side."

Hikaru shook his head "Nah, that's impossible."

Kaoru added "There's no way Mori senpai would ever be on somebody's bad side."

Kasanoda leaned forward "How can you be so sure? You don't know that."

Tamaki stood in front of a board and stated "Don't you worry, your pretty little head about that. Operation Bossanova's Total Image Makeover is in full effect as of right now!"

Hunny and the twins saluted "Yes, sir!"

Kasanoda stood up and yelled "Hold on! What the hell are you talking about?! What do you mean you're starting right now?! He's right now pretended that yesterday never happened?! Thanks to yesterday's makeover, people were even more afraid of me than they're usually are!"

Tamaki went beside him and stated "Now hold on a second. Let me explain, Bossanova. We all support you and we're behind you 100%. Yesterday, the twins were just getting a little carried away. I hope you'll forgive them."

Kasanoda blushed a little "I'm sorry. I will follow your lead from here on out."

Everyone went to the board so me and Haruhi went over to Kasanoda, I carried over some tea as Haruhi said "Hey Casanova. Just thought I warned you. I wouldn't put too much faith in that bunch if I were you."

I sat down next to Haruhi and added "Yeah, I mean they're great guys but they tend to get carried away sometimes. Oh and Haruhi his names Kasanoda, not Casanova."

Haruhi shrugged as Kasanoda said "Well, thank you, but Morinozuka recommended these guys to me. Besides, I don't have much of a choice. Without their help I've got nothing. Hey, I don't think I've met you two before. What's your name?"

Haruhi began "I'm Haruhi Fujioka."

I smiled "I'm Maria Smith."

Haruhi continued "We're both 1st years. Just like you we were admitted when we got to high school. I guess we're buddies."

Kasanoda's eyes widened "So Haruhi, Maria, do you like to play Kick the Can?"

Haruhi shrugged "Well um, to be honest, it's not our favorite thing in the world."

I finished "But you know, it might be fun once in a while."

Kasanoda blushed and Haruhi asked "What is it?"

Just then Tamaki came over "Bossanova!"

Kasanoda quickly replied "Yes!"

Tamaki stated "I think we've finally come up with something that'll change your tough guy image."

Tamaki put some cat ears on him and we all stared at him. His appearance had not changed in the slightest and Hunny simply said "A cat monster."

We all went off into a group huddle and Tamaki said "That didn't work. I don't know what went wrong. Renge said that kitty ears were all the rage. She said that they were perfect lovely item. What could have happened?"

Kyoya sighed "Be realistic. Putting kitty ears on him isn't going to effect on how people perceive him. He still looks mean."

Hikaru shook his head "No kidding. That was pretty lame, Boss."

Kaoru continued "For real! If you're going to take it that far..."

"You might as well go all the way and make him a kitty ear maid." They both finished while holding the maid outfit I usually wear.

Kasanoda spoke, irritated, "Are you guys making fun of me?!"

The twins put the maid outfit over his uniform and just then someone opened the door and a boy said "Sorry to bother you, but is the young lord Kasanoda in here?"

He looked up and saw Kasanoda. Oh the poor soul...

Kasanoda ran over and grabbed the man's shirt while the man sweat-dropped "So here you are... Sir, it's no big deal. You can do whatever you want in your spare time."

Kasanoda shouted "What?! Do you think this is a hobby of mine?! Damn it! I can't take this anymore!"

He threw off the cat ears and dress and ran out of the room. The man followed "Young lord! Young lord!"

Haruhi bent down and picked up the cat ears, she looked at them and said "Maybe, an image change isn't really what Kasanova needs."

Hunny nodded "I think you're right. I sure hope he realizes it soon."

Haruhi stood up and said "I'm gonna go see if he's ok. I'll catch up with you guys later."

She walked out of the club room and I sighed "I never believed that Kasanoda needed a makeover, people just need to give the poor guy a chance."

Hunny nodded "That's right Mari-chan! Hey do you like Kasanoda?"

I nodded "Yeah, he's a nice guy."

Tamaki suggested "I say we go follow them! Lets make sure he's ok!" Everyone nodded and left.

Kyoya and I were at the back when Kyoya said "What do you mean by 'like' him?"

I looked at him and he was writing in his book, although he seemed to have a slightly tense expression on his face. I replied "Just as a friend, I mean he's nice but I've only just met the guy I'm not gonna fall in love with him straight away. Why do you ask?"

Kyoya's face seemed to relax a little and he replied "No reason, but it wouldn't be good for you to be dating someone. The girls in our club like to pair you with different members of the Host Club and that increases sales."

I rolled my eyes "Always thinking of profit aren't you Kyoya? Tell me, when can I get a boyfriend? I don't really want to remain single for the rest of my time at school."

Kyoya smirked "When you've paid back your debt. Is there someone in mind then?"

I decided to tease him a bit and I smirked "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. That's for me to know and you to find out."

Kyoya chuckled "I like a challenge, I have my ways of finding out information." Wow, I think we really are in a flirtationship. Is there the possibility that he likes me back? Nah he's just teasing me it's nothing new.

When we arrived Kasanoda and Haruhi were talking when a can of red paint was flying towards them. Hunny kicked the can away but the paint went all over Haruhi's jacket.

Tamaki screamed, since he missed what had happened "Haruhi, what happened?! That's not blood, is it?!"

Haruhi stood up "Would you calm down? It's just a little paint."

Kasanoda stood up and asked "Hey are you sure you are all right, Fujioka?"

Haruhi nodded "Mm-hmm."

When suddenly a voice said "Let go of me you, bastard!"

We turned to the voice and saw Mori holding two boys while one of them yelled "Damn it, you big behemoth! You're playing dirty Kasanoda! First you go and kidnap our gang boss' kid! And then you make us deal with your damn muscle bound lackies?! We know that you kidnapped the kid! Just give him back now!"

The twins held up two pieces of rope and said "We've heard enough out of you! We'll shut you up! Tie, tie, tie..."

They tied the two boys up while Kasanoda looked upon the situation confused "What the hell is going on here?"

Hunny turned around and smiled "Don't you get it? See, Takashi wasn't on anyone's bad side. These guys were after you. Until we caught them, we decided not to say anything to you because we didn't want you to have to mess with them."

Kasanoda walked over to Hunny and Mori, almost speechless "I can't believe it. So you helped me? But how come?"

Mori patted his head and replied "We can tell who the bad guys are by looking at them."

Awwww I bet he must be so happy to hear that.

Haruhi looked at her clothes and said "I should probably go back and change clothes."

The twins both teased "Want us to come help you?"

Haruhi rolled her eyes "Drop dead."

She began walking away and then a familiar voice shouted "You dumbasses!"

The two boys were kicked to the floor and shouted "Sonny!"

The boy from earlier glared down at them and spat "Shut up! You've said enough today! Don't you get it? The reason I left was because I was sick of hanging out with the likes of you! Now get lost! Do you hear me?"

The two boys slithered away and Kasanoda asked his friend "Tetsuya, what's going on?"

Tetsuya knelt down to the ground and began "I'm sorry I've kept this from you, sir. I'm Tetsuya Sendo. I'm the son of the godfather of the Sendo syndicate. But I've always been opposed to the cut-throat way that syndicate goes about handling its business. One rainy day about a year ago my old man and I got into a fight and I ran away from home. I've never felt as anxious as I did that day. It was terrible. I had nowhere to go and people who passed me on the street just ignored me. They pretended like I wasn't even there. And that's when I met you, Young Lord.

The second I saw you, I knew exactly what kind of person you were. After that when I decided to join the Kasanoda syndicate, you kindly accepted me. Young Lord, I know that you're more self-conscious and awkward than most people. But I also know that you're more kind hearted than most people. And it's not just me. Everybody in the whole syndicate knows it. They just don't say anything 'cause it would embarrass you. I, Tetsuya Sendo realized that I wanted to become more like you. That's why I cut off all ties to the Sendo syndicate and instead joined the Kasanoda syndicate. I hope Young Lord that you'll allow me to remain by your side."

Suddenly he reached into his pocket and pulled out an umbrella "Oh, I almost forgot. Your umbrella. The weather was looking bad, so I figured you might need it. We don't want our Young Lord catching a cold. Everyone would worry."

Kasanoda mumbled something but then quickly snatched the umbrella, blushing, "Uh, I'll just keep that with me."

Tetsuya smiled "Yeah."

The twins, being the over dramatic boys they are, sniffed "What a great story! It's so touching!"

I must admit even I was moved by that...and that doesn't happen often.

Just then Kasanoda said "Oh, I should apologize to Fujioka. After all, it is my fault he got paint on him."

Hunny stated "Haru-chan went back to the club room to change clothes."

Kasanoda turned to him "Yeah? Oh, thanks a lot. I'll be right back."

Kasanoda started running to the club room, Tetsuya stood up and shouted after him "Hey Young Lord! Think we can play kick the can later?"

Kasanoda shouted back "Yeah!" and continued to the club room.

Tamaki sighed in content "We did a good thing guys."

Hikaru and Kaoru raised their eyebrows "What are you talking about? We didn't do anything, boss."

Kyoya, who was writing in his book, stated "Don't any of you care that Kasanoda went to see Haruhi who is changing clothes?"

Have they only just realised?

Everyone gasped and they ran as fast as they could back to the club room. Kyoya and I just looked at each other and sighed "What are we gonna do with them Kyoya?"

He shrugged and started walking "Lets just see how things unravel, it should be interesting it always is."

A/N: Ok at the beginning of this episode I couldn't help but squeal because I kept on thinking of Hakuouki. (If anyone's a fan you'll understand) Anyway I love Kasanoda he's so cute, the poor little thing. Anyway thank you for reading and please review :)