Sitting on the couch (with the ice pack still on his cheek), Hitachiin Kaoru observed the reactions of his seniors after he had told them the story. (Of course, he had left out the part concerning his comments about them.) Otori Kyouya scribbled something into his file. Mori and Hani looked at each other.
"Ne, Takashi, what do you think Haru-chan would do?" It was one of those rare moments where Hani showed his serious side.
"I don't know," came the stoic reply.
"Well, seeing how agitated Hikaru was when he ran out, we can expect an earthquake around here very soon," deadpanned Kyouya. Kaoru became a little uptight. His brother had never been the calmest one in the Host Club...
Outside the music room, Suoh Tamaki leaned against the doors. He wasn't ready to go in yet. At least, not when his tears weren't dry. That kiss between Haruhi and Hikaru would have to wait. For now, he must put on his mask of pleasantness and charm, although even he himself didn't know when it would fall off again...
Back at the fountain...
They must have kissed for quite a while, for when Fujioka Haruhi opened her eyes to survey her surroundings, at least half of the school population (to her) was staring. Remembering her situation, she quickly pushed Hitachiin Hikaru away. The boy, too, realised the problem. But, they weren't spared from the gossip which could be heard by everyone in the area.
"Look at them..."
"I never knew that Haruhi-kun was gay.."
"Did you see how they kissed..."
Hikaru would love to tell the world right now that Haruhi was a girl, and that he was in love with her. For once, he knew better. He leaned towards Haruhi.
"We'll have to play it by ear here. Let's get back to the music room ASAP." He then raised his voice.
"Ja, would you like a piggy-back ride back to the Host Club, Haruhi," suggested the boy with a seemingly mischievous grin, as he crouched. With a half-faked smile, Haruhi climbed onto the boy's back.
"Alright then! Off we go!" Hikaru straightened himself and walked in the direction of the music room. The strange sight had at least stopped the wagging tongues for now. As they tried to distract themselves with casual talk about the weather (no thunderstorm puns included), both teens were smart enough to realise that their lives were about to be changed forever...
Tamaki pushed open the doors of the room with his usual grace. Only one fellow member was fooled by his act; Hani walked up to his junior and handed him the stuffed bunny. Mori followed closely behind his cousin.
"Hani-senpai, I'm alright. Why are you giving Usa-chan to me?" Good. His voice didn't crack.
"Tamaki, you can drop the pretence." If Mori-senpai spoke out, you couldn't help but follow his words. Tamaki's face fell. Hani pushed Usa-chan into the president's hands. Kaoru knew then that Hikaru must have done something dumb again.
"Tono, what did Hikaru do this time?"
"He kissed Haruhi at the fountain." Surprisingly, he felt calm even as Hani and Kaoru gasped. Although they didn't show it, Kyouya and Mori too were caught off-guard. The vice-president quickly recovered and made his own plans.
"Tama-chan, what are YOUR own feelings for Haru-chan?" Hani made a mental note not to become cute for today.
"I don't know..." The tears came back to the blond teen as he slumped down on the floor, clutching Hani's bunny. He had never felt so helpless in his life, at least, not since he left his mother a few years ago to come to Japan. Even so, he was glad that he came to Ouran; his Host Club members were like family to him. No, they WERE family.
Now, a girl whom he wanted to be with for the rest of his life may be lost to someone who called him "milord" on a regular basis. He couldn't even think properly now...
The doors clicked open as Hikaru (with Haruhi still in tow) entered the room. Seeing Tamaki on the floor and the facial expressions on the others were enough to hint the duo that trouble was brewing. The boy let go of Haruhi gently, and her feet touched the floor with a light tap. Kyouya cleared his throat.
"Before you guys give your side of the story, I would just like to mention one thing: All of us can expect rumours of Haruhi being gay to be spreading like wildfire even as we speak. As for the possible consequences, I shouldn't need to elaborate further." Tamaki snapped out of his depression. If the school board knew about the incident, not even his father could prevent Haruhi's scholarship from being revoked without revealing her true identity as a girl. The blond stood up immediately.
"There's only one way to clear Haruhi's name: we tell the truth." Although Kyouya expected such an answer, it presented yet another problem.
"What about the Host Club?" The black-haired teen should have kept his mouth shut, even if it was Tamaki who got his intentions all wrong.
"Damn it, Kyouya! Is money really the only thing which mattered to you?" Kyouya looked at his classmate calmly while the blond cursed under his breath. He knew that the wiser club members had caught his drift. Even Hikaru and Haruhi knew that their senpai wasn't referring to profits this time.
"I can assure you that money's the furthest thing from my mind right now. If Haruhi was to reveal herself as a girl, what would those clients whom she had hosted in the past say? With her number of closet fans, not even I could predict what would happen if we dropped this bombshell on the school community."
"Kyou-chan's right. We must handle the situation carefully."
"I don't mind being called names. The others could say whatever they want." The Host Club looked at the girl. Without knowing her true gender, there had been rumours claiming (rightly, of course) that she was a girl (thanks in part to her bishounen looks). For a guy to hear all that would surely break his heart, reasoned the girl. So, why even bother about that in the first place?
"You forgot one thing, Haruhi. The school board would not just sit back and pretend that nothing has ever happened." Kyouya paused to let the effect of his words sink in. He kept one eye on Tamaki before continuing.
"Not even Suoh-sama would be able to protect you should they decide to kick you out for bringing disrepute to Ouran's name."
Everyone went silent. Kyouya was right. The girl's present predicament was precarious at best.
"Perhaps, the best solution for now is for Haruhi to declare that she was bisexual, just like her father." As always, Mori nailed the problem in one sentence.
"It would have to do, that is, if Haruhi's willing..." The girl nodded her consent. Time for the contingency plan, thought Kyouya.
"Listen up. This is what we're going to do..."
A few moments later...
The Host Club opened its doors. It was going to be business as usual, except for some "adjustments". Hani threw away his mental note, while the twins and Haruhi prepared themselves...
"Kaoru-san, what happened to your cheek?" The teen's injury had shifted their group's focus away from Hikaru. The boy sobbed (half-faking here).
"Hikaru hit me..."
"I'm sorry, Kaoru. I should be condemned for the rest of my life for doing such a thing to my twin." Hikaru looked at his brother with the usual caring eyes (however, not pretending this time)...
"Haruhi-kun, I heard that you kissed Hikaru-kun at the fountain today. Is it true?" From where they were, the Host Club went into their "battle" mode for the day.
"Well..." Haruhi remembered her senior's instructions. 'Don't give the answer immediately. Wait for the tension to build up.' As her clients leaned forward, awaiting the girl's answer, the twins winked at each other. They got up from their seats (having finished their "routine"). Noticing the cue, Haruhi stood up as well. She got in between the boys. Kaoru clapped his hands to get the clients' attention.
"Today, Haruhi's going to do something which she wanted to for a very long time," said the twin cheekily. Before the girls could ask any questions, he turned around to face Haruhi. There was a collective gasp as the girl jumped a little to wrap her arms around Kaoru's neck, and kissed the boy in the lips.
"As all of you can see for yourself, Haruhi's a bi(sexual). That kiss at the fountain was something to prepare all of you ladies." After she was done with Kaoru, Hikaru stooped a little and hugged Haruhi. It was a field day for the fan-girls as Hikaru kissed the same girl for a second time that day. For Haruhi, she added another way to distinguish the twins. Hikaru may be dumb at times, but he's definitely better than Kaoru when it comes to acts of passion. Although Kaoru tried hard to restrain himself, he too was in a daze after his kiss. Girls would be girls, he thought. The twin recovered soon enough, what with the guests staring lovingly at the couple in the middle of the room and sighs of fair maidens coming from every corner...
The older boys and Kyouya took turns glancing at their president. If he broke down at this crucial junction, everything would be ruined. Tamaki didn't disappoint; he was an excellent host to his group. He sneaked a peep at Haruhi. She really was a natural. (Although Haruhi herself had thought that she would need some acting, things just... came naturally.) The vice-president noted the progress with a smile. Now, if only Part 2 was going to be this easy...
After the last guest had left...
It was clean-up time again for Haruhi. However, Tamaki had something to say. He had thought about it ever since he saw...THAT. He walked towards the girl and stopped right beside her.
"Yes, Tamaki-senpai?"
"Haruhi, I will not give up so easily!"
The Host Club stared at their president. Hikaru remembered his brother's analysis. He walked towards the duo.
"Tono, if you want Haruhi, you'll have to get pass me." Hikaru's become more mature now, thought Kaoru.
"Let her make her choice, Hikaru." The twin looked at his senior straight in the eye. The blond returned his gaze. From where he was, Kyouya pushed up his spectacles. Part 2 had officially begun...
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!