"..." The host was spacing out in front of her guests, something which had not happened for quite some time now. From his corner, Otori Kyouya made it a point not to add to the girl's debt for her mistake. He knew that Haruhi's had her hands full.
"Haruhi-kun?"
"I'm sorry. Did you say something?" Although she tried hard not to show it, Haruhi was troubled. Already in class, Hikaru had made his move, by cutting down on his pranks and helping her with her schoolwork (mostly Math). In fact, the girl didn't even know that the elder twin could be so mature, even as she suspected that it was merely an act. On the part of the twins, their co-ordination was perfect. Kaoru convinently stood aside whenever his brother offered his help. During their Art class, it was his turn to help out. To top it all off, they were actually QUIET today. It was unsettling, not only for Haruhi, but also for the rest of their class. Even Kazukiyo (the class president who got scared out of his wits during Halloween) couldn't resist the urge to ask her what had happened between her and the twins. Although she shrugged off the question, the president could tell that she was hiding something...
When the Host Club opened for business, the twins did their usual "twincest" routines. It was a good way to vent their pent-up energies. Hikaru wanted to be his usual self, but he realised that if he didn't change his ways, Haruhi's opinion of him would not change either.
"You look pale today, Ohime-sama. Is anything troubling you?" (For the record, this guest had a fair complexion.)
"...Tamaki-sama..." The girl's face was now crimson-red, as Suoh Tamaki worked his charms. He wasn't too worried about Hikaru. As he had realised, he could do little about the fact that the twins and Haruhi were in the same class. However, from his hosting performance, one could be forgiven for thinking that he had already won the girl's hand.
"Takashi, Tama-chan's not anxious at all." Hani had noticed the King's coolness. Mori nodded in reply. Given Tamaki's nature, the senior knew that his club president had already decided on his course of action.
"Hani-kun, what did you whisper to Mori-kun?"
"Oh, it's nothing! Do all of you want some more cake?"
After Host Club hours...
"Hikaru, did you notice anything about Tono," whispered the younger twin. After all the guests had left, the music room was silent, save for the handling of crockery by Haruhi.
"He didn't hug Haruhi." That fact alone was enough to convince the boy that their tono was up to no good. He glared at Tamaki as he left the room. Unknown to everyone else, he had a special appointment today.
Once inside his limo, the heir to the Suoh empire gave his instructions. Although the chauffeur acknowledged them, a question popped up in his mind: Why would Tamaki-sama want to go to a district known for its okama bars?
Outside the bar where Fujioka Ranka worked, Tamaki waited in the limo. No one in the Host Club would ever expect him to do this. Well, maybe Kyouya would, since he was the one who gave the blond the address to begin with. Since it would be a long wait, he took out a book and began reading.
"Yoshida, let me know once that particular bar is closing." The man nodded his acknowledgement. As Tamaki slowly flipped through the pages, the chauffeur's eyes never left the bar...
After a few hours...
"Tamaki-sama." The boy, who had dozed off, woke up upon hearing his name. He looked at the time; it was already midnight. No wonder Haruhi was so close to her father: they barely had time to get together. Although it was way past his usual bedtime, he didn't mind losing a few hours of sleep, not when it concerned his future happiness.
To Yoshida's horror, the teen opened the door himself and stepped out of the limo. The blazer of Ouran High was now by his seat. Tamaki soon saw the person he was looking for. Good, he was alone. Yoshida discreetly closed the door for the young master as he walked towards the okama.
"Ranka-san."
Even before the greeting, Fujioka Ranka had already noted the presence of a limo outside his workplace. It could only belong to one of six teens whom he knew. But clearly, he didn't expect to see THAT particular teen in front of him now. Ranka observed Suoh Tamaki as he walked forward. In his school uniform (without the blazer), the teen actually looked presentable. His past mannerisms, however, did not leave a good impression.
"Do you wish to see me, Suoh Tamaki-kun?"
"I do, Ranka-san. Shall we talk while my chauffeur drive you home?" To Tamaki's surprise, the father agreed. Kyouya's e-mail had convinced the older man that he should listen to what the Suoh boy had to say.
As the limo headed for the apartment, Tamaki cleared his throat. Ranka sat on the opposite side, staring at him all the time.
"Ranka-san, I'm here..." The okama interrupted him.
"I hope you have an explanation as to why Haruhi kissed Hikaru-kun." Surprise no.2. The club president soon figured out the link.
"It was Kyouya, right?" Ranka nodded. After a busy night's work, he was in no mood for small talk.
"To tell the truth, I have no idea. But the fact remains that after this kiss of theirs, the Host Club was forced to advertise Haruhi as a bi..."
"Kyouya-kun noted that in his email as well, Tamaki-kun. What I want to know is: How is Hitachiin Hikaru like as a person?" The blond realised the problem here. He thought for a while.
"I believe that it is best for you to hear the answer to that question from Haruhi herself. As a matter of fact, the reason why I'm here, is to seek your approval for courting your daughter, Ryoji-san." The father smiled to himself. Looks like Kyouya's comments on his president were apt after all. He had expected Tamaki to badmouth his rival. He closed his eyes for a while, before re-opening them.
"Tamaki-kun, you're more mature than I thought." His eyes seemed to be challenging the teen to prove him wrong. Wisely, Tamaki didn't bite.
"There's a lot more about me which you don't know, Ranka-san," said the teen with a mysterious smile. The two then remained silent for the rest of the journey...
"Well, we're here. Goodnight, Ranka-san." Before stepping out of the vehicle (the door was already held open by Yoshida), Ranka cleared his throat. He wanted to make some things clear first.
"Tamaki-kun, you have my permission to court Haruhi, but if you ever..."
"Rest assured that I would not hurt Haruhi in any way." Tamaki looked at Ranka straight in the eye as he spoke.
"Make sure you keep your promise, Tamaki-kun." As the teen instructed Yoshida to head home, Ranka did not climb up the staircase to the apartment. Instead, he stood and watched as the limo cruised away.
"Keep your promise, Tamaki, if only for Haruhi..." mumbled the father under his breath.
Later, at the second Suoh mansion...
"Young master, you're back. Where have you been?" Maezono Shima was worried about her charge. However, as she saw Tamaki entering the mansion, with his blazer drapped over his shoulder and his other hand holding the briefcase, she was reminded of how his father was like in his youth. Yuzuru-sama sure passed on many of his traits to the young master...
"I'm sorry I'm a little late tonight, Shima. You must be tired waiting up for me."
"It's my duty, young master. However, do take care of yourself. One shouldn't start keeping late nights from such an early age, and you, young master, are the heir of the Suoh family." Tamaki smiled at the elderly housekeeper. As he headed for his room, Shima's worries returned. Recently, the young master's been very quiet. Even when the old madam was harsh to him, he had never been like this before. Could it be... Shima sighed. The young master had indeed grown up...
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!