The next day at the airport, the Host Club turned up to see Haruhi off. Much to her relief, Tamaki didn't try any of his stunts, while Kaoru kept a watchful eye on his brother. Hikaru merely mumbled "Have fun." as his parting words.

"Haruhi, remember what you're supposed to do," said Kyouya as he smiled pleasantly. Somehow, that didn't calm Haruhi down.

"Take care," cheered Hani. Mori nodded his agreement. The girl just hoped that they wouldn't see through her disguise later...

After the short plane trip, Haruhi was whisked to a room in the airport. There, Kyouya's team gave the required makeover and briefing. The girl took in a couple of breaths to calm herself down. It was time for the return trip...

At Narita, Tamaki stood patiently at the arrival hall. His "assistants" (actually Kyouya's), as well as the president of the student council, would also be on the look out. The chairman's son wondered how this exchange student looked like...

"Tamaki-sama, she's here." The teen nearly gasped. Why did the girl look so much like Haruhi. True, she's wearing a pair of glasses (with fairly large lenses), and Haruhi doesn't plait her hair. But, somehow, this lady looks just like how Haruhi appeared in his "mind theaters", minus the specs that is...

Haruhi, on her part, hoped that her handling of her luggage was enough to throw Tamaki off the scent. She actually felt awkward in the female Ouran uniform, after wearing the male version for so long. At least, the glasses suited her. Here comes Tamaki, she thought.

"Welcome, Miss..." It was then that Tamaki realised that he didn't know her name.

"Sayuri, Hisakawa Sayuri." Instantly, the boy knew that she couldn't possibly be Haruhi; her voice was too gentle. Haruhi was just glad that she didn't blush or do anything which would give the game away.

"Sayuri-san, this way." The gaunt president led the way to the limo. So far so good...

A while later, at Class 1-A...

"Neh, Kaoru. Do you think the exchange student would be a guy?" Hikaru was getting bored as the class waited for the guest to arrive.

"How would I know," replied Kaoru as he shrugged his shoulders. He then looked at the empty seat between the twins. Without Haruhi around, they found class to be a drag...

As the entourage entered the class, the students of Class 1-A took another look at the exchange student. Already, murmurs could be heard. Clearing his throat, Tamaki prepared to do his job as the chairman's son.

"This is Hisakawa Sayuri. Please give her a round of applause to welcome her to Ouran High!" Haruhi bowed as she sweatdropped secretly at the reception.

"Sayuri-san, we hope you'll enjoy the next three weeks with us," continued the Host club King, while looking at the girl. Haruhi nodded timidly. She then walked over to the empty seat, before realising that it was her old seat. She prayed that her neighbours wouldn't know who she really was. The twins decided to introduce themselves.

"Sayuri-chan, I'm Hikaru..."

"I'm Kaoru..."

"We're the Hitachiin brothers!" Haruhi kept mum, although she knew that the twins had switched their identities.

"Sayuri, you look like someone we know, right, Kaoru?"

"That's right, Hikaru. She looks like Haruhi, doesn't she?" 'Sayuri' stiffened. Did they see through it already?

"Who's this 'Haruhi' whom you guys speak of?" Good, the tone was nothing like her usual voice.

"Fujioka Haruhi, our representative for this exchange. She should be in your school now as we speak," said Hikaru matter-of-factly. The girl worked hard to stifle a laugh. Despite her situation, she was beginning to see the funny side of the act.

"Is there anything wrong? The lesson's about to start," asked Kaoru.

"Nothing," lied Haruhi. Although she could get some laughs out at the moment, by the end of three weeks, she was going to reveal her true gender. She wondered what would happen then...

For the rest of the day, the male students of 1-A couldn't help but stare at Haruhi, while the girls, including Renge, gossiped with her. Almost all noted her resemblance to "Fujioka-kun". For the first time, Haruhi felt that she fitted in with a certain group. Usually, she only talked candidly with the Host Club boys, because of her "secret". She finally realised what she had been missing all this while.

After school...

"Sayuri, would you like to visit the Host Club," asked Renge.

"Host Club? What's that?"

"You'll see." Hikaru had overheard the conversation. He had a big grin on as well.

"The Hitachiin twins are hosts too, along with Haruhi, who isn't here. He's my favourite!" Renge added a squeal of joy at the end, much to Haruhi's surprise. She knew that she was popular, but not THIS popular. Regardless, her disguise would be put to the test at the Third Music Room. For everyone's sake, she hoped that no one would recognise her...

Afterthooughts

-Please RnR!

-For an image of Haruhi as Sayuri, please see the illustration by Izumi Asuka in Volume 9.