Song of the Shadows: chapter 2
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own OHSHC/ Sailor Moon
Takako shrugged and moved into the music room, only to see- thankfully- the host club in their normal uniforms. Rose petals twirled around her, and she looked suitably-
Unimpressed.
"Welcome, to the host club!" They chorused.
Takako smiled, and took a look around the room. This, was not a music room. Where were the instruments! And thus, with this driving thought in mind, she started walking around the room, completely ignoring the hosts, just to search for the instruments. The hosts stared at the wandering girl, and back at their 'King', who was sulking in a corner after Takako ignored him.
"Haru-chan, why isn't Taka-chan talking to us?"
"Ah, that… that is a very good question." Haruhi mumured, patting the younger blonde.
"Takako Mizune, height- 5.479 feet tall, weight- 60kg, eye colour- brown, hair colour- black, right-handed. Famed pop idol, hit second in the billboards with her single, 'Shadow', and her latest album, 'Beginning of Light', has been sold out in all the stores in Japan.
"No known relatives, but she is currently staying with Haruka Tenou and Michiru Kaiou. No known medical conditions either- except for her eccentricities. Looks adequately handsome and has a slightly above-average intelligence.
"Plays the guitar and the piano. Relatively average in ballet, jazz and hip-hop. Slightly better at contemporary. Absolutely dislikes ballroom dancing.
"In short, fascinated with music and relatively talented. End of report." Kyoya muttered, smacking his black book shut.
"Relatively talented?" Haruhi echoed incredulously, now eyeing the seemingly deranged girl who was combing through the entire room.
The room stood still, and even the female patrons did not dare to speak as they observed Takako's eccentric behaviour. Finally, Takako paused, her hand gripping onto a curtain. She pulled it out of the way to reveal a few instruments sitting alone in the corner of the room. She seemed to falter before walking into the cordoned corner and stroking the instruments.
"Who… did this?"
"Eh?"
"Who did this?"
"I'm not sure-"
"Who defiled this music room and shoved the instruments to the side?" Dangerously sweet.
"A-ah. If that's what you mean-"
"I would prefer if you got to the point."
Silence conquered the room, and nobody dared to breathe. The door swung open to reveal Haruka and Michiru, ushered in by rose petals and a very confused pair of twins.
"Ara, little nezumi-chan is upset?" Michiru was the first to speak. "The host club, of course."
"The… host club? How pleasantly surprising."
And then, she turned to face the rest of the room. "Darn rose petals."
"What?"
"She turns around, and then she goes 'darn rose petals'?"
"I don't understand…"
"What a scare…"
Haruka chuckled, causing the whole room to place their focus on her. She took a few strides and stood next to the silently raging Takako, causing a few people to gasp. Placing an arm around Takako, she pulled the younger girl close. More gasps and muffled squealing.
Haruhi gazed at the scene, and then at Michiru- who was… giggling? Haruhi shrugged off the preconceived notion that Michiru might be jealous- why, jealous?- why indeed?
"Look, nezumi-chan, I'll play for you, if it hurts to see such beautiful angels go to waste?" Haruka said it softly, but everyone could hear the husky tones of the racer.
"Really? But it's all dusty and-"
"Your wish is my command."
Takako looked up into Haruka's eyes and smiled gently, squeezing Haruka's arm. This… this was strange. Haruhi couldn't wrap her mind around a musical race car driver, nor the idea of Haruka and Takako together (where exactly did Michiru- no, Kaiou-san- fit in?).
"Haruka-san really understands Taka-chan, ne, Takashi?" Haruhi heard Mori grunt in reply, and she sighed.
"I believe that's another crisis averted, no?" Haruhi looked up to see Michiru's amused look. "Haruka loves playing on the Steinway."
"Ah, what a lady indeed, Kaiou-san. To be able to recognize-" Tamaki began, offering a rose to Michiru.
Michiru politely declined with a chuckle, "I believe I have had enough of rose petals. Now, if you don't mind, we should try appreciating the music, no? Haruka rarely plays the piano for an audience."
Tamaki nodded, but turned to seek comfort in 'Mom', whining softly to Kyoya, "They're like Lobelia! Lobelia twins!"
0*0*0*0
A crowd gathered around Haruka after she was done- an unexpected reaction. Tamaki tried to offer another piece on the piano, but no one had responded to him. Despondent, he went seeking refuge in a corner. The twins slunk around Haruhi, and for once, they were silently watching Honey, Mori, Takako and Michiru chat.
"Ah! So Taka-chan was upset that the instruments weren't dusted and taken care of?"
"Well- that was rather childish of me, but I thought that it wasn't right for them to be sulking in a corner like that. Given that this is a music room-"
"Club activities, nezumi-chan." Michiru reprimanded lightly. "It was quite impulsive of you to assume so-"
"They weren't touched in a long time, Michiru-san." Takako blurted out. "They were rather dusty."
"Ara?"
"Mi-chan, Taka-chan, nobody actually uses this music room, besides us."
"Ah! That's such a pity- others could be using these instruments! But you left them in the shadows, alone-" Takako leapt to her feet. "If it's only called a 'music room' because of its namesake, then why not donate these fine instruments to others, and claim this as a club room-?"
"Takako-san, I believe it is not our business to meddle in," Michiru piped up, placing a hand on Takako's clenched fist.
"A-ah. Right. That is not- our business." Takako sat down again.
"That was an interesting notion, nonetheless, Mizune-san." Kyoya said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"I apologize for my outburst."
Michiru offered Takako a cup of tea, which was accepted. Haruhi found them rather strange- the three new idols- but she shrugged it off. It was probably just another eccentricity, that and how the rich usually acted.
"So, Mizune-san," Hikaru began.
"Will you be coming again?" Kaoru finished.
"Again? Well-" she shot a look at Michiru, who took another sip from her tea. "That is, if you don't mind me."
"Of course not, Taka-chan!"
Takako gave a shy smile.
Michiru turned her head to glance at Haruka, who was flirting with a girl. She shook her head and sighed. Haruhi, upon catching sight of this action, frowned. Was Michiru jealous? She looked bitter, and yet-
"Are you and Tenou-kun a couple?" Haruhi asked.
"Ah? Haruka and I…"
"You've even dropped the honorifics!" Kaoru and Hikaru observed. "We don't stand a chance anymore…"
"Haruka is my important partner. But don't worry about it, you might stand a chance if Haruka misbehaves~" Michiru teased, setting her teacup on the table.
"Ah, is that so? I thought Michiru-san was pretty jealous of how Haruka-san's just flirting with another girl?" Takako gestured towards Haruka and her little pool of followers. "It's okay, Michiru-san, you still have me."
"Ara?"
Takako winked, and made to straighten the bow tie on Michiru's dress. "I'll always be here for you, Michiru-san."
Michiru placed a hand over Takako's, and grinned.
"Michiru-san…"
By now, a small crowd was forming around them-
"Oh my god that's so-"
"That's so cute!"
"And sweet!"
"Kyahhh both of them together!"
"What is this forbidden love!"
"Michi really loves to tease people, doesn't she?" Haruka said smugly.
"Wait, what?"
"A nickname! It's suspicious!"
Michiru gently pulled away from Takako and shrugged. "Ah well, if you always have your fun, why can't I?"
"But you're not enjoying yourself at all, Michiru-san. I fear that Haruka-san is the only one to make you feel at ease," Takako giggled, before taking a sip of tea.
The host club stared at the trio in wonder and curiosity. Just what was going on! Even Honey had abandoned his cake, grabbing onto Usa-chan to look at the scene unfolding before them. The patrons were all anticipating something more tense and romantic than this subtle exchange of verbal blows.
"It seems… Tenou-kun is a natural! How would you like to join-" Tamaki began again, offering his most charming smile.
"Pass! I don't like that kind of thing," Haruka muttered, offering her hand to Michiru. "It's getting quite late. We should leave, Michi."
Michiru accepted Haruka's hand and walked to the door. Haruka kissed Michiru's hand and bowed, before holding the door open for her.
"Just like a gentleman!"
"Oh, if only he'd join the host club!"
"Darn rose petals," Takako muttered. "There they go again, leaving me alone."
"Ahhh? Taka-chan is leaving already?" Honey whined.
"I'm sorry, Honey-sempai. But someone has to take care of those two lovebirds. Besides, I think I've been here- disturbing you all- for long enough." Takako said apologetically and made to leave. "Also, I think Tamaki-sempai needs some rest."
Haruhi nodded, though she was still very confused by the three of them. It was quite normal- as normal as it could get in a school of the filthy rich- but she couldn't help but feel something was quite amiss. The words the three idols exchanged, and-
"Goodbye everyone. I fear- I fear that- I mean, take care."
Still, there was Tamaki to revive. Haruhi sighed and put the strange feeling off her mind. For now, it was damage control, and the host club activities to facilitate.