Meeting the Host Club
Chapter 2: Welcome to Ouran!
"Haruhi! Hikari!" yelled Ranka. "Wake up!"
I opened my eyes, still half asleep. I still couldn't believe what happened yesterday
It was six in the morning. The sun barely rose and shadows were all around the block.
"Hikari!" yelled Ranka who was already dressed in women's clothes. "Since it's your first day, why don't you help Haruhi with making breakfast?"
"Sure!" I yelled.
I ran to the kitchen. Haruhi was wearing a black apron with a rose pattern on the bottom and a heart pattern around the collar. She was mixing some sort of batter.
"So what are we making!" I asked Haruhi.
"I really don't know! Tamaki gave me this and I really don't know what it is because he never bothered to tell me," she said.
"It's pancake batter!" I said. "It's pretty easy to tell!"
"Oh! Now I remember!" she said. "But why would Tamaki take off the label?"
"I don't know," I asked. "But can I ask one question?"
"Sure!" said Haruhi.
"Who's Tamaki?" I asked.
"Some person who studies at Ouran," replied Haruhi as she ladled some batter onto the pan.
As soon as we were done, we put the pancakes on the plate. They looked perfect! More perfect than the times I made pancakes at my old house.
"Hello!" said Ranka on the phone.
It was my mom. She probably wanted to check on me.
"How's Hikari?" she asked.
"Oh! Nothing!" said Ranka. "She was just helping Haruhi with breakfast!"
"ARE YOU NUTS!" yelled my mom. "Whenever Hikari uses the kitchen, she wastes food, blows up the counter and..."
"Mom!" I said as I took the phone. "It came out perfectly! No wasted food and no blown up counters!"
"Hmmm," said my mom. "It's probably just a fluke!"
"Hikari!" said Haruhi. "We have to go to school!"
"You're right!" I yelled. "Love you, mom! Bye!"
I ran into my room and changed into Ouran's boy's uniform. Then, I stuffed my long, black hair into a short wig, holding the strands together with hairpins. Then, I took a pair of transition glasses with black frames with the brand name in white. Lastly, I put the blue watch Kei got me for my eleventh birthday. I decided to wear it for sentimental value. I took my cellphone and put it in my pocket.
"Let's go!" I yelled.
We ran out the door and started walking to school.
"I can't wait to introduce you to my friends!" said Haruhi.
"So what kinds of clubs are there at Ouran?" I asked Haruhi.
"Well," said Haruhi. "There's the host club! Since everyone at Ouran thinks I'm a boy, I ended up being a member. It's basically a bunch of boys who hit on girls."
"Why did you join?" I asked.
"I just wanted to find a quiet place to study," said Haruhi as she told me her story. "When I decided to study in one of the music rooms, I met the host club. After that, I accidentally broke a vase that's worth 8 million yen. Since, I can't afford to pay 8 million yen, I have to become a member to pay my debt."
"Oh!" I said.
We turned around the corner and saw Ouran Academy.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!"
A tall guy was in front of us. He wore a dark blue blazer, black dress pants and shoes and a light blue tie. His black hair was tidy.
"Who's he?" I asked.
"That's the principal!" said Haruhi.
"Hello, Rei!" said the principal. "I'm the principal of Ouran Academy. I would like to show you around!"
He showed me around the school. He showed me the cafeteria, the classrooms, the outside, and the office.
"Rei!" said the principal. "Since you did come here under a scholarship, you are lucky to be here. We'd make you an exception for the no job rule at Ouran. You would use the money to pay for school."
"Thank you for showing me around!" I said.
"No problem!" said the principal.
We walked around for a half an hour. Since it wasn't near the first bell, we walked around the campus for a bit.
"Who's the newbie?" said some guy.
We turned around. He was a big, tall person. He had a dark brown mohawk. He had a scar on his right eye. He looked pretty scary. He walked around with his gang. One person was standing on his left and one person was standing on his right.
"What's your name?" said the person.
"It's Rei Yamaguchi!" I yelled.
"What do you want, Tanaka!" said Haruhi.
One of the people who was standing with him pushed Haruhi to the ground. Some of the girls, probably someone who goes to the club, started screaming.
"Haruhi!" someone in the crowd yelled worriedly. He had blond hair and purple eyes. He looked like he really likes Haruhi.
"Do something!" yelled some of the girls.
"I have to do something! If I don't Haruhi will get hurt!
My fist started twitching. One of the guys came after me.
"That's it!" I yelled.
I thrust my hand towards one of the guy's face making him fall in pain. Then I kicked the other guy in the stomach.
"Two down, one to go!" I yelled.
"Rei!" Haruhi yelled worriedly.
I thrusted my hand towards Tanaka's face . I was almost done. Before I had the chance to hit him, Tanaka stopped me.
"Enough!" said Tanaka. "You win!"
He ran off in fear that he would get hurt.
"Never mess with a Yamaguchi!" I yelled to him.
All of a sudden, a crowd starts cheering.
"What's going on, Haruhi?" I asked.
"I don't know!" she replied.
"Haruhi!" yelled that guy who was with her. "How could you be so reckless? You could've gone hurt. Also, who's that guy you started hanging out with? I don't like him so stay away!"
"No!" yelled Haruhi. "I'm not going to!"
"It's okay!" I said. "My name is Rei Yamaguchi. Haruhi has told me a lot about you!"
"He has?" he asked.
"He spent hours talking about you!" I said.
"No!" Haruhi protested.
"Besides, it's not like I'm in love with her!" I said.
Haruhi put a disgusted look on her face.
"Wait!" he whispered. "You know she's a girl!"
"Yes!" I said. "She told me the first minute I've moved here!"
"I'm starting to like you!" said the guy. "I'm Tamaki Suoh, president of the Host Club. I would like to show you the host club if you like."
Behind Tamaki, Haruhi gave weird actions. Maybe some sort of warning!
"Sure!" I said.
Haruhi dropped her face on her hand.
Ten minutes before the bell, Haruhi and I were already at the door.
"Why on earth would you let Tamaki show you around!" said Haruhi.
"I really want to know more about the Host Club!" I said.
"Rei!" said Haruhi. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into!"
"Don't worry!" I said. "Everything will be fine!"
A person came out.
"Hello!" said the class president. "I'm Kazukiyo Soga, class representative!"
A girl came out of the door and said, "Hello! I'm Momoka Kurakano, class vice-president! Welcome to our class!"
"Hello!" I said. "I'm Rei Yamaguchi! It's nice to meet you!"
"As you can see, there's a lot to do at Ouran!" said Kazukiyo.
"I understand that you did really well academically and physically at Hakusen!" said Momoka.
"It's a big achievement to be first in your class, right!" said Kazukiyo.
"Anyways, since you already know Haruhi, we'll let you sit beside him!" said Momoka.
They went inside and took their seats.
"Seriously?" said Haruhi who was amazed. "You were first in your class?"
"Actually," I said. "I was second out of the whole school."
"Wow!" yelled Haruhi. "That's even better!"
The bell rang. That means we have to go to class. Haruhi and I went to our seats. All of a sudden, some twin showed up. One of the twins came to me.
"Excuse me," he said. "You're in my seat!"
"Hikaru!" said Kazukiyo.
He walked to him. Kazukiyo whispered into his ear and after that, his eyes widened.
"I understand," he said in a sad tone.
He went to the free desk next to his twin brother.
"Hello!" said the teacher. "We have a new student here with us."
"I think we've noticed," said Hikaru, who was obviously pissed off.
"Please welcome Rei Yamaguchi!" said the teacher.
I came up to the front of the classroom.
"So Rei," said the teacher. "I heard from Kazukiyo that you have the highest grades in your class!"
"Actually," I said. "I'm second out of the whole school!"
"Wow!" said the class in amazement.
"I hope you do well here at Ouran!" said the teacher.
"Thank you," I said.
I went to my seat.
"Not only is he smart, he's also cute! I'm surprised he's not in the host club already!" said one of the girls.
The class giggled at the comment.
"Let's get to work!" said the teacher.
During class, we worked on chemistry, art, physical education, and English. I even took a math test and got the highest score in the class.
"I'm impressed!" said the teacher. "Out of all of my students, you are the second best out of all, just behind Kei Takishima!"
"Wow! Even when I'm not at Hakusen, I'm still second!"
"Ugh! I can't get him off of my mind! Get him off, get him off, get him off! Crap, I can't get him off!"
After the bell rang, it was lunch. Haruhi and I brought our own lunches because the food at the cafeteria was too pricey. We were eating our leftovers from dinner yesterday!
"Whatcha got there?" said Hikaru.
"Just leftovers!" said Haruhi.
"Why are you hanging out with Rei?" said Hikaru. "It's annoying me!"
"It happened again!"
On the other side of the table I decided not to watch
"Hello," the other twin said to me. "I'm Kaoru Hitachiin! Don't mind Hikaru!"
"It's okay!" I said. "It has also happened this morning!"
"I guess you know that Haruhi's a girl!" whispered Kaoru.
"Yes!" I said. "She told me as soon as I moved here!"
Meanwhile, Hikaru continued talking to Haruhi.
"I want you to stop hanging out with him!" said Hikaru. "You agree with me, right Kaoru?"
Kaoru didn't respond. He was too busy talking to me.
"KAORU!" yelled Hikaru.
"What?" said Kaoru.
"Why!" said Hikaru.
"He seems like a nice guy!" said Kaoru.
"Hikaru," I said. "There's no need to get jealous! Haruhi's just my friend!"
He heard my comment and turned to me.
"You know she's a girl?" Hikaru whispered.
"He does!" said Kaoru. "Haruhi told him as soon as he moved here!"
"That's a relief!" said Hikaru. "Do you want me to show you the host club?"
"No, thanks!" I said. "Tamaki's got that covered!"
"I wouldn't trust him if I were you," said Hikaru.
"How come?" asked Tamaki who was eager to know why.
"Nothing!" said Hikaru as if he wanted to take the comment back.
"Are you ready to let me show you around?" asked Tamaki.
"Sure!" I said.
I walked forward until I bumped into a guy who spilt spaghetti all over my uniform.
"Oh no!" I said. "I don't have a spare uniform!"
"Don't worry!" said Tamaki. "I think I have an extra."
"Thanks!" I said in relief.
I walked with him to the host club's room.
"So how was your old school?" asked Tamaki.
"It was okay," I said.
"Why did you go to Ouran then?" Tamaki asked.
"Personal reasons," I said.
We stopped. Beside me was the music room.
"Here's the place!" said Tamaki. "This music room is where we do the Host Club!"
"It's so extravagant!" I said.
"I'll go get a uniform!" said Tamaki. "You stay put!"
"Okay!" I said.
He left for the supply closet.
"Ugh! My wig's so itchy!"
I took off the wig for a moment. It felt so comfortable. I wish I didn't have to masquerade as a boy to stay away from Kei.
Tamaki walked at the door. When he saw me, his eyes widened. I didn't have my wig on, having my long, black hair out in the open. It took me a while to notice that I didn't have my wig on.
"Rei!" Tamaki said. "You're a girl!"
He was surprised, but not scared.
"I'm a girl?" I said trying to have him forget. It was obviously not working.
"Seriously!" yelled Tamaki.
"Fine!" I said as if I failed. "I'm a girl!"
"But, why did you come as a boy?" he asked.
"Well, I left my old school, because I wanted to run away from the S.A." I said.
"You were part of Hakusen's S.A!" he asked.
"Yes!" I said. "My real name is Hikari Hanazono. I couldn't stand being second. I couldn't stand being taunted repeatedly. I had to run away, because that's what my heart told me."
"I understand," said Tamaki.
"You have to promise me..." I said. "...Promise me you would not tell anyone!"
"I promise," he said. "This will be our little secret."
He took my wig and helped me put it on.
"You know," said Tamaki. "A lot of girls are starting to admire you. Would you like to be part of the host club?"
"Well..." I said. "First I have to meet the other members."
"Sure!" said Tamaki. "I think you've met Hikaru and Kaoru, and you've definitely met Haruhi. Now you have to meet Kyoya, Honey and Mori!"
"Hello!" said someone who I think was Kyoya.
"Hi," said Tamaki. "I would like you to meet Rei Yamaguchi!"
"Hello," said Kyoya. "I'm Kyoya Ootori. I understand that you're new here."
"Yes, I am!" I replied.
"I just asked Rei if he wants to join!" said Tamaki.
"Well, there's always room!" said Kyoya.
"Okay, I'll join!" I said. "But first, can I meet Honey and Mori?"
"Hello!" said a little boy.
"That's Honey!" said Tamaki.
Honey was definitely a chipper boy. I'm surprised that he is in high school. At first, I thought that he skipped a lot of grades!
"Honey," said Kyoya. "This is Rei! He's new to the school!"
"Hi Rei!" said Honey. "I'm Mitsukuni Haninozuka, but you can just call me Honey! My bunny's name is Usa-chan!"
"Hi, Honey-senpai!" I said.
Suddenly, there was a tall guy standing next to Honey.
"Rei! This is Takashi!" said Honey. "He is the best person ever!"
"Hi, Mori-senpai!" I said.
"So now that you've met everyone, would you like to join the Host Club?" asked Tamaki.
"Hmm...!" I said. "Sure!"
"Well, you can start on Thursday, since you're new."
"Okay!" I said.
After school, Haruhi and I were walking back home.
"So what happened with you and Tamaki?" asked Haruhi.
"Well, he found out that I am really a girl," I said.
"What!" Haruhi yelled.
"He also asked me if I wanted to join the host club and I said yes," I said a little quieter.
"What!" Haruhi yelled. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into!"
"Relax," I said. "I'll be fine!"
"I'm warning you, something may happen!" said Haruhi.
"The only thing I have to worry about is my identity out in the open!" I said. "Besides! Only you and Tamaki know, right?"
"Yeah," Haruhi said suspiciously. "Only Tamaki and I know."
We're home. It was four in the afternoon. We decided to chat with each other while making dinner.
"Hikari?" asked Haruhi. "Do you want to go around the town someday?"
"Well," I said. "We can do that as soon as I finish my shift at that new restaurant near the house."
"When's your shift?" asked Haruhi.
"Tomorrow at 6PM-7PM!" I answered.
"I thought jobs weren't allowed at Ouran!" said Haruhi.
"True!" I said. "But the school allowed me since it's the only way I can pay for school!"
"Okay!" said Haruhi.
After dinner, Haruhi and I decided to sleep. I took off my wig and glasses and went on the bed. I was so tired from school. There's a lot to worry about tomorrow, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens!