On this bright and lovely Thursday morning, Ruka was starting to think that promising to help Haruhi had been a bad idea. For one, she didn't want to see Kyouya. She also didn't want to deal with whatever the Hitachiin twins have planned for her. Plus, new items will be arriving at her favorite store today. And there'll only be a limited number of products!
Aaaaaaaand she was laaaaaaaaazy.
Yup. Mostly lazy. She'd rather head to the mall and shop til she dropped. But noooo. She had given her word and it would look bad for her not to come to the Host Club. So she decided to go because she was just that nice. Cough. Really.
Well... Also because Minamoto-chan and her cronies were giggling amongst themselves when Ruka had entered the classroom. It had stopped being annoying nine minutes ago. Now it was infuriating. Minamoto-chan had just made a comment on Ruka's hair.
"What's up with it?" Minamoto-chan stage-whispered. "Couldn't she find a brush?" Giggles came forth from the group.
Oh for the love of Gucci, Ruka internally groaned, then an idea popped into her head. She flipped her hair over her left shoulder and turned to the snickering girls.
"Funny of you to mention it, but I couldnt find my things after gym yesterday. Do you girls know who took them?"
Minamoto-chan scowled at her.
"I know my hair's a mess but Hikaru-kun and Kaoru-kun offered to style it." She told them brightly. "The hosts are such charming boys. They were so devastated to hear that anyone would be cruel enough to take such a beautiful lady's things." Ruka loved the way their eyes all widened. Of course she was stretching some details, but they didn't have to know that. "They were all worried about me. You've heard of what happened to Ayanokouji-senpai, right?" She watched them squirm in their seats. "The Host Club just doesn't tolerate bullies."
She turned away after that, trying to hide the grin on her lips. That'll shut them up, she thought triumphantly.
"You're lying."
Ruka's head snapped back at them. "Excuse me?" She raised an eyebrow at Minamoto-chan.
"You're obviously lying! You didn't meet the Host Club. Why would Hikaru-sama and Kaoru-sama even want to touch your hair? And address them with more respect!"
Ruka rolled her eyes. "Hikaru-kun and Kaoru-kun don't mind," she replied smugly. "We'll if you don't believe me, why not just ask the Host Club yourselves? Of course, I'm not sure if they've already found out who stole my things," she placed a finger on her cheek and shifted her eyes back at them. "So, why don't we go ask them later? I think I told them about you all... I can't quite remember..."
Ruka gave them a mischievous smile and it only grew as Minamoto-chan huffed and looked away. Her friends had split reactions though. Some of them seemed worried and some just crossed their arms, fuming.
Well geez. If they didn't want trouble, they shouldn't have caused it, Ruka thought and went back to her magazine. Later, Ruka would delight in the fact that no one from Minamoto-chan's group visited the Host Club that day. But still, that seemed like the only redeeming factor.
I'd rather be at the mall, Ruka thought as she sat with Haruhi and some other girls from class A. They were cooing on how cute "he" was.
Although Ruka had to admit that talking to the pseudo-male was lighthearted fun; nonetheless, it was just talking. She could be out and about in the mall right now but she was just here. Sitting and eating and giggling when appropriate.
"Lady Ruka," a voice drew her out of her thoughts. "It's time for the guests to rotate. Haruhi's next clients are waiting."
The redhead looked at Kyouya, confused. "Can't I just book her the whole day? It'll help with her debt."
"That would be unfair to our other guests who want to spend time with Haruhi," Kyouya replied as if such a thing was painfully obvious. "We can discuss this further, but it'll count as designating me."
Damn those marketing strategies of his. Ruka sighed and stood. She gave a stuff nod at the megane. He led her to an empty table and he sat opposite of her. "Can't I just pay you the amount of a thousand requests? Then Haruhi's debt will be settled."
"I doubt Haruhi would appreciate that."
Ruka rolled her eyes. "Why not? Wouldn't that be ungrateful of her?"
The Shadow King paused and looked at her. "Wouldn't it be ungrateful of you? Haruhi extended her help to you and I'm sure she would feel guilty if she received such payment."
Commoners, Ruka internally groaned. "Alright, I guess I'll be going then."
"I hope you didn't forget the uniform we lent you. The rental fee for it is five thousand yen," the boy across her said while typing in his laptop.
"Of course, there's a rental fee." And Ruka could have sworn the megane's lips quirked up he tiniest bit. So he's enjoying this? "You need a new hobby, Kyouya-senpai," she told him and she stood. "I'll return the uniform by the end of club hours. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a pair of designer jeans I would really like to get-"
"You can't be leaving so soon."
Ruka almost meeped as two arms draped around her shoulder and waist. "H-Hikaru-kun... Kaoru-kun... Well, unfortunately I do have to go so if you can just," and the redhead tried to brush them off but to no avail. She wanted to escape before they could get her back for yesterday.
"Alright but you have to play a game first," the twins chorused.
"A game?" Ruka repeated, surprised at the excitement in their voices. "The Which One is Hikaru Game?"
"Bingo!" They cheered and brought out matching hats. They stepped in front of her and posed. "Guess which one is Hikaru!"
"Hold on," Ruka put a hand up. This was the perfect! She could hit two birds with one stone if things went well. "If I guess right, I need a prize."
"What do you want?" They asked.
"A makeover by the two of you," Ruka told them. "And it better be good!"
"Then if you guess wrong," the identical boys grinned, "You'll have to play our game everyday. Even on the weekends."
"Everyday?! Even on the weekends? That's hardly fair!" Ruka was taken aback by such a proposition. And the fact that she felt like the Hitachiin twins had suddenly found their new toy.
"Hey, a makeover by us is special," one twin said.
"And all you have to do is play again if you lose," added the other.
"Fine, fine. You two better not lie if I guess right," Ruka warned. Then she crossed her arms and looked to the side. "I mean, what happened yesterday was ages ago."
The twins cocked an eyebrow each. "You're not very good at apologizing."
"Yeah? Well neither are the two of you," Ruka defended. "Come on, I have a game to win."
The Hitachiin brothers brightened as they started switching around. "Now let's play...the Which One is Hikaru Game!"
Ruka was tired. Really, how slow can time be? She felt like she's been sitting in math class for centuries.
"Alright, please continue this problem at home and on Monday we'll discuss the solution," the teacher announced.
Ruka let out a sigh of relief and began to fix her things. Lunch was next so at least she'll get to relax for a while.
"Where's that new hairstyle you were bragging about?" Came the voice of none other than Minamoto-chan.
Ruka looked longingly at the door. I just want to get through the day in peace!
"It was rescheduled," she told the other girl as she searched her bag for her wallet.
"I knew you were lying," Minamoto-chan said bitterly.
"I wasn't lying about meeting the Host Club!" Ruka snapped back. "And what's your problem, anyway? Can't you just let it go? I'm sorry for calling your new hair ugly but get over it. That was two days ago. Are you going to harp about it forever?"
They had been alone in the classroom for a while. The silence was deliberate as Ruka waited for a response. she scowled at the girl before her. Minamoto-chan was trembling now, no doubt a loud tirade was going to follow. But to her surprise, Minamoto-chan started crying.
"Apologizing wont make things better! You said my new hair looked cheap and horrible in front of all my friends and even Satoshi-kun!" The girl cried. "I was s-so embarrassed. H-He even laughed at-at me..."
What's happening? Ruka asked herself as her classmate continued to sob. The sudden outburst of Minamoto-chan caught her completely off guard. She didn't know the other girl felt that way. Really, the whole hair issue had been an accident and now the Minamoto-chan was crying?
"Hey, listen-"
"Now I can't even go to the Host Club!" Minamoto-chan interrupted. "I just can't believe you! You're such a bitch!" The tearful girl shouted and ran out the room.
Ruka stayed unmoving by her seat even long after Minamoto-chan had gone, stunned by what just happened. It was just a comment. Minamoto-chan shouldn't have let it affect her that much, Ruka thought. She had no idea the girl liked Satoshi-san. Or that he laughed at her. Ruka didn't know; she didn't mean to embarrass Minamoto-chan.
"It's not my fault," she said to the dead air. "It's not."
"There you are!" Came two identical voices as Ruka entered the cafeteria.
"Took you long enough," said a twin.
"We thought you were trapped in another bathroom," joked the other.
"Hi Ruka-san," greeted Haruhi. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."
"I need to talk to Tamaki-senpai," Ruka blurted out.
"Why?" Asked the twins.
"None of your business!" Ruka told them.
You're such a bitch!
The redhead stiffened then coughed. "I mean, it's nothing. Really. Never mind," Ruka faltered. She mumbled something about food and then walked away. However, instead of going to the counters, she walked out of the room.
You're such a bitch!
Ruka shook her head. "I am not," she mumbled to herself.
"Not what, Ruru-chan?"
Ruka let out a shriek. "H-Honey-senpai!" She turned around to see the small blond smiling. "And Mori-senpai," she looked at the tall boy with them. "Uhm, it's nothing."
"Alright!" Honey replied sweetly. "We came from a class meeting so we're a little late for lunch." Suddenly, the small senior pulled her along. "Come on, Ruru-chan! Let's eat together!"
"Ruru-chan? Where did you get calling me Ruru-chan?!" Only family called her that! Sparingly.
"I think it sounds cute," Honey beamed at her.
Ruka huffed. "Just because you're cute, doesn't mean you can get away it, senpai," she grumbled. "And I'm not that hungry."
"It's bad to skip meals," Mori spoke. And then there was no arguing her way out of it. Ruka was led back to the cafeteria with the other Host Club members. She couldn't stay troubled for long because Hikaru and Kaoru kept making jokes and forcing her to play their game. It distracted her well enough that she forgot all about the confrontation with Minamoto-chan. And that her classmate's table had been empty the whole lunch period.