Author note(s): Bonjour, gens. That's French...which I'm taking in college. -_- Anyway, another chapter for you guys. Beta is Aihara Awayuki.
Story fact(s): This chapter is edited and revised for the sake of the plot. Two down, two to go, I promise...
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Episode IX: First Day Success
~OHSHC; Music Room #4~
The next Monday, the Hostesses were setting up for the guests to spend the afternoon. Karai had yet to arrive, but like Hani and Mori, she would arrive late. Haruhi, considering that she was now a girl to the student body, wore the pale yellow dress that the female students were required to wear. Her brown locks were straight and brushed. Mayumi and Naomi wore bows in their hair instead of the headbands, pink and purple respectively.
"I wonder if we'll be popular with the boys," Ukemo voiced, setting a cake at each of the Hostesses' stations.
"We were popular with them at the ball," Mayumi explained, placing tea sets on the tables.
"So I guess we'll just as popular, if not, then more," Naomi added, pouring tea into the cups.
"I'll calculate how much we'll have and tell you later," Sakura explained, typing away on her computer.
"Thanks, Sakura-senpai," Haruhi smiled, sitting calmly.
"It's time to open the doors," Sakura pointed, looking at the clock.
The Hostesses got into positions like the Hosts would do when greeting guests. The door opened to reveal their male guests.
"Welcome, gentlemen," the Hostesses greeted in unison.
"Hi," the crowd sighed, eyes glazed over.
"The rules in the Hostess Club is the same as the rules in the Host Club... One, you can't touch/harass the Hostesses or else be ban from the club. Two, you can request any Hostess you want as long as you're not greedy. Three, treat the Hostess and the other guests with respect or you will be kicked out of Club for the day."
~OHSHC; Haruhi and her guests~
"Haruhi, you look cute in the girl's uniform," one of the boys stated.
"Thank you, Senpai," Haruhi replied, with a smile.
"Can you give some advice about girls?" another one of Haruhi's guest asked.
"Depends," Haruhi shrugged, "What do you want to know?"
"I've had liked this girl for a long time, but every time I try to tell her how I feel, I chicken out. What should I do?" the boy explained.
"Hmm..." Haruhi hummed, thinking about the solution. "First, you might want to practice what you want to say to her. Make sure that you know what you're going to say to her. Then, tell her in a setting that to some girls is known as romantic and private. Is that good enough for you?"
"Yes! Thank you, Haruhi," the boy exclaimed, beaming.
~OHSHC; Sakura and her guests~
"Sakura, what is your favorite element on the periodic table?" One boy asked, eyes gleaming.
"I don't know which my favorite is," Sakura hummed, flipping her hair. "I mean, Silicon is on that list because it's a metal found in computer chips. But there is Titanium, one of the strongest metals. Plutonium is also a toxic and explosive element, a few qualities that I love in a man..."
A sultry navy gaze were turned on her guests as she trailed off, making the boys sigh heavenly. She chuckled alluringly before she continued her rant.
"And there is the main three elements that we can't live without: Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. These elements are so addicting, another quality in a man as well. Did that answer your question, Hydrogen?" She winked at the boy who asked the question.
The boy blushed, nodded vigorously, "Y-yes, y-ou d-d-did, Sakur-r-ra!"
"Any of you boys have more questions?" Sakura turned her gaze on her guests. "I'm ready, but ask me please one of time."
Her guests started to blurt out questions, wanting her answers to their questions.
~OHSHC; Akiyama twins and their guests~
"Come on, sis," Mayumi urged her stubborn sister. "At least lick it."
"I'm not going to eat that spicy candy," Naomi huffed cutely, looking away.
Mayumi held a small piece of red candy up to view it. "Come on. It's not going to kill you to eat this piece of candy."
"Nope, not gonna happen." Naomi shook her head, defiantly.
"Fine, then I guess I'm going to feed it to you..." Mayumi smirked devilishly. "...from my mouth..."
Naomi blinked, turning back to face Mayumi. "Wh-"
She cut herself off when Mayumi straddled her and cupped her chin. The oldest twin forced open Naomi's mouth and placed the candy on her sister's tongue. Their guests swooned and sighed when Mayumi closed her sister's mouth. She continued to straddle her sister.
"See? Not that bad, right, sis?" Mayumi looked at her sister who was cringing at the taste of the spicy candy.
Mayumi slid off her sister and smirked at her sister when she heard her sister sucking on the candy in her mouth. Naomi just glared at Mayumi as she sucked the spicy candy. Mayumi shrugged before popping a piece of spicy candy in her mouth.
~OHSHC; Ukemo and her guests~
"Hey, you're the guy from the ball..." Ukemo recognized the boy who had wiped the cake off her cheek.
"Yes, I said that I would request you," the boy replied, with a gentle smile. "And here I am."
Ukemo cutely smiled. "Thank you, uh... I'm sorry; I don't know your name."
"Renji Miyoshia," the boy, 'Renji' replied, "And I brought my friends with me today to be your guests."
Ukemo blinked, looking at her guests. "Oh, you didn't have to do that, Renji."
"I wanted to," Renji bowed in his seat.
A boy came up to the group, tapping Ukemo on the shoulder.
"Yes, what is it?" Ukemo asked the boy.
"Yes, I, along with the group I'm in, was wondering where is Karai and when is she going to be here," the boy replied.
"Well, she's still in the martial arts clubs so she's going to be a little late," Ukemo responded, looking at the door. "In fact, she might come through that door soon."
The door suddenly opened and Karai walked in. She was dressed in her school uniform, but she was ruffled and wet. Ukemo thought it was because of the shower.
"See?" Ukemo shrugged, turning back to her amazed guests.
~OHSHC; Karai and her guests~
"Karai, you look like you're still panting," one boy commented, noticing her heaving chest.
"I am," Karai simply replied, sitting down. "Give me a moment."
The boys stayed silent as Karai caught her breath. She smiled, letting the boys know that she was ready to talk.
"Karai-senpai, did you sweat during practice?" another boy asked, leaning in to hear her answer.
"Yes," Karai replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "That's why I was late; I took a shower afterwards."
"Man, you must have be really working hard in martial arts," another boy commented, looking at her in awe. "I admire that in a girl and a fighter."
"Thank you," Karai smiled gently at him.
"Oh, we admire that too, Karai," the guests hurriedly stated, wanting her to smile at her.
~OHSHC; Music Room #4~
After the last guest left, the Hostesses, save for Haruhi, breathed a sigh in relief. Haruhi leaned back into her chair while Sakura typed her calculations into her laptop. Naomi sat in a chair near her sister who laid on a couch. Ukemo was chomping on a piece of cake while
"Thank God, they're gone," Mayumi groaned, beating her head into the arm rests gently.
"Haruhi, does it get easier?" Naomi asked, pouting.
Haruhi chuckled, before she stopped. She remembered the girls weren't as experienced as her so they don't understand. Instead, she smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry; it will. Just wait."
The door opened to reveal the Host Club. Tamaki, being the hyperactive boy he is, rushed over to Haruhi and engulfed her into a hug. She started to struggle as he rambled.
"Haruhi, how did it go today? Those boys didn't touch you, did they? Tell daddy all about it, please."
"Tamaki-senpai, let me go and I'll tell you!" Haruhi yelled, though it sounded muffled as the blond smashed her against his chest.
"Let me see the data from your first day as the Hostess Club." Kyoya came up to Sakura, as she was typing.
"Wait a few moments, Ootori," Sakura narrowed her eyes at him. "I need to finish imputing the data into the computer." A few clicks on the keyboard. "...and done. I'm saving it and sending it to you right now."
Kyoya had his laptop opened and on when she was finishing up. A ding! Came from his computer's speakers, signaling the email from her of the data. He opened the message and inspected it, nodding his head.
"Alright, not bad for the first day," Kyoya commented before narrowing his eyes. "In fact, the Hostess Club's data from their first day is about the same as the data of the Host Club's first day."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Sakura asked, closing her laptop.
"Yes, and the data from Host Club grew as the Host Club entertained more guests," Kyoya pointed out. "I have no doubt that it will be same for the Hostess Club."
"Oh, look at that," Sakura smirked smugly at him. "Ootori has faith and confidence in the club I came up with. It must be my lucky day, huh?"
Kyoya's gray eyes narrowed at her. "Don't get used to it, Untaki."
The doors opened to reveal Tenchi, a gritted smile on his face. The Hosts and Hostesses grew quiet as he approached Sakura.
"So, is this how's it going to be for the rest of the year?" Tenchi huffed, hands on his hips.
"Yes," Sakura replied simply, shutting off her laptop. "If you don't like it, then we could just break up."
Tenchi instantly panicked in response. "No, that's okay. Whatever you comfortable with..." he started to ramble on.
Sakura smirked slightly, pushing her glasses up. She stood to place a kiss on Tenchi's cheek, causing him to stop rambling. This action caused mixed reaction from the Hosts and Hostesses. Most of them gaped, others looked confused, and Kyoya gritted his teeth in response, typing furiously on his laptop.
"What was that for?" Tenchi asked, covering up his cheek that she had kissed.
"So you would shut up," Sakura replied, gathering her stuff. "Let's go." The two started to head to the door.
Tamaki recovered before he exclaimed, "Sakura, wait!" Said girl paused and turned to look at him. "I have something to announce for the Hostess's ears only. Do you mind a few minutes?"
Sakura thought for a few moments before turning to Tenchi, "I'll be out in a few minutes. Wait outside of the door and don't listen in."
Tenchi nodded, before exiting the room. The door closed behind him.
Tamaki cleared his throat before projecting, "Now, you ladies may just became the Hostesses Club but you five girls have been with us long enough. I'd like to think of the Host Club as family.
"As you know, I'm the father." He gestured to himself.
"Kyoya is the mother." Sakura stifled her laughter as Kyoya glared at the blonde.
"The twins and Haruhi are the children." Said people just shrugged.
"And Hani and Mori...well, let's just they say they're uncles or neighbors, but they're a part of the family in some way." The male third-years didn't say or do anything.
"I've thought long and hard about this, but I've come up with a solution. Sakura, you're the sister and aunt to the children." Sakura nodded, seeming to accept it. "Mayumi and Naomi are the other two sisters." Mayumi smirked while Naomi smiled. "Ukemo-senpai, you're the niece and cousin to the children and Karai is the other sister." Ukemo just looked confused while Karai just stared. "That is all."
Sakura shrugged before leaving the room. The others went back to their previous musings that hadn't really gone anyway. Suddenly, Kyoya slammed down his laptop shut and stood up abruptly, surprising about everyone in the room.
"I'm leaving," Kyoya calmly explained, hastily grabbing his things. He, unknowingly with his eyes closed, walked to the dressing room that was built for the Hostess Club. He opened it and slammed the door behind him. The room grew silent.
"Uh...he knows that is the dressing room, right?"
Kyoya appeared as the door opened again, a bit flustered because he had realized that he had walked through the wrong door. "Excuse me." He muttered, leaving the room through the right exit, but also slamming the door behind him.
The room grew silent before filling with activity once again. Tamaki sat near Haruhi who had books near her, as she was jotting things down in a notebook.
"So what are you doing Haruhi?" Tamaki asked, putting his chin on his hands.
"Studying for a test that we have later this week," Haruhi replied blankly.
"Oh, so how was Hosting for today?" Tamaki asked, leaning back in his seat. "Was it different than the Host Club?"
"Yes, but it's like what I did at the Host Club. Only difference is the guests are boys and I'm wearing a girl's uniform."
"None of the boys messed with you, right?"
"No, they didn't."
"Good," Tamaki nodded, before smiling softly at her. "So how do you like wearing the girl's uniform?"
Hikaru was glaring at the display as Haruhi and Tamaki converse with Haruhi's head in her books and Tamaki's smile directed at her. His twin and the Akiyama twins were discussing a possible future Hostess uniform beside/in front of him. Mayumi noticed Hikaru's staring and had an idea.
"Hey, Hikaru," Mayumi blurted out, getting said twin's attention.
"Hm?" Hikaru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I have an idea to run by you since you seem to be the planner and 'pitcher' of your and your brother's act..."
"But we both do the planning," Kaoru muttered, also raising an eyebrow.
Help me, Naomi... "I know that."
"But, Kaoru," Naomi whined, able to get her sister's message. "I really think we should discuss this idea about the uniforms." She looked pleadingly at him, extending her lower lip in a pout. You better have an explanation for this.
Kaoru coughed in his hand, looking away from Naomi's eyes. "Hikaru, it can't hurt to hear Mayumi out."
Hikaru blanched, his body twitching. "What? But-"
"Great," Mayumi beamed, getting up and dragged Hikaru to the dressing room. "Here's what I was thinking what you should..." The door close behind them, and Mayumi grew silent, still dragging Hikaru.
"Hey, Mayumi," Hikaru yelled, annoyed that he was being dragged. "What's the big idea?"
His back slammed against the wall as he found the two of them in a changing room. Swish! He heard as he saw the older Akiyama twin glared fiercely at him. He didn't know what to make of this so he went to his first instinct.
"What the hell is your problem?" Hikaru asked loudly, glaring angrily at her. "Why did you drag me?"
"I'm not blind, Hikaru Hitachiin," Mayumi replied, hands on hips. "I know that you like Haruhi."
Hikaru's eyes widened, cheeks turning pink. "I-I do not! Whatever gave you that idea?"
Mayumi visibly sighed. "Hikaru, it was real obvious when you were staring at her when she was dancing with Tamaki at the ball, and I saw that blush on your face when Haruhi stepped out of the curtain in her dress. Don't you dare tell me that was fake."
Hikaru shook his head. "So what if I did? That doesn't prove anything. Look, it's none of your business if I like Haruhi or not." He started to walk away from her.
"Not even if I help you win over Haruhi?" Mayumi suggested, frowning.
"Even if I did like Haruhi, I don't need your help."
"'Don't need my help'?! I'm sorry, Hikaru, but I don't offer my help all the time! So you just missed out on anything from me!"
"Whatever." He slammed the door behind him. He stomped over to his brother, grabbing Kaoru by his wrist. "Let's go, Kaoru."
The younger Hitachiin didn't questioned it. He snatched his bag, along with his brother's, waving at Naomi. "Bye, Naomi." He grinned, to which Naomi waved back with the same type of grin.
~OHSHC; Fujioka Household~
Haruhi walked through the door of the apartment she shared with her father, exhausted. The Hostess Club was a success, but it didn't make it less tiring than the Host Club. Suddenly, she heard her father's laughter along with a few other familiar voices. She walked into the dining room to find the Hostesses and her dad talking nonchalantly. Ranka noticed his daughter's presence, but not her gaping face.
"Oh, hello, Haruhi," Ranka greeted, waving at his daughter.
"What is all this?" Haruhi asked, gesturing to the table that was cluttered with various dishes.
"I was getting to know the new club you're in," Ranka explained, before taking a sip of his tea. "The Hostess Club, was it?"
"Yes, Mr. Fujioka," Sakura replied, before taking some rice in her mouth.
"Please, Sakura," huffed Ranka, "Call me Ranka. That makes so sound...old." He shuddered at the word.
"Right," the Akiyama twins piped. "Like having a fifteen-year old daughter doesn't do that."
"Mayumi, Naomi, that's rude," Ukemo scorned the two like a mother would to a young child.
"What?" The twins feigned innocence at their senpai.
"Haruhi, come join us for dinner," Ranka offered, motioning his daughter to the table. "It's rude to stand there and gap like that."
Haruhi sighed, dropping her bags in a room nearby and taking a seat by her father.
Ranka beamed. "So how was school today, my dear daughter?"
~OHSHC; Suoh 2nd estate~
Tamaki, now fed and bathe, sat on his bed, doing his homework. Write. Erase. Repeat, he thought as he did his process. He did this formula for a few more minutes before he was completed with all his work. The Princely Host sighed, running his hand through his hair. Suddenly, he imagined brown hair, instead of blond hair, that he was running his fingers through. Haruhi's... He shook his head, getting rid of his vision. However, that vision turned to a multitude of Haruhi and the past few months that she has been in his life. Each moment he saw made his heart beat faster.
I'm not supposed to feel like this... Tamaki thought, shaking his head.
Then, a vision from the recent Ball appeared. More specifically, Haruhi wearing that white dress. Next, the feeling of having her in his arms came back, not wanting to ever let her go. He grabbed his phone and dialed a familiar number.
Fathers aren't supposed to feel this way about their daughters... unless maybe I'm not supposed to be a father to her, but a man to her...
Rring. Rring. Rri- "What is it, Tamaki?"
"Kyoya, I need to talk to you about something."
And fin!
End of chapter note(s): Yes, Tamaki sees the light! ...the start of it anyway... I hope Ranka is not too OOC... Poll on my profile, don't forget! I will post the results of it at the end of this story! Review, Fave, and Alert!
Luv, Flutejrp