Chapter 11: Cures and Confusion.
"Mori?" Kyoya said again, and Takashi felt something that felt a bit like triumph at the sight of a Kyoya who wasn't calm and collected. It was a bit like seeing a movie actor on the street or in the supermarket.
Then Kyoya pushed his glasses up his nose, and he was suddenly back to being the cool, calculating businessman.
"I wasn't aware you were coming today. You… brought a guest…?" He looked at Sumiko questioningly.
"No. Hangovers. I need Hikaru."
Kyoya nodded, and pulled his phone out of his pocket. While he was dialing, Sumiko leaned forward and whispered, "Who's Hikaru?"
"Old friend," Takashi explained in an undertone. "He's… you'll see."
Sumiko frowned puzzledly and opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment Kyoya snapped his phone shut sharply and said, "He'll be right up. Along with the rest of the Host Club." He sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand. "Honestly, they're like little children."
There was a loud thumping, and the door suddenly flew
Takashi hid a smile with the back of his hand.
The door flew open with a bang, to reveal the Host Club. At the front was Hikaru, holding a flask of something purple that bubbled and fizzed unpleasantly. He strode in with an air of purpose and halted at the little table that rested between Takashi and Sumiko's chairs. Then he clicked his fingers imperiously.
Kaoru appeared behind his twin, holding two spotless glasses and sporting a devilish grin.
"Hangover, Mori? I guess those college parties must be a lot of fun, huh?" He leered at Sumiko. "A lot of fun."
Takashi glared at Kaoru and was about to tell him off when Hikaru lifted his hand imperiously and gestured towards the table. Kaoru quieted, and placed the two glasses down on the polished surface.
Hikaru lifted the flask ceremoniously and poured the burbling liquid into the glasses.
"Drink!" he commanded, and the two college students obeyed.
Mori had had Hikaru's hangover cure before, so he was prepared for the awful taste, but he could hear Sumiko sputtering. When he had drained the glass, he set it down and looked at her. She was sitting quite still, looking rather green.
"That tasted terrible," she said, and then stopped suddenly. "Hey, wait a minute. My hangover's gone!"
Hikaru nodded with satisfaction.
" The Hikaru Hittachin Hangover Cure!" he announced proudly, "Cures hangovers instantly!"
"Why aren't you selling this stuff?" Sumiko asked, "You could make a fortune, especially in towns with universities!"
Hikaru shook his head. "It doesn't keep. I haven't figured out a way to bottle it yet."
Their conversation was interrupted by Tamaki, who suddenly knelt down next to Sumiko and smiled at her dreamily.
"What is your name, O queen?" he asked, and took her hands in his.
"Hey, Lord. Why is she a queen and not a princess?" Kaoru asked.
"Because she is my elder!" Tamaki exclaimed, "And she is Mori's beloved!"
Both Takashi and Sumiko turned a brilliant shade of red and began to stutter protests.
"O-oh no, we're not…"
"No, she's not…"
They stopped, and looked at each other, before bursting into nervous laughter.
The Host Club was watching them with interest. Takashi heard someone (he was pretty sure it was Kaoru, but it might have been Hikaru) say in a stage whisper, "I bet they like each other. Do you think they'll take as longto confess as Haruhi and the Lord?"
Apparently, Sumiko had heard them as well, because she turned even redder. She was beginning to resemble a tomato.
"Guys, stop harrassing them," a voice said, and Haruhi pushed her way to the front of the group.
"But Haruhiiii," Hikaru whined, "It's so much fun harrassing people!"
Takashi noticed Sumiko expression change suddenly, from a look of embarassment to one of confusion.
"Um," she said, "You call yourselves a 'host club'?"
"Yes, my beautiful flower," Tamaki said, and stretched out his arms in a dramatic gesture. "We are the Hosts!"
He began to dart about the room introducing the hosts as he reached them:
"These," he proclaimed, "Are Hikaru and Kaoru, the Little Devil type! This is Kyoya, the Cool type! Haruhi is the Natural type, and Mori," he paused and grinned at Sumiko devilishly, "is the Wild type.
"And I, of course, am the Princely type!" He clasped his hands over his heart and spun around on his heel.
Sumiko was looking slightly bewildered.
"Wait a minute. I thought that a host club was a male brothel! Your high school allows that?"
"Oh no, my queen!" Tamaki exclaimed, "We do not offer those sort of…ah, services. We merely offer a place where girls can be entertained and loved after a hard day at school!" He hugged himself, tears springing to his eyes.
Sumiko frowned. "You're 'loving' girls? I thought you were gay!"
. . . . . . . . . . . .
I'm sorry the chapter is so short. I have nothing to blame but my laziness. But! The entire Host Club has appeared!
I'm terribly sorry, but there might be another period of inactivity. It all depends if the cabin I'll be staying in for the next two weeks has internet axcess. Cross your fingers!