Emi left the host club happy. Seconds after Kyouya had opened the door, she was greeted by five lovely voices. A very tiny blonde boy had ran up to her and immediately introduced her to everyone. The two twin first years were the Hitachiin brothers Kaoru and Hikaru, who she later discovered were related to the fashion phenomena Hitachiin. They did get a little nosy when they asked why she was going to work for them but after she mentioned Kyouya they had dropped the subject like a rock. They were intensely interested in her sketchbook and after one of them (Hikaru, she thinks) stole it, they fell in love. They went off on an artistic rant that left Emi blushing and after multiple requests she consented to make a few copies of specific pieces. She was blown away with the respect they gave her when she observed their overall horrible behavior with everyone else in the club.
The tall, fit brunette that stood close to the small blonde was the senior Morinaga Takashi, whom she learned to call Mori-senpai. He never spoke a word but his demeanor revealed a kind heart and when she thanked him for listening to her talk about her anxiety of meeting everyone he had patted her head.
The cute boy had then realized he had not introduced himself and claimed he was Haninozuka Mitsukuni, also a senior. After recovering from discovering the small boy in front of her was in fact older than herself, she learned he had a major sweet tooth. After a small comment on her love for chocolate he had bombarded her with questions on types of chocolate and cake. She had laughed at his eagerness and had an immediate pull to protect him, despite his strong companion and history of being 'the ultimate weapon'.
The next member to be introduced was another first year named Fujioka Haruhi. This person stumped her more than anyone else in the room. The air around them was different than the other boys and Emi could not put her finger on it. After a quick conversation she figured it out.
"Haruhi, how do you have time to go to the market and make dinner after the club?" Emi had asked
"The market is on my way home so it isn't hard." Commoner? Check.
"By the way I am so glad you are here. Do you happen to have a pad? I just had to start today." Emi had whispered,
"Sure, let me go get it." Female? Check.
Hani-senpai only named Kyouya and Tamaki because he correctly assumed they knew each other, seeing as they have been in the same class for three years. Time had passed quickly as she chatted with members in between their guest visits and she was almost excited to return tomorrow. Almost. Kyouya had followed her every move all afternoon and it was starting to get on her nerves. Tomorrow she would have to work with him during the club hours. She suppressed a shudder. ~I guess the other hosts help make up for him.~
Sighing with content she exited the doors from the building out into the campus of Ouran. She took a deep breath, reveling in her freedom before continuing her trek to her car.
"I assume you learned a bit about everyone today?" A voice said from behind her. Emi turned to see Kyouya emerge from the shadowy halls into the light of setting sun.
"I did and thank you for hiring me." She replied with a genuine smile, "I'm glad to have met your friends and I look forward to tomorrow." With another flash of a smile she turned and continued to the student parking lot.
"Is your limo pulling up somewhere else?" He called to her,
Emi turned back and noticed the other members were standing at the front gate as four limos waited for them. "I drive myself." She said simply, leaving Kyouya behind to her find her baby, Olivier. Olivier was a black Mustang convertible that Emi loved with all her heart. It was specially made with all sorts of handy tricks on it. Emi preferred driving herself and she treasured her time alone in Olivier with the top open and the wind rushing through her golden tresses. As she pulled out of the parking lot she saw the group of hosts watching her and she waved at them as she passed. They waved back and she shared her perfect smile with them before cranking up her music and disappearing into the city.
o0o
~So she drives a Jaguar, huh?~ Kyouya thought, with a smirk, ~That will most definitely help.~ He climbed into his assigned limo and immediately opened his computer to hack the national department of transportation. He was in the site before he returned home.
"Bring my bags to my room along with a strong cup of tea." He ordered his driver before walking quickly through his mansion, up the stairs, and into his wing of the house. He placed his laptop on his desk and continued his search for Emi's sports car and grew more frustrated by the second. ~She drives a luxury sports car, strictly within the city I'm sure, so why is it not here?!~ He banged his fist against the desk in frustration. ~How is she getting around the government? Is that vehicle even licensed to drive? Who are you Sugita Emi?~
o0o
In the end, Kyouya wasted the entire night searching the internet to no avail. Sugita Emi did not exist and neither did her car apparently. Defeated and exhausted, he dragged himself into his classroom and plopped into his chair. Out of sudden curiosity, he turned to check the back corner to see if
was there but the seat was empty.
~Have I made up her entire existence?~ He thought hysterically before jumping at the sound of the bell ringing. ~Oh. The bell hadn't rung yet...~
Within seconds the room flooded with students and sure enough Emi appeared amongst the crowd. Their eyes met and she slipped him a smile before settling in her seat.
~What does she get out of doing that all the time.~ He thought, ~She doesn't need to smile so much, it's distracting. Wait.~ As he was about to start internally attacking himself for the random thought process he heard a specific voice resonating from the back of the room.
"Emi-san I didn't know you drove yourself everywhere! In a Mustang none the less!" Tamaki cooed over Emi as she sat in her desk,
"It's an amazing feeling of independence to drive by oneself." She responded with a dazzling grin, "Do you know how to drive, Tamaki-san?"
"Well, no I do not... but that gives me an amazing idea! Where's Mommy?"
Kyouya immediately froze as he overheard the conversation take a turn for the worst. Emi's giggle travelled across the room as Tamaki sprinted over to Kyouya.
"Mommy, Mommy! Our next event must be racecar themed! I want everyone in car suits and a real car in the studio and..." Kyouya sighed as he drowned out Tamaki's' rambling. ~I will never get any peace.~
The day went on as normal. Tamaki spouted out ideas for a race car theme until Kyouya said he would ruin the surprise for the guests which sent him into a spiraling depression of regret for his loudness. Kyouya managed to get all of his work for the day done while Tamaki pouted and started on personal business assignments before he recovered. By lunch Tamaki had reverted to his carefree self and Kyouya noticed how quickly Emi slipped out from the classroom and into the library. He was tempted to follow her but he respected her wish for privacy and ate lunch with the other hosts. The end of day finally rolled around and Kyouya, Tamaki, and Emi made their way to the third music room. Tamaki and Emi were talking about music when they opened the doors to the studio.
"I think the piano might be my favorite instrument, although I have no idea how to play it." Emi said cheerfully,
Tamaki looked taken aback, "If it is your favorite then it is my duty to perform for you my princess!" He cheered and attempted to make his way towards the piano (that magically appeared) but found he was not making any progress.
"Tamaki-san, we have gone over this. Please call me Emi-san or Sugita-san, not princess. I am not a guest here, I am an employee to the club and I wish to be treated as such." With her mini speech over, Emi released the back of Tamaki's shirt and he fell on his face from his exertion of force forward.
Kyouya sat down at the table at the end of the room and watched the two second years with amusement. Eventually Tamaki reached the piano and began to demonstrate his mastery of the instrument. He noticed that Emi got a sudden far away look in her eye and she started to sway as the melody continued. She closed her eyes as the beautiful notes flowed through the room and into those listening to it. Emi took a step and Kyouya wondered if she was about to start a performance similar to the one he had previously seen in the library but instead she placed a hand on Tamaki's shoulder and smiled down at him. He closed out the song and returned the smile.
Kyouya felt a twist inside and it confused him. ~What is this horrible girl doing to me?~
Tamaki and Emi talked for a few more minutes before the twins opened the doors and guests filed in. Tamaki assumed his role as King and Emi floated across the room to sit next to Kyouya.
"So what's my assignment today?"
"As you may have heard, we will be having a race car themed host club that is scheduled in three weeks time. That gives us more than enough time to plan and prepare the room to reflect that theme. I will be giving you information on the host club funding and you will be in charge of decorating and designing costumes. The day of the event you will be a photographer and get pictures worthy of putting into a calendar to sell." He said,
"Understood. Will I need to bring my own camera or would you prefer me to use yours?" She asked,
"Bring your own, it will be easier."
Emi nodded and immediately went to work on her computer, transferring information to her laptop from Kyoya's' and scouring the internet for decorations worthy of the host club. Kyouya returned to his own computer screen where he was returning emails to business clients. Every now and then he would feel eyes on him but whenever he looked, she was working on her project.
o0o
Emi was tapping away on her laptop when a hand grabbed hers and stopped her.
"I would like you to help with tea and cake distribution today, we have more people than Haruhi can handle." Kyouya whispered in her ear, causing an odd shiver to run up her spine.
She drew back a few inches to look at Kyouya, "You assigned me an important event on my first day of helping you and instead of allowing me to use your wisdom to prepare you want me to work as a food caterer?" She asked, barely containing the sarcasm that wanted to spill over, "I just want to clarify."
He raised a single perfect eyebrow. "Did I somehow confuse you?" She responded with a small glare and swiftly stood from her chair to find Haruhi.
She found the short brunette in the back room feverishly making tea.
"Hey Haruhi! What can I help with?" She asked,
Haruhi looked up and relief flooded her eyes. " If you could refill cakes that would be perfect. Go to Hani-senpai's table first so he can get everything he wants."
Emi nodded and grabbed the tea cart. "I will be helping out the rest of today so if you show me how you make the tea and coffee you can return to your guests, they're waiting for you."
"Are you sure?" Haruhi asked,
"Positive," Emi replied with a smile.
Haruhi walked through what each of the contraptions in the back room did to ensure Emi knew what she was doing before returning to her table with a grateful smile. "If you get overwhelmed or need help with something let me know!"
Emi shooed her out of the room and returned with the cart. Refilling snacks and beverages proved to be more stressful than Emi anticipated. All the guests wanted to know who she was and why she worked for the host club. Some even asked if she was dating Kyouya and she was surprised with their harsh tones and barely concealed hatred. She provided vague answers and bright smiles that seemed to appease the girls before retreating to the back room.
~Who knew fangirls could be so vile.~ She thought as she slumped over the counter, wishing the clock would move faster. There were twenty minutes left of club time so she was expected to run another round of treats. Exhausted, she stared at the coffee filtering into the pot. ~Just twenty more minutes.~
Twenty-one minutes later all of the guests had filtered out of the room and Haruhi and Emi were circling the tables, collecting cups. The hosts had already left, leaving the two ladies to clean up after them.
"I can finish this up if you want to head home, Haruhi." Emi said, "I know you have a busier night than I do and I don't mind. Plus it's always safer to catch the early train."
"Are you sure Emi-senpai?" Haruhi asked,
"Of course! Get out of here, there is only a bit left anyways." She replied,
Haruhi gave her a wide smile and grabbed her bag. "Will you be back Monday?"
"I will be here until Kyouya says he doesn't want me, so yes." She said exasperatedly,
Haruhi looked at her for a second then nodded and closed the door. Emi sighed, allowing her stress for the day flow out. She looked around the empty room and really acknowledged the size of it. She started to hum and was satisfied with the way it reverberated through the room. Soon enough she was singing and dancing through the tables as she continued to clean. Her lyrics started off positive, reflecting on her enjoyment of the club members. After a couple minutes it dipped into a more melancholy mood and voiced her recent anxiety of meeting strangers.
"How their eyes, they stare through and through. Past my skin, into my heart. please tell me. What is the view?" Her sweet voice was like honey, filling the air and leaving its trace everywhere. She floated around the room with grace and elegance, carrying the empty tea cups back to their designated spots in the back room. She was spinning to the last table, still singing her heart-wrenching tune when the sound of the door opening stopped her in her tracks.