Chapter 2 – Competitions

Ouran High School Host Club

"Why isn't the host club in music room #3 anymore?" Miyu asked.

"The host club moved to music room #5 for the past two years. We didn't have enough funding to keep the room." Kunio opened the doors to the host club but unlike music room #3, no rose petals blew in their face.

"Ah, my protégé. Are you ready to accept the role of the host leader?" Arata Akiyama, the graduating leader of the Host Club gave Kunio a pat on the back, immediately welcoming his club members and guests.

"Oh, Arata, I was born ready. My father –" Kunio was about to boast about his father's legacy again.

"Yes, yes. Tamaki-Sama is forever our forefather, our elder, our founder, our primogenitor. His legacy hangs on our wall as we speak." Arata looks up at the ridiculous-sized picture of Tamaki Suoh resting regally on his Host Club throne.

Even for the elite, Takami's picture was absurdly exorbitant. As Kunio's mother previously stated, it's even bigger than Tamaki's ego, as if that was possible, but Aunt Haruhi never said that to Tamaki's face in fear of provoking Tamaki to attempt to match or even surpass the represented ego. Everyone is still baffled at the notion that anyone could make such a big frame or blow up a picture so big and with high-resolution. Even when Miyu took her steps back to the farthest bound of the room away from the picture, it's still hard to adjust her eyes to see the whole picture. If any student tried to see from the other side of the courtyard, or even the whole school, Tamaki's face could still be visible.

"Ah, these lovely princesses must be incoming students. Might you be our fresh, beautiful customers?" Arata gave each of the girls a rose. Emi returned a charming, seductive smile. Mihoshi giggled at his nice gesture. Hotaru barely blinked, which broke Arata's fragile ego but he didn't dare show it as the outgoing leader of the host club. Miyu returned a polite smile although she was unmoved.

Arata was the declared as the Outgoing type, and Miyu mentally-noted his status as the son of a wealthy aristocrat. He wasn't exactly grounded, but he could make a positive difference in the world with a little molding; hopefully Ouran University could do that for him.

Kunio came over the Miyu's side and lifted Arata's hand away from Miyu's face after he presented the flower to her.

"Arata, these are not yet our customers; please do not attempt to flirt. May I present, Kyoya Ootori's daughter, Miyu Ootori. Kaoru Hitachiin's daughter, Emi Hitachiin. And Mitsukuni Haninozuka's twin daughters, Hotaru Haninozuka and Mihoshi Haninozuka." Arata bowed and took Miyu's hand to kiss it, "What a pleasure to meet our founder's beautiful daughters. Only can the preceding host club member's offspring have such glorious beauty. I can only aspire for my daughter's to be as beautiful as any of you lovely ladies. Maybe if we – "

Before Arata could get another word in, Katashi roughly pulled on Arata's collar back towards him and glared down at Arata, "No."

Arata gulped, Morinozuka takes after his father quite outrageously. He straighten himself out and politely bowed, "Alright, ladies, gentlemen, if you don't mind, I will excuse myself to entertain my guests." Arata walked away in a very robotic manner a couple steps ahead before fleeing away to a safer zone.

Miyu took a quick scan. Only Arata was entertaining guests right now. Hiniku and Kunio were with them, and apparently the rest of the members have already graduated and left for abroad to study. Arata was also graduated and will be starting Ouran University next week. As a responsible leader, he stayed to the very last moment.

Music room #5 was slightly smaller than music room #3. Like every room in Ouran Academy, prestige basically wrote itself all over the walls; but unlike music room #3, it lacked some sort of...some sort of….

"This place isn't as lively." Hotaru stepped up, finally talking for the first time today.

"It's quiet. It's calm." Hotaru gave a small smirk. It was what Hotaru would prefer.

"Isn't it a little too calm though?" Miyu observed loudly. She walked over to the accountant's table and looked at the stats.

"Your numbers dwindle; your themes are less; no extra souvenirs or online biddings. What's happened?" Miyu whipped her head to Kunio, who was walking towards her. She was outraged that her father's original business has fallen in a subtle way that no one seemed to really care.

"We're lacking some funding and the budget turned out a bit messed up. The host club…isn't what it used to be." Kunio lowered his head in shame, especially towards Miyu. He felt like he disappointed his close friend. Miyu walked away and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Hiniku asked.

"I'm visiting the other clubs. I did get my invitations, did I not?" Miyu left without another word. Hiniku stayed because he was part of this host club, the others left to visit the clubs as well.

Musical Club

On one corner, there were the acapella groups, confidently practicing out in the open. The musical club has taken over music room #3 and they've added soundproof wall panels to practice their respective instrument in their own space; each room was filled. They've reformed music room #3 into a real music room again. At the two biggest sections of the room, there was a contemporary band playing rock, and a symphony band on the other side.

My father told me that he installed a fan at the top of the door, so whenever it opens to blow the fresh rose petals in your face. Miyu looked up to confirm her father's little invention. There it was, but the invention has been unused for so long. Miyu wondered if anyone else ever noticed it.

Miyu entered into the symphony room where the conductor, aka club leader was. He stopped the symphony practice and looked over at who interrupted them. His eyes widened to see Miyu and her friends entered.

"Miyu Ootori, what a pleasure! Come, come join us." The club leader, Hideki Hashimoto, took her hand and ushered her to a seat to the side. He also ushered the rest of the guests to listen in.

Miyu didn't say a word but held out her hands to ask for a cello. Hideki automatically handed one to her. Miyu pretended to admire the cello as she made mental notes of how much it can't compare to the one she has at home. She started playing a song she learned from her mother. When she was playing, Hotaru joined in with the flute, Mihoshi joined in with the harp, and Kunio played the piano. Each of her friends had the privilege of learning the song under Chiyo Ootori. Emi and Katashi were less of the classical type so they didn't join in.

"Th-that is so beautiful, it gave me shivers." Hideki wiped away a tear and applauded, encouraging the rest of the symphony band to applaud and wipe away their tears.

"Miyu Ootori, Hotaru Haninozuka, Mihoshi Haninozuka, and Kunio Suoh, nothing will give me more pleasure than to have you all join my band." Hideki bowed in respect.

"I'm honored at your invitation, Hashimoto-san." Miyu held out her hand and gave a polite and charming smile, one she secretly learned from her father and feminized it. Hashimoto's ears began to turn red as he stuttered and shook her hand, "The honor is mine, Ootori-san." He didn't forget the others and also thanked them for the music.

They left the symphony and went over to check out the rock band. Emi nudged Katashi, "It's our turn." They quickly took place of the bass and electric guitar and fit in so well with the rest of the band. The band was very tricky and without warning, stopped playing to give Emi and Katashi a solo. Both Emi and Katashi played a respective, improvised solo and then came back together to harmonize. The rest of the band practically forgot their part and listened to the rest of Emi and Katashi's song. Because the rock band kept their door open, the acapella group came over to listen and started to harmonize with a hum to the solos. At the end, everyone applauded.

"Brilliant, Hitachiin-san, Morinozuka-san! Absolutely brilliant!" The British foreign exchange student, who was the leader of the rock band, shook hands with Emi and Katashi.

"We had a lovely time. You have a wonderful band." Emi smiled at the student, who beamed at her. Katashi took note of this and practically crushed the student's hand; the poor fellow may have to do some physical therapy.

Black Magic Club

The ghouls of my past are all I see

They're all swimming in a sea, I'm trying to forget

I hear the whispers of their weeping cries

I dig my heart to fill their holes

Deeper and deeper, I dig

I look around me and my heart is too deep

I can't get out; the other holes are not filled

There's a curse that can wipe my memories

But do I dare take away the good with the bad?

I stay in the pit, drowning with my past

The rest of Hotaru's friends watch her on the stage quite freaked out. Hotaru's face is solemn with a sense of peace. After her performance, everyone in the club had the same look of admiration.

"You shall be our new Queen of Darkness. I humbly beg for your presence in our club." Kumori Nekozawa, the president of the Black Magic Club bowed low and held Hotaru's hand delicately as if she were already his queen. Mihoshi's eyes followed their held hands and started daydreaming that Nekozawa-san would hold her hands just as delicately.

"Excuse me, I haven't agreed to anyone for anything yet. If you touch me, I will curse you." Hotaru said coldly. Nekozawa let go of her hand but still kept his look of admiration.

"What a rose, you are." Nekozawa commented. Hotaru scoffed and left with her friends.

White Lily Club

"Because the Zuka Club is strictly for the girls of Lobelia, we aren't allowed to join their club, we might as well make our own that's inspired here." Airi Suzuki proudly showed the girls around. Originally, the guys wanted to come with their friends but the White Lily club is strictly girls only, Airi almost punched Kunio because of his protests that he couldn't come with his friends.

"Your club is quite full of the female students of the highest prestige." Emi noted.

"Of course, only noble women, such as yourselves, are allowed in here. In here, we unite to support each other, away from the oppression of men and their ways." Airi flipped her hair back and gave Emi a wink.

"It's so beautiful here!" Mihoshi threw her hands up in the air and laughed while running around.

"Our place must be as beautiful as our hosts, and our guests, my sweet little shooting star." Airi gave Mihoshi a gentle, charming smile.

"Honestly, this place just blooms of femininity. I feel so at home here. And it is so refreshing." Emi sat on a couch in the middle of White Lily hosts.

"And only within a span of a year and a half, your guests could rival that of any club at this point." Miyu pointed out. Airi smirked and bowed low to Miyu, "Only because we put our effort to be the best. We would love to include you lovely ladies, your charm is as beautiful as a blooming flower."

"We will keep that in mind. Thank you." Miyu curtsied with the other girls and they left.

Drama Club

"This play is written by our very own out-going club president, Naoko Saito. This play is called Lady in Shining Armor. Auditions will be held on June 17th so come prepared!" Akane Mastushita announced to the audience in the theater seats. The group was also sitting in the back row.

"June 17th? That's my birthday!" Emi raised her arms in cheer quietly.

"May I see the play, Saito?" Miyu asked politely to Naoko. Naoko smiled and handed over the script to Miyu.

"What a well written play! I think this will capture a lot of people's attention."

"Not only does this play capture people's attention, I hear you and the rest of the girls are making quite an impression on different clubs. You all are very valuable right now." Akane came up to the group, "We would be just as delighted if you were to show us some of your drama skills on our stage."

"Is any student able to participate?" Akane nodded. Miyu smiled and thanked Akane for her attention and Naoko's play.

Cooking Club

"Welcome! My name is Ayano Tsukuda. Today we will be making – " Slam! Before Ayano could finish introducing the class, the group had left. They already saw the puffer fish on the chopping block and left.

Fashion Club

"It's very unfortunate that your cousin would not join our club. You two would be the perfect match for this season." Kaede Wakahisa pulled Emi toward the rack of clothes his club created. Emi looked through all the clothes and her eyes sparkled, "These are my size, my style."

"Would you care to try?" Kaede had a glint in his eyes, knowing when a girl wants to try on clothes. Emi couldn't take her eyes away from the clothes and nodded. Kaede snapped his fingers and a group of girls pulled Emi into the changing room with the whole rack.

Emi stepped out of the changing room, modelling one ensemble after another. Kaede cried almost every time she walked down the mock runway with the attitude to fit the feel of the clothes. She was a natural model; it helped that Kaoru used to have her and Hiniku model the clothes of Hitachiin Fashion.

"Next month, we will be having a fashion showcase. I would love to see you on that stage with our clothes." Kaede offered Emi a flyer and an extra for Hiniku.

"This was great, it was almost as if you guys tailored your clothes for me." Kaede had a suspiciously nervous laugh as he scratched the back of his head, "Of course not." When Emi left, he added, "My queen."

Newspaper

Things have changed drastically around here since the original host club has been here. The newspaper is not just a lousy gossip column now; business was hot, new and interesting topics every day, and the club was busy. People ran around with their draft column to let the editor critic. Printing was never-ending. Miyu, Emi, and Hotaru just stood in front of the door, watching everyone being busy.

Hotaru went over to the photographer's station to at the pictures. Miyu walked over to a nearby columnist to take a look at what was new. Though school didn't start, the club was already forming first day's news; phones rang off the hook, relaying new information to put on the newspaper. Emi went straight to the editor.

For a whole hour, these three girls stayed in the newsroom, no one is too sure what they did in there, but they were being bowed at and shook hands with everyone on their way out.

Academic excellentia Club

The club was silent. They had a similar set up as the music room with their soundproof group study rooms. There was an actual library with legitimate operation. Miyu and Hotaru just gave each other sideways glances as they walked through the room. It seemed more like the most well-mannered study hall they have ever seen in their entire life. They entered in one of the group study rooms. Past the door, there was another door within small space so after one door closes, then the other will, to prevent disturbance between the inside and outside study.

Miyu and Hotaru stumbled upon a science study where the students were coming up with ideas for their group science project. No wonder the rooms were so strict about their soundproof, the arguing was chaotic. Everyone felt that their own ideas were the best or tried to be the leader. Group projects apparently didn't seem to bring these people together. Miyu and Hotaru couldn't even get a word in or be noticed. They went back outside to the big tables with individual students working. Miyu and Hotaru separately went to different tables, looking over student's shoulders.

Miyu stumbled upon one of the students. He felt her presence and glared at her, hiding his paper. Miyu raised an eyebrow, amused. She sat on the next chair and whipped out her own pencil and paper out of nowhere. The guy was confused, looking all around her while she scribbled furiously. When she was done, she put her paper over his, showing him the right way to solve the equation step-by-step with footnotes and comments of the principles. The guy's mouth opened slightly at the detail she wrote and how much it made sense.

"Amazing…" he whispered. But that whisper was all that the club needed to hear to look up and glare at the pair. The student quickly grabbed her paper and smacked it to the largest corkboard in the middle of the wall and pinned it for everyone to come and see what was so special to put on the board. More students gathered to mumble through her steps, some were already praising her.

"What is going on here?" The club president, Hatori Mizuki, pushed his way forward to the front to see what was on the corkboard of Academia excellentia.

"You…you solved it?" Hatori whipped his head to Miyu and Hotaru who showed up beside her.

"What's so special about this equation?"

"President Mizuki made it. Whoever could solve it will be the next president of Academia excellentia." Miyu widened her eyes but then recomposed and smirked, "I'm honored, but I have other things in mind. I must object. It looks like you will need to make another challenge." Miyu smiled, she linked her arms with Hotaru and exited the club with all jaws in the room dropped.

Judo club

Katashi easily threw his sparring partner on the ground. Everyone applauded as he stood up, silent and sturdy like his father. His friends showed their proud smiles at him and he returned a very light one.

"Miyu, so you learned with Katashi on judo, correct?" Nobuyuki came up to her, with a judo gi slung over his shoulder.

"That's correct." She held her hands behind her back.

"How well did you do?" He asked, "Would you care to show us?"

"I would love to show you." She took his hand and led him to the center. Nobuyuki blushed as he looked at their hands held.

"What would you like to –" He couldn't even finish his sentence and she attacked him. He narrowly dodged her and grabbed her collar. He yanked on her but she went with the flow, never allowing him to gain the upper hand on using her own weight against her, but she did. She easily flipped him over and held him down until he tapped out.

"Well done, Miyu. You've executed perfect technique." Miyu smiled, "I know."

That night…

Miyu cleared her throat before she knocked the door to her father's study. She heard his typing nonstop but he said aloud, "Come in."

She entered into her father's study quietly. She walked up to a couple feet before his desk. He realized she didn't say anything and stopped to look up with a raised eyebrow, "Your formality and quietness is almost concerning. Do you have some sort of proposal for me?"

Miyu couldn't help but smile at his intuitiveness. Kyoya took note of that and could see the resemblance of his wife and daughter; Chiyo loved fun, harmless mind games and always admired her opponent, aka, him.

"In fact I do, but it is not for you. I want your feedback on this proposal I want to present to someone else."

"And who is this someone else?"

"It actually will be a hierarchy of people, but I when I reach to the highest authority, I want to see if you will back me up. It's someone you are quite familiar with and I think you are best to go through." Kyoya was more and more intrigued with every word, "Who is it?"

Miyu took a deep breath before saying, "Tamaki Suoh."

A/N: Alright, bear with me! One more chapter to go! Please stay!