I'd like to thank Neonculr, Tracey4t, and artsygeek9796, for helping me.
Spring was in the air as the cherry blossoms colored the air with specks of pink. Mayumi smiled as she walked up the steps of Ouran. Not only did she make a new friend, she also got Hikaru to be her boyfriend. All in all, it was a good day. Now she was looking forward to what today had up it's sleeve.
She walked into homeroom, immediately noticing that all the girls were huddled up and squealing about something big.
"Excuse me," she said to the group, "What's all the excitement for?"
"Didn't you hear?" one girl answered, "A party is coming up!"
"Yes, the host club is planning the event."
'A party? How come I didn't hear about it?' she thought, feeling left out. She wasn't surprised that Hikaru didn't say anything, but she thought that Haruhi would be a different story. They were friends now, why had she not told her about the party?
Homeroom went by in the blink of an eye, as did most of her classes. Before she knew it, school was over. Which meant time to visit the host club. She made her way to the music room, the doors opening and like always, rose petals floating towards her to reveal the members in their cosplay of the day.
"Welcome," Tamaki greets ever so charmingly. As do the rest of the hosts. Then they realize who is there and quickly drop the formalities.
"Oh it's you," the blonde says before walking to the couch.
'Gee, I feel so special.'
"Hey, Mayumi," Haruhi said with a smile.
"Hi, Haruhi. What's new?" She asked, hoping to get the details of the dance from her.
"I heard that you're dating Hikaru," she whispered in Mayumi's ear. This surprised her.
'She knows about the bet? No way, if she did, she wouldn't be talking to me. Still, Hikaru actually admitted that we're dating?' She looked over to Hikaru, who avoided eye contact with her and blushed ferociously.
"Did Hikaru tell you?"
"No, Kyoya did." 'How does Kyoya know about it?' She wondered, until she remembered that it's Kyoya.
"Was there something you wanted to know?" Kyoya asked, appearing out of nowhere.
"Ah yes, I overheard something about a party being thrown by the host club."
"There is?" Haruhi asked. 'I guess she didn't know about it either.' Mayumi was glad that at least her new friend wasn't keeping information about the party from her.
"Yes, we are throwing a spring ball," Tamaki answered, "all of the female students are invited, including you, to dance the night away."
"I accept your invitation," Mayumi tells him, "however, I don't dance."
Tamaki approached Mayumi and gave her a sly smile. "Miss Mayumi, have you ever tried dancing?"
"Tried ballroom once before. Didn't like it," she said flatly.
"Why, that's because you didn't have the right kind of teacher, like me!" The blonde boasted, flipping the golden tresses out of his eyes as he sparkled, "not to worry, I shall teach you everything I know."
She scoffed. 'Oh goodie. This should be fun...'
'The next day'
In the clubroom, the red haired girl named Mayumi was getting more annoyed by the second.
There was an uneasy atmosphere in the air of the music room, brought by a certain redhead girl.
"Please Mayumi, let Daddy practice dancing with you this once." Tamaki pestered, trying to get Mayumi to let him teach her.
"Fine!" She yelled, throwing her hands in the air. "But you better leave me alone after this."
They then started to dance, or at least try to, with Tamaki constantly stepping on Mayumi's toes. After the third time she finally stopped him.
"You stepped on my toes, again!" she said annoyed, "you don't know what you're doing." She then started to take the lead, pulling Tamaki around.
"If you would just let me lead," Tamaki insisted.
"You're not a leader Tamaki, never have been, never will be," She said aggressively as she violently dipped him.
"Perhaps you would like me to demonstrate a few steps," Kyoya offered, "I might be able to teach you properly."
"I'm all for it," Mayumi agrees as she drops Tamaki to the floor.
A depressed Tamaki naturally goes to sulk in his emo corner. Mayumi sighs in annoyance. 'So dramatic.'
She took Kyoya's hand, and together they glided across the room. He instructed her to relax her stiffened posture, her movements gradually becoming more graceful. He spun her around and her dress swirled with her. He then proceeded to lift her, moving as though gravity no longer existed. Mayumi's steps grew lighter as she felt happy about dancing for the first time.
After that, dancing with Kyoya, she passed with flying colors.
'Tamaki was right. I did need the right kind of teacher. It just wasn't him...'
After that, Haruhi started practicing with a guest name Kanako.
They decided to rest for a bit as Haruhi poured Kanako some tea.
"Thank you so much for allowing me to practice with you. I really appreciate it." She told her with a smile.
"Oh, no problem. I heard that you're not seeing any customers today so that you can practice dancing. I'm glad I got to spend this time alone with you." Kanako told her, putting her head on her hands.
She looked down at her tea, noting the cup that held the herbal liquid. "Oh, my! This is a new tea set, isn't it? It's Ginori."
"Ginori?" Haruhi looked confused.
"You have a keen eye, mademoiselle." Kyoya told Kanako. "In fact, we just received them yesterday. We decided that it was about time for the club to upgrade its tea sets."
Kanako continued staring at the cup with a small smile and a nostalgic look in her eyes. "I see. What a pretty color. Lovely." She touched the side of the cup with her fingers. That seemed to gain Tamaki's attention.
"You must really be into tableware, huh?" Haruhi commented.
"Not really, I mean no, of course, I'm not." She stuttered out as she put the cup back onto the table, a blush on her face. "Whatever would give you that idea?" She smiled up at Haruhi but it was strained.
'She obviously knows a lot about it. Why would she lie?' She thought to herself as she smiled at Kanako in a slightly awkward fashion.
Then a small sound of someone entering the room echoed in the spacious room.
"Hello." A young man spoke whilst carrying in a large box "I'm here with the new teacups you ordered." Kyoya turned his attention towards the new arrival, walking over quickly to retrieve his goods.
"Ah, thank you very much. Every item that you've chosen for us has been extremely popular with the ladies." Kyoya then proceeded to give the young man his small smile he usually gave when pleased with something "I'm quite impressed."
"Well that's good to hear." The young man spoke giving Kyoya a smile pleased smile.
"So do you sell tea sets?" Haruhi questioned, leaving Kasugasaki at the table by herself.
"No, I'm just a regular student." The young man answered, placing his hands on his hips. "Can't you tell by the uniform?"
The sound of the chair scraping against the floor was heard as Kanako looked back at them. "Oh Haruhi, you're so funny. I can't blame you for not knowing. After all, he doesn't really look like an heir to a first-class company."
"First-class company?" Haruhi asked.
The boy continued to stare at Kanako as if he didn't know what to do.
"His family's business, the Suzushima trading company, deals primarily in the importing of tableware. They currently have the top market share in the country." Kyoya explained.
Kanako lowered her stare from the boy to the ground. Haruhi watched this exchange as Kyoya continued. "So whenever something exceptional comes in, we've asked him to send it our way. He has a great eye for fine china. Don't you, Suzushima?"
That got his attention and he turned back to Kyoya. "You think? I've still got a lot to learn, but thank you." He gave a small smile.
Haruhi continued to gaze at the sad looking girl at the table.
"Aren't you leaving next month to study abroad in England?" Kyoya asked, seeing that Kasugasaki seemed to flinch when he spoke those words.
"Yes, I am." And that's when Kasugasaki's whole form seemed to sink into her small chair. "Well… I better go now." And that was when Suzushima left the small clubroom.
"I should leave too," said Mayumi as she followed the boy.
:At the party:
The dance was taking place in a large marble column filled hall. Blooming cherry blossoms could be seen outside the windows. The hosts were gathered at the top of a large staircase at the middle of the room. Girls crowded around as Tamaki lifted his arm in the air dramatically and the lights turned on, giving him the spotlight.
"It is so good to see you here tonight, my little lambs. The Ouran Host club would like to bid you, welcome," Tamaki bowed.
Violins started to play in unison as all the girls clapped in wonder.
"As always, ladies, the host club members are here for your entertainment. So we invite you to dance to your heart's content." Kyoya informed them charmingly. "Based on her dancing skills, one lucky young lady will be chosen as tonight's queen. The queen's reward will be a passionate kiss on the cheek from our king."
"Good luck to you, my darlings." Tamaki called with a pleasant smile. He then gave all the ladies a wink. They all squealed, well all of them except for Akane who was at the very back of the crowd while Mayumi was leaning at the entrance. Some even fainted to the ground.
Now the dancing began. The hosts took their time to dance with each lady separately as the slow music played. Akane was also within the crowd, wearing a black and purple-layered dress with a ribbon tied around her waist and black peep toe heels, complete with her signature leather jacket. She didn't care about the contest, her smoky blue eyes were searching for the one host she wanted to dance.
"Hey Akane," a voice called and she turned around. In front of her was one of the Hitachiin twins, Kaoru.
"Kao-chan," she greeted shyly. 'Come on, Akane, don't be a spineless wimp and ask him to dance with you!' She thought to herself.
"You wanna dance with me?" He asked her, giving her his hand.
It took all she had not to turn completely red in the face. "I guess," Akane said, putting her hand in his. Soon they were dancing along to the sound of violins and it felt like a dream come true for Akane.
Mayumi still wasn't sure why she came to this party as she tried adjusting her dress.
It was a beautiful teal gown with sparkles on the top that matched with her light blue gloves, simple studded earrings and a teal rose pendent shone brightly from the chandelier light. Her white open toe mid-heel sandals clicked as she walked across the ballroom floor.
She waited until the client girls had their turn with dancing with Hikaru, before she'd try to ask herself. After all, why would she go to a dancing party just to stand around and watch others waltz with the one she liked? She tried to approach him, but then he left with the others. Curious, Mayumi followed in secret towards a curtain she saw most of the hosts had disappeared behind.
She followed them to a room at the end of a narrow hall. Standing behind the curtain, Mayumi watched the hosts crowd around the center of the room. And that's when she saw Haruhi dressed up like a girl.
She wondered what the hosts were up as she watched Haruhi wobble out the other side of the room.
"My face feels heavy, and it's hard to walk in these shoes," Haruhi mumbled.
"Good luck, Haruhi," Hikaru and Kaoru called after her as she left.
"I can't believe, she's so pretty!" Tamaki gushed.
"This better work, Tama-chan, you interrupted my dance with Kao-chan," Akane hissed, glaring daggers at Tamaki.
He gave her a nervous smile. "No worries, Akane." He straightened himself up and turned towards the group in the room.
"What's going on?" Mayumi asked, making her presence known to the others.
Kyoya answers her. "We are conducting important club business, although it's really none of your concern," he said with his host smile.
'You don't have to say it so bluntly...'
"Come on, I'm taking you back to the party," Hikaru mumbles, grabbing her by the arm and half-dragging her.
Mayumi started blushing, then casted her eyes away from him as he leads her back to the party.
"So you won't tell me what you guys are planning?"
Hikaru groaned. 'Can't she just let it go?' He decided to distract her by asking her to dance.
"You took lessons from Kyoya, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
He offered her his hand, a charismatic charm to his smile. "Shall we test them out?"
Mayumi blushed a bit. She accepts, placing her delicate gloved hand into Hikaru's. They glided across the floor, his arm draped around her waist. Their hands held as he spun her around.
As they head to the dance floor, she happened to see Tamaki leading Kanako away. Mayumi ignored that, just as she was told by Kyoya, and started to get a bit worried that the girls would have jealous looks on their faces as they watched her dance with Hikaru.
"They're staring at us," she mumbled, unintentionally out loud.
"Let them," he said in her ear before he lifts her into the air. Once her toes touched the floor, they twirled in circles across the dance floor. She smiled, and even Hikaru was enjoying dancing with her. She wasn't timid with her steps, wasn't afraid to jump or be thrown into the air. She was lively when she moved, her hair flying around her, her skirt flowing with her body. When the music softened, they slowed down, Hikaru dipping her as the grand finale.
"Are you having a good time?" he asked once they stopped.
"Sure, I'm just not used to attending big parties," she told him.
Hikaru had a smug look on his face when she said that. He stood in front of her, eyes leveled so she could see the glint in his hazel eyes.
"You want to have some real fun?"
She cocked an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"
"Just wait until Tamaki gets back," he says, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Come on, Mayumi," Hikaru called to her as they ran through the school halls. She followed him into a classroom where he stood by the windows.
"Best seats in the house," he said grinning.
"For what?" she asked.
"Tamaki planned something for the host hopper and her fiancé."
"Where is everyone?"
"Probably down there. But it's so much better up here, check it out." She walked to where Hikaru was, gazing at the faded twilight that colored the sky. Millions of stars scattered across the heaven with a silver glow. She stared in awe.
'It's so beautiful.' She turned to Hikaru, a lost in thought look on his face. She felt a bit somber.
"You always seem to be in the background, just watching. Even when we were kids, you would always play by yourself if Kaoru wasn't around, though that hardly ever happened."
"I have no reason to hang around the others."
"Then why me?" she asked, "Why have me here?" His eyes were distant as he thought about it, giving Mayumi the conclusion that he didn't know why himself until he finally did answer.
"You're different." She didn't know what to say, so she kept quiet, not to ruin the moment between them. Hikaru was complex. Around his classmates he was guarded and reserved, like a rose. Around his friends he was mischievous and energetic, dangerous but in a fun way. Around his twin brother he was protective and close. But with her, he was relaxed. Like he didn't need to be guarded or protective or mischievous (but he will be the latter just for the fun of it). That side of him, she had always wanted to see. Because he trusted her. But she also wanted him to learn to open up to others.
"Come on, our friends are waiting for us downstairs."
They were outside now where Kanako continued to run and Suzushima continued to chase after her, their shoes clacking against the ground.
He finally caught up to her and grabbed her arm, hoping to stop her.
A large gust of wind swept through the school, hundreds of cherry blossoms dancing on the breeze. Kanako and Suzushima were now in the spotlight, in both the figurative and literal sense.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Tamaki called out as the couple looked up in surprise.
"It is now time for us to begin the final dance of this evening's festivities." He continued as giant doors opened up from the ballroom and all the girls filed out onto the giant balcony overlooking the couple. "The last waltz of the night has been chosen by the host club for this couple. And as an added bonus our own Akane Morinozuka and her friend will perform a song."
A light but happy beat started playing as Suzushima turned towards Kanako.
Oh, shining on us
Dreams sparkle in the night
But our dream is still hiding somewhere
Akane's voice rang out loud and clear throughout the whole courtyard.
Oh, come let's search for it
And hold it with this song
There is no limit to this hope of ours
"Princess Kasuga, may I have this dance?" He asked as he bowed and held out his hand. She gasped.
Hey, look up above
The moon is smiling tonight, embraced in tenderness
Oh very soon, the moon will light our path
Hurry up and shine
Our dream is waiting just for us
Let's search for the full moon
They stared into each other's eyes for a moment before she reached her hand hesitantly. "Yes." She whispered. They didn't seem to care if the beat picked up slightly, and waltzed without a care in the world.
Let's sing a song!
Someone else had joined Akane as they both sang. It was Mayumi. And the twins ate bananas in the background.
Even if the sun may stop
Shining so bright
The full moon will come and light our path
They stared deeply into each other's eyes as they waltzed. Cherry blossoms blew around elegantly.
Day by Day!
The moon will come and stay
Until the faith from yesterday relieves itself
"I love you, Kanako." He told her with a smile.
Let's sing a song!
There's no way we'll give up
We're just so close
Come on, it's right there reaching out for us
"I've always loved you. And I want you to be my wife." He continued. Her eyes widened slightly before she smiled brightly.
More and More!
Hope that we gather
Our dream comes one
One single step closer to
Our New Future!
With his words her teacups shined bright and new and began to spin again. "Tonight marks the end of my host hopping." She said, smiling.
Tamaki drew his arms to the side, with Haruhi ducking. "Ah, may this awkward couple be forever blessed!"
Hikaru appeared behind him with a microphone in one hand and a banana peel in the other. "And now we'll announce the queen of the ball."
Next came Kaoru also with a microphone and banana peel. "Congratulations, Princess Kanako Kasugazaki."
She looked surprised but gave a smile as everyone clapped.
"And for her reward, a kiss on the cheek from the king..." Hikaru told everyone, both his and Kaoru's banana peels oddly missing.
"You ready?" Tamaki asked striking a pose as Akane and Mayumi came up to join the group.
"Haruhi Fujioka will stand in for Tamaki." Kaoru added and both Tamaki and Haruhi looked shocked and slightly disturbed.
"But how is that gonna work if Haru-chan is a g-" Akane started, but was cut off by Mayumi's hand covering her mouth.
"If it's just on the cheek there's no problems." She told the black haired girl. Akane nodding in understanding and Mayumi took her hand off her mouth.
"Kyoya did say that a little accident towards the end of night might make even more thrilling for everyone." Hikaru and Kaoru commented mischievously as Tamaki looked between the both of them.
"It's just on the cheek, right? You should accept it. It will commemorate your graduation from host-hopping." Suzushima told his soon to be wife comfortingly.
"There's no way I can kiss her." Haruhi deadpanned.
"If you do it, we'll cut your debt by one-third." Kyoya told her without looking away from his little black book.
"Well, it is just a peck on the cheek." She mumbled before starting her descent down the stairs.
"Hey, you don't think this is Haru-chan's first kiss, do you?" Honey asked from beside Tamaki as he stared at the scene before him white as a sheet.
"Maybe." Akane answered, coming up on the other side of Tamaki.
"What?" Tamaki called out in shock. At the same moment Haruhi was in front of Kanako and about to turn her head to kiss her cheek.
"Wait, Haruhi!" Tamaki called out dramatically as he leaped towards the two girls, with his arm out stretched. But then he slipped on a banana peel and pushed Haruhi into Kanako. Then both of their lips connected instead.
Tamaki looked horrified and like he was gonna die any second as he fell to the ground. Suzushima looked on in surprise.
The two girls jumped apart from each other quickly, covering their lips with their hand. The girls on the balcony either were squealing over the kiss or crying.
"I never would have thought that I'd end up giving my first kiss to another girl." Haruhi mumbled to herself from behind her hand. Tamaki appeared in the corner crying his eyes out and looking sorrowfully at Haruhi.
"But it was such an amazing night." She added. Kanako looked over to Suzushima worriedly but he just gave a small smile telling her it was all right.
"So I guess it's just as well." She thought to herself as Tamaki was reaching out for her. She gave a bright smile.
"TAMAKI!" Mayumi yelled as she chased Tamaki everywhere.
New Future © Full Moon wo Sagashite
English lyrics © Amanda Lee