Before we start, I would like to acknowledge and thank RavynLex, who was a truly big help to me in brainstorming and writing for this story. She was kind enough to share her own story in living with Fibromyalgia, and how she manages. She brainstormed with me and help me create so many new ideas and story plots. She's a wonderful author with her own phenomenal characters, that I've personally become quite invested in myself heh. Please enjoy this chapter!

Well, this was certainly not the development I had expected. One moment I was trying to find a place to study and the next, I was saddled with a uniform and a 100 client quota. Good grief. How in the world did they expect me to do something like this? I was by no means a host. I wouldn't say I'm an anti-social person, but I wouldn't say I'm an extrovert either! But after they had loaned me a uniform, and seen my 'true beauty' as Tamaki called it, I went from being a dog to a host. This whole thing is just more trouble then it's worth.

Sitting on the couch, my eyes trail across the three girls who sit across from me. They are smiling patiently at me, excited to have a new host join in. I guess when you have six boys to choose from, and it is only those boys, it can only keep you entertained for so long. Or, that's my assumption anyways. A lot of other girls seem pretty eager to stick with the other hosts. I'm grateful at least that these girls are willing to give me a chance I suppose. "So Haruhi!" One of the girls says, snapping me out of my momentary stupor. "What made you decide to join the host club?"

Oh jeez. Do I answer honestly, or just lie to them? "Um...I don't know. I just needed a change I guess," I answer, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Your skin is so clear! How did you manage that?"

"Just with...my soap?" I answered lamely. I could see Tamaki wincing out of the corner of my eye. This was probably more painful to watch than it was for me to attempt.

"I've heard that you're the honor student right? Why did you decide to attend this school?" Hm, well there was an interesting question I suppose.

"Well, I heard it was one of the best academic wise, and I thought it might help me get closer to my end goal," I explained. "Not only that but when I heard it was a special-needs school, I thought it might be even more helpful." As soon as that left my lips though, I had a bit of a bad feeling. I knew what question was coming next, 'What's wrong with you?' I heard it all the time back in middle school. Students asked me why I couldn't run in my gym class, and why I became so easily winded. They would ask me why I missed school so often. Sometimes when I would change into my gym clothes, girls would ask why I had a scar on my chest. It was the only visible part of my disability, form the surgery I had when I was five. But no matter how many times they asked me, it never became any less embarrassing. So, I quietly braced myself for the barrage of questions.

"Is that right? Oh wow, you're pretty dedicated then, aren't you? So then, what is your end goal?" Oh? They weren't asking me what was wrong with me? No, they were asking a normal, everyday question. One that anyone could be asked. I had to fight not to smile too wide.

"Well, I want to be a doctor," I answered.

"That's really ambitious Haruhi! Why do you want to be a doctor?" Okay, now I really couldn't stop myself from smiling. I've been so used to stares, or questions where people just poked their nose into my business. I don't blame them for being curious. But to just have a normal, casual conversation like this was something I took for granted. I almost forgot how nice it feels.

"Well, because I want to be able to help other people," I answered. I feel like it's the first time I've ever been able to tell someone that. It's not as though it's a secret. But, no one has ever bothered to ask. They always see my flaws before they see anything else. So this is really different. Dare I say, it sort of makes me...happy. The Host Club still isn't really my first choice of school activity. But if it means being treated like this, then I'm all for it really.

With the girls listening, I began to speak, telling them about my mother, and just how intelligent, and inspiring she was before she died. How much she inspired me, and why I wanted so desperately to follow along in her footsteps. I had wanted to be a lawyer like her at first. But after she died, I realized that I didn't want anyone to ever have felt as terrible as I had that day. I used to think that if the right people had been there, she could have been saved. It's a childish thought, I know. But it's a thought I was never able to really let go of. She was my biggest role model, and she still is, even to this day. With the girls hanging on my words, I tell them about what life is like for me today, living without my mother. I didn't really enjoy the sadness in their eyes I'll admit. But, it was just so so much better then looks of pity. I have to admit, I truly enjoyed it.

But, I guess the roles were a bit reversed in this case. I'd never met another peer who was disabled. Or, not that I knew of anyways. But sitting before me, were three girls who, in a sense, were just like me. Two of them looked rather normal. But one of them had walked in with braces on her legs, and using crutches to help her. As awful as it might sound, I really wanted to ask about them. I wanted to know why the girls were in this school. This was the first time I had even been one of the bunch, in a matter of speaking. And I wanted to know how similar we were. I knew it was rude, and they probably wouldn't like it anymore then I had. So, I kept my lips buttoned and minded my own business. Being a Host was going to take some getting used to...

As the girls took a moment to talk amongst themselves, I took this chance to look at everyone else. This club was still a bit new to the school if I remember right. How were the others able to do this so easily?

Tamaki, the 'king' himself, was speaking so casually to his clients, that you would almost think he was born to do this. I was a bit surprised to see one of the girls sitting on his lap, taking up the offer he made to me earlier in the day. Did he do that often? The girl certainly seemed to enjoy it anyway, as her arms were laced around his neck, and she had such a cat-like smile. She was liking being the center of attention, that was for sure. But just watching him hold her like that made me a little uncomfortable. It felt like he was using his handicap to his advantage in a sense, acting as her cushion. I had nothing against making the most of one's struggles of course. And I have no right to talk about how one coped. But still, something about how casual he was about this really bothered me for reasons that I really couldn't explain. Maybe I should talk to him about it later...

Not too far away from him was Kyoya. Nothing out of the ordinary there. His mask was pulled down just a little so the girls could hear him better. The room was just a little noisy from all of the people in it, and his mask probably would have just made it even harder to understand him. The girls looked pretty excited as he showed them what looked like photo albums. Attempting to make a sale huh? Good grief.

Takeshi and Mitskuni were hosting together. Mitsukuni was sitting up on Takeshi's lap, and swinging his legs as he nibbled on a piece of cake. The girls were swooning over him and pinching his cheeks. It looked like they saw him more like a baby then as a teen. How could he stomach being treated like that? Well, he certainly seemed to enjoy it anyway, as he was just laughing away.

As Honey was being cooed over, two girls sat on either side of Takeshi, leaning against his strong arms. I could tell how careful he was not to jostle them as he kept his arms still. Every now and again, they would comment about something. Most of the time, he answered with a nod or a shake of his head. I assumed at first that he was just a man of few words. But that thought was tossed out when he suddenly raised one of his hands and made the sign for 'Thank you.' Sign language! I only know a few phrases I had picked up from television programs, but I could understand that one. So he couldn't speak huh? He didn't seem to be deaf though, as the girls who were talking to him didn't use signs. Well, he could be a good lip reader though. Hm. So he was either deaf or mute I realized.

Finally, I looked at the twins. There seemed to be a lot of activity going on over there. Four girls sat on one couch, while Hikaoru and Kaoru occupied the one across from them. Well...Hikaoru occupied it anyways. Kaoru was standing, and he had his hands pressed against the window. He was staring up at the blue sky, bouncing on his toes as he stared. His tablet had been left on the couch. And his shoes had been abandoned as well, leaving him in his socks. I guess that was how he was most comfortable. I don't blame him, to be honest, I wouldn't mind kicking off these stuffy shoes myself. I couldn't help wondering if something had caught Kaoru's interest out there. But the others were watching him patiently, and talking to him, even though he did not answer back. After a moment, Hikaoru got up, and stood by his brother's side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, and pointing at something in the sky that I couldn't quite see myself. What a nice relationship they seemed to have.

The dynamic of the host club members all seemed to be pretty friendly and laid back. Some more than others I would admit. But still, I felt like with their help, I could reach the quota they had for me in no time. Well...maybe not 'no time.' It was clear to me just how popular the other club members were, and how frequently they were requested. So to gain 100 clients was going to be a challenge, to say the least.

"Haruhi?" I quickly snapped my head back up to look at the girls. "Do you think we could request to see you again sometime? We've really enjoyed the time we've spent with you so far, and we'd love to see you again. If that's okay I mean!"

"Oh! No, yeah, that would be perfect!" Three down. 97 more to go...

"Haruhi! You did so great!" Tamaki praised as Haruhi cleared the last of the teacups from her table. "I'll have to admit, you had me worried there for a second, but that save! Oh, you did so wonderfully!"

"Mm-hm," Haruhi sighed, already feeling a little worn. "Well, I'm not an expert yet. But hopefully, this means I'll get the clients I need a little quicker than I thought I would."

"Well, I have all the faith in the world! I just know you can do it!" Haruhi ignored him for now, clearing the rest of the cups onto the tea tray and setting it on his lap.

"Take these to the kitchen for me okay? I need a break."

"Sure thing! Once I get back though, we'll have a bit of a progress report together okay? Toodles~" Haruhi just shook her head, watching Tamaki carefully pivot his chair and push himself off, balancing the tray on his lap rather well, as though he had done this plenty of times before.

Once he was gone, Haruhi slowly lowered herself back onto the couch with a sigh. Then, she reached over and plucked her bag up from under the table where she had it waiting. After rummaging inside, she pulled out a small, white bottle. Beta-Blockers. Her medicine. It lowered her blood pressure and ensured that her heart didn't work as hard. After twisting the cap off and shaking two into her hand, she rummaged through her bag once again. Water bottle, water bottle. For goodness sake, she didn't forget it did she? It wasn't like she didn't know how to dry swallow medicine. But she usually tried to avoid it if she could. It was terribly uncomfortable if she was being honest. Oh gosh, where was it?

"Need a hand?" Haruhi startled slightly and looked back up. Kyoya stood before her, laptop tucked under his arm, and brows cocked just a bit.

"No. Well, sort of. You wouldn't happen to have any water would you?" she asked him.

"Never leave home without it," he responded. Haruhi couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but was still grateful when he pulled an unopened bottle of water from his own bag after setting his laptop down. Haruhi sighed with relief, taking the bottle and thanking him. Kyoya quietly settled himself down on the sofa across, watching as Haruhi unscrewed the top and took her medicine. "So Haruhi. How are you liking the Host Club thus far?" He asked, pulling his laptop onto his lap and opening it up. His tone indicated that he didn't really care either way how she felt. But at least he had the courtesy to ask she supposed.

"It's alright," she admits with a shrug. "Not my first choice of club, but it's not the worst thing I've ever done." This seemed to amuse Kyoya, as she heard him chuckle. For a moment, he didn't say anything, choosing instead to browse the files of his computer. Finally, he looked up at her.

"You know Haruhi," he began. "A lot of the students in this school have been treated at my families hospitals," he said. Haruhi raised a brow. Was this his own way of bragging? "Because of that, I have a good amount of data on almost every student in the school. I have access to medical records, and can usually determine reasonings behind why a student is at this school." Then, he paused and looked up at Haruhi over his screen. "Except for you. I have nothing."

"Well...isn't that sort of breaking confidentiality rules?" Haruhi asked, a little taken aback.

"Well, only if I tell people about the records," he answered honestly. "You can't blame me for being curious. I see many of these students all the time. Many emergency cases we get are one or more of our peers." Haruhi fidgeted a little.

"Let me guess. You want to know why I'm here don't you?" Haruhi asked with a heavy sigh.

"I can't deny the fact that I'm curious." She wasn't sure if she felt more annoyed, or embarrassed.

"My heart," she mumbled. "There's been a lot of muscle damage to my heart." Kyoya nodded and began typing away. Was he making his own record? For goodness sake. Well now, how would he feel if he had to be prodded at for something so personal? "Well, what about you huh? Why are you attending this school?" she asked him, hoping to see him flinch or hesitate.

But instead, without skipping a beat, he said rather casually, "Cystic Fibrosis."

"Oh..." she returned, sinking down a little on the couch.

"You're going to have to get used to this sort of a thing eventually. The girls won't usually pry into your personal business in such a way. But you can't think you should hide your illnesses, or act like they don't exist. Which is something that I get the feeling you've been trying to do." Haruhi fidgeted again.

"It's not that I think they shouldn't be regarded," she mumbled. "It's just...well..." Oh, how was she supposed to put this into words? Her thoughts flashed back to Tamaki for a moment, who had been shamelessly allowing girls to sit on his lap as he sat in his chair, acting as a cushion almost. She felt a small surge of anger and sat up a little straighter. "I just don't think it's anything to be so proud of!"

"Oh?" That certainly had Kyoya's interest.

"Disability doesn't define you. It's a part of you, but it's not something you should try to draw so much attention to." Before she could stop herself, she told him honestly. "I don't like how nonchalant Tamaki is about all this. It feels like he's trying to show off or something. And I just don't like it." She could see that Kyoya was thinking rather hard about what she said, debating what to say next. Finally, he closed his laptop and set it aside for just a moment.

"Haruhi, do you know why Tamaki started this club?" She shook her head. "Well, he started it for all the wrong reasons. He wanted to send a message. But it just wasn't the right one. He wanted to tell everyone that they were beautiful. That he was beautiful. That we were beautiful." He pushed up his glasses and continued. "Despite our disabilities." He gave Haruhi a moment to take that in. "The way Tamaki is now is night and day when compared to how he used to be. He hated who he was. And he felt miserable. He saw his incapabilities as more of a flaw, then as a part of himself. Eventually, he began this club as a way to make himself, and others of the same mindset feel better. But as you can imagine, that only went over so well. Back then, he would act as though his wheelchair didn't exist. He acted as though he were just as able-bodied as everyone else. But, it only led him to feel worse."

"So...what did he do?"

"Well, he talked. He spoke to us and was honest about how he felt. And he came to realize what was wrong. It was his point of view. He wanted to love himself, he really did. But, he knew he couldn't act like this big part of him didn't exist. It took some time. But his motto changed. And he realized it's up to the person how they want to feel about their abilities and disabilities and how they treat it. Personally, he's no longer ashamed of himself, and he enjoys behaving in this way because of that. He's not ashamed anymore. Personally, I don't like to draw attention to myself. but I won't deny it's there. It's the same for you Haruhi. you can treat it however you feel is necessary. But it's unreasonable to pretend it doesn't exist. Or, that's how I see it anyways."

Haruhi sat back now, thinking it over. "That...gives me a lot to think about," she admits, folding her arms.

"Take your time," Kyoya nodded, picking up his computer again. "Ah, by the way," he hummed. "When do you plan, if ever, to tell our 'king' that you're female?" Ah, so he knew all along, did he?

"When the time is right I guess," Haruhi shrugged.

"F-f-female?!" Haruhi winced when Tamaki's shrill voice reached her ears, getting the attention of the other host club members.

"Seems the right time came," Kyoya said with a shake of his head.

"Mm-hm..."

PMs and comments are still very much appreciated! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for reading!