A/N: Possible triggers: bullying, references to subtly racist remarks
A hearty thank you to Katnumn for their support and kind words!
Emi POV
A couple of days had passed and my social battery was still recovering from the whole cosplay ordeal. Though I was tired, a part of me felt giddy and I couldn't wait to see my new friends again. They sure did know how to make life more interesting.
I wasn't just tired from the host club though. Aiki and I had also been messaging and calling more often, though we hadn't had another chance to meet in person. Lately, she had been calling me late at night, technically in the early morning, while she was on her way home from whatever nightclub she'd just spent the evening at.
Even though this meant I was getting less sleep, I didn't mind because I figured it gave us more time to talk and I wanted to show her that I cared. And I did care. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't in love with her, but she was flirty and fun to talk to and I had missed the excitement of getting to know someone in a romantic capacity.
I smiled slightly as my Vans-clad feet carried me to my next class, stifling a small yawn behind my hand.
"Ugh, there's that slut from the other day," I heard a snobby voice say.
Jeez, I wonder who they're talking about that rudely… The poor girl must have heard them, whoever she is…
"The way that halfer was throwing herself at poor Honey-senpai was truly disgusting," another voice sniffed in disdain.
Halfer? They're not… They couldn't be talking about me could they?
"I mean really, did she truly believe that a gorgeous man like Honey-senpai could ever be interested in a frizzy-haired boor like her when he could have any of us fair beauties?" a third voice chimed in, rather conceitedly in my opinion.
I stiffened, I think they are talking about me… How many "frizzy-haired halfers" could there be in this one hallway?
I kept my eyes straight ahead, trying to act like I hadn't heard anything, as if I was entirely immersed in my own head, and quickly diverted my route to the nearest washroom. This was a technique I had used in middle school pretty frequently. While I wouldn't consider myself to have been bullied growing up, there had been a couple of instances of the other children making ignorant comments about my hair or otherwise making me feel like an 'other'. One time I had even overheard some boys daring their friend to tell me I was pretty, which might not have seemed so bad had I not heard a girl telling them to stop being mean, clearly indicating they didn't actually think I was pretty at all.
I made it to a washroom and locked myself in one of the stalls. My breaths came unevenly as tears of hurt and frustration gathered in my eyes.
I fingered one of my curls. It had taken me years to start loving my natural hair, but it was still something I struggled with, particularly since having come to Japan and now being surrounded by people with silky straight locks. It was exhausting. I knew I could never look like them, and that in a lot of ways, I'd never fit in. That was the curse of a "halfer" after all; never being entirely one thing or another, but rather stuck somewhere in between.
I clenched my fists in determination, Whatever, those women are just ignorant. The host club doesn't seem to mind me being a 'halfer' at all, and Aiki wouldn't be seeing me if she didn't find me at least somewhat attractive... right?
Having given myself that pep talk, I squared my shoulders and walked out of the washroom, ready to face the rest of my day.
Honey POV
I stretched, patting my cake-filled stomach contently. Another successful day of hosting was now complete and it was time for the group meeting.
I bounced over to where the rest of the hosts were gathering, Takashi following behind me sedately.
I sat on the chair next to Haru-chan's and turned to ask her the question that had been nagging at me for a couple of days, "Haru-chan, have you seen Emi-chan recently? We haven't seen her in a week! Not since the cosplay!"
"Yes, it's true! Daddy hasn't seen his darling daughter in a whole week! If this keeps up she'll be completely grown up the next time I see her!" Tama-chan wailed, tears streaming down his face.
"Uh, yeah I've seen her a couple of times, since we do have a class together. I think she's been pretty busy. What between studying, working, and now dating-,"
"DATING?!" Tamaki, the twins, and I yelled in shock.
I felt a heaviness in my stomach and looked down at it perplexedly, Huh? None of the cakes seemed like they were off…
"Yeah," Haru-chan shrugged, as if she hadn't just dropped a huge bomb on the club, "She's been seeing this girl, Aiki I think."
"Huh, well, good for her," the twins shrugged, the shock having apparently worn off.
"NO NO NO! She can't be dating someone without getting my approval first! What if this girl is a no-good criminal! Or a trafficker! Or- or what if she's just using my precious daughter!" Tama-chan shouted in despair, going on a rampage as Kyo-chan sighed.
I slouched down in my chair, clutching Usa-chan to my chest tightly. My good mood was gone and I couldn't understand why.
"Hey Honey, are you alright?" Haru-chan asked me, head tilted to the side in concern.
"Nuh uh, I don't feel too good," I muttered despondently.
I felt Takashi place his hand on my head consolingly.
Why do I feel this way?
"Tamaki, calm down," Kyoya muttered, massaging his temples, "Emi is perfectly capable of managing her own love life."
"Yeah boss, it's not like she's never dated before," the twins intoned, looking bored out of their minds now.
"No, I won't calm down! This is unacceptable! We have to at least see who this Aiki woman is and make sure she treats our Emi right!" Tamaki declared.
Hika-chan and Kao-chan lifted their heads, glancing at each other slyly, "Why, Tono, you wouldn't be proposing a reconnaissance mission would you?"
"I've got it!" Tamaki exclaimed, punching a fist into his open palm, "A reconnaissance mission!"
The twins sweatdropped. Silly Tama-chan, I giggled half-heartedly.
"Tamaki, please don't tell me…," Haru-chan started.
"Commence Mission Observe Emi's Date!" Tamaki proclaimed exuberantly, placing his fists on his hips.
"What?! That's a total invasion of her privacy!" Haru-chan protested, looking at Tamaki angrily.
I saw Takashi nod along with Haru-chan, clearly not agreeing with this mission.
What would it be like to see that side of Emi-chan? Her romantic side?
I perked up. I did say I wanted to get to know Emi-chan better, and this could be a good opportunity to see a new side of her…
"I agree with Tama-chan! Emi-chan's our friend, so we have a responsibility to make sure she's safe!" I piped up, nodding my head in determination. I tried to ignore my cousin's disapproving stare, playing with Usa-chan's ears instead.
Plus, I'll finally get to see her again! Even if it's from a distance.
