Chapter 5: Discoveries and Studies


The school year passed by in a flash and, even more suddenly, March was here. Briskly walking down the corridor, Kagome hurried toward the library to find a quiet place to study for her anatomy and physiology class.

Regardless of her perpetual lateness, Kagome stood with a little more confidence in her posture coming into her second year at Ouran Academy. Her classmates eventually got used to her enough that her status as a former "commoner" wore off. They mostly ignored her now, keeping tight to their own social groups. It was a relief to finally be rid of such ridicule.

Rubbing at her temples, Kagome groaned at the burgeoning pressure behind her eyes. She lost herself in daydreams when she should be studying hard. With midterms creeping closer each day, the miko found herself buried in her studies more than ever.

A gaggle of students giggled and chatted to each other as they entered the library. The miko cursed herself for forgetting her headphones. It was already crowded in the library because of the upcoming exams, but everyone seemed to be treating it like a social hour. A group of girls sat a few tables away, talking to each other with elbows keeping open forgotten textbooks.

"I heard that Suoh and Ootori are forming some sort of club. I've heard they already have two other members!"

The surnames immediately caught Kagome's attention. Setting down her book, she subconsciously leaned in their direction to eavesdrop.

"Oh? I've heard it's Morinozuka and Haninozuka."

"Really? They're quite the lookers, maybe we should look into checking out their club?"

Sighing, Kagome closed her textbook with a snap and gathered her things. The school was big enough that she could find a spot to study elsewhere.


Leaving the library, Kagome couldn't help but shake the girls' conversation over in her head. Apparently, Kyoya and Tamaki were keeping busy which should have been a good thing, but it made her sad to think about it. A strange twinge of longing prodded uncomfortable feelings of loneliness that had festered for the last few months.

They had gotten close during that first year. Then summer break hit and the new school year began. While Tamaki was his typical bubbly self, Kyoya had become more reserved, especially toward her. The latter pushing distance between them made her heart clench once again with a different, ugly feeling.

As the second year passed on, Kagome chalked it up to being a result of her rigorous studying schedule. Since she launched deeper into her studies, the miko had not seen Tamaki or Kyoya outside of school. Come to think of it, she had not really seen them much during the day either.

Checking her phone, the miko noted that it was around the time that club activities started. If Kyoya and Tamaki were running one, what would be the harm in saying hi?


After several failed attempts of looking in random classrooms, it occurred to Kagome that she had no idea where their club would be hosted. Cursing herself for not pursuing that little bit of information, she determinedly pushed through the quiet hallways.

Somehow she ended up in the music wing where orchestra and symphony classes were held. In the after-school hours, it was silent save for her soft footfalls.

"They couldn't have a music club, could they?" Kagome mused aloud. Neither of the boys had mentioned anything related to an interest in music. Then again, she hadn't known the two for very long so that didn't say too much.

After walking up and down the hallway, the miko was about to head elsewhere when something caught her eye. A door was slightly open, light spilling into the dark hallway.

Kagome approached it, reading a plaque that titled the space Music Room 3. Wrapping her fingers around the gold-plated handle, the miko opened the door and stepped in.

A theatric amount of rose petals blew into her face upon her arrival. Immediately following the blast of flowers, the silhouettes of six figures were revealed. A familiar blonde stood up against all of them, holding out a rose with his eyes closed.

"Welcome, to the Host Clu– Kagome!" Tamaki's spiel was unraveled once he realized it was her. Eyes glittering with tears, the blonde launched himself at her and pulled her into a bone-breaking hug. "Kagome, my flower, where have you been?"

The miko attempted a reply but could only manage a few gusty breaths as Tamaki squeezed the life out of her.

"Jeez, Boss–"

"I thought were were supposed to be charming ladies–"

"Not suffocating them."

The convergence of two voices gave Kagome pause. Wrestling herself out of Tamaki's grip, she came face to face with a pair of identical twins. Kagome stared openly at them, her curiosity piqued seeing the different auras carried by each twin.

'Interesting! I haven't seen such lively auras since meeting Tamaki.' Kagome thought watching as the auras danced around each other, each a vibrantly different color. Suddenly her train of thought was cut off by two pairs of glittering tawny eyes.

"See something you like, princess?"

"We're far more interesting up close."

The twins swooped in, pulling her from Tamaki's reach. The blonde sputtered in disbelief, spouting out fussy directions of letting the miko go.

"No can do, boss."

"We need to practice."

"And she's the perfect test dummy."

"Who're you calling a test dummy? Let go of me!" Kagome piped in indignantly. Shoving out of their arms, she addressed all three of them with a glare. "And don't get so touchy!"

While the twins merely shrugged their shoulders and moved on, Tamaki looked to her with watery eyes. Kagome's gaze softened a touch before giving him a small smile.

"I overheard about yours and Ootori's project. It's been a while so I wanted to come check it out."

While the two had a happy reunion, back over on a comfortable leather couch Kyoya observed them closely. His expression was unreadable, but the grip of his pencil as he ceased writing in his notebook was tight.

"Higurashi, a pleasant surprise," he said.

"Hi, Ootori," Kagome responded with a small wave of her hand. "Been a while, huh?

"Indeed. What brings you all the way to the Host Club?"

"I overheard some chatter about a club you and Tamaki started. I wanted to see what it was about."

"Ah," Kyoya hummed. "Welcome–"

"Welcome to the Ouran High School Host Club, where your fantasies can be made a reality! A place for Ouran's most beautiful people!" Tamaki interjected exuberantly.

Kagome watched them with an aching heart. All of the time they spent apart came crashing into her and standing before her classmates she missed them now more than ever.

"Actually, Suoh, could I stay in here and study? The library is a little loud." Kagome requested, wiping her eyes before she could cry.

The blonde hummed thoughtfully before turning to their bespectacled friend expectantly. Kyoya looked up casually from his laptop for only a moment to nod. Smiling, Tamaki grabbed Kagome by the hand and led her to a table in the back of the room.

As she settled into her new study spot, Tamaki went into great detail about the creation and machinations of the Ouran High School Host Club. Female students would visit the club with the various hosts that fit their specific needs. As the blonde detailed the types of hosts they had to offer, Kagome followed along, nodding with each description. As he explained that Kyoya was the "cool" type, the miko snickered. When Tamaki gave her a puzzled look, she waved him off.

"It just makes sense, thank you for explaining what," Kagome gestured to the room. "This is. I'm glad it's going well."

The two shared a private smile before Tamaki returned to his guests. The girls seated at the couches where the blonde held court looked at her ranging from indifference to blatant annoyance. The particular glare of a beautiful girl with hair as red as blood set her nerves on edge. Nonetheless, Kagome let the looks roll off her and cracked down on her studies.


Over the next several weeks, Kagome would tuck herself into a little corner of Music Room 3 during the Host Club hours. It was by no means a quiet, peaceful environment. Most of the time there would be grand and fabulous costumes or intricate sets that covered a specific theme. However, the proximity to her friends was enough to keep Kagome around. After a while, she even made friends with the other hosts.

One particular afternoon, Mori and Honey were having a slow day and indulged Kagome in sharing a pot of tea. With her textbooks set aside, the three chatted amicably for a while until Kyoya made his appearance.

"If you're going to sit here with the hosts, you might dissuade other young ladies from visiting them. Please be conscious of the club's activities during our hours." Kyoya stated.

Kagome stared at him, eyes wide and unblinking. Kyoya could typically be cold and standoffish but this was different. Recognizing his unfriendly tone, the miko narrowed her eyes at him.

"There haven't been guests for almost forty-five minutes, we were just chatting," Kagome replied cooly. The bespectacled host tutted as he tapped his journal.

"Time is money, Higurashi, and unless you're going to pay for their services I recommend you move elsewhere."

"Fine," Kagome hissed. She didn't bother to hide her agitation or glare as she packed up her things. Grumbling under her breath about rich assholes, she returned to her usual spot. Since when did Ootori turn into such a jerk?

Opening her anatomy textbook more forcefully than necessary, the miko began to study. With scientific definitions and bones to memorize, she wouldn't have much time to think about how much Kyoya's words stung.

"Goooomeeee-chan!" Honey's voice broke her out of her studying haze. "Gome! Come over here!"

Back at their table, Honey was beckoning her with a wave of his arm. Closing the book, Kagome walked over to the table seeing a new face. A girl with dark brown eyes sat across from the two hosts with a small smile on her face. Kagome blinked realizing who the girl was.

"Munakata?" Kagome asked.

"Good afternoon, Higurashi. How are you?"

"Gome-chan! Ayu-chan was wondering if you'd help her with your class!" Honey announced.

"Mistukini…" Mori's deep timbre leveled Honey's bright tone. Munakata blushed at the declaration but nodded mutely.

"Y-Yes, I've been struggling with anatomy and you always seem to get good marks. I could pay you for helping me if that means I can pass this class with higher marks!" Munakata said. Kagome looked at her with a tilt of her head.

"Of course, I'll help you," she replied. Suddenly Munakata's face spread into a bright smile.

"Gome-chan, can you teach us about anatomy too?" Honey asked, his doe eyes sparkling with childlike exuberance.

"That's up to your guests, Honey," Kagome laughed nervously, her eyes glancing at a certain black-haired boy. Luckily, Munakata seemed very on board with the idea.

"Thank you, Higurashi, I will make sure to compensate you for your services," the girl said. Kagome paused, giving the girl a genuine smile.

"Don't even. I'm happy to help!"

Munakata didn't say anything, her eyes widened a touch before returning the smile full force. For the rest of the club's duration, Kagome had her turn to act as a tutor. Gently guiding Munakata through their next test's practice questions and reviewing key information.

A small distance away, keen gray eyes observed the scene with great interest. From Kagome's stern, but kind teaching methods to Munakata's response to her. Kyoya scratched a small business idea in the corner of his journal. If it worked out, the Host Club could cast a wider net and bring in more funds.

After the Club's events, those watchful eyes didn't leave Kagome Higurashi for longer than a moment. It had been a significant amount of time since Kyoya had seen Higurashi outside of class and cursed himself for his hostility toward her, but it was necessary. Kyoya Ootori was an ambitious man with strong goals for his future.

If Kagome Higurashi somehow ingrained herself within the Host Club, who was he to stop such a profitable opportunity?


A/N: Kyoya you lovable bastard xD. Here's Number 2 of the double post today! Please a review and follow along with this humble story's journey. Thanks y'all for reading. :)