Chapter six:

The spotlight turns on to show Kaoru as he makes it to the middle of the stage.

For a moment Kaoru freezes even as his friends gaze encouragingly at him from the audience. He starts to think that maybe he can't do this. He feels such nervousness that he feels like he can't move much. He glances slightly back only enough to see Hikaru. He spots him reaching for the lights to block the audience from his view. He can tell that the other is worried and thinks that maybe it will help him stop panicking. He turns back to the audience telling himself that he really should do this. He can do this! He closes his eyes shaking his head before letting out a breath to focus. He doesn't open his eyes yet though he does let himself let his voice out. He starts to sing the first song that he had wanted to sing for awhile and had practiced in secret.

Safe and Sound covered by Sam Tsui & KHS.

Kaoru had really adored this cover and he feels like it might be a good starter since it conveys his feelings of being afraid only to be surrounded by support. He peeks an eye open before opening both eyes as he continues at first not really doing any movements with the song. He can see the amazement and gratefulness of him showing them this side of himself. He ends the song without any movements. He doesn't see them mind as they know that he has stage freight. He is sure that he will get to a point where he can move to the song he sings. He is just relieved that he finally sang his first song on a stage to an audience, no matter who that audience is.

His friends cheer him on telling him how well he did.

Kaoru smiles widely at this and does a small glance back to Hikaru who looks so proud that some tears are even appearing. He turns back and decides to get a little more bold. His initial nervousness melting away more than before as he continues on with another song as the cheers quiet down. He tries to add some movements glad that he had studied some dancing videos to help with this so he can move better than some amateur. He is no professional on it though. His movements are a little awkward at first as he sings Hiding in the blue TheFatRat and RIELL. He does get some encouraging sounds from the audience as he does so making his movements more confident. He can't stop smiling as he feels so in his element. He loves this and it helps so much to be in the comfort of his friends who are like another family to him.

…

In the bushes as the mini concert goes on no one notices that on the second last song someone peeks out. "Ooh. This is going to make great news! The Host Club always pull in great views on our school news station. If only I could get closer for better audio however this seems to be something that they didn't want seen. Which is perfect. It will make big news!" A camera is raised and films the secret concert trying to get the best audio possible even at the distance needed to not be noticed right away.

…

After it is all over Kaoru gets backstage and lets out a breath feeling like he had just did the most scary thing and is also so happy. He gets a hug from Hikaru chuckling warmly, having turned off his microphone, hugging him back. He looks to his other friends who hurry over smiling too. He gets hugged by Tamaki and Hunny while the others just stand nearby. He chuckles a little embarrassed as they gush over how good he had done.

"Kaoru! You can blow anyone away by just doing that!"

"Kaoru-Chan that was so amazing!"

"Mhm."

"It is too bad about stage freight. This could have been a great addition to add to the Host Club to get more customers. Hm. Well if you ever want to try it then let me know. It could make our earnings from the club sky rocket."

"I think you really have a talent worth displaying. We won't push you of course though if you're ever ready I truly think that you have what it takes to be able to make it big."

"I am so proud of you. You did fantastic out there. I always knew you could do it brother and I knew that everyone would love it. I am so happy that you are starting to come out of your shell about this hidden talent of yours."

Kaoru doesn't really know how to respond to the compliments over how great he had done. He is also thankful for the others that are around him who have been super supportive through it all. "Thank you." He decides to wing it needing to say something to them. Him starting to speak does break any hugs so that the others can stand back enough to look at him as well as so he can give them each a smile. "Its only because of you all helping that I was able to get to this point in the first place." He admits getting slightly bigger smiles from them.

"Well then. How about we all get a snack then head home for the night?" Kyouya offers as an idea since it is getting later so they really should be heading home to go get some sleep. "Don't worry about this place. I will get people out here to deal with it."

Everyone agrees to that so Kaoru changes back into more normal clothes though he keeps the little gifts given to him before he had gone out to do his performance. They all happily head off together discussing what they all want to get to eat as a snack before they head home for the night. None of them aware of the surprise that is awaiting them in a few days.