Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Question
It was a warm, sunny day out when the members of the Ouran High School Host club once again gathered inside their music room headquarters, getting ready for their weekly event of entertaining ladies with too much time on their hands, by trying on outfits related to their latest theme.
“Wow Tama-chan, you look so dashing in that outfit!” Said Honey, who gushed over Tamaki’s conquistador costume.
“Yes, it is quite fetching isn’t it? I especially love the cape. Really makes the outfit work on a whole new level.” Tamaki asked, stroking his fake mustache as he whipped out his cape and struck a pose. “This stylish take on Don Quixote is sure to make the ladies swoon with delight. After all, who doesn’t love a hero?”
“Yeah! Heroes rule!” Exclaimed Honey, who was dressed up as a cute robot boy. Meanwhile Mori, who was dressed up as a Kung -Fu master, merely grunted in agreement.
“Super Twin powers, ignite!” The twins yelled in unison as leaped out from behind the dressing room curtain. Both were dressed in matching space captain outfits and pointing their large plastic laser guns.
“Don’t worry ladies! We’ll protect you all throughout time and space.” Declared Hikaru, holding his laser high in the air.
“And fight all the evil bad guys and monsters that would dare to take over Earth!” Kaoru added, holding his up as well.
“Wow Hika-chan! Kao-chan! You two make great space captains!” Honey declared while Mori smiled and nodded.
“Not bad you guys. Very suiting.” Tamaki said admiring the flare of their outfits. “I must admit, you both really outdid yourselves with the theme this time.”
“Yeah well, how often do we get to dress up as heroes? Especially ones we really like.” Hikaru asked.
“We’ve had designs for these outfits since we were kids.” Kaoru added. “All we needed was an excuse to create them.”
“This is gonna be so much fun!” Honey exclaimed. “The girls will be so excited when they see us!”
Tamaki then looked around curiously. “Speaking of girls, where’s Haruhi? She needs to try on her outfit too. I can’t wait to see her wearing it. I had it commissioned especially for her. Would’ve shown it to her during the lunch meeting if I were able to attend. What did she think of the design by the way?”
Honey thought for a moment before looking curiously at Mori, who merely shook his head at the unspoken question. “Sorry Tama-chan, but she wasn’t at the lunch meeting. In fact, neither of us has seen Haru-chan all day.”
“What!?” Tamaki said in a panic. “But that can’t be! You think something’s wrong? What if she’s in trouble! Maybe she got kidnapped again and needs saving!”
“Relax boss, Haruhi’s just fine.” Hikaru said as he and Kaoru walked over. “Both of us saw her earlier in class today.”
“Yeah, she just had to go home during lunch to clean up all the stuff in her backpack.” Kaoru explained.
“What do you mean? What happened to her backpack?” Tamaki asked.
“Apparently, someone put an exploding pen in there during class. The ink got all over her books and papers.” Hikaru said with a smirk on his face. “Even got a little on her uniform too.”
“What!? That’s awful! Why would you two pull a prank like that, you know how serious Haruhi takes her studies!” Tamaki exclaimed.
“Oh we didn’t say we did it.” Kaoru said defensively. “Nor would we know that the ink in the pen was disappearing ink that would vanish after an hour.”
Tamaki looked confused. “But wait, why did Haruhi go home if the ink disappeared?”
“Hey it’s not our fault she didn’t stick around to watch it disappear.” Hikaru shrugged. “But as I said, we know nothing about it. Was fortunate for us though, since we were able to get her costume design approved without any objection.”
“But it’s late in the afternoon now! Why isn’t she here yet?” Tamaki asked urgently.
“Last we saw, she was in the library studying.” Kaoru said. “Said she didn’t want us going anywhere near her after the pen incident, as if we’re the ones responsible. So we left her costume on the chair next to her and took off.”
“Can you believe the nerve? And after we went through all the trouble of covering for her at the lunch meeting too. Now she thinks she can skip all club meetings without repercussion.” Hikaru said shaking his head. “Kyoya-sempai is not gonna be pleased when he finds out.”
“Hang on, where is Kyoya anyways?” Tamaki asked, suddenly realized his dark haired friend was missing. “He’s usually the first one here and all dressed up by now.”
“Not sure. Last I heard, he went to go retrieve his briefcase from someone.” Kaoru said as Honey’s gaze shifted toward the window.
“Weird, that shouldn’t be taking him this long.” Tamaki said curiously. “Maybe he got lost on the way back or something.”
“Say, isn’t that Kyo-chan down there with one of the girls?” Honey asked, pointing at the window.
“Girl!?” Immediately the other hosts rushed to the window, pressing their faces against the glass as they looked where Honey was pointing. Sure enough, down below in the courtyard by the pond was Kyoya standing across from an unknown girl in a yellow dress.
“Kyoya-sempai? Alone with a girl?” Hikaru asked in surprise.
“Oh we gotta see this in action!” Kaoru nodded. “Let’s go down for a closer look!”
“What’s so special about that?” Tamaki asked. “Kyoya entertains girls all the time just like we all do.”
“Not one on one he doesn’t.” Hikaru shook his head. “Not unless he’s trying to sell some club merch.”
“Perhaps he’s asking her out on a date.” Mori guessed, much to the surprise of everyone.
“A date!? Really??” Tamaki let out gushing sigh. “Oh how wonderful that would be! Just think, our dear Kyoya in love!”
“Kyoya-sempai in love? Yeah right.” Hikaru scoffed. “And I’m an only child.”
“Why is that hard to believe?” Tamaki asked.
“Come on boss, you go to class with him every day. Have you ever seen Kyoya-sempai date a girl, much less share lunch with one?” Kaoru asked.
“Of course I have! He’s…um….wait. Oh there’s the time…no…um…huh…” Tamaki wracked his brain hard trying to think of all the times he and Kyoya had entertained women but he couldn’t recall a single time where Kyoya seriously dated any of them. “That’s so strange. I could’ve sworn there was at least one girl he's dated…”
“I don’t think Kyo-chan’s interested in romance Tama-chan.” Honey pointed out. “Not unless there’s something to be gained from it.”
“No! I refuse to believe it!” Tamaki declared. “Come on guys! Let’s go down there and watch Kyoya in action! Forward ho!"
Thrusting back his cape, Tamaki took off into the hallway with the others in close pursuit. The only ones that lagged behind were the twins, who had stopped to grab the host club camera.
“Is the battery all charged?” Hikaru asked.
“Oh yeah. This is gonna be priceless.” Kaoru said, turning on the camera.
Outside in the courtyard, a brown haired girl wearing a French braid stood nervously with her hands folded before Kyoya, who was wearing a butler suit with white gloves and holding a briefcase as he looked upon her expectedly.
“Thank you mademoiselle for helping to find my briefcase. Now then, what matter of business did you want to discuss?” He asked.
The girl fidgeted a bit, wringing her hands nervously before looking up at Kyoya. “Well, it’s just…um…”
From out of the nearby hallway, Tamaki emerged, searching diligently for Kyoya. Upon spotting him with the girl, he immediately retreated behind a pillar and carefully listened in on their conversation.
“No need to be so nervous. You know I’m open to all manners of discussion.” Kyoya assured her.
The girl tensed up a bit, squeezing her hands together before responding. “It’s just…I’ve been your client for some time now and…well…I …”
Soon the others showed up and quickly joined Tamaki behind the pillar, listening intently. The twins pushed their way in front, with Kaoru holding his camera at the ready. “Did I miss the part where he proves you wrong boss?”
“Don’t be so negative!” Tamaki whispered harshly. “Besides, I think the girl’s the one about to ask Kyoya out.”
“I was hoping…if it’s alright…” She stuttered, her face turning pink. “I wanted to ask if you’d-“
“Say no more.” Kyoya said holding up his hand. “I know exactly what you’re going to ask. And my answer is yes.”
The girl looked up in surprise. “It is?”
“Of course. I was going to bring the subject up myself later at the gathering but, I think now is as good a time as any.” Kyoya nodded.
“Really?” The girl smiled, suddenly looking hopeful.
“See guys? He’s about to do it!” Tamaki whispered excitedly.
“Absolutely.” Kyoya then reached into his briefcase and took out a pamphlet. “It’s time I upgraded you to diamond level membership and give you exclusive access to the Host Club photo package!”
The girls face fell in shock. From behind, the hosts fell over each other in disbelief.
“You must see the new offers we have for our collection.” Kyoya said as he opened up the pamphlet to show her. “For example, at only an additional fee a month, you’ll be subscribed to our weekly Host magazine, have access to a selection of various sized photos, and be gifted with personalized book marks, key chains, three different sized frames, and our new calendar featuring our upcoming fall line.”
“Uh..I…” The girl stuttered
“Of course it’s better for you to see all the items for yourself, so why don’t I escort you back to the music room and show you more of our samples?” Kyoya put an arm around her back and started escorting her out of the courtyard. “We can discuss payment plans there.”
As Kyoya escorted the stuttering and confused girl back into the school, the other hosts watched them in disbelief. Except for the twins, who made sure to get a picture of Tamaki in shock.
“Yep, that’s going in the scrap book.” Hikaru said grinning smugly at Kaoru who had a matching grin.
“I can’t believe this! How could Kyoya be so clueless?” Tamaki exclaimed.
“We told ya boss. Kyoya-Sempai just isn't the dating type.” Kaoru pointed out. “He’d rather pursue profit over dinner offers.”
“No, this can’t be right! I’m going to get to the bottom of this right now!” Tamaki said as he raced back up to the music room, the others looking uncertainly between them before following suit.