"Welcome to the Host Club."

The club that resides in music room three is presently open for business, granting the visitors to enter the room as the hosts greeted the assembly of female high schoolers.

Instead of there being the usual tables, chairs, and couches in the territory, there were kotatsu's present all around the room, making the guests stand still as they examined the unfamiliar seating accommodations.

"What are these things all over the room?" A female student quizzed. "Are they furniture?"

"If my memory serves me correctly, they're called kotatsu." Another girl chimed in.

"Oh, I wondered what those looked like. I've never seen one before."

"Neither have I."

"Indeed it is a kotatsu, normally they're only used in the winter." Tamaki began with his hands behind his back, his rear side facing the customers. "It may be a little early in the season for one of these but I figured it was perfect for you ladies. After all, you're always one step ahead of the crowd, aren't you?" He rotated himself around with a smile on his lips. "Now my darlings. I hope you will enjoy today's home-style kotatsu service, presented by our Host Club." He brought his right hand up to the left side of his chest, exhibiting a bow.

As the guests settled down on a cushion that was on top of a tatami mat with their preferred Host Club member, Kyoya, Haruhi, and Y/n were standing off to the side, the raven haired male situated between the two siblings.

"I never really thought of sitting under a kotatsu as fun." Haruhi opined, stretching her arms upwards.

"Well, the ladies seem to enjoy it." Kyoya pointed out, jotting down notes in his black notebook.

"Let me guess, this kotatsu service is one of Tamaki-Senpai's ideas, isn't it?" Haruhi questioned plainly, continuing to stretch her arms to stabilize her joints, making Y/n nod her head in agreement.

"Yeah." Kyoya simply confirmed as Haruhi discontinued the stretching in her limbs, crossing her arms over her chest. The Fujioka siblings shared a look with one another before directing their gaze towards their upperclassman. "What's the matter?" He asked, noticing the two pairs of eyes that landed on him--even though his eyes were focused on his open journal. "Do you two have something against kotatsus?"

"No, not at all. I just thought of something, and it seems like Haruhi was thinking the same thing." Y/n apprised, cocking her head at her sister. "Correct me if I'm wrong but the Host Club was first founded by you and Tamaki-Senpai, right?"

"That is correct."

"Okay, well here's what I don't get." Haruhi started after Kyoya's verification. "Why would somebody as cool as you fall for a crazy idea like a high school Host Club?"

Kyoya glanced down at Haruhi for a second before a small, closed eyed smile appeared on his face. He opened his brownish-grey eyes and directed his attention towards something that was behind Haruhi.

The two girls turned their gaze to what their upperclassman was staring at, immediately catching sight of Tamaki standing at Honey and Mori's kotatsu along with their two guests, the blond haired male conversing with the four high school students.

Kyoya looked away, returning to his prior position. His eyes came to a close once again, the miniature smile still evident on his lips. "Well, because it was a crazy idea."

"Huh?" The two sisters let out, looking back at the raven haired male as he closed his notebook with the hand he was holding it with.

"Back then the third son of the Ootori family was about to begin his final spring in middle school." Kyoya commenced, implying to the occurrences that took place two years ago.

'Is this a story about himself that he's telling in third-person?' Y/n thought with moderate interest, unconsciously occupying the pads of her fingers with the cherry blossom pendant which was attached to the thin, silver chain that was around her neck.

Kyoya pursued his narrative, introducing a conversation he and his older sister, Fuyumi, had about how he lacks a choice of relaxation. "I'm not like my brothers. All they had to do was follow the path that had been promised to them. A path that keeps heading upward. It's because I'm the third son that I can't relax."

As he spoke about his and his sister's discussion that transpired two years back, his happiness was mentioned--but at the time Kyoya convinced himself that if he was feeling blissful or displeased it would have nothing to do with anything.

He progressed towards the topic of his two, eldest, male siblings. "My oldest brother had already graduated from medical school and was in training at the same hospital as my father as his successor. My second brother was still in medical school and was planning to get an MBA after he graduated so he could support our brother. And then, there was me, the third son."

Kyoya experienced high expectations from his father since his brothers already accomplished the relations that their father has come into contact with, meaning that Kyoya had to elevate one's level. And that's when Tamaki was brought up into the conversation.

"I was confident that I had the ability to see through other people's façades but they could never see through mine." He expressed in a low voice. "It didn't matter what this Suoh guy might be like making friends with him would be easy. I would do anything my father wanted."

Y/n and Haruhi once again shared a glance with one another. 'So Kyoya-Senpai was first forced into becoming Tamaki-Senpai's friend without Tamaki-Senpai even knowing about it? That's a great start.' They pondered sarcastically, faintly sweat dropping.

Kyoya furthered his verbal portrayal and began to denote about his first encounter with Tamaki and how the blond haired male represented the same personality he presently possesses. He was instructed to provide Tamaki with a tour of Ouran Academy, and that's when the blond haired male brought up the concept of kotatsus.

The raven haired male explained how Tamaki identified the two of them as best friends, even though it was the first day of meeting one another--which ended up with Kyoya stating that Tamaki might have a different perspective of the term 'best friends'. But on the second day of them being acquainted, Tamaki described Kyoya as a God since he would establish trips to Kyoto and other locations that the blond haired male was interested in and wanted to see. Undeniably, Tamaki's enthusiastic behavior didn't combine with Kyoya in the slightest.

"Before I knew it, he had completely won over our class." Kyoya told the two sisters that he would have piles of traveling guide magazines that Tamaki was interested in visiting to, and how a simple guide from a family driver wasn't enough for the violet eyed male. After their trip to Okinawa together, Tamaki was dejected on the beach saying that he overestimated Kyoya's ability to entertain him, which made the raven haired male quite frustrated and how he will cater to Tamaki's every desire while their trip in Hokkaido.

When Kyoya informed Tamaki about the trip, the blond haired male questioned his companions choice and how they should be more focused on studying for their final exams. That made Kyoya completely livid, making him express extreme anger once he arrived home that evening, saying how idiotic Tamaki was when during the previous week the blond haired male suggested the visit to Hokkaido. That night, Kyoya expressed three bitter words that he referred towards Tamaki; those three words being 'I hate him.'

Kyoya's exasperation towards Tamaki decreased after speaking out those three words. However, his frustration was still very much there as he thought about his father's command and how he needed to remember that Tamaki was a part of the Suoh family, and how his father might be testing his son's ability in handling someone like Tamaki.

The raven haired male advanced to share the occurrence that took place on Sunday while he was walking home without the blond haired male accompanying him. Although, once he made an appearance in his manor, his sister notified him that his friend has come to visit. That day was when Kyoya heard Tamaki play the piano for the first time. His two brothers were present in the room, sitting on a couch as a tear slipped down their cheeks while Fuyumi's eyes glossed over with her own salty liquid.

Tamaki's melody was more than just music that was reproduced either from memory or from sheet music--he allowed his emotions to evacuate his body through the piano keys he pressed, making the four individuals in the room feel the exact emotions Tamaki was enduring.

"To be honest, the first time I heard him play the piano I was in complete shock." Kyoya revealed, still standing in between the Fujioka sisters. "Not because my brothers were in tears but because without even realizing it, that beautiful music had brought me to tears as well..."

Kyoya continued on with the story, bringing it to after Tamaki's participation on the piano. The two teenagers were in Kyoya's bedroom, settled on the first level as they sat on a couch in front of the coffee table, both of them having a cup of coffee that was positioned on the surface of the table. As they exchanged words with one another, Kyoya's mind remained defensive and was on the verge of lunging towards Tamaki once he questioned if the raven haired male was the successor of the Ootori family.

Tamaki began describing the unhappiness that showed in Kyoya's brownish-grey eyes, saying that his look of misery that was apparent in his eyes was due to his situation and how he would give up so easily if he says that he's just going to work for his family. Kyoya mildly snapped at Tamaki, practically vocalizing that the blond haired male will be his family's successor without lifting a finger. But all Tamaki did was say that it wasn't certain if he would be the successor for his family. Tamaki wasn't interested in his father's line of work, saying that he's smart and could probably pass to being a scientist, or opening an animal kingdom up in the north.

Finally, Kyoya lost his temper, abruptly flipping over his table and yelling at Tamaki to shut up, ultimately unleashing his built up anger and frustration. He yelled at Tamaki about how he could disregard something as paramount as being the heir to his family while grabbing ahold of the collar of the blond haired male's shirt.

"Of course, I know that my brothers are no more suited for the position than I am, but... I will always feel the frustration of not being able to step outside of my frame...because I am the third son."

Kyoya finally exposed his true colors to Tamaki that day and that's when their friendship really began to blossom. Four months after their little confrontation, the two teenagers sat under a kotatsu while Tamaki explained his ideas about starting a Host Club.

"It seemed like the more I listened, the more ridiculous his plans became. But for some reason, I got the feeling that if I shared his world. I would experience something different than anything I had ever experienced before." Kyoya concluded with a small smile on his lips, his eyes directing towards Tamaki once more.

Y/n smiled softly at the finalized narrative of her upperclassman's story of how he met the spirited, blond haired male. 'So that's the story of how Tamaki-Senpai and Kyoya-Senpai met, huh? And the idea of organizing a Host Club was decided under a kotatsu? Ha, I guess a kotatsu is more than just a space for sitting--it makes memories that you will hold forever in your heart. And makes your fantasies become a reality. I mean it did happen for Tamaki-Senpai.'

- - - -

"Great job today, everyone! The guests really enjoyed themselves today." Tamaki praised his seven club mates.

It was after visiting hours for the Host Club as the eight members of the club sat at a rectangular table together--the kotatsus that were previously stationed around the room were replaced with the usual chairs, tables, and couches.

"Yeah, they really liked the kotatsus. Even though they were confused at first." Honey indicated, releasing a small giggle after his observation. He was sitting on a chair in between Haruhi and Mori as the short haired female sat beside her sister.

"It's pretty understandable why they were confused." Hikaru began, shrugging his hands. "I mean, who sits under a kotatsu when it's not even winter?"

Tamaki flinched at the auburn haired male's statement, lifting a sheepish index finger. "Well, uh, because-"

"Anyways." The Hitachiin twins interposed, making the club's president suspend his own actions, a mild irk mark appearing on his head.

"What's that necklace you're wearing, Y/n?" Hikaru questioned, referring to the accessory that was resting above the wavy haired girl's sheltered collarbone, the cherry blossom pendent resting on the knot of her tie. "Don't get me wrong, it's nice but wasn't it too expensive for you to buy? Unless it's fake."

Y/n turned her attention towards the two twins, who sat across from her, directing her gaze away from the sunkissed-orange sky that was exhibited through the window. "I'm not the one who bought it." She deadpanned, slightly furrowing her eyebrows at the rude assertion. "And it's really none of your business."

"Did your dad buy it?" Kaoru continued, vaguely tilting his head to the side as he ignored the girl's dismissal of the conversation. "I didn't know commoner's could afford jewelry like that."

"No, my dad didn't buy it." Y/n exhaled heavily, moderately slouching her shoulders.

"Then who bought it?" The twins pressed further, slightly leaning their bodies forward.

"Why're you two so curious?" Haruhi examined, assisting her sister in the discussion. "It doesn't matter. It's just a necklace."

"Yeah, but Y/n rarely wears any jewelry." Kaoru pointed out.

"We just wanna know who she got it from. It's no big deal." Hikaru said, once again shrugging his hands upwards.

Y/n peeked at the raven haired male who sat beside Hikaru, the lenses of his glasses reflecting the bright screen of his laptop as he guided his fingers to certain keys on the keyboard. She and Kyoya have only gone on one date together and she didn't know whether or not it was supposed to be undisclosed to others.

She remained silent longer than she intended, making Kyoya let out an inaudible sigh as he discontinued his actions on his laptop. "I'm the one who bought the necklace for Y/n." He admitted indifferently. "It is none of your concern to know why but nevertheless," he used his index finger and middle finger to adjust his spectacles, "Y/n and I went on a date together." He disclosed, making the room soundless.

"Eh?!" Tamaki and the twins let out, abruptly slamming their hands down on the table as they got up from their chairs, directing their gaze to the raven haired male.

"Really? When?" Honey inquired noisily, his caramel-brown eyes widening at the recent report as his voice held a tone of revelation.

"Two days ago." Y/n replied, fiddling with her fingers under the table while labeling the past Saturday of her and Kyoya's date.

"Two days ago?!" Tamaki and the twins exclaimed loudly.

The blond haired male speedily turned his violet colored eyes towards the short, brown haired female. "Haruhi! Did you know about this?!"

The said girl released a drained sigh, faintly sweat dropping once she gained the unwanted attention. "Yeah. Y/n and I live together, Senpai... It's really not a big deal." She mumbled.

"Yes, it is!" Hikaru protested. "Y/n and Kyoya-Senpai went out on a date and didn't even tell us!"

"That's because it's none of your business." Y/n retorted indignantly.

Tamaki suddenly clutched onto Y/n's shoulders, the female student no longer seated on her chair. "Why didn't you tell me, Y/n?!" He cried out, tears spurting out of his eyes. "Why didn't you tell daddy, huh?! Daughter's are supposed to tell their fathers everything!"

"Tamaki-Senpai, please calm down." Y/n muttered, letting out a sigh as she detached his hands from her shoulders. "And sit down. Kyoya-Senpai and I will explain--even though there's nothing to explain."

- - - -

A grand total of ten minutes passed by with Y/n and Kyoya answering the questions that the other hosts had--most of the questions coming from Tamaki and the Hitachiin twins.

The club was soon dismissed, the Host Club members exiting the music room with their school bag in hand. They journeyed down to the courtyard as they approached their individual, awaiting limousines.

Y/n and Haruhi began to walk away to proceed towards the direction that would eventually lead them to their apartment complex.

The sister's movements were cut short as a slight high pitched, raspy voice called out to the wavy haired female. "Y/n!"

The said girl directed her attention to the person who called out to her, catching sight of Kaoru who was advancing towards her.

"Y/n, can I talk to you?" Kaoru requested once he stood in front of the wavy haired girl, catching a glimpse of Haruhi. "Alone."

The two sisters glanced at one another before Y/n nodded her head, turning her gaze back to the young man in front of her. "Sure." She granted with a small shrug of her shoulders.

"I'll just wait for you around the corner, okay?" Haruhi vocalized, soon walking away from the two first years once she received a nod of acknowledgment from Y/n.

"So what is it you wanna talk about?" Y/n examined, commencing the small conversation.

"It's not going to take long, I promise." He assured in a composed tone. "So you and Kyoya-Senpai are dating now, huh?" He scratched the back of his neck, forcing a miniature grin on his lips.

"Well, we only went on one date. I'm not sure if we'll go on more or not." Y/n apprised, not perceiving the false tug on his lips.

Silence invaded the atmosphere around them as Kaoru attempted to keep his grin on his lips. A question of his kept rotating around his mind as he stared down at the brown haired female. But instead of asking that wandering question, he began to ask something else as his grin reduced in size. "Are you happy, Y/n?"

"Huh? Why wouldn't I be?" She replied with a question of her own. "I mean I am happy. I have good friends, a loving sister and father, and I attend a prestigious school. So yeah, I'm pretty happy."

Kaoru showed a small nod of his head, the remaining smile he displayed on his lips faltering as he finally asked the question he was wanting to know. "Do you love Kyoya-Senpai?"

Y/n's eyes widened at the sudden question. "What? I, uh..." She trailed off, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.