Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ A Slanted Line ❯ Chapter 3
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: vampyremiyu 
Kyoya is mastermining a plot to help Haruhi. Will the twins catch on in time?
Anime/Manga: Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 03.04.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.4K | Visits: 1.8K | Status: Completed
Kyoya is mastermining a plot to help Haruhi. Will the twins catch on in time?
Anime/Manga: Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 03.04.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.4K | Visits: 1.8K | Status: Completed
A SLANTED LINE
An Ouran High School Host Club fanfic
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Once again, thanks go to Ezri-chan for helping me to rebuild this idea with one of her own. I hope everyone will enjoy! ^_^ This is a non-lemon chapter, and the story moves a little further along than the last time. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the chapter.
CHAPTER 3
Haruhi was convinced something bad was going to happen. When? She couldn't say. Just a feeling she had as she walked down the hallway next to her fellow Host Club member.
Part of the feeling was guilt. While she hadn't wanted to feel it, it was there. Gnawing at her for completely ignoring the twins. They deserved something, at least. A simple hello. A nod. A smile, maybe. Even a glance, had she been brave enough to spare one. But she couldn't do it. She wasn't ready to face them. Her emotions were so rampant and random that she had to make sense of them before trying to explain it to someone else.
That's when the anger set in. It was their fault she felt like such a mess, she reasoned. It had been embarassing, to say the least, when they argued at lunch. And it hurt to know that they had no clue what they had done wrong. None! Were they really so dense that they couldn't see what they had done?
Her classmates may think she was crazy. Any girl would want the attention, the gifts. But they were used to such extravagance, such finery. She wasn't them. She wasn't just any female student at Ouran. Of course those things were nice! And expensive, which was what every other female student would want. She was just much more practical minded than her fellow classmates.
Nothing but trouble could be gained by the situation. Nothing but heartache would arise in its wake. And for a moment, Haruhi felt like there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Look Haru! So many people!"
However, all troubles seemed far away when they reached the gymnasium.
"It's...amazing."
The gathering of students was huge, larger than she'd seen at any school event. Of course, this could have been normal for a sporting event. She wasn't sure. The enormous sense of togetherness and spirit was palpable. It drew her in, grabbed ahold, and led her to a set of seats not far from the main floor.
"Haru, look," Hunni whispered, pointing towards a set of double doors at the back. "Here they come!"
The crowd grew silent as a set of large double doors swung wide. It remained quiet as the Kendo Club students filed into the gym. The seniors led the march, with Takeshi Morinozuka at the helm. Dressed in traditional garb and armor, Haruhi thought they were really marching into a battle. It appeared more so as the contending team entered from the opposite side.
As the competitors took their places, Hunni leaned closer to Haruhi. "Takeshi looks like he's in the zone. He'll win for sure."
Takeshi Morinozuka looked no different to Haruhi as he prepared for his match. The stern look of his lips was the same as always. But the more she watched, the more she noticed the tenseness as he moved, and the hardened look in his eyes. It was a side she rarely saw, unless he would discipline Hunni. Even then there was a softness that seemed to be lacking here. He was definitely ready for a fight.
The gymnasium hummed with tension as the referrees took their places. The first competitors were called and the crowd cheered. Takeshi secured the last of his equipment and stood, ready, on the mat. He nodded to his opponent and received the same in return. The three judges secured their positions. Then, with a shout, the match began.
Haruhi was riveted to every movement. Each stomp, each strike caused her heart to skip a beat. She didn't even realize she was holding her breath until the first point was scored and she let out a long sigh of relief.
Takeshi had scored the fist point.
But it was in that moment when all of her troubles returned. Thoughts of the twins caused her to sigh again. What were they up to at that moment? Where they upset? Angry? Hurt? Would they acknoweledge her at the Host Club event? What would she say to them again? She frowned briefly, wondering why this weighed so heavily on her mind.
The whistle brought her attention back to the floor. 'Focus, girl. Just for a few minutes. Everything can wait a few minutes, right?'
A second shrill of the whistle signaled the start of another round. This one ran a bit longer, with the opponent dominating. Stomp, cut. Stomp, cut. And Takeshi was forced to accept a hit to his torso. But the attack continued until one judge blew his whistle and called, "Point!"
"Ouch," Haruhi muttered. "How can that not hurt?"
"It stings a bit," Hunni said. "But it's a standard hit."
Haruhi only nodded as a third round began. This time Mori was in the zone. Attacking his opponent, he did not give in until he managed to push him out of bounds and onto the ground. He offered a hand in aide, which was accepted with a nod of gratitude.
"Takeshi will get him next time."
And he did. After several advances, his foot connected at the same time as his strike. The point was awarded immediately and the student body went wild.
"He won! He's going to Nationals!"
Haruhi smiled, cheering with the rest of the school. But once again, the moment gave way to forboding anxiety. Her smile quickly turned into her frown, her stomach tumbling as she continued to wonder what would happen next.
"Haru, you okay?"
She managed a smile for Hunni, nodding. "Yes, for now. Let's go congratulate Mori-sempai before heading to the Host Club event."
Hunni smiled in return, grabbing her hand to lead her out of the crowd. "You bet!"
"Oh no!"
"A cut."
"I'm fine, really. It's just a scratch."
"Here, let me take a look."
"It's really nothing, Hikaru."
"Anything that affects you, Kaoru, effects me too."
Hikaru Hitachiin found it difficult to perform his usual duties at the Host Club event. It felt...weird...not connecting with his twin and fellow cohort. Their eyes barely connected, and the words spoken had never sounded so dull and corny to his ears. There was a moment of silence, then a loud sigh as the girls were all over it.
"Here, let me."
"I think I have a bandaid...somewhere."
Kaoru Hitachiin sighed in relief as his brother released his grasp and left him in the hands of their female admirers. He was also having a hard time getting into his usual role. Since their bickering began, they'd managed to improvise. But even that was failing. Their movements were so practiced, but there was no real emotion. Not any more.
It didn't help that they were both determined to have Haruhi Fujioka to himself. It also didn't help that Haruhi had gone off on her own. Correction, with their sempai, Mitsukuni Huninozuka. The smaller man said little as they came in from their escapade, but the fact that he was holding Haruhi's hand didn't go unnoticed. Nor did the animated, if not one-sided, conversation she was having with another older student, Mori. And while neither was willing to admit jealousy, their looks of longing and inquiry didn't go unnoticed by other members of the Host Club.
"So where do you think she went, Kaoru?"
The other man shrugged.
"And why was she holding Hunni-sempai's hand?"
Another shrug, and a shake of his now bandaged. His eyes glanced over to Haruhi, sitting with Hunni and several customers. She was quietly listening to the conversation, her older, yet smaller counterpart skillfully palying his part. Mori jumped and he had to look away, a strange feeling pinching at his nerves. Sighing again, he looked at his twin Hikaru was blatantly staring, and smirking unhappily.
"I don't know, Hikaru." Kaoru sounded rather despondent. His mood truly was foul thanks to Haruhi's behavior, and the commandeering of her time by the senior members. "Maybe he really liked the cake."
"I don't think it had anything to do with cake."
"How astute," another voice chimed in. "There was no cake involved, I assure you."
Both boys tried not to cringe at the analytical tone of their senior. Kyoya had already come down hard on them once today. And while they usually shook off any criticism quickly, his words were difficult to ignore.
"So where was she, then?" Hikaru challenged.
"Watching Mori's kendo match with Hunni."
"And I suppose his win totally enthralled Haruhi?" Kaoru said.
"It was a learning experience. She'd never seen a kendo match, did you know that?"
They frowned. They hadn't known.
"No," was the unified answer.
"Surely you have no problem with her experiencing new things, do you?"
"Of course not." "Not at all."
"Just not without us," they finished, surprising each other.
"You're not...jealous...are you?"
"She was holding Hunni's hand," Hikaru stated.
"She hasn't held my hand...in a while," Kaoru said.
"She's never held your hand that way," Hikaru argued.
"How would you know?"
"Cause she's never held my hand that way either!"
"But you hugged her...once," Kaoru nearly spat.
Hikaru bit back a retort, his eyes widening at the sound of his brother's anger. The hurt in his eyes was obvious and he couldn't really argue the point.
"Yeah," he said with a smirk. "You're right."
Kyoya readjusted his glasses hiding a sigh behind a faltering smile. Perhaps he was giving them too much credit. Laying out the plan may be the only way to pound any sense into them.
"At least they didn't have to ruin her lunch to get her attention."
There was a moment of pause as the twins analyzed his voice, his demeanor. The hint of recognition blazed in their eyes, but they were still uncertain. With a sideways glance, they decided to test a theory.
"You sound upset, mother," Hikaru stated.
"Things not going as planned," Kaoru asked.
"On the contrary," Kyoya replied with a thinly veiled smile. "Things ARE going as planned."
The twins looked at each other. That certainly couldn't be good. But then, Kyoya's plans almost never failed. Was he counting on them being jealous? Was that his grand scheme? No, they silently agreed. There was a lesson here. A lesson they were supposed to learn.
Or he was just upset that his lunch was ruined too.
When they turned back to their "mom", they smiled.
"Glad to hear it."
"Never would have thought otherwise."
Kyoya watched as the twins went back to work, earning their keep as Host Club members. The girls were completely enthralled by their charms and tactics. The connections weren't quite there, but it seemed a realization was in effect. Every so often he saw the forbidden glance in Haruhi's direction. Even Haruhi was sneaking glances at them. No doubt still feeling guilty. But it hardly mattered at the moment.
Tamaki paused on his way to greet another customer. "How are our boys doing, mom?"
"I think they're catching on, dad." He adjusted his glasses again, smiling. "It's only a matter of time."
"And what about our daughter? Is she all right?"
"Haruhi's probably very confused, but she knows what she wants. We just need to give it to her."
"It's just a matter of time," Tamaki muttered as he walked away.
"That's right."
He watched as Haruhi received a kiss on her cheek from a customer and saw the first real smile she'd given all afternoon. The twins had also caught on and insisted on kissing her cheek, too. She tried to argue but it was too late. They closed in on either side and got her at the same time. It was just the tactic to break the tension and arouse the customers. Thankfully, her blush was lost in all the commotion.
But not to Kyoya.
Perhaps he needed to give back some of the credit he took from the twins earlier.
"It's just a matter of time."
~TO BE CONTINUED~
DISCLAIMER:
Ouran High School Host Club is a brilliant piece of work by creator Bisco Hatori. Originally published in 2003 by HAKUSENSHA, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, this masterpiece is being translated and published by VIZ Media for fans in America and Canada. I do not own a single piece of the characters used in this story. They were kidnapped and used here without permission.
An Ouran High School Host Club fanfic
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Once again, thanks go to Ezri-chan for helping me to rebuild this idea with one of her own. I hope everyone will enjoy! ^_^ This is a non-lemon chapter, and the story moves a little further along than the last time. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the chapter.
CHAPTER 3
Haruhi was convinced something bad was going to happen. When? She couldn't say. Just a feeling she had as she walked down the hallway next to her fellow Host Club member.
Part of the feeling was guilt. While she hadn't wanted to feel it, it was there. Gnawing at her for completely ignoring the twins. They deserved something, at least. A simple hello. A nod. A smile, maybe. Even a glance, had she been brave enough to spare one. But she couldn't do it. She wasn't ready to face them. Her emotions were so rampant and random that she had to make sense of them before trying to explain it to someone else.
That's when the anger set in. It was their fault she felt like such a mess, she reasoned. It had been embarassing, to say the least, when they argued at lunch. And it hurt to know that they had no clue what they had done wrong. None! Were they really so dense that they couldn't see what they had done?
Her classmates may think she was crazy. Any girl would want the attention, the gifts. But they were used to such extravagance, such finery. She wasn't them. She wasn't just any female student at Ouran. Of course those things were nice! And expensive, which was what every other female student would want. She was just much more practical minded than her fellow classmates.
Nothing but trouble could be gained by the situation. Nothing but heartache would arise in its wake. And for a moment, Haruhi felt like there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Look Haru! So many people!"
However, all troubles seemed far away when they reached the gymnasium.
"It's...amazing."
The gathering of students was huge, larger than she'd seen at any school event. Of course, this could have been normal for a sporting event. She wasn't sure. The enormous sense of togetherness and spirit was palpable. It drew her in, grabbed ahold, and led her to a set of seats not far from the main floor.
"Haru, look," Hunni whispered, pointing towards a set of double doors at the back. "Here they come!"
The crowd grew silent as a set of large double doors swung wide. It remained quiet as the Kendo Club students filed into the gym. The seniors led the march, with Takeshi Morinozuka at the helm. Dressed in traditional garb and armor, Haruhi thought they were really marching into a battle. It appeared more so as the contending team entered from the opposite side.
As the competitors took their places, Hunni leaned closer to Haruhi. "Takeshi looks like he's in the zone. He'll win for sure."
Takeshi Morinozuka looked no different to Haruhi as he prepared for his match. The stern look of his lips was the same as always. But the more she watched, the more she noticed the tenseness as he moved, and the hardened look in his eyes. It was a side she rarely saw, unless he would discipline Hunni. Even then there was a softness that seemed to be lacking here. He was definitely ready for a fight.
The gymnasium hummed with tension as the referrees took their places. The first competitors were called and the crowd cheered. Takeshi secured the last of his equipment and stood, ready, on the mat. He nodded to his opponent and received the same in return. The three judges secured their positions. Then, with a shout, the match began.
Haruhi was riveted to every movement. Each stomp, each strike caused her heart to skip a beat. She didn't even realize she was holding her breath until the first point was scored and she let out a long sigh of relief.
Takeshi had scored the fist point.
But it was in that moment when all of her troubles returned. Thoughts of the twins caused her to sigh again. What were they up to at that moment? Where they upset? Angry? Hurt? Would they acknoweledge her at the Host Club event? What would she say to them again? She frowned briefly, wondering why this weighed so heavily on her mind.
The whistle brought her attention back to the floor. 'Focus, girl. Just for a few minutes. Everything can wait a few minutes, right?'
A second shrill of the whistle signaled the start of another round. This one ran a bit longer, with the opponent dominating. Stomp, cut. Stomp, cut. And Takeshi was forced to accept a hit to his torso. But the attack continued until one judge blew his whistle and called, "Point!"
"Ouch," Haruhi muttered. "How can that not hurt?"
"It stings a bit," Hunni said. "But it's a standard hit."
Haruhi only nodded as a third round began. This time Mori was in the zone. Attacking his opponent, he did not give in until he managed to push him out of bounds and onto the ground. He offered a hand in aide, which was accepted with a nod of gratitude.
"Takeshi will get him next time."
And he did. After several advances, his foot connected at the same time as his strike. The point was awarded immediately and the student body went wild.
"He won! He's going to Nationals!"
Haruhi smiled, cheering with the rest of the school. But once again, the moment gave way to forboding anxiety. Her smile quickly turned into her frown, her stomach tumbling as she continued to wonder what would happen next.
"Haru, you okay?"
She managed a smile for Hunni, nodding. "Yes, for now. Let's go congratulate Mori-sempai before heading to the Host Club event."
Hunni smiled in return, grabbing her hand to lead her out of the crowd. "You bet!"
"Oh no!"
"A cut."
"I'm fine, really. It's just a scratch."
"Here, let me take a look."
"It's really nothing, Hikaru."
"Anything that affects you, Kaoru, effects me too."
Hikaru Hitachiin found it difficult to perform his usual duties at the Host Club event. It felt...weird...not connecting with his twin and fellow cohort. Their eyes barely connected, and the words spoken had never sounded so dull and corny to his ears. There was a moment of silence, then a loud sigh as the girls were all over it.
"Here, let me."
"I think I have a bandaid...somewhere."
Kaoru Hitachiin sighed in relief as his brother released his grasp and left him in the hands of their female admirers. He was also having a hard time getting into his usual role. Since their bickering began, they'd managed to improvise. But even that was failing. Their movements were so practiced, but there was no real emotion. Not any more.
It didn't help that they were both determined to have Haruhi Fujioka to himself. It also didn't help that Haruhi had gone off on her own. Correction, with their sempai, Mitsukuni Huninozuka. The smaller man said little as they came in from their escapade, but the fact that he was holding Haruhi's hand didn't go unnoticed. Nor did the animated, if not one-sided, conversation she was having with another older student, Mori. And while neither was willing to admit jealousy, their looks of longing and inquiry didn't go unnoticed by other members of the Host Club.
"So where do you think she went, Kaoru?"
The other man shrugged.
"And why was she holding Hunni-sempai's hand?"
Another shrug, and a shake of his now bandaged. His eyes glanced over to Haruhi, sitting with Hunni and several customers. She was quietly listening to the conversation, her older, yet smaller counterpart skillfully palying his part. Mori jumped and he had to look away, a strange feeling pinching at his nerves. Sighing again, he looked at his twin Hikaru was blatantly staring, and smirking unhappily.
"I don't know, Hikaru." Kaoru sounded rather despondent. His mood truly was foul thanks to Haruhi's behavior, and the commandeering of her time by the senior members. "Maybe he really liked the cake."
"I don't think it had anything to do with cake."
"How astute," another voice chimed in. "There was no cake involved, I assure you."
Both boys tried not to cringe at the analytical tone of their senior. Kyoya had already come down hard on them once today. And while they usually shook off any criticism quickly, his words were difficult to ignore.
"So where was she, then?" Hikaru challenged.
"Watching Mori's kendo match with Hunni."
"And I suppose his win totally enthralled Haruhi?" Kaoru said.
"It was a learning experience. She'd never seen a kendo match, did you know that?"
They frowned. They hadn't known.
"No," was the unified answer.
"Surely you have no problem with her experiencing new things, do you?"
"Of course not." "Not at all."
"Just not without us," they finished, surprising each other.
"You're not...jealous...are you?"
"She was holding Hunni's hand," Hikaru stated.
"She hasn't held my hand...in a while," Kaoru said.
"She's never held your hand that way," Hikaru argued.
"How would you know?"
"Cause she's never held my hand that way either!"
"But you hugged her...once," Kaoru nearly spat.
Hikaru bit back a retort, his eyes widening at the sound of his brother's anger. The hurt in his eyes was obvious and he couldn't really argue the point.
"Yeah," he said with a smirk. "You're right."
Kyoya readjusted his glasses hiding a sigh behind a faltering smile. Perhaps he was giving them too much credit. Laying out the plan may be the only way to pound any sense into them.
"At least they didn't have to ruin her lunch to get her attention."
There was a moment of pause as the twins analyzed his voice, his demeanor. The hint of recognition blazed in their eyes, but they were still uncertain. With a sideways glance, they decided to test a theory.
"You sound upset, mother," Hikaru stated.
"Things not going as planned," Kaoru asked.
"On the contrary," Kyoya replied with a thinly veiled smile. "Things ARE going as planned."
The twins looked at each other. That certainly couldn't be good. But then, Kyoya's plans almost never failed. Was he counting on them being jealous? Was that his grand scheme? No, they silently agreed. There was a lesson here. A lesson they were supposed to learn.
Or he was just upset that his lunch was ruined too.
When they turned back to their "mom", they smiled.
"Glad to hear it."
"Never would have thought otherwise."
Kyoya watched as the twins went back to work, earning their keep as Host Club members. The girls were completely enthralled by their charms and tactics. The connections weren't quite there, but it seemed a realization was in effect. Every so often he saw the forbidden glance in Haruhi's direction. Even Haruhi was sneaking glances at them. No doubt still feeling guilty. But it hardly mattered at the moment.
Tamaki paused on his way to greet another customer. "How are our boys doing, mom?"
"I think they're catching on, dad." He adjusted his glasses again, smiling. "It's only a matter of time."
"And what about our daughter? Is she all right?"
"Haruhi's probably very confused, but she knows what she wants. We just need to give it to her."
"It's just a matter of time," Tamaki muttered as he walked away.
"That's right."
He watched as Haruhi received a kiss on her cheek from a customer and saw the first real smile she'd given all afternoon. The twins had also caught on and insisted on kissing her cheek, too. She tried to argue but it was too late. They closed in on either side and got her at the same time. It was just the tactic to break the tension and arouse the customers. Thankfully, her blush was lost in all the commotion.
But not to Kyoya.
Perhaps he needed to give back some of the credit he took from the twins earlier.
"It's just a matter of time."
~TO BE CONTINUED~
DISCLAIMER:
Ouran High School Host Club is a brilliant piece of work by creator Bisco Hatori. Originally published in 2003 by HAKUSENSHA, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, this masterpiece is being translated and published by VIZ Media for fans in America and Canada. I do not own a single piece of the characters used in this story. They were kidnapped and used here without permission.