Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ Hindrance ❯ Part One ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

HINDRANCE
An Ouran High School Host Club Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTES: Born of a request from fellow LJ user, himehikari, and a quotation I found. Probably not as less angsty as I promised. I seem to thrive on the emotion. SORRY! But I still hope you'll enjoy. Kyoya + Renge. Possible OOC-ness. A Standard Disclaimer appears at the end of the chapter.


“The man who gives up accomplishes nothing and is only a hindrance. The man who does not give up can move mountains.” –Ernest Hello


Part One


Kyoya Ohtori wasn't exactly sure how he found himself in this situation.

The third music room was used for Host Club activities. As far as he knew, here was to be no activity today. Or that week. The time off was greatly needed as summer vacation approached and the hosts themselves were preparing for exams with everyone else.

So when the (self-proclaimed) manager of the Host club, Renge Houshakuji, had called and asked for his presence, he was curious to say the least. What back breaking scheme was she brewing? It was sure to prove fruitful to the Host Club. Her ideas always brought wealth to the club, which he appreciated greatly.

"Welcome, Kyoya-san!"

However, this scheme was something else.

"Houshakuji-san, hello."

It was all for him.

In the middle of the music room was a small table. Three tall candles glowed, chasing away the encroaching gray in the room. There were several dishes of food displayed to please. Short glasses were filled with water, while a bottle of sparkling cider sat on ice to one side. There was also a tea pot set to the side, steam rising from its spout. The place settings, while lightly ornate and laid out tastefully, were just enough for two.

"Please, sit down."

It looked rather...romantic.

"Thank you."

Kyoya pushed his glasses up on his nose. So she hadn't given up on him. He had been curious about that. How long had it been? At one time, she placed every effort into getting him into some kind of romantic situation, just like her favorite video game. He'd played along, but only for a short time.

"Tea?"

"Please."

Not that he didn't find it flattering. It just seemed so tiresome. He wasn't one to live in the surreal and fictional. Kyoya dealt with facts. With the genuine and authentic.

And lately she threw herself so much into her duties as manager, among other school jobs, that he figured she'd accepted reality.

"I assure you, this will not affect the club's budget," she stated, sitting across from him.

The corner of his mouth quirked upward as he nodded. "Shall we proceed with business?"

She beamed as she presented several offerings. One was a summer swan dance to be held after summer break. That event would lead into a pre-fall celebration, followed by the biggest costume party ever planned.

Each was well thought out. Every "T" crossed and ever "I" dotted. He found very little that wasn't carefully laid out, and these new ideas would certainly boost the club's popularity and profits.

"Of course, there's still the swap meet, and updates to the website." Another idea of hers that had been profitable from the start. Even with the discount to Ouran students. "We've got several new items thanks to your photographer."

He put the papers aside, grabbing his tea. "I expect nothing less from you."

"Fruit?"

"Thank you."

As she continued to offer food, so too did she offer suggestions. Costumes. Themes. Settings. Minor activities. Not to mention administrative duties. She was abuzz with excitement. A light in her eyes danced as she talked. Her hands made unusual motions and her whole body seemed to hum. It was more energy than the girl normally radiated.

"And for the Halloween party, I think we should use a classic horror theme."

"Perhaps a collaboration with the Black Magic Club?"

"My thoughts exactly. Here's a sketch for the costumes...."

"Easily done. Speak with the head of the Drama Club."

She smiled brightly. "All ready done. And here...."

He could only watch and hide a smile behind his teacup. It was pleasing to him to see her so active. While it took much of the stress off of himself, she was an attractive sight to behold in her own whirlwind. This was the side of her he enjoyed the most.

"...more private, like at the beach."

"Excuse me?" Had he heard her right through the flurry of his own thoughts?

"I said, we should do this more often." She sipped her tea before taking a cheese cube and biting it daintily. "But the next time we meet, it should be somewhere more private, like at the beach." She paused, deep in thought over her own words. Then she added quickly, "Completely off of the Club's budget, of course."

She did not see her error apparently. Maybe there wasn't one to be seen, Kyoya thought.

"Isn't this private enough?"

"Of course," she replied. "And I'm most inspired when I'm alone with you.” Her eyes seemed to be looking at a far off place. “But there's just something about the incoming surf that puts things into perspective."

"I see."

"Do you? I wonder...." It was then she caught herself. She shok her head as if to clear it. "More fruit?"

"No, thank you."

S placed the project folders on the table in event order. Then she sat back in her seat, obviously pleased with her work. Sipping her glass of water she asked, "So...what do you think?"

Were they still talking business?

"I certainly appreciate the thought and effort you put into all this. And it has much potential for us," Kyoya replied, sipping his tea. Their eyes met as he glanced over the rim of his teacup. The light flashed in his glasses as he sat the cup down on the table. "But I think it's a bit much for business."

He watched as she thought about his words. If they stung, she showed no sign. Not a frown of disappointment. Not even a compelling argument. Nothing had changed.

Yet, everything had.

"Oh. I see." The smile never left her face, but her voice had faltered. She stood gracefully. But even as she forced the smile to grow, the light in her eyes diminished. "I've taken this too far. I apologize."

Kyoya blinked. He hadn't expected that reaction. Not from her. This was certainly unusual.

And interesting.

Renge gave a small curtsey as she stepped away from the table. "I'll leave the notes with you, then. Please review them in detail." Her smile finally faded as she turned and headed for the door.

"I look forward to hearing your comments," she said calmly, never looking back. "Have a good evening."

The door to the music room closed quietly behind her.

Kyoya leaned back in his chair, stunned. Definitely NOT the reaction he had expected. Did he think wrong?

Was she giving up?

"Renge...."

He certainly hoped not.


~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.