Ouran High School Host Club Fan Fiction ❯ Not So Great Expectations ❯ Behind the Curtain ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

NOT SO GREAT EXPECTATIONS
An Ouran High School Host Club Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTES: A sequel to my story, "A Slanted Line". Thanks to Ezri-chan and everyone who supported it! I hope you'll enjoy this as well. ^_^ No lemon in this chapter. Just drama and angst. No spoilers that I'm aware of. A Standard Disclaimer follows the chapter.


Chapter 5 - Behind the Curtain


Tamaki Suoh could not believe his eyes. He even rubbed them to be sure. Surprise and awe overcame him, even as he clapped without thinking. And he knew his fellow Host club members felt the same.

Haruhi, his daughter Haruhi, was strutting down the runway. And in a bathing suit! Tears filled his eyes.

“Father is so happy,” he whispered. He smiled like an idiot before being elbowed by his neighbor, Kyoya.

In front of them, Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin could only stare. In horror! What was going on? Why was Haruhi on stage? And in a horrible combination of their swimsuit designs! They failed to hear the people cheering, the loud clapping that surrounded them, even as Haruhi left the stage and the next model walked forward.

Both were very conflicted. Yuzuha Hitachiin saw it instantly. She could see the wheels of their brains turning as they thought about what they had seen.

Her surprise had been a surprise after all.

But even she wondered if it was a good idea.

‘Hindsight is 20/20.’ She told herself. But it did little to relieve the growing tension surrounding her boys. It was almost touchable, able to be sliced with a knife. She sighed, shaking her head.

“Hikaru? Kaoru?”

‘That couldn’t have been her,’ Hikaru tried to reason. ‘It was someone who looked like her.’ But no model could have held their chin up the way Haruhi did. Or have the same small swagger when she walked. That pouty upper lip was a dead giveaway too.

‘I was imagining things, that’s it,’ Kaoru also tried to reason. But he, too, noticed all the slight intricacies of the model to know it wasn’t true. He’d just seen his lover walk down a runway in heels and a bathing suit.

“Please give a big round of applause for our models, and our guest of honor Ms. Yuzuha Hitachiin.”

And as soon as the show was over...so was the surprise.

“That’s it.”

“Another wonderful show.”

“I simply must have that one bathing suit.”

“The red and blue combination is so bold.”

“I need one for my European vacation this fall.”

Once the shock of it wore off, however, Hikaru fumed. She could see it in his posture. As did Kaoru. They should have been happy. Pleased as all get out. Haruhi actually modeled. She looked great! And she didn’t trip down the runway.

‘Here we go.’

When the music stopped Yuzuha prepared herself for an assault.



"Great job, Fujioka-san!”

“You moved like a pro.”

“Just the final walk to go. Places!"

She didn't want to go back out there. But her feet carried her along with the rest of the models as they took their final walk. She was careful not to look at the twins or the other Host Club members, her nerves causing her to nearly stumble toward the end of the cat walk. Regaining herself quickly, she sucked in a deep breath.

It was over.

“That’s it! Thank you, ladies! Great job.”

The show was over.

And she could finally take those damned heels off. Why models chose to torture themselves with those horrid things was beyond her. Too unpractical. But she had to admit, it strengthened the ankles and calves. She rubbed her heels, hissing when she hit a sore spot.

“Please make sure all your outfits are returned to the table. And don’t forget the after party next door.”

Sighing in relief, she wiggled her toes sitting at a now abandoned make-up table. Several other models passed her, offering her words of encouragement. They, too, were happy it was over. She thanked them and wished them well.

“Great work, Haruhi.”

“Good luck on your next show.”

There would not be another show, she silently replied to them. If Yuzuha wanted any other favors in regards to modeling, she was going to turn her down flat. He experience was a memorable one, yes, and one she’d never forget. Her feet wouldn’t forget at any rate. She sighed again, leaning back in the chair.

Perhaps the twins wouldn’t forget either.

A baser part of her thought about using what she’d learned on the boys in a more private setting. Walking in heels was truly a talent. And changing clothes quickly was a hidden art form. However, her more logical side said that there was no need for those trick with the boys.

'Besides, you tried something new,' her mind told her. 'Now don't do it again.'

Haruhi chuckled as she followed everyone else out to the main floor, shoes in hand. True, she would never agree to this again, no matter what. Yet she had much to be pleased about. She proved to herself that she could walk the runway. And she proved to Momma that she didn't have to choose between the twins.

She actually felt...proud. She could face the boys with little worry and no regret. It was a wonderful realization.

However, facing momma wasn't nearly as intimidating as facing the boys. She remembered the looks on their faces clearly. They had been surprised, to the point of gawking. But while the other Host Club members were clapping and cheering her on in their shock, the twins seemed to get angry.

She should be angry too, she reasoned. Designing suits that hardly coordinated well. Sure she liked blue, and red seemed to go well with her complexion. But together? Well, that had been her fault really, not theirs.

‘Think positive,’ she tried to tell herself as she spotted the group near the end of the runway. She even managed a small smile as she approached them.

“Hey, everyone.”

But her heart sank as she saw the angry looks on the boys’ faces. Of course they'd be angry, she reminded herself. Just explain the situation to them. They'll understand.

“I can explain--”

Yet as soon as she opened her mouth, she was cut off by angry words.

"What the hell do you think you were doing out there?" Kaoru had fire in his eyes.

"You hate to model,” Hikaru said. “You hate models!"

"I don't...."

Karou’s face was red as he spoke. "You should have told us you were going to model!”

“We'd have made something much more spectacular for you to wear," Hikaru said, fists clenched at his sides.

"I just...."

"You shouldn't have kept this a secret from us."

"And you certainly shouldn't have worn that."

"But I...."

Her smile faltered tremendously. Just tell them, she told herself but she could no longer speak.

Kaoru was still angry, eyes narrowed as he asked, "Well?"

"Care to explain?" Hikaru crossed his arms. He looked menacing in that position.

"Boys?" Yuzuha saw this spiraling downhill and tried to step in to stop them. She didn't expect this reaction from them.

However, it was too late.

Kyoya saw the hurt and uncertainty, too. "Haruhi?"

A hurt and speechless Haruhi did the only logical thing she could think of. Turning on her heels, she ran off, surprising everyone. She sobbed incoherent apologies, almost knocking over two other models in the process before being able to hide behind the safety of the curtains. She also dropped her shoes in the process.

Hunny started towards her, but Mori stopped him. "Haru!"

"Haruhi, wait," Tamaki called after her. But she was already out of earshot.

Yuzuha wanted to fume but found it impossible. She wasn't mad at Haruhi. Her sons, however, were a different story. Did they not realize what they'd done? Certainly she raised them better than that.

"Are you boys happy?"

"Us?" "What about you?"

Or maybe not.

“That was low, even for you, mom.”

“What did you do to Haruhi?”

"I haven’t done anything," Yuzuha stated, glaring at her boys with her arms crossed. If Hikaru looked scary, she was even more so in a serious state. "You, however, need to apologize to Haruhi."

The twins looked at her incredulously. "Apologize?" "She lied to us!"

"Did she really? What did she lie about? Coming to visit me?” She huffed. “I don’t remember any such thing.”

Kaoru and Hikaru looked at each other. No, she hadn't. In fact, she never said anything. But wasn't that just as bad? Or had their anger gotten the better of them? Confused, they looked to the backdrop where Haruhi had disappeared.

"She should have told us," Kaoru said, less angry and more apologetic.

"I told her not to," Yuzuha said.

"Why not," Hikaru asked, still angry.

"Because I wanted the two of you to concentrate on your work," their mother stated. "You've been slacking in your duties. One design is not so much to ask, is it?"

"Well, no," Kaoru acquiesced. "And it's been awhile since we made anything."

"Three months to be exact," Momma Hitachiin said. The length of their relationship thus far, she mentally noted. She wanted to joke about Haruhi being a bad influence, but she held back. She’d already done enough damage.

"Hey!" Hikaru came to a realization. "Who said you could rip apart our design like that?"

Kaoru finally realized it too. "Yeah!"

"I didn't," Yuzuha stated firmly. "I left it up to Haruhi."

"Huh?" Now the boys were stupefied. "What do you mean?"

"I wanted Haruhi to be a model in my show. I know she's not very good, but it's something I've wanted for a long time. She's damn near perfect!"

"So you did this on purpose?" They gawked at their mother. "How selfish!"

"How brilliant," Kyoya muttered.

"Let me finish!" The boys immediately backed down at the seriousness in their mother's voice. The hardness in her glare only backed it up. "It's selfish, yes. But I wanted to know how far she'd go for you. So I asked her to do the one thing I knew she was determined to hate." She paused. "I was surprised when she said yes."

"So am I," Kaoru stated.

"She looked good out there," Hikaru added.

"But do you know why she agreed?" They shook their heads and Yuzuha sighed.

"Because she loves you. Both of you. She says it over and over." She placed one hand on Kaoru's shoulder, the other on Hikaru's. "And when I told her she had to choose a design from one of you, she refused. So...she used Kaoru's red and yellow top with Hikaru's blue and yellow bottom. Voila! A mismatched bathing suit that MANY people are dying to buy."

Kyoya nodded. "Those murmurs were promising.

"Haru's a genius," Hunny added.

"Father's so proud," Tamaki commented.

This threw the boys for a loop, their anger abating to more confusion. She had been forced to choose, and she had refused. And she did do something she hated, they couldn't be angry about that. Most importantly, she did it because she loved them.

And they finally got to see her in a swimsuit, after so much prodding.

"It's a bold color pallet," Kaoru agreed.

"Why didn't we think of it," Hikaru asked.

Yuzuha cracked a smile. "WHY aren't you going after Haruhi?"

The boys looked at their mother. She smiled at them. A sad, yet happy smile. One at a time she hugged and kissed them on the cheek. Confused, they could only blink at her.

"I tried to play a very bad joke on you. And I'm sorry. She doesn't have to prove anything to me. Neither do either of you," she said. "But I did learn one thing."

"What's that," the boys asked in unison.

"I learned what it’s really like to love both my boys." She smiled again. "She loves you both, so very much. Go easy on her if you can."

"We're sorry, too." They also managed to smile. "Thanks, mom."

"Now go. Get out of here," she told them ushering them away. "I think she's hiding in the far dressing room. The one with the private curtain.” She sighed again rolling her eyes. “Took me almost an hour to coax her out of there for the show."

The boys didn't hear her last comment. As one they turned and ran backstage. Yuzuha smiled as they disappeared, then turned on the others.

"As for the rest of you, go enjoy the after show party. Mingle!" She winked at them. "And give them a little privacy."

Kyoya smiled, sliding his glasses upward on his nose. "I think I see the Commissioner." He bowed. "Excuse me."

Hunny also took the hint. He nudged his taller friend beside him. "I want cake, Mori. Let's eat!"

"Mm-hmm."

Tamaki smiled to himself as he, too, excused himself to go talk to some other high ranking official. But he couldn't help but look back at the catwalk as he walked away.

'Good luck, minna.'


~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.