Author's Note: Sorry for not updating for so long! I've been working hard on this next installment of Logic Doesn't Help, but I couldn't think of what to do with Hikaru and Kaori. So here it is, the latest chapter. Happy New Year! I've been bouncing between whether or not to use the manga or anime for is, and I finally decided to make it based off a bit of both. I'm making a few changes. They aren't going to comment on everything that happens, and with her family stuff happens without the host club ( or at least until they find out). This chapter is to get some of the stuff out of the way, develop some character relationships.

(Excuse any awkward formatting, I typed this on my tablet.)

I don't own this. Not today, not ever.

This is dedicated to the marvelous IndigoBlueButterfly, who helped me bounce ideas back and forth.

Enjoy.

Dancing was strenuous, I didn't realize I'd have to attend this, but apparently it's mandatory.

Plus, Kyoya-senpai scares me too much to disobey. When I told him I had nothing to wear, he simply smirked and told me that proper clothing would be provided. I tried to get out of it, considering I really hate dancing in public as much as I hate singing. (Horrible voice)

Mom, when she found out was thrilled, and offered to drive me there. It's one of the few times this year her smile doesn't looked forced. So I took her up on that offer, and there I was, in the car, next to Hikaru, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans (much to my mother's dismay). I tried to prepare Hikaru for any situation, though I intended to watch him in case he needed help. If Hikaru had any sort of problem, (i.e., the noise, the crowds, the pressure) I would be leaving to take him home. I insisted. Kyoya allowed me my one request.

We arrived at Ouran a few hours early, and it was weird. Most of the school's lights were out, so it felt almost haunted walking to the Music Room.

When we finally reached the room, the hosts were all getting dressed. I quickly covered my eyes and closed the door. Hikaru had already walked in.

One of the Twins opened the door, wearing nothing. I screwed my eyes shut.

"Hey, Katsuo! C'mon in! We're just changing into our dance outfits. You have one too." Hikaru, or Kaoru dragged me through the door. The other hosts, except Kyoya (being magically dressed already), were finishing getting dressed, thankfully.

Hikaru (maybe Kaoru?) walked over to me with his twin to my side, noticing the fact that my hand was still over my eyes.

"What's the matter Katsuo?" He asked.

"Here, let me help." He pulled on my t-shirt, and I pulled away.

"That's okay. I'll do it. Thanks for I'll go see if Haruhi needs any help in the closet!" I said in a rushed tone.

I zoomed to the closet-turned-changing room and rushed inside. I was catching my breath when I noticed a small package in the corner.

It was the outfit for tonight. It started with a normal white dress shirt, then a green vest, brown trousers, black shoes (how the frick did they know my size?), and to top it all off, a red jacket. I looked in the mirror. My eyes seemed to glow. Then I walked out.

Suddenly the twins attacked me, stuffing a handkerchief into my breast pocket.

They fastened a dark green tie around my neck, though they turned it around and fiddled with it so it ended up a bowtie somehow.

When I looked in the mirror again, I frowned.

"I look like a hobbit." I said. A freakishly tall hobbit at that.

The guys tried to convince me that I didn't, excepting Mori and Kyoya. Then I noticed Hikaru.

Hikaru walked out dressed. I'd lost track of him trying to escape the twins. He simply looked dashing, in a blue suit with a red tie. He looked calm, so I knew they hadn't hurt him. We were finally ready. I prayed silently that I didn't make a fool of myself.

We walked downstairs as the ball was just beginning. Haruhi and I stood in the center, with Hikaru on my side and Mori on Haruhi's, then the twins, then Kyoya and Hunny. I figured Kyoya was only on my side to make sure I didn't mess anything up. Eh, if I were him, I'd be worried too. It was ridiculously fancy. The room was bright pink, like the rest of the school, and the three chandeliers lit to reveal hundreds of girls dressed in their best.

Kyoya started explaining that there would be a queen of the dance, and that the chosen person would be kissed by Tamaki.

I released a sigh.

"Smile Katsuo-kun, you look dead." The twins said. I glared at them.

"I was planning on just staying home and reading tonight. Now I'm stuck here. I don't do these sorts of things, okay? They make me uncomfortable." I said.

"Well since you're here you could go get yourself something to eat. We've got quite a spread tonight." The Dark Lord said, not even looking up from his notebook.

"Like Flan?" I asked curiously. I'd never tried flan, but it sounds amazing!

"Or Fancy Tuna?" Haruhi added.

Suddenly Kyoya's pencil broke, and the twins started grabbing us, trying to comfort us.

"Order some fancy tuna and flan over right away! Get some sushi and Castella as well!" Tamaki directed.

Haruhi blushed a deep red, I squirmed away from the twins and went to look around. This was extravagant, it was the sheer size of the room made me feel especially small, with it's high ceilings and wide floors. I decided to explore. The ladies weren't paying attention to me anyway. Hilary was relaxed, sitting at a table drawing on a sketchpad Mom had bought him. A few of the ladies were watching him draw. I walked around and "mingled" as they say in the movies. Kyoya was right about the spread. They had almost every dessert imaginable . Not to mention fruit, they had it sliced intricately, I picked up a piece that was cut to look like a cat. I tasted it, and it turned out to be cantaloupe. I heard a cough from behind me.

A girl with wavy brown hair stood there, blushing behind a paper fan. She wore a pink rose in her hair, and her dress was a dark green.

In truth she was cute. Not beautiful, but cute.

"Katsuo-chan, w-w-would you l-like to d-ance with me?" She asked. I remembered Tamaki's training.

Be charming. "Uh, it would be my pleasure." I said. She walked over to what I guess was her group of friends and squealed excitedly. Was I that popular? A waltz began, and the girl walked over to me, I bowed, the way I was taught. She curtsied. We began the waltz. Step forward, step back, step forward, step back, spin, continue. She leaned in.

"So, Katsuo-chan, do you like dancing?" She said. I thought of what Tamaki would say.

"With you darling, I wish this song would never end, so I could continue to hold you in my arms." She smiled.

"That's so romantic. Do you like any sports? I played baseball with my father when I was younger." She said.

"Well, to be honest, I'm more of an indoor person. I'm not very good at any sports. I tried out for basketball at my old school, but I was rejected." I said.

She smiled again, showing a dimple in her cheek.

An awkward silence followed. Then the music ended.

I bowed and turned away to find that the other hosts were gone. They had deserted me!

The ladies were all talking about where the hosts could be, and I had no answer.

Hikaru was calmly drawing in the corner, a stack of paper next to him. I wandered over to see what he was drawing. It turned out he was drawing the crowd, in great detail. The other girls came to us.

"Where are the rest of the hosts?" One girl asked.

"I have no idea." I answered honestly.

"What are we going to do without them? I thought this was a dance with the hosts!" One girl said worriedly. The rest of the girls started mumbling, if I didn't do something soon, there was going to be an uproar. I silently cursed the guys for leaving me here, and got up and walked to the grand staircase.

The worried muttering had spread through the crowd. I tried clapping my hands. Nothing.

"Ladies, please." Nothing.

"Ladies?" I said slightly louder.

"LADIES!" I yelled. That got their attention, I don't think they've ever been yelled at before. Definitely not a Tamaki move. I thought of something.

"I understand that you may think the hosts have disappeared, I assure you they have not. They are off deciding who should be tonight's queen. They will return momentarily. In the meantime, please enjoy yourselves as we do have a live band. We also have quite the indulgent spread." I said calmly.

The girls sighed when they heard the hosts weren't there. It would've my turn to entertain. Oh crap-balls this was going to be bad.

But again, I had an idea, and after fifteen dances, I felt two pairs of arms grab my shoulders.

It was the twins, followed by Kyoya-senpai, Mori-senpai, and Hunny-senpai. I glared at the twins.

"Where were you?" I growled.

"Oh, Katsuo-kun, did you miss us?" One asked.

"Why do you keep using kun? It's the incorrect honorific, it's wrong, and it sounds imbecilic when we're practically the same age." I said.

"We do it for fun." The left one said.

I rolled my eyes and groaned.

The rest of the night went well, we had the final dance. They selected the queen of the dance, it turned out to be Kanako.

Tamaki accidentally caused Haruhi to kiss Kanako, which was probably her first kiss. We went home at around 11:00, and I'd brought a few of the cupcakes for tomorrow, which was thankfully Saturday. At least I would get a break. Right?

I know, it sucked, but I'm working on the next chapter now. I was really curious about what the girls did while the hosts were trying to get Kanako with her arranged marriage guy. The next chapter will have more family stuff, and more Hikaru. It won't be as long a wait! Heh, heh, I'm sorry.

Will write soon,

The Phantom's Bride of Gondor