Ready?

By Karaphoenix89

Disclaimer: I don't own any Ouran High School Host Club characters or Ideas, however I do own my original characters such as Mina, Suna and Hana.

"Mina-chan!"

I turned around, and there were my best friends, Suna- chan and Hana- chan hurrying towards me in a well-mannered trot.

"Where are you going Mi-chan?" asked Suna as she approached me.

"Well, where else, home." I replied, quite confused at their question, because it was after school and most people were leaving the school grounds as it was Friday.

"Well, why don't you come with us to the host club!" smiled Hana. A Host club? I stared back at them. I was not aware there was a host club on campus. They looked at me, and rolled their eyes.

"Whatever, let's show you!" they said in unison as they dragged me back towards the school to the music building.

"Why are we heading towards the music building?" I inquired. I thought a host club was a bunch of boys that entertained girls for fun, or something like that. Then I remembered vaguely in the school newspaper how the host club was quite popular among the girls at the school. So I have heard of the host club. I also heard that wealthy heirs like Suoh-san and Ootori-san were founders of the club. However, really, I never have entered their club. I spent most of my time studying and writing. I really had no time for this.

We stopped in front of the third music room. To be honest, I did not know we had a third music room. I have been here since the beginning of high school and have not come across this room at all. The girls opened the doors and lighted filtered into my sight of vision. Light and roses temporarily blinded me until I heard, "Welcome to the Host Club".

When I regained my sight, I was surprised to see so many girls in one room. It was like P.E. class except in our yellow uniforms, plus some boys. I was about to ask my friends of what to do next, when Ootori-san came up to us and ask which host would entertain us today.

Hana-chan exclaimed, "I want you as my host!" and pranced towards an empty table filled with sweets. I turned to ask Suna where she would like to sit, but she was already bussing herself with Suoh-san on the couch with four other first and second year girls. I sighed, thanks for ditching me.

"Excuse me miss, would you like me to host you?" came a voice off to my right. I looked towards that direction. A feminine first year boy smiled at me and motioned me to follow him to an empty table.

"Would you like any cake or tea?" he asked. I asked if I could have some black tea. He excused himself and left me alone. I really did not like the place where I was sitting. It was in the middle of the room surrounded by other large tables filled with girls and a host. I immediately recognized Hunny-san and Takashi-san as Hunny filled his mouth with cake and Takashi wiping his mouth. The girls around them were drooling like dogs.

I was surprised that those two would be in this club. They were in my year and the best in the class. I often admired them for their smarts and well I guess cute looks. I guess you could say that I had a slight crush on Takashi. I had a crush on him ever since first year when I came. He was nice, because he helped me find my chemistry class. Unfortunately, he rarely talks, except to Hunny-san. I heard that they were cousins or something, and that Takashi was a kendo champion. I guess many other girls like him too.

"Here you go!" the girly boy shouted as he served my tea. I studied him closely; he did look awfully like a girl.

"So may I ask what your name is?"

"Mina"

"Hello Mina-sempai, my name is Haruhi, and what would you like to talk about?" he asked as he sipped his tea.

I guess I could ask if he is a girl. "Are you a girl, Haruhi-chan?" He or she calmly looked at me. She cocked her head to the side, "How did you know?"

Basic instinct I replied. Then I continued to ask her why she joined the host club and how she got away with being a boy. After an hour, we became good friends. Apparently, she had a debt to repay to the Host Club, so that's why she worked as a host. I bade her goodbye. I casually parted ways with Hana and Suna-chan before heading home.

Chapter 2

I quickly looked both ways to see if I could out run the girls who were chasing me. Crap, okay, wait, music building, as I skidded to a stop and pivoted towards there. For some reason, my comment on how the host club was a waste of time for girls to act like drooling machines, quirked my whole English class to chase me around the school.

I should have headed towards the rose maze that would have been a smarter place to hide. Curse my slow reaction time. Why can't I think of good ideas fast enough? Why do I have slow reaction time? Whatever, goal is now to run to music building and hide there until they have stopped looking for me.

My legs lead me towards somewhere in the building as my brain was malfunctioning at the moment of where to go. I barely checked the room that I dashed into slammed the door. I immediately fell to the ground while panting.

"Hello miss, are you lost?" a voice said. I froze. I tentatively looked up. Suoh-san was on his knees looking at me concerned. I blushed and looked away. All the other members of the host club were a couple of meters away from where I sat.

"The Club is closed today, however you may come back tomorrow." said Ootori-san.

"So, isn't this the girl who knew you were one, Haruhi?" asked the twins.

"Ah, Mina-chan, are you okay?" Hunny-san knelt beside me. Takashi gave me a hand and I got up and reassured to Hunny that I was fine. Takashi's hands were calloused, though were really strong. I think he almost would have dislocated my arm if he wasn't gentle with me. They lead me to a table as asked why I was running. I could not tell them. I just could not, but they would probably know already by Ootori-san.

"Hmm, Hiwatari Mina. Third year, fifth place standing. Family owns many pieces of land throughout the world. Came to Ouran High School three years ago. Before was living in Canada. Is fluent in Mandarin, French, and English. Learning Japanese. Has a brother in Canada, living with mother. You live with your father." Ootori-san listed as he read his laptop.

I looked at him surprised, where did he get all that information. Isn't that classified information? Eck, I do not like him.

"Oh, you're family owns this land where Ouran is built." said Suoh-san knowingly.

"Did you know that I also speak French, Mina-sempai?" asked Suoh-san.

I nodded, "Oui, je sais que vous parlez francais."

"Tres bien, maintenant, j'ai une personne qui je peux parler en francais!" exclaimed Suoh-san. I smiled uncertainly.

"No wonder you have an accent Mina-chan! You sound like a JSL (Japanese as a second language) child!" said Hunny.

"Yes, thank you for pointing that out." I muttered.

They continued to ask me random questions of Canada's education system. Later,I looked out the window it was becoming dark. The grandfather clock struck five. I told the club that I had to go and bade them a goodbye.

"I'll see you guys around." I smiled. "See you two in class tomorrow" I nodded towards Hunny and Takashi. They waved bye and told me to come tomorrow.

Chapter 3

Monday morning was okay. I tend to wake up early no matter what time I went to bed the night before. As I was eating my breakfast, my father informed me that we would have guests over for dinner, and that I would have to come home immediately after school. I asked him who was coming over and he said it was 'surprise'. Whatever, I probably had to be on my best behaviour.

"Mi-chan!" Hunny shouted as he came running up to me, with Takashi following close behind. We hugged and he asked if I was coming with them to the club.

"Oh I'm sorry, Hunny-kun, but my father is expecting me at home after school for a dinner guest." I looked apologically at him. I flickered my eyes towards Takashi and he looked a bit surprised.

"I'll come tomorrow, okay?" I asked Hunny. He looked up, smiled, "Deal!", and waved as he and Takashi headed to lunch.

We did not live in a grand estate like the other families at Ouran, because it was just me and my father living here. My mother and brother were in Canada and they did not live in a mansion. I pretty much do all the housework except garden work outside. We have help from our American neighbours.

As I said, we owned tonnes of land, so where I lived was not an apartment, but a western style two level house. In a neighbourhood where foreign diplomats reside. Some of the American diplomats offer to mow our lawns since it reminds them of home or something. Weird hobby in my opinion.

We did not have any house cleaners, which I sometimes wished we did. My parents did not want their children to be raised as spoiled rich kids, so they made us do everything ourselves. Even though we have the money, our grades were the ticket to a vacation somewhere or a present. Usually I had to earn my money for what I wanted. I guess you could say that I am thankful that I understand how most people in the world feel. The only thing that my parents invested in my brother and I was education. They made us attend private schools in Canada and now they made me attend Ouran. It is better than those ignorant kids are at Ouran who just donate lots of money with no appreciation for what they have.

Haruhi is a scholarship student and I could not believe she would hang out with those people. They were nice people, if you had money or ties to higher officials. Especially Ootori-san, he only acted nice if you were profiting him. Bum hole in my opinion. Suoh-san, total player. The twins are okay, but I heard some nasty stories about them and the pranks they played.

As I helped the hired caterer with the food, the doorbell rang. Since we did not have a butler, I had to get the door.

When I opened the door, Takashi's older version father along with Takashi stood at my door with a basket full of snow peaches.

All I could do was stare at them until my father came to the door and introduced us. Why are Takashi and his father here?

"Welcome, welcome, come in, shall we wait in the dining room?" inquired my father. I quickly smiled at Takashi who returned the smile.

Nothing interesting happened during dinner. Apparently, Takashi only likes Asian cuisine. He is interested in geography and Japanese history. He practices kendo everyday. Ironically, all the information was said in one-word sentences. Both he and his father did not speak that much. My father was the one who talked the most. Takashi looked bored as well as me.

After dinner, we ended up in the living room, having dessert. I sat with my father opposite to Takashi and his father. Most of the food offered were traditional Japanese dishes, because their family apparently was very conservative. As I yearned to write or do something, my father discreetly nudged me to listen.

"Now, let's discuss about your boy and my daughter" my father chuckled. What? Takashi and me? I have nothing to do with Takashi except that I am in the same class with him and have a crush on him since first year. However, he does not need to know that.

Takashi's father nodded in agreement. "Yes, well, Takashi and Mina-san, as you know, this is your last year at Ouran and after this would be likely university. However, before that, we decided that you would marry before next April…".

My world became increasingly small. I could not breathe, was I dreaming? Marry Takashi? What? This cannot be happening. Only it is. I stared at Takashi in horror. A flash of surprise crossed his features, but after he looked so emotionless. So indifferent. I was speechless.

"…the ceremony would be small, and your honeymoon would be somewhere in Japan. Perhaps at an onsen? What do you think Takashi and Mina?" asked Takashi's father.

" I…I…"

"It would be fine, father." replied Takashi coolly. I looked at him uncertain and he half smiled at me reassuringly.

"Why don't you two go out into the garden and discuss your preparations for this wedding, hmm?" commanded my father. Takashi got up and half dragged me to the back of the house where the entrance to the garden was.

Since it was still winter, we had our jackets on as we stepped out into the chilly air. Steam from our breaths came out in huffs of smoke. The night was clear and tiny stars shone through the heavy light pollution in Japan.

"Did you know about this beforehand?" I asked Takashi as I stared up into the navy night.

"No." was his curt reply. I sighed, that was all he was going to say? I briefly had a horrible image of us sitting down and eating dinner while I did all the talking. I shivered at the thought of that. Takashi mistaken for that shiver as I was cold and suggested that we go inside and discuss our future together. I nodded in agreement and went inside.

"Who would you invite?" asked Takashi.

"Well Hana and Suna-chan of course and probably Haruhi-chan" I answered.

"You know already?"

"Well, it wasn't that hard to realize the fact she was a girl." I raised my eyebrow at him.