• When Roses Bloom

    Chapter 2: The Host Club's New Costumers

    Tamaki approached them and smiled. “Ah...Ichigo-san,welcome. Oh, and these beautiful princesses must be your friends.

    “Hai, Suou-kun, they're my were bored so that's why we decided to visit this club.”

    “Hi, I'm Fukuyama Seira”

    “I'm Sakamoto Chiyuki, nice to meet you.”

    “Nice to meet you too ladies. So, who among you would like to be accompanied by the 'Prince Type'?”

    “I'll go with you.” Chiyuki replied

    “I'm gonna have a short talk with Kyouya.” Ichigo said while looking at Kyouya,

    she's still thinking about the letter she gave him.

    “How about you Seira-san? What kind of host would you like?” Tamaki asked.

    “Uhm....I'm not really sure. All of the hosts look busy with their costumers.”

    “Hmm...let's see...ah, Kaoru, sorry to disturb you during your break time but since it's her first time entering this club, would you please keep Seira-san company?”

    “Uh...sure.” Kaoru smiled, leading Seira to an empty table.”This way my lady.”

    “O-ok...” Seira said. Her heart began to beat fast, she suddenly felt uneasy. She was inlove with Kaoru since Junior High but she doesn't have enough courage to confess to him.

    “That reminds me...Where's Hikaru?”

    “He's with Haruhi,they went to the grocery.”

    “I-I see.” Tamaki spoke weakly. His heart burning with pain. He still haven't moved on from his break-up with Haruhi,even though he already accepted that they're not for each other. He tried to put himself together and sat with Chiyuki. She noticed that tamaki is not as active as he was this morning.

    She asked him curiously. “Tamaki-sempai, is something bothering you?”

    “Huh?Uhm...no...it's nothing, my princess. Don't worry about me.”

    “But you look so troubled.”

    “Do you promise to keep it a secret? I don't want everyone to worry.”

    “I promise Suou-sempai, I won't tell anybody.”

    “It's like this, my girlfriend or should I say 'ex-girlfriend' broke up with me two months ago. And I can't move on, I tried to distract myself but it's not working.”

    Chiyuki stared at Tamaki without saying a single word.

    “What do you think? It's pretty sad huh?” He added

    “...That's all?” Chiyuki said sarcastically.

    “Owwie! You're so mean.” Tamaki complained.

    “I was kidding. I feel sorry for you Suou-sempai.”

    “How about you Chiyuki-san? Do you have a boyfriend?”

    “I used to. His name is Keiichi Soujiro, we broke up six months ago when we realized that what we felt for each other two years ago is not the same anymore when he returned from Amerca.”

    “How did you got over it?”

    “It was kinda sad at first but I always kept in mind that there will always be a guy who is really meant for me. And someday he will enter my life without me knowing it.”

    “That was very touching Chiyuki-san!” Tamaki suddenly hugged her

    “S-sempai!” Chiyuki choked out, blushing.

    All the other girls looked at them whispering at each other. “Kyaa! Tamaki-kun is hugging her.”

    “Waah! She's so lucky.”

    Tamaki stopped at once. Chiyuki sat straight, still a little shocked from his hug.

    “Ah...sorry about that Chiyuki-san, I was moved by your words.”

    “It's alright sempai, Ishigo and Seira also had the same reaction when they first heard that.”

    “Those two...they seem pretty close to you.”

    “Yep, those two are my best friends. We always share ideas and even our own little secrets.”

    “You know..you're right, having friends like that is great.”

    They smiled at each other like they had forgotten all their worries.

    “See..you're smiling now!” Chiyuki teased

    “Chiyuki...”

    “What?”

    “From now on, don't call me sempai ok? Just call me by my first name. And I'll do the same, Chi-yu-ki!.”

    Chiyuki giggled and said. “Ok, Ta-ma-ki!”

    “Hwee?! You read the letter? W-when?” They both turned to look at Ichigo who is sitting with Kyouya.

    “I have read it a while ago, when I'm changing clothes.” Kyouya explained

    “Wha-I...didn't expect that you would-”

    “Actually I was quite impressed...” He cut her of before she could finish her sentence.

    “I didn't notice that you have a lot of ideas for our club.”

    “Eh?”

    “You could really help us get more costumers.”

    At that moment, Ichigo realized that the letter she placed in the envelope is not the letter at all. It's a list of club activities that she made. She felt relieved that she gave the wrong one.

    “Whew..I really thought that he's gonna find out...I guess it's still too early for THAT” she thought to herself.

    “Say....Ichigo..”

    “Yep?”

    “Is it ok for you to work with me in the Host Club starting tomorrow?”

    “Sure,that'll be my pleasure Kouya-kun.” She said happily. She looked at Seira to call her. “ Ne...Sei-chan.”

    Seira turned her head at Ichigo.”What is it?”

    “I'll be working here starting tomorrow,wanna come? Of course you do, you'll be able to spend more time with-”

    Seira shot her a cold look,warning her to stop what ever she's trying to say.

    “Ehehe....nandemonai! I was just kidding Sei-chan! There's no need for you to threaten me.”

    “What are you two talking about?” Kyouya asked, a little bit confused

    “Nothing...it's just that she has a huge crush on Kaoru.”

    “Uh....don't you think she'll be mad because you told me that?”

    “Oops...I slipped...Kyouya, I could trust you right?”

    “Absolutely.”

    “ Thanks. Seira will kill me if she finds out that I told you her secret.”

    ~At Kaoru and Seira's table~

    Kaoru placed the cub of tea on the table and sat on the couch beside Seira.

    “Uhm...Seira...right?” He asked

    “Yes.” She replied,feeling a lot more comfortable now compared to earlier.

    “You're the one singing in the auditorium this morning...right?”

    “ Y-wait...you were there?”

    “Yes,I was...listening. You know...you're voice is so beautiful.”

    “No...not teally...”

    “ Seriously...it's pretty...” Kaoru insisted

    “T-thanks.”

    “Uh...I knoe it's improper for a host to ask something from his costumer but, could you please sing that song for me?” He requested, hoping that the girl would agree to it.

    “S-sure...” Seira blushed and began to sing.

    Hajimete kimi wo mita ano hikara tada toki bakari ga sugite...Ii kaketa manma no kotoba wa kumoma e to kiete yuku yo..

    Kaoru listened until she finished her song. He gave her a round of applause and said “Wow! You're awesome Fukuyama-san. Congratulations, you just earned a fan. And it's not only that...your fan is a 'handsome' guy who is also a member of tha oh,so famous Host Club!.”

    “ Yeah..I guess you're ri- wait, who told you that you're handsome? Yes, I'm grateful that my fan is a host but for your information, you not that good looking! Hmp!”

    “I was joking about the 'handsome' part..haha!”

    Seira looked at him with teary eyes. “ You're so...mean...”

    “Wah...hey! Don't cry...”

    “ Just kidding! Haha!”

    “Geez, Seira...” He pouted

    “Ehehe...you're so cute when you panic.”

    Kaoru suddenly felt awkward upon hearing that. He couldn't find the right words to say. Seira realized what she just said and blurted out “I-I-I mean...t-the way you react is...c-cute.” she blushed

    “Seira-chan!” Chiyuki and Ichigo called out behind her.

    “Yes?”

    “We have to go now...Chiyuki has something else to do...' Ichigo said

    “Ok..um...excuse us Kaoru-kun”

    “Are you gonna drop by again tomorrow?” Kaoru asked

    “Ichigo will start working here so...Yes,I'll come back...”

    “Oh...ok then...mata ashita.”

    “Thanks for spending your time with us ladies.” Tamaki said

    “See you tomorrow Ichigo-chan.” Kyouya added

    “Hai! Mata ashita minna!” Ichigo waved at them as they exit the door