Chapter Text
Koushi’s gym shoes squeaked on the polished marble floor as birds twittered outside the large glass windows beside him. The awe he’d originally felt for the nearly palatial school had been eroded with every minute he’d spent lost in the pink marble labyrinth. With school out of session for the summer holiday, Koushi couldn’t even find a student to ask for directions.
Looking out the window again, Koushi estimated he was on the third floor. He sighed heavily. He didn't even remember going upstairs. A trip to the nurse’s office was not supposed to turn into an unguided tour of the school.
Voices from somewhere nearby froze Koushi in his steps. He began walking slower, trying to figure out which room had people in it. The Third Music Room, apparently, based on the sign over the door. When Koushi pushed it open, he certainly didn't expect the flurry of rose petals.
"Huh, I thought we turned those off for the holidays." He looked up to see six boys in a variety of elegant but casual outfits sitting throughout the revealed room.
Koushi stared in shock. "Um, can any of you help me get to the gym?"
"Which gym?" Two voices spoke up in unison. "There are a lot of sports teams," one redhead said alone, looking bored where he lounged on an expensive couch. "We wouldn't want to send you to the wrong one," another identical boy added, sprawled on the opposite side of the couch.
"Uh, volleyball? I'm here for a training camp."
A black-haired boy with glasses looked over him once, eyes flashing before the glare on the lenses hid his eyes from view. "Ah, judging by your jacket I'm assuming you're a student of Karasuno High School?"
Koushi stared at him, feeling ever more lost. "Yes? I'm the third year setter, Sugawara Koushi."
"Ah, my condolences." He looked down, making a note in a little black book.
"Look, I just need to get back to gym. We have practice matches all day, and I've already been gone too long."
The boy with glasses looked up again. "Do you? I thought you were warming the bench now that the genius first year, Kageyama, was playing for your school."
Koushi bristled. "I still need to be there. He's my kouhai."
The two apparent twins looked at each other and shrugged. "Sounds boring."
A short brunette who was sitting next to the twins scowled. "Shut up you two. Just because you don't think the effort is worth it, doesn't mean he agrees."
Koushi smiled at the apparently younger student. "Thank you! It was my team first, and I'll do everything I can to take them to Nationals. I want Karasuno to succeed."
"Karasuno is in Miyagi prefecture with Ushijima Wakotoshi, yes? Perhaps next year, then."
Koushi bared his teeth, glaring at the bespectacled boy. "We will beat him and go to Nationals. Kageyama isn't our only impressive first year."
He tilted his head just slightly, the glare on his glasses subsiding for just long enough for Koushi to see a hint of sympathy in onyx eyes. "An intriguing notion, in its own way."
The door behind Koushi slammed open, causing him to flinch.
"Ahh, I'm sorry I'm late! Are we ready to finish getting ready for tonight's Summer Nights Gala?"
Koushi turned to see a boy nearly as tall as Kageyama with perfectly coifed blond hair saunter into the music room.
"Wow, Tono was late to his own meeting? How lame," the twins whispered to one another from their spot on the couch.
Koushi snorted.
The blond turned his attention to him. "And who is this?" The snort turned into a gulp as piercing violet eyes turned on him.
"This is one of the students attending the Fukurodani group volleyball training camp. He appears to be lost."
"Lost?!?" The boy gasped, sparkles bursting around him dramatically. "We must help him, friends!"
"Or he could just hang out with us, it's not like he's going to play anyway," one of the twins deadpanned, not looking up from his phone.
"I told you, I still want to help my team! Kageyama needs me to help him connect to the team!"
The tallest member, who had not spoken yet, rumbled, "What about next year?"
Koushi froze. "What?"
"If he needs you to connect to the team, what will he do next year?"
Koushi stared at the man, mouth moving without sound. Kageyama still needed him to help with communication, especially with the older members and Tsukishima. How would he fair next year? Would he be okay?
"I have to teach him. He's so good but he doesn't communicate well."
"Maybe you should consider this his chance to learn to connect with the team without relying on you to translate for him." Koushi turned to the teen in glasses who'd spoken. "It is admirable that you want to support your kouhai, but if you coddle him, he'll never succeed.”
“If I can’t even support my team, what use am I?” He asked, feeling shame coiling in his gut. His teacher’s admonishment from after Interhigh rang once more in his mind: ‘I can’t see how remaining on the team has any material benefit for you.’ Maybe it didn’t benefit them either? Was he just making things harder for them? For Daichi? Am I wasting my time?
“Kyou-chan wasn’t saying Kou-chan is a bad senpai,” a small blonde spoke up from a table covered in cake, interrupting Koushi’s spiraling. “You seem like a really good senpai! But you should let your kouhai have this chance to learn, and in the meantime you can eat cake with me!”
Suga threw up his hands, overwhelmed by the intense feelings and bizarre situation he’d found himself in. “I don’t even know you!”
“My my my! You mean to tell me you all neglected to introduce yourself to our guest?” A violent strum of an orchestra reverberated through the room, making Koushi jump. He eyed the tall blond with trepidation as the model-esque student sauntered toward the other six. “My name is Suoh Tamaki, and I’m the king around here. This,” he pointed dramatically at the boy in glasses, “is my fellow second year and club vice-president, Ootori Kyouya.”
Koushi gaped as Tamaki spun next toward the cake-filled table where the short blond sat in front of the stoic boy with black hair. “These are our third years, Haninozuka Mitsukuni and Morinozuka Takashi.” Tamaki nearly pirouetted as he turned toward the remaining students sitting on a long ornate couch. “The two devilish twins are the Hitachiins, Hikaru and Kaoru. Finally, our newest member, first year honor student Fujioka Haruhi. Together, we make up the Ouran Host Club!”
He struck a dramatic pose with his final words, rose petals and sparkles raining down once more. Koushi just blinked a couple of times. "Ah, nice to meet you, I guess. Wait." He blinked a couple times, looking back at the others in the room. "Did he say you're Hitachiins? Like the fashion brand?"
One of the twins looked up and nodded. "Yeah, it's our mom's company. We've got our first line coming out this winter though."
Koushi found himself gaping again. "But you're first years, aren't you?"
"Your first year kouhai is being considered for the all-Japan Youth Training Camp. Why would a fashion line be so surprising?"
"Kageyama is being considered for what?!" Koushi yelped, staring wide-eyed at Ootori.
The second year's mouth turned down in a slight frown. "Ah, it seems you were not yet aware. In that case, I would ask that you not mention it at this time. I'm sure you'll come to know soon. Although," he paused, peering over the edge of his glasses at Suga. "If you really don't think Kageyama-san can communicate with his own teammates without you, I'm not sure how he'd fair in the U19 team. Perhaps he's not ready after all."
Koushi opened his mouth to defend his kouhai but caught himself. Ootori was only repeating Koushi's own words. If Kageyama couldn't even communicate properly with Tsukishima, how would he fair with the likes of Ushijima? He chewed on his lip for a few seconds, eyes fixed unseeing on the wall behind the bespectacled second year. "Do you really think making him play alone today is the best thing I can do to help?"
"Ahhhh Kou-chan!" The (apparent) third year Haninozuka squealed. He jumped up from his table and skipped over, swinging a large stuffed bunny rabbit. "I think you work too hard! You spend all your time trying to help everyone on the team, right? I think you should relax and take some time for yourself! It'll be good for your kouhai, and very good for you! Plus, we have delicious cake!"
"Ah, Sugawara-senpai, you really don't need to listen to them," the other first year, Fujioka, interrupted, walking over from the couch. "They can get a bit carried away. I think it's really cool how much you care about helping your kouhai, even though he took your spot on the team. I bet it's difficult having such a great player join the team in the same position as you when you're a third year."
Koushi looked down into wide brown eyes as the shorter student gazed up at him. Without really meaning to, Koushi answered honestly, "Yeah, it is." At the first year's curious head tilt, Koushi found himself explaining. "I thought this would be my year. Third year, starting setter, vice-captain alongside the love of my life. In some ways, it's more than I could have ever hoped. With Kageyama-kun and the other first years, we have an actual chance to go to Nationals for the first time in years. And I love being vice-captain with Daichi, but it hurts feeling like I can't do anything to help the team or to keep Daichi from leaving me behind at the end of the year. I feel like if I stop moving forward, I might break down altogether."
A dramatic sob behind him startled Koushi from Fujioka's sympathetic brown eyes. "That was beautiful! Alright men, mission 'Give Sugawara the Best Summer Holiday and Help Him Score the Love of His Life' is a go! We only have today, but I believe in all of you!"
Koushi gaped at the blond king as the other club members broke into polite applause. "That's… kind of you, but I thought you said you needed to get ready for a gala tonight?"
"Indeed. Tamaki, you were already late today so we are running approximately thirty-six minutes behind schedule. Based on my calculations, we do not have sufficient flexibility in our agenda to take any more time away from preparing for tonight."
"Well, if he wants, he can hang out with us while we prepare." One twin drawled, eyes still fixed on his phone.
The other glanced up and shrugged. "Party preparation would be less boring with new company."
"Besides," they added in unison, both eyes fixed on Koushi. "He'd make a cute doll."
"Uhh, thanks?" Koushi took a step back, feeling a bit like a hamster faced with a prowling cat just outside his cage.
"Hikaru, Kaoru, knock it off! You can't just decide to play with random strangers, especially your senpais!"
Their unsettling gazes fixed on Fujioka instead. "Oh yeah? So does that mean you'll model our new line for us Ha-ru-hi?" They grinned as they drew out the last syllable.
"Daddy will not allow you to defile his darling daughter like that! You nasty twins!!"
"Oh my god did you seriously just call yourself 'daddy'?" Koushi tried desperately to contain his laughter, but it bubbled over.
"See, I like this guy," one of the twins piped up, also laughing.
"Yeah, I vote to make him an honorary member," the other added, wheezing slightly as he cackled.
Suoh seemed to collapse in on himself as the twins laughed harder. "Mommy, the devilish twins are picking on me."
"You must admit your behavior can be perceived as odd," Ootori deadpanned, not looking up from a laptop that had appeared at some point.
"What the hell, guys? I complain about Tamaki-senpai all the time! Why do you only acknowledge how weird he is when someone else says something?"
Koushi found himself laughing harder as the bickering escalated. He still wasn't sure what he'd stumbled into, and he could feel guilt and insecurity still pulsing somewhere low in his belly, but he tried to ignore the discomfort. If this was the best way to help Kageyama, then Koushi was going to do it, even if it stung to voluntarily stay away from the court.
After a few more minutes of chaos, Ootori called everyone back to task with a few quick words. Something about princesses and debts brought the other six hosts to a sudden halt. From there, he put them all, including Koushi, to work.
There were decorators to be managed, song lists to be finalized, and final alterations to costumes to be completed. Throughout it all, jokes and laughter rang out over dramatic wails and excited shouts. Koushi was pleasantly reminded of his own team. The comfortable chaos was a soothing balm after weeks of stress and worry. So, he followed directions and helped where he could, all while basking in the noise and dramatics.
"Ah, Sugawara-san, if you could come here for a moment."
Koushi jogged over to where Ootori was sitting with his computer. "Ah, you know you guys can just call me Suga."
Ootori nodded once. "Suga-san, then. You said earlier that you're nursing a crush on your captain. That would be one Sawamura Daichi, yes?"
Koushi flushed. "Uh, yes, but I'm not sure how that matters for the gala preparations."
Ootori looked up with a sinister smile. "No reason at all. Speaking of gala preparations, I'm assuming since you're here for camp that you don't have a suit with you?"
"Uhhh," Koushi gaped, feeling even more confused. "No? I don't think I even own a suit that fits."
"Ah. Luckily you're about the same height as the twins. They should have something that they can adjust to your measurements. Hikaru! Kaoru!"
The twins appeared on either side of Koushi as if by magic. "Hey Kyouya-senpai."
"What do you need?"
Koushi thought he should be getting used to the twins' alternating style of speech by this point, but it still rattled him. It was like watching a game of tennis.
“Please help Suga-san with his outfit for tonight. He may not be a member of the host club, but he is here as our guest and must be dressed appropriately.”
The twins saluted in dramatic unison, then each grabbed one of Koushi’s arms, lifting him just off the floor. “Leave it to us!”
“Yeah, Suga-senpai will be unrecognizable by the time we’re done.” With that they turned, carrying Koushi out of the ballroom and back through the hallway toward the third music room.
“You know I can walk by myself.”
The twins paused, looking at each other then Koushi. “You're not trying to run away?”
“Why would I?” Koushi asked, confused. “You’re just trying to help me get ready for the gala right? It was really cool of you guys to let me join. I’ve never been to a formal party. Miyagi is pretty rural.”
They exchanged another glance then set him down slowly. “Huh, I guess we’re used to Haruhi now.” They shrugged and began walking again toward the music room, now with Koushi walking voluntarily between them.
“So, Ootori-san said you have a spare suit I can borrow for tonight?”
The twins scoffed, leading Koushi into the music room. “‘A spare suit’, he says.”
“Really, how lame would that be.”
They threw open a door at the back of the music room and pushed Koushi into the closet. If a room the size of Koushi’s living room could be called a closet. Long rows of clothing racks lined all three walls, filled with various costumes and suits of different sizes. Accessories and shoes were displayed in boxes above the racks.
“Woah,” Koushi breathed, eyes wandering over a Balinese king outfit next to a traditional kimono. “Did you design all of these?”
“Nah,” one twin replied, pulling several suits from one of the racks.
“We did design some, but plenty of them are pieces Kyouya-senpai tracked down.”
“We don’t ask where he finds things,” they finished in unison.
“Let’s try these on first and see how they look.” The first twin walked back over, arms full of suits.
“You have different coloration from us, but I think one of the pastels might work.” The second twin grabbed Koushi’s arm as he passed and hauled the crow from the closet. They pushed him into a changing room with the suits and a command to shower then try on the salmon one first.
Koushi stared at the pile of clothes in disbelief. “Which one is salmon?”
After what felt like an eternity trying on clothes, Koushi was starting to understand why Fujioka would run away from the twins on instinct. The suits fit remarkably well, and, honestly, Koushi thought they all looked great, but the twins were relentless in their quest for perfection. The salmon didn’t set off his eyes, and the mint made him look ill. Black was the wrong season, and orange was too bright for his complexion. Finally, Koushi stepped out in a shimmery lavender suit and was met with contemplative silence. They set him up on a low pedestal and began pinning the suit, occasionally poking him if he fidgeted too much. After what had to be a hundred pins, the twins backed away and circled him.
“It’s perfect.”
“Maybe our best work yet.”
They flashed each other Cheshire grins before turning back to Koushi. “We still need to put some temporary stitches in so you can wear it tonight. Take the suit off carefully and go wait on the couch.”
Koushi did as he was told, gently removing the jacket and pants until he was left in the black button-down and his boxer briefs. “Um, where did you guys put my clothes?”
“They were dirty. We sent them to be cleaned.”
“You couldn’t have put them back on anyway. You’re not getting volleyball sweat all over our lovely suit.”
Koushi stared at them, huddled in the corner over a sewing machine. “So, I’m supposed to just sit here in my underwear?”
“Yes,” they said in unison, not even bothering to look up.
With a huff, Koushi fell back onto the nearest couch. He’d left his phone in his gym bag, so he stared up at the ceiling, counting the lightbulbs on the nearest chandelier.
“Hey guys, are you in here? Kyouya-senpai said it’s about time to start getting dressed. Uhh…” Koushi looked at the door to see Fujioka standing just inside, face turned resolutely to the side and a bright flush on his cheeks.
“The twins are doing something to my suit, but you can go ahead and get ready.”
“Um, thanks Suga-senpai, but why aren’t you wearing pants?”
Koushi rolled his eyes. “Apparently my clothes were dirty and needed to be washed, so I’m stuck in this until they finish.”
“I’m sure the twins could have found something for you in the meantime.”
“It’s annoying, but I’m not too bothered.” Koushi shrugged. “Yeah I like men, but I also play sports, so I’m used to changing and even showering with other guys. I’ve seen everything and been seen in all states, so it’s kinda too late for me to be embarrassed about nudity around guys.”
Fujioka turned even redder. “The thing is, I’m not.”
“Not what?”
“Used to it. Or a guy for that matter.”
Koushi’s brain took an embarrassingly long time to process that information. When it finally clicked, he let out a mortified squawk and nearly tripped over himself as he beelined for the changing room.
When one of the twins finally brought the suit in to him a few minutes later, Koushi was sure his face was still a little pink. “Don’t worry, it took Tono even longer to work it out.” The redhead’s wicked grin belied his sympathetic tone. He was gone before Koushi could respond.
* * *
“Welcome, ladies!”
Spotlights flashed, illuminating the seven hosts and one volleyball player, all arrayed in their finery on the stairs. The ballroom was now full of rich high school girls wearing dresses that probably cost more than Karasuno’s annual tuition. An orchestra began playing a waltz from somewhere off to the side as the girls applauded.
“We have a special guest joining us today,” Ootori announced as the applause died down. “Sugawara Koushi is visiting Ouran from his home in Miyagi and is thrilled to spend his evening with all of you. We hope you enjoy his presence as a refreshing taste of the countryside.”
Koushi bowed at the introduction as he’d been instructed to. He felt jittery under the scrutiny, but adrenaline was coursing through him, making him grin.
Suoh threw out his arms, sparkles erupting around him. “The heat of summer may oppress the streets of Tokyo, but within these walls, nothing can wilt your blossoming beauty, my princesses. Come, dance with us as the gentle night steals the heat from the air and leaves a cool repose behind. The stars alone will witness our glorious romance!” The girls cheered louder this time, and the ball began.
Koushi had not actually expected to dance, especially not with the actual hosts around, but he was shocked as he was asked to participate in dance after dance. His older sister had loved to dance growing up, so Koushi had learned a simple waltz as a child. This knowledge served him well now as he managed to lead his various partners through the simple steps without falling on his face.
“The ladies are charmed by your rustic dancing,” Ootori commented at one point, walking over to where Koushi was taking a break by the punch.
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but thanks I guess.”
He smirked, glasses flashing. “If you’re ever back in Tokyo, you should drop by. You’re practically an honorary host after today.”
Before he could respond, another girl was requesting a dance with Koushi, forcing him away from the bespectacled boy.
The ball consumed his senses, dragging him under like a hypnotic dream. The sparkling crystal chandeliers and rose-tinted marble blurred into an otherworldly landscape as Koushi spun and laughed with the guests. It felt like no time at all had passed when a light chime brought everyone’s attention to where Suoh stood on the stairs.
“I hope everyone has had a wonderful time tonight. Alas, it is time for the final song of the gala, but we do have one last surprise. To celebrate our wonderful honorary host Sugawara, we have another special guest.”
The lights dimmed as a single spotlight shone on the French doors at the top of the staircase. Koushi stepped toward the stairs as the girls backed away, clearly knowing something he did not.
The doors swung open, revealing Daichi, looking more uncomfortable than Koushi had ever seen him. He was dressed in a dark purple shirt and black slacks, neither of which were a perfect fit, a little too long and slightly too tight on his shoulders. Ootori was standing next to the doors and moved closer to Daichi, muttering something quietly. Whatever he said caused the captain’s eyes to lock on Koushi. Without looking away, he began to descend the stairs.
“Daichi? What are you doing here?” Koushi asked once his best friend had finally reached the floor in front of him.
Daichi laughed. “Seriously, Suga, I should be asking you that. You were gone all day without answering your phone and then some random Ouran students kidnapped me from the gym during individual practice. How did you even get mixed up in something like this?”
Koushi shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. “They thought it would be good for Kageyama to go through a day of camp without relying on my help. Plus, I had a lot of fun. These guys are really weird, but they’re cool. Actually,” he smirked, “they remind me of the team.”
A sudden strum of the violins reminded Koushi of their lingering audience. He glanced over Daichi’s shoulder to where all the hosts were gesturing furiously at him. He flushed when he realized what they were trying to say. “You know, Daichi, you’re just in time for the last dance of the ball.”
Daichi raised an eyebrow. “Am I really? Well, I suppose I should make the most of it.” He took a deep breath, shoulders rising and causing the shirt to stretch further across his chest. Koushi absolutely did not watch the pull of the fabric. “Then, Sugawara Koushi, may I have this dance?”
Koushi’s face ached with the stretch of his grin as he gently placed his hand in Daichi’s. “It would be my pleasure.”
A few cries of excitement rose from the assembled girls as the orchestra began a new song, something slow and romantic. Daichi drew Koushi close and leaned in to whisper in his ear, “I hope you know what you’re doing because I don’t have a clue.”
Koushi laughed, his chest feeling light and fizzy like a shaken soda had been opened inside him. “Don’t worry, Daichi. For once, you can just follow me.”
“I’m always following you.” He smiled, a dusting of pink on his tan cheeks.
Koushi felt himself blush in response. He landed a light punch on Daichi’s bicep before drawing him into a dance. As promised, Koushi led them through the steps. If the ball had been a dream, this was the point where Koushi would normally have woken up. He felt heady, like how he imagined being drunk would be.
When the music ended and the girls cheered, Koushi knew he should back away, but he couldn’t find it in himself to release his hold on his best friend. He was distantly aware of the hosts closing the ball and bidding the girls goodnight, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Daichi’s warm eyes.
“This isn’t a dream is it?”
Koushi felt the smile on his face grow even wider. “Tell me in the morning I look good in lavender. If this was a dream I’ll probably punch you.”
Daichi gently brushed the hair off Koushi’s forehead. “You do look wonderful in lavender, but I think you’re beautiful all the time.”
“Such a charmer,” Koushi teased, even as he felt a traitorous flush spread over his cheeks.
“The girls are gone, guys.” One of the twins spoke up from somewhere behind him.
“Seriously, just kiss him already, Suga-senpai.”
Koushi grinned. “Who am I to deny my kouhai?” He pulled Daichi in with a tug, two years of pining released into a perfect first kiss.
Rose petals rained down as Koushi pressed closer. When Daichi finally pulled back, he blinked at the petals in disbelief. “What the hell kind of club is this anyway?”
Koushi cackled.