(3) The Party and the Plan

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MAIKO

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MAIKO.

After Tamaki's extravagant opening, the party was well underway. Princess Kasuga — did I really have to refer to her as a princess all the time? — wasn't here yet, so the plan was put on pause until she did. I wore a royal blue strapped dress that fell just past my knees. A small silver belt was held together at my waist, which matched the little glittery details that my mom would boast about for years. My hair was in its usual style, except it was curled at the ends to give it a little bit of a flare.

I roamed around the hall alone since all of the hosts were busying themselves with their clients. There were tables filled with expensive food, and as soon as I spotted the deluxe sushi in the corner, I knew for a fact that Haruhi was practically itching to have some. They loved tuna just as much as Honey loved sweets, if not,
more.

"Maiko!" I turned to see Asahi Nakamura approaching, dressed black vest and a white button up. "You look— you look great!" He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

I almost wanted to laugh. The similarities between Asahi and Suzushima were endless, and I had a strong feeling that the Host Club would judge him in the same manner.

"Thanks Asahi," I smiled. "You look great too. I didn't know you were coming." I assumed that, based on our last conversation, this type of thing wasn't really his scene. Perhaps I was wrong.

"I wasn't going to, but I thought you might come so I took a chance," he admitted. I gave him an incredulous look and blinked. What did he mean by that? "Do you want to dance?" He offered out a hand.

My eyes flickered between his outstretched palm and his face. Was I misreading the entire situation? "Sure." The tips of my mouth tilted upwards in the slightest, just enough hide the grimace that wanted to form.

He pulled me into the dance floor, and I could immediately feel eyes on me. I avoided looking into most people's line of eyesight and focused on the brunet in front of me. Asahi was a good dancer. It was easy being his partner when he practically glided across the floor. It was a no-brainer that he was a fairly attractive person as well.

But it was so painfully awkward. The dance consisted of the two of us looking at each other for barely a minute and then glancing away. It was upsetting that there was a complete lack of a spark — there was nothing at all. I couldn't deny that I felt relief when I noticed Kasuga finally approaching Haruhi.

"Oh!" I exclaimed a bit too excitedly, but I don't think he noticed anyway. "I'm sorry, I have to go help the Host Club with something. I'll meet you later?"

I probably wouldn't.

He looked a bit upset, but nodded anyway. "Sure."

I didn't hesitate to make my way into the separate room, changing into a different dress in order to not be recognizable. I doubted it would work, but it was worth a shot anyway. Kaoru worked on my hair, manipulating it to look much longer than it was, while Hikaru dressed me in a long golden dress.

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