DISCE, OHSHC.

⁺ ♡ at a loss for words

"Tamaki! Wait up! Do you have a second?!"

By the time you caught up with the Host Club's President, you were already out of breath. He could walk offensively quickly with his long legs when he wanted to.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you wanted to talk to me or I would have waited." Tamaki smiled at you. Could he just do that on command? Toss out blindingly bright smiles like they were nothing? Most people had to spend their whole lives training an expression like that in the mirror.

"What did you want to talk about?"

You waved a hand at him, trying to get your breath back. "We can keep walking. It shouldn't take long."

You fell into step beside Tamaki and the two of you continued walking to the front gate. You were close enough that you could pick up the pleasant scent from him you'd noticed a while ago—fresh linen and flowers.

"So, uh, I have a question for you. As the President of the Host Club and everything."

"Ask away."

"If a guest happened to have a crush on you, what would be the right thing to say in that situation?" You didn't know why you felt embarrassed to have to ask Tamaki. It seemed like such a trivial thing all of a sudden, Mayako having a crush on you.

Tamaki pushed open the front doors of the academy and held them open for you. "Did a guest confess their feelings for you?"

"Yes...?"

"Would you happen to be talking about Iwaizumi Mayako?"

It was incredible how many times your face could heat in embarrassment. "Is that just common knowledge?"

Tamaki sat down on the front steps to wait for his chauffeur and you did the same.

"I think all of the hosts have noticed how much time Mayako-san spends with you. She's evidently very fond of you, tragic host or not. And after our volleyball practice the other day, she—" Tamaki cut his sentence short. He looked off to the side, seeming to think better of whatever he'd been about to say.

"Anyway. So she's finally told you how she feels. How do you feel about it?"

"I'm flattered, but to be honest it's been bothering me."

"How come?"

"I just ... I just don't like her in the same way. And I feel bad about that because she's a great person. Funny and smart and really talented. I should feel grateful she even gave me a chance."

Tamaki looked thoughtful. "Are you holding back because you're afraid of what your family and friends might say?"

"No. They'd probably love Mayako."

"Are you holding back because you're scared of what Mayako's family and friends might say?"

"Not really."

"So you just don't feel the same. That's all?"

"Yes?"

Tamaki nodded. "I was thinking that you might be too insecure to admit you returned Mayako's feelings, but if you just don't feel the same about Mayako, this isn't as complicated as you're making it out to be."

"I know that," you muttered. "I just don't know how to tell Mayako I don't like her back without sounding like a jerk."

"Pretend I'm Mayako," Tamaki said, turning slightly to face you. "If she were here right now, what would you say?"

You pressed your lips together, looking into Tamaki's violet eyes. His gaze was open and earnest. You'd be lucky if Mayako looked even half as approachable.