𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁; 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤

18. MEAN GIRLS

It's only been one day since Reo had joined the host club, but already the entire club dynamic has been turned on its head.

For starters, Chigiri looks like he's finally had a good nights rest. Apparently, Reo not only reclaimed his position as a host, but also as club treasurer. He alleviated the terrible financial burden off of Chigiri in mere hours, using his unreal money skills to properly organize club assets and minimize all the costs that have been unknowingly piling up.

Second, Nagi was a lot more talkative. Like, a lot more. He'd usually survive his hosting shifts by responding with minimal effort or thought, but he'd now take the time to formulate actual replies to his girls-- so long as he was with Reo. You knew that he and Reo were good friends, but you hadn't expected the fact that they've known each other since preschool.

And finally... you were a boy. Even in secret.

This was something that you didn't quite understand. You outright asked Shidou why you couldn't just tell Reo that you were a woman, but he didn't give you one straight answer. Isagi rationed that it was because Reo was still getting back into club business, so they wanted to slowly drop the bomb on him.

Now, you sat with three other girls at a quaint tea table while talking about fine chinaware. Your experience in hosting over the past months has taught you a lot about utensils and plates and table settings, so you were able to hold your own in a conversation concerning teacups.

"Do you have a preferred style of teacup, Y/n?"

"Ah, my favorite are the Colonnades." You reply, admiring the teacup that rested in your delicate fingers. "Their fashion is remarkable. I can't begin to imagine how they're so carefully crafted."

"It takes a lot of work. My grandfather crafts sets in his free time." One girl chimed.

"Do you ladies have any favorites?"

"My personal dearest shape is the lorber. It's got such a smooth look about it-- the handle especially." One girl swooned. "My parents imported this ancient set from Taiwan. They think it was obtained via the spice trade."

"That sounds beautiful." You commented. "I believe that each tea set has a reason for being created. You can tell by the fingerprints and the strokes... I bet your set has quite a story to offer."

"You think so?" She giggled.

"Perhaps we could lend an ear together?" You smirk, grazing your fingertips over the backside of her palm. "I'd love to hear the ballad of antique chinaware with a fellow vintage soul." (You internally cringed at your words)

She blushed. "Y/n..!"

As you were about to say more, you felt something small hit the heel of your foot, followed by a sharp clang on the tiled floor. You glanced down, only to see a teacup that had rolled onto the floor, miraculously still in tact. However, it definitely wasn't one of yours.

You picked up the china and fondled the grooves under your fingers, only snapping out of your trance when you heard your named called.

"Y/n!" Reo had flagged, waving his hand out to you. He was sitting on the other side of the room on the couches, surrounded by a few other women who were enjoying tea as well.

You smiled over and stood from your seat, muttering a "be right back" to your clients before shuffling over to where Reo sat. He stood from the couch, meeting you to take the loose teacup in his hands. He offered you an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. The Devon's always manage to slip away from me."

"Oh, don't worry about it." You flashed him another sweet smile. "How's hosting-- outside of the runaway teacup, that is?"

Reo laughed. "Oh, same-old. If I'm being honest," He leaned forward, sending you a teasing look, "Talking tea isn't all that interesting to me."