Break My Promise (OHSHC/Kaoru Love Story)

Chapter 13

Two days later, everything had went back to normal. No one ever suspected Haruhi was a girl, therefore allowing her to remain a Host. As for Kaoru and I, we didn't mention the incident and acted as though it never even happened. That way, it would be easier for us to be near each other all afternoon.

The Host Club was doing another cosplay. That time, it was for everyone to be dressed in traditional kimonos designed by the Hitachiin's mother, who I learned was a fashion designer. If that was all I had to wear, then I was pretty happy. After wearing that princess costume, the mention of cosplay made me cringe.

Kyoya and I were kneeling on our pillows as we made adjustments to the budget. Seeing Haruhi nearby, Kyoya informed her, "Haruhi, you've booked another appointment." She looked at him. "It seems you've had a pretty steady flow of new customers lately. Keep up the good work. I'm not going to charge you interest on your debt like I usually would, so keep this up, and you should be able to pay it off, although the rental fee on that kimono you're wearing is nothing to sneeze at." He smiled as Haruhi and I frowned.

I grumbled, "Why even bother with a rental fee? She's only wearing it for a few hours."

He smirked, "I'm a businessman, not a charity, Azami."

One of our customers said, "Hello, Kyoya. I can't get over how great you look in that kimono. Are you planning to release any more picture books of the Host Club?"

He answered her nicely, "Unforunately, we don't have anything planned at the present, ladies."

The twins peeked over the divider separating us and Hikaru whispered, "But doesn't the club make a lot of money?"

Kaoru added, "Through the sale of promotional items?"

"That's true, but the items were poor quality," Kyoya explained, turning to them. He pulled out four of the pictures used in the last book. They were blurry. "Those picture books were full of nothing but amateur hidden camera shots. However, if we want to create some more higher-quality, money-making products, I'm afraid we'd have to draw money from the school's budget." He started punching numbers into a calculator, and at the mention of math, the twins slid back down into their sectioned area.

I sighed, "I don't think they'd give us any more money. We've taken so much already. A lot more than the other clubs, so I heard. They would just deny us."

"I said I was a businessman, Azami, which means I can negotiate well. You shouldn't doubt me," he frowned.

"I never said I was doubting you, I was simply stating us not being rejected is slim. Trust me, I realize you're the whole reason the Host Club hasn't lost all its money. You're like the glue holding it together," I laughed a little.

"I suppose you could say that," he smiled a bit, handing me a sheet. "This is the request form. I need you to fill it out. It doesn't have to be done right now, but it needs to be finished by tomorrow so we can turn it in."

I said, "I guess I should do it now. I don't want any extra work later." I opened my notebook and took a pen off the page I was using it for to bookmark the page and keep my Fuchu Nishi form in. I hadn't been quick enough.