A Broken Princess' Serenade : OHSHC

: 03

"There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat." — Tay Hohoff

: 03

"U-uh..." I stopped suddenly as a sea of red rose petals spiralled towards me, encasing my body before continuing on to god-knows-where. 

"Oh, Hime-chan~!" A suddenly recognizable voice cried. "You came, you came, you came!"

A few had gotten caught in my hair, and I tried to rearrange my face back into it's usual emotionless mask. "Tama-chan?" I asked disbelievingly.

Two kimono-clad arms wrapped themselves around me as Tama-chan pulled me to his chest. "I knew you'd come!" He rubbed his cheek fervently on the top of my head, mussing up my ponytail as I winced in annoyance. When he finally released me, I pulled away to redo my hair, fixing him a hard, gold stare.

There were girls fawning all about the room, each at a different style of tatami mat or low table. Each group had turned to stare in quiet judgement when all of the Hosts rose to greet me.

It was a little awkward.

"I thought this was a music room... don't tell me you're in the Music Club?" I narrowed my eyes, turning to check the sign again just in case.

"Oh no, we're not the Music Club." Kyouya's flat voice echoed against the pale pink-tiled floor as I turned to the far right corner. The infamous 'Shadow King' - as Hikaru-kun and Kaoru-kun had informed me - was sitting at a small table in the shadow of a pillar. "The Music Club is held in the Block D contemporary music rooms, on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. This is the Host Club."

Oh goody.

"Oh." I bowed apologetically. "My apologies for interrupting. I'll be on my way then."

"Hime-chan, Hime-chan! Guess what? I lost my shoe, but Takashi found it for me! Did you bring any candies?" Hani-senpai cried out in excitement as he ran over

"No, sorry. And that's good...?" My gold eyes blinked as he suddenly leapt into my arms, wrapping his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck. "What are you doing?" My hands automatically snapped around his small form, holding him to my chest so he wouldn't fall.

"But I want candy..." He whined and nestled his face into the crook of my neck. His little kimono hung down behind him, printed with the same small, pink flowers that always seemed to be hovering around his head.

Trying to keep my features impassive while there was a small - but seventeen-year-old - boy tearing up in my arms was difficult. Trying to hide how awkward I felt was harder.

"Erm, if you wouldn't mind - " I started.

"Why don't you stay awhile?" Hitachiin One - either Hikaru-kun or Kaoru-kun - smiled deviously, both boys wearing identical costumes.

"Yeah... help us set up for this afternoon~" Hitachiin Two echoed.

"I have to get to the Music Club." I reiterated firmly, my mouth pressing into a tight line despite my best efforts.

"Do you even know where the Block D Music Rooms are?" Kyouya's cold voice took on a slighter, more amused tinge.

"I was hoping you could direct me." My frown deepened slightly.

"Hm... maybe." The Shadow King's mouth twitched up into a small, smug smile. "Stay. See if you enjoy it. There's plenty of time to attend the Music Club on Friday."

Kyouya intrigued me. His words, laced with some sort of trap, told me things his impassive and chiseled face did not. It was almost as if he was doing the exact same thing I was - hiding his emotions. Though he might interest me the slightest, tiniest amount, it didn't mean I was going to hang around.