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Lavender for Royalty; Sage for Wisdom (Book 1)

Kyoya Ootori x Reader

Chapter One: Coriander for Hidden Worth

Summary: (Y/N) is surprised to find that their mentee has stumbled into the Host Club.

“So have your classes been going well so far?” said (Y/N), smiling and leaning on their hand.

Haruhi nodded. “The academics are more rigorous here, but I’ve dealt with hard classes before.”

“Good,” said (Y/N). “I’m glad the transition is going well for you.” They laughed lightly. “I remember trying to find my way around this place the first couple of weeks. I was almost late so many times.”

Haruhi sweat-dropped. “Tell me about it…”

Haruhi, like (Y/N), was a scholarship student. (Y/N) was her mentor since they were a year older and a successful scholarship student themself. (Y/N) had high hopes for Haruhi, even if she was a bit more reserved and uninterested in getting involved at the school. Haruhi was focused on getting herself into a good college so she could become a lawyer, and Ouran was the place to do it. (Y/N) wouldn’t fault her for being studious—they, too, focused heavily on their own academics.

“But you’ve figured things out,” said (Y/N). “So I’m glad.” They looked at Haruhi. “But remember that the academy does encourage extracurriculars. You should choose some sort of club—even just a future lawyers organization.”

“I’ll think about it,” said Haruhi. She huffed. “Isn’t it enough that they make the uniforms too expensive and all the buildings so fancy? I have to be involved, too?”

“Ouran boasts well-rounded students,” said (Y/N), chuckling. “That means clubs.” They glanced at the clock. “Speaking of which, I have to get ready for mine.” They stood. “Bye, Haruhi. Let me know if you need anything.” They waved and walked off.

Haruhi looked at the clock and at her books. I should find someplace to get homework done.

l

The door to Music Room 3 creaked open, and the Host Club members looked over, expecting a new guest.

“Welcome,” they said in tandem.

Instead, they faced a brown-haired, slightly scruffy student who stared in shock.

I didn’t expect Haruhi here, thought (Y/N), amused as Haruhi’s jaw dropped open.

“It’s a man,” said Kaoru and Hikaru together.

“Men are valuable patrons too,” said Tamaki, shrugging.

(Y/N) stifled a chuckle. Kyoya raised a brow, and they exchanged a look. Unsurprisingly, Kyoya already knew Haruhi was a biological girl and identified as such. However, who were they to tell the other Host Club members? They could figure it out for themselves.

“Welcome to Ouran Host Club, Haruhi Fujioka, scholarship student,” greeted Tamaki gallantly. “You are a rare creature in this place.”

So he knows who she is but doesn’t know she’s not a boy? (Y/N) was so glad Tamaki was so dense; he brought a smile to their face. “Tamaki, don’t refer to scholarship students as ‘creatures.’ ”

Tamaki grinned at (Y/N). “I would never disrespect you!”

“Good,” said (Y/N).

“After all, it takes tenacity and thick skin for scholarship students to make it here since it is difficult for them to fit in with our culture,” said Kyoya bluntly.

“I think on that front I have more tact than you, Kyoya,” said (Y/N), raising a brow.

Kyoya smirked slightly. “Perhaps.”

“In short,” said Tamaki. “Fujioka, you’re a trailblazer!” He held Haruhi close and dramatically waved his arms. “Top student in your class, yet you’re poorer than a church mouse. Some may call you a weed or despise your low-class status.”

An irk mark appeared on Haruhi’s forehead. She was clearly learning Tamaki was an idiot (and had yet to see that he was a lovable idiot when he wasn’t so dense).

“There’s nothing wrong with poverty, of course. You’re a crusader, and a crusader only needs one thing—a reckless heart,” declared Tamaki. “Of course, we heard the rumor you’re a gay man—”

“…Huh?” Haruhi stared.

“What is your type? Wild? Cutsey? Or…” Tamaki grinned and titled her chin up. “Am I more your style?”

Haruhi jumped away. “N-No, it’s not like that at all!”

“Are you really a crusader, Haru?” said Honey, grinning. “Do you have stories of saving princesses? I love those!”

“Who are you calling Haru?!”

Poor Honey retreated to Mori.

“(Y/N), you, what, this is the club you’re a part of?” said Haruhi, staring at her mentor.

“I have fun,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“They bring in quite a few clients,” remarked Kyoya.

Haruhi deadpanned before shaking her head. “Look, I was just trying to find a quiet place,” she said, backing away as Tamaki approached again. “So excuse me—”

Bump!

(Y/N) darted forward to try to save Haruhi from disaster.

Crash!

A blue and white vase hit the ground and broke into a million pieces. (Y/N) winced as a shard cut their hand. Haruhi stared at the destruction in horror.

“That vase was by Rune,” said Hikaru. “It was to be the featured item in the next school auction.”

“The bidding was going to start at eight million yen, but I don’t think it will fetch that now,” said Kauro.

“I-I’ll pay for it…” Poor Haruhi trailed of.

“You bet you will, but how? You can’t even afford a uniform,” said Hikaru and Kauro.

“All my father could offer me was this hand-me-down sweater,” groaned Haruhi as the twins twisted the knife. She looked at (Y/N). “I’m sorry about your hand, I didn’t mean to—”

(Y/N) waved their hand. “Don’t worry about it, Haruhi.”

“Well, Tamaki, how should we handle this?” said Kyoya, sighing and looking at Tamaki.

“Fujioka, are you familiar with the saying, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do?’ ” said Tamaki. “And this—‘If you don’t have the cash, pay with your carcass?’ As of today, you’re the Host Club’s dog!”

Haruhi’s jaw dropped open, and her soul floated from her body. (Y/N) patted her on the back, holding their hold hand up as blood dripped from their palm.

l

Haruhi’s eyebrow twitched as she watched all of the hosts complete their “duties.” Tamaki flattered every one of his princesses, the twins had their strange routine, Honey ate with people, Mori watched over Honey and the guests dutifully, and (Y/N) moved between people with easy friendliness that had all the women smiling.

“Oh, (Y/N), what happened to your hand?” said a worried guests, looking at the cut on their hand.

“Just a little accident,” said (Y/N), smiling. “Don’t worry for me. Please make sure to take care of yourself.” The guest’s face turned red. “I’d rather be the one getting hurt than you.”

The guests squealed as (Y/N) walked off with a smile.

“You guys live in another world,” said Haruhi, sweat-dropping. She was a bit impressed—she had never seen (Y/N) act like that, though they were always kind and friendly—that (Y/N) handled it so simply.

“We simply apply our individual talents to meet the needs of our clients,” said Kyoya.

“People like being treated with kindness,” said (Y/N). “Some like Tamaki’s princely nature, some like the normalcy I bring.” They smiled. “Everyone gets to enjoy themselves.”

“Now,” said Kyoya, looking at Haruhi. “Your duties.” Haruhi shivered at the official tone. “You’ll handle basic chores for a while. You can refuse, of course, but my family’s reach is long and wide. I’d suggest a passport.”

Haruhi looked at (Y/N) for help.

“I’d just listen, if I were you,” said (Y/N).

“You’ve got eight million yen’s worth of chores to do and not much to offer a girl,” said Tamaki.

Haruhi jumped as he appeared behind her. She huffed. “Man, woman, whatever, how we look is irrelevant anyways, right?

“I like you for a reason,” said (Y/N) fondly.

“It’s what’s inside that’s important,” said Haruhi.

“Well, that’s true, and it’s so cruel how sometimes God bestows perfection inside and out,” sighed Tamaki dramatically.

Haruhi’s eyebrow twitched.

“But console yourself with that, if you like! I understand,” declared Tamaki. “How can you live with yourself otherwise?”

“I got it,” said Haruhi suddenly.

“Got what?” said Tamaki brightly.

“You’re annoying,” said Haruhi bluntly.

Tamaki retreated to a corner, and (Y/N) began chuckling. Kyoya smirked in amusement.

“That’s telling him,” laughed Kauro and Hikaru.

Haruhi sweat-dropped. “Um, Tamaki—”

“ ‘King,’ ” said Tamaki sullenly. “That’s what they call me here.”

“Tamaki, no one calls you that,” said (Y/N), putting their hands on their hips. “Don’t trick Haruhi.”

Tamaki pouted.

“I just wanted a quiet place to study,” groaned Haruhi.

“How about at home?” said Tamaki.

“Dad brings his girls over during the day. He works at night,” explained Haruhi.

“Guess that throws a wrench in things,” said Tamaki. “He won’t pay tuition, either?”

“It’s not like that,” said Haruhi. “It’s been rough, you know? I don’t want to burden him. Along with everything else, he was stuck raising me all by himself for ten years.”

“I’d define that situation as pathetic,” said Tamaki.

“No, it’s—”

“Did you subsist on rice and horseradish?” cried Tamaki. “So poor that you might have been sold to a mean master who’d overwork you and leave you crying into your pillow every night?!”

“Where’d that come from?!” shouted Haruhi.

“Very well, I’ll cut you a deal,” said Tamaki decisively. “Your appearance makes the appearance hopeless, but I will do my best to teach you. Let’s see…let’s make it one hundred! Yes! If you can garner on hundred requests, I’ll wave your debt to the Host Club! And you’ll be the star host for girls who like poor people!”

“I…I don’t want to!” cried Haruhi. “I’ll dust, scrub floors, anything but that!

“Don’t worry, Haruhi, it’s not all bad. You get nice food,” said (Y/N), smiling.

Haruhi groaned since that was barely any sort of encouragement. Just barely.

“Your training starts now!” said Tamaki, grabbing Haruhi.

“(Y/N), help—”

“You’re going to do great, Haruhi,” said (Y/N), smiling.

Haruhi groaned as she was dragged away.

“Your next guest is arriving in five minutes,” said Kyoya, checking his notebook. He looked at (Y/N)’s hand. “You should put a bandage on that cut. We can’t have one of our hosts getting an infection, can we?”

“It would be bad for business,” agreed (Y/N), smiling.”

“Indeed,” agreed Kyoya with a closed-eye smile.

l

“I’ve heard, Tamaki, that you’re raising a kitten that doesn’t have proper pedigree,” said Ayanokoji, a slight smirk in her voice.

“Ah, yes, a bit hopeless, to be honest, but I couldn’t him fend for himself, now, could I?” said Tamaki, smiling.

“How kind of you,” said Ayanokoji. “Taking care of the needy.”

(Y/N) knew her gaze flitted to them, and they kept their eyes on their clients, smiling at them. (Y/N) wasn’t letting her get into their head. They knew she saw them as a pity-party that the Host Club took care of and undoubtedly viewed Haruhi as the same, but (Y/N) didn’t care about her opinion, so they weren’t going to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

“Aha, you’re back from shopping,” said Tamaki as Haruhi entered the room.

Haruhi had evaded most of the host duties given to her by just doing chores and running errands.

“Find everything?” said Tamaki.

“Yeah,” said Haruhi, unpacking the shopping bag.

“Eh? What’s this?” said Tamaki, gesturing to a container.

“Coffee.” Haruhi deadpanned. “It was on your list.”

“But…ground coffee?” asked Tamaki.

“Not ground. Instant,” corrected Haruhi.

“Whoa!” exclaimed Tamaki, and the other hosts hurried over to him. “The one you just pour water in? How proletarian!”

“I’ve heard of it but never seen it,” remarked Kyoya.

“What do you think I’ve been drinking every morning?” said (Y/N).

“Hm.” Kyoya jotted down a note.

“So it’s true! Poor people have no time to grind their beans!” exclaimed Kauro.

“It’s how common folk cope,” said Hikaru.

“I’ve always wanted to try it! Let’s brew some up,” said Honey excitedly. Mori nodded.

Haruhi looked at (Y/N) incredulously. “Do they seriously not know what instant coffee is?”

“Nope,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“You’ve never made any?” said Haruhi.

“I’ve never been the Host Club’s dog so I never ran errands,” said (Y/N) with a closed-eye smile.

Haruhi deflated. “Low blow,” she groaned. “I’ll go and get the expensive stuff.” She sighed and turned around.

“No, I’ll drink this!” said Tamaki.

“Whoa, you’re brave,” teased Hikaru.

“Three dollars for 3.5 ounces? Not great value,” said Kaoru. “Hardly worth one cup.”

Haruhi faced (Y/N). “Is this how they always are?”

(Y/N) smiled. “Yes. But…” Their gaze softened. “You grow fond of it.”

“Yeah, sure,” said Haruhi.

“Haruhi~ We want coffee!” said Tamaki.

“They’re just messing around, you know,” said Ayanokoji, chuckling softly but with intense maliciousness anyways. “That stuff won’t suit their taste at all.”

“Huh?” said Haruhi, surprised by her words.

“…” (Y/N)’s smile fell, and their gaze hardened.

“Oh, sorry.” Ayanokoji smiled. “I was talking to myself.”

“Aha.” Haruhi doubted that, and as she glanced at (Y/N), she saw that (Y/N) wasn’t fooled by Ayanokoji’s manners, either.

“Haruhi! Make us some of this commoner’s coffee!” said Tamaki again. “Everyone’s keen to try it!”

Haruhi sighed. “I’ll get hot water.”

“I’ll get some cups,” said (Y/N), smiling.

“At least you have my back,” said Haruhi. (Y/N) chuckled

While everyone watched with strange interest, Haruhi made the instant coffee, and cups were handed out to the curious guests and hosts.

“I won’t be responsible if they don’t like it,” said Haruhi decisively.

“I’m not sure…” said one guest.

“My dad will freak…” said another girl.

“Would you prefer to drink from my mouth?” flirted Tamaki.

“N-No, a cup’s fine,” said the girl, her face turning completely red.

Haruhi deadpanned.

“Doesn’t it seem wrong for Tamaki to drink such swill?” said one guest. “Doesn’t it, Ayanokoji?”

“Well, it’s all part of this new project of his. He thinks the last one went well, after all,” said Ayanokoji. “Though he may be overdoing it about.”

(Y/N)’s gaze flicked to Ayanokoji as they overhead her. “…” They didn’t like her view of Haruhi. Condescending rich people are the worst type.

“Very little taste,” said Kyoya, tasting the coffee. “The aftertaste is interesting, however.”

(Y/N) turned to him. “I’m surprised you tried it.”

“I could hardly trust Tamaki’s tastes. He raves about everything,” said Kyoya.

(Y/N) chuckled. “Very true.”

“You said you drink this every morning?” said Kyoya.

“With how late I stay up doing schoolwork? Yes,” said (Y/N). They were a scholarship student for a reason.

“I doubt this is helping your cognitive abilities,” said Kyoya. “I’ll have my driver drop off proper coffee at your home.” He returned to his notebook, not taking any arguments against it.

(Y/N) smiled. “If you insist, Kyoya.”

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