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Lavender for Royalty; Sage for Wisdom (Book 1) Chapter Ten

Kyoya Ootori x Reader

Chapter Ten: Carnation for Fascination

Summary: The Host Club meets the Zuka Club. Mortal enemies are made

“(Y/N), you look so chivalrous!” said their current guest, a heavy blush on her cheeks.

“I need to be prepared to protect you, my lady,” said (Y/N). Today, the theme was “knights,” so they had on (well-made) prop armor. “After all, it’s my duty and my honor.” They smiled and gave a bow.

The girl nearly fainted back into her friend’s arms.

“Ah, princess, even if this world ends, I wish to be your knight, protecting you with my life,” declared Tamaki, kissing the back of his guest’s hand.

“Oh, Tamaki!” sighed the girls.

“Is that so?” Tamaki looked over at where a girl sipping tea looked up. “But isn’t ‘to protect with my life’ a selfish vow? Do you think the girl left behind would be happy?”

The hosts glanced at each other, surprised. That was an unexpected reaction.

“It can’t be helped, Miss Suzuran,” said a second girl, sitting across from Suzuran. “Men are lowly creatures who value their pride above all. They can’t even protect themselves, yet they believe women owe them for something.”

(Y/N) covered their mouth to prevent a chuckle. A bit harsh, but I have met a lot of men like that…

“Hinagiku, quite well put,” said Suzuran.

“That’s a rather strict view.” Tamaki still had a pleasant smile as he walked towards them, happy and ready to give them a nice time at the Host Club. “What kind of vow would you prefer?”

“Well, I would never leave her alone.” The doors of the host club opened, and Haruhi, accompanied by a taller speaker—wow, pretty, thought (Y/N) (they were right, weren’t they?)—entered the room. “If we fight, we fight together. If fate decrees, let’s die in each other’s arms.” The girl knelt and kissed Haruhi’s hand.

Haruhi, bless her soul, just looked a bit confused, but every other girls’ face erupted into a blush at the romantic declaration.

“What?!” cried Tamaki, instantly upset at someone being so forward with Haruhi.

“You’re late, Benibara,” said Hinagiku, happy to see her.

“What a troublemaker you are,” said Suzuran, tutting and shaking her head. “And where’d you find someone so cute?”

“Walking outside,” said Benibara. “Even with her disguise, I knew right away. Look at these bright eyes.”

“Her skin is flawless!” said Hinagiku, patting Haruhi’s cheeks.

“Really, such potential,” agreed Suzuran. “She’ll shine when polished.”

“Wait! You’re mistaken, this is definitely a guy!” said Tamaki hurriedly.

“Hands off, lowlife!” said Benibara before Tamaki could come close. He collapsed in fear.

“Senpai—” Haruhi held out a hand to ask for help (Listen, being fawned over by pretty girls was some people’s dreams, but Haruhi didn’t need the attention. Really. Her dad and Tamaki were annoying enough).

“Ladies,” said (Y/N), stepping up with a smile. “I think Haruhi would like her personal space—” As they spoke, they took Haruhi’s hand and pulled her toward them.

The instant Benibara’s eyes landed on (Y/N), they widened. “Beautiful,” said Benibara, stepping forward. She tipped (Y/N)’s chin up and leaned towards them. “Utterly beautiful. Such a pity you’re dressing up as silly men.”

“I’m not a girl…” said (Y/N), sweat-dropping. If this was the direction it was going, they were going to have a terrible time. They weren’t a girl or a boy. They were (Y/N).

“You’re beautiful nonetheless,” said Benibara. “And you would look divine in a dress, if I may say so.”

Oh. Oh, she’s good. Oh, no. (Y/N) fumbled for their words. They were used to flirting more, not someone else flirting with them.

The sharp sound of a notebook closing drew all eyes. Kyoya was standing stiffly at the window, and he smiled coldly with his eyes closed. “You’re not from Ouran, so I shall excuse your rudeness once. Do not touch our hosts without their explicit consent.”

“Not from Ouran?!” said Tamaki. “Who are they?”

“We are from the esteem Saint Lobelia Institute,” said Benibara. She ripped off the male Ouran uniform to reveal her red and white Lobelia uniform. “Second year, Benio Amakusa.”

Suzuran pulled off the yellow Ouran dress to reveal her true uniform. “Second year, Chizuru Maihara.”

“First year, Hinako Tsuwabuki,” said Hinagiku.

“We’re the Saint Lobelia Women’s Institute’s White Lily Club,” said the three together. “Otherwise known as the Zuka Club!”

“Zuka Club?!” exclaimed all the Ouran students.

“A WLW Host Club?” (Y/N) paused and considered. “Yeah, who wouldn’t want that?”

“Senpai?” Haruhi sweat-dropped.

(Y/N) shrugged in answer.

A dark cloud was beginning to swirl around Kyoya’s head, and Haruhi looked between him and (Y/N) nervously. Oh boy…, she thought. She wasn’t entirely sure what Kyoya and (Y/N)’s deal was—though she had suspicions—but that didn’t look good for this incident…

l

The cloud of annoyance around the Shadow King’s aura didn’t let up through the rest of the day with the Host Club. The Zuka Club refused to leave, so the Host Club had to continue their duties while their guests kept being stolen by the three women, which was getting on all of their nerves. Furthermore, they kept bothering Haruhi and (Y/N)—or, really, complimenting Haruhi and flirting with (Y/N)—which was frustrating Tamaki and Kyoya greatly. By the time the Host Club was over and they were changed back into uniforms, they were all ready for the Zuka Club to leave.

“A woman’s beauty lies in a pure mind, unyielding to superficial beauty, power, or lust,” said Suzuran.

“ ‘Because you’re female,’ ‘even though you’re female…’ ” Hinagiku tsked. “I am disgusted by men’s discrimination against women.”

“We desire relationships with equality of heart and soul,” said Benibara. “Even romantic relationships.” She looked at (Y/N) and smiled at the mention of romance.

“Seriously, just go home,” said Kaoru and Hikaru, rolling their eyes. They were bored with the Zuka Club already.

“It seems you have no words for our divine love,” said Hinagiku.

“Don’t pick on them, Hinagiku,” said Suzuran. She smiled. “They’re just baffled that their host club skills have no effect on us.”

“Actually, we don’t mind,” said (Y/N). “There are lesbian students at Ouran who aren’t effected and don’t come.” They shrugged.

“Unaffected even by you?” Benibara hummed and tucked a piece of hair behind (Y/N)’s ear. “I sincerely doubt it, Carnation.”

White Lily Club sticks to their flowers, I guess. (Y/N) stepped back a little. It was flattering ((Y/N) understood why Benibara was so popular at Lobelia) but they weren’t interested in her.

Benibara didn’t notice their movement and faced the Host Club. “I don’t care if you’re president is half-European or something. Using your superficial looks to spread false love and play with the pure hearts of women is completely unacceptable! Indulging your greed in the name of ‘club activities.’ ” She tsked. “And indulging delicate flowers such as they?!” She gestured at Haruhi, who looked confused, and (Y/N), who sighed. “Unforgivable! I swear to you, I will have the Host Club disbanded immediately!”

“…(Y/N), are all rich people this weird?” said Haruhi.

“The Zuka Club seems like a women-run Host Club, basically, so I think it might just be them,” said (Y/N).

“Oh, great, I’m involved with the weird people,” sighed Haruhi.

(Y/N) chuckled.

“I understand your intent,” said Kyoya coldly. “But since our president is out cold from the culture shock—”

“Of lesbians?” said (Y/N).

“I think from them flirting with you,” said Haruhi.

“And complimenting you,” said (Y/N). That would do it.

“—can you come back later?” Kyoya wanted them out before he cracked.

“Tamaki is a sleepyhead right now!” said Honey while Mori put a blanket over Tamaki on the couch.

“A sleeping boy is a growing boy!” said the twins.

“Then slap him awake! Don’t take me lightly!” Benibara gritted her teeth.

“How about we all calm down?” said (Y/N), putting on their pleasant hosting smile. “Here, everyone, have some coffee.”

“Thank you, how kind you are!” Benibara’s hand rested on (Y/N)’s shoulder, and she kissed their cheek.

“O-Oh, you’re welcome,” said (Y/N), surprised again by Benibara’s forwardness. Is this how our guests feel? No. They know what they’re coming in for.

“A rose among thorns,” said Suzuran, taking (Y/N)’s hand gracefully. “I believe you were right, Benibara. Vibrant as a carnation.”

“Let’s have a tea party just the five of us!” Hinagiku took Haruhi’s arm excitedly.

“Hey!” Tamaki leapt up from the couch at that touch. He grabbed Haruhi and (Y/N) and dragged them away from the girls. “You guys are all wrong! Haruhi and (Y/N) are in our club because they chose to be!”

“I’m not,” said Haruhi, deadpanning.

“Not the time,” winced (Y/N).

“And what could you guys give them that we couldn’t—yow!” Tamaki jumped as Hinagiku “spilled” (dumped) her coffee on his hand. “Hot, hot!” Honey ran over to blow on his hand as he pouted, and Mori grabbed water.

“They hardly seem worth talking to,” said Benibara, distastefully.

You’re all weird, thought (Y/N) and Haruhi, exchanging glances. Rich people were always weird.

“I’ve decided!” said Benibara. She pulled (Y/N) to her, and (Y/N)’s eyes widened. “I cannot keep these beautiful flowers at this club, knowing its current state! I will start the transfer process immediately and welcome them into the Zuka Club!”

“Wait a second!” said Haruhi quickly, pulling (Y/N) away from Benibara. “There seems to be some misunderstanding, like the idea of the Host Club having a shallow history.”

“It is,” said Kaoru. “It’s only been around for two years.”

“The boss created it when he started high school,” said Hikaru, shrugging.

Haruhi sweat-dropped but continued. “And I’ve never heard of Tamaki being half-European.”

“No, Tamaki is half-European,” said Honey brightly. “His parents are French and Japanese.”

Haruhi deflated some more. “And, uh, the Host Club isn’t greedy, but it’s not like we’re taking fees from customers.”

“It’s more like a point system based on the amount that the girls by from our auction sit,” said Kyoya. “Look, Haruhi, your used mechanical pencil has gone for 41,000 yen.”

“What?! I thought I’d lost that pencil!” Now Haruhi was pissed at the Host Club (not that (Y/N) could blame her). “I never heard any of this! I didn’t know we were taking money!”

“Did you think we were providing this service for free?” said Kyoya. “We have event fees, costume fees, the customer’s beverages, etc. The profit is virtually nonexistent. 99% goes towards operations.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to sell people’s belongings!” said Haruhi. “Thieves!”

“It’s not stealing. We found it on the ground,” said the twins. (Y/N) whacked them upside the head, and they groaned. “Ow, senpai!”

“(Y/N), say something to him!” said Haruhi, gesturing at Kyoya.

(Y/N) shrugged. “I thought you knew.”

Haruhi groaned and looked at the computer. “And why is there nothing of yours on here?!”

“There is. It’s rare, so it sells for more.” (Y/N) smiled. “Scarcity raises prices.”

“And so Kyoya doesn’t steal your stuff because of that?!” said Haruhi.

Well, truthfully, Kyoya hadn’t realized he didn’t sell (Y/N)’s belongings as often as the other hosts. He had chalked it up to raising prices as they said and to the fact they were a commoner, but now that he had identified his…preference (feelings is such a scary word) for them, Kyoya was seeing his favoritism far more clearly. Ah, well. He wasn’t changing now.

“I’m sorry, Haruhi! We weren’t hiding it from you!” Tamaki hugged her. “Here! I’ll give you my pencil! It has Teddy on it!”

“I don’t want it,” said Haruhi, rolling her eyes.

“And I will reveal the secret of my birth!” said Tamaki.

“That’s one revelation I really don’t care about,” said Haruhi. “You are so obsessed by Japanese society, I never thought you had mixed heritage.”

“Poor things, so taken advantage of by these hosts,” said Suzuran.

Benibara threw Tamaki to the side so she and the Zuka Club could console Haruhi and (Y/N) for the loss of their belongings (ignoring the fact (Y/N) wasn’t bothered).

“Dump these scoundrels and come with us!” said Hinagiku.

“Wait, Hingiku, these flowers are still in shock,” said Benibara. “We’ll come back tomorrow.” She raised (Y/N)’s hand and kissed the back. “We hope to receive a good answer.” The Zuka Club walked out the door, leaving the Host Club on its own.

They all looked nervously at Haruhi. She glared at them, and they winced.

“I’ll take my leave for today,” she said, walking out the door.

Yikes… thought the Host Club.

“Waaaah!” cried Tamaki. “Telling her the truth was like throwing gas on a fire!”

“The truth is the truth,” said Kyoya. “And that’s that.”

(Y/N) crossed their arms, unimpressed. “You should have told her earlier.”

“Perhaps,” said Kyoya. Currently, he was too busy thinking of how to ensure (Y/N) didn’t leave. He didn’t think they would, but he was to eliminate any possibility.

“We probably shouldn’t have sold that mechanical pencil…” said Honey.

“It could have been from her mother,” said Hikaru.

“No, it had an electronics store logo on it,” said Kaoru. “It was a giveaway.”

“…(Y/N)?” said Honey. “Are you mad? Are you going to leave?”

“Why would I leave?” said (Y/N).

“We made Haruhi mad…” said Honey.

“And you do like girls,” said the twins.

(Y/N) deadpanned and looked at the hosts. “You guys think that after doing all this work to get into Ouran and choosing to join the Host Club I’d just leave?” They chuckled. “No. I’m not leaving.”

The hosts relaxed, and Kyoya straightened. The was good. It meant he didn’t have to blackmail Lobelia and Ouran into not letting (Y/N) transfer.

“But what about Haruhi?” said Tamaki. He sighed. “Haruhi acts indifferent. But she prefers male clothing. And she likes girls fawning over her. Maybe…Maybe she’d rather be in the Zuka Club.”

“Haruhi’s going to transfer?!” cried Honey. He grabbed (Y/N)’s uniform. “You have to stop her!”

“It’s her decision,” said (Y/N). They doubted Haruhi would, but she was a smart person and determined, so…it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

“What can we do?!” said the twins, panicked. “With her brains, Haruhi will have no problem passing the scholarship exam!”

“Lobelia may even be willing to take care of her debt to the Host Club,” said Kyoya casually, causing Tamaki to flail in panic.

“Calm down, everyone, and listen to me!” Tamaki looked at everyone with determination. “I have a great plan!”

l

“Everyone ready?” said Tamaki. “Haruhi and the Zuka Club are approaching!”

“Yes!” said the hosts.

The doors of the Host Club opened, and Haruhi and the Zuka Club’s jaw’s dropped. The hosts were dressed as women. Mori, Kyoya, and Tamaki were still wearing suits, but the makeup made their features more feminine—like how Benibara looked when she wore the Ouran man’s uniform. Kaoru, Hikaru, and Honey wore dresses and wigs to appear more feminine. (Y/N) looked the most like themself just in a deep blue dress like the color of Ouran’s uniforms with green and white stitching across the bodice.

“Welcome,” greeted the hosts.

The Zuka Club stared. “What…?”

“Haruhi, welcome,” said the Hitachiin twins, smiling.

“Haruhi, Haruhi, I’m a princess!” said Honey excitedly. “Does it suit me?”

“What is the meaning of this?!” said Benibara. “Do you mean to insult us?!”

“Insult? Absolutely not!” said Tamaki. “This is all according to plan! The ‘Two Tastes in One’ plan!”

Haruhi deadpanned and looked at (Y/N). They shrugged and smiled. They were having fun.

“Haruhi may be attracted to the Zuka Club, yes, but if she chooses her club, she’ll have brothers and sisters and siblings of all kinds!” declared Tamaki. “She can enjoy a Zuka Club atmosphere while at the Host Club!”

“Haruhi, look! Aren’t we pretty?” said Tamaki excitedly.

“How’s this, Haruhi?” said Hikaru, smiling. “We’re the Hitachiin sisters!”

“Who’s more beautiful, your dad or us? Just kidding!” said Kaoru.

“Haru, Haru, you can call me ‘Big Sis!’ ” said Honey, grinning.

“My lady,” said (Y/N), jokingly bowing.

“How dare you try to fool these flowers with a simple drag act!” said Benibara. “Cease this idiotic—”

“Ha!” Haruhi covered her mouth and doubled over. “I knew you guys were silly…but…” Her shoulders shook as she uncontrollably laughed. “This is the limit! It’s so illogical!”

“Is it that funny?” teased those in dresses, and Haruhi exploded into laughter again. Tamaki stared at her expression, his gaze softening. (Y/N) smiled.

“Young lady?” said Benibara.

Haruhi stood and smiled at her. “I’m sorry. It takes all kinds, and I think you guys are doing something interesting, but I have a dream I want to fulfill. That’s why I came to Ouran. I never had any intention of leaving.”

Honey and Tamaki grinned happily (Tamaki cried tears of happiness). The twins deadpanned and looked at one another in their dresses. Mori nodded in satisfaction. Kyoya began tallying the costs of makeup and outfits dejectedly. (Y/N) just smiled softly.

“But if you never meant to leave, why’d you get all upset yesterday?!” cried Tamaki.

“You sold my belongings! Of course I was mad.” Haruhi rolled her eyes. “Besides, I had to get to the supermarket for a sale.”

“Of course,” said (Y/N), shaking their head and chuckling.”

“Carnation?” said Benibara, approaching (Y/N). “You look so beautiful. At the Zuka Club, you could dress like this whenever you desired.”

Kyoya looked up from his notebook and narrowed his eyes.

(Y/N) smiled. “I know. But I can dress however I want already. I choose to dress masculine. Besides—” they looked at the other hosts “—these are my friends. Ouran is where I’ve made a place for myself. I appreciate your offer, but I’m not leaving.”

“Very well.” Benibara kissed the back of (Y/N)’s hand gallantly. “We shall accept both of your decisions for now.”

For now? Haruhi and (Y/N) sighed.

“But we’re not giving up, flowers!” declared Benibara. “I swear to you, I will rescue you and destroy the Host Club.” She turned and walked out of Music Room 3 with Suzuran and Hinagiku.

“We have rivals. Interesting,” said (Y/N).

“Troublesome,” sighed Haruhi.

“Haru, Haruhi, call me ‘Big Sis’ just once! Please? Please? Don’t I look cute!” said Honey, jumping onto her back.

“Yeah, for all the trouble we went to, you should at least compliment us,” said the twins, putting their hands on their hips.

Haruhi doubled over laughing again at their expressions, and the three grinned as they teased.

(Y/N) watched in fond amusement.

“(Y/N),” said Kyoya.

They looked at him. “Yes, Kyoya?”

“If you did wish to wear more feminine clothing on occasion, I would incorporate it into the costume plans,” said Kyoya. “The guests would enjoy it either way.” He would enjoy it either way. He liked (Y/N) in whatever form they chose to present.

(Y/N) smiled. “Thank you, Kyoya. I appreciate that.”

“Of course.” Anything for them. Kyoya wanted them to stay. He wanted them to remain by his side for as long as possible. Forever.

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