ｉ＇ｖｅ   ｍｅｔ   ｍｙ   ｍａｔｃｈ

『 your p.o.v 』

"So, all I have to do is play the piano and tend to any requests the hosts may have this evening and that's it?" I asked, Kyoya leading me over to the grand piano kept near the back of the large music room that is there beloved Host Club.

The handsome black-haired boy pushed up his glasses with his free hand while he used his other one to hold his large black book against his hip. "Precisely. Some of the girls might approach you and I'm sure Honey will find an excuse to somehow bring his appointments over to listen to you play so entertain them to the best of your abilities. If you happen to be a hit among our patrons," he paused as he offered me a small, almost sadistic in nature smile, "then we'll ask you to play more often for us."

"___-chan can also play some other instruments!" Mitsukuni called from the table where he's eating a large piece of cake, Usa-chan sitting on his lap while Takashi sit's down beside them, casually sipping coffee from his teacup while ignoring most of what's going on if it doesn't have something to do directly with Mitsukuni. "So if we decide to go with a different theme sometimes, we can ask her to maybe play something else to better match the concept we're going for."

Tamaki's interest was peaked by this as he looked to me with a sweet smile. "Princess, what other instruments are you capable of playing?" He asked, looking to me from over the back of the couch he's sitting on.

Sitting down on the piano bench, I lifted up the cover and gently ran my fingers over the keys, lightly enough that not a sound was heard. "My father is a world renown cellist so he taught me how to play the cello from a young age. My mother had taught me how to play the piano as well when I was young and so I strove to master the talent she gave me ever since. I also learned how to play the violin and viola once I had gotten to a high skill cap of playing on the cello. Now I'm currently working on learning how to play the harp, something my mother had always wanted me to learn how to play since she never had the time to do so herself." I responded easily, smiling some as I lightly press down on the 'A' key, the pitch ringing out and reverberating beautifully into the large music room. "Music has always been a big part of my life growing up so I hope my playing exceeds your expectations."

"Whatever you play, I'm sure it'll sound great ___," Haruhi said as he walked over and handed me a small saucer with a teacup resting on top of it.

"Why thank you." I said as I happily accepted his offer. "Do you play any instruments, Haruhi?"

One of the two twins leaning against the piano scoffed. "Haruhi's a commoner so of course he doesn't."

"Yeah," the other twin then spoke up, "he doesn't even know how to formally dance let alone play an instrument."

Haruhi rolled his large brown eyes as he stood beside me while I quietly sipped my freshly made tea. The Host Club should be opening within the next twenty minutes or so which is why we're all gathered around right now. Kyoya and Tamaki wanted to hear me play just once before they open their doors for their guests as to make sure that what Mitsukuni and Takashi had said about me playing well was actually true and not just something they made up in order to have Kyoya accept me volunteering my time here to their club. I can't blame them either. They're famous even outside of this school and the last thing they need is a horrible pianist playing and ruining their reputation.

"Look, just because I'm poor doesn't mean I couldn't have learned how to play an instrument. A lot of my friends back in middle school could play the piano and violin and the flute and a whole load of other instruments." Haruhi defended himself with an added shake of his head. "You rich people have no faith in the average working class."

I looked to Haruhi with a small smile. "Forgive me for not knowing what the typical schooling is for a commoner, but how exactly did students in your middle school learn these instruments?"

The feminine brunette standing beside me looked almost shocked by my question. "What, you actually want to know about commoner life?"

"Of course! It would be rude for me to just assume we've had the same experiences and I've always wondered how other people have learned how to play the same instruments as myself."

Haruhi laughed a bit at that as he looked to me with a newfound warmth behind his eyes. "Geez ___, you're the first rich person here who seems genuinely interested in learning about people who aren't rich."

My smile softened. "My mother came from a poor family and so she taught me the importance of always being humble and kind and considerate to everyone regardless of their social status. I don't see you or anyone else being a commoner necessarily a disadvantage, simply a different path of life we've walked down is all. Without the rich and without the working class and without the poor, the economy wouldn't be what it is today. Everyone does their shared parts to make the world go round after all."

With a nod of his head, Kyoya began to walk over to sit beside the blonde-headed prince of the Host Club on the couch a little ways away. "It looks like you've met your soulmate, Haruhi."

His eyes widened some. "What do you mean, Kyoya?" Haruhi asked as he looked to the black-haired boy.

We could only see the back of the glasses-wearing young man's head as he sat beside the president of the Host Club. "It would seem ___ thinks just as rationally as we do but the difference between her and I is that she's actually kind." He said simply. "Who would have thought we'd be introduced to someone so pure and untainted by the cruelties of this world through Honey and Mori's families of all connections."

I stared at Kyoya for a moment as I silently sipped the last of my small cup of tea. To think I haven't been touched by the cruelties of the world is simply untrue. For someone as intelligent as an Ootori son, I'm surprised he'd make a bold claim such as that with not a single fact to help back him up.

Laughing some, I handed my saucer with my cup placed atop it back to Haruhi. "Don't assume you know me, Kyoya. No one goes through this life without experiencing their own sets of hardships."

Everyone went quiet at my words as I began to play a soft melody on the piano. My fingers moved on their own accord as a song I had often heard my mother playing rung out into the quiet music room. Even the twins remained silent as they leaned over the piano some and watched as I played, enamored with my performance.

Closing my eyes, I continued to play even as the Host Club's guests began to come in through the large doors to the music room and the hosts had to leave to tend to said guests. Some questioned why I was there, other's happily wandered over to listen to me play as well, and just as Kyoya had guessed, Mitsukuni found multiple excuses to take the girls he was supposed to be entertaining over to the piano so he could watch me play more up close. Takashi and Tamaki did the same as well actually and even Kyoya himself did a couple of times upon his customer's requests to watch me play.

The first hour of me playing passed by and by that point, I was just about ready to give my fingers a short break. I went ahead and finished this last song before standing up and gently brushing off my school uniforms yellow dress. Though just as I was about to disappear to the side back room where it's off-limits for the guests to wander into, Kyoya called me over for us to have a short little chat.

"Your playing is truly remarkable." He complimented, the two of us standing more off to the side together as he looks through his large black book while I nurse a small mug of coffee Haruhi had made for me not even five minutes ago along with the drinks her customers had ordered. "The guests love it so I hope you don't mind playing for us more often."

I offered the youngest son of the Ootori family a gentle smile. "I would be honored to play for your guests whenever you ask me to do so. I was wondering though, when Mitsukuni brought up how you and the other hosts sometimes switch up themes, would I be required to change outfits as well since I am technically acting as a small part of the Host Club now?"

The black-haired boy thought for a moment as he continued to scan over the contents of his large black book. "Well, I would imagine so. It would be weird for you to stand out when you're more or less our personal volunteer musician."

"Volunteer musician," I repeated with a small laugh, "has quite the charming ring to it." I mused.

"Was that a bite of sarcasm I just heard coming from you miss ___?" Kyoya asked, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips now.

"Of course not. Sarcasm is not befitting of a lady." I said matter-of-factly despite my smile clearly betraying my words. "Anyways Kyoya, what is it you really took me aside to talk about?"

The black-haired boy looked to me curiously, his dark brownish-gray eyes meeting my own with a new glint to them. "What? You think I didn't just want to compliment you on your playing capabilities?" He asked as if I'm the one acting out a character here.

Smiling, I took another small sip of my coffee. "You really should drop this little act of yours when you're around me and just me alone, Kyoya. It's clear to see you're trying to win me over and I'd rather you be your true self when it's just the two of us than you playing it up for appearance's sake. As long as no one can hear us, you can speak freely. I won't go telling my father to cut ties with yours anytime soon because of something you say to me." I reassured as I looked out to the Host Club, many of the girls scattered about talking to the hosts looking positively overjoyed at all the attention they're receiving. "My personal life stays out of the family business."

"Isn't it rather you who is putting on an act, ___?" Kyoya asked in return. "That little speech about how commoners and the poor matter to the economy was only said to make you look better in front of everyone, was it not?"

Flicking my eyes to the black-haired young man, I smiled just the smallest of smiles. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I meant what I said and wasn't trying to win anyone over with how I truly view the world. Maybe it's you who should take a step back and learn to better read people instead of always trying to perfect your own little act. Now if you'll excuse me Kyoya, I wish to grab myself a small piece of cake before I continue to play." I said though I paused after taking a few steps away from the handsome young host. "Ah, do you have any requests for what songs you want me to play next this evening?" I asked as I glanced to him from over my shoulder.

Kyoya met my gaze head-on, the two of us still trying to figure the other out to some extent. We play very similar games here though for entirely different reasons, I'm sure, so it's interesting interacting with him like this. I never would have thought I'd ever meet my match at a high school Host Club of all places. "How about you perform Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata second and third movements as well as Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major to start off with? I'm sure some of our guests will have requests for you not long after you finish with those short pieces so you should be busy for the rest of your time here this evening."

Nodding, I turned back around. "Alright. I'll play to the best of my abilities in order to impress your guests. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and grab a quick slice of cake while I'm on my break."

Disappearing into the side room, I closed the large double doors behind me as softly as I could manage as to not disturb the hosts and their guests in the other room. Leaning my back against the doors, I sighed. Who would have imagined being around seven handsome young men would be so stressful?

Walking over to a table laid out with a variety of sweets, I grabbed a piece of chocolate cake Mitsukuni had said I should try the next time I had the chance to do so and so I sat down with a fork in hand and the plate of chocolate cake sitting idly in front of me.

Just as Mitsukuni had said, the cake was absolutely amazing, though it did taste different from what I've grown accustomed to tasting since I lived in France for so long. Still, I can see why he's such a fan of Japanese desserts. Their cakes have a very unique taste to them. Now if only Takashi would grow to at least enjoy sweet things. I don't think in all the years I've known him and Mitsukuni I've ever once seen him eat a single slice of cake.

Takashi truly is an interesting character...

Slipping inside the side room about ten minutes after I had disappeared in here was just one of the twins. I looked to him and offered him a small smile. "Which one are you, Hikaru or Kaoru? I've never seen one of you without the other so I haven't had a chance to become acquainted with either of you by yourselves just yet."

"Take a wild guess." He said, plopping down in the seat beside me as he pulled a single slice of cake closer to himself for him to munch on now. "You got a fifty-fifty shot at being right or wrong, however you want to look at it."

"I have not a single idea considering I met you both just yesterday so, I'm going to guess that you're, um..." I stared at this twin for a moment, his hair parted to the right but like that would clue me into which twin this is. Part of me even feels a little bad for not being able to guess correctly without any trouble. I'd hate to always be mixed up with my sibling. "I know I'm wrong but I'm going to guess that you're Kaoru."

"Er, wrong." The auburn-haired twin said with a mischevious grin gracing his features. "But how did you know you were wrong in the first place? It's not like you could have known I'm Hikaru."

I couldn't help but laugh a bit as he stuffed his face with a large fork full of cake. "I usually lose at these types of games so I just assumed I would be wrong again like I usually am." I said honestly. "But one day I hope I can tell you two apart without any trouble. It feels rude to mix you both up like this considering you are your own person after all."

"Don't beat yourself up if you never get there. The only two people who've ever gotten close to figuring us out is the boss and Haruhi, but they both still haven't gotten a hundred-percent track record just yet."

"Still, I'll try to get it soon to at the very least put my own mind at ease."

Hikaru chuckled. "If you can figure out which one of us is Hikaru and which one of us is Kaoru within one months time, I'll personally take you out on a date." he said, that mischevious grin once again dancing across his lips and he truly does look like the Cheshire Cat.

Shaking my head, I couldn't help but giggle some. "As enticing as a date with you sounds, I'll have to pass you up on that offer. I'll still try to differentiate between the two of you within a months time, but I won't ask for anything in return if I succeed."

Blinking a few times, the warm honey brown-eyed twin looked to me with a blank expression. "You don't want anything?" He asked, once again confused by my answer. "You'd just do this because you want to?"

Slowly, I nodded. "Is that so weird to want to be nice? I don't think it's particularly rude to not be able to tell you two apart if it's just simply that hard, but I at least want to try. Wouldn't you want for someone to be able to tell you apart from Kaoru, Hikaru?"

"Eh, it's not that important to me if anyone can tell us apart. As long as I know I'm Hikaru and he knows he's Kaoru, we don't need anyone else to tell us apart. We have each other," he paused as he placed his fork down onto his empty plate, "that's good enough for us."

"If you say so. Hey, it's about time we head back out there before some of your beloved guests begin to think we're fooling around back here." I said with a small laugh, pushing my chair back and grabbing our dirty plates to put in the small sink near the back of the room. "You head out first Hikaru. I'll be returning to the piano when I leave and Kyoya gave me some requests to play before I begin taking requests from the ladies so feel free to bring up the girls you and Kaoru are entertaining to make their own requests when I look to you, alright? It'll help me out with not running out of songs to play."

Hikaru stood up and nodded some. "Alright. Are you going to play River Flows in You by Yiruma?" He asked just as his hand landed on the handle to one of the large doors.

"Moonlight Sonata's second and third movements along with Noctune in E flat major is what's on my list right now, but I can add that too if you'd like?"

"Then make that a request from me. After that song I'll bring up mine and Kaoru's guests."

Smiling, I offered him a small wave as he left the back room, leaving me alone to wash our dishes as to not let them pile up along with all the other dishes the Host Club has already used this evening.

Soon enough, my first day "performing" at Ouran Academy's very own Host Club came to an end. I spoke with some of the guests between songs and even played a duet with Tamaki upon Haruhi's request to hear one. It was a very fun and fulfilling way to end my day after sitting through a multitude of boring lectures over this and that. I love being able to bring joy to others through music. Even if I get nothing more out of it than seeing the Host Club's guests with a smile on their faces, that's enough for me. I'm glad I could make their experience at the place Mitsukuni and Takashi love so much just a little more enjoyable.

Wrapping his arms around my waist just as I was grabbing my bag, Mitsukuni held me close to his chest despite me being taller. "___-chan! Are you leaving so soon? We just closed up and I was really hoping I could eat some cake with you and Takashi before we all go home."

"It would be nice to get to know you more personally, princess." Tamaki tacked on as he walked over to stand beside the short and cute blonde-headed boy. "If it wouldn't trouble you any princess, why not stay a little longer? I think it's safe to say we're all a little curious to hear about what Honey and Mori were like when they were kids."

Prying Mitsukuni's strong arms from around my waist, I took a step back as to keep some distance between my fiancé and I knowing well enough that if I don't, he'll just grab me again and this time really not let me go. "I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow afternoon we can spend some time together. I have to clean my rabbit's cage tonight and also go grocery shopping since I ran out of food after dinner yesterday..." My voice trailed off as I sighed. "Sorry for having to leave so suddenly like this, but I really enjoyed playing here and can't wait to do it again tomorrow evening so thank you again for letting me perform at your club Tamaki."

Haruhi walked up to our small, slowly forming group as Mitsukuni hugged Usa-chan a little tighter to his chest. "You have to go grocery shopping?" The brunette asked

I nodded. "Yes. I cook my own meals and ran out of ingredients for the beef stew I was hoping to make myself for dinner tonight."

"Why cook for yourself when your estate has chefs for that?" Tamaki asked with slightly knitted brows.

My gentle smile faltered some. "I actually live alone on my father's second estate currently so I have no maids, no cooks, and no other staff members living there with me."

This caught Kyoya's and the twin's attention now, the three of them along with Takashi all coming to stand in front of me along with the other Host Club members. "Is it safe for you to be all alone in that large mansion by yourself?" One of the twins asked. "I doubt it's safe." The other tacked on.

"I'm sure she's more than capable of taking care of herself, isn't that right ___?" Kyoya asked.

He's trying to give me an out here.

"Of course I am. If someone was to break in, I have Mitsukuni on speed dial and he'd fight off anyone that came to harm me!" I reassured. "So don't worry so much about me everyone. I take a taxi to and from school and I've learned how to get around a market pretty well since I started living alone so I'll be fine."

"At least let me go with you to the market so you don't go buying something weird like Tamaki always does." Haruhi said, already walking off to go find his bag.

My eyes widened some at that. "I-It's alright Haruhi! I need to be going now anyway so I'll see you all tomorrow." I said with a slight bow. "I'll be off now. I'll message Mitsukuni if something goes wrong so please, stop looking to me with such worry behind your eyes." I then said as I glanced between Tamaki, Hikaru, Kaoru, Haruhi, and Mitsukuni, the only two not outwardly appearing to be worried for me being Kyoya and Takashi. "There's nothing to worry about,"  I reassured once more.

Making my way out of the music room and down the hallway, I sighed. I can't deny that returning to a large and empty mansion by myself isn't a little unsettling, but, I'm confident nothing bad will happen. Mom always said that good fortune comes to those who do good in this world without ever once expecting something in return. I've always lived by that way of thinking so I'll be fine staying yet another night home alone in my father's large mansion.

Watching Ouran Academy's school grounds disappear from my sights as I take the taxi to the large night market near my home, I couldn't help but glance down some to where my hands rest on my lap over the soft material of my yellow uniform dress. I don't know why, but I actually feel a little bad telling those seven about my current living situation. They're only going to worry about me now so maybe I shouldn't have told them anything and just made up some lame excuse instead...

Well, what's done is done so there's no point in stressing over all of that now- I have some grocery shopping to do tonight!

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I'm excited for this fanfic and immediately got to writing the next chapter instead of doing any of my homework and I'm not yet regretting life decisions so I might start writing chapter three next lmao I never learn

Question of the Chapter: Who are you hoping the protagonist grows close to first? Because of her personality, I feel like she'll initially grow close to either Kyoya, Haruhi, or Honey lol but I mean the twins, Tamaki, and Mori are all fair game so who knows what'll happen xD

This protagonist reminds me a lot of Tamaki and Kyoya combined which is really weird to think about, right? I dunno but she's nice and thoughtful like Tamaki because of her mother but also very analytical and logical in the way she thinks which is very much like Kyoya so it's weird to see her existing with the two of them right there as possible love interests xD Also lowkey she has to go to a commoners market to buy her grocery's and it's so cute how everyone's concerned with her going there and then going to an empty home since that's just not normal for rich people- even Haruhi didn't want her to just go and buy stupid stuff lmao this protagonist is definitely fun to write for.~ (i wouldn't feel safe in a large mansion by myself tho so this protagonist is 1000% braver than me oml)

As always everyone, I love each and every last one of you lovely cuties and thanks so much for taking the time to read this chapter <3 It means the world to me to have you all read my stories and I hope to see you return for the next chapter ^^

~ ｋａｔ ♡