The Overflow

Chapter 19

Fake Coffee and Slippery Bananas

The classroom is spacious and modern, with large windows that let in natural light and provide a view of the campus grounds. The desks are arranged in neat rows, each with a comfortable chair. The front of the room is dominated by a large, white chalkboard, where the teacher writes the day's lesson plan. The walls are painted a pale yellow, and a few colorful charts and diagrams hang on the wall to aid in the learning process. Haruhi and I are speaking before catching wind of our classmates Hina and Kozue. "I can't believe they cancelled all the classes today, It's like we're in the middle of an apocalypse or something." Hina says, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "I know, right?" Kozue replies, shaking her head. "It's like they don't care about our education at all. We can't just have a random day off like this."

"Huh? So, all afternoon classes have been canceled?" Haruhi questioned. "You mean no one told you? It's going to be crazy around here for the next two days." I informed the female. "Crazier than normal?" Haruhi asked, I rather gently nodded my head instead of a verbal approach. "Yeah," Hina confirms, nodding. "Apparently, the school Ouran is hosting an exposition for cultural clubs. Drama and choir clubs from a bunch of other schools have been invited." The girl spoke. The halls of the academy are surprisingly empty as the group walks through them. The normally bustling corridors are desolate, as most of the students have either gone home for the day or gone to study at the library. As they walk, their footsteps echo through the halls, the sound bouncing off the bare walls and tile floors. They pass several abandoned classrooms, their doors closed and their lights out, creating an eerie atmosphere. As they approach the club room, they can hear loud music playing from inside. The twins swing the door open, and we're greeted by the sight of the rest of the club members partying. Music is blasting from a hidden stereo, and several of the Hosts are dancing and singing along. Honey is giggling and dancing with Usa-chan, and Mori is quietly observing the chaos with a small smile on his face.

In another part of the room, Tamaki was seen making a fuss once again. As the twins tried to convince our own self-proclaimed manager to indulge in trying our coffee. Tamaki is standing in front of club manager Renge, a pleading expression on his face. "Please, just try the instant coffee," he urges, holding out a cup of the offending beverage. "I guarantee you'll love it." Renge regards the instant coffee skeptically, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "I don't know, Tamaki," she says, shaking her head. "You probably never even tried it have you?" The twins say simultaneously. "What?! You've never drunk it before? It's like the favorite drink for everyone in the Host Club right now... Hikaru says before letting his brother continue. "so, as the manager, you have to drink it, too." Kaoru said, forcing her to take the cup. Renge hesitates for a moment before reluctantly taking the cup of instant coffee from Kaoru's outstretched hand. "I-I don't know what instant coffee is. Unless it's another name for the bean one." The girl says scaredly.

"It's completely different. There's not a single trace of beans in instant coffee. You just boil the powder with hot water and drink it like that. Truly an amazing creation." Hikaru says, trying to convince the girl. "It's been around for years. It's nothing new." I informed the boys as their mouths dropped open in disbelief. "Fine," she says, taking a small sip. Her expression immediately contorts in disgust as she swallows the bitter liquid. "Ugh! That's absolutely revolting." she insults. "Because, even though it's coffee, it's not strong at all." Kaoru informed the girl. His brother circles the girl before speaking. "But you get addicted to it for some reason,"Hikaru said. Renge, still grimacing from the taste of the instant coffee, tries to explain why she thinks it's so terrible. "It doesn't have the same depth of flavor as freshly brewed coffee," she says. I completely agree. "It's just a cheap imitation; that's why I prefer the real stuff." I declare as Kyoya hands me a cup of actual coffee. "Thank you." I whispered. Renge goes on a little bit of a rant. "Just dissolve all those delicious oils and flavors in hot water and call it coffee. Not to mention the bitter undertone that makes it even worse." The girl complains about giving the cup back to the twins.