Strings Attached [Tamaki x Reader]

Chapter 1 ~ The Music Room

"Well, thank you for showing me around, Houshakuji, maybe I'll stop by the club-" I said, lying through my teeth. I took a breath before finishing my thought, but she interrupted me,

"Oh please, call me Renge!" Her eyes were wide. I almost felt bad for wanting to leave her. Key word: almost.

"Okay... Renge... I think I want to go back to the literature club. I never even got to ask where they meet..."

A flash of disappointment flooded Renge's face as she looked down to the cobblestone beneath her feet, but she quickly regained her composure and looked back up to me. She smiled, "they meet in music room 3!" she said, suspiciously quickly, "I'll see you around, Y/N!"

     With that she darted off, running toward the collection of boys on the stage. I shook my head and returned to my mom. A host club in a school. Unbelievable. And they even seemed to have a prince, the blonde one. Of course, the host club had formed a monarchy. I could only imagine the other culture shocks I would have as I spent more time around these people. All of them being nothing like me. By the time I found my mom, the literature club had left their stand to partake in other activities, so I never got a chance to speak to them. I made a mental note about what Renge said. Music room 3.

     Finally, my first day at Ouran Academy had arrived. My mom and I took the subway together, both thrilled about the new chapter of our lives. She even pulled out her old camera to take pictures of me in the yellow dress on the front step of our house, as if it was my first ever day of public school again. I didn't mind, seeing her this happy was worth all of the poses she made me do. Once we arrived we had to part ways, I guess the lower ranked staff had to use a different door than the students. I walked up the same stone pathway from the day before, but this time instead of the garden being filled with parents and clubs, there was an elaborate flower display on either side of the walkway. Girls in pastel yellow dresses and boys wearing periwinkle suits flooded in. I held onto the strap of my bag and walked towards the stairs, wondering if it was obvious that I didn't belong here.

     In the main hallway I was greeted by tall, vaulted ceilings. They were covered in detailed paintings and even a chandelier. Black marble pillars contrasted the light pink wainscotting on the walls, along with multiple grand staircases. They should really start including maps in buildings like this. It felt like I was in a museum in France. I looked around, searching for one of the literature club girls. I figured if I was going to have to go through the embarrassment of being lost, one of my new club members would be as good of an option as anyone to ask for help. Plus, joining during the second term already put be at a disadvantage for making friends, so talking to a clubmate was probably my best bet. As I looked around a familiar voice appeared behind me.

"Y/N! You made it!" Renge exclaimed.

She wasn't who I was hoping for, but she was a second year, so she would know her way around. I couldn't help but smile at her. Despite how annoying I found her voice to be, I found comfort in having at least one potential friend.

"Renge! Do you know where any of these rooms are?" I held out my paper schedule to her. She immediately took it and started looking it over. I hadn't even noticed the boy she was standing with. I turned to him and introduced myself.

"Ah, yes, Y/N L/N, the newest commoner at Ouran Academy, daughter of our newest maid." He said, practically monotone. He adjusted his glasses and looked down at me slyly. His eyes travelled my entire body, like he was investigating me. How did this guy know who I was already? I didn't remember explaining my financial situation to Renge, was it that obvious that I was a commoner? Maybe he was trying to get a reaction out of me? Well, I certainly wouldn't give it to him.

"I'm flattered. You've done your research." I smirked.

     He let out a small chuckle before introducing himself as Kyoya Ootori of the Ootori group. Stating a family company wasn't something I was previously familiar with, but I assumed it would be common here. I figured I could ask Renge more about this guy later, specifically how he manages to know so much about people before meeting them. Renge finally looked up from the schedule,

"I'll show you the way, Y/N. You can just follow me! We'll see you later, Kyoya." She waved goodbye to the black haired boy, and he simply pursed his lips into a smile and nodded at her in return. He stood with his arms crossed watching us as Renge pulled me away up one of the staircases. He was certainly the cool type, but also cunning. He looked like a cat watching its prey from afar.

     Renge took it upon herself to meet me outside all of my classrooms after each period to lead me to the next class for the rest of the day. The curriculum seemed more advanced than the first year program at my old school, but I knew I would be able to catch up quickly, especially with my newfound free time after quitting my job at the grocery store. But, before I designated too much time to my studies, I had to sign up for the literature club. Renge didn't meet me outside of my last class, which was liberating since I'd finally have a chance to explore on my own. I began my search for the music room and found myself at the top floor of the South building. The wing was surprisingly empty considering how full the main hallway had been earlier. I made my way to the end of the North hallway where I found a set of pink double doors. They were surrounded by pillars and intricate wallpaper, with a rounded window over the archway and a sign that read Music Room 3.

Perfect, the literature club room, I'd found it.

I gently opened the door.