~Game Plan~

Confidante character: A secondary character in which the protagonist may confide in or a character who advises the protagonist. 

Suoh looked like a creep. He sat in the corner and giggled to himself. That on top of calling himself "Daddy" made me feel like he was a real pervert. 

"Tama-chan must be having a great daydream!" Honey-senpai pointed out. I then noticed I wasn't the only one watched the president of our club. 

"Does he do that often?" I watched Suoh wiggle around in his chair. It was like seeing a car crash; it's so bad, but it's hard to look away. 

"Oh, yeah," One of the Hitachiins confirmed. "He's kind of creeping me out."

"Envious, Hikaru? This is all part of my strategy! While you've wasted time blinded by your jealousy, I forsee the outcome of this charade!" He let out a dreamy sigh. 

"Uh, what charade are you talking about?" I questioned. I really hope I don't regret asking. 

"This anime is obviously a romantic school comedy. Haruhi and I are the main characters, so that means we are the love interest!" Yup. He's delusional. 

"Yeah? That what are we?" Both the brothers spoke this time. 

"You boys are the homosexual supporting cast!" Tamaki paused. "And Kofuyu is the confidante since she and my Haruhi are best friends!" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. There's no way I'm a confidante. That doesn't even fit the nature of my relationship with Haruhi. 

"You gotta be kidding," the Hitachiins scoffed. 

"I don't think you understand, Suoh. If the students find out about Haruhi being a girl, she might have to leave the club," I reminded. 

"But if Haru-chan started wearing girl clothes, I bet she'd be even cuter than she is now!" Honey-senpai said. I noticed Suoh's eyes brighten at that thought instantly. 

"Yeah, so would Kofuyu," the twins muttered. 

"Um, excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" I sent a glare at the two, and they shrugged as if it was nothing. 

"Maybe you'd look more feminine if you didn't wear all those sized-up shirts and sweaters," they replied honestly. "Or maybe if we got you one of the uniform dresses."

"I don't have to look feminine, okay," I growled. "There's nothing wrong with what I wear to school." 

"I think Kofu-chan looks cute in her skirts!" Honey-senpai interjected. I think he was trying to make me feel better, but I don't really care. 

"Haruhi dressed like a regular girl when she was in middle school, right? She must've been pretty popular with the boys," the twin changed the topic of discussion. 

"I bet the boss wouldn't have even been able to get close to her!" the other brother laughed. 

"But we would because we're in the same class with her all day long," they teased. I rolled my eyes at Suoh's frustration and disappointment. He was so obsessed with her, and the Hitachiins wouldn't quit finding ways to use that against him. 

"What about you, Kofu-chan? Were you popular in middle school?" Honey-senpai stared at me with curious eyes. I stared back without saying another word. 

"According to my sources, her popularity increased towards the end of middle school," Ootori answered. 

"Yeah, that wasn't a good thing," I huffed. Honey-senpai's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. The only reason I was popular was because Takejiro died. They didn't actually like me, and the other students only tried being my friend because they felt bad for me. 

Haruhi walked in before Honey-senpai could ask why. She stood beside me and said, "Hey, guys. Sorry I'm late-"

"Don't worry, Haruhi! We're determined to keep your secret. No one will find out that you're really a girl during tomorrow's physical exams!" Suoh's over-eager nature took over. "We have a plan in motion! You and Kofuyu will stay our beloved little princesses!" He hooked an arm around her and me, and pulled us close to his chest. 

"Sure," Haruhi answered in a blank tone. 

"No," I answered at the same time. 

"Ah... little Kofuyu," Suoh rubbed his head against the top of mine. "My little tsundere princess!" 

"I'm not a tsundere. I just don't like you," I shot back. 

"Aww, it's okay! You don't have to pretend, Kofuyu!" the Hitachiin brothers joined in on the hug.

"Okay, that's enough! Shouldn't you talk about how Haruhi might have to leave the club?" I didn't want to throw Haruhi under the bus, but I also didn't want to spend another second in a group hug with those three idiots. 

"You know what? I think the both of us would be a little peeved if we had to watch all the guys flirt with her." 

"Yeah, we don't have that problem with Kofuyu since she shuts every guy down instantly, but Haruhi's friendly than her." 

I didn't respond because they are technically right. There have been a few boys that have tried to be all friendly and flirty for whatever reason, but I'm not interested in having a boyfriend. All these rich boys want is someone who'll dress up and act like an obedient little puppy. Like hell, I'd ever do that.

Suoh motioned all the male hosts over to a whiteboard and began discussing their plan. He talked to them like he was a Drill Sargent... I swear, these people are dramatic. 

"Good luck with that, Haruhi," I mumbled loud enough for her to hear me. I don't think she did though because it looked like she was thinking about something. 

"Oh, I get it," Haruhi fit her fist against her open palm. "You guys are worried because if they find out I'm a girl, I can't repay my debt," Haruhi conclude. She continued on mumbling about how much she still owed, but I was too amazed to listen.

Did she really not understand that they wanted to keep her in the club because they liked her? Whether it be platonic or romantic (ahem... Suoh), they all had some sort of feelings for her. It makes me wonder if they think about me the same way. 

"Well, I guess, I'll have to come up with another way to pay you back," laughed Haruhi. Her response only caused the twins to panic and turn to Suoh. 

"Do something!"

"The subject doesn't appear to have any motivation!" 

Suoh pointed to Haruhi and kept his other hand on his hip. He forcefully questioned, "Are you saying that you hate being a host? That you hate this club?"

"To be honest, I'd have to say yes," she answered with a small hum. "And if I had to guess, I'd say I'm not the only one." I could feel her staring at the side of my face, but I didn't acknowledge it. Instead, I watched as Tamaki sulked in the corner. 

Is she right? Yes. Yes, she is. I don't like this club, but as much as I'd like to deny it, I need friends. This is the easiest way too. 

"Pshh, Kofuyu only pretends to dislike us," the Hitachiins waved her off.

"What I mean is: you guys aren't bad, but if it gets out there that I'm a girl, there's nothing I can do, you know?" Haruhi shrugged and gave them an awkward laugh.  

One of the things I liked about Haruhi is that she's aloof. She doesn't stress out about things like how the other guys do. Maybe I don't need to be friends with the others. I'll be okay with just her. 

"She doesn't seem to care one way or another!" A twin gasped. 

"Well, before we do anything else, we have to find a way to motivate her," stated the other twin. The room fell quite for a moment. Each host was trying to think of something, anything, they could say to convince Haruhi to keep her gender a secret. 

"Fancy tuna," Mori-senpai stated without further explanation. He didn't need to explain anyways. Haruhi gasped quietly. It clearly caught her attention. 

"Did you hear that? She's never had fancy tuna before. Isn't that awful?" One of the brothers whispered to the other. 

"Wow, talk about a difficult childhood," the other replied. I rolled my eyes, and when I felt Ootori's eyes on me, I sent a hard glare towards him. He only smirked and went back to scribbling in his notebook. 

How dare he? How dare he He's really getting on my nerves. 

"If only Haru-chan could stay in the host club," Honey-senpai said. It looked like he was talking to that pink bunny plush rather than us. "She'd have the chance to eat all kinds of yummy things whenever she wants." 

The glare on my face softened, and my eyes went to the floor. I never thought about that before. Since I'm staying in the host club, I'll have access to all kinds of sweets and pastries. I haven't been able to get that chocolate cake out of my head. 

"Oh, it looks like Haruhi isn't the only one that can be bought with food!~" 

"That's right. She's got a sweet tooth, doesn't she?" The brothers appeared out of no where and draped their arms over my shoulders. 

My face felt warm, so I lowered my head and mumbled, "Shut up." The brothers laughed, but they're teasing was cut short when Haruhi responded. 

"What are you talking about? Don't be silly," she denied. "Just 'cause I'm poor, and never had it doesn't mean that I'm so much of a glutton that I'd on fooling everyone about my gender just to try some fancy tuna." She nervously laughed, and I knew her previous statement was false, that she was more that willing, and the other guys understood that too. 

I ducked under the Hitachiins arms and took a few steps back and away from them. I don't get why they always have to make physical contact.