Actually, when you put it that way it makes a little more sense. [Why? Because Reasons.] Mizuki-san is very cool-headed and clever, but as the younger sibling they would have to be, yes? [A sage nod follows.]
I've come to find that younger siblings are more ambitious than their elders. It's interesting to think about.
More ambitious, huh... I don't know about that. I was pretty normal before all of this started.
[ debatable ]
You must know a lot of siblings to make that call if you aren't one. I bet you were always surrounded by lots of friends. You have that sort of personality.
Nevertheless, he laughs a little.] Our club used to be one where we were surrounded by people and planned fun activities every day, but I think I would only call the other hosts close friends. [A beat.] They were more like family, actually, even though everyone had siblings except for Haruhi and myself.
A host club. [His pose suddenly matches the icon. It's about what Mizuki thinks tbh.] Kyoya and I started it when we entered high school and it's only grown since then.
[Please consider: Tamaki previously talking about costumes and location changes. This is Normal. There's a gesture to the parlor.] This set-up is rather similar to the old club room.
... Tamaki-kun, you were a host? At a host club in a high school?
[ this is one of the craziest things they've ever heard... but also, yeah. All of a sudden, so many things make more sense in retrospect. Mizuki blinks owlishly at him for a few seconds - then, they're laughing. Not at him, but at how silly it all is, and how prescient their comment a moment ago was without them even knowing it. ]
No wonder you're so charming! Ah, I feel like I got tricked a little...
Yes. [He blinks for a moment because he does think, perhaps, they're laughing at him. Though when Mizuki speaks up again Tamaki visibly brightens, a smile in place as he nods eagerly.]
The Ouran High School Host Club was founded by my best friend and I as a means to provide entertainment to lovely young ladies with too much time on their hands, as served by six equally lovely young men with too much time on their hands. Well. Seven now.
[It other words, rich idiots.] The point of our club is to be socially refined. As such, we delve into a wide range of studies, events, and entertainment and match with costumes from around the world in order to expand our horizons. It also serves to show leadership and growth for the hosts.
[Well. Now he won't stop talking?] It's been operational for two years now. Kyoya usually does the financing but it's rather profitable somehow. But most of all it's very fun.
[ huh. He actually thought this out. It sounds like a club with actual benefits rather than a sleazy high school joke for fun -- not that Mizuki could even imagine Tamaki doing something like that in the first place, but still. He is fairly enterprising, isn't he? Yet his ideals still shine through. He really is a good boy. ]
You and your friend came up with a fairly wild idea, didn't you? I'm surprised the school let it happen. Well... it sounds like you've made it into something good for everyone, though. I can't say I ever imagined a host club would be a fun and educational experience. [ with a small laugh, they incline their head towards him, dark lashes lowering playfully. ] So, is entertainment only for lovely young ladies? I want to be spoiled by Tamaki-kun, too.
It took a lot of convincing to get him to agree, but once we discussed plans he realized it was an excellent idea. [Tamaki is very enthralled with his host club, thank you.]
I believe every day should give someone something to smile about. If we can make that happen with fun club activities, then my job is done. [There's a smile again.] Why our primary customers are young ladies, the club is designed to serve anyone who enters our club room. There's a type of host for everyone whether you're interested in the cool type, the wild type, the natural type or otherwise.
But oh! He perks up just a little, eyes lighting up and expression animated.]
My best friend! I met him on my first day of school when I transferred to Ouran. [...] He would probably think this game is ridiculous and that I was equally ridiculous for participating in it.
I didn't say that, did I? Just that you're better.
[ are they a good person if they do bad things for the right reasons? Who knows? They don't know. ]
... I think, if things had been different, and I'd chosen another god, I probably would have started hurting people by this point. Whether you call it desperation or strategy - either excuse. If people have to die to grant my wish, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I always have been.
[ ... this bonding session became a little more personal than they'd intended, but at the same time, it feels good to be honest with him, although they're looking down at their feet and Antoinette as they speak. ]
Frankly, it probably would've been smarter for me to take that route. Right now, we're headed for failure. But when I thought about how I'd be putting you in danger, too...
[Despite the admittance of such a thing, Tamaki doesn't seem that bothered. In fact, he's patiently listening and considering it, secretly grateful that Mizuki aligned themselves with him in this case. Anything to lessen the violence in this game is a step in the right direction.]
...I understand you're making a great sacrifice to stay with me, Mizuki-san. And believe me, I'm incredibly grateful. It's why I want to try my hardest to find a way to make your wish come true in spite of what my numbers may be. I believe everyone should be rewarded for something like proper moral standing. [...] Do you regret not choosing differently even now?
[ It's a relief that he's not bothered. They wish they were stronger and that they didn't feel that way, but they do -- they were afraid of telling him this because they didn't want him to look at them differently. Smiling, albeit with a distant bitterness, they shake their head. ]
I don't. If I had, I wouldn't have met you. That's a sad thing. [ a beat. ] ... And... I don't want to take anyone's life. It might be easier, but... it's not the only way. Not in this situation. I want to believe that.
...I'll admit that I'm incredibly pleased to hear that. [His shoulders relax a bit.] I've never wanted you to approach the game in a violent manner, but there was only so much I could do to help persuade you.
I want us to focus on other methods in this game. For more long-lasting effects than a temporary fix such as killing.
[ talking about wanting to use other methods and finding a long-lasting solution is easy - making it happen is hard. They've never been one for pretty words. They smile at him, but it's rather tired. ]
... Does the idea of an alliance have any merit at all? Or are Majima-kun and I wasting our time?
No. I think it has plenty of merit if only to encourage the others to start making alliances as well, branch out and start seeing how we can actually work together. Convincing others to join our alliance or consider their own will be a bit difficult, but I believe if we show our alliance to the others, they'll realize we can be more.
[ nodding. Tamaki's approval encourages them, if only a little bit. ]
That's good to hear. Even if we only start with the two of you, I think that will be enough to persuade others, like you said. I'm going to speak to Piety-kun soon about the idea.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Haha. Majima-kun said the exact same thing. Well, I can't complain. That must mean I seem cool and reliable, right?
[ leaning on their hand. ]
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I've come to find that younger siblings are more ambitious than their elders. It's interesting to think about.
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[ debatable ]
You must know a lot of siblings to make that call if you aren't one. I bet you were always surrounded by lots of friends. You have that sort of personality.
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Nevertheless, he laughs a little.] Our club used to be one where we were surrounded by people and planned fun activities every day, but I think I would only call the other hosts close friends. [A beat.] They were more like family, actually, even though everyone had siblings except for Haruhi and myself.
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[ wha... no, let's not jump to conclusions, he probably means they were hosting... a tea party club, or something. ]
I'm not surprised. Just being around you is enough to make me happy, and I don't even like the gods. What kind of club was this?
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[Please consider: Tamaki previously talking about costumes and location changes. This is Normal. There's a gesture to the parlor.] This set-up is rather similar to the old club room.
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[ this is one of the craziest things they've ever heard... but also, yeah. All of a sudden, so many things make more sense in retrospect. Mizuki blinks owlishly at him for a few seconds - then, they're laughing. Not at him, but at how silly it all is, and how prescient their comment a moment ago was without them even knowing it. ]
No wonder you're so charming! Ah, I feel like I got tricked a little...
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The Ouran High School Host Club was founded by my best friend and I as a means to provide entertainment to lovely young ladies with too much time on their hands, as served by six equally lovely young men with too much time on their hands. Well. Seven now.
[It other words, rich idiots.] The point of our club is to be socially refined. As such, we delve into a wide range of studies, events, and entertainment and match with costumes from around the world in order to expand our horizons. It also serves to show leadership and growth for the hosts.
[Well. Now he won't stop talking?] It's been operational for two years now. Kyoya usually does the financing but it's rather profitable somehow. But most of all it's very fun.
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You and your friend came up with a fairly wild idea, didn't you? I'm surprised the school let it happen. Well... it sounds like you've made it into something good for everyone, though. I can't say I ever imagined a host club would be a fun and educational experience. [ with a small laugh, they incline their head towards him, dark lashes lowering playfully. ] So, is entertainment only for lovely young ladies? I want to be spoiled by Tamaki-kun, too.
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I believe every day should give someone something to smile about. If we can make that happen with fun club activities, then my job is done. [There's a smile again.] Why our primary customers are young ladies, the club is designed to serve anyone who enters our club room. There's a type of host for everyone whether you're interested in the cool type, the wild type, the natural type or otherwise.
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[ this isn't even an exaggeration it's just reality... sigh. ]
Kyoya-kun is a good friend of yours?
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But oh! He perks up just a little, eyes lighting up and expression animated.]
My best friend! I met him on my first day of school when I transferred to Ouran. [...] He would probably think this game is ridiculous and that I was equally ridiculous for participating in it.
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So he's smart, then. I see.
[ love u tamaki ]
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[The boy is a dumbass but also an intelligent dumbass. Please love and accept him.]
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[ they give him a tiny round of applause. ]
I was always in the top, too.
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With little surprise. You're far more intelligent than quite a few people here.
[Somehow this is said without being an insult.] Do you suppose this means we're more alike than you think?
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Mmm... I don't think so. [ a faint smile. ] Tamaki-kun is a much better person than I am. Even if you don't know it.
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...do you really think you're not a good person, Mizuki-san?
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[ are they a good person if they do bad things for the right reasons? Who knows? They don't know. ]
... I think, if things had been different, and I'd chosen another god, I probably would have started hurting people by this point. Whether you call it desperation or strategy - either excuse. If people have to die to grant my wish, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I always have been.
[ ... this bonding session became a little more personal than they'd intended, but at the same time, it feels good to be honest with him, although they're looking down at their feet and Antoinette as they speak. ]
Frankly, it probably would've been smarter for me to take that route. Right now, we're headed for failure. But when I thought about how I'd be putting you in danger, too...
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...I understand you're making a great sacrifice to stay with me, Mizuki-san. And believe me, I'm incredibly grateful. It's why I want to try my hardest to find a way to make your wish come true in spite of what my numbers may be. I believe everyone should be rewarded for something like proper moral standing. [...] Do you regret not choosing differently even now?
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I don't. If I had, I wouldn't have met you. That's a sad thing. [ a beat. ] ... And... I don't want to take anyone's life. It might be easier, but... it's not the only way. Not in this situation. I want to believe that.
[ They want to believe him. ]
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I want us to focus on other methods in this game. For more long-lasting effects than a temporary fix such as killing.
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... Does the idea of an alliance have any merit at all? Or are Majima-kun and I wasting our time?
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That's good to hear. Even if we only start with the two of you, I think that will be enough to persuade others, like you said. I'm going to speak to Piety-kun soon about the idea.
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