Yoji Kobayashi looked up at the placard a few feet above him. Host Club Meeting Room, it read in neat, engraved Japanese. He lowered his gaze to the large wooden doors. They were intricately carved with elegant loops and curls winding up and down its surface. Why am I here again? he asked himself. He recalled the weekend his Japanese grandmother from his mother's side staying with him and his family, and he'd… said a few things that weren't exactly polite. His mother sentenced him to join host club so he could gain "class" and become more of a "gentleman".

Oh yea, that's right. I wonder if there's some kind of dress code. He looked down at his bright red Nikes and then at his baggy gray jeans. Oh well. Here goes nothing. He heaved the massive doors only to be greeted by chaos. Seven boys scrambled to get into some posed formation. The two redheads hugged each other pretty tightly, while the blonde one swished his hair and flashed Yoji a smoldering smile. The child who resembles an 8-year-old, hugged his pink bunny so hard the stuffing almost fell out. A brown-haired boy stood next to the child with his hand on the other's shoulder as his big eyes stared into Yoji's.

Behind the group, two black-haired guys stood, looking equally emotionless. One had short, spikey hair and gripped a kendo stick while the other one had longer hair and scribbled furiously in a small black notebook. He looked up from his book and glanced at Yoji. He did a double take then stared at the newcomer, the glare of his glasses giving him an aura of intimidation. He whispered in the skinny blonde boy's ear and pocketed his notebook.

"Welcome to the Host Club!" they said in unison. The small kid with the bunny walked up to him and said, "We've never had a male customer before, but we'll make do!" He grinned and grabbed Yoji's hand as he lead him to a table. The yellow silk tablecloth was adorned with lace and a tea set sat at the ready. At that point, the brown haired boy with the big eyes introduced everyone.

"I'm Haruhi Fujioka, and that's Hunny," he pointed to the little kid who flashed a cute little smile. "Don't be fooled, he's seventeen." Yoji stifled a gasp. "That's Tamaki Suoh, and he thinks he's some prince charming." Tamaki glided over to the table and took Yoji's hand as he whispered into his ear.

"I'm so glad you're here. What shall I call this…masculine beauty?"

Yoji's stomach fluttered, even though he was sure he liked girls. "Yoji Kobayashi. But you guys can call me Yo-yoji. And I'm actually—"

"Yo-yoji! Thats a cool name!" Hunny exclaimed. One of the big black haired boys carried him on his sholders. "This is my cousin, Takashi! But everyone calls him Mori. That's Kyoya." He pointed to the lanky kid with the glasses. "And those are the Hitachiin twins." The twins snickered and lingered behind Haruhi as they introduced themselves.

"I'm Hikaru," the one whose bangs went to the right* tittered.

"And I'm Kaoru." Kaoru's bangs went in the opposite direction and his voice was slightly higher pitched than the other's.

"It's nice to meet you dudes and all, and this place looks like it has awesome customer service, but I'm not a client," Yoji explained. A look of confusion crossed the hosts' faces, but then Tamaki jumped in excitement. He ran over to Yoji and lifted him in a hug.

"Yes! A new addition to our family! Momma, daughter, brothers, cousins, uncles! Meet our new son!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Son? I just wanted to sign up for the club, man. Not no family business…"

Haruhi put a hand on Yoji's tensed shoulder and his heart raced a little bit. "No worries, he thinks of the club as his family. So you wanted to join..?

"Uh, yeah. Do I need to, like, sign up or anything?"

"No not really. You're in. We open in 10 and today's tuxedo day so you should go get dressed. Supply room is through those back doors and to the right. 'Kay?"

"Yea, thanks." Yoji walked into the supply room, which was more like a costume shop. The walls were lined with costumes for men and women. I guess they're into cosplay… he thought as he pulled a tuxedo off from the racks.

He walked back into the main room in his costume to find everyone else had already changed.

Just then, a swarm of girls in poofy yellow dresses flooded the club room. The boys flew from table to table, hosting and flirting and complimenting the girls, doing whatever was necessary to make them happy.

Yoji noticed one quiet-looking girl stealing glances at him. I guess I'll take this girl as my first client.

"Hi, Im Yoji Kobayashi, and I'll be your host today. Your name is…?" He sat down across from her and poured her the freshly ground Colombian coffee that was on the table.

"I-I'm Kimiko M-Matsumoto." She held out her hand. Yoji lightly took it in his. She was small, pale and delicate, and while they shook hands he felt as if he might break her.

"A-are you new? She asked. She spoke with hr head down while she slurred and fumbled with her words.

Hmmm… Yoji thought. He looked over at Tamaki, who was being flirty and seductive, brushing knees with the clients and tucking their hair behind their ears. Maybe I should try that.

Yoji reached across the table and lightly lifted Kimiko's chin. He automatically felt her face get hot. "Yea, its my first day here. I don't know much about hosting…" He got up from his seat and went to stand over her shoulder. "But I know that you're supposed to make the princess feel great about herself." Kimiko blushed furiously and almost choked on her coffee when he pecked her on the cheek.

"W-well, uh… you're doing a g-great job…" she whispered.

The next few customers he had were just as enchanted by Yo-Yoji's "street boy" attributes and his flirtatiousness. Other girls who were with the other hosts made their next appointments with him, and he even got a few of the princesses' phone numbers.

At the end of the day, the Host Club convened and planned the next day's event.

"Alrightey then, so what should we cosplay tomorrow?" Tamaki asked the group.

"Jungle?" Kyoya said.

"Beachwear?" the twins suggested.

"Ooh! How about animals?" Hunny squealed.

"I think we should let Yo-Yoji choose since its his first day and all…" Haruhi turned to the newbie. "So, any ideas?"

Yoji didn't have to think twice about the theme. It was something that would come to him as easy as breathing.