Chapter Text
Suddenly, instead of carrying trays of tea around the parlor, Furina now had a table with admirers of her very own. Three pretty girls were all leaned forward, eager to gain Furina’s attention. Despite wearing a purple male uniform now, Furina felt she looked even more feminine than before. A stylist had touched up her hair until it was fluffy and curled. Contacts had also been bestowed unto her, and each of her guests had already complimented her eyes. It was all admittedly… a little flattering.
Truthfully, Furina wasn’t quite sure if her guests thought she was a girl or a boy. If it was true that 90% of the school was queer, then they must see her as a girl, right? Yet Arlecchino had announced Furina as a “bright young man.” Whatever the case, did it actually matter all that much? It wasn’t like being called a male made Furina uncomfortable, she just didn’t want to deceive people accidentally. A dilemma for another time, she supposed. There were guests to entertain.
"So, tell me Furina,” one girl said as she rested on her elbows. “Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do?"
Before Furina could even open her mouth, the second girl was asking another question. "I'm curious, what kind of products do you use on your skin? It's so pretty."
“I…” Furina began but immediately lost her train of thought as the girl trailed her fingers down the back of her hand. Why was everyone so aggressive?? She supposed the other hosts encouraged it, if anything. Furina was hardly used to the attention though. Was she really cut out for this?
The final girl giggled and twirled a finger in her hair. "So why did you join the Host Club, Furina?"
"Uh..." Furina floundered. She could hardly tell them the actual course of events. It would ruin all her credibility as a host. And she had to get one hundred guests to request her if she wanted to clear her debt. Furina thought back to how Neuvillette had described the other hosts. Each had their own talent and archetype. What should be hers? Well… there was one story she could tell. She just needed to twist a few details. Maybe that would work?
“I joined the host club mostly because of my mom,” Furina began. The girls all listened with rapt attention. In a stroke of genius (or perhaps as a product of Arlecchino’s recent influence), Furina reached out to hold the hand of the girl who had complimented her skin. Then she continued.
Some time later, all three of her guests were teary eyed and gazing at Furina with pity and love. "I see,” said the girl holding Furina’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze, “You never knew your father, so it was always just you and your mom. And now you’re doing your best to make her proud.”
“That’s so sweet!” another girl exclaimed. “So who does the chores around the house then?”
Furina smiled. “I do most of them myself. My mom works a lot, so she doesn’t have much time. She’s an amazing cook though. She’s taught me all kinds of great recipes. It makes me so happy when we can make dinner together.” Furina looked bashfully down at the table. “I’ve had a hard childhood, but mom and I have managed to make it through okay. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“Awwww!” The girls swooned all together. Furina blushed despite herself. Was this her archetype then? The sappy one? That felt a little… pathetic, perhaps.
“So, um, is it okay if tomorrow..." one girl began.
"We request to sit with you again?" another filled in.
Furina beamed. "Yeah, I'd really appreciate that ladies." Maybe being sappy wasn’t so bad after all.
Halfway across the room, Arlecchino was leaning over the armrest of her sofa so she could watch Furina at work. "Why is he so popular?"
Neuvillette shrugged but didn’t look up from their clipboard upon which they were writing something. "He's a natural."
"No training needed,” the twins agreed in unison, also watching Furina with curious eyes.
A playful voice with an underlying edge pulled Arlecchino’s focus away. "Have you forgotten about me?"
Arlecchino turned back to Sandrone, and by extension the other two girls sitting across the table from her. "Oh, no. Sorry Mademoiselle. I'm just a little concerned about our newest host."
“Well that’s obvious enough, Arlecchino.” Sandrone’s smile didn’t meet her eyes. “You sure have been keeping an eye on him."
Arlecchino nodded. "Of course. I have to. I'm training him to be a gentleman like me." The girls giggled at the charming way she spoke. Sandrone didn’t. Arlecchino snapped her fingers in the air. “Furina! Come here for a minute.”
The new host jogged over. "What's up?"
"I'd like you to meet someone.” Arlecchino indicated Sandrone with a flourish. “This is my regular guest, Lady Sandrone."
Furina stifled a surprised gasp. It was that beige-haired girl from earlier. The one who didn’t like her. Maybe the relationship could still be salvaged? Furina placed a hand over her heart and then bowed respectfully. That’s what you should do to a lady, right? "Miss, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"That was so cute!” Arlecchino all but vaulted over the back of the sofa to clutch Furina’s hands in her own. “That air of bashfulness was very good! You’re such a fast learner!”
"Uh, Arlecchino?" came Sandrone’s annoyed voice. Furina glanced at her helplessly only to be met with sharp hatred.
Arlecchino completely ignored her guest, opting to grab Furina’s cheeks and squeeze them. "You're so cute! Ah, this is concerning! I might be bisexual!"
“What?!” cried Furina and the rest of the women waiting for Arlecchino. Furina weakly tried to push Arlecchino away, her traitorous heart enjoying the attention. “Stop!” The other woman was patting her head like a dog now and promising treats. Ridiculous! Absurd! Why was Furina blushing so much! “Uh-” Her eyes alighted on a nearby host. “Clorinde! Help me!”
Clorinde burst into movement like a lightning bolt. The words had barely left Furina’s lips before two strong hands were at her waist, lifting her away from Arlecchino like some kind of elegant dance technique. Then arms of toned muscle snaked around Furina’s middle, protecting her. But- Clorinde froze as a finger felt the outline of Furina’s bra.
Arlecchino stuck out her bottom lip a few paces away. "Clorinde, you really didn't have to go that far.”
“No means no.” Clorinde’s rich, mature voice vibrated against Furina’s back.
Sandrone grumpily tugged on Arlecchino’s sleeve. “Surely you’re not going to stand there all day?”
Arlecchino reluctantly returned to the sofa. Clorinde took Furina by the shoulders and turned her around. There was a distinct bashfulness to her usual stoic countenance. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know-”
Furina struggled very hard not to stare at Clorinde’s chest which was unfortunately exactly at eye level. “It’s okay. Thank you for helping me.” She gave the tall woman a genuine smile. Clorinde averted her gaze in a frustratingly cute way. Furina wanted to tear her hair out. Why was Clorinde cute too? Why were all of the hosts so stupid yet so attractive?!
--
Furina stared out from one of the huge hall windows. The shimmering water of the fountain below was marred by folders, notebooks, and a backpack floating on its surface. Her heart sank. She had just realized her bag was missing a few minutes ago. “Are you kidding me?” she sighed to herself. “I didn't think there were bullies at this school." As if Furina’s day hadn’t been chaotic enough.
She turned to go to the stairs, but someone was approaching from behind her. Sandrone. A condescending smile was plastered across her lips. “Oh! Pardon me. I was just going to admire the view.” She stepped up to the window and looked down at the mess in the fountain without batting an eyelash.
“I bet you love having Arlecchino making you over and fawning over you.” Sandrone didn’t deign to give Furina so much as a glance. “It's useless though. You're always going to be a second-class citizen."
Furina clenched her jaw. This girl was definitely the one who threw her bag into the water. “You-” Furina bit her lip, unable to voice her thoughts. What did I ever do to you? she wanted to snap. Unfortunately, Furina couldn’t spare the time. She had to salvage her books and find her wallet. It held the money she needed to buy food for the rest of the week. Forcing the hurt down, she turned on her heel and dashed away.
Sandrone’s mocking voice followed after her. “Scurry along.”
Much later, Furina bent down in the water once again, thinking she saw her wallet- but no. It was just another blemish on the stones distorted by the water. A bead of sweat dripped down her nose. The mild sunny afternoon was hotter than she expected. How long had she been out here fishing her waterlogged things from the fountain? Too long. And she couldn’t see due to the glare, but she was reasonably certain Sandrone was watching from the window the whole time.
Just as Furina was about to break and start crying despite all of her efforts to keep the emotions down, a familiar voice called out. "Hey, commoner! You've got some nerve skipping out on the club like that.” Arlecchino looked down at the pavement where all of Furina’s things were lying in a puddle. Her voice softened. “Wait, why is your bag all wet?"
Furina shrugged from her place in the middle of the pool, wishing the obnoxious woman would go away, just this once. "It's no big deal. I got it.” She cast a defeated scan across the area for the umpteenth time. “I just can't find my food money."
“Hm?” Arlecchino’s eyebrows creased in concern. A moment later she was kicking off her stilettos and rolling up her pant legs.
"H- hey, you don't have to do that. You'll get wet." Furina’s protestations proved futile as Arlecchino stepped into the water, the tiny waves lapping at her calves.
"A little water never hurt anyone.” She gave Furina a genuine smile. “Besides, people are always telling me that I'm dripping with good looks.” Furina blinked. She wasn’t… being self-centered this time. It was a joke to cheer her up. Arlecchino was being kind.
Arlecchino took a step back and looked near her feet. “Oh, hang on a second.” She reached down and withdrew a small black leather case. “This what you're looking for?”
Furina nodded silently, her heart melting with relief and gratitude. She bit down hard on her lip. The tears were really threatening to spill over now. Arlecchino placed the wallet in her hands. “What's the matter, you're staring off into space.” She tilted her head to the side, black and white hair spilling down. “You're not falling for me, are you?”
"No way!" Furina snapped from her stupor and trudged toward the edge of the fountain. She surreptitiously rubbed her eyes with the base of her palm, wiping away the evidence of her turmoil.
"How did your bag end up in the pond anyway?" Arlecchino asked as they pulled their shoes back on.
"Uh, I guess I accidentally dropped it out the window at some point,” Furina mumbled.
Arlecchino shielded her eyes with a black hand to peer up at the windows above. “Interesting.”
--
Sandrone stirred her tea, the spoon making quiet clinks as it hit the porcelain. "You dropped it? That must've been terrible.” She smirked innocently at Furina across the table. “I can't imagine what I'd do if my bag fell into the fountain.”
Furina remained tight lipped and silent. Why did Sandrone request her when it was obvious she didn’t like her? To gloat? Furina’s hands curled tighter around the hem of her uniform. This was her last guest of the day. She just needed to stomach it and then she’d be free.
“You actually made Arlecchino search that dirty old pond with you. How astonishing!” The scorn practically cascaded from Sandrone’s lips. “You do realize she's a blueblood and not a commoner, right? The only reason she's paying attention to you is because she's trying to turn you into a gentleman."
Furina glanced past Sandrone’s head to where Arlecchino was lounging further away. She caught Furina’s eye and gave her an encouraging smile before turning back to her guests. A warmth spread in Furina’s chest again. Arlecchino was an idiot, but she wasn’t as superficial as she pretended to be.
Sandrone slammed her fist down on the table. Furina’s attention snapped back. "Don't start thinking she cares about you just because she's doting on you,” Sandrone hissed.
"Now I understand. You're jealous of me." The words were out before Furina even thought them. Sandrone stared at her in shock, as if she couldn’t fathom anyone ever talking back to her. Then-
A crash, the shattering of glass on the floor, Furina being yanked forward from her seat, and a shriek. “No, Furina!” Sandrone screamed up from the ground beneath where Furina had fallen. “Leave me alone! Somebody help!”
Furina struggled to get up from the floor but Sandrone kicked one of her legs to the side, making her fall atop the other woman again. “Help! He attacked me!” Sandrone yelled again. "Somebody do something! Teach this commoner a lesson!"
“What-” Furina looked around wildly, disoriented. She hadn’t- Sandrone had pulled her down! And- She- Who would believe her over-
A torrent of cold water drenched Furina and Sandrone. Both of them stilled. Someone helped Furina off of Sandrone. Lynette. Furina shot her a scared but appreciative look.
"Why did you do that?” Sandrone was sitting now, her yellow dress soaked through. She glowered up at Lyney who held an empty pitcher. The host shrugged apathetically. Sandrone searched about and found Arlecchino as she walked over. “Do something, Arle! Furina just assaulted me!”
Arlecchino held out a hand to help Sandrone up, but she kept her at a distance. Her charming smile was a distant memory. "I'm disappointed in Sandrone. You threw his bag into the pond, didn't you?"
Sandrone took a step back, her expression hardening. "You don't know that. Do you have any proof that I did?"
"You know, you're a beautiful girl, but you aren't classy enough to be our guest.” Arlecchino crossed her arms like a disappointed father. “If there's one thing I know, Furina is not that kind of a man."
"But-” Sandrone looked to the faces of each host who had gathered. There was no sympathy to be found. “Why Arlecchino?” Arlecchino merely turned her head away. Sandrone stomped her foot in impotent rage. “You- You’re an idiot!" Arlecchino stepped aside to allow her to run past, angry tears streaming down her cheeks.
She watched her back recede until Sandrone had left the parlor. Then Arlecchino turned back to Furina who was currently attempting to wring out her drenched uniform. "Hmmm... Now how am I going to punish you? Because it is your fault after all.” The smile was back. She snapped her fingers. “Your quota is now 1000!"
Furina blinked. "Huh?” Why was she being punished?? “1000?" She nearly sank down to the floor again, but Lynette grabbed her arm as her legs threatened to give out. “W- why?”
Arlecchino tapped Furina on the tip of her nose and Furina hated how it made her heart skip a beat even now. "Come on, Furina. I’ve got high expectations for you."
"I’ll… do my best," Furina relented with a sad sigh. This was going to affect her studies a lot. Arlecchino was lucky she was cute.
Neuvillette stepped forward and offered a neatly folded yellow bundle to Furina. "This is the only spare uniform we have. It's better than a wet one, right?"
Furina took the offering and dipped her head in gratitude. "Thanks Neuvillette. Lynette. Everyone.” She sighed again, letting the tension run out of her body. “I'm gonna go change."
It was much easier to get the job done this time, now that Furina had contacts. She wasn’t sure exactly how the host club had gotten her prescription, but she decided it was best not to worry about it lest she fall down a scary rabbit hole. Away went her damp purple suit. Out came the yellow dress. A note of nervousness settled in her chest as she held the clothing in her arms. How would the hosts react to her dressing feminine?
The curtain to the changing room pulled back. Arlecchino stepped halfway in. "Furina, here you go. I brought you some towels-"
They met each other’s eyes. Arlecchino’s widened as she took in the mere bra and panties Furina was currently wearing. Furina didn’t have to look in the mirror to know her face was already beet red.
"Furina, you’re-"
“GET OUT!” she shouted indignantly. The curtain slipped shut an instant later. Furina stiffly turned to see her reflection. Oh god, her blush had even colored the top of her chest pink. Stupid host. Stupid uniforms. Stupid Sandrone. Stupid expensive vase. How was Furina going to last if this was how the very first day went?
When Furina finally emerged, the hosts were more muted than the first time. They generally gave Furina supportive smiles and then glanced in amusement to where Arlecchino was sitting in a chair, staring pensively at the wall.
"So, Furina…” Arlecchino steepled her fingers together. “You're a girl?"
"Biologically speaking, yeah." She really had tried to tell everyone.
“One moment. I need to do something.” Arlecchino stood from her chair with dignified grace and exited the room. The click of the door shutting was followed by a yell of immense frustration and embarrassment. The other hosts struggled to hold in their laughter. Arlecchino reentered and straightened her lapels, looking ever the gentleman.
Furina offered a conciliatory smile. "Listen Arlecchino, I don't really care whether you guys recognize me as a boy or a girl. In my opinion, it's more important for a person to be recognized for who they are rather than for what sex they are."
“That’s-” Arlecchino’s mouth snapped shut. For once she had no idea what to say. It made Furina giggle.
Neuvillette patted Arlecchino’s shoulder. "Well, isn't this an interesting development?" The sparkle of mischief in their eye made Furina wonder if getting this reaction from their leader was the plan from the moment Furina had walked through those doors.
Lyney and Lynette nodded in sync, sharing teasing grins. "Did you really think she was a boy this whole time, boss?"
Arlecchino looked like she wanted to both murder her colleagues and hide in a corner. It was adorable, but Furina couldn’t leave her stranded. "Uh, you know, I have to say Arle, I thought you were pretty cool earlier."
“Arle?” Arlecchino repeated in a strangled whisper. Furina covered her mouth with her hand. The nickname had slipped out. Now Arlecchino was blushing. Blushing!
Neuvillette laughed and patted Arlecchino’s back. "Now, I could be wrong, but I think we may be witnessing the beginnings of love here."
Furina paled and turned away. Too much. Too much. She was too overstimulated right now. "Uh, y’know, being a host and getting fussed over by a bunch of girls might not be that bad,” she babbled. There were certainly worse trials in the world for a lesbian to face.
She nodded to herself, doubling down. The hosts were strange people, but they weren’t bad people. And Arlecchino in particular… Furina pushed those thoughts away. One day was too early. She beamed at her new coworkers. “I’ll get 1000 before you know it.”