Chapter Text
It was a calm January morning in Kyoto. Ootori Group's newest lab project was going well so far. They were attempting to synthesize a chemical mix that would correct any flaws in DNA, thus curing genetic disease.
Right now they were trying an airborne strain on lab mice with genetic flaws. Of course , the mice wouldn't benefit from the cure if it worked, the defects having already occurred, but at least the genetic testing would prove valuable.
To make it less frightening for the test subjects, the gas was colorless and odorless.
As the mixture was released into the mice enclosure, an assistant noticed a crack in the glass of the enclosure window.
" Doctor Jushin! Look!"
As they watched , unable to reverse the gas's progress, the crack spread , and small fumes of gas flowed into the open air, unseen by the scientists , but the effects were felt nonetheless.
Most noted a slight lightheadedness, and brushed it off.
" Doctor Jushin? What should we do ? What if it's gotten outside?"
" Don't panic , Hyako. It's harmless. Look. The mice are fine. "
But it wasn't entirely harmless. Over the next few weeks, reports came in from all over Japan of people developing strange abilities. Medical exams of those tested by doctors showed altered genes. There were traces of the chemicals used in the recent experiment in the blood of those affected .
The Ootori Group realized that some of these suddenly advanced individuals were dangerous. A man with super strength had broken out of prison and wounded thirty two guards. A girl with heat vision had burned out the eyes of a man staring down her shirt.
These people had to be monitored. Contained.
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It was the week before Valentine's day and the Host Club was busier than ever , decorating the music room and planning activities for the Valentine Ball.
Haruhi had noticed some strange things lately.
Honey suddenly being able to lift heavy furniture with one hand.
Mori dropping a solid marble statue on his foot and not even noticing, and having no injury from it.
Tamaki winning arguments with people by simply gazing at them with a smile , and them looking as though they were in paradise.
Tamaki being able to charm people into doing pretty much anything he wanted ( granted, not strange for him, but now it was as though no one was capable of saying no).
Hikaru suddenly seeming to know when a bad thing was about to happen. Just last week , he'd yanked Kyoya out of the way of a falling brick from a school construction project.
Hikaru had also suddenly gotten better reflexes.
Kaoru was more emotional than usual , and more withdrawn. He was very quiet , but when he did speak , Haruhi found herself immediately feeling the emotions his voice held.
Kyoya seemed to be predicting things with an uncanny accuracy. He told her one morning that Tamaki would twist an ankle while learning a new dance , and he did. He predicted tests, teacher's absences, and even which outfit someone would wear.
Renge had started changing her appearance more and more, though in an uncontrolled way. At times she seemed to have Tamaki's eyes or Mori's nose.
Something had changed the host club.
Haruhi herself had found that she could hear people's voices even if they hadn't spoken , and she'd reply to a question they hadn't voiced aloud. Difficult subjects suddenly came with ease to her and she found herself bored more often.
" Hey Haruhi, you heard the wild stories about people with 'super powers'? It's crazy! This girl in Okinawa burned some pervert's eyes out! And there's a guy in -" Hikaru began , eyes glinting with delight .
" Nagasaki who busted out of prison and threw a fifty ton door at the guards! Wild!" Kaoru finished, smirking at her.
Honey laughed as he easily pushed a marble Cupid into position. " Super strength? That's not real!"
" Senpai , that statue weighs more than you do and you're pushing it around like It's a feather. " Kyoya remarked, realization dawning in his eyes.
" Wait. Are you saying-" Kaoru started, staring at Honey.
" What I THINK you're saying?" Hikaru finished , swiftly nudging Tamaki out of the way as an poorly hung chandelier plummeted to the floor. Tamaki stared at it as it landed right where he'd been.
" Well think about it , guys. We've all been able to do weird things lately and last month there was an accident at an Ootori lab so.. Maybe we got exposed to some experiment?" Haruhi spoke, wondering if her theory was right.
A knock at the door startled them.
"We are from the Ootori Group. We are conducting an examination to see if any of Ouran's students have been exposed to an airborne virus. Please let us in. "
Kyoya glanced at all of them . Quietly, he whispered "I haven't heard of any airborne diseases lately. I don't think it's true. "
- They are only children. They won't suspect our lie. - Haruhi heard a voice in her mind that wasn't her own. She realized with a gasp that she could read minds .
" He's right! They're lying! We have to leave now! Tamaki , we need a distraction!"
" What? Why ME?!" He protested, purple eyes wide and frightened.
" Listen, lately no one can say no to you! You must have some sort of persuasive power! And if you look people in the eye they get this dazed dreaming look. You've got a hallucination gaze! You've got to try! Distract them, get them to leave so we can get away!"
Tamaki nodded. He opened the door and smiled brightly at the group of armed men.
" Hello! So sorry, but this area is being remodeled! As you can see there's nothing here but dust and construction equipment. I'm just in here skipping math! You caught me! We've already been tested by the medical staff here for airborne viruses , but thanks for the concern! I know that the students out in P.E. haven't been checked just yet , though! Why not try them?"
The others watched with fear building in their chests. After a few seconds, however,the men left.
Hikaru laughed . " That was great!"
Kaoru nodded. " Impressive , boss!"