Sweets and Fears [Honey; Invite only]

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

Suzu took a few steps back towards the door. She wasn’t used to being around people. No she really disliked it quite honestly. When she would be sitting in class she always tried her best to sit in the back of the room and closest to the door so that she could make her escape as quickly and painlessly as possible. She sometimes questioned how she could be the daughter of such a beautiful and successful actress and such a strong military instructor. She was nothing like her parents, but that was to be expected right? Looks and personality always skip a generation.

The second year jumped and dropped her bag as one of the males who were surrounded by such pretty girls approached her. A surprised look crossed her features as he came closer and spoke. It was like he was either a little angel, or an alien. He was so cute and seemed to have this little happy glow about him. Suzu shook a bit and her face turned to a cherry shade of red as he spoke to her first giving her a welcome to the Host Club that she was apparently paying a visit to. He offered her cake and mentioned something about his bunny and having an extra seat. She kept her gaze on the ground, far too embarrassed and scared to look the blonde boy in the eye.

Suzume opened her mouth to protest, but it was like her voice stopped working all together. This was her curse as a shy girl it seemed, she didn’t even have the guts to open her mouth and refuse. Of course the idea of cake brought a little smile to her face as she knelt down and picked up her fallen school bag. She looked up at the boy for the first time, her pink orbs clashing with his chocolate ones as she seemed to be locked in a trance for a minute. Her face quickly flushed more as she stood up straight and finally realized that they were about the same size in height. Perhaps she was an inch or two taller? Suzu cradled her bag to her chest and nodded her head in acceptance of his offer, though she was still very reluctant due to all the people in the room.

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

The boy in front of her was so bright and cheerful! How could someone have such a brilliant light around him? She couldn’t possibly understand as she let the blonde talk. She caught his apology about scaring her, but Suzu instantly felt a stab of guilt hit her. It wasn’t his fault she lacked basic social skills! He was being so nice and sweet to her, so how could he ever need to apologize? Though a part of her said to be a bit skeptical of this boy. People were never really nice to her. She wasn’t of the same pedigree as many of the students in Ouran Academy. It was something that she was mocked for since middle school.

Still there was something about this boy…she couldn’t simply tell him no. Then again it seemed that her vocal cords just weren’t working anymore. Still she wanted to try and be reassuring to this strange little alien like boy in front of her, so she hesitantly lifted her hand and did the only thing she could think of. Nervously she pat him on the head softly before turning yet another shade of red and pulling away.

He mentioned the cake again, this time the flavor. She liked strawberry cake a lot! Though she loved red velvet the most because it was so rich and sweet. Quickly she nodded her head and allowed the host to link arms with her. Then she was hit with a curve ball that really she should have expected, he asked for her name. Her nerves shot through the roof as she shook a bit and shifted her weight on her feet. She opened her mouth a time or two to see if the words would come out, but nothing happened.

Suzu became frustrated with herself and bit down on her lip as she struggled to compose herself enough to speak. Finally on the third attempt she managed to get some sound out of her throat. ”S-su…zu…me….A…Aka…hana. Y-year t-two…cl-class A.” It was barely above a whisper, but she said it. Quickly she dropped her head and bowed to the boy in a traditional greeting.

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

“Suzu-chan is so cute!”

Cute? Her? She was cute? Suzume felt the wind get knocked out of her lungs as she continued to follow the boy along to his seat. She blushed harder than any red apple could ever dream of becoming. The way the boy said her name was just so adorable! With the way the pretty girls seemed to be gushing with excitement and how they said Honey-senpai with every sentence it was pretty clear he was the one they were talking about. She quickly turned her head away and used her hair as a bit of a barrier between them. Cute? No he was crazy. She knew better than to believe something like that. Suzu wasn’t like the other girls that currently surrounded them.

She watched as Honey offered his bunny. ”Usa-chan.” It was the first thing she could say clearly, but her words were still no louder than a whisper. She set her bag next to the table and gladly accepted the plush pink rabbit. She was gentle and careful with every movement as she held the bunny close to her chest and hugged her. A soft smile and a happy blush rose on her cheeks as she looked at the sweet object. She really liked Usa-chan.

Suzu looked at the cake in front of her. She carefully cut a piece and took a small bite. She was more concerned about the plush toy in her arms than the cake, but the small piece that she did manage to eat was quite yummy. Though Honey finished his right away within a matter of seconds in fact. If she had the courage to look at him perhaps she would have giggled a bit, but she couldn’t bring herself to face him. Though she could feel the eyes of the other girls on her. If felt like they were burning holes into her flesh. She did her best to hide her fear though. The last thing she needed was to be the weak prey outside the lion’s den.

A question came from the boy. What did she like to do? Suzu had to think about it for a moment before she could offer the petite blonde an answer. She mumbled the first thing that came to mind. ”J-ju…do…and Karate. I like Martial Arts….I think….” She was a bit flustered as she thought about her club activities and passion. It was the best way for her to relieve stress and anxiety, plus it was always so much fun! It helped her feel strong too! Though she would never use her skills unless it was a dire emergency.

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

Suzu noticed that Honey was looking at her cake. The object that she had every intention of finishing off, or would have if she weren’t so distracted by the cute bunny in her hands. ”I’m…sorry…I like cake….I just…don’t usually…eat with people…around…” She blushed hard at the realization of the fact that she was so self-conscious when it came to everything about herself. Living with so much critical awareness could be stressful.

Her face lit up though as the small blonde mentioned more about martial arts, specifically that he did them. She was really happy to see that they had something in common. ”Since middle-school…” Suzu looked up at Honey and smiled softly. She then looked at her cake once more before casting her gaze at the bunny in her arms. She held up Usa-chan and offered her back to Honey. ”Usa-chan…doesn’t want to get dirty…” She blushed softly as she looked at Honey and waited for him to take back his precious stuffed friend. "Do you like other sweets besides cake?

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

Suzu made herself eat the cake quickly. It was so sweet and light. The subtle hints of strawberry flavoring was there, but not overpowering. It was a well-made desert. She was still careful about her actions as she ate though. Sure they were surrounded by others, just as Honey mention, but that just made her more aware of herself. She didn’t like to stand out in any way. It made her a target, of course being only five feet tall and having pink hair certainly didn’t help her hide. Being quiet certainly did though.

Honey’s answer to her question made her giggle. She couldn’t hide it as her face lit up and the sounds escaped her mouth for a moment. He really loved sweets. His smile was so bright and cute as he spoke to the other girls and just enjoyed himself. She really wondered how he could be so confident, but she kept quiet as they spoke. She needed time to think of an answer to his question anyway.

Why martial arts? Suzu fell in love with it at a time when her mother forced her to find a way to channel her emotions. When she was going through treatments and therapy to become a normal little girl, one who wasn’t supposed to harm herself or be sad. She still did it from time to time, when the emotions were too much. It wasn’t as common as in the past though, so at least she came a long way from where she started right? Why martial arts though? Why not dance? Why not acting like her mother? Because martial arts didn’t care about personality or appearance. Martial arts was about hard work, dedication, and discipline. ”It was the only thing that let me be strong…and focus on something good. What about you? Your family…did they make you do it?”

Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?

She felt bad for asking the question. Guilt consumed her small body as she cast her gaze away from the blonde boy and on to the now empty plate in front of her. She noticed the way his body seemed to tense up a bit at her question, even if he was able to keep the smile of his face. Still what the pink haired girl said made her feel terrible. Things were going so well too!

”I read…or other things. It just depends on how I feel…” She couldn’t stop thinking about her words and her actions. How could she ever hope to fit in? She was the weird one at the table. Honey was like this golden little angel and she was the mutated alien. Her emotions finally gave way to frustration as she bit down on her bottom lip to hide the tears starting to form in her rose colored orbs.

She looked up at the flowers on the table. The crystal vase was full orchids and carnations in various shades of pink and purple. It was a delicate arrangement. "I really love flowers too..." She smiled softly and touched the petals of one of the flowers. It was so soft and silky. "I have a small garden. What does Honey-senpai like to do?" This was perhaps the most she had talked to anyone outside of her family or household...well ever. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked at the object. How could something so beautiful be in a place like this?

She couldn't help but glance over at the boy next to her. He was kind of like the flowers too. He showed his inner beauty even though it was different from what everyone wanted or expected of him. "You're so bright and pretty Honey. Like a flower..."