eight.

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
"Is she a princess or something?" Haruhi sweatdropped to the grand building before her. Good thing that the limousine took them to the mansion because it was a long way there from the front gardens.
                          
Kazumi's house consisted of five towers, one in the center and two on each side. The exterior had a cream color, while the roofs were a royal blue. Behind the construction was what seemed to be an endless forest.
                          
"Well, what do you expect from a rich family?" Kyoya pointed out.
                          
It was easy sometimes for Haruhi to forget that Kazumi was from a wealthy family. Her senpai had the common sense that the others lacked and was much less obnoxious that it felt like talking to a commoner just like herself - if you brush aside her elegant mannerisms.
                          
Before the hosts could knock on the big wooden doors, they opened up abruptly, revealing a tall and young man wearing glasses and a suit, looking them up and down sternly.
                          
"Who are you, people?" He demanded. They recognized his voice as being the same as the one who answered the interphone by the gate.
                          
"We're the host club. We came--" The door slammed shut before Tamaki could finish his introduction.
                          
It shocked all the hosts as they had never been treated like that before.
                          
"Hehehe," Nekozawa appeared beside the group, laughing darkly at them. "I told you guys would have a hard time."
                          
"But you said her mother was the one angry!" Whined Honey.
                          
"The Tokimatsu staff are very loyal, and they like Umi-san very much. It won't be much of a surprise if they treat you coldly."
                          
The front door opened again, the same man as before appearing. He bowed deeply in respect.
                          
"Please, forgive me for my rudeness." His apologies brightened the hosts. "I wasn't aware of your visit, Umehito-sama. Please, come in." The hosts deflated as the man said Nekozawa's name.
                          
After their odd senior got inside the house, the man promptly made to close the door.
                          
"It's okay, Yamamoto-san," a female voice stopped the man from closing the door on their faces once again. They suspected he secretly enjoyed doing it. "Let them in. I'd like to have a chat with them."
                          
"As you wish, Tokimatsu-sama." The man bowed respectfully.
                          
"I already told you to call me Emi," she gave him an amused smile.
                          
"Of course, Emi-sama."
                          
As Yamamoto let them in, Nekozawa was already out of sight.
                          
At the center of the spacious foyer laid a grand and imposing set of stairs covered in a red carpet. The rest of the room was all white marble with golden and black details on the decoration. It was extravagant but in a subtle and elegant way that Haruhi saw herself enjoying.