The Next Day

It was coming close to the end of our semester to have our break begin before the big ceremony. Since we had all the credits needed to graduate, it really didn't matter if we went to school at this point or not since we could technically graduate anytime now. I was planning on taking Kim somewhere where the Host Club wouldn't bother us—and neither would our boyfriends.

"Kasumi," Kim walked in with a magazine and held it out for me. "I got this in the mail today," she hesitated to go on but did so after her pause. "I saw something about your company on the second page…but I think you should turn to page six." Handing it to me and seeing Mr. Ootori, he announced Kyoya's proposal in a headliner! Displaying both of us as an already married couple!

"The fuck is this?!" Slamming the magazine down on the table, my nerves were already on edge just remembering that night as I ran my hands through my slightly messy hair; I've just about had it with all this nonsense. Just seeing that was taking things too far!

Sensing my thoughts, Kim spoke softly, "Don't do anything rash…" she did her best to try and soothe me and ease my aching wounds that covered my pride, but my anger was at its max and I needed to deal with that anger or something very bad was about to go down. Be it breaking some necks or something in the house, I don't know, but I had to vent this out!

"I'm going to cool my head…maybe go for a run through the old park." Grabbing my coat and fixating my hair into a tight ponytail, I looked at Kim who looked rather haggard herself and thought that perhaps the both of us would be better off without rich boyfriends. It seems we both made an unfortunate mistake.

"Be careful," showing me out and waving as I left, I ran hard towards the park without turning back.

~OoOoO~
KIM

I knew it would set her over the edge, but to this extent of her going for a run to cool off I wasn't prepared for it. Once I gathered my things to head to school I felt my ears twitch beneath by burette and something smelled off in the air.
"What is this feeling?" As though all my hair is standing on end with the air feeling like I'm walking through a static chamber, I looked to where Kasumi disappeared and wondered if I should have followed her. Unable to change now and just leaving it to her own methods, school was becoming taxing from doing my original duties. With Kaoru being the way he is and no help whatsoever from his brother I'm getting more and more agitated that I thought having this kind of freedom was pointless.
Arriving to school with every student body scrambling around for their graduation preparations, I headed to the clubroom and found only Tamaki present.

"Dearest Kim~" his flamboyant approach making my eye twitch for a second, I gathered my composure and smiled.

"Something the matter?"

"I need your honest opinion on the outfit we're to wear to the ball. The members must be extraordinary of course, but the theme of it all escapes my brilliant mind."

"Hmm." Taking a gander and noticing several options for the theme, it was actually decent of Tamaki making this many choices. "Explain each of these choices and let me ponder through it."

"But of course." He walked over and stopped at the first choice. "A tropical theme was my first choice considering our brilliant encounter with you and Kasumi. Less I forget the two of you with those snakes and surprising us all with your antics."

"Ah yes, Romeo and Juliet, I nearly forgot that." Chuckling to the amusing memory, I did miss those serpents dearly, but having them go to a better home where a caretaker would watch them all the time was surely better for them.

"But then the time at the beach was most wonderous as we discovered quite a bit about one another and grew closer to one another." The designs were not bad, more tranquil than the tropical clothing, but something about the beach and recalling it put a bad taste in my mouth.

"To recall that as something wonderous is putting words in your mouth. Too many things happened that time and it leaves an odd taste."

"Is that so?" He pondered for only a moment before walking to a more darker theme and I recognized it to be the Halloween event. "Surely many things happened, but when I think of this holiday where we spent a great deal together, I do believe our relationships really grew during this moment."

"You're right about that…" missing the way Kaoru looked at me, how devious we both were and playing around, this was a fond memory for me. I had Kasumi realize her feelings for Kyoya, how I really grew attached to Kaoru and wished for nothing more.

"Kim…are you alright?"
Not realizing I was dazing at the outfits but feeling the pang in my own heart of how things have changed, this would open wounds we probably don't wish to have.

"I'm fine…please continue."

"This is something I thought of myself but unsure what others would think."

"Is this a masquerade ball theme here? But if I recall we have already done something of the like."

"Indeed…but perhaps a slight change to it could create something new?"

"Hmm…you know, in a way I think this could work but how about we do something more exciting?"

"How so?"

"Galaxy theme! Think of it this way." I grabbed some brilliant cobalt blue silk and wrapped it around the mannequins and tried having him envision it. "Go beyond what you think your capable of. Strive for something further than you think you could possibly reach. Anyone can wear something that matches their own unique interest and if wearing a mask is something that matches them they can do it. The host club members will wear masks and unveil themselves in their most brilliant fashion."

"That sounds fantastic! This is why your in the fashion industry!" Praising me as much as he is capable of, we worked out the kinks and settled on the theme. He called for his crew to begin the construction of the ballroom to the details taking place and I would collaborate with my own ideas if any come up. Sealing the deal and leaving him to it, the feeling of static in the air was dense and I looked to the skies and saw dark clouds forming.

"Is it a storm? Must be a bad one if its making me this uneasy."