Sparring with a new partner
Preparation for the end of the host club has really started coming into play. We've been running around like crazy trying to get everything together for our biggest event we've ever pulled off. For this club anyways. What is it you ask?
The Rose Maiden Ball galaxy theme!
Now technically with all that's happened to me thus far with Kyoya and his 'proposal', Kyoya did postpone everything till the end of the ball for my official answer. Though I've tried for the last week to get Kyoya to speak with me properly and call this whole thing off, his father had come with an astute answer saying this should be thought of more. Since I'm merely still a child in their eyes I clearly had no say in the matter. And as much as I want to punch them all in the face, clearly that is not an answer for me. And since my encounter with Grimmjow and his confusing questions and behavior, this entire week has been a strange mess.
While tending to a few guests of mine, the girls kept staring at me while fiddling with their teacups and I had to stop myself from sighing so deeply knowing the question they wished to ask.
"Is there something on your mind?"
"Ah, um…if you don't mind me asking…are you and Kyoya really matched to be wed?"
"Lady Rise!" One of the girls chided.
"It's quite alright," seeing their eyes widen with curiosity and also able to see Kyoya within hearing distance, this was something I could ultimately screw up or make a stand. "Kyoya and I are matched by his father, but no true announcement of the final decision has been met."
"I-is that so…" they each fumbled the remaining tea in their hands and I played the part of a devious mistress and leaned forward while brushing a finger under her chin.
"Unless its you who wish to take me as your own?" Being as sultry as possible and seeing the poor girls face glow red and steam coming out of her ears, I played my part intricately well and saw Kyoya eyeing me from afar. "Ladies, our time is up…I must leave you and tend to some matters."
"Y-yes Kasumi-sama~" They were enamored more or less and I walked away with a grin on my face while also sensing Kyoya following behind.
"Kasumi." His cool voice low and only audible for me to hear him, I glanced back and saw his worried expression. "What was that?"
"Hmm…merely playing the part of a hostess, nothing more."
"Your answer. Why was is so curt?"
I wanted to shove him away from me and yell at him for his fathers doing but knew that would cause far more trouble than necessary.
"Was my answer wrong in any way? This marriage your father arranged was one done without my consent and published in the tabloid. And after he so graciously extended the timeframe to after the ball, it makes no difference telling anyone asking that this is merely on hold for further discussion."
"But you're making it sound as though it won't happen?"
He was honestly perplexed as he looked at me but the thought that was running through my mind was having him actually speak to me. I've been trying for a week to get him to do just this and he does it on his own after what he heard? How pompous can one be?
"Kyoya, as much as this discussion should happen this is neither the time or place for it. If you actually wish to talk about it for a change with me then arrange it. I have to go back to work for the graduation ceremony." Brushing him off for the first time after all the times he's brushed me off, it felt good. But as I grabbed flyers and other materials for the dance heading to the council room, I slowed my pace and found myself in the very hallway where Kyoya bandaged my back. I stopped at the large open window overlooking the courtyard and clock tower and remembered how Kyoya slyly whispered sweet words in my ear. It feels like forever ago since then. I can recall it so clearly too.
I stared at my hand, recalling those brief encounters here in the hallway and how cheeky he was each time. I knew I was stubborn about my feelings and shoved every ounce of it down and continued to avoid it happening. But each and every time I pushed him away he always seemed to thread me back to him. So then why has so much changed in just a span of a year? Why do I feel such sorrow each time I'm with him rather than that spark we once held? This feeling is so raw and new to me…not even Zen made this happen. I felt afraid and empty with him while with Kyoya I felt such new interests form and was happy. Now the feeling is lost and I don't know where to grab onto to get it back.
"Ah, Matsumoto-san," one of the regulars who visit the club sought me out and ran over. I quickly disposed my turbulent feelings and put on my womanly mask to match the host club image.
"Yes," answering her call, her face turned red and she shyly twisted part of her dress before speaking again.
"I…I was wondering if you would dance with me at the ball…" asking shyly, I merely smiled and took her hand like Tamaki would and kissed the back of her hand gently.
"Sorry, but for that evening I am taken by another. But please don't fret," playing Tamaki wasn't hard anymore, it was easy and well practiced since I had to deal with him every single day. "I would enjoy seeing you in a dress that evening and watching how you dance."
She swooned with her face flushed a deep crimson. She thanked me in kind and ran back to her friend at the end of the hall and waved goodbye.
Taking my time to collect myself once more before presenting myself to the council, I walked the hall towards the office to drop off my reports when I happened to see Kim and Kaoru speaking. Instinctively I hid behind the wall. I don't know why, but when seeing them I felt it improper to interrupt.
"Kaoru…" her voice seemed strained? "Is there something you need to tell me? We haven't spoken in weeks and you keep avoiding my gaze each time I meet up with you."
This sounds extremely personal and most definitely something I should not be overhearing. Before I listened in on anything more I went back towards the host club and would drop off the stuff to the office later.
Alone again and merely placing the stuff in the art room for later, walking to the courtyard and having a quiet moment to myself felt like the right course of action. My thoughts are all over the place and I need to take a breather.
"Kasumi," a familiar voice, I turned around and found both Mori and Honey down the hall!
"Mori-senpai, Honey-senpai," a sigh of relief washed over me and I smiled. "What brings you back to Ouran?" Catching up to them and giving a brief hug, it was good seeing familiar faces that don't stress me out.
"Kasu-chan," Honey looked a little worried when he looked down at me from atop Mori's shoulders, and I think they knew something about the marriage proposal. They knew me so well, it was hard to hide anything from them. But I really didn't want them to come and worry over me about that. Especially when the two are busy with their own family matters and college.
"Are you alright Kasu-chan? We heard about it…you know…" he didn't say it out loud but I knew exactly what he meant.
"I see," lowering my eyes and trying to fake a smile now, this was getting harder and harder to avoid. "Everything's fine," I lied. "Can you believe Kyoya would propose to me? Crazy isn't it," my voice breaking, it was just so difficult to lie to these two. Anyone else I could fake out, but these two have seen through me over and over that it's pointless. Yet here I am still trying to lie to them…and myself. Just why is it so hard for me to accept all this? To just let everything fall into place and not think so harshly over the small details?
"Stop," Mori placed his hand on my head and I knew that he saw through me. "We came because we were worried about you."
"What made you worry…" I asked. My eyes no longer meeting theirs, it was Mori who made me look back up to them and even he furrowed his brow with concern.
"This," Honey pulled out a magazine that didn't match the morning tabloid Kim showed me. "It's not out to the public yet, but I saw it in my father's office and had to know for sure."
I took it gingerly from his hand and froze in place when I saw the headline. On the front cover were Kyoya and his initial proposal to the public. It was dated last week…which meant that Kyoya himself, along with his father, have entirely decided my future. This magazine was to be released to the public in a couple days stating that I agreed to the proposal and consented to an early marriage.
"We heard that the decision was to be made after the ball, have you already given your answer then?" Honey asked.
My hands shaking, I couldn't hold back anything anymore and I felt something snap inside my head. A string of my own sanity twined too tightly finally gave out and here I stood fuming. "…that asshole!" My voice booming with anger, the cacophony of sounds from my voice lingered until Honey got off Mori and approached me cautiously.
"Kasu-chan," worried, he tugged my sleeve and I pulled away.
"…You personally grabbed this from your father's office, correct?" Quickly he answered, from there I crumbled the magazine in my hands and stuffed it in my blazer. "I need to end this fiasco of a nightmare before it escalates."
"Kasumi," Mori stopped me by taking hold of my shoulder and flinched when I gave him a look.
"I'm sorry you two had to see this side of me, but in no way shape or form am I allowing the Ootori family to do with me however they want! You two know me better than this and I don't want this to destroy any relationship we all have but this…this took it too far and I can't stand things being done behind my back!" Storming off, my blood was burning through my veins. The nerve of him to make my decision before graduating, before the ball even started after allowing the extended time, this took every ounce of my maturity to the edge and shattered all reasoning.
Rather than going home I thought of a different course of action. I went to work and began furiously pulling strings and making different connections with some business partners overseas I've been dealing with. Several transactions were still in the air and a few things needed to be done to make our companies tied together a success. But after turning over a few favors and willingness to comply to several demands that would thus help my company thrive in the future, the zoom meeting was over with and I sent out all the remaining documents and policies over to them and signed each contract.
"Do we have a deal then Matsumoto?" The leading chairman of a large American company wanted to be sure all was accounted for.
"Everything is in compliance, I am sending my final contract now and look forward to our union."
"Matsumoto, are you sure your up for this? Having us join this faction and also complying with the over seas district will place a great deal of work on your shoulders." The CEO of the oil company was direct, but he was wise and has helped my parents with a great deal of things in the past.
"Everything on my end including the branches that I've tended to have greatly improved over the years. This will only work in our favor as each of us work diligently to avoid any issues in the future of the companies growth."
"And the donation sect? That will not be affected?" The Chairman of the leading donors around the globe voiced his concern as well.
"I assure each of you that the Matsumoto corp will undoubtfully be the leading core of every company to go through with every transaction without hitches. My base of operations being here and my sister companies al around the globe, we can successfully send and gather raw materials and shipments anywhere. The opportunities of the transportation company will grow exponentially and there will be no one to top us."
"Matsumoto transport and foreign affairs will no doubt help us. We look forward to the partnership in the coming years."
"I as well. Thank you for your time gentleman, I have other matters I must attend to."
Ending the remaining zoom meeting and rubbing my neck, the smile on my face to a successful partnership was everlasting. The Ootori family will no longer have access to my company and would only be able to stay put here in Japan and be unable to gather strength from outside sources. I've overtaken the trade, making it impossible for any company not affiliated with me to do any business overseas. Once I handed in the remaining paperwork to my secretary to finish the remaining ties to Ootori, severing us entirely from doing business with them, it was only a matter of time till he heard of it.
Several hours waiting in my office, seeing the charts fluctuate and the market grow in my favor, I heard my secretary beyond the door trying to calm someone on the phone and knew it was him at long last.
*ping*
"Yes…"
"Mr. Ootori is on the line wishing to speak with you."
"Send him through."
folding my hands in my lap and waiting, the call patched through and I clicked the button to begin.
"Matsumoto speaking," my voice steady, the line was quiet but something was off about this being Mr. Ootori that I waited for.
"Kasumi," Kyoya was on the phone. "Kasumi I just received word from my father you…you separated the companies? What is this about?"
"Kyoya," my words were unsteady at first, but the Matsumoto blood in me took place and I straightened in my chair. "You are correct. I did pull away our companies."
"Why?!"
"Do you really need an explanation? Let me enlighten you for a moment," standing now and pacing the room, I turned the tv on for background noise and gathered my thoughts quickly. "You deliberately deceived me, you and your father. This grand scheme of yours for this marriage and letting me have the right to decide after the ball, after we graduate was merely a farce." I paused to catch my breath and felt my blood still boiling. "I saw the magazine…front cover headline even…does any of this ring a bell to you?" Taking out the very one and crumbling it in my hand, tossing it angrily into the bin, I was done with everything. "How could you look at me in the face each day and knowingly play with me this way? Is that why you were so distraught of my answer earlier today? Makes sense to me now, but damn…I'm not some trophy to be won in the industry of power."
He was quiet, nothing but his unsteady breathing was heard. Clenching my fist and teeth and hurt beyond what I thought I'd feel over this, I stopped my quivering lips and faced the reality. Hardened my heart and took control of my emotions so I could end this.
"This little game of yours stops here. I am the sole owner of my parent's legacy and I built it from where they left it! To think you of all people would stoop so low as to use me for marriage to get in on my company—did nothing matter to you? Those days spent at school and out, making me fall for you, the small talk and the constant reminder of your presence—everything you had done was this the result you wanted?"
"Kasumi that's not—" I stopped him there and laughed.
"First it was Zen, and to think I allowed myself to trust and believe you to be different from him. I'm calling this entire charade off; you will not have anything to do with my company and neither will you have anything to do with me."
"Wait Ka—" I hung up the phone angrily and returned to my seat and took a deep breath. The real anger not ceasing, I wanted Mr. Ootori to call me so I could seethe out my anger at him directly.
As if on cue, the phone rings. My secretary already patching it through, I picked it up calmly and on the other line I could hear him.
"Matsumoto speaking."
"This is Mr. Ootori speaking," his voice was trembling with anger. Good. I hope he was angry, because the anger I had was fueled by him and fanned by his son.
"Evening Mr. Ootori," I answered sternly; placing him on speaker and my fingers folded in my lap and crossing my leg over the other. "Mr. Ootori, so good of you to call me at this time. There is a matter of which I must discuss with you." I felt my personality shift. The cold me that I used to be long ago was surfacing and I used it. The face of a businesswoman with no emotion. A cold and heartless woman with no care who fell below my feet as long as my company thrived. This is my face of a pure aristocrat of my upbringing and I was using every ounce of it.
"Miss Matsumoto…" the anger trembling through his voice, I waited. "Why did you sever our company ties?"
"Why?" I scoffed with a smile pulling the corners of my lips. "I may be young Mr. Ootori, but having you decide my future to your son without my consent was a little far." Openly displeased, he was silent. "You angered me Mr. Ootori…doing something like this is merely an example of power I have. With this change I would like you to know your place in the food chain of business partnership. In hindsight you do not hold such power to trifle with someone like me and I plan on making that well known. You went behind my back and announced to the press of a marriage that was undecided. You of all people should understand why I am not overly fond of this relationship and now I decline the marriage with your son Kyoya, and all other sons you have amongst you." I could hear him fuming and something clatter on his end of the line. Good. Feeling this angry was nothing compared to mine.
"Our partnership is entirely over with and it won't change anything to my side of the charts. The connections I have overseas are far more reliable than a scheming man who uses those around him for profitable gain."
I heard a clatter of sorts again on the line and figured he slammed his fist down. My voice never wavered. This was the final draw.
"There will be a public announcement of my decision on the night of the Rose Maiden Ball. I will have reporters there and several other news anchors to see to the correct information without any deceit. You are no longer allowed to openly share your 'marriage' idea to the public. I will have you stripped down from that throne you're so proud of. Do not anger me further."
"I see…" I could tell he was caught in a spiral. Not wavering his voice as he spoke briefly back at me, I stopped him and made my final move.
"Mr. Ootori, as the sole heiress to my company, I have every right to choose whom to marry. Your son and I were together as a couple through school until you began to insert ideas into his head that led to this separation. I will reveal to the public that this wedding was called off and that my company no longer associates with the Ootori from here on out. Do I make myself clear?" Making sure that this was heard correctly, that I was not to be misunderstood, no one was to question me and use me for any personal gain ever again!
The line was silent for a long time before I heard him sigh over the phone and admit his defeat. Apologies were made properly, and I felt relief for the first time in several months and hung up the phone and leaned back in my chair comfortably.
"I did it…I broke it all off." Speaking with myself and having everything come into perspective, my only obstacle now was dealing with Kyoya at school. "I wonder if things would return to normal…?" Laughing at myself thinking that it could be normal between us, I turned to my computer and rummaged through some old files. Pictures of Kyoya and I throughout the year, the Host Club activities, all the trouble we went through was saved in such a small folder. I browsed maybe a hundred photos and several videos before I collected my thoughts to see things through. "Things change for the better…I need to change and move forward."