Kasumi
I wasn't prepared for anything like this. Between the guy that snuck into the dance to drag me out and seeing Kyoya's father ready to force his actions, this was terrifying! Having done what Grimmjow said and running to the garden, I found Kim and Renji and ran over to them.
"Ka—" Kim was cut short when Renji sped over to me and asked what happened. I merely pointed and told him Grimmjow was fighting off a bunch of men on his own. He ran off so quickly like a blur I didn't think twice about it and felt my knees collapse. "Kasumi," Kim at my side, she looked at my face and her eyes grew wide with fear I might have been hurt.
"It's alright Kim, I'm ok," taking a hold of her dress and feeling secure she was with me, that she's here, she hugged me tight and I calmed down. I took a breath in and tried fixing myself up but gave up when she shook her head to the effort.
"What happened? I only left the floor for maybe an hour or so."
"Mr. Ootori is taking matters into his own hands and getting pretty damn desperate. I'm even more determined now to settle this with Kyoya and his bastard of a father." Rearing myself up and making sure I had my shit together, Kim wondered if the boys would be fine and I assured her that it would be the other guys she should fear for. Knowing how Grimmjow spars with me and how strong he already is, there's no doubt in my mind Renji is probably at the same level.
"Are you sure you want to go back in there?" She pointed at my dress and hair and I sighed in defeat.
"…my dress is a little ruffled, no shoes…hair probably a disaster…I totally want to go in there and present myself for his father's deeds." Taking her hand and walking with my chest high and newfound courage, we walked to the veranda entrance and I stunned the crowd and watched them part in waves to have me go through with ease when I found the reporters waiting. As though nothing has changed, that I was no different in presenting myself, one of the anchormen questioned if I was to go live looking the way I do and I merely smiled.
"Evening gentlemen, shall we begin that report?" Collective, calm, holding Kim's hand tightly, the reporters had their mics ready and the camera's rolling when I stared straight at that small black box and began the live feed.
The ballroom was quiet since the music stopped playing. Everyone had their attention on me and so focused on what I revealed that I could hear the crowd murmur and gossip. I proudly stood before them, keeping my tone level and steady, answering everything the media wanted and knowing he was watching. I saw Kyoya standing just off to the right of my peripheral vision and he looked confused and horrified. This was entirely his father's ploy I realized. But no matter, the matter is being dealt with and I will have justification for all this.
"Miss Matsumoto, your company is thriving economically without the Ootori's intervention, is there any news of that to expand or take on any other companies? And is there a future Mr. Matsumoto that we don't know about?"
"Excellent questions, but the one concerning of a future husband is to be determined by me and me alone." I faced the camera and I knew what needed to be said, at least, what should have been done the moment I had control. I saw in the crowd both Mori and Honey as they are special guests for the ending of the host club and were cordially invited here specifically for this. "To the successors of the Haninozuka branch and the Morinozuka branch, they will be the two families my company will affiliate with locally and overseas while also having my full support in their business." Both Honey and Mori gaped, not knowing this was my plan and stepped forward when I beckoned them. "They have been beside me for a rather long time before taking over my parent's company and I would be more than welcoming to accept their partnership."
Both Honey and Mori accepted the verbal contract and we shook on it in front of the camera's just so I could spite Kyoya and his father. In retrospect I will deal with the insurgence within my company and filter out those who betrayed me. Once the interview was over and done with, I walked to the balcony of the grand staircase and looked at everyone below me.
"Everyone, thank you for a most fun and adventurous year with you all. As my final presentation, please enjoy this eventful gift we came up for you."
The lights dimmed, a secret stash of flower pedals stored in the ceiling was unveiled and the pedals were coated in luminescent paint. Fluttering down and giving everyone an array of colors and a magical feel to the ball. The music picked up into a soft lilting tune making everyone ease and forget what they saw and enjoy the rest of the evening. I found my way down the steps back to the wall where Grimmjow and I had left each other and leaned on the cool beams with a heavy sigh.
"You did good Kasumi," Kim smiled and held my hand still. Honey and Mori also had come over and were merely surprised by the event.
"Most nerve-wracking thing I've done tonight…" not letting this ease all my tension, my hand was still shaking, I wanted to run back to where Grimmjow and Renji were and see if they were alright. But if I make another scene it will be bad rep. "Thank you Honey, Mori, for going with the flow."
"We were not expecting such a grand gesture coming here tonight. But we are all in working with you Kasu-chan!" Honey was merry as always and Mori merely went along with his words like usual. "I'm quite perplexed by what happened with you though…are you alright?" Honey asked.
"I'll be just fine…I managed to get out of this unscathed for the most part."
"But Kasu-chan is still shaking." Pointing it out when I tried so hard to hide it, I conceded to his perception.
"I'll be fine Honey, this will pass."
"Kasumi," Kim pointed to the left and I saw Grimmjow and Renji both smiling and giving a wave at us. "Not even a scratch on them," she whispered. Mori and Honey seemed to get the picture that discussion was over and would visit me at the company to go through all the paperwork and contracts together. Thanking them again as I leaned into Kim to continue the observation of Renji and Grimmjow's fighting prowess.
"I'll be surprised if they even have any wounds albeit even a scratch," I whispered.
Once she saw they were waiting for us to come over Kim had beat me to it running over to them. I followed without thought and as she went to see if Renji was hurt anywhere and I reached out for Grimmjow and found myself no longer shaking.
"Hey," so nonchalant I couldn't hold in the sputter of a laugh. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Me, hurt, no…" he took my hand and pressed it against his chest.
"Even if you act tough, what's scary is scary ain't it," he made me look at him and I held myself back from tearing up. "They won't be bothering you again, I can assure that much. In the meantime," his other hand reached around my waist and he quickly lifted me off the ground without warning and I didn't know what to say or think! "Let's get you two home, this is enough excitement for one night."
Seeing Renji had done the same to Kim and both of them carrying us out of the ball, we were so shocked and in a stupor we couldn't even act embarrassed!
"Oh my god everyone's looking at us." Hiding my face I heard Grimmjow chuckle as he cared not what anyone saw. "A-are you bleeding?!" Noticing the traces of blood on his tattered suit, he whispered back that it wasn't his. I should have been terrified seeing it, and knowing that he hit hard enough to make them bleed, but it didn't faze me a bit and I questioned myself if I was really ok with such violence happening around me.