Hey everyone! Pls enjoy this new chapter.
Chapter 30: Friday, Meeting the grandfather
"Finally done!" Ichigo sighed as he stretched his arms up after an hour of finishing homework.
"Well at least now we have the whole weekend free." I said.
"Some of us though." Hitsugaya remarked as they all looked towards a sleeping Rangiku. "She was practically asleep the whole time."
"It's Rangiku after all. We better get going, it's getting late. Could you wake her up Rukia?" I asked.
"Yeah, tell that lazy woman it's time to join the living." Hitsugaya remarked again.
Outside:
"School's finally over. Luckily I was able to survive that 2 hour lecture." Rangiku groaned as she rolled her right shoulder.
"Dozing off during for more than half of the lecture is not what I call surviving. Just what made you this tired?!" Hitsugaya sighed and I chuckled. Soon I felt my phone vibrate, someone sent me a message. I read it, and froze.
"Kurara? What's up?" Ichigo asked.
"Huh? Oh um, I just realized I left something back in class. I'll meet you guys back at home." I said before running back to school. I rushed into class and dialed a number into my phone.
"I see you have gotten my message Kurara." An old man's voice said.
"Yes I have, Grandfather."
Next Day, Kuchiki's POV:
"I'll be going now." I heard Haruno cry out before she left the house. She told us she was going out with her cousin for the whole day to show her around Sereitei. As I was arranging some documents, I saw a white envelope. It held an invitation to a Shiku corp anniversary party. The Shiku Corp were one of the most famous business companies in Japan, they had ties with almost all the companies in Japan, including the Kuchiki family. This invitation was supposed to be for my grandfather and Hisana (For what reason I do not know), but he told me to go in his place and to bring Rukia as well. I didn't really feel like going but Rukia was so ecstatic about it so I couldn't say no.
At night, Kurara's POV:
I was in a grand room, with two maids getting my make up on. Yes you heard right, maids. I'm sure you remembered my grandfather calling me right? Well my grandfather is the founder of the Shiku corp, shocking isn't it? And you're probably wondering why in the world am I his granddaughter, well it's…
"Kurara, are you ready or not?" Soon my cousin Sheriru came in, wearing a short red dress tied with black lace around her waist with black heels. It was quite shocking to see her like this since she almost never wear dresses, unless forced to by our grandmother. "I really hate these dresses, at least she didn't make me wear those with ruffles. You on the other hand, you're so easy going." She commented looking at my maroon gown with ruffles at the end and a matching ribbon choker and ruby red heels.
"I really don't mind, I like these gowns." I replied while the maids made their way out. "I just can't believe she got you into this."
"I myself can't believe it, but what's done is done. You better go out now before he starts looking for us. We soon made our way out of the room and walked through the hallway to the ballroom. In the ballroom, there were already many people chatting and eating, mostly from famous companies. We soon made our way down the stairs and met our grandparents.
"You're here, good. I like you two to go and meet as many guests as you can. Please make a good impression." Our grandmother said in a stern voice.
"Oh honey, you shouldn't put so much pressure on them. Just have fun ok girls?" our grandfather said in a more cheerful voice before the two of them left to meet some guests who just came in.
"I'm so glad grandpa ain't like grandma." Sheriru commented, crossing her arms in annoyance.
"Come on, she just doesn't want us to embarrass ourselves in front of important people."
"Kurara-nee! Sheriru-nee!" I turned and saw Mack running towards us. He wasn't as fast as before since he was wearing a little tux with a green tie. "How do I look?" he asked excitedly showing off his new clothes.
"Very adorable." I replied with a smile. He gave us a bright smile. When he looked somewhere else, he gave a curious look. "What's wrong?"
"Isn't that one of your roommates?" What?! I turned to his direction and saw….Kuchiki sensei and Rukia?! I almost screamed at the sight of them. What the heck are they doing here?! I can't let them see me like this!
"Sheriru. I'm sorry but could you follow me around so that you can help hide me." I pleaded.
"What?! What are you talking about?" she softly exclaimed.
"Look over there." I said and pointed at the two. "I can't let either of them know I'm here. They'll practically freak out if they did." I stammered, cautious not to make a wrong move.
"Yeah I can do that. Just, one problem…" Sheriru said quietly.
"What?"
"You do remember grandfather wanted you to greet all our guests in five minutes time right?" silence came between us. I almost screamed if it wasn't for Sheriru covering my mouth at the instant.
"Gah! What am I gonna do?!" I quietly exclaimed. "Sheriru, can't you take my place?!"
"First, grandmother will know by the second and will kill us both. Second, if I'm here, he's bound to know you're related too since we are cousins. Third, that guy already can tell us apart." I stared at her in shock. "When we met last time, he could tell us apart just by looking at our eyes." Our eyes?
"Oh gosh! Now what do we do?!" I softly cried out, panicked.
"Just make sure he doesn't see you. That's all you have to…Gah!" Sheriru stopped as her eyes grew wide and shaking. I followed her eyes and was just as shocked as her. There we saw Mack strolling happily towards Kuchiki sensei and Rukia as if he doesn't see the consequences. Mack you idiot!
Kuchiki POV:
"Kuchiki-san!" I know that voice… I turned around and was surprised at what I saw. Haruno's little brother, Mack strolling towards me and Rukia.
"Mack?! What! What are you doing here?" Rukia asked out loud when she saw him as well.
"I'm…" his mouth was suddenly covered before he could say anymore. It was Haruno Sheriru. What is she doing here?!
"Sheriru? What are doing here? What are you two doing here?!" Rukia cried out, looking at the two of them.
"Uhm, uhm. My father! Yeah, he was invited to the party and since Mack wanted to come so badly, we decided to bring him along." Sheriru said with a slightly fake smile. Something was up, but Rukia seemed to have bought if since she was now happily talking to Sheriru. Sometimes I think that Kurosaki's simple-mindedness is rubbing off on her. Then I caught sight of the president of the Shiku company and decided to leave Rukia with the other two.
"Hello you must be President Shiku Satoru. It's nice to meet you." I said. The minute I approached him, a girl who was standing beside him quickly turned away.
"Oh I'm sorry. That was my granddaughter. She's rather shy, please excuse her. Anyway I believe you are Kuchiki Byakuya, your grandfather informed me that you were taking his place. It's nice to finally meet you." We then shook hands. But I couldn't help but feel like I have met that girl.
Kurara's POV:
"That was so close!" I cried out exasperated. I was taking a breather outside at balcony. I stood there, leaning against the railing. I can't let Kuchiki sensei see me like this. "Hah…What am I gonna do?!" I silently complained to myself.
"So there you are." GASP! I slowly turned around and saw Kuchiki sensei walking towards me, quickly turning back to block my face with my hair. "I heard that you were the granddaughter of Mr Shiku. It's nice to meet you." What the heck, did grandpa tell him that?! Please tell me he didn't tell him who I am! "I'm guessing you're not the type who likes parties such as this." He continued.
"Uhm, well…They exhaust me that's all." I said making my voice as different as usual as possible. The truth is, I really like these sort of parties. "Anyway, I better get back, I think my grandmother is calling me." I quickly made an excuse and started to make a move out.
"Wait!" in that moment, I felt a tight squeeze on my wrist and without thinking, I turned around. Then the wind started to blow towards us, blowing my hair away from my face. With my hair revealing my face, I could clearly see Kuchiki sensei's shocked face as he stares at me.
"Haruno…" he quietly said, loosening his grip on me. I took the opportunity to break free and ran for the ballroom, leaving him alone in wonder. Oh god! Now what am I gonna do?!
"Kurara! There you are! Hurry, the dance is about to start." My grandmother suddenly came behind me and dragged me to the center of the room where the rest of the guests were gathering for the dance. I don't know why, but at events like this, grandmother always pulls me in. Soon the music started and I was made to dance with another stranger, the scenario every dance party. In the middle of the dance, I was separated by my first partner and pulled in by another. I was shocked. It was Kuchiki sensei.
"Kuchiki sensei?!" I silently exclaimed. When I turned my head, I could see Rukia also giving a shocked face when she saw the two of us dancing with each other.
"Now you have no way to escape." He whispered near my ear. I blushed when his breathe brushed through my skin and how sexy his voice sounded like. In the end, we danced throughout the whole song. Just as I was about to make my escape from him after bowing at each other, he grabbed my wrist and made the face that he wanted to talk.
In a room:
"Just what are you guys doing here?" I asked, looking at Sheriru and Rukia sitting on the couch.
"Rukia wanted to know so I brought her here. Besides, I figured you needed explaining." Sheriru replied, I sighed.
"So what's the deal? Why were you called the granddaughter of the owner of the Shiku corp." Rukia asked first. I kept silent, I still couldn't tell them.
"The thing is, Kurara is the first born in the family. And since there were no boys in our family, people thought that Kurara would be taking over the company. When that rumor got out, people started giving marriage proposals for Kurara's hand in marriage." That statement made Kuchiki sensei and Rukia gape in shock. I don't blame them, I mean who would ask a nine year to get married? "Even after stating the truth, they still continued. After all, if they get their sons to marry Kurara, a lot of the Shiku corp's profits can go to them. They even went to the extreme. So to protect her, our grandfather decided for them to secretly escape and taking my father's family name Haruno for extra protection." Sheriru explained. When I looked at Kuchiki sensei, I could see he was still trying to digest all of this in.
"Well, I guess that makes a little sense." Rukia softly said.
"Anyway, you guys must promise not to tell anyone. If anyone knew about this, things could get bad." Sheriru concluded. They were probably thinking why. "Anyway, Rukia there's this dessert you love so much. Let's go!" Sheriru suddenly said and dragged a stunned Rukia out of the room. Everything was quiet between me and Kuchiki sensei.
"What did she mean that things would go bad?" he finally asked.
"I can't tell. It's personal." I covered up. After all, it was what you could say, my dark secret. I couldn't even look at Kuchiki sensei at that moment. Then I felt myself being tightly squeezed. Kuchiki sensei was hugging me! I could feel his warmth spreading around me, with his arms wrapped around me and his chin softly placed on the top of my head. "Ku…Kuchiki sensei?!" I stuttered with my hands lightly clutching his shirt.
"You don't have to worry about it. I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me." He whispered. His soft voice made my heart warm up and I had an urge to cry. Suddenly, Kuchiki sensei planted a kiss on my forehead, making my heart skip a beat. He then lowered his head until our eyes were at the same level and he gave a warm smile. "You can trust me." He assured, rubbing his finger below my eye, making me realise that I was actually crying. I quickly rubbed my eyes to hide my tears.
"We better get going. I'm sure your grandparents must be wondering where you are." He said. Just as he was about to walk out the door, he turned back and patted me on the head. "Make sure you get those tears off. You look better when your smiling." He said before walking out of the room. I stood there, face heating up. Those sweet words from Kuchiki sensei still rang in my head. At first he behaved like a cold person, but now his words are warming my heart. I always believed that he acted this way because he thought of me as a sister, but was that really it. Cause I felt something even more. Could this be…Love?
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