Standard disclaimers apply to the fictional characters of BLEACH used in this story. They are the property of the esteemed Kubo Tite-sensei, and I have no claim over them. Please don't sue.
-.-
When she was excused from the room, Katagiri certainly didn't expect Ryuuken to march out right after her. Without another word, he took her by the elbow and literally dragged her to his bedroom.
She only followed him with eyes wide with panic. Did she make him angry by stepping out of bounds?
He slammed the door closed behind him and locked it securely. She stood in the middle of his room as her hands fisted the fabric of her apron. She kept her head low, expecting harsh reprimanding words from him as he steadily walked over to her. His breathing was uneven with the rush of emotions.
"Katagiri, you…" He started to pace around her. "You have to be the most foolish woman I've met, second to Masaki! Do you know what you just did? You are gambling away your livelihood! Do you despise this family so much that you are willing to sacrifice your job?"
He went full circle and ended up facing her. His troubled blue eyes sent a pang through her heart. Taking hold of her shoulders, he demanded, "Did you lie when you said you are always going to support me?"
"Do you think I was lying when I said that to you, Young Master?" She threw the question back at him. Her heart hurt terribly right now.
"Then why, Katagiri? Tell me why you went so far as to bet on your job!" By now, his face was right in front of hers and his grip was painful. "Tell me why you had to embarrass me in front of my own parents!"
"Embarrass you?" Kanae couldn't believe the words she was hearing. She knew that she might possibly have wounded his pride, but didn't he know why? She wanted to laugh brokenly but only swallowed the tears as she responded, "Haven't you possibly thought that I did this simply because I believe in you, Ryuuken-sama? I believe that you will not falter in your future path, that you will ultimately reach your goals because that is the kind of person you are. But for you to doubt yourself, to already think that you will fail without fully taking advantage of the chance… Perhaps Katagiri is a foolish woman for believing in Ryuuken-sama…"
Tears blurred her eyes but she felt his hands go slack and he took a step back from her. Without him holding on to her shoulders, her knees buckled as her body and mind went numb. She was foolish to not realize that the obvious repercussion for the blow to his pride was a blow to her heart, to her pride.
Suddenly Kanae found herself wrapped in Ryuuken's arms with her own arms trapped between them. She could feel him press a kiss to the crown of her head as he muttered phrase into her hair, a phrase which she wholeheartedly agreed on.
"We're both fools."
-.-
AN: This is literally a continuation of the previous chapter. I just didn't want to write two scenes and break the style of the story telling! From here on, it will be weekend updates since I'll be working. Till then!