𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 | ᴋᴜᴢᴜʀʏᴜ ꜰᴜʏᴜʜɪᴋᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

~𝟏𝟎~

In the evening, the grand hall of the Kuzuryu manor was abuzz with activity. Representatives from the Togami clan, the Kuzuryu clan, and several other allied clans were gathering for an important meeting. The atmosphere was tense, a mix of anticipation and underlying tension.

Hannah arrived with her father, Mr Togami, her wrist still bandaged from the previous day's fight. She did her best to mask her discomfort, standing tall and trying to project an air of confidence. The hall was adorned with banners representing the different clans, a symbol of their fragile alliance.

Fuyuhiko was already there, standing near the entrance with Peko by his side. He noticed Hannah immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly. Peko gave him a brief nod before stepping forward to greet Hannah and her father.

"Mr Togami, Hannah, welcome." Peko said, her tone respectful. "Please, this way."

Mr Togami nodded curtly and followed Peko, with Hannah slowly trailing behind. As they moved through the hall, Fuyuhiko couldn't help but notice the stiffness in Hannah's movements. Despite her efforts to hide it, it was clear she was still in pain.

They were led to a large conference table where other clan leaders and their representatives were already seated. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of what was to come. Discussions about alliances, mutual threats, and strategies were always intense, and today was no exception.

Fuyuhiko took his seat next to his father, the head of the Kuzuryu clan, while Peko stood behind him. Hannah and her father sat across from them, her eyes briefly meeting Fuyuhiko's before she looked away.

As the meeting commenced, Mr Togami addressed the room. "We've called this meeting to discuss the recent threats posed by the Morioka clan. Their aggression has escalated, and we need a unified strategy to counter their moves."

There were murmurs of agreement around the table. Fuyuhiko's father leaned forward, his expression serious. "The Kuzuryu clan is committed to this alliance. We've already increased our security measures, but we need to coordinate our efforts more closely."

Hannah sat in her seat, trying to maintain her composure. The discussions about the Morioka clan's movements and strategies were important, but her attention kept drifting. Her wrist ached, a constant reminder of how stubborn and pathetic she really was.

Suddenly, one of the older clan members, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, noticed her bandaged wrist. He smirked and leaned forward. "What happened there, Miss Togami?" he asked patronisingly, gesturing to her wrist. "Too weak to handle yourself?"

Hannah's eyes narrowed. "It's none of your business." she said coldly.

The man laughed mockingly, his voice echoing in the large hall. "It's all of our business if you're part of this alliance. We can't afford to have any weak links here."

Another clan member, a tall man with a sneer permanently etched on his face, joined in. "She probably doesn't even know how to shoot a gun. What's she going to do in a real fight? Cry for help?"

Hannah's face flushed with anger. "I know how to handle myself just fine." she shot back, her voice rising. "Just because I'm injured doesn't mean I'm weak!"

The men laughed again, their mocking tones grating on her nerves. "Oh really? Maybe we should test that," the tall man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Hannah's fists clenched, her knuckles turning white. She could feel the heat of their mockery and the pressure to prove herself. Just as she was about to stand and yell, her father's voice cut through the room like a knife.

"That's enough!" Mr Togami's voice was stern, his authority unquestionable. "This meeting is about our alliance against the Morioka clan, and tomorrow's mission. Not petty squabbles."