Playing with fire
Hitsugaya held back from answering the message for as long as he could. At first he thought he was dreaming it all up, that he had eaten something rotten for lunch or spend too much time in the research center again. But after hearing her message a few times, there was no doubt that it was real. What's more, he actually found himself listening to it over and over again, just for the sake of hearing her voice. He found it enchanting-both melodic and serious at the same.
On the next day, when he came to his office, he discovered that his voice mail was filled with calls from Matsumoto, all asking him where he had been, how was he, when would they meet, etc. He looked them over, while thanking God he was his own secretary. Hinamori was a sweet girl, but she tended to get overly jealous when a woman called. And she didn't seem like she liked Matsumoto Rangiku from first sight.
His deduction confirmed when she came while he was in the middle of listening to another one of her messages. Hitsugaya shut it off immediately, but she had already recognized the voice.
"Shiro-kun….who was that?" she narrowed her eyes "It was that Matsumoto, right?"
"Yes." He nodded, while busying himself with some paperwork "There seem to be some things she wants to ask me about."
"You should be wary of such women, Shiro-kun. I know that better than anyone else."
"I know, I guessed as much." He nodded "Anything else?"
"Don't treat me like I'm your secretary!"
"On the contrary, Momo, I think the secretary here's me." Hitsugaya said calmly and let her storm out of the office, furious.
For the next few hours he concentrated on work, free of Momo's accusing looks and Rangiku's messages, happily deceiving himself that the day didn't held any more surprises for him. How little did he know about fate…how little did he know about women.
His phone rang and he, too busy to get it, let the voice mail turn on.
"Hitsugaya-kun!" Matsumoto Rangiku's voice rang through his office, loud and clear as if it had been broadcasted through the high speakers of the Beijing Olympic stadium. No wonder the poor guy almost leaped ten feet in the air when he heard it. His pen fell on the ground, he bent down to retrieve it, hit his head on the table and cursed, all the while she was leaving her n-th message.
"Hitsugaya-kun, did I per chance choose your day off to call? Never mind, I just got tickets to the national science convention and I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me."
"And why exactly would I want to go to a science convention." Without realizing, he had picked up the receiver and was speaking to her. The horrible realization almost gave him a heart attack, but one couldn't be a prodigy if one didn't undergo lots of stress.
"Finally. I don't think we met officially, my name is Matsumoto Rangiku."
"I remember." He said "Though I didn't expect you to call."
"Surprised?"
"A little."
"Pleasantly, I hope."
"It depends. Do you usually call guys to ask them out before you're officially presented."
"Now, now, let's not get into details!" he could actually see her wave her hands dismissively "You're our new business partner, which practically makes you a part of the family. We're almost relatives."
"Then I take it you're the aunt who never knows what to give her nephew."
"Nope. I'm the cousin who always does. So, how about that science convention?"
"You do realize, Matsumoto-san, that I've practically invented all that stuff ages ago."
"I do, but I also saw your watch." She chipped merrily
"My watch?" he looked down at his wrist. It was an old one, with leather strap and black numbers on the dial. Sure, when his grandfather had bought it, the thing must've cost him a fortune, as the company that made it had gone broke ages ago, but it seemed innocent enough "What about it?"
"1920 or 1921, am I right? They don't sell these anymore. A family relic, I presume."
"I suppose. But what does it have to do with a science convention."
"Well, it simply means that you're into retro stuff. Thus you may enjoy yourself."
Bull's eye, he thought, and an involuntarily smile bloomed on his face. Already in good spirits, he answered.
"What makes you think I didn't just find it in an old box and put it on because my own watch got broke?"
"You're a computer genius. If you were into high-tech stuff, you'd have just used your cell phone, not put on an old antique. So, wanna meet in front of the convention hall?"
"Give me your address." He said, quite at his leisure. "I'll pick you up at 9."
For a split second, he thought he could hear her grin.
Hitsugaya stopped in front of the huge building, punctual to the second. He wondered, for the millionth time now, if he was doing the right thing, coming to her like that. For some reason, a part of him screamed that going out with Matsumoto Rangiku was like playing with fire.
Then he saw her run out of the building, her long hair splashing behind her and the skirts of her white and red dress dancing around her legs, her skin catching fire from the early morning sun. She was grinning and waving at him, greeted him with a casual 'Hi, Hitsugaya-kun' and planted herself on the passenger seat next to him. Her perfume was fresh and bitter like lime, as if she had run through a steam-house filled with exotic fruit before she came to him, and it took all he had not to lean in closer and inhale deeper.
Somehow, he composed himself and, clutching the steering wheel, he stepped on the gas pedal and drove through the waking city.