Karakura University
Ch. 4
Convenience
Momo sat impossibly still. Completely caught off guard. This impeccable man needed help and he was asking her for it. Why hadn't she jumped out of her seat?
The words "Of course Professor Aizen. Anything." , rolled off her tongue before she could catch them. She paused, afraid that she had come on too strong.
If she had, it didn't show in his handsome features. His full lips curled up into a gentle smile as he stepped forward to lean on the front of the desk, one leg folded on top of the other. He crossed his arms and eyed her quizzically before he spoke again.
"I don't suppose you're familiar with the Applications futures en français? Future applications in French. More commonly referred to as FAF?
The name didn't ring a bell. "No, sir."
"It's a small club I've been attempting to get recognized. An organization, if you will. You are one of the few students who are qualified for participation." He placed a hand to his chest. "I would be honored if you considered joining."
When Momo didn't answer, he went on to elaborate.
"There will have to be some sacrifice on your part I'm afraid. We often meet on weekdays and some weekends in order to conduct business." He took her silence as a sign of rejection. Momo saw a glint of something in his eyes. Sorrow perhaps?
"Of course if you don't want to, I can always ask someone else. It was only a suggestion."
"No!" She startled herself with her passionate outburst. Her muteness was her way of letting it all sink in. She was just offered to spend the majority of her free time with Professor Aizen. No sane woman would dare pass up the opportunity. "I mean.", she chose her words carefully. "That won't be necessary. I'd love to join."
His face illuminated. "Excellent!" He strode back around his desk. "The first meeting will take place this Friday. Il est six heures de l'apres-midi." (At six o'clock in the afternoon).
He collected his things, as did she. They walked in tranquil silence towards the door; Momo relished at how small she was compared to him.
He extended a slender arm to open the door for her. Such a gentleman. She turned her head as a means to hide the patches of red that stained her cheeks.
As he locked the door, he spoke again, "I'll be looking forward to seeing you, Momo."
The small woman only nodded curtly.
As will I.
She turned to go her separate way and could swear she felt the burning trail of his eyes all over her body.
…..
Ugh, can this class be any slower?
Momo sat with her head perched on her hand, eyes constantly darting towards the clock. The minutes ticked away like hours; which was ironic considering that none of her classes lasted more than fifty minutes.
On any given day, Chemistry was a blast. Professor Kurotsuchi always had the class in a riot with his off-the-wall teaching methods. Many of his tactics were blatantly disapproved of by most, if not all of the Professors and Dean Yamamoto. But the majority of the students took well to the cliché mad-scientist.
But today wasn't just any given day; today was the first day of her, hopefully many, afternoons with Professor Aizen. It was also her last class of the day. Knowing this, Fick's Law of Diffusion held no interest for her what so ever.
Professor Kurotsuchi abruptly stopped shoving the small group of students at the front of the room, his copper eyes danced to the clock. He sighed in annoyance; he absolutely loathed running out of time. Especially during a wild demonstration.
He spoke more to himself than to the class. "It would seem that our time together has expired. My word, who develops these ridiculous time schedules?" He waved his hand nonchalantly and rolled his eyes. "Oh very well then, you may leave."
Momo was the first one to vanish.
She trotted zestfully to her target and came to a swift stop.
Ah, room 321. She took note of the fact that she had never been on this hall before; not to mention the entire building. At the time, it was completely desolate. She checked her watch; thirty minutes early. She placed her hand on the knob, deciding she wouldn't mind waiting for his, or anyone else's arrival. But something inside made a sudden movement.
She hastily let go of the door when she caught sight of two figures standing in the dark room. The glow from the window opposite the door brought their features to light. Momo could make out one of the two immediately. Tall, rail thin and eyes like slits slightly obscured by silver hair. It was the slithery serpent himself: Gin Ichimaru.
The other man Momo had never seen before until now. He was equal in height, but didn't carry the same light spirit as Gin. He had coco skin, with a serious expression plastered on his face, accompanied by tented shades. His hair, tied down in perfect cornrows. He appeared to be frustrated. Momo guessed she would be too talking to someone so flippant. God, what did Rangiku see in him?
Curiosity got the better of her and she clasped the door knob once more. But before she could turn it, the lights inside the room flicked on and a new figure stepped into view. Professor Aizen made his graceful début. Momo's face wrinkled.
His deep voice flooded her ears as he approached the door. "We will continue this elsewhere at a more convenient time." Momo jumped back from the door just as it swung open. "Ah, Momo, glad you could make it." He regarded the others. "Gentlemen. Good day to you both."
Gin merely shrugged and smiled on his way out. The other man left without so much as a sideways glance in her direction.
He shut the door. "My apologies." There was a look of shame in his eyes.
Momo shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Really. I was too early. I can go and come back if you like."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Don't concern yourself over it." He shut the door and strode over to the wooden desk, much like the one he had in his class room; in all the classrooms for that matter. The only difference in this room, was that it appeared to be older. There was a chalk board instead of a white one. The floor was made of white tiles as apposed to grey carpet. The floors and the walls both contained many dingy markings. The rows of elevated desk, not as many as she was used to seeing, were also made of mahogany.
Not that the room was dirty by any means. Simply rare. Momo wondered if all the rooms in this building were the same.
Professor Aizen selected one of the empty desk near the front of the room and began releasing the contents of his bag. Momo stood silently by the door, only able to admire from afar.
Her frigidity and distance concerned him. As he looked up to acknowledge her, the light from the window reflected off one of his lenses. His head slightly tilted, brown locks swaying. He gestured to the seat directly beside himself.
"Momo, aren't you going to join me?"
