Posted on June 7, 2014, Saturday, 7:00 PM
Philippines Date and Time
Authoress' Note: You know, in the recent arc, sometimes I think Kubo Tite changed Momo's hairstyle to match Toushirou's. I mean, with her hair now short, she looks a lot younger and a bit childish-looking. Meanwhile, Toushirou has become so HOT—ahem, I mean so handsome and a lot mature yet at the same time young-looking. I saw a fanart of them in their current looks and I couldn't help but squeal! They looked so good together. *cries*
The way they complement each other also strikes me as opposites attract. Like, fire and ice? That's so cool. Also, with Toushirou having white hair and white (mostly) clothes and Momo having dark hair and black clothes remind me of yin and yang.
Personality-wise, they clash with each other so well. Momo is kind, sweet, and trusting while Toushirou is cold, mistrustful, and simply uncaring about some matters. And yet he only smiles and has that rare soft look whenever he's with Momo. With her, his defenses slip down, and his care for her shines through. Because of her, because he wants to protect her, he becomes stronger. And because of that determination, he stays in the Gotei 13. Just for her.
I truly believe that Momo is the sunshine in Toushirou's life while he is her pillar.
Agh. Now I did it. I went into one of my rants again. Sorry about that. T.T
Now let's go to the story!
The Story of the Antagonist
—
No one in this world is truly alone. We never know that maybe there's at least one person who watches out for us from afar.
—
Chapter Three
—
"When I see you smile, I can face the world. You know that I can do anything.
"When I see you smile, I see a ray of light. I see it shining right through the rain."
—When I See You Smile by Clay Aiken
LIFE IS ACTUALLY FUNNY in its own way. For one moment, you think that you're going to make it through the tough times, and then the next moment, you turn away and go back to the world you despise so much.
Because you've lost and because you know that you can never win the battle.
When I thought about it, maybe that just applied to me. Maybe I was just the only one in the world who was suffering this way.
Maybe I was just not meant to be happy.
"Have those two students stopped bothering you, Toushirou?" my father asked me once I sat at the table.
"Yes they have, otou-sama," I replied flatly, eating my breakfast normally.
In my peripheral vision, he raised an eyebrow, presumably wondering about my uncaring tone—or rather, my lack of interest. "That is satisfactory, then. I assume you've blown them off for good this time."
"Aa. For good." In truth, I was more interested in my food than the conversation we were having.
"I'm glad you see reason, Toushirou," my mother remarked. "Days before, you showed a slight interest in them when interacting or when mentioned. Now I cannot see that emotion on your face."
I knew it. They were spying on me, I thought. They must have hired someone to watch over me at school.
"Yes, okaa-sama," I said blandly, finishing up the rest of my breakfast.
"Toushirou," my father spoke up when I was about to grab my bag. "On your sixteenth birthday, there is someone I want to introduce to you."
"Okay," I said with disinterest.
I knew what he was planning, and I didn't like it one bit.
;~x~++~x~;
WHEN I GOT INSIDE the classroom, Kira immediately went over to me.
"Hitsugaya-san, I'm really sorry for last night. It seems that Hinamori-kun wasn't—"
I walked past him and proceeded towards my seat.
Whispers immediately erupted in the room, and I could tell that they were gossiping and making up rumours about me and Kira.
But I didn't care anymore. Any kind of relationship we had before was gone now.
Like nothing had ever happened between us.
"Kira-kun!"
I sent a glance towards the doorway where the voice came from and my eyes widened the slightest bit.
"Ah, Hinamori-kun..." Kira said uneasily as the room went silent.
Hinamori noticed his uncomfortable aura, then she caught my eye.
"Hitsugaya-kun..." she whispered.
I responded by turning away and putting my attention towards the scenery outside the window.
I didn't like the silence. It made me feel heavy inside, like something was pulling me down.
"Hinamori-kun, class is starting," the voice of our History Teacher said warmly.
My eyes turned towards him.
In my peripheral vision, I could see Hinamori's face instantly light up. "Hai! I apologize, Aizen-sensei."
The latter smiled, and my eyes narrowed. There was something disturbing about that smile that made me wary of him.
But he was just an ordinary teacher.
I think.
;~x~++~x~;
THE LUNCH BELL RANG, and I placed my textbooks back inside my bag. Then, I got out my bentō, all the while wondering if I should do my homework after eating so that I could go to my violin class early.
I went towards my usual lunch spot with my mind blank. Then, absently, I placed my bentō on my lap and started to eat.
"Itadakimasu," I said quietly.
I actually feel a lot lighter now...
Maybe it's because I know the full truth now.
Anyway, it's good for me. I needed a reality check, and I got it.
All that's left is to fulfill my sole purpose.
"Hey, have you heard?"
"About what?"
"Kira Izuru and Hitsugaya Toushirou of Class 1-A."
"Eh? What about them?"
"Well, they say Kira's gay!"
I almost choked on my rice.
"What?! I've met him once, and he seemed like a complete nice guy to me!"
"It's just a rumour, though... But I heard another one!"
"What is it?"
"They say that Kira's trying to blackmail Hitsugaya-san into giving him money."
"Ehh? Nah, that's impossible."
"Why not?"
"Kira's family is one of the wealthiest here in Karakura."
"I know that, but they say he's greedy. That's why he keeps on pestering Hitsugaya-san whose family is well-known in Tokyo."
"Eh? Then you mean that nice guy facade of his is just a ploy?!"
Annoyed, I was about to tune out the rest of their conversation when someone suddenly shouted from a respectable distance.
"You guys! Hurry up and come here!"
"What? What is it?"
"Kira Izuru of Class 1-A is being bullied by Hitsugaya's fangirls!"
I narrowed my eyes and resisted the urge to groan. Not in this school, too... Seriously.
With a sigh, I placed my empty bentō inside my bag and walked towards my next class.
Kira Izuru wasn't going to be any of my business.
;~x~++~x~;
WHEN I ARRIVED AT Room 324, though, I noticed a huge crowd gathering.
And at that moment, I realized that Kira had the same class as me.
Great...
Sighing, I made my way through the group and accidentally bumped into a random person while I was at it.
"Hey, watch where you're—" the girl started.
I raised my eyebrow at her.
She spluttered, "I—I—I'm sorry, Hitsugaya-senpai! I—I didn't know it w—was you!"
People reacted to her outburst and started to turn their heads towards me.
I twitched. Damn female...
"Get. Out. Of. My. Way," I said through gritted teeth with a threatening tone of voice. I was really annoyed now.
They froze, suddenly feeling like the temperature in the surroundings dropped a few degrees.
I twitched even more. "I said get. Out. Of. My. Way." I glared at them fully. "Now."
Like frightened mice, they made a clear path for me in mere seconds, much to my grim satisfaction.
When I finally made it inside, though, I saw a scene that deeply haunted my conscience.
Kira was on the floor, wet and dirty. There were piles of trash surrounding him, and I could make out a few bloody bruises on his arms and legs which he presumably had gotten from falling on the cemented ground outside.
I stopped and looked at him. He was conscious, but he couldn't get up.
He didn't have the strength to.
The rumours were exaggerated. They were stupid and idiotic.
So why did people believe them?
Simple.
Because they were complete, utter morons.
I let out an exasperated sigh. "Oi, who the hell's responsible for this mess?"
No one answered.
It was to be expected, anyway.
All of them were undoubtedly cowards.
"Nobody? Then do you expect me to clean the garbage up?" I said in a low, dangerous voice. "This is a fucking classroom, not a trash can."
Stunned, dazed faces met my glare.
"If no one is responsible, then tell me where the damn broom and mop is," I said impatiently, near-growling.
Suddenly a group of girls were fighting to the janitor's closet.
Tch. Too damn easy. Shaking my head, I started towards my seat.
"Hitsu... gaya... san..." Kira's exhausted voice said weakly.
I stopped in my tracks.
"Thank... you..."
"You think I did that for you?" I said coldly.
He didn't answer.
I sighed, then said in a loud, stern voice, "Someone take him to the nurse's office. If he's going to lay like that on the floor for the rest of the day, I won't be able to concentrate because of his damn smell."
Three students then dutifully came over to him and carried him out the room.
Seriously, doesn't he have any friends?
When I looked up, I realized that the crowd had still not dispersed.
I twitched. "Oi, what are you idiots still doing here? Get. Out."
In a flash, they disappeared without a trace.
;~x~++~x~;
"HITSUGAYA," HIRAKO CALLED OUT, catching up to me just before I could get out of the classroom. "Give these papers to Kira Izuru. He's in the nurse's office."
I was about to instantly decline when he suddenly added, "Supposedly, I should be the one who will give these to him, but I'm a little busy right now." He grinned. "Oh, and I won't take no for an answer, kid."
I resisted the urge to smack that grin off his face, reluctantly taking the papers from his hand. "Fine," I muttered, walking past him.
"Thanks, Hitsugaya," he called out. "You're such a good cute little student."
I will kill you someday. Just you wait.
When I arrived at the office, I saw that Kira had a visitor.
Not just any visitor, though.
"Hitsugaya-kun?" Hinamori inquired, looking up in surprise.
Kira's eyes widened and he tried to straighten up. "Hi—Hitsugaya-san...!"
"Don't misunderstand," I said flatly, coming over to his side. "I'm only here because Hirako told me to give you these."
Meekly, he took the papers from my hand. "Thank you, Hitsugaya-san," he said quietly.
I turned my back on him. "You have nothing to thank me for."
"I think he does, Hitsugaya-kun," Hinamori said softly.
I turned my head towards her with a frown. "Didn't I tell you that you shouldn't speak to me anymore?"
A knowing smile that strangely seemed to resemble a laugh appeared on her face. "You did, Hitsugaya-kun? But I don't remember you doing so."
I frowned, my eyebrows knitting together. "You have got to be kidding me."
"You can stop protecting us now, Hitsugaya-kun," she said, a cheerful smile gracing her features.
I froze. For some reason, that smile... made my heart skip a beat. "I'm not protecting anyone," I said after a few seconds, frowning as I regained my composure.
"I figured it out, Hitsugaya-kun," she says knowingly. "Why you push me and Kira-kun away, why you told us not to approach you anymore. I figured out the reason why last night."
I huffed. "I don't want to hear this," I muttered, going towards the exit.
"Hitsugaya-kun, we're friends, aren't we?"
I stiffened.
No. No, we aren't, I thought immediately.
But somehow, I couldn't say those words aloud.
I heard the sound of a chair moving backwards, an indication that she stood up from her seat.
"Because if we aren't, then why would you protect us from your parents?" Her voice was light and matter-of-fact.
I turned my head back towards her, ready to deny it and say that any kind of matter about them is none of my concern.
But then I saw her smile.
It wasn't any of the smiles I had frequently seen on people's faces.
It was different; it was full of light, full of reassurance, and full of confidence.
It was a smile that was saying to me, 'I understand'.
'I understand you. Very much.'
And strangely enough, through my wide eyes and slightly incredulous expression, I could feel it—the feeling that she knew that I was, deep inside, feeling a little grateful for her kindness.
It was then at that moment when I realized that I couldn't hide anything from her when she looked at me like that.
And suddenly, by that stunning revelation, my heart felt lighter.
"...Idiot," I said quietly, trying to ignore the soft, relieved look on Kira's face. "You two stupid, moronic idiots. I told you to stay away, yet you moved even closer. I've had enough of this." I started going my way towards the door with an intent to go home.
"Hitsugaya-kun!" She came to a step beside and lightly touched my shoulder. "Last night, I was—"
"I know," I interrupted.
She looked surprised, yet there was something pleasant in her expression. "Then I assume Kira-kun told you about it?"
"Aa," I replied.
"Then I just want you to know, Hitsugaya-kun, that your father's bodyguards told me everything."
What...? I thought, looking at her in disbelief.
Why would Ulquiorra and Yammy do that? It's not like them.
What the hell is going on here?
"Your father talked to my mother this morning," Kira spoke up in a quiet voice. "He... threatened her."
My head instantly snapped towards him. "What?!"
"He told her that since he is far more famous and rich than my family, he has the power to expel me if I ever 'suck up' to you again," Kira said.
It was amazing that he didn't even sound the least bit bitter.
His voice... it just held sadness in it.
"But I believe he is only bluffing, Hitsugaya-san," Kira continued on, looking at me with a shift in his tone. "I am not 'sucking up' to you. I only want to help you out. I know that deep inside, you are a kind person, Hitsugaya-san. You are just being influenced by your parents." His voice broke slightly. "I—I know that I'm getting in too deep here on a personal level, but... I just want you to know that... I don't care what happens to me..." He smiled at me tentatively. "...just as long as I can save you from your misery."
My breath caught in my throat. Damn it. These guys...
They're going to be the end of me.
I sighed, pressing a hand to my temple as I tried my best to ignore the warm feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Why?" I finally asked. "Why are you two going so far for me? You've never even known me long."
Kira chuckled. "That's easy, Hitsugaya-san. I wanted, and still want, to be friends with you no matter what anyone may say."
Hinamori gave a genuinely sweet smile. "I, on the other hand, just want to see you smile, Hitsugaya-kun."
It was strange, really. Kira's reason made something inside me soar, and I had to admit that it felt... nice.
But Hinamori's reason made me feel different. It wasn't just her words that made the foreign feeling surface. It was also her smile that strangely made my eyes widen slightly and made my heartbeat race faster than normal.
It was unusual, indeed.
"Just for those idiotic reasons? Honestly, you two never fail to surprise me," I said, turning away. "I'm leaving."
"Bye, Hitsugaya-kun!" Hinamori said cheerfully.
"We'll always be here for you, Hitsugaya-san," Kira said with a hint of a smile in his voice.
I forcibly swallowed the slight lump in my throat before finally leaving the room.
;~x~++~x~;
"I AM HOME, OTOU-SAMA, okaa-sama," I announced quietly.
My father looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "Are those two kids still bothering you, Toushirou?"
Not even a 'welcome home', huh? What amazing parents I have, I thought bitterly. "Speaking of that, otou-sama... I have to talk to you about that certain matter."
He narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously. "What is it?"
"Leave them alone."
His eyes widened in shock for only a brief moment before they blazed with fury. "Are you trying to protect those suck-ups, Toushirou?!" he demanded.
I gave him a level stare. "So what if I am?" I said coolly.
I admit, it feels so damn good to stand up to him like this a bit.
His face turned red in anger. "You... You insolent brat!"
Then he slapped me. Hard.
I was too shocked to react. Never before in my whole life did he, even my mother, ever do that to me.
My father... just slapped me.
His own son.
Wait... He doesn't even consider me as a son...
"They aren't sucking up to me, otou-sama," I finally said coldly after a few dumbstruck moments. "They are only trying to be friends with me. They have done nothing wrong."
"They are after our riches, you little idiot! Why can't you see reason?!"
"I can see reason," I replied calmly. "That is why I am arguing with you on this, otou-sama."
His eyes widened incredulously. "You have the audacity to fight with your own father just for those two useless, greedy people?!"
"They are already rich. Why would they need our money?" I pointed out. "I've taken a lot of psychology classes to know that they are not using me for their own gain. You, otou-sama, on the other hand, are. Even okaa-sama."
An enraged gasp was let out by the doorway, indicating that my mother heard the whole thing.
My father, however, had an aggressive response.
He punched me in the jaw.
"You stupid, stupid boy!" he yelled. "Do you know that what your mother and I are doing is only for the sake of the company's future?! You are our key to succeeding! We tried our best to mold you into the perfect heir! But now, you are ruining our plans!"
"Tetsuya," my mother said in a warning tone of voice.
"Shut the fuck up, Miyuki!" he snapped.
"What did you just say to me, you—"
Instead of shouting at her once more, he jabbed me in the stomach. "If you are going to be this difficult, Toushirou, then I will have to discipline you physically!"
"Go on ahead." The words just came out of my mouth without my consent, and I was amazed at the way I sounded.
Like I had absolutely nothing to fear.
"When Kira and Hinamori were trying to be friends with me, my grades didn't drop. They escalated even more. That is the reason why I am defending them, because they seem to bring out the best in me even if it was all so confusing." I stared at my father defiantly. "You can do whatever you want with me, but don't you dare touch even a hair on them."
"YOU—!"
"Hitsugaya Toushirou, go to your room!" my mother commanded, her voice angry and authoritative. "While you, Hitsugaya Tetsuya, are having a talk with me!"
I stared at her, blinking slowly, before obliging.
"What the fuck are you doing, Miyuki?!" my father yelled.
"Leave that dumb, useless brat alone for one second because you and I have some serious matters to discuss, mister!"
I shut the door of my room before I could hear more.
;~x~++~x~;
I LOCKED MYSELF IN my room and fell onto my bed, clutching my stomach painfully.
What the hell did I just do? I grumbled. I made my father angry and caused my own risk just for that stupid blond-head and that crazy bun girl!
I even skipped my violin class just to protect those two idiots again!
Why the hell am I even doing this for them?
Suddenly, the image of her smile popped inside my mind and I could instantly feel my face heat up in indignation and slight embarrassment.
What the hell are you thinking, Toushirou?! I forcibly lay on my side, waiting for the pain to fade. Stop thinking about them—or her!
As I stared up at the dull, gray ceiling, I closed my eyes.
…I just hope this is all damn worth it.
End—Chapter Three
Thank You to: Soulhates, ResidentEvilChris, Vegetable lov3r, iceprincess1345, and yuki.
A/N: The reason why it got serious and fast-paced all of a sudden is because I want to get to the main issue (which is in the SUMMARY) as quickly as possible. Damn, I love creating tension as well as Toushirou's character development. :3
Momo will never give up on Toushirou. MWAHAHA
Ahem. I mean… She still continues to be friends with him because she truly believes that that's exactly what he needs in his life right now. AWWWW I sooo love my characters. XDD
Btw, I'm sorry for the late update. I had writer's block right in the middle, and it was days until I finally forced myself to write even if it was just a little. Also, since college is already starting for me, I won't be able to update as fast as I usually do. I will even go so far as to predict that I might update only once a month (or maybe even two months).
See you next chapter. ;)