Chapter 7

"Thanks for all your hardwork!", the performing students said in unison towards each other.

The talent show finally ended with a great success and the once crowded hall was spacious again leaving only the performers and students of class 3-3.

"Good work for today!", the ever stiff iinchou of Class 3-3 smiled in gratitude followed by a humble bow. In response, both of the talent show performers and students of class 3-3, bowing back. "Good work today, Tomoko-san!"

The raven haired petite girl run towards her best friend, whom the latter was still chatting happily with his friend.

"Kira-kun!"

"God, Hinamori-san you don't need to raise your voice like that, do you?"

"I know.. I know…. I-I can't believe this is happening, this is so surreal!", despite the shakiness of her voice, but the excitement is dancing in her eyes.

"You know, you should thank me and Matsumoto later! We made it happen for you!"

"Yea-"

"Izuru-kun, can you help me organizing the stuff?", one of his classmate called out to him.

"Hai! In a minute, so, talk to you later." He said as he walked away.

"Hinamori-san you are actually really good just now!", praised the orange haired boy who was standing and listening the whole time.

Upon hearing his kind words, Momo's cheeks starting to be tinted pink.

"Ee … I'm not… that great.. Kobayakawa-kun!", she thanked her tongue that she's not tripping her words.

"It's true Hinamori-san! I'm not exaggerating or anything! You are really cool!" the look in his eyes is just a pure, child-like excitement and admiration for her, anyone can see that his words are true and genuine.

"Kobayakawa-kun why are you so excited? You're so funny, ne?",the girl laughed in her mirth.

The said boy too, joining her laughter of joy, highlighting his child-like yet attractive features. With freckles in his cheeks, tall nose and orange unruly hair and sun-kissed skin, he attracts people to him with his warm and charming persona.

"Say, Hinamori-san, can you come to my volleyball club booth at the school yards? We are selling yummy foods!" The boy invited her.

"You join volleyball club? Wow! You are not that tall though, Kobayakawa-kun!", she playfully said. Hinamori, being a shy girl she is, was taken aback at how quickly she warmed up to him. "Must be because he is Kira-kun friend!" she thought to herself.

"Aw come-on, Hinamori-san! Not you too! I'm a regular, you know," he proudly boast about himself.

All of a sudden a forced cough was heard and a shadow of a tall figure approach them, interrupting their friendly conversation.

"Momo",a husky voice was heard behind the girl.

"Hitsugaya-kun! You surprised me!"

"Hello there, Hitsugaya-san!", the shorter boy greeted him cheerfully,"See you around, Hinamori-san!"

"Bye-bye!" she smiled gleefully, as she waved the boy goodbye, who had gone toward the hall exit.

"Hey, aren't you being too friendly to him?", his stern expression turned into a startled one as she suddenly grabbed both of his hands, gripping it tightly.

"Shiro-chan, I couldn't believe that today is finally happening, like I could melt right now! Hit me Shiro-chan! Hit me real hard to make sure this is not just a dream!"

She is practically blabbering nonsense right now, and Hitsugaya Toshiro just could not not adore her. He was so focused in staring her giddy face that he did not realize that his own lips has formed a small smile.

"…. So thank you for the hug.. I mean your support…. Its really saved my ass", as of now, her legs started to tiptoe nervously and her face turns a few shades darker, a habit of her whenever she feel all shy and nervous.

Being with her for as long as he could remember, he understood her body language very well, "Well its not such a big thing, yeah, you are welcome", he chuckled lowly.

Their conversation was cut short, when Hitsugaya's phone rang. "Fumina? Yeah I'm still here, Hinamori show has just ended, ok , I will accompany you"

"Hitsugaya-kun, I think you should spend your time with Fumina-chan!" she forced the best smile she could,"Bye, I'm going first! I have shift after this!" with that said, she hastily walks toward the hall exit leaving a very puzzled Hitsugaya behind.

Xxx

5:40 p.m.

The first day of Karakura High cultural festival has ended well, the visiting people slowly leave the school ground, leaving the students to clean up their stuffs. As the sun slowly setting down and the warm summer breeze blew,the rowdy school was peaceful again.

The trio were walking home whilst enjoying the dusk.

"Say, are we going to do the coffee shop tomorrow too? God, its so tiring!" the strawberry blonde whined.

"Then stop attracting customer!"

"it's not my fault to be this attractive," she pouted her lips seductively.

"Stop doing that, you too, Hinamori-kun stop smiling like that, both of you are creeping me out"

"Kira-kun!", both shouted in unison.

"Say, Momo-chan, anybody asking you out?" the busty girl asked cheekily.

"Yet, but I see Hitsugaya-kun is so much smitten, judging by his expression ", the blonde boy instead answered.

"What? What happen?! Tell me in detail right now!"

"Oh, shut up Kira-kun, no! He is not smitten! He has a much prettier girlfriend, remember?", she squeaked in denial, her face turned a bright shade of red in embarrassment." No, he will tell nothing!"

"Aw, Momo-chan, don't be such a killjoy!"

" Because there isn't anything to worth mentioning!"

"Actually there is, when they hug before the show and holding hand after the show, you both seriously are not dating each other?", Izuru continued to tease the already blushing girl.

"We are not holding hand! I just.. suddenly holding his hands, its just a.. uhm.. spur of the moment.. nothing more, stop assuming things we are not like that!" she profusely waving both of the hands in denial.

" Oho.. is it true Momo-chan?",the taller girl angling her face closer, and continued to tease her friend.

"Ran-san….", this time Hinamori bring both of her hands to cover her face. "I'm going first!"

With that said, she runs towards the direction of her home without looking back, leaving her two friends laughing out loud.

Xxx

If there is a hole in the ground right now, she would gladly jump inside and hide from the embarrassment forever. 'How in the name of all logic, could I grab his hands! Is it considered as cheating?!' she ruffled her own hair in frustration.

Hinamori Momo was too absorbed in her own fantasy and daydream that she did not realize several people waited in front of her house.

"Excuse me Miss, are you an acquaintance of Mrs. Hinamori Yabuki?"

Startled, she immediately replied, "Yes! She is my mother. Excuse me, but, what is happening?"

The adults' expressions turned into something she couldn't decipher. Pity?

Finally, a woman appeared to be in her 30s, walked up to her and reach out to Hinamori's shoulders, "Dear, please listen to us calmly.." as she took a deep breath in, "Yesterday, a train bringing at least 200 passengers were involved in an accident, and unfortunately your Mother was inside…"

"What…? My mom is okay now right? She doesn't actually leave me right…?", Momo frantically shook the older woman arm as if searching for an answer.

"I'm so sorry, dear, she and the other passengers could not make it alive.. its was so sudden, we are in utter shock too.."

The once cheery faced gradually getting paler in each passing seconds. As if her world come crashing down, the strength too, leaving her legs, if not for the woman's strong arms, she would come crashing the concrete ground right now.

"Dear.. in honor of Yabuki-san dedication to our company, your education fee from now on will be our responsibility."

" And..", a middle-aged man, who wore a black suit spoke up, "The loss of the passengers' lives are my company's responsibility, here is the insurance cheque, we are sending our deepest condolences.." as he handed out the small envelope.

"You are kidding right?" Hinamori shook her head furiously, denying the whole situation,"Give me my mother! I don't need all of this! Where is my mother?"

"I'm sorry Hinamori-san", the older woman handed out a small porcelain jar.

"Is it my mother?" Hinamori whispered meekly.

The adults surrounding her were silent as she asked the question, they can only weakly nod their head in approval.

"We have contacted all of Mrs. Hinamori's relatives, they will be here soon."

Xxx

As Hinamori closed the door, she slowly slide down against the door, having zero strength left.

No words can escape her lips, only tears flowing freely.

Empty.

As if a hole is boring inside her heart.

Hollow.

Time seemed to pass slowly, as she was sitting silently , rotting away in her pool of sorrows.

Xxx

Its funny everytime i read my own works after sometime, i feel cringey and somewhat proud. Hahaha! Im back after a year! Is it a good thing? Anyway dont worry chapter 8 is in progress! Enjoy!