How odd to be barefoot and sweeping the floor in such an isolated manner.

"You and I, we make a grand salute…"

The café Ryvius has never been emptier, and yet the music that sings in the background only serves to remind her.

"Stare at each other like lost little birds across the room…"

Spinning and stopping in circles that feel unfinished, her flesh grows colder with every step she makes.

"And I remember the way you looked…"

It feels like she's trapped: everything has just frozen, refusing to let her react.

"I learned how to dance, but I'd never shown it to you."

And so she turns, eyes glazed; heartbeat a mere echo of what it used to be.


Yuzu doesn't get mad.

In fact, she doesn't say a word. Only glances sadly at the dragon made of ice, already melting.

Closes her eyes, and sighs.

She understands.

Anger would be so much more welcome than the absence, and the disappointment it reaps.


"What am I going to do, Tsubasa?" Karin flicks the kitten's pink nose.

But the cat is curled up and snoozing, paying her no attention.

"No," Karin quietly mulls, "I don't know either."


It was just… this circumstance and that circumstance were different. Different situations, different state of minds – that's what she's mad about.

It wasn't the saving. Damn it—she'd have told him thank you once she cooled down, but her temper is like a switch, fuming until there's nothing left. Normally she can keep it in tow, with a blasé appearance, but—

It's irrational, and she just can't explain it.

"Well, honey, hate to break it to you, but I already understand." Kazuya sighs, head on the table, given up with trying to say a word. "I know what you mean, know what you said. Hell, I could've foretold this was going to happen. In some obscure method. I swear that there was a light novel that was just like this… or maybe it was a manga… I can't really remember."

"What's your point?" Tiredly, Karin scours the fridge for ingredient, about to make some cookies.

"My point is that you've been angsting and obsessing about that moment since forever. The Almighty Scrooge has returned. Through different interpretations." He clears his throat. "You still manage to make my life Hell."

"Really?" All she does is raise an eyebrow. "It's not my fault that Inu no Inoichi decided to rear his ugly head. Besides, we had a deal."

"Yeah, but… you took pictures." His cheeks become slightly pink, eyes become shifty.

"If I recall, you did the same." Even-voiced, she will not grant him mercy.


"You should apologize. Or at least explain the situation to him." Changing topics, Kazuya lifts his head up, messily brushing his hair with his fingers. It… doesn't really work, tangled up in knots.

Karin sighs. "I would. Except I can't. I'm not going there just yet."

She doesn't want to go to Soul Society until it's time.

"But you did once."

"Well, it was Ichi-nii's wedding day. That's a bit different." Maybe it's just an excuse… but she's comfortable here, living this life.

"Is it?"

"…" How is she going to explain this? "When Ichi-nii got married, we had to go. But it was a one-time occasion." Unless they liked to have multiple wedding. "Our relationship means that we're torn between two places. And he's… well, he's got… a lot of things going for him. I don't want to live there. I like it here with you, however otaku you get. I like living with Yuzu. And I don't want to give it up."

Is there a reason why he's looking at her so incredulously?

"… Karin, are you seriously telling me that you got all this just by him saving you from a car?"

Perhaps the incredulous face is thus justifiable by the amount of sheer insanity she is spouting out.

"Depends. Am I screaming overreacting?"

"Oh, very much so." And with that, he swipes the bag of marshmallows.

"Dammit!"

Her head meets the table. With painful results.


"What part does save your life mean Karin, be my lawfully wedded wife?" Kazu-kun's nose wrinkles, as they attempt to unravel this mess.

"… the jumping to conclusions part?" Mumbling it out in a quiet voice is harder than not saying it at all.

"Yes. Very good." Quite pleased, Kazu-kun nods. "There is no reason to think that Hitsugaya Toushirou stayed for a really long time just because Ichigo told him to. Ichigo might have pummelled him for not saving you when he could help it, but I prefer to think that it's more likely that he cared for you."

It makes more sense than she'd actually like to admit.

Ichi-nii would have a field day if he heard that Toushirou hadn't saved her whilst he had the chance. And Toushirou would have saved her because he's…

Because he's cool like that.

As irritating it is to actually think those words.

One would have thought that she should have grown out of romantics and being swept off her feet.

"You know, Karin…" Kazu-kun slyly says, eyes flashing. "You're cute when you blush."

"What—" Taken aback, when she sees the laughter in his eyes, she knows. "Nice ploy, Kazu-kun. You're not fooling anyone."

"Cheh." His pout and scowl sort of seem the same at the moment. "As if I could see you like that."


"Thanks for this, you know? I really need it." She ruffles his hair, letting a nostalgic smile spread. "I'm going to call it a night."

"Mission accomplished." His grin is mischievous, and utterly loveable.

"Hmm?" Karin tilts her head, arms stretching. Yawns too, mingled with curiosity.

"I just wanted to see a smile on your face again."


The days pass by, and she copes. Dwelling about her choices and how she could possibly fix them.


Something is different.

Karin can tell as she fumbles with her keys, the jingly metal cold in her hands.

Slowly, she turns the key and opens the door… seeing, well.

"Hello, stranger. It's been a long time." A wry smirk makes her mouth twitch.

"Karin. Aren't you going to be more welcoming?"

As the distance closes between them, she wonders what she could possibly say to that.

"Course I am. I missed you, Ichi-nii!"

And so she punches him. It is rightly deserved.

"Why didn't you come home sooner?"


Only when he sports a black eye does Karin finally hug him.


"… I should have visited sooner. I'm sorry."

It doesn't matter.

He's here now.

"Next time, Karin? Don't make Toushirou have such a face—and… you too."

"… mm?" It's dust. There's dust in her eyes.

Ichigo brushes away her tears.

"C'mere."

He's never felt more like a big brother, his embrace like that of a protector.

"You'll figure something out. Love always does."


Karin sees Toushirou everywhere she goes.

And when it snows, all she can think of is bluer skies that match his eyes, and that the snow isn't as soft as his hair.

Wonders if there's a way of living in two worlds and making their relationship work.