29: Confession

Sakura sat uncomfortably next to Sousuke, her legs dangling over the edge of the wooden walkway surrounding his quarters. He smiled serenely, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. "It's a lovely day, is it not, Kuchiki-chan?"

"…yes, it is."

"Then why the stormy expression?"

The noble girl felt her cheeks heat up and knew her cheeks were flaming pink at his acute observation. "I…um…well…"

He offered her a warm, encouraging smile. "It's quite all right, Kuchiki-chan. We don't have to talk about it if you don't wish to."

"No, I…" Sakura took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "I spoke to Kiriaiseika yesterday afternoon."

"Oh?" Sousuke waited for his student to continue, sensing that there was more to the story.

"…I lost my temper at her."

Sousuke closed his eyes again. "I see."

"I'm sorry, Aizen-sensei. I really shouldn't have, but she wasn't very polite either, and I just couldn't help myself! She was telling me not to waste her time, and that maybe I should come back in a few decades if I didn't have anything to say to her now!" Sakura scowled as she remembered Kiriaiseika's last words. "She said that she shouldn't' have responded to me at all." The noble girl sighed and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. "I don't know what to do, Sensei," she admitted softly, looking away from him.

Sousuke merely opened his eyes, a small smile quirking his lips. "Look at me, Kuchiki-chan."

When there was no response, he repeated the command.

"Kuchiki-chan. Look at me, please."

She sniffed, but still didn't look his way. The chestnut-haired lieutenant reached out and gently tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

"I can't teach you if you won't look me in the eye, you know." Gripping her chin tenderly, he turned her head so that she faced him.

"…Sensei, I…" Her cheeks darkened and her gaze dropped down to the wooden platform they were sitting on. This contact was making her uncomfortable; it was too much for a mere student-teacher relationship. It made her mind wander back to her deepest, most secret thoughts, ones concerning this illicit attraction she had for Sousuke. Perhaps he even felt the sam—? She refused to entertain the thought and forced her mind back to the situation at hand. "W-what should I do?"

He smiled. "You can begin by trying to contact her again."


A/N: Hope you enjoyed~