Secrets
'...' Thinking
"..." Speaking
Disclaimer:
This will be my first time writing in a few years, so please be patient with me. All the stories I write are my interpretation of how I would have wanted the show/game to end up. The characters and the actual series I write about are not mine as I do not own any rights. I am just a fan and love to show it by creating my stories, but any OC's I create are that of my own imagination and creativity. Please keep in mind I am not a perfect writer and I do make mistakes.
To: Ulquii C.
From: Nel O.
Subject: Contact Info…
Hey Ulquii! Nel here! I got that info Noir wanted me to pass down to you. Sorry, it took so long I went on a mini-vacay with mama to Tokyo since this is the only REAL break we get from school. Her number is below just copy and paste, you know what to do =')
The brightness from Ulquiorra's phone caused him to wince as he read the text message that came in the wee hours of the morning. Closing his phone, he rolled over onto his side and stared at the blank wall. It had been a few days since he was brought to Nnoitra's apartment; now it was partially his. The soreness was still there, but his wounds had already turned into scabs while his bruises were slightly faded.
"Mm." He knew he had to get up some time, but the effort to even function was tremendous.
'Might as well text the girl.'
To: Momo H.
From: Ulquiorra C.
Hey, you don't know me. My friend Nelliel got me your contact information. I'm Ulquiorra Cifer your partner for the play…
He hit send and let the universe do the rest.
A beautiful brown-eyed girl was surrounded by a plastic tarp. It held an easel with a single canvas that was dripping in colorful paints. She was dressed in white overalls with old paint stains and tears. Her hair was in a bun that was held together by a mint colored cloth and small blue hairclip to keep out of her face while she worked on her current art project. To get in the creative spirit she had the speaker blasting all her favorite bands from Aqua Timez to Beat Crusaders and even SCANDAL. She was seriously feeling her good vibes, but it was cut short when her song was interrupted by the continuous ringing of her phone, most likely a text message.
"Unknown…?" She wondered who it could be since she had just moved into town with her grandmother. Both looking for a fresh start after the passing of her dear grandfather.
"Ulquiorra…Cifer!?" She seemed puzzled for a moment on why he would be texting her, but then she remembered vaguely Mr. Kyoraku assigned them partners for their English assignment. 'I'd better introduce myself after all he is my…Romeo.'
Her cheeks became warm as she remembered him from the first time they read together. 'Well, not necessarily my Romeo, but…gah! Momo get it together, just message him stop being a creep.'
To: Ulquiorra C.
From: Momo H.
Subject: Greetings!
It's very nice to officially 'meet' you Ulquiorra. Please let me know if you would like me to call you something else. I look forward to working with you. I heard you had been sick for a while, so it'll be nice to see you back at school.
'I think that should be good. How did I even get stuck with the role of Juliet? What does Mr. Kyoraku see in me? I hate being in front of an audience…'
She groaned and collapsed into her thinking chair with her hands over her face. In just one week she would have to pour her heart and soul out chapter by chapter until this blasted play was over and done with. 'It's just one play…you can do it! Come on girl!'
Her anxiety slowly began to build as the minutes trickled by. Her small foot began to make small beats as they tapped against the marble floor. 'What if he thinks I'm too friendly? Or that I talk too much? Ah…I guess that is true…'
Her brow furrowed and she stood up stretching, "Oh well…best continue with my project he'll message back eventually..." Nodding to herself she smiled and grabbed her paintbrush but had to put it back down as her butt vibrated. "AH!"
'So soon!'
To: Momo H.
From: Ulquiorra C.
Subject: Recovery…
I should be recovered before school starts. My friends thought it would be a good idea for us to exchange numbers so we can connect before school that way we are more prepared for the assignment. Do you want to meet up somewhere if it is not an inconvenience? If it is then we can just wait until school starts.
P.S You can call me whatever you want, I don't mind.
'He wants to meet up with me? Ah, of course, it makes sense we have to…all the other students have probably already met their partners.'
To: Ulquiorra C.
From: Momo H.
Subject: Meeting Place?
I am fine with wherever is most convenient for you! As for the name, I guess you'll have to wait until we meet to hear the nickname! :) Just message me with the deets, I'll be there!
'I sound way too happy…maybe I should change how it's worded.' She shook her head and pressed "send" anyway because she didn't want to be fake when they met, "done and done!" If he was going to get along with her it would be personality and all.
Her step had a little bounce to it while her hips swayed more to the side, she was in a good mood for sure and knew she had to continue painting whilst in it. She set her phone down now more motivated than ever to complete it. 'I wonder what I should wear…should I bring a get-well gift?'
She couldn't understand why she was so giddy it's not like she had a crush on him, right? Oh who was she kidding, she had seen him around school a few times, always so calm and collected. Quiet and respectful, but something always seemed to be bothering him. It didn't take long for her to want to get to know Ulquiorra better and help heal his pain.
To: Momo H.
From: Ulquiorra C.
Subject: Deets…?
We can meet at Sasaki's Botany Garden tomorrow at 11 am. See you then.
The next morning Momo was finishing up her shower. It was around 9 am and she had just enough time to get ready to officially meet Ulquiorra for the first time. She got him a little gift bag filled with multiple goodies as she didn't know exactly what he liked. Currently, she was debating on what to wear.
'Pink? Blue? Black?'
She put her hair up in a nice bun with a white-colored cloth and grabbed each dress to hold them against her small frame. It wasn't until she saw the black dress that she nodded approvingly to herself. 'Better play it safe…black is always my go-to.'
Her eyes glanced at the clock as she put on her lip gloss, "Oh no! I am going to be late!" That's what she got for dilly-dallying over what to wear, it's not like this was a date or anything.
To: Ulquiorra C.
From: Momo H.
I am so sorry! I might be a few minutes late; I promise I am not standing you up. I just lost track of time! I'll do my best to be there as fast as possible.
She quickly sent the message while grabbing her bag and pass, then she left for the station.
Ulquiorra wore a black hoodie and some nice blue jeans that complimented his black vans. His green eyes winced as the sunlight beamed through the glass windows of Karakura's train station. He hated the sun for what it did to his pale skin, but he had no choice but to grit it and bare it. He was in the middle of listening to one of his favorite songs on the new air pods Nel had bought him for his birthday when he received the notification that Momo would be running late. A smirk appeared slightly across his face at the way she worded her message, but he knew she meant well. 'Might as well get a drink.'
He made his way to the end of the station and inserted his card into the drink machine, he pressed E4 to get carbonated water that would temporarily quench his thirst. It was very hot outside despite it being winter break. Sitting down on the bench in front of him he watched for her arrival slightly nervous at having to make actual conversation with someone who wasn't one of his two best friends.
When he saw her get off the train he stood up so he could greet her formally but her panicked voice overpowered him, "I am so sorry! The train had to make two more stops before it could get here. I feel so bad."
"Don't worry about it-" He put away his air pods and pulled his hoodie down revealing his emerald green eyes and silky black hair. Momo's eyes widened as she got to see his full face. Despite what the bullies at school said, Ulquiorra was very handsome and his eyes were mesmerizing, to say the least. She felt like she could lose herself in them, but quickly snapped back to the present and bowed her head.
"I-I'm Momo Hinamori. It's nice to meet you Cifer-Kun….ah…I hope you don't mind me calling you that. I promised I would tell you your new nickname once I met you."
His hand reached out and bumped her head gently, "no need to be so formal with me. The name is fine. I told you, you could call me whatever you wanted…my friends do that anyway."
"O-Ok…." She gently twiddled her fingers and looked up at him. This was the perfect moment for him to analyze her. She was very pretty and her almond-colored eyes that reminded him so much of milk chocolate put him at ease. "S-Shall we make our way to the garden? It's just down the road…"
"Fine with me. Lead the way." He mumbled while walking side by side with her. She kept her hands on the strap of her purse while she looked straight ahead, trying not to give away the fact that she was super nervous.
"Since you get to call me a nickname. Do you prefer to be called anything?"
"Momo. You can just call me Momo…"
"Alright, Momo it is." Silence fell upon them once again.
It's not that it was awkward or anything, the two just felt comfortable in one another's presence…not at all how they expected things to end up.
Once they reached the front gate of the garden Ulquiorra took out his wallet and paid for the entrance fee. Momo's eyes widened and she tried to shove money in his hand, "n-no! Please let me help pay! I can cover us!"
His eyes widened in surprise at her sudden outburst, but he simply shook his head and tapped his fist gently against her forehead, "it's not a problem. Let's keep moving…I kind of want to get a place under the shade…this sun is draining me."
"O-Oh right! You're probably still recovering from your sickness follow me I know the perfect spot! I come here all the time to paint, so I was really happy that you chose this place as our meet-up." She took his wrist and urged him to follow along as she led him to a large cherry blossom tree that overlooked the garden's fishpond, home to many catfish and koi.
"Well? What do you think? Pretty shady right, the view isn't so bad either."
"Yes. Ah, you said you paint?"
"Uh-huh. That's actually what I was doing when you texted me first." She smiled and slid into the stone picnic bench across from him. "I think I know one of your friends. Nelliel, right?"
"That's her."
"She had me commission some chibi drawings of Dondochakka and Pesche awhile back. I have talked to her on a few occasions she is a sweet girl. I hope to one day become friends with her."
"Sometimes too sweet for my liking, but she is my best friend. Careful what you wish for she can be a handful."
"It's always good to have friends who know you inside and out. I just moved here a few months ago. I don't believe I have made any friends yet I keep to myself a lot."
"You don't feel lonely?"
"Sometimes, but I immerse myself into my art it helps take my mind off the fact that I am just not a social butterfly and people don't like me." He could see her gaze shift downward in sadness which made him regret asking the question.
"Their loss."
Her head snapped up and her mouth formed an "o" shape. She giggled slightly and rested a hand on her cheek, "t-thank you. Ah, I guess technically we will become friends soon since we will be meeting a lot for this project…"
"I guess you are right. Looks like I have more than three friends now." He murmured.
Momo smiled softly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess I have more than one friend now."
"I thought you said you didn't have any."
"Well if you don't count my art teacher as a friend then technically you are my only one." She laughed and removed her book from her bag.
He wasn't one for talking, but just like with Nel he felt himself speaking sentences but, in this case, he truly wanted to get to know her better. It was nice having a new face around, "has it been hard adjusting to school here…?"
"Everyone kind of ignores me. I have been fortunate enough to not encounter any of the school's bullies. I don't know if the same can be said about you I saw what happened between you and that jerk Ichigo."
"It happens…they don't have anything better to do so they pick on the people with shittier lives than them. Our pain gives them a sense of power…" Ulquiorra brought out his used copy of the book and flipped open to chapter one.
"I'm sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for. I don't mind if it's me-"
"B-But it shouldn't have to be! I hate how his father is the principal so he feels he can do anything he wants and get away with it…" She puffed her cheeks and folded her arms across her chest. This gesture made a slight smirk grace his stoic face since he wasn't exactly the laughing type. She was kind of cute when she did that. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to get carried away; I just get so passionate. Anyway, we should continue with the project."
"Mm."
For a few hours, the pair read through multiple chapters and took notes about their characters. Occasionally getting shy at certain "love" scenes, but both managed to pull through...whatever to help them pass the course. "I think we covered a lot! To think we have a week left of vacation; I am confident we will finish this before we go back to school. Did you want to try meeting up again tomorrow or is that too soon?"
'Momo you idiot! Of course, it's too soon he probably has better things to do than waste his time reading all afternoon.'
"That's fine with me. Same place…or?"
"How about a bakery next time? So, we can have drinks and snacks to fill our bellies and also as a reward for being good noodles and studying." She smiled brightly as the thought of desserts and milk tea poured into her mind, she didn't want to admit it, but she was one hundred percent addicted to sweets.
"Alright. We can meet at the bakery down on fifth street. Do you know where it is?"
"Mmmm I think I have been there once or twice with my grandmother."
"Okay then it's settled, does noon sound good? Do you need me to pick you up?" Ulquiorra stood and shoved the book in his school bag before stepping out of the bench. Her eyes widened and she gasped, "YOU HAVE A CAR?!"
He slightly nodded and pointed to the entrance of the garden, "I parked it outside of the train station. I haven't walked anywhere in a while, so I figured one block wasn't bad for us… are you mad?"
"N-No not at all! I have always wanted my own car. I must take the train a lot or walk because I don't have transportation to school, so I am used to it. A car would be more helpful, but you can't beat the views you see whenever you are on foot compared to being behind glass. N-Not that I am dissing your car in anyway…"
"I understand. I still have my train pass how about I meet you at the train station and we can…ride together?"
Momo blushed and she looked down at her feet as they walked out of the gates, "I-If you want I would just hate for you to waste your gas on me."
"It's not a waste if it's on a friend."
"F-Friend…?" Her heart warmed and her cheeks flushed even more pink than they were before. She looked up at him as he was staring straight ahead. That perfect jawline…his pale lips…he was so handsome but as a friend, it wasn't right of her to think such thoughts so she buried them down and swallowed her feelings if only for this moment. "I think I like the sound of that."
'I can't tell him…not ever. I won't risk losing the only precious friend I have.'
When the pair reached the station, it was about five minutes until the rush of other passengers would flood the waiting area, "thank you for walking me all the way here. I would have been fine you should have just gone to your car."
"It's fine."
"I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Mm." He nodded and ushered her to get on the train. A man walked by with his friend and laughed, "get a room love birds!" He pushed Momo ever so slightly and caused her to bump into Ulquiorra. "Aa…s-sorry."
He caught her by the waist and helped steady her. They both looked into each other's eyes and for a moment…just a moment they felt a slight spark. She quickly turned her head and looked down the walkway for the men, but they already faded into the oncoming crowd. Bowing to Ulquiorra she waved and entered the train, "S-Some people have no respect nowadays. Oh...before I leave I made this for you. I didn't know exactly what your likes were, but I went on a whim. Anyway s-see you tomorrow! Thanks for today…I needed to get out."
"Yeah…." He looked down at the pink bag in his hand with a mint ribbon tied around the top. It looked like it had a variety of get-well snacks and medicines. He smiled slightly and slid his hands into his jacket pockets with the gift, pondering on what that "feeling" had been. Thinking it was nothing he began to walk away. However, he felt a bit of weight under his foot and looked down to see a brown journal on the ground.
He picked it up and opened it to the first page to see if there was a name, he found none but inside he could see beautiful drawings of animals and people...one of which was him.
'Me…? Could this be her journal?'
The drawing was accurate and had it been in color he could have sworn he was reading a manga. The picture showed him sleeping in the back row with a book up to conceal his face, but he could tell it was him…why would she be drawing him of all people? Couldn't she find someone more interesting? Ulquiorra was smart, but when it came to affection and love he was clueless considering his upbringing. 'I'll return this to her tomorrow.'
He knew better than to ask her about it he would only embarrass her. After all, he wasn't even supposed to be looking inside other people's stuff, but curiosity got the better of him. He went through his playlist and put on After Dark by Asian Kung-Fu Generation to keep him focused on the drive home. If he hadn't been blasting it, it would have been a very boring car drive. Before he left he received a text from Nnoitra.
To: Ulquiorra C.
From: Noir G.
Subject: When you're done…
So, when you've finished your date can you bring back some wasabi chips and steamed rice? That damn Harribel ate the last of my stash and we are out of rice for dinner tonight.
To: Noir G.
From: Ulquiorra C.
Subject: Idiot.
It wasn't a date. Just a study session…you know like you and Nel arranged for. I'll grab the stuff…next time hide your chips in your room. You know Nel and Harribel can sniff anything out. Text you later, about to drive.
