***Ring***Ring***

"This is Byakuya Kuchiki." Came the immediate answer on the other end.

"Yeah, Kuchiki-san? This Shinji Hirako. Momo Hinamori's manager."

"Ah, yeas. How are you Hirako?"

"Quite well, thanks for asking. You'll be happy to know that Momo has come to a decision."

"And that would be?"

"She'll do it."

"I see. And you support this?"

"Oh, absolutely not. It's too much of a risk if you ask me. But, I did promise the kid that I would be there for her regardless of what she chose. So I guess you got yourself a Mio replacement."

"Very well. If that's the case, then I shall have everything set for her to start. The first thing is that she is needed for a recording session this coming Monday. Is that a problem?"

"No problem at all. I do have one condition though."

"Which is?"

"Leave the Mio makeover to us. You can go ahead and plan the events and such. We'll take care of how she looks."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Plus, we know just the person for the job."

***Knock***Knock

Shinji rushed to answer the door. Almost surprised to see who was on the other side.

"This is quite a shock." He stated while stepping aside to let the guest in. "You're unusually early, Rangiku. We weren't expecting you for at least another hour."

The Excitable woman rushed in with a bright pink cosmetic travel case behind her. "I couldn't help it. It's been months since I've seen Momo. As her stylist and best gal pal, it took quite a toll on me."

"Yeah, sorry about that." Shinji apologized, rubbing the back of his head. "Momo hasn't seen a lot of people lately. Other than me, and that's just so I can make sure she's still alive."

Rangiku smiled softly at him. "I understand. I'm just glad she's alright. I mean, she has to be especially with what she's about to do. Right?"

He scoffed. "I guess we'll just have to see."

Before she could ask what he meant, she head rushed footsteps coming from upstairs before Momo came into view; looking over the railing at her friend with tears in her eyes.

"Rangiku?" She called out. She smiled just as a single tear escaped. "It's you!"

"Momo!" The said woman called back happily.

The two rushed to meet each other, Momo going down the stairs and Rangiku going up. They met in the middle and embraced each other eagerly.

"Oh Momo, I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too! I'm so sorry I've been gone for so long. Please forgive me."

Rangiku pulled back to look Momo in the eyes. "Don't you dare apologize. I was never mad at you in the first place. I'm just so happy to see you again."

Momo's smile grew twice as big. It's been so long since she's seen her friend, but to know that she doesn't hold a grudge against her is all she could ever ask for.

"Thank you, Rangiku."

The two of them would have ended up in another long hug, had it not been for the loud cough. The looked back and saw Shinji tapping his foot impatiently.

"Look, I know you two are very excited to see each other and I hate to break this up, but we're kind of on a time limit." He explained. "We only have until tomorrow to get Momo ready for her role."

Momo nodded, pulling away from her friend and wiping her tears away. "He's right. We can't waste any time."

Rangiku smirked and gave Shinji a thumbs up. "Then just leave it to me. By the time I'm done, even Momo won't be able to tell the difference between her and Mio."

Shinji smiled at the two of them. "Let's do it then."

Before Momo knew it, she was sitting in her bathroom with a cloth wrapped around her neck.

"First things first!" Rangiku announced as she dug through one of the compartments in her case. "The biggest identifier between you and Mio is your hair. Time to fix that."

Momo didn't why, but she suddenly tensed up when Rangiku pulled out a pair of scissors and hair clippers. It's not like she's ever had short hair before. When they were kids, she and Mio had the same short length hair; with her's usually in pigtails. They would even play pranks on their friends on the days she didn't feel like doing her hair. Pretending that she was him and he was her.

She figured that the reason she was so nervous was probably because of the finality of it. Once she went through with this makeover, there was no going back.

"Momo? You okay?" Rangiku asked, breaking her out of thought.

She tried her best to smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just feeling a little on edge."

The older woman put her hand on her shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. "It's going to be okay. You got this."

And Momo wanted desperately to believe that.

Going back to her case, Rangiku pulled out one more thing. A portrait of Mio himself. Using one of Momo's bookholders, she placed in front of them by the sink. "I'm just gonna leave this here for reference. That okay?"

Momo nodded. Going speechless at the sight of her brother's picture. She recognized it as the photo he took for a promotional poster.

'It won't be long now.'

At the sound of the first cut, Momo closed her eyes and stayed quiet. She remained like that throughout the entire haircut. She flinched a bit when she felt the clippers shave at her sideburns and as they gave her an undercut like Mio's. Other than that, she was still.

It wasn't until Rangiku tore the sheet off of her and announced that she was finished did Momo finally open her eyes.

The strawberry-blond spun her around to face the mirror. "Take a look."

Momo was in complete shock. What she saw astounded her. Her long hair was gone and in its place was the short, shaggy hairstyle that Mio has had for years. Right down to every layer.

"Wow." Was all she could manage.

"I know," Rangiku said, looking smug. "I'm just that good."

"Momo!" Shinji called out from the living room before he came in. "Byakuya just sent-WOAH!"

As soon as he saw his client, Shinji's jaw dropped. Making Rangiku even more proud of her work.

"I know, right? You would be able to tell the difference!"

"I'll say! Look at you!" He grabbed Momo's face and moved her head around from different angles to get a better look at the haircut.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Momo squeaked out. "Um, Hirako-san? You were saying something about Kuchiki-san?"

"Oh right!" He dropped her head and grabbed her wrist. Dragging her out to the living room. "Byakuya just sent over an outfit for you to wear tomorrow. He wanted you to try it on and see if it fits."

He then shoved some freshly dry cleaned clothes into her arms and started pushing her towards the stairs. Just as she was about to go, Rangiku stopped them.

"Hold on!" Rushing out of the bathroom, she thrust another article of clothing into Momo's grip. "You'll need this!"

She picked it and held it closer to her face. "What's this? A sports bra?"

"Nope! it's called a chest binder." Rangiku explained. "You see Momo, other than your hair, there's still one important identifier between you and Mio. Or should I say, two things."

Momo blushed when she realized when she meant. "I-I see."

"You sure she'll need it?" Shinji asked. "I mean, yeah they're there, but not that noticeable."

"Hirako-san! Nobody asked for your opinion!"

Wanting to save herself from any more embarrassment, Momo rushed upstairs. All while Shinji called out to her, saying how she was 'still a beautiful young lady'. Which only ended with Momo throwing a pillow of the railing and hitting him in the face. She knew she got him because she heard Rangiku yell out: 'SAFE!'

The gray binder had a zipper in the front so it was fairly easy to get on. While tight and bit uncomfortable, she knew she would eventually get used to it. She put on a white undershirt over it then a navy button-up shirt. The black jeans fit her fine in length, though she had to tighten the belt a few notches to make sure they didn't slip down. Next, come the dark brown dress shoes that fit perfectly. She was lucky that she and Mio still had the same shoe size.

Finally, the burgundy bomber jacket to complete the look. It was a bit big on her, but not enough to be noticed from an outsider's point of view.

Her footsteps down the stairs echoed throughout the loft. Both Rangiku and Shinji jumped off the couch in time to see a replica of Mio Hinamori greet them. They nearly fell over in shock when they saw the outcome.

Momo, feeling nervous at their stares, fidgeted a bit. "So, uh, what do you guys think?"

"IT'S UNCANNY!" They yelled out at the same time.

"Really?" Walking to the full-length mirror by the front door, she was astonished.

There, in front of her, was her brother. All traces of Momo was entirely gone. She almost called out his name had she not remembered that it was just her reflection.

She turned back to her starstruck friends with a slight smile. "Guys. I think I'm ready."

(Meanwhile, on the other side of town...)

Toshiro stared at his phone as it rang, disappointed when the call only went to voicemail.

He had asked Momo if he could call her tonight and she did say yes. Has she forgotten?

Deciding not to push it, Toshiro figured he could try again tomorrow. Slipping his headphones on and putting the volume to the highest setting, he let himself relax to one of Momo's songs. Slowly being soothed to sleep by the sound of her voice.

I've never done something like forget, but as I tripped and fell
I go through and disappear like bubbles
But even so, these feelings are always, always within my heart, deep deep within.
As if I'm sleeping, I conceal my breath and wait.
Set me free, I don't need a cage anymore.

Even though they haven't talked as much as he wished they could, Toshiro still held out hope that one day she'll open up to him again. That they can be as close as they once were, and when he feels like it's all for nothing, all he has to do is listen to her voice. Hearing the joy and passion in it as she sings with all her heart, and he's right back where he started.

It's true, there have been some doubts floating around in his mind; he's even caught himself thinking that he's either an idiot or a masochist, or maybe both. But in the end, he remembers that Momo would do the same for him. Like she has in the past; constantly believing in him even when he couldn't believe in himself, being there for him during the hardest times of his life, and lifting his spirits when it seemed like nothing could reach him. Her persistence and encouragement are what shaped him into the person he is today.

All he wants now is to return the support she's always given him. He knew in his heart that it would all be worth it in the end. If it's for her, he could endure anything.

Just as the song was coming to an end, the final lyrics were interrupted by his ringtone for incoming calls.

The number on the screen wasn't saved, but he knew who it was. What he didn't know was how the person on the other end was able to get to a phone at this hour.

"Hey, Mio. What are doing up this late?" He asked as soon as he answered. "Don't you have a curfew over there?"

"I have to tell you something." The other Hinamori twin replied, ignoring his question. "And I'm not sure how you're going to take it."

That got his attention. "What are you talking about?"

"I just got news from Byakuya today. He said that Momo is going to go through with it."

Toshiro sat up with a start. "Are you sure? I talked to her yesterday and she didn't sound too sure."

"You talked to her?" The meek tone in his voice was too obvious. "H-How is she? Did she sound alright to you?"

Toshiro could help but feel pity for his old friend. He wanted to be honest and say he wasn't certain, but with where Mio was now, he couldn't risk him regretting this decision.

"She sounded fine. She just really misses you."

"I see." In a quieter voice, Mio muttered. "I miss her too."

The line went silent. Neither of them knew what to say. Their friend has been strained for the past few months and they were barely getting back to talking regularly. Though, it was uncomfortable at times.

"Look, Toshiro." Mio finally said. "I know I'm asking a lot of you right now and I definitely don't deserve your help, not after everything I've done. But I want you to know that I am truly grateful for everything. I know it's not easy for you, it isn't for me either."

"I hate lying to her." Was his only response. To put it mildly, he would rather go permanently mute than have to lie to Momo. But he couldn't say that.

"I know. I hate it too, but I swear I'm going to get better and when I can finally face her, I'll tell Mo-chan everything."

"You better. I don't want to see her suffer anymore." Taking a deep breath, Toshiro relaxed his tense tone. He was usually able to keep his composure well enough, but he always got this way when it came to Momo. "I'll keep an eye on her in the meantime. If she's really going to go through with this, I'm going to be there for her no matter what."

"I can always count on you, Toshiro. Thank you." There was some shifting on Mio's end and the sound of him cursing under his breath. "Gotta go now. They're wondering where I am. Thanks again! Tell Momo I'll see her soon!"

Then he hung up.

Toshiro let out a long sigh that ended with a grunt as he threw himself back against his bed.

'Soon.' He thought to himself. 'This will all be over soon.'

Glancing at his phone again, a picture of him and Momo as teenagers greeted him on his lock screen. They were sitting under a shady tree and were leaning against each other's backs as he played his guitar and was reading a book. Both of their faces looked so serene and content, almost like they wouldn't want to be anywhere other than where they were at that moment. Together.

He was embarrassed when he found out Mio took the picture without them knowing, but he couldn't deny that it was one of his favorites.

However, looking at it now, he only felt guilty.

'Please wait a bit longer, Momo. I promise everything will get better soon.'

Her smiling face in the photo was the last thing he thought about before falling asleep. Mentally preparing himself for what's to come tomorrow.

Sorry for the late update. Old habits die hard.

The songs used for this chapter:

'Blue Bird' by Fumika

I hope you enjoyed!

-GoddessOfImagination