"So this is Bleach B Station," Ichigo started crossly, as tensely he eyed Renji and tensely Renji eyed him. Rukia avoided eye contact with both of them, and stared down at the floor. "If you've just tuned in, we have a special guest today. This is Ichigo. I'm here with Rukia, and our very special guest, who correctly answered last month's difficult trivia, Abarai Renji. I didn't think bad guys listened to the radio."
He wasn't completely incorrect in saying such, as Renji indeed was not greeted well by the school. First, he broke every boy's dream of sitting in the broadcast room with their idol, Kuchiki. Even though none of them had sent the correct answer anyway, they still felt cheated. Second, before the show Renji and Rukia were seen together acting comfortably, as though they had known each other for years. Even Ichigo felt somewhat annoyed. Renji became hated more so than Ichigo. With Ichigo it was only "friendly hating," but Renji was truly the enemy.
"A friend told me about this show," Renji countered confidently, as though he were trying to prove that he was superior to Ichigo. "It's a pleasure to be here."
"There were a lot of people trying to win your ticket to today's session. I'm sure they all want to hear how you found the answer. I'm sure you didn't cheat."
"You might just call it pure luck. A man every now and then needs something to help him along no matter how hard he tries. It remains the same though, the fact I was the one who answered correctly; therefore, I deserve to be here."
"You deserve to be here? So, are you a big fan of this show? Do you know about any of our corners? Do you know who any of our guests were?"
"Are you trying to make me feel guilty? I was under the impression that you didn't like doing this program either. You only did it to be near Rukia, didn't you? And you may know more about this station than I do, but what do you really know about her?"
"About Rukia? She's my friend."
"Friends? Then there shouldn't be any secrets between you two. I'll make sure if that myself. No better place to confess than the radio. The relation between the hosts is key. What do you think? Which is more important, the interaction with the fans or with the people right here? People that don't belong together shouldn't be hosting a radio show, don't you agree?"
"Don't belong together? What do you mean?"
"Well, you'll realize eventually. Anyway, Rukia was kind enough to help me about before the program started. Since I'm this month's first guest, I apparently have the responsibility, no the privelege, of choosing this month's trivia."
"Well, hurry up. Let's hear it."
"What is Abarai Renji's one wish?"
"Do you think anyone will be able to answer this?"
"Well, there are many things a man might wish for, but only one wish matters to me. Money? Fame? Power? Maybe I'm like any other person, or maybe I'm not such a simpleton. Well, everyone try your hardest. With a little luck, you might get it right. On July's last session, the first person to send in the correct answer will be awarded a free pass to August's first show. It really is worthy, since I am just having the best of times."
"I'm glad. After our commercial break we will begin our second radio drama." After the commercials began, his voice became even grumpier than before. "I hope you remembered to write today's script."
"I almost forgot. It's a good thing I had Rukia here to help me out. We composed the script together."
"You did?" Ichigo questioned Rukia, for some sort of evidence. She only nodded weakly and lazily.
"I really think it turned out well."
"You're listening to Bleach B Station. We will now start our second radio drama. Let's see, it's sort of like a continuation of the last one. Even though the angel promised the prince an eternal paradise, for some reason, they are forced to live in an isolated area, hiding themselves from both humans and deities. I play the part of the prince, Rukia is the angel, and Renji is one of her superiors who has come from the heavens with grave news. Then, then Rukia will start things off."
"Dragon, I'm sorry for putting you through all this," the angel apologized.
"It's no big deal. Let's not give up on our love. Even if we cannot have the eternal paradise in the heavens, we will hard here on earth. We just have to keep our spirits up. Even though our last harvest was a failure, we'll make it somehow. The heavy rain will end eventually."
"But you're becoming thinner."
"It's no big deal."
"But you can't be near any of your friends."
"It's no big deal."
"But-"
"It's no big deal. Don't you get it? I love you, so I'm willing to go through anything, farm in the fields every rainy hour of every rainy day, to be with you. Paradise will be ours, one day. This time I promise you."
"I like it when you're this way. Even I begin to believe in your dreams."
"You two seem to be getting along well," Renji interrupted. He made no effort to alter his voice, as it already fit the part perfectly. "I think you know why I've come. Have you made your preparations?"
"I... I knew this was coming, but I don't want to leave! I want to stay here!"
"You know you can't do that. I don't want to have to force you."
"Don't hurt her!" the prince shouted.
"Stay out of the way. You're an insignificant human. You don't know what powers you're dealing with. It is a felony for an angel to lend some of her powers to a human. She will return with me before her sins rise any further."
"Don't hurt her," Ichigo repeated.
"If you want to protect her so much, then why don't you fight me? Don't worry, I want hurt your dear angel, but I can't promise the same for you."
"Renji, wait," Rukia said. "It's not his fault. I'll return with you; just leave him alone." She was crying.
"What is this?" Ichigo asked worriedly.
"The script," Renji demanded.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I just wanted to stay with you a little longer. This was an end that couldn't be avoided."
"I will now use my powers to erase your memories," said Renji. "It will be the same for anyone who has ever met her. You will forget everything about her and that you ever loved her. You will lose the powers that don't belong to you, and they will return to their rightful owner. She will return, and all will be right in the world. Rukia will disappear from this world."
"What is this?"
"Read the script," Rukia commanded submissively.
"I... I will never forget you."
The drama ended, the program ended, and Ichigo was alone in the radio room. He didn't remember what had happened. He did not keep the prince's promise. He did not keep his own promise. Alone in the radio room all he could hear was static; the current would not connect two forgotten voices.