CHAPTER 6: The Verdict!: Rukia's Answer
"What…did…you…say?"
She sighed, yet she couldn't help but feel annoyed and amused at the same time. Renji looked as if he's been challenged by Zaraki-taichou and "reprimanded" by Unohana-taichou. All the color from his face was gone. If Rukia didn't know any better, she would have thought Renji will faint.
She sighed again.
Renji gulped. Surely, he heard correctly? He's not hallucinating, right? Or drunk? Wait, he didn't even drink the sake Matsumoto-san gave him, so why did he think that?
Argghh! Renji wanted to thrash around and release everything he's holding inside.
Rukia sighed, louder this time and stepped closer to Renji. Slowly, she reached out and cupped his face in her hands.
Renji's mind went blank. His heart beat faster than normal. His breathing became erratic.
"Renji…" Rukia said.
He closed his eyes and waited.
Suddenly, she punched him—hard.
Renji staggered backwards, clutching his swollen cheek.
"What the hell was that for?" he bellowed.
"I should be the one asking you that!" Rukia retorted, "Seriously, are you an IDIOT? Of all things to say, you chose 'what did you say?' Renji, surely you can do better than that!"
Renji was stunned. "So…so…you're not…joking?" he stammered.
Rukia slapped her palm on her forehead. "Urgh, why did I fall for someone so stupid?"
Renji was surprised at first. Slowly, a goofy smile crept on his face.
"…I didn't even know why, of all people, I fell in love with you. And you're my best friend, the rokubantai fukutaichou, and nii-sama's right hand. Considering all this, I should be avoiding you, yet I told you bluntly and point blank, that I…" she was cut short from her monologue when Renji hugged her—tightly, as if he'll never let go.
Rukia froze. But after a while, she hugged him back.
"Renji, I love you too."
You're right. These two people surely make a perfect match.