I was curious why this chapter wasn't posted and that the story's already long completed -- Anyhows. Here goes.
--
"Since you like heights, I have decided to bring you here,"
As Toshirou stepped on the rooftop,a vast empty spread of concrete, a cool breeze blew at his face. He knew he liked the place instantly as he walked towards the edge of the buliding and looked out. The whole of Kakakura Town was visible from his position. He couldn't help but notice the contours of the city, it was so different from Soul Society. Soul Society was clean, the lines were stright, all the houses were of the same length, but over here, yes, there was some form of organization,but the buildiings are off different heights for one. For two, the design of the houses varied from one to another, the variety was absolutely stunning to Toshirou.
"Like it? This is the highest spot in our town," Karin said from the back, hadns behind her back and her head popping from above his shoulders.
So close, Toshirou thought. I could feel her breathing.
And their eyes met again.
-
"Toshirou," her voice, now in a whisper.
"Karin,"
She was the one that was silent this time.
"Karin,"
When would be the next time he would be able to say this name?
"Toshirou," She said his name again, this time her voice in a tremble, "Let me look into your eyes again,"
He let his teal eyes interlock with her brown eyes one last time and let himself drown in it. People once said that the eyes are windows to one's soul, within Karin's eyes, Toshirou found something that would make his heart skip a beat, He couldn't exactly lay a finger on what was it, but it was just her, only she had the magic to do so. Toshirou wished that he could stare at her eyes forever. He then spotted tears welling up in her eyes. No, please don't cry. He thought he felt his heart shatter at the hint of tears in her eyes. But yet he realized he was the source of the tears. He thought he felt the burden of the world on his shoulders. He began wondering, would it be better if he wasn't a soul reaper? Would it better if he wasn't Captain? Would it better if he did not have so much responsiblities? The responsiblites that rob him of someone so dear to him?
But he knew, he knew his ponderings would end up nowhere. He was a soul reaper. He was a captain. And he couldn't change any of that even if he wanted to. And since he couldn't let those go, he would have to let her go. Although, he really did not want to.
Underneath his green eyes, Karin also saw that it was troubled. Karin thought she saw the whole time she spent with him under his eyes. The way he picked up her soccer ball the first time they met, then the subsquent meetings on that particular railing, how his green eyes told more than he wished to say. She never probed about whatever that had happened to him, she knew he was uncomfortable with them. But there were some things that never escaped her eyes. The loneilness, the sadness, something that called out to her innermost being. That was same reason why she reached out to him, asked him out to the different places and tried to make him smile.
His eyes was always so captivating.
They broke away slowly.
Toshirou turned around silently. The words good bye somehow could not exit his lips at all. Even walking as suddenly so hard. But he knew he had to go. He was obliged to go. So he proceeded.
"Toshirou," She called his name again and her voice halted his footsteps. She knew she had to say it and so she did,
"I love you,"
"I love you too,"
To hear him say that, was enough for Karin. More than enough.
--
It was 7pm again.
The sun was setting once again.
Karin stood at the railings once again, watching as the sky grow from blue to orange to black.
Toshirou, are you staring at the same sunset as me?