Chapter 9

A Confused Heart

Toushirou's POV

Flowers, flowers, flowers, it's been damn two weeks and yet that stupid guy is still sending her flowers, and for god's sake it comes with different motifs for the past days. What is with that guy, he's really taking to my nerves. And why the heck am I angry about, this is confusing, frustrating and now Karin hates me, it's all for that stupid cousin of mine. All I want is for her to make him stop sending flowers, main reason, because it is starting to be in the way of work (women and their gossips), but why did she ended up asking that question, I'm really thankful for Momo's sudden arrival or I might….wait what might be my answer to that, am I really acting like that? Do I really do? Her? Do I? Is that one of the reasons why I don't like those flowers from Ryuu from the start?

Flashback

"Wow, Karin looks like yellow is the motif today" Rangiku happily said to Karin while eyeing the handful of flowers all in different shade of yellow, arranged with different yellow flower accessories.

"Yah, looks like it…

By the way, is Toushirou in one of his super bad mood today…he's eyeing my desk as if he likes to burn it or something" Karin said, remembering the sudden mood swings of her boss. Lately ever since Ryuu started sending her flowers, Toushirou became more irritated and demanding than usual.

"More likely, he's acting like a jealous man,…"Rangiku said with a grin,. Karin on the other hand just looked at her eye brow rising.

"Ahh…nevermind, that reminds me, he needs you at his office in 5 minutes" Rangiku said and with that Karin dashed to Toushirou's office, not wanting make her boss, more intimidating.

"Toushirou, you need me" Karin asked politely.

Toushirou looked at her from the files he is holding, and settled it down to talk to her.

"Remove those flowers at once!" Toushirou said in fierce voice and giving Karin an intense look.

Shock and somewhat fear came to Karin, this is the first time that Toushirou have looked at her like that, even if they disagree a lot on their projects.

"Pardon?" Karin said trying to sound normal as possible, hiding the fact that she felt scared.

"I said remove those flowers at once!" Toushirou repeated with the same tone and look just like the first.

"B-but why?"

"It's getting on your work"

"What do you mean?"

"You and the other girls make big deals about it, gossips I mean and most of you can't concentrate on your supposed works"

Now the fear that Karin felt suddenly replaced by anger.

"What do you mean, we do our own as you say it gossips on our free time, and mostly out of the working area (the kitchen and comfort room, or sometimes in cafeteria), and we perfectly do and finish our work at your given time, yet you say it's in the way of work"

"Karin, it is unprofessional, if you want to do your personal whatsoever, do it at your home not here!" He is now raising his voice

"What are you saying, it's been two weeks isn't it late to say that to me that it is unprofessional, if you think it is, then you must have said it on the first week or mostly likely on the first day it arrived!" Karin said also raising her voice

"That is the point it's been two weeks yet you still stare or accept those stupid flowers dreamily"

'what's with him that's out of what are we arguing about' "The heck, you're saying what's your real point"

"My point is stop receiving those stupid flowers, if you want just do it at home, where I can't see it!" He said losing every control he has

"If you hate it, why don't you tell your own cousin!"

"Why would I talk to that damn suitor of yours who only knows how to show-off!"

'Suitor of mine???, this is getting personal, hmm he acts like a jealous boyfriend or what, is he?'

"Say, Toushirou, do you like me?"

'Did she just asked that?' He thought surprised.

"Why can't you answer, huh?" Karin said when Toushirou is still in shock and not saying anything.

"W-what makes you think that?" Toushirou said trying to gain his lost composure.

"Because you act like a jealous man?

And you can only be acting jealous, if you like me" Karin said trying to hide the fact that she is almost blushing at the thought.

"Karin,ahmm I-I-"

"Shirou-chan" Momo called from the open door of the office. Both Toushirou and Karin snapped out of their tense gaze, and both looked at Momo, surprised of her sudden arrival. None of the two greeted her.

"Oh, did I disturb the two of you?" Momo said sensing the tense atmosphere that wrapped the two.

'Obviously, Momo, can't you hear that they were arguing earlier and you just came at the awaited moment (Toushirou's almost confession??)and ruined it' Rangiku thought beside Momo at the door. Toushirou gave her a what-now look.

"Sorry, she insisted" Rangiku said when she felt the look.

"No it's okay, looks like Momo-san, has business for Hitsugaya-san here, so I will be going….by the way sir, I'll leave right now to deliver some flowers at home, is it okay?" Karin said with venom at her voice.

"O-okay, you may leave" Toushirou murmured, and confused about the sad feeling that she called her Hitsugaya-san, and not her usual Toushirou in cheerful voice. Karin left the office, but greeted Momo, before going out.

'what have I done, and what was I about to say earlier?' Toushirou only thought while watching Karin's back slowly fading from his office.

End of Flashback


Karin's POV

Unprofessional, yes I know but the way he's putting his reasons, that is more unprofessional. The heck, he acts as if…arggg how will I put it in word, he's getting personal, or more likely the way we argue earlier, he's getting unreasonable. And if he hates to see those damn flowers, he should have said so from the beginning or more importantly in a better manner. I never have felt that kind of fear by just the way he looks at me, that only happened years ago, when I've been in a principals office in middle school, yet he made me feel that..stupid him.

And I never thought I would ask him if he likes me, why, can't blame me I've been in different arguments and relationships, and as far as my experience that attitude earlier is an act of jealousy, but who am I to say or judge, we just knew each other for barely a month or two, excluding the time at Ichi-nii's wedding. But I don't know what should be my reaction, especially that he thought Ryuu as my suitor, but the thought that Toushirou might actually like me makes me fell like…I don't know I can't explain, though my heart did leap at the time when he called my name and stuttered of what he was going to say before Momo arrived, that reaction I hate the most. And that makes it more awkward, what was he going to tell me that time, and my reaction–my stupid heart's reaction at that time imagining that he actually like me. Argg I'm getting confused here, I don't even like him like romantically. I just like him as a friend, he's comfortable to talk to, and I do care of what he thinks of me, or something concerned about me, its care for a friend and image right? I like him as a friend, yet this feeling, I don't know.

Hmmp just let him be on his own stupid reasons, now I need to talked to the show-off guy, stupid cousin of his, Ryuu. And now that I think about it, it's his entire fault that I and Toushirou are arguing. He must have a word on this, I already told him before to stop sending those damn flowers, and now it has come to this…so stupid, so frustrating, . Stupid Ryuu. Stupid Toushirou.

Toushirou's POV

After the nerve-wracking argument I had with Karin, and Momo's business in the office, I don't know what to do or what to think right now. As far as I remember I left the office ten minutes before the end of the office hours, and Karin is home already. As much I want to apologize, my pride can't take it, now I'm home sitting on my couch and a glass of scotch in hand, thankful there's no office tomorrow. Now my mind is wondering about if that time, do I really act like a jealous man, is it possible that I actually like her.

Ring ring ring

Stupid telephone, who the heck might be calling at this hour.

"hello, toushirou!!" That is the voice I don't want to hear right now.

"Ryuu, What do you want?" I kept my voice stern as possible, hinting that I don't want to talk right now. And I am also resisting to hang up.

"Don't even try hanging up, this is about Karin" Now that's the topic, first time he talks serious.

"What?"

"Did you have an argument?"

"Ask her"

"Damn it Toushirou, I am asking you right now"

"Why don't you ask your own girl for explanations? I bet you won't believe my reasons anyway."

"What my girl?"

"don't play dumb Ryuu" Even if you are already dumb.

"(chuckle) now I see, you got angry because you thought I am having a relationship with Karin"

"What are you talking about?" Now I'm confused

"(laughter) You're a jealous man dude, have you ever admitted that you actually like her"

"(Thickmark appearing) Don't change the subject, what do you mean, you don't have relationship with her, and what is with does damn flowers"

"(laughter) Remember the first time we met at your house, what did I say that time?"

Flashback

"Ahh, Mitsuaki Ryuuji,

Wait you're Ryuuji?" Karin said surprised

"Ahh yah, why?,wait your name seems familiar..hmmm

Ah yes, you're Yuzu's twin" Ryuuji said finally remembering

End of Flashback

"You said something about Yuzu"

"Yup, never thought you wouldn't realize"

"But how? Why?"

"Oh, the famous prodigy is confused, let me explain dear cousin…

My real girl will be Yuzu, remember the girl I loved before I left for States 4 years ago, that's her, of course I know Karin she's her twin ,and also because I needed to get her consent first and help to have Yuzu back, that is the reason I am sending her flowers and there are other reasons behind the flowers"

"So, that was just to have your Yuzu back"

"Yup"

"Why give her flowers? I mean your other reason"

"It is because of you"

"What me?"

"You like her don't you, you're just dumb to realize it"

"…"

"Dude I know you since we're children we are best friends, I know when you starting to like a girl, just like the time with Momo"

"I don't know,"

"of what?"

"If I am ready to like a girl right now"

"stupid, remember what I said in the airport"

"Sometimes you need to realize and admit the feelings that are already building up and swallow your pride, or the time will come that she will be stolen by somebody else, and your chance will be over"

"Yup, do it, apologize to her, you're a jealous man, that's why you got angry, don't worry I'll stop sending flowers, It's your turn now"

"Ryuu, you really think I actually like her"

"Want me to enumerate hows and whys"

"No thanks, you always have an endless list"

"Take care of her or else"

"Yah, thanks dude, by the way I need your help"

"On what"

"The thing you do best"

"Being romantic, no prob, good luck, that girl is hard to please sometimes"

"Is that suppose to be encouraging"

"(laughter)"

Sorry if Toushirou is a bit OOC…….

Here is the next chapter, hope you like it,

thanks for all those who reviewed last time, hope you will review again…hehehe

Please review……………till next time.