The sake bottle clattered to the floor. Hiromi's lips were soft and sweet. They both snapped out of their drunken state.
She pulled away, her face as red as a tomato.
Hitsugaya felt color creeping into his cheeks, something he ha almost never experienced before. Heat rushed to his face, all over his body, thawing his heart. Emotion rushed through his brain, and he felt like he might burst with an influx of mixed feelings.
"Sorry," Hiromi whispered. Without a second glance, she darted out the open sliding door.
Hitsugaya hastened away too before Matsumoto could say anything.
Later that night, Hitsugaya lay in bed, unable to sleep. A tiny candle warmed his room casting a hazy, rosy glow against the walls. He couldn't help thinking about earlier… He tossed and turned, restless. He felt strongly controlled by a deep passion… could it be… what they called…. love? But he had always proclaimed himself that love was a worthless emotion that influenced people to do rash things that didn't seem to benefit anyone at all. But all he could think about at the moment was Hiromi, her black hair, her teal eyes, her Mona Lisa mystery smile, and her soft, sweet lips.
Finally, Hitsugaya threw off his covers and padded over to the little, comforting flame. Toting the candle, he strolled out of his room and out to the pavilion, hoping to burn of the increased adrenaline pumping through his body. He sat, with a sigh, down on the stone bench under the blossoming cherry tree. A brisk night breeze ruffled the branches, and a delicate pale pink bloom alighted in his open palms. His thoughts immediately transferred to Hiromi again, how she looked underneath the cherry tree… He shook his head violently, as if trying to shake the thought from his mind. Well, suppose he did date Hiromi… then what? It was queer, almost unnatural, for captains to date their minors… Besides, he didn't know any captain in Soul Society who did. Okay, Captain Kuchiki had a wife… who died. Hmmmm… well, Captain Kyouraku always tried to woo his lieutenant… but Nanao usually kicked him in the shins when he tried to. Hitsugaya racked his brain for other captains in relationships, but failed.
Then he felt someone sit down next to him.
"I'm really sorry about… you know…" someone beside him murmured.
It was Hiromi. "It's, um, it's fine," Hitsugaya said quickly. He felt that "love" feeling again. Prickly heat crept to his cheeks. He licked his lips nervously. Should he confess his feelings? "Well, I have to say, I kind of enjoyed it." He looked at the cherry blossom in his hand. What an un-Toshirou like thing to say! He could've murdered himself right that instant, but he was interrupted by a soft mumble.
"Really? Because, well, I did too."
Hitsugaya's heart racked against his chest in uneven thumps.
"The truth is, Taichou, well, I really like you."
"Hiromi… will you be mine?" Hitsugaya reached up and placed the blossom in her gentle black hair.
"Okay." She smiled her Mona Lisa grin.
Hitsugaya was no longer in control of himself. He felt himself lean forward… and so did Hiromi. Their second kiss, except it was longer… and sweeter.