"You mentioned that you are a Virgo" I recalled.
"Yes" she responded relatively surprised. Her head was resting on my torso.
"You were born in the month of September."
She turned to look at me. "What would really amaze me is if you knew the exact date" she said with a witty grin.
I stroked her hairpin and gazed into her eyes. "I just happened to distinguish you moderately well."
She looked away, her cheeks reddening. "W-we shouldn't worry about my birthday." Then I felt her pleasant aura fall. "I didn't even get you a present…"
"There is no need."
Her eyes suddenly met mine. "But, I-" It was amusing to see her expressions vary, particularly when she was embarrassed.
Unexpectedly, she placed a hand in the focus of my chest. I took her hand and brought her fingertips to my lips. "I am content" I said between them.
I positioned her onto her back and leaned over. As she looked into my eyes, she traced my upper lip with the tip of her finger. "Ulquiorra…" she whispered. Then she took my hand and laid it in the center of her chest, above her bosom; I could feel it beating underneath.
I touched each part of her face with my lips until I could no longer feel anything else but her own.
* "I would like you to meet my older brother" I said eagerly, surprising us both.
"Older brother?" Ulquiorra questioned a bit guardedly.
Then I grabbed him by the hand and dragged him forward. "I promised that if I ever met someone, I would introduce them."
As we approached his room, I slowly opened the door. "I'm coming in, big brother." And I didn't notice Ulquiorra standing behind. "What's wrong?" I asked, worried. He was looking blankly at the floor. I walked up to him and gave him a kind smile. I linked our fingers together and he held back tightly. "It's okay" I said reassuringly. He kept his eyes down a moment longer before looking at me. Then I slowly guided him to my brother's picture.
We kneeled on the floor and placed our hands in the middle of our laps. "Hi, big brother" I greeted. "How are you? I've been well and school is fine. I've been keeping my marks up like I promised! The Culinary Club has been giving me a hard time though but I keep trying my best!"
I turned to my side and he was gazing at the photo with sincere eyes. "Brother" I said, looking back to his picture. "This is Cifer Ulquiorra." As I recollected, I could feel myself smile. "I remember the day you told me not to hurry because I would have all the time in the world. You said I would know when the time was right. And I think that time is now." My next thought made me giggle. "Though I guess that's what big brothers are for. But trust me, okay?"
I touched both my hairpins before placing my hands together in a prayer. "I'll talk to you soon" I said as I closed my eyes.
The moment my hands were on my lap again, Ulquiorra rested a hand above them. He waited before slowly standing up, taking me along. "I love you, big brother" I said, closing the door behind us.
I rested my head against his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around me. "Regarding your past…" he requested humbly, taking me by surprise. "Do not feel compelled to respond." 'He's such a gentleman…' I thought happily. 'I should be thankful.'
"I… I was 13 when he passed away" I began slowly. "We lived together in this apartment, just the two of us. We had no parents; at least that's what he told me. So, he raised me on his own. He worked so hard just to give me the life I have now and I wouldn't have asked for anything else."
I continued with a smile. "I remember when I first saw them in the store. I couldn't pull my eyes away and I knew I just had to have them. "We'll get them next time"my brother had promised. I was afraid that someone might have bought them by then but when my brother promised something, he never broke it."
"He was driving us back to the apartment. I remember it was snowing a lot too. "Oh, I have something for you"he said, placing a small, gift box on my lap.
"What's this?"I asked.
"Open it"he replied.
I slowly untied the bow. I didn't know what to expect as I carefully took off the lid. "B-brother, when did you-? H-how did-?"I couldn't get my words to come out right.
"You're welcome"he said with his kindest smile.
After I was done admiring them, I was finally able to say something. "When we're home, I want big brother to help me put them on"I said with my biggest grin, making him laugh.
But then…"
"…I woke up in the hospital a few months later. It was already late spring and the cherry blossoms were falling by then. I remember my first thought was 'Where is big brother?' I was really thirsty so I asked the nurse for some water. I was about to take a sip but I stopped and stared into the cup; I saw something reflecting off the surface. "May I go to the washroom?"I asked. My legs were completely numb so she had to help me walk.
"Your brother had placed them there"the nurse told me as I touched both my hairpins. I gazed at my reflection for a long time before I finally asked her…
"Umm, where is my brother?"" *
"I-I'm so sorry, Ulquiorra… you didn't deserve that." She was still weeping.
"Do as you wish" I said, consoling her.
"Thank you" she said into my chest. "I thought I would be alright… It's been years since I've cried like that."
I decided it was time. "I have something to show you."
* I looked around me curiously. "Do not move"he had commanded.
This place was strange and I wouldn't have taken a second thought about coming here; it was barren and remote. 'Why would he bring me here?'I thought, confused. But the snow made all the difference.
"Come" he finally called. Before I could say anything, he placed a hand over my eyes and a finger on my lips. "Be silent and follow."
He guided me through this maze of his. There were obstacles, turns, and ups and downs. And then, we were still. Suddenly, he took his hand away. "Ulquiorra?" I slowly opened my eyes to find myself alone again.
But then I couldn't help but be in awe. For some reason, the snow looked so much more beautiful here. Hesitantly, I took a blind step forward. 'It's his footprint'I thought as I felt my foot sink in.
As I followed down his path, I didn't know what to expect and I think he did that on purpose. The course gradually ended and I took the last remaining steps before standing still. On the ground in front of me laid an opened umbrella. 'What's this all about?'I thought, picking it up. Then something caught my eye...
"What a pretty flower!" I exclaimed as I bent down to get a closer look; it was protected by a glass jar. The snow had fallen so much that there was more than an inch above it. "You must be cold" I said, wiping off the snow. "Oh, here!" I held the umbrella up, sheltering us both.
I continued to gaze at it. 'I've never seen anything quite like it…'And then, I couldn't help but notice.
'You look just like… my hairpins.'
Suddenly, a shadow casted over. "Don't sneak up on people like that!" I shouted as I turned to face this person. I had been so fascinated with the flower that I didn't even consider who it might have been.
"…I find it difficult to believe still" Ulquiorra said breathlessly.
"So, how about meeting here again tomorrow?" I asked him eagerly. I think he was confused because he just stared at me. Finally, he nodded once but I wasn't sure if he meant it. "Promise?" I peered at him with questioning eyes. And he nodded again, more confidently this time.
"You have to prove it" I continued, hoping my own trust would eventually win me over. I closed my hand with only my pinkie extended. He looked confused again. He stared at my hand before looking back to me, waiting for an explanation. 'Does he really not know what I'm doing?' I thought a bit frustrated. I sighed and grabbed his hand opposite of mine. And then I joined our pinkies together. "There, you promised" I said, beaming all over.
I checked the time on my mobile. 'Brother's waiting for me...'
I looked back to him and he was covered in snow. The sight caused me to giggle as I gently brushed it off of him. 'I like you' I thought happily to myself. 'But I'll tell you next time.' As my umbrella fell to the ground, I hugged him closely... I moved away and looked into his eyes one more time. "See you soon."