More Than What It Seems
Chapter 2: Because of Watermelons
"Konbawa, Hitsugaya-san!" The little Kuchiki bowed to the boy politely in greeting.
Hitsugaya tilted his head slightly towards her as a sign of acknowledgement then went back to eating his watermelon on the porch., hoping the girl would leave. However the girl stood by patiently.
Finally he gulped down a large piece.
"What do you want ?" he asked irritatedly.
The girl shuffled nervously before answering.
"Ano...Hinamori-san asked me to come over...she-she said she'd be here..."she trailed off.
"Well she's not." he snapped. "You should just leave."
The sun was setting, it was Hitsugaya's favourite time of day and he didn't want Minako to distract him from the glorious sight. And besides, he was still mad at the "too short to be old" comment.
She didn't budge an inch.
'Stupid, spoiled little noble...' he thought.
"I told you she ain't here, so go on...scram!" He shooed again.
Her shuffling stopped and she lifted her face. She seemed to be gathering her courage.
"Gomen, Hitsugaya-san...but I can't...Hinamori-san told me she'd be here and I expect her to honor her commitment."
He didn't know what astounded him more.
The fact that she was still here.
The fact that she spoke to him so politely after his rude out burst
Or the fact that she had so much faith in Hinamori.
The truth was that Hinamori had to run an errand for Granny and had told Hitsugaya to keep a watch out for Minako while he was eating his watermelon. But since he was still sour about yesterdays "Shiro" incident he wanted to punish her. So he decided to lie to Kuchiki Minako so that she would think Hinamori wasn't here and would leave and so that Hinamori would think that Minako never showed up. However, the noble wasn't buying any of it and that definitely put a hamper on his plans.
They stared at each other for a good long moment.
Finally he sighed and turned away, begrudgingly admitting defeat.
"Fine..."he sighed grumpily. "She went to do somethin' for Granny. She'll be back in a few minutes..."
The girl nodded in understanding and beamed at him. Suddenly his face began to get warm and in attempt to hide it he shoved a large slice of watermelon in his mouth.
For the next minute or two there was absolute silence, excepting Hitsugaya's chomping and sloshing noises. The girl stood as silent as a statue.
Aware of the fact that his guest, however unwanted she was to him, was standing while he was sitting and eating, made him feel a bit guilty. And this wasn't just any guest, the girl was nearly royalty.
Cue awkwardness.
"You know you can sit down, right?" he disguised his offer as a question.
She seemed a bit startled at the break in silence and was staring at him as if he had grown another head. This irked him.
"Well?! Are you sitting or what?!" he snapped impatiently.
Without another word or moment of delay, she sat down, bowing her head thankfully for a fraction of a second.
With the awkwardness gone, they fell into companionable silence.
Minako's legs had been sore from standing all this time but it was rude to take liberties like sitting and standing at will, at someone else's house and especially when one wasn't wanted. It just wasn't the Kuchiki way.
And besides Hitsugaya-san had been very clearly implying that her presence was definitely not wanted by him.
So you can imagine her surprise when the very boy had indicated for her to sit. She didn't even expect him to talk to her. Therefore when he did she couldn't help but stare. And very un-Kuchiki like might she add.
He looked really pissed off, and snapped her out of her stupor.
Then regaining her senses she gratefully sat down on the floor while bowing in gratitude to the boy for his generous offer.
Neither of them minded the comfortable silence that followed afterwards.
The sky had turned a golden tangerine-like colour, as the sun was slowly setting but bathing the district in a warm hue.
Minako gazed breathlessly up at sky. She never had such a fantastic view of the sunset.
Hitsugaya turned his head slightly toward Minako, looking at her from the corner of his eyes, before freezing. He gawked at her slightly.
Her whole face was lit up and painted gold and orange by the setting sun. The sky was reflected in her dazzlingly bright gray eyes making them glow the same shade. An awestruck smile had adorned her glossy lips as she continued to gape at the sky.
A hot blush began creeping up Hitsugaya's cheeks. He used to think that the sunset was the most captivating thing he'd ever seen and will ever see. At least that was before now.
His heart began racing and he himself felt a bit breathless.
' What's happening to me...?'
Minako was in absolute awe over the sight that played before her eyes. However, she was suddenly possessed by the strangest feeling. Almost as if she was being...watched.
She turned her head to her silent companion and was startled to see him staring at her.
It was the most peculiar look anyone had ever given her.
She didn't know whether to feel flattered or frightened.
Was he ill or something?
"Ano...Hitsugaya-san...Is everything all right...?" she asked awkwardly.
He jolted slightly, snapping out of the trance like state he had befallen in.
He looked slightly alarmed as he stared at her with wide teal eyes.
"I...I...I..I..."He gulped before hastily turning away, almost in a huff, almost as if she had offended him some how.
Now Minako was really confused.
She cocked her head to one side.
"Hitsugaya-san..." she trailed off leaning towards him a bit.
'Dammit!' Hitsugaya couldn't believe that he stuttered.
He didn't even know what he wanted to say to her, but all he knew was that he lost his nerve and couldn't bare to face her. What's more she had caught him staring!
He was never one to favor high temperatures, so the warmth of his face seemed kind of suffocating.
And with only a few of his faculties in working order he did the first thing that came to his mind...
which was shove his neglected piece of watermelon to her face.
Minako blinked back a little as the red and sloshy fruit was pushed into her line of sight, too close for comfort.
If she was confused before, then this was just too over the top.
She looked around the dripping fruit to the boy who was holding it out to her.
"N-nani-..." but she got cut off first.
"T-Take it. I was feelin' all guilty with...with you sittin' there like a gawking idiot and all..."
The little Noble's eyes softened as she saw the thoughtful gesture behind the gruff way it was expressed. At the Kuchiki household, people were not known for expressing sentiments easily, so you had to know when one meant well and when one didn't. It was a gift Minako, had begun to acquire as of late.
"Hitsugaya-san..."
"Do you want it or not???!" he demanded.
Minako stared at the offering and bit her lip. Speaking of her family, she didn't know if they would approve of her accepting such treats...it might be too un-Kuchiki like.
"Ano...Hitsugaya-san...I don't know....if..."
He took her hesitance as rejection.
'Stupid, spoiled, rich brat!'
"What? My Granny's watermelon ain't good enough for your stupid noble face???!"
Stunned at both his aggressive behavior and misunderstanding her thoughts scrambled giving her a hard time to explain.
"Iie! Iie...Its not..."
"Minako-sama!" Hinamori bellowed from a distance. She had arrived.
"Go on, your Bed-Wetting partner is here now..."his tone was cold.
"D-Demo...!"
"Didn't you here me!?? Go away! There's no reason for you to be here now!"
"Demo Hitsugaya-sa-...!"
"I said scram!"
On that note she got up, and began walking away slowly, eyes downcast and sparkling with unshed tears. She turned to look at him one last time only to find him looking pointedly away from her, face set in a scowl.
She turned away again and this time ran towards her waiting partner.
Hitsugaya glared at the floor.
'Stupid, stupid, stupid stupid!'
Only, he wasn't sure who that was aimed towards...Minako or himself.
"Ne, Minako-sama...did something happen?" Momo asked, noticing that her partner's heart was no where in her training.
She just shook her head.
"Was it...was it something Shiro-chan said...?" Momo pried again.
Though inwardly a bit surprised by the usually oblivious girls observation, Minako managed to keep her composure and shake her head indifferently instead.
Thankfully Momo decided to drop the interrogation and focus on her form instead.
'It wasn't something Hitsugaya-san said, it was something I did or rather didn't...and tomorrow....I'm going to fix it.' And with that final thought and a determined glint in her eye, Minako attempted to work on her fighting form as well.
"Konbawa....Hitsugaya-san...."
Hitsugaya turned slightly in his spot besides a nearby stream, a bit startled to see Kuchiki Minako, standing behind him with a downcast face.
He wasn't expecting on seeing her again after yesterday's episode.
"Momo isn't here..."His voice was soft but monotonous.
"I know..." So was hers.
Now Hitsugaya was really surprised
Their hair was ruffled slightly by a light breeze.
"Then what are you here for...?" he asked.
He was getting impatient, annoyed, and curious.
"I came here for you...."
Hitsugaya turned completely towards her, stunned and wide eyed.
"I've been looking for you all day Hitsugaya-san..."she told him bashfully whilst shuffling with something in her arms behind her back.
"Nande..." But he was cut off when she shoved something towards him.
It was a small brown paper bag. And it smelled good.
"Please accept this as an apology! I-I didn't mean to offend you! I was just a bit startled. I would love to try your obaa-san's watermelons...if..if...its okay...with.......you......"She trailed off at the end, bowing her head in apology.
Hitsugaya couldn't believe what he was seeing. After how rude he head been to her, lied to her, shouted at her, told her to get lost and judged her incorrectly, called her names, she came back, to him, for him, to apologize?? And she was so humble about it?
He couldn't understand it.
Minako was a noble. She was supposed to be spoilt, bratty, conceited...but she wasn't.
Hitsugaya's eyes softened tremendously.
She was truly unlike any person he had met before. He experienced the familiar fluttering in his stomach which he got whenever the girl was there.
"Minako..."
She raised her head, wide eyed watching him accept her peace offering.
She couldn't believe it. He had forgiven her!
He slowly opened the bag, inside was a rather large cookie and on it with white icing was written
'Gomen Hitsu-san'
"I hope you don't mind the shortening of your name Hitsugaya-san....but it was too long too fit."
He blinked. Still staring at the cookie.
"Hitsugaya."
This time she blinked.
"Pardon?"
He looked at her.
"Just call me Hitsugaya"
"Hitsugaya...san?" she asked confused.
A vein pulsed in his head.
"Iie! Just Hitsugaya!"
"Hitsugaya..Hitsugaya...."she repeated confusedly as if saying a foreign word.
After a few seconds she burst out. "Gaah! Just Hitsugaya doesn't...doesn't feel right!!!!"
Tears in the form of waterfalls cascaded down her face as she pouted.
Hitsugaya sighed. Between Momo and Minako, he was surrounded by idiots.
Suddenly there was a tap on his shoulder.
Hitsugaya nearly had a heart attack wondering how Minako got so close to him so fast without being notcied.
"Ne, do you mind if I call you Hitsugaya-kun....instead....? She asked shyly.
Hitsugaya feigned sighing loudly and smirked slightly when he gained her attention.
"I guess it's fine...." he replied smilingly.
Minako beamed brightly, making him feel as if he'll melt on the spot and he almost fainted because of how fast the blood rushed to his face when she suddenly latched onto his hand with her own.
"Wh-What..."
"Come on! Let's go get some watermelon!" she exclaimed taking off speedily towards his house, in the similar way Hinamori had done to her the first time he saw her.
His eyes widened at the sudden boost of confidence she had acquired and he couldn't help but think in wonderment.
It was all because of the watermelons.
Author's Note: Phew! I'm glad thats done! I hope you liked it. This is basically how Minako and Toushiro became friends in the first place and its sort of an insight into Mina-chan's character. I hope you guys hadn't waited too long and I would like to thank all of you he reviewed and favourited and subscribed to this story. I have a general idea on what the 3rd chappie is gonna be about, so you have to wait for a bit. Not too much though ok? Thanks once again for the support and dont forget to press the button. Reviews fuel my creativity! :D
Till next time...ja!