Late chapter, I know, sorry D:
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Also, I have published a new HitsuHina fanfic, sequel to my Momoiro no Hana oneshot. It's called Reitou no Hana~ Hope you guys read it :)
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
Chapter 11: You
Previously:
Hinamori snapped out of thought. Ugh, that was all in the past! Don't bring it up again! She shook her head. But…if I keep remembering all of those every day…aren't I still living in the past…?
He looked at himself in the mirror. "You're my friend, aren't you? Shouldn't I know these things? After all, Friends are…"
"Why are you crying?" asked a sweet voice.
"Yes! Friends are people you laugh and have fun with!"
"…Why are you still talking to me?"
"Because I'm your friend!"
"!" He looked at her small face. She had a bright friendly smile. One that anyone could trust.
"I'll be your first friend, Toshiro!"
"It's finally here. This is the day we've prepared for, girls!" smirked Rangiku.
"We'll see who comes out as the winner this time…"
•
"Wow, the scores are surprising…not too bad!" smiled Izuru, as he looked at the Karakura VS Shino scoreboard.
"So far, so good." nodded Toshiro.
Rangiku was beating Orihime by miles, Hinamori was slightly before Rukia, and Soi Fon was also way ahead of Tatsuki.
"Alright, we will now take a short break!" announced Yoruichi.
Tatsuki punched the table. "I don't understand! Why is that Soi Fon girl so much better than me?! I mean, she's flatter than me, and her personality is ridiculously cruel!"
Rukia was sitting on a cheap chair, placed at the table. "Calm down, Tatsuki. This is only the first half. We still have another half to go." She then added on, as she remembered Momo's words, "And we'll be the ones who come up on top!"
The two girls glanced at their number 1. Orihime was skipping around the room. "I'm so excited! I'm so excited!"
"Uh…Orihime, shouldn't you be a tad more concerned? Or participate in our conversation, at least?" the two mumbled.
"Hm? Oh, sorry! I wasn't listening! I was thinking about my dinner tonight, teehee~!" she giggled.
"I'm concerned." murmured Tatsuki.
"I assure you, I feel the same way." murmured Rukia.
Rangiku sat on the table in the Shino High School Break room, as she kicked her legs. "Haha! This is too easy!"
"Rangiku-San, don't say that! Getting ahead of ourselves isn't very good…" said Hinamori, innocently. She was getting a drink of water.
"Please, we've got this competition in the bag." Soi Fon leaned against the wall. "Our opponents are falling behind. We've only got the second half left." She started to neaten up her plaits.
Matsumoto motioned for the two to come in, and they did. She leaned in, and whispered, "Girls, I was listening to some Karakura boys chatting about the second half. Apparently, it's quite a unique activity."
"Unique activity?" Hinamori whispered back.
The orange-haired beauty nodded. "I heard that it's about roses."
"Roses…?" Soi Fon raised an eyebrow.
"You choose a colored rose from a bouquet, and with the color you chose, you must pick out an outfit from the wardrobe they supply us, and you must choose a scenery."
"Like a photo shoot?" asked Soi Fon.
"Bingo! Exactly like that!" grinned Rangiku. "But, it's a team effort."
"Eh? Team effort?" blinked Hinamori.
"That's right. Us three, all have to choose different colors, but somehow still look picture perfect, and in place, you catching my drift here?"
"But don't we all choose different backgrounds each?"
"No, we all have to choose one together. And we have to pose with our colored roses." Rangiku leaned back. "Sounds easy, doesn't it?"
"Indeed…are you sure that's all to it?" Soi Fon put a hand to her chin, in thought.
Rangiku shrugged. "That's all I've heard. There might be more. Oh, by the way, there's one color rose you can't choose."
"?" the two looked at her.
"Red. Because each member of the audience will have one red rose, and if they like you, they will throw the rose in your direction. Whoever receives the most roses, well, gets the highest score-and I think that will determine the winner." explained Rangiku.
"So, we're practically asking the audience to bury us in a pile of roses..." muttered Soi Fon.
"Hehe, you could put it in that way~!" laughed Rangiku.
•
Soi Fon glanced at the bouquet. The choice was decided in a split second. She took the yellow rose, and walked back to her spot.
Hinamori hesitated a little, but as she was deciding on the rose, she saw Toshiro smiling reassuringly at her. She decided to go with the white rose.
Rangiku picked the orange rose, confidently smirking.
Orihime chose the pink rose, as she kept giggling to herself.
Rukia decided to go for the black rose.
And Tatsuki wanted the blue rose.
Rangiku snickered.
"What's so funny?!" glared Rukia.
"Hahaha! I can't believe how low Karakura is! Your selection in color…those roses definitely don't complement each other! Ahahaha!"
Rukia was about to protest, but Orihime started laughing too. "Orihime?! Why are you laughing too?! She's mocking us!"
"Heehee, it's because we've got this rose thingy sorted~!"
Rangiku stopped laughing. "Oh?"
"We can just choose a rainbow colored background!" Orihime jumped into the air.
The whole crowd was looking at her as if she was crazy.
Ichigo-No way…Inoue, that'd make things a LOT worse!
Renji-Ha, that chick's crazy.
Toshiro-*Face wall*
Izuru-…Why did I think unicorns when she said rainbow?
The number one flower of Shino flicked her hair. "Whatever."
Tatsuki was shaking her fist at Rangiku, Rangiku turned, and poked her tongue out. "Please, little girl, you're just jealous of these!" Rangiku cupped her breasts.
Tatsuki felt her face redden from embarrassment. "What?! No, yours are just inhuman size! Mine's decent!"
Rukia seemed to be crying in a corner. "She's right, I'm as flat as a surfboard…!"
"Um…are you alright, Kuchiki-San?" asked Momo, gently.
"I don't want your pity!" cried Rukia.
"Mattaku…these girls." groaned Ichigo.
Yoruichi was about to mention that her breasts were worth bragging, but then Misato quickly interrupted. "Well, girls, we will now ask you why you chose that color."
Yoruichi clicked her fingers, Oh no she didn't!
Soi Fon replied, "Because yellow is my favorite color. And a yellow rose means to 'break up'."
Momo replied, "White? Well…" she glanced at Toshiro. "It reminds me of a very special person…"
"HINAMORI-SAMA, I HOPE YOU MEAN ME!" cried a fan boy.
"She meant me, jerk!"
"No, me!"
Hitsugaya chuckled. We all know who she means. Unless if Ukitake counts, but I'm pretty sure it's not…
Matsumoto smiled brightly, "I chose orange because it's the color of my favorite fruit-dried persimmons! Not to mention, it reminds me of the setting sun, which is very romantic~" she winked.
Inoue grinned, "Pink is very pinky, and it makes me feel warm and fluffy!"
Renji swore he was going to face plant.
Rukia went next, "Originally, I was going to go for pink for Chappy Bunnies, but Orihime already took it. So, I chose black, because it's the same color as my hair."
Tatsuki put a finger to her chin, "Why blue? Actually…I don't know. Just because it was there, I suppose! Ehehe!" she did a boyish laugh.
"And with that, girls, please go behind the curtains and check out the outfits in the wardrobes!"
•
"Hehe, girls, what do you think of this?!" Rangiku pulled out an orange outfit.
"Rejected." muttered Soi Fon, straight away.
"Nani?! Doushite?!" Rangiku questioned.
Hinamori covered her eyes. "It's a bit…too revealing…"
"Hmph! I think it's completely fine!"
"No, it really isn't…" they both mumbled.
"Hah? You want to see revealing? Then take a look at-"
"DON'T TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF!" shouted Soi Fon, at the top of her lungs.
"EEK! RANGIKU-SAN, DON'T SHOW US THAT!" Momo yelped.
"HEY, AT LEAST I DIDN'T TAKE MY BRA OFF!" yelled Rangiku.
The audience, which were mostly boys, couldn't help but blush at the conversation, seeing as how they were very loud.
"…Matsumoto!" growled Toshiro.
"SHINO HIGH GIRLS, PLEASE QUIETEN YOUR VOICES!" yelled Misato.
"Gomen!" they quickly went back to picking a dress.
•
Minutes later…
Orihime skipped down the catwalk, in her fluffy pink dress. "I'm so fluffy, I'm so fluffy~!"
"Seriously, how did that girl win last year?" said Soi Fon, coldly.
"Rangiku-San, it's your turn!" cheered Momo.
Rangiku seemed like she was a professional model, as she showed off her outfit. It was a peachy orange dress; it was strapless, and just below the knees. It was basically a summer type dress.
Next, were the girls running in second. Rukia strolled down the catwalk with her elegant ebony dress. It seemed to fit her perfectly.
Hinamori took a deep breath in, and was advised by Soi Fon, not to trip. She cautiously walked down the catwalk, but with each step, she felt a little more confident. Her snow dress swayed with each movement, and it had ribbon straps. It was layered, like petals of a white camellia, and she had a translucent white shawl to go with the dress. And of course, all the girls had their designated rose in their hair.
Hitsugaya was in awe. His eyes were glued to Hinamori, and wouldn't leave her, until she went behind the curtain.
"Let's face it, dude, you dig Momo." elbowed Renji.
"Urusai!" Hitsugaya folded his arms.
Tatsuki was wearing a long dark blue dress, which showed off her back and curves.
Soi Fon's entrance seemed to dazzle everyone. She was wearing a golden yellow dress, one that definitely suited her tastes. From the looks of it, it looked like a rich and special dress, but nonetheless, one that seemed to only fit Soi Fon.
Moments passed…
The photo shoot was going to start, so the 6 girls were pondering over which background they would choose. Like Orihime said, the Karakura team ended up choosing a rainbow background, after much debating. Whereas the Shino team chose a pastel flower garden background, which very much looked good with the outfits.
Yoruichi smiled, "Now, Karakura team, what was your theme when you decided on this…unique background?"
Orihime shouted happily, "COLORFUL!"
"Okay…lovely. Now, what about the wonderful Shino team? It's not like I'm picking favorites…!"
Soi Fon replied, "A Secret Rose Garden."
"SOI FON-SAMA, THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CHOICE!"
"I'D GO WITH YOU TO THAT SECRET ROSE GARDEN ANY DAY!"
"SOI FON-SAMA, YOU SHOULD DATE ME!"
Misato announced, "And we have our professional photographer, and his assistant."
Shunsui Kyoraku, and Nanao Ise.
"Huh? Isn't Nanao a teacher at our school?" blinked Izuru.
"I think she's helping the photographer out, or that's her part time job." mumbled Toshiro.
"YOLO!" grinned Kyoraku.
"Wasn't that saying annoyingly popular, last year?" muttered Renji.
"Eh? What's YOLO?" questioned Hinamori.
Nanao adjusted her glasses. "You Only Live Once, I believe."
Kyoraku smiled. "Okay, now turn this way a little! Yes, you stand here, and ooh, yeah, I'm liking it!"
-click- -click- -click- -picture- -picture taken- -picture- -pic, okay you get the point, Kyoraku went picture crazy-
•
The pictures were soon posted on noticeboards, just for decoration, and students threw roses at the girls they liked the best.
Oh, what do you know? Shino High School got the most roses at their feet.
"Yes!" Hinamori jumped up into the air, cheerfully, as she high-fived Soi Fon & Rangiku.
"We did it!" grinned Rangiku.
"Now, there's only one more." smirked Soi Fon.
"One more?" Hinamori paused.
The two girls nodded. "You're new to this, so you don't know. But in the second half of the contest, there's only two activities. We finished one, so now we're going to move onto the next one. And the last one is always the hardest."
"Hardest?"
Soi Fon explained, "It's always 'Express Your Feelings'-that's the name of the activity. They give us props, and we have to express our feelings to the 'prop', depending on the theme they give us."
"What was it last year?" asked Momo.
Rangiku groaned. "Last year, the 'prop' was a random guy from god knows where. The theme was angry, so we had to fully rage onto him about something."
"And?"
Soi Fon laughed. "I kept abusing him, saying how useless and stupid he was."
Rangiku then added, "That's also how we lost."
"Well, what about you then, Rangiku-San?"
"…I complained to him about how he wouldn't carry all my shopping bags."
"…And that's it?"
"That's it! Shopping is a big part of a woman's life!" said Rangiku.
Momo sighed. So this is how they lost. "Wait, but even if we fail this round, won't we still win because of the other events?"
"Nope."
"No."
"Nani?" Momo looked at them.
"Of course, that's how it would normally work, but…" Soi Fon trailed off, as she glanced at Karakura's Team.
"The actual event begins here. This last round is all that matters." whispered Rangiku.
"Then what was the point in all those other activities?!" Momo felt as if she had been trying hard for nothing.
"Those are important too-the reason we do those activities is to get the audience to like us! But this last round…they're bringing in three judges, and the audience still gets to vote of course, but in the end, the final say are the judges." explained Rangiku.
"I see…this will be tough…" Momo was deep in thought.
"Ha! But don't sweat it!" Rangiku patted Hinamori on the back. "Everything will be fine! After all, you do have us!"
Soi Fon stood next to Momo. "Matsumoto's right. But the ones we need to be careful of are Kuchiki & Inoue."
"Why them?" questioned Momo.
Soi Fon's eyes narrowed. "They may not look it, but those two are surprisingly well at acting."
Let's hope we can pass this time around…!
•
"The prop for this year's last round is a cellphone!" Yoruichi held up a plain white cellphone. "Listen up well contestants, as soon as you turn the cellphone on, you will hear a male's voice that has been recorded onto the phone for exactly this event. The male will always say the same things, and you have to express your feelings about how you feel about this guy and his talk."
Misato then added on, "In other words, this is not a real cellphone, it is actually a voice recorder in disguise, so you can hear his voice. Based on the way you act, will be judged by the lovely judges over there!" she pointed to a table with three people.
Byakuya Kuchiki, Gin Ichimaru, and Jushiro Ukitake.
Rukia gasped. Brother has come to watch my performance! I must definitely not fail him, because I know he'll be giving me high points!
Matsumoto sighed. Gin again…?
"This time, there is no designated order. It is just who wants to go first." stated the MC.
Rangiku grinned, "Well, if that's the case, I'll go first!" She swiped the cell out of the MC's hand, and pressed it to her ear, while pushing the button. "Hello?"
The male's voice started talking, as soon as she clicked the button. "Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
The staff made sure that the audience can also hear the voice of the male. Hinamori, Soi Fon, and Matsumoto immediately caught onto what the theme was: Sad feelings from the heart.
"Sorry? For what?" Matsumoto spat.
"Sorry, for everything I did. I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I…please, just understand. All I'm asking for is another chance. What do you say?"
She paused, as she thought about this. Rangiku put her hand over her mouth, and sniffled. "Yes, I'm sorry as well, it was also partly my fault. Forgive me…you deserve the second chance, because I…I…"
The whole crowd was silent, they were al entranced with Rangiku's acting.
"I love you."
"Tha-"
She interrupted the recording. "But only if you carry my shopping bags!"
Renji, Izuru & Hitsugaya face palmed. "What is that girl doing…?"
The judges gave their scores. Byakuya: 3/10, Gin: 10/10, Jushiro: 6/10. 19 in total.
Rangiku was going to pull the finger at Byakuya, but she was ushered off the stage for the next person-Tatsuki.
I'm confident I can do this! Tatsuki nodded, and took the phone off Rangiku; she pushed the button, took a deep breath in, and listened.
"Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
"You're…apologizing to me?" blinked Tatsuki.
"Sorry, for everything I did. I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I…please, just understand. All I'm asking for is another chance. What do you say?"
"Yes, I agree! I'll give you another chance, because I believe every person deserves another chance!" smiled Tatsuki. Did I do that right?
"That's what I like about you."
Her face flushed red. "W-WHAT?!" and she hung up, from embarrassment.
The judges gave their scores. Byakuya: 4/10, Gin: 5/10, Jushiro: 7/10. 16 in total.
Orihime bounced onto the stage. "Tatsuki, Tatsuki, pass it here!"
Tatsuki threw it at her, and Orihime just managed to catch it. JUST. She pushed the button and put the phone to her ear. "Mushi mushi?"
"Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
"Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
…Did she really just repeat the words? –thought nearly every person in the audience.
"Sorry, for everything I did. I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I…please, just understand. All I'm asking for is another chance. What do you say?"
"Heehee, your voice sounds funny~!" she giggled.
…How DID she win last year, anyways? –Hitsugaya knew everyone else had exactly the same thought.
"Just kidding! Can I restart?" Orihime smiled angelically.
Yoruichi was about to protest, but Misato quickly butted in. "Of course, Orihime."
She re-pushed the button. "Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
"…!" Orihime let a small gasp escape her lips. She had a soft sad look on her face, and she made it look as if she was about to cry. "Daisuke-Kun…"
Did she make up that name on the spot? –thought Ichigo.
"Sorry, for everything I did. I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I…please, just understand. All I'm asking for is another chance. What do you say?"
She sniffed, and blinked tears away from her eyes. "It's okay. You don't have to apologize, I understand. Daisuke-Kun, please, don't worry about me anymore, everything is okay. You can do whatever you want, because I'm happy as long as you're happy."
"That's what I like about you."
Orihime blushed slightly, and closed her eyes. "You'll always be right here." She put her hand over her heart. "You'll always be in my heart, forever." She then couldn't hear anything else, so she hung up.
The judges gave their scores. Byakuya: 7/10, Gin: 6/10, Jushiro: 10/10. 23 in total.
"She scored high…" mumbled Rangiku, annoyed. "Higher than me."
Orihime giggled, and skipped off the stage, while secretly poking her tongue out, at Rangiku.
"Oh, it is ON!" Matsumoto shook her fist at the ditsy girl. "Soi Fon, knock her out!"
Soi Fon sighed, and took the plain cellphone into her hands. She pressed the button, and tucked her hair behind her ear to place the cellphone there. "Nande?"
"Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
"Do you really think I care?" she replied, bored.
"Why do I get the feeling this isn't going to go too well…?" Izuru's shoulders dropped.
"Sorry, for everything I did. I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I…please, just understand. All I'm asking for is another chance. What do you say?"
Soi Fon scoffed. "You, want to know what I have to say? Okay, I'll grant you the honor of telling you then. I think you're stupid, and that you should man up! What type of man goes around asking for apologies regarding everything?! If you really want to apologize, you would've come up to me in person, gotten down on your two knees, and begged for your life! Do you really think I'd accept a ridiculous apology over the phone?! How much of a life do you need?! You see, I have better things to do, than to waste my time on imbeciles like yourse-"
The phone hung up automatically, since Soi Fon had been ranting on for too long. Soi Fon angrily spammed the button over and over again. "Did I give you permission to hang up?! Did I say that I was finished?! You lousy-"
The judges cleared their throats, and gave their scores. Byakuya: 1.5/10, Gin: 10/10, Jushiro: 5/10. 16.5 in total.
Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "You gave her 10/10, Ichimaru?"
Ichimaru laughed. "I found it really amusing!"
Soi Fon walked back to the back of the stage. "It's just you, Hinamori, and that Kuchiki left. Good luck."
Momo frowned. She couldn't tell if these two weren't trying, or if they're just that bad at acting out the required theme. The peach was about to step up, and take the phone, but she noticed Rukia was confidently walking up to it already, so she decided to let her go first.
Watch me, Brother! Rukia put the phone to her ear. "Hello, Rukia Kuchiki speaking."
"Look, I don't know how many times I've told you this before, but…I'm sorry…"
"R-Really…?" Rukia seemed to be really into the act, it was almost natural. The whole crowd was taken in.
"Sorry, for everything I did. I know, I shouldn't have done that, but I…please, just understand. All I'm asking for is another chance. What do you say?"
"I don't know if I can fully accept your apology, but deep down inside, I know that the words you speak are the truth. Just this one last time, I will give you another chance. But if you let this last chance go…My heart may…m-may break…!" Rukia fell to her knees, and started to fake cry. "Please, don't make me go through it again, these feelings I have for you…they haven't faded a day!"
"That's what I like about you."
Rukia pretended to blush. "T-Thank you…but I like everything about you."
Then she hung up.
The judges gave their scores. Byakuya: 7/10, Gin: 8/10, Jushiro: 10/10. 25 in total.
"Holy-25 POINTS!" Rangiku gasped. "Hinamori, it's all up to you! No pressure, right?!" Matsumoto hugged Hinamori.
"H-Hai…" groaned Hinamori.
Kuchiki smiled, and headed backstage. She held her hand out, for Hinamori to receive the phone, but instead of giving it to her, Rukia forcefully dropped it on to the hard floor. Everyone heard the sound of the cellphone crack and shatter.
"What's going on back there?" the MCs went to check, and saw the broken prop. "Oh no! What happened?!"
Hinamori gasped. She just broke the phone on purpose, so I wouldn't have a chance…!
Rukia blinked, and glanced at Hinamori. "Oh, Hinamori…I thought you had taken it from my hand."
Rangiku put her hands on her hips. "You dirty liar! Momo-Chan hadn't even reached out for it!"
Soi Fon glared at Rukia. "You can't fool my eyes."
"You don't have any proof!" Rukia folded her arms.
"Can someone tell us what's going on…?" mumbled the crowd. They could see the girls talking, but they couldn't see what was going on.
Toshiro, Renji, Izuru, and Ichigo all saw the shattered parts of the prop on the ground. "Hey, that's…"
"I told you, I didn't do it!" Rukia claimed, as she shook her head.
The whole audience could hear the conversation now, and fell silent to listen in.
"We saw you drop it, on purpose!" Matsumoto stamped her foot.
"You're the liars! You're trying to pin the blame on me, so I'll get disqualified!" Rukia glared at her.
"…One of them is lying." Hitsugaya noted, as his eyes narrowed. And I bet that it's Kuchiki.
Hinamori stood in between the two, her eyes hidden underneath her fringe. "Stop it, both of you."
The two girls stopped arguing, and looked at her.
The peach girl then smiled at the MCs. "I'm sorry, it was my fault. You see, Kuchiki-San was about to give me the prop, but then after I grabbed it, it slipped out of my hand." Momo bowed respectfully. "My deepest apologies for my clumsiness."
Hitsugaya's eyes widened. What? No, I can tell that it wasn't Hinamori! What is she…?
"Well…it's alright I suppose…" forgave Yoruichi.
"No, it's not! What will she use now? A banana instead?" said Misato.
Matsumoto glanced at Hinamori. "Momo-Chan, I know that you-"
Rukia folded her arms. "She already admitted it, nothing more you can do."
"Tch…! You just shut your mouth!" Rangiku glared at the petite girl.
"Hmph!" Rukia strolled away, secretly smiling to herself.
Doushiyou? I…I don't know what to do! There's no spare prop for me to use, because a regular cellphone wouldn't have a recording! Have I failed my team…? Hinamori glanced around nervously, as the MCs argued about what they should do.
"Oi, Momo Hinamori!" a unfamiliar voice called out to her.
"Eh?' She turned and saw an orange-haired boy waving his hand at her, standing in the audience. She had heard of him before, Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Catch!" he threw something across the crowd and Hinamori quickly ran forward to catch it. It was a sleek black phone with a few orange stripes. She blinked, confused as to why he gave her his cellphone, but flipped the device open anyways.
There was a message there. 'Your pals and I all know what really happened. Use this to call someone so you still have a chance for the contest.'
Hinamori suddenly knew what to do. She smiled, and mouthed the words to Ichigo, "Thank you!" and walked towards the center of the stage.
The MCs noticed her walking, and stopped arguing. They quickly went back to their positions. "And lucky last, is Momo Hinamori! Give her a round of applause please!"
The audience clapped, and focused their attention on her.
She inhaled, and then exhaled. Here goes! She dialed a number into the phone, and held her breath.
•
"Hmm...I wonder who Hinamori's calling." Hitsugaya sat back into his chair.
"Uh…am I going crazy, or do I hear vibrating?" said Renji, as he fished through his pockets for his red cellphone.
"Might be mine…" Izuru opened his bag, and tried to find his cellphone.
The two found it, but saw that their phones weren't the vibrating ones. They glanced at Hitsugaya. "I think it's yours."
Hitsugaya pointed to himself. "Me? Nah, can't be. No one ever contacts my cellphone number."
But the vibrating wouldn't stop.
"…Never hurts to check, I guess." He took out his phone, flipped the shiny blue device open, and checked the screen.
[Calling: Unknown Number] Toshiro raised an eyebrow, and picked up the phone. "Toshiro Hitsugaya."
A familiar gentle voice which rang through his ears came from the cellphone. "Hello?"
•
"Toshiro Hitsugaya." said the voice from the other end.
"Hello?"
"Momo? Is that you?"
Hinamori nodded, and smiled. "It feels a bit strange talking to you on the phone, but I'm glad you picked up."
"Yeah. You wanted to talk with me?"
"I…I want to apologize, Toshiro." Her voice softened, and the look in her eyes turned sorrow.
"Apologize for what?"
"I'm sorry for leaving you behind. I am so sorry, that even words can't explain how sorry I am."
"Momo…"
"But, I'm not expecting forgiveness."
"?"
"I just wanted to let you know, that I was a fool, back then." She wiped away some tears. But they weren't fake. They were very real. "A fool who ran away from problems because I couldn't solve them. A fool for leaving her best friend behind. A fool for not saying goodbye."
"Momo, stop it."
"But now, I promise you, Toshiro, that even though I was stupid back then, that was in the past. I've learnt to move on, and I hope you understand what I mean." She looked up, at the ceiling. "I made a promise to myself that I won't leave you again. I'll stay by your side, I'll be your support, and I'll be your friend, as long as you'll accept this fool again."
"Hahaha, is that all you wanted to say?" chuckled Hitsugaya.
"You're a good person, Toshiro."
"Huh?"
"You're a very good person, Toshiro." Momo repeated, smiling this time.
"Pfft, no I'm not…I always mess everything up." Hitsugaya ruffled his hair a bit, as he remembered the time when he said he wouldn't miss her. "I make too many mistakes, so many, it gets harder to fix. I always make the wrong decisions, and I always say the wrong things. There's nothing good about me."
"Don't worry about it."
"…Huh?"
"Daijobu! It's okay to mess up. And it's okay to make mistakes. Because if you never make a mistake in life, how will you learn?"
Hitsugaya laughed again. "You're right, Momo. Thank you for being such a supportive friend."
"Anytime!" she smiled widely.
"You know what? I've known this for a while now, but I think it's better if I tell you. I only need your smile to continue living my everyday life." Hitsugaya had a gentle expression on his face, as he continued to talk to Hinamori.
Hinamori blushed. "T-T-Toshiro…there's so many things I…I want to say to you, and it pains me to keep it bottled up, but…I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"…The truth."
"Even so, I'll be waiting for the day you tell me the truth. Just remember, that I'll always be there to listen."
Hinamori felt tears fall down her cheeks. She wiped them away, but some more spilled out. "Toshiro…arigato gozaimasu…"
"Douitashimashite." He smiled.
"I wish you were with me, so I can tell you directly how much you mean to me." She whispered.
"Nani?"
"That's all. Thank you for chatting with me, goodbye." She slowly and regrettably hung up.
Hitsugaya also hung up.
Hinamori closed the black cellphone, and look at the audience. They were silent, and were staring at her. A few more seconds passed, and suddenly the hall had burst into applause.
"Bravo! That was beautiful!"
"That's my Hinamori-Sama!" grinned a fanboy.
"It felt so…so real!" cried another.
Hinamori felt like crying again, because of all they crowd's support, but she managed to hold back the tears. "Thank you, everyone!"
After the applause died down, the judges gave their scores. Byakuya: 9.5/10, Gin: 10/10, Jushiro: 10/10. 29.5 in total.
Karakura Team gasped. "We…lost?!"
Hinamori was amazed. "I did it…I really did it!"
Confetti was thrown into the air, and victory music played. Rangiku glomped Hinamori. "OH EM GEE! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!"
Soi Fon lightly patted her on the back. "Job well done, Hinamori."
"Hai, arigato!"
Yoruichi then presented the trophy, and prize to the girls. "Congratulations to Shino High!"
•
"Rukia, I can't believe you'd stoop so low, as to do that." Ichigo looked at her in the eye.
"…So?"
"Apologize to her. She took the blame willingly; don't you think she at least deserves an apology?" Ichigo pressed on.
Rukia sighed. "You're right…"
She then saw the whole Shino group and staff start to head inside a bus to travel back to Shino High School. The petite girl swiftly ran after Momo, and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hinamori-San."
Hinamori turned. "Ah, it's you, Kuchiki-San. Did you need something from me?"
"…I just want to say I'm sorry about the whole prop thing, and congratulations on winning the prize for Shino."
"No problem, and thanks!" she smiled at her.
Rukia offered her hand.
"Huh? Why are you giving me your hand?" blinked Hinamori.
Kuchiki then grabbed Hinamori's hand and clasped their hands together, and shook her hand.
Even if we were rivals, rivals can sometimes turn into friends too.
-End of Chapter 11-
Japanese Translations:
Nani-What
Doushite-Why
Nande-What
Gomen-Sorry
Daijobu-Are you okay? Or Don't worry.
Hai-Yes
Arigato-Thank you
Arigato Gozaimasu-Thank you very much
•
Thank you for reading~!
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
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