Here is the 12th Chapter :)
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
Chapter 12: Will You Be My Dance Partner?
Previously:
"Let's face it, dude, you dig Momo." elbowed Renji.
"Urusai!" Hitsugaya folded his arms.
…How DID she win last year, anyways? –Hitsugaya knew everyone else had exactly the same thought.
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.
"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."
Yoruichi then presented the trophy, and prize to the girls. "Congratulations to Shino High!"
•
"Hinamori-San, I'm a huge fan of yours, and I wanted to let you know that I…I'm in love with you! Please go out with me!" a fellow classmate bowed.
Momo blinked. "Oh…I'm sorry, but I barely know you…"
"It's okay, you can get to know me! Please say yes!"
She smiled at him. "Unfortunately, there's already someone else. I'm very sorry, but hearing you say that you love me…made me very happy."
The boy blushed, and ran away before letting her see him cry.
Hinamori sighed. Since that competition…
"That's the ninth one this week." smirked Toshiro.
"Shiro-Chan!" she turned around, and saw him leaning on the fence of the rooftop.
"I told you, it's not 'Shiro-Chan', it's Toshiro." He sighed.
"Anyways, you've been counting?" she looked at him.
"You could say that."
"Hmm…why?" she asked, curiously.
The bell rang, signaling lunch was over. "No reason."
The two started to walk back to class together. Then, something caught Hinamori's eye. "Ehh?!"
"Nani?" Hitsugaya turned to face her.
"There's a school dance in two days?!" gasped Hinamori.
"Oh…that." He quickly shifted his gaze to the floor. Shoot…she found out.
"Shiro-Chan, if you knew about this, why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"Uh…because…"
"Because?" she leaned closer.
He blushed, and turned his head away. "I just didn't want to go to the dance, sheesh!"
"Then you don't have to go. I'll go!" she sang.
"…You're not pressuring me into going?"
"No, why would I?" she asked, innocently.
He coughed. "I remember all those times where you never had a partner, and you always forced me to-"
She interrupted. "Okay, okay, I got it!"
"Anyways, you can't go." He put his hands into his pocket.
"Huh? Why can't I go?" she folded her arms.
"Look." He pointed to the poster. "It says you have to have a partner to enter."
"…"
"And if you hadn't figured it out yet, a lot of boys are asking you to be their girlfriend so they could have you as their dance partner."
"…"
"Why so quiet, Hinamori?"
"Shiro-Chan…Doushiyou?! I need a partner!" she grabbed his hand, and started to shake it like a little kid.
"…Don't look at me with those teary eyes. I can't do anything about it!" he avoided her cute look.
"Shiro-Chan, please?"
"Hinamori, we just had this conversation…I'm not going to the dance."
"Shiro-Chan!"
"..." He started to walk away. "We're going to be late for class, if you don't hurry up."
"Shiro-Chan!" she walked after him.
"What?"
"Dance?"
"No." he sped up.
"Please?" she sped up.
"Never."
"Why?"
"I don't like dancing."
"But you're great at it!"
"Betsuni." He muttered.
"But you're the one who taught ME to dance!"
"I don't care."
"Shiro-Chan…"
"…I'm not going."
"Fine, I won't talk to you anymore then!"
"What-Hinamori?!"
"Hmph!" She walked past him into the classroom.
He sighed. "She needs to grow up…"
•
"Toshiro Hitsugaya, late for class, I see." Nanao adjusted her glasses.
"Hah…Momo was late too."
"Yes, but Hinamori is an excellent student, so I will overlook it this time."
"Then why can't you overlook me?" he muttered.
"Go stand out in the hallway!"
He sighed. "Hai, Hai."
•
It was halfway through the lesson already, and he was still standing outside in the corridor.
Hinamori opened the door, and walked past him. Obviously she was sent out to do a job for the teacher.
After five minutes passed, Hinamori walked past him again, this time with papers in her hands.
"Oi."
She paused, and looked at him.
"…Are you ignoring me?"
"Dance."
"No."
"…"
"…"
She hit him on the head, and walked into the classroom. "Sensei, here are the papers."
Hitsugaya rubbed his head. "Why is she so stubborn…?"
•
"Yo! You guys going to the dance?" questioned Renji, after school.
Izuru laughed. "I would, but I don't have a partner."
Rangiku groaned. "I am…"
"Why are you so down? I was expecting YOU to be the most excited about this dance, Matsumoto." said Izuru.
She sighed. "I'm forced to go with Gin."
"Hah…you mean that super weird student teacher?" asked Renji.
"Yep. Him. We're sort of like childhood friends."
Renji smirked. "Well, I'm going."
"And who's your partner?" questioned Izuru.
"…I'm sneaking in. Care to join?"
Izuru laughed. "I suppose the rules can be bent sometimes. I'm in."
Hinamori smiled. "I'd prefer to have an actual partner, rather than sneaking in."
"Ooh, like who, Hinamori?" Rangiku elbowed her.
"Haha, no one yet." She glared at Hitsugaya.
He avoided her glare. "What's so great about the school dance anyways?"
Renji & Izuru looked at him as if he were crazy. "Dude, you get to hold girls' hands!"
"…Typical guys." Toshiro rolled his eyes.
"Eh? I thought you'd be Hinamori's partner." said Rangiku.
"I don't dance."
"Or is it that you can't?" teased Izuru.
"I can. I just don't."
"Haha, suuuure you can."
"Whatever."
Rangiku spotted Soi Fon leaving the building, and called for her to come over. The Ice Princess walked over to the group. "What is it?"
Matsumoto grinned, "Are you going to the dance?"
"No." it was an immediate answer.
"Why not?!"
"Because there's no suitable partner." She said.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Or is it you can't dance?" Hinamori laughed.
"…Fine, that too." Soi Fon admitted, quietly.
"WHAT?! YOU ACTUALLY CAN'T DANCE?!" everyone was quite surprised to hear this.
"So, who cares?"
"I can teach you." said a voice from behind her.
Everyone froze. Soi Fon turned around slowly, and saw it was Vice Chairman Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Oh…why hello there, V-Vice Chairman…" Renji waved, as he laughed awkwardly.
Nearly everyone was afraid of the Vice Chairman-except for Soi Fon & Hitsugaya.
"Teach her to dance?" questioned the snowball.
"There are dancing lessons held in the school hall every day after school. It only started last week, when the School Dance was announced, then I decided to open up a small temporary club for students who wish to learn."
"Psst! Mr. Kuchiki looks like a cool and calm guy, but on the inside, he's actually really passionate!" whispered Izuru.
"Then why aren't you in the hall right now?" Soi Fon questioned.
"I heard a commotion over someone not knowing how to dance, and thought I might as well suggest it."
"…Well okay then. I'll go." Soi Fon started walking over to the hall. "Anyone else not know how to dance?"
Renji sighed. "That's me." He tagged along to the hall. "Does anyone actually go to this club…?"
Byakuya nodded. "Yes, there are quite a bit."
When those three had left, Izuru then continued the conversation. "By the way, did you guys know that Karakura High will also be joining our dance?"
"What?! It's a joint dance?!" gasped Rangiku.
"Yeah, so we'll see the others there." nodded Izuru. "Oh, not to mention it's practically a Masked ball."
"I see…more of a reason for me to not go." muttered Toshiro.
"…" Hinamori stood on Hitsugaya's foot.
"Ouch!" he knelt down, and held his foot.
"Hmph!" she walked ahead of him.
"Ooh, I think Hinamori REALLY wants you to be her partner, Toshiro!" laughed Rangiku.
"Tch…yeah right." He continued walking.
•
"Hinamori-Sama, please, won't you be my dance partner?!" asked a fan boy.
"Haha, I'm sorry…" she flashed an apologetic smile at him.
"Then what about me, Hinamori-Sama?!"
"And me?!"
Tons of boys wanted to be Momo's partner for the dance.
"I don't get it, why don't you just say yes to one of them, and problem solved?" sighed Toshiro. The two were walking home together, as usual.
"Because I don't want fan boys as my partner."
"Then partner up with Izuru or Renji."
"But Renji can't dance well, and I don't want to partner up with Izuru."
"Then you might as well not go at all."
"Shiro-Chan, why can't you be my partner?!" she glared at him.
"I told you before, Momo. I won't go."
The stubborn peach stood in front of him, and wouldn't let him pass.
"…"
"…"
"What can I do to make you be my dance partner, Shiro-Chan?" she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Stop calling me Shiro-Chan…" he mumbled.
"If I stop, will you be my dance partner?!" she smiled, excitedly.
"No. I was telling you to stop calling me Shiro-Chan in general; I wasn't saying that's what you have to do."
"Then what do I have to do?"
"You can't do anything."
"Yes I can! I can do everything!"
"Sure, Momo. Sure you can."
"Well, what is it then, Lil' Shiro?"
"…You'll do anything?"
"Hai!"
"Anything?"
"Yes, ANYTHING."
"…" I like you, Momo…no, I can't tell her that. "Uh…forget it."
"Eh? Nani? You had an idea, didn't you?"
"Betsuni…" he looked to the side.
She moved her head, so that her brown eyes were looking directly into his turquoise ones. "Uso! Usotsuki!"
"Tch…Nandemonai…" He walked pass her.
"Shiro-Chan!" she grabbed his hand.
"!" Toshiro couldn't help but blush a little. "Hina-"
"Tell me!"
"I-Iie…" he hesitated.
"Oshiete Kudasai yo!"
He sighed, and whispered quietly, "Be mine."
"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that…?" Hinamori leaned closer.
…That tears it. I can't hold it back any longer. Hitsugaya pulled onto her hand, bringing her closer, and he placed his lips onto hers.
Hinamori's eyes widened. She was so shocked. T-T-T-Toshiro?! She could feel her heart beat pounding against her rib cage, and her cheeks were reddening.
The white-haired boy pulled away from the gentle kiss first, and looked at her in the eyes. "I'll be your dance partner, if you be my girlfriend."
Momo just stared at him, as if what he just said was in some sort of ancient language.
"…Momo?"
"Are…Are you serious?" she blinked.
"You said anything, sheesh." He continued walking again.
She walked after him. "Yes, but I definitely wasn't expecting…something like that!"
"So, that's a 'no' then?" he didn't turn around.
"I never said that…I think I just need some time."
"Take as long as you want."
"Matte, Shiro-Chan…" she left the sentence hanging.
"Nande?" He turned slightly.
"D-Does that mean…you l-like m-m-me?" she stammered, while blushing. The two had reached Hinamori's house by now.
"…" Hitsugaya flicked Hinamori's forehead. "What do you think, Nomo?"
Hinamori just remembered that when she was younger, Toshiro would call her 'Nomo' instead of 'Momo', because sometimes she was too 'slow' or 'stupid'. "I…I don't know what to think…"
Hitsugaya rolled his eyes, put his hand on her head, and kissed her forehead lightly. "I wouldn't want you to be my girlfriend if I didn't like you."
And with that, he waved, and headed back to his own house; leaving a dumbfounded Momo standing in front of her house, pondering over what just happened.
-End of Chapter 11-
Japanese Translations:
Urusai-Be quiet, you're too loud, shut up etc.
Nani-What
Betsuni-Not really
Hai-Yes
Sensei-Teacher
Uso-Lie/Lies
Usotsuki-Liar
Nandemonai-It's nothing, never mind etc.
Oshiete Kudasai yo-Please tell me
Matte-Wait, hold on etc.
Nande-In a way, it's like 'what is it?'
•
And that was chapter 12, folks! They finally kissed ;D
ミ コ ト • Mikoto
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