Part 2: The Question
The next afternoon, Toshiro found himself standing in front of the Squad 13 barracks, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had spent the better part of the day pacing, trying to figure out how he had ended up in this situation. Rangiku, of course, had been the catalyst.
He really should learn to ignore her relentless teasing, but her insistence had been just what he needed to finally push him into action. With their busy schedules, it was better to ask now than later, before he lost his momentum. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked firmly on the door.
A moment later, the door slid open to reveal Rukia Kuchiki in her captain robes, her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail. Now, with their height difference, she had to look up at him. He was still shorter than most male captains but had grown to around Rangiku's height, while Rukia had only gained an inch or two over the last two decades.
She looked slightly surprised to see him, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"Captain Hitsugaya?" she said, a questioning tone in her voice. "I wasn't expecting you today. We don't have a sparring session scheduled, do we?"
He gave her a disapproving look, "I told you, you can call me Toshiro, Rukia."
"I'll believe it when you stop yelling otherwise at everyone else," she shot back. "Besides, I do call you by your first name when we're off duty."
"Whatever, stubborn woman." He sighed impatiently, brushing past her as he invited himself into her office and lounged casually in her chair.
It was a normal occurrence by now, but that didn't stop the petite Captain from raising an eyebrow as she followed his movements.
"Really? You're just going to walk in like you own the place?" she mused. "Some of us have squads to run."
"It's not like you've ever complained before," Toshiro shrugged, maintaining his uncaring demeanor.
"I complain every time, very loudly," she said with a blank stare, accompanied by a deadpan tone.
Toshiro gave her a sidelong glance, unfazed. "Must've tuned it out. Selective hearing."
Rukia rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "Typical," she said. "You know, if people saw how the 'genius ice-captain' really acts…"
"You wouldn't dare tarnish my carefully crafted reputation," he responded coolly, though the faintest hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.
"Try me," she shot back, a challenging glint in her eyes. "I'm sure your fangirls wouldloveto know."
Toshiro's composure cracked just slightly. "Pleasedon't."
Rukia crossed her arms in mock authority, "I'll consider it… if you get out of my chair."
With a reluctant sigh, he stood. "Fine."
"And they say chivalry is dead," she said with a smirk, settling back into her chair. But before she could get too comfortable, Toshiro casually leaned against her desk—just close enough to blur the professional distance between them.
Rukia glanced at him, her smile lingering. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Only around you," he replied, his voice lower, almost teasing.
It was a familiar banter they shared, one that had developed over the years through countless encounters, like a carefully choreographed dance—each step teasing the boundaries of their so-called platonic relationship, but never quite making it over the line.
Rangiku would insist it wasflirting, but of course, neither the Soul Society's 'ice princess' nor the 'ice prince' would ever admit to something as trivial asthat.
"You really know how to make a girl feel special, Captain Hitsugaya," Rukia responded with a playful glint in her eyes.
"Captain Kuchiki,"he replied, feigning seriousness and crossing his arms with mock indignation, "I'm not sure I appreciate your tone."
Rukia—the hypocrite—wrinkled her nose when at the way he addressed her, albeit sarcastically.
"Please don't call me that, that's my brother." She gave him an exasperated look before adding, "So, are you going to tell me why you're here, or do I have to guess?"
"Can't I just visit you for no reason?" he replied, trying to sound casual.
"You can, but I know you better than that."
And she really did. While Momo and his grandmother had known him the longest, they still saw him as the little kid they once knew—a version of himself that he had long grown out of. Even Rangiku, whom he trusted with his life in battle, couldn't fully break down his walls. Despite their close relationship, he was always a captain first.
With Rukia, however, he was simplyToshiro. Regardless of the formalities she insisted on thanks to her Kuchiki training, she saw him for who he truly was, and he felt the most authentic around her. It was a rare connection that he valued. This was precisely why he hesitated to risk their friendship; yet, paradoxically, it was also the very reason he longed for something more.
He paused for a moment, weighing his next words carefully. "How much paperwork do you have left to do?"
"I still have some reports to finish, but I'm almost done. Why?" Rukia replied, glancing up with curiosity.
Toshiro pulled something from his pocket, looking slightly flustered as he extended his hand. "Here." He offered her a small, neatly wrapped package.
Rukia looked surprised and confused but accepted it, unwrapping it carefully. "Rice dumplings? These are my favorite!"
"I know," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Are you trying to bribe me for something?"
"Oi, what do you take me for? If you don't want them…"
"No, no! I'll take them." She quickly popped one in her mouth, savoring the taste. "But is that really why you're here?"
"Think of it as an incentive so you don't punch me," he admitted, only half-joking.
"Ha! I knew there was something to it. Just spit it out."
"Fine. I just…" Toshiro hesitated, feeling the nerves creep back in. "I was wondering if you wanted to—"
He paused again, glancing away before quickly looking back at her, "Are you free on Friday, next week?"
Rukia tilted her head in thought. "Yeah, that's my day off, actually. Sentaro insisted I was overworking again and had Kiyone come over from the 4thDivision to gang up on me. I swear that's the only time those two get along."
She had pouted slightly, a look that made Toshiro resist the urge to pinch her cheek. Over the years, Rukia's actions made him finally understand why people did it to him when he was younger; cuteness aggression was a real thing.
After a brief pause, she looked at him curiously, "What's happening on Friday?"
"Well…" He cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure. "There's this festival in Rukongai."
"Okay..." Rukia prompted, her interest piqued.
"There'll be cherry blossoms and fireworks, and I'm sure they'll have Chappy prizes," he added awkwardly, unconsciously listing her favorite things.
Rukia's brows furrowed, the wheels in head turning, "Wait," she said slowly, her voice quieter, "are you… trying to ask me out?"
Toshiro felt his cheeks warm, though he fought it down. "Something like that," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.
Amethyst eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "Like a date?"
"Yes, exactly," he admitted, taken aback by how quickly the words had escaped him.
"Did Lieutenant Matsumoto talk you into this? I know she's been trying to set me up for ages," she asked jokingly, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
"She made me realize I should stop being an idiot and go after what I want," he said, feeling a surge of confidence rushing through him with the urge to quell any doubts she had about his intentions. "So here I am."
Rukia blushed at his sudden straightforwardness, shuffling nervously as he spun her chair to face him. He knelt on the floor so they were eye-level, closing the distance between them.
"Rukia, I like you. I have for a while," he confessed, feeling ridiculous at how much he sounded like a human boy with a crush. But it was the best way he could simplify it without overwhelming her with the depth of his feelings. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable and opted to move at whatever pace she was willing to go.
"Go on a date with me." His voice was firm, but his heart raced as he reached out to tuck her stray bang behind her ear. It was a small, intimate gesture—a futile attempt really, since the stubborn strand instantly returned to its original position—but it was a great excuse for the lingering touch on her face.
"If you end up hating it, I'll…" He paused, remembering his lieutenant's approach, "I'll take care of your paperwork for a month. You know, to make up for the torture."
Her expression softened, and a shy smile broke through, "Only a month?"
"Don't push it," he snorted, relief spreading in his chest as the air between them shifted into something lighter.
"Well, I tried," she chuckled lightly, mirroring his earlier attempt of tucking her hair back and failing.
"So… is that a yes?" Toshiro asked, a hopeful look gracing his defined features.
"Yes," Rukia replied, her tone steady but her cheeks tinged with color. "But only if we can stop at all of the Chappy stalls."
"Deal," Toshiro said, trying to contain the excitement bubbling within him. But he couldn't stop the rare grin splashed across his face as he asked, standing up, "So, I'll pick you up at five?"
Rukia blinked, taken aback by his expression. Then a smile tugged at her lips and his heart stuttered as she looked up at him with her big purple eyes, which sparkled like the stars.
"It's a date."