Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Unknown (22:47): hey where did you go?

Unknown (22:51): like seriously I haven't seen you in over ten minutes pls tell me you didn't get lost

Unknown (22:53): PLEASE as the group dad friend I demand you answer me

Unknown (22:54): think about the worry youre putting me through damn it

Olivia (22:56): I think you may have the wrong number, you're not in my contact list and I've been in my office since early afternoon.

Unknown (22:57): WELL SHIT

Unknown (22:57): omg really? You're not fucking with me are you?

Olivia (22:58): Afraid not.

Unknown (22:59): You're not Olivia? Don't happen to know any Olivias?

Olivia (23:01): No and no. This is a Japanese number, not many Olivias around, perhaps you put in a slightly wrong area code?

Unknown (23:02): no the code's right, Olivia's an exchange student

 
Unknown (23:02): which is why losing her is very bad haha

 
Unknown (23:03): she's only been here like 3 weeks and she can speak japanese ok but not so much reading so if she's lost SHE'S /LOST/

 
Unknown (23:03): and I can't even contact her oh man

 
NOT Olivia (23:05): Presumably she's a university exchange student, in which case I wouldn't worry too much, she's an adult, I'm sure she can take care of herself just fine.

 
Unknown (23:06): she may also be a little drunk

 
Unknown (23:06): maybe more than a little

 
Unknown (23:07): she may have underestimated sake's alcohol content

 
Unknown (23:08): so yeah she's drunk exchange student wondering round a place she doesn't really know with only conversational japanese and my dumb ass took my eyes off her a few minutes

 
Unknown (23:09): Maybe I should call the police

 
NOT Olivia (23:11): That seems like a bit of an overreaction, she's only been gone for what, half an hour?

 
Unknown (23:11): ANYTHING could happen in half an hour dude

 
Unknown (23:12): I mean come on what would you do

 
NOT Olivia (23:14): Do any of your other friends have her (correct) number? Contact them and ask them to contact her to find out where she is?

 
Unknown (23:15): wtf that's actually genius imma do that right now

 
Unknown (23:33): I found her!! (her drunk ass couldn't get very far lmao) thanks for your suggestion for all we know you saved her life smart stranger

 
NOT Olivia (23:36): Congratulations. I suggest you go home and get safe now that you've found each other.

 
Unknown (23:47): Bossy

 
Unknown (23:47): You've probably got a point though tbf

Unknown (10:22): So! I just read all of the conversations I had last night while I was out drunk and thoroughly embarrassing myself and please let me apologise for bothering you (especially as I think you were working if you were in your office?) last night. I mean in hindsight I probably should have stopped messaging you as soon as it was clear you weren't who I was looking for, but drunk me apparently hates sober me so yeah, I'm sorry. That being said thank you again for helping me out even though I must have been bothering you, I appreciate it.

 
NOT Olivia (12:34): Don't worry yourself over it too much, I've had much worse drunk texts in the past and you seemed really worried (and I assumed you were probably drunk as well) so it was natural to message you back.

 
Unknown (12:51): “I've had much worse drunk texts in the past” I'm laughing is that why you managed to come up with that advice so quickly?

 
NOT Olivia (12:52): Perhaps.

 
Unknown (12:54): That's a yes if I've ever heard one

 
Unknown (12:54): That's also like the quickest you've ever messaged me back haha do you regularly have to find lost drunk friends

 
Unknown (12:55): Would explain why you were so calm if it happens to you a lot lmao

 
NOT Olivia (12:56): You happened to catch me on my lunch break is all.

 
Unknown (12:57): Don't think I don't see you avoiding the question

 
Unknown (12:57): Ah the woes of being the designated driver/get-drunk-people-home-safely person

 
Unknown (12:58): Unless!! YOU'RE the lost drunk friend?

 
NOT Olivia (12:58): I can promise you that I have never gotten drunk enough to get lost.

 
Unknown (12:59): Oh dude you haven't lived

 
Unknown (13:00): That's how you find the best street food and takeaways

 
NOT Olivia (13:03): How did you even reach legal drinking age alive with that attitude.

 
Unknown (13:04): I was kidding :P

NOT Olivia (13:04): Ah.

Unknown (14:28): So out of interest what do you do anyway? Gotta be important if you're still working in an office that late

NOT Olivia (14:34): You're still messaging me?

Unknown (14:35): Yeah you're way more interesting than my lecture lmao

NOT Olivia (14:38): Pay attention to your class and stop messaging strangers.

Unknown (14:38): What are you my mother

Unknown (14:39): What's the worst that could happen

NOT Olivia (14:42): You could fail whatever class it is that you're taking. And frankly it's a miracle you haven't been kidnapped if I need to explain to you the dangers of talking to complete strangers.

Unknown (14:44): The chances of you being a kidnapper seem pretty low given that I contacted you rather than the other way around

Unknown (14:45): It's not like you started messaging me with an online disguise and a hidden agenda

Unknown (14:46): Pretty sure the only way you'd be a kidnapper is if you realised that a drunk university student was texting you and you subsequently decided life had presented a kidnapping opportunity to you (which would be weird), and you seemed pretty fine with never talking to me again so I'm not worried

Unknown (14:48): Unless of course you deliberately said to stop messaging strangers to get my guard down hmmm

Unknown (14:49): I'm suddenly suspicious

NOT Olivia (15:07): Good? You should be suspicious of strangers that keep talking to you?

Unknown (15:11): They say as they continue to message the stranger that keeps talking to them

NOT Olivia (15:13): Ok I have to admit you've got me there.

Unknown (15:15): Unbelievable honestly. There you are telling me not to talk to strangers while you do the same thing. For all you know I'M a kidnapper or a stalker or some shit

NOT Olivia (15:19): What would a university student be doing kidnapping people? Or stalking business men?

Unknown (15:20): Er money?? Do you have any idea how much uni costs my dude

Mysterious Business Man (15:24): Yes but presumably it would eat up a lot of time, which would likely lead to worse off grades, completely defeating the purpose of the money in the first place surely?

Unknown (15:26): Seems like a bit of a grey area tbh, I mean a decent but not excellent degree is still gonna be better than no degree

Unknown (15:27): Also loads of people sacrifice all sorts for uni, like sleeping and eating, so I mean I wouldn't put it past someone

Mysterious Business Man (15:29): I suppose. It would be a very extreme case though. There are easier ways to make money that don't criminalise you.

Unknown (15:30): Excuse me have you tried getting a student friendly job in this economy

Mysterious Business Man (15:36): Not precisely this economy but it wasn't that much better five years ago, the best bet for student friendly jobs is working for the university itself.

Unknown (15:38): My dude for someone who was preaching stranger danger you're surprisingly loose with info about yourself

Unknown (15:39): Also I know but man there's so much competition for the university jobs, I've never managed to get one.

Mysterious Business Man (15:43): What do you mean?

Mysterious Business Man (15:43): And maybe try reworking your resume?

Unknown (15:48): Well I mean you pretty much just told me that you're 26

Mysterious Business Man (15:53): Well that's assuming I graduated at 21, and you have no idea whether that's correct or not.

Unknown (15:54): True, but 26 is your most likely age, which is interesting because I was totally picturing a dude in his 30s

Mysterious Business Man (17:08): That may be the first time I've been mistaken for older.

Unknown (17:13): Oh dude you finally replied I got worried that I'd offended you or something

Mysterious Business Man (17:15): I was in a meeting, you didn't offend me.

Unknown (17:18): Oh I see

Unknown (17:18): Man you're really busy huh

Mysterious Business Man (17:21): That tends to happen when you have a job. Surely as a full time university student you should also be busy?

Unknown (17:24): Oh I am, I'm just good at messaging in between doing stuff

Mysterious Business Man (17:26): Does that not split your focus?

Unknown (17:28): Eh not really? I actually struggle to focus on a singular thing for too long, I do more work and work for longer when I split myself between doing multiple things so yeah it's not often that I disappear for ages if someone is messaging me

Unknown (17:29): I'm always either doing everything, or nothing at all like those are my two modes

Unknown (17:29): I take it you're the type to like proper focus on one main task at a time?

Mysterious Business Man (17:33): More or less. I do need to keep my eye on several things, but if I'm doing a task then I'm only doing that task.

Unknown (17:35): Man the discipline that must take

Mysterious Business Man (17:38): Discipline is practically my middle name if I'm honest

Unknown (17:40): *eyes emoji*

Mysterious Business Man (17:41): NOT LIKE THAT

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Unknown (11:41): Yoooo you up to anything interesting?

Unknown (11:42): I can't study so i'm super bored haha

Mysterious Business Man (12:17): I still maintain that you shouldn't be talking to strangers.

Unknown (12:19): Aw come on you had me waiting for like 40 mins to tell me I shouldn't talk to you how mean

Unknown (12:20): And you're not that much of a stranger

Mysterious Business Man (12:23): How am I not? You don't know who I am or anything about me.

Unknown (12:25): Hmmm wrong

Unknown (12:26): I know that you're at least 26, that you're a business man, that you're super strict on yourself especially with work, but you're actually pretty nice underneath it :)

Mysterious Business Man (12:28): Your first statement is wrong, and the last two are opinions based on a very thin amount of information.

Unknown (12:33): I mean first of all, it's SUPER obvious your life is centred around work my dude, like you don't even check your phone at all when you're busy, unless of course a damsel (me) is in distress, which is where the whole nice thing came from

Unknown (12:33): And second of all,

Unknown (12:35): How on earth are you not at least 26 years old?

Mysterious Business Man (12:36): The real question is shouldn't you be uncomfortable talking to a business man who according to you is at least 26 years old? With that logic I'm significantly older than you.

Unknown (12:38): Uncomfortable? Please i'm pretty sure this is how you get a sugar daddy which would only be helpful lmao

Unknown (12:38): Nah but in all seriousness you said the other day that my assumption that you were in your 30s was the first time you'd been mistaken for older, so clearly you're under 30 years old which means you're not that much older than me

Unknown (12:39): Also sounds like you might have a baby face

Unknown (12:39): But anyway back to my question how are you not at least 26 my dude?

Unknown (12:40): You said you were a student 5 years ago, which also implies you stopped being a student 5 years ago (because otherwise you would've said 4 years ago or whatever?)

Mysterious Business Man (12:43): “Sugar daddy” you better be joking good lord.

Mysterious Business Man (12:43): And if you must know I graduated before 21. (Also I assure you I do not have a baby face).

Unknown (12:44): DID YOU REALLY??

Unknown (12:44): Maaannn i've been talking to a goddamn genius this entire time who knew

Unknown (12:45): So wait how old actually are you? 25?

Unknown (13:21): Are you really not gonna tell me :(

Unknown (13:53): Ok I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable or anything

Mysterious Business Man (17:39): I'm 24.

Unknown (18:07): Oh yay I didn't scare you off that would suck

Unknown (18:08): But wow dude so you didn't just graduate 1 year early you graduated 2 years early??? Fucking hell

Unknown (18:09): I bet you had a baby face back in uni :P

Baby-Faced Genius (18:14): Would it matter that much if you had scared me off? But yes, I graduated two years early, but honestly it was through hard work not “genius”.

Unknown (18:16): I mean I guess it wouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things but a) i'd hate it if i'd made you uncomfortable or hurt you or whatever, and b) I enjoy talking to you. And I still think it takes some genius to graduate 2 years early but props to you for working for it man, that just makes it more admirable

Baby-Faced Genius (18:19): You didn't really make me uncomfortable, although I was weighing up whether I should tell you personal information.

Unknown (18:22): Does age really count as personal information you reckon? If it helps I'm 21

Unknown (18:22): Like now we're even with info

Baby-Faced Genius (18:24): Well I was more focused on the whole age of graduation rather than my age as of now, as that feels a little more personal.

Unknown (18:25): Oh shit true my bad

Baby-Faced Genius (18:28): Well don't worry, I came to the conclusion that you're probably pretty harmless.

Unknown (18:28): Rude, I'll have you know I can kick ass when needed

Baby-Faced Genius (18:29): Well to be honest you don't give off that impression.

Unknown (18:30): Oh?? I'm intrigued, what is your impression of me?

Unknown (18:36): Come on I wanna know, I told you mine

Baby-Faced Genius (18:38): You're too used to getting replies instantly I swear, a lot of the times I'm not responding it's because I'm busy doing something else at the time, not because I'm reluctant or offended or anything.

Baby-Faced Genius (18:39): In all honesty you come off as younger than 21, fairly energetic, and I get the impression that you take a person-centred approach to life.

Unknown (18:39): “You're too used to getting replies instantly I swear” excuse you, maybe i'm just so amazing that people can't resist immediately responding to me. But that's funny though we match, that's probably the first time I got mistaken for younger :')

Baby-Faced Genius (18:42): That wouldn't change that you're too used to getting replies instantly?

Unknown (18:43): Ah shit you got me there

Unknown (18:44): You gotta give me a break I haven't used my brain all day

Baby-Faced Genius (18:47): University degree is going well I see.

Unknown (18:48): In my defence it's not for lack of trying

Unknown (18:48): I had to get injections today so my arms hurt too much to write on a desk so I gave up on studying today

Baby-Faced Genius (18:51): It's been a while since I've had an injection but I would've thought that it shouldn't cause you that much pain?

Unknown (18:52): It only hurts if I lift my arms up a certain point, it always happens when I get injections so it's not anything to worry about, just a pain in my ass

Baby-Faced Genius (18:54): It seems like you get a lot of injections?

Unknown (18:55): Yeah, part of my degree involves hospital placements so I've gotta keep up to date with immunisation stuff so I don't infect patients or whatever

Unknown (18:56): Including the flu jab every single year sigh

Baby-Faced Genius (18:59): You're studying to be a doctor?

Unknown (19:03): Oh no, I didn't get the grades for medical school haha

Unknown (19:04): I'm studying to be a physiotherapist

Baby-Faced Genius (19:07): I'm fairly sure that degree still requires pretty high grades?

Unknown (19:19): Well, there are other reasons too

Unknown (19:23): Anyway! I totally need to go and somehow sort out food with achey arms so I'll talk to you later

Baby-Faced Genius (14:37): Listen, it's been almost a week since you've last talked to me, which is completely fine given that I'm a total stranger anyway, but I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable about the whole doctor thing or anything

Unknown (14:52): What's this? Mr genius business man is messaging me first? Lucky me :D

Baby-Faced Genius (14:53): Maybe I'm just projecting my worries onto this or something but that felt sarcastic.

Baby-Faced Genius (14:55): I sincerely hope I didn't give you the impression that you weren't good enough because you apparently didn't get the grades for medical school? Or anything like that? I assumed you were studying to be a doctor when you said hospital placements but then you got quiet after you said you didn't get the grades so I'm worried I've hurt you in some way

Unknown (14:57): Omg no no no

Unknown (14:57): I've actually just been super busy this week getting everything sorted before I start my placement

Unknown (14:57): You didn't hurt me I swear

Unknown (14:58): I mean I'll admit that not getting into medical school is kind of a sore spot for me but you didn't hurt me

Unknown (14:58): And I genuinely was happy that you messaged me first, you've never done that before and I feel like I've been driving all of our conversations so I was glad to have evidence that it wasn't totally one sided or whatever haha

Unknown (14:59): also wtf you're such a gentleman look at those carefully chosen words :')

Baby-Faced Genius (15:13): You're positive that you're fine?

Unknown (15:15): Yep :)

Baby-Faced Genius (15:16): As long as you're sure. I didn't mean to bring up any negative feelings or what have you.

Baby-Faced Genius (15:17): And for clarification, I have to admit it's interesting to talk to you so I respond, but honestly I'm a little wary of encouraging these conversations as like I've said before, we're still strangers.

Unknown (15:20): Omg don't stress so much like obviously you didn't mean to bring up negative feelings? Like i know that, you didn't do anything wrong

Unknown (15:22): Honestly let's just both forget about it, you accidentally struck a nerve that you had no way of knowing was there, we're all good I promise

Unknown (15:23): And ah come on, isn't everybody a stranger until you get to know them? I thought you already established that I'm “probably pretty harmless”

Baby-Faced Genius (16:02): Had that quote locked and loaded did you? But I suppose you do have a point

Unknown (16:08): That may have also struck a nerve lmao

Baby-Faced Genius (16:09): …

Baby-Faced Genius (16:09): You're joking right?

Unknown (16:13): Mostly :') I've trained long and hard so that I am definitely not harmless

Unknown (16:13): But it's not like I go around deliberately causing harm so you're probably technically correct

Unknown (16:14): But like I have the potential to do harm if need be

Baby-Faced Genius (16:52): Obviously I'll have to just take your word for it

Unknown (17:07): Oh come on man why do you doubt my ass-kicking prowess

Baby-Faced Genius (17:10): Well in all honesty when I picture you, you're pretty tiny.

Unknown (17:11): wtf why

Unknown (17:11): I'm 5”7!!

Baby-Faced Genius (17:14): Oh well in that case I really am off the mark.

Baby-Faced Genius (17:14): That's really quite tall for a Japanese woman?

Unknown (17:15): Well I mean you say that, we never actually established that I'm Japanese

Unknown (17:15): Or a woman for that matter thinking about it

Baby-Faced Genius (17:22): That's actually a very good point we did not, I honestly just assumed that you were.

Unknown (17:23): Wishful thinking perhaps? ;)

Baby-Faced Genius (17:27): Ah yes, because that's how all romances start, getting randomly messaged by a drunk university student.

Unknown (17:29): I mean duh?

Baby-Faced Genius (17:31): Whatever happened to simply asking a woman you have feelings for out to dinner good lord.

Unknown (17:34): Oh dude didn't you hear that chivalry is dead? It's mostly tinder these days I swear

Baby-Faced Genius (17:35): Lovely

Unknown (17:36): Lmao clearly not a fan I see

Unknown (17:36): I could literally feel the sarcasm through the phone

Baby-Faced Genius (17:38): I tend to be more traditional I suppose, and tinder hardly feels like a good way to start a proper relationship.

Unknown (17:41): That's fair I guess, I've known proper relationships to happen, but there is a lot of people to sift through to get to that point I think

Baby-Faced Genius (17:43): I imagine there is.

Baby-Faced Genius (17:49): Alright I have to ask because I'm curious now, are you a woman?

Unknown (17:52): Oh yeah I am

Unknown (17:53): I just realised that it had never actually come up and I wanted to tease you haha

Unknown (17:53): I am Japanese too for the record

Baby-Faced Genius (17:54): Ah, so at least I was correct on those fronts. Still surprised by your height if I'm honest though.

Unknown (17:56): Oh it's because the whole family's tall, I'm actually the shortest

Baby-Faced Genius (17:59): At 5”7??

Unknown (18:01): Are you short by any chance, this feels like an important point for you lmao

Baby-Faced Genius (18:02): No, I'm average height.

Unknown (18:02): Oh really?

Unknown (18:04): LMAO I just googled it

Baby-Faced Genius (18:05): Just googled what?

Unknown (18:05): The average height for a Japanese man

Baby-Faced Genius (18:06): Oh no

Unknown (18:06): Oh yes

Unknown (18:07): Turns out mr genius business man is only half an inch taller than me bless him

Baby-Faced Genius (18:08): I changed my mind I'm never talking to you again.

Chapter Text

Baby-Faced Genius (10:37): So what's your name anyway?

Unknown (10:41): Excuse me what now

Unknown (10:41): Nah who are you my mysterious business man would never ask me that

Baby-Faced Genius (10:43): Well maybe I'm just sick of having you as 'unknown' in my phone?

Unknown (10:44): Well nothing's stopping 'you' from changing it to some sort of nickname?

Baby-Faced Genius (10:45): Still don't believe it's me?

Unknown (10:45): Absolutely not

Unknown (10:46): Like I can guarantee he wouldn't ask for my name, he's barely comfortable with us talking in the first place honestly

Baby-Faced Genius (10:46): God he's so antisocial

Baby-Faced Genius (10:46): Oh whoops

Unknown (10:47): LMAO

Unknown (10:47): That facade lasted well

Baby-Faced Genius (10:49): Ah give me a break I may or may not be slightly hungover

Unknown (10:50): Are you the sender of bad drunk texts I've heard of by any chance

Baby-Faced Genius (10:52): Oh come on he told you that but didn't exchange names unbelievable

Unknown (10:53): I mean in fairness for all he knows I'm a serial killer

Baby-Faced Genius (10:54): Pretty sure you'd be the first serial killer to use lmao in texts

Unknown (10:55): I mean I honestly could be? How old is lmao anyway

Unknown (10:56): Wtf apparently it's from the 90s so I probably wouldn't be the first serial killer to use lmao

Baby-Faced Genius (10:58): Damn really? Well there's that achievement down the drain

Unknown (10:58): I know right?

Unknown (11:00): But in all seriousness who are you? I assume you're one of his friends

Baby-Faced Genius (11:01): Yep yep been by his side for years now

Baby-Faced Genius (11:01): The real question is who are you?

Unknown (11:03): Why I'm a gorgeous 5”7 physiotherapy student.

Baby-Faced Genius (11:04): An excellent start but I meant more what is the nature of your relationship sort of thing

Unknown (11:04): Oh my bad

Unknown (11:05): In all honesty I just saved my friend's number wrong which happened to his number and we just kinda kept talking

Baby-Faced Genius (11:07): Oh so you've never met or anything?

Unknown (11:07): Oh no we've literally only just talked over text that's why we haven't exchanged names or anything

Baby-Faced Genius (11:08): Oh I see, that makes more sense

Baby-Faced Genius (11:09): I was working off the theory that you two randomly met somewhere and you got him to exchange numbers (while somehow not exchanging names) or something but this is way more interesting

Unknown (11:11): Interesting how?

Baby-Faced Genius (11:14): Well it was already interesting when he suddenly started paying way more attention to his phone, I just assumed that someone had finally caught his interest, but man managing to catch his interest when you started off as a wrong number is impressive

Unknown (11:15): Thanks?

Unknown (11:16): But speaking of paying more attention to his phone we've been messaging for like half an hour where is he

Baby-Faced Genius (11:17): Oh he's in a meeting, left his phone in his office

Unknown (11:19): He just left his phone in an accessible place? That's stupid

Baby-Faced Genius (11:20): Well to be fair his office was locked but I have a key so I'm still counting that as accessible

Baby-Faced Genius (11:20): I mean it was just sitting there on his desk was I not supposed to take advantage of the opportunity

Unknown (11:21): Ah true friendship

Unknown (11:21): Why do you have a key for his office though

Baby-Faced Genius (11:23): I'm his PA so occasionally I need to grab or store things for him so therefore I need a key to his office

Unknown (11:24): Wtf how high up in the business is he, he has a PA?

Unknown (11:25): Also wow do you usually go through your boss' phone? Like how have you not been fired

Baby-Faced Genius (11:27): He's kinda in the middle, but he has a lot of responsibilities so he needs an assistant

Baby-Faced Genius (11:28): And no this is a first, but I kept seeing him get messages from an unknown number and I was kinda worried he was being stalked or something

Baby-Faced Genius (11:29): But given you don't know his name or anything like that you're probably not a stalker so it's all good

Unknown (11:30): Damn just like that?

Baby-Faced Genius (11:32): Well naturally I'm side-eyeing you a little as neither of us know who you are but I'm not really worried any more, you don't seem dangerous

Baby-Faced Genius (11:33): And besides his meeting was due to end at half past so I gotta get out of here quick

Unknown (11:34): Oh shit dude if you don't wanna get caught you gotta delete the messages

Baby-Faced Genius (11:39): What are you talking about?

Baby-Faced Genius (11:40): Oh for god's sake I can't even leave my phone unattended in my own locked office

Baby-Faced Genius (11:41): Jesus she talked to you for the whole meeting??

Unknown (11:43): Please pass my kind regards onto her family once you've killed her

Baby-Faced Genius (11:44): Murder's a bit steep but I'm certainly not happy.

Baby-Faced Genius (11:48): Wow you caught onto her immediately that's impressive.

Unknown (11:51): See! I told you that you're not that much of a stranger, I can spot when it's not you in like 0.03 seconds

Baby-Faced Genius (11:52): Oh please I am definitely still a stranger.

Unknown (11:52): :(

Unknown (19:24): You know there's something from yesterday that stuck in my mind

Baby-Faced Genius (19:28): I'm almost scared to ask.

Unknown (19:29): Am I still really just 'unknown' in your phone?

Baby-Faced Genius (19:31): Yes? What else am I supposed to put?

Unknown (19:32): A nickname? An emoji? Something to distinguish your wonderful new friend from another unknown number?

Baby-Faced Genius (19:35): Do I seem like the type to use emojis to you? Although I suppose I'll admit you have a point about distinguishing you from others.

Baby-Faced Genius (19:36): Wait did you change me from 'unknown'?

Unknown (19:38): Ugh obviously? I have many gentleman callers gotta tell you apart somehow

Baby-Faced Genius (19:39): Oh yes of course.

Baby-Faced Genius (19:39): What on earth am I in your phone then?

Unknown (19:41): You're 'Baby-Faced Genius'

Baby-Faced Genius (19:42): Forget my PA and her wrongdoings I'm gonna kill you

Unknown (19:43): Ah-ha! So YOU'RE the serial killer in this online relationship, knew it had to be one of us man

Baby-Faced Genius (19:45): Online relationship? We're texting?

Unknown (19:46): Did you seriously just skip over my serial killer accusation just so you could correct me

Baby-Faced Genius (19:48): Obviously

Unknown (19:51): God you're insufferable you know what I meant

Unknown (19:52): But anyway back to the topic at hand ie changing me from 'unknown' in your phone

Unknown (19:52): I will literally give you my real first name on one condition

Baby-Faced Genius (19:56): And that would be?

Unknown (19:58): You don't correct me again if you already know what I mean

Baby-Faced Genius (19:59): I can't make that promise.

Unknown (19:59): I fucking knew it lmao

Unknown (20:00): You may be pleased to hear that I've changed your name in my phone though

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:03): Oh?

Unknown (20:04): You're now 'Baby-Faced Smartass'

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:04): Of course

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:05): In the interest of open communication you're now 'Pain In My Ass' in my phone.

Pain In My Ass (20:07): I'M LAUGHING

Chapter Text

Pain In My Ass (05:47): I actually feel like death

 
Pain In My Ass (05:48): Who the fuck invented getting up early anyway

 
Pain In My Ass (05:50): I mean goddamn it's literally taking all of my willpower to keep my eyes open

Pain In My Ass (05:54): I figured with you being a high up business man you'd be awake at this time and could help keep me awake but I guess not sigh

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:17): Heaven forbid I take a shower.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:18): Also when did it become my responsibility to make sure you're awake in the morning?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:21): Did you fall back asleep?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:22): Hello?

Pain In My Ass (06:24): Whoops yes I fell back asleep

 
Pain In My Ass (06:25): In my defence my bed is feeling super warm and cozy right now

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:28): I'm sure it does but I'm also sure you need to be out of it. Clearly you wouldn't be awake at 6am unless you had to be.

 
Pain In My Ass (06:29): You're not fucking wrong

 
Pain In My Ass (06:30): There's this hospital job fair thing happening today which I figured would be good for seeing which hospitals I'd potentially wanna work for and for like networking and shit? But it's in freaking Tokyo because of course so I have to travel

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:32): Are you far from Tokyo? You may already be running out of time if you need to be there for an early start.

 
Pain In My Ass (06:33): I'm like an hour out so it's not too bad but I do need to leave the house by 7:30 so I've already got less than an hour to get ready ugh

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:34): That doesn't seem too bad?

 
Pain In My Ass (06:35): Yeah until I've gotta do makeup

 
Pain In My Ass (06:35): I don't usually do subtler looks so it takes longer

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:38): Why bother in the first place to do something you don't usually do?

 
Pain In My Ass (06:40): Because on account of waking up at ass o'clock in the morning I have terrible bags under my eyes and I'm trying to look professional at this job fair rather than a zombie

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:41): Ah, I suppose I see your point.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:42): Are you actually out of bed yet?

 
Pain In My Ass (06:44): Yes sir doing my hair as we speak

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:45): Maybe stop speaking to me and focus on getting ready?

 
Pain In My Ass (06:48): Of course not, everybody knows that using hair straighteners with one hand and texting with the other is a recipe for success

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:50): Jesus don't burn the house down.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (06:51): Or yourself for that matter.

 
Pain In My Ass (06:53): I was 100% kidding I promise but your concern is heartwarming

 
Pain In My Ass (07:11): Love it when I'm running out of time and I can't find a lipstick that isn't bright fucking red

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (07:14): I'm hardly an expert but don't a lot of women (who wear makeup regularly) make sure to have a skin colour shade or something along those lines?

 
Pain In My Ass (07:17): A nude shade? A fair amount do! Including me! Which is great until I can't find it!

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (07:19): Try looking in a bag you've used for professional events before.

 
Pain In My Ass (07:23): You're a fucking genius

 
Pain In My Ass (07:23): I actually love you right now

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (07:27): Honestly the only reason I thought of it is because I know my PA has left lipstick in her bag multiple times.

 
Pain In My Ass (07:44): It saved my morning regardless of where you got the idea but I'll make sure to telepathically send my love to her as well

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (07:45): I assume you've left the house?

 
Pain In My Ass (07:47): Yep yep

 
Pain In My Ass (07:48): *photo sent* I'm on the train to Tokyo and everything

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (07:51): Congratulations on achieving the basic adult task of getting somewhere work-related on time.

 
Pain In My Ass (07:54): That's some strong sass for so early in the morning

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (07:57): It's not even early any more.

 
Pain In My Ass (07:58): As if, anything before 9 is definitely still early

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (08:00): Most jobs start at 9 in the morning how on earth have you managed so far?

 
Pain In My Ass (08:01): A combination of uni lectures almost never actually being that early and my previous hospital placements all being within 40 mins of where I live.

 
Pain In My Ass (08:03): Although unfortunately I've now already been placed at the 3 hospitals we've got in this city so my placement next semester is actually in Tokyo. Not looking forward to having to do this commute every freaking day

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (08:06): I'm saying it right now, I'm not going to take responsibility for making sure you're awake every single morning

 
Pain In My Ass (08:08): Awww you make the morning vaguely bearable though

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (08:09): High praise right there.

 
Pain In My Ass (08:11): It genuinely is though, if I have to wake up early I'm usually ready to commit mass murder

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (08:12): And you called ME the serial killer between the two of us?

 
Pain In My Ass (08:14): I think you'll find that mass murder and serial murder are actually two different things

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (08:21): I hate that I had to google that and I hate that you are in fact correct.

 
Pain In My Ass (08:21): :P

 Pain In My Ass (19:13): Are you busy at the moment?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:15): Not particularly, just on the train home, why?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:16): Ah cool me too!

 
Pain In My Ass (19:17): I was thinking that we should actually get to know a bit more about each other, nothing major but things like 'favourite movie' or 'blank or blank' questions and evidently we're both free now?
 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:20): What brought this on?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:22): Well I mean I like talking to you and it'd be nice to know each better, as if we were, dare I say, friends??

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:23): I'd argue but we've been talking for over 3 weeks now so I'm clearly not getting rid of you

 
Pain In My Ass (19:23): Exactly!

 
Pain In My Ass (19:24): Ok I'll go first, do you prefer salty or sweet?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:24): Salty. I'm assuming you want me to ask questions back?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:25): A back and forth conversation is what I'm trying to achieve yes

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:27): Fine, tv shows or movies?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:27): Oh that's a good one

 
Pain In My Ass (19:28): There are occasional tv shows that really grab my attention and I find myself binge watching but overall I guess I prefer movies

 
Pain In My Ass (19:29): Movies or books?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:29): Definitely books.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:31): Which do you find more interesting, space or the ocean?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:32): Ocean. City or countryside?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:35): I'm actually torn on this one, I grew up in the countryside so there's always a pull towards it but the city is definitely my home now.

 
Pain In My Ass (19:36): Oh really? I've always been in the city I can't imagine living in the countryside. I've gone camping twice but I wasn't a fan, especially when I broke my leg the second time lmao

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:37): That's unfortunate, I hope you had access to a car at least to be able to get a hospital quickly?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:37): Yeah thankfully

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:40): School subjects, Maths or Literature?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:40): Oh god literature

 
Pain In My Ass (19:41): So much as put complicated numbers in my line of sight and I have mental breakdowns

 
Pain In My Ass (19:41): Summer or winter?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:42): Winter. Introvert or extrovert?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:42): Introverted but deceptively outgoing! Video games or boardgames?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:43): I don't really have time for either.

 
Pain In My Ass (19:45): That kinda sucks

 
Pain In My Ass (19:45): I hope you make sure to chill out sometimes at least

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:47): Tea or coffee?

 
Pain In My Ass (19:48): Don't think I don't see you avoiding my comments like dude make sure to relax every once in a while you're gonna burn out otherwise

 
Pain In My Ass (19:49): But to answer your question tea I guess but only specific types I find a lot of it too bitter

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:49): That's actually precious

 
Pain In My Ass (19:49): FUCK OFF

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:51): You really don't like being referred to as harmless, cute, etc huh? It seems to bother you if you're seen as anything other than strong.

 
Pain In My Ass (19:52): Cute??? Does my mysterious businessman think I'm cute??

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:52): That isn't quite what I said

 
Pain In My Ass (19:53): I sure hope not because you're right I am not a fan

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:54): That went a different direction than I was expecting

 
Pain In My Ass (19:57): I'll be honest with you between being (technically) the youngest in the family and having an overprotective brother I've become pretty sick of being seen in that sort of way you know? Like at this point I am a grown ass woman but feels like that gets ignored sometimes so yeah...

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:58): How are you 'technically' the youngest? I'm not sure what that means?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (19:59): Also I can understand why you'd be frustrated with it in that case. Although I would say that I feel someone can be an adult and still be cute without diminishing their status or what have you

 
Pain In My Ass (19:59): I'm the younger half of a set of twins

 
Pain In My Ass (20:00): Lmao I think a certain someone may have a thing for cute people

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (20:01): How did you come to that conclusion??

 
Pain In My Ass (20:02): When you started lowkey defending the use of cute when I said I wasn't a fan haha

 
Pain In My Ass (20:02): Also earlier when I jokingly questioned whether you thought I was cute you didn't outright deny so I get the impression you don't view it negatively so yeah

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (20:03): Who actually views cute negatively though?

 
Pain In My Ass (20:04): Literally me??

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (20:06): Well no, you view getting deemed cute negatively, surely not cute as a concept generally?

 
Pain In My Ass (20:07): Living up to my nickname for you I see

 
Pain In My Ass (20:08): Also I can't help but notice that you've avoided my theory that you're attracted to cute people

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (20:10): As interesting as this conversation has been I actually do need to go and sort out dinner for myself so I shall have to talk to you later.

 
Pain In My Ass (20:10): Lmao that's convenient

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (20:11): Shush

 Baby-Faced Smartass (01:34): No booking it under Hitsugaya is fine, even if I end up not being there early my PA will be, it shouldn't be an issue.

 
Pain In My Ass (01:37): Wow what on earth are you doing up?

 
Pain In My Ass (01:38): Also I'm gonna go ahead and guess that was definitely not meant for me given it seems to maybe include your name

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (01:38): Ah

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (01:39): You would be correct, that was not intended for you, I sent the message to the wrong contact

 
Pain In My Ass (01:41): Figured as much

 
Pain In My Ass (01:41): Go to sleep perhaps? I don't think I've ever come across you being awake at this time

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (01:47): Honestly I would love to but a major issue cropped up at work and it needs to sorted by midday tomorrow so I'm stuck here for a while.

 
Pain In My Ass (01:48): You're still at work??

 
Pain In My Ass (01:48): Talk about overtime

 
Pain In My Ass (01:49): Tell me you've at least eaten in the last 8 hours

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (01:54): Only by about half an hour but yes.

 
Pain In My Ass (01:56): How much do you have left to do?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (02:03): The bulk of it is actually sorted now but I have to make sure all the details are locked down, I now have a very important meeting tomorrow morning and I need to be sure I know everything I need to.

 
Pain In My Ass (02:05): I mean are you gonna manage that on no sleep because that seems to be where you're heading

 
Pain In My Ass (02:06): Honestly I would just finish up all the jobs that are definitely needed, ignore the rest and then go home and sleep, 4 hours is better than none.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (02:11): 3 hours is more likely at this point unfortunately.

 
Pain In My Ass (02:14): That just backs up my point more, especially as I can tell you're exhausted over freaking TEXT

 
Pain In My Ass (02:16): Actually speaking of, you're not planning to like drive home or anything are you because that feels like it would be super dangerous

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (02:17): Believe me if it was up to me I would've been in bed hours ago. With any luck I should be done in about 20 minutes though.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (02:18): And no, I'm getting a taxi back.

 
Pain In My Ass (02:20): Oh good ok

 
Pain In My Ass (02:23): I have class tomorrow so I'm going to sleep, I wish you luck for finishing asap and for your important meeting tomorrow, goodnight x

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (02:38): Thank you, goodnight. 

Pain In My Ass (13:07): You out of your deathly important work situation yet? I remember you saying that it had to be sorted by midday

 
Pain In My Ass (14:21): Hello?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (15:56): Sorry, I ended up going home early and taking a nap, but yes the deathly important work situation is done and dusted.

 
Pain In My Ass (16:02): Positively I hope?

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:05): Yes thankfully.

 
Pain In My Ass (16:07): Ah chill ok, now that you're done solving a huge business crisis and hopefully not ready to fall asleep standing up I wanted to ask something

 
Pain In My Ass (16:08): But it's one of those questions where like, if you don't respond then it's obvious what the answer is so I don't wanna ask unless you're ok with me asking

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:11): I feel like I know what the question is going to be, it's fine, you can ask.

 
Pain In My Ass (16:12): Is Hitsugaya actually your name then? I figured from the context it probably was but I didn't just want to assume as like it could've been a coworker's name instead

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:14): Yes, Hitsugaya's my name.

 
Pain In My Ass (16:15): Ah cool, it's nice to know for definite

 
Pain In My Ass (16:16): Kinda surprised you accepted the question and just straight up admitted it's your name though? You always seem so cautious about identifying info

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:19): Well I still stand by that, I don't think you could glean much from my family name.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:20): But to be honest when I accidentally sent you the message last night it made me realise that I actually didn't mind you knowing. I expected to stress over it when I realised what I had done but it turned out that I felt fine about it.

 
Pain In My Ass (16:23): Well I'm glad, I really do promise that I'm not some serial killer hunting you or something like that

 
Pain In My Ass (16:24): Also my name's Kurosaki by the way

 
Pain In My Ass (16:24): Although thinking about it I'd rather you just call me Karin if you're gonna use my name

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:27): You know just because I ended up sharing my name doesn't mean you have to

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:28): You certainly didn't need to give me your full name

 
Pain In My Ass (16:29): Nah I've wanted to tell you my name for a while but I always got the impression you were uncomfortable with knowing info like that so I left it

 
Pain In My Ass (16:29): But then you went and revealed your name so I figured I might as well, I'm totally fine with you knowing my name

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:31): Oh I see.

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:33): Generally speaking I suppose I am uncomfortable with personal information like that when it comes to a non face-to-face relationship, it isn't something I've done before. But I have to admit it's nice to put a name to the person.

 
Karin Kurosaki (16:35): I get where you're coming from, you always hear these horror stories or whatever of catfishing or worse so like it's good to be wary, but I also think that statistically those things happening are probably rare tbh. Plus yeah, it's nice to have a name attached to the person I've been talking to for like a month

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:38): If nothing else I'm glad to have your actual name in my phone rather than a daft nickname, I was slightly worried a colleague would spot it at some point and assume I had nicknamed a client or something.

 
Karin Kurosaki (16:40): Oh my god that's hilarious I didn't think of that

 
Karin Kurosaki (16:40): But man yeah probably better that you've got an actual name to my number just in case

 
Karin Kurosaki (16:41): You're still Baby-Faced Smartass in my phone though *kiss emoji*

 
Baby-Faced Smartass (16:42): Of course I am.

Chapter Text

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:27): Are you around at the moment?

Karin Kurosaki (14:43): Just about, been busy at hospital but I've just gone on my lunch break

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:44): At almost 3 o'clock in the afternoon?

Karin Kurosaki (14:46): Funnily enough hospitals tend to not give all their staff their breaks at the same socially accepted times, you get your break when there's at least 1 other member of staff around so the department is always sufficiently covered

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:47): Ah true, fair enough.

Karin Kurosaki (14:47): What did you want me for anyway?

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:48): In all honesty I've been stuck in this queue for almost an hour and I'm just bored out of my mind.

Karin Kurosaki (14:48): Ah well you've got me for a grand total of half an hour so we better make this good huh

Karin Kurosaki (14:49): Also jesus what queue are you in for it to take that long?

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:49): Security check at the airport

Karin Kurosaki (14:49): Wow I know they say to arrive at airports early but does it usually take so long to get through security??

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:51): Oh I assume you've never gone abroad then? Security itself usually only takes about 5-10 minutes, but moving up the queue and actually getting to security can take a while depending on the day.

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:51): From the looks of things I'm estimating it'll take another hour before I'm through

Karin Kurosaki (14:52): Ouch

Karin Kurosaki (14:52): When's your flight? Also where are you going?

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:53): The gate closes in an hour and a half so it's pushing it but should be ok, fingers crossed. I'm going to China, business trip.

Karin Kurosaki (14:54): Oh man I hope you get through to the gate asap, travelling is always stressful when you're running late, it must be even worse when its work stuff

Karin Kurosaki (14:55): Must be cool to get to travel as part of your job though, I'd love to go abroad

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:56): Yeah given it's already been paid for by the company I'm definitely feeling the pressure to get on that plane.

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:57): It is to an extent, there's a couple of hours here and there where you can go and explore a bit, but you can never do anything major because primarily you're there to work, so it never really feels like I've properly travelled.

Karin Kurosaki (14:58): Ah that must be annoying, part of me would love to get to travel and like just take what I can get? But it sounds like that could be kinda frustrating only being able to do small things

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:58): Yeah, if there's somewhere you want to visit I would recommend making it a proper trip where you can plan everything, going through work isn't really satisfying.

Karin Kurosaki (14:59): Well the chances of going abroad with work as a physiotherapist seems pretty slim so I don't think I have to worry about that part too much, more like how I'd get abroad in the first place haha

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:00): You can get good deals on plane tickets and whatnot at certain times, if it's something you wanted to do I'm sure you could manage it one way or another.

Karin Kurosaki (15:00): Oh yeah I'm definitely planning on travelling at least a little eventually but really I've gotta wait until I'm done with my degree and with a full time job and everything before I can put money towards something like that

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:01): Where would you want to go?

Karin Kurosaki (15:01): Pretty much anywhere tbh?

Karin Kurosaki (15:01): Well nah there are definitely places that I'm less interested in, but generally speaking there are so many countries that seem cool to visit

Karin Kurosaki (15:02): What about you? If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:03): Maybe Europe? I've gone to east Asian countries and America a fair amount as part of work but I've never gone to Europe.

Karin Kurosaki (15:04): Well if you ever end up going please hide me in your suitcase and bring me with you

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:04): Fairly sure it would be easier to just buy you a ticket then try to lug you around in a suitcase.

Karin Kurosaki (15:06): Well damn mr moneybags

Karin Kurosaki (15:06): Spoken like a true sugar daddy

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:07): Hilarious.

Karin Kurosaki (15:07): God I felt the sarcasm through the phone

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:08): Good.

Karin Kurosaki (15:10): Anyway, are you any further up in the queue? Because I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I've gotta go back to work in like 5 mins

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:10): Moved up some, will still be at least 20 minutes though.

Karin Kurosaki (15:11): You could always download some games on your phone or something if you get super bored again you know

Karin Kurosaki (15:11): A poor substitute for my amazing company obviously but desperate times and all that

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:12): Of course

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:13): I'm sure I can manage to entertain myself in some way for the next half an hour, go back to work before you're late.

Karin Kurosaki (15:14): I mean you texted me in the first place because you were bored so I'm a little sceptical about you managing to entertain yourself but alright

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:14): Put your phone down and go back to work, you started your 30 minute lunch break more than 30 minutes ago.

Karin Kurosaki (15:15): Man you were paying more attention to the time than me

Karin Kurosaki (15:16): Try not to miss me too much while I'm gone babe

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:18): Oh no that's impossible, my life clearly revolves around the woman I've never met that I for some reason text regularly

Karin Kurosaki (18:27): Oh man props to you for making me laugh even when I'm exhausted from a shift

Karin Kurosaki (18:28): And you know just because your life (sadly) doesn't revolve around me doesn't mean you can't miss me :P

Karin Kurosaki (18:32): Oh by the way I hope you had a safe flight and everything, and I hope you have fun in China. I'm pretty sure with you being abroad texting's gonna cost a lot more so I'm gonna refrain, let me know when you're back!

Toshiro stopped pacing in his hotel room and stared at his phone in shock, suddenly realising that a rare surge of impulsivity had clearly beaten rational thought. He had turned his phone back on the minute he had gotten off the plane, getting over 10 messages come through. Most were basic work messages, some files he needed for the business trip, an updated schedule, that sort of thing. One of them was his sister, asking for him to let her know that he got there safely as she always did when he went abroad. And then there were the 3 messages from Karin.

They made him smile, but he hadn't thought of international phone charges, it would cost a fortune to talk like they usually did so Karin had said she wouldn't message him till he got back. Which made a lot of sense, but it also made him suddenly aware that he was more attached to her than he thought. It had only been a couple of hours since he received the texts and it was already niggling at him to respond, the only thing actually stopping him was the worry that Karin could be charged for receiving international texts. So Toshiro tried to think of a way to contact her that would be free. His first thought was through social media but quickly ruled it out, she may have given him her name but that doesn't give him the right to try and hunt her down on the internet, it felt far too invasive. It was only when his PA had messaged him through Whatsapp that he thought perhaps he could find Karin on there, after all you found people on there through phone numbers, it didn't particularly feel inappropriate.

What he didn't think about however, was that just because he (and most of the people he worked with) hadn't bothered to upload a profile picture, didn't mean Karin hadn't. He had put her number into whatsapp without thinking and suddenly there she was. It wasn't a very large image, but he could see her. Jet black hair with dark red lipstick decorating a pretty smile. She was wearing sunglasses in the photo, large enough to obscure her full face to someone who didn't know her (smart, he thought off-handedly), but the frames were small enough that if you did know her, you'd recognise her. And small enough to know that she wasn't lying, she definitely was gorgeous. After the initial shock finally passed Toshiro panicked and immediately closed the app and put the phone down, feeling guilty. It hadn't occurred to him that he could actually see her face by getting her up on whatsapp, and now it feels like he crossed the line. Karin never suggested any actual interest in a face to face relationship, nor did she ever indicate that she was comfortable with him knowing what she looked like. He groaned as he collapsed onto the desk chair. He knew he'd have to tell her that he accidentally saw her, he wouldn't feel right about it otherwise, but he was definitely dreading it.

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:12): I've arrived back in Japan, you can go back to your regular scheduled 100 texts a day.

Karin Kurosaki (19:47): Oh haha, you know you missed me

Karin Kurosaki (19:48): How was everything? Did everything go smoothly in the end?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:56): Well I ended up jogging through the airport to get to my gate in time but after that everything was fine, nothing went wrong, your average business trip really.

Karin Kurosaki (19:59): That's good at least. You get to do anything fun or interesting?

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:01): A couple of things here and there, main one that stuck out was this traditional garden from the 1500s that I ended up walking around for a few hours.

Karin Kurosaki (20:04): Oh man that sounds pretty cool

Karin Kurosaki (20:04): Did you take photos?

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:05): Some, I couldn't get a lot of good ones as there were a lot of tourists there, why?

Karin Kurosaki (20:07): Send some to me? Let me live vicariously through you :'D

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:08): Well before anything I feel like I need to tell you something

Karin Kurosaki (20:08): Oh?

Karin Kurosaki (20:09): Everything ok?

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:13): I kind of accidentally saw a photo of you

Karin Kurosaki (20:15): Ok...

Karin Kurosaki (20:16): How do you accidentally do that?

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:18): Honestly I just wanted to message you back from your texts, as it turns out I did miss you, so I thought I'd message you on whatsapp as that way it's free and clearly I have your phone number which is how you contact people on whatsapp so I didn't think it would be overstepping

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:19): But I just didn't think about whether you'd have a profile picture on there when I searched your number (if I had thought of it I wouldn't have searched for you in the first place) so yeah, I ended up seeing you in your whatsapp profile picture. I really feel like I've invaded your privacy and I'm sorry.

Karin Kurosaki (20:21): Wow ok there's a lot to unpack here

Karin Kurosaki (20:21): Bear with me, I'm not ignoring or ghosting you or anything, just a long message incoming

Karin Kurosaki (20:34): Ok so right off the bat I'll admit that finding out that you've seen a picture of me does make me a little uncomfortable. Like don't get me wrong, I don't think you're a creep or anything like that, and I do want to keep talking to you and get to know you better and everything, but frankly I just wasn't expecting either of us to actually see the other quite this soon.

That being said! The fact that you were upfront about it even though you were obviously nervous is very sweet and I'm thankful, and honestly I totally believe what you're saying, and like the circumstances that led to you seeing a photo of me? Totally fine with me really, like it's nice knowing that you did actually miss me and wanted to message me, and trying through whatsapp makes sense! I'm not gonna blame you for thinking of and trying that, it's just unfortunate that you didn't twig that I'd have a profile pic up, but like that's an honest mistake, I know you weren't trying to push any boundaries or anything. So yeah while it did make me a little uncomfortable to know you've seen a photo of me, I'm not mad at you for it or anything, and i'm not planning on stopping talking to you either or anything like that, so as far as I'm concerned we can just move on from it

Karin Kurosaki (20:34): Besides whatsapp profile pics aren't even that big so you probably couldn't see all that much really

Karin Kurosaki (20:35): Also I know that message is like super duper formal coming from me but you seemed pretty serious about it all so I felt like I had to reply in kind haha

Karin Kurosaki (20:37): Reading through it again though it makes it seem like it's a really serious thing but it's not that bad honestly I swear, I'm fine

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:41): Are you sure? I'd understand if you didn't want to continue talking to me

Karin Kurosaki (20:42): That's a bit dramatic

Karin Kurosaki (20:42): Yes I'm sure, yeah it threw me for a hot second there but really it's not that bad, you didn't do it on purpose, we're all good

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:44): As long as you're definitely sure. This is the second time I've ended up making you uncomfortable now

Karin Kurosaki (20:45): Is it?? When was the first time?

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:46): When I asked if you were a med student

Karin Kurosaki (20:46): Oh yeah

Karin Kurosaki (20:47): Well I can promise you it wasn't that serious given I forgot about it lmao

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:49): Still, I'm evidently not very good at talking to you.

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:49): Maybe it would be better if we got to know each other more, at least then I'd stand a better chance

Karin Kurosaki (20:50): Oh JEEZ you're so overly serious I promise you are actually very good at talking to me

Karin Kurosaki (20:51): 2 small hiccups does not undo a month of interesting conversation my dude

Karin Kurosaki (20:52): However I would like to get know each other better though

Karin Kurosaki (20:52): Like I really do enjoy talking to you regularly (and evidently so do you if you missed me :P) and it would be cool if we could become proper friends

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:54): I knew you wouldn't let me forget that I said I missed you

Karin Kurosaki (20:55): HA I've got it screenshotted and everything

Chapter Text

Karin Kurosaki (11:23): I have amazing news!!

Karin Kurosaki (11:47): Man why are you never around when I wanna talk :(

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:04): Why am I, an adult with a full time job, not available during the late morning on a weekday you ask?

Karin Kurosaki (13:06): Oh shush listen I'm too excited to pay attention to things like that

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:07): What's the news?

Karin Kurosaki (13:07): I'm going to be an aunt!!!

Karin Kurosaki (13:08): My older brother and his other half are having a baby :D

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:10): Oh that is nice news, I'm happy for your family

Karin Kurosaki (13:11): It's the first grandbaby in the family my dad is in HYSTERICS it's hilarious

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:12): As in he's stressed about the baby or?

Karin Kurosaki (13:14): Oh no no he's like legit overwhelmed he keeps going from super excited to wanting to make sure my brother's got all the info and stuff he needs to being super emotional and near tears all in a matter of seconds

Karin Kurosaki (13:15): Usually it's annoying when he gets like this but its actually warranted this time :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:19): Ah I see, I imagine having your first grandchild is quite emotional to be fair. He often gets like this though?

Karin Kurosaki (13:20): Oh my dad is a straight up drama queen lmao but I'm forgiving it on this occasion

Karin Kurosaki (13:21): But yeah anyway! I need to get like a ton of money quick I wanna spoil this child so bad haha

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:23): That's not necessarily the best idea?

Karin Kurosaki (13:24): Oh I wouldn't go overboard I promise but like I wanna get them all the fun toys and all the cute baby clothes

Karin Kurosaki (13:24): And the cute baby shoes!! I saw these adorable little baby converse shoes the other day and nearly lost my mind

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:27): I really did not expect you to be the type to get so excited over babies

Karin Kurosaki (13:29): Yeah I get that, I know I don't tend to strike people as the maternal type or anything but I do love babies, like i've honestly just always wanted kids when I get older

Karin Kurosaki (13:29): Well at this point not so much older but rather more stable in life with a stable relationship

Karin Kurosaki (13:30): And now I can have a practice baby! :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:36): Does your brother know about your intentions with his first born?

Karin Kurosaki (13:38): Are you kidding he's so happy to know he's got backup when he needs it

Karin Kurosaki (13:39): Believe it or not my brother trusts me with such things

Karin Kurosaki (13:39): Doesn't hurt that I'm a healthcare professional

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:42): In all seriousness I am happy for you and your family, it sounds like this child is going to be surrounded by a lot of love

Karin Kurosaki (13:43): Thank you! And for sure! My family might be slightly balls to the walls crazy but definitely filled with a lot of love :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:45): Sounds like a fun (and noisy) household

Karin Kurosaki (13:45): You're not wrong lmao

Karin Kurosaki (13:46): Take it you're on your lunch break at the minute?

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:48): Yes, why?

Karin Kurosaki (13:49): Just wondering how much longer I'd get you for and it turns out only 10 minutes how tragic I wanted to gush about my upcoming niece/nephew more

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:50): I am sure you will survive

Karin Kurosaki (13:50): I mean I suppose

Karin Kurosaki (13:51): But I miss you when you don't respond for ages which is like everyday sigh

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:51): From what I can tell your definition of ages is anything more than 2 hours

Karin Kurosaki (13:52): And? I always get back to you quickly :(

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:53): That's because your phone appears to be glued to you, I cannot be on my phone all the time at work

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:53): Actually speaking of you have definitely taken hours to get back to me before whenever you're on placement at the hospital

Karin Kurosaki (13:54): Ah shit you got me there

Karin Kurosaki (13:54): Ah man next uni block is gonna suck I'm on placement full time at a hospital in Tokyo idk when I'm gonna talk to you

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:56): Knowing you you'll be texting me during the entire commute to the hospital complaining about how it's too early to be out of bed

Karin Kurosaki (13:56): Are you around when I have to commute? I've gotta leave the house by 7:30am at the absolute latest to make sure I get to the hospital with enough time to change

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:57): You get changed at the hospital? Why not come to work in uniform? And I'm definitely awake by then, although occasionally I have to be working at the time, with breakfast meetings and whatnot.

Karin Kurosaki (13:58): Infection control rules, as I'll be working with patients who are in the wards rather than outpatients I need to change as I can bring all sorts of pathogens in from public transport or whatever, and vice versa, need to change before I leave in case I bring pathogens out

Karin Kurosaki (13:58): But ah cool so I can bug you in the mornings when the next block starts thank heavens for that :P

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:00): I'm going to need time to mentally prepare, when does your next block start?

Karin Kurosaki (14:01): Oh haha

Karin Kurosai (14:01): In two weeks

Karin Kurosaki (14:17): And he's gone again

Baby-Faced Smartass (18:43): I have a slight bone to pick with you

Karin Kurosaki (18:55): Uh oh

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:02): I keep getting questions on who I'm dating because my co-workers have all collectively assumed I must be seeing someone now that I'm texting regularly at breaks

Karin Kurosaki (19:04): How's that my fault lmao??

Karin Kurosaki (19:05): I mean truly it's flattering that you clearly can't resist talking to me the second you become available but sounds like perhaps you should chill out with it :P

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:08): You're the one who complains when I don't get back to you soon enough!

Karin Kurosaki (19:09): I can't read suddenly I don't know

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:10): Very funny, anyway that wasn't the point

Karin Kurosaki (19:11): What is the point then?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:14): The point is the fact that I'm 'dating' all of sudden has apparently become such a hot piece of gossip that it reached my boss and he has now told me I should bring my new girlfriend to the office Christmas party, “especially as Christmas is such a romantic time of year”

Karin Kurosaki (19:15): L M A O

Karin Kurosaki (19:15): Oh man have fun with that

Karin Kurosaki (19:16): Still not my fault :P

Karin Kurosaki (19:17): Wait christmas is like 3 months away your work is already planning that?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:19): Oh I am absolutely blaming you for this. I can't disappoint my boss because a) he's my boss, and b) he means well and he was genuinely excited at the prospect of me bringing a girlfriend for the first time so now I am at a loss on what to do

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:20): And yes, the whole office is generally expected to come which is a lot of people, so it all has to be planned quite far in advance.

Karin Kurosaki (19:23): What do you mean my dude you have the chance to live out the fake dating au that's the dream!

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:24): I don't even know what that means?

Karin Kurosaki (19:24): Wow really?

Karin Kurosaki (19:25): The common fanfic plot, the fake dating alternative universe?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:27): That clears it up some I suppose, but why would I want to live out the faking dating au?

Karin Kurosaki (19:28): Duh you need a date so as to not disappoint your boss but because finding an actual girlfriend would be too much for your busy lifestyle you ask a willing lady friend to pretend to be your girlfriend but you of course end up falling in love by the end of the story

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:29): Of course...

Karin Kurosaki (19:30): Any cute coworkers you got a crush on?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:32): Not really no

Karin Kurosaki (19:33): Unfortunate

Karin Kurosaki (19:35): Wait how long have you worked at that same company?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:36): About four and a half years, why?

Karin Kurosaki (19:38): You've never brought a girlfriend to any company events the whole time?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:41): Never had a girlfriend to bring to such events

Karin Kurosaki (19:42): In 4 and a half years??

Karin Kurosaki (19:43): My dude what's wrong with you

Karin Kurosaki (19:43): Wait no that came out wrong

Karin Kurosaki (19:44): Just like, you're clearly a decent guy whose nice and you've got a stable job like how can you go wrong

Karin Kurosaki (19:45): Oh wait oh god unless I'm being super insensitive and you are in fact gay in which case my bad

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:47): I'm not gay no, but it's nothing like that anyway, I've honestly just never had the time to get a partner

Karin Kurosaki (19:48): I know you're busy a lot but really? You don't have an hour or two to spare to date every so often?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:53): Honestly it's not about not having the time to date, it's the time to find someone to date. Call me old-fashioned but I'm really not the type to meet up with someone I found online, I'd much rather naturally develop feelings for someone in person, but that's hard these days, feels like the only way to do that is through university or work or maybe some sort of club/hobby. I graduated from university years ago, I'd rather not date anyone at work for obvious reasons so that leaves the club/hobby, which I don't have time for.

Karin Kurosaki (19:56): You really wouldn't meet up with someone you found online?

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:57): Probably not to be honest

Karin Kurosaki (19:58): I see

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:59): Well I mean never say never

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:00): Obviously you can get close with someone over the internet or what have you, I'm just really not used to it

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:00): I definitely wouldn't rule out meeting someone I came across through technology

Karin Kurosaki (20:01): That's good :)

Karin Kurosaki (20:02): Being open minded like that I mean

Karin Kurosaki (20:02): I mean really technology develops and changes so quickly these days no one can say how we'll be dating in 10 years

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:04): That's true

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:05): Although I am rather hoping that in 10 years I'll be settled down and won't be dating

Karin Kurosaki (20:06): Hard same if I'm honest

Karin Kurosaki (20:06): Anyway I gotta go, I'm almost at Tokyo city centre

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:07): You're coming into the city centre at 8pm?

Karin Kurosaki (20:11): Yeah, friend's birthday! She wanted to go all out so here I am

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:13): Well stay safe

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:14): And maybe don't get too drunk on this outing perhaps

Karin Kurosaki (20:26): Oh don't worry I learnt my lesson the first time round haha I plan to take it easy

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:28): Good

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:29): Have fun and get home safe

Karin Kurosaki (20:30): Will do xxx

Chapter Text

Karin Kurosaki (14:26): I need help my man

Karin Kurosaki (14:26): Black or red?

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:28): What are you on about?

Karin Kurosaki (14:29): Oh gosh you responded quickly for a weekday afternoon

Karin Kurosaki (14:30): I just need you to pick either black or red

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:30): Of course I responded quickly you said you needed help!

Karin Kurosaki (14:31): Oh well I do but its not for anything serious my bad

Karin Kurosaki (14:32): Just need you to pick one at random for me please :)

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:32): What is this for?

Karin Kurosaki (14:33): Telling you would defeat the whole random picking aspect

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:35): I'm not liking the whole cryptic thing

Karin Kurosaki (14:36): Look I'm buying a thing and it comes in two different colours and I'm completely stuck between the two of them so I just need someone to be the random tie breaker please?

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:37): It's not for anything important is it?

Karin Kurosaki (14:37): No no, it's literally just that I really like both versions but can only afford one so

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:38): Red?

Karin Kurosaki (14:38): Thank you!!

Karin Kurosaki (14:46): **photo sent**

Karin Kurosaki (14:46): I now own a red leather biker jacket!

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:49): Oh I see

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:50): Well that certainly explains why you couldn't afford both

Karin Kurosaki (14:53): HA sweetheart please it's still fake leather I am not made of gold

Karin Kurosaki (14:54): I feel like you may be underestimating my level of broke like my dude I am a uni student

Karin Kurosaki (14:54): Typical rich man, has no sense of how much things cost these days sigh

Baby-Faced Smartass (14:56): My sincere apologies

Karin Kurosaki (14:56): :P

Karin Kurosaki (14:58): You're surprisingly active considering it's 3pm, I know you said you responded quickly because I said I needed help but it was made clear it wasn't serious pretty early on is everything all good?

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:02): In all honesty the project I'm working on at the minute isn't going very smoothly, felt like I needed the break really

Karin Kurosaki (15:04): Oh I see, well thank heavens my indecisive ass showed up :')

Karin Kurosaki (15:05): How come it's not going smoothly?

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:07): Basically the company I'm at does distribution and promotion of products in Japan, we were very close to signing a big client but another company popped up and is also trying to sign them, so now it's just a matter of time before it becomes a bidding war

Karin Kurosaki (15:09): You pay the clients to sign with you?

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:12): No, it becomes a bidding war in the sense of each company tends to start offering more profit for the client than the other, other perks like more money on promotion, assigning a whole team for managing the client's product (which happens anyway, but it definitely helps to explicitly tell them there'll be a 20 person team on their product), that sort of thing.

Karin Kurosaki (15:14): Ahh right right I got it. So basically you're trying to navigate said approaching bidding war without your company a) losing the client, and b) losing unnecessary profits or whatever?

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:15): Pretty much yeah

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:16): Unfortunately the other company have more experience with this sort of client so they know better what sort of risks you can take meanwhile I'm frantically trying to research it all to try and become an expert overnight

Karin Kurosaki (15:18): Ah, that does sound tough

Karin Kurosaki (15:19): I'm afraid I wouldn't have a clue so I unfortunately can't help you with it

Karin Kurosaki (15:19): Want me to leave you to it?

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:20): Not really no, I'd much rather just talk to you instead of doing this but unfortunately I do need to get on with it

Karin Kurosaki (15:22): Ah well, work can't always be easy I suppose, I wish you luck

Karin Kurosaki (15:23): I will check in on you later though, I know what you're like when you have difficult projects you do stupid shit like forget to eat

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:24): I don't forget to eat, these things usually have a time crunch, sometimes it's better to just skip a meal if it means I can submit proposals quicker or what have you

Karin Kurosaki (15:24): Skipping meals is always stupid like my dude you have enough money to get a meal delivered to your office surely?

Karin Kurosaki (15:25): One with vegetables preferably

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:26): It still takes time to go through and actually order food and eat it

Karin Kurosaki (15:26): >:(

Karin Kurosaki (15:27): What's your PA's number I'll ask her to force feed you

Baby-Faced Smartass (15:29): I need to go the motivation to work has overcome me quite suddenly

Karin Kurosaki (15:30): UH HUH

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:17): **photo sent**

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:17): Happy?

Karin Kurosaki (21:23): You got food! Yes I am happy :P

Karin Kurosaki (21:24): Still struggling with the project?

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:27): Eh, it's getting there, but slower than I would like.

Karin Kurosaki (21:28): And you're still eating anyway gosh I'm so proud

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:29): To be fair it's because I made the mistake of telling my PA that you told me off for not eating, she took it upon herself to make sure I had food because “we wouldn't want to upset your girlfriend”

Karin Kurosaki (21:29): I mean she's right if you didn't eat I'd kick your ass

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:30): You don't even know where I am

Karin Kurosaki (21:31): I HAVE MY METHODS

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:33): See I just don't really believe that

Karin Kurosaki (21:34): I mean I reckon I know which city you're in

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:35): Oh?

Karin Kurosaki (21:37): You're a fancy high up business man who knew on instinct how hectic travel is in Tokyo so I'm guessing you're there

Karin Kurosaki (21:37): Well work there anyway, I don't know if you live there

Karin Kurosaki (21:38): Kinda hope you don't to be honest it seems like it's always noisy and lord knows you don't relax enough

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:40): I have some tragic news for you

Karin Kurosaki (21:41): Ah noooooo

Karin Kurosaki (21:41): Jesus dude your rent must be extortionate

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:42): Oh it is, but it saves me hours everyday in travelling so it's just one of those things

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:43): You'll see what I mean when you're on placement here

Karin Kurosaki (21:45): I mean I've gone to Tokyo before, I know it can take a while to get home but it never seemed that bad?

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:46): Sure, until you're doing it every single day

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:46): It gets old quick

Karin Kurosaki (21:48): You don't get used to it?

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:49): Well you might to be fair, you grew up in a city, I've never really gotten used to how busy it is

Karin Kurosaki (21:50): Ah I see

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:52): Anyway I need to get back to work, I'll talk to you tomorrow

Karin Kurosaki (21:53): Fair enough, please consider sleeping at some point though

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:53): I can promise I'll at least sleep, I'm useless without it

Karin Kurosaki (21:54): Alright, good luck with the project, goodnight xxx

Baby-Faced Smartass (21:55): Goodnight

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:42): By some stroke of pure luck I actually managed to sign the big client

Karin Kurosaki (13:44): !!!!

Karin Kurosaki (13:45): That's awesome!! Congratulations!

Karin Kurosaki (13:45): I'm currently in a lecture so I sadly cannot bombard you with messages right now but I'm glad all your hard work paid off! Go celebrate!

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:47): I would but honestly I just feel drained from the whole thing, I don't really have the energy to celebrate

Karin Kurosaki (13:51): Going home, napping, and then ordering your fave food to eat while watching a movie can totally count as celebrating you know

Karin Kurosaki (13:52): In fact I strongly stand by it :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:53): You're doing a good job of paying attention to your lecture I see

Baby-Faced Smartass (13:54): I am unfortunately being dragged out for a drink with the rest of the team but I definitely plan to follow your suggestion afterwards

Karin Kurosaki (13:56): Oof that's not what you want when you feel tired. Well go do your obligated office celebration and then yeah go home and actually chill out for once

Karin Kurosaki (13:57): I'm all finished with lectures by 4 by the way so if you wanna talk or anything I'm available then!

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:12): Are you still free?

Karin Kurosaki (16:16): Yep yep!

Karin Kurosaki (16:17): Oh gosh were you waiting for me to finish I legit feel guilty for being busy haha

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:18): God no Karin don't feel guilty for doing your degree

Karin Kurosaki (16:21): Is everything ok?

Karin Kurosaki (16:21): You seem, idk like more attached today?

Karin Kurosaki (16:22): I don't think you've ever actually used my name in conversation before

Karin Kurosaki (16:22): Not that it bothers me or anything like that, I'm just kinda concerned that you're feeling rough or something

Karin Kurosaki (16:26): Hitsugaya?

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:29): Honestly I'm not feeling great

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:30): It's nothing serious, I think it's just a combination of overworking, not enough sleep, and having to solidly work on a project I hated doing

Karin Kurosaki (16:32): Oh it's all just getting to you?

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:33): Pretty much

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:33): It's why I wanted to talk to you to be honest, you're good at distracting me

Karin Kurosaki (16:34): I mean it kinda sounds like you need rest more than you need to talk to me

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:35): Well maybe, but I'd rather have an early night and sleep for like 10 hours straight than nap right now

Karin Kurosaki (16:35): Fair enough

Karin Kurosaki (16:36): Oh does that mean you don't have work tomorrow? You can just sleep in?

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:37): Yeah, my boss said he saw how hard I was working and that I deserved a long weekend, so I've got tomorrow, Friday, and the weekend as usual off

Karin Kurosaki (16:39): Oh that's good! I'm glad! It really seems like you need the break

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:40): Yeah I'm definitely thankful for it

Karin Kurosaki (16:43): So you said you're not planning on napping any more, got anything else in mind for the rest of the evening?

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:44): Well I'm definitely going to order food in, I truly cannot be bothered to cook tonight

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:45): Past that I don't know, I know you suggested watching a movie but I'd have no clue what I'd watch really

Karin Kurosaki (16:47): Maybe just an old fave? Whenever I'm super tired I tend to not wanna watch new movies because I can struggle to follow it

Karin Kurosaki (16:48): Either that or a good kids movie, that works too

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:50): I haven't watched a kids movie in years

Karin Kurosaki (16:51): What??? There's so many good ones man

Karin Kurosaki (16:51): Watch one tonight! Order food in, put on a film you can turn your brain off to and then go to bed early. Perfect night if you ask me :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:53): Maybe

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:54): You got any recommendations?

Karin Kurosaki (16:57): Sure! Off the top of my head, ones I'd recommend that are kinda recent would be Tangled, Incredibles 2, Big Hero 6 and that animated Spiderman movie that I can never remember the name of

Karin Kurosaki (16:57): Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

Karin Kurosaki (16:58): Actually maybe not Big Hero 6, it's a great film but it makes me cry so idk if that's the sort of thing you want when you just wanna chill out

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:58): I've actually never watched the first Incredibles film

Baby-Faced Smartass (16:59): You cry at kids movies?

Karin Kurosaki (17:01): Well see, now I wanna push you into watching Big Hero 6 because then maybe you'd understand, like if you can watch that film without feeling emotional you're basically a monster, but that's gonna have to wait because not having watched the first Incredibles movie is in fact a crime

Karin Kurosaki (17:02): Like that film is a family favourite in my house, probably gets watched like once a year

Baby-Faced Smartass (17:05): Really? That repeatedly?

Karin Kurosaki (17:06): Yes because it's great! Trust me my dude, watch the first Incredibles movie, its not like overly childish or anything like that and it's super entertaining, guaranteed to get your mind off real life bullshit for a while

Baby-Faced Smartass (17:08): Well seeing as you have so much confidence in it I suppose I should give it a go

Karin Kurosaki (17:09): Yes!

Karin Kurosaki (17:10): I shall leave you so you can properly take in the movie's amazingness and just full on relax, let me know if you liked it though!

Baby-Faced Smartass (17:12): Fair enough, will do

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:46): Ok yes, that was a good film choice

Karin Kurosaki (20:47): :D!!!!

Karin Kurosaki (20:47): I'm legit so glad you liked it, that film really is one of my top faves

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:48): I can see why, it is a good one to watch when you're feeling awful

Karin Kurosaki (20:49): Hopefully it helped

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:49): It actually did, I shall make sure to ask you for recommendations in the future

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:50): Anyway thank you for the suggestion, I need to go shower and then I'm just gonna collapse straight into bed

Karin Kurosaki (20:52): Sounds like a plan, I hope you sleep well! xxx

Baby-Faced Smartass (20:53): Thank you, goodnight x

Karin Kurosaki (20:53): Goodnight! <3

Karin Kurosaki (11:47): Hey

Karin Kurosaki (11:47): I hope you're feeling better today?

Baby-Faced Smartass (11:53): I am yes, thank you

Baby-Faced Smartass (11:54): Now that I've slept and gotten some distance from yesterday I feel much more normal, I think I just burnt myself out

Karin Kurosaki (11:56): Yeah it did sound like you had pushed yourself too far

Karin Kurosaki (11:57): You have a whopping 4 days off including today though so I hope you plan on just doing fun or chill things! And then hopefully you'll be fine by the time Monday rolls round :)

Baby-Faced Smartass (11:59): It's been a while since I've had a proper break so I'm not really sure what to do with myself

Karin Kurosaki (12:00): Well I mean real talk if I had your kind of money I'd be on a plane and on a weekend getaway somewhere

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:01): I can see where you're coming from but that feels like that would be way too stressful I mean how do you pick where to go, what to do, etc

Karin Kurosaki (12:03): I mean if its a last minute thing I would've thought you just get on whatever plane is actually available at a vaguely decent price?

Karin Kurosaki (12:03): And then you can just kinda make it up as you go along! Drop stuff off at a hotel and then just pick a direction and walk, see what you can discover

Karin Kurosaki (12:04): Or maybe ask hotel staff what's good to do, I'm sure they'd have decent suggestions

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:06): Would you really just go to a random country and just pick what to do by total chance?

Karin Kurosaki (12:08): Yeah why not? I mean there are some places that I would for sure plan out because I know going in that there's lots I'd wanna do there but if I'm going to some random country that I don't know too much about? Why not make it up and just have fun and be spontaneous, it's like the one time you're unable to overthink might as well take advantage

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:09): I never even thought of it that way

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:10): I do see what you're saying and I agree to an extent, but realistically you can't just go to a random country for a few days

Karin Kurosaki (12:11): Why not though

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:11): Travel vaccinations for one

Karin Kurosaki (12:12): Well damn ok, that is very true

Karin Kurosaki (12:13): But I mean you travel somewhat regularly for work though right? Surely you've had the vaccinations you need already

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:14): Which vaccinations you need depend on the country??

Karin Kurosaki (12:15): I mean yeah but disease is not all that wildly different as long as you stay in the same climate I think?

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:17): Possibly? I'm not sure, I just always check the specific country I'm travelling to and make sure I'm covered for that

Karin Kurosaki (12:18): Actually this is how you decide which country to spontaneously go to. Make a list of which countries you can safely travel to and then just pick one out of those, this method means you're covered and it gives you a handy dandy shortlist!

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:19): Tempting, however that would still require a fair amount of research work and thinking about it if I'm gonna travel anywhere I should really just go and visit home

Karin Kurosaki (12:21): Oh my gosh yeah why don't you?

Karin Kurosaki (12:22): Get out of the city for a bit, visit your parents for a couple of days, sounds like a good idea to me?

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:24): Well it would be my grandmother and my sister rather than parents, but yeah actually, I haven't seen them in months because I keep being busy

Karin Kurosaki (12:25): Oh sorry, my bad. Did your sister stay in the village you grew up in then? But yeah exactly! It gets you out of the house, should hopefully take your mind off things as well, you get to see family, it's all sounds good to me

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:27): Not originally no, but my grandmother isn't really able to live on her own any more

Karin Kurosaki (12:30): Ah I see, happens to the best of us unfortunately

Karin Kurosaki (12:31): More reason to go visit though, if you're grandmother's getting to that point in her life

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:33): That is very true

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:34): Actually yeah, I am gonna go back home for a few days

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:34): Thank you for the idea

Karin Kurosaki (12:35): I mean it was definitely your idea, I just encouraged you :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:36): Depressingly I don't think it would've occurred to me if you hadn't started talking about travel so thank you all the same

Karin Kurosaki (12:38): Honestly I think that just shows how burnt out you are atm, seems like you've gotten too stuck in this pattern of wake up, go to work, come home, sleep, repeat

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:39): I think you're right, I haven't broken away from routine in god knows how long

Karin Kurosaki (12:41): Hmm, we need to get you a friend who'll drag you out of that routine from time to time I think

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:42): Seems like you've become that friend?

Karin Kurosaki (12:43): Huh

Karin Kurosaki (12:43): So I have

Karin Kurosaki (12:44): Well now you've gotta keep me around :P

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:46): Seems so

Baby-Faced Smartass (12:48): Well if I'm gonna get to my grandmother's by a decent time today I should get a move on, I'll talk to you later though

Karin Kurosaki (12:49): Sounds good, safe travels :)

Chapter Text

Baby-Faced Smartass (22:36): Can I ask you something?

Karin Kurosaki (22:43): I mean you can always ask, I withhold the right to not answer depending on the question though :P

Baby-Faced Smartass (22:45): You genuinely seem pretty skilled at knowing when you need to relax, which is clearly something I'm lacking so I've gotta ask, how do you develop such a skill?

Karin Kurosaki (22:47): Well to be blunt I was pretty much forced into learning it

Baby-Faced Smartass (22:47): Oh?

Karin Kurosaki (22:49): Yeah I actually used to be way more like intense and serious overall? Like if I had a goal I wouldn't stop for anything until I achieved it, but in a really unhealthy way to be honest? Like I wouldn't quit things even if I hated them and didn't really wanna do them just so I wouldn't be a “quitter” that sort of thing

Karin Kurosaki (22:52): But then I ended up getting one hell of a reality check when I got hit by a car haha *sweat drop emoji* I wasn't paying enough attention because of being so exhausted from pushing myself too hard. And like if that wasn't reason enough to learn how to chill out, I ended up on bed rest for ages so I really did have to learn how to just relax and not go at 100mph all the time otherwise I think I just would've gone insane

Karin Kurosaki (22:53): So er in my case I learnt by going too far and having to claw my way back in desperation and 0/10 would not recommend haha

Karin Kurosaki (22:55): But in all seriousness while it sucked it did demonstrate quite clearly that life really can end whenever so why waste so much time torturing yourself? Obviously you need to work for the future and all but it's not worth your present being completely awful you know?

Baby-Faced Smartass (22:59): God I don't even know what to say, I mean it must've sucked to go through all of that, I'm sorry that you did

Baby-Faced Smartass (22:59): Works wonders for making me realise how crucial it is to balance out work though at least?

Karin Kurosaki (23:00): Well I mean it definitely did suck, but I'm also not really sorry that it happened? Kinda felt like it needed to happen in a way tbh, like the universe itself was telling me to slow the fuck down

Karin Kurosaki (23:01): And oh for sure, definitely worked wonders on me too lmao

Karin Kurosaki (23:03): But yeah I think a lot of being better at relaxing is just self-awareness really?

Karin Kurosaki (23:04): Like once you've reached the realisation that you need to slow down all you gotta do is just get better at recognising when you've had enough and stepping back for a bit when you're reaching that point. Which I know is a lot easier said than done but hey everything gets better with practice

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:07): Definitely is easier said than done but I do see what you mean. I think I have this permanent impression that it's really hard to balance work with other aspects of life, and it is to an extent, but you're right when you say that all I've actually got to do is step back for a bit.

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:08): It's funny because you get it into your head that it would be such a juggling act to be great at your job and also have a social life so you end up just focusing on the work side even though all you really need to do is just do something else for a few hours a week?

Karin Kurosaki (23:11): EXACTLY like it's so easy to end up thinking you can only do that one thing or else you won't be as good at it? And I mean sure, if I studied constantly maybe my grades would be a little better? But like what's half a grade really? Sacrificing sleep, decent food, socialising etc. straight up means you just burn out instead which believe me results in much worse grades than I would've gotten if I had just let myself recharge every so often

Karin Kurosaki (23:12): Like I'm sure it probably does mean you drop down in performance a little bit but god I'm so much happier than I was

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:14): Yeah

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:14): I'm glad that you're happier now

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:15): Objectively what you're saying is all very obvious and yet it never really occurred to me to think of it that simply

Karin Kurosaki (23:16): Moral of the story is literally everyone needs to stop overthinking so much and listen to the immature side of you that wants to play video games every so often

Karin Kurosaki (23:17): Actually I'm super intrigued now what does the immature side of you want? Personally mine never shuts up about junk food, video games, and hanging out with friends unless it's a deadline week

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:18): I don't know about 'immature side' as such, but I do know that ideally I would want to spend more time with loved ones

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:20): If I'm honest it kind of made my heart sink when I realised I hadn't seen my family in just over 8 months

Karin Kurosaki (23:21): I mean that's a great start for now in terms of things to do outside of work

Karin Kurosaki 23:22): Gosh 8 months! My dad would kidnap me and drag me back home if I didn't visit semi regularly

Karin Kurosaki (23:23): How is your family by the way? Did you get down there ok?

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:24): Travel was fine, I got here by about half 4 and was immediately put to work by helping out with a large family dinner. And they're both doing well, my grandmother perhaps better than I was expecting which is a relief

Karin Kurosaki (23:25): I'm glad :) A large family dinner? Isn't there just the 3 of you?

Karin Kurosaki (23:26): And how are you now that you've gone back home for a bit?

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:28): Oh believe me that does not stop my grandma

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:29): In some ways I'm feeling really guilty, they were so happy to see me, which just made me realise that it really has been ages since I saw them last, but then everything just fell back into the same routine as when we were kids which I think I needed

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:30): So overall I would say I'm feeling better, but jesus I need to set aside time to visit more often

Karin Kurosaki (23:33): You're grandma sounds amazing :') It sucks that you're feeling guilty but then it sounds like you could maybe use that to motivate yourself to take time from work every so often which is good

Karin Kurosaki (23:34): Also not to be mean but like man not visiting in that long is pretty bad like I do think you need to visit more often

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:36): Oh definitely, I'm 100% with you on that

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:37): Anyway I should get some sleep, my grandma's decided to take advantage of my being here and is planning on putting me to work in the garden tomorrow and she wakes up even earlier than I do so

Karin Kurosaki (23:39): God earlier than you? You'd have to set off a bomb to wake me up before 6 like jeez

Karin Kurosaki (23:40): But yeah no fair enough :') Go get some sleep before Grandma unleashes her garden tasks on your untrained city boy self

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:41): Listen you're not supposed to make me laugh when everyone else is asleep

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:41): And also to be fair I only wake up at 6 for work, on off days I tend to wake up more around 7, maybe 8

Karin Kurosaki (23:42): Ah...yes...so much better, definitely still not early as hell

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:43): You really are gonna die when you start your placement next week huh

Karin Kurosaki (23:43): I sure fucking am!

Karin Kurosaki (23:44): But anyway yes stop getting distracted talking to me go to sleep :')

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:45): Yeah alright, goodnight

Karin Kurosaki (23:45): Goodnight! xx

Karin Kurosaki (06:21): It's the dreaded day and I am feeling truly awful

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:23): Were you able to get much sleep in the end?

Karin Kurosaki (06:24): A whole 3 hours!!

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:24): Ouch

Karin Kurosaki (06:25): Yep! Can't wait to accidentally fall asleep during the introduction sessions and give a terrible first impression

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:27): I'm sure you won't actually fall asleep

Karin Kurosaki (06:28): I'm glad somebody's sure

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:28): Normally I would say to make sure to have coffee but you don't actually like it so I'm not sure what the alternative suggestion would be

Karin Kurosaki (06:29): Sugar I guess? It's a balancing act though because if you have too much you end up just crashing later

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:31): Do you actually use sugar to keep you awake?

Karin Kurosaki (06:32): Maybe

Karin Kurosaki (06:32): Only in like extreme cases where I've got a deadline on my ass or whatever, I don't do it that often because obviously it's not good for you

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:33): You do it often enough to know it's a balancing act though I see

Karin Kurosaki (06:33): Listen I did not ask for my eating habits to be questioned this early in the morning I can't defend myself properly yet

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:34): Speaking of you not being awake enough yet are you out of bed?

Karin Kurosaki (06:35): Nope :(

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:35): Shouldn't you be?

Karin Kurosaki (06:35): Yes :(

Karin Kurosaki (06:36): Bed's too warm

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:37): You can't be late on your first day come on

Baby-Faced Smartass (06:38): I've gotta get a move on but I know damn well you'll fall back asleep if I stop messaging you while you're still in bed so get out of it

Karin Kurosaki (06:38): Fine :(

Karin Kurosaki (06:39): But only because I don't want to make you late and it's cute that you care enough to delay getting ready to make sure I'm up

Baby-Faced Smartass (07:02): You are out of bed now right?

Karin Kurosaki (07:03): Yep

Baby-Faced Smartass (07:11): Have you got enough time to get ready before half past?

Karin Kurosaki (07:47): Had to rush a little bit but got on the train in time thank god

Karin Kurosaki (07:48): I didn't delay you at all did I?

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:06): No it's fine, I got here in plenty of time

Karin Kurosaki (08:07): Got here?? How is working before 8:00 not illegal I mean really

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:09): To be fair I had a rare morning meeting at 7:30 because of timezone differences. The usual start time is actually 8:30, the idea is to give us half an hour to send emails and whatnot to clients so we can get a head start on any communication that needs to happen asap

Karin Kurosaki (08:11): Well sure when you put it that way it makes sense but man you'd have to pay me so much to start work that early

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:12): I mean...

Karin Kurosaki (08:12): Oh yeah they do pay you a lot fair enough then I guess lmao

Karin Kurosaki (08:13): Although saying that getting up that early has caused me to feel genuinely ill so idk if it's worth it

Karin Kurosaki (08:13): I used to be able to manage with a few hours of sleep what happened

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:15): You're not a kid any more, simple as unfortunately

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:16): I'm sorry that you're feeling that bad though, have you eaten anything?

Karin Kurosaki (08:17): Nah, didn't get a chance

Karin Kurosaki (08:17): But that's whatever honestly, I don't eat breakfast very often

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:19): Well you need to get energy in you one way or another considering you didn't get anywhere near enough sleep

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:20): Buy some fruit if you can, that way you'll get some healthy sugars in you, plus if you've got food in you your body will handle painkillers way better if you end up needing them

Karin Kurosaki (08:21): The thought of eating is a little repulsive atm if I'm honest but you've got a point

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:22): Yeah I would still eat anyway, from the sounds of it you're going to feel awful regardless, might as well have enough energy for the day

Karin Kurosaki (08:34): Managed to grab food and only be like a minute late, I might just survive today

Baby-Faced Smartass (08:36): That's good, here's hoping. But anyway I need to get on with work and so do you

Karin Kurosaki (08:37): Yep yep, will message you later x

Chapter Text

Karin Kurosaki (19:11): Lowkey feels like the people traffic in Tokyo was ridiculously awful today on purpose just to prove your point about commuting you know

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:17): Didn't you finish at 5pm? It took you 2 hours to get home? You must be exhausted

Karin Kurosaki (19:18): Unfortunately :( I straight up feel like death and I cannot wait to go to bed

Karin Kurosaki (19:18): Although going to bed inevitably means getting up tomorrow and doing this all over again SIGH

Karin Kurosaki (19:19): But yeah idk maybe today was just especially bad for whatever reason? Like traffic wasn't that bad coming in

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:21): Well hopefully at least tomorrow you'll have more than 3 hours sleep

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:21): Didn't you arrive early today because the introduction stuff started at 8:30 though? That might've been enough time for it to not quite be rush hour in the city centre itself

Karin Kurosaki (19:21): Well true, but I've always gotta arrive early to get changed and signed in and whatnot so with any luck coming in generally won't be an issue. But yeah 5 o'clock finish time is right on rush hour huh

Karin Kurosaki (19:22): Wait actually I don't know why I'm trying to guess this you live in Tokyo right? Do you know if the Hibiya line is just always busy in the evening? That's the thing that delayed me

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:23): The Hibiya line? You're taking the Hibiya line?

Karin Kurosaki (19:23): Yes?

Karin Kurosaki (19:25): ??

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:26): Sorry I just wasn't expecting that, I get the same train

Karin Kurosaki (19:26): WAIT DO YOU REALLY??

Karin Kurosaki (19:27): YOU'RE TELLING ME WE COULD'VE BEEN ON THE SAME TRAIN????

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:28): Well no, I had that early meeting in the morning and I'm still at work right now so there's no way we would've been on the same train today

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:28): But otherwise yes, evidently it's a possibility

Karin Kurosaki (19:29): I'm in fucking shock my dude what are the chances of that like???

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:31): Yeah I'm definitely surprised as well

Karin Kurosaki (19:32): I legit don't know how to feel lmao I just kinda thought of you as separate I never thought we'd end up in literally the same area

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:34): Now that I'm thinking about it it probably should've occurred to me, my work's right in the centre, which naturally is where a lot of the hospitals are

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:35): But still yeah, I didn't really think of you as someone I could just come across

Karin Kurosaki (19:36): RIGHT like man

Karin Kurosaki (19:36): It's weird to think about

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:39): I just thought did you want an answer to your question?

Karin Kurosaki (19:40): My question?

Karin Kurosaki (19:40): Oh right right yes actually

Baby-Faced Smartass (19:43): If you leave at 5pm it does usually take some time to get onto a Hibiya train, I've just made it a habit to leave around 6pm instead which is quieter. It's still busy with it being right in the centre but nothing like having to wait around in a packed crowd for 20-30 minutes like it is at 5.

Karin Kurosaki (19:45): Hmm ok, I'll keep that in mind. I wasn't a fan of the experience, but my work's a bit different, I can't just hang around and do more just to avoid rush hour so I may have to suck it up but we'll see I guess

“Are you alright?”

Toshiro jerked up from his phone to see his PA, Rangiku, standing in front of him with a concerned look on her face. “Oh...Yeah I'm fine, just a little thrown off is all.”

The concern on Rangiku's face worsened. “Is everything ok? It's not your grandmother is it?”

He shook his head quickly, “Oh no nothing like that, she's fine, it's nothing serious.” Toshiro sighed when he noticed his PA wasn't planning on leaving without an explanation. “You know Karin?”

“Of course.”

“Turns out from today she's getting the same train that I do.”

A grin immediately appeared on Rangiku's face. “Oh my god! That's fate if I ever heard it.”

Toshiro shook his head, speaking quieter. “I mean statistically speaking we're still unlikely to run into each other.”

Rangiku paused for a moment before she perched on the edge of his desk, analysing his face. “Do you want to run into her?”

Toshiro wanted to shrug off the question, say that it was pointless speculation anyway, but Rangiku's serious expression made him falter. “I don't know.”

“Want my honest opinion?”

Toshiro glanced at her, wary. “I suppose.”

“It seems like you're scared of running into her. You might wanna think about why that is. I mean teasing aside from my perspective you two seem to get along really well, if you're in the same area anyway why not meet up?”

“...I don't want it to go wrong.”

“You won't know how it'll go if you never try. And I bet you'll regret not trying.”

Toshiro looked up at her and then down to the phone still in his hand. “Yeah...Maybe.”

The universe had to be messing with him, he was sure of it. Toshiro had meant to think about whether he genuinely wanted to meet up with Karin or not. It had been at the back of his mind constantly. After all Rangiku had a point, he should at least figure out what his feelings were on the matter. Unfortunately with yet another big project going on at work he hadn't really gotten a chance to sit down and just think about what he wanted. Which meant he had no idea how to feel right now. There was no way this woman wasn't Karin. Sure, he had never actually seen her properly but everything about her just screamed Karin. The long black hair tied up into a ponytail. The black winged eyeliner and lightly red lipstick that was just about subtle enough for work but still reminded him of the photo on her whatsapp profile. The red leather jacket. Hell the exact red leather jacket she had sent him a photo of in fact. The annoyingly long legs which did, he realised, make her just shy of his height. He frowned when he spotted the several scars on her right hand, wondering how and when she got those.

It was only when she turned her head towards him that Toshiro realised he must've been staring at her. His head snapped back to looking in front of him, embarrassed, and at a total loss of what to do. Should he talk to her? What if it wasn't actually Karin? He glanced back at her to find her still looking at him, smiling briefly before looking away. He almost panicked, thinking she had recognised him before remembering that she had no idea what he looked like. That would've made things a lot easier though Toshiro thought, he doubted Karin would hesitate to talk to him if she spotted him.

He looked at her again and it dawned on him that he wanted her to talk to him. He was scared of doing it, at least if she started the conversation he'd know she was interested in making things face to face. But she couldn't, how could she know it was him? And it was unfair to put everything on her anyway. He resolved to ignore his fears and try and talk to her anyway, turning to face her properly. He started to weave his way through the other passengers, stepping back when they reached the next station, trying to keep out of the way of people getting off. Once the new passengers were on and the doors had shut he moved along again to the spot where she was. Toshiro's heart sank as he realised she wasn't there any more. He looked round the carriage, trying to spot if she had moved to somewhere else but he couldn't find her. Toshiro sighed as he leaned against the train wall. Typical. He spent so long trying to figure out whether to talk to her or not that she had ended up getting off the train before he could even try.

Toshiro rubbed his face vigorously and sighed, frustrated with himself. He had spent almost twenty minutes now writing and rewriting a single sentence text message. Telling himself he just wanted to get the wording right. As if that was the actual reason why he hadn't just sent the damn thing. He had wanted to talk to her, that was undeniable at this point. He repeated the words his PA had told him, probably for the fourth time already, that he wasn't going to know how it went until he tried. And besides, when he told Karin two weeks ago that they were taking the same train she seemed, well, excited maybe? And it wasn't like she had ever pushed him away, even when he had accidentally pushed boundaries. Toshiro quickly pressed the send button before he could second guess himself for the umpteenth time that day. He let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding when he saw the little received icon. He was nervous about seeing her reaction, but it was done now, no going back.

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:47): I think I saw you today

Chapter Text

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:47): I think I saw you today

Toshiro had barely put the phone down on his bedside table, intending to finish getting ready for bed, when it vibrated several times. His stomach twisted with nerves, but unable to resist checking what she had said, he picked the phone back up again and immediately opened up their text conversation.

Karin Kurosaki (23:48): WHAT

Karin Kurosaki (23:48): WAIT REALLY??

Karin Kurosaki (23:48): You really think you saw me today?? On the train I assume??

Karin Kurosaki (23:49): If you thought it was me why didn't you come up and say hi? :(

Toshiro smiled as he sat down on his bed, feeling relieved that Karin seemed interested in making this face to face as well, that she wanted him to talk to her if he spotted her.

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:51): Well to be fair, I wasn't 100% sure it was you

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:51): I'm fairly sure it was, but I didn't want to just start talking to some random woman assuming it was you

Karin Kurosaki (23:52): Well ok I see where you're coming from

Karin Kurosaki (23:53): What was maybe Karin wearing?

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:55): Black jeans and a red leather jacket is all I really noticed clothes wise

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:55): Admittedly it was the same jacket you sent me a photo of before

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:56): But that's still not exactly unique

Karin Kurosaki (23:56): Hmm

Karin Kurosaki (23:57): I was wearing black jeans and that red leather jacket, but yeah, I see your point, that hardly guarantees it was me

Karin Kurosaki (23:57): What else did you notice?

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:59): Well the woman on the train was fairly tall, had her hair up in a ponytail, had winged eyeliner on, had earphones in, and had a fair few scars on her hand, right hand I think?

Baby-Faced Smartass (23:59): I also definitely made eye contact with her/possibly you at some point

Karin Kurosaki (23:59): Omg ok no that was definitely me

Karin Kurosaki (00:00): Wait wait wait

Karin Kurosaki (00:00): WAIT

Karin Kurosaki (00:00): Eye contact?

Karin Kurosaki (00:01): Do you by any chance have white hair, blue eyes, and was wearing a dark blue suit today?

Baby-Faced Smartass (00:02): Yes actually

Karin Kurosaki (00:02): YOU WERE THE HOT GUY ON THE TRAIN??

Baby-Faced Smartass (00:02): What??

Karin Kurosaki (00:03): I cannot believe you've been THAT attractive this entire time and didn't even tell me goddamn

Baby-Faced Smartass (00:03): I don't even know what to say to that

Karin Kurosaki (00:04): Man I noticed you looking at me on the train and I was legit thinking about coming up and talking to you but my stop was literally the next one coming up so I figured it wasn't worth it

Karin Kurosaki (00:05): BUT MAN, if I'd known it was you I definitely would've talked to you anyway

Karin Kurosaki (00:05): Also I take back the baby-face comments you're now Sexy Smartass in my phone

Sexy Smartass (00:06): Missing your stop just to talk to me seems a little excessive? You're always tired after work I don't want to delay you from getting home

Sexy Smartass (00:06): Sexy??

Sexy Smartass (00:07): Maybe just refer to me by name??

Karin Kurosaki (00:08): I mean it's you? We've been talking for months and I'd say we're good friends at this point, of course I'd miss my stop to talk to you in person for the first time?

Karin Kurosaki (00:09): And you've never given me your full name!

Sexy Smartass (00:10): But I mean that's a huge inconvenience

Sexy Smartass (00:10): Huh I guess that's true

Sexy Smartass (00:11): My first name is Toshiro

Karin Kurosaki (00:12): I mean it's not that big of a deal, it's easy enough to get off when we're done talking and just switch platforms and get the same train back to my actual stop

Karin Kurosaki (00:12): Ah perfect! You're now Sexy Toshiro in my phone

Toshiro (00:13): I mean it's you we're talking about here, do you think we'd be done talking in the 30 something minutes it takes to reach the train terminus

Toshiro (00:14): Oh for god's sake

Karin Kurosaki (00:14): I'm kidding I'm kidding, you're just Toshiro in my phone now I promise

Karin Kurosaki (00:15): Also I want to be offended but honestly that's true if I click with someone I will just talk to them for hours and hours

Toshiro (00:16): Oh believe me, I know that you'll talk to people for hours and hours

Karin Kurosaki (00:16): :P

Karin Kurosaki (00:17): But god!! How crazy! It was already bizarre that we ended up in the same area, but we actually ended up on the same train! We've actually seen each other in person now!

Toshiro (00:18): Yeah

Toshiro (00:18): I did have a feeling it was you but it's still surreal to have it confirmed

Karin Kurosaki (00:19): Oh for sure

Karin Kurosaki (00:20): I just know I'm gonna like subconsciously end up keeping an eye out for you on the train now that I know what you look like haha *sweat drop emoji*

Karin Kurosaki (00:21): Actually now that we've like actually seen each other in person maybe it's worth just meeting up? You know instead of waiting to see if we bump into each other on the train again? Maybe?

Toshiro (00:23): I have to admit I'm a little nervous about meeting up in person but I do want to

Toshiro (00:23): It is daft to wait around hoping the universe will just bring us together or something

Karin Kurosaki (00:24): Oh I get you, meeting up with anyone for the first time is always a little nerve wracking but I'm sure it'll be fine

Karin Kurosaki (00:25): So we're doing this? Officially meeting up in person?

Toshiro (00:26): I guess so, as long as you want to that is?

Karin Kurosaki (00:26): Oh I want to!

Karin Kurosaki (00:27): Working it around your currently ridiculous schedule might be a bit of a challenge though

Toshiro (00:27): That's true, everything's hectic right now

Toshiro (00:29): The current project I'm on should hopefully be done by next week with any luck though

Karin Kurosaki (00:30): Ok so I guess we just organise it after that then?

Karin Kurosaki (00:30): I'm thinking we meet up on a Friday after we're both done with work?

Toshiro (00:31): Would you want to meet up after work? I know you're on your feet constantly and you never get enough sleep, wouldn't you be tired?

Karin Kurosaki (00:32): Well yeah, I am always tired after work but I imagine it would fit better into both of our schedules if we do it after work as we don't have to spend too much extra time travelling or whatever? Like we're both in the city centre then

Toshiro (00:33): Well true, but I try my best to be free on the weekends, we could just meet up then?

Toshiro (00:33): Oh wait no you use the weekends to study don't you?

Karin Kurosaki (00:34): I do indeed

Karin Kurosaki (00:35): So yeah, I mean I might be a bit tired, but I feel like we'd just end up in a cafe or something like that anyway? Not anything strenuous lmao. So after work is fine, but yeah Friday is still the best day for me because then I don't have to get up early the next day

Karin Kurosaki (00:36): And neither do you but you'll do it anyway because you get up early naturally like some kind of heathen

Toshiro (00:37): Fair enough, in that case Friday after work sounds like a plan

Toshiro (00:38): Speaking of getting up early though, we both need to be up tomorrow, we should figure out details another time

Karin Kurosaki (00:39): Ugh that's true, when did it get past half midnight?

Karin Kurosaki (00:40): Got too excited at the prospect of finally meeting you properly I guess :P

Toshiro (00:42): Yes well, as I said we should both get some sleep

Karin Kurosaki (00:43): Yep yep, goodnight Toshiro x

Toshiro (00:43): Goodnight x

Toshiro stared at his phone, unmoving. Despite feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off of his chest he still felt like he was filled with nerves. Said nerves jolted as he reread Karin's “Got too excited at the prospect of finally meeting you properly I guess :P”. He was excited too he realised, nervous, but excited. Excited to meet her properly, excited that she was excited with him. It had been ages since he actually felt excited for something, even if it did also make his stomach feel unsettled.

Toshiro finished his usual bedtime routine, made sure he had everything ready for work tomorrow, made sure he locked his front door, brushed his teeth. Lying under his bed sheets in the dark of night, he glanced towards the clock on his bedside table. It was nearing 1 in the morning, but he still felt wide awake.

Karin Kurosaki (06:14): You know, you'd think getting up early regularly for almost 3 weeks now would make it easier

Karin Kurosaki (06:15): It does not

Karin Kurosaki (06:16): I'm literally just as sleepy in the morning now as I was 2-3 weeks ago

Karin Kurosaki (06:19): Ugh and you're presumably showering or something so I don't even have your replies to keep me awake how unfortunate

Karin Kurosaki (06:27): I feel like you usually reply by now is everything's good?

Karin Kurosaki (06:43): I hope deciding to meet up didn't freak you out?

Karin Kurosaki (06:48): Toshiro?

Karin Kurosaki (06:51): ???

Toshiro (06:53): Oh god I overslept

Toshiro (06:54): Hang on I gotta get ready for work or else I'm gonna be late I'll message you later I promise

Karin Kurosaki (06:57): Ohhhhhh

Karin Kurosaki (06:58): Thank god its just that

Karin Kurosaki (06:58): Yeah you're not used to staying up late huh

Karin Kurosaki (06:59): I wish you luck with getting to work on time

Toshiro (12:37): Sorry, I couldn't message you before I only got here about 10 minutes before start time and it's been busy

Toshiro (12:38): It's just as well you were messaging me, I don't think I would've woken up otherwise

Toshiro (12:39): And no, I wasn't ignoring you or anything like that, I really did just oversleep, I don't think I fell asleep until after 2am, which is super late for me, I'm sorry if I worried you

Toshiro (12:42): If I'm honest I am a little freaked out about meeting up, but in a good way? I am anxious about it but it's because I want it to go well, so I kinda ended up not sleeping till late because I was feeling nervous but excited about the whole thing

Karin Kurosaki (14:13): Gosh of all the days I couldn't get my lunch break to match up with yours

Karin Kurosaki (14:15): But yeah don't worry about it, I'm sorry I kinda just jumped to conclusions haha *sweat drop emoji* I'm in the same boat as you honestly, I think the reason why I got so worried is because I'm really nervous about it too you know? So I guess I'm like more on edge than I usually am

Karin Kurosaki (14:15): Still excited too though

Karin Kurosaki (14:17): And I'm glad I could return the morning wake up favour for once :') It's funny, I fell asleep later than I should've as well because I was feeling the same, but I guess I'm more used to dealing with a lack of sleep than you are

Toshiro (17:23): You try to match up your lunch break with mine?

Toshiro (17:25): But yeah it's a relief to know that you're feeling the same. And yeah definitely, you seem to go to work regularly on anywhere between 4-6 hours of sleep and somehow manage, I'm used to a certain routine and generally get enough sleep so only getting around 4 meant I just slept straight through my alarm

Karin Kurosaki (17:38): Listen shush I may or may not have sent that impulsively you weren't supposed to notice it

Karin Kurosaki (17:39): And alarm? Singular?? That's confident of you, I set like 10 of those bad boys

Toshiro (17:42): Ah my mistake, apologies for reading the messages you send me

Toshiro (17:43): And 1 alarm has always worked for me before, I've never really had reason to deviate from routine before, it's only today that it failed

Karin Kurosaki (17:46): Well jeez, that sounds kinda depressing

Karin Kurosaki (17:46): You know me being me I'm totally gonna ruin that routine

Karin Kurosaki (17:47): I never leave you alone now, let alone when we actually meet up in person

Karin Kurosaki (17:48): I can already think of like 3 hole in the wall restaurants that I bet your moderately wealthy ass has never come across that I wanna show you

Karin Kurosaki (17:48): I'd get in the habit of setting more than 1 alarm now :P

Toshiro (17:50): You can't stay up too late either! You're on this placement till after the new year, that's months of having to get up early

Toshiro (17:51): Maybe you should consider getting more of a routine in your life rather than messing up mine

Karin Kurosaki (17:53): Hmm, my night owl tendencies vs your early bird tendencies aka what will happen when unstoppable force meets unmovable object

Toshiro (17:54): We both have to get up at 6! I am not staying up past midnight on work days

Karin Kurosaki (17:55): What about non work days though?

Toshiro (17:56): I'll give you a bit more leeway, but even then I don't want to stay up too late and mess up routine for the other days

Toshiro (17:56): And besides how late could you even stay in Tokyo? When does the last train back home leave for you?

Karin Kurosaki (17:57): Already an old man at the grand old age of 24 how tragic

Karin Kurosaki (17:58): Oh that's actually a really good point I should check hang on

Karin Kurosaki (18:01): Last train is a little after 11pm :(

Toshiro (18:03): That's actually later than I thought it would be, I would try to leave earlier to be honest

Karin Kurosaki (18:04): On non work days though? Like on Friday we both have nothing the next day so being out till 11 really doesn't seem that bad

Toshiro (18:06): Yeah but even then, isn't your commute almost an hour? You'd get back at midnight which still seems too late

Toshiro (18:06): And if I'm totally honest the idea of you walking back from the train station to your flat that late makes me uneasy, that's not exactly safe

Karin Kurosaki (18:07): It's literally like an 8 minute walk through a lit and cctved bit of town it's not that bad, I've done it before

Karin Kurosaki (18:08): Plus I can handle myself fine

Toshiro (18:09): You're probably right but that's not gonna stop me worrying

Karin Kurosaki (18:11): I mean that's sweet, but you don't have to worry about me like that

Toshiro (18:12): I worried about you like that within the first week of us talking, it's a done deal at this point

Toshiro (18:17): To be clear obviously I'm not gonna try and stop you from doing anything you want to do or anything like that, it's just that naturally I'm going to worry about you because we're friends, and I tend to err on the side of caution anyway

Toshiro (18:18): I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable

Karin Kurosaki (18:19): Yeah ok fair enough

Karin Kurosaki (18:20): Sorry I know I get defensive about this kinda stuff, but between being the youngest in the family and going through that car accident and everything people tend to get overprotective of me and I just hate it tbh

Karin Kurosaki (18:21): I know it's coming from a good place but it just rubs me the wrong way you know? Like I'm 21 I can make my own decisions

Toshiro (18:22): Sure, I think that's totally understandable. I'm not trying to shield you from everything or anything, it's just as I said, I care about you therefore I worry

Toshiro (18:23): Also full disclosure my sister has unfortunately gone through shit because of another person so I know I can lean towards being overly protective because of that. I try my best not to though

Karin Kurosaki (18:25): Ahhh ok that helps, to know I mean, makes your protective instinct make more sense

Karin Kurosaki (18:26): That sucks though about your sister, is she ok now?

Toshiro (18:28): More or less, I think it's always going to stick with her to an extent but she's so much better than she was

Karin Kurosaki (18:29): Oh that's good, I'm glad that she's been able to recover at least somewhat

Toshiro (18:29): Yeah

Karin Kurosaki (18:31): But yeah ok maybe we can do some kind of compromise? If I'm honest no one's ever gonna be able to stop me from doing the things I wanna do but like if things do end up going late and I get the last train I can make sure to text you or something when I get home so you know I got back safe?

Toshiro (18:34): That's fair, I don't want to try and stop you from doing things you want to do either, but I would definitely appreciate knowing you're safe

Karin Kurosaki (18:35): Well ok, if I do end up leaving Tokyo late I promise I'll let you know when I get back home then

Toshiro (18:36): Thank you

Toshiro (16:41): The legal team have finally confirmed that the contracts have all gone through, the project I was working on is officially done and dusted

Toshiro (16:42): So I'm now much more available

Karin Kurosaki (17:19): Ah cool! I'm glad it's all done and you get to work relatively peacefully (until the next big project that is)

Toshiro (17:20): Ugh don't remind me

Karin Kurosaki (17:21): Sorry :')

Karin Kurosaki (17:22): So you still up for meeting up? I probably wouldn't say this Friday, because that's like only 2 days away and big projects always seem to wipe you out, so next Friday?

Karin Kurosaki (17:23): On the 14^th?

Toshiro (17:25): Sure I guess? I don't have anything in particular scheduled that day except for the standard work day so it should be fine

Karin Kurosaki (17:26): Cool ok, so definitely the 14^th then? We'll meet up after work?

Toshiro (17:27): Yeah

Karin Kurosaki (17:28): Did you have anywhere in mind to meet up? Because I was kinda thinking outside of my work? It's right on the Hibiya line so it's definitely easy to travel to as you already get that train, plus it's a hospital so it's got cameras all over the front entrance, security, etc so

Karin Kurosaki (17:29): Not that I don't trust you but like you can't not factor that stuff in when meeting up with someone you came across online/in text you know?

Toshiro (17:30): No yeah that's fair enough, but are you sure you'd want me to know where you work right off the bat for exactly that reason?

Karin Kurosaki (17:32): I get you, but I don't know how to pick a neutral location without needing to know where the other works? Because the only way to pick a decent meeting place would be to know the distance from both work addresses, and my work's safer for that

Karin Kurosaki (17:33): As I say there's cameras, security, plus you won't know what ward I'm on, you can't just get into said wards, and I won't be working at that hospital in 2 and a half months so? Might as well just meet up there?

Toshiro (17:35): Oh I see your point, the city's way too big to be able to pick a place and be sure it works for both of us without researching travel a dozen times

Toshiro (17:35): But are you sure you're comfortable giving away your work location?

Toshiro (17:36): Actually I really hope you are because I've just remembered that there's only one hospital right on the Hibiya line

Karin Kurosaki (17:37): Ah, so you're already familiar :') Nah it's good don't worry, I'm comfortable with you knowing

Toshiro (17:39): Oh good, ok yeah given that I do know where you work now anyway, might as well meet you at the front of the hospital?

Karin Kurosaki (17:40): Sounds like a plan! I know I finish at 5 but I probably won't actually be at the front till like 20 past because of having to change and all that just to let you know

Toshiro (17:42): That's fine, I'll have to double check timings but I imagine I won't be able to get there till about half past anyway

Karin Kurosaki (17:43): Cool cool

Karin Kurosaki (17:44): Gosh ok! So it's official, we're meeting up on the 14^th at around half past 5 at the hospital!

Toshiro (17:46): Yep

Karin Kurosaki (17:47): God I shouldn't be so nervous about it but here I am anyway

Toshiro (17:48): Thank god it's not just me

Karin Kurosaki (17:49): Not just you :')

Karin Kurosaki (17:50): But anyway, it's looking like I gotta fight to get on this next train so I'll talk to you later x

Toshiro (17:51): Good luck

Karin Kurosaki (17:51): Thanks! xx

Chapter Text

Karin Kurosaki (15:23): Ok I have just realised that I unfortunately messed up a little

Toshiro (15:26): Oh?

Karin Kurosaki (15:28): I forgot that I've got an academic day on the 14^th, which means I'm not even in Tokyo that day

Toshiro (15:29): Ah

Karin Kurosaki (15:29): BUT

Karin Kurosaki (15:31): I do still wanna meet you, and I know what your work's like, you can get super busy with barely any notice so I do still wanna meet on the 14^th? The only problem is that I won't know what time I can meet you until like 2 hours beforehand?

Karin Kurosaki (15:33): Lectures are timetabled to go on till 5, but they often finish an hour early, but not always, plus I'd wanna stop by my flat to drop off my laptop and stuff, so yeah I won't actually know what time I could get into Tokyo until the day? Like I could still be fine to meet you at half 5, but it could end up being more like half 6 depending on how things go

Karin Kurosaki (15:34): And like I'm personally ok with winging it but I don't know if you are? Especially as you might have to hang back at work or whatever so yeah...

Toshiro (15:36): Would you not just rather rearrange to Friday the week after?

Karin Kurosaki (15:37): Not really

Karin Kurosaki (15:37): I wanna meet you already

Karin Kurosaki (15:38): But I don't wanna make things too awkward for you so it depends

Karin Kurosaki (15:38): Like I imagine having to wait around at work or whatever till I get into the city centre would be a pain so yeah idk

Toshiro (15:39): Waiting around at work wouldn't be an issue, I pretty much do that anyway so I don't have to deal with rush hour

Toshiro (15:40): It's just that if I'm honest I'm already nervous about meeting up, not having a set time kinda makes that worse

Toshiro (15:40): It's not necessarily a deal breaker I'm just a little unsure

Karin Kurosaki (15:42): Ok well I mean I don't need an answer right now, you can think about it

Karin Kurosaki (15:43): Are you really that nervous?

Toshiro (15:44): Kinda yeah

Karin Kurosaki (15:45): Is there a particular reason? Maybe something I can help with?

Karin Kurosaki (15:48): I promise whatever it is I won't judge you for it, I'm sure I've probably thought the same thing, I'm nervous too after all :')

Toshiro (15:49): I think my biggest worry is whether we'll actually get along in real life? I can talk to you just fine over text but I've never been great in social situations so I'm worried that conversation isn't going to work in person

Karin Kurosaki (15:50): Ahhhh I get you I get you

Karin Kurosaki (15:51): I mean if I'm honest, it probably won't be the same? I can't imagine we'll meet and immediately hit it off and go into long deep conversations or whatever, I don't think that's how real life works haha

Karin Kurosaki (15:52): But I mean it's ok if it isn't smooth the first time we meet? I expect that to an extent? Going from only text to in person is kind of a jump, it probably will be awkward to begin with, just gotta get used to it

Karin Kurosaki (15:53): Oh actually I have an idea!

Karin Kurosaki (15:53): If you're up for it that is

Toshiro (15:55): Terrified but curious, go on

Karin Kurosaki (15:56): We could phone each other? Like try out actually talking to each other? Then maybe in person won't feel like as big of a difference

Toshiro (15:57): Oh maybe

Toshiro (15:57): That's a good idea actually

Karin Kurosaki (15:58): Yeah? You free now?

Toshiro (15:59): I guess so?

Toshiro startled slightly when his phone rang a split second after he sent that last message. He took a moment to check it actually was Karin phoning him before answering. “Hi?”

“Hi!” Karin spoke again after a silent pause between them. “It's weird hearing your voice for the first time.”

“Yeah.”

“It's deeper than I thought it would be.”

“Right back at you honestly.”

Karin laughed, “Yeah no I don't really have a super cutesy feminine voice huh, more husky I guess?”

“It suits you.”

Karin audibly exhaled as she smiled. “Thanks.” Another pause between them. She laughed slightly, “Man this really is awkward huh?”

Toshiro smiled despite himself. “Yeah.”

“God I should be better at this! I had a ton of conversation starters in my head but I've gone totally blank.”

Toshiro thought for a moment. “How's your day been so far?”

He heard Karin scoff. “Oh duh, how did I not think of that, see you're better at this than I am! I don't know what you're worried about. My day's been ok, typical Saturday really, woke up at like 12 and kinda just been messing around and procrastinating doing any actual work, you know, the usual. You?”

“Well I woke up at the actual adult time of 8-”

“-Ugh”

Toshiro smiled at the disgust in her voice, “Worked out, took a shower, had breakfast, cleaned the house up, had lunch and I was reading until you messaged me.”

“Well thank god I did!” Toshiro picked up on her teasing tone immediately. “What a boring day! I mean I guess the reading is ok but you're telling me you got up at 8 to work out and clean? Who the hell has the energy to exercise first thing in the morning anyway?”

Toshiro laughed slightly. “I tend to wake up feeling refreshed from sleep.”

“Sounds fake man. I have to go on my phone for like an hour just to stop myself from falling back asleep.”

“Oh I know.”

Karin laughed again. “Sorry.”

“You don't have to apologise for that.”

“Good because I was not planning on stopping messaging you in the mornings. I need all the help I can get.”

“Maybe if you went to bed at a sensible time...”

“That's boring though. I'm sorry but I'm 100% gonna break you out of that.”

“I don't think you're sorry at all.”

He heard her exhale with a grin. “Yeah you're right. Kinda can't wait”

“You're awfully confident you know, other people have tried and failed.”

Karin's tone turned suspicious. “Who?”

“Oh my PA mostly.”

“Yes, well, I have...womanly wiles on my side.”

Toshiro laughed. “You clearly haven't met her.”

Karin gasped. “Well clearly I should, I need to scope out my competition-”

“-Competition? God no, she's more like an older sister.”

“Oh good.”

Toshiro fell silent, unsure how to respond when he heard a low grumble on the other end. “Was that your stomach?”

“Err maybe?”

“You haven't eaten yet? You said you woke up at 12, it's past 4 now.”

“Yeah well, it took me like 2 hours to actually get out of bed and then I was organising things and making sure I've got everything set for next week which is when I discovered that Friday is an academic day, and then I got distracted talking to you so yeah.”

He rolled his eyes. “You're a disaster, go eat. I can't believe you want to mess up my daily routines when you're here forgetting to eat.”

“To be fair I would've eaten already if I wasn't talking to you, it's all your fault really.”

He scoffed, smile on his face. “Go eat, you can talk to me any other time.”

“I'll hold you to that. Feel free to phone me too!”

“I will, just-”

“-Promise?”

Toshiro paused for a moment. “Yeah I promise, now go already.”

“Just don't phone me early in the morning on a weekend I may actually kill you-”

“-Karin. Go eat.”

“Ok ok, I'll talk to you later, bye!"

“Bye.”

Toshiro stared at the phone, the ended call still on the screen. It wasn't exactly a perfect conversation, but it had definitely gone smoother than he expected. And she wanted him to call her too, had asked him to promise her that he would. He desperately hoped that their in-person meeting would go the same way. He talked to her everyday at this point, she had become a part of his daily routine, a part of him. He didn't think he could handle it going badly.

After that first phone call both Karin and Toshiro had quickly gotten into the habit of calling each other occasionally, and with both of them having busy lives it wasn't odd to have a missed call here and there. What was odd, Karin noted as she checked her phone after just finishing her shift, was having 3 missed calls. She slipped her phone back into her pocket for now and quickly clocked out of her shift, grabbing her things from the staff room. Once she had gotten into the changing room she pulled out her phone again, calling Toshiro as she got into a cubicle. She took her work shoes off as she waited for him to answer the phone.

“Hey.”

“Hi, what's up, is everything ok?”

She heard him sigh over the phone. “Yeah, it's nothing serious, it's just...” another sigh.

Karin's eyebrows furrowed. “Just what? Are you sure everything's ok?”

“I kinda have a huge favour to ask. You don't have to, please don't feel like you-”

“-Toshiro, what's the favour?”

“My PA, Matsumoto, she rolled over on her ankle this morning while in heels.”

Karin hissed in sympathy. “Ouch.”

“Yeah, I've told her I don't know how many times that I think she should go to a hospital, but she's sure that it's not that bad.”

Karin moved to hold her phone up with her shoulder as she started pulling clothes out of her bag. “And you think otherwise?”

“Yeah. Her ankle hasn't really bruised or anything, but it swelled up quite a lot and she literally cannot walk on it. She thinks she just needs to rest it but I'd rather she get it checked.”

“Ok...”

“...I may or may not have opened my mouth without thinking.”

Karin laughed a little as she stepped out of her work trousers. “Oh yeah?”

“Matsumoto said she wasn't gonna go to a hospital so unless I could bring a doctor to her-”

“-Ok you do realise of course that I am very much not a doctor-”

“-No I know I know, but I'm genuinely worried she's done some damage, and I told her that while I didn't have a doctor I could ask a physiotherapy student and-”

Karin's laugh cut him off. “Oh my god she put two and two together and immediately said yes to me checking her ankle didn't she?”

Toshiro sighed. “Pretty much. In all seriousness though, I am a little worried and I remember you saying that you were ok with winging plans so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if you would be ok with coming to check her over but, please don't feel like you have to. We haven't met yet and I know that's only two days away but still, plus it would mean coming to my work, which I'm fine with but I don't know if you are so yeah.”

Karin listened to him carefully as she shimmied into her jeans, now starting to wriggle her feet into her boots as she spoke. “Well I mean, it does throw me a little, I certainly wasn't expecting to meet you for the first time earlier than Friday. Are you sure you're ok with me knowing where you work though? I doubt it's as secure as here.”

“Well no, it's not, but I can't say I'm really worried about it to be honest. But again, you don't have to do this.”

Karin smiled as she zipped up her shoes. “I mean it's not me I'm worried about here, you're not supposed to trust someone you've never met you know.”

“If it helps there's still plenty of other people here. It's not like I'd be suddenly trapped alone in a room with you.”

She laughed. “Oh well, thank heavens for that.”

“My office may not have as much security as the hospital, but there's still plenty of cameras, plenty of people, that sort of thing. I'm ok with it as long as you are.”

Karin paused changing, thinking for a moment. “Well...It's definitely not how I thought my day would go but, I can, I can come and check on her. Are you definitely sure you're ok with it?”

“Yeah. I mean it wasn't how I pictured meeting you for the first time but I'm ok with it, I can let her know that you're coming?”

“Er yeah, yeah, let her know. I've gotta get ready. Send me the address?”

“Will do. Thank you for this, I know it's kinda awkward but...”

“Don't worry about it. See you soon I guess!”

“Yeah, see you in a bit.”

Karin smiled despite nerves starting to pull at her. “Bye!”

“Bye.”

Karin hung up the call and took a deep breath. She continued changing out of her work clothes, wishing she had put on something other than jeans and a baggy hoodie this morning. She left the cubicle to find the large mirror mounted on one of the changing room walls, frowning a little at her appearance. She quickly undid the bun her hair was in to redo it neater, reapplied her lipstick. Figuring that was as good as she was going to get Karin turned her attention back to her phone, copy and pasting the address Toshiro sent her into google maps. She blinked in surprise when she realised it was only a 15 minute walk away. Well at least that meant she didn't have to wrestle her way onto a train. Karin double checked that she had everything and set off towards the hospital exit.

About 20 minutes later and Karin had made her way into the office building and on Toshiro's floor with no problems, but she faltered at the sight of the empty reception desk. She walked only a little past the desk, popping her head round one corner to see if she could spot Toshiro, unsure whether it was ok for her to just walk in. Not spotting him on the left side she turned round, jumping when she spotted a man about to touch her shoulder. “Oh! Hi, er...”

He pulled back his hand, smiling gently. “Can I help you with anything?”

Karin nodded, half looking at him, half still looking for Toshiro. “Er yeah, I'm looking for Toshiro? Hitsugaya?”

Karin raised an eyebrow when she saw the man's face light up with happy surprise. “Oh! Are you the mystery girlfriend by any chance?”

“Oh, er, well-”

The man politely ignored her stammering and held a hand out to her. “I'm Ukitake Jushiro, Hitsugaya's boss.”

“Ah,” Karin shook the man's hand. “Kurosaki Karin.”

“I do hope he's told you about the Christmas party? It would be lovely to see him bring someone.”

“Uh well,” Karin wasn't sure what to say, unsure whether it would make things better or worse for Toshiro if she said she wasn't his girlfriend. “He's er, he's mentioned it, but I'm on a hospital placement for the next few months, and the most notice I get for work rosters is three weeks, so I won't be sure I'm available until closer to the time.”

He nodded, understanding. “Ah I see, I assume you're studying?”

“Yeah, physiotherapy.”

Ukitake spoke with a hint of teasing. “Smart and beautiful, Toshiro's a lucky man. Well hopefully you'll be able to come, the party will be in the evening at least, so that might make things easier?” Feeling a little stuck for words, Karin merely nodded. “Well anyway, I'll let you get to him, take a right from here, and then another right around the corner and you'll find his office. If in doubt just look for the door with his name on.”

Karin nodded again as she oriented herself into the right direction. “Thank you, it was nice meeting you.”

“And you as well! You're welcome to visit when you like, just don't distract him from his work too much,” he teased her again, giving her a wave before heading out the way Karin came in.

Karin stood there for a moment as she ran over the conversation again in her head, sighing. She probably really should've denied that she was his girlfriend. She hoped it wouldn't bother Toshiro too much, at least she had given him an out of bringing a girlfriend to the Christmas party she supposed, he could always say his non-existent girlfriend was working. She rolled her eyes at herself when she realised he could've just said that before too. Karin took a deep breath. Well what's done is done now. She quickly took out her phone and used the camera to make sure she still looked ok and slipped it back into her hoodie pocket as she walked towards Toshiro's office.

She froze on her way to the door, spotting Toshiro through one of the windows in his office, able to get a good look at him this time unlike on the train when she was only stealing glances. He was standing, pacing slightly, as he talked to a woman who was sitting lengthways on a sofa, her foot resting up on the arm of it. He may not have been very tall, but he was well proportioned, still had long looking legs and surprisingly broad shoulders. He wasn't wearing a full suit this time, currently just in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and grey suit trousers with a matching tie slightly loose around his collar. She followed the line of his jaw up to his eyes, amazed at how blue they were. Karin jolted out of her little reverie, realising that if she could see his eyes then he could see her. Not letting herself overthink anything she closed the small gap between her and the office door, opening it. “Hi.”

She couldn't help but smile back when she watched Toshiro smile at the sight of her, a genuine, beautiful smile. “Hi.” It felt like her stomach dropped out of her entirely when she saw his head snap back to the other woman in the room, trying to school his face into a more neutral expression, a more usual expression for him she imagined, and failing entirely, completely unable to take his eyes off of Karin or the smile away from his face. Karin was struck with the realisation that she was already screwed, already had a crush on him despite not saying two words to him in person.

Karin startled when she heard the other woman, Matsumoto presumably, speak out to both of them, looking far too pleased with herself. “God you two, it's not even been 10 seconds and you both already look lovesick.”

Chapter Text

Karin startled when she heard the other woman, Matsumoto presumably, speak out to both of them, looking far too pleased with herself. “God you two, it's not even been 10 seconds and you both already look lovesick.”

Toshiro's head snapped towards her, face entirely red. “Matsumoto!”

She continued regardless of his objection, looking between the two of them. “I mean really, you both just totally forgot I was here huh? Even though I'm the one injured, goodness me.”

Karin grinned despite her own embarrassment, deciding that she liked Rangiku already. “Sorry.”

Rangiku turned her head solely towards Karin, honest smile on her face now. “It's great to finally meet you! He calls me Matsumoto but feel free to call me Rangiku. He talks about you a lot, much more than he would admit I bet.”

Karin looked over to Toshiro, finding his bright red face hilarious but took pity instead, focusing on Rangiku. “It's great to meet you too. Let me have a look at that ankle?”

Rangiku nodded. “Is it alright here or do you need me to move it?”

Karin took her backpack off, gently placing it on the floor next to the sofa as she approached. “Actually can you sit normally for a minute, I need to compare it to the other one.”

Rangiku did as she told, followed all of the instructions Karin gave her, answered all of her questions while Toshiro hung in the background, not sure what to do with himself. As the minutes passed he came closer, practically hovering over Karin when he heard Rangiku hiss as Karin moved her ankle around gently. “Hmm...Well, I'm pretty sure it's not broken at least.”

“See! Hitsugaya I told you-”

Karin put a hand on Rangiku's knee, bringing her attention back to her as she spoke. “-But that doesn't mean it's not serious either. Honestly I'm not sure whether you've damaged the muscle or the ligament, but either way you've definitely damaged it. You need to stay off it as much as possible, and elevate it as much as possible. Preferably higher than what you had it at, this swelling is still pretty bad. Ice it too, ice it until the swelling calms down, and once it does you should move it around a little, gently. To stop it from getting too stiff. And if it swells back up-”

“Ice it again?”

“Yep.”

Rangiku nodded. “How long would you say I'd need to stay off of it?”

“Oh I'd give it at least a couple of days for sure. If you're still struggling with swelling or if it's still really painful to walk on it by then I'd see a doctor.”

Toshiro spoke up from behind Karin, an inquisitive tone. “When you say stay off of it as much as possible...”

Karin turned a little and tilted her head up to face him. “I mean it, like it's ok to get up to go to the bathroom or to grab food and drink but not much past that,” she turned back to Rangiku, “I wouldn't recommend cooking, or showering, anything that would mean you'd have to be on your feet for long.”

Toshiro sidestepped away from Karin, specifically addressing Rangiku now. “I can go to yours, if you want, make sure you're all set up for this? That you can get in ok.”

Rangiku shook her head. “You worry too much, I'm sure I'll be fine. I can just get food delivered for a little while, and let's be real staying in bed or on a sofa is not a problem for me.”

“Sure, but your apartment building has steps leading up to it.”

Rangiku faltered. “Hm, that's true, hopping up those on my own would be a bit of a challenge.”

Karin interjected. “Ok I know I said stay off your feet as much as possible but please don't try to hop up concrete stairs.”

Toshiro nodded, agreeing with Karin. “Let me take you home at least, make sure you can get into your flat, without injuring the other ankle.”

Rangiku sighed. “Yeah alright.”

Karin got up from her knees and moved away from the sofa. “Sounds like a plan to me. Remember what I said, stay off it as much as possible, ice it, elevate it, if it gets any worse, or doesn't get any better within a few days, see a doctor ok?”

“Yep yep!” Rangiku's face brightened suddenly. “Ooh actually, can I get your number? In case I have any questions or anything?”

Karin looked briefly towards Toshiro, wondering if that would be weird for him, but agreed quickly with Rangiku anyway. “Sure, hand me your phone?”

Toshiro waited patiently as the two exchanged numbers before speaking up, addressing Rangiku once again. “Should we head off? Clearly you're not able to elevate your leg properly here.”

Rangiku nodded. “Yeah.”

“Oh um, can I er,” both Toshiro and Rangiku looked at Karin as she stammered a little, she pointedly ignored her own nerves, turning to face Toshiro properly. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

He looked to Rangiku for a moment, who nodded again, encouraging him to agree with Karin, before looking back at her. “Yeah ok, we can step out for minute?” He gestured to his office door.

Karin made her way through the doorway, waiting for Toshiro to follow her and close the door behind him. “Ok so, I kinda feel like I've gotta confess something?” Toshiro didn't say anything, just titled his head a little with a furrowed brow. “I sort of, ended up running into your boss before I got to your office? Er, he, he just kinda assumed that I was your 'mystery girlfriend' and I didn't really know how to correct him? So I kinda accidentally went with it so now he definitely thinks I'm your girlfriend.”

Toshiro was quiet for a moment, processing the information, smiling slightly at how obviously awkward Karin felt about it, or at least about relaying it to him. “Well, to be fair, given everyone assumed the person I was suddenly talking to a lot, which is you, was my girlfriend, technically he always thought you were my girlfriend so, I wouldn't worry about it too much.”

“Yeah well...He also brought up that whole Christmas party with me? Said it would be nice if you brought me to it so there's that too...”

“What did you say back to him?”

Karin shrugged. “I just said because I never know when I'm working that far in advance I wouldn't know if I could go until closer to the time...” She scratched the back of her head, looking away from him. “But then he said that the party's in the evening, and that he hoped that would make it easier. So yeah, I get the impression he's kinda, expecting me to go now? You know, as your girlfriend? But I'm sure you could just say I'm working and can't go but yeah I figured I should tell you.”

He nodded for a moment, processing again. “Well still, I wouldn't worry too much about it, I mean I know what he's like, he gets ideas and he runs with them, I know it's not like you came in telling people you were dating me. And like you said we can always just say you're working, I'm not about to drag you to it or anything.”

“Oh no I was more worried about accidentally overstepping your boundaries than the party, especially because this is your boss we're talking about, like he already had the wrong idea and I just straight up made it worse so...”

Toshiro shook his head. “No no, I'm sure you didn't, believe me he already one hundred percent thought you were my girlfriend so really, don't worry about it.”

“Ok...Um,” Karin fidgeted a little with her hands, “Are you still up for meeting up on Friday?”

“Oh,” Toshiro was surprised she asked, “Yeah, yeah I'm still up for it. I'm not convinced today counts, we can meet properly on Friday.”

Karin grinned. “We'll just call today a test run.”

He gave her a small smile back. “Yeah...Anyway I should make sure Matsumoto gets home safe and sound so...”

Karin nodded, moving to grip the office door handle, “I'll help you get her downstairs.”

“You don't need to.”

“Well I'd feel weird if I didn't help out so tough.”

Toshiro rolled his eyes slightly, already knowing full well he couldn't argue with that tone of voice and gestured towards the door, silently asking her to go in.

It had taken a bit of manoeuvring to get down to the building lobby with Rangiku struggling to put any weight on her ankle but between the two of them Karin and Toshiro had managed it within five minutes. Karin held Rangiku upright just outside the building as Toshiro flagged down a taxi. “You're stronger than you look huh?”

Karin grinned and winked at Rangiku, making her laugh. Karin's grin went shy when she noticed Toshiro watching them. Using the hand that wasn't wrapped around Karin's shoulder, Rangiku squished her cheeks when Toshiro wasn't looking and spoke quietly enough that he wouldn't hear her. “Ah you two are so cute! Don't let him lose you ok?” Karin blushed a little at her words and quickly changed the subject, glad that Toshiro had just gotten a taxi to stop. “Oh here we go, let's get you inside.” Rangiku laughed again but happily went with Karin, relying on her arms to keep her steady as she got into the car. Once she was in she scooted over, leaving space for Toshiro. He handed over Rangiku's bag to her and turned to Karin. “Alright, I'll see you on Friday?”

Karin nodded. “Yeah.”

He nodded back. “Ok. See you.” Karin bid him goodbye as he got into the taxi, and he watched her wave as the car left. He turned to Rangiku when he heard her scoff. “What?”

“You're already gone for her aren't you?”

Toshiro's brow furrowed as he went red, turning away from her. “Come on, that's ridiculous, I've only met her once.”

“So? You've talked to her nonstop for how long?” Toshiro didn't answer, but she had expected that. “It's ok to like her already you know. She's good for you.”

He turned to face her again, confused. “How would you know that? You've barely talked to her.”

She smiled. “Oh please, she's obviously perfect for you. She's smart, she's nice, professional when she needs to be, but I know from what you've said she's good at letting loose too, and she's adorable. Plus you know, you like her. What else could you ask for?”

Toshiro had no idea what to say to any of that. He couldn't exactly deny what Rangiku had said, but he really didn't want to encourage her either. He sighed and turned his gaze towards the car window, lost in thought.

Karin huffed at the sight of her hair. She had been planning on letting it down for meeting up with Toshiro but having it up in a bun for almost ten hours meant that it was falling in strange, uneven waves. Oh well, perhaps she could make a sleeker bun than the mess it had been all day at least. It took almost 15 minutes, having to retry when the first attempt looked awful, and a daft number of hair grips, but Karin finally managed to get her hair to look decent, rather than looking like she left the house in a hurry this morning. Which she did, but still. She had opted for a slightly more fashionable look this time, still in jeans, but her black ones rather than the worn, getting thin-in-the-knees dark blue pair. And instead of her stretched out hoodie she was wearing a soft, red, form-fitting jumper. She dug around in her backpack to find the necklace she packed. Maybe it was a little much, but it worked with the v-neck cut and she wasn't sure where they were going to end up. She imagined Toshiro's tastes were fancier than hers, and she didn't want to look totally out of place. Karin looked at her reflection for a moment before shrugging. It would do. This wasn't really the sort of look she'd usually go for when meeting up with a friend, a little more conservative, but she wasn't about to get the train to work this morning all dressed up. Besides, she thought as she pulled on her jacket, it was October now and it was starting to get brisk out, jeans and a jumper worked just fine.

Toshiro (17:23): I'm outside

Karin's gut twisted with nerves for a moment before she pushed them down, getting nervous was silly, she'd already met him now and it went fine. Today would probably be fine too. Probably. Before her brain took her on a tour of every little thing that could go wrong she quickly messaged him back, letting him know that she was on her way down, and took off out of the staff changing rooms.

She spotted Toshiro immediately as she stepped outside of the hospital, making her smile. He really stuck out like a sore thumb, dressed in what had to be a tailored black suit, bright hair acting like a beacon, contrasting sharply with what was mainly hospital staff and visitors milling around the entrance. He spotted her quickly, half on his phone, half watching the hospital doors, and started moving towards her. Karin grinned and followed suit, coming into arms reach of him. “Hey!”

He gave her a small smile. “Hi.”

“So! Did you have anything in mind for today?”

Toshiro shook his head, eyeing the full-looking backpack she had on. “Not really, except for somewhere where you can sit.”

Karin rolled her eyes with a smile. “Nah I'm alright, shift actually wasn't too busy today. But going somewhere we can sit and eat sounds good? My lunch break ended up being at 11 so I'm starving now. Are you hungry though? You usually eat later right?”

“I could eat now.”

She nodded. “Ok, cool. What do you wanna eat?”

He shook his head a little. “I don't mind, you're the one who's supposedly starving, where do you want to eat?”

Karin thought for a moment. “Hmm I don't know, I'm up for anything really. As long as it's not too expensive...I know there's a noodle place like ten minutes away from here?”

Toshiro nodded. “Sure, we can go there.”

Karin smiled and pulled him in the right direction, and the two started walking together. After a moment of quiet, Karin spoke up again. “So how's Rangiku doing? Is her ankle any better?”

Toshiro sighed, clearly a little frustrated. “She has a tendency to either treat things like they're no big deal, or she'll whine over every little thing, which means I can't really tell. I don't think it's gotten any worse at least, I imagine she would've said, but I'm not convinced it's any better.”

Karin nodded as she listened, watching the barely concealed worry on his face. “Well, I mean it's just a sprained ankle at the end of the day, you don't need to worry too much I think. But I'll try messaging her later, maybe she'll tell me.”

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “She hasn't messaged you at all?”

“No, were you expecting her to? Her ankle really isn't that bad Toshiro.”

“I mean...Yeah I was, but I wasn't expecting her to message you about her injury, more...”

Karin grinned. “You expected her to start teasing me about you?”

He looked away. “Not exactly? Well, maybe, I did see her whisper something to you.”

“Oh that.”

“Yeah. I figured she was either teasing you, or she's already trying to conspire with you against me.”

Karin laughed at that. “Ah don't worry Toshiro, I'll be loyal to you, no conspiring whatsoever I promise.”

He looked at her for a moment, not sure how to respond, before changing the topic entirely. “So how was your shift? I know you said it wasn't too busy...”

“Oh it was fine, I even managed to get to sit down here and there, which is a little weird for a Friday, normally it gets super busy because the physiotherapy department isn't fully staffed on weekends so everyone tries to make sure their patient gets seen beforehand.”

“Are Fridays your busiest day then?”

“Ugh I wish, that would be great, but no, Mondays are the busiest.”

“Ah, because patients pile up from the weekend?”

“Exactly.” Karin sighed. “And somehow there's always at least one thing going wrong on the weekend, heaven forbid these things happen when there's enough staff to go around.”

Toshiro smiled. “Sounds about right.”

Karin nodded. “Definitely.” A pause. “How was your work day?”

“It was alright, a little busier on my end as Matsumoto's working from home at the minute, she can't do everything remotely, but there's nothing major happening right now anyway, so it went fine.”

“That's good.”

The two fell into silence, walking quietly for a minute or so before Karin spoke again. “Are you not cold? You're only wearing a suit,” she pinched the end of his blazer sleeve between her thumb and forefinger, feeling the fabric, “And not even a thick suit.”

He stared at the fingers gripping his sleeve for a second before looking forward again, shaking his head. “I don't really feel the cold much.”

“Oh really?” She took her hand away from him. “I always feel like the second it hits autumn I start freezing. Well at least now I know who to snuggle up to in winter.” Her teasing grin faltered at the sight of the flush across Toshiro's cheeks, his eyes darting away from her. “Ah don't worry, I'm not gonna like, get into your personal space without your permission or anything, I'm just kidding.”

Toshiro shook his head, immediately disagreeing with her words but still not quite looking at her. “No it's fine, I just wasn't...expecting...”

She grinned again. “What, for me to flirt with you? You should've, I do it constantly over text my dude.”

He wasn't sure what to say to that, wasn't sure what to make of the flirting, but thankfully they had turned the corner the noodle place was on and Karin immediately dropped the conversation to drag him inside instead. It hadn't even reached quarter to six yet, so the restaurant wasn't very busy, leaving Karin able to immediately slide into one of the booths, pulling Toshiro with her. He had barely situated himself when she passed him over menus with a smile before quickly turning her attention to her own menus. Toshiro noticed her leg jigging up and down as she read, wondering if it was because she was feeling impatient or whether she just never stayed still for very long. He watched as she sighed heavily, pouting a little as her eyes flicked repeatedly from one side of the menu to the other. “Ugh, I don't know whether to get yakisoba or ramen, they're both so good.”

“Do you come here a lot?”

“Eh, not a lot, I can't afford that, but a few times here and there.”

Toshiro nodded. “Is one better than the other?”

“Not really, just depends what you're in the mood for I guess.”

He noticed that Karin hadn't taken off her jacket. “Ramen would be better if you're still feeling cold, it'll help warm you up. Plus I imagine it would be more filling with the soup and all. Probably a little healthier too.”

Karin nodded, still looking at the menu. “You make a compelling argument...Yeah alright, ramen it is. What about you?”

“Hm?”

Karin put her food menu down to pick up the little drinks menu. “What are you getting?”

“Oh,” Toshiro quickly looked down to his own menu, realising he'd been paying more attention to Karin than the food options. “Probably the ramen too, looks like it's popular here from the sign at the front. Which ramen did you want? And which drink?”

“Chicken, and just water I think, I'm not feeling alcohol or fizzy drinks right now.”

Toshiro nodded and moved to get up. “Alright, I'll go and put our order through-”

Karin stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Oh no you don't, I'm not letting you pay for mine.”

“I really don't mind, I can-”

She spoke with a cheeky smile on her face. “Nah there's no need to show off, I already know you make a lot,” Karin's face fell a little more serious. “Really though, I can pay for myself.”

He looked at her for a moment and Karin wondered if he was going to argue when he reversed her grip on his arm, gently pulling her up from her seat instead, speaking as he did. “Alright, fair enough. I can tell you're hungry though so let's hurry up.”

She grinned at him and turned to dig out her purse from her bag, Toshiro waiting for her as she did. Soon enough they had placed their respective orders and had settled back into their booth, talking as they waited for their food to arrive.

“Wait, so what do you mean the only video game you've ever played is mario kart?”

“Is there another way to interpret that sentence except for the obvious straight forward meaning?”

Karin scrunched her nose up at him. “Oh shush, you know what I mean. But really? You've only ever played mario kart?”

“Yes.”

“You know what century it is right?”

Toshiro gave her a look but it only made Karin laugh. “I didn't grow up with video games like you did.”

“I mean sure, I get that, but like? You have enough money that you could buy all of the current consoles, or hell even a bitching gaming computer and whatever games you want and you just, don't?”

He smiled at the incredulity in her voice. “I just never really got into them, not everyone's addicted like you are.”

She huffed at that. “Video games are so great though! They're great for relaxing, well ok maybe that depends on the game, but they're good for taking your mind off things because they're so interactive you know? Speaking of, I one hundred percent think they can be good for you, well as long as you play within reason that is, did you know there's studies showing that surgeons who played video games were better at their jobs? Like they made less mistakes and were faster and all sorts...” Karin lost her train of thought as she spotted Toshiro genuinely smiling at her, teeth and all. “Well, anyway, there's some really good story games, that seems like it could be your sort of thing? It's like an interactive story book that develops your hand-eye coordination I mean what more could you want?”

Toshiro was unsure but found himself agreeing anyway with a shrug, “Maybe.”

Karin paused talking to him for a moment as the food arrived, thanking the waiter instead, before turning back to him as she picked up her chopsticks. “Tell you what, you should totally come to mine at some point, see if I can't get you hooked with me.”

He glanced up from his food, eyes narrowed a little in concern. “You'd be comfortable with that? Already?”

Karin let herself think for a moment as she chewed through her mouthful of food. “Well, true, maybe not yet, we should definitely hang out more before anyone is going to someone else's house.”

Toshiro nodded, agreeing. “It wouldn't be safe to go to each other's places yet.”

She grinned, mischief in her eyes. “No? Are you dangerous Toshiro?”

He rolled his eyes but answered her anyway. “I'm not, not completely convinced you aren't though.”

Karin laughed slightly, able to tell he wasn't being serious. “You're probably right. I can be a bad influence.”

Toshiro raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Have you ever actually been a bad influence?”

“Eh, not really. I have a tendency to convince people to take breaks from work or uni stuff a little too often maybe, but that's because I worry when people get stressed. Plus, well, if I'm honest I like doing things with other people so...”

“Ah, typical youngest child behaviour.”

“Oi!”

Toshiro shook his head, small smile on his face. “I only know because I'm the youngest too. Although thankfully I grew out of it.”

Karin sent him a brief glare for the last remark before addressing his first. “Wait you're really the youngest in the family? I kinda just assumed your sister was younger.”

“I'm the youngest.”

“Huh, I wouldn't have guessed that. You have a very...mature, protective vibe I guess? Or is that just because you know I'm younger? Do you act differently around your family?”

Toshiro thought for a moment. “I wouldn't say so, I think I act the same.”

“Hmm, you're a little on the traditional side, maybe it's because you're the only guy in your family? So you naturally ended up being kinda protective?”

He raised an eyebrow as he ate, wondering if that did have some truth to it. “Maybe, I did end up making myself responsible for a lot. It was natural to at the time.”

Karin nodded a little, noticing that his answer was deliberately vague. She was curious, but didn't want to push it, especially considering that this was the first proper time they had actually met up. She changed the subject instead. “Got anything interesting planned for the weekend?”

“Not unless you count running errands and cleaning interesting.”

“I most certainly do not.”

He grinned at the sheer indignation in her tone.

Chapter Text

Karin checked the time on her phone as she jogged towards the train platform. The next train was scheduled to leave in two minutes and as long as she kept the pace up she should reach in time. Better to rush now than have to wait twenty two minutes in the cold. The temperature wasn't too bad in the day while the sun was out, but the air was getting bitter at night now with it being a few weeks into autumn. She reached the platform and rushed into the train, hearing the telltale beeps of the doors closing just a few moments afterwards. She shrugged her backpack off and collapsed into a nearby seat, placing a hand on herself just below her neck, across her collarbones, to try and warm the area quicker. If she and Toshiro were going to make a habit of hanging out till late, she needed to dig out her scarf earlier in the year than normal. To be fair she was surprised that they had stayed out that long, initially expecting to eat dinner together and then go their separate ways for the day but by the time they had left the noodle place, neither of them had really wanted to leave yet. So they ended up walking for a bit and finding a nice little cafe down one of the side streets and spending another couple of hours there, and by the time they left it was late and very cold, with it being past 10pm. Karin was glad that while there were a few awkward silences here and there, it had generally gone very well, but if they were going to do this again she'd have to dress warmer than this. Oh well, she was on the train now, which was thankfully heated very comfortably.

She turned her attention to her phone, pulling up Rangiku's contact to drop her a text message. Toshiro had been concerned about her, had even mentioned it more than once, so she wanted to message before she potentially forgot.

Karin (22:21): Hey, how's the ankle doing?

Karin put her phone in her lap and dug into her bag to find her earphones, jolting when it started ringing. Abandoning the earphones for a minute she picked up her phone, brow furrowing in concern as she answered the call. “Rangiku?”

“Hey! I just got your text, I figured it would be easier to just phone.”

Karin settled down a bit more into her seat, relaxing once she realised that Rangiku was calm, or at least as calm as Rangiku got.”Oh ok, I was worried that something was wrong.”

“Oh no, sorry, nothing like that! Don't worry. How did your little outing with Hitsugaya go?”

Karin rolled her eyes. “No no, before anything actually answer the question, how is your ankle?”

Rangiku sighed as she thought for a moment, picking her words carefully. “Well it hasn't really gotten any worse, but...”

“But?”

“It doesn't seem to have gotten any better either. I mean don't get me wrong, it's not swollen like it was on Wednesday any more, but I'm still struggling to put weight on it.”

“Rangiku-”

“I know, I know. I know what you're gonna say, that I need to see a doctor. And I will! But it's daft to go to the emergency room for this, it's not an emergency, but obviously I can't see my usual doctor till Monday.”

Karin relaxed her shoulders at the other woman's words. “Ah I get what you mean, I don't think I'd go to the emergency room for it either. Although, it hasn't bruised at all has it?”

“No, it looks totally fine from the outside now, just hurts to walk on it.”

“Can you actually walk on it? Or are you still just hopping around?”

Rangiku thought for a moment. “I can sort of walk? It hurts and I don't really feel confident on it but thinking about it I guess I'm limping more than I'm hopping. I can get around in the apartment when I need to, you know?”

“Well that is better than Wednesday, you couldn't walk properly at all then, so that's progress at least. You'll definitely see your doctor on Monday though right?”

“Oh I will, this is driving me crazy, although I think all he's gonna say is that I need to stay off it for longer.”

Karin smiled at her grumbling. “Probably to be honest, but you definitely need to get it checked out to be sure it's nothing more serious.”

“Yeah yeah, I will, god you're just as bad as Hitsugaya.”

Karin laughed slightly. “Speaking of which! He's worried about you you know, you should let him actually know how you're doing.”

Rangiku scoffed. “Oh please, he worries too much, he'd probably try to drag me to the ER if I told him even though it's not necessary.”

“So you're just not gonna say anything at all?”

“I mean I've been talking to him, I told him it hasn't gotten any worse and that he shouldn't worry about it.”

“Yeah but it hasn't worked, he's still worried, that's why I messaged you, I told him I'd ask how you were doing. And like, if I say the same things you've been saying to him I feel like he's just gonna worry more?”

Rangiku picked up on the concern in Karin's voice and rushed to console her, speaking quickly. “Oh no don't worry don't worry, you can tell him all the details I don't mind.”

Karin raised an eyebrow. “But you won't tell him yourself?”

“He doesn't believe them when they come from me! He thinks I understate everything-”

“I mean it sounds like you do, to be fair.”

“Oi!” She said, half laughing. “You two aren't supposed to be ganging up on me, it's supposed to be me and you ganging up on him!”

Karin laughed with her. “Ah my bad.”

“But anyway yeah because you actually know what you're talking about health wise he listens to you and will actually believe you if you say it's not a big deal, even if you give him all the details so go for it. Better you tell him than me.”

“Well I mean...I guess, as long as you're definitely ok with it.”

“Sure! But enough about my boring ankle, how'd it all go?”

Karin's face scrunched up in confusion. “How'd what go?”

“Er hello? Spending time with Hitsugaya! How'd it go?”

“Oh,” Karin fidgeted a little, “It went fine.”

Rangiku spoke in an exasperated tone. “Fine? Just fine? You gotta give me more details than that!”

Karin smiled despite herself. “It was nice. We got dinner together. We just talked mainly, which felt, well it felt like it was just an in-person version of our usual conversations, which is pretty much all I could've hoped for you know? I was worried it was gonna be awkward the whole time or whatever.”

“Ah that's good! So it all went smoothly?”

“Pretty much? Well I mean I wouldn't say it all went smoothly, there were for sure moments where it got a little awkward, but we're still figuring each other out in person so...”

“Yeah, ah I'm so glad! He didn't say it but it seemed like he was really nervous about meeting up with you so I'm happy it seems to have gone pretty well!”

Karin nodded to herself. “Yeah...Me too. I'm hoping next time there won't be any awkward silences or anything though, it was hard to know what to say.”

Rangiku hummed out loud to herself as she thought. “Well maybe you guys could do an activity thing? You know how companies do ice breaker games and challenges and stuff?To encourage people to get comfortable with each other and learn how to work together? It's awkward for everyone at first but it's a lot more effective than everyone going to dinner together.”

“That's...” Karin paused for a moment. “Actually not the worst idea. So like the theory is we'll be so preoccupied doing whatever activity that we'll forget to be awkward?”

“Pretty much! Plus it gives you something to talk about right off the bat too. I'll send you some ideas tomorrow.”

“Oh...Ok, thank you.”

“Sure! Anyway, I'll let you get on with your night, it's getting late after all.”

“Actually um, can I ask you something?”

“Of course!”

Karin fidgeted in her seat as she put her words together. “We er, we ended up going to a noodle place to eat and he, he tried to pay for me, is that something he usually does?”

Rangiku hummed as she thought. “Here and there I would say? He doesn't do it all the time, but it's not weird for him to try and pay for others every now and again either.”

Karin nodded to herself. “Ok...Ok so he does that with friends generally?”

“Yeah! Well...” Rangiku thought for another moment. “I wouldn't say it's friend-specific? I mean he does it with family too, he'll do it for anyone he cares about I think, whatever their relationship might be, you know? Why? Did it bother you?”

Karin sighed heavily. “Kinda yeah. Is that weird? I don't know, no one's tried to pay things for me before, well except for family, but that's a little different, I felt weird about it.”

“That's fair. I think feeling weird about a man you're not dating or close to yet offering to pay for you is understandable. He didn't push it on you or anything did he?”

Karin's eyebrows furrowed at her words. “I mean, maybe we're not like, super close, but I wouldn't say we're distant either. But no no, he dropped it pretty quick. I just yeah, felt a little weird about it. Like I can pay for myself you know? But you say he does this with other people too?”

“Oh yeah definitely. Like I said, he doesn't do it tons, but he definitely does it occasionally. It's not a thing specific to you if that's what you're worried about. I think...He's not, always good at showing affection? Words aren't his strong suit, he's more of an actions speak louder than words kind of guy.”

Karin laughed a little at that. “Ok so you think it's just like his way of showing that he likes me, I guess?”

“Kinda, yeah! As I say, he only does this sort of thing with people he cares about, a way of showing he cares so...I mean if it does bother you you should probably mention it to him next time, explain it to him, but don't stress too much over it.”

Karin nodded along to her words. “Ok, that makes me feel better about it, I'll bear all that in mind. Thanks.”

“No problem!”

A moment of silence passed before Karin spoke up again. “Well as you said, it's getting late so I'll talk to you some other time?”

“Sure thing, contact me whenever you want to ok?”

Karin smiled. “Ok, thanks again. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight!”

Karin hung up the phone and took a few minutes to reflect on what Rangiku had said before bringing up Toshiro's contact on the screen.

Karin Kurosaki (22:37): Hey! I talked to Rangiku

Karin Kurosaki (22:38): From what she told me her ankle has improved a little from Wednesday, but it's still not great, she's still struggling to walk on it, but she said she's gonna see her doctor on Monday

Karin Kurosaki (22:38): So yeah the situation is totally under control, no need to worry too much :)

Toshiro (22:41): You talked to her already? That was quick.

Toshiro (22:41): Thank you though. You don't think it's concerning that she can't walk on it yet?

Karin Kurosaki (22:42): Not much else to do on the train :')

Karin Kurosaki (22:43): And not really? Obviously it's an issue, but it was only two days ago she injured it, and it was pretty bad on Wednesday, so the fact that it's improved a bit is a good sign

Karin Kurosaki (22:43): She said the swelling's gone down and it hasn't bruised

Karin Kurosaki (22:44): If I'm honest chances are she doesn't actually need a doctors appointment, it probably just needs a bit more time to heal, but I'd rather it get double checked by an actual professional so

Toshiro (22:45): Oh did you manage to get the 20 past train then?

Toshiro (22:46): And I suppose if it was a genuinely serious injury it wouldn't have noticeably improved in two days

Karin Kurosaki (22:46): Yes thank god, the wind was starting to pick up, I think I would've been freezing the entire time I would've been waiting for the next one

Karin Kurosaki (22:47): And yeah exactly!

Karin Kurosaki (22:47): Nothing to worry too much over

Karin Kurosaki (22:49): If you're still worried by next Friday I could always come over to the office again and see how her ankle's doing?

Karin Kurosaki (22:50): Well actually that's assuming she's back in the office again by then

Karin Kurosaki (22:50): And that you're ok with me coming over again

Toshiro (22:51): Yeah it definitely went colder than I was expecting, we both should've been dressed better for that

Toshiro (22:52): And I don't have a problem with you coming over to the office again. In fact my boss tells me he made sure to give you express permission

Karin Kurosaki (22:53): Oh noooooooo

Karin Kurosaki (22:53): That's so embarrassing

Toshiro (22:54): What did he actually say to you?

Karin Kurosaki (22:55): That I could come whenever I wanted as long as I “don't distract you too much”

Toshiro (22:56): Oh thank god for that, what he said to me was worse

Karin Kurosaki (22:56): ???????

Karin Kurosaki (22:57): Please explain

Toshiro (22:59): Well he pretty much said the same thing to me except he was clearly hinting a bit more explicitly when talking about me getting “distracted” by you

Karin Kurosaki (23:00): Oh my god??

Karin Kurosaki (23:00): I'm laughing

Karin Kurosaki (23:00): Does your boss really think we'd fuck at your work place

Karin Kurosaki (23:01): THERE'S A WINDOW IN YOUR OFFICE

Karin Kurosaki (23:02): Nah he had to be joking just to tease you right

Toshiro (23:04): I mean I hope he was doing it to joke rather than thinking I would actually have sex with you in my office

Karin Kurosaki (23:05): You wouldn't? :(

Toshiro (23:05): KARIN

Karin Kurosaki (23:06): *laughing emoji*

Karin Kurosaki (23:06): Anyway moving on

Karin Kurosaki (23:07): I imagine if Rangiku's back in the office by Friday then her ankle would be fine, but I don't mind coming over to check it if you're really still worried, I'm free next Friday. I doubt it'll need checking though

Karin Kurosaki (23:08): But we could still meet up if you want to?

Toshiro (23:10): Sure? I'd be happy to meet up again if you wanted to?

Karin Kurosaki (23:11): Yeah I'm good for meeting up again

Karin Kurosaki (23:12): Let's talk details another time though, I'm about to get off the train

Toshiro (23:13): Ok. Let me know when you get home?

Karin Kurosaki (23:13): Will do

Karin Kurosaki (23:26): I'm home, safe and sound

Karin Kurosaki (23:27): Very tired now though, so I'm just gonna go straight to bed

Toshiro (23:28): Fair enough, I'm tired too honestly

Toshiro (23:28): Goodnight x

Karin Kurosaki (23:29): Goodnight! x

Rangiku (11:47): Hey! I sent you a document on whatsapp, it's a list of activity stuff nearby the office, it's got a lot of info on each place including price, but that price is per person for big group bookings just to warn you so it won't be accurate for just you and Hitsugaya

Karin (12:31): Wow you just had that lying around?

Rangiku (12:38): Guess who organises the work team building exercises and retreats :P

Karin (12:40): Ahh

Karin (12:41): Well this is awesome, thank you! It certainly saves me a lot of time

Rangiku (12:45): Oh for sure, I spent hours doing it so I know how long these things take, seeing as I did literally have it lying around I figured why not send it to you, save you from doing it all over again!

Karin (12:48): God I bet it must've taken ages, that list is super detailed. But yeah thank you again, I'll have a proper look in a bit and see what looks like a good idea for me and Toshiro

Rangiku (12:49): No problem! Let me know what you choose in the end :)

Karin (12:51): Will do :)

Karin (17:24): I think it's either gonna be bowling or mini golf

Karin (17:25): I'm tempted by the mini golf because I've never done it before but it's also noticeably more expensive than bowling so bowling may win out

Karin (17:25): If he agrees that is

Rangiku (18:16): Oh tell you what, go for the bowling, the mini golf place gets a bit cheaper once it hits November because it becomes off-peak permanently till like March I think

Rangiku (18:17): I remember because I ended up switching two office events around because it turned out way cheaper that way so yeah I'd recommend going bowling for now and going mini golfing another time

Karin (18:42): Oh ok, that's good to know, thank you!

Rangiku (18:54): *kiss emoji*

Karin exited out of the conversation with Rangiku and switched to the one with Toshiro.

Karin Kurosaki (18:57): Hey I think I have an idea for Friday if you're up for it?

Toshiro (19:03): An idea?

Karin Kurosaki (19:05): Yeah, wanna go bowling?

Toshiro (19:06): Oh I see

Toshiro (19:07): I'm up for bowling

Karin Kurosaki (19:08): Cool! There's a place near you that does pretty decent prices so I'm thinking to meet you at your office if that's ok?

Toshiro (19:10): Sure? How long do you think it would take you to get to the office from your work?

Toshiro (19:11): As in what time should I be expecting you

Karin Kurosaki (19:12): It wont be a strict set time because clocking out can vary

Karin Kurosaki (19:12): But I think like around 5:50pm? I tend to leave the hospital around half 5 and if I remember right it took like 15-20 mins to get to your office

Toshiro (19:14): Really? It seemed to take you longer than that when you came last Wednesday

Karin Kurosaki (19:15): Well yeah because a) I didn't know where I was going yet, doing it for the first time and all, and b) I ended up having a whole conversation with your boss so

Karin Kurosaki (19:16): Literally don't know how you forgot that one haha

Toshiro (19:17): I get the impression it was much more traumatic for you than it was me

Toshiro (19:17): It really wasn't that bad

Karin Kurosaki (19:18): I literally just let your boss think I was your girlfriend and the whole exchange led to him teasing you about me it's MORTIFYING

Toshiro (19:20): He teased me about my 'girlfriend' before you came to the office the only difference now is he attached your face and name to the concept

Karin Kurosaki (19:21): But I mean like how does it not embarrass you

Toshiro (19:22): I mean it does but we're talking about a man who has been teasing me for years this is nothing new

Toshiro (19:23): Also if I'm being 100% honest he genuinely seems impressed that I'm 'dating' you so I'm kinda coming off well here

Karin Kurosaki (19:23): I'm sorry what now

Karin Kurosaki (19:24): Why would it be impressive that you're dating me

Toshiro (19:25): Have you seen you?

Karin Kurosaki (19:25): Excuse me?????

Karin Kurosaki (19:25): Have you seen you???

Karin Kurosaki (19:26): You're like ridiculously attractive if we were to date I'd be the winner here not you

Toshiro (19:27): Nope

Karin Kurosaki (19:27): What do you mean Nope????

Karin Kurosaki (19:28): My dude I am a mess™

Toshiro (19:29): Who isn't?

Karin Kurosaki (19:30): Well I mean, sure, but like I'm pretty high on the list of human messes

Karin Kurosaki (19:30): I literally rely on you in the mornings to make sure I'm up for work like

Toshiro (19:31): I don't mind that though

Toshiro (19:32): There's way worse traits than that of all things

Karin Kurosaki (19:33): Well yeah but you know what I mean!

Karin Kurosaki (19:33): You're like a proper adult adult you know? You always seem like you know what you're doing

Karin Kurosaki (19:34): Meanwhile there's me who definitely doesn't like I am making shit up as I go, everything is all over the place

Toshiro (19:36): It's no different for me, I'm literally just more practised at looking like I know what I'm doing

Toshiro (19:37): I literally worked myself to the point of burning out and when I got some days off you had to remind me that I could visit my family I wouldn't really call myself put-together

Karin Kurosaki (19:38): I mean that's not quite how it happened

Karin Kurosaki (19:38): It was still you who came up with the idea of visiting family, and besides you said it yourself that you were burnt out, of course your brain wasn't fully cooperating

Toshiro (19:39): I suppose

Karin Kurosaki (19:40): And besides?? You're really kind? And nice? And smart? And dedicated? You've got lots of good traits, anybody would be lucky to have you

Toshiro (19:41): You know you just listed traits you have right?

Karin Kurosaki (19:42): That doesn't mean you don't have them too!

Karin Kurosaki (19:43): Maybe that's why we get on so well, we match :')

Toshiro (19:46): Maybe

Karin Kurosaki (19:47): But anyway! Speaking of getting on, like I said, bowling on Friday, and I'll meet you at your office at 5:50ish? Sound good?

Toshiro (19:48): Sure, I'll see you then

Karin Kurosaki (19:48): Great!

Chapter Text

Karin inputted their names and set up the game as Toshiro put their bags on the bench in their little section. “Ok that's all sorted. Er, just gotta get bowling balls now right?”

“Yeah, you go get one for you, I'll stay with the bags.”

Karin nodded, talking as she started walking towards the racks. “Good idea.”

It didn't take very long for Karin to pick a ball, carrying two of her chosen weight back to their lane in a couple of minutes.

Toshiro raised an eyebrow at the number on them, clearly marking them as eight pound bowling balls. “You went for light ones.”

Karin placed them into the ball rack on their lane. “Well yeah, that way you can throw it faster.”

“True, but I still think the heavier ones are more effective.”

“Oh please, all the heavier ones do is tire your arm out and go too slow to knock all the pins down, with the lighter ones I can well and truly throw it down there for max devastation.”

Toshiro raised his hand up in a mock surrender. “Alright, if you say so.”

“Ok look, I'll bowl with the lighter balls, you can bowl with the heavy ones and we'll see who wins.”

Toshiro smiled as he got up from the bench. “Sure,” he gestured towards the ball racks, “I'm gonna grab a couple, be back in a minute.”

Karin sat down on the bench next to their bags. “Yep yep, be quick, I put you first so I'm waiting on you now.”

“Alright alright, like I said, back in a minute.”

After deciding on which weight he wanted Toshiro came back to the lane, a bowling ball in each hand like Karin had, placing one of them into the rack next to hers. “Alright you ready?”

Karin put her phone back into her jeans pocket. “Oh I'm ready, show me what you got!”

Toshiro turned towards the pins and lined himself up before smoothly sending the ball down, managing to hit the middle, getting a strike.

Karin's mouth fell open. “Oh what? Beginner's luck I'll bet.”

Toshiro moved to sit next to her. “Uh huh, and what's gonna be your excuse for when I win?”

Karin gave him a look of mock outrage and nudged him with her shoulder. “Just you wait.” She got up from the seat and grabbed one of her bowling balls, sending it just right of the middle, knocking nine out of the ten pins down. “Oh fuck.” She spun round when she heard Toshiro laughing, pointing a finger at him. “Hey don't you laugh!” This is only round one ok, I'm still confident that I can kick your ass.”

“We'll see.”

Karin sent the ball down for her second try, managing to just graze the last pin, sending it spinning. “Hah!”

Toshiro nodded, impressed. “Ok ok, that was good I admit.”

Karin gave him a cheeky grin. “Your turn.”

Toshiro got up and took his turn, rolling his eyes when he heard Karin giggle at him getting a split.

“See! I knew it was beginner's luck.”

He turned to face her with a deliberately haughty expression, “I just thought I'd give you a fighting chance is all.”

Karin scoffed for a moment before countering. “Oh I see, you'd rather lose by handicapping yourself in the name of honour,” she mimed quotation marks, “than to me simply being better than you.”

“Yes actually.”

Their eyes met and they dissolved into laughter, Karin taking a moment to breath before speaking again. “You're competitive.”

He raised an eyebrow at the statement. “Coming from you?”

“Well yeah ok, I know I'm competitive, I just meant you're more competitive than I was expecting. That damn youngest sibling syndrome kicking in huh?”

Toshiro smiled at the tone of voice, thinking over her words. “Maybe actually, I haven't thought about where the competitiveness comes from.”

She shrugged. “Seems as good an explanation as any, would explain why I'm competitive too.”

“Honestly that just seems like your personality.”

“Well, maybe.”

Toshiro grabbed a bowling ball and spent a moment positioning himself, aiming to hit the right side of the split where there were a couple more pins. He bowled the ball, hitting a little more to the side than he wanted, only knocking two out of four pins.

Karin scrunched up her nose as he watched one of the pins wobble but not fall down. “Oof, unlucky.”

The two continued to take their turns, spending more time talking and taunting each other rather than actually bowling. Toshiro exhaled as he saw the scores going into the final round. “There's only five points in it.”

Karin grinned at him. “Is that nerves I hear? Even though you're five points ahead? You better do well on this one.”

“Listen I may be competitive but really, it doesn't matter if I lose here.”

“That's it, console yourself, you know I won't.”

Toshiro barked out a laugh, surprised by the blunt words. “True.”

“Do you wanna make it matter? I have an idea.” He raised an eyebrow at Karin, waiting for her to continue. “Whoever wins gets to pick what we do next week?”

He smiled as he geared up to take his last turn. “Deal.”

He didn't manage to get another strike, only getting eight pins down altogether, while Karin got nine. However with his five point lead, Toshiro won the game, and he smiled cockily at her when the final score showed up. She rolled her eyes at him, holding her hands up. “Ok ok, I admit, you won. Got any ideas for what you wanna do next week?”

“Nothing coming to mind just yet.”

She nodded. “Fair enough, do me a favour and don't plan anything too out there though?”

“I wouldn't worry about that, I wouldn't choose anything too extreme.”

Karin cracked up, laughter in her voice as she joked, “I just show up to your office next week to find you presenting me with a sword telling me we're gonna duel or something.”

Toshiro laughed with her, “listen you joke but I actually could do that.”

“I'm sorry what? What do you mean you could actually do that?”

“I was actually super into kendo when I was in school? Became the captain of the team and everything in my last year. Did it at uni too.”

Karin's face morphed into surprise as she took in what he said. “Hang on so you like actually know how to sword fight? Like you could actually duel someone?”

He grinned at the sheer wonder and surprise in her face. “I could. I actually even have a sword at home.”

“I'm sorry what?”

“My grandma gave it to me when I turned 18.”

“That's literally the coolest thing ever? You just straight up have a sword?”

Toshiro nodded. “Dragon engraved into the metal and everything.”

Karin blinked. “What!?” She floundered for a moment, mouth open in awe as she tried to wrap her head round the concept. “Oh my god no ok listen you've gotta take me home at some point and show me your sword- wait oh god,” she burst out laughter, doubling over when she caught sight of his raised eyebrow. “Jeez ok that came out wrong you know what I meant-” she cut herself off, laughing again as she watched Toshiro shake his head in disbelief.

“Propositioning me the second time we've ever seen each other I mean really.”

“Hey! it's actually the third time if we're counting when I went to see Rangiku.”

“Yeah that makes it so much better.”

Karin broke down into laughter again at the sheer sarcasm in his voice.

Karin (19:32): Ok so your idea of doing an activity went great, you're the best!

Rangiku (19:34): *kiss emoji*

Rangiku (19:34): Take it things today went even better than last time then? :D

Karin (19:35): Yeah, we ended up getting competitive over winning bowling which like totally wiped out the awkwardness? We were too busy to get shy because we were trying to shoot the other down haha

Rangiku (19:36): Sounds like you had fun!

Karin (19:37): Yeah

Rangiku (19:38): :)

Toshiro (20:17): **photo sent**

Karin Kurosaki (20:44): I distinctly remember you having a distaste for tinder and whatnot and yet here you are sending a girl a photo of your sword completely unprompted for shame

Toshiro (20:45): DO NOT

Karin Kurosaki (20:45): Ok but in all seriousness like jokes aside,

Karin Kurosaki (20:45): Oh my god you actually do have a sword holy shit

Toshiro (20:46): Yep

Toshiro (20:47): Also as it turns out I have to begrudgingly admit that you were right

Karin Kurosaki (20:49): Of course!

Karin Kurosaki (20:50): About what specifically though I'm right about many things

Toshiro (20:51): You were right about the heavier bowling ball, my right arm has started to ache

Karin Kurosaki (20:51): LMAO

Toshiro (08:53): Love coming into work on a Monday morning to immediately get bombarded with a new big project

Karin Kurosaki (08:55): Ouch

Karin Kurosaki (08:55): How big?

Toshiro (08:58): Actually to be fair it's not that it's big, more very time limited. There's a new product this company wants out for christmas sales but they had delays on their end so they're only just coming to us now which is very late but they're paying a lot provided we can get it all set up within two weeks

Toshiro (08:59): It's not particularly complicated, it would've been easy if it wasn't for the time crunch

Toshiro (09:01): I know we talked about meeting up again this Friday and as much as I would love to I don't think I'm going to be able to

Toshiro (09:02): I imagine this one will be a lot of long days, including Friday so yeah

Karin Kurosaki (12:41): Oh yeah of course, no problem, I know what your job's like

Karin Kurosaki (12:42): Just try not to die while doing the project, remember to eat regularly :P

Karin Kurosaki (12:48): Oh actually you know what my flatmates were vaguely talking about doing a Halloween night in thing on the friday anyway so this kinda works out

Toshiro (13:11): Halloween's on the Saturday isn't it?

Karin Kurosaki (13:13): Yeah, a couple of them are planning on going out to parties or club nights or whatever on the actual day, but not everyone in the flat drinks or is generally a party sort of person and we wanted to do something all together as well

Karin Kurosaki (13:14): Like a chill, lowkey option you know?

Toshiro (13:15): Ah I see

Toshiro (13:16): That does work out though, at least one of us can have fun on Friday

Karin Kurosaki (13:17): You mean the stressful very time sensitive work project isn't fun?

Toshiro (13:18): Shocking I know

Karin Kurosaki (13:19): I'll make sure to bug you regularly so you don't get too bored :P

Karin Kurosaki (13:20): But anyway my break is over so I gotta get back to work, I'll talk to you later x

Toshiro (13:20): Sure, have a good day at work

Toshiro (13:21): Well afternoon now

Karin Kurosaki (20:46): Me and my flatmates just had a very passionate discussion over horror movies and now I'm intrigued about your opinion on them

Toshiro (21:22): Can't say I particularly watch them to be honest, they don't really appeal to me very much. I've watched a few psychological horrors if we're counting those

Karin Kurosaki (21:25): Ah fair enough, I think psychological horror counts! Like it's a sub category right? That was what part of the debate was, a couple of my flatmates were saying how they don't count because they're not like scary scary, but then the movies they were praising were just like gorefests?? And how is that scary? Especially if you know what's coming? It might make you uncomfortable but it's not scary, it's just grotesque

Karin Kurosaki (21:28): Idk I guess I'm picky with horror films but like if I'm gonna watch a scary movie it should be genuinely scary!! I feel like so many horror movies cheap out and just go for jumpscares or gore rather than actually building up any proper suspense or dread you know?? Like I don't wanna be shocked I wanna be scared!

Karin Kurosaki (21:30): I mean jumpscares can be good if they're done well, but they shouldn't be used every five minutes you know?

Toshiro (21:37): I can't say I have much of an opinion as I don't really watch horror movies, but hypothetically I agree, I do see what you mean

Toshiro (21:38): You're surprisingly passionate about this

Karin Kurosaki (21:40): Ah well me and flatmates just spent the best part of an hour discussing it, I know where I stand haha

Toshiro (21:41): How?? How do you spend almost an hour just talking about what makes a good horror movie

Karin Kurosaki (21:42): Because not one of us backed down lmao

Toshiro (21:42): Ah

Karin Kurosaki (21:43): Listen I know I'm right

Karin Kurosaki (21:43): You even said you agreed with me and I know you're smart so clearly I'm correct

Toshiro (21:44): I said I agreed hypothetically

Karin Kurosaki (21:45): Good enough

Toshiro (21:46): Hmm

Karin Kurosaki (21:46): Don't you start, I don't need any more debates today

Toshiro (21:47): Was the horror movie one that taxing?

Karin Kurosaki (21:48): Oh no I wouldn't say it was taxing, it was interesting honestly but mondays are always busy so I was tired anyway and then I went and constructed clever arguments for almost an hour so now I'm very tired :')

Toshiro (21:48): Go to bed then?

Karin Kurosaki (21:49): I'm getting there, takes forever to dry my hair after a shower

Karin Kurosaki (21:50): Then finally I can collapse into bed

Toshiro (21:52): Oh I see

Toshiro (21:52): Look at you going to bed before midnight

Karin Kurosaki (21:53): I know right

Karin Kurosaki (21:54): Is this it? Have I reached adulthood?

Toshiro (21:55): You regularly skip breakfast so I'm not convinced on awarding full adulthood yet

Karin Kurosaki (21:57): Oh what? But I skip breakfast regularly in order to make sure I get to work on time, what is more adult than that?

Toshiro (21:58): Changing your schedule permanently so you wake up in time that you don't have to skip breakfast to get to work on time?

Karin Kurosaki (21:59): Absolutely disgusting, I'd rather have the twenty minutes extra sleep thank you

Toshiro (21:59): I'll get you eating breakfast one day

Karin Kurosaki (22:00): Lmao doubt it

Karin Kurosaki (22:01): Good luck with that

Karin Kurosaki (22:01): Is this what we're doing now, I'm trying to break you out of your routine and get you to live a little, while you're trying to get me into a routine?

Toshiro (22:02): Apparently

Karin Kurosaki (22:03): May the best person win

Toshiro (22:04): In all seriousness though speaking of routine if you're tired go to sleep

Karin Kurosaki (22:06): Trying to get an early start on me in this competition I see

Toshiro (22:07): The first time we properly spent time together you had us staying out in town till 10pm even though I didn't want you to go home too late so you already had the early advantage

Karin Kurosaki (22:09): Er excuse me sir you're the one who suggested going to a cafe

Karin Kurosaki (22:13): Toshiro?

Toshiro (22:14): Was trying to think of a rebuttal but couldn't come up with one

Karin Kurosaki (22:15): HAHA

Karin Kurosaki (22:16): Given you just admitted to shooting yourself in the foot I will concede and go to bed

Karin Kurosaki (22:17): Well that and also I'm literally so sleepy right now so yeah

Karin Kurosaki (22:17): Goodnight <3

Toshiro (22:18): Goodnight x

Karin Kurosaki (18:14): **photo sent**

Karin Kurosaki (18:14): Am I scary yet?

Toshiro quirked an eyebrow as he opened up the image, curious on what she was talking about. His eyes widened slightly as the image opened up to reveal a photo of Karin, a selfie he quickly realised. She was wearing thicker, more dramatic than usual eyeliner and her hair mostly down except for a section on each side of her head which she had pinned back with skeleton hand hair clips. His gaze fixated on her lips for a moment, mesmerized by the natural pink colour, had never seen her without her usual subtle but still red lipstick. She was pulling a face in the photo, her face scrunched up a little in a pretend scowl, trying to match the rest of her look. Evidently she had decided to dress up a little for the movie night with her flatmates. The thought made him smile, that she would dress up even for a relatively quiet night in with her friends, making even the little things as fun as possible for herself. It was very Karin. He beat down the temptation to save the photo. That would probably be weird.

Toshiro (18:21): Unfortunately I have to inform you that the first word that came to mind was cute, not scary

Karin Kurosaki (18:21): :O

Karin Kurosaki (18:22): How dare you

Karin Kurosaki (18:22): I am never cute

Karin Kurosaki (18:23): I shall give you a pass this one time as you don't have the whole picture

Toshiro (18:24): The whole picture?

Karin Kurosaki (18:27): **photo sent**

Toshiro opened the image the moment it came through, revealing a photo Karin had taken of her legs stretched out in front of her, clad in black thigh high socks with a skeleton print on them.

Karin Kurosaki (18:28): I also have matching socks

Toshiro couldn't help but grin.

Toshiro (18:29): Ah, well of course that changes things, the matching socks definitely make you very scary

Karin Kurosaki (18:30): Correct! Glad you agree

Toshiro (18:31): Your flatmates will be terrified

Karin Kurosaki (18:31): Oh absolutely! But they're all kinda dressing up too so it will be mutual

Karin Kurosaki (18:32): I'm curious, did anyone in your office dress up at all?

Toshiro (18:34): There were a couple of Halloween themed ties here and there, Matsumoto was wearing bat tights

Karin Kurosaki (18:34): Love her

Toshiro (18:35): The ultimate one however was my boss wearing a full on very orange Halloween waistcoat with jack-o-lanterns printed on it

Karin Kurosaki (18:36): KING

Karin Kurosaki (18:36): Introduce me to the peeps who were wearing Halloween ties and I'll know all my favourite people in your office

Karin Kurosaki (18:37): Aside from you of course

Karin Kurosaki (18:37): I bet you didn't dress up at all though :(

Toshiro (18:38): Of course not, I'm at work

Karin Kurosaki (18:39): I mean it clearly didn't stop other people

Toshiro (18:39): I could never, feels way too unprofessional to me

Karin Kurosaki (18:40): Unprofessional?? Your boss dressed up, is he unprofessional?

Toshiro (18:41): Well...

Karin Kurosaki (18:41): I'M LAUGHING

Karin Kurosaki (18:42): For real though like if your boss does it surely that means you can do it

Toshiro (18:43): You're 100% the type to take a mile when you're given an inch aren't you

Karin Kurosaki (18:44): In work based scenarios? Absolutely tbh

Karin Kurosaki (18:44): Wait actually speaking of shouldn't you be busy working? You haven't finished the project already have you?

Toshiro (18:45): I have not but in my defence I got sent a photo of a cute girl I got distracted

Karin Kurosaki (18:46): You smooth motherfucker

Karin Kurosaki (18:47): Wait no I don't like being called cute

Karin Kurosaki (18:47): How could you do this to me

Toshiro (18:48): Sorry my bad, I got sent a photo of a scary girl and got distracted

Karin Kurosaki (18:49): Better

Chapter Text

Toshiro (19:37): How do you feel about ice skating?

Karin Kurosaki (19:43): Neutral?

Karin Kurosaki (19:44): I've only gone like once before ages ago so I'm not very good at it but I'm open to it

Karin Kurosaki (19:45): Are you cashing in your chosen idea for us hanging out?

Toshiro (19:47): If you're up for it?

Karin Kurosaki (19:48): Sure!

Karin Kurosaki (19:49): Aren't you still in the middle of your project though?

Toshiro (19:51): We've gotten to the point of contracts being drawn up and signed and whatnot, and there's not much I can do till that's all sorted, then we can work on the product launch itself

Toshiro (19:52): So I should be free on Friday

Karin Kurosaki (19:53): Ah cool, in that case yeah! Let's do it!

Karin Kurosaki (19:54): I had no idea there was a skating rink in the city centre though

Toshiro (19:55): Well it's not in the centre centre, but it's only a 15 minute train out so I figure that shouldn't be a problem?

Karin Kurosaki (19:56): No no, sounds good!

Karin Kurosaki (19:56): Have you gone ice skating before?

Toshiro (19:57): Quite a few times yeah

Karin Kurosaki (19:59): Cool in that case I expect you to catch me when I inevitably fall

Toshiro (20:00): Ah

Toshiro (20:01): Not good on skates?

Karin Kurosaki (20:02): Like I said, only went the once so not really lmao

Toshiro (20:04): You didn't have roller skates when you were a kid?

Karin Kurosaki (20:05): Nah, did have a skateboard though

Karin Kurosaki (20:06): Well actually, my brother had a skateboard, that I would regularly steal

Karin Kurosaki (20:06): You expected me to have roller skates as a kid?

Toshiro (20:09): I guess so, most of the kids around me had roller skates so I just kinda assumed everyone had them, plus you strike me as the type to have been an active kid

Toshiro (20:10): But thinking about it that could be because I grew up in a village with not a lot to do around so everyone had stuff like that

Karin Kurosaki (20:11): Ohhh I see, that makes sense, you guys had a lot more outside equipment than us I bet, more space to play outside

Karin Kurosaki (20:12): And I was an active kid to be fair, I was like OBSESSED with soccer

Toshiro (20:13): Oh really? Me too actually

Karin Kurosaki (20:15): :O!!!!!

Karin Kurosaki (20:16): Well that's another thing we could do sometime! Some one on one competition :D

Toshiro (20:17): Sure, I'm not sure where though

Karin Kurosaki (20:19): Have you heard of these outside green spaces called parks

Toshiro (20:20): I meant in Tokyo

Karin Kurosaki (20:21): Oh there's bound to be a park somewhere that's quiet enough to play without bothering people

Toshiro (20:23): Quiet...in Tokyo...

Karin Kurosaki (20:25): There's gotta be somewhere though right? Like what do all the kids do?

Toshiro (20:26): True, a lot of my coworkers tend to send their kids to clubs but that's probably biased because they can afford to do that sort of thing

Karin Kurosaki (20:27): Yeah exactly, there's bound to be places around where you can just mess around in a park

Karin Kurosaki (20:28): Probably more around residential areas than the centre itself to be fair but yeah

Karin Kurosaki (20:29): Ok so ice skating this friday, and we'll both keep an eye out for a place where we could play soccer at some point :)

Toshiro (20:31): Fair enough, sounds like a plan

Karin Kurosaki (13:21): AHHHHHH why does my idiot brother tell me amazing news when I'm at work like in ten minutes my break finishes and I have to be a reasonable human being for another 3 and a half hours and not gush at people????

Toshiro (13:23): Oh?

Karin Kurosaki (13:23): They had their first sonogram!!!

Karin Kurosaki (13:23): Baby's all healthy and developing well so far :D

Karin Kurosaki (13:24): And they know the due date now! 28^th of April apparently :DDD

Karin Kurosaki (13:24): Baby might have different ideas lmao idk how often they actually get born on their due date but ahhhhhh!!! I knew I was gonna be an aunt but having a due date makes it so much more real

Toshiro (13:25): Oh I see, that's great news!

Toshiro (13:25): I see you're very excited

Karin Kurosaki (13:26): So excited!! I'm already thinking about baby's first gift haha

Karin Kurosaki (13:27): Do you think a teddy bear's too cliché?

Toshiro (13:28): Cliché? I mean I know most tend to go for teddy bears but there's a reason right? They're soft and kids get attached to things like that

Karin Kurosaki (17:16): Break ended before I could reply :(

Karin Kurosaki (17:17): And yeah I guess? I mean a teddy bear makes sense but then everyone gets that right? And like I wanna impress the baby

Karin Kurosaki (17:17): Having typed that out I have just realised that might sound a little insane given a newborn can't even see properly but you know what I mean

Toshiro (17:23): No I do get what you mean, it's sweet not insane

Toshiro (17:24): Maybe talk with the rest of the family, figure out what everybody else is getting?

Karin Kurosaki (17:28): Oh good idea, that way there won't be doubles or anything

Karin Kurosaki (17:29): Once me and my sister managed to get our dad the exact same ridiculous tie for his birthday

Karin Kurosaki (17:29): Evidently it just screamed 'perfect for dad' to both of us :')

Toshiro (17:33): Wow, would definitely recommend liaising with the rest of your family then

Karin Kurosaki (17:34): 'Liaising' you're still stuck in your work brain huh

Toshiro (17:36): Not surprising as I'm still at work

Karin Kurosaki (17:39): I thought the project had a bit of breather?

Toshiro (17:45): It does but it's not my only responsibility. Shouldn't be too late though, just finishing off some emails

Toshiro (17:46): Besides you know I never actually leave at 5, either before that or after 6

Karin Kurosaki (17:47): Ohhh ok so we're still good for friday?

Karin Kurosaki (17:48): And yeah currently stuck in a packed crowd waiting for the train I can certainly appreciate the wisdom of not leaving between 5 and 6 but it just doesn't work for me sigh

Karin Kurosaki (17:48): Maybe I should just start hanging out in your office for an hour haha

Toshiro (17:54): Yeah we're still good for friday

Toshiro (17:54): And do what? I still have to work you know

Karin Kurosaki (17:55): Good point, without you being able to entertain me it would probably be boring

Karin Kurosaki (17:56): Anyway! It looks like I've got a good chance to get on this train so I'll talk to you later xx

“Ok now remember,” Karin started tying her laces, “you promised to catch me if I fall.”

Toshiro sat down next to her to start putting on his own ice skates. “I don't think I ever actually promised that, but I'll do my best.”

She huffed. “The railing is probably more solid than you anyway.”

“I'll be there.”

Karin smiled as she tied her other skate up. “You sound confident but you haven't seen me on the ice yet. Oh actually,” she leaned forward to take her phone out of her back jeans pocket, “probably not the best idea to keep this in my back pocket huh? It doesn't fit in the front pockets, you got the key to the locker?”

Toshiro slipped the ice skate he had put on back off and held his hand out. “Yeah, I'll go put it in now if you want?”

She handed him her phone with a thank you and continued tying up her second ice skate. The lockers weren't very far from the benches so Toshiro was back at their bench within a minute or two, putting on his skates much quicker than Karin had. “So when you say you've gone a few times...”

“Well I mean I wouldn't say I've gone a lot, but I guess I'm practised?”

Karin finished putting her skates on and got up from the bench, starting to make her way towards the rink itself, Toshiro following her. “Man I swear if you start doing tricks on the ice-”

“I'm not that good.”

“Hmm I dunno, starting to think you just wanted to show off.”

Toshiro went into the rink first and moved to the side of the entrance, one hand on the rail, one held out for Karin. “I chose ice skating because I think it's fun.”

Karin made her way out to him, a little wobbly, gripping tightly onto the rail. “If you say so. Ok so, how do I do this exactly? Like what's the proper way?”

He grasped her free arm to gently pull her a little further away from the entrance out of the way of other people. “Ok first of all try to keep your feet shoulder width apart.”

“Ok.”

He bent a little at the knees, demonstrating as he spoke. “And then bend your knees a little, it's easier to stay balanced that way, and you get a better feel for where your weight is too so you're less likely to fall over.”

Karin followed his instructions tightly gripping the rail as she went. “Ok, and then?”

“And then you just kinda move forward, I'll show you.”

Toshiro rotated around so they were both facing the same way, him in front. He used his left leg to push backwards, gliding forward on his right. Did the same on the other side. “So you push back with one and go forward with the other, you gotta put your weight on the one going forward.”

Karin cocked her head to the side as she watched Toshiro skate forward a couple of times. “Man I can already tell this is gonna end with me on my face but alright.”

Toshiro rotated so he was facing Karin again. “I've got you, it'll be fine. You'll pick it up quick once you're doing it I'm sure. ”

Karin nodded and skated forward, shakily and with her hand still tightly grabbing the rail, but forward nonetheless. She skated forward with the other leg, a little more confident this time. “Oh hey I'm doing it.”

Toshiro, who had been going backwards in time with her to stay close, smiled at her. “Told you.”

Karin now feeling steadier on her own two feet suddenly noticed Toshiro's skating. “Are you seriously skating backwards?”

He shrugged. “Means I can stay in front of you in case you do fall.”

She skated forward a bit more, the strides getting a little longer as she got more confident on the ice. “It's nice having you in front of me as insurance and all, but eventually you're gonna bump backwards into somebody aren't you?”

“What, you can't warn me? You're facing that way.”

Karin laughed at the exasperation in his voice. “I'm a little focused on my own feet!”

“You'll find it easier if you look up, looking down messes up your balance.”

Karin stopped and looked up at him. “See now that makes sense, but not looking? I'll do something stupid like knock my feet together.”

He raised an amused eyebrow. “Are you suddenly not aware of where your own feet are?” She scowled at him, making him laugh a little. “I've got you. You're not gonna fall, you'll be more balanced if you look up at me. And if you do start tipping over I'll catch you.”

She sighed and kept her head up as she started to skate forward, slow to begin with as she got a feel for the rhythm again. “This is a weird sort of trust exercise.”

“Hm. Didn't think of that way.”

Karin kept her eyes glued to him as picked up speed a little. “Well yeah, because you can actually skate.”

“So can you! You're literally skating right now.”

“I guess.”

The two of them continued skating, Karin only half falling once, around the first corner she took at speed, with Toshiro catching her as he said he would. After a while Toshiro moved so he was to her side instead, unable to skate backwards as quickly as Karin was going forwards. They went round the rink as many times as they could in the hour slot they paid for, talking and laughing as they went, until a staff member called out to leave the rink.

Karin was going round the rink pretty quickly by the end and struggled to slow down before reaching the rest of the people starting to leave. “Crap, Toshiro?”

He looked to see what the issue was before speeding back up, skating to come in front of her, wrapping his arms around her to try and slow her down with his weight. Her momentum was too fast for it and her feet went in between his legs, body ending up horizontal. Toshiro couldn't keep her or himself upright, feet sliding back as he held onto her, falling forwards on top of her. He quickly moved one of his arms up to make sure her head didn't hit the ice as the two of them fell. Karin let out a groan as his weight on top of her winded her, laughing as the situation caught up with her. “Well, you couldn't stop me from falling but at least you went down with me.”

Toshiro carefully got up from her, pulling her up with him as he went. “To be fair I basically made you fall, only right I fell too.”

Karin laughed at that, almost falling over again. “I mean it was either strategically fall or crash into a load of people, I think you made the right choice.”

He guided her towards the railing, the two of them now calmly making their way towards the entrance of the rink so they could leave. “Well if I'm honest I was hoping for getting you to stop without falling but physics didn't agree.”

Karin spoke with a grin, leaving the rink first. “Gravity truly is a harsh bitch.”

Toshiro laughed as he left the rink too, following Karin to a bench. Once their ice skates were off Karin went to return them to the desk as Toshiro got out their stuff from their locker. They rejoined each other on the same bench to get themselves ready to leave, Karin putting her boots back on, shrugging her coat on afterwards as well.

“Here's your phone.”

Karin looked up from her coat zip. “Ah, thank you.” She moved to put it into her back pocket but changed her mind, quickly unlocking the home screen instead. “Wait wait actually, lemme just...Here! Look! My upcoming niece slash nephew!”

He carefully took the phone back off her, small smile on his face, partly at witnessing Karin's excitement in person, partly because of the sonogram image she had brought up on her phone. “Weird to think that they can go from this tiny to a whole adult human.”

Karin grinned at him, leaning against him so she could see the image as well. “I know right? Although to be fair there's a lot of time between those two states.”

Toshiro smiled back at her and looked at the sonogram for another moment before handing the phone back. “Do they know the gender yet?”

Karin slipped her phone into her jeans. “Nah not yet, too early. Don't think my brother and his wife really care, they're both just so hyped for the baby full stop you know? They want a whole gaggle of kids because they're both crazy like that.”

Toshiro put his own coat on. “How many is a gaggle of kids?”

“Oh they've both said they want like at least three, so knowing them it'll end up being four, maybe even five? I don't know, we all butt heads occasionally being siblings and all but we all like knowing we've got each other you know? And my sister in law didn't have a ton of family growing up so I think they both want a big family where their kids can have support no matter what I guess?”

“I can understand that, I think both me and my sister would've struggled without each other.”

Karin slung her backpack on, shimmying her shoulders a little to get it to sit right. “Yeah exactly, like I can see the arguments for having an only child because you can completely focus on them or whatever right but having had a brother and a sister? I gotta have more than one. But probably not more than three, lord knows the house was noisy enough with us as it was.”

Toshiro smiled. “You've thought about this.”

The two of them started slowly walking out of the ice skating place. “Hard not to when there's a baby on the way now...Have you?”

He shrugged. “A little? I always just kind of thought of it as something in the future before.”

“Mn, I get you.”

The two of them left the building, hovering around the entrance, Karin zipping up her coat now that they were out in the cold. Toshiro spoke up after a moment. “Did you wanna call it a night or?”

Karin shook her head. “Nah, going ice skating has made me crave hot chocolate, unless you wanted to start heading home?”

“No I'm happy to stay out. Besides, I probably owe you a hot chocolate anyway, I'm the one that suggested ice skating and I ended up squishing you.”

She gave him a look and laughed a little. “I don't think you have enough body weight to squish me.”

“I'm still bigger than you.”

Karin snorted at that. “By half an inch, you may have shoulders on me but I've got hips on you, you didn't squish me. Much.”

Toshiro rolled his eyes. “Whatever, cafe?”

“Sounds good!”

Chapter Text

On her way to the staff room, Karin stopped walking as she reread the messages in her flat's group chat, focusing on them properly. She had been skimming through them once her shift ended and belatedly realised that she'd been asked a question she hadn't picked up the context of.

Haruna (16:22): Hey just to let you know next door just knocked to tell us that they're having a party tonight

Haruna (16:22): Like a full on, loud music, lots of beer kind of party

Haruna (16:23): And I know @Karin and @Reina have got tests coming up? So yeah I wouldn't try and settle in here and study, go to the library I guess? Sorry for the short notice, they only just told me

Haruna (16:24): Apparently they tried knocking yesterday but no one was here at the time, it is what it is I guess **shrug emoji**

Reina (16:37): Eh some warning is better than no warning, library it is!

Hitomi (17:02): Thanks for the warning, I might go out and study as well, don't wanna have to deal with all the bass I just know is gonna go right through the walls

Reina (17:03): Ooh we could have a little study party in the library! I'm gonna get snacks

Hitomi (17:04): Sure, I'm gonna have dinner at the flat first though, we could meet at the shop later on and go together?

Reina (17:04): Yeah!

Reina (17:05): Actually I'll come back and have food too, fuel my brain properly before desperately cramming for hours **crying emoji**

Reina (17:07): @Karin you wanna join?? :D

Karin sighed. Honestly she didn't want to join. Her flatmates were lovely and all, but she wasn't the type to study with other people, she struggled to concentrate if people were talking to her, preferred to have music playing in her ears instead. She could go to the library and sit away from them she supposed, but that felt a little rude. Karin grabbed her bag from the staff room and made her way to the changing room, lost in thought. She could always go to a cafe, but that would cost money. Maybe a library in the city centre? She had no idea where one would be though, or whether she could just walk in and use it. And if she was being honest she was a little iffy about a library to begin with. Her test was important, she had to focus fully on studying and not get distracted by things in the background, somewhere guaranteed to be quiet would be best.

Karin froze as an idea struck her. Could she ask Toshiro? She knew he was in the middle of a project right now, surely that meant he would be just as busy and quiet as she should be, and he did have extra seating in his office. Karin hesitated as she stared at his contact in her phone. She wondered whether this would be disturbing him, whether she'd get in his way if she tried to study in his office. She shook her head slightly as she dismissed the thought and pressed the call button. There wasn't any harm in asking, he could always just say no.

It took a few rings before Toshiro answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey it's me, listen I know you're still busy with the whole project thing, but is there any chance I could hijack your office sofa to study?”

“...Huh?”

Karin laughed at the confusion in his voice. “My flatmate messaged me, apparently next door are having a party tonight but I've got an assessment coming up so I need to study, the uni library is always noisy until like 10 at night and I'd rather not spend money and go to a cafe so I figured I'd ask? If I could use your sofa? Like I'm sure you'll be quiet because you'll be busy working too right?”

Toshiro was silent for a moment, processing. “Well, yeah, it'll be quiet.”

“Of course if it'll disturb you that's fine, I'll just go to a cafe anyway but-”

“No I just, wasn't expecting that at all. But sure? As long as you're quiet as well.”

Karin let out a sigh of relief. “Ah really? You're sure?”

“Yeah, why not.”

“Awesome, thank you! I'll probably be there in like half an hour?”

“Sure. Just let yourself up, everyone's so busy that they're not gonna care about you walking in so just come through.”

Karin nodded to herself. “Ok will do, see you in a bit.”

She hung up as soon as Toshiro said goodbye, dropped a quick message into the groupchat explaining she was going to study somewhere else, then finished getting changed into her normal clothes. She slipped her boots on and made sure she had everything she needed. She hadn't left the house expecting to stay out and study, but she had brought a few bits for her lunch break and any quiet moments during her shift. Textbook, notebook, pencil case, no laptop which complicated things a little bit, but she could make do with her phone. She had her earphones as usual too, which would make it easier to be quiet and ignore Toshiro as she got stuff done. Karin straightened her bag out and zipped it up, slung it on her back and made her way to Toshiro's office.

She decided to make a quick stop in a convenience store on the way, grabbing a couple of snacks as she wasn't sure how long she'd end up in the office, wanted to make sure she had enough energy to keep going even if dinner ended up being late. Food secured in her backpack, she continued on until she reached his floor, walking past the desks easily enough. Toshiro was right, everyone was so busy working away at god knows what that no one paid her any attention as she walked through to his office, knocking briefly before coming in.

“Hey.”

Toshiro briefly looked up from his computer. “Hi, not to ignore you or anything but are you happy to just set yourself up?”

Karin nodded as she dumped her bag next to the sofa. “Yep.” She started pulling things out of her bag. “Is it ok if I move the coffee table closer to me?”

Toshiro kept typing for a moment, focused on finishing getting his current sentence down before turning back to her. “Hm? Oh yeah sure, feel free.”

Karin dragged the table over to use as a make shift desk, slipped her boots off, and sat cross-legged on the sofa. She set up her own little work station, drink and snacks on the table in front of her, textbook joining them, her notebook on her lap as she started to make notes, tuning everything else out with music in her ears.

The two of them worked in relative silence for a long while, both content to focus on getting their own work done before the office door opening grabbed both of their attention. Karin, noticing that it was Ukitake coming to talk to Toshiro about something, put her head back down and continued working. Or at least she did until he stood in front of her makeshift desk, prompting her to pull an earphone out, looking up.

“Sorry to disturb you sweetheart, we're ordering dinner as everyone's working late, would you like to join?”

“Oh.” She looked over to Toshiro but he had gone back to his own work, barely listening to them. “I wouldn't wanna impose or anything. Especially as I'm like, not an employee or anything.”

Ukitake waved his hand in the air with a slight shake of his head, kind smile on his face. “Nonsense, we bulk order anyway, and we always end up with some leftovers that just end up in the fridge! You may as well join. The food should be arriving in about twenty minutes so feel free to come to the break room then!”

And with that Karin watched, a little taken aback, as he left the office with a happy smile. She turned to Toshiro. “Did you hear that?”

Toshiro barely looked up from his computer. “Mm hm, he invited you to join in with dinner.”

“That doesn't bother you?”

That did make Toshiro look up. “No? Why would it?”

Karin fiddled with the pen in her hand, feeling a little awkward. “I mean you do realise if I go out there and join in like that literally everyone in your office is gonna think I'm your girlfriend?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Everybody already thinks that, might as well get some free food out of it.”

Karin smiled at the joke but was still concerned. “Is that not gonna make things awkward for you though? Couldn't this blow up in your face at some point?”

“How do you mean?”

“Well I mean we're friends right, I don't intend to stop hanging out with you, and surely eventually they'll catch on that we're not actually dating.”

Toshiro took his hands away from his keyboard as he thought for a moment. “True, but neither of us said we actually were, so it's not like we've lied or anything, it's their wrong assumption.”

“I guess.”

He studied her face for a moment. “If the whole thing makes you uncomfortable you don't have to eat with us. Or you know, thinking about it we could just clear it up that we're not actually dating if it does come up. I wouldn't expect you to go along with it just because I didn't want to disappoint my boss.”

“Oh...I guess that's true. Neither of us actually said we were dating, and we're not deep in it or anything, we could just dispute it now.”

“Exactly. Don't stress so much.”

Karin grinned. “Your poor boss will be so disappointed.”

Toshiro laughed. “True, but he'll live.”

Karin nodded to herself. “Ok, so we just tell them we're not dating if it comes up?”

“Sure.”

Karin nodded again and put her earphone back in to continue studying, making notes from a further three paragraphs in her textbook before she noticed movement out of Toshiro's office window. She put her notebook on top of the coffee table and put her pen back into her pencil case. “I think the food's here.”

Toshiro nodded. “Ok, I just need to finish up this part here, feel free to go on ahead I'll be out in a few minutes.”

The idea of going out to eat with all of Toshiro's colleagues without him made Karin a little nervous, but she slipped her boots back on and left his office anyway.

“Oh what are you doing here?”

Karin turned to see Rangiku surprised but with a smile on her face. “Oh hey, my neighbours are having a party tonight so I'm borrowing Toshiro's sofa to study.”

Rangiku slung her arm around Karin. “Fair enough! Come on let me introduce you to people! Is Hitsugaya actually planning on coming out anytime soon you think?”

Karin nodded, a little overwhelmed by the idea of meeting everyone but thankful Rangiku was planning to guide her through it. “Yeah, he said he'd be a few minutes.”

“In my experience that can mean anything from three to thirty minutes, but with you being out here I'm sure he'll be out quickly. Nanao! Come meet Karin!”

After a few introductions, which as they went on Karin realised that Rangiku had specifically chosen people she thought she could carry a conversation with, which was thoughtful of her, they had gone into the break room together, Rangiku handing her a paper plate. “Just grab whatever you'd like ok?”

Karin made an affirmative noise and did as instructed, ending up with a mix of all sorts from the impromptu buffet the office had set up on the tables in the centre of the room. It was a relatively subdued affair, most people talking calmly while eating, although some had brought work in with them. She ended up at a table with Rangiku, Nanao, and another woman, Kaori, talking about the assessment she had coming up and what studying physiotherapy was like. It wasn't until Toshiro entered a few moments afterwards that Kaori leaned forward, as if reminded why Karin was here at all, and asked, not quietly enough, about the two of them. “So you and Hitsugaya! I'm surprised he managed to convince you to date him!”

Karin's eyebrows furrowed at the word choice as she finished her mouthful. “What do you mean?”

“Well he's not exactly the most social person, he got the nickname 'ice prince' within weeks of working here you know.”

Karin's brow furrowed further as she tried to figure out what to say to that. Really she should say that they weren't actually dating, like she and Toshiro had said they were going to do, but she hesitated. She knew Toshiro had said that his boss seemed impressed he was 'dating' her, but she figured he was just teasing him, nice as he was. But this was different, Kaori genuinely didn't think someone like her would date Toshiro, and the whole notion made her uncomfortable. Why didn't these people, his own coworkers, think he wouldn't be good enough for her? She should say it, that they weren't actually dating, but Karin couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't want to add to whatever this was. While she was hesitating another coworker had come over to the table, joining in. “Honestly, I know he's a decent guy underneath it all, but he's so cold and snippy!”

Rangiku opened her mouth, but Karin got there first, turning to him, trying her best to not be outwardly mad. “He's not cold.”

“Oh well, I'm sure he's lovely with you! But around here he's so matter of fact, you know what I mean?”

“He's literally at work, of course he is.”

Plate of food now in hand, Toshiro chose this moment to come over to the little group that had formed around Karin, coming up beside her. “You ok?”

Kaori cut in. “Oh it's sweet really, we were just talking about you, your girlfriend here cares about you a lot!”

Toshiro raised an eyebrow. “Oh-”

Karin cut him off, knowing he was about to say they weren't dating. “Of course I care, he's the best guy I know.” She ignored the look of shocked bewilderment from Toshiro that she could see out of the corner of her eye.

Rangiku looked between the two but said nothing.

Kaori smiled. “See! Sweet. You two are adorable!”

Toshiro turned from Karin to look at Kaori. “...Yeah.”

“How did you two meet anyway?”

Karin swallowed another mouthful and spoke up again. “Oh it's all my fault, I saved my friend's number wrong in my phone, accidentally switched two of the numbers around, and ended up texting him instead of her. I was all stressed out because I couldn't find my friend while we were out, that's why I was texting in the first place, but he reassured me and helped me while I was freaking out. After that I couldn't stop messaging him, it was obvious that he was nice, and kind, and smart, you know? And we just kinda went from there.”

Kaori grinned at the two of them. “Ah! It's like a modern fairy tale!”

At a loss of what else to do, reeling from everything Karin said in the past three minutes, Toshiro nodded dumbly and started eating his own food.

Toshiro entered his office first and turned to watch Karin walking in after him, wincing slightly as she closed the door harder than was necessary. “Ok so that was-”

Karin interrupted him, still mad from the whole exchange in the break room. “I'm going to that Christmas party.”

“I- What? What are you-”

Karin huffed. “I'm going to that Christmas party. I'm gonna look ridiculously hot, be stupidly in love with you, and all of the people here can shut the fuck up.”

Toshiro stared at her for a moment, a little concerned, before deciding on what to say. “Ok putting all that aside for a second, what happened? Why didn't you tell them we aren't dating?”

Karin gestured to the rest of the office floor with her whole arm. “Because! People were saying all this about how they were surprised I was dating you because you're cold”, Karin mimed air quotes, “and anti-social or whatever, like you're beneath me or something!”

“Well,” he said diplomatically, “I can see where they're coming from-”

Karin pointed a finger at him. “Don't you dare agree with them! They're wrong.”

Toshiro sighed. “Look, you didn't have to defend me like that, it's nothing I haven't heard before.”

“That makes it worse! And why? I don't get it, why do people think of you like that? You're not cold or snippy or anything like that.”

“To be fair-”

“I don't care what you're like at work, that's different, you're professional. I'm different at work, everyone's different at work. And I mean I know you can be a little reserved, but so what? You're still obviously kind, and caring, and amazing. Have these people just never tried actually talking to you?” Karin deflated at the look on Toshiro's face. “Oh my god they haven't have they?”

Toshiro sighed and sat down on the sofa. “When I started this job, the situation I was in at the time...I needed money quick, a lot of it, so I worked hard, I was trying to move up the company as quickly as I could. I was only focused on that, I didn't really try to get on with people and truth be told I probably stepped on a few toes while I was at it too. I am cold and distant to these people.”

Karin didn't say anything for a few moments. It was a lot to unpack, and she wasn't convinced it was something he wanted to talk about, vague as he was being about his past. She sighed and moved to sit down next to him instead. “I meant what I said you know.”

“Hm?”

“That you're the best guy I know. You are.” Karin looked over to see him already staring back at her, something in his facial expression made her stomach squirm, but she couldn't quite put a finger on what it was. She faced forward again, staring at the wall opposite instead, joking to try and lighten the mood. “I mean to be fair, that's not very hard, I mean have you seen the male species?” That broke him out of whatever that expression was at least, a small amused smile there now. “But you are.”

Toshiro spoke quietly, clearly not really believing her. “If you say so.”

“I do.” He smiled at her no-nonsense tone. After a moment she shuffled closer on the sofa and leaned against him. “I'm sorry, I just...I recognise this kinda complicates things.”

He smiled a little. “It does.”

“But I couldn't just let them say all that! So er yeah, I basically just announced to your whole office that we're dating because I had to say something. But look it'll be fine, we can just pretend to be dating for a while. At some point you can say we broke up, but not too soon because I am not having people talking about how they're not surprised or I was too good for you anyway or some other bullshit, so like a good few months at least, but you can say we broke up and we'll just stop meeting up at your office or something. It'll be fine.”

“Well, I suppose it's not the worst plan I've ever heard.”

Karin grinned at the tease. “Do you have anything better?”

“Nope.”

“Well then.” The two sat quietly for a moment before Karin spoke up again. “About the Christmas party. I don't have to go if you don't want me to, but I honestly think you should show off, if they're so sure that it's amazing that you're dating me, then rub their faces in it. I'm up for it. It's up to you, but I think you should at least think about it.”

He sighed. “I can promise I'll at least think about it. But that's a big ask isn't it?”

“Having an excuse to dress up and look gorgeous sounds like fun if I'm honest.”

“No not that, you'd have to pretend to be my girlfriend the entire time.”

Karin shrugged. “I mean everyone thinks we're dating already and we weren't even trying. How hard could it be?”

Hitsugaya (22:19): Ok so maybe I do like her

Hitsugaya (22:19): Maybe more than like

Matsumoto (22:20): Congrats on finally noticing!

Hitsugaya (22:21): That's not helpful

Matsumoto (22:22): I told you weeks ago you liked her what do you want from me? :'D

Hitsugaya (22:22): Tell me what to do??

Matsumoto (22:23): Kiss her about it maybe??

Matsumoto (22:24): Speaking of, what on earth was up back at dinner, you guys aren't actually dating yet right?

Hitsugaya (22:25): No, Ukitake got the wrong idea way back that we were dating for whatever reason and we said we'd dispute it whenever it next came up but she didn't

Hitsugaya (22:26): Said it made her mad the way people were talking about me so her solution was to agree that we're dating and to shove that in their faces instead

Matsumoto (22:26): Oh

Matsumoto (22:27): As you do

Matsumoto (22:27): Although thinking about it, she does seem pretty protective

Hitsugaya (22:28): Family trait from the sounds of it

Hitsugaya (22:29): Not to mention she's competitive generally, the combination of the two...

Matsumoto (22:31): Mmm, defends you while 'subtly' asserting that the two of you are the best couple, fairytale beginnings and all

Matsumoto (22:32): It would be clever if it wasn't also kinda stupid

Matsumoto (22:32): You're going along with this? Pretending to be dating knowing full well you actually like her?

Hitsugaya (22:33): Wait you think that's what she was doing? Making us out to be this amazing couple?

Hitsugaya (22:34): And I can't not at this point right?

Matsumoto (22:36): Well to be more accurate I think she was going for 'actually you're all wrong Hitsugaya is amazing and the best boyfriend and you're all stupid for not noticing, haha your loss'

Matsumoto (22:37): I guess so tbh, just be careful? This could end up hurting you

Hitsugaya (22:38): To be fair I don't think she intends to act any different, literally just saying we're dating, that's it

Matsumoto (22:38): Oh that's not too bad then I guess, less potential to blow up in your face

Hitsugaya (22:39): Although she has said that she wants to go to the christmas party dressed to the nines just so she can shove that i'm dating her in people's faces

Hitsugaya (22:39): *“dating”

Matsumoto (22:40): Well ok now I kinda wanna see that

Matsumoto (22:41): She's pretty anyway and I've only seen her after working for hours, can you imagine if she's all dressed up? Probably would shut them up a bit

Hitsugaya (22:43): This isn't helping

Matsumoto (22:44): She's got a point is all I'm saying!

Matsumoto (22:44): Might be a little torturous for you though, seeing her all made up :P

Hitsugaya (22:45): And with that I'm going to bed

Matsumoto (22:46): Girl's got legs for days she must look great in a dress

Hitsugaya (22:46): Shut up already!

Matsumoto (22:47): Never!

Matsumoto (22:47): If you had just listened to me weeks ago and done something about it then you wouldn't be in this mess

Matsumoto (22:48): Of course I'm going to tease you

Hitsugaya (22:49): You're the worst

Matsumoto (22:50): *kissing emoji*

Chapter Text

Matsumoto (09:44): I CANNOT BELIEVE I forgot to ask you this yesterday

Matsumoto (09:45): What was it that set it off? Officially realising that you like Karin? Because I don't think it was when she was defending you in front of everyone

Hitsugaya (09:53): No I was pretty much just confused then

Matsumoto (09:55): So??? What was it??

Hitsugaya (09:56): Why would I give you more teasing material than you already have

Matsumoto (09:57): Ah come on do you really think I would tease you about this? I'm just curious!

Matsumoto (09:58): Ok I would absolutely tease you about this but in all seriousness if you guys had a ~moment~ I bet I could help you get together with her if you give me details

Hitsugaya (10:00): How??

Matsumoto (10:01): Well if you tell me what happened ie what set off said moment I could help you strategize to make another moment happen? ;)

Hitsugaya (10:03): First of all, I don't think that would work, and second of all we didn't have a 'moment', it was just something she said

Matsumoto (10:03): Which was????

Hitsugaya (10:04): You're not gonna let this go are you

Matsumoto (10:05): Obviously not

Hitsugaya (10:08): She told me that I was the best guy she knew

Matsumoto (10:09): Oh? I thought it didn't happen at dinner, didn't she say that in the breakroom?

Matsumoto (10:10): Yeah but she said it again later on, in the office

Hitsugaya (10:10): I don't know it felt different that time, something about the way she said it felt like a gut punch

Matsumoto (10:11): And you didn't kiss her???

Hitsugaya (10:12): No?? Of course not, she hasn't given me any indication she likes me

Matsumoto (10:12): I'm sorry what the fuck did you just say

Matsumoto (10:13): No indication?

Matsumoto (10:13): No indication whatsoever???

Toshiro (10:13): Yes?

Toshiro startled when his phone started ringing. Seeing Matsumoto's name on the screen he rolled his eyes and answered the call. “What?”

“Do you seriously think that she hasn't given you any indication whatsoever that she likes you?”

Toshiro's brow furrowed at the exasperated tone of voice. “Yes? What would make you think she has?”

Rangiku huffed. “I've barely spent more than a couple of hours with the two of you in the same room and even I can tell she literally flirts with you all the time!”

“She probably just does that with everybody!”

“Well I haven't seen her flirt with anybody else, have you?”

Toshiro was silent for a moment. “Well...No, but it's not like we spend a lot of time with other people, we're usually just us.”

“Funny that.”

“Stop already, she doesn't like me.”

Rangiku huffed again, more frustrated this time. “What makes you so sure!? I've seen that girl flirt with you, I've caught her staring at you, and when I teased her about you two she blushed.”

Toshiro stopped where he had been pacing. “That's...Well, I mean she was probably just embarrassed or something.”

“Yeah sure,” Rangiku said, voice dripping with sarcasm, “Karin seems like the type to embarrass easily.”

Toshiro shook his head to himself. “She doesn't like me.”

“Oh please. Tell you what, try flirting back. If you're actually right she probably won't react much right? According to you she habitually flirts so she's not gonna see it as weird, and if she does question it for whatever reason you can just say you were trying to give as good as you got you know? Just wanted to playfully tease her back. But if I'm right-”

“You're not.”

“If I'm right, you might actually start seeing some evidence that maybe Karin does like you. There's not much of a loss here, flirting back.”

Toshiro collapsed onto his sofa, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Wh-, I-... That's ridiculous.”

“Is it? What would you lose if you flirt back? Genuine question.”

Toshiro rubbed at his face as he thought. “Dignity probably. I mean how would I even...”

Rangiku laughed. “What? Flirt?”

Toshiro scowled and answered out of slightly gritted teeth. “Yes.”

“Hmm, well when she flirts you it tends to be verbally from what I've seen, so maybe try talking back?”

“Yeah I don't think I could do that.”

Rangiku sighed. “Probably wouldn't go very smoothly knowing you. I don't know, if there's a guy I like, I look for what he says, which is out, I look for facial expressions, how he looks at me, a lot of it is in the eyes and smile you know, and I look out for physical contact.”

“Physical contact?”

“Sure, I mean I don't think the old putting a hand on the woman's back has ever been platonic, unless it's pretty much at the shoulders I guess. Oh my god wait!”

Toshiro froze. “What?”

Rangiku practically sang her answer. “I just had the best idea! Me and Karin were messaging about activity ideas at one point and she told me that she was temped by mini-golfing because she's never gone.”

“Ok?”

“So take her! Maybe see if you can give her a hands on tutorial or something.”

Toshiro scrunched his face up at the suggestive tone. “I'm sure she can figure out how to mini-golf on her own.”

“Yeah exactly, of course she can, that's why showing her how to would be obviously flirting.”

“I don't want that! I don't wanna be obvious about it.”

“Normally I'd agree but apparently you two are idiots so I'd go for as obvious as possible.”

“I'm not gonna be blatant about it!”

Rangiku grinned. “But you are thinking about flirting with her?” Toshiro's silence said more than words would have, making Rangiku laugh. “Listen, just trust me on this ok, ask her to go mini-golfing, and see if you can't flirt back a little, and see how she reacts. I think you're gonna be surprised.”

Toshiro sighed. “Well, I'll suggest the mini-golfing at least. The other stuff...” Another sigh. “We'll see I guess.”

Toshiro (13:52): Hey

Karin Kurosaki (13:56): Hello! What is up my dude

Toshiro (13:59): Matsumoto tells me that you were interested in going mini-golfing at some point?

Karin Kurosaki (14:01): Oh did she? Should I be concerned that you two apparently talk about me haha

Toshiro (14:02): No don't worry it's me who she makes fun of

Karin Kurosaki (14:04): I mean I would say that worries me but she's teased me as well I think that's just Rangiku™

Toshiro (14:04): Correct!

Karin Kurosaki (14:04): *laughing emoji*

Toshiro (14:05): But yeah anyway, did you want to go? I should be free on Friday

Karin Kurosaki (14:07): Sure! I've never done it before but I will probably have better luck at this than ice skating I bet :')

Toshiro (14:08): You weren't that bad at ice skating, but yeah I imagine having your feet staying put on the floor will help

Karin Kurosaki (14:09): Yeah! You could say that I'd be more...grounded ;)

Toshiro (14:10): Why are you like this

Karin Kurosaki (14:10): You love me :P

Karin Kurosaki (14:19): But yeah anyway, mini-golfing this Friday! Are we meeting up at your office or?

Toshiro (14:20): Not sure actually, I'll check whether it makes more sense from your work or mine

Toshiro (14:24): Looks like it's closer to the office if you're ok with meeting me there again?

Karin Kurosaki (14:26): Sure, I figured it would be closer to you anyway as the idea was from Rangiku's activity list thing

Toshiro (14:27): Oh that's where you got the idea from?

Karin Kurosaki (14:28): Yep! She didn't want me to go through all the hassle of researching possible stuff to do when she'd already done all that, but obviously it's based from your work so everything errs on your side

Toshiro (14:29): Oh I see

Toshiro (14:30): I should look to see what's on your side as well, seems unfair that you're always coming out to me

Karin Kurosaki (14:32): Nah don't worry about it, it's not that far to get to yours, plus waiting outside a hospital in November? In the cold? Probably better this way, evidently from last week I can just swan into your office and make myself at home haha

Toshiro (14:33): As long as you're quiet that is

Toshiro (14:34): I'd have to boot you out otherwise

Karin Kurosaki (14:35): Lmao would you actually though

Toshiro (14:35): It's literally my workplace I need you to not distract me

Karin Kurosaki (14:37): But don't you remember? Your boss gave me express permission to come into the office whenever I like as long as I don't distract you too much

Karin Kurosaki (14:37): Obviously that means I can distract you a little bit :P

Toshiro (14:38): What on earth would constitute distracting me a little bit?

Karin Kurosaki (14:39): No idea yet but I'm excited to figure it out

Toshiro (14:40): Legitimately felt a chill go down my spine

Karin Kurosaki (14:41): Oh shush you know I'd never do anything too bad

Toshiro (14:42): I don't know if I do know that

Karin Kurosaki (14:42): Ah come on what's the worst thing I could do

Toshiro (14:42): No idea but something tells me I'll find out

Karin Kurosaki (14:43): :P

Karin Kurosaki (19:15): Ok the last thing I wanna do is put pressure on you

Karin Kurosaki (19:16): But it has occurred to me that if we're meeting up on Friday at your office then maybe we should have a better idea of being a fake couple

Karin Kurosaki (19:16): Like have stuff set in our heads things like when did we officially start 'dating', how did we start dating, etc just in case we get asked

Karin Kurosaki (19:17): I mean could you imagine the awkwardness if we gave different answers to each other? Plus then it would look like we're maybe lying about dating, so yeah we maybe need to figure these things out?

Toshiro (19:31): Excuse me Miss Kurosaki but are you asking me to put work into a lie you personally made sure my entire workplace believed?

Karin Kurosaki (19:35): Lmao well yeah when you put it that way that does sound bad

Karin Kurosaki (19:36): But designing a whole back story without your input sounded bad too so...

Toshiro (19:40): I see your point but I wouldn't know what I'm doing with that sort of thing

Karin Kurosaki (19:43): Are you suggesting that I have experience?

Toshiro (19:44): Good point

Karin Kurosaki (19:45): Ok well we can always say we started officially dating on the day we met up properly for the first time, that's easy enough

Toshiro (19:47): Is it?

Karin Kurosaki (19:48): ?

Toshiro (19:49): I don't know, just doesn't seem all that realistic to me, who meets someone over text and decides to date without seeing each other in person first

Karin Kurosaki (19:50): People who believe in personality over looks? :')

Karin Kurosaki (19:51): But nah I get your point you wouldn't be the type

Karin Kurosaki (19:51): Although...

Toshiro (19:52): Although?

Karin Kurosaki (19:54): The first time we actually met was when I came over to check on Rangiku's ankle, and I mean Rangiku said we looked smitten with each other or whatever, it's not implausible that the next time we saw each other ended up turning into a date

Toshiro (19:56): I'm pretty sure Matsumoto was trying to get a rise out of us but I guess I can see where you're coming from. I mean I don't think I would've gone to meet you properly with the idea of it being a date but if we connected or whatever

Karin Kurosaki (19:57): Yeah exactly, I don't think it's too out there. Maybe the time we met up after that? The bowling? We could say that was our first official proper date, where we went out thinking it was a date?

Toshiro (19:58): Could do?

Toshiro (19:58): What else did you wanna figure out?

Karin Kurosaki (19:59): Mmm idk, what do you think people would ask about?

Karin Kurosaki (20:00): Oh first kiss maybe

Karin Kurosaki (20:00): We'll just say I kissed you, you're very gentlemanly and I'm very impatient

Toshiro (20:02): Fair enough. When though?

Karin Kurosaki (20:03): Oh the first night for sure, when we got ramen, we spent some proper time with each other, immediately connected, stayed out late, and I kissed you before I left

Toshiro (20:05): Would you really kiss someone just like that? After one day?

Karin Kurosaki (20:06): If I'm being honest? Probably not after the first day, I hate to admit it but I do get kinda shy about this sort of thing

Karin Kurosaki (20:07): But I am impatient and we're trying to get across that we've been dating for a little while here, so we're kinda speedrunning you know?

Toshiro (20:08): Shy? Really? I don't think I've ever seen you be shy. But yeah I get what you're saying, and it's not like they know you like they know me so that should probably be fine

Karin Kurosaki (20:10): This is lowkey depressing to admit being in my supposed prime, 21 and at uni and all that, but I don't actually have a whole lot of dating experience, so yeah I'm a little shy with that stuff

Toshiro (20:11): You haven't dated? You??

Karin Kurosaki (20:14): I mean I had a high school boyfriend for a few months, but after that not really? I was focused on getting into uni, then there was the whole car incident, and then I did get into uni but a little late so everyone's a little younger than me? And like you'd think there wouldn't be much of a difference between a 19 year old guy and a 21 year old girl but idk, I notice it

Toshiro (20:17): I imagine life experience comes into that, going through what you did probably meant you had to grow up quicker than you perhaps should've

Karin Kurosaki (20:18): Probably to be fair

Karin Kurosaki (20:19): But yeah not so much dating experience! And yeah in real life, it would probably take me a while to kiss someone, like I'd wanna know that they liked me back first you know? Before I take the jump :')

Karin Kurosaki (20:19): But in the case of our fake dating we'll just say I kissed you first on that first outing and be done with it

Toshiro (20:21): Alright well you already talked about how we met in the breakroom so that's down, we've got when we started 'dating', and 'our first kiss' anything else you wanted to get hammered out?

Karin Kurosaki (20:23): Nothing coming to mind at the minute

Karin Kurosaki (20:37): Oh wait actually, did you give any more thought to whether you wanted me to go to the christmas party? Obviously I don't need an answer yet or anything, but I was wondering

Toshiro stared at at his phone, completely torn on how to respond. The truth is he had thought about it, thought that maybe it would be fun to bring Karin with him to the party. Realistically speaking he would probably enjoy it more if she was with him, and he couldn't help but be a little curious as to what she would look like all dressed up. If he was honest with himself he probably did want her to come. It was tempting to just throw all caution to the wind and officially invite her, but wasn't that stupid? A bad idea? He was barely coming to terms with the fact that he liked her, did he really want to bring her to an event where she'd pretend to be his girlfriend the entire time? Even if a part of him did want her there logically speaking he knew he should tell her not to come.

Toshiro (20:44): Well before anything, do you even know if you're actually able to come? It's on the 19^th

Toshiro rolled his eyes at himself. Nailed it.

Karin Kurosaki (20:46): It's a Saturday isn't it? Shouldn't be a problem

Karin Kurosaki (20:46): What time does it start? I assume it's in the evening

Toshiro (20:47): 7pm I think? I'm not 100% sure on that though

Karin Kurosaki (20:48): Yeah that's totally fine, I can come, I've got it pencilled in :)

Karin Kurosaki (20:49): As in like, roughly planned so I'll definitely be free if you want me there, I'm not trying to force my way into the party haha

Toshiro (20:49): You can come if you want to

Toshiro dropped his phone onto the kitchen counter where he was standing and buried his face in his hands. God he's an idiot. Why did he impulsively say she could go just because it sounded like she wanted to. He knew that going in. Why did that sway him so easily? He pulled his hands away from his face when he heard the phone vibrate against the counter.

Karin Kurosaki (20:51): Oh ok, sure!

Karin Kurosaki (20:51): I didn't expect you to decide so quickly :')

Toshiro (20:52): Me neither

Toshiro (20:53): It would be more fun with you there though

Karin Kurosaki (20:54): Oh god yeah, I bet you're not a very party person

Karin Kurosaki (20:54): Hopefully it will be more fun with me :) And if not I'm sure between the two of us we can make up some excuse to leave early, like you wanna take me home before it gets too late or whatever

Toshiro (20:55): You hate that though?

Karin Kurosaki (20:56): I mean they don't know that, we can just lie :')

Karin Kurosaki (20:57): It would be an easy reason for us to leave is all I'm saying, that you don't want me going home on my own when it's dark and late

Toshiro (20:58): True

Toshiro (20:58): Speaking of actually, I do my best to not stay at these things too late but I've known these parties to last way into the night, surely that's gonna be a problem for you?

Karin Kurosaki (20:59): Well obviously I gotta get the last train which leaves just past 11, so if we haven't made excuses to leave by then then that'll be our reason

Toshiro (21:01): Fair enough

Karin Kurosaki (21:03): Ok! So we've got a rough start to the make-the-christmas-party-vaguely-tolerable-for-Toshiro game plan aka how to leave early, just gotta work on the rest of the details

Karin Kurosaki (21:04): Another time though I gotta make a start on my studying for this weekend

Toshiro (21:05): Start?? At 9pm?

Karin Kurosaki (21:06): Yeah the day kinda got away from me haha, went to bed late last night, woke up late, etc but I can get a good few hours in still so it should be fine

Toshiro (21:08): I'll leave you to it then

Toshiro (21:08): Just don't stay up too late again? You're gonna have a hard time on Monday at this rate

Karin Kurosaki (21:09): Haha jokes on you I always have a hard time on Mondays

Karin Kurosaki (21:10): Any day I gotta get up really

Karin Kurosaki (21:10): But yeah I'll try to not stay up too late x

Chapter Text

Toshiro (18:32): What's your favourite flower?

Karin Kurosaki (18:35): Well that's a random question

Toshiro (18:36): I'm out with work colleagues and of course now that we're definitely 'dating' they're asking me a billion questions

Toshiro (18:37): One of the girls asked what your favourite flower is and legit judged me for not knowing so I said I'd ask

Karin Kurosaki (18:37): Ohhhhhhhh lmao

Karin Kurosaki (18:38): I've never really thought about it?

Karin Kurosaki (18:38): Like dude I don't even own a vase

Toshiro (18:39): Not a flower person?

Karin Kurosaki (18:40): Idk? I've never gotten flowers

Karin Kurosaki (18:41): Well not from a boyfriend anyway, my sister got me them sometimes when I was in the hospital for a while, that was nice

Toshiro (18:42): Your high school boyfriend never got you flowers?

Karin Kurosaki (18:43): I mean to be fair they ARE expensive

Karin Kurosaki (18:44): Also I'm not exactly girly, so I don't think it occurs to people

Toshiro (18:44): Still

Karin Kurosaki (18:45): You're absolutely the type to give your girl flowers huh

Toshiro (18:46): What's wrong with that? Flowers are nice

Karin Kurosaki (18:46): Nothing! I just don't think I was expecting it :')

Karin Kurosaki (18:47): Although it does kinda feel like an old-fashioned sort of thing, so I guess that matches up

Toshiro (18:47): Old-fashioned??

Karin Kurosaki (18:48): Sir you were raised by your grandma and it shows

Toshiro (18:49): Clearly you've just never been romanced

Karin Kurosaki (18:49): I MEAN YOU'RE RIGHT

Karin Kurosaki (18:50): You've really been dropping the ball here smh

Karin Kurosaki (18:51): Maybe I should get you flowers!

Toshiro (18:52): Oh haha

Toshiro (18:52): Besides you said it yourself, they're expensive

Karin Kurosaki (18:53): Still :P

Toshiro (18:53): …

Karin Kurosaki (18:54): :D

Toshiro (18:54): Karin no

Karin Kurosaki (18:55): :D :D :D

Toshiro (18:56): Please do not show up to my office on Friday with a bouquet of flowers

Karin Kurosaki (18:56): Ok

Toshiro (18:57): Or any other Friday

Karin Kurosaki (18:57): Dammit

Toshiro (18:58): I know you too well to fall for that

Karin Kurosaki (18:59): I guess so!

Karin Kurosaki (19:01): Wait did you ever answer your coworker about the whole flower thing

Toshiro (19:03): I did not

Karin Kurosaki (19:04): Have you straight up just been on your phone to me for the past half hour ignoring the rest of your office

Toshiro (19:05): I wouldn't say I've been ignoring them

Toshiro (19:06): I might be paying more attention to my phone than them but I'm not ignoring them

Karin Kurosaki (19:07): You do realise it was this exact type of behaviour that had your whole office thinking you'd started dating someone right

Toshiro (19:09): Well a certain someone decided to pretty much tell my entire office I was dating so why bother trying to pretend like you aren't much more interesting to talk to

Karin Kurosaki (19:09): WELL

Karin Kurosaki (19:10): That's quite a statement

Toshiro (19:12): It's my work colleagues talking about work vs you talking about literally anything there's not much of a competition

Karin Kurosaki (19:13): I mean???? I'm sure there's lots of things I could talk about that you'd get insanely bored by

Toshiro (19:14): As opposed to business deal details??

Karin Kurosaki (19:14): It's literally your job???

Toshiro (19:15): Exactly, it's the last thing I wanna talk about at the end of the day, I'm positive whatever you could come up with would be more interesting

Karin Kurosaki (19:16): Hmm

Karin Kurosaki (19:16): Which nail polish brands dry the quickest?

Toshiro (19:17): I've never seen you wear nail polish?

Karin Kurosaki (19:18): Can't wear it at work :(

Toshiro (19:18): Ah

Toshiro (19:20): Genuinely hilarious that you so obviously went from 'the most boring thing = watching paint dry', to the topic of nail polish drying

Karin Kurosaki (19:21): It was the first thing that came to mind!

Toshiro (19:21): Oh I can tell

Karin Kurosaki (19:22): ¬_¬

Karin Kurosaki (19:25): I honestly cannot think of a topic that I can talk about that would definitely bore you

Karin Kurosaki (19:25): I'm woefully interesting apparently

Karin Kurosaki (19:26): There's gotta be something though

Toshiro (19:28): I'll let you know if I find it

Karin Kurosaki (19:29): Please do! Surely something I talk about has got to bore you, seems unnatural otherwise lmao I mean who is actually 100% interested in someone and every single thing to do with that person like surely that doesn't happen in real life

Toshiro (19:31): I mean nothing springs to mind? Does anything I talk about bore you?

Karin Kurosaki (19:32): Huh

Karin Kurosaki (19:32): Good point

Karin Kurosaki (19:33): It's weird like I would say the business stuff but you only really talk about it if it happens to be interesting so yeah hmm

Toshiro (19:34): At least we're equally unnatural according to you

Karin Kurosaki (19:35): True! We're soulmates apparently

Toshiro (19:37): I thought it was supposed to be me romancing you not the other way around

Karin Kurosaki (19:38): Come again?

Karin Kurosaki (19:38): OH I guess that is quite the declaration haha

Toshiro (19:40): One of my coworkers saw that message come through I am going to die of embarrassment

Karin Kurosaki (19:41): Embarrassment??

Karin Kurosaki (19:42): Oh no poor you your girlfriend declared you soulmates how will you ever cope

Toshiro (19:43): I could do without the teasing!

Karin Kurosaki (19:44): I'm sure they're just jealous of you :')

Toshiro (19:44): One of them sure is

Karin Kurosaki (19:45): Whoa hey what now

Toshiro (19:45): Yeah

Karin Kurosaki (19:47): Kick his ass

Toshiro (19:48): I cannot just up and fight a colleague just because I think he might be a little interested in you

Karin Kurosaki (19:49): Well not with that attitude

Toshiro (19:51): Why do you even care??

Karin Kurosaki (19:52): I'm offended on your behalf

Karin Kurosaki (19:53): Which coworker is it?

Toshiro (19:54): Yeah no I've seen your pettiness first hand I'm not telling you who it is

Karin Kurosaki (19:55): What's the worst thing I could do

Toshiro (19:55): I'm afraid to find out!

Karin Kurosaki (19:57): I'm laughing I love how you went from thinking I'm cute and harmless when we first started talking to not even considering telling me this guy's name out of fear of what I'll do

Toshiro (19:58): Oh I've learned that you're definitely not harmless

Karin Kurosaki (19:59): Good!

Toshiro (19:59): Still cute though

Karin Kurosaki (19:59): BITCH?????

Karin Kurosaki (20:06): You did not drop that text and immediately bounce

Karin Kurosaki (20:17): You fucking did

“So we just mark down how many hits it took to get it in the hole right?”

Karin peered over Toshiro's arm to see the paper scoreboard the front desk had given them. “I assume so? I don't know man I haven't done this before.”

“Neither have I.” He flipped the paper over to see if there was any sort of instructions on the back, finding none. “I think we just write down how many swings it took.”

Karin nodded. “Let's just go with that. I do know that whoever gets the lowest score wins.” She placed her mini-golf ball on the tee at the first hole. “Didn't Rangiku organise a mini-golfing thing with your work at some point? I remember her saying something like that.”

Toshiro slid his bag off and put it to the side out of the way but still in easy sight. “She did, but I didn't go.”

“Oh. You didn't want to?”

He hesitated for a second before speaking. “I didn't really mind one way or the other but my grandma had an accident so I went back home to help out for a bit.”

Karin winced in sympathy. “I hope it wasn't too serious?”

“Eh, it was...manageable? She slipped down the stairs, thankfully it was only the last four steps, but at her age...She wasn't too hurt, but we all agreed she probably shouldn't be doing stairs any more so it was more making the house ok for her.”

Karin hummed along, understanding. “Chair lift?”

“Yeah.”

She nodded. “Is she doing alright now?”

“Oh yeah much better, she's alright with standing upright and walking, well more or less, as long as she's got her cane, I think her knees just couldn't handle how much work things like stairs are any more.”

Karin positioned herself ready to take the first swing at the golf ball. “Stairs are hard work to be fair.” She swung her putter, sending the ball three quarters down the fake grass. “And it's good that she's still moving around.”

Toshiro smiled. “Oh I couldn't stop her if I wanted to. She was actually kinda mad at the stair lift to begin with, saying how one little accident didn't make her incapable-” Karin laughed. “But it was a little hard for her to argue when it was the hospital staff who recommended it in the first place.”

“I love your grandma.” Karin gestured for Toshiro to take his own first swing. “Sounds like she's the type to not take any shit.”

Toshiro set himself up, placing his own golf ball down. “Oh definitely.”

Karin watched as Toshiro swung, his ball coming to a stop a little before hers, before moving to take her second swing, joking. “Watch me miss this even though it's like a foot and half away.” She hit the ball with a little too much speed, and it hit the opposite rim of the hole, bouncing out and landing a couple of inches away. “Oh are you kidding?”

“I know you didn't exactly get it into the hole but I don't know if that counts a miss either.”

Karin threw him a sardonic look and moved off the green. Toshiro took his turn, and in trying not to repeat Karin's mistake he ended up hitting the ball too lightly. She smiled and hit her ball again, managing to get it into the hole this time. “Thank god, that would've been embarrassing if I missed again.”

Toshiro wrote down the amount of Karin's strokes, slipped the score-sheet back into his pocket and positioned himself to swing again. He hit the ball too lightly again, missing the hole by a short distance.

Karin grinned. “If you miss this again I'm totally gonna laugh.”

He pointedly ignored her and swung again, the ball landing in the hole this time.

“Oh boo, that's no fun.”

Toshiro rolled his eyes with a smile and marked down his own score while Karin collected the two golf balls. They moved to the second hole, Karin setting her ball up again. She swung, once again getting her ball a good distance down the green. Toshiro set up his own shot, hitting a little harder this time, getting the ball fairly close to the hole. He turned round only to see Karin stretching out her right hand repeatedly, look of concentration on her face. “You ok?”

“Hm?” She looked up at him. “Oh yeah, it's nothing, I just feel the cold a little more in this hand.” He kept watching her flex her hand, eyes catching on the scars, clearly concerned. “It's really not that bad, it's just because there's metal in it.”

“Oh, so the scars are surgical scars?”

Karin shrugged. “Some of them. So yeah the cold can irritate it a little bit. Well, I assume it's the metal in it that makes it more sensitive, I don't actually know, it could be a psychological thing honestly? Either way I feel it a little bit.”

Toshiro nodded along. “Have you got gloves with you?”

She grinned sheepishly. “Nah, if I'd remembered gloves I'd be wearing them.”

Toshiro gave her a look and crouched down by his bag. “You're terrible at looking after yourself.” He pulled out a pair of gloves from a side pocket and handed them to Karin. “Here, wear these.”

Karin stared at them for moment. “Wait, if you have gloves why aren't you wearing them?”

“It's not cold enough for me to need to wear them yet,” he said as he gestured again for her to take them.

“Are you sure?”

Toshiro rolled his eyes again and started to put the gloves on her himself, going with her right hand first, pointedly ignoring the fact that she was staring at him. He made sure they were on correctly, or as correctly as they could be given they were two sizes too big before finally looking back up at Karin. “There.”

Karin's gaze flicked down to her now gloved hands and back up to Toshiro's eyes, blinking a few times before speaking quietly. “Thanks.”

He gave her a small smile and gestured for her to take her turn. Karin nodded and grabbed her putter that she had propped against her leg and walked towards her golf ball. She spoke as she lined up her shot. “Remind me to give these back to you when we leave.”

Toshiro waited a moment for her to hit the ball. “Just keep them for now, I've got another pair at home, bring them back to me next time. Might remind you to actually bring your own!”

She stuck her tongue out at him and moved to the side so Toshiro could take his turn. He swung, getting the ball in smoothly, making her mouth drop open. “You know, just for the sake of my self-esteem, there is something you're bad at right?”

He huffed out a laugh. “Plenty.”

Karin took her turn once again, managing to get her golf ball in the hole this time, evening out their scores. “For example?”

“What you want a list?”

She grinned. “Maybe.”

Toshiro shook his head. “You'll have to find out for yourself.”

“Hmm,” she went to collect the golf balls again, “cooking?”

Toshiro picked up his bag from the side he'd left it and started moving towards the next hole. “Nah I'm alright at cooking, not amazing, but passable.”

Karin nodded as she followed him to the third hole. “Yeah, thinking about it that was a bad choice, you live alone, I would hope you know how to cook at least a little. Umm...fixing things?”

“How do you mean?”

Karin spoke as she took her first swing. “Like little things around the house, like fuses and whatever.”

“Oh I can do that sort of thing.”

She walked up to the side of him, out of the way for his turn. “Really? Man where you last month when our bathroom tap wouldn't stop leaking?”

Toshiro hit his ball as she joked, turning round once the ball came to a stop. “Nine times out of ten all you gotta do is replace the washer.”

Karin stared at him with a blank look on her face before moving to take another swing. “Sure?”

He laughed. “Did it cost a lot to get it fixed?”

Karin hit her ball, managing to get it into the hole on just the second swing. “Yes! And no no, it's student accommodation so the company who owns it sorted it all out, took two weeks for someone to come round though.”

“Well at least you didn't have to worry about paying for it.” He took a second, and then a third swing to get his own golf ball in the hole.

The two of them moved through the golf course leisurely, taking their time and chatting as they went, Karin slowly edging forward in scores. She tucked her chin over his shoulder as he was putting the latest score in, studying the points. “Oof you know, 8 points higher than me and only three holes left, I might have this in the bag.”

Toshiro turned his head slightly towards her, careful to not actually dislodge her. “It's also the three hardest ones, you never know, if I do ok and you mess up I could still win.”

Karin grinned up at him. “You're hoping aren't you?”

“Well maybe a little.”

She giggled and pulled away from him, going to set up her shot. “At least there aren't high stakes involved this time.”

“I don't think the winner getting to decide what we do next time counts as high stakes.”

“Oh? What if I won and chose something crazy?”

He raised an eyebrow with a smirk on his face. “Crazy? Like mini-golfing on a Friday night?”

“You suggested this!”

“Because you wanted to go! It was really your idea that Matsumoto passed on to me.”

Karin faltered for a moment. “Well...Ok I'll give you that. But I could pick something totally out there.”

“Like what?”

Karin pouted a little as she thought, simultaneously starting to set up her next shot. “...I legit can't think of anything.”

He smiled at the look on her face and teased her. “Aww, not as wild as you thought you were?”

She shook her head as she swung her putter. “I'm plenty wild.”

“Well, I have yet to see it. You once told me your ideal date was to just order food in and play video games all night.”

“Ok just because that's true doesn't mean I can't be wild.”

Toshiro tilted his head as he considered it. “True. But like I said, I haven't seen it.”

Karin watched as Toshiro took his turn. “You should be careful you know, kinda sounds like you're challenging me.”

He teased her. “It was just a statement. Although if I'm being completely honest I don't think I'm in too much danger here. Your personality might be a little out there but your actions aren't.”

She huffed as she swung again, only getting marginally closer to the hole. “Well that's because I'm restricted. I have to be an adult and I have responsibilities, and finances to take into account, that sort of thing.”

“Well now I'm curious, if money were no object, if you didn't have anything to worry about, what would you wanna do?”

Karin spoke as she carefully watched Toshiro take his turn, grinning when he failed to get the ball over the fake hill for a second time. “I assume you mean like activity wise, and not like, in life?”

Toshiro turned to her at the word choice. “Would you choose something other than physiotherapy if you had the chance?”

She looked at him for a moment before shaking her head. “Probably not. There's a lot of reasons why I went for it. What about you? Would you choose something different?”

“Yes.”

Karin raised an eyebrow at the quick answer but before she could say anything Toshiro spoke up again.

“But anyway yeah I meant activity wise, what would you do if you could do anything?”

Karin thought for a moment. “Travel I guess. Well more specifically, try new things? I'd love to just go somewhere with friends and experience stuff we've never done before you know? Whether that would be in a different country or just like hanging out in the city, it's more about, I don't know, experiencing life? With people I care about? That's what I wanna do.”

Toshiro gently smiled at her. “Sounds like fun.”

She smiled back at him. “What about you? What would you do?”

“I think I'd probably try to learn a lot? Take classes on whatever seemed interesting, like, snowboarding? That sort of thing.”

“Ah I get you, that's a good idea as well.” She took another shot, sending the ball close to the hole. “Well here's hoping we both get to do at least a little bit of that kind of stuff.”

“Yeah.”

Chapter Text

Karin swayed from side to side as she rung Toshiro, unable to stand still, feeling antsy.

“Hello?”

Karin released a breath she hadn't known she was holding. “Hi, um, is there any chance I could come over?”

“To the office? Now?”

“Yeah.”

Toshiro hesitated. He was busy with work at the moment, but he knew she knew that, which was enough to make him worry, not to mention it was weird for her to ask to see him on a Thursday. “Is everything ok?”

“Er, well...”

“What happened?”

Karin leaned against the wall with a sigh. "Um-”

He cut her off, hearing her struggle. “Would you rather just come over and talk in person?”

“Please.”

“Ok, I'll see you in twenty minutes?”

“A little longer, I've still gotta get changed and stuff.”

Toshiro's gaze flickered over to the time on the computer in front of him. “It's already half past five.”

Another sigh from Karin. “Yeah, it's been a long day.”

“Alright well, I'll see you whenever you get here, just come straight through to my office ok?”

“Yeah, I'll see you in a bit.”

Karin slipped her phone into the front pocket of her backpack and got changed into her jeans and sweater. She checked she had everything with her and left the changing room, walking her way to Toshiro's office.

Karin quickly made her way through the office, avoiding Toshiro's coworkers, not interested in talking to anyone right now and went straight to Toshiro's door, opening it without knocking. “Hey.”

Toshiro looked up with a “hey” back and watched as Karin shut the door behind her and immediately slipped her bag off to collapse onto the sofa, lying down across it, her feet and head on each arm of the sofa, a little too tall for it. She threw her arm over her eyes after a second, seemingly trying to block out the world. It jump-started Toshiro, who had been too surprised to do anything before, into moving. He quickly saved his work on the computer and got up from his chair. Backtracked to his desk after a moment to switch his lamp on so he could turn the main light off, stop it from probably glaring into Karin's eyes. Karin lifted her arm away from her eyes at the sudden light change, and seeing Toshiro now next to the sofa she shuffled towards the back of it, still lying across, so Toshiro could perch on the edge, sitting next to her midsection. He studied her face for a moment, had never seen her look like this, before speaking gently. “What happened?”

Karin made a miserable noise and threw her arm back over her eyes. “I hurt a patient today.”

He hummed to let her know he heard it, thought for a moment on what to say. “How did that...come about? What happened?”

She sighed deeply. “I was helping to assess a patient for mobility, trying to see what they could do, whether they could actually move without assistance or not, that sort of thing?” He hummed again. “I didn't realise they were struggling with it? I'm not sure exactly what happened whether they stepped wrong, or their leg gave way I dunno but either way they started falling. And like I just grabbed her? Oh god, them, patient confidentiality, I'm being awful today. Anyway, I just fucking grabbed them like an idiot and ended up injuring them, like they have a whole ass bruise on their arm because of me.”

Toshiro processed all this for a moment. “What else were you supposed to do? Surely not let them fall-”

“No you're supposed to carefully support them to the floor and like I knew that? I know damn well that's what you're supposed to do but for some reason I panicked and grabbed them instead? Tried to put them back on the feet that were struggling? You know, like an idiot.”

Toshiro gently pulled her arm away from her face, hand around her wrist. “I can understand where you're coming from, I get feeling bad, but I do think you're being a little hard on yourself.”

Karin glared at him, but the effect was lost when it looked like she was two steps away from tears. “I should've known! The reason the physio team were assessing them in the first place is because they had a fall a couple of days ago, the nurses were concerned and wanted them officially re-assessed, like they were a known falls risk. And besides I should've been paying better attention I should've known that they were struggling, I should've handled the fall better, like I know damn well what to do and I didn't do it.”

“Oh come on, no one's good at their job one hundred percent of the time.”

“To the point of literally hurting a patient though?”

Toshiro shook his head lightly. “Karin listen, I know from my grandma, there are some patients who will try to soldier on regardless if they're having trouble and will not tell you that they're struggling until they've gone too far. And ok yeah, maybe you shouldn't have grabbed them like that, but you were just acting on instinct, you're a student, a second year student, you can't be expected to know how to do everything perfectly.”

Karin fidgeted a little. “My instincts are wrong then.”

Toshiro shook his head again. “That's the whole point of learning and training, to train it so supporting them to the floor ends up being your first instinct. Like I said, you're a student, it's ok that your first instinct when something went wrong perhaps wasn't the right one. I mean think about it this way, if you hadn't grabbed them, what would've happened?”

“Well they would've fallen.”

“No I mean specifically, what exactly do you think would've happened if you hadn't grabbed them. Would they have gotten injured?”

She sighed. “Probably? They were fairly old, with their medical history as well, the angle they were falling at...It's possible they could've broken something, maybe even their hip? I don't know, what's your point?”

“Well what do you think would be worse, a possible broken hip or an injured arm? I've heard broken hips can be really hard for older people.”

Karin huffed and looked away from him. “They're hard for anyone.”

“That's what I mean though, I know grabbing them wasn't correct but at the end of the day you were still trying to stop them from getting hurt, better that then panicking and letting them fall entirely.”

Karin pointedly kept looking away from him. “I guess. I still should've known to carefully lower them to the floor though.”

“Maybe, but it's one thing to train in these things and another to actually do it. I imagine this is the exact sort of thing why hospital placements are part of the degree.” Karin nodded in agreement to that at least. “What did your boss? Supervisor? Whoever it is who's above you, what did they say?”

Karin sighed again, hesitating for a moment. “They were actually in the room with me. She rushed over to help the patient to the floor like the second I grabbed them.”

“And what did they say?”

She looked up at him for a second before looking away again. “She corrected me, said that if a patient's falling you need to control the fall...She also said that I shouldn't worry too much, that she expects students to make these kind of mistakes from time to time...She said she's seen even fully qualified physios make the same mistake occasionally if they're caught unaware by the patient...”

Toshiro nodded along. “See, you are being too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes Karin. I know that must be a lot harder in healthcare, but at least you messed up correctly, if that makes sense? I mean imagine if it were you, what would be worse, an injured arm or a broken hip?”

“Oh I know a broken hip is way worse than a broken arm.”

His brow furrowed. “Have you broken a hip?”

Karin nodded, talking a little quieter. “Yeah. You know the car accident? Broke my hip, and my arm, and, well a lot actually. My whole right side was pretty much fucked.”

Toshiro stared at her for a moment. “I know you said it was bad, that you were in hospital for a while, but just how bad was that accident?”

“Um...” she let out a nervous laugh, “Bad? Like I said my hip got broken, my arm, my leg too, a couple of ribs...”

He swore under his breath. “You must've been pretty much crushed in the car huh?”

Karin looked up at him with confusion written all over her face. “In the car?”

“Yeah.” Toshiro faltered at the look on her face. “When you said car accident, were you not in a car when you got hit?”

She shook her head. “Oh, no...No I was, I er, wasn't paying enough attention when I was crossing a road and that's when...”

He stared at her, not even trying to conceal the horror on his face. “When you first told me I just assumed you were in a car as well, you're telling me it was you, a pedestrian, versus a big metal box going god knows how many miles per hour?”

“Er yeah? I think it was a forty mile an hour road? Fast enough to fuck me up anyway, I got hit full force on my right side so yeah...”

“How, how bad were your injuries, in the end?”

Karin looked away from him again, fiddling with her hands. “Well, like I said, my arm got broken, it was a clean break though somehow, it just needed setting and plastering. My hip got broken which sucked, that was why I was stuck in hospital for so long. My leg got messed up as well, but it wasn't too bad, they put I think like two pins and a rod in it so it didn't even need plastering. My ribs,” she moved her hand to rest over the previously injured ones, “one cracked, two broke entirely, one of them kinda, into my lung?” She winced slightly as she heard Toshiro's intake of breath. “Had to get surgery for that as well, obviously, that was the first thing they did. And then my hand...” She lifted her right arm up to look at her hand, eyes tracking along the scars littering it. “It was pretty much shattered and all shredded up, they ended up putting a lot of pins in it, some of them permanent, some got taken out, I can't remember all the little details, they basically had to like reconstruct it I think.” She dropped her hand back down onto her stomach, looking away from Toshiro.

He studied her for a moment, not knowing what to say, gut twisted with the knowledge that she'd gotten so hurt. “That's...a lot.”

“Yeah.”

He gently ran a thumb across the back of her right hand, feeling the bumps of the scars. “This is your dominant hand too isn't it?”

Karin nodded. “Yeah, I think the hand was the worst injury honestly? I mean it wasn't life threatening like the ribs or anything but having my right hand wrecked like that kinda messed me up. I couldn't do anything with it for months, I had to do so much physiotherapy before I could even cut up my own food, let alone write with it.”

Toshiro decided against letting go of her hand, thumb still rubbing across it as he thought. “Is that why you went into physiotherapy?”

“Yeah. Well I mean there were a lot of factors to it.” Her eyes continued to not meet Toshiro's. “I actually originally wanted to be a surgeon. But trying to get into med school was so hard, I was struggling so bad. I failed the first time to get the grades so I decided to retake my exams and try again. I was so frustrated with myself for failing so I just threw myself into it, all I could do was study, I knew if I didn't study constantly I'd fail again so I pushed myself way too hard, I wasn't eating very well, didn't sleep enough, I didn't hang out with friends, it was just study study study.”

She took a deep breath. “I was on my way to school and I was just so drained and I wasn't paying any attention and I crossed the road right by a turn like an idiot and got hit by the car.” She shrugged. “Like I said, it messed me up, and my hand...There was no way I could be a surgeon any more, I can still struggle with this thing sometimes, it doesn't work quite like it used to, you know? And I didn't wanna do it half way, I didn't wanna put all that insane work in and become a doctor and not be able to be the kind of doctor I wanted to be. Plus I was just...done? I'd already failed once, and then with the car accident, I was going to be in hospital for months and the whole reason I ended up there was because I was too drained from trying again...I just...I couldn't do it any more.”

Karin blinked back tears, willing herself not to cry. “Plus, I don't know maybe this sounds stupid, like the surgeons saved me life and I can't thank them enough for that, but it was the physiotherapists that I connected to? Like the surgeons went in, fixed me, and came out, I saw them for follow ups and stuff but I saw the physios pretty much everyday at one point. They helped me, they helped me walk again, helped me learn how to write again. It got me thinking...Obviously surgeons help people, but seeing the physios do their thing, I liked how person-centred it all looked, I liked the idea of being able to train someone up and see them regularly until they're managing better...I don't know, it really helped me, I'd love to be able to do that for someone else you know? So I looked into it, realised I already had the grades to get into physiotherapy, I talked to the physios about their jobs, it sounded good. And there was no way I was gonna be a doctor by that point, I couldn't face it any more but physiotherapy sounded good and at least I'd still be helping people so I went for it.”

She finally looked up at Toshiro who had been staring at her this entire time, strange look on his face that she couldn't identify. “I-, you...You're amazing.”

Karin's face scrunched up. “Huh?”

Toshiro shifted so he was facing her more than he already was. “I just, I don't know many people who could go through all that and still come out the other side like you have.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I'm sure it would've been so easy to give up, understandable even, and I guess you could say you gave up on med school but you still came out of all that fighting. Still determined to do something with yourself, still determined to try and help people. I just...You're amazing.” Karin looked away with a slight shake of her head, overwhelmed by the look in Toshiro's eyes. “I'm serious. I-, I love how much you care. Take today, you've gotten so upset because you accidentally hurt a patient, I'd kill for healthcare staff like that with my grandma.”

Karin shook her head more ferociously this time, her eyes wet again. “Don't, you'll make me cry.”

“Oh Karin,” he moved to pull her up from where she was lying and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her even tighter when he hears a sniffle.

She nudged her head into his collarbone, crying now. “Sorry.”

Toshiro could feel her tears hit his shirt, soaking through, he ignored it and pulled her as close as he could. “You don't have to be sorry.”

“I know you had work and stuff, I just, I don't know, I'm tired, and work went wrong, I didn't wanna go home, I don't know if my flatmates would've understood, I messaged my sister but she's working and I doubt she's been able to even check her phone yet-”

“Karin. I'm glad you came to talk to me.”

Her breath hitched as she tried to control her tears. “I didn't mean to unload on you like this.”

“It's ok, really.”

She pulled away to look at his face, checking. “...Thank you.”

He got up to grab the tissue box on his desk, sat back down next to her offering it towards her. She pulled one out and dabbed at her eyes with a murmured “thanks”.

“Are you feeling any better?”

Karin took a deep breath as she dried the last of her tears. “I don't know about better...More settled I guess?” She half-joked, “I do feel kinda bad though, like listen if you ever need to have a breakdown I'll be there for you, it's only fair.”

Toshiro smiled at her. “I'll keep that in mind.” He leaned over to drop the tissue box on the coffee table. “Are you hungry?”

She shrugged. “Kinda?”

He patted her knee as he got up from the sofa again. “I'm ordering pizza, what do you want?”

“Oh no, you don't have to-”

“Karin, let me look after you, for once?”

She paused, taking in the look on his face before nodding. “Ok.”

Chapter Text

Karin fumbled her step as she caught sight of Toshiro waiting outside the hospital. She stopped walking forward, moving to the side of the entrance instead and whipped out her phone, checking her calender. She was sure she hadn't forgotten a meet up, finding nothing but her work day and then going out with her sister and friends on the screen. She quickly checked her messages too, even though she had just checked them when she finished her shift, finding that yes, she hadn't received any from Toshiro since the couple at lunch. Seeing him moving towards her Karin immediately put her phone away in her back pocket and sent him a quizzical look. “Hi?”

“Hey.”

“Um, we didn't organise a meet up that I totally forgot about right?” She was almost certain they hadn't, and Toshiro seemed a little awkward, which only boosted her confidence in that fact.

He shook his head, “No no, it's just,” he turned his head away from her, staring at something in the distance instead, “with what happened yesterday, and you seemed kinda distant in your texts today too, I just wanted to check on you.”

“Oh.” Karin tilted her head in confusion. “You came all the way here just for that?”

“All the way here is a fifteen minute walk, it's not that bad.”

“Still.” Karin faltered for a moment, feeling awkward and a little blind-sided, unsure what to say. “I'm doing ok, not great obviously, but yeah. My supervisor acted like she always does so I guess this sort of thing does happen. I mean I still feel kinda guilty but I'm ok. I think being overly tired yesterday probably didn't help my reaction you know?”

Toshiro nodded along to her words. “Mm, you didn't sleep well the night before?”

Karin sighed. “Eh it's less not sleeping well and more...the constant lack of sleep getting to me a little? You know I'm a night owl, I'm not usually falling asleep till like midnight, and my alarms are set from six in the morning, and like six hours of sleep isn't awful but when you're doing it five days a week it gets a bit...”

“Taxing?”

“Yeah.” She sighed again, “so yeah being overly tired and then things going wrong yesterday, everything was just a little much. It was probably a bit of an overreaction of my part,” she awkwardly laughed. “I really didn't mean to have a breakdown in your office, that just sort of happened.”

Toshiro smiled kindly. “Well, these things happen. Don't worry about it. And you do seem to be doing better today at least.”

Karin nodded. “Yeah.” The two stood in silence for a moment. “Well anyway, um, I hate to kinda just blow you off but after hearing about yesterday my sister insisted on taking me out with friends tonight and I'm supposed to meet them at a bar in like half an hour so...”

“Oh, yeah of course, that explains-” he cut himself off but Karin caught the vague gesture he made towards her outfit, a little surprised he had noticed despite her wearing a half-zipped coat. “Anyway, have fun. I should get going so I'll talk to you later.”

Karin stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him without even thinking. “You could, you could come you know? If you wanted?”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Wouldn't that be weird, going out with your friends?”

“Why? You're my friend too.”

Toshiro looked away from her and nodded, taking a step back so Karin had to drop her hand from his shoulder. “Right. Well, maybe another time or something, I should really get back to the office so-”

Karin's eyebrows furrowed. “The office? You're going back to work?”

“I've still got a lot to do so yeah, like I said I'll talk to you later. Go have fun and forget all about yesterday.” He gave her a small smile and started walking back the way he came, Karin watching him go, feeling unsettled. That smile had felt fake.

“Oh Karin, are you still moping about yesterday? It's really ok, just take it as a lesson for the future!”

Karin startled out of her reverie, pulling her eyes away from the drink in front of her and towards her sister instead. “No yeah I know.”

Yuzu squished into the booth next to her, putting her own drink down on the table. “Then what are you getting lost in thought over?”

“Er, nothing.”

Yuzu tilted her head as she stared at Karin's face, evidently spotting something. “Really? Come on, just tell me, something's clearly up with you. Tell me quick before the others get back with their drinks.”

Karin took a quick glance at their friends currently ordering drinks and sighed. Perhaps Yuzu had a point. “Toshiro was acting weird earlier.”

Yuzu hummed. “Weird how?”

“He just...I don't know, it surprised me that he randomly showed up to begin with, but then he got all...I don't know, distant? I asked if he wanted to come with me to this and he pretty much ran away it feels like.”

“Well...you did say he was kinda shy right? Maybe he was just a little scared at the idea of meeting a lot of new people at once.”

“I don't know if four counts as a lot of new people.”

Yuzu took a sip of her cocktail as she thought for a moment. “Did you tell him how many people it was?”

“Well no, that's true, I didn't say how many.”

“What did you say, exactly?”

Karin took another glance at the others still ordering drinks, trying to figure out if they were about to show up before giving up and just getting into it anyway. “Ok well after he out of the blue showed up to check on me, I said I was going to meet up with you and friends at a bar, so he started to leave-”

“Who's he?”

The twins both looked up to see Hitomi sit down with them, her own drink now in hand. Yuzu smiled sweetly. “Her definitely-not-boyfriend.”

“Oh Toshiro, ok.”

Karin rolled her eyes. “I hate you both.”

Yuzu grinned at her. “Anyway, continue.”

Karin sighed but continued regardless. “Like I said, he started to leave, and I just kinda stopped him on impulse? And said that he could come if he wanted to.”

Hitomi spoke up. “I'm assuming he said no, given he's not here.”

“He was worried that it would be weird for him to show up, but I said he's my friend too, so like it shouldn't be weird right? But he said he had to go back to work and just left.” Karin took a swig of her drink, eyes widening as she put the glass down. “Wait, you don't think he doesn't see as friends do you?” Hitomi and Yuzu looked at each other before bursting into laughter. “Hey!”

Yuzu shook her head. “Karin, how many drinks have you had? You really think that's the issue?”

“I'm only on my third! And it's just beer. Why, what do you think the issue is?”

“You're kidding right? He pulled away the second you said you guys were friends, it's not that he doesn't see you as friends, it's that he wants to be more than friends. Which you know, was obvious from like months ago.”

Their two other shared friends came back from the bar, Risa with a teasing smirk. “We talking about her not-boyfriend?”

Karin leaned back into her seat and grumbled. “I really do hate all of you.”

Saki flicked her gaze between all of them. “Wait so what happened now?”

Hitomi finished swallowing a mouthful of her own beer. “Karin tried to invite Toshiro to come out with us, saying it wouldn't be weird because they were friends and Toshiro ran back to work instead.”

Saki sighed as she sat down. “Oh you idiot, you're not supposed to say you're friends if you wanna be more, now he's gonna think that's all you wanna be.”

Karin's brow furrowed at that. “You think?”

“Duh!”

Karin fidgeted with her hands. “But I mean, I flirt with him all the time.”

Risa put her drink down and spoke up, gesturing with her hands. “Maybe that's the problem. You've been flirting with him since like, the beginning right? Maybe he doesn't think your flirting is serious, it wasn't to begin with yeah, you were just joking around, maybe he thinks you're still just joking around.”

The other girls made noises of agreement, Saki the loudest. “Yeah! You gotta kick it up a notch!”

Yuzu shook her head at that. “Nah, I don't think he's the type to respond to huge flirting, I think you gotta get more serious.”

Karin scrunched her face up at that. “Serious how?”

Hitomi answered first. “Be more straightforward, the cute joking flirting clearly isn't getting anywhere fast so I think you need to be more honest with it you know? Don't make it into a joke, if you think he looks good, just tell him point-blank, he looks good.”

Yuzu nodded. “Mn I agree, be more honest with him in general, you tend to be pretty guarded.”

Karin finished her drink and shook her head rapidly. “That's what I did yesterday and look how it turned out.”

“Wait, what did you do yesterday?”

Karin sighed heavily, half slumped in her seat at this point. “Well I was all upset at fucking up at work wasn't I? You were at work so you couldn't answer my messages so I tried Toshiro. I went over and pretty much had a breakdown in his office. I explained about what happened at work, I...” she faltered for a split-second, glancing at her sister before going on. “I even told him all about the car accident, all the injuries, why it got me into physio,” she buried her face into her hands, “Ugh I even cried in front of him.”

Yuzu blinked in surprise. “Wow, I know you went over to his yesterday but I didn't realise-, you cried in front of him?”

“I've known for you for six years and I don't think I've ever seen you cry,” Risa half-joked.

Yuzu nodded. “Right? It's not like you to be all vulnerable like that. How did he react?”

“He just, he talked to me, he hugged me, ordered pizza.”

Saki leaned forward in her seat. “What sort of things did he say?”

Karin thought for a moment. “He just reassured me about the work thing, said I was being too hard on myself, said...” The other girls prompted her to continue. “He um, he said that I was amazing? And that he loved how much I cared?”

“Oh?”

“Whoa hang on-”

Risa spoke up above all of them. “So you're telling me this man actually used the word 'love' while talking about you?”

Karin looked up at Risa with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, realising what she was getting at. “Wha- Oh come on, that's, you're reaching there aren't you?”

Yuzu studied her sister for a moment before changing gears. “Well even if we ignore that, it's still pretty obvious that he cares about you a lot, and that he likes you a lot.”

Saki followed up on Yuzu's point. “Yeah, I mean you had that emotional evening with him yesterday, he dropped by today to make sure that you were ok, and then you called him a friend and you wonder why he backed up a little.”

Hitomi agreed. “Being serious and vulnerable with him worked Karin, he definitely thought that maybe you two were on track to be something more until you called him a friend.”

Karin stared at her for a split-second before groaning. “I am an idiot aren't I?”

Saki put her hand over the hand Karin had left on the table. “Yeah, but only a little. This is fixable!”

“You think? How?”

Risa quickly finished her drink. “Just pretend the friend declaration didn't happen. It was a blip, continue with what you're doing now, be close with him, talk to him, like the others said, just be honest and straightforward with him.” She got up from her seat with her glass in hand, “I'm getting another, be right back.”

Hitomi slid over to Risa's spot to be more opposite Karin as she spoke. “I agree with her. I don't think I would do anything like tell him you have feelings yet, I'd wait to be more on solid ground for that, but I would try to be more serious about it. I don't think this dude just has a little crush on you.” The sight of Karin's bright pink cheeks caused her to speak up again. “Not that I think it's the other thing either! Not yet, probably, but I do think he really likes you.”

Saki squeezed Karin's hand. “Yeah for sure, Toshiro's not after some fling or whatever, he doesn't seem like the type, so if you wanna get together with him I don't think the jokey flirting is gonna cut it.”

Karin stared at their held hands, talking quietly now. “Do you really think I should get more serious?”

Yuzu nodded, her hand on Karin's shoulder now. “You like him right?”

“Yeah, I do, I do like him, a lot actually. It's just, it's a little scary, making moves like that.” She let out a heavy breath. “It's easier when it's just a basic crush and not...feelings or whatever.”

Hitomi agreed. “I get that. I do think it's worth a try though.”

“Definitely.”

Karin nodded. “Ok...ok. Well that's a thing to figure out another day, for now I'm gonna get another drink.”

Yuzu slid out of the booth so Karin could get out and start making her way to the bar, passing Risa on the way. She'd barely reached it when she heard a phone vibrating against a table quickly followed by Saki half-choking on her drink. She turned around as Risa, who hadn't even sat down yet, teased her loudly, “You'll never guess who's phoning you right now!”

Karin took a split-second to pat her back pocket, confirming that her phone was on the table rather than on her and quickly jogged back to the booth, not trusting her friends to not pick it up for her and say god knows what. She snatched the phone up and walked over to an unoccupied booth. “Hello?”

“Hey it's me. Um, I er, finished my work earlier than I was expecting,” Karin took a quick glance at the clock hanging up above the bar to see that it hadn't even reached eight o'clock yet, “I was wondering, if um, the offer to join you is still good?”

“Oh!” Karin froze for a second before frantically waving Yuzu over, rolling her eyes when Risa took that as permission to come over too. “Um let me just double check other people are ok with it, but sure, hang on.”

She pulled the phone away from her and whispered to Yuzu. “He's asking to join us.”

“Really?” Yuzu whispered back.

Risa nodded. “Say yes!”

Karin eyes flicked from Risa to Yuzu. “Do I?”

Yuzu thought for a moment and ended up nodding too. “Yeah yeah, definitely.”

“Ok.” Karin brought the phone back to her ear again. “Hey yeah they're ok with it if you wanna meet us here, I'll text you the location ok? It's not too far from your office.”

“Sure, I'll er, see you in a bit.”

“Yep. See you then!” With that Karin hung up the phone, reeling a little. “I really wasn't expecting him to ask that.”

“Yeah same,” Yuzu said, “But that's exactly why you needed to agree, he's going out of his comfort zone for you.”

“Ok yeah, I get that. What do I do though?”

Risa snorted. “Well for starters maybe don't get too into your head about it. Relax! It's fine.”

“You all just said that I need to take it more seriously though like how do I do that? Wait hang on,” she quickly texted Toshiro which bar the group were at.

Risa shrugged. “I mean I'd say meeting some of your friends and your sister is taking it more seriously.”

Yuzu smiled at Karin's nerves. “Taking it more seriously doesn't mean not being yourself. You don't have to act differently or anything, just when those flirty moments come up, be more serious with them, you know? And besides Risa's right, him meeting us is a good step, plus actually thinking about it, this means he'll see how you act with friends, you never know, he might realise you treat him a little differently.” She gave her a wink at the end, making Karin grimace.

“Letting him meet you guys may been a mistake.”

Risa pouted. “No come on, it'll be fine, we'll be on our best behaviour. We promise. In fact, I'll even switch to mocktails after this drink if you want.”

“Oh that's a good idea, especially you Karin, don't drink any more alcohol, we're all already a little tipsy, let's not go too far before he even gets here.”

Risa nodded and made her way over to their actual booth sitting down with Hitomi and Saki, who were in their own little conversation. “Guys! We're taking a break from the drinks, we wouldn't wanna embarrass poor Karin when her not-boyfriend turns up.”

Karin shook her head in exasperation but moved to sit next to her in the booth anyway, wincing as she saw Saki bolt up in her own seat. “Wait what? He's coming?”

Karin groaned. “Oh this was definitely definitely a mistake.”

Yuzu giggled as she sat down next to Hitomi. “I'm sure it'll be fine. We wouldn't actually do anything too bad.”

“But you do admit some bad will probably be happening.”

Yuzu grinned. “Well there'll probably be some teasing. But nothing too bad! We promise.”

The rest of the girls let out sounds of agreement, giving Karin their best 'honest' looks, not phased by Karin's glare at all.

“Uh-huh.”

Chapter Text

Karin took in a sharp breath as she caught sight of Toshiro approaching the front door. “Oh god he's here.”

Saki bolted upright in her seat once again, head snapping round. “Where? Oh.”

The rest of the girls followed suit, all turning round to the entrance, trying to get a good look at him. Karin huffed and got up quickly, deciding to go over to him before he could notice all the stares.

“He looks like that and she hasn't jumped him yet?”

Karin sent a quick glare over to Risa as she walked over to the front door, smiling as Toshiro's eyes fell on her, clearly looking relieved. “Hey.”

He gave her a nod. “Hey.”

An awkward moment passed before Karin bit the bullet. “Let me introduce you to everyone.” She hooked an arm around Toshiro's, pulling him gently over to their booth. “This is Yuzu, my sister, Risa, me and Yuzu have been friends with her since high school, Hitomi, we met at uni, she's one of the girls I live with, and this is Saki, she's one of Yuzu's coworkers.”

Toshiro greeted each one of them in turn and let Karin pull him into the seat next to her, Yuzu having slid over so she could. Yuzu was the one who spoke up first. “So Toshiro! Karin talks about you so much I feel like I already know a lot about you, I hope she's at least mentioned me to you a little bit!”

Karin, noticing pink tingeing into Toshiro's cheeks, shot her sister a look. Yuzu ignored her entirely, continuing to look at Toshiro with an angelic smile on her face.

“Oh, you er, you've definitely come up, she's talked about you here and there. I hear you're a nurse on a liver ward?”

“Yep! Different hospital to where Karin's at though, Saki works on the same ward, although she's been there for a few years, I only started recently.”

Toshiro nodded politely. “How are you finding it?”

She grinned at him. “Good! It can be a little tough, naturally a fair amount of patients are there because they're alcohol dependent and they're trying to wean off the stuff which can make it a little tense sometimes, it's a hard thing to go through of course, some need me to be nice and reassuring while other need a bit more of a firm approach, but it's good! I'm feeling settled at this point.”

Saki piped up. “You're in product promotion right? What does that actually entail?”

“Well promotion and distribution, the company I work for doesn't create anything ourselves, we get hired by clients to set up the roll out of their products, setting up ad campaigns, making sure an appropriate amount of product gets to each area, that sort of thing.”

Saki's eyes widened a little. “Man that's sounds like it could be stressful.”

Toshiro gave her an awkward smile, shrugging slightly. “Sometimes. I imagine nursing can be more stressful at times.”

Saki shrugged back. “Maybe, any job can get stressful I guess, all the more reason to get out and let lose sometimes!”

“Speaking of!” Risa said with a flourish, “I'm going to the bar to get another drink, wanna join me Toshiro?”

“That'll be your fourth Risa,” Yuzu admonished.

Risa shook her head quickly. “No no I said I'll switch to mocktails and I will, no more alcohol for me tonight I promise.” She slid her way out of her seat. “Toshiro?”

“Uh, sure.” He got up and followed her lead.

“You drinking tonight or would you rather stay sober?”

Toshiro blinked at the question, realising that Risa was making sure he didn't feel pressured to drink. “I'll have one, but shouldn't do more than that, I haven't eaten yet.”

She nodded. “Good call, Karin hasn't either and you can tell, she got a little tipsier than I think she meant to.” Risa put her order through the bar and waited for Toshiro to do the same, smiling a little at his furrowed brow. “You know you two could go get dinner together if you wanted.”

Toshiro was a little taken aback by that. “Oh, well, seems a little rude to come here just to run off with her.”

Risa snorted. “God please run off with her, you have my full permission.”

Toshiro flushed and didn't say anything, taking his drink from the bartender and taking a sip instead. Once Risa received hers, she pulled him back to the booth. “Say Yuzu, you'll back me up here, Toshiro should run off with Karin right?”

Yuzu laughed while Karin half-choked. “In what context?”

“Does it matter?” She said with a wink directed at the twins. “Nah I'm only kidding, apparently Toshiro hasn't eaten dinner yet and well, neither has Karin, so I suggested he run off with her to get dinner.”

Yuzu took pity on her sister who had gone bright red. “Well to be fair, neither has Hitomi.”

Hitomi shook her head. “True, but I've also got work tomorrow, I'll need to leave soon anyway, I don't see the point of spending money buying food out when I'll be home soon enough, don't worry about me.”

Karin rolled her eyes. “You say that like I can afford to just spend money like that either.”

“Oh please like your dad doesn't drop by with groceries all the time, you've got more money to spare than me. Just go somewhere cheap.”

Saki nodded. “It doesn't really matter too much what you eat, but I would get something in your stomach Karin.”

Hitomi nodded with her. “Mhm. I'm getting one last drink then I'm off, you can come back with me if you want but you've had a hard week, you deserve to be out for a bit! Have fun, get some food, sober up a little and then come home.” She pointed a finger at the rest of the group. “Don't let her come home on her own till she's sobered up a little,” she turned to Karin, “unless you're coming home with me that is.” With that she made her way over to the bar.

The girls nodded along to the instruction while Toshiro raised an eyebrow. He turned to Karin, talking a little quieter. “You're not that drunk are you?”

Karin shook her head with a smile. “Nah, they all just worry too much, although...I'll admit dinner does sound good.”

Hitomi sat back down, drink now in hand. “Alright so like I said, I'm heading home after this, what's everyone else got planned for the rest of the night?”

Saki shrugged. “Not sure! Karaoke would be fun.”

Risa perked up. “Ooh I'd be up for Karaoke!”

Karin pulled a face. “Yeah I'm not drunk enough for that.”

Saki stuck her tongue out at her. “Suit yourself. I can text some friends who live in the area, see if they're up for joining in.”

Risa grinned and squished up next to Saki, who had already pulled her phone out. “Well that's us sorted! What about you Yuzu?”

Yuzu sighed as she thought. “Well I can't stay out too late, gotta make sure I can get the train back and I'd probably lose track of time if I joined you guys.”

Saki giggled, still sending out texts. “Yeah that's true, last time was hilarious.”

“It was embarrassing!”

Saki leaned into the table stage-whispering. “She stayed out way later than she thought and ended up having to stay over at mine and going back to work in the same clothes, everyone thought she hooked up with someone.”

Yuzu knocked back the last of her drink. “It was only my second week at the ward, it gave off a terrible impression! Thankfully everyone believed me when I said Saki kept me out late,” she said with an impish grin on her face, “she has a certain reputation.”

Saki let out a mock offended sound. “See if I ever invite you out again! Come on Risa I've got a few responses, let's go out and sing Karaoke and have fun without this one.” She booped Yuzu on the nose, before slinging on her coat.

Risa shrugged and followed suit. “Alright. See you guys another time. It was nice meeting you Toshiro!”

Saki nodded and she zipped up her coat. “Yeah I'll say! You know for all Karin talks about you you'd think she mention how handsome you are, but maybe she was worried we'd try to steal you away from her.”

Karin kicked her from under the table, speaking harshly. “Don't you have songs to go sing somewhere else?”

Saki only laughed and agreed, pulling Risa out of the booth with her. “I do I do, see you guys later.”

They said their goodbyes, leaving the table a lot quieter. After a moment Toshiro spoke up. “So um, Yuzu you still live in Karakura?”

She smiled at him. “Mhm! I'm still living at home with dad. I've only been actually nursing for about three months now I think? I'm thinking about moving out to Tokyo, I can't see me leaving this job for a while after all, but it's all so expensive. Plus I don't know which areas are good or bad.”

Toshiro sympathised. “It took me a while to find a place. A lot of is expensive or tiny.”

Yuzu nodded enthusiastically. “Right? And I get that Tokyo's more expensive, that's just how Tokyo is, but like why would I spend that much money on a shoebox place when I can spend less on a bigger place back in Karakura? But I don't know, I feel like I waste a lot of time just commuting.”

Hitomi spoke up. “I get what you mean but I think it's better to save money in the long run. That way maybe you can buy a place at some point.”

Yuzu sarcastically laughed and collapsed onto the table. “On a single nurse's salary? Not likely these days.”

Karin poked her in the side. “Well go get a partner already.”

“Oh I'm sorry, not all of us can have their soulmate just randomly appear in their life.”

Hitomi laughed. “You walked right into that one.”

Karin flushed, cheeks getting deeper in colour as she spotted Toshiro's raised eyebrow. “Ugh ignore them, please. They're both obviously horrendously drunk.”

Yuzu and Hitomi both laughed, the latter speaking sarcastically. “Oh yeah, obviously.”

Toshiro switched the conversation back, saving Karin. “You know I think there's an available apartment in my building at the minute, I could send you a link if you wanted?”

Yuzu focused on the words immediately. “Really? What's your apartment like?”

“Well, it's not big by any means. The door opens straight into the living space, half lounge, half kitchen. Not a lot of kitchen worktop space so I use the table I've got in there instead. There's enough room to have a sofa bed made up, as long as I move the table. Bedroom's big enough to have a small double bed in it with a little walking room around it, built in wardrobe. Wet room with a just a shower, no bath.”

Yuzu nodded along with the description, deep in thought. “Whereabouts do you live? You train it into work right?”

“Yeah I'm a little out, makes it cheaper.” Toshiro pulled out his phone to show her the general area on a map. “Takes me about half an hour to get to work, all on one train, I don't know if it would be that easy from your work.”

“Hmm, definitely seems worth a look at least! Can you add me on whatsapp and send me the link? I'll have a proper look tomorrow.”

“Uh sure, let me just...” He held out his phone for Yuzu again, waited for her to put her phone number in and find herself.

“There, that's me!” She handed the phone back with a smile.

He nodded and slipped his phone back in his pocket. “I'll make sure to find the listing and send it to you.”

“Thank you! I appreciate it, it can be so hard to find a good place. But anyway!” Yuzu turned to her sister, “Karin, you figured out what you're doing yet? Going home with Hitomi or staying out?”

“Oh um, I'll, I think I'll stay out for a bit, I should eat something.”

“In that case do you mind if I join? You as well Toshiro?”

Karin easily agreed but let her confusion show. “I thought you already ate?”

Yuzu shrugged. “Eh, I ate something light on my break around five and I'm already getting peckish. I'm blaming the fact that it was a busy shift.”

Hitomi finished the last of her drink. “Sounds reasonable to me. Used more calories up.”

“Yeah that's the excuse I'm using anyway,” Yuzu said with a laugh. “You guys wanna go anywhere specific?”

Toshiro politely shook his head while Karin said she didn't care as long as it wasn't too expensive. Hitomi shook her coat on. “Just wander round till you find something, you never know, you might find a hidden gem. Anyway, I'm heading home. It was good to meet you Toshiro, Karin, I'll see you later, and Yuzu...I guess I'll see you when I see you.”

Yuzu nodded. “Mm, I'll probably message you at some point before we meet up again.”

“Fair enough.” She slid her bag onto her shoulder. “Alright, see you guys. Bye!”

The other three said their goodbyes back, falling back into quiet. Toshiro finished his drink, unsure what else to do.

Karin gave him a smile. “Did you wanna follow her suggestion, just walk around till we find something? I know Yuzu will be up for it.”

“Uh sure, I don't mind doing that.”

“You guys wanna go now?”

Karin looked over to her sister. “Yeah, I'm hungry,” she turned to Toshiro, “if you're good with that?”

“Sure.”

Yuzu took that as her cue and stood up, putting her coat on, Toshiro and Karin following her lead. They left the bar, Karin sucking in a breath as they hit the cold air, zipping her coat all the way up as they walked to find somewhere to eat. “It got cold quick.”

“Did you remember to bring gloves this time?”

Yuzu laughed. “Oh she never remembers, I've given up at this point.”

Karin shot her look before looking a little sheepish. “I actually still have yours in my pockets.”

Toshiro turned to her, exasperated expression on his face. “You know if you're gonna steal them you could at least actually wear them.”

“I'm not stealing them! I just kinda completely forgot about giving them back to you.”

Yuzu grinned, leaning over to Toshiro. “How long ago did you hand them over?”

“Only about a week ago.”

“I'm telling you now, it'll take her like a month to remember to actually give them back.”

Karin huffed. “I'm not that bad.” Yuzu stared at her in response, making Karin speak up again. “I'm not! Look I'll just give them back right now.” She dug out the gloves from her coat pocket.

“No Karin, I don't mind and you're cold, wear them.” Toshiro and Karin locked eyes for a moment before she relented with a sigh. “Fine.” She pulled them on.

Yuzu laughed. “Oh I see, I complain at you for years to look after yourself better and nothing, but he gives you one look and you do it.”

Karin shook her head embarrassed. “I look after myself. Besides, last time he just straight up put them on me himself.”

“You let him?”

Karin flustered for a second. “I mean, why wouldn't I?”

Yuzu made a show of sighing and rolling her eyes, turning to Toshiro. “She's the most stubborn person I've ever known, the amount of times I tell her to do something and she goes and does the exact opposite,” she flashed a grin at Karin, “I'm glad she finally found someone she'll let look after her. Apparently all I need to do is sic you on her.”

Karin glared at her, the effect a little diminished by her bright pink cheeks. Toshiro looked between them for a moment, opening his mouth to say something before he felt a drop hit his head. He held a hand out, assessing. “It's starting to rain.”

Karin was already putting her hood up, having noticed it too. Yuzu dug around in her bag, sighing. “Of course I managed to forget my umbrella.”

“And you moan at me?”

Toshiro ignored the twins bickering, looking around. “There's a 7-eleven, we can duck in there and see if it passes?”

Yuzu quickly agreed, pulling the two of them with her as she jogged over to the store, immediately going in and drying her shoes on the mat. Karin watched the rain outside. “Its getting really heavy.”

Toshiro moved out of the way of the entrance, staring outside as well. “It came on quickly, maybe it'll finish just as quickly.”

Yuzu rubbed her hands together to stave off some of the chill. “Ugh I hope so, otherwise getting home isn't gonna be fun.”

“Let's wait it out a little, see what it does. If it keeps raining I think I've got an umbrella in my bag you can borrow.”

Yuzu frowned at Karin. “What about you?”

Karin shrugged. “I've got a hood and you haven't, I can deal. Plus I've got less of a walk than you do.”

“Hmm well, we'll see.” Yuzu carefully peeled her half damp hair away from her face. “Wasn't exactly what I was thinking of but do you guys just wanna grab something to eat here?”

Karin looked around the store. It wasn't the biggest, but they did have a decent selection to choose from. “Yeah alright, might as well, maybe by the time we've finished the rain will have calmed down a bit.”

Toshiro nodded his assent and the three of them searched around the shop, picking out food for themselves. Karin opted for instant noodles, finding some packaged soft boiled eggs to add to the broth, while Toshiro and Yuzu both opted for a bento, heating them up in the microwave while Karin cooked and mixed her noodles. She made her way over to the little bench facing the shop window, slipping her bag off to put next to her feet. Yuzu followed, setting her bento down and deliberately sitting one seat over so Toshiro could sit in between once he was finished prepping his food. “You want some of my rice? Help soak up the alcohol a bit?”

Karin shook her head. “I'm doing ok, the noodles should do it.”

Toshiro sat down next to them, pulling off his own bag and putting it next to his feet as well. They ate relatively quietly, making small talk here and there before Yuzu sighed half way through her food. “Of course the rain is easing up now.” She ate the rest as quickly as she could, leaving a dumpling each to Toshiro and Karin before throwing the container in the bin. “I'm gonna make a run for it before it tries to tip it down again.”

Toshiro raised an eyebrow at that. “Are you sure?”

Yuzu nodded. “Mhm, I really don't wanna get caught up in heavy rain so I'm going now while I can. I'll see you guys later!”

Toshiro and Karin both watched as she made her way out of the shop, breaking out into a jog as she went round the corner. “You guys don't get the same train?”

Karin finished a mouthful. “No, the train I get goes pretty close to where the uni and all the accommodation is, she needs to get a train that goes to the centre, lets her transfer to the train that goes close to home.”

“Ah.”

They ate in silence for a moment before Karin spoke up again. “I hope my friends didn't scare you too much?”

Toshiro shook his head quickly. “Oh no, they were fine. A little energetic and teasing, but I mean, no more worse than Matsumoto. Speaking of, if I were you I don't think I'd ever let her and Risa meet.”

Karin laughed. “Oh my god no, we'd never get a break if those two joined forces.”

“They were nice though.”

Karin smiled at him. “I'm glad. I know it was probably a little intimidating to meet them.”

“Ah well,” he fiddled with his food for a second, “I was more nervous about meeting your sister than anything else.”

“Oh she's the nicest of the bunch, well, as long as you don't make her mad. Nobody believes it but trust me, she's the scariest Kurosaki.”

Toshiro let out a small laugh. “I'll be sure to keep that in mind.”

Karin nodded. “Do.” She ate her last mouthful of noodles. “How was work?”

“Same as always really.”

She nodded again, sipping at the leftover broth. “You know I've been wondering, maybe you don't wanna answer this, which is fine, but I'm curious, why do you work there? You're not miserable or anything, but you don't seem all that happy either.”

Toshiro thought for a moment. “It's...As I said before, I needed the money, so it made the most sense at the time, and I have to admit it's hard, to leave a job when it pays so well and you've got a good boss, even if it's not what I wanted to do.”

Karin looked over to him, studying his face. “What did you want to do?”

He looked down at his food. “Honestly...I, um, I wanted to be a teacher.”

Karin's eyebrows furrowed at that. “That's, I mean I don't know specifics, but that's not exactly a hard job to get into is it?”

Toshiro let out a breath and rearranged the chopsticks into his hand properly again, picking up some of his food. “No, certainly not with my grades, but not well paying enough for what I needed back then. There was, a whole thing, which meant there was a lot of expensive stuff to sort out.”

“I mean I understand that, but, is all that stuff sorted now?”

Toshiro nodded as he chewed his mouthful.

“So I mean, why stay in it? You could retrain?”

“I've thought about it but...I grew up pretty broke. Not poor, there were certainly people worse off than us, but we weren't great money wise. We couldn't really save up or anything, so if something went wrong then it was a nightmare. To go from that to being able to just fix whatever issues come up because I'm earning enough now, it's hard? To leave that kind of security? Especially because of all the workplaces I could've gone into mine is pretty good as these things go, having Matsumoto as my teammate is great, my boss is really understanding, he lets us work flexible hours within reason, he makes sure people get a decent amount of holiday.” He sighed heavily. “It might not be what I want to do, but I also recognise that I'm lucky with it so it's...complicated. Plus...”

Karin cocked her head to the side. “Plus?”

Toshiro sighed again. “With this job I'm managing to save up a lot, even if I decided I definitely wanted to leave and retrain as a teacher, it still makes sense to stick to it. I think I could potentially buy a place outright someday, no mortgage, nothing. Not a big place admittedly, but having that kind of security, a guaranteed roof over my head no matter what happens, isn't that worth not being completely happy at work?”

Karin thought carefully about her words for a moment. “That's...A difficult thing to figure out. I can see why you'd stay where you are, I just...I'd like to see you happier.”

He smiled at that, looking away. “Well you help a lot with that.”

Karin blushed slightly with a smile and knocked her shoulder against his. “I'm glad. Same by the way. You make me...yeah.”

Chapter Text

Toshiro unlocked the door to his apartment, taking care to be quiet as it was past eleven at night, not wanting to disturb any of his neighbours, and made his way in. Locked the door again and placed his keys on the little hook he put in next to the door for the purpose. Took his shoes off, slid his bag off and put it by the sofa, out of the way, and walked straight into his bedroom. He started getting ready for bed, getting changed out of his suit and into pyjamas, pausing when he remembered he said he'd send Yuzu the details of the available apartment. He finished pulling his t-shirt on and grabbed his phone from his bedside table, deciding to do it now before he forgot. Toshiro sat down on the edge of the bed, brow furrowing as he found texts from Matsumoto. He decided to answer those in those a moment. He searched for available listings in his area, quickly finding the correct one and sent it to Yuzu.

Toshiro (23:18): Hey, here's the listing I was talking about.

Toshiro (23:18): **link sent**

Yuzu Kurosaki (23:21): Ah great!!! Thank you!! <3 I'll check it all out tomorrow :)

That done and sorted, Toshiro switched to the texts messages Matsumoto had sent.

Matsumoto (23:04): So?????

Matsumoto (23:05): How did my advice turn out???? How did things go with Karin and her friends??

Hitsugaya (23:23): Honestly a little awkward at first but they were nice enough

Hitsugaya (23:24): It definitely fixed the weird moment we had earlier so you were right on that front

Matsumoto (23:24): Good!! I told you

Hitsugaya (23:24): Also