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The evening was calm and Toshiro sat his desk, a led light bulb glowing over his head. There was faint rustle of turning pages and scratch of his pen against paper. There was also mechanical sound of celling fan. Hence, the atmosphere was tailor made for studying. In that stillness, Toshiro was fully absorbed in the studies. Then, out of thin air a loud but feminine voice spoke up,"Oi, Toshiro, Ichigo is calling you." Toshiro groans as he lost his concentration in study and asked, " What happened Rangiku?" The owner of the loud yet feminine voice Rangiku responded, "Ichigo is calling you over his place for some reason." " why suddenly he is calling me? " Toshiro inquired himself. Rangiku shrugs off because she doesn’t know the reason. After some moment of thinking, Toshiro announced " Ok, I'll be going there to see what's the matter" Rangiku replied "Ok then go there sately." with that Toshiro walking toward the main-door. He was clad in black Cricket trousers and a plain T-shirt. When the boy was about to turn the knob of the main door, Rangiku mischievously teased "You know Toshiro, Kurosaki twin are very cute. So, don’t get carry away when you see them." Toshiro only knitted his eyebrows to respond.
Then, Toshiro begin his journey toward Kurosaki household. The streets of Karakura was mostly silent. There were some cars passing by and some exhuasted office workers were returning home after a long day. Toshiro silently start thinking about his life.
One year ago, he and his older sister Rangiku settled in this resident. His sister Rangiku worked as fashion designer. Though Rangiku is devoted to her job, she was blind to household chores. So, he had to take over the responsibility of chores himself. That made his life more occupied.
In Karakura, He doesn’t have many friends despite being famous for his academic and atheletic accomplishments. But, he made a good tie with a orange haired, energetic boy Ichigo Kurosaki. Playing football together or studying together was normal yet pleasant for himself.He always have good time with Ichigo because of his easy-going personality.
But, everything changed the day he met Karin Kurosaki.
Ichigo has two younger twin.One is fair-headed,feminine and courteous Yuzu. Another one is mischievous, loud, unapologetic with black hair Karin.
The first thing karin said to him when they met for the fist time,"You are not that tall and you got some phenomenal snow white hair. So, I'm calling you Snowy."
Toshiro only could frown at her childish behaviour. But, he liked her teasing attitude.Everytime, they see each-other, Karin approached him with wide,teasing eye and a grin that made him simultaneously want to scowl and laugh.
One day, after assisting Ichigo in his study, out of blue Karin bravely approached him as her chin was up and shoulders were open and challenged," hey snowy! Think you can keep up with me in football?" He courteously declined the challenge and advised,"Your exam is at the doorstep, you had better study." Karin didn’t hear his words but furtherly loudly challenged "Are yiu scared that you might lost to a little girl?" He sighed as he realized that he couldn't argue any more. Therefore, he accepted the challenge reluctantly.
In the bank of the river, both of them was panting like crazy as they sprinted a marathon. Their garment were drenched in sweat. There was stain of dirt and mud in their body.Karin spoked first,"Man, you’re too good to challenge. " Toshiro smirked at the appreciation of his football skill and replied in a cocky tone, "You will be left crying, if played with my all strength" Karin rolled her eyes at his cocky statement. Then the balck-haired girl offered, "If you’re that much confident, why don’t you play with me every weekend?" He was about to decline the offer but he couldn't do that due to Karin's big puppy eyes.That's how, he started to reserve every weekend for footbal match with her.
As they passed, One day Karin approached and begged him while he was returning home from school, "Toshiro, please help me in my study" He raised an eyebrow and interrogated "What’s wrong?" Karin spalttered " Yuzu is helping her other friend and Ichigo is not the sharpest tool in this regard.That's why I need an assistance of prodigy for my upcoming exams." He was flabbergasted at her humbleness and agreed to help her.
The study session was clamer but no less filled with subtle tension and interaction.Karin's bedroom became a little world of books and scattered papers. He sat on floor with his against the bed,textbooks speard around him,while Karin perched on chair with her noted and a pen in hand.
"Okay,so if Y equals to 7, then X equals to..." Toshiro said, pointing to the problem.
"I don’t know! Math is cruel!" came from Karin.
He advised,"Math isn’t evil,you just need to approach it logically"
Karin complained, "Ok,ok, my brain isn’t functioning anymore. I need a 5 minute break."
Toshiro just stared aimlessly at her condition.Then, Karin curiously asked,"Do you have any plans after my exams?""Why?" came from Toshiro monotonously. Karin softly replied,"I'd like you to watch movie with me." Toshiro smirked and responded " I will but first you have to cut a good figure in exam." karin smiled softly,"I will do my best."
"Ok ok, break is over. You have to solve next problems. " Toshiro announced.
While solving problems, Toshiro noticed how her hair fell across her eyes, how she chewed her lips when concentrating,how he leaned slightly toward him when she didn’t understand. Toshiro found this alluring.
After solving few questions,Karin eyes lit up," I got it, oh wow,snowy, you’re amazing. I mean.." she stopped as she realize she was acting too childish. Toshiro softened his eyes, " That's mean a lot."
Then, Karin mischievous grin returned,"Fine, next time, tough we're making it challenge. If I get it wrong. You owe me a chocolate"
Toshiro raised an eyebrow and curiously asked,"If I get it wrong?"
"Then you owe me two more chocolates." came from Karin confidentaly.
They continued for hours, altering between serious problem-solving,teasing and laughter.
As he promised to watch movie with her.Toshiro cald in Denim Jeans and White Shirt, waiting at the bus stop. The late afternoon sun melted into soft orange as Toshiro stood at bus stop, hands in his pocket. He checked his watch once, not out impatience- just havit.
He heard soft footstepbehind him."Karin?" he said, while turning back to see that person.
She jogged up in a black skirts,white top and her hair half-tied back. A little breathless, a little smug, " You didnt wait long,did you?"
Toshiro's eyes swept over her,"You clean up well", he said, his voice low but edged with something teasing,"Diid you dress just to distract me?"
Karin smirked,"If i wanted to distract you I'd wear red. But thanks,snowy.Didn't you know how to compliment a girl?"
He gave a faint scarf, "I only bother when It's deserved"
The bus pulled up with a hiss and they stepped in, taking seats by the window. Karin streched her arms behind her head, glancing sideways at him.
"So if I look good" she said, leaning in a little "what makes you?,my stylish date?"
He met her gaze coldly,"I'll accept the title if you behave."
She snorted"Not happening"
The cinema lights were dim and buzzing with chatter when they arrived. Karin scanned the poster,then pointed"we're watching this one" Toshiro stared at the framed image of blushing coupleband sunset. "
A romance? Seriously?" complained Toshiro.
"Yes,seriously " she replied, already walking, he followed her anyway.
Inside the theater, the seats were plush and half-full.They sat close-naturally.
Halfway though Karin's head drifted to his shoulder. He went still. Her hair smelled faintly of cirtus and shampoo. He glanced down -she was watching the screen intently,utterly un bothered. He sighed very quietly and let her stay.
When the credits rolled his expression was unreadable.
"Not your thing?" karin asked.
"It was tolerable" he replied.
"You mean you actually watched it?"
"All two painfull dramatic hours" Toshiro complained again.
As they exited the cinemahall, karin shamelessly stated," I'm starving to dead" Toshiro didn’t complain her behaviour since he was hungry also. So they found a small resturant nearby, all warm latern light and wooden booths. They ordered ramen and karage. Karin demolished her food with gustu while Toshiro ate with etiquette.
When the bill came, she reached for her pursue, but he slid the money onto the tray first.
"I can pay for my half" she grumbled.
"I know" Toshiro replied.
Despite thanking him, karin mocked" Snowy that gentleman act doesn’t suit you."
Toshiro sighs," You really lacks basic manners."
They retuned to karakura quitely by bus.When they dropped off from the bus, the sky was totally dark." Ok I'll go now" karin said. Toshiro spoke up like a protector," It's already dark. I must escort you to your house. " karin declined,"There is no need of it."
But, Toshiro was relucant to leave her alone at this hour, so he ordered to walk together. Karin groaned but agreed to do so.
As they walk side by side, their hand brushed once then again. On the third time karin hesitately caught his hand withiut looking.Toshiro stiffened then slowly relaxed into the wramth."
"You better keep it little girl, otherwise you will be lost." Toshiro mocked. Karin only rolled her eyes.
Toshiro furthet added,"That was a.bold move. Planing to keep it?"
Karin answered," If you don’t whine."
"I don’t whine" Toshiro spullteted.
Karin accused furiously, "You absolutely do."
Toshiro just give up to argue anymore.
The kurosaki house came into view.
Toshiro interrogated, " How was the date?"
Karin hesitated,then chewed her lips before stepping closer. She rose on her toes and pressed a quick warm kiss ti his cheek,"A merely amazing or good can't describe it" she said voice barely above a bereath.
And before he could speak-she bolted for door.Toshiro lifted a hand to his cheek,stunned into stillness- then allowed himself the smallest,rarest smile.
Toshiro's chain of thought broke when he saw the kurosaki household before him.Then,Toshiro approached the front door with his normal pace and start knocking the door but there was no answer. Impulsively he turned the knob of door and door got unlocked.For his amusement, he found this bizzare hiusehold unnaturally quiet.Then, Toshiro took a step further to inter house and shouted,"Is there anyone?". "Come in" a respon came from drawing-room. Toshiro starts walking through dark and quiet corridor.His footsteo echoed softly against the marbel floor as he moved down the corridor. When he entered the drawing room, he fiund a different Karin sitting at the sofa. Her mischievous was gone, replaced by something more valunerable. Then, he asked the Black-haired kurosaki twin,"Hey karin, how your days going? Do you know where Ichigo is?" Karin didn’t reply but chewd her own lip as she is nervous.Toshiro frowned and asked " Then who called me?". Now, Karin brusted,"I called you and no one at house besides you and me."
Toshiro eyed suspiciously. Then out of blue Karin ordered, "sit" patting the seat beside her. Toshiro then made his way to the couch and sat beside her. Before he can ask further question, karin shifted to his lap and sneaked her arm around his neck securely.The warmth of her body pressed against his chest made his unusual composure waver.
"Toshiro..." her voice shook, but enough to carry the emotion,"I.. I liked you for long time. I've heen holding it in teasing yiu, pretendinh it was all just fun but it wasn’t " her admission hung in the air, fragile yet powerful, Toshiro's breath caught. She continued, "I like everything about you and I can't pretend anymore. You are most matured and brilliant person I've ever seen. The way you trear is so different. "
The words trumbled out in rush,her cheeks flustered crimson. Her gaze search his, eager for sign, aflicjer answer she already hoped for.
Toshiro eyes lingered on her face,taking in every detail,the way her hair fall, the curve of her cheek. His hand lifted, hesitant for a moment b efore brushing a stray lock behind her ear. " You really feel that way?" his voice lower than usual.
Karin nodded, " I've never this way about anyone before and I want you to know that I'm not afraid anymore to say"
Withiut any word he captured her lips, soft at first, and then deeper as if to answer her every word. Karin's hand tights instinctively her finger threading into his hair as she returned the kiss with equal fevour.
When they parted, both were breathless and cheeks flustered. "I like you too." Toshiro replied witha genuine smile.Karin laugh softly with relief and hapiness.
For a long time, they sat together, foreheads pressed, hands entwined, hearts beating in rhythm. Then Toshiro suddenly asked," why you faked that Ichigo is calling me, you can do it normally?" " It will be comfortable in private" Karin reaplid. Toshiro further asked, " What’s the motivation for your sudden confession??" Karin didn’t reply since she.can't. Then Toshiro mischievously sated," Because if any other girl had confessed me before you did, and I will accept it. Didn’t you think that??"
The answer is yes.Karin was jealous how other girls fanned Toshiro and one of her classmate is going to ask him out. So, she goes for this confession before anyone can claim Toshiro.
Not getting any respond, Toshiro teased her," Man you’re so envious harted, aren’t you?"
But, it was the last straw, Karin get angry since Toshiro called him jealou lady. She pinched his cheek and pulling it violently "Ohh, I'm so jealous that I would die if anyone date you?"
Toshiro managed to save his cheek from her grasp and happily stated" I have felt this way for a long time only fot you. No one else could ever make me feel this way."
Karin anger lost fire at the apology. So, she smiled softly and then leaned forward and brushed her lips against his in a tender kiss.