[The Substitute Shinigami Arc] Part 29: Playful and Realistic

# Karakura High School, Gakuenchou #

As soon as we arrived at the school, Keigo, as usual, came running towards us making a fake fuss. This made Ichigo and Mizuiro stop for them to talk.

As I was holding a rather large gift box, I made up an excuse that I needed to deliver Rukia's present soon and went straight to class.

Yato: 'I don't feel like holding this all day.' - I thought

It didn't take long for me to arrive in the classroom and see Rukia sitting looking out the window. She was quite a distance away from the rest of the class who seemed to be discussing the project, so I didn't waste too much time heading towards her.

Orihime: "Good morning Yasakani-san!" - She waved as I passed her.

Yato: "Good morning….Inoue-san…what is this?" - I asked when I looked at the drawing she had done.

Orihime: "It's my project for today!"

The drawing was a robot that if it weren't for Inoue's hair in the drawing, it would remind me a little of the robot Johnny from Chrono Trigger.

Yato: "...Wow..."

Tatsuki: "Hey, what's that box for, Yato?"

Yato: "Good morning to you too, Tatsuki." - I said while laughing a little.

Tatsuki just rolled her eyes and continued with her arms crossed.

Yato: "You'll see." - I replied as I went to Rukia.

As I approached, Rukia glanced in my direction and reverted to the persona she'd pretended to be at school.

Rukia: "Good morning, Yasakani-san. What would that be you're carrying?" - She asked politely.

Yato: "This is for you, Kuchiki-san." - I continued to keep my smile.

As soon as I handed her the box, I noticed that the class had gone silent. When I looked over to the rest of the students, they were all looking in my direction.

Yato: 'All as planned…'

Rukia: "A present for me? But…I didn't win once in that game of yours yesterday." - She said that last part basically whispering.

Yato: "I intended to give you a present anyway, after all, I was told that you were very worried about me after my accident, so I wanted to please you."

My answer made her even more embarrassed about the situation, after all, now almost the entire class was looking at us.

Rukia: "Well…th-thanks."

Before Rukia could open the present, the class' silence was broken by Inoue with the arrival of Ichigo.

Orihime: "Good morning! Kurosaki-kun!"

Ichigo: "Hey! Good morning, Inoue!"

At that moment, Inoue, Tatsuki and Rukia found Ichigo's behavior very strange. Even I, who already know why he was like that, was a little surprised by the way he responded.

Michiru: "What was that!? Is Ichigo in a good mood!?"

Orihime: "Why…is Kurosaki-kun so tense…?"

Tatsuki: "Michiru, what day is it?"

Michiru: "Eh? Today is June 16th. Why the question?" - The girl replied while looking at her wristwatch.

Tatsuki: "I see…Orihime, you're amazing. It took me three years to notice 'that'."

Orihime: "Tatsuki-chan…?"

Tatsuki: "If you have an urgent matter to discuss with Ichigo, you better settle it today...because he won't be showing up at school tomorrow."

# Some hours later #

Rukia and I were separated from the rest of the group at break time. The rest of the class seemed to want to give us privacy after I handed her the present.

Rukia: "You fool…why did you give this to me in front of everyone?" - She asked while hugging the stuffed rabbit.

I went back to smiling cynically as I focused my attention on my snacks.

Yato: "I see no reason to be so embarrassed, after all, we're engaged, right?"

Rukia: "Why you…"- She gritted her teeth after realizing my intentions but I decided to keep talking to avoid her trying to hit me.

Yato: "You noticed Ichigo's behavior, didn't you?"

Rukia: "Now that you mention it, he looked really weird…what happened?"

Yato: "I'll be very honest with you, Rukia, because I already know what your answer is. Tomorrow is the date Ichigo's mother died…and he wanted a day off work as a shinigami…" - I spoke a little more seriously what made Rukia worry.

Rukia: "What!? But of course he can't-"

Yato: "I'm not done…like I said, I already figured you'd say that. It's okay with me if you go too and stay close to him in case something happens, but try to respect his space and that of his family…"

She stared in my direction for a while, probably expecting me to stare back at her, which I didn't.

Rukia: "You're right...I'll avoid meddling in this...but what about you? Does that mean you're not going?"

Yato: "This story has nothing to do with me...and...it would be really bad if I went with his family. I'm a curious guy...and even if I tried to contain myself, at some point I would end up asking unnecessary questions about a very sensitive subject, so I'd rather stay here and wait... in case Ichigo feels he's really ready to talk."