CHAPTER 232: Unwinnable

Seated on the soft bed, Rukia was lost in her thoughts. Ignoring the lingering scent of their passionate night, she focused solely on her inner turmoil. She paid no mind to the lingering scent of their intimacy last night or to the fact she had no clothes on.

"I'm so stupid."

When she had agreed to assist Momo, she had naively believed it would be a one-time arrangement. She never expected that sex with him would awaken her lust and a desperate craving for kissing.

"I wanna die..."

She'll never be able to look him in the eye after the shameless acts she committed on this very bed.

At that moment, the door creaked open. Momo appeared, carrying a packet of melon bread and a steaming cup of tea. "Let's push back your death a couple of thousand years. Here, I brought your breakfast."

Rukia groaned, her hands instinctively burying her face as if to shield herself from embarrassment. "I'm not hungry."

Momo's eyes softened. "I refuse to believe you have no appetite after all the jumping you did last night. You were like a rabbit."

Rukia's ears turned red in embarrassment. Worst of all, she found herself unable to retort against Momo's words. So, she did something she had never done before — she remained silent, her lips sealed in the face of humiliation.

"Rukia?"

"Why are you speaking like him?"

Momo tilted her head. "I don't know. Didn't our teacher say something about people unconsciously mimicking the person they admire the most? Hehe, my most admired person is Kazuya-kun."

"Figures."

Momo giggled and brought the breakfast tray close to Rukia, making the tomboy inhale the tea's inviting fragrance. "Still not hungry?"

Rukia removed her hands from her face and snatched the tray from Momo. "Just leave it here."

As Rukia made her way to the bathroom, Momo reluctantly began tidying up the room and changing the sheets. Although Kazuya's scent lingered, it was not as strong as before.

'He is gone. I must work hard and return to his side.'

She had to graduate as soon as humanly possible, even if she had to sleep deprive herself.

'I also have to brain—help Rukia find her feelings for Kazuya-kun.'

She was certain that Kazuya held a special place in his heart for her, at least for now. However, she couldn't guarantee that it would remain the same in a year or even a decade.

Rukia was a part of Momo's master plan. Her way to solidify her place in his heart. He really adored the piece of work that was Rukia. Alone she might be forgotten, but with Rukia by her side, there was a very slim chance of that happening. And besides, having a friend's company was always better than having none.

Momo found the package sent by Byakuya, as well as the noble-looking hair ornaments. Having no use for them, she shoved them into her wardrobe, alongside Kazuya's clothes.

Rukia returned in a fresh set of clothes — a purple kimono that looked pretty worn out but cute nevertheless. Momo really appreciated that Rukia cherished her clothes from her time in Rukongai.

Rukia turned red at Momo's scrutiny, as though remembering the intimate moments she shared with Momo. "Stop staring at me."

Momo chuckled and passed the tray to Rukia. "Eat up."

"Thanks."

Rukia sat down and began devouring the melon bread. Momo had a sudden urge to say something mean to Rukia, something along the lines of 'You sure are eating a lot for someone who wasn't hungry'.

'Mhmm, Kazuya-kun is infecting me.'

Rukia tilted her head, looking puzzled. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Momo shook her head. "Rukia, we are skipping lessons today, but tomorrow…"

"Tomorrow what?" Rukia asked. "Don't keep me hanging."

Momo assumed her most serious expression. "Be prepared for students to point at you and make obscene comments."

"Huh—" Rukia's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "You mean… the noises? Geez, we were so loud."

Rukia hadn't cared about the moans coming out of her in the heat of the moment, and now she had to face the consequences of her action.

Momo nodded firmly. "Kazuya-kun's influence made them afraid of informing the dorm managers. But some girls will still talk behind our backs. I want you to be prepared for that."

"I don't care about it," Rukia said and suddenly punched the bed. "Let me make something clear. It was his fault for making us m-moan like that. H-How dare he?!"

Momo unconsciously smiled at the tomboy full of energy. "Now, now, Rukia. There is no loss in accepting defeat."

"I didn't get defeated. I-I was tricked, backstabbed, and just… bamboozled."

"Nobody tricked you!"

"I was kidding." Rukia stuffed the last piece of sweet bread in her mouth and washed it down with tea. "Hah, I'm full… Momo, I don't feel like doing anything today. I'll sleep for a while then meet Hisana."

Momo's eyes gleamed, as though she had found an opening. "Kazuya-kun helped you with your sister, right?"

"Yeah. He gave her a new leash on life. I'll always be grateful for that," Rukia chuckled, her gaze distant as though recalling the day she reunited with her sister and the day Kazuya performed a miracle. "You know, that's the only reason I gave up on my… virginity. Is that what it's called?"

"Yes."

"God, what a stupid thing to do…" Rukia scratched her cheeks. "But I won't forget this stupid night."

"Me neither," Momo said as she reached out and held Rukia's hands. "Rukia, will you accompany me next time?"

"What the—" Rukia paused after seeing the pleading look in Momo's eyes. "I don't get you. Why do you want that?"

Momo let out a heavy sigh. "You saw Kazuya-kun's libido. I-I can't satisfy him alone."

"But—"

Momo squeezed Rukia's hands. "You said you won't marry until you become a high-ranking Shinigami. Can you… help me until then?"

Rukia was flabbergasted, but she couldn't find the courage to break Momo's heart. What's more, her heart began beating faster as she imagined another night with the two, making her throat feel parched.

"I will—I'll think about it."

Her body was ready for the proposal, but her pride—her pride wouldn't let her admit a weakness, especially a weakness as embarrassing as this.

Momo beamed a radiant smile and lunged into Rukia's embrace. "You're the best!"

Rukia sighed and patted Momo's back while revealing a wry smile.

'It's impossible to win against this couple.'

***

On the other side of the Soul Society.

Kazuya didn't know the way to the 12th Squad, but he had Isane to help with the directions. In no time, they arrived outside the infamous 12th Squad. The entrance to the barracks comprised a wooden door under a large, sloping golden roof. The number 十二, meaning 12, was engraved on both sides of the door.

Kazuya took the initiative and knocked on the door, resulting in a CCTV-like device popping up from the wall.

"Welcome to the 12th division," came a near synthetic voice from the device. "How can I help you?"

Kazuya cleared his throat and put on his best smile. "I'd like to meet your captain for an important business."

"Have you made an appointment?"

"…No."

"Then, please fill a form from our sister building and submit it there. If you're lucky, your earliest appointment would be in six months."

"What?!" Isane reached out and grabbed the device. "We don't have that time. Vice-Captain of the 4th Squad wants to meet him."

"Vice Captain Isane Kotetsu. I don't want to be respectful, but here is the list of rules by our Captain…" The voice paused for a moment as if finding the document with the rules written on it. "No soul, regardless of their status, shall be given permission to meet me directly. The only exception to the rule is Captain Commander… there you have it."

"That's absurd!" Isane yelled. "Try to understand me. We need to meet your Captain right now…"

"My hands are tied…" The voice replied. "If I don't follow the rules, I'll be turned into a human bomb by my Captain."

Isane turned to Kazuya, almost tearing up in helplessness. "What do we do now…?"

Kazuya took her hand reassuringly. "You know I'm a very impatient man. If you don't open the door in three seconds, I'll break it down."

"Huh? Are you trying-"

"One."

"Do not try to-"

"Two."

"O-Oi, you can't-"

"Three."

As his calm voice fell, Kazuya clenched his left hand and smashed it into the door.