Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 55: Don’t Tell Me… We Like the Same Person

Spiritual Arts Academy – First-Year, Class A

"Morning, Hinamori."

"Morning..."

She answered her classmate absentmindedly, not even really looking their way.

She sat alone at her desk, eyes glazed, staring out the window.

"Momoko?"

Rukia tapped her on the shoulder.

Hinamori blinked and turned. "Rukia, hey... you're here."

"You didn't even notice me. What's up with you?"

"I... nothing. Just thinking about stuff."

Rukia sat beside her, eyeing her closely.

Even after class started, Hinamori stayed distant, zoning out completely. Rukia narrowed her eyes. This was... familiar. Like a déjà vu of sorts.

"Momoko, what is it? You've been off all morning. What are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing, really," Hinamori muttered.

Rukia: "..."

Another class passed, and Hinamori remained just as dazed—blushing now and then for no reason.

"C'mon, let's get lunch," Rukia finally said.

"Ah? Oh!" Hinamori snapped out of her daze, hastily packing her books and following.

In the dining hall, Rukia, Hinamori, Renji, and Kira sat around a table.

"What's up with her?" Kira asked, watching Hinamori sit there staring at her food.

"Feels like her brain broke," Renji said bluntly.

That got through—Hinamori shot him a glare. "Your brain's broken!"

"Ah, there it is," Renji replied. "She's back to normal."

Hinamori raised a fist threateningly.

But after a few bites, she went quiet again, eyes unfocused.

"Training this afternoon?" Renji asked.

"Nah, I've got student council," Kira declined.

"What about you, Rukia?"

Rukia shook her head as well.

Renji groaned. "Then I can't get into the sword dojo... I need a member to get in."

"I'll walk with you first," Kira offered, "Then I'll head to the council office."

"Great! Then eat faster!" Renji shoved food into his mouth.

Kira sighed. "We're not in that much of a rush."

Renji, of course, ignored him.

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"You're a lunatic," Kira muttered.

Moments later, the two guys left the cafeteria.

"We're off!"

"See you," Rukia said.

She glanced at Hinamori's barely-touched meal, concern flickering across her face.

After lunch, instead of going to the student council, Rukia followed Hinamori to the cherry blossom trees beside the teaching hall. A shaded terrace under sakura petals, perfect for quiet.

Rukia brought a book—Advanced Hadō Theory—borrowed from the Kuchiki estate. Kira had asked to read it after her.

Around them, students lounged and chatted.

Rukia flipped a page, but her eyes weren't on the words. She nudged Hinamori gently. "Momoko?"

"...?"

She shook her shoulder. "Momoko!"

"Huh?"

"Are you sick?"

"I'm fine," Hinamori said quickly, avoiding her eyes. "Sorry, I've just... had a lot on my mind."

"You've been thinking all morning. What's going on?"

Hinamori flushed. "It's nothing, really."

Rukia: "..."

Then Hinamori peeked at her, hesitating.

"...Rukia, can I tell you something?"

"What is it?"

"It's... about the President."

Rukia froze.

She closed her book slowly.

"Actually, Momoko... I wanted to talk to you too."

"Oh?" Hinamori tilted her head.

"I'll go first, then," Rukia said. She took a deep breath. "I've thought about this for a while. I need to say it. Momoko... I know what you're thinking, but Renji and I are just childhood friends. Nothing more. Please don't keep trying to match us up. It makes things awkward between us."

Hinamori blinked.

She stared at Rukia, something sparking behind her eyes. "Why are you suddenly saying this...?"

Rukia didn't answer right away. She looked down at her lap, at the closed book resting there.

"...Because I like someone."

"..."

Hinamori sat still, silent for a long time. Slowly, she turned away. The two girls sat side by side in silence.

"...Don't tell me," Hinamori said finally, "We like the same person?"

"..."

Rukia's hands clenched tightly.

"Momoko, you said it first... but when you told me, I already... you knew, didn't you? That day you asked me, you already suspected. So I didn't want to lie to you. Other than Renji, you're my closest friend."

The midday sun had softened. The wind stirred the trees, petals fluttering down in silence.

Hinamori's voice was quiet. "So when you told me to stop pairing you with Renji... what you really meant is that you want to pursue the President too, right?"

"..."

Hinamori gave a crooked smile—wry, bitter, uncertain.

"I'm sorry, Rukia. I won't try to set you up with Renji anymore."

She stood gently and turned her back to her friend.

Rukia's chest tightened painfully.

Did I just... ruin everything?

She sat frozen on the bench, confused and aching.

Was this wrong? She hadn't betrayed Hinamori, had she?

Momoko already knew I liked him...

Yet she still tried to push me toward Renji... What was that supposed to mean?

Even thinking that, Rukia felt the sting behind her eyes.

She wanted to cry.