Prologue
Part 1
Some say it is the worst decision I've ever made, letting him be with me.
And I agree.
Someone like him doesn't belong in the world where I live in.
But, somehow, there's this invisible force that always pulls us together. I could never leave his side and I never will.
But that doesn't change the fact that I feel guilty. He really, honestly shouldn't be with me. He is too kind, too normal, and too bright like the colour of his hair. Not suited for this dark world I lead.
"Hey, Usagi-Kaichou, you don't regret it?"
I looked at my husband from across the table. His elbow was placed on the table with his chin resting on top of his palm. I felt the soft touch of his hand against my cheek and leaned into his palm. So soft it was heartbreaking.
I gave him a smile, "I'll never regret it, Carrot. And stop calling me Kaichou. I haven't been school president for almost a decade now."
"Old habits die hard," he replied before checking his watch. "I should get back to the hospital."
I nodded and stopped myself from making a disappointed face when he pulled his hand back. He stood up.
"See you later…" I mumbled.
He leaned down and placed his lips firmly on mine before resting his forehead against mine. "Be careful today. You just got out of hospital."
"I'm always careful," I rolled my eyes. "A dead wife is no good, is it?"
He smiled but I could see he was affected by my words. I bit my lip and scolded myself for my choice of words.
"I'll see you at 7?"
I nodded. He pecked my forehead and ruffled my hair before disappearing from the small corner café we were in.
I watched him until he entered the hospital across the street.
It's funny how even now, after 10 years of being with him a simple smile from him can still make my heart do summersaults and turn me into a dreamy high school girl again.
Not that I was dreamy in high school.
Far from that actually.
I remember back in high school, I had wanted him to get out of this world whereas he saw a future here… but in the end he had stayed – and for my sake, too…
"Oi, stop following me," I heard a high voice complain loudly. A couple who were in high school stood near the counter.
"I'm not following you," the boy retorted and folded his arms across his chest. "I need coffee, too."
The girl glared at him, "You did not come here from the opposite side of town for a cup of coffee!"
I finished my drink and left the café.
The two reminded me of my high school days. The corners of my lips lifted ever so slightly.
Carrot-head and I used to argue, too. Every time we saw each other. It was a miracle how we ended up together.
In many ways.
Like I said, he and I were – are – very different.
But love, as everyone knows, is blind.
A black Mercedes pulled up beside me and the tinted window rolled down.
"Rukia-sama," my driver called in a panicking voice. "Please don't always disappear like that. Everyone is worried that something had happened to you."
"I can take care of myself," I told him coldly and got into the back seat. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. Away from Ichigo, I revert back to the cool, calculating woman I should be. All my emotions are reserved for him and him only.
A small white ball of fur bounded into my lap.
"Chappy," I cooed and patted my pet rabbit's head.
Well, most of my emotions are reserved for him. I love my rabbit and my sister and care about my brother-in-law, too.
We stopped at the red lights and I saw the couple again, bickering even as they crossed the road.
The girl tripped but the boy caught her. She gave him an embarrassed smile, tucked her hair behind her ear and looked away. The boy said something, the girl giggled and they walked off hand in hand.
I kept watching them until something else caught my eye. My eyes stayed glued to the building. Memories of when I was still seventeen appeared in my mind and I let myself relive those times.
Karakura High School.
Where I was the student president…
Where I, of all people, was given the task to tutor a certain delinquent and 'met' him…
Where it all started…
