Kaien Shiba

In which he's hopelessly pining for you. Has been since you two were just wee souls. And now that he's the lieutenant, he can finally give you the life that he's envisioned. All that's left is to get you to agree... This is the story of an oblivious soul and the hopelessly pining, awkward Kaien who's been trying to win your heart since you were both young.

Kaien Shiba

In which he's hopelessly pining for you. Has been since you two were just wee souls. And now that he's the lieutenant, he can finally give you the life that he's envisioned. All that's left is to get you to agree... This is the story of an oblivious soul and the hopelessly pining, awkward Kaien who's been trying to win your heart since you were both young.

Okay. Here we go.

Kaien stands outside your dorm, his palms sweaty and his heart imitating a blast beat in his chest. He's really doing this. He's really asking you to be his this time.

Just be straightforward. That's what the captain said, right?

Kaien's mind darts back to the way Ukitake had laughed when he explained what his original plan was to wow you.

"Just be straightforward," Ukitake said as he patted Kaien on the shoulder. "You aren't the brightest when it comes to... this stuff." And he wasn't exactly wrong -- the captain had always gotten a front row seat to Kaien's clumsy attempts at flirting with you, with flowers and other trinkets from his missions in the living realm.

But you'd always just smile at him, taking the gift and going on about your day. He knew you kept them, though -- he'd seen them all placed neatly on a shelf in your room.

Right. Your room. He still hasn't knocked. He can practically feel the weird stares as he mutters to himself. "Just knock." His hand raises slowly, shaking as he closes his eyes and finally takes the plunge.