Chapter 3

"I love you Mashiro." you woke up with a start, looking around your room startled. Your hand moved to your forehead. "Was it..a dream?" your eyes looked up and Shinji was sitting at the side of your bed, his eyes landed on you. "You're awake. " he gave you a sympathetic look and that's when you knew. "So I didn't just dream that. " you swallowed. Your eyes felt like they were about to well up again. "W-Well at least I finally know how he feels right." you laughed but it wasn't genuine. You just kept laughing stupidly. "I-It's not even that big a deal really. P-People get rejected all the time. I'm being over dramatic." you pushed off your sheets as you stood.

"We should probably get back to the squad. Who knows what's going on there without you to watch them. " you walked over to the door not meeting his eyes.

"(Y/N)." you stopped at his call. Shinji rose to his feet. He walked over to you, with every step he took closer you felt like your mask was going to break. He was now directly behind you. When his hand touched your shoulder you tensed. You didn't want to look at him. You couldn't. You already broke down in front of him, you wanted to keep what little dignity you had left.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of. I'd be more worried if you didn't react to this." your shoulders trembled at his words. "At least now you can move on. " anger sparked in your eyes. You spun around slapping his hand away.

"W-Why did you have to get involved!!" you shouted. Shinji took a step back.

"I- I was just trying to.." you shook your head. "You just wanted to make a fool of me!! I told you!! I told you and you kept encouraging me. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT I HATE YOU SHINJI!!!" you didn't give him a chance to reply. You slid the door open roughly, diving into the sky as you rubbed at your eyes aggressively. Shinji stood there in shock. He looked down at the hand you slapped away in regret. Your words had really stung.

~~~

"Have you seen (Y/N)?" After you stormed off Shinji thought it was best to give you space. He knew you were just emotionally distraught now and he didn't blame you. It was his fault. He should have just left it alone. It had been at least two days and he hadn't seen you at all. He was starting to get worried. You weren't at your quarters, or Kensei's, Lisa's or even Love's barracks. Shinji was standing in the Fourth Barracks now, looking down at the blue haired healer. Hanataro shook his head. "She hasn't been here since the last time that hollow hit her in the side." Hanataro said absentmindedly. Shinji's eyes widened. "When was this!?" Shinji demanded. Hanataro flinched realizing what he said. "O-Oh! A-Ah. Did I say that? I-I must be tired. I haven't seen her in months!" Hanataro laughed to play it off but Shinji just glared at him. Hanataro shrunk under the gaze. "S-She told me not to say anything. It was a week ago. She's fine now. She just didn't want you to worry Hirako-taichou."

"Tch, so she can trust you but not her own taicho!" Shinji stormed out, flashtepping. When he was out of the building. He tried his best to track your reiatsu but he couldn't feel a thing.

"Where the hell is she!? " Shinji was worried now. "Maybe I should go to the Head Captain. What if she got injured again and didn't come to me because of what happened. " His heart dropped just imagining you were somewhere probably bleeding. He turned on his feet about to take off again.

"Shinji!" the yell stopped him. "Hey, I thought you and (Y/N) got a mission in Karakura?" Shinji looked confused. "What? I never signed off on any mission."

"Oh, well I guess it was just (Y/N). Have you spoken to her? She's...I feel like she's been avoiding me." Kensei said. Shinji sighed heavily. "She's in love with you." Shinji said Kensei's eyes widened. It wasn't going to do any good keeping him in the dark. "She heard you telling Mashiro that you love her a few nights ago. She didn't tell me the whole story but it broke her." Kensei's eyes wavered. "I.." he wasn't sure what to say. "You don't have to explain. This will all blow over so you don't have to worry about it. I just need to talk to her. "

"I didn't know." Kensei said. Shinji looked at him. "It wouldn't have made a difference. Do you think the outcome would have been different if she told you directly?" Kensei couldn't answer.

"If you accepted her confession out of pity, that would have been far worse than any rejection. Trust me." Shinji patted Kensei on the shoulder. "Let me worry about her now, she's my responsibility." Kensei looked reluctant, but he nodded. "Alright." Shinji took off this time.

"When I find you I'm gonna give you a piece of my mind!"