"Captain! Why is our new recruit so mean and distant? It's like she hates everything and everyone!"

Toshiro looked up from his stack of paperwork to glare at his assistant captain. It was a hot summer day and he didn't need Rangiku or other people bothering him right now.

"Why do I need to care, Mustumoto?"

"Because this girl is affecting the whole squad! Every time she enters a room it become silent than a pen dropping to the ground!"

"Got a problem with me?"

Rangiku nearly scream and jumped in the air. Right beside her was you, eavesdropping in on the conversation. Your face was written with pure rage.

Rangiku laughed uneasily and gently patted your head. "(y/n)! I didn't see you there!"

Toshiro watched with a surprised expression as you didn't try to choke Rangiku. Instead, you only huffed and walked off.

Toshiro got up from his desk and walked after you, ignoring Rangiku' s cries of warning. He had to know why you ignored every insult Soul Reapers called you.

You noticed him following you and spun on your heels, resting both your hands on your hips. "Quit following me. It's creepy and the thought of it being my captain is worse."

"I just want a question," Toshiro leaned against the wall, feeling the light breeze from the daybreak. "Why is it whenever someone insults anything about you, you seem to ignore it."

"What's wrong with that?"

"It's in your eyes. The slight twitch at the corner of your left eye keeps you from bursting out from anger. You hate being called names, but you let it happen. Why is that?"

"Butt out!" You yelled and turned in the other direction.

But before you could even move a muscle, Toshiro flashed-step in front of you. He gripped your wrist in an iron grip, chills of his power gave you goosebumps.

Toshiro stared into your eyes as you wouldn't give up. You just couldn't. It wasn't until Toshiro neared his face closer to yours you lost it. You yelled and pushed him away. Blushing as both your noses touched. Toshiro blinked down at you as you rubbed your nose, as if he had some kind of disease.

"Are you alright?" He asks, giving space between you both.

"Y-Yes.... I'm alright..."

You stood up and looked at the ground, sighing and knew he wasn't going to leave you alone until you said something. "I'm from a lower district and everyone, even the others from other squads, pick on me because I'm poor. I've been use to this at the school and managed to barely get in... only because my father sold his prized watch to get the money. The only reason I act cold hearted is because... it's a barrier I put around myself."

"That's it? You don't need to worry about showing emotions around here." Toshiro stood up and looked into your eyes, but kept his distance. "Everyone here comes from a different background. Rangiku worries about you because of how distance you are from everyone. When you're in my office, I order you to put down your barrier."

"What?!" You yelled and rose your fist up. "I don't have to listen to you!"

"It was an order, but I'm not making it right away." He turned around and started walking back towards his office. "But you'll have to finish that paperwork in the office before you leave today. That's an order I'm officially stating now."

You blinked and stared at his back, before it disappeared around the corner. Maybe talking about your problems wasn't so bad. Sure, you may like the captain, but at least he could see a heart behind the cold barrier.