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"So you got admission to a university in the UK?"
"Yes."
"So they're now accepting idiots, huh?"
"Shut up Ishida!"
It was just as how Chad had mentioned; he got accepted to a University in the UK. It was not something he'd given much thought to, but maybe his grades in English helped him to reach this threshold after all.
"Congratulations Kurosaki kun." Orihime chirped. Ichigo smiled at her.
"Thanks Inoue."
"Congratulations Ichigo." Chad patted Ichigo on the back.
"Thanks Chad."
"Did you tell the others too?" Orihime asked Ichigo.
"No. But I will do that soon."
"Why don't we go somewhere to celebrate this? Maybe we can invite others and tell them there." Chad suggested.
"I don't-"
"That's a good idea, Sado kun!" Orihime chirped again. Ichigo looked at her.
"Inoue..."
"If you guys are doing that, I'm in." Uryu spoke from behind.
"Ok." Ichigo sighed before he, Chad and Uryu started to discuss about places to celebrate. Orihime stood behind, looking at them.
"You coming, Inoue?" Ichigo questioned her.
"Yes." Orihime gave him a small smile before he nodded his head and turned to Chad and Uryu again.
But what he failed to notice was the slightly disappointed look on Inoue's face.
"We will miss you Ichigo."
"I will too..." Ichigo gave his friends a half-hearted smile.
Of course, leaving your birthplace, the place where you grew up and made memories was definitely not easy at all.
"Waa Ichigo, I'm gonna miss you! To think you'd be the first one from our group to go study abroad!" Keigo spoke crying as he wiped his tears with the sleeves of his shirt.
And of course, Keigo was as dramatic as ever...
Subsequently his eyes fell on Orihime, who was standing at the back, sniffling.
"Inoue..." He treaded towards her. Seeing him, she immediately wiped her tears away.
"Sorry Kurosaki kun...please don't misunderstand, I am happy for you..." She was crying again, and Ichigo had an urge to wipe her tears away.
"Don't be like that, it's not like I'm permanently moving there, I'll be back after a few years." He patted her on the head.
"I know that, it's just..."
"Don't worry, I'll keep visiting in between..."
"Thank you..." He smiled at her in return.
"May I..." She looked a bit nervous.
"Hmm?"
"May I h-hug you?" She stuttered; her eyes fixed down on the floor due to embarrassment. And for some reason, Ichigo himself felt embarrassed.
"O-Of course..." Orihime's pupils widened a bit before she saw him spread his arms as he moved forward to embrace her. It might've been selfish of her, but if she was not going to see him for a long time, she at least deserved a hug, didn't she?
"Tch... such lovebirds and they don't even know it..." Tatsuki spoke in a low voice and Chad and Uryu nodded in approval.
"You guys said something?" Ichigo looked at his friends before they averted their gaze from him.
"Absolutely nothing."
"Take care, Onii-chan..." Ichigo smiled as he patted Yuzu on the head.
"Ichi-nii..." Karin spoke, her voice sounding a bit more emotional than usual. Ichigo smiled again as he also patted Karin on the head.
"Yuzu, Karin, take care of yourself and promise to study carefully."
"And Old Man..." Ichigo looked at his father, who looked a bit more serious than usual.
"Be sure to take care of Yuzu and Karin in my stead..."
"You don't need to tell me to take care of my own daughters." Isshin spoke with a scowl as Ichigo turned away from him.
"Whatever."
"And also..." He spoke again, his tone lowering a bit.
"Take care of yourself too..." Isshin's eyebrows rose a bit at his son's words before he dropped his serious impression and smiled goofily.
"Good grief! Did my indifferent son just tell me to take care of myself!? The sun must've rose from the west today!"
"Shut up, Old Man!"
"Nothing's changed, huh?"
He was back to Karakura after many months at the University. Things were not at all easy at first, the language, the culture and so on. Not to mention, how homesick he was at the beginning as he missed his friends and family. But now he'd seemed to get a hang of it.
"I'm home." He announced as he entered the house.
"Onii-chan is finally here!" Yuzu chirped as she jumped up to hug Ichigo.
"Welcome back Ichi-nii."
"Hey Yuzu, Karin... How's school going on for the two of you?" Ichigo asked his sisters as he picked up his luggage and treaded into the hall.
"It's alright..." Karin muttered before they heard another pair of footsteps marching towards them.
"You're back, son! Was the food on the way back good?"
"Shouldn't you be asking how my trip went or how my experience in the UK was?!"
"That's secondary."
"It's not!"
Ichigo scowled before he felt a familiar feeling and his features relaxed.
"Is someone here?" Ichigo treaded inside to see Orihime standing in the kitchen.
"Inoue?"
"Hehe Welcome back Kurosaki-kun. You found me before I could surprise you!" She spoke removing her apron.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned her, a bit shocked at her unexpected presence.
"Orihime-chan has been helping Yuzu and Karin since you left." Isshin spoke from behind.
"And what have you been doing?" He raised a brow at his father.
"I'm a doctor, I'm busy! Not to mention, there are some matters only girls understand!" Isshin exclaimed but Ichigo just looked at him with doubt.
"Yeah, Orihime-chan helped us a lot!" Yuzu chirped from behind and Ichigo's brows relaxed in understanding.
"Then I suppose I owe her my thanks, don't I?" He gave Orihime a small smile.
"It's okay Kurosaki-kun, they are also like my sisters." Orihime smiled back at him.
"Yeah, she visits us often, it feels like we got a big sister." Karin joined in the conversation.
For some unknown reason Ichigo felt envy. So, Inoue visited his house often now?
She didn't visit often when he was there—
"Ah Yuzu-chan, did you preheat the oven?"
"Oops I forgot that!" Yuzu exclaimed before she ran into the kitchen.
"So you guys baking cakes?" Ichigo questioned as he saw Orihime go into the kitchen.
"Yeah, but usually Orihime-chan would bring us leftover breads from the bakery." Karin answered.
"You mean those Reject breads?"
"Those are not Reject breads!" He heard Orihime's voice from the kitchen.
"Same thing." He retorted.
Oh, how terribly he missed those Reject breads...
Don't get him wrong. There were bakeries in the UK that sold breads and if he were honest, they were better than the breads here. But there was just something so special about those scrap breads that Orihime used to bring for him, that made him crave for them.
And the fact that Chad and Ishida still probably got to eat them, made him envious again.
Wasn't it ridiculous? Getting jealous over a bread? Maybe he was homesick afterall...
After some time, Yuzu and Orihime brought out the cake they said they'd baked especially for his arrival.
"How is your experience in UK, Onii-chan?" Yuzu started.
"It's good." Ichigo answered as he ate the chocolate mousse cake Inoue and Yuzu had baked him.
This might be his new favorite from now on.
"Did you make any friends?"
"Yeah, I met a fellow colleague from Japan, he's from Osaka. Also my roommate, his name's Mark."
"Woah, that's awesome."
And they continued to talk about the campus, the city, the people and so on...
"Did you also find a girlfriend?"
All of a sudden, Orihime started coughing as she choked on her tea and Ichigo and his sisters immediately went to her aid.
"You okay, Inoue?" Ichigo asked, a bit worried as Yuzu and Karin patted her back.
"Yeah..."
"Be careful, Orihime-chan..." Orihime smiled at the twins in answer. Isshin did nothing but look at them. Even though usually he would join Yuzu and Karin to tease his son, but Orihime's reaction here prevented him from doing so.
Was it really what he was speculating?
Orihime was a good child, and it would be wonderful if she were to join their family. If Masaki was alive, he was sure she would've cherished the child as well. But before that the question still remained...
Did his stupid son also return the brunette's feelings?
"So as I was saying, do you have a girlfriend, Onii-chan?" Isshin saw Orihime's head lower down and her fingers fiddling like she was nervous about something.
"No." He answered simply and Orihime felt relief wash over her.
She knew that this feeling of relief might only be temporary because even if he didn't have a girlfriend right now, he might have one before she knows it...
"Enough with the talks." Isshin got up.
"Please stay for dinner, Orihime-chan." He smiled at Orihime.
"No, Kurosaki-san! I don't want to intrude, especially when Kurosaki-kun just returned."
"Don't worry, you won't intrude in any way."
"Thank you Kurosaki-san but I'd like to go."
"I see..."
"Walk her home, Ichigo." He instructed his son.
"No Kurosaki-san, I can manage-"
"No Orihime chan, it's okay. I don't think Ichigo minds. Also, I'm pretty sure you both have many things to catch up..."
"But..."
"Don't worry Inoue, I'll walk you home." Ichigo got up and approached her.
"Kurosaki-kun..."
"I want to recall how Karakura looked like." He smiled at her before she returned it.
"Ok..."
---
"Karakura hasn't changed a bit, has it?"
"Surely it hasn't."
"So, how are things going on for you? University and all?"
"It's good."
"Thank you." He spoke and she looked at him questioningly.
"Thank you for taking care of Yuzu and Karin while I was not here. Couldn't trust the old man anyway..." He smiled at her again and Orihime felt her face grow hot.
"That's not needed. I like spending time with Yuzu-chan and Karin-chan." She spoke as she fiddled with the sleeves of her top.
"Is that so?" She nodded in answer making him chuckle a bit.
"Kurosaki kun, I have a request..."
"Yeah?" He looked at her again.
"I know that you are busy and we have a big time zone difference..."
"But can we talk often?" Ichigo's brows raised a bit at her words.
So she had the same thoughts as him after all...
"I know it might be selfish of me but..."
"Let's do that." He spoke vehemently.
"I mean, I do see your messages and reply to them when I get the chance but you're right, the time zone difference is a hinderance." He spoke scratching his neck.
"So let's call and message each other when we both get the chance."
"Thank you so much Kurosaki kun!" She chirped and smiled brightly, something that unknowingly made his heart skip a beat.
"As a thank you, how about I bake you some brownies tomorrow? "
"I'd like that. " He spoke smiling before he cleared his throat.
"Also, be sure to bring along some scrap breads as well, bet it would be nostalgic."
"Those are not scrap breads!"
When he returned back to the University, he did keep his word. They would talk almost every day. Sometimes it would go on for hours with Orihime talking about random things, but Ichigo would never get bored; It was like her talking to him could never bore him. Sometimes he would stay up late at night just to respond to her messages. And sometimes he found himself smiling like an idiot while looking at their previous conversations.
He did talk to his other friends, but it could not compare to the amount he did with Orihime.
-Look at this amazing chocolate and bean jam pastry I made!
That's amazing, Inoue.-
Yes, she still did keep her weird taste buds. But that was not the thing that bothered him...
The last text was three days ago.
He hoped she was fine. Should he just message Tatsuki to check up on her?
Hey Inoue, how are you doing?-
[Sent]
Whenever she sees that...
-Ichigo kun, you're awake?
He got a message about thirty minutes later.
Yeah, couldn't sleep for some reason-
-You should take care of yourself, or you'll get sick.
Thank you, I will...-
Something was definitely not right... Usually, she would start with how her day at the university was, then talk about her job and then about what she was planning to eat for the day.
But Ichigo suddenly realized something. According to the time difference, by this time she should be in her university...
Wait, did you not go to the university today? -
There was no answer.
Inoue?-
-May I call you instead?
Sure-
"Hey Inoue..."
"Hello, Kurosaki kun..." Her voice sounded feeble adding more to Ichigo's worry. He hoped she was not sick or anything.
"You fine?"
"..."
"Is something wrong?"
"It's just..." She hesitated.
"Don't worry take your time."
"I dropped out of University..."
"What?! Why?" It was unimaginable to think that someone intelligent like Orihime would drop out of the University out of the blue.
"Haha I think I was not one of the brightest minds there."
"Inoue, don't lie to me."
"Financial problems."
"I see..."
At that moment Ichigo felt a strange feeling. Yes, it was empathy for his friend but there was another strange feeling...
The world was really a strange place, wasn't it? There are people like him who get to study in decent universities in another country and then there were people like Inoue, who had the intellect but couldn't afford to go to even a simple university...
"Kurosaki kun...?"
"Yeah."
"Don't worry, I'm fine! Owner-san was kind enough to let a clumsy person like me work full-time at the bakery. And it's fun, more fun than studying anyway..."
"Inoue..."
"As I said don't worry about me. Just focus on yourself, if not for anyone then for me..."
"..."
"If Kurosaki-kun becomes successful, I would be more than happy."
"..."
"Oh there's a customer! I'll talk to you later, Kurosaki-kun. Be sure to take care of yourself."
"You too..."
"Bye!"
That day Ichigo vowed to study hard, if not for him then for her... just like she'd said...
This continued for another year, them messaging each other, talking to each other, staying up late night due to time zone differences and...
There was something strange and overwhelming that was bothering Ichigo.
He missed all his friends, his family, his acquaintances, his job of fighting hollows...
But he also missed her in a very strange way. Inoue, that is.
Ichigo might've been an idiot but not much of an idiot to not realize the strange feelings he was having towards his friend. The feelings were mild, but they were there...
But were they really mild tho?
He had a crush on her back then, he accepted that. But then again, who did not have a crush on Orihime Inoue? So, he considered himself a sheep among the others.
But then-
“Beshrew your eyes,
They have o'erlooked me and divided me.
One half of me is yours, the other half yours—
Mine own, I would say. But if mine, then yours,
And so all yours...”
Portia says this to Bassanio when he arrives as her suitor in Belmont. And for some reason Ichigo found himself associating with this line whenever he thought about her doe-like brown eyes which somehow carried mischief and innocence at the same time...
"What are you reading today, Kurosaki-kun?"
"The Merchant of Venice."
"Was the quote that you sent me from it?"
"..."
"Kurosaki kun?"
"Yeah...I just thought it fit you perfectly..."
"Oh I see. What does it mean?"
"..."
"Kurosaki-kun? Are you there?"
What was he thinking while sending that quote to Inoue?
When he read the part, he couldn't stop thinking about Inoue but sending it to her was just too much!
"It means how wonderful of a person you are, Inoue..."
"I see. I basically skimmed through it but remember reading a line which said 'eyes'. What does 'eye' symbolize here? I'm sorry I couldn't read it carefully... "
Thank God he deleted it before she could carefully read that...
"It means someone who has good eye for things, just like you."
"Really? Thank you so much Kurosaki-kun!"
"Mhmm."
To use such cowardly methods and lie thereafter...
He was a fool.
And when the nature of his feelings seemed to become clearer with each passing day, it felt like he'd gone crazy.
He found himself daydreaming about the moments they'd spent together in Karakura.
He found himself looking at her pictures fearing that he might forget her face, even though he knew he never could .
And one day, he found himself thinking about things that seemed impossible.
How brazen of him!
Noting his behavior, one day his roommate asked him-
"What's wrong, Ichigo?"
"Nothing."
"Is that a girlfriend?" Mark questioned as he noticed Ichigo messaging someone.
"No, just a friend."
"You know very well Ichigo that everything starts with 'just a friend'." He sat beside Ichigo.
"Shut up Mark."
"You like her?"
"..."
"Is she the reason you reject practically every girl who asks you out?"
Yes, she was, because even if they weren't in a romantic relationship, it felt like he was betraying her...
And also because she seemed to be the only person he had eyes for...
"Your silence answers everything. Well, that explains why you've been looking so lovesick since the past few days..."
"Just go sleep, Mark."
"I can't when you talk to your girlfriend all night and spend the remaining time smiling like an idiot looking at God knows what..."
"Mark!"
"You never even showed me her picture; do you have one? I wanna see how beautiful this woman is to wrap you around her fingers."
"Don't talk about her like that!"
"Just show me a picture." Ichigo gave him a dirty look before complying and showing him a picture of Orihime.
"Woah, she's beautiful! No wonder you're all whipped."
"Mark." Ichigo warned his roommate.
"Sorry sorry." Mark apologized before he patted Ichigo's back.
"Why not ask her out?"
"You think I have a chance?"
"Chances are always zero until you take them."
"Is that an Idiom?" Ichigo narrowed his eyes at him.
"No, this is my own quote."
"Stolen from the internet."
"No, it's my own quote! So don't use it without my permission."
"Whatever."
"May I give you tips on how to sedu--impress women?" Mark winked at Ichigo who gave him a disgusted look.
"No."
"Come on now!"
And before he knew it, the day to face his feelings finally arrived. He was back in Karakura and it had been a few days since Renji and Rukia's wedding.
"Kurosaki-kun..."
"Inoue."
"You said you wanted to talk to me about something..."
"Yeah, let's go in." He spoke as he opened the door of the cafe for her.
"Thank you... "
Orihime was nervous. Why would he suddenly ask her to meet him like this? He did ask her to make some time for him and her delusional heart did a somersault when she thought of the possibility of her feelings being requited.
But that was just one of the thousand possibilities, wasn't it?
"The coffee here's good." Orihime tried to initiate a conversation.
"I see..."
There was an awkward silence.
"Inoue, what I wanted to say was..." Ichigo started.
"Yes?" She slightly tilted her head questioningly and her plump cherry-like lips parted, making Ichigo's face get as red as the pun of his name.
"I..." He forced himself to say something but nothing came out.
It was of no use. He was too nervous to do this...
He couldn't even express his mind clearly.
"I just wanted to spend time with you, it's been long since we met like this, right?" He tried to divert the topic.
"I-I see..." Orihime was flustered. He wanted to spend time with her?!
Ichigo sighed as he looked at Orihime shift nervously in her seat.
Maybe another day.
Soon, their coffee arrived. Ichigo tried to control his laugh as he looked at Orihime sip on her coffee.
"Inoue..."
"Yes?" Ichigo pointed towards his own lips making Orihime confused. What did he want to say?
"I don't understand... "
"I never knew you could grow a moustache, Inoue. " Ichigo's words made Orihime embarrassed as she promptly cleaned the froth from her mouth.
Not a very good image to put up in front of someone you had feelings for...
But seeing Ichigo laugh ignited a warm feeling inside Orihime.
I just hope these moments could go on forever.
"We grow up too fast, don't we?" Orihime suddenly spoke and Ichigo's demeanor became a bit serious.
"It feels like yesterday when we fought together, saving the world. Still feels like a dream..." Orihime smiled as she looked out from the glass window of the cafe, noticing the people going up and down the street.
"Mhmm."
"Where do you think we would be in the next five years?" She looked at him and noticed his eyebrows raise a bit at the unexpected question.
"Huh?"
"If it were me, I'd still be working at the bakery, baking different kinds of cakes. What about you, Kurosaki-kun?" She smiled.
"I..." Ichigo hesitated.
"Maybe you'd settle in the UK Afterall." Orihime looked out of the window in an attempt to hide the sad look on her face.
She was selfish to expect him to stay in Karakura. He was studying in a university in the UK, it would be easier for him to get a job there, and he would obviously like to settle there after all.
Ichigo looked at her before looking out of the window.
She was wrong. Because the only place he saw himself in the next five years was beside her...
Cherishing her.
"I don't think so..." He answered startling her a bit.
"Then what-"
"Let's not think about the uncertainty of our future." He spoke as he got up.
"Let me walk you home..."
----
The trip to her apartment was silent and awkward.
"Do you miss Karakura?"
"Sometimes."
A lot he would say. Because thinking about Karakura and her was synonymous to him.
He obviously wouldn't tell her that...
And before they knew it, they were at her apartment.
"Do you want some leftovers?"
"Sure."
"I have some in the kitchen, come in. "
Orihime had just inserted the key into the keyhole before she felt him hold her by the wrist.
"K-Kurosaki kun? "
"Inoue what I actually wanted to say was..."
It was now or never.
"I might not be very good at expressing my mind or poetic about saying such things, but if I were to put it in simple words..." Ichigo hesitated a bit before he spoke.
"I like—no I think I love you..." He noticed her eyebrows raise a bit at his words before she just stood there, all stunned.
"I think I really do and the distance between us just made it stronger for me..."
"Kurosaki-kun..." Orihime felt her whole body shudder when she felt him hold her hands in his.
"So would you mind going out with me?" A tear escaped Orihime's eye and Ichigo immediately left her hands. Orihime wiped her tears before pinching herself on her arm.
"Inoue! Why are you pinching yourself?"
"Is this a dream?" She whispered.
"Are we still 15? In high school? And I'm just dreaming about the things I covet?" She looked at him and noticed his pupils widen before he held her hands again.
"Inoue, do you mean..."
"I've had these feelings for you, for years if I'm being honest." Orihime confessed, still not believing the whole situation.
If this was a dream, she hoped she would never wake up from it.
"I've liked you for years and before I knew it, I fell in love with you." And before she could contemplate, he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him, thereby hugging him back. As she leaned her face against his chest she could hear his heart beat almost as fast as hers, something that reassured her that whatever happening was indeed real. She snuggled onto him more, taking in his scent and etching it into herself.
"Thank you, Inoue..." He whispered backing away a bit, his hands still resting on her waist.
"But you'll just leave again, so a relationship doesn't seem reasonable." Orihime spoke in a low voice, seeming a bit disappointed.
"Don't worry, we'll manage it either way." He assured her as he lifted her head by the chin making her look at him.
"So let's not tell anyone about us till we properly start dating..."
"Not even Tatsuki-chan?"
"Not even Tatsuki."
"So are we dating now?" She lowered her eyes, her thick lashes veiling her innocent yet enchanting eyes from his view. Ichigo cupped her face as he smiled at her. "If you want then yes."
"Thank you so much Kurosaki-kun..." Orihime smiled, her cheeks crimson and her lips parted, as if anticipating his touch. Ichigo complied as he hooked his thumb on her lower lip, startling her a bit.
Ichigo then raked his hand through her hair before brushing away her bangs. Orihime looked up to meet his eyes and before she knew it, his face was getting closer to her before he touched her forehead with his.
"Inoue, May I..."
"Yes." He slightly tilted his head before leaning in closer and Orihime instinctively closed her eyes as she felt him place his lips on hers. The pleasant feeling lasted for a few seconds before he parted away. She opened her eyes to look at him and saw him lean in once again before he kissed her. This time Orihime felt her body grow even more sensitive, her heart was beating so rapidly that it felt it could leap out of her chest any moment, her hands and legs had started shaking a bit and even a slight gust of wind was enough to send a shiver down her spine.
It lasted a few moments more before they parted. She gasped when she felt him pull her in for another hug.
"Ku-Kurosaki-kun..." She stuttered as she felt him tuck his head in the crook of her neck, his orange hair tickling her.
"Inoue..." He backed away after some time and noticed her face get red with embarrassment.
"Sorry if I was not good. I have no experience, it was my first k-kiss... " Orihime stuttered as she looked away from him.
"Don't worry, I have as much experience as you. " She turned to look at him smiling at her.
"But I have no experience! "
"Exactly." Orihime's eyebrows rose a bit in surprise before she felt her heart race once again.
"So you mean... "
"Yes Inoue, it was my first kiss too. "
Their plans to maintain the anonymity of their relationship were foiled earlier than a bread going stale. Probably because of their body language and Reiatsu, Chad and Uryu had noticed right away.
"You guys finally got together?" Ishida questioned as he saw Ichigo spit his drink and Orihime drop the packet of breads she was carrying.
"Wha-"
"You can't fool us, Kurosaki." Ishida spoke as he adjusted his glasses and looked at Ichigo who turned his face away from him.
"Congratulations Ichigo, Inoue..." Chad congratulated the couple. Orihime smiled at him before she bent down to pick up the packet.
"Come on, we haven't even started properly dating yet!" Ichigo exclaimed as he saw Ishida furrow his eyebrows at him.
"So you're not together?"
"We are! But..."
"That settles it I guess."
And the next time Ichigo arrived from the UK, their budding relationship was revealed to everyone by Isshin. Awesome!
"Do you hate the fact that we were discovered?" Orihime asked Ichigo, who was walking her back to her apartment.
"No, I just don't like how we haven't even gone out for two proper dates and everybody's onto us." Ichigo sighed.
"You're going back soon, aren't you?" Orihime spoke with a sad smile.
"I am." Ichigo saw her expression sadden more as she fiddled with her fingers.
"Don't worry, the graduation is in two months. Then we can finally be together for real." He held her hands and made her look at him.
"Really?"
"Mhmm."
"I can't wait..." She smiled before he wrapped his arms around her and enveloped her into a hug. She kept her head on his chest before he held one of her hands with his own and intertwined their fingers.
"Me too."
A long-distance relationship was harder than they'd anticipated. Because every message would just make them miss each other more.
Ichigo used to check his phone every now and then to see if there was a message from her. Then he would just wait for nighttime so he and Orihime could talk to each other.
"Hey."
"Hey..."
"What are you upto?"
"Nothing, just at the bakery as usual."
"You?"
"Talking to you as usual."
"Please be sure to sleep well, I don't want you to get ill because of me..."
"Don't worry about it, thinking about you doesn't let me sleep anyways..." Ichigo spoke playfully as the other side of the line fell silent. He knew that probably on the other side, she was blushing furiously at his words.
"Orihime..." He spoke again.
"Yeah?"
"I miss you."
"Me too."
"I wish I could come back to Karakura." He sighed as he heard Orihime chuckle on the other side of the line.
"Just a month more..."
"A month feels like a year to me..."
"I don't think it works like that."
"It does for me..."
"I want to have you in my arms as soon as possible..." He smirked a bit as he teased her.
"Stop that, what if your roommate hears us?"
"Don't worry, he can't understand us anyway." He reassured her.
"Still..."
They continued to talk about various things and Orihime explained about her day, about the customers that had visited the bakery.
"I could swear how much that person actually looked like an actual blood hound!" Orihime exclaimed as Ichigo smiled listening to her.
If listening to her sweet voice meant hearing things as silly as these, then maybe it was not much of a bad offer.
"Oh! Owner-san is calling me. I'll talk to you later then..."
"Orihime wait!"
"Yes?"
"I love you." He heard tumbling of dishes on the other side before she replied in a low voice.
"M-Me too."
"Goodbye then!" Before Ichigo could say something, she hung up. Ichigo threw his phone beside him as he tried to control his laugh.
"So adorable."
And then July approached along with Ichigo's graduation. And Ichigo's family was arriving there to witness it. Ichigo had told them that he'd be fine without them, but Isshin had cried about how he wanted to witness this golden moment. And apparently Yuzu and Karin also wanted to attend his graduation (and travel across the UK; it was like killing two birds with one stone).
So, they must be arriving any moment.
Ichigo looked at himself in the mirror as he straightened out his robe. He was a bit nervous but also excited. Afterall, this would lead to a new chapter of his life. After this, he would return to Karakura, get a job, formally date Inoue and get mar-
No! It was too early to think about such things now!
Ichigo looked at his silhouette in the mirror. His face was all flushed.
"Ichigo, the ceremony's about to start."
"Yeah I'll be right there, Mark."
As Ichigo reached the hall, he noticed a familiar figure. So they were finally here.
"Ichigo my son!" Isshin exclaimed as he hugged his son who just scowled.
Not today. There were people here. He had an image to protect.
"I can't believe this, you're graduating! Next year Yuzu and Karin would graduate from school too. My children grew up too fast!" Isshin exclaimed as he sniffled. Ichigo narrowed his eyes at his father.
He was probably going to say something nonsensical again.
"Now you'll get a job, get married to Orihime and give me grandchi-"
"Shut up, Old Man!" Ichigo exclaimed as he stomped his father's foot with his, making him wince in pain.
"Where's Yuzu and Karin?" Ichigo asked his father who held his foot in his hands trying to soothe it.
"They'll be here soon." Ichigo did not like the smug look on his father's face.
What was he up to now?
"Ah, they're here!" Isshin exclaimed as he pointed towards them and Ichigo's pupils widened with surprise.
"Orihime?"
What—no, how was she here?
"Hello Ichigo kun." Orihime spoke a bit meekly as she shifted on her spot and Yuzu and Karin guarded her from either sides.
"Orihime, how-"
"I brought her here." Isshin spoke in between, all proud.
"What?"
"Take that as a gift from me for graduating." Ichigo narrowed his eyes at his father once again.
"Sorry if it's a bother, Ichigo kun. Kurosaki-san asked me if I wanted to accompany him, and I agreed. Urahara san also helped." Orihime explained and Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed even more in confusion before they relaxed in compliance.
Even though he had no idea how Urahara had 'helped', this might've been one of the few times he'd actually been thankful to him. And to his father too.
"Hey Ichigo!"
"Mark?" Mark observed the people around Ichigo and immediately greeted them noticing the resemblance.
"Is this your family? Hello Uncle, nice to meet you." Mark smiled at Isshin who was all confused. Isshin gave a nervous smile before he turned to his son.
"What's he saying, Ichigo?" Isshin whispered.
"He's saying 'Hello' and 'nice to meet you', old man."
"Oh I see, Hello. Nice to meet you too." Isshin spoke as he bowed and now it was Mark's turn to be confused.
"Mark, my father says he's glad to meet you too."
"Ah, I see." He smiled before he turned to look at Yuzu and Karin.
"And who are these ladies?"
"They are my sisters, Yuzu and Karin. They are in high school." Ichigo introduced his sisters who bowed as well.
"Oh, I see! Nice to meet you too."
Mark then turned to look at Orihime. Recognizing her almost immediately, he smiled at her.
"You're Ichigo's girlfriend, right? Hello, I'm Mark."
"Mark!" Ichigo exclaimed, a bit flustered.
"What? Is she not the one?" Mark whispered, looking a bit worried fearing he'd misjudged.
"She is." Ichigo sighed before he turned to Orihime.
"Orihime, he is saying hello to you. He's Mark, my roommate. "
"Hello to you, Mark-san." Orihime tried to speak as much English as she could. She did know English, it was just that the accent here was making it difficult for her to understand Mark.
"No No, it's not Markson, just Mark." Mark waved his hands in front of Orihime, who looked at him confusingly.
"Mark, she is indeed calling you Mark but is adding 'san' which is an honorific." Ichigo explained as Mark's mouth formed an 'O' in understanding.
"I see, but no need to use such honorifics, just call me Mark." He smiled at Orihime, who looked at Ichigo for explanation.
"Orihime, he says no honorifics."
"But..." Orihime hesitated but was interrupted by someone announcing something.
"Oh the ceremony's about to start, I'll talk to you all later, have a good day." Mark smiled at the Kurosaki family before he left.
"You guys should get seated, the ceremony is about to start. " Ichigo told his family members, who just nodded.
Soon the ceremony began and Orihime was amazed to see the diversity of people in the university as they went up to the stage to receive their diplomas.
"Ichigo Kurosaki. "
When Ichigo went to the stage he could see his family cheering for him. Isshin was sobbing again, Karin was clapping for him, Yuzu was clapping and cheering for him and Orihime...
She was smiling at him. A cheerful smile that made him smile as well.
When the ceremony was close to being over, his family approached him.
"My son, you finally graduated! Masaki would've been so proud!" Isshin hugged his son once again as he sobbed.
'Remember Ichigo, you have an image to protect.' He told to himself as his hands formed into a fist at his father's silly actions.
"Congratulations Ichi-nii. "
"Congratulations, Onii-chan! " Karin and Yuzu spoke as they joined the hug.
Ichigo saw Orihime smile looking at them. He slightly gestured her to come and join them, but she hesitated.
"Join us, Orihime chan." Yuzu spoke as she held Orihime's hand pulling her towards them.
"But... "
"Don't worry, you're family. " Karin smiled and Orihime turned to Ichigo who slightly nodded his head with a small smile on his face.
So, Orihime joined them for a hug. A family hug if being accurate. Orihime smiled.
May these moments go on forever...
After family hugs and everything, Ichigo called for Orihime.
"Orihime, wh-"
But he saw Orihime looking at the people, her face filled with fascination. Ichigo slightly tapped her on the shoulder startling her.
"Where are you lost?" He questioned her and noticed her face turn pink.
"I just... "
Ichigo smiled before he removed his cap and made Orihime wear it.
"Ichigo kun..." She was bit surprised as she touched the cap.
"Keep that on for me, Orihime." He spoke as he caressed her hair. She teared up a bit as he wiped away the tears from her eyes. She smiled before embracing him.
"Congratulations on your graduation."
----
"Why?"
"Your sisters and I want to rest today." Isshin spoke with a straight face as Ichigo scowled at him.
"Then let Orihime rest too."
"Come on son, I'm playing cupid for you guys." His demeanor changed into a mischievous one as Ichigo gave him a disgusted look.
"I don't need you to play a cupid for me, you're ugly either way." Ichigo scoffed at his father who furrowed his eyebrows at him.
"Talk about ungrateful! I am just doing this for you, tomorrow we won't leave you guys alone any ways."
"Shut up!"
"Go, she's waiting for you." Isshin gestured towards the door. Ichigo narrowed his eyes at his father before he turned to leave.
"Just think of it as a honeymoon."
All of a sudden, Orihime heard sound of something tumbling and then falling down. She turned to go in before Ichigo appeared in front of her.
"What was that voice just now, Ichigo kun?"
"Nothing, the old man fell down and hit his head." He spoke nonchalantly.
"Oh no! We should help him!" Orihime's eyebrows knotted in worry before Ichigo wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her along with him.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine."
--
Eventually, they settled to go out and get a coffee. Ichigo brought Orihime to a cafe which he visited often.
"The coffee here is good, isn't it? " He spoke as he saw Orihime sip on her coffee.
"It sure is! " She exclaimed before she noticed him stand up and lean down closer to her face. Orihime, all flustered, promptly closed her eyes.
'A k-kiss? Right now?' Orihime felt her lips quiver as he hooked his thumb on top of them.
He wiped the froth from her lips before Orihime opened her eyes and saw him back away, his lips curved into a small smirk.
'Stupid Stupid Orihime! Why would he kiss you so unexpectedly all of a sudden?! In public on top of that!' Orihime was embarrassed as she turned her face away from him.
"You can still grow a moustache, huh?" Ichigo jested as Orihime pouted at him.
"Don't tease me like that!"
"I can't help it. You're just so cute. " Ichigo's face immediately flushed when he realized that he'd let his thoughts slip out. Orihime's pupils widened in surprise before she smiled smugly at him.
"I'm cute?"
"I-I-... " Orihime chuckled at his stuttering. He was cute as well.
But she wouldn't tell that to him just yet.
"Do you come here often? " She questioned.
"Sometimes."
"This gives me a sense of deja vu. " Orihime gave him a small smile and he raised his eyebrow at her.
"How? "
"We went out to get coffee before you confessed to me. " She spoke as Ichigo remembered the day.
"Yeah, I remember. " He smiled back at her.
"Since when... "
"Huh?"
"Since when did you start liking me?" Orihime questioned, a blush persistent on her face.
"That's a secret." Ichigo was flustered as Orihime pouted at him.
"That's not fair. "
"What about you? When exactly did you start liking me? "
"That's a secret. " She answered with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Using my own tactics on me?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
"You deserve that."
"Really?" Ichigo leaned towards her and gently flicked her forehead.
"Ouch, that hurts!" Orihime held her forehead before Ichigo leaned in closer and put a quick kiss on her lips before backing away. Orihime barely registered the moment before she felt her face flush.
"Let's go back after this." He spoke as he averted his gaze from her to hide the crimson glow on his face. Orihime smiled before she slightly nodded her head in answer.
-----
While walking back, Ichigo saw Orihime get enticed by the beautiful flower shops on the street. But when he suggested to buy a bouquet for her, she promptly refused.
"No, that's a waste! It's not like you're confessing to me or anything!"
"Then I'll confess to you again." At his sly remark, Orihime felt her face heat up.
"I-I- see... but it'd still be a waste!" She exclaimed.
"Nothing I ever give to you is a waste, Ok?" He spoke as he smiled at her. Orihime smiled back before replying.
"Ok..."
"That's more like it. " He turned to go to the florist when Orihime held him by the arm.
"But no bouquets!"
So, he eventually ended up only buying a single rose for her.
"Thank you so much Ichigo kun, it's beautiful. " She smiled as she admired the pink rose that complimented her dress.
"Let me do it like this." He took the rose from her hand and tucked it on her hair before he leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, leaving her flustered once again.
"Thank you Ichigo kun, I also promise to buy you flowers someday." She smiled looking at him but Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows at her.
"I don't like flowers."
"Even if they are from me?" She pouted at him before he looked away from her.
"..."
"I got you, didn't I?" She smiled mischievously as she noticed the flustered look on his face.
"Let's go back." He suggested and held her hand in a loose grip before they started walking.
"Woah, this place's beautiful!" Orihime cooed as she observed the surroundings around them.
"Yeah." he replied as he held her hand in a tighter grip and intertwined their fingers before pulling her closer.
"Where would you like to go for our next date?" He questioned. Orihime, not expecting the sudden question looked at him questioningly, a bit flabbergasted.
"Huh?"
"It would obviously be in Karakura. It would not exactly be our first date altogether, but our first date as a proper couple..."
"Anywhere would do." Orihime answered while looking down at the road. Noticing her, Ichigo immediately stopped walking along with Orihime.
"What's wrong? Why you sulking?" He questioned looking at her.
"Ichigo kun are you sure you want to do this with me?" Orihime questioned half-heartedly. She wanted this, more than anything but...
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...this...umm..."
"Orihime..." He started as he cupped her face. Orihime just looked at him.
"I don't know what is going on in that little head of yours, but I know that I wouldn't need to think twice about this..." He stated and Orihime felt herself tear up.
Everything was set in stone now...
"Because I love you."
"I love you too, Ichigo kun." She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. Ichigo kissed her on the top of the head before hugging her back. As they parted, Orihime leaned up to put a small peck on his lips before backing away. Ichigo smiled before holding her hand again.
"Let's get back before the Old man decides to poke his nose into our business." Ichigo suggested as they started walking.
"Can we walk a bit slowly?" Orihime spoke with a small blush on her face. She wanted to savour this and every upcoming moment in the future with him.
Only him.
"Sure..." Ichigo spoke as he left her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.
"Whatever you want, Orihime."