I'm not sure if Orihime's ever given the basis of her thing for Ichigo. If she has, then this is AU. I own nothing.
Sometimes, Orihime wonders what it is she sees in Kurosaki Ichigo.
Let's see: here's the boy she's spent half the time staring at since the eighth grade. Here's the boy who's set her to smiling foolishly since the eighth grade. Here's the boy she's had the hugest crush on since the eighth grade. Here's the boy Tatsuki-chan's teased her about since the eighth grade.
Let's see: here's the boy Orihime knows she's head over heels for.
Let's see: She doesn't have any idea why.
Really, when it comes down to it, she doesn't.
Tatsuki-chan often wonders just what it is Orihime sees in Kurosaki-kun, and Orihime always gives her a roundabout answer, because really, she isn't sure.
She considers him to be very attractive, but that isn't it. Orihime can name many men and women she thinks of as attractive, as handsome or beautiful. Looks don't mean all that much to her.
Kurosaki-kun's a good friend, protective of her, but that isn't it either. If anything, Orihime doesn't like being protected. Well, 'doesn't like' may be too strong a term; more accurately, she's dissatisfied with the belief of everyone around her that she needs to be protected.
Orihime doesn't know why. She's never understood, and she doesn't think she ever will.
She's just smitten with Kurosaki-kun. He's completely oblivious to her and her feelings, but that has never stopped Orihime.
She's just smitten. She doesn't know why, and Orihime doesn't know why that should be so important.
It's enough for things to be like they are.