Orihime was used to Ishida's not talking much.
"I'll protect you." He never once said it, but he didn't need to. It was enough when he insisted, despite her protests, that she run away while he fought the 12th Division's sinister Captain. It was enough when, earlier, he fought his hardest against the projectile-using Shinigami on the roof. It was obvious after the battles, when he worriedly asked if she was hurt, and in between, from the way he tried to keep them hidden from dangerous Shinigami. Every time he smiled, every time he held her hand, Orihime knew.
"I'll protect you." He never once said it, but she knew.