It was that time again, one of Orihime's favorite days, Tanabata. All year she had been saving up money to buy a new yukuta. It was pretty expensive, but it was worth it. The silk yukuta was a beautiful white and pink floral pattern with a red obi. But buying the expensive yukuta meant she had to cut back on the money she would spend on playing games and food at the festival. After all she had recently gotten a job at the bakery; she should spend her money wisely. Not to mention, this September she would be starting college, she still have to buy textbooks and much more!
The phone rang, it was her boss. They needed her to work overtime to help out at the bakery. Knowing that she needed the money, she agreed to work on today. Anyways, it wasn't like she would miss out on the whole entire Tanabata festival. Her shift would be over by seven. Although she would've preferred to be there for the whole entire festival, she was still happy that she wouldn't miss out on the fireworks. Plus, she still would have time to write her wish at the bamboo display.
"WHAT?" a very furious Tatsuki shouted through her cell phone, "He's making you work on Tanabata? You have been working overtime this whole week so that, as you told him exactly, wouldn't have to work the night of Tanabata!"
"Tatsuki-chan," the healer pleaded," I wanted to work overtime remember and the bakery is probably very busy, I bet everyone is working today."
"Didn't you just finish your morning shift just a couple of hours ago? I swear, you're boss is in love with you or something. He doesn't even look like a bakery type of person, a boy, the same age as us, is your boss and manager of the bakery! Ridiculous!
"Don't say that Tatsuki-chan, Hikaru-sama is very talented in cooking, he's also smart and runs the bakery so well! And he is not in love with me, he already has a girlfriend remember, Kimiko-chan."
"But remember last week when I came over to check up on you, he was so totally checking you out. I mean who wouldn't do that, but shesh; he could've done it a bit secretively. And don't get me started with his winking! I mean seriously, who winks anymore!"
"Tatsuki-chan~don't be so mean to...OH hi Hikaru-sama! What, my break is already over? Sorry Tatsuki-chan, I have to go now. Bye." and with that the conversation was cut short.
"So what did she say, Tatsuki?" Ishida, who was driving the car. He had to pick up Tatsuki, Sado and Ichigo to the festival who wanted to go to the festival earlier this year. Well it was more like Tatsuki demanded them to come early.
"Her boss made her work again."
"But didn't see tell him that she didn't want to work on Tanabata?"
"Yup."
"But she's been working all week."
"I know."
"I wonder how Ichigo will feel." Sado chimed in. Ichigo and Inoue weren't together, but everyone knew that both loved the other. If only they made a move already.
"Ha, Ichigo would probably stay at the bakery all day until Orihime shift was done. He already hates Hikaru for crushing on Orihime even though he already had a girlfriend." Tatsuki answered.
"True indeed." Ishida added
Ishida finally reached the Kurosaki residence and honked twice before the orange head came outside. Ichigo, wearing jeans and a black button down shirt, sat in the passenger's seat.
Something felt off to him, only Tatsuki and Sado greeted him. Obviously Ishida wouldn't acknowledge him, so who was it...Inoue! He thought Ishida would pick up Inoue after Tatsuki since she was the closest. Looking through the rear view mirror on his right, he counted the heads behind him.
Where is she?
He was pretty sure that he didn't say that aloud, but Tatsuki answered, "She's not here, Ichigo. She has to work again; she won't come to the festival until seven."
"I didn't ask." the boy grunted.
"But it's obvious you wanted to."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"That you are hopelessly in love with her and need to know where she is all the time."
"Shut up!" Ichigo instantly spat.
"What, it's true isn't it? Or are you not in love with her now? You don't think she's beautiful, nice, smart..."
Ichigo interrupted, "I never said that! She is beau-" he stopped at what he was about to say and felt his ears burn red.
Tatsuki grinned, "Then why don't you tell her, huh, Ichigo? Who knows maybe by the time she goes to college, she will fall in love with some boy and will get a boyfriend." she teased.
About to speak, the now annoyed Ichigo was cut of by Ishida, "Can you two continue your bickering some other time? We're here."
Everyone got out of the car and looked around the place. Everything looked so beautiful. There were decorations everywhere, numerous games, delicious food and hundreds of people. The first person he recognized was his father.
What the hell?
Isshin wearing a blue yukuta was with his two daughters, Karin, who didn't dress up for the festival, and Yuzu who wore a pink yukuta. Expecting his father to be overexcited and hyper as per usual, he instead looked a bit dizzy and sick. Isshin saw Ichigo too and called out his name.
"ICHIGO! My son come here and help your good ol' father!"
Scowling, the orange head went over to his nauseous looking father.
"What the heck happened to you?"
"What kind of way is that to talk to your sick father who threw up three times already?"
Staring at his father Ichigo replied, "You what? What did you eat?"
"Does it really matter? Can you just take your father home? Or is my son to coldhearted to do even that!"
Giving in to his father, he drove his father home.
"Tell me again why you took my car to the festival and my wallet. How did you even get my wallet?"
"It's a secret son!" Isshin said with a wide grin. But then his face turned green...
Ichigo looked at his watch and scowled. His father ended up puking four or five times more. Being the nice son he is, Ichigo went out of his way to get medicine and made sure he rested in a nice bed with more pillows than needed. He had no idea though that so much time had past, it was almost seven.
Seven o'clock...isn't that when Inoue's shift ends? I'll just pick her up from work.
Going back inside his car, he thought for a second. Would Inoue really fall in love with someone from her college? They wouldn't be attending the same college, but they would both be in Karakura still. He probably wouldn't see Inoue that often then, maybe just during the vacations and breaks. He wondered if Tatsuki was right, nah she was probably wrong. Inoue wouldn't fall in love with someone that easily, would she? He wondered when Tatsuki and the rest of his friends somehow managed to find out about his crush on Inoue. But thank goodness no one told Inoue that! That would completely ruin their friendship, because obviously Inoue was not in love with him.
Ichigo entered the bakery with yet another scowl, he saw Inoue cleaning the tables very carefully, making sure that there wasn't even a crumb or stain on it. Normally he wouldn't scowl over that, but Inoue being Inoue, didn't realize that when she bends over a table with her butt sticking out her idiot boss was enjoying the view. Shooting daggers at all the other guys who were also drooling over the innocent girl, he walked over toward Inoue.
He was behind Inoue and was about to tap her shoulder when she backed up, bumping into the muscular Kurosaki-kun she quickly turned around and gasped.
"Kurosaki-kun? What are you doing here, shouldn't you be with Tatsuki-chan and the others at the Tanabata festival?" she inquired with her auburn eyebrows furrowed and a slight scowl of her own.
She looked cute in that moment, with her chocolate orbs wide and her mouth in a small pout. She looked so concerned and worried that he wasn't at the festival.
"Ah, I had to do something at home and I thought I might as well pick you up from work so you wouldn't have to walk all the way to the festival, that is if you don't mind of course." gazing into her enchanting eyes once again, he saw them close and curve into half moons as she gave him one of her brighter than snow smiles.
"Thanks Kurosaki-kun, I would really appreciate it." Ichigo couldn't help but smile slightly when she said that,"Lemme just sign out 'kay?"
He gave her a nod and when she came back, he showed her to the car.
Orihime was ecstatic that Kurosaki-kun had gone out of his way to pick her up from work. She hoped she didn't look tired or smelled sweaty after all that work. She looked to her left; the orange haired boy was driving with his eyes focused on the road. Smiling because she was sitting in the passenger side of her crush's car and because it was Tanabata and she was here with him and that she couldn't wish for anything more to happen today.
She instantly slapped her head, were they going straight to the festival? She was in her work clothes and she really wanted to wear the new yukuta today, what was she supposed to do? Would she be asking too much to ask to stop by her place first and then go to the festival? It probably was, she shouldn't ask, she already burdened Kurosaki-kun enough.
Ichigo looked over at Inoue, did she just slap herself?
"Uh, Inoue is something wrong? You just hit yourself in the face, did you forget something?"
"Ah, um, eh, it's um..." she stuttered twiddling her slender fingers.
"Inoue, tell me, what's wrong?"
Normally Inoue would have continued stuttering while thinking of an excuse, but she replied honestly with her head hung low, "I wanted to change my clothes into the new yukuta I bought for Tanabata but I don't want to bother Kurosaki-kun more and make him drive to my house and then back to the festival."
He chuckled, "Inoue, I was going to do that anyway. See, we are already at your apartment." he smiled, "Come, let's go."
Ichigo unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car before Inoue, so then he could open her door.
Opening her door with his hand out for her, Inoue gladly took his hand in her own.
"Thank you Kurosaki-kun." she said softly ignoring her heart's speeding beats and gave him yet another smile.
He released her soft hands from his calloused ones, and gave a half smile. Every time she beamed her beautiful smiles, he couldn't help but smile as while, it was contagious.
Once they reached the healer's room, Orihime unlocked the door.
"Kurosaki-kun," she said, the boy hummed to show he was listening, "Thank you so much again, I promise I won't take too long to get ready!" and with that she quickly went to her room to change.
Ichigo sat on the couch and waited. Maybe he should've worn something better for the festival. Running his hand through his orange locks, he thought to himself, "Since when did I ever care what I wore?" He looked at his watch, only five minutes had passed. He wondered how long it took for Inoue to get ready, not that he mind or anything, but if she was anything like Yuzu, who took about an hour to perfect every aspect of her appearance, he would definitely be waiting a while. And his dad, well that was a completely a different matter! That old man would spend as long as he pleased to fix his hair; his whole family had to push Isshin to make him stop looking in the mirror. His lips were tugging upwards, that was another thing, and he kept on smiling whenever Inoue was around. He didn't mind that much actually, whenever he spent time with her, he always had a good time. It was another thing he loved about her, she always knew how to be happy and have fun.
A sweet voice interrupted his thoughts, "Kurosaki-kun, I'm ready." Wow, he thought, she really is fast.
Getting up from the couch, he was almost blown away by the healer's appearance. Orihime noticed his eyes go wide, did she look bad? Was her hair in a mess? She tried to hurry so he didn't have to wait that long, maybe she should've took a little longer in getting ready.
"I look bad, don't I?" she shamefully asked.
Ichigo quickly shook he's head frantically, "No, no, Inoue you don't, you-you look," noticing how eager she looked for him to continue, he smiled once again, "Inoue you look beautiful."
Orihime felt the heat rising to her cheeks, today felt so magical with Kurosaki-kun being so kind to her.
"Come, let's go. We don't want to miss the fireworks right?" knowing that was one of her favorite parts of the festival he lead the way back to his car.
Orihime was surprised at Kurosaki-kun's straightforwardness, holding her hand and calling her beautiful. She wondered if it was true, she had only had put a little bit of powder on her face and her favorite strawberry lip-gloss on her lips. She didn't do too much with her hair either, it was just in a half ponytail with a red barrette to hold it in place. But she had to admit, even though Kurosaki-kun was wearing jeans and a black button down shirt, he looked pretty handsome. The shirt was short sleeved so his muscles were easily spotted on his arms, not to mention the shirt was tight enough to tell he had some pretty good abs. She had seen them a few times before when she had to heal him in Hueco Mundo, but she still blushed just by thinking about it. She looked at Kurosaki-kun at her left, it was already dark and the street lights illuminated his face. She traced his profile with her eyes. He was so nice to her today, she wondered if it would be one of the last days she would be so close with him before they started school. She wished she could go to the same college as him, that way they could see each other more often. She knew she was being selfish to always wanting to be with him, she should just be happy she was with him today. She didn't make her feel all that better and she felt a tear or two cascade down her face. She turned her face toward the window and closed her eyes. Not even bothering to wipe those tears away she took a nap in the car to shoo away those thoughts.
It was quiet in the car, Ichigo noted, Inoue was probably tired from working so much. He had barely saw her the whole week, he only saw her at the bakery whenever he passed by. Once they arrived at the festival, he got out of the car to open Inoue's door. He held out his hand, but she didn't move. Peering down to her level, he saw that she was sleeping. She looked peaceful, but the two tear streaks down her face were bothering him. Why was she crying? He hadn't even heard her cry. Extending his fingers further, he wiped the faint tear stains with his finger. Feeling the utter most need to make sure Inoue had a good time at the Tanabata festival, he gently woke her up.
"Inoue, we're here at the festival. You want to find Tatsuki and the others?"
She yawned before she answered, she was so sleepy, and her body was catching up after all the work she had been doing, "Mhh...Kurosaki-kun," she whispered, leaning his face a little closer, she continued, "Can we go to the bamboo display first?"
"Sure." if she wanted to do that he would follow her. She still was sleepy and he wanted to make sure she wouldn't bump into something and hurt herself, plus he told himself that he would do whatever made her happy.
An elderly woman was running the baboon display, handing the healer a piece of blue paper she went a few feet away to write her wish. The woman turned to Ichigo.
"So are you going to make a wish young boy?"
Ichigo scowled at being called a young boy, "No." he said gruffly
"Are you the girl's boyfriend?" the woman asked
He felt his cheeks blush, "N-No." he stuttered.
"Then you should wish for, that young boy. She looks like a very nice girl, you probably like her already, don't cha?"
He stared at the woman, was she serious? And how did she tell that he liked Inoue?
"Here child, make the wish." she handed him a green piece of paper
"It's okay, I don't want it." Ichigo replied.
"You don't want to make a wish? Ridiculous! Everyone wishes for something. Take it and make a wish, young boy. Don't you know you're supposed to listen to your elders?"
Giving in, Ichigo took the piece of paper and moved away to write down his wish. What was he supposed to write? For Inoue to fall in love with him? No! He didn't believe in wishes anyway, Inoue can't magically fall in love with him. Scowling, he felt someone tap his shoulder. It quickly disappeared when he saw that it was Inoue.
"Kurosaki-Kun~" she sang, "Can you please spell check my wish?" she slurred. How tired was this girl? She looked barely awake.
"Inoue, I don't think you want me to do that, you're wish is supposed to be private." Ichigo wondered however what she could've written.
"Please~Kurosaki-kun! You will be my favoritest person in the whole entire universe indefinitely if you do it!"
Ichigo reluctantly took the blue piece of paper and Inoue snatched his green one. About to tell Inoue he didn't write anything on it yet, she had already skipped away saying she will spell check his. He unfolded the piece of paper and read what she wrote.
I wish for Kurosaki-kun to be happy even if I can't be the one to make him happy. I hope he finds another girl that will love him as much as I do-that he likes too, that's strong, brave and everything he ever wanted in a girl.
He gasped, Inoue like him? Maybe she was loopy and wrote that on the piece of paper...or did she really like him back?
Just then, Inoue came back in front of him and giddily said, "Kurosaki-kun~I let the nice woman spell check your wish for you!"
Of course he wish said, I wish I could be my lover's boyfriend.
Taking their wishes, Orihime handed them to the woman with a huge smile on her face.
Before the two went to look for their friends, Ichigo luckily found a vendor who sold coffee. That instantly woke the girl up from her loopy self.
"Whoa Kurosaki-kun, I had the weirdest dream! You and I were making wishes and it was so strange."
Ichigo was about to tell her that that was true, but he felt someone jab him in the stomach.
"Finally we found you both," Tatsuki said with Ishida and Sado behind her, "Let's go and find a place to watch the fireworks."
Orihime was talking to Ishida and Sado with Tatsuki and Ichigo trailing behind them.
"So, did you confess yet?" Tatsuki asked with her eyebrows moving up and down.
"No, and I am not going to." he said a bit defensive, couldn't she just mind her own damn business.
"Well when are you going to? She can't wait for you forever." she gave him a know it all look.
"Tch. Whatever." and he quickened his pace.
With much of Orihime's pleading, they were waiting for the fireworks to begin on top of a small hill. No one else was there, so it was quiet with just the sounds of crickets and the wind. Tatsuki had her camera out and was taking pictures and Sado and Ishida were small talking. Ichigo went over to Inoue who was by sitting by herself.
"Having a good time Inoue?"
"Eh, oh hi Kurosaki-kun! Yeah I'm having fun. I was just thinking…nevermind Kurosaki-kun." She said shaking her head.
Telling Inoue to countinue, she said, "Well, it's just that it's pretty sad knowing that we probably won't spend much time together once we go to college. Everyone will be going their own ways, and we probably won't even be that close. I'm going to miss everyone, like Tatsuki-chan, Sado-kun, Ishida-kun and," she turned her head toward Ichigo, he saw the tears brimming her eyes, "and you Kurosaki-kun." she said tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked down at the ground.
Ichigo studied her face, it look the same when he found her sleeping in the car.
"Is that why you cried in the car?" he gently asked
Nodding her head slightly, she bit her lip.
He wanted to say something, to comfort her but the fireworks started. Everyone stood up and stared in awe.
"The fireworks look very colorful this year right, Kurosaki-kun."
He didn't say anything, he wasn't paying that much attention to fireworks now, instead he was wondering if he should tell Inoue about his feelings. This might be one of the last chances he could say it. He remembered a saying, something about you would rather regret the things you have done than the things you have not.
Ichigo turned his heads towards Inoue, "Inoue, I want to tell you something." as luck would have it, the fireworks had gotten louder and more and more were shooting into the sky.
"What?" the healer asked.
The two moved a back a few yards where it was a little quieter.
"I'm sorry, can you say that again Kurosaki-kun."
"Inoue, I wanted to tell you something for a while now."
"Yes, Kurosaki-kun, what is it?"
His heart started to pound into his chest, was he really going to do this? He looked into her eyes and found some courage.
"Inoue, I love you." he said immediately examining her face for any signs of disgust.
Orihime couldn't believe what he was saying. Kurosaki-kun loved her! No she must've heard him wrong. She felt her tummy flutter with butterflies, was it possible he like her too?
"I'm sorry I couldn't really catch that."
Ichigo heart raced even faster, he had to say it again! About to say 'never mind' Inoue tapped his arm and this time she stared into his deep brown eyes.
"Whisper it into my ear and I promise I will hear it loud and clear." Orihime had said it so dreamily and welcoming that he decided to say it once again.
She inched a little closer to him and he lowered his head lower. Both hearts were beating so fast they thought the other could hear it.
Taking a small breath that tickled Inoue's ear, he took a whiff of the healer's sweet scent.
"I love you." Short and simple, he said it. There was no possible way she could mishear him.
Ichigo didn't move, afraid to face her face, he waited for Inoue to respond.
Orihime went on her tiptoes, and whispered into his ear, "I love you too."
Ichigo was overjoyed, looking at her oh-so-beautiful face he gazed into her chocolate eyes. The two smiled at each other before Ichigo closed the small gap between them and hugged her tightly. She felt his strong frame against her small one and with scent flowing around her she had an emotion overload and blushed a million times redder than she ever had before.
Ichigo leaned down and kissed her strawberry lip glossed lips, rolling his lips over and over her soft plush ones. Ignoring the bright fireworks that soared high in the sky, not caring if their friends saw them, and definitely not noticing the dozens of pictures that Tatsuki was taking; Ichigo and Orihime continued their moment that they waited so long for.
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Complete…..