Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
To say that Ichigo Kurosaki is not interested in anyone is false, because in truth, he does like somebody. He is a guy, after all. He just doesn't have the best of luck in the world to be free to tell her, to hold her, to have her.
As a full-time student and full-time substitute shinigami, there really is no time for himself, no time to date, and not even a chance to just talk to her, get her alone and maybe tell her how he feels. Something always comes up to ruin the moment—a hollow or hollows, a spirit that hasn't passed on to Soul Society, homework, a horde of Menos (or sometimes shinigami from the Soul Society), exams, chalk, sleep, Keigo. He can't catch a break. But he would bear it, for his mom. This is what she would have wanted.
He continues to serve and protect Karakura for the conviction that it would make his mother happy, even at the risk of his own happiness. Besides, it's not like a happy ever after with her is possible anyway, even if he wasn't a substitute shinigami. She is too lovely for words and he is not worthy of her, even more so if he's got nothing to offer. There is no normalcy in his life. It is a life filled with danger, and hurt, and loss and uncertainties.
She deserves so much better. She deserves a guy who can make her dreams come true, who can love her and give her everything she deserves, a guy who can make her very, very happy.
His heart wept admitting that to himself.
The depressing thought finally made Ichigo turn from staring at her to look out the window. Tomorrow, they graduate. He heard she'll be studying Education in Tokyo. The news shattered his heart to pieces.
In his heart, he's sworn to protect this girl. But his assignment and oath to Karakura Town is the one recognized by Soul Society, by his friends, by his mother. He told himself he will stay in his station.
But that doesn't really stop him from feeling like a part of him is lost. If he can't protect the woman he loves, then he has failed, the way he failed his mother. He feels torn, broken...lonely. How can he protect Karakura if his heart is somewhere else?
The last bell rings, marking the end of high school. It took awhile for Ichigo to awaken from his stupor. He tried to move quickly, but by then it was too late, Keigo had already slammed him to the ground, washing him in melodramatic tears. "I will miss you Ichigo! High school has been the best with you! You are the coolest guy I know, and I am so glad you are my friend!"
He was too busy trying to keep Keigo's snot from going in his mouth to notice the gray eyes watching him sadly. Finally, using one hand, Sado pulls Keigo to his feet, off of tear-drenched Ichigo. Ichigo is relieved to see that Keigo had focused his drama on Sado, which the Mexican, as usual, had not much reaction to.
He started to brush himself off, and motioned to get his bag. But when he looked up, his eyes met her sparkling gray ones. Immediately, the scowl on his face softened and his heart seemed to have stopped beating. She's always had this effect on him, eversince. It's something about her eyes, her hair, maybe it's her smile or the way she spoke, maybe it's the way she tucks that lock of hair behind her ear. Maybe it's not one thing, but all those amazing little things together...and he will miss terribly all of those little things that make her her.
"So will you go?"
Ichigo realized she had asked him a question. He quietly berated himself for sinking in his thoughts too much."Huh?"
"Tomorrow, 6pm, after the ceremony, everyone's going over to play board games at my apartment. It's like a little farewell get-together." He was quiet still, trying to comprehend what she was saying. But it's so hard when he gets so distracted, drowning in those beautiful eyes.
"I mean, high school's over. But not our friendship, right?"
Not our friendship... "Yes, sure, I'll be there." In the back of his head, he begs to the universe to have hollows postpone their visits to Karakura for another day.
"Yay! Well, I'll see you tomorrow then. And by the way, congratulations!" She spun on her heel, auburn waves billowing around her. The smell of vanilla-lavender wafted up his nose. He is entranced, so lovely, so pure, so sweet...He watched as she walked away, the sight of her retreating back shattered his world...so far, so impossible.