Ichigo's PoV

Seeing her was a shock but I was also happy. Now, as I iced cakes at my families' shop, I couldn't seem to get Rime out of my head.

I'd thought about her so many times over the past 10 years. I'd never forgotten her dark blonde and beautiful grey eyes. She's my first love; my only love.

I imagined what happen if she came back. How happy she would be to be able me again. How I would tell her I'm still in love with her, and how i always will be.

But the reality was nothing like that. She didn't seem happy to be back at all. And she certainly didn't seem happy to see me. She never even acknowledged my presence. No, "Ichy! I'm back!" or "I've missed you!" Not ever a smile.

Her demeanor was the complete opposite of how she used to be. Rime was the most cheerful person I'd known. Now, it seemed like she just waned to shut everyone else out. She ever dresses differently. Her old cute, colourful clothes were replaced with more edgy style. Grey shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, black painted fingernails, dark eyeliner and lipstick. She even had blue and purple highlight in her hair. Not that it didn't look good on her, I happened to like that sort of stuff. It just wasn't how I thought she would look like.

Was it just my imagination? Could Rime really be that different? Setting clothes aside, her behavior seemed dark. It was hard o believe the friendly Rime, who liked everyone, could be that unsociable. She was probably just tired from the long flight, I told myself. I'm sure the next time I see her she'll be back o her normal self.

I remembered our time together as children and found myself grinning. I used to tease her all the time. I was little kid, I wanted her attention because I liked her. People tell me I still haven't really changed, though. Of course, that's not true. I admit, I'm not the best at communicating, but I've grown up.

The next day, as I stared walking to school, I spotted Haruki, Takeshi and Ryuzo. I quickly caught up to them. Haru was talking about something, with the other two listening intently.

"...Hey."

Haru turned around when he heard my voice. "Ichigo! Finally, we thought you were skipping again."

I wasn't really interested in what Haru thought of me as much as what they were talking about before. "So, what did I miss?"

"Oh, we were talking about Rime."

Rime? "What about her?" I asked, trying to indifferent.

"She's starting at our school on Monday. She'll be in the same as me, you and Takeshi, as well."

I tried to act like I didn't care. The guys wouldn't let my live it down if they new I was excited. However, that didn't exactly work.

"You must be happy," Take said with a smirk.

"Huh? I don't give crap what class she's in!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, really? If I remember correctly, which I do, you had a huge crush on her growing up."

I groaned internally. Was it the obvious?

"She is very pretty. And you never went out with any other girl," Ryuzo added.

That was true. Her dark blonde hair and beautiful grey eyes made her on of the prettiest girl I've known. And I've had other girls ask me out before, but I never said yes. Women are such a pain.

After 7 hours of total boredom, we headed to Black Ship. he minute I walked through the door, I spotted her cleaning the counter. Rihito was sitting down, trying to talk to her.

"Jo! Coffee!" Ryuzo yelled.

Rime looked up at this, but quickly looked away again.

Before long, we were all sitting down at our normal table. "Hey Rime, why don't you come sit with us?" Rihito asked with his puppy dog face.

"No thanks," she said without even looking up.

An awkward silence fell over the room. "So, what was living in Germany like?" Haru asked.

"Fine."

She was still acting disinterested and cold. Is it really just let lag? I began to wonder.

The rest of the evening proceeded in the same way. We would try to talk to her, but she just kept evading our questions. Eventually, she just went upstairs claiming to be tired.

When it was closing time, I was walking out the door when Jo called out to me. "Ichigo, wait! Can I talk to you for a minute?"

I turned around, "What's up?"

He looked slight uncomfortable. "It's just... It's about Rime."

This got my interest. "Yeah... What's up with her? She's acting strange."

"Look... I know you like her and all, but..."

"Wha-? I don't like her!" How the hell everyone know?

"Sure. Anyway, the point is that... She just need some space. And a Friend, but nothing more. Not right now." This, naturally, confused me.

"What are you talking about? What's wrong with her?"

He sighed and said, "It not my place to say."

"If something's wrong with her, you should tell me. As my friend," I persisted.

"No, I shouldn't." Now he looked outright way.

"Fine. Whatever, it's not like I actually care!" I stormed out of the café, furious at him for not telling me, and mad at myself for not being able to do anything.