Waking up early in the morning, I started my morning routine before leaving my room. Moving around my house I eventually made my way to the kitchen, before quietly preparing a small breakfast for the day. Tossing some bread in the toaster and pouring myself some orange juice, I looked through my small purse to check to see if I had everything I needed. 'Wallet.. Check. Chapstick.. Check. Phone.. Phone? Oh there it is.' I smiled as I saw a small omamori charm hanging off my phone.
"Over here! It's over here!" I screamed pulling him along, my yukata causing me to stumble as my small hands gripped him tighter. Racing though the festival, dazed by the lanterns lining the stalls, I drew closer and closer to my objective. Finally hearing his whines of disapproval, I slowed down my sprint, and released my captive. Facing my orange haired friend, I drew the poutiest look my chubby face could muster and begged. "Let's try to get that!" I yelled pointing at the small golden charm. Looking at the game itself, it was a dart game.
"Would you like to try?" asked the kind vender. Looking up at the tall man, my small body seized up and I ran behind Ichigo peaking up at the brown eyed brunette. He let out a large laugh, and smiling he handed three darts to Ichigo, "First ones on me". Grabbing the small darts eagerly, he took his aim and threw it… into the ground.
Depressed his face immediately fell, turning to face me he apologized, "Sorry I couldn't win you one."
Hugging him tightly, I replied with a smile "Don't worry about it!". Looking around we saw Ichigo's parents and they signaled for us to return to them. Ichigo went ahead, but I turned back to thank the vender.
"No problem little one" the man replied kindly, I turned away and began walking toward Ichigo until I heard him call me back, "hey, I think you forgot something". Watching him in confusion, he held a sly smile and pulled out a small gold omamori. Placing it into my hands he made me promise me something, "Promise me that you won't lose this, it will keep you safe from all the scary spirits" nodding eagerly he patted my head and set me off back the Ichigo's family.
Hearing my toaster ring, I was immediately snapped out of my thoughts. 'Butter.. Or jam?' I thought to myself. 'Butter.' I took out our stick of butter and went to go grab the toast from the toaster oven. After a light breakfast, I quickly went to my room to grab my hair pin, gratefully finding it on the nightstand of my bed. Taking my time, I carefully pinned my hair into the bun using my pin, copying the way my mother used to fix her hair. Checking myself one more time, I quietly left the house.
Beginning my trek to Orihime's house, I was quickly lost in my thoughts. My mind wandered to whether my grades were holding up. I would hate to disappoint my father and brother. After all, they're both hard people to live up to. I wonder how disappointed they would be if I were to mess up, or even fail a class. Letting out a deep sigh, I began to look around, letting my eyes wander, hoping to distract myself from those intrusive thoughts. Turning on to the upcoming corner finally saw Orihime's place. Relieved I remembered how to get here, I picked up my pace and quickly arrived at her front door.
"I'm here!" I yelled as I began knocking on her door. Waiting for a few seconds, I heard a few thumps and a slam before the door opened.
"Hello Akari-chan, you're on time as always!" Orihime exclaimed holding a bump on her head. She then quickly gestured me inside with her smile never faltering. Sitting down at her table, I only watched as she scrambled about her house, trying to gather her items to prepare herself for our short grocery trip. A few moments passed before I realised how injured she was, with a bruise on her left leg and bandage wrapped around her upper arm, I stood up and gently took a hold of her.
"What happened, are you okay?" I questioned looking at her more closely, but almost immediately she waved it off.
"Nothing much, last night I got hit by a car an-"
"What! You got hit by a car, let's go to Ichigo's clinic, they can make sure you are okay, you're not hurt right, what if you're hurt, or worse, or-" I murmured pacing back and forth, looking back at her, she just stood there giggling.
"Like I said, I'm fine. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be able to walk now. Anyways I have all my stuff ready, so let's go" she said pulling me towards the door. Making sure to grab my belongings on the way out, I just let her pull me along.
Soon enough we were both walking along happily, holding a cups of hot chocolate, Orihime's having a delightful mix of squid ink and pudding mixed in. We ended up walking to the grocery store, gossipping on the way and talking about Orihime's new favorite show.
"And then afterwards he did his signature pose!" She yelled ecstatically, then she crossed both arms across her chest then emitting a boisterous laugh. Pausing, I stared at her perplexed for a moment. Noticing my confusion she questioned me, "Wait, so you really never seen this show before?"
"No, I guess I don't watch as many shows as I use to. But, by the sound of it my brother probably wouldn't approve of me watching it" I responded, diligently thinking about Uryu's response to this seemingly overwhelming show.
"You know, your brother seems very strict, do I know him?" She questioned.
"Well you should, after all he is in our class, Ishida Uryu, he is also in the handicrafts club" I explained, finally entering the store we took so long to get to. Reaching for two grocery baskets, I turned and have Orihime her's only to have found her staring down at me analyzing me.
"...Ishida-san is your brother!" She shrieked, dropping her drink. In a matter of seconds, I managed to drop the baskets and catching her drink inches away from the ground. Letting out a deep sigh I gently handed the drink to Orihime.
"Yeah, I thought you guys knew. I mean I know we don't look alike, but we have the same last name." I replied, retrieving the fallen items. Giving Orihime her basket, she thanked me and lead me to the vegetables.
"Wow, you guys seem very different. How come I don't see you hang out at school together?" Glancing at the assortments of greens, I realised that it's true.
"I guess it's because we don't share the same friend group, I mean we are close at home so it never really occurred to me school was any different." Picking up a bundle of spinach, I took a glance at the nearby cabbage. Maybe I'll make soup tonight. Glancing over to Orihime who seemed to be deciding on how many onions she should buy, I continued, "Although we may also have different after school programs, we would always make time to study together. Especially when one of us is having trouble, although at times it is usually me". Finished gathering the vegetables I needed I made my way over to her. "You should come over some time, I'll make you dinner"
"That would be nice, I love your cooking" she replied picking up five onions. "Great! All I need now is butter, bananas, and some gelatin". Grabbing a bundle of bananas, she skipped off. Puzzled I followed her into the refrigerated aisle, what on earth is she going to make… I'll cook for her tonight. Uryu can handle himself, but as for Orihime, I'm not so sure.
"Hey, how about I cook for you tonight?" I asked grabbing some miso paste and tofu from the fridge, scanning the aisle a small package caught my eye.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to be a bother." she stuttered, quickly grabbing two sticks of butter, almost reaching in for another but stopping and closing the door.
"Of course, I like cooking anyway it wouldn't be a bother." walking to the other side of the aisle I reached my goal, a small package of mochi. Delighted, I grabbed two packages, before heading back to Orihime. Thinking about the tasty treat once more, I swiftly turned and grabbed a few more of the small delicacies, before quickly making my way to her. Grabbing a few more items before eventually finding the gelatin Orihime was looking for, we made our way to the counter and paid for our items.
Exiting the grocery store the two of us happily chatted while dropping into a few more… unnecessary stores, causing us to purchase a few stationery items, and smaller cuter items. Looking around, Orihime stopped and stared into the park. Following her gaze, I couldn't find exactly what her gaze locked onto.
"Hey, what are you lo-", suddenly she gripped my arm and ran into the park. Holding onto her for dear life, she almost caused me to fall over steps multiple times. "Where are we-"
"Hello, Kurosaki-kun!"
