When he visits her that day, she asks him for the time.
"Do not be foolish, woman. There is nothing you can do with that information."
The next time he visits, she tries again, and asks him what date it is.
"That is irrelevant. You will be here forever, unless Lord Aizen wishes otherwise."
Still, she tries, and when he comes to deliver her dinner, asks him how many days have passed since she first arrived.
"Even if I were to give you answers, you have nothing to gain from them."
She persists. Inwardly, he sighs.
"Seven days."
She thanks him, and he turns to leave.
"…Wait."
He pauses.
"When will you come back?"
"That is none of your conce-"
"When?" At her interruption, his head tilts over his shoulder. She is gazing at the ground, twiddling her fingers, and wringing at the edges of her clothes.
"...Tomorrow. I will bring your meal in the morning."
"...Can you stay?"
"You request for meaningless things."
He stays.
She does not ask him for the time again.
June 17.
10:47 PM.
250 days since the war ended.
Orihime marks today's date on the calendar with a red 'X'.
"I don't need to ask you for the time anymore," she declares. "I have a clock. And a watch. And a calendar." She sniffs, drawing her knees up towards her chest. "And I know that...you're never really ever coming back." She sighs, letting her marker slip from her fingers and fall onto her pillow. It lands with a gentle thump.
"Though, I wonder... if I asked you to stay, now, would you?"
She can almost hear his voice.
"You request for meaningless things."
Almost.
She smiles.