Author's notes: I think the moral of this story is "if Lowri ever says she has nothing more to add to a story, don't believe her". This is kind-of an epilogue-of-sorts that popped into my head. I probably won't write anything more here. :)
"Orihime, don't you think it's about time you stopped wearing that hat?" Tatsuki asked, looking up from the bowl of lamb and marshmallow casserole her friend had served her.
Orihime's eyes widened. "Oh, you're right!" she said. "I don't have to wear the hat at my own flat because he's not here!"
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow. "Who's 'he'?"
"Uryu, of course!" Orihime declared. The chunk of lamb on Tatsuki's spoon fell back into her bowl.
"What does Ishida have to do with the hat?" Tatsuki asked, doubtfully, as Orihime set down her own spoon and began gesticulating wildly.
"Well, you see, I created the hat so that Uryu wouldn't become a cannibal!" she announced.
Tatsuki sighed wearily. "Okay, what's the rationale this time, Orihime?"
Orihime clapped her hands together. "Well, I saw that he was watching me a lot, and his face was red, so he must be an alien vampire who wants to eat me!"
"That's really what you came up with?" Tatsuki responded, clearly fighting the urge to roll her eyes as she gently patted her friend on the shoulder. "You know, Orihime, for somebody so bright, you can really be rather dim sometimes."
"What do you mean, Tatsuki?" Orihime asked, her face taking on a confused expression.
"Perhaps the blushing and staring means that he likes you," Tatsuki said slowly. Orihime stared at her friend in surprise, before bursting into laughter.
"Oooh, he's clever," Orihime giggled, as Tatsuki started to laugh too.
"I know, he actually managed to convince you that..."
"No, no, that's not what I mean," Orihime interrupted, her brow furrowed slightly. "Of course he wants you to think that he likes me, Tatsuki!"
Tatsuki's jaw dropped for a second before she could regain control of her expression. "What are you talking about?"
"It's a safeguard!" Orihime stated, as Tatsuki raised an eyebrow. "If you think he likes me, you'll work harder to keep him away from me, therefore creating another barrier preventing him from eating me!"
Tatsuki blinked, returning to her food. "Your brain really does work in a rather special way, doesn't it, Orihime?"
"Of course!" Orihime exclaimed. "I can't believe nobody else has come to the alien-vampire conclusion of their own accord!"
"Oh," Tatsuki said softly, fishing a half-melted marshmallow out of her casserole. "I can."
