Woo! Hi guys! I'm sorry the update took long. Here's another chapter! Again, thanks to all those who read, followed, and reviewed this story!
Summary: Because when she got tired, he started to give her attention.
Rating: T for some language and other scenes
Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me, as well as the characters.
From other shore, for you who cry pathetically,
let it be a farewell gift.
"OWIEEE!" Orihime rubbed her head, willing the pain to go away.
"Inoue? Are you alright?" asked Renji who approached the table, carrying his textbook.
"Yes. I just dropped something and hit my head on the table," says Orihime, smiling and packing her things inside her bag.
"Hehe. I didn't know you were such a clutz!" teased Renji.
"Mou! I am not a clutz, Abarai-kun!" pouted Orihime. She continued to pack her stuff into her bag while Renji waited. "Ne, Abarai-kun. Aren't you excited? It's our first day today!"
"First day of what?" a voice interrupts from behind Renji. Orihime stiffened upon hearing the voice and seeing the bright mass of orange hair towering near Renji.
"Ku-Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime stood up, clutching her satchel. Ichigo waved at them both, still wearing a confused look directed at her and Renji.
"Nothing. Come on, Inoue," says Renji who started to walk away. Orihime gave Ichigo a brief glance then hurried over to Renji's side.
"What's the matter, Ichigo?" his eyes followed the pair who just went out the room then glanced at the petite girl beside him.
"I just…It's nothing," he answers and leaves without another word.
Orihime and Renji reached Urahara café in silence. They both decided to not tell their friends about their part time job. Even Tatsuki-chan doesn't know about this, she thought. She and Renji also decided to have the same shift so they wouldn't get lonely at work.
Renji glanced at the auburn-haired girl when she let out another sigh. "Something bothering you? If it's Ichigo, don't think much of it."
Orihime stopped and looked at Renji. "Do you think this is right? I mean, not telling them about this? About our part-time job?"
Renji only shrugged, "I don't see any problem with that. If they can do what they want, then we have every right to do what we want, as well. Don't you want to have this part-time job, Inoue?"
Orihime's eyes widened. She immediately shook her head and smiled. "No. It's not like that. If Abarai-kun thinks this is okay, then I have no problem with it now."
When they arrived at the café, Orihime and Renji changed into their uniforms. Renji wore a black vest over a white shirt with a bowtie. He thinks the uniform is ridiculous, Orihime thinks it looks cute. She, on the other hand, wears her black lacy dress with white cuffs. Renji blushed at the sight and stammered when he saw how Orihime appeared. Orihime, however, only gave a confused look at Renji and proceeded to the back of the café.
The owner introduced them to the other employees. "I'm very happy you two started working here. It's been quite a handful lately," Urahara Kisuke laughed. The café's owner was one great mystery to Orihime. He was a cheerful man with shaggy blond hair hidden under a striped bucket hat. He like to wear traditional clothing—like the black cloak he wears over his green shirt and pants. He also uses a fan to hide his face and wears traditional Japanese wooden sandals.
"Well, I'm off now. I expect you two to be nice little kids and do their jobs~"
The two teenagers sweat-dropped as the man put on his hat and left.
"Trust Kisuke to leave just like that. Honestly, when will that man ever learn? It's surprising he even got the nerve to start this café," a woman appeared beside them as soon as Urahara disappeared through the café's front door. The woman gave them a small smile. For some reason, her exotic charm instantly captivated Orihime. "Hi! I'm Yoruichi! Welcome to our shop!" she greeted and held out her hand for them to shake.
Ichigo couldn't point out what was wrong. He felt anxious, like something was missing. It bothered him like a plague and it's pissing the hell out of him.
"Have you guys talked to Inoue and Renji lately?" he asked after sipping his orange juice.
Tatsuki looked at Ichigo, her face showing remorse for some odd reason. "No. She doesn't even go home with me anymore. And she usually stays at the library with Renji during lunch."
"Renji?" Rukia spoke up. "Why is she with Renji?"
"Why, Rukia? Do you have a problem with that?" Tatsuki threw back a question, not caring if her words were laced with acid.
Rukia met Tatsuki's gaze with equal hostility, the tension around them surfacing until Rukia spoke up."I just didn't know they were that close."
"Maybe they're going out? They're always together these past couple of weeks." Mizuiro decided to speak, glancing from his cellphone briefly before texting again.
Ichigo almost gagged at what Mizuiro said. The rest of the group looked at him questioningly. Inoue with Renji? For some odd reason, he didn't like the sound of the idea. He didn't actually think of Inoue as someone who will go out with some random guy. She was just too innocent, too pure for that matter. But for some reason, his stomach churned at the idea of Inoue being with another.
"I don't think that's possible," interjected Ishida while calmly sipping his drink. "I know Inoue-san is just probably asking for Renji to help her."
"Help her with what? She can always ask for help with anyone of us. Why does it have to be Renji?," Ichigo asked. He was confused. Orihime always asked Tatsuki or Ishida if she needed something. She even asked him once about directions. So what was it that she needed from Renji?
"I don't think that concerns you, of all people, Ichigo," says Tatsuki.
Orihime stretched and started rubbing her back. After a week of working, she was dead tired. She didn't expect that working at Urahara café was this tiring. Yet, she enjoyed every moment of it. The other staff members are quite friendly and polite.
Tessai, a bulky man with a weird haircut and mustache, is a really great cook. Despite having a weird taste for food, Orihime found Tessai's meals quite extraordinary. She made a note to herself to ask for some recipes she can use at home. Yoruichi, with her smooth, dark skin and golden eyes, was probably the most beautiful woman she ever saw. She was quite as eccentric as their boss. She seemed to have taken a liking to Orihime and would always splurge her with frilly dresses she can use during her shift—something which has been helped business and increased the number of male customers in the shop. Ururu was the sweetest little girl she've met. The small, shy girl had helped her serve food to customers. Like Orihime, Ururu was clumsy, which led to Jinta always scolding the small, frail girl. Orihime, however, would only giggle as Jinta tried to hide a blush when Ururu would help the red-hair boy clean the kitchen. With all her new found friends, Orihme always looks forward to the end of her classes just to work. And she can't help but admit how fun everything is.
Orihime was changing when she heard a small knock from the door. She immediately buttoned her blouse and hurried to check who was at the door. Renji stood at the other side, holding his back and stared down at Orihime.
"OH! I'm sorry for taking so long, Abarai-kun! I'll be out in just a minute!" she exclaimed and hurried back inside the room. Renji stood outside, waiting by the door.
"Actually, errr, Inoue, I need to go ahead. Ikkaku and Yumichika want to meet up tonight," he was looking at the floor and scratching his neck. "I'm sorry if I can't walk home with you today. If you want you can come with us," he added.
Orihime blinked and smiled. "It's okay, Abarai-kun! I don't want to intrude with you and your friends! I can go home by myself!" She flailed her arms cheerfully and gave Renji her brightest smile. The red-haired teen gave her a confused look and waited for moments before answering.
"Well, if you say so. I'll see you tomorrow, then?" he asked. Orihime nodded and waved her hand to say goodbye. Renji gave a small wave and closed the door, leaving a smiling Orihime all by herself.
Orihime exited the employee's chambers and went to the front of the café. She was surprised to see Urahara still in the shop. Orihime couldn't catch the face of the person he was talking to. She must have been standing there for a while, as Urahara peeked over the man's shoulder and smiled at her.
"Oh! Orihime-chan! Thank you for the hard work! Why are you still here? Not walking home with Renji-kun?" he twirled his small fan in his hands, smiling at the auburn-haired girl. Orihime smiled shyly and shook her head.
"Abarai-kun went on ahead. He has to meet some friends."
"Such a cruel man to leave a pretty girl like you alone!" Urahara exclaimed. Orihime only giggled in response.
"If there's nothing anymore to do, I'll be going ahead," the man, who still had his back from Orihime, said and started gathering the pieces of paper on the table between him and Urahara. She knew she heard that voice before.
"Mou~ you're just like your boss. So uptight and strict,"whined Kisuke. He looked at Orihime, his eyes seem to twinkle under the bucket hat. "Ne, Ulquiorra-sama, would you be so kind to escort my fine and beautiful employee home? My heart wouldn't take it if something bad happens to my dear Orihime-chan."
Orihime tilted her head to the side. She didn't really need to have someone escorting her home, much less someone she didn't even know. The man escaped a small sigh, "It's really not my business…"
She felt the world stop as he turned, his cold, green eyes seemed to calculating her face. "Where do you live?"
The ride home was full of awkward silence. Every time Orihime attempts to start a conversation, the man seemed disinterested. Ulquiorra, as Urahara had called him, kept his eyes on the road and remained silent the entire journey. Although the air was full of tension and awkwardness, the silence seemed to soothe her soul. Something about the man beside her kept her heart playing a staccato rhythm. And as much as she hated to admit it, his presence reminded her so much of Kurosaki-kun.
She let out a big sigh and was jerked back to reality when the car stopped. "We're here, woman."
Orihime blushed deep red when he calls her like that. She fumbled with her seatbelt and opened her door. "Thank you for escorting me home. I hope it wasn't much of a trouble." She saw him glance a little before turning his eyes back on the road. "I'll be going ahead. Thank you, again."
Orihime stepped outside the car and bowed. She watched as it sped away and disappeared when it rounded the corner.
"Inoue?"
She jolted at the sound of her name. She didn't want to turn around and see the person standing behind her. Maybe the little blue men did something on her mind and played with her imagination. Slowly and anxiously, Orihime turned to the source of the voice.
Hands in his pocket and the usual scowl on his face, Ichigo stared at Orihime like he never did before.
Why does it tear apart that much for just one delay of love?
A/N: Whew. One chapter done. Yay! I know, I know. Such a cliffie end for this chapter. I really had no idea how this will turn out. HAHA. But I will try my best to keep the story interesting! Please don't forget to drop a review. Thank you~
P.S. This chapter wouldn't be possible without the inspiration from Mika Nakashima's song, Hitoiro. TuT