"I wonder how you manage to bring that amount of money to school." She asked as she took the paper bag from Ichigo.

He looked away again, "Just in case of emergency, especially for people such as you… I should be the one wondering why you still dare to step into the shop and get that stuffed animal without any money."

"I have it but I spent most of the money to buy items from Urahara's shop to get information!" She glared at him.

Ichigo laughed, walking in front of her.


-Next Day-

As Ichigo and Rukia stepped into the school, people were whispering and gossiping over something secretly. At the same time, they were being stared by most of the people with strange looking eyes.

Ichigo nudged Rukia's elbow, "Oi, Rukia… Did you sense something weird going on around here?"

"Weird? Is it hollow? But my phone isn't beeping, I don't think so. Why?" She replied.

"Never mind… Probably I'm just oversensitive…" He thought.

-Classroom-

"Ohayo Ichigo and Kuchiki-san… Coming to school together again today?" Mizuiro was trying to hint them about something.

"Ohayo Mizuiro…" He didn't take notice of Mizuiro's hint until Asano appeared.

"Ohayo Ichigo! Kuchiki-san! Ichigo…! Why didn't you tell me earlier?! I'm SO disappointed!" He sobbed.

His eyes widened, "No wonder I've been sensing something going on in the school. That Mizuiro! I bet he spread some rumors about me behind my back!"

"Mizuiro…" He glared at him.

There was an immediate reply from him, "No, not me this time."

Ichigo narrowed his eyebrows, "Then… who would it be…?"

More and more people crowded around them and started hinting and asking questions about Ichigo and Rukia.

"Kurosaki, I suppose I heard something which is true." Ishida smiled and pushed his glasses up.

Chad looked into his eyes, "Ichigo. All the best."

"Kurosaki-kun…! Is it really true?" Orihime gave a surprised look.

Tatsuki hit his back, "I'm your childhood friend yet you didn't inform me about it. What kind of friend are you?"

Question marks were all over Rukia's head, "Ichigo, what's going on?"

"I don't know anything about it!" He started to get annoyed by all the questions.

Everyone went silence and laughed at the same time.

"Stop pretending, you know it. The whole school has been talking about it." Asano and the others won't believe that he doesn't know anything.

Tatsuki looked at Ichigo from top to the bottom and back to the top again, "You really don't know? Some students caught you with Kuchiki-san yesterday in the shopping district."

"Some said that you were carrying a plastic bag with a soft toy for Rukia." Orihime started the description conversation.

"I heard people saying that they were holding hands!"

Ichigo and Rukia's eyes widened.

"NO! I heard they hugged each another!"

"I heard they… kis… kiss…" Ishida coughed.

The both of them dropped their jaws.

"Let's say this. All those rumors are FAKE." Ichigo hoped that whatever he said could make them believe in him.

Rukia started to defend for herself too, "I'm not sure why such rumors are around but…

Kaien came in with a loud greeting interrupting Rukia, "Ohayo everyone! And… Rukia, I believe in you."

Rukia was kind of shock over Kaien's words.

"That's the reason why I stop calling you Kuchiki ever since I met you recently." He gave his explanation.

Ichigo glowered at them, "Stop being lovey-dovey in the class. My hair is standing up."

"Kurosaki-kun, I'm sure you're not involved in the rumors. Don't worry; I will help you clear your name."

"I don't need your offer." He shot his words at him.

Kaien cleared his throat as if he was about to announce something, "E-hem. Rukia and I are under engagement. Therefore, please do not believe in any rumors as I'm sure Rukia and Ichigo are innocent."

Everyone in the classroom went silence with their eyes popping and jaws dropping.

"Kaien-dono…!" She whispered with alert.

Orihime jumped from the surprise to break the silence, "Ah! Kuchiki-san, why didn't you tell us about that? I can help you make a special wedding cake with carrot, spring onion, chicken and… and… peanut butter! Ishida-kun can make the best wedding gown for you too!"

"Me…?" Ishida went confused.

Asano laughed, "Ya! We can even help to find the best location for the wedding to take place!"

The whole class started to get engaged with the wedding organizing conversation. However, Ichigo stood up and left the room, clutching his fists.

Ishida and Orihime noticed there was something different with Ichigo. When Orhime was about to walk out of the room and approached him, Ishida stopped her and went to him instead.

-Corridor-

"Kurosaki…" Ishida called him.

Ichigo released his clutch as he laid his back on the pillar, "What is it?"

"Jealousy…?" He asked.

Ichigo gave a short laugh, "Hah, jealous? Why do I have to get jealous? It's none of my business anyway."

"I didn't say you are jealous over Rukia and Kaien." He smirked as he pushed his spectacles again with his index finger.

"I'm not jealous, that's it." He replied with frustration.

After a few seconds, he began to speak up again, "I'm just… disappointed with myself."

"You should." It was as if Ishida trying to provoke him.

Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Yea but I don't think you have the rights to agree."

"Let me tell you this. Grab it while it's still not far away from your reach. It's just like stitching. Stitch it immediately when it's damage if not... the damage will get greater and bigger. By that time, repairing won't do any help." He hinted and explained to Ichigo using his speciality.

Ichigo looked at him confusingly, "I totally can't catch what you're saying."

"Catch it before it falls." And he turned away.

As Ishida walked off, he whispered under his breathe, "I will take her away from her misery, in order not to let her fall."

"So many things happened but I let my chances slipped just like that. Right now, he appeared… How am I supposed to win this race without any fights but just emotions? I nearly lose her twice and now I got to get her back." Ichigo was determined with his decisions and thoughts.


Sorry for not updating for quite a period of time. I just complete my examination and I'm currently working so I might not be able to update frequently. Thanks for being paitence and giving reviews. I will update as soon as possible, probably once a week when I'm off from work.