He wisely doesn't say anything to that. Instead, he inclines his head toward her curiously. "Why do you keep climbing trees?"

She looks thrown off by the sudden question, and Ichigo realizes too late what he has just admitted.

"Are you stalking me?" Rukia retaliates, violet eyes gleaming mischievously.

"No," Ichigo snaps.

"Is there even a project?" she asks dramatically, really hamming it up. "Or did you just want to get me alone?"

"Of course there's a project!" he huffs. "I just noticed you eating alone, is all."

She smirks, pats his arm condescendingly. "It's okay if you like me."