Chapter two. New Recruit.
It only started because his team mates made him do it.
He was oblivious at first, then he realised what they were trying to do.
It was kinda on his way. Right?
Kinda.
A cocky smirk. A sly grin. A wicked brow wiggle. A thumbs up.
What a set up.
Ugh.
They were an annoying bunch who just wouldn't and couldn't mind their own business.
But truth be told, he didn't really mind. He was brought up to be a gentleman. He was also protective by nature. So walking a lady home at night wasn't that big a deal.
That's how they forged a closer friendship, small chats along the way home over the past year.
Often they would talk about practice, games, but also about each other's hobbies. At times, it was comfortable silence and he couldn't have felt more at peace.
While they were quite different in food preference, they both enjoyed cooking itself. Swapping recipes wasn't on the cards. (Actually, it is almost impossible to find anyone who shared the same tastebuds as her) While they liked different authors, they both enjoyed reading. They could easily get lost in a friendly debate about any topic. Her uniqueness drew him, his determination charmed her.
He didn't realise how much he enjoyed walking her home, or her company, until one day when she was nowhere to be found after basketball training was over.
Taking Ichigo by surprise, the tall dark and ripped team captain appeared next to him, and quietly mentioned that she was seen leaving with the new recruit.
Ichigo's face was blank, not giving anything away. I mean, it wasn't like he was looking for her, or god forbid, waiting around for her or anything like that.
It was just typical of kind Inoue to care for the new recruit, she would do everything to ensure he's settling in well.
But it changed since he appeared.
Ichigo had no chance to walk her home because she's always busy with the violet haired new recruit. In the first week, Inoue had stayed back with him every day to help him with training basics, such as ball possession and dribbling.
So Ichigo took it upon himself to let the new recruit know that he would train with him going forward, rather than Inoue.
However, it didn't stop the team manager and the new recruit from disappearing off somewhere together every now and then.
He didn't let it bother him though. Not for long anyway.
The new recruit was pretty cool, a tad bossy and way too fiesty, but being petite gave him the advantage of being swift on the court. Ichigo hit it off with him right from the start.
Today was his chance. As the new recruit had to stay back with cleaning duties.
It's always the same charade, a loud-mouth baboon and a smart-arse midget, squabbling.
It was almost as if they do it deliberately because they get a kick out of it. There's even been rumours that they were gay for each other.
Ichigo wondered if that were true.
Not that it mattered, there's no stigma there, but Ichigo was very sure the baboon was straight because they knew each other well from being friends and team mates for such a long time.
Interesting.
He was going to have to investigate further.
It will have to wait. For now, he was going to catch up with the team manager.
"Hey Inoue, are you ready? I'll walk you home,"
Grey eyes widened like saucers as they stared up into his dark brown ones.
And then she smiled. Something in his chest tightened.
It's been weeks since they walked home together, and for the first time, he realised how much he missed it.
Hello again, 2 updates in a week! All thanks to my sole reviewer. Without you I won't continue this drabble. Thanks for the suggestion. I will incorporate Unahara somehow. I really wanted Kisuke but you guys voted for someone else on my IG Story poll, so, challenge accepted!