"I'll drop by Urahara's shop after school and get your shihakusho. Stay here and don't touch anything but my books. You can read those if you want." Uryu told Nemu before he left for school.
"Would you like to eat lunch with us today, Uryu?" Orihime asked him at school, noticing he seemed in a better mood than yesterday.
"Thank you for the invitation, Orihime, but I have to run over to Sunflower Seams during lunch. I need some more fabric." he explained.
"Oh, okay." Orihime said and hastily retreated before he offered to make her something. He was very talented, they just had different views on fashion.
"Oh, Mr. Ishida! We just got new items in!" the shopkeeper exclaimed, happy to see one of their best customers dropping in.
"That's great, but I'm in a hurry and just need some fabric." he said as he picked out only the material to make a new Quincy dress for Nemu. The green fabrics kept drawing his attention though, making him wonder what she would look like in something that matched her eyes, or her...he frowned at his thoughts. He had no business thinking such things about a Soul Reaper of all people! Walking back to school, he realized it would be a bad idea to start Nemu's dress during his free period. He didn't want anyone to get suspicious. He decided to do some embroidery work instead, and took out one of his hoops with the fabric already in place. His thoughts kept circling back to Nemu and the song she was singing. He wanted to ask her about it, but it seemed far too personal a thing to bring up.
"Wow, that's gorgeous, Uryu!" Chizuru exclaimed. "Could you make me one just like it, but with Orihime instead?"
"Huh?" Uryu looked down at the embroidery hoop. He had been making the scene with Nemu singing in the moonlight! "Sorry, but I don't take commissions. Go fantasize about her on your own time." he replied coolly. When she left in a huff, he breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't Orihime herself looking over his shoulder, she was the only one who had also seen Nemu in the Soul Society. What should he do with his handiwork now? It's not like he could give it to Nemu without admitting he had been watching her, and he didn't want her to become too self-conscious and stop. He'd figure out what to do with it later, right now he needed to add some musical notes to it.
"Did you see what Uryu was doing during free period?" Keigo asked Ichigo as they walked home after school with Mizuiro. "He was making pictures of women with his handicrafts...there's got to be something wrong with him! Surrounded by all those high school hotties and he's ignoring them!"
"So what? He's got a hobby...you should try it some time, maybe then you wouldn't notice all the girls ignoring you." Ichigo replied indifferently, though privately he wondered if this was going to be how Uryu was from now on, hiding in his hobbies. That wasn't healthy...well it was healthier than fighting monsters, but still...
"How can you say that to me?!" Keigo exclaimed indignantly. "After all the times I tried to get you dates!"
"If you're that worried about Uryu, try and get him a date then. This is my stop, see you tomorrow." Ichigo said, walking up to his house, leaving Keigo to continue ranting at Mizuiro.
"Uryu Ishida, this is a surprise." Urahara said. "What can I do you for?"
"You have Nemu's shihakoshu?" he asked.
"Why, yes I do. You're picking it up for her? Isn't a Quincy running an errand for a Soul Reaper breaking some kind of rule?" Urahara inquired.
"Just give it to me!" Uryu demanded through clenched teeth.
"Here ya go." He favored Uryu with a penetrating glance as he handed the garment to him. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No thank you." Uryu replied and started to leave, pausing at the door. "Actually, yes there is. What can you tell me about gigais and gikons?"
"Well, a proper explanation would take far too long. But if you stay for tea, I can explain the absolute basics to you." Urahara offered.
"Did you help him, Boss?" Tessai asked as he cleaned up the dishes once Uryu left.
"I gave him the information he wanted, but I can't say I really helped him." Urahara confessed. "He and Nemu are on a slippery slope already, but it's nothing we need to focus on. We've got a coming war to deal with, and their problems are a private matter. I'll say this for Kurotsuchi, he must be gloating over his guinea pigs responding so well." Urahara frowned.