Boring.
Everything seemed a little bit too boring lately. It couldn't be helped though, what they had experienced in the past months was nothing short of extraordinary. It was only natural that the return to a more stable life would cause some sort of difficulty. It was hard, getting used to being lonely again.
At least for Orihime.
She'd never confess this to anyone, especially her friends. She was absolutely sure they'd think her insane.
Obviously she wasn't necessarily a fan of danger, but some part of her, in the depths of her heart, where all her secrets lay bare and confident, she knew she missed all of it. Not for any reason one might suspect, not because she was a masochist or an evil witch who enjoyed seeing reddened ground. No. The truth was, fighting alongside Ichigo and everyone else made Orihime feel accepted.
Like she belonged.
She sighed. All these thoughts did her no good at all and she had to get a grip. She wasn't being herself, this wasn't her. If Tatsuki saw her this way, she'd surely be worried out of her mind. Despite Orihime's overly enthusiastic self, that was something she wasn't too excited about.
Because Tatsuki was made of sugar, spice and everything nice. But especially spice. Once she set her mind to something, there was no way to stop her. And, however noble it might be, however much she treasured her, having someone force themselves inside your thoughts was something she just couldn't deal with right now. That, and the fact that she couldn't bare the thought of her friends always looking out for her. She was grateful, inspired even—but was there a point to any of the challenges they all faced if everything remained the same? Had she learned nothing?
Orihime had classes to get to, and a whole new life to adjust to. This was what all the cool kids talked about back in high school, after all: University, life as a young adult, the Most Fun you're ever gonna get in this lifetime.
It all sounded a little presumptuous, but she had to at least try to blend in, to have The Fun, right? She wouldn't be Orihime Inoue if she didn't try.
But just because her life became more ordinary, that didn't mean she stopped being different. And different didn't have to necessarily mean bad, either. Hell, maybe she'd even go on a few dates here and there.
She'd grown up and grown tired of waiting. Time waits for no one. Not even for her. And if she had learnt anything at all, it was that happiness wasn't just something simply given to you; one has to actively fight for it, for nothing is ever truly appreciated until it's sincerely earned.
She wanted to grasp it, to deserve it. In the past, she had foolishly allowed her dearest people to fight her battles for her, but now, she knew it all to well: the one who should be responsible for the well-being of her heart was none other than Orihime herself.
Somewhat content with this realization, she made a mental note to text back the guy from Human Anatomy. There were all sorts of thoughts going through her wondering mind, there was so much noise and there were so many things she had to do, until everything suddenly turned to utter silence. Had she bumped into something on her way to class?
It wasn't something. It was someone.
"Ouch! Gosh, I'm so sorry, I-"
"Runnin' late again, Orihime? C'mon I thought you liked English."
Of course it had to be him. She seemed to never be able to escape him.
"Ichigo!"
"Well, you coming?" He said, smirking proudly.
That orange haired boy puzzled her to no end. And she might even hate him for it, because the two of them basically grew up together and it wasn't like she had been the most discreet person on the planet. Orihime had fallen in love with Ichigo when they were children. And in love with him she remained and in love with him she will be, possibly forever. But it wasn't like she expected anything in return.
But this? This was straight up cruel. There were times when she thought he might have felt something, considering the careful way he treated her. And then there were other times when she had seen Ichigo treat all of his friends the same way, exposing the parts of herself she had never been too proud of.
So then why? Why did she often feel as though he was leading her on? Why did Ichigo have to look at her that way, smile at her as if he knew something she didn't.
Innocent dating. That was all Orihime had wanted to try. To let people in, to be happy.
But then he showed up, like he always did, so characteristically cool and unbothered and so...Ichigo. She was too grown up now to believe he was just oblivious to everything, so there remained a single explanation left: he had enjoyed torturing her with his antics, with the way his eyes slightly changed their hue when something was bothering him, with how perfectly her name sounded on his lips...
It made her world turn yet again, filling her insides with the worst kind of hope: a fleeting one. And before she could even be aware of it, her legs started moving on their own, following him inside the classroom, just like he had said. She then saw his chocolate eyes nonchalantly hint towards the empty seat next to him.
Orihime hated that he was right: she did love English.
Ever since the first semester begun, the two of them had only one subject in common and that was undoubtedly English. Had he mentioned something about becoming a translator? She wasn't really sure, but Ichigo was surprisingly happy about sharing a class with Orihime, although she never really understood why he had always insisted they sit together. He never cared where she sat back in high school, so it was puzzling. Perhaps University had scared him to a certain extent too? Regardless, before she knew it, the seat next to him became her seat.
She tried to pay no mind to it, she forced herself to not overthink these circumstances (like that ever helped) and focus on the hopefully bright future ahead.
Orihime really loved to study, so instead of daydreaming about Soul Ripper boys with blazing eyes and orange hair, she wanted to dedicate her time to things that actually mattered.
Literature, for example.
The teacher was a very kind, very well read lady. This semester was all about The Divine Comedy, written by the legendary Dante Alighieri. Orihime loved learning about the symbolism behind each circle of Hell, especially since it hit closer to home, way closer than she'd ever be willing to admit. It made her remember Ulquiorra and the strangeness of their connection, it made her question many things of the past she might have overlooked before.
That's right, this was far more interesting than some stupid, gorgeous, courageous, infuriating boy. She kept writing in her notebook, flipping pages, taking notes about every single detail, deeply focused and fascinated by each word their teacher passionately spoke.
"So what's with you lately? You seem a little distant. Everything alright?"
"Huh?"
She snapped her head up and turned to look at Ichigo. The auburn haired girl almost couldn't believe his sudden curiosity. Had he actually noticed her efforts in giving him space?
"I said you seem distant. Why."
"Oh, well I- uhm. I just thought you might want some time for yourself, that's all. I just didn't want to annoy you with my constant blabbering. Sorry."
"Don't give me that crap Orihime. I never said you were annoying, you know I like spending time with you."
She wasn't the type to get angry, but like everything else involving a certain Kurosaki, nothing ever went as planned. She really disliked him for always interrupting, but she'd rather this whole ordeal ended sooner rather than later. He wanted to talk, so be it. Orihime would give him that, but it would have to be somewhere else. Having a whole bunch of strangers eavesdrop on her private business was about the last thing on her mind.
She'd have to borrow today's notes from another college, which would inevitably turn into a chore, considering she didn't really know any of them that well. Despite it being bothersome, Orihime and Ichigo really did have to talk, things just couldn't go on like this. She braced herself.
"Let's go outside, okay?" She said, quickly gathering her things and moving towards the back door, avoiding his questioning eyes.
One good thing about University? Nobody gave a shit when you showed up or if you left in the middle of a lecture. As long as you passed your exams, that is. So Orihime didn't really have to worry as people often randomly just...left. Pretty cool.
She didn't wait enough to hear his response, but she did notice him follow her outside the classroom. She could bet all the money she didn't own anyone would think her bold for doing this.
How very 'unlike' her. What a surprise. Orihime grew quite sick and tired of this shallow stereotype people seemed to associate with her. She had never been stupid, nor greedy, nor arrogant, nor mischievous. She had only ever been kind and understanding and quite frankly, maybe a bit too forgiving at times. Unfortunately, kindness had always been mistaken for weakness and that was something she accepted long ago.
And even though Orihime truly loved Ichigo, she refused to fill the shoes of somebody else. It had taken her some time and many sleepless nights but now? Orihime didn't wish to be anybody else. Not Rukia, not Tatsuki, nobody but herself.
So she disliked it, the way Ichigo had started being more attentive towards her since Rukia's return to The Soul Society.
For the longest of time, she had honestly believed Ichigo had fallen in love with the dark haired Knightress, seeing how they had an understanding of their own. At first, she felt terribly jealous. And possibly disgusted for harboring such feelings towards somebody dear to her heart. With the passing of time, and as she had formed a more special bond with Rukia herself, Orihime had learnt to accept these emotions as they were only proof of her undeniable humanity.
She had grown terribly proud of it. Of being so human.
It was an unimaginable surprise when Ichigo told everyone the news and how happy he had been that Renji finally confessed, going on about how the two had been meant to be from the start. Apparently for them, a confession could mean a literal marriage proposal so there was that. Everyone was so happy for them, including Orihime. But still, something didn't sit right with her, as what Ichigo said sounded more like something he would say about one of his sisters. So she was left in the dark again.
After coming to terms with the fact that Ichigo liked someone else, he'd come around and made her knees buckle and make her question her own sanity again. Apparently nothing had ever happened between Ichigo and Rukia. Had she imagined all of it? Despite everything, many months passed since that incident and still. Nothing happened.
That was the problem.
"What's going on?" He inquired, studying her.
"I-I wasn't really sure I wanted to tell you any of this to be honest. But you're right once again, Ichigo. We do need to talk."
"Did something happen, Orihime?"
It was too late to turn back now. She gulped.
"Not…really" Unfortunately. "Uhm. Okay. I love you. You know this, right? That I'm in love with you. And it's okay, I know you don't feel the same but quite frankly it just kind of hurts a little bit when you do all these things and when you look at me I-I just can't breathe Ichigo and whenever I tell myself that it's fine and that it's time to move on you just, you can't keep doing this because it hurts-"
"Wait, what?! Orihime that's not-"
"No! Just shut up. I love you. I can't pretend that I don't. But I won't be thrown around like some doll you found in the back of your closet!"
Seemingly pleased with herself for managing to fit in so many words without breathing, Orihime settled her wary eyes on Ichigo. Full of reluctance and maybe a tinge of regret, she waited for a reply. This would change things forever, but there was no other alternative. Not when her heart would just get more and more torn in the process.
Ichigo was looking anywhere but at her, until, surprisingly, a saddened expression molded his distinct features.
"I…I've never been good at this, you know? I fucking suck and I know that Orihime. I keep bothering you with my shit and you deserve better."
He took a deep breath before continuing, hard eyes settling on hers:
"You deserve better than me. At least that's what I've been tellin' myself. But now that you've told me this…I can't hold—y-you shouldn't make assumptions about someone else's feelings like that, Orihime! That's it! I'm picking you up at 6 tonight. Be ready."
And with that, he was gone. There she stood, long hair swirling in the wind, watching his form become smaller and smaller and smaller. Had he managed to turn her confession...into his?
She blinked once, twice, before the realization hit. Little miss had a date tonight. At 6PM. With Ichigo Kurosaki. Was it really happening? Orihime decided to stop her brain from asking too many questions and just enjoy the heck out of whatever this was. She wouldn't let him have it easy though, this time, whatever it meant, he would have to fight a little for her, too. Not in the kinds of ways he always did, in other ways—fight for her attention, for her embrace, for her time, for her kiss, and maybe even something more. She would have to sort out the details later, because she had a date tonight!
All it took was an existential crisis. Silly her, she should've known that would be the case.
Apparently her life hadn't been so boring after all. Some carrot headed Soul Ripper always took care of that.
hi! so i want to apologize for always editing and rewriting my stories, i perfectly understand how annoying that can be, especially with a silly oneshot such as this one. it's just...i love writing but i often hate the way i write. there are so many amazing authors on this site that i just love ugh and i want to deliver like they do!
i think i need a beta reader. BADLY.
on a side note: i'm going to finish all of my stories. the sasusaku one and definitely the ones i may or may not have planned out for the future. bleach is coming back 2022 guys. also sasuke retsuden is apparently up for preorder. WOAH.