A/N: I'm sorry I wasn't able to update yesterday. It was the last showing of my sister's play, and I went to see it. Also it was my ball-jointed doll's first anniversary with me, so went to celebrate it. Between coming home from work early in the morning, sleeping for a few hours, running errands, and doing the above, really didn't give much time to sit down and write :(
Plus, having seen spoilers for the latest manga chapter, had to wait to read it and figure out whether I can incorporate that utterly cute Ichihime scene into this story. Who else was squeeing with glee over that?
Poor Ishida though D:

Special thanks to all the readers, reviewers, and subscribers. Your continuing support enables me to keep on going. Thank you very much :)

Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Kubo Tite.

Ichigo poked the straw through the juicebox. Irritation niggled at him, having been prevented from staring over the parapet by the four friends that joined him on the rooftop for lunch.

Rising to the forefront of his mind was the question that had been nagging at him since this morning, and wouldn't relent. It was all he could do from letting it escape his lips. But really, was it not worth the peace of mind he'd gain if he just dared ask it?

Finally giving in, he feigned nonchalance and addressed the Quincy. "Oi, Ishida, what kind of chocolates did Inoue give you? What shape are they?"

He ignored Mizuiro, who started choking on his riceball after a small chuckle.

Ishida, meanwhile, put down his chopsticks. "Why do want to know?" he inquired cautiously.

Ichigo could feel it: the heat of embarrassment that rose from his neck to encompass his face. But he'd already began; he would not be deterred from knowing the answer.

"Just tell me, dammit."

"I don't see why it is any business of yours, Kurosaki. It is between me and Inoue-san."

He could feel a vein pop in his head, his heart beating in a staccato rhythm, and he clenched his fist and took a deep breath to calm himself. "I just want to know what shape they are. You don't need to tell me what kind or what flavour, just the shape."

Tilting his head to one side, Ishida examined him. The silence stretched on while they glared at each other, unblinking and unwilling to turn away. From the corner of his eyes, Ichigo could see Keigo fidgeting, Mizuiro watching with apt attention, and Chad being as still as a boulder.

"Waahhh!" wailed Keigo finally. "This is killing me. Just tell him, damn Ishida. I want to know too."

At this, Ishida fixed his stare towards him. "They're spherical."

"Say what?" replied Keigo. Ichigo couldn't help feeling relieved that he had taken over the questioning and that the Quincy seemed more willing to answer him.

"They're round," sighed the bespectacled class president. "Like a ball."

"Oh, like mine then. What about you, Chad?"

"Same," came the rumbling reply.

"Ichigo?"

He shifted, eyes darting off to the side. "Uh, they're round, too."

Ishida scoffed. "If they are, then what's with the inquisition, Kurosaki?"

"Nothing. I just thought maybe she did something differently, that's all."

"Why would she do that?"

"I don't know."

"What made you think she would do that?"

"I don't know, okay? Let's talk about something else."

"And what could we possibly talk about that's more interesting than this?"

"Just drop the subject, dammit."

"You're the one who raised it in the first place."

"Tch." Filled with agitation, Ichigo rose and stormed down the rooftop steps, stunning his friends with his sudden departure.

Mizuiro cleared his throat. "Well."

"Hmm," intoned Sado.

"I think he was lying," proclaimed the Quincy as he once more took his chopsticks to continue his meal.

"About what?" asked Keigo.

"The shape of his chocolates."

"Why would his have a different shape?"

At this, the other three fixed their eyes on Keigo.

"What?"

Ishida shook his head. He'd had enough dealing with one clueless friend. Two was too much.

"What?"

"...It'd be cute if he got hearts," said Sado.

"Yeah, right," laughed Keigo. "Why would Inoue-san give him heart-shaped chocol...wait―"

"Asano-san?" inquired Mizuiro.

"You don't mean to say that..."

"Yes?"

"It can't possibly..."

"Possibly...?"

Keigo sniffed, reaching for the much-worn box he'd kept close to his person at all times. He then proceeded to stuff every single piece of the treats inside his mouth despite the tears that started running down his cheeks.

The other three watched with varying degrees of fascination until Keigo finally managed to chew and swallow, chocolate smearing down his chin with the wet trails of his tears.

"I thought," began he after a fashion with a shaky voice.

"I thought she loved me."

Ichigo splashed water on his face, mind churning with numerous thoughts. He raised his head and looked at himself in the mirror. Realization was slowly opening up his mind to the fact that, though he'd thought the matter was over between him and Inoue following his rejection, a hidden part of him was holding onto a modicum of hope that she wouldn't give up on him. Though he couldn't help the part of him that wanted to deny it just so their friendship could remain where it was.

She had been more than accommodating, he knew. Inoue wanted to make her remaining feelings known, but she didn't want to make him feel ousted, so she made chocolates for all her friends. It was only now that he'd dared to let his heart expand at her thoughtfulness, feeling ever more like a heel at his continuing disregard, feeling as though he was truly undeserving of having such a woman lo―

Lov―

(He squeezed his eyes tightly, knowing all too well how red his face was from the heat of his cheeks.)

Choose him, he managed to finish the thought.

And that quiet moment by the stairs yesterday made him feel like he was being...

Strangely...

Well, courted.

He opened his eyes and took a deep breath.

He didn't know where things could go, but he couldn't very well let her do all the work.

It was time for him to man up, and take the initiative.

Time for him to act.

...

...

...

He just didn't know how.

Thanks for reading :)
Dec/2010