(Sorry, everyone. I was supposed to do an update yesterday, but I was so caught up with the action at Wimbledon and then the World Cup. I just could not focus. And now I am going to do a 12 hour shift at my part-time job. So hence this fast short update on my mobile, on my way to work. I will clean up this chapter and say my thanks when I use my trusty linux baby. Why are you still reading this, go and start reading now.)

(夏の夢)

Ishida Uryuu looked in silent contemplation at the auburn-haired gentle healer besides him with her back against the wall. The wall which was supporting her emotionally-wrecked frail body. Her thin pale arms wrapping themselves closely round her delicate body, hugging and comforting herself.

He wondered wearily if she has finally heard the rumours circulating around the school about Kurosaki and the numerous different 'dates' he has been going out with.

But that did not explain why the knowledge of it should have such a devastating effect on the one who has loved him for so long.

Unless...

They were in a secret relationship and Inoue-san has only just found out about Kurosaki fooling around with the others behind her back.

But, that would be hard to believe.

Not Inoue-san and Kurosaki having a relationship, but them being together and Kurosaki blatantly going out on 'dates' in spite of having the love of Inoue-san.

That would just be so cruel for Inoue-san.

Who in their right mind would want to make someone like Inoue-san be in such pain.

Who would want to hurt someone as softhearted as Inoue-san?

Ishida gazed compassionately upon the gentle healer with something akin to a certain emotion springing from the heart.

And then the full force of her beautiful shinning honey brown eyes were connected to his own startled blue eyes.

He quickly looked away.

Embarrassed he has been caught staring at her during her time of despair... for another.

"Ishida-kun," He heard her soft weak words, he turned to face her again.

He was relieved and perhaps a little disappointed she has her angelic face turned away from him. She was once again staring but not really seeing at the sight in front of her.

"Yes, Inoue-san." He answered her in just as soft in tone.

Inoue Orihime sighed. A deep sigh of despair.

"Do you think I am weak and foolish?"

"Why do you think yourself of that, Inoue-san?"

Orihime continued to stare in front of her and she hugged herself closer, tighter. "When Ochi-sensei asked me if I have been crying, I told her I have been. And when she questioned me as to why I have been crying, I answered her that it was because I was weak and foolish."

"Crying does not make you weak or foolish. Was there another reason as to why you think of describing yourself in that way?" Ishida encouraged the sad princess to open up to him. He wanted to help her. He wanted to share her grief. He wanted to l...

"Ishida-kun," The princess broke through his hidden desire, his unspoken love. His longing.

"Ishida-kun." Orihime repeated and looked at the Quincy in confused concern.

Ishida berated himself for making Orihime worried about him.

"I am listening, Inoue-san. I was just thinking why would you belittle yourself, when you know it could not be true. The way you described yourself."

"Ishida-kun is so very kind." The gentle healer looked fondly at her friend.

The Quincy has to turn his head away from her again. He was sure his face was becoming red from the praise and the way she was looking at him. It was like she was really seeing him for the first time.

Her eyes.

Her sparking eyes, no longer in tears, but made extremely bright by her sorrow cried out to him,

'Love Me.'

How he wanted to love her back, he so wanted to love this gentle being, but he knew, he bitterly knew, he has always known, she only loved 'him'.

He forced himself to come back to reality when he heard her soft words again.

"I am weak because I believe in love and I am foolish because I truly believe that he loves me." Orihime whispered her hope.

Ishida almost lost his composure. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He wanted to assure her she can believe in love and there was always someone else who loves her.

Instead he calmly told her that it was realistically to believe in love but he could not bring himself to say anything about 'him' truly loving her.

He just could not.

The gentle healer gazed heartbreakingly into the space in front of her. Even Ishida-kun, insightful Ishida-kun could not find it in his heart to lie to her about 'his' love for her.

She lamented her love for him.

Her supposedly eternal love for him.

But...

Her love for him was suffocating her, her chest felt tight, she cannot breathe, she did not want this feeling, she wanted this feeling to go away and she did not ever want to feel like this again.

"Inoue-san, are you alright?"

Was she going to be all right?

She made up her mind right there and then.

Inoue Orihime fixed a determined gaze at Ishida Uryuu, "Yes, Ishida-kun, I am going to be all right." She said with new-found conviction in her soft voice.

She was not going to be weak nor foolish regarding love anymore.

Ishida noticed the subtle change as the gentle healer leant off from the wall. He wanted to reach out and support her as she stood a little unsteady on her feet, but then he realized she did not need his help.

He kept his arms to himself.

She was going to fine by herself.

"Ishida-kun, shall we go back to class?" Orihime tilted her head slightly and asked quizzically.

Ishida pushed his glasses up his nose to mask the fluttering he felt in his heart and what it reflected on his face.

"Yes, shall we?" He managed to answer without a break in his voice.

Orihime gave a small smile, his heart skipped a beat, he nodded solemnly and they started to walk back to class.

It was a walk of comfortable silence with each other in their own thoughts.

"Inoue-san, are you sure you are fine?" Ishida glanced in concern at the gentle healer who has her hands clasped tightly together and he asked as they came to the classroom door.

Orihime separated her shaking hands and bravely smiled again. "Yes, Ishida-kun. Everything will be fine."

Ishida knocked once on the door and as he was sliding the door opened, Orihime laid her small hand on his hand, "Thank you, Ishida-kun."

The Quincy gave her an encouraging nod and on his usual reserved face, a small supportive smile.

And the classroom door fully opened to reveal the grateful princess giving the normally undemonstrative class president a beaming smile of thanks.

Hopes was dashed and hearts were broken at this sight of what Ochi-sensei has deemed as 'an extremely attractive couple'.

But for one angry jealous soul, he wondered guiltily if he has lost all hope for the innocent princess's devoted heart.

(夏の夢)