Do I even have to?

Chapter 12: Fall out

Kurosaki Ichigo walked along the dark streets. Xcution, Fullbring, Chad, a lot has happened. It was very late by now, and he was walking fast. His house was right around the corner but was stopped after seeing a certain green haired girl standing in front of him, arms crossed and glaring at him.

"Nozomi…?"

"Ichigo… mind telling me where you were?" Nozomi directly asked him.

"Uhh… I just took care of something." He lied, and of course, it didn't work.

"Stop lying!" She demanded.

"I'm not-" He attempted to defend, but stopped when Nozomi's glare intensified. "Alright."

"Well?"

"Remember Ginjou Kuugo?"

"Yeah, what about him?" Nozomi said in an I-don't-care tone. "Look Ichigo, you need to stop meeting up with him."

"What? Why should I do that?"

"I don't trust him."

"I don't too but I have no choice!"

"And why is that?"

"Well he said he was gonna restore my powers with the help of his friends, including Chad." He explained, although it was extremely lacking in detail.

"Ichigo, don't believe him. I'm sure there's more to them than what they seem."

"What would make you say that?"

"I followed you earlier." She confessed.

"Oh, then what was the point of asking where I went!?"

"Shut up. As I was saying, after he let you in, he looked at me. Even though I'm in my Shinigami form, he saw me."

"Well that's because they aren't ordinary humans!"

"Who cares? Listen Ichigo, you have to stop this." She ordered, although it was paid no heed.

"What if I don't?" Ichigo challenged.

"Why are you being so stubborn!? Can't you see I'm only trying to protect you?" She said, holding back some tears.

"Look, I'm not doing anything bad alright? I was just helping out! They said they wanna get rid of their powers, and I need mine back!" Ichigo answered.

"Oho, I suppose that explains why that girl was slumped down in front of you and was as red as a tomato!" She involuntarily said, but she didn't care.

"What are you talking about? I don't get what you're saying!"

"Stop denying it! You say you're helping out but in reality, you're being all cozy with some girl!" Nozomi now lost all control of her emotions and she let it all out.

"What the hell!? I wasn't! And why on earth are you so mad!? Since when did I give you permission to interfere with my life!?" Ichigo said by accident. "Oh crap, what did I just say!?"

Nozomi just looked him in the eyes after that, her own eyes reflecting how hurt she was from Ichigo's words. Without her knowing, tears streamed down her cheeks and fell to the ground.

"Nozomi… I-" Ichigo attempted to apologize but was met by a slap on the cheek. He expected it, he knew it was coming, but it still hurt.

"I like you, alright!?" Nozomi shouted in between sobs, completely destroying Ichigo's ability to talk. "I tried to tell you! Many times, I tried to express how I feel! But I couldn't! I couldn't…"

"Nozomi… Listen to m-"

"But I was fine with it you know? I was fine always being around you! It was more than I could ask for! But the way you've been acting lately… It's like you don't even trust me anymore! You're making yourself the biggest jerk you ever can! Do you know how that hurts!?"

"Nozomi… I didn't mean to… please…. listen to me." He reached out his hands but it was slapped away by Nozomi.

"… don't ever talk to me again." She said as she walked away, leaving Ichigo alone. The streetlight illuminating the sidewalks going out.

"… how cliché…" He said as he returned home slowly. He went upstairs and headed towards Nozomi's room. He knocked at the door.

"Nozomi are you there?" He called out. There was no response but he could hear some ruffling, indicating she was inside.

"Nozomi, I understand if you don't want to talk… but please just listen to me." Ichigo waited in silence before speaking again.

"Look, I didn't mean to say those things. I was just… tired. Please, I'm so sorry. I'd never say those on purpose, you're too important to me." Ichigo said but there was still no response.

"I know I was wrong to trust that easily, but please understand that what I'm doing is for your sake too. As a man, it hurts my pride to be the one constantly being protected. That's why I need my powers back. I want to protect you too."

Ichigo said as more silence deafened him, but he could hear quiet sobs from inside the room.

"Nozomi… good night." Ichigo said as he walked back to his room.

…

The clock read "1:56". Nozomi was still awake. She remembers how she just confessed her feelings to Ichigo, but the circumstances were screwed up. She got up from bed and walked into Ichigo's room, who was now sleeping.

"Ichigo… I like you so much… I like you so much it hurts." Nozomi whispered as she inspected Ichigo's sleeping form.

Upon further inspection, she saw small teardrops forming in Ichigo's eye.

"Nozomi…" He said in his sleep, slightly startling her, but not enough to wake him, or Kon in that matter. "I like you too…" He blurted out, causing Nozomi's eyes to brighten up. "… please forgive me."

She smiled as she straightened up and returned to her room.

"Not a chance, you idiot."

…

The next day, in Xcution hideout, an annoyed Ichigo entered the room. Irritated that he had to be called in so early, on top of last night's events putting him in a very bad mood.

"So, why did you call me out again?" He asked.

"The hell? Got a problem? For being so pissed, you showed up here obediently enough." Ginjou said.

"Shut up." He replied. "I'm gonna do something to regain my powers right? I totally thought I'm gonna train in big room or something."

"Oh, you're gonna! Gonna train in a big room somewhere!" Said Riruka, who entered the room holding a dollhouse.

"How come you're always late?" Ichigo asked.

"Huh? D-don't be stupid! I've got stuff to do you know!?"

"Huh…"

"Anyway, why're you just standing there? I'm gonna explain this so come over here!" She ordered.

"Okay, okay. Why're you getting mad at me…?

Ichigo took one step closer but was immediately stopped by Riruka.

"Wait! Where you are is just fine! Don't take another step closer!" she said while blushing.

"So which is it already…?" Ichigo remarked in an annoyed tone.

"Take a look at this box!"

"I'm looking at it."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"It's cute right?"

"Huh?"

"Rejoice! This cute box will be your training ground!" Riruka proudly said as Ichigo looked on confused.

"…huh?"

Done. I'll try updating again in a few hours so yeah. Ja.