Days passed. Weeks passed. Orihime tried to focus on other things: her friends, her studies, Ichigo. But something was bothering her. Something was missing. She was watching at Ishida from a distance, while he seemed to change day by day. He seemed… carefree, somehow. The ginger-head girl believed that Helena-san had helped him, a lot. From one point of view, she was happy. She truly cared for Ishida, she only wanted to see him happy. But…she missed him. A lot.
One day, she found herself seated under a tree in the school yard, alone, protected from the sun and everyone else. Suddenly, she felt a gaze upon her, and a stern voice was heard.
"Inoue-san."
She gasped. How come and she didn't notice him?
"I-Ishida-kun…"
"Mind if I sit?"
"Please, do so…"
He sat close, but far enough so they wouldn't touch each other. He leaned his head against the tree and look up to the sky.
"How are you, Inoue-san? Why are you here alone?"
"I…" She tried to explain, but she stopped. "I have a headache. So I thought that a quiet place could help me. What about you? Where's Helena-san?"
He frowned. "She's not here today. She's sick, so I told her to stay at home and rest."
"I'm sorry… I hope she gets well soon!" Orihime chirped, trying to sound calm.
He nodded. And then there was silence between them.
She was the one to break the silence. "Uhm… Ishida-kun…I was wondering how you were…We don't talk much lately…" Her fingers started playing with her skirt nervously.
"I know, Inoue-san. I am fine. What about you?"
"Uhm… good, I guess."
He turned and looked at her, raising his eyebrow in question. "You guess? Why? I thought things were going good with Kurosaki lately."
She looked down on her fingers. So, he knew. It's true that Ichigo had started talking to her more lately. Tatsuki claimed that he seemed to like her. She wasn't sure whether she was satisfied with this or not though. "Oh well… That's true. But it's not like he has done anything yet…" she murmured.
He turned to look at the sky again, his hands crossed under his torso.
"Everything on time, Inoue-san. After all, a heart should be content enough not only with the big things, but with the small things too. Something small can satisfy a kind heart more than anything. That's something that you never understood."
She look at him, her eyes seemed a little bit teary as she gave him one of her most puzzling looks. But Ishida put an end to this conversation. He smiled softly and stood up, ready to leave.
"Goodbye, Inoue-san. I hope everything goes well with you and Kurosaki."
Orihime watched him walk away, and suddenly let her tears flow. Now she knew. She knew that he loved her. And she knew that her heart was content when he was around. But it seemed too late.