Chapter 21
Los Admiradores ("The Admirers")
Orihime wanted to drop into a hole and disappear. She couldn't believe she agreed to this kind of thing! Sure, she wasn't as shy as Michiru, but being around boys she didn't know was a whole different matter. To add to her stress, Ulquiorra was next to her. She had hoped that by having him by her side, she could relax, but once they met the other boys at Tomato, she felt nervous.
Immediately, Orhime thought she had entered a bubble where models were born. There were four boys, and all of them seemed like the type of guys she'd see on a drama. Immediately, all of the girls were stunned into silence. The tallest boy, with his shoulder-length blond hair and playful smile, took the lead in introducing everyone and pairing them up.
"I'm Alex," he announced, bowing slightly. His brown eyes scanned the girls before he began pointing out his friends. "This is Shou." Orihime's eyes settled on a shorter boy with cropped brown hair, brown eyes, and a shy smile. Out of the boys, he seemed the least remarkable, but his shy smile quickly lightened the mood. Alex gave him a little nudge in Michiru's direction, indicating who was paired with him. Orihime suddenly remembered Michiru talking about Shou a few times. He seemed exactly the same as she described him.
"This is Masahiro." A boy only a few inches shorter than Alex stepped forward. With his wavy black hair and soft brown eyes, Masahiro looked like a drama's ideal lead man.
"And this is Yuuichi." This time, a smaller boy burst past Masahiro and Alex, his big, green eyes wide with curiosity. He peered at the girls before his face brightened up with a wide, child-like smile.
"Wow! They're so cute!" he exclaimed, his voice only slightly deeper than a girl's. Though Orihime recognized Yuuichi as a male, all of his features were girly. His orange hair was so long and straight, it flowed over his shoulders in silky strands. He wore a baby-blue collared shirt with a purple-plaid button-up over his shirt and beige pants. Even the way he spoke and moved seemed to belong to a girl.
Chizuru suddenly appeared at Orihime's side, clutching her arm with tremendous strength. "Orihime…" she breathed into her friend's ear, worry in her voice. "I…I…" For a moment, Orihime was sure Chizuru was going to throw a tantrum. Instead, Orihime felt her friend wrap her arms around her shoulders and squeeze tightly. "I'm sorry, Orihime! He's so my type!" With that, Chizuru relinquished her hold on Orihime and dashed for Yuuichi.
Now that Orihime thought of it, Yuuichi had a striking resemblance to her. No wonder Chizuru ditched her.
Orihime looked about her to find Ryou, Mahana, and Ulquiorra still standing to the side. Soon, Alex walked up to Mahana, his smile bright and dazzling. "What's your name?"
Mahana blushed like Orihime had never seen her blush before. Though Orihime wouldn't voice it, she was certain Mahana would either faint on the spot or say something ridiculous. To her surprise, Mahana did neither. "My name is Mahana Natsui," she introduced in an even tone, bowing politely. "Nice to meet you."
Alex stared at her with wide eyes. "I thought you'd be too scared to speak, but it seems like you've got some guts!" He laughed heartily at his own joke.
"That's because I'm curious about you," Mahana responded, further surprising Orihime. Was Mahana always this brazen? A moment later, Mahana returned to her usual personality. "Like how is your hair blond? Why do you have a name like Alex? Are you half-Japanese? Do you like using forks or chopsticks?" Both her and Alex gazed at each other silently before he burst into laughter.
"I like a curious girl!" He offered her his arm, and Mahana took it while asking more random questions. Orihime knew they were a match made in heaven.
Finally, only Orihime, Ryou, Masahiro, and Ulquiorra were left. Orihime felt awkward, especially since she wasn't convinced that if they were to pair up, Ulquiorra would like it. "Um, Ulquiorra…" she began, uncertain as to how to express to him her thoughts.
"I'm leaving," Ryou suddenly interjected, turning on her heel and walking away. "This is just as stupid as I thought."
"Ryou! Wait!" The raven-haired girl stopped only to peer over her shoulder at Orihime. "But we promised we'd help out Michiru."
"I didn't agree to anything as dumb as this," Ryou retorted, annoyance in her words. "Besides, I'm not so shy as to find my own date." Orihime watched as her friend walked away, her hair shining with the sun.
"I agree," Ulquiorra's voice came from behind her. Orihime looked at him with surprised eyes. Why hadn't it occurred to her that Ryou, who was a solitary person, and Ulquiorra, a lonesome being, would want to participate in something as mundane and awkward as a group date? Orihime knew they disliked these kinds of things—including the people part—and yet, she felt responsible for them wanting to experience this event. Guilt began to wash over her as she stared at Ulquiorra's bored face.
"It is best if I return home," Ulquiorra declared, all softness from his voice stripped away. "I, too, find this activity absurd." Orihime felt her heart sink as he briskly stalked away in the same direction Ryou went. Orihime was torn between following Ulquiorra, her handsome roommate, and her obligation to Michiru, her close friend.
In the end, the decision wasn't hers to make. The other pairs, having already decided on a room and time period, returned to the sidewalk. "Orihime," Chizuru called, joining her and Masahiro with Yuuichi's arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Let's go inside! I want to sing already!" She turned her sex appeal onto Yuuichi. "I'll sing you a ballad!"
Before Orihime could protest, Masahiro's hand touched hers, earning her attention. His gentle smile and soft brown eyes seemed to say volumes. "Will you join us?"
"Eh…" She felt like she was up against a wall. What was more important to her? Keeping her promise or staying loyal to Ulquiorra? Either decision would hurt her friends. What should she do?
"Ow!" Orihime turned her surprised eyes onto Masahiro, who held his hand with a pained look.
Taking his hand, Orihime noticed a small cut on his index finger. "Are you ok?"
He nodded before pushing his injured finger into his mouth. "It'll be fine." He winked at her, making her blush more. "No worries."
"Orihime, let's go!" Chizuru and Yuuichi grabbed one of Orihime's arms and dragged her into the karaoke parlor, the other pairs following them. Orihime couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that Ulquiorra and everything else would have to take a backseat to her priorities after all. She hoped that he would understand how important her friends were to her. It wasn't that he was less important; it was just that she never expected him to care.
Soon, they were shown to large room with red booth chairs surrounding the tables in the center. A flat screen television that was mounted to one wall blared loudly with a new J-pop artist. While the menus and microphones were promptly scooped up by the pairs, Orihime took a seat near the other end of the room. "Do you want to sing a song?" Masahiro inquired softly, taking a seat next to her. He held up a copy of the song list. "Do you like K-pop*?"
"K-pop?" Orihime blushed as she tried to calm her excitement. She was a big fan of Korean pop music, so much so that she forgot her apprehension and smiled. "I love K-pop!"
Masahiro's smile broadened. "I happen to like Kim Hyun Joong. What about you?"
Orihime pointed to herself, excited that someone else liked K-pop as well. "I like Kim Hyun Joong too!" She could feel herself gravitating towards the model named Masahiro. Soon, she forgot all her troubles and began to flip through the song list with Masahiro. They agreed on a Kim Hyun Joong song before Chizuru and Yuuichi grabbed her arms and pulled her out of her seat.
"Let's get something to drink!" Dragged again by the pair, Orihime and the other girls went to the soft drink dispenser to pick out their drinks. "Wow, Mahana!" Chizuru patted Mahana on the back affectionately while holding her orange juice. "I didn't know you could hold a conversation! I'm proud of you!"
Mahana smiled as she blushed. "Thanks," she returned shyly, filling a cup with soda. "It seems so easy to talk to him."
"Oh, Orihime," Michiru called out, earning Orihime's attention as they retrieved their own cups. "You know, you and Masahiro seem like a good match. You two look good together."
Orihime blushed, not knowing what to say. "Thanks," she simply replied.
Yuuichi nudged Orihime suddenly, a coy look in his green eyes. "Doesn't Masahiro look like a certain somebody who's crazy about you?"
"Eh?" Orihime had to admit, Masahiro had a striking resemblance to Ulquiorra. With his black hair and pale skin, the guy could stand in for Ulquiorra if it weren't for his brown eyes and seemingly gentle nature. But Orihime didn't grasp Yuuichi's words. She peered at him with confused grey eyes. "What do you mean?"
Yuuichi began to sip his soda in between his words. "You know that guy you were with? He's not your boyfriend?"
Orihime's face reddened. "B-boyfriend? Ulquiorra?"
Chizuru slapped Yuuichi on the back forcefully enough to make him cough. "What're you talking about? That transfer guy is way too serious to have girlfriend!" Orihime had to agree; Ulquiorra always wore a stern expression on his face.
Wiping the side of his mouth, Yuuichi gave Chizuru a humorless stare. "Of course you wouldn't see it! You're a girl!"
Chizuru put her hands on her hips, taking a stance of hostility. "You're a girl, too!"
Yuuichi sent her a glare. "I'm still a man!" He sauntered over to Chizuru in a cat-like prance. "I just happen to be a beautiful man." He flipped his long hair haughtily at Chizuru, causing her to sneeze. Orihime watched as her friend's anger flared up again, creating a verbal battle that everyone could hear.
It was high time to ignore the perfectly disastrous couple. Orihime glanced at her other two friends to find both of them clutching a cup of soda in each hand. Michiru smiled weakly at her. "Let's bring back the guys their drinks too."
"Ok!" Orihime picked up another glass, but she stopped short at the drink dispenser. Did Masahiro like soda or juice? She looked at the options. Calpis** seemed like the best idea since it wasn't carbonated and juice seemed too childish for the occasion. Quickly, Orihime filled the extra cup with Calpis and set off to return to the room. Yuuichi and Chizuru were still arguing, even as Chizuru gestured wildly, causing her juice to spill on the floor.
"Chizuru," Orihime called out, hoping to calm her irate friend. She took a step towards her friend—and quickly found herself slipping. Before she could steady herself, her feet left the floor and her body floated backwards.
But she didn't slam into the floor like she expected. Instead, something warm held her up. Looking down, Orihime noticed the filled cups in her hands. Luckily, she didn't spill anything. Whatever saved her had arrived in the nick of time. What did she slip on? Peering at the floor, she noticed Chizuru's spilled juice underneath her feet.
"I advise being more careful." She gasped, turning her attention to the person behind her.
Ulquiorra's green eyes stared back at her sternly. "Ulquiorra!" Orihime immediately jumped to her feet, trying not to spill the drinks. From the top of her scalp to her collar bone, her skin grew pink with the realization that Ulquiorra had saved her. Was she really this klutzy?
"Orihime!" She turned in time to see Masahiro approach her with a worried look on his handsome face. Masahiro ran towards her, taking special care to avoid the spilled juice. When he reached her, Orihime could clearly see the concern in his eyes. Why was he so worried about a stranger like her?
"Eh, here's your drink!" Orihime announced forcefully, offering him his drink with a feeble smile. She could feel her nervousness begin to take shape in her blood, but she didn't want Masahiro to see that side of her. She was already too embarrassed!
As if struck by something unusual, Masahiro quietly took the cup with a dumbfounded expression on his face. Orihime's eyes lowered as she watched Ulquiorra climbed to his feet. She could sense his hostility like his spiritual energy, flowing out of his body in thin currents.
"Are you ok?" Masahiro filled her vision suddenly, and she snapped her attention back to the man. He took Orihime's hand gently, causing her to gasp. "Were you hurt anywhere?"
Even Orihime's ears went on fire. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, willing herself to gain control over her senses. Why was such a handsome man so interested in a klutzy girl like her?
"Remove your hand." Ulquiorra's pale hand came forward and forced Masahiro to release Orihime's hand. The former Espada stood between Masahiro and Orihime, tension settling between the two men. They stared at each other, their gazes locked in a silent battle that made Orihime shift nervously from behind Ulquiorra.
Just as she expected, this group date was something Ulquiorra would absolutely hate.
Next Chapter: Cerca del Castillo
Ulquiorra gets involved with Orihime's life more than he wanted to.
*K-pop is short for Korean pop music. It's really popular in Japan, especially with teenagers. Though K-pop suits Japanese tastes, K-pop is different from J-pop as it draws more from the Western world in style. Some popular Korean artists in Japan include BoA, Rain, Se7en, SHINee, Kim Hyun Joong, Girls Generation, and KARA.
**Calpis is a soft drink that has a sweet, milky taste. Sometimes it's called "white water" in Japan. In the U.S., Calpis is called Calpico.
A/N: Please review!