Mien Huyu is an OC. Nohara Gan is an OC.
Chapter Eight
Chalk it Up To Distraction…
000
Tatsuki and Renji managed to leave without going to dinner with the others. The remaining four went to the restaurant where they ate and had a lively discussion. Somehow edamame became an inspiration for Orihime who came up with a new dessert. Ichigo cringed at the creation and settled for eating more cucumbers that Rukia ordered in excess. Tako the name of the seafood place was slow that night so they dotted on the group.
000
Orihime went on describing the restaurant and how Tatsuki missed out. They had science at the moment and it passed the time to talk.
Tatsuki and Orihime busied themselves on their group physics lab assignments. The teacher seemed to doze off behind his desk with a copy of a Star Wars novel in his hand.
The lab was a relatively easy task reminiscent of cut and paste kindergarten projects with better materials. Half of the class built Archimedes models and her half built Pascal.
Liquids and Solids was the title written on the top of their group paper by their missing lab partner Mien Huyu. Tatsuki stared at the empty chair next to them.
Huyu had acted strangely towards her after the theme park trip. He didn't go with them that day because he had a family emergency. To this day Tatsuki had no idea what that family emergency was.
The two were friends but he seemed upset by her insistence that was all they were. His absence today meant he was skipping school again unconcerned with his grades she wondered what it must be to come from a family like his so uncaring towards his future they hardly noticed his falling grades.
Months had gone by since she spent time on that theme park date yet she couldn't stop thinking about all that had changed in her life. Perhaps walking the halls hand in hand with Huyu could have been in her plans but things changed. Some resolution urged her on to tell Orihime about that day that changed so much for her.
"I'm not supposed to believe this. I don't even know how it happened," Tatsuki said.
"What happened," Orihime asked.
"He kissed me and we kissed. It is no big deal right," she asked.
"I'm not sure I follow is it that Mien guy or something," Orihime asked.
"You don't know then," Tatsuki asked.
Even Orihime seemed to think she was dating Huyu now but she always suspected that Orihime could tell that she had feeling for Renji.
"Know…Tatsuki you have to be a lot more specific. You never told me about any other guy so who are you talking about," Orihime asked.
"Renji," she said.
"Oh you must have dreamed again," Orihime said laughing it off. There is no way that Tatsuki's memories would come back again, Orihime thought.
"No…don't you remember that day we went to the theme park…all of us. We just talked about the restaurant," Tatsuki asked.
Orihime stared blankly at her then said, "Yes I remember," as if it pained her in some way to think about that day.
"Are you alright Orihime," Tatsuki asked unable to continue her story when her friend was in such a hopeless mood.
"I'm fine…I just…please continue Tatsuki you're really helping me keep my mind on happiness," Orihime brightened a little. She still looked sad.
"He said some things and I just feel so hopeless," Tatsuki said.
"This isn't like you Tatsuki are you sure you weren't dreaming it up you have an imagination you know," Orihime said.
"I know I'm not dreaming it," Tatsuki said.
Imagination, she was one to talk.
"Renji's not like Ichigo. He's the real deal a Shinigami. They aren't part of our world. As much as you like him I doubt he meant to lead you on," Orihime said.
There was a hint of sadness in Orihime's tone. Something strange in her voice but she waited for Tatsuki to continue.
"You don't believe me and that's fine but I think I'm falling in love. You know I wouldn't say something like that and not mean it," Tatsuki said.
"What about that guy in our class that you like," Orihime asked nodding towards the empty seat.
"Have you listened to a word I said," Tatsuki asked.
"I just don't know about that Tatsuki. The Renji I know would not act like that," Orihime repeated her earlier observations.
Strange that Orihime would think she knew Renji better. Then again Tatsuki never said much about Renji until now. Still it was amusing to think of the gears going in Orihime's head picturing just what Renji did act like.
"I may be in over my head," Tatsuki said looking up in the sky through the window.
"We are going to have fun this year. You don't have to worry about Hollows or Shinigami or any of that ruining our last year here. We can just have a nice normal year of High School," she said.
"Give me a break High School is so over. This is real Orihime. We've been hanging out together almost every day that he's here for a while now. I know you don't believe it but I really do like him and we both realize what that means," Tatsuki said wishing her friend would believe her.
"Tatsuki I believe that you really do see him but I just don't know…maybe I should talk to Ichigo," Orihime said standing up.
The sadness returned to Orihime's features. Whatever was bothering her she wasn't really hearing Tatsuki.
Things appeared to be going along just fine with Orihime and Uryû after the day at the theme park. Everyone in the school knew those two were the high school's royal couple.
Tatsuki pondered what to ask her friend as they departed for their next class. Furthermore she had to talk to Huyu. They might not be a couple but she still cared that he was sabotaging any hope he had of getting away from the static life he despised.
000
1:30 in the afternoon everyone was ready for the day to just end already. That is the way it went at high schools everywhere. Something about being a senior made this fact ten times as bad. No matter how many people told you to 'enjoy your youth' and 'soak it all in because your only young once'; nothing made a High school senior stop watching the clock. Nothing made the senior class of Karakura stop watching the clock, counting down the hours and minutes 'til they were free.
Tatsuki may have taken on too many class activities here lately. She was constantly worn out by her obligations. Because of her love of martial arts she was able to travel around but that made it harder to catch up with everything else. Her hobbies took a backseat to her obligations and this made her a grouchy mess.
Forcing her gaze away from the clock she attempted to answer the teacher, Mr. Nohara, who angrily called on her. He had a stern look that betrayed his jolly plump features. One bad look struck fear in the hearts of his students. Everyone seemed afraid of what he could do.
"If I had to come up with two words to describe my goals I'd have to say…," Tatsuki trailed off her attention turning towards the sight outside the window.
Hollows seemed to fly through the sky raining down on the pavement below. The masked creatures howled and swooped down en mass. What was going on, she thought to herself gawking at what no one else could see.
Mr. Nohara called again. It was much more difficult to come up with an answer to a question you barely heard. Being attentive in class was much more impossible when you were distracted.
"Arisawa," Keigo said kicking the chair in front of him. Almost no one else could see…
Tatsuki knew Keigo for years now. He was pretty good-looking guy by most of her class' standards but his strange behavior left something to be desired. Keigo could also see the strange creatures outside but he was much better at ignoring them. It was a good thing as half the class was giggling at her.
Turning her attention back to the teacher she answered, "I haven't given it much thought."
"Very well," Mr. Nohara said pausing in front of her desk and looking out the window. The grounds keeper busied himself attending the foliage around the school grounds completely oblivious to anything around him.
After seeing nothing of interest outside Mr. Nohara turned and addressed her, "How about you write-up a nice essay about it since you've wasted everyone's time daydreaming."
Tatsuki forced herself to keep her eyes away from the window. Keigo leaned forward and whispered, "Ridiculous they can't even see this."
Tatsuki ignored him as he stifled giggles behind her. She was in no mood to giggle when such a horrible sight greeted her eyes outside.
"Daydreaming," Mr. Nohara mumbled returning to the front of the class.
000
The rest of the class time Tatsuki tried to focus her energy on the assignment. She never looked out the window again. If anything important were to happen she would just have to have faith in her friends.
Good thing she had a few friends who could handle a monster or two outside. They could bravely face those monsters as they had even before she became aware of them.
In answer to her thoughts the sounds outside seemed to die down. Out the corner of her eye the sky looked normal as always.
The bell chimed and class was finally over.
"Wait Tatsuki," Keigo said quickly gathering his things before Tatsuki could rush out.
"Why are you trying so hard to guard me Keigo," she asked.
"No one said that they were guarding you. Me guard you don't make me laugh. What's with you anyway," he questioned walking beside her out the classroom.
"Nothing…just never mind let's go," she said quickening her steps quickly glancing back at the window.
It was Renji one of Ichigo's Shinigami friends. He must have taken care of the hollows, she guessed. His words echoed in her head as she turned quickly away.
'…Death is our constant companion and we deal with it every day. You're alive here and human. Maybe being around you humans too much is playing with my head. Anyway I shouldn't have said the things I did. I should have walked away.'
She silently wondered what she should have said. Her internal voice answered that memory with what she wanted to say: 'I hope everything is alright Renji you idiot. Don't you know I was already involved? From the day I met Ichigo I became part of your strange world so don't start changing your mind now.'
000
The school's elective hour was in full swing for Ichigo and his friend Sado. In the dojo a flurry of one on one practice fights ensued. Since they already had a pre warm-up fighting Hollows class dragged on. No one had any interest in fighting. In addition Tatsuki took off as soon as she saw Renji without a single word.
Ichigo had the feeling she wanted to ask about the Hollows she no doubt saw earlier. Ichigo was curious about them as well but Renji brought up the much more interesting topic of Rukia. Topics…a person that not one of his friends was bold enough to mention.
Ichigo figured he deserved their reluctance to mention Rukia. After all that happened who would want to go there.
Ichigo thought, is he purposefully trying to anger me?
"I just thought I'd let you know," Renji said.
"Huh, let me know what," Ichigo asked taking his second place on the mat.
"Weren't you even listening," Renji asked defending Ichigo's kicks.
"Yeah what do you want me to say Renji," Ichigo said. Kick.
Block.
"Again I just thought I'd let you know. What you do…or say is up to you," Renji said switching to offensive. Hit. Kick. Duck. Kick. Hit.
"Rukia… (Kick.) Told me to stay away so I'm staying away," Ichigo said.
"That never stopped you before," Renji said.
Ichigo stopped fighting and walked to the wall collapsing against the matted dojo walls.
"She never meant it before. Deep down she just wanted to protect me. She never wanted me to go get myself killed but she knew I'd try to protect her anyway," Ichigo said staring out ahead lost in thought.
"Then I'll find a way. I'll find some way to bring her back," Renji said.
"Maybe she wants us to just trust her you know. Just because you know where she is doesn't mean we should storm in after her. This is her assignment. If that is where she's been all this time that's fine by me," Ichigo said.
"She never said stay away. She never even said goodbye to you, did she," Renji asked.
The words cut him. The truth of it all opened up a wound that he made believe was fully healed.
"There wasn't a goodbye. No. Without words I know she's telling me to stay away," Ichigo said.
"It wasn't what I expected you to say…I didn't expect you to react this way that's all," Renji said.
They took her from him. There was no goodbye because they took her away. All this time he dealt with it by pretending she told him to stay away. He wondered just what Rukia said to Renji as she left on her assignment.
"I know you have this history and this past. But so you know I'm not giving up," Ichigo said.
"Fool," Renji said leaning back against the wall, "Then I guess she was right to call you that."
"Whatever," Ichigo said standing up, "You know that Bount said something interesting to me the day we fought."
"That was ages ago," Renji said. Even by his standards that happened so long ago it couldn't possibly be on anyone's mind but Ichigo's.
"I know but it stuck with me creeping into my mind you know," Ichigo replied.
Renji had to think for a while about the Bount Jin Kariya who caused so much havoc in the Soul Society. Only Ichigo would think of lessons from someone like that. In Renji's opinion thinking back only hindered Ichigo.
"As far as that Jin goes I think he's more of a cautionary tale for you than someone who should be influencing you," Renji reasoned.
"Yeah I guess I see that. But what he said about all his friends changing…he was the one who changed being that powerful and their leader," Ichigo said.
"I'll admit this little group of friends you have here are like a tribe akin to the Bount. I just think you're taking things a little too far with this great leadership of yours," Renji grinned.
"You can still have the same rank here as you do there," Ichigo said.
"Ha, funny. The fact is that you are the leader but you're far from corrupt with power Ichigo so don't bother dwelling on psychos like Sôsuke and Jin. They'll always have their reasons but we also have stronger reasons to protect this little town and tribe of yours," Renji said.
"That's why I need all of you because without you guys what the hell do I need to be stronger for," Ichigo reasoned.
"Join squad 11 you won't need a reason," Renji joked imitating Kenpachi's grin so spot on it made Ichigo shudder to think of facing that beast again.
"What the hell is a lieutenant coming here for anyway; don't they know I can handle these hollows," Ichigo asked.
"The fact that I'm in this stupid Gigai means my assignment is semi-permanent," Renji lamented.
"As if I buy that routine," Ichigo grinned, "don't think I haven't noticed other reasons for you to be here."
"I'm here on orders trust me," Renji scowled. He was sure that Ichigo didn't know what the hell he was talking about. There was no way he'd know about Tatsuki. But that Ichigo seemed to think there was something in the World of the Living for him meant that he'd gotten way too soft. At this rate he'd never catch up to Captain Kuchiki.
"Whatever I guess I'll see you later Renji," Ichigo said leaving to get ready for his next class.
000
Renji continued to stand silently in the dojo as the others rushed to get to their last classes. He was far removed from the human world and it's affairs but he knew KarakuraTown well now. Perhaps he wasn't as far removed as he'd like to convince himself but it was nothing like when Rukia was here.
Nothing Rukia planned out happened. In her goodbye she had hoped that Ichigo would move on. She would never say it but Renji suspected that Ichigo moved on to Orihime. Rukia hoped that idiot would slowly move on and forget or give up on her.
But did they really want to move on. Renji had the feeling that they didn't and even now thinking about it he wasn't sure he could either.
Ichigo was plotting something even now and Renji knew that he acted nonchalant so he wouldn't bring attention to his plans. If Renji's calculations were correct Ichigo would go after her in no time at all. Renji watched as Ichigo trotted off campus and knew in that instant Ichigo was gone. Ichigo was head over heels in love with Rukia.
Something else happened at the same time. Renji decided to let go. Step aside or whatever they called it. At least that's what he told himself. He could be their friend and support them and more he could help Ichigo find Rukia he thought as he ran after him.
Tatsuki staying in his thoughts even now she was likely upset that he didn't bother to tell her he was back. Seeing him standing in her school a look crossed her features and it was clear how she felt in that moment.
000
Tatsuki was certainly unexpected as she rushed into the craft clubs meeting. Everyone busied themselves with various projects. Craft club was a pretty loose elective. No one minded if you just dropped in.
"What are you doing here," Orihime questioned as Tatsuki took a seat at the work bench.
Uryû Ishida another one of Ichigo's spiritually gifted friends, a Quincy, looked up as she started to answer Orihime.
"Hey there Ishida," Tatsuki greeted.
"Hey," he said then looked away pretending to focus entirely on the drapery project before him. The art projects created in elective classes usually served to support other student projects such as building sets for drama. Today Uryû was going for double credit creating the drapery for drama's latest project.
Tatsuki nervously looked around before saying, "I need a place to hide out for a while."
"Hide?"
"Yes from you know who…my entire elective hour has been taken over by Ichigo and that other Shinigami," Tatsuki said.
"Are we playing a game," Orihime mocked. Smiling she put aside her project.
"She's hiding from Renji," Uryû the eavesdropper said then added, "which is completely ridiculous because he is a Shinigami who can find your Reishi."
Tatsuki glared at him. How did he manage to piece together things so quickly unless Orihime told him?
Uryû nervously adjusted his glasses and instantly regretted getting involved in the conversation. He quickly figured out that he wasn't supposed to know about Tatsuki and Renji. It was his blessing and curse to be observant but that didn't mean he would blurt out someone's secrets. Tatsuki looked livid which meant he crossed some imaginary line.
"Renji…don't be ridiculous," she said mocking his tone.
"You're hiding from Renji," Orihime asked.
"Why would I need to hide from that idiot," she announced in a loud voice.
"Oh," Orihime said grinning knowingly. The conversation from physics class started to surface in her mind.
"So what if I am," Tatsuki said defiantly.
The bell rang out.
"He's not around here you know," Uryû said gathering materials from the work table.
"Class is over already," Orihime announced.
"Yeah, I better get going," Uryû said announcing his departure.
"Wait Ishida-kun," Orihime stood up and blocked his path.
"Even if Tatsuki hadn't show up I still have work," Uryû whispered and brushed a strand of hair from his girlfriend's face.
"I know I just…can you come by later," Orihime smiled and quickly added, "I have this great new recipe I can try. It will be great."
Uryû leaned closer and said, "Hime-chan it's a date."
With a kiss on the cheek he left. He was just glad she didn't include him as a taste testing guinea pig.
Tatsuki complained, "Oh so gross, Is this really all we've been reduced to."
Orihime ignored her friend's words grinning…no glowing as she spun around humming.
"Good grief," Tatsuki said and laid her head on the cool tabletop.
"It's alright to be happy like this Tatsuki," Orihime said collecting her things.
"No, no…no. It's just too strange I mean you were all about Ichi-
"Oh no Ichigo! We have to get going. I have to give him this thing from the research department. No that's not right it was here a moment ago," Orihime said and wildly searched her purse.
"Don't worry it will show up," Tatsuki said helping her friend clean up.
"Maybe I left it at home," she sighed.
The grin was gone from her face. Tatsuki felt bad for destroying her friend's good mood.
"We should get going too," Tatsuki said.
"I'm not confused anymore," Orihime said suddenly.
"What?"
"About Ichigo," Orihime started, "about my feelings for Ichigo I'm not confused. He's really everything that anyone could want but somehow I know my heart better now."
"And your heart tells you four eyes is the one for you," Tatsuki joked.
"You don't have to be mean to Uryû to hide your true feelings," Orihime said.
"My true feelings?"
"Yes, Renji likes you a lot but even more surprisingly you like him back," Orihime said.
Odd that she came to this conclusion so suddenly when a few hours ago she brushed her feelings off as a dream. She was in a better mood than she was then as well.
"You're right and I didn't mean what I said. Uryû is a good guy so can I ask you something," Tatsuki said as they walked further from the campus.
Orihime stopped and nodded.
"If Rukia never came into your life would you still feel the same way you do now?"
"That's a hard question," Orihime looked up in the sky then started walking again. They were both silent as they walked.
Orihime shuffled through the memories she made with all her friends. She couldn't imagine life without knowing any of them.
Tatsuki spoke up first, "I ask because I feel like any moment I could wake up and not know, not remember him. I don't know why but it bothers me. This whole situation bothers me. I know it has to bother Ichigo no matter what he says."
"That will never happen…Renji, you mean right?"
"We're human, Ichigo, you and even Uryû. But they are something else…otherworldly. They aren't supposed to be known to us are they?"
"They are…I don't regret a single moment knowing this other world I would never want to forget. I'm sure they could do some trick to make us forget everything but I would never want that. Rukia is not just Ichigo's friend. Rukia is my friend too and Renji and everyone," Orihime said tearfully.
"I'm sorry I didn't want to…don't cry Orihime. I've been a big downer today haven't I?"
"No. You won't forget him, ever." Orihime swiped at her eyes and smiled.
"I'm that obvious. I see," Tatsuki said looking up at the big blue ceiling of the sky.
"At the dance you guys will be so cute together. We should go to the mall and look at clothes…"
Tatsuki half listened as her mind continued to dwell on what was said earlier.
Tatsuki wondered to herself: What are you hiding Orihime, because this isn't about Ichigo? There is something else going on behind those tears.
Renji told her that he loved her. Of all the things to say to her he said that to her. Now she had to decide how she felt knowing that. All day she kept forcing down the sunny happy feelings she felt about him. All day she had hidden away going places she never would before so Renji wouldn't know where she was. But it was pointless like Uryû said. He was avoiding her as much as she was him.
"…and cheese don't you think," Orihime asked.
"Huh, what?"
"Were you listening Tatsuki?"
"Oh um, cheese sounds great," Tatsuki had years of practice half listening to Orihime's rants on food. Her answer came naturally.
Orihime's phone rang out alerting her that she had a text message. She read it quickly and pocketed the phone her demeanor turned serious.
Tatsuki shook of the urge to laugh at Uryû's hand sewn cell phone holder. It was bright white with his trademark Quincydesign. As bizarre as Orihime could be sometimes nothing prepared her for the combination of her friend and Uryû.
"So what was that," Tatsuki asked.
"Oh nothing too serious but we should hurry," Orihime smiled.
Tatsuki knew it was serious and the smile wasn't genuine at all. A voice behind them halted her steps and distracted her thoughts.
"All day you've managed to avoid me," Renji said.
They both whirled around, "Renji?"
"Don't sneak up on people like that," Tatsuki said punching his arm.
"I got the message but I think something happened to the relic," Orihime said.
"Well we're all meeting at Urahara Shop," Renji said to Tatsuki in trying to clear her confused look.
"I'm sorry I said it was nothing earlier Tatsuki," Orihime said and glared at Renji.
"Glare all you want but I was serious about all I said today. I can't protect anyone by keeping secrets. I can't keep her in the dark because she's human," Renji said.
Did he know? Orihime wondered to herself.
"That's enough Renji you have no right to decide for everyone," Orihime spoke up.
"I think I have every right," he replied.
Whatever secret Orihime had Renji seemed onto her. Tatsuki stood by watching the two argue long enough. She spoke up suddenly, "I'll make this really easy for everyone. See you later."
Tatsuki ran off away from the two of them. The cool spring air felt good to her lungs.
"Let her go," Renji said narrowing his eyes.
Orihime stared coldly at him. Sensing her anger he softened his tone and backed away from her saying, "I really think she deserves to be included in all this."
"I'll go on ahead," Orihime said softly as she calmed down. It wasn't fair to take all her anger out on him. She got herself in this situation and only she could fix things later.
"What?"
"Go on and catch up with Tatsuki. I'll go on ahead and talk to everyone. Your right about her, she should be included," Orihime said, "maybe Ichigo should tell her everything in his own time. That's what I believe."
"I understand but we can't keep her at a distance forever while Ichigo drags his feet," Renji answered.
"So go," Orihime said.
"You would have a better chance talking to her but thanks," Renji said going after Tatsuki.
000
"They picked a fine time to make their move," Uryû said relaxing around the tea-table.
"Why now," Ichigo asked.
"Everyone has relaxed and let down their guard around here lately. This town is filled with far too much Reishi to be ignored. Anyway we are certain they are targeting this particular group," Kisuke said.
"By this particular group he means Ichigo and all his friends," Yoruichi added.
"Which means of course there is something that they want and only you guys have," Kisuke continued.
"The Hollows today seemed like ordinary Hollows," Ichigo said.
"There is nothing to suggest otherwise. Squad 12 is still looking into these things of course," Kisuke answered.
"Well there is somewhere I need to go now so if we are done here I'll get going," Ichigo announced.
"Oh of course go on ahead," Kisuke said.
The tone made Ichigo wonder if Renji said something to Mr. Urahara but he brushed it off and walked out the shop. Even if Kisuke knew he was going after Rukia he didn't try to stop him.
It wasn't the first time some group or enemy targeted his friends and it wouldn't be the last he reasoned the best thing he could do now is move on to something more productive than a meeting with no new information.
000
"I knew you'd follow me and it hurts," Tatsuki spoke up relaxing by the riverbank.
"How so?" Renji asked confused by her reaction.
Following her should be the opposite of hurtful. It should show that he cared enough to check on her, he thought to himself.
"It's funny because it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. Orihime is supposed to be my best friend and don't get me started on Ichigo…we've know each other forever. He has two sisters but he's like a brother to me you know," she asked.
"But he is more and there is always this distance between you," Renji finished for her, "Believe me I know how you feel."
He didn't want to think about Rukia but somehow the conversation made him think about their time in the Rukongai district. Did that time mean anything to Rukia now wherever she was, he wondered.
"They have their reasons. Besides I'm sort of over it now," Tatsuki said leaning back on her elbows.
"You're not but let's go anyway. I need to figure out what's all going on," Renji said holding out his hand.
"Are you sure I should involve myself…maybe they are all right," she asked taking his hand and pulling herself up.
"I wouldn't say so if I didn't believe that you should," he answered.
"Renji?"
"Yeah."
"You need to know that I'm still thinking about all that you said to me. That I do care about you and I just need to think about things. But I don't take you for a fool and I won't trample over your feelings. I just need to think-
"Fine. Take all the time you want. I really didn't know what I was saying and it sort of had a domino effect I didn't intend," Renji said.
"Look I'm saying that I don't need any time didn't you hear me already," she said. Was he trying to take it all back? She thought.
"Confusing as ever. We can talk later let's get going," Renji said.
She started to walk favoring her right leg she limped alongside of him hopping he would notice.
No chance.
"Did you hurt your leg," he asked.
"I'm fine."
He stopped offering her a piggyback ride.
"Right…but you seriously want to carry me," she looked quizzically at his stooped frame.
"I could get there faster without you but you need me or we'll really be late," Renji said.
"Oh when I master the elements I know I can beat you," Tatsuki replied.
"When you master the elements," he questioned.
She was joking by pointing out how little she knew about his world.
"Nevermind…how humiliating," she said as she hopped on.
How was Renji going to explain that his words weren't meant for Tatsuki? He had a hard enough time admitting his feelings about Rukia to himself. How then was he going to explain to Tatsuki that what she heard was all wrong? Maybe he didn't have to explain. It wasn't as if he didn't care for her. This was all wrong.
He noticed her nails were clean and neatly polished. He noticed the clean fresh smell of her perfume…the same perfume she wore that night but he couldn't name the flower. Something about the way her head rested so close to him made him forget where they were headed.
Summertime...July 15, Ichigo. July 17, Tatsuki.