Dinner at Kisuke was enjoyable as everyone chatted and laughed,jokes being passed around. Nozomi sat silently staring at her food.
Nelliel:You ok? You haven't touched your food.
Everyone looked at them
Yumichika:Yeah,is something the matter Nozomi-chan? You've been outta it lately
Yukio:Yup,Yumichika's got that right.
Ichigo:Wanna talk 'bout it?
Nozomi said nothing and continued staring at her untouched food.
Harribel:Hey,you're getting us worried.
Nozomi:(stands up)I think I'll skip dinner,goodnight.
Orihime:What's really going on Nozomi-chan?
Nozomi stopped,her back turned on them,eyes hidden behind the bangs of her hair,gritting her teeth. Her voice was soft and calm but deadly.
Nozomi: It's none of your goddamn businesses. So how about you leave me alone and deal with your own matters,princess?
Orihime:(angry)Are you picking a fight with me?
Nozomi: Oh please. You are no match for me. As I said mind your own business before I send you weeping to Kurosaki-kun.
Everyone gasped and Nozomi continued to head out.
Grimmjaw:What's her problem?
Nelliel:Please forgive her. Nozomi is usually quiet and nice to everyone. I don't know what's going on with her. I haven't seen her like this in a long time.
Kisuke:Say,when is the last time you've seen her like this?
Nelliel: (thoughtful)I dunno, when Kagerosa died...I think.
Kisuke: Strange...and she's a difficult person to read or even talk to.
Uryuu:I don't know if this is helpful demo, when I tried to talk to her earlier she just blushed and left.
Uryuu finished with a dazed look as everyone looked at each other.
Keigo:Blushed?
Harribel:Ya sure you saw her blush?
Uryuu:Hm?Maybe not...
Nelliel: Maybe she doesn't want you here...
Orihime: She didn't have to be rude about it.
Yumichika:To think of it,she followed you earlier when you left
Uryuu chocked on his food and coughed before standing up.
Uryuu: Excuse me.
With that the boy left as everyone stared after him.
Grimmjaw:Now what's really going on here?
Kisuke: A bit of a déjà vu isn't?
Ichigo frowned suspiciously as he stared at the door silently. Something was up and he wasn't sure if he liked it.
Nozomi was laying face up on her futon when she heard a soft knock.
Nozomi: Go away Nelliel, I really don't want to face anyone right now.
Uryuu: It's not Nel,it's me...Uryuu.
Nozomi blushed furiously before composing herself
Nozomi: Oh,come in Ishida-fukutaicho.
Uryuu walked in,asking for permission to sit down,Nozomi nodded averting her eyes.
Uryuu: So...I heard you left after me earlier.
Nozomi: I-I did.
Uryuu: Did you happen to follow me to the hospital,Kujo-chan?
Nozomi: Y-yes,gomenasai fukutaicho.
Uryuu closed his eyes and nodded softly.
Nozomi: I won't tell anyone, I promise.
Uryuu: I'm not worried about that,I'm worried about you.
Nozomi:Me?
Uryuu: Kujo-chan why are you so afraid of me?
Nozomi: Trust me I am not afraid of you fukutaicho.
Uryuu: So then...
Nozomi: My late brother told me about you.
Uryuu: Your brother, how'd he know about me?
Nozomi: That's because... he's the one...that killed you.
Eyes wide Uryuu stared at Nozomi who still refused to meet his eyes.
Nozomi: Kagerosa told me that he worked by a nearby coffee shop by your school. Beautiful. He would describe you with a small, guilty smile on his face. But then one faithful day...
Uryuu was walking home after a fight with his father when a tall man approached him.
Kagerosa:Hello beautiful.
Uryuu:Hi.
Kagerosa:You ok?...
Uryuu:I'm fine and even if I wasn't, I wouldn't tell that to a stranger.
Kagerosa:Look,we don't have to be strangers,I know this place...
Uryuu:No.
Kagerosa:Why are you so difficult? It's not like I'm trying to drag you to my bed!
Uryuu:Heh,don't care just leave me alone.
Kagerosa had then lost his temper and started a fight which Uryuu terribly lost due to being out numbered by Kagerosa's friends, they had beaten him to death and poured acid on his body. Later that night,Kagerosa had committed suicide that same night.
Nozomi:... he said you didn't go down without a fight,even in your last breath you never gave in. My brother regretted it,he felt guilty for everything and he never stopped searching for you...to apologize. When he died,he asked me to find you and tell you how sorry he was and he made me promise that I'll protect you...with my own life. That is my purpose. I am living today because I have a job to fulfill... to make sure that you're protected,until then Ishida-fukutaicho...you and I are going to stick together like glue on paper... for a very long,long time.
Uryuu:You don't have to-
Nozomi: I have no choice, if I do not do this I'll die.Plus(blushing) I really don't mind.
Uryuu: I'll never forgive your brother, not because of what he did to me but because of the burden he put on you for my sake. It proves that your brother was a selfish man. As for you,you deserve to live your own life but I know that can't happen now. Kujo-chan,let's be good friends you and I.
Nozomi: (sweet smile)Hai.
The two shared a hug,both smiling as their hearts felt lighter.
Nozomi: (thinking) I would give my life for this man because... I love him so dearly.