Chapter 6: The Real Prize
oOo
The two couples enjoyed some time in Vegas before returning home; Shirahime was anxious but Orihime didn't seem so obsessive when she saw her. She chalked it up to lingering embarrassment from her failed gambit. They hit some slots and blackjack, losing more money than they'd like to admit, before getting their return flight.
The four told their friends about what they had seen. The US West Coast and Vegas sure sounded awesome, though coupled with the news that Orihime that won. Shirahime facepalmed and rolled her eyes once again when she saw the promo for the final episode of Temptation Island. She had to chuckle, however, at the cheesiness and overly dramatic presentation, which she easily saw through:
"Next time on Temptation Island: A decisive DATE IN HELL! (footage of Gordon Ramsay screaming and smashing something) Orihime thought she won, but she faces a CHALLENGER, who she thought was a friend (footage of the catfight, when Orihime first saw her). And things are about to get DANGEROUS! (footage of Orihime walking over to their table, with tense music, followed by footage of an ambulance with siren blaring). Don't miss the BRUTAL finale of Temptation Island!... (near-whisper) brought to you by Viagra, Cialis, and Ashley Madison. 'Life is Short, have an Affair'."
"Well, good luck getting people to tune in", she said to the TV. Shortly after this, Shinji Hirako, Ichibei and Shirahime reconvened and discussed what had happened. The good news was that she seemed aware that her kiss was unwelcome, and had chilled at least for awhile.
"Maybe she did mature, if even a tiny bit", Shinji said. "She probably still shouldn't look after a hamster though."
"Hm, well maybe. Time will tell if this approach worked", Ichibei commented. "The bankai may have only ever been a temporary measure."
"Yes. I'll just have to see how it turns out", Shirahime concluded. These three went their way, and as the next couple days passed, Shirahime didn't notice Orihime doing anything inappropriate. No one she talked to had heard about or noticed inappropriate behavior, either. She decided to check with Ichigo; Orihime hadn't been around. No, not in the bushes either.
Shirahime decided to approach Orihime directly and bring up the subject, out of curiosity. Maybe it wasn't a fluke, and it actually did work, at least a little. "Oh hey Orihime, haven't seen you in some time."
"You're acting awfully friendly, butthead. I still won, are you jealous?"
"No, you've been kind of quiet lately. I notice you haven't gone to Ichigo's place lately. I mean, it's not a bad thing, but I wanted to make sure you weren't sick."
"No... I'm not sick. I just haven't been around his place because I'm still tired from the trip. And I've been busy."
Orihime was a bad liar in this situation; part of her wanted to save face, and not appear defeated, so she made up this excuse. She relented after Shirahime lightly smirked and crossed her arms. "Alright, I don't think he's really going to be into me. Are you happy about that? He didn't mess with the other girls over there either though."
"Well no, he didn't. He must not have been interested at all I guess."
"Yeah... not in me either. At least not now."
"You're both still kids, pretty much. He doesn't dislike you, nobody does."
Orihime spoke both to Shirahime and to herself, "So this is what it's like to be friend-zoned. That never happens to women, or shouldn't. But whatever, like you said, there's plenty of time for later. And the world is alot larger than just this town", Orihime said with an exhausted tone. "Maybe he'll realize how amazing we are for each other then."
Shirahime went back to her place, quite surprised. She immediately called the others back and told them what happened. Why, after everything else, did this idea work?
At this point Ichibei, being a little older than the others and being somewhat wiser, had an epiphany. "Choice! It was her choice to act this way. And it could only ever be. Any other measure would only be temporary, if it worked at all. But she had to decide for herself after experiencing more and having time to think. We couldn't force her actions, and neither could she force Ichigo's actions. It makes sense looking at it."
The others agreed with this conclusion. There might be something in the future for Orihime and Ichigo, and it would be healthier than her prior actions. And all it took was Orihime seeing that the world is larger than just Ichigo.