A/N: Another short chapter, I know, but I couldn't help it! So a lot of you were wondering why Isshin's reaction was so disconcerting. Well, if you want to know now, you can read my one-shot "History Repeats." If you don't want to know, and you want to live in confusion and suspense like Ichigo, I suggest avoiding the one-shot. I'll eventually be explaining what's happening.

Also, I just created a new one-shot called "Attentive." I've been waiting to publish it because it deals with this chapter.

Wait. One more thing! I think I'm going to create a NSWF AU. I can't get the idea out of my head, so I'm sorry! If you want to know the general idea of it, check my tumblr. It's there. My tumblr is the same as my fanfiction user name.

Anyways, please keep reading, reviewing, and enjoying! And a big thank you to all the people who continuously leave me reviews!

Still, I have trouble falling and staying asleep. The anticipation, with a hint of uncertainty, had me tossing and turning through the night. But instead of feeling tired, I feel alert. It's like I have this surge of energy, pure electricity, running through me, energizing me in a constant loop, battling any exhaustion.

I wonder how she's feeling?

I snort just thinking about how she reacted yesterday, and then I run a hand through my hair when I a feel a jolt— a jolt of what I have no idea—at the idea that I caused such a response in her. Which then makes me sigh because she's causing this reaction in me without even being here. I can't even begin to imagine what'll I feel, what'll I do when I see her.

With that prospect, I start to get ready for school.

There's no wake-up call from dad, but I didn't expect one. I'm glad that he's keeping his distance, too. It's not like our fight would turn into an all-out war. I couldn't be mad forever that he's not being supportive, that he doesn't like Inoue because it's how he feels, but for right now, I'm still pissed at him, and I'm not sure if I can restrain my anger like I did last night.

Once I'm dressed, I head downstairs. My sisters are already in the kitchen, eating. I greet them while I walk toward a cabinet and pull out a container. I grab a knife and set it on the counter. I head to the fridge and pull out the cake box and then place it next to the things I just retrieved.

I slide the cover back, and I carefully cut out a piece of the cake, trying to keep it intact. I slowly move the piece into the container, feeling proud that I managed to maintain the cake's shape. I add two strawberries before I seal the container.

"What's in the box, Onii-chan?"

I pause in my actions before answering her. "Cake."

"Is that from Orihime-chan—"

I spin around as I eye Yuzu. "What?"

She looks taken aback. "I was asking if the cake is from Orihime-chan's bakery…"

"Oh." I turn back to the cake in front of me. "Yeah. You can have a piece if you want."

"So you bought it? You didn't get it from somebody?"

"Karin-chan!"

I lean against the counter, eyeing the both of them.

"You looked inside already."

Karin has this smirk plastered on her face while Yuzu looks ashamed.

"I-I didn't mean to! I was getting the ingredients for breakfast and I," she begins to ramble.

"It's alright. I'm not mad." I rub the back of my neck. "The cake was gift."

They both look expectant. They are waiting for me to say a name, and I would tell them. I would, but I don't think I could handle it if they had the same reaction as dad. And I know that they probably wouldn't. I know they like Inoue, but I don't want to risk it.

"From someone important," I add, cutting off Karin's impending question.

She seems disappointed with my answer, which causes me to sigh.

"I'll introduce her to the both of you soon, alright?" They both nod.

"Have we met her before?" Karin asks.

I stare at her for a second before grabbing the container and my lunch. "Nice try."

I start to leave the kitchen.

"What about breakfast?"

"Thanks, Yuzu, but I'm not really hungry." I grab my things and put on my shoes. "I'll see you two later."

Yuzu says her goodbye as I open the door. As I close the door behind me, though, I can hear Karin telling me to have fun with my girlfriend and Yuzu shushing her.

I barely manage to suppress a laugh at their antics; I can't say the same to the rush of blood that fills my cheeks at the "girlfriend" comment.

"You are a little early today."

I glance up to see Mizuiro leaning against the wall.

"Oh, Mizuiro. Morning." I walk over to him, and we begin heading to school. "Yeah. I couldn't sleep."

"Were your ears bothering you, too? I think we stood too close to the stage last night..."

I shake my head. "My ears are fine."

"That's right. You and Chad were a bit further away. Lucky you," he comments as he types something on his phone. "But we could have used you two yesterday."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't get mad, okay?" I make him no promise. "Although she said that it was an accident, I think someone, you know, groped Inoue-san."

My temper flares dangerously. "What?!"

"Woah! Easy, Ichigo! It happened once before we formed a square around her. After that, she was fine. I'm just saying it would've been easier with Chad's size or your glare to keep people away. Not to mention it would've saved me an earful from Keigo. He was claiming that he was Inoue-san's protector after you two left."

"I wish you told me yesterday. I would've beaten that pervert up," I growl.

"Arisawa-san had that department taken care of, if that makes you feel better," he offers.

It does a bit, but I'm still angry. But there's nothing I can do about it except make sure that it'll never happen again.

"Well, thanks for taking care of her. And for telling me. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have."

"It's alright. I like her," he begins. "Not in that way," he finishes quickly. "You know I'm only into older women. I just meant that I like her as a friend. She's nice."

I don't know why he felt the need to elaborate. I wasn't glaring at him or anything, but I let my question go unasked. "That she is."

"Say…do you know why she was so nervous?"

"When?"

"Last night. After the concert ended, she became fidgety. Do you know why?"

I look away.

I did know. She was nervous because she was going to confess. But I can't tell him that. It's embarrassing. Instead, I shrug my shoulders.

"I guess it was nothing then. She seems fine. Happy," he comments.

"Huh?"

I follow his line of vision, and I see her waiting next to the school gate, her face facing upwards to the sky with a small smile that only grows when she looks our way. That only grows wider as her eyes meet mine.

My forearm moves to cover my face.

"Good morning, Kojima-kun!" She greets in her bubbly way. She turns toward me. "Morning, Kurosaki-kun," she says shyly before glancing down at her shoes.

Shit.

"What are you doing out here, Inoue-san? It's cold."

She gives him a soft smile with red cheeks as she replies, "Really? I hadn't noticed."

Shit!

"I actually feel very warm," she clarifies while her eyes find mine again.

Shit! How can she do that?! How can she say something so embarrassing like it's normal?! How is she short-circuiting my brain!?

How is she making my heart beat so fast?

I scowl as I tell myself to get it together. If I thought I was acting like a schoolgirl yesterday, then I'm acting like the heroine in a shojou manga today!

"Let's head inside. You'll get sick if you stay out here too long," I tell her as I walk forward.

She falls into step beside me, and damn, maybe she's right. Maybe it's not really cold. Maybe it's hot outside because I feel overheated.

"I told you, Kurosaki-kun. I don't get sick."

"What about last year?"

She blushes and pouts. "That…that was just a fluke!"

Ah. This is better. It feels better when I'm teasing her than it does when I'm being teased by her. Because when she says those embarrassing things and looks at me with those gentle eyes of hers and smiles at me, I feel like I can't function right. It feels like I'm losing control.

I chuckle as she mumbles something under her breath.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing! I didn't say anything!"

And this is it. This is my chance to become the male protagonist again rather than the heroine.

I lean a bit closer to her. Close enough that I won't be overheard.

"I'm glad this isn't a dream, too."

I straighten up and walk forward. She stops walking altogether. I look over my shoulder. She's flushed red. I laugh quietly. I focus on her for too long…and I walk into the door.

As I fall onto my ass, I think maybe it would be better if this were a dream.