A/N: Hey! This is the longest chapter I've written! And it should be longer, but it would take me much, much, longer for me to finish, and I really wanted to post this on Orihime's birthday. So here's my warning: this is just part one of the first date. I'm sorry! Don't hate me! But next chapter will be worth the wait. Promise! Because it will include *insert drumroll* the moment Ichigo and Orihime first met and the moment Orihime knew she liked Ichigo and so much more! So please be patient with me!

Anyways, keep reading, enjoying, and reviewing!

"Say…why have you been glaring at me?"

I take a small break from glaring to let out a yawn, but as soon as I'm done, I resume my glowering.

Why, he asks? His perverse influences somehow seeped into my sleep, altering the sweet, innocent Inoue that visited me in my dreams into something…not so sweet and not so innocent.

But there is no way in hell that I could tell Mizuiro that. So, I answer his question with a deep scowl.

He laughs awkwardly.

"Is this about the rumor?"

I yawn again, unable to help it.

"What rumor?"

He turns his head up, and he starts whistling as if his nonchalant behavior will somehow distract me.

"What rumor?" I repeat, sounding out the words slowly.

"Well, if we are being technical, it's not really a rumor because it's true," he begins.

"Just spit it out already!"

"I might have told people about Inoue-san and the dating thing."

I just nod at the revelation.

It's not really a big deal. I never intended to keep our relationship a secret nor did I intend to flaunt it. I guess that Mizuiro's loose mouth has finally worked in my favor. Now everyone will know that Inoue and I are together.

"Why would that make me glare at you?"

Again, he laughs awkwardly.

"You see, my intention was to tell the whole truth, but…"

"But what?"

"But I only managed to get out that Inoue-san is dating before I was interrupted."

I frown at this.

"So, you're saying that everyone believes Inoue's dating someone, but they don't know who."

"Yup. And the school body is already coming up with wild stories that when I tried telling it's you who's dating her, they shrugged it off."

Although this should upset me, and truthfully, I am annoyed at it, I can't really say that I'm surprised. I already know Inoue is way out of my league, so it's not a shock that everyone knows this, too. On some level, I find it hard to believe that Inoue is dating me, so I can understand why people don't believe that the school's punk and princess are dating.

"What are some guesses?" I ask with a yawn.

"You're not mad at me?"

"Oh. I'm pissed at you for sure, but not for this. So, tell me some guesses."

He sighs at hearing that I'm still peeved, but he complies to my request.

"The most popular theories are that Inoue-san is dating a teacher at our school-"

"Any teacher in particular?" I interrupt.

"That new, young one that teaches literature. He is very handsome, and a few girls saw Inoue-san and him together a few times. That's how the theory came about."

I'm not sure how to take the news, so I just prompt him to keep going.

"Another theory is that she's dating a famous movie star she met through her connection with Kanonji-san."

That seems more likely to be true. Inoue is like an idol in our school, so it's not a surprise that people would think that she would end up with someone of her caliber.

"Who else?"

His response is drowned out by loud chatter ahead of us. I look up, spotting Inoue surrounded by a group of girls and even from this distance, though she's smiling, she looks exhausted.

My pace quickens to reach her sooner. Feeling my presence, a few girls leave quickly, mummering a goodbye, but the other girls who aren't afraid of me and my reputation, as unbelievable as it should be, stay and pester Inoue with questions about who she's dating.

"Kurosaki-kun," Inoue answers as she smiles at me.

A girl, probably the leader, looks at me.

"Oh, good morning," she greets before turning back to Inoue. "Now, who are you dating?"

The girl's response makes me chuckle. Inoue literally answered her question, but it seems like she misunderstood and thought Inoue was just greeting me. I guess it's really far-fetched that she could be dating me.

My eyes land on Inoue. She's pouting, and I think it's because she's personally offended that they don't believe her.

I let a quiet laugh that quickly transforms into a yawn.

Almost in response, Inoue yawns.

"That's interesting."

I glance over my shoulder at Mizuiro before focusing back on Inoue who is trying to separate herself from the group.

"What's interesting?"

"It seems that both you and Inoue-san are tired. You both keep yawning."

"We were up late," I tell him.

"Oh?" He snickers, and I can feel my forehead crease until it smooths as Inoue stops by my side.

"Good morn—" she yawns mid-greeting. "-ing!"

I try to resist but watching her yawn makes me replicate her action.

"You know, if you two keep doing that, you won't have any problem convincing others that you're dating."

She frowns in confusion, and so do I until I catch his hidden meaning after I look at his expression.

"What do you mean?" she asks him.

"Well, you two keep yawning, and it looks like the both of you two took showers this morning despite the cold weather, which makes it look like—"

I send him a deadly glare, and he stops talking.

"Looks like what?" She asks, not getting what he was insinuating at all. And of course, she wouldn't. If she doesn't know what an 'M' is, there is no way she'll catch Mizuiro's implication. And if it weren't for the adult themed dream I had last night, his meaning might have flown over my head, too. But my head seems to be in the gutter despite how hard I try to pull it out.

Yes, it's all too easy to make the connection Mizuiro wants us to make: our constant yawning and wet hair makes us look like we spent the night together. And not in the way that we really had.

"Nothing," I curtly state.

She frowns.

"Ku—" another yawn rakes through her.

I snort.

"Maybe you should've stayed home to get more sleep."

"What about you?" she retorts as I try to swallow a yawn.

"I'm not that tired," I fib, but before I can be called out on it, I change the subject, "I can't believe Tatsuki let you come out with wet hair."

She grabs a few strands and hold them close to her face.

"She doesn't know. She left before my alarm went off. I think she had to train."

I reach out and gently knock my fist onto the top of her head.

"You really are a glutton for punishment."

Although my observation is said offhandedly, I redden a little as it reminds me of yesterday.

Well, 'a bit' is a bit of an understatement.

"Eh? Why is Kurosaki-kun's face so red?"

I hear a snicker behind me.

"Yeah. Why is your face so red, Ichigo?" Mizuiro asks in a way that makes it sounds like he knows exactly why I'm blushing. It's like he knows the conversation Inoue and I had last night. Like he knows the perverse dreams that tormented me.

I scowl as I try to cool myself down, but it's of no use. With her intent stare directed at my face, I can't seem to make the blood in my cheeks disperse elsewhere.

"Do you have a fever?" She asks with concern. "And you were worried about me and my wet hair."

"No. I'm fine. It's ju—"

Whatever excuse I was going to use gets lodged in my throat as I feel her place a hand on my forehead.

"Hmm. You do seem a little warm," she remarks after she places her other hand across her own forehead. "Should I…"

Whatever she offers doesn't register in my brain. I'm too focused on the warmth that exudes from her hand and from the concerned expression she gives me. And I distinctly remember this look she gives me. This look that is solely for me and only me. And that look, those looks, always coaxes out something in me that no one else can do. And now is no exception.

"I'm really okay," I tell her gently. "Don't worry about me."

Slowly, her hand her falls from my face, and just as slowly, her face pinkens without provocation.

"Don't tell me what to do," she whispers breathlessly while she avoids eye contact.

I chuckle, and I'm ready to tease her and her sassiness, but the bell sounds, signaling that classes are about to start. It also pops the little bubble that we somehow created. A bubble that was so exclusive that we, or maybe just me, didn't even realize that Mizuiro left or that there are people scattered in the hall talking in hushed voices.

A bubble that I instantly miss.

"We…we should probably get to class. We're going to be late."

A bubble that I intensely crave. So much so that I want to persuade her to play hooky with me. I want to convince her to spend the day with me. I want to monopolize her.

But I shouldn't. We've already missed so many days of school that if we don't have to, we shouldn't skip. So I merely just nod and offer to walk her to class. She turns me down, saying that she doesn't want to make me late, and she takes off with a wave and a grin.

I go to my own class with a sigh that gains more heft as I hear endless whispers around me as I take my seat. What could they be gossiping about today? I have no idea. No one believes Inoue and I are dating, so I should be of no interest, but that doesn't seem to be the case. In fact, a girl who sits in front of me, I don't even have a single clue about what her name could possibly be, turns in her seat and looks me up and down before her eyes settle back onto my face.

Her staring causes me to scowl immediately.

"Is there something you want?" I ask.

She crosses her leg over the other as she leans her forearms on my desk. Her eyes remain on my face, and despite my glare, she doesn't look away until our teacher calls the class to attention.

That was weird, but instead of focusing on the uncomfortable incident, I try to find a way to take a short nap without getting caught. Luckily, I'm in the back in the classroom, and the teacher is giving a lecture so sleeping is not that big of a problem. Before I know it, I'm being waked up by Ishida who slams a book on my desk.

"Lunch."

I rub my ear with a glare.

"Thanks. And I'll get you back for that later."

"I'm so scared," he remarks with no inflection in his voice.

I stand and yawn without covering my mouth. He wrinkles his nose in disgust, and I smirk.

"Yeah. Yeah. Let's just go before I really show what fear is."

"Fear is smelling your morning breath again," he insults as he heads out of the classroom to the roof.

I grab my lunch with one hand and stuff the other in my pocket as I follow him.

By now, I should have hit him back with an equally biting retort, but I'm suddenly worried that my breath really does stink. Inoue was really close to me today. If I really do have bad breath, she must've smelt it. But if it was really that bad, she would've said something, right?

No. She really wouldn't.

I breathe into my hand and sniff. The only thing I can smell is mint, which is a relief.

"You're an ass, you know that?"

He ignores me. Which is fine by me because when we reach the roof, my attention is captured by Inoue who is, yet again, yawning with her arms stretched above her and with a wide-open mouth. I expect Ishida to make a comment or a grimace at her action like he did me, but he just sits down and starts eating.

I guess even he has a soft spot for her.

"Did you not take advantage of class to take a nap?" I ask as I sit next to her.

She sluggishly shakes her head.

"Unlike you, she is a good student," Ishida says.

"Does that mean Kurosaki-kun slept in class?"

I nod before I start eating.

"No fair~ Now I'm going to be the only one with panda-eyes." She pouts, and she looks so cute that she activates a part of my brain that is solely reserved for teasing her.

"You want to take a nap? I'll let you use my lap for free," I offer while I pat my lap.

Her face fills up with blood as she looks at my lap and then back at my face.

"Really?! Okay!"

While her face turns red, mine drains of color as Keigo tries to lay his head on my lap.

"Get away, pervert!" I yell as I dodge him.

"You're the one proposing your lap as a pillow to Inoue-san!" He counters.

"Yeah. To her! Not to you!"

"Discrimination! Sexism!"

I roll my eyes and focus back on her.

"Where's Tatsuki?"

"Look at that, Mizuiro! He's ignoring my existence again!"

"She had to help her Kohai with practice. She won't be able to make it today."

"Oh, my poor heart! Inoue-san is ignoring me, too!"

She gives him apologetic look at the mention of her name.

"I know how you feel. They completely forgot my existence this morning. I felt so out of place that I had to leave."

She gives a weak giggle.

"Ah~ That's why Kojima-kun left. Sorry."

"Don't apologize, Inoue-san. New romances are like that," he explains as if he's imparting some kind of wisdom, and she listens with rapt attention. "Besides, I saw something interesting."

Apprehension fills me at his tone.

"What are you talking about?"

"It seems the rumors are changing," he announces.

"Rumors?"

"About who you are dating, Inoue-san," he expounds.

"So people finally believe that we are dating?" I ask.

"Not quite."

At this point, everyone, even Chad, is engrossed with Mizuiro's cryptic words.

He laughs as he sets his phone on the ground.

"You know, Ichigo, you gave the sweetest of looks to Inoue-san today. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own two eyes, but I did." He shakes his head as if he got sidetracked. "Anyways, some people saw your expression, and now, new rumors have sprouted up."

"Will you just spit it out!?"

"They think that you are a kuudere or a tsundere. There's still some debate."

I frown at this. Is that why that girl was looking at me so intently?

"And they think that despite your delinquent reputation, you are actually really kindhearted…but they also think that you are trying to steal Inoue-san from her boyfriend."

"Wha-a why would they think that?!" Inoue asks in a high-pitched voice.

"Well, since they don't believe that you two are together, they think you are dating someone else," he directs to her. "And because you two were being all love-dovey this morning in public, they made the assumption that Ichigo has feelings for you and is now taking action to gain your affection."

"Why didn't they just make the assumption that we are dating?" I ask in exasperation.

"Who knows? But I tell you: this is way more fun than the rumors I spread of you and Kuchiki-san."

"What did you say?"

He picks up his phone.

"Nothing."

I sigh.

"I really tried to clear the misunderstanding," she says quietly beside me.

"I know. Don't worry about it too much."

"But!"

I poke her creased forehead, and she rubs it absentmindedly.

"All you have to do is pick me over your boyfriend," I tease her.

"Kurosaki-kun~"

I poke her forehead again, and she sticks her tongue out.

"See? I told you. They just go off in their own little world," Mizuiro states.

"Sorry," she apologizes with a smile, and we all laugh at her almost unapologetic apology.

After we quiet down, Chad asks where we were last night, and Inoue fills in everyone about our adventure. She leaves some part out like the tattoo thing, but other than that, she is pretty detailed. I offer a little bit of what happened to me, but I exclude all the important parts, and by the time we are done recounting our night, lunch is over.

I walk Inoue to her class, and while we walk, I notice the stares and whispers that follow us. It's strange to think that they believe I'm trying to get Inoue to break up her with her boyfriend just to date me. I mean, if she were dating someone else, I wouldn't so blatantly pursue her like that. I would do my best to support her.

"You…you don't regret accepting my confession, do you?"

I look down at her. She's avoiding eye contact with me.

I snort.

"Of course not. They're just rumors."

She still looks sad. I quickly try to think of something that will make her happy. Something that will get her mind off all these complications with our relationship.

"When is your next off day?"

Her despondent expression lifts for a second.

"Tomorrow?"

I chuckle.

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

Her cheeks puff out.

"I'm off tomorrow," she clarifies with a slight blush.

"Good. Ditch your boyfriend for the afternoon, and you and me will go on a date."

She starts to protest, but as she processes the whole sentences, she starts smiling not only with her lips but with her eyes. She's so happy that her reiatsu seems to seep out of her, irradiating her in a golden glow.

"Really?"

"Really."

She giggles in glee, and she lets out a small squeal before telling me bye and sitting in her seat.

I go back to my own class, and I wait out the rest of day. And when school is finally out, I take my spot outside and wait for her. She doesn't take long like yesterday. If anything, she runs to my side. I tease her about her eagerness to be next to me, but instead of getting embarrassed, she tilts her head and agrees with my observation. And she's so serious that I have to admit that I'm happy to be by her side, too. But instead of stating it as bluntly as she does, I have to look away and quietly confess it. Which gives her the opportunity to tease me.

Thankfully, she doesn't do it for long. Instead, she tells me about her day, and I try to listen to her attentively. I really do. But her reiatsu is still emanating from her, and the hum of it fills my head like the sweetest of music.

"Are you listening, Kurosaki-kun?"

"I was. But just to be sure, can you repeat it again?"

Instead of getting annoyed, she laughs goodheartedly.

"You don't have to walk me home tonight. Tatsuki-chan is picking me up."

I frown.

"Why?"

She blushes.

"No reason. Oh…I can't meet you in the morning or at lunch."

My frown grows deeper.

"And I'll be a little late after school."

Although I am less than pleased to have my time with her reduced so much, I try to keep the atmosphere light as I ask, "You're not canceling our date, are you?"

She shakes her head.

"Nuh-uh. It's just…Tatsuki-chan told me to keep it a secret."

"When did you talk to Tatsuki?"

She laughs lightly and rubs her head.

"I'm not as good as a student as Ishida-kun thinks."

"Were you messaging in class, Inoue?"

A sheepish grin takes over her face.

"A little."

I click my tongue in feigned scolding.

"It's Kurosaki-kun's fault, anyways."

"My fault?"

She doesn't respond. She's already throwing a goodbye over her shoulder as she enters the bakery.

I mull over the idea of staying and watching her work, but I rule it out. I still need to go to work to pay for future dates. So, I head to work.

It's uneventful, for the most part. And since I can't walk Inoue home, the rest of my day continues in the same monotonous way. It's only when I sit down for dinner that I'm snapped back into reality.

"Hey, Ichigo. Who's the prettiest girl at your school?"

I nearly choke.

"Why're you asking?"

Karin shrugs.

"There's this rumor that the prettiest girl in your school is finally dating. It's apparently a huge deal. So I wonder who it is."

I play dumb.

"How am I supposed to know? There's not some kind of list for everyone to see." Which is true. But it's also true that there is no contest about who the subject of the rumor is.

She doesn't let me off the hook.

"Well, who do you think is the prettiest girl in your school? Maybe it's the same girl."

I look between Yuzu and Karin's face. Yuzu looks interested. She's always liked gossip a little too much. But Karin…she looks like she's hinting at something. It's like she's trying to fish something out of me. Like she's a detective, and I'm the criminal.

"I don't know. I don't pay attention to that sort of thing." It's a white lie. I know Inoue is the prettiest girl in school. Hell, she might even be the prettiest girl in the world. But it's also true that I never paid attention to looks.

"See, Karin! I told you he wouldn't know!"

Another shrug.

"I was just curious to see if he did."

The topic changes to something else, but Karin keeps giving me side glances even when dad comes to eat and starts bugging her. Yes, it's suspicious. As is the text I get from Tatsuki as I'm about to go to sleep. A text with two sentences that explain nothing.

Tomorrow, bring nice clothes. Put them on as soon as school ends.

I don't bother to send an inquiring text. I have an inkling that the demand stems from the date I have with Inoue. So before I sleep, I fold a black dress shirt and a brand new pair of dark blue jeans in my bag.

It's a nice outfit. It's one of my better ones. But it feels as if I'm wearing rags when I finally see Inoue after school.

She wears a wool, dark green dress that hugs her curves in a way that tells me that Tatsuki chose it. It's short, but her gray tights cover any skin that it wouldn't have been able to. Her hair, although it looks like she didn't do anything to it, shines brilliantly. Or maybe that's just her. Maybe that's her natural glow.

She walks over to me slowly with a small smile, but she looks down as she does it.

She's nervous, which somehow eases all the nerves that I didn't even realize I had until then.

"You're beautiful," I tell her as she stops in front of me.

Her head snaps up, revealing her red cheeks and relieved expression.

"You too," she says back.

"I'm beautiful?" I question with mirth in my voice.

She blushes harder as she nods.

A laugh builds up in my throat until I take in our surroundings. And what bothers me the most is not the random groups of people looking at us and whispering. No. It's a group of annoying people I sense watching us from a window inside the school.

"Let's go, yeah?"

She hums in agreement, and we take off.

While we walk, she's quiet. Her nerves are palpable. I can see it in the way she walks, the way she clasps her hands behind her tightly, the way she gnaws on her lip. I can feel her jitters in her reiatsu.

"Are you nervous because it's our first date, or are you nervous because your boyfriend might catch us?" I teasingly ask in an attempt to calm her.

It works. She gives me a playful glare.

"He won't catch us. He's out of town," she responds with a cavalier tone that I'm not used to her using. In fact, I'm taken aback by her response.

"Careful, Inoue," I warn. I stuff my hands into my pockets as I give her a side-glance. "I might get jealous."

She blushes before she starts laughing.

"What?"

She shakes her head.

"It's just too funny. He's the one that should be jealous," she explains through giggles.

It's my turn to playfully glare at her.

"Oi! That boyfriend of yours better be fictitious or else."

"Or else what?" She asks as she leans closer to me. Now that all of her nerves are soothed, she seems to be in a teasing mood. This somehow makes my heart speed up and my mind slow down, which is how an unintelligible response comes out of my mouth.

She grins.

"Kurosaki-kun is all bark and no bite, ne?"

I blush and look away. But when I spot a certain shop, I turn back with a smirk.

"No bite, huh?" Her head tilts in confusion. My smirk grows.

"You know…I was thinking about what Rangiku-san said," I begin.

"What did she say?"

I point at the shop, and her eyes follow my finger.

"About you getting a tattoo. I mean, I have one. Maybe you should get one, too."

This, of course, is nothing more than teasing. I just want to make her sweat. To make her see that I am not just all threats. I'm a man of action. And I think she's regretting her words because she freezes where she stands. But then in the next second, her shoulders relax, and she smiles.

"You're right!" she exclaims as she takes a step toward the parlor. "But I wonder what should I get? Hmm…"

Instinctively, my arm wraps around her waist to stop her from walking forward.

"Do you want Tatsuki to kill me?" I ask.

She tilts her head back until it hits my chest lately. Her eyes sparkle as she grins up at me.

"I called your bluff, Kurosaki-kun~" she sings.

I roll my eyes as I look down at her, and it's at that moment that I realize her back is completely pressed against me. It's at that moment that I realize my arm that holds her tightens to keep her close. And it's at that moment that I realize my heart is beating like crazy.

"I swear you'll kill me one day."

She frowns at my words, but all I do is make my arm release her. I sidestep her and continue walking.

"There's a nice restaurant just around the corner. You're hungry, right?"

She catches up to my side.

"A little."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm wonderful. Why?"

I eye her in doubt.

"It's unusual for you to not be hungry," I tell her.

She blushes and glances at the ground. She shrugs.

I squint at her for a second more before my attention is drawn to the restaurant I planned to take her. It's a lavish one. One that I wouldn't even know of if I hadn't done a couple of odd jobs here. Hopefully, she'll like it.

Someone that I don't remember comes to escort us to a table, and once we are there, I try to be chivalrous and pull out the chair for her. But she misunderstands because she walks around the table and sits down.

I'm forced to sit down on both the chair and the romantic gesture.

"Hey, Ichigo!" I feel a hand slap me on the back. "It's been a while."

I turn my head.

"Oh, Taku. What's up?"

"Not much," he says as he places a hand on my shoulder while the other sets our menus on the table. "Who's this? You're girlfriend?"

Her face turns red before she bows her head in greeting.

"Really? But she's so gorgeous!"

"Stop ogling her, and take our drink orders!" I snap at him.

"Good luck with this one," he says to her. "He's got a temper."

She giggles.

"I know."

They both laugh at my expense, and I glare at him.

He holds up his hand in surrender.

"I get it, already. You want her all to yourself. I'll go get you your drinks."

He starts walking away.

"We haven't order anything yet!"

He waves a hand, ignoring my remark.

I sigh.

"He seems nice."

"He is," I agree. "But he's as tiring as Keigo."

She laughs as she looks down at the menu.

"That must be really fun."

"Only you would say that."

"Say what?" Taku asks as he places a fruity looking drink in front of Inoue and a water in front of me.

I ignore his question.

"Why am I just getting a water?"

"Well, if you look anything like," he pauses.

My eye twitches as I tell him her name.

"Right. If you look anything like Inoue-san, I'd be getting you the Tropical Delight, too."

I scowl.

"Um…If you want, Kurosaki-kun, we can share it," she offers.

I shake my head.

"You just enjoy, Inoue."

She smiles.

"'Inoue'…'Kurosaki-kun'…you two are dating but not on first name bases, yet? I guess that means I still have a chance," Taku teases.

I glower, and his smile turns down as he asks for our order. I get the chicken katsu while she gets just a salad, which is abnormal, but as Taku leaves, her food choice is not what's on my mind.

"It is kind of weird that we don't use each other's first name. We are dating, after all." She nods slowly. "You should try."

"Try what?"

I place my chin in my hand.

"My name. Try to say my name."

She blushes.

"Kurosaki-kun." She states confidently.

I shake my head, and the serious face I'm trying to maintain starts to slip.

"Try again."

She starts fidgeting in her chair.

"Kurosaki-kun," she repeats as she squeezes her eyes closed.

I smother a laugh in my palm before making a buzzing sound.

She lets out a small whine.

"You can do it. I believe in you."

She opens her eyes, revealing teary doe-eyes at me, and I almost regret my request and my teasing.

Almost.

"You're right," she whispers. "I can do it!"

I stare at her closely, and I watch as she takes a deep a breath.

"I-I…" she bites her lip. She then tries again. "Ichi—" I can feel myself lean in closer. "Ban," she finishes as she presses her cheek against the table. She suddenly looks tired.

"So close," I state in teasing voice.

She flushes and pouts.

"It's harder than you think," she complains. "You try."

"No problem."

She moves a little so that her chin is against the table instead of her cheek.

"Here I go."

She looks up at me.

I take a deep breath of my own.

"O…" I cough. My throat is unexpectedly dry. "O," I begin again. She abruptly sits up. "Ori—" Her hands grip the table cloth as she leans in closer. "Ori…" Her eyes take an expectant shine, and her cheeks are lightly dusted with a blush. "Me," I finish lamely.

"Orime?" She repeats with a laugh.

I blush in embarrassment.

"Wh-whatever! First names are dumb anyways," I declare stubbornly as I cross my arms.

"Yeah," she agrees with a grin. "They are dumb."

I can't tell if she's sincere or if she's mocking me, but given the clenching feeling in my stomach, it might be the latter.

"Well, I got closer than you did."

"Nope. It was a tie."

"Was not," I counter.

"Oooh. An argument. How fun," Taku interrupts as he serves us our food.

I give him an unamused look which he returns with a smile.

He asks if we needed anything else, and we say no. He then gives Inoue a flirtatious look.

"Call me when you get tired of this guy. Okay, cutie?"

She gives a wide grin that instantly makes me worried and more jealous than I'd like to admit, but before I can express it, she responds with "Then I won't be calling you," in a cherry voice.

I chuckle in surprise and hidden satisfaction.

"Wow. Snarky. You two are perfect for each other," he amusingly comments before going to another customer.

Inoue and I look at each other, and I think we both are blushing in embarrassment.

"I like him," she admits quietly.

And this should rub me in the wrong way, but it doesn't. Because I know why she said it. She's pleased with Taku's parting words. And so am I.

So am I.

.