Along the road heading towards the senkaimon, Renji who was at the very back of the group he was escorting, called out to Ichigo who was walking directly in front of him.
"…what is it?"
The distance separating them from the other three people ahead widened meaning their private conversation could not be heard.
"…Don't you think you should make things clear soon too?" said Renji.
"Huh?" Ichigo said, tilting his head in puzzlement.
"Don't play dumb…I'm talking about Inoue."
"Whaa…!?"
Although he knew she wasn't close enough to hear them, Ichigo reflexively looked for Orihime's reaction. Orihime seemed to be having fun talking about something with Uryuu and Sado who were by either side of her.
"You're in love with her, aren't you?"
"…That is…!"
At Renji's blunt manner of speaking, Ichigo tried to force his words words out one by one.
"Don't keep such a nice girl waiting too long."
"…I understand that" he said responding with a voice that seemed to disappear.
"…but….don't act so patronisingly all of a sudden…! And anyway, you were so slow it tookyoumany decades yourself…"
At Ichigo's grumbling, Renji ran up to the three people walking in front. He called out to Uryuu and Sado and ushered Orihime away with a wave of his hand.
"That guy…! What is he up to!?"
Feeling dejected, Orihime dropped her shoulders and walked in Ichigo's direction.
"We're having a conversation just between the men, so you should go that way…"
"R…right…."
"Is Kurosaki kun going too? I'll walk at a distance from you all"
"No, I…"
He watched the group walking ahead of them. Renji looked at Ichigo and gave him a firm thumbs up as if to say 'good luck'.
"…seems like I don't have to go over there"
"Oh, are you sure…?"
Orihime looks up at him in a questioning manner."I'm too bad at expressing my mind!"Ichigo thought, feeling like he wanted to tear his hair out.
"Kuchiki san was so pretty huh…" Orihime whispered keenly whilst completely unaware of what was truly on Ichigo's mind.
"The veil suited her extremely well don't you think…?Haa…"
Recollecting the scene, Orihime seemed to be overcome with emotion, yet again her eyes began to fill with tears.
"Kurosaki kun, thank you for taking over the camera for me today! I'm looking forward to seeing the photographs…I'll arrange them properly into an album and then send a copy to everyone too!"
Orihime smiled at Ichigo whose face remained tense as he replied "yeah".
"…what's wrong, Kurosaki kun?"
In response to Orihime frowning in concern, Ichigo shakes his head saying "it's nothing".
Whilst they were having a silly talk, the senkaimon could be seen in the distance. The three people who were ahead, were already before the gate having a friendly chat.
Ichigo takes a very deep breath.
"Hey, Inoue"
Standing still, he looked at Orihime.
"What is it?"
Tilting her head to the side, Orihime looked up at Ichigo.
"There's…something I'd like to talk to you about, so next time, do you think you could you make some time for me?"
End
Once again I shall not have any credit it all goes to MissStormCaller on tumbler who was the one to do all of this the only reason I mostly did this was so you could Lisen to it I hope I'm forgiven.