Chapter 8: The Meaning of That Flower
As the photo crew is packing up, Orihime wipes her eyes and notices this, saying, "Well, it looks like we can start getting ready to go home."
"Ah, wait, Inoue," says Ichigo, and Orihime is alarmed.
"It's not like we're heading home right away. Why don't we… take a little walk around the Kuchiki Manor?" he asks.
"Ohh, I know what you mean!" says Orihime.
She whispers to Ichigo: "Kuchiki-san probably sinks a lot into maintaining his estate. So as guests, we'd be doing him a favour by enjoying ourselves to the fullest, right?"
Ichigo smiles nervously, "Something like that…"
"Say no more, Kurosaki-kun! I've already asked one of the staff to give us the full house tour!"
"Already?"
Orihime, nodding, appears to be gesturing to one of the servants who will be giving them the tour.
As the two of them get the full tour, Orihime appears to be taking notes, while Ichigo appears to have his arms crossed, even falling asleep for some parts.
—
The two eventually seat themselves at a bench near a garden, and Orihime appears ecstatic.
"Wow! There sure are a lot of camellias here…" says Orihime, glancing at the yard.
"Oh, that's right. You and Uryu know that flower thing," he says.
"It's not just a flower thing, Kurosaki-kun," says Orihime with her lip tight. She clasps her hands together: "It's a whole secret language for communicating! I mean, how beautiful is that."
"I guess it's okay…"
"I mean, take a look at the camellias planted here, Kurosaki-kun. The red camellia is meant to honour a noble death for warriors like samurai or military officers–well, that, or deep love. Perhaps for the Kuchiki estate, planting these camellias is their way of grieving for past Shinigami, too."
Ichigo is looking out at the flowers, and then he decides to get up and pluck one.
"Eh, Kurosaki-kun! That's Byakuya Kuchiki-san's garden!"
"It's fine, there's already plenty growing here."
He shows the flower to her, blushing and looking the other way.
"This sort of thing means that, right?"
Orihime receives the flower, looking curious: "A noble death?"
"N-No! I mean…" says Ichigo, now looking her way, and he sees how red her face is, looking down at the camellia.
I guess it's now or never, he thinks
"Inoue…" Ichigo begins, grabbing her attention as she looks up.
"We've finished preparing the Senkaimon," says Byakuya as he stumbles upon the two, and he notices the flower in Orihime's hand.
He then looks to the garden, somewhat irked.
"I-It's not what it looks like, Byakuya," says Ichigo. "The flower was already on the ground."
"K-Kurosaki-kun!"
"So it's like that," says Byakuya. "Well, we will need the kimono back before you depart."
"Yes, of course," says Orihime, now standing and heading off. While holding the camellia, she gives Ichigo a brief look, but heads off.
—
The Senkaimon closes in the Human World as Ichigo, Orihime, and Yoruichi have successfully crossed over. Orihime and Ichigo wave their goodbyes to Yoruichi, and Yoruichi watches as the two walk alone, her eyebrows scrunching a little while watching them.
As Ichigo and Orihime are walking, there is an obvious distance between them, but Orihime hopes to break the silence.
"Kurosaki-kun… thank you for coming to Soul Society for my sake."
"Don't worry. Next time you're kidnapped, I'll be sure to come back in a heartbeat," he says, smiling.
"K-Kurosaki-kun! I assure you, I don't plan to get kidnapped ever again!" says Orihime, looking quite embarrassed.
"It's no problem," says Ichigo. "Anyway, let's keep going in your direction. If it's alright, I'd like to walk you home."
"Y-You're sure?"
"Yeah, I feel very obligated today to see that you get home safe."
"Th-Thank you…"
—
They make it to Orihime's apartment, and Orihime smiles at Ichigo.
"Thank you, Kurosaki-kun. I'm alright now."
Ichigo smiles, and then looks down for a moment.
"Kurosaki-kun?"
"Inoue, about that flower…"
"Ah, yes!" She rummages through her bag and finds it, offering it to Ichigo. "Did you need it back? Perhaps you wanted to study it?"
"No, no, no…" says Ichigo, him feeling red and covering his face.
"Oh-ho!" says Orihime, startling Ichigo who was looking to the side. "Kurosaki-kun, I'm very happy for this flower! I accept it! It's a feeling as deep as a noble warrior's death! It's an honour any warrior would cherish. And thus–!" Orihime pretends to fall to the ground, "I die… heheh."
Ichigo stands there very confused, but Orihime just smiles it off.
"Well, how did you like my acting, Kurosaki-kun?"
He scoffs a bit. "6 out of 10."
Orihime's jaw drops as Ichigo eventually pats her on the head.
"... Maybe I do want to study it a bit more," says Ichigo, holding out his hand to her.
Orihime smiles and hands the camellia back to him.
"Thanks, Inoue," he says, smiling and leaving, slightly waving his hand.
Orihime smiles back, waving, but a part of her does feel distraught once he is gone.