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Orihime pushed the school gates open with her shoulder, the motion a little clumsy as the weight of the enormous shopping bag tugged her to one side. The handles dug into her fingers, and every step made the contents rustle and clink softly.
“Just a little more…” she murmured to herself, determination shining in her eyes. “You can do it, Orihime. It’s for everyone. For Kurosaki-kun.”
Students passed by, some casting curious glances at the oversized, heart-patterned bag bumping against her knees. It was almost as big as her torso, stuffed to the brim with neatly wrapped packages in pink, red, and soft gold paper. A faint, sweet smell of chocolate trailed behind her like a sugary aura.
By the time she reached the classroom door, her arms were trembling.
“Good morning—”
The bag slipped.
It landed on the floor with a soft but very noticeable thud.
Every head in the classroom turned at once.
Orihime froze in the doorway, eyes wide, hands still gripping the handles. For a second, no one said anything. Then the whispering started.
“…What is that?”
“Are those… hearts?”
“Is Inoue-san planning to confess to someone today?”
Tatsuki was the first to react. She pushed her chair back and walked over, one eyebrow raised.
“Orihime… what exactly are you carrying?” she asked, peering into the bag.
Orihime’s face lit up, her usual warm smile returning as if nothing strange had happened at all. “Good morning, Tatsuki-chan! They’re Valentine’s chocolates!”
That did it.
The entire class leaned in.
“Valentine’s?”
“Seriously?”
“For who?”
Keigo practically launched himself out of his seat, sliding across the floor to kneel beside the bag. His eyes sparkled like he’d just discovered buried treasure.
“ORIHIME-CHAN!” he cried dramatically. “Don’t tell me… these are for us?”
Orihime nodded brightly. “Yes! I made them myself.”
“That sounds dangerous,” Mizuiro muttered from his desk.
Keigo clutched his chest. “This is the happiest day of my life.”
Tatsuki folded her arms, still eyeing the bag suspiciously. “You made all of these? For us?”
Orihime nodded again. “Mm-hm! Everyone should get chocolates on Valentine’s Day. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise.”
Her voice was cheerful, but there was the faintest hint of nerves in her smile. Her fingers fidgeted with the ribbon on one of the packages near the top of the bag.
From the back of the room, Ichigo watched the scene unfold with a quiet sigh.
“…She’s going to spoil everyone,” he muttered.
Chad glanced at him. “You sound disappointed.”
“I’m not,” Ichigo said quickly. Then, after a beat, “…It’s just like her to go overboard.”
As if sensing his gaze, Orihime looked up. Their eyes met for a brief second. Her cheeks pinked, and she quickly looked back into the bag, pretending to sort through the chocolates.
Tatsuki noticed immediately. Her eyes narrowed.
“Hey, Orihime,” she said casually, “you didn’t do all this for someone in particular, did you?”
Orihime’s hands froze.
“Eh? N-no! Of course not!” she said, a little too quickly. “It’s for everyone! That way, no one feels left out.”
Keigo pumped his fist. “That’s right! Orihime-chan is an angel sent from heaven to bless us with chocolate!”
“Sit down,” Tatsuki said flatly, shoving him back toward his desk.
Orihime laughed softly, though her heart was beating faster than she expected. Deep inside the bag, beneath the neat stacks of ordinary chocolate boxes, was one carefully wrapped package, slightly larger, tied with a ribbon she’d picked out three different times before deciding on the final one.
She could almost feel it calling to her.
Don’t think about it. Just give everyone theirs first, she told herself. It’s not strange if everyone gets chocolates…
Her gaze drifted, almost against her will, back to Ichigo.
He was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, looking half-annoyed, half-amused by the commotion. Completely normal. Completely unaware.
Orihime smiled to herself.
I hope… he likes them.
Orihime knelt beside the bag, smoothing her skirt as she leaned over the pile of neatly wrapped packages. The faint scent of chocolate filled the air as everyone watched her like a crowd around a street performer.
“Okay!” she said brightly. “I’ll start giving them out.”
She reached into the bag and pulled out a medium-sized, pink-wrapped box with a sunflower sticker on top.
“Tatsuki-chan,” Orihime said, holding it out with both hands. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Tatsuki blinked, surprised despite herself. “Oh… thanks, Orihime.”
She took the box, her tough expression softening just a little. “You didn’t have to go this far, you know.”
Orihime shook her head. “I wanted to.”
A grin spread across Keigo’s face as he bounced in his seat. “Me next! Me next!”
Orihime giggled and reached into the bag again, pulling out a red-wrapped box. “Here you go, Asano-kun. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Keigo accepted it like it was a sacred artifact. “I will treasure this forever.”
“Please eat it before it melts,” Mizuiro said dryly.
She pulled out another box, this one wrapped in sleek gold paper, and handed it to him. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Kojima-kun.”
Mizuiro raised an eyebrow. “Gold. Classy.”
“I thought it suited you,” Orihime said with a smile.
He gave a small nod. “Good choice.”
By now, all their other friends had grown restless with anticipation. A few leaned over their desks, whispering excitedly.
Orihime carefully lifted another package from the bag and walked toward Uryū’s desk. The box was wrapped in neat, dark red paper with a tiny stitched ribbon.
“Ishida-kun,” she said gently, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Uryū adjusted his glasses, a faint pink tint rising to his cheeks. “Thank you, Inoue-san. You really didn’t have to trouble yourself.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” she replied.
He accepted the chocolate with careful hands, as if worried he might crease the wrapping.
Next, she turned to her girl friends.
“Chizuru-chan!” Orihime beamed, handing her a bright pink box decorated with tiny hearts. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Chizuru grabbed it with a dramatic gasp. “Orihime! You angel! You goddess! I knew loving you would pay off someday!”
She clutched the box to her chest and leaned in too close. “Does this mean I’m your special someone?”
Orihime laughed nervously. “Everyone is special today.”
One by one, she handed out chocolates to the rest of her friends, each with the same warm smile and soft “Happy Valentine’s Day.” The bag slowly grew lighter in her hands.
At the back of the classroom, Chad sat quietly, watching the exchange. Ichigo leaned against his desk beside him, arms folded.
“Inoue is too nice for her own good,” Ichigo remarked more to himself than Chad.
Chad nodded once. “Yeah, but that’s what makes her… her.”
Orihime glanced down into the bag again. Only two boxes remained.
Her fingers brushed against the slightly larger one hidden near the bottom. Her heart gave a small, nervous thump.
Not yet, she told herself. Just act normal.
She picked up another box and walked toward the back.
“Sado-kun,” she said, offering it to him with both hands. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Chad accepted it with a small, respectful nod. “Thank you, Inoue.”
Her smile widened. “I hope you like it.”
Only one person left.
Orihime’s fingers tightened around the last package in the bag. She could feel the shape of the ribbon, her pulse quickening with every step as she approached Ichigo’s desk.
He looked up at her, a little surprised.
“You’re really giving these to everyone, huh?” he said.
Orihime nodded, cheeks warming. “Yes. It’s… more fun that way.”
She opened her mouth to say something else, her hands starting to lift the box—
Riiiiing!
The bell cut sharply through the room. At the same moment, the classroom door slid open.
“All right, everyone, take your seats,” Ochi-sensei called as she stepped inside. “Class is starting.”
A collective groan rose from the students.
Orihime froze mid-motion, still standing in front of Ichigo’s desk, the box half-hidden behind her back.
“Oh!” she said, startled. “I—I’ll give it to you later, Kurosaki-kun.”
Ichigo shrugged but was secretly disappointed. “Yeah, sure. No rush.”
She nodded, but her heart was still racing as she slipped the box back into the bag and hurried to her seat.
The chocolate felt heavier than all the others combined.
The morning dragged on far slower than usual.
Orihime tried her best to pay attention to the lesson, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the last remaining box in her bag. Every time she glanced toward the back of the classroom, her eyes found Ichigo. And every time they did, her chest fluttered and she quickly looked away.
I’ll give it to him at lunch, she told herself.
The bell finally rang.
“Lunch break!” Keigo announced like a victory cry, already halfway out of his seat.
Chairs scraped across the floor as students stood and gathered their bags. The room filled with chatter, the sweet scent of chocolate still lingering in the air.
Orihime clutched her bag to her chest, heart thumping. She glanced toward the back where Ichigo was getting up.
Kurosaki-kun usually has lunch on the roof, she thought. If I walk with him, I can give it to him on the way…
She stood and hurried over.
“Kurosaki-kun!” she called softly.
Ichigo turned. “Oh. You coming to the roof too, Inoue?”
Orihime nodded brightly. “Yes! I packed extra food today.”
Ichigo gave her a wary look. “Don’t tell me it’s leftover bread again.”
Orihime puffed up her cheeks. “They’re not leftovers! They’re… second chances.”
“That bread has had more chances than most criminals.”
“It just needs someone who believes in it,” she insisted.
Ichigo snorted. “Last time it tasted like bananas and wasabi.”
“That was a new recipe. And you ate three slices!”
“I was hungry!” he shot back. “And you kept watching me with those big hopeful eyes. I had no choice.”
She crossed her arms. “Well, in that case, no bread for you today.”
Ichigo’s eyes widened. “Wait, hold on. I take it back.”
A giggle slipped out of her. “If you apologize properly, I might share.”
Ichigo sighed. “Fine. I’m sorry for underestimating your extremely… unique bread.”
Orihime beamed. “Apology accepted.”
“…So it is bread again, isn’t it?” he asked cautiously.
She smiled innocently. “Maybe.”
Ichigo groaned. “I knew it.”
They fell into their usual banter as they stepped out into the hallway together, merging with the flow of students. Orihime walked beside Ichigo, her fingers nervously gripping the strap of her bag.
Now… now would be a good time, she thought.
She slipped her hand into the bag and felt for the box.
“Kurosaki-kun, I—”
“Inoue-senpai!”
A voice called out from behind them.
Orihime turned. A boy in a lower grade uniform stood a few steps away, clutching a small box in both hands. His face was bright red, and he looked like he might faint at any moment.
“Eh? Yes?” Orihime said, surprised.
He hurried closer, bowing stiffly. “P-please accept this! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
He thrust the box toward her with trembling hands.
Orihime blinked. “Oh! For me?”
“Y-yes! I’ve liked you for a long time, Inoue-senpai!” he blurted, eyes squeezed shut. “Please go out with me!”
The hallway around them went strangely quiet for a moment, as a few nearby students slowed down to watch.
Orihime’s eyes widened. “Uhhh?!”
Her face flushed pink. She gently accepted the box. “Th-thank you very much. But I’m really sorry, I—”
“I understand!” he said quickly, bowing again. “I just wanted you to know! Please take the chocolates.”
With that, he turned and hurried off down the corridor, nearly colliding with another student on his way out.
Orihime stood there, still holding the chocolate, stunned. She was used to getting attention, but that didn’t mean she always knew how to deal with it.
Ichigo scratched the back of his head. “You okay?”
“Yes! I mean—yes,” she said, flustered. “I didn’t expect that.”
They resumed walking.
Orihime took a small breath, trying to steady her nerves. It’s fine. I’ll just give it to him now.
She reached into her bag again.
“Kurosaki-kun, this is for—”
“Inoue-san!”
Another voice.
This time, it was a boy from their own year, jogging up beside them. He held out a small, neatly wrapped package.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said, smiling nervously. “I hope you’ll accept this.”
Orihime blinked again. “Oh! Thank you!”
“And… um… if you ever want to go out for milkshakes or something, I’d really like that.”
She smiled apologetically. “I’m very grateful, but I’m sorry—”
“It’s okay!” he said quickly, cheeks red. “I just wanted to try.”
He waved awkwardly and disappeared into the crowd.
Orihime stared down at the two boxes now in her hands.
Another one…
Ichigo frowned slightly, glancing at the retreating boy, but said nothing.
He was used to this, in a way. Orihime had always drawn attention, even if she didn’t realize it. People noticed her beauty, her kindness, the way she treated everyone like they mattered. Most of the time, though, it never went very far.
Usually, just standing nearby was enough to scare off anyone with half a brain. One look at his face, or maybe just his general “don’t even try it” aura, and most guys suddenly remembered they had somewhere else to be.
But today was different.
Maybe because it was Valentine’s Day, people seemed… bolder. More determined. Like they’d decided that even the scary orange-haired guy wasn’t enough of a deterrent on the day of love.
Ichigo’s frown deepened slightly as he watched another boy disappear into the crowd after handing Orihime a box.
He didn’t like it.
Didn’t like the way they crowded around her, the way they made her flustered, the way they kept interrupting every time she tried to say something to him.
Still, he shoved his hands into his pockets and kept walking.
No point making a scene. It was just Valentine’s Day. People were going to confess. That was normal.
He exhaled quietly.
I won’t step in… unless someone tries something stupid, he told himself. Then it’s their funeral.
They reached the staircase leading to the rooftop.
Orihime tried once more but fate had other plans.
“Inoue-senpai!”
Two girls from the sewing club approached, both carrying small gift bags.
“Happy Valentine’s Day!” one of them said. “You’re always so nice to us, so we made these for you.”
Orihime’s eyes sparkled. “For me? Thank you so much!”
She accepted their gifts with a bright smile. “Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!”
They chatted for a few seconds before the girls waved goodbye and headed back down the stairs.
By the time Orihime turned around again, her arms were already filling up with chocolates.
Ichigo looked at the growing pile. “…You’re going to need a bag for all of those.”
She laughed sheepishly. “It’s getting a little heavy.”
By the time they reached the rooftop door, Orihime’s arms were full of chocolates of all shapes and sizes. Some were heart-shaped, some in pastel boxes, some wrapped a little crookedly in colorful paper.
She shifted them awkwardly, trying not to drop anything.
Ichigo stared at the pile. “You planning to open a shop or something?”
Orihime laughed. “I guess… I didn’t realize so many people would give me chocolates too.”
She adjusted her grip, then looked up at him.
Orihime’s chest felt like it was going to burst. The entire morning, the nervous anticipation, the careful wrapping, the quiet moments of imagining his reaction, had led to this single instant. She clutched the chocolate box she meant to give him tightly in one hand, the ribbon slightly crumpled from her anxious fingers.
Now. Before someone else shows up.
But her words froze in her throat and someone did show up.
“Hey, Kurosaki-senpai!”
The sudden voice made her jump, and she turned her head. A girl from the year below was sprinting up the rooftop stairs, bouncing slightly as she came, her long hair swinging behind her. In her hands was a perfectly neat, heart-shaped box of chocolate, tied with a shiny red ribbon that glinted in the sunlight. Her cheeks were flushed, either from the climb or nerves, or both.
Orihime’s heart sank a little.
“Happy Valentine’s Day! I… I made this for you,” the girl said, almost breathless, stepping to a stop just in front of Ichigo. She held the box out with both hands, presenting it as if it were a precious treasure.
Ichigo’s gaze flicked to the box, then to the girl. His expression was calm, polite, and unyielding all at once. He raised an eyebrow slightly and shook his head.
“Uh… thanks, but I can’t accept this.”
The girl’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened, but no words came out. She blinked a few times, as if trying to process his rejection, and then a small, defeated sigh escaped her lips.
“That’s fine but please keep the chocolates. I worked really hard on them.” She muttered barely audible, the words trailing off in embarrassment, before she shuffled backward and jogged down the stairs.
The sound of her footsteps echoed against the concrete walls, and the rooftop suddenly felt quieter, emptier, though Ichigo was still right there.
Orihime’s fingers tightened around her chocolate, her knuckles whitening. A faint ache of disappointment fluttered in her chest. Her heart had been so ready to leap out of her chest, so ready to finally hand him the gift she had saved all morning, and yet, once again, someone else had made a move first.
She lowered her gaze, staring down at the neatly wrapped box in her hands.
Maybe I shouldn’t give it to him… she thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. Maybe it’s better if I just… keep it.
She let out a small, quiet sigh, her chest tightening. She could feel the warmth of the sun on her shoulders, the faint breeze lifting her hair, but none of it mattered. All she could focus on was the chocolate and Ichigo standing there, completely unaware of her hesitation.
Her fingers toyed nervously with the ribbon, twisting it, untwisting it, as if the movement could somehow make her decision easier.
And yet, deep down, a stubborn little flame of determination flickered as she glanced down at her fingers and all the band aids and burn marks that decorated them.
No, she whispered to herself, heart beating faster.
I’ll give it to him. He’s the reason I made all these chocolates in the first place.
Don’t chicken out now Orihime!
It’s just friendship chocolate! That’s right, just friendship chocolate.
He won’t feel burdened that way.
She lifted her chin, took a steadying breath, and stepped forward, finally ready to hand him the chocolate…
But before her words could leave her lips, the rooftop door creaked open behind her.
“Oi! What’s all this?!”
Keigo’s voice cut through the quiet. He barreled onto the rooftop with his usual dramatic flair, followed by their friends who had decided to come up and eat lunch together.
Orihime froze. “Asano-kun…” she said softly.
Keigo’s eyes went wide as he surveyed the scene. His jaw practically dropped.
“Whoa… Whoa, whoa, whoa! Orihime-chan, is this… all of this—did you get all of this?”
Orihime shifted the chocolates awkwardly in her arms. “Um… yes, some people gave me chocolates too.”
The others started teasing her immediately.
“Orihime, you’re going to start a chocolate shop at this rate!” Tatsuki said, laughing.
“That’s no surprise. Inoue-san is our school’s goddess after all.” Mizuiro commented like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Seriously, how many did you get?” Keigo asked, eyeing the pile of boxes, frowning now. “Even Mizuiro got plenty, huh? That’s… not fair! Atleast, Ichigo didn’t get any either, so we’re in the same boat.”
Ichigo raised an eyebrow, folding his arms, already sensing where this was going.
“Uh… he did,” Orihime said softly, pointing at the small, neatly wrapped box in Ichigo’s hand. “He just… received some from a junior earlier.”
Keigo’s face fell as he looked down at the chocolate box Ichigo was holding. “Wait… seriously? He did get one?” He grabbed it, inspecting it like it might explode. “That’s… unfair!” Then he suddenly blinked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Wait! Hold on a second… He didn’t get any from you, Orihime-chan?”
Ichigo’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he said nothing.
Keigo waved his own box of chocolates that he received from Orihime earlier that morning in the air, as if brandishing a trophy. “Hahaha! That’s what I thought! Finally, something we can talk about! Ichigo, you didn’t get any from Orihime-chan! You’re missing out big time, buddy!”
Ichigo’s hands clenched at his sides, a faint flush creeping up his neck. He stared at Keigo, trying to keep his composure.
“Shut up, Keigo.”
Orihime’s cheeks flushed pink. “Asano-kun! It’s not like that—”
“No way! Just look at this!” He tore open the wrapper of the chocolate Orihime had made for him, revealing the perfectly molded heart-shaped treat. “Hoooh… Orihime-chan, you really outdid yourself!” He popped a piece into his mouth and his eyes widened in awe. “Wow… this is amazing! Ichigo, I don’t know how you can go a whole day without these!”
Ichigo’s jaw tightened further, the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth betraying his irritation. “Hmph.”
Keigo grinned wider, chewing deliberately slowly, clearly enjoying the effect. “Seriously, Ichigo! You’re missing out! This one’s got little hazelnut bits inside, and the chocolate is so sweet!”
Ichigo crossed his arms, his gaze locked on the box in Keigo’s hands, chest tightening unexpectedly.
Orihime pouted slightly. “Asano-kun! Stop teasing him!”
Ichigo’s fists were clenched as he rolled his eyes but the faintest flicker of a blush colored his face, though he tried his best to hide it. Keigo was clearly having the time of his life, but Ichigo… he felt strangely unsettled by the teasing.
Keigo leaned back, still savoring the chocolate, oblivious to the storm brewing behind Ichigo’s calm exterior. “Mmm… wow. Orihime-chan, you really should sell these.”
By the time the final bell rang, the classroom was almost empty. Chairs were pushed back, backpacks slung over shoulders, and the chatter of students spilling into the hallways echoed faintly. Ichigo had been unusually quiet all day, walking a few paces behind Chad, keeping his head down, letting Keigo and the others boast about their chocolates without saying much.
His jaw still clenched faintly as he stuffed his books into his bag. He’d been trying not to think about the chocolates, or how Orihime had been standing there all morning, handing them out to everyone but him. Yet, every time he glanced back, he caught her watching him with that warm, nervous smile, and somehow it made his chest tighten.
“I’ll wait for you outside.” Chad said, slinging his bag over one shoulder and walking out.
“Alright,” Ichigo muttered, his eyes flicking toward the doorway.
Orihime lingered near the teacher’s desk, glancing down at her bag one last time. The weight of the remaining chocolate box seemed heavier than ever. Her heart hammered in her chest.
Okay… I can do this. I’ll just… give it to him. No interruptions this time. Just him and me.
She took a deep breath and picked up the box, smoothing the ribbon nervously. Her fingers trembled slightly as she walked over to Ichigo.
“Uh… Kurosaki-kun?” she called softly.
Ichigo turned slowly, raising an eyebrow. His usual calm gaze met hers, but there was something… different. A faint tension in his shoulders, the way his hands tightened around the strap of his bag.
Orihime’s chest fluttered. “I… I have something for you.”
She held out the box with both hands, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “Happy Valentine’s Day. I… I made this for you.”
Ichigo’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then, instinctively, he reached out and accepted the box, his fingers brushing against hers.
“Thanks,” he said quietly, voice low, almost unsure.
Orihime’s cheeks flushed pink. “I… I hope you like it.”
For a moment, they just stood there, the hallway around them mostly empty now, the faint hum of distant footsteps the only sound. Ichigo looked down at the neatly wrapped box in his hands, the ribbon slightly crumpled from her nervous grip. Inside, he could already sense the care Orihime had put into it.
“Wow…” he muttered softly, almost to himself. His usual calm exterior slipped just enough for a flicker of something warmer to shine through.
Orihime tilted her head, smiling gently. “Do you… like it?”
Ichigo hesitated, then gave a small, almost shy nod. “Yeah. I… I do. Thanks.”
Orihime’s lips curved into the tiniest, relieved smile, and she let out a soft, happy sigh. She felt as if the tension she had carried all day had just melted away, replaced by a warm, fluttering excitement in her chest.
For a heartbeat, their eyes met, and Ichigo felt it, the faint, unexpected flutter in his chest, the way his heart seemed to speed up for no reason at all.
Orihime’s fingers tightened slightly around the straps of her bag, and she let out a tiny giggle.
“I… I’m glad,” she said softly, barely above a whisper.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get anything for you,” Ichigo said suddenly. He then shoved his hand into the pocket of his uniform pants and pulled something out. A lollipop. A strawberry-flavoured, heart-shaped lollipop, to be specific. “I hope this will do for now. I promise I’ll get you something nicer next year. Happy Valentine’s Day, Inoue.”
Orihime blinked, her eyes widening in shock. Her hands froze in mid-air, and then she felt her chest swell with a warmth that made her knees feel weak. “I… I… Oh! Kurosaki-kun…” she stammered, her voice breaking slightly.
Her cheeks flamed a deeper pink than before. She could hardly believe this. Her fingers shook slightly as she took the lollipop, holding it carefully as if it were made of glass.
A little squeaky laugh escaped her, a mixture of happiness and nervousness. “Thank you,” she spoke softly, smiling up at him, her heart practically leaping out of her chest.
Ichigo’s lips curved into the faintest, almost shy smile. He didn’t say anything else, but the way he looked at her, warm, steady, and somehow vulnerable, made Orihime’s heart race even faster.
Then his gaze dropped.
“…What happened to your hands?” he asked.
Orihime blinked. “Eh?”
Before she could pull them back, Ichigo gently caught one of her hands in his. His touch was careful, almost hesitant, but firm enough that she couldn’t escape.
Her breath hitched.
His brows knitted together as he examined her fingers. Small burn marks dotted the pads, and a few shallow cuts traced along the sides, half-hidden beneath poorly applied bandages.
“You’ve been overdoing it again, haven’t you?” he muttered.
Orihime laughed nervously. “It’s nothing! I just got a little clumsy while making the chocolates. They don’t even hurt that much.”
Ichigo shot her a look. “That’s not the point.” He let out a quiet sigh, the irritation in his voice softened by something warmer. “You always push yourself too hard for everyone else. At least be more careful.”
Orihime’s heart thumped wildly in her chest. His hand was still holding hers, warm and steady, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of her fingers as if checking for more injuries.
Without another word, Ichigo reached into his bag and pulled out a small packet of bandages.
“You seriously keep those with you?” Orihime asked softly.
“With you around? Yeah.” He then paused, glancing up at her. “I don’t get why you don’t just use your Shun Shun Rikka to heal these.”
She hesitated, then smiled a little sheepishly. “It feels… strange to use them for something so small. Cuts and burns like this are normal, right? Everyone gets them.”
He stayed quiet, listening.
“If I heal every tiny scratch with my powers,” she continued softly, “it makes me feel like I’m not… living the same way everyone else does. Like I’m a little too different.” Her fingers curled slightly in his hand. “So sometimes, I just let the small things stay. It makes me feel more… normal. More human.”
Ichigo’s brows drew together, but there was no anger in his expression this time, just a quiet understanding.
“…You’re already normal,” he muttered. “You just happen to have ridiculous powers on top of it.”
Orihime blinked, then smiled faintly, warmth blooming in her chest as he peeled one bandage open and carefully wrapped it around her finger, his movements surprisingly gentle for someone who usually acted so rough around the edges. He made sure it sat comfortably, smoothing the edges down with his thumb.
Then he took another finger, repeating the process.
Orihime could barely breathe. Her face burned, her pulse fluttering so fast she thought he might be able to feel it through her skin.
He looks so serious… she thought, watching the concentration in his eyes, the way his brows furrowed just slightly.
Ichigo finished with the last bandage and released her hand, though his fingers lingered for a split second longer than necessary.
“There,” he said. “Try not to destroy your hands again, okay?”
Orihime nodded quickly, clutching her newly bandaged fingers to her chest. “O-okay.”
Her heart was hammering so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
How… how can I possibly not fall in love with this man?
He was always like this.
Even when he pretended to be grumpy, even when he complained, even when he said things in that blunt, awkward way of his, he was always gentle where it mattered most. He noticed the little things. The things no one else paid attention to.
Her gaze drifted to their hands, to the fresh bandages he had so carefully wrapped around her fingers.
He had come for her in Hueco Mundo. He had fought through enemies and despair and fear, just to reach her. He had stood in front of Ulquiorra, battered and broken, and still refused to give up. He had protected her again and again, even when it hurt him, even when it meant carrying the weight of the whole world on his shoulders.
And even now, here in this quiet, ordinary moment, he was still protecting her in the only way he knew how, scolding her softly, patching up her clumsy injuries like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He had always been her hero.
Not the kind from storybooks, but the kind who got angry, who stumbled, who doubted himself, and still kept moving forward anyway.
The kind who reached out his hand when she needed it most.
Her chest ached with a warmth so strong it almost hurt.
If this is what it feels like to love someone… then I fear even five lifetimes won’t be enough to give him all my heart.
For a moment, the busy hallway, the emptying classroom, and all the chaos of the day felt like a distant memory. It was just the two of them, standing quietly, hearts unexpectedly racing in perfect, chaotic harmony.
“I… I should get going now!” Orihime said, her voice still soft but lively, cheeks still pink.
She was afraid that if she stayed with him in this empty classroom any longer she might say something that could potentially ruin their friendship forever. She couldn’t burden him like that. Not now.
“Right… see you later, Inoue,” Ichigo said quietly, his usual calm tone softened.
“Bye! Get home safely, Kurosaki-kun!”
“I should be saying that to you.”
She laughed at his implication of her being a walking hazard and waved once more before hurrying down the hallway, her heart still fluttering wildly.
Ichigo watched her go for a moment, then slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped outside.
Chad was already waiting by the school gates, leaning against the railing, calm as ever.
“I see Inoue finally gave you the chocolates too.” Chad nodded toward the small box in Ichigo’s hand.
Ichigo’s lips curved into the faintest smile, a rare one that seemed to reach his eyes. “Yeah… she did.”
He opened the neatly wrapped box with deliberate care, peeling back the delicate paper to reveal six chocolates inside. They were arranged perfectly, shiny, smooth, and heart-shaped, each one looking almost too perfect to eat.
Ichigo plucked one out carefully, turning it over between his fingers. He took a slow breath before putting it into his mouth.
Immediately, his eyes widened. The rich chocolate melted on his tongue, dark and silky, but there was something else. Something unexpected. Strawberries?!
He took another chocolate from the box and only bit off half, holding out the remaining half to inspect what was inside. His eyes widened when he saw a small, pink heart nestled inside, and as he bit further, a sweet strawberry ganache oozed delicately into his mouth. The flavor was perfectly balanced: the sweetness of the chocolate, the bright, fruity tang of the strawberry, and a subtle creaminess that made it taste oh-so-delectable.
“Whoa…” Ichigo murmured, almost to himself.
Chad leaned closer, curious. “What is it?”
Ichigo’s brow furrowed slightly as he chewed, realization dawning. “This is really good… there are strawberries inside.” He shook his head slightly, still in awe.
“Strawberries?” Chad asked, confused.
“Why? Didn’t yours have any?” Ichigo asked, glancing at Chad, genuinely curious.
Chad shook his head, frowning slightly. “Mine? No… just the usual hazelnut ones. I traded some with Keigo, and they all tasted the same.”
Ichigo nodded slowly, still staring at the chocolate in his hand. “Huh… that’s weird.” He bit into the chocolate again, letting the strawberry ganache fill his mouth, savoring the flavor. It was so unexpected, so different from anything he’d ever tried before, and it made him pause for a moment longer than usual.
Chad’s eyes widened slightly, realizing what it meant, but he wisely didn’t say a word. He kept his lips pressed together, letting Ichigo enjoy the moment. It wasn’t his place to spoil Orihime’s little secret.
Ichigo picked another chocolate from the box, biting carefully, and let out a small, surprised hum of pleasure. He didn’t notice the faint smile tugging at his lips, or the quiet warmth spreading through his chest. All he knew was that these chocolates… felt different, in a way that made him unexpectedly happy.
Chad, standing beside him, merely nodded silently. He knew better than to interrupt this small, quiet moment of delight. Orihime’s gift had worked its magic, even if Ichigo didn’t yet understand why it felt so special.