prologue: chocolates and strawberries.
(a/n: this story contains mature themes such as domestic abuse, sexual themes, death of characters, and mild language)
other tags: fluff, Ichihime, angst, slow start, romance.
(a/n: also, this is my first story so go easy on me like Adele said, i’ll get better overtime. feel free to give me some advice and critique, i’ll listen and respond to you. not to those being a little disrespectful though. also, i feel as if Ichigo and Orihime don’t get no love, so that’s why i wanted to do this story. anyway, we’ll see how it goes. smooches!)
A Convenience Store in Tokyo, Japan. 2:56am.
‘And there I was. In the middle of the soda and beverage aisle. My mouth wide open and my eyes glued to probably the most beautiful person on the planet.’
The previously scowling man stood there openly staring at the red headed beauty, who was having a tough time deciding on which milk to buy. He told himself that he was only at the store to pick up a few staple items: bread, milk, eggs, cigarettes, and beer. Placing the last item on his list in the basket, he started to make his way to the cashier. That's when he stopped dead in his tracks.
Ichigo Kurosaki, a twenty year old man was a man who had problems of showing his emotions. He usually bore a mean scowl on his face, scaring many people off, and he was known as a rough troublemaker. Of course, he had crushes in the past and thought of some women as attractive, but he never acted on his thoughts. And honestly, they never kept his attention long. He’ll usually get caught up in his job, hanging out with his friends, or unintentionally beat some jerk’s ass. His friends tried to tell him that he should get a hold on his temper and stop scowling, or else he'll scare all the girls away.
God, he should've listened to their advice. While he was gawking at the oblivious beauty, his heart hammered against his chest, which is a feeling he rarely got. He could feel the blood rushing into his face, and his palms were getting all sweaty.
If any gangster saw the former infamous high school bad boy, Ichigo Kurosaki, getting flustered by some pretty lady, they would be finding themselves picking up their jaws.
Finally, the woman decided on 2% milk, and was heading towards the cashier, which was at the front. Thankfully, it was away from him. But then again, she's inching close to walking out the store, and there’s a chance he’ll never see her again. He became more anxious at that thought and he didn’t know what to do. It’s not like he didn’t want to speak to her, he just didn’t know how. He’s not what you would call a people person and he was completely fine with that until just now. For the first time, he wanted to talk to someone, a woman at that. He just doesn’t know how to go about it.
She happily laid her food items on the counter: butter, eggs, cheese, red bean paste, milk...
Okay, okay. Ichigo, we don’t even know this woman. It’ll be creepy to just ask for her number. Plus, she could be nuts for all you know.
He squared his shoulders, straightened his back, and held his usual determined scowl. Clenching his handheld store basket, he made his way to the counter. And he was there, one foot away from the being that was making his heart race.
"Okay that'll be-" The cashier was about to announce the total price, until the lady interrupted him.
"Oh, I knew I forgot something! I'll be right back Mister Urahara!" She hurried to the back of the store, and in a minute or less, she came back with a pack of strawberries. Her eyes laid on Ichigo's, which made his heart rate to a little more faster.
He nervously swallowed, and tried his absolute best not to coward. But unexpectedly, the red beauty gave him bright smile. "You don't mind if I cut in front, do you?" She innocently said, which would make him say yes to anything she'd request.
"Nah. I don't mind at all." Ichigo moved out the way. She smiled even wider, "Thank you, kind gentleman." She slid back, and placed the strawberries on the counter, and the old man rung it up. "Okay, that'll be $15.48." She gave him her debit card and waited for her receipt. When he gave it to her, she grabbed her bags and turned around. "See ya later Mister Urahara!"
"You be careful out there!" The old man smiled and waved. Again, her sweet gray eyes landed on Kurosaki's deep brown ones. "And thank you, kind gentleman." He gently waved back, "Don't sweat it."
She carried her two bags of groceries to her car, which was a red beetle. Put the bags in the trunk and hopped in the front and drove off. Welp, probably the last time you’ll see her again. He silently sighed but shook it off as he laid his items on the counter for the man to ring up. “How are you, Ichigo?” Mister Urahara, the owner of the store. He ran the store for the past eight years and has been a local for twelve years, so he’s pretty familiar with everyone around the area.
"Ya staying out of trouble?" He started to ring me up. I rested my elbow on the counter and cradled my head. "I can't afford to get in trouble." Then Ichigo released a long sigh, "I lost my job today."
The cashier grunted, "What's this? The seventh job you've quit for this year?" Mister Urahara chuckled finishing up his order. Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Nope it's only the second. Geez, I knew you was losing your memory but I didn't know it was this bad." Urahara chuckled rubbing his head as Ichigo continued, “But I had a good reason this time. He was working me overtime not even giving me the pay I deserve. I even tried to explain why I couldn't work late hours but he ignored me."
"That'll be $18.50” Mister Urahara said.
Ichigo sighed, "Kinda like you're doing to me right now."
"I heard every word you said, boy." Ichigo gave him his card. He swiped it. "Well, I guess it wasn't meant to be for that job." He gave me the bags. Ichigo was about to grab them and head towards the door but the man put his hand on his shoulder to stop him from doing so.
"If you need a job, you could work here. I know I always say that, but it’s the truth.” Urahara offered to him. He’s been offering Ichigo the same opportunity for the past months, but Ichigo gives him the same reply. "Please, old man. Why would I wanna work here? They're ain't that much pay in this job."
“True, true," The manager nodded in agreement and retreated his hand from his shoulder. "But the hours here are very flexible, meaning you could come in at anytime and leave at anytime." Ichigo grabbed his bags and headed towards the door, “Appreciate the offer once again, but no thanks.”
“Also, you get the chance to talk to my regular customer Orihime-san.” He mischievously smirked at the younger man and continued. “Yeah, yeah. I saw how you were drooling over the woman.”
Ichigo popped a vein, “Oi, just because you’re a perv, doesn’t mean I’m one. I’m not just gonna accept a job because of a girl.”
Urahara raised a brow, “Oh? So you don’t deny your attraction to the woman?” Ichigo narrowed his eyes and sucked his teeth, “Shut up.” As he slammed the door.
On his way back to his apartment, it started to rain.
"Damn it, why does it have to rain now?" Ichigo cursed to himself while driving on the presoaked roads. It was past midnight and in the middle of December. He didn't really care for driving, especially at night. He brought a cigarette to his mouth reached for his lighter in his back pocket. A thunder boomed in the background, and a thought crossed his mind. Why was she out so late anyway? A girl like her should be at the house getting her beauty sleep. There's perverts and dangerous men-
He almost choked on his cig.
But it was like fate were pulling them together, as he saw the red head on the side of the road, parked near a lake. It looked as if her red Volkswagen Beetle had broken down, due to all the smoke that was coming from her hood.
In a flash, he pulled over.
She was soaking wet, gripping her phone for dear life. "Please pick up Tatsuki-Chan...." She silently pleaded while on the verge of tears. She didn't like being alone in the middle of the night. The thought alone scared her. But she didn't have any food at home and she had to make the choice to stop to the store after work.
"Tatsuki here! Sorry I'm not at home at the mom-" Inoue Orhime let her anger get the best of her as she pulled her phone away from her ear and threw it on the soft ground. She huffed in annoyance, her beautiful face twisted in a distressed snare. "I want to cry." And she did cry. Her eyes puffed up as she looked under the hood. Her motor was giving off pure black smoke. She should've sold this car years ago but her heart couldn't allow her to do that. She held precious memories with Gumball (the name she gave the beetle).
Now, she was left stranded on the side of a highway while it was pouring cats and dogs. She didn’t even have the energy to grab her umbrella, she was already soaking wet. But then she heard a howling nearby. I should get in the car. Coyotes could be out tonight. But she heard a car door slam. Terrified, she whipped her head in the direction of the sound and looked into his eyes.
Chocolate. She remembers those chocolate brown eyes.
"H-hey." Her voice squeaked as she stared at the dude she just seen at the convenience store. He stared back at her as he casually strolled to the car. He looked under her hood, "Damn, the engine's blowed." He stated bluntly then looked at her face which had fresh tears. His eyes roamed her soaking wet body. He quickly turned his head away from her gorgeous curves as he inspected the car further.
"Looks l-like it." She tried to clear her voice to sound more confident but failed miserably. Ichigo looked at the busted motor with some thought. Moments later, he spoke. "I know a car shop around the corner. They can have your car ready for you in a day." He informed her, as she looked up at him surprised.
He gazed into her honey doe eyes, then there was that familiar pound to his heart. "I-uh got there number. I'll call them for you so they can fill in an appointment to fix your car.” He scratched the back of his head uneasily whilst melting under her gaze.
"You'll do that for me?" She asked the man who was more than a foot taller than her petite frame. He could've been intimidating to her if he didn't offer to do such kind things for her. He gulped but slightly smiled, “With no problem.” She gave him another one of her blinding smiles, making him blush a little. Then ran up to the man and side-hugged him. "Thank you, kind gentleman!” He tensed at the sudden hug and cool sensation. “Hey, you’re wet!” She quickly pulled back and chuckled, “Oops, sorry.”
He offered to drive her home and she nodded, thanking him again. He just waved it off and helped her groceries in the back of his Jeep. He also reminded her that he phone was on the ground. Embarrassed, she thanked him as she picked it up. It wasn't a quite drive after she decided that he wasn't a bad guy. In fact, he was rather nice. Ichigo would think on the contrary.
When they first got in the car, she hit him with a bus load of questions. "So kind gentleman, what's your name?" She delightfully smiled. He put the key in ignition.
"Kurosaki. Kurosaki Ichigo." The Jeep started and he offered her a hint of a smile. Her held out her hand, "Great name, kind-oop. Kurosaki-kun!" She giggles at her clumsiness, and he simply smirked while shaking her hand. He drove onto the road.
"What's your name?" Though, he kinda already knew because of the old man. "My name is Inoue Orihime!" She chirped, gladly introducing herself, placing her hand on her hips. "A superwoman in disguise!" She tried to laugh boisterously. He raised any eyebrow at her antics. Okay, she’s kinda nuts. But what’s bad about that?
"So what do you do for a living?" She freely asked, he smirked while reaching in his box for a new cig. "I sell drugs." He said bluntly putting the cig in the corner of his mouth. He lit the cig amused as he looked her face of shock. "K-Kurosaki-kun...."
"Just kidding. I'm actually out of work." He chuckled and she caught on and laughed with him. "Jeez, don't scare me like that, Kurosaki-kun." He chuckled a bit, “Same question for you. What do you do for living?” Orihime hummed, “I’m a part-time baker downtown. But my dream job is to become a nurse. I’m currently going to school for that.”
Ichigo let out a puff of smoke, “Really? Sounds like you got it all planned.” She smiled at him, “I’m trying. It’s not easy as you can see with what happened with my car.” He nodded his head, “Well, you can’t predict everything.” And she agreed and the car was silent for a moment until she spoke again.
“So, would do you wish to be?” She asked him a question on which he doesn’t dwell on anymore. But he hummed and pondered, “I don’t know yet. Right now, I just want a job that’ll pay the bills.” Orihime nodded her head this time and thought for a moment, “You know, you’ll make a great car inspector. Or someone who works in mechanics.” He laughed at that.
“You’re just saying that because I just helped you out.” She laughed with him. “Perhaps.”
After a smooth, short ride. Which was too short for Ichigo personally. The two redheads made it to her home safely. "Welp, we're here." She announced as he drove into the apartment complex's parking lot. He park in a random spot, "Yep." Ichigo said, somewhat deflated.
Honestly, he enjoyed the conversation they had up until now. Sure, the more she spoke, the weirder she was but it in a wholesome manner. Anyway, he became comfortable with her and kinda wanted to see more of her. But he didn't know how to bring that part up since they were now at her crib, dropping her off. He didn't just want to spring the question: 'Ay, so I think you and me hit it off pretty well. So what about it? Six o'clock at Seymour's Restaurant?'
A pregnant pause loomed inside the car. She cleared her throat, adding to the awkwardness. "Would you-"
They both spoke at the same time. Another pause entered until Orihime broke it with a soft giggle. "You go first." She said, he smiled lightly. "Okay, I wanted to know if we could...um, you know. Keep in touch?" He asked, unsure if it sounded too creepy. She blinked at him.
He shuffled in his seat at her reaction and continued to talk. "I-I know we just met like 15 minutes ago, but keep in touch so I’d know if everything went right with your car and you seem like decent company and I thought- n-never mind. If you don't want to, it's fine-"
Orihime laughed, loudly this time. "Kurosaki-kun, it's fine." She pulled out a notepad and written something on it. After a few seconds, she handed the paper to him. "Here's my phone number. My phone is wet right now since I dropped it. But make sure you text me so that I can have your number.” Orihime handed Ichigo the slip of paper. He smirked, “I will. Take care and make sure not to throw your phone in anymore water due to anger.” She giggled and pumped her fist into the air, "I'll do my best!" Ichigo slightly shook his head. Then her smaller hand was placed on his larger hands, "I did enjoy meeting you, Kurosaki-kun. I think you're nice company too." She smiled sweetly making the guy next to her blush. He fiddled with his collar, trying to loosen the fabric.
"Yeah. I do my best.” Was all he said, as she grabbed her belongings and said her final goodbyes as she walked towards her apartment. This was about to be very interesting, he thought. Little did he know, that was also what Orihime Inoue was thinking.
The old man had just finished counting the money in the register and was about to move to sweeping the nasty floor. He was humming an old tone, till he heard a car door slam from outside.
He didn't pay it no mind until a man came running frantically to the register. "What in the ham sandwich-" He stopped as he recognized the face. "Boy, whatcha doing around here again?"
"I'll take it." The orange head said, trying to catch his breath. The old man squinted at him like he grew a second head, "Take what?"
Kurosaki Ichigo gave him the same look, only with a hint of determination. "What do think I mean? The damn job!” He said as Urahara blinked in shock. Then the owner started to smirk but before he could say anything, Ichigo beat him to it.
“And no, it’s not because of the girl, you perv.” Ichigo rolled his eyes as Urahara chuckled but gave him some paperwork.
(a/n: alrighty, that’s how we gonna start it. i’m going to be editing here and there. but lemme know if you guys want me to continue the story.)
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