The Paranormal Detective Agency had a very pleasant winter break. They handled three cases, earned over 20 million yen, and traveled all of Japan. During the New Year, they happened to be in Kyoto and visited Kinkaku-ji). It was awesome!
They were all fifteen or sixteen-year-old boys and girls, a time when they didn't like staying home. They had gone crazy playing around for half a month. If it weren't for Ulquiorra's powerful control, these kids wouldn't have finished their homework.
But seriously, the sight of an Arrancar leading this group of students in doing their homework is just too beautiful.
Ulquiorra is as outstanding as ever. He has already self-studied the entire junior high school curriculum, and is almost finished with the high school curriculum as well. Because Reigen Shinchō had mentioned psychological issues to him before, Ulquiorra is currently studying psychology, which is truly amazing.
This level of dedication is enough to drive even Uryū, a perennial top student and already among the elite, crazy with fear. He genuinely can't compete with this Arrancar master. Have you ever seen someone disappear for 24 hours a day without sleeping and studying? No matter how good Uryū is, he can't beat him, and besides, Uryū isn't that good.
Some say that serious men are the most attractive, Ulquiorra himself possesses a very peculiar charm. If Hollows are all beasts, and then Arrancar gained humanity through transformation, then why was such a strange Arrancar born?
Humanity is gradually acquired. Ulquiorra was like that at the beginning; he too needed to kill for survival, retaining his powerful fighting instincts. He wasn't so ascetic back in the Endless Sea, so it's really strange.
However, Jun didn't have any thoughts on this. Now the problem had fallen on Orihime's shoulders. Orihime's wariness of Ulquiorra had turned into a strange feeling over the past two weeks. She couldn't let her guard down, but on the other hand, admiration and curiosity also occupied Orihime's heart.
Admiring the strong is a human instinct. Anyone who sees someone studying 24/7 will instinctively feel admiration and a sense of awe. Many people can afford to be so dedicated to leisure, but how many can afford to be so dedicated to studying?
Furthermore, Ulquiorra doesn't just study by himself; others can ask him for help with their homework, and Ulquiorra 'll patiently explain everything. In his words, knowledge grows through exchange, and teaching others is also a form of personal growth—this is what the book says.
So after a two-week vacation, their grades actually improved instead of dropping—it was like they had a cheat code! Meanwhile, Tatsuki, who was in the same class as Ulquiorra, started swooning again and steadfastly followed Ulquiorra, hoping to become a god of learning and avoid failing his courses.
Then even more people followed Tatsuki, and Ulquiorra became their class's all-subject representative, but much more powerful than a regular class representative—practically the assistant homeroom teacher.
Such an existence was something Orihime couldn't resist, even if she wanted to. In the end, she joined Tatsuki and the others in worshipping the academic genius. Moreover, she and Tatsuki had better resources; they could continue to follow Ulquiorra after school. However, whether they would actually study after school was another matter.
Furthermore, after living together at the Seaside Villa, Orihime found herself increasingly less wary of Ulquiorra, which was quite alarming. Every time she thought about her relationship with Ulquiorra, Orihime tossed and turned, reminding herself to be more vigilant.
However, Orihime was unaware that, to everyone except Ulquiorra, her behavior made her seem as if she were in love.
So one weekend, Uryū didn't go to the Seaside Villa but returned home.
As soon as he entered, he encountered his mother, Mrs. Ye Hui. "Oh my~ Why are you home today? You didn't even give me a heads-up."
"Uh, Mom~ This is my house."
"Haha, yeah, but haven't you been having a lot of fun with your friends lately?"
Uryū scratched his face, "Uh, it's alright."
Mrs. Ye Hui smiled gently, "It's rare for you to come back. I'm going out to buy groceries in a bit. What would you like to eat tonight?"
"Yes, I love anything my mom makes."
"Okay, your dad's in the study. Go find him if you need anything."
"Hmm," Uryū nodded, went upstairs, and knocked on the study door.
"Come in," Ryūken said, currently processing some documents. As the director of the Karakura General Hospital, he was quite busy. "Uryū? It's rare for you to be back."
"Dad, I want to ask you something."
This was the first time Ryūken had heard Uryū speak to him like this, in such a serious manner. Previously, Uryū had always been trembling with fear in his presence, or pretending not to see him.
"Go ahead and ask, what's the matter?"
"About," Uryū scratched his head in frustration, "It's about love."
"Love?" Ryūken was dumbfounded. Why ask about love? Could Ryūken even fall in love? If Ryūken could fall in love, how could Ichigo Kurosaki have even been born?
Looking at his father's expression, Uryū already knew everything. He had known all along, so he didn't say anything, but just laughed and waved his hands repeatedly.
"Sorry, it's nothing, I'm going to rest now."
Uryū returned to his room, lay on the bed with unfocused eyes, and muttered to himself.
"What have I been doing? Why am I so cowardly? Why don't I even have the courage to confess? I thought I would lose to Ichigo Kurosaki, but why did I lose to an Arrancar Ichigo Kurosaki withdrew?! Damn it!!"
When it came time for dinner that evening, Uryū behaved perfectly. Two days later, Uryū returned to school, and at lunchtime, everyone still met on the rooftop as usual.
Just as everyone finished eating and was about to chat, Ulquiorra took out his extracurricular reading material and began studying. Suddenly, Uryū stood up. Everyone looked at him, and he remained silent for a few seconds.
I'm going to the restroom.
With school almost over, Uryū finally arrived at Class 2. "Orihime ~"
"Uryū ~ What's up?" Orihime didn't think much of it and followed Uryū out. The others didn't think much of it either; they were all acquaintances.
Right there in the corridor, by the window, with no one else around, Uryū looked at Orihime and finally made up his mind.
Orihime, I love you.
"Huh?"
Completely bewildered, Uryū knew he had reached the final moment; if he didn't succeed today, he would never have another chance.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"That Uryū thing was so sudden," Orihime said nervously, her face flushed.
"I'm serious."
"Hmm~", Orihime nodded, "I understand, but can you give me some time to think about it?"
Uryū's heart sank, but he still nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for your reply."
However, at that moment, Ulquiorra suddenly appeared at the door, his face as expressionless as ever, "Orihime, class is about to start."
"Oh, I see, thank you." Class was indeed about to start, and Orihime saw the teacher approaching, as did Uryū. Orihime smiled, "I really need some time."
"Hmm," Uryū simply nodded without saying anything more.
See you tonight.
See you tonight.
That evening, Uryū returned to the Seaside Villa. No one else could tell what had happened between Uryū and Orihime. To the people at the Paranormal Detective Agency, they were all extremely close friends; a few words between them was perfectly normal. They probably discussed a mission, and there was nothing suspicious about it.
But in some people's eyes, it's different.
Ulquiorra was distracted all evening. His eyes were on the book, but his mind was elsewhere. He didn't know why he was bothered by Orihime and Uryū going out alone this afternoon, and even why he went out at the end to interrupt their conversation.
"Why did I do this? Why did I go out in the first place?" Ulquiorra wondered to himself. "I've been thinking for a whole class period, and now I've been thinking for another hour and a half. What am I even thinking about?"
"Is this a psychological problem? Why are there no relevant cases or knowledge?" Ulquiorra looked at "The World as Will and Representation" in his hands. It was a book by the famous pessimist Arthur Schopenhauer, not a guide to love.
"Which book should I read? Or who should I ask?" Ulquiorra put down his book, looking at Orihime who was laughing and joking with Tatsuki. "Why should I look at her? This woman is suspicious! She's too much of a distraction!"
At this moment, in Ulquiorra's mind, Orihime was relegated to a hindrance, and his murderous intent began to rise. This was the result of his months of experience in the World of the Living Ulquiorra.
But he also knew that now was not the time. If he really wanted to kill Orihime, he would do it without anyone else knowing. He had come to the World of the Living solely to be allowed to do so. Although there were no restrictions, he couldn't do anything too outrageous.
As night deepened and it grew late, everyone yawned, said goodbye, and went upstairs to rest. Some had already gone to bed early. Ulquiorra, of course, didn't need to read 24/7, so everyone said goodbye to him.
Finally, only Uryū, Orihime, and Ulquiorra remained. At this moment, Uryū glanced at Orihime was still reading and didn't look up. Uryū stared at Orihime for over a minute before finally getting up and leaving.
Orihime finally breathed a sigh of relief. She could feel Uryū's gaze, but she hadn't decided how to respond. Uryū left first, so Orihime could leave too. However, at that moment, Ulquiorra spoke up.
"Wait a minute, Orihime, I have a question to ask you."
Orihime was a little confused. Ulquiorra could have questions for her? What kind of questions were these? Ulquiorra's knowledge level was on a completely different level from theirs, a group of middle school students.
"Ask me? Go ahead and ask. I'd be happy to help if I can."
"Hmm, thank you," Ulquiorra stared intently at Orihime, his face expressionless, and asked, "Why do I keep caring about you?"
"Huh?" Orihime was completely dumbfounded. "What did you say?"
"Didn't you hear me?" Ulquiorra stood up, walked closer to Orihime, and sat down opposite Orihime. He continued to stare intently at Orihime, a gaze so intense it made Orihime feel embarrassed, but that's just how Ulquiorra is. "My question is! Why am I so concerned about you?"
"How would I know? And why are you asking me if you care about me?!" Orihime finally blurted out, albeit softly.
"Why shouldn't I ask you? It's because you make me care! I never care about anyone or anything, but you're different. You force me to care, you've messed up my thinking! There's absolutely no way I could have any problems myself; my own self-examination has yielded the same result, so there's only one answer."
"You're the one I care about, you've made me care about you, and I have no problem with that, so the problem lies with you! What makes you different from others? Why do I invest more attention in you than in anyone else? Answer me!"
"How would I know!?" Orihime realized Ulquiorra was serious, but this question Orihime want to cry; tears truly welled up in her eyes.
However, after Ulquiorra saw the tears in Orihime's eyes, he became even more concerned. He also noticed his own problem: his mind was now completely focused on Orihime, unable to contain anything else; all his attention was on the tears welling up in her eyes.
He followed his instincts, reached out and wiped away Orihime's tears, then lowered his head, keeping no more than thirty centimeters away from Orihime, and asked again.
"Why? Why did I wipe away your tears? Why did I do that? I'm the problem, the problem is with you! If there are no answers, I will kill you! I cannot tolerate who I am now!"
"I had a problem a long time ago. During that battle with Ichigo Kurosaki, I glanced at you and gave up on hunting Ichigo Kurosaki! I even stopped thinking about killing Ichigo Kurosaki! And that was because of you!"
"Woman! What have you done to me!? Why didn't I notice! How could you change my mind! You!"
Orihime burst into tears, "Are you crazy!? What are you trying to do!? Are you trying to say you love me? But I can't accept this way of expressing it! Please, leave me alone!"
Orihime cried and pushed Ulquiorra away, then ran back to her room, making quite a commotion. The others came out of their rooms as well, but Ulquiorra was in a state where he was best avoided. Uryū stood on the stairs watching him. Ulquiorra glanced at Uryū.
The two exchanged only one glance, Uryū nearly knelt down; it was a terrifying killing intent.
However, at this moment, Ulquiorra's mind was like a computer infected with a virus, with endless errors and errors everywhere.
"I like Orihime Inoue? What does 'like' mean?"