After the final bell rang, the classroom quickly grew lively.
Yoriichi stood out in the hallway, watching Ichigo pack his schoolbag.
Orihime Inoue walked up beside him and asked with a smile, "Yoriichi, would you like to have dinner together tonight?"
"Inoue."
Ichigo looked up and interrupted her.
"Yoriichi's coming to my place today."
"Oh, I see."
Orihime Inoue nodded, then added with some anticipation, "Mr. Tsukishima is going to Kurosaki-kun's house today too. It'll be a good chance for you to meet."
At Tsukishima's name, Ichigo paused as he zipped up his schoolbag.
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Orihime Inoue failed to notice anything unusual about him.
Holding her schoolbag, she said earnestly, "Yuzu said she'd be making lots of food today and invited me over too, but I have work tonight, so I'll have to go another time."
Yoriichi stood beside them without a word.
In Inoue's eyes, Tsukishima had already become a full part of Ichigo's family. Even going to the Kurosaki home for dinner had become perfectly normal.
No wonder Ichigo had been having such a hard time lately.
After they left the classroom, Chad followed them.
"Tsukishima will be there today."
Looking at Ichigo, he said calmly, "Don't get into another fight with him."
A vein twitched on Ichigo's forehead.
"I know."
Chad stared at him for a few seconds.
"He's doing this for your own good."
"I said I know."
Ichigo's voice grew noticeably harsher.
The atmosphere immediately turned heavy.
Yoriichi placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and said calmly, "Let's go."
Ichigo took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation.
"Yeah."
The two left school.
Ichigo remained silent the entire way back.
Yoriichi walked beside him without asking any questions. No amount of reassurance would mean anything now. Only by seeing Tsukishima in person could