You do not know why you are doing it. You do not want to do it. And yet you are still doing it.

(心知)

Nobody saw it coming.

He was known to be so dense, he wouldn't have realized it even if love has smacked him right in the face.

And yet, they were the blind idiots for he has been with her since the beginning of the last school term.

Nobody knew.

That's why it came as a shock for days before graduating, Kurosaki Ichigo was going to ask permission from the brother of the one he loves for her hand in marriage.

He knew what he wanted and it was to spend the rest of his life with her by his side.

College, working life and all the nitty-gritty grown-up stuff. He wanted her to be with him every step of the way.

All that was left was to pick out the rings and he knew the perfect person to help him pick out the symbols of everlasting love.

(心知)

"YOU WHAT!?" Tatsuki shouted at Orihime. It was all too much for her. First her childhood friend hiding a relationship from his friends, then the coming marriage proposal and now this. "ARE YOU STUPID!?"

"How rude of you Tatsuki-chan. Of course I am not stupid." A tint of pink appeared on her cheeks and Inoue Orihime pouted at her friend.

"You're not stupid? If you're not stupid then why are you here waiting for you know who?" Tatsuki really did not know what she was going to do to the orange-haired one when she sees him.

"It's Kurosaki-kun and I do not understand what is so wrong of me for helping out a friend." Orihime defended her actions.

"A friend you have been in love with, like forever. You don't have to do it, you know. You do not have to be strong and carry on with a smile on your face when deep inside I know you are hurting so badly for what you will never have."

"And what is that, Tatsuki-chan?" An innocent question and a brutally honest answer.

"Ichigo's love."

"Oh."

Tatsuki wished Orihime would just have a good cry but ever since Ichigo's earth shattering surprise, she has just been going about her normal existence, well... normally. Is she really that good at keeping all the pain to herself so as to not burden anybody with her woes.

"Orihime, you know you will always have my shoulder to cry on," Tatsuki wondered if Orihime was going to use her shoulders even as she was speaking for her eyes were looking really bright and shiny.

"As do mine Inoue-san."

"Ishida-kun." Orihime was happy to have friends who cared for her but why would she want to shed tears for.

"Ishida, were you eavesdropping?" Tatsuki teased the serious top classmate of theirs.

Ishida was offended. As if he would do something as despicable as that. He couldn't believe that the insensitive cad has asked from Inoue-san for something so cruel, in his opinion. That was why he was here to take her place in picking out the blasted jewelry.

"Don't mind Tatsuki-chan, Ishida-kun. Is there anything I can do for you?" Orihime asked helpfully.

How could anyone bear to see someone so sweet and caring be in any kind of pain? He was just going to offer to accompany the heartless one on her behalf when the one inflicting the most pain on her was here.

"Oi Inoue, are you ready to go?" Ichigo started to ask not knowing the grief he was going to get.

"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime was ready to leave with Ichigo when Tatsuki pulled her away from him.

"No. She's not going to go to anywhere with you. You have some nerve, asking her to help pick out the rings for the woman you will be marrying." Tatsuki kept a firm grip on Orihime. She was afraid what she might do if her hands were free.

"Arisawa-san is correct. You are taking advantage of Inoue-san's generous nature in more way than some." Ishida still could not believe Ichigo was really seeking Orihime's help. He was in love so why couldn't he see that Orihime has affection for him as well. Is he so blind as to all others except for the one he loved?

"I don't get what you two are getting so worked up for. This is just between Inoue and I. I asked, she agreed and we should be going to the jewelry store now if not for the two for you making such a gigantic fuss over nothing."

Is this guy for real?

"Orihime, please tell this dense idiot that we won't be going to the same university as him."

"But Tatsuki-chan, I thought everything has been finalized and we are all going to be college mates." Orihime was worried.

"It was till I found out I can't stand the sight of him. Believe me it will be the best for you too if you don't have to see the ugly mug on a daily basis as well." Tatsuki growled out her words.

"I'm right here, you know. And it is not for you to decide what's your so-called best for Inoue. She can make up her own mind."

"Orihime, tell him you won't be going to the shops with him."

"Wait just a damn minute,"

"No, you should listen to Arisawa-san. This is beyond tactless even for you Kurosaki." Ishida decided to step in as well.

"It is just a friend helping out a friend. What's about it being tactless?"

"If you don't know what we are talking about then you really are a lost case." Ishida was really dumbfounded that Ichigo could be this, to use a non offending word, 'STUPID'.

"I do not want to argue what I haven't the slightest idea of. Tatsuki, let go of Inoue so we can be on our way." Ichigo was getting annoyed. He thought all of his friends would be happy for him.

"Kurosaki-kun is correct. Please Tatsuki-chan." Orihime asked pleadingly at her friend.

Tatsuki did not want her best friend be hurt by her childhood friend's thoughtless actions but she should let Orihime do what she wanted.

"Thank you Tatsuki-chan." Orihime smiled at both of her friends gratefully before turning to Ichigo and asked him to lead the way before there was anymore unhappiness between all of them. It was for a joyful occasion, right?

Ichigo scowled at Ishida and Tatsuki before walking away without another word.

Orihime bowed at them, said her goodbye and waved as she hurried to follow Kurosaki-kun.

Ishida and Tatsuki both sighed in unison as they watched the departing pair.

Ishida was the first to break the silence.

"Is Inoue-san really that strong?"

Tatsuki looked at Ishida contemplatingly before answering.

"Who knows? She will have to be for what is to come."

They both looked at each other again before shaking their heads and sighing once again.

(心知)

心知 = The Heart Knows