Love Me Bitterly Loath Me Sweetly

Chapter 42 *Impressions*

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Senpai. . . .," Toshirou begin, his gaze on Orihime. His expression troubled, so different from the delightful Karin.

"Wow!" The surprise in her voice manages to carry the excitement. "You know, Ori-nii?"

He wipes the sudden sweat on his forehead. "We studied from the same university. She was my two year senior."

"Then, that makes things easier for us!" She took his hand, very happy that her boyfriend is already friends with the most important person. They see Rukia and Tatsuki wrapping Orihime's long veil behind her at the alter.

Toshirou didn't know how to say it, but, "But we never once talked."

Karin's head swirled towards her boyfriend, surprised.
Seeing the opportunity, he spoke, "You told me that you hadn't spoken to Senpai for the last seven years, right?"

"You ask me that?" She released her hand from his and he missed her warm immediately.

"You don't understand."

Karin looks blank. Toshirou realizes, with shame that Karin has no idea about her Ori-nii's achievements.
"Senpai is no ordinary person that I can approach, at least I don't dare to, until I become the tenth division Captain myself."

Toshirou shoved his hands into his pocket and mumbles into her ear. "She has her own reputation in Seireithe. Take a good look around."

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Ichigo can't take his eyes off Orihime, her beautiful face, big eyes, her smile, those lips, visible despite the veil she looked breathtakingly beautiful. As he watches, she keeps her gaze at the guest acknowledging her friends, bowing to some, but Ichigo didn't dare look away, his heart has logged somewhere near his mouth and his ears were singing. She gazes around slowly, a smile playing across her lips, as her eyes meets his. He cannot speak. He can only stare, as only one thought rings in his ears.
She's is finally mine.
"You look__"
"Beautiful." He said, a little breathless.

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Karin watches, as her big brother stood squarely before Orihime. They facing each other, the petite women in her wedding dress and the business man. Even from this distance Karin can see they are oblivious to the chattering in the church, to the photographer's continuous clicking, and the curious eyes of the guest that linger on them. Their eyes locked, as if they can look at each other for eternity standing there minding their own business.

"We will be happy like them, someday." Toshirou whispered into her ear.
She felt the color rise to her cheeks, and hoped that in the lighting it didn't show. "If only you had made friends with Ori-nii." Karin mumbled.

He shrugs. "Besides, I wanted you to look around and not at the couple."
"I was about to, but someone interrupted me." Karin took a step away from him, remembering that she was still made at him.

She watches the couple for just a moment longer, then shift her gaze around old medieval times Gothic style cathedral with the stained glass pointed arched windows decorated with flowers and greenery, the ribbed vaulted ceiling, chandeliers adored with candles adding more light, creating a daylight atmosphere. Each side had a aisle with chairs between the Nave facing the sanctuary. They couldn't manage to invite many people, but it appeared Rangiku managed to invite all of Orihime's friends and her cliques. Karin couldn't recognize many faces. Everyone was standing up clapping and chatting with one another, scattered around the Cathedral admiring the couple, as the theme suggested men wore their best suits and women wore their best pastel dresses with minimum makeup and they all wished best for the groom and the bride.