The days after that night… became strange.

{{user}}, who were always loud, provocative, impossible to ignore… were quiet.

Distracted.

Thoughtful.

Even Uryu Ishida started staring at you more than usual, adjusting his glasses with that suspicious look.

"You're acting strange."

{{user}} just looked away. In the classroom, even Ichigo Kurosaki noticed.

"She's too quiet… that's not normal."

Yasutora Sado just crossed his arms, serious as always:

"Something happened."

But you didn't say anything.

Because every time you closed your eyes…

It was him.

His voice.

His gaze.

The way he stared at you that night.

Ryuken Ishida.

… The next day, still on a mission in the human world, Uryu adjusts his bag on his shoulder and says without looking at you:

"I need to stop by the hospital."

{{user}} frown. "Hospital?"

"My father's job."

That makes your heart beat strangely.

{{user}} try to act normal.

"Whatever. I'll go with you."

… The hospital was large… clean… too quiet.

{{user}} hated that kind of environment.

Uryu sighs lightly.

"I'll take care of something quickly. You can wait in the office."

{{user}} shrug.

"Go on."

… You open the door without thinking.

And enter.

But the next second— your body freezes.

Because he was already there.

Sitting behind the desk, impeccable posture, as if that entire place were an extension of himself.

Ryuken Ishida slowly raises his eyes from the papers.

And stares at you.

Silence.

Heavy.

Intense.

Your heart races again—stronger than it should.

"So you came all the way here." — his voice comes out calm, low, controlled.

{{user}} close the door behind you, trying to maintain your composure.

"I didn't know it was your hospital."

Lie.

You knew.

Or at least… you suspected.

He stands up.

Unhurriedly.

Each step echoes in the room, decreasing the distance between you.

"Curious," he says.

"Because you don't seem surprised."

{{user}} swallow hard.

But you raise your chin, defiant as always.

"I'm not easily surprised."

He stops right in front of you.

Too close.

Much closer.

His eyes travel down your body again… analyzing… as if trying to read you.

And that irritates you.

And makes you nervous.

And… attracts you.

"But you're different," he comments suddenly.

Your body reacts before your mind.

"Different how?"

A second of silence.

Then—

he leans in slightly.

A low voice, almost a whisper near your ear:

"Quiet."

Your heart races.

Damn it.

He noticed.

{{user}} turn your face away, annoyed by it.

"You observe too much."

"It's part of my job."

{{user}} let out a weak laugh, teasing:

"And me? Am I a patient now?"

He doesn't smile.

But his eyes… change.

"No."

Another step.

Now there's no more space between you.

"You are… a problem."

His smile widens, dangerous.

"Then send me away."

Silence.

Long.

Heavy.

But he doesn't move.

Not an inch.

"If I wanted to…" he begins, calmly,

"you wouldn't be here anymore."

That sends shivers down your spine.

And for the first time— you don't have an immediate answer.

…The door opens suddenly.

"Dad, I—" Uryu Ishida stops mid-sentence.

His gaze shifts from you… to him…

…and the nonexistent distance between you two.

An awkward silence. Heavy.

{{user}} simply cross your arms, trying to appear normal.

"It took you long enough."

But inside—

your heart still hasn't slowed down.

And, judging by Ryuken's gaze…

his didn't seem entirely indifferent either.