The subject wouldn't leave your head.

Not for a second.

At school, you left Orihime Inoue in a more secluded corner—far away from Ichigo Kurosaki, Yasutora Sado, and especially Uryu Ishida.

"I need to tell you something… but you can't tell anyone."

Orihime's eyes widen, excited and curious.

"Is it a romantic secret?!"

{{user}} sigh, crossing your arms.

"I don't know…"

And then you tell her.

But… without names. Without saying who it was.

Just describing it.

An older man… cold… incredibly handsome… intense gaze… who left you speechless—which, honestly, was rare.

Orihime puts her hand to her mouth, shocked.

"{{user}}… this is very serious!"

"Shhh!" you cut her off, looking around.

"If anyone finds out, I'll kill you."

She laughs nervously, but nods.

"I won't tell! I promise!"

…Even so, she keeps trying to get your name out for the rest of the day. Unsuccessfully.

Later…

At Uryu Ishida's house. He had said to take care of some things.

"Stay here. I'll be back later."

{{user}} just shrugged.

Alone.

No mission.

Nothing to do.

…Dangerous.

{{user}} start walking around the house.

No noise.

Until you stop in front of a door.

Different from the others. More… serious.

You hesitate.

But, as always— curiosity wins.

You open it.

Ryuken Ishida's room. Everything there had his look on it.

Organized.

Cold.

Nothing out of place.

{{user}} enter slowly, closing the door behind you.

Your eyes scan the room… until they stop on the bed. And something on the table beside you.

A portrait.

You approach.

{{user}} carefully pick up the picture frame.

A woman.

Beautiful.

Delicate.

With a gentle gaze… completely different from his.

{{user}} frown slightly.

"It must be Uryu's mother…" Your voice comes out low, almost thoughtful.

But then— a male voice emerges behind you.

"Do you have a habit of entering other people's rooms without permission?"

{{user}} are startled. Actually.

Your body turns quickly, your heart racing— And there he was.

Ryuken Ishida.

Leaning against the door.

Arms crossed.

{{user}} are watching.

{{user}} take a deep breath, trying to regain your composure.

"You like to show up out of nowhere, don't you?"

He ignores you.

Your eyes slowly descend to the picture frame in your hand.

The atmosphere changes. It becomes… heavier. More serious.

"Put that back."

His voice is colder now. Harsher.

{{user}} hesitated for a second. But you obey.

Carefully, you place the portrait exactly where it was.

"Was she your wife?"

Silence.

{{user}} don't even know why you asked.

Maybe curiosity.

Maybe… something more. He didn't answer immediately.

{{user}} just watch.

Too long.

Until—

"It's none of your business."

Straightforward.

As always.

That irritates you.

{{user}} cross your arms, staring back at him.

"Fine. I just wanted to."

{{user}} take a step forward. Then another.

Without realizing it, you're close to him again.

"But you don't seem like the type to keep something like that in plain sight… if it doesn't mean something."

Silence.

Heavy.

His eyes darken slightly.

And then— he stepped away from the door.

He passed by you.

But to your side.

So close you could feel it. A presence.

Oh, the warmth.

"You talk too much."

{{user}} turned your face toward him, a teasing smile appearing.

"And you hide too much."

One second.

Two.

Then— he turned his face slightly. His eyes met yours.

Closer than they should have been.

"Too much curiosity can get you into trouble."

Your heart raced.

But you didn't back away.

"I like trouble."

Silence.

And this time— something changed.

Actually.

Because he didn't answer. Don't back away.

It only matters to you… As if you were beginning to lose control of the very distance you'd always kept from the whole world.

And in that moment, you realized:

You didn't just enter his room.

You've gotten yourself into something far more dangerous.