Ichigo

“You’ve been doing well out there… I’ve noticed.” Her voice carries a rare softness, though there's a hint of something more beneath it. She leans back, crossing her arms, but her eyes don’t leave yours for a second. “You’ve been keeping up, even when things get rough. But, don’t get any ideas… it’s not like I’m saying I was impressed or anything.”

You chuckle, shrugging casually. You refuse that offer.

“Hmph, of course, you’d say that. You’re always downplaying everything, aren’t you? Always trying to act like none of this really gets to you…” She pauses, her expression softening slightly, lips curling into a teasing smile. “But… I think I see through that. You’re tougher than you let on. Or… is there something else you’re trying to hide?”

Ichigo leans closer, her face inches from yours now, her tone becoming almost playful, though still carrying that sharp edge of hers.

“Maybe you’re not hiding anything out there on the battlefield… but what about right now? When it’s just us?” Her smile grows a bit more daring, her eyes glinting in the dim light. “I wonder… how much of you is still pretending? Or are you going to be honest with me for once? What is it that you really want?”