Let Me be His Replacement

The Press Conference

Third Person's POV

Ichigo woke up early to do her everyday run around the school. Afterwards, she changed into her school uniform and went to the cafeteria then ordered her usual breakfast from Yostuba. Ever since she and Naoto started dating they've been eating breakfast together since they're busy for the rest of the day, but today she's on her own since Naoto won't be coming, or at least Suzukawa-sensei won't. She finished eating then returned her used dishes back to the counter and went to meet Aoi and Ran to kill some time. They chatted about whatever topic until it was already 7:46, Ichigo was to go to the school gates to wait for Naoto. Aoi and Ran wished her luck and told her to give them the details later on.

She walked to the school gates then waited, a few underclassmen wondered why she was there and it made Ichigo nervous, she sighed in relief that they're classes start at 8:00 but of course there would be students who aren't in class because of work.

Four minutes later and she spotted the familiar man who walked to the gates, Naoto was wearing his usual attire for his band and his hair was styled. Ichigo felt herself smile as he came closer but he was stopped by the guards.
"Stop! Who are you and what's your purpose in coming here?" one of the guards asked, Naoto sighed as he was about to answer but Ichigo ran to the gates
"H-he's with me! I invited him over. We're to meet with Orihime-gakuencho to discuss a few things" Ichigo said, the guards looked at her then at Naoto skeptically. They then shrugged and stepped aside as Naoto walked in, Ichigo was tempted to give him a hug but decided to do that later so instead she gave him a smile while he returned it. Ichigo giggled a bit as Naoto went back to his cold demeanor and the two walked side by side to the Headmistress's office. Students who had work and were on their way saw the two and gasped

"It's Hoshimiya-senpai and Nao from MoTrue!"

"Are the rumours really true?"

"What are they doing here?"

They walked along ignoring the few staring eyes of the other students. Ichigo cleared her throat
"So.. does your class know about your absence?" she asked
"Yes. I told Johnny-sensei to tell either Kurosawa or Amahane about it" Naoto replied
"Okay!" Ichigo said. As they walked up the stairs to the next floor, three girls saw them. One of then blinked a few times and cocked her head to the side
"Was that Hoshimiya-senpai and Nao-san?" Akari asked
"Without a doubt, it was them" Hinaki replied, Sumire put a hand to her face in wonder
"What could be the reason to why the both of them are here?" Sumire asked, Akari thought for a while then an answer came to mind
"Could it be... the rumours?" she asked as the two looked at her with curiousity. Hinaki widened her eyes as she realized what Akari meant

"The rumours that Hoshimiya-senpai and Nao from More-Than-True are.."

"Dating?" Sumire finished for her. They looked at each other then back at the staircase where they saw Ichigo and Naoto. They thought about it for a while then smiled altogether
"Nah, that can't be. They're probably here to discuss about their next job" Hinaki suggested as Sumire nodded
"I think so" said Sumire
"You guys are right. There's just no way that Hoshimiya-senpai is dating Nao-san" Akari said completely convinced with the idea.

Ichigo sneezed as the two made a turn in the hallway, Naoto glanced at her
"Did you catch a cold?" he asked, Ichigo rubbed her nose for a bit then looked back at Naoto with a smile
"No, I'm completely fine!" she replied, Naoto nodded then looked ahead. This time, it was his turn to sneeze
"Did you catch a cold?" Ichigo asked as Naoto covered his nose for a bit
"No, I didn't" he replied, Ichigo put her hands at the back as she looked up
"Maybe someone is talking about us.." she trailed off as she saw Naoto stop in his tracks and look at the window
"Naoto?" she called, Naoto moved his fingers along the windowsill then looked at his fingers to see dust
"Or maybe someone isn't cleaning the widows right" he said as he dusted off the dust on his fingers and returned to Ichigo's side.
"I'll have to clean that later" he said as the two continued to walk, Ichigo laughed
"But you're a teacher" she said as Naoto shrugged lightly
"It's hard to shake off old habits" he said with a small laugh.