Chapter 142

The next morning, Ichigo’s eyes cracked open slowly, adjusting to the dim light filtering in from the curtains. His head still felt heavy with sleep — until he noticed a faint warmth pressed against his chest.

Frowning slightly, he shifted under the blanket and lifted it just enough to look.

Nel was sprawled across him, bare from the waist up, her soft breasts pressed firmly against his skin. Her breathing was slow and steady, like she hadn’t moved all night.

Ichigo stared for a second.

‘Who the hell even taught her how to thirst trap like this?’ he thought dryly.

Carefully, he slid out from under her, making sure not to wake her, and leaned back against the wall. The room was still dim, the dark walls dull and quiet as the first rays of sunlight began to creep in.

He pushed the curtains aside and unlocked the window, letting in the cool morning breeze. It brushed over his skin, carrying the distant sounds of the city waking up.

‘I can’t laze around anymore now that I’ve got a job,’ he thought, watching the sun climb higher. ‘Is it weird that I kinda regret it? …Nah, it’s normal. If it’s for the huzz, I’d do anything. Especially for a MILF.’

Behind him, there was movement — the rustle of sheets. Nel stirred and sat up, her breasts moving with that soft, natural bounce that caught the light.

Ichigo didn’t turn around immediately, but he felt her presence as she padded over. A moment later, her bare skin pressed lightly against his back, her hand resting on his chest.

“You woke up?” he asked, voice calm, eyes still on the view outside.

“Yes,” she murmured, lowering her chin to his shoulder. “What are your plans today?”

“Gotta go to work,” he replied. “I’ll be back later. Don’t worry, I won’t be out for that long.”

He stepped forward and grabbed his things without looking back, heading toward the bathroom.

Nel leaned back onto the bed, sinking into his pillow. She inhaled deeply, catching the faint scent of his hair and skin still clinging to the fabric. A shiver ran through her body.

‘I feel… hot inside,’ she thought, pressing her thighs together. ‘Is this what they call lust?’

A few minutes later, Ichigo emerged, dressed and ready. He slipped on his shoes by the door, glancing back briefly to see Nel sitting quietly, watching him.

“Later,” he said casually before stepping outside.

She stood in the doorway until he was gone, then closed it softly.

Meanwhile, Ichigo walked down the street with that lazy smirk of his.

‘Her emotions are growing faster than I thought they would. Not that I’m complaining… but damn, I can’t even release all this pent-up energy.’ He adjusted his collar and chuckled to himself. ‘Guess I should visit Tatsuki or Orihime after work. Or… both, of course.’

.....

By 9, Ichigo arrived at the Unagiya Shop, leaning against the doorway as Ikumi rummaged through a filing cabinet.

“Right on time,” she said without looking up. “Today’s job is a little different — not the usual lost keys or stuck cats.”

Ichigo smirked. “Sounds promising.”

She slammed the drawer shut and grabbed her bag. “We’re helping a client clean out the back storage room of an old shop. Dusty, cramped, lots of heavy boxes. Perfect chance to see if you’ve actually got some muscle under that shirt.”

“Guess you’ll find out,” he said, following her to the car.

The job site turned out to be a tiny stationery shop with a narrow, dimly lit back room. Boxes were stacked haphazardly, some so high they tilted dangerously.

“Alright, you grab from the bottom, I’ll start up top,” Ikumi said, already climbing onto a shaky step ladder.

Ichigo eyed it. “You sure that thing’s safe?”

“Relax, rookie,” she said over her shoulder. “I’ve been doing this for years.”

She reached for a box on the top shelf, stretching up on her toes. Ichigo was halfway through stacking a pile when he heard a sharp creak.

The ladder wobbled.

“Whoa—!” Ikumi’s voice pitched higher as she lost her balance, the box slipping from her hands.

Ichigo moved before thinking, stepping in and catching her around the waist just as she fell forward. The box hit the ground with a dull thud, but she didn’t.

For a moment, the only sound was her quickened breathing. She was pressed against him, one of his arms firm around her lower back, the other bracing her shoulder.

“You okay?” he asked calmly, though there was the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

Ikumi blinked up at him, clearly caught off guard. “Y-Yeah… guess that ladder’s not as sturdy as I thought.”

“I did say something,” he murmured.

She huffed, trying to recover her composure. “Alright, hero. You can put me down now.”

But Ichigo didn’t move right away — his gaze lingered just a second longer before he set her back on her feet.

She straightened her shirt, brushing imaginary dust from her skirt, her cheeks faintly flushed. “Well… looks like you’ve officially earned your keep today.”

Ichigo smirked. “Guess you’ll have to keep me around then.”

Ikumi turned toward the shelves, hiding the small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah… maybe I will.”

They spent another half hour sorting through the dusty back room. Ichigo lifted most of the heavier boxes without complaint, stacking them neatly by the door. Ikumi worked beside him, occasionally stealing glances when she thought he wasn’t looking.

By the time they were done, the place looked twice as big. The shop owner thanked them, handing Ikumi an envelope of cash.

As they stepped outside, Ikumi paused to lock the door behind her. “Not bad, rookie,” she said. “I was half-expecting you to complain about manual labor.”

Ichigo shrugged. “Wasn’t that bad. Besides, you make a decent boss.”

“Oh? Decent?” she said, turning to face him with a mock-offended look.

Before he could answer, she reached out and brushed a bit of dust off his shirt — though her hand lingered longer than necessary, fingers sliding slightly across his chest. She looked up at him with a sly smile. “There. Can’t have my new employee walking around looking messy.”

Ichigo smirked down at her. “Appreciate it.”

Ikumi stepped back, but not before giving him a quick pat on the arm. “Don’t get used to me cleaning up after you, though.”

“Guess I’ll just have to find other ways to get your attention,” he replied.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her smile didn’t fade. “Careful, Kurosaki. That sounds like a challenge.”

“Maybe it is,” he said as they walked toward the car.

Ikumi glanced at him from the corner of her eye, the ghost of a grin tugging at her lips. “Good. I like a challenge.”

TO BE CONTINUED

[A/N: I know this is just teasing, but trust me. It'll all pay off]