Ichigo's POV

Ichigo: "I just can't win, can I?"

What is this situation? How did Ichigo find himself here? He's currently sitting up in bed, two members of Team NDGO are trying to take his shirt off, Winter, Weiss, and Pyrrha are in the doorway observing this mess, appalled, and all of NDGO are in maid outfits. Why!? Why do these things happen to him!?

Winter: "Ichigo Kurosaki!" she gains his and NDGO's attention. "I was wrong about you! You're nothing but a pervert! Making these ladies undress you in the morning!"

Ichigo: "This is all a big misunder-"

Well, she's not exactly wrong. Now he remembers something that happened yesterday. If he won the duel, which he did, Team NDGO would have to be his personal maids for the rest of the Vytal Festival. Why did he agree to that!? What, was he just too annoyed to really care and think about what that would entail!?

Winter: "Nothing to say for yourself?"

Kukaku: "That's enough, hardass."

As if on cue, Kukaku hops up from her bed, walking and standing in between Ichigo and Winter, looking at Team NDGO.

Kukaku: "Remember what I told you? You need to be aggressive, but not so much that you're fighting him."

Ichigo/Winter: "WHAT!?"

He should've known that these girls were influenced by someone else. If not Yoruichi, then Kukaku would be the next safest bet. What did she do now?

Ichigo: "What did you tell them!?"

Kukaku: "Let's back up a bit. After your 'fight' yesterday, I went over there and taught them a few things. I grew up in a noble family, so I know how servants should act. I just, shall we say, imparted my wisdom to these ladies. After all, they seemed so sincere and gung-ho about fulfilling their end of their bargain, I thought I'd help 'em out."

As soon as Kukaku mentions the 'bargain', Winter's fists clench.

Winter: "What bargain?"

Kukaku: "Long story short, they thought Tier and her team cheated their win and challenged Ichigo. If they lost, they'd have to become his personal maids for rest of the festival. Of course, Ichigo won, so they were duty bound."

Nebula stands up straight, looking at both Kukaku and Winter.

Nebula: "B-But Ichigo showed us how wrong we were and even gave us advice on how to be stronger! We want to do this for him!"

WHAT!?

Winter: "I see... While I acknowledge that this is Miss Slutty Dress's fault, " she eyes Kukaku's... suggestive sleepwear, "the fact that you agreed to such terms with the level of strength and skill you possess..." she looks away from him. "...pervert." she softly states.

He- No, she's got a point.

Kukaku: "She's got you there, kid."

...thanks, Kukaku. That makes him feel loads better. NOT!

Weiss: "Ichigo...?"

He looks at the blushing Weiss and Pyrrha, who are still standing behind Winter, looking at him. Seeing them like this... it's making Ichigo feel kinda guilty, even though this isn't mostly his fault.

Ichigo: "Alright, everyone out. I have to get ready for the day."

Gwen: "L-Let us help-"

Ichigo: "Alone." he strongly commands.

Her face flushes and her eyes widen. What's with that reaction?

Winter: "But-"

Ichigo: "I'm sorry, Winter. We can talk later. Right now, I need to do a few things. I promise, I'll make some time for you if you still need it."

She stands firm, though she's still blushing.

Winter: "...very well. I shall await your invitation, Mr. Kurosaki."

She turns around, moves past Weiss and Pyrrha, and goes out of the room.

Ichigo: "Now that that's over with... would the rest of you please leave? I need to get dressed."

Weiss: "O-Oh! Of course! Come along Pyrrha, we shouldn't be in a boy's room this early."

Pyrrha stares for a few more seconds, though Ichigo doesn't know why. Is there something on his face and nobody's said anything?

Weiss: "Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha: "R-Right! Off we go!"

That second calling of her name had broken her out of whatever trance she was in. What was that?

Nebula: "And us?"

Ichigo: "Go do whatever you normally do. I recommend you try some of the things I told you yesterday, but that's just me."

Nebula: "Girls?"

DGO: "Right!"

Ichigo: "Kukaku, go with-" He was about to say 'go with them', but then realized that's a horrible idea. "Why don't you get dressed and look around in the festival grounds, try to collect some information."

As NDGO is leaving, Kukaku opens the window, letting the morning breeze rush in.

Kukaku: "Why?"

He doesn't want to say that he's only trying to get her out of his hair, but... Now that NDGO's gone and he can feel them getting further away, he can speak more candidly.

Ichigo: "I don't know everything about this world, so we need to do as much as possible to learn. I know Yoruichi and Sui-Feng are more into info gathering, but at the festival grounds, they'd stick out more."

Of course, that's just an excuse to get her to go.

Kukaku: "Well, guess it can't be helped."

She starts undressing in front of him, causing his face to go completely red.

Ichigo: "W-WAIT UNTIL I'M OUT OF THE ROOM!"

Kukaku: "Why?" she continues. "I don't mind if you see me like this. Your reactions are actually pretty cute."

Ichigo's completely shocked. He expected this behavior from Yoruichi, but Ku- Wait, they are best friends. Ichigo forgot about that. He Flash Steps out of the room as quickly as possible, leaving the mostly naked Kukaku alone with the slowly stirring others. He had Flash Stepped outside the room while still in his sleepwear.

Ichigo: "Good thing I have a spare set of clothes in my office in case mine ever got torn or dirty. Didn't think I'd need to use them for this though."

???: "Professor Kurosaki?"

The calm, sweet voice soothes Ichigo slightly, and he turns to answer... oh no. Mrs. Winchester is a few feet away from him, but that's not the worst part.

Ichigo (thoughts): 'WHY THE HELL IS SHE WEARING THAT OF ALL THINGS!?'

He must keep a straight face no matter what. He is a professional and she is the mother of one of his students.

Ichigo: "I'm sorry, Mrs. Winchester. I didn't see you there. Sorry about my appearance, I just got up."

Mamako: "I apologize for disturbing you so early. I was visiting Cardin and I wanted to see how he was doing in class. You never called me!"

Her appearance is throwing him off, especially with what happened just a few minutes ago. She's also puffing up her cheeks, acting as if she's pouting because he didn't call her, acting as if she's a child. Still, as a professional, he must do his best.

Ichigo: "O-Oh... Sorry about that. Things have been crazy lately."

While that's true, he's had no reason to call her. Cardin's been whining through the training, but he's been doing it. The best part is that what Ichigo did to him must have scared him straight since he isn't doing any bullying anymore. He even apologized to Velvet and some of the others he's bullied!

Mamako: "I know, and I'm just teasing you!" she smiles. "Your work as a teacher and with the Vytal Festival probably has you all over the place, am I right?"

Ichigo: "That's right. You said you wanted to talk about Cardin, right? I think his team actually made it to the second round, believe it or not."

Mamako: "I know, isn't that fantastic? Could you tell me how you train with him? I'd love to hear all about it!"

Doesn't look like she'll take no for an answer. Today isn't great, but he has time right now... Once he gets properly dressed.

Ichigo: "Sure. Let's go to my office. I need to change out of this and I've some spare clothes in there."

Mamako: "Wonderful!"

They start walking to his office and Ichigo needs to approach the Goliath in the hallway.

Ichigo: "So... Speaking of clothing, I didn't know you worked as a maid?"

She smiles radiantly at him, something that stirs a strange emotion in Ichigo.

Mamako: "Truth be told, I wore this for you! I wanted to thank you for allowing my son another chance! I thought young men liked maids, so here I am!"

While he's just completely done with maids at this point, right now, she's a concerned parent to one of his students, so he should at least discuss Cardin's progress with her... and hopefully not stare too much.

Mamako: "Unless you don't like it?"

Ah... Shit. Her troubled expression is making him feel bad. It's a version of the puppy dog eyes, except instead of him doing something for her, he just wants her to stop making that face!

Ichigo: "N-No! I-I think it's great! Really. You cheered me right up!"

That's a lie, but only partially. Her light-hearted demeanor is refreshing compared to the craziness he usually deals with. Still, Ichigo can't help but feel cautious around her. The feeling he's getting from her is the same type of feeling he got from Jaune's sister, Saphron. Strange...

Later

Amity Arena

The impromptu Parent-Teacher conference with Mamako Winchester went fairly well. Ichigo told her about the training methods he's used on her son and, despite being brutal by this world- well, most standards, she just kept on smiling, not even concerned with the hellish situations Ichigo's putting her son through.

Right now, Ichigo's watching Team CRDL's second round match, but even with Ichigo's training, Cardin's outmatched. He's improved, sure, but what's the saying? Rome wasn't built in a day? He hasn't improved enough for this opponent.

Professor Port (PA System): "And would you look at that! Cardin Winchester is knocked out of the arena! With both teammates down, Penny Polendina and Ciel Soleil from Atlas are the winners!"

That Penny girl is weird, but she's friendly enough. Ichigo had met her not too long ago due to Ruby wanting to introduce her. They're apparently friends, which, given their unique personalities, actually makes sense. Still, there's something about her that's off. The feel of her Aura is different from everyone else's, and it's a familiar feeling. The difference between her Aura and other people's is the same type of difference that Ichigo feels between Nemu and other Soul Reapers. Nemu's an artificial person, so could Penny...?

Penny: "Salutations, Professor- I mean, Ichigo!"

Right. When they met, Ruby had introduced him as Ichigo instead of Professor Kurosaki. When Penny questioned it, Ichigo explained that while he was a Professor, he preferred to be called by his first name. Ichigo's currently in the path to the arena, wanting to have gotten a closer look at the match to witness Cardin's pitiful progress.

Ciel: "Penny. We must return at 1400 hours."

Her teammate seems less like a teammate and more like a bodyguard. If Ichigo's hunch is correct, then it wouldn't be too far out of the realm of possibility for this girl to have been assigned by the good General himself.

Penny: "But Ciel, I-"

Ruby: "Penny!"

Like a tornado, Ruby comes barreling through, stopping right in front of Penny. From what Ichigo can tell, Ruby's one of Penny's only friends.

Penny: "Ruby!" she looks at Ciel. "Surely, we have enough time in our schedule for a small interaction for a few minutes?"

Ciel looks at her watch, then back to Penny, the gear turning in her head.

Ciel: "Very well. I shall allow you three minutes, but then we must depart."

She steps back, standing up against the wall.

Penny: "Sensational! I was just about to speak with Professor- I mean, Ichigo here!"

Ruby's head quickly turns towards Ichigo, her cheeks turning red, before she turns back to look at Penny. Did she really not notice he was there?

Ruby: "O-Oh... H-Hey, Ichigo..."

Things are still awkward between them because of her sudden love confession at the hospital. They haven't really spoken since then; both having been too embarrassed to say anything about it. That incident the other day where she and Yang got drinks spilled on them, soaking their clothing, didn't really help things. Still, Ichigo shouldn't ruin this moment for them, so he should probably go.

Ichigo: "First off, congratulations on the win, Penny. You did some excellent work out there. If you'll excuse me..." he gains a devilish smirk. "I have to go discipline my student that just lost to you."

He turns around and leaves, leaving Ruby and Penny (mostly) alone.

Ruby's POV

Oh no! Why!? Why did Ichigo just leave!? Was it because of her? They haven't spoken a lot lately, and here they get the chance, but he just leaves! Does he...

Penny: "Ruby? What is the matter? You seem... upset?"

She squints to try to read Ruby's nervous face better.

Ruby: "I-It's nothing... I just- No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't concern you with it."

Penny: "Oh, but I am concerned! If something is bothering my friends, then I want to do everything I can to help! And I need to know to help!"

Penny's so sincere that Ruby can't help but want to tell her.

Ruby: "I... I said something really stupid and I just- I don't think Ichigo likes me anymore... He won't look at me and he hasn't said a word!"

It's true. It feels like Ichigo's been actively avoiding both her and Yang, but then again, anytime she sees Ichigo and Yang, she herself is there, so it's probable that it's her that's making him so uncomfortable!

Penny: "Really? When we were talking just now, he kept glancing at you. You did not notice because you weren't looking at him and you were not talking. Does that mean you do not like him anymore?"

Ruby: "What!? No! I still do! I'm just... I'm embarrassed... What I said, I- I don't know if..."

Penny: "Can Ichigo not feel embarrassment?"

Ruby: "Huh?"

What does she mean? Why ask that?

Penny: "I don't know that much about human interaction, but if you behave one way because you are embarrassed, then if Ichigo is exhibiting the same behavior, could he not be feeling embarrassed as well?"

What!? Ichigo could be feeling the same thing that Ruby is!?

Ruby: "W-Well, I... I didn't think about that. Ichigo's just always so cool... I didn't think he could be embarrassed."

Penny: "On the contrary, I have seen his interactions with Yoruichi Shihōin! From what I could tell, she embarrasses him many times!"

Ruby thinks about that for a moment. Penny's completely right. Ruby's just been a giant idiot this entire time! Of course, Ichigo still likes her! He's just shy like her too! Her confession was pretty sudden, especially at such a weird time as being told he's Uncle Qrow's son! It must have been too much for him and he's overwhelmed! He's trying to play it cool, but seeing her reminds him and he's too shy to say anything about it! He doesn't hate her!

Ruby: "Maybe I still have a chance after all...?"

Penny: "A chance? For what?"

Ruby: "N-Nothing!" she yells. "So uhh... your match. It went pretty well, didn't it? Cardin's a pushover, but he's gotten better recently due to Ichigo's training, even though he hadn't been training as long as I have."

Penny: "You and Ichigo are training together? May I be part of the training sometime?"

Ruby: "Sure!" she smiles. "I doubt Ichigo would mind too much! Any with your..." she looks at Ciel, then quiets her voice. "Beep beep boop," she imitates a robot, "I'm sure you would have no trouble keeping up!"

Penny: "Thank you, Ruby!"

They keep talking for another minute and ten seconds, with Penny saying that she wants to stay at Beacon.

Ruby: "But Penny, you can't. You go to Atlas."

Penny: "I know, but I have a plan. I-"

Ciel: "Miss Polendina, it has been exactly three minutes. We must be going."

Penny: "Okay Ciel." she looks back at Ruby. "Let's talk later, Ruby!"

She waves goodbye as she and Ciel walk away, leaving Ruby alone to think. While Penny isn't the most knowledgeable about social aspects of humans, she's really smart with what she does know. She just really helped Ruby, who is trying to work up the courage to talk to Ichigo again.

Ichigo's POV

Tier's team just finished their second round, winning, as expected. This time, Ichigo was around for their antics. While Sun-Sung and Mila were doing the fighting in the arena, Tier and Apacci were in the stands... cheering them on? Tier wasn't saying much of anything, instead just watching. Apacci, however, was throwing slew after slew of insults towards both her teammates and their opponents. She's gotten better control of herself as of late, but she's still one of the most hot-headed people Ichigo knows.

Mila: "Lady Harribel."

Sun-Sung: "My Lady."

They both bow to her as they come up into the stands, joining them. Neither of them broke a sweat, nor had to use their Zanpakuto. Really, it was over before anyone knew. The only reason it took as long as it did was that for all the insults Apacci was throwing out, Mila and Sung were throwing them right back, to her and each other.

Apacci: "Ha! Took you guys long enough! If I went down there, I woulda-"

Sun-Sung: "But you didn't, did you? You lost the right to represent us when you lost the competition."

Before the second-round matches started, they wanted to decide who was going to go in a contest. Tier herself decided not to participate, so it was up to Tres Bestias to decide. Ichigo, for fear of them destroying something that he would have to pay and/or apologize to Ozpin/Ironwood for, told them to settle it nonviolently. Tier suggested that they play a video game and whoever was the loser would sit out. As you could guess, Apacci lost, but not because she wasn't skilled. It was actually because she gripped the controller so hard that she broke it, causing her character to lose... Ichigo was right for them to do something non-destructive... mostly.

Apacci: "You know I only lost because-"

Sun-Sung: "Because you were an idiot and broke your controller. I mean seriously, who does that? You caused trouble for Lady Harribel with that pitiful display and for poor Ichigo because now he has to go out and buy a new controller."

She's right and as prideful as she is, Apacci knows it. The Arrancar hangs her head in silence, gripping the bar of the arena in indignation and regret.

Ichigo: "H-Hey, it's fine. That controller was on its last legs and I was planning to replace it anyway. Don't beat yourself up over it."

A complete lie. That was a brand-new controller that Ichigo had bought so they could play video games, but she doesn't need to know that. Besides, he still has money from the bet he made with Ironwood, so it's not like he's out of options. He can just buy a new one.

Apacci: "...really?" she softly asks.

Ichigo: "Yeah. Just next time, don't take it so seriously."