>>281684385
He wanted to string along the IR fans, because that was the relationship fans cared about the most, not IH or RR. That's why even in TYBW he literally implied Ichigo would stay in SS, paralleling Isshin's forced exile in the Living World. Coincidence? I think not. Plus, if you wanna go that route, when did Rukia or Renji say they love each other? The only one in love was Orihime.