"Kurosaki…"
"Kurosaki-kun?!"
"Ichigo… Inoue is calling you."
Huh? Ah!
Sitting by the window, Ichigo Kurosaki snapped back to reality after staring blankly outside. He hurriedly straightened up, glancing at the two people next to him who were giving him puzzled looks, and forced a somewhat awkward smile.
"S-Sorry… I was just thinking about something else. Got a bit distracted."
His left hand scratched his chin while his right fidgeted with the ballpoint pen on the desk, spinning it nervously.
At least, that was the plan… But his clumsy movements sent the pen tumbling to the floor with a loud clatter.
This wasn't just a matter of appearing distracted—Ichigo was aware that his behavior had been strange. He pressed his lips together, seemingly giving up, and then closed his eyes for a moment.
"…Sorry, I need to excuse myself."
Watching his retreating figure, Orihime Inoue stood up with concern, instinctively wanting to follow him.
However, Chad held her back and silently shook his head.
"But…"
"If Ichigo doesn't want to talk about it, there's no point in pushing him."
Chad didn't say much, but whenever he did, it always cut straight to the heart of the matter. Orihime hesitated for a moment after hearing him, then seemed to abandon her desire to chase after Ichigo.
The two of them sat back down, both visibly troubled by the same concern.
"Kurosaki-kun seemed really off today."
"That guy's always like that…"
"No, it's different this time. He seemed… almost hollow. Like he went through something really painful and couldn't share it with anyone."
Chad stayed silent for a moment.
"I'm not as sensitive as you, so I didn't really pick up on that. But whatever it is, if Ichigo doesn't want to talk, I won't force him."
Differences in opinion were inevitable.
And in Ishida Uryū's absence, there was rarely anyone left to act as the "brain" or mediator of the group.
Although their relationships hadn't grown distant, Ichigo still chose to handle things on his own most of the time.
Was it distrust of the outside world? Or did he just think he could solve everything alone?
The answer was unknown, but regardless… even if his behavior and logic had shifted slightly, the kind-hearted yet melancholic boy still held onto his original nature.
In the bathroom, Ichigo splashed cold water onto his face.
He looked up at his reflection in the mirror, staring back at himself.
What happened yesterday had left a deep impression, and tonight… that was when the plan would begin.
He couldn't drag others into this.
Especially not Orihime Inoue and Chad—neither of them, with their current strength, could handle the level of conflict that was about to erupt.
'Because only I can do this…'
That meant only Ichigo Kurosaki would bear the weight.
'Isn't that right, Seiya-san, Zangetsu…?'
His whisper was like a quiet incantation, more self-reassurance than a real question.
He had made up his mind.
Ichigo took a deep breath and forced a smile.
An adult wouldn't burden others with their own troubles. Even if he wasn't fully grown yet, even if he wasn't perfectly calm, this was a step forward.
Alright…
Time to head back. He couldn't let everyone waste time worrying about him.
Ichigo turned and walked away, his back straight and resolute, as if he'd made some kind of significant decision.
That night.
"Ouch!"
"Shut up! It's just a scratch. Don't make such a big deal out of it!"
Although scolded loudly, the person in question only showed a timid expression, clearly too scared to talk back.
Ryūnosuke Yumiki could only whimper softly, his voice barely audible.
It was obvious that his behavior was purely to avoid conflict, a form of silent compromise.
But at the same time…
His companion found it utterly "pathetic."
Shino Madarame gritted her teeth, turning halfway around and grabbing him by the collar.
"What's your problem?! If you're pissed, just say it! Stop acting all scared and pathetic!"
"Eek… I-I'm not mad or anything…"
"That's exactly the kind of attitude that pisses me off!"
If you didn't like someone, just say it. If you didn't get along, just fight it out.
That was the lifestyle Madarame Ikkaku had taught her.
Although she didn't always agree with her brother's battle-crazed mindset, they were siblings, after all.
In certain ways, her personality was clearly influenced by him.
The so-called "temper" was one of those traits.
Seeing Ryūnosuke cower and avoid her gaze, Shino clicked her tongue and released his collar.
"Whatever… forget it."
Ryūnosuke adjusted his uniform and cautiously glanced at her, whispering, "Shino-san… are you angry?"
"Of course, I am!"
No reason to hide it.
Shino's style was almost identical to her brother's.
"We finally get assigned to the World of the Living, but there's not even a single Hollow in sight!"
"And to top it off, I have to work with you! What was the Captain thinking…?"
"He knows I can't stand working with you!"
Once she started, she couldn't stop. Shino began rambling more and more.
"Besides, that Substitute Shinigami is active in Karakura Town, right? With him around, why are we even here?"
"Isn't he supposed to be super strong? He should have no trouble handling whatever comes up."
"So what's the point of us being here? It makes no sense…"
Compared to Shino's prickly attitude, Ryūnosuke was much calmer.
"Well… I'm sure the Captain has his reasons. After all, Captain Ukitake believes in cooperation and support."
Jūshirō Ukitake had been the captain of the Thirteenth Division for many years. His ideology and beliefs had become part of the division's core.
"Don't use the Captain's words to pressure me!"
"Uh… I-I didn't mean it that way."
"…Really?"
Seeing him nod furiously, Shino seemed to lose interest in scolding him.
She turned back, her gaze sweeping over the tall buildings ahead.
Her eyes sparkled with faint wonder.
"The human world… it really is different from ours."
"Do you… like it here, Shino-san?"
"Not a chance! I still prefer tatami floors and grilled fish. All this flashy stuff doesn't suit me."
But even so—
It didn't stop a Shinigami from carrying out their duty.
"But it's a mark of civilization… even if it's like a painting I can't appreciate, it still deserves to be protected."
All beautiful things in the world were worth safeguarding.
Ryūnosuke looked at her, somewhat surprised.
"It's hard to imagine… Shino-san saying something like that."
"What, you think I'm just some brainless musclehead? I'm not my brother!"
Not quite, but… almost.
"Are you thinking something really rude right now?!"
"N-No, not at all!"
Their small argument was one of the few ways they passed time in this patrol.
Assignments like these were routine, often uneventful. Calm nights, still skies… a peaceful existence.
But fate had other plans.
Grr…
Something shifted, sank, as if dropping into the depths.
And the following low hum sent both of them straight to their feet, turning toward the source.
Their expressions changed instantly.
Because that sound… was all too familiar.
They had been trained to recognize it before being deployed—
It was the sign of a Hollow's incursion.
"What…? A spatial tear… Is it a Menos invasion?!"
As the words left her mouth—
From the shadows, two crimson lights flared up.
Bright as blood moons, glaring at them with a suffocating sense of dread.
"This is…"
Shino could only utter two words—
Before the light began to contract.
A sphere of pure darkness materialized, blending seamlessly with the night sky, yet glowing ominously like a black sun… impossible to ignore.
The battle had just begun.
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Powerstones?
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