Chapter 209
But after going through so much, Kurosaki Karin had grown.
At first, in her eyes, ghosts were simply harmless and non-aggressive beings.
As for why ghosts existed, she never thought about it in detail, nor did she consider it particularly special that she could see them.
However, when her family was attacked by Hollows, she realized there were indeed malevolent spirits in the world.
Later, she experienced the chaos caused when Aizen Sōsuke attempted to destroy Karakura Town.
In the face of power on that scale, she found her own abilities too insignificant. All she could do was watch as others either endangered the world's existence-or saved it-while she hid, powerless to intervene.
After these events, Kurosaki Karin resolved that she wanted to become stronger.
"So, I hope, Yuta-san, that you can teach me."
Yuta was not surprised by Kurosaki Karin's decision.
"Since you've made up your mind, I'll be spending more time in this world. I'll teach you power and knowledge so you can deal with Hollows when the time comes."
Kurosaki Yuzu's face brightened immediately. "Thank you, Yuta-san!"
She was thrilled to receive guidance from someone as strong as him.
After parting ways with Kurosaki Yuzu, a man appeared before Yuta.
He wore an ordinary white suit and leaned casually against the wall in the corner, eyes narrowed with a snake-like smile curling at his lips.
"To think that a strong man like you, Yuta, would take an interest in teaching a child," Gin Ichimaru remarked lightly.
Yuta raised his eyebrows. "How should I put it? This world will always belong to the young. What we do today will decide tomorrow's outcome."
Then he asked evenly, "What about you? Have you thought about your own future?"
The man before him was none other than Ichimaru Gin.
In the original story, Gin discovered the weakness of Kyōka Suigetsu and attempted a surprise attack on Aizen Sōsuke. Unfortunately, by then the Hōgyoku had already acknowledged Aizen as its master, and Gin was killed in a single move.
Now that Yuta had intervened earlier, Gin had not been able to attempt his attack, so he survived. What he intended to do from here, however, Yuta could not guess.
Gin remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Anyway, thank you."
"After all those years working as an undercover agent, I'm tired. I plan to head to London and take it easy for a while."
"Aa," Yuta replied simply, then asked, "And you won't return to Soul Society?"
Gin shook his head slowly. "In my current position, even if I claim I betrayed Aizen because I was an undercover agent, who would believe me? I did too much for him. Even if I went back, it would not end well for me. And there's nothing in Soul Society left to keep me there… but I do have one request."
"Say it," Yuta told him.
Gin turned slightly, one hand in his pocket and the other lifting in a casual wave. "Take care of Rangiku for me."
"Why don't you tell her that yourself?"
Gin's smile didn't falter. "Some people never come back once you start missing them. It's better for her to walk forward with you than to keep holding onto me."
With those words, Gin Ichimaru's figure faded away at the edge of Yuta's vision.
Nothing was left behind, and nothing was taken with him.
The artificial body concealing his spiritual pressure had been given to him by Yuta, allowing him to vanish unnoticed.
His efforts against Aizen Sōsuke, the weight of his choices-all of it dissolved without recognition. Perhaps this was exactly what suited someone like him.
...
Soon, the day of the fireworks festival came.
The streets of Karakura lit up brilliantly, almost as bright as daylight.
Night carried a cool breeze, comfortably brushing against the crowds that filled the festival paths.
Vendors lined the way, selling drinks, sweets, dolls, and charms. Women and girls wore colorful yukata, their vibrant patterns catching everyone's eyes as they passed.
Kurosaki Yuzu yawned softly, recalling that morning when Kurosaki Karin had been pulled into her room.
"Yuzu, what do you think of this yukata? Does it look good?" Karin had asked.
Still blinking sleep from her eyes, Yuzu had glanced outside where an early bird was perched on a branch in the garden pecking at insects. Realizing she was being watched as well, the bird tilted its head toward her as if staring back.
"Yuzu, don't you think it's too early? The festival doesn't start until evening." Karin's complaint was half-hearted.
"Come on, Karin, just take a look for me~," Yuzu insisted, tugging on her arm.
"Alright, alright." Karin finally looked properly and nodded faintly. "It looks fine."
"Hmph." Yuzu puffed out her cheeks. "You didn't even look carefully."
...
Later, after they'd chosen their yukata, Yuzu spotted Yuta nearby. She hurried toward him, her wooden clogs tapping crisply against the street.
"Yuta-san, look!"
She twirled in front of him, the hem of her pink yukata fluttering gently like a blooming flower. A crimson obi tied neatly at her waist accentuated the outfit, and a floral hairpin glittered softly in her hair. With each spin, her pale legs flickered into view beneath the fabric.
"Mm. Very beautiful," Yuta said as he patted her head.
Yuzu laughed lightly at the praise, then grabbed his hand. "Come on, Yuta-san, try this chocolate! It's delicious."
"Is this liquor chocolate?" Yuta asked, catching the faint scent of alcohol that clung to her breath. It seemed Isshin had been careless, leaving such sweets within reach of his daughters.
"Here, Yuta-san, say 'ah~.' I'll feed you." Yuzu pressed the chocolate toward his lips playfully.
After he accepted the piece, her smile widened in delight. Together they strolled through the festival, buying small dolls and trying games like ring toss. Later that night, the sky erupted in a thunderous burst of color. Fireworks bloomed overhead like cascading flowers, dazzling against the darkness and drawing the whole crowd to a halt.
Yuzu had fallen asleep, resting on Yuta's back as he carried her through the festival grounds.
Beside him, Kuchiki Rukia walked quietly, gazing upward at the vibrant display. "I didn't think a human fireworks festival would be this beautiful," she murmured.
"It's impressive," Yuta replied, watching the lights scatter across the sky.
"Next year," Yuzu mumbled sleepily against his shoulder, arms wrapped loosely over his neck, "let's watch the fireworks again... together."
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
💕💕
READ 45+ ADVANCED CHAPTER AT MY P@TREON! FOR ONLY 10$
at [email protected] /Zaneninjacat
💕💕
💀💀 gimme powerstones!💀💀