Yuzu's POV

Six years passed and I am only one year away from becoming a real adult. People around me often listed the benefits of turning twenty-one, most of them were which I knew to strongly advise myself not to follow. Trying out every single alcohol in the bar and getting myself into a helpless drunk was not how I would want to spend a single night.

Not even if I was feeling lonely.

...Which was how I felt, as regrettable as I would have to admit, everyday.

A situation landed myself to single-handedly survive on my own. It was not a choice that I or my own family would be able to make otherwise. I didn't get the full details but Urahara-san informed that they were in the midst of a very important mission. It was farfetched and he knew that I wouldn't simply buy that without worrying my head off. Soon enough, I gathered what my brother had been doing most of his life outside of his lies.

Karin took it upon herself to continue my brother's task after he... 'lost his powers'. Meanwhile, my brother gained a new set of powers and became 'a mess'... as Urahara-san put it while giggling behind his fan. I, on the other hand, was too busy sniffling to find the humor in it.

Apparently, way before my father met my mother, my father was part of the mess that my brother had to first deal with. Hollows, shinigami, arrancars and so on.

Urahara was nice enough to summarize that, 'all of them are just in this huge messy place that will keep them in one place to supervise and teach them how not to blow up any part of the world you are living in' for me. Then he added that it was actually much more complicated than that.

And Urahara and my father made a promise with each other to help me avoid hardships while they were away. It went well for a year or two before I decided to take things on my own. I couldn't live with someone else's expenses, could I?

Fastforward to right now, I am returning to my home.

"I'm back," I said to no one in particular as I removed my shoes and placed them neatly on the shelf.

"You should consider locking any openings to your house. A dangerous person could enter," 'no one' commented.

...Wait.

It was then I realized I wasn't alone. There was a boy... an elementary school kid, I assume, was standing at the doorway to the living room. His hair was unusual. It was white and-

"Karin's boyfriend!" I remembered instantly and didn't realized I voiced my thoughts.

He looked different from before so I couldn't recognize him at first. I could have sworn his hair was much... spiker than fluffy. His hair definitely looked softer and less dangerous.

In response to my outburst, his eyebrow twitched a few times. Was that a vein popping on his head? Was he angry? "For the last time, I do not have any intimate relationship with anyone!"

Is he sure? I was sure that Karin and him seem pre-eee-ty close.

Instead of voicing my thoughts, I nodded my head enthusiastically. "Karin-chan is not at home at the moment. She is on a trip... a long trip," I lied.

"You don't have to cover up for anyone with me. I know where they are."

"You do?! W-Wait... what are you?"

"A shinigami. They are currently in a place where I live in. In fact, they," he stressed out with gritted teeth as though they had got to his bad side, "-begged me to seek you out. Your father, brother and sister."

Upon hearing about my family, I couldn't help but water. "Otou-san, Onii-chan and Karin-chan? Are they all alright? How are they doing? Where are they? When are they coming back?"

A hand was put in my face and made me stop my questions. It was then I realized that I was starting to bombard Karin's boyfriend with too much inquiries. I couldn't help myself. It had been years since I last saw them. I was desperate enough to know how they were doing. I even tried to look for them myself but it didn't prove to be a very effective idea.

"They are in Soul Society and are doing fine. I am not allowed to fully reveal the details but, they are doing well in what they are doing."

A small pause. I could tell he was kind of regretting what he said last. I could understand. At least, I somehow did when he muttered 'repair bills' more than just a few times under his breath.

Alright, they are definitely more than just fine.

"I get it..." I said slowly. I want to ask more but I knew I was going to get the same answers as Urahara gave. "My family sent you to inform me?" I asked while tilting my head curiously.

A nod. "Yes but I am also here for a mission."

"Mission?"

"Work."

"That's cool!" I clasped my hands together, feeling all the respect I have for Karin's boyfriend. "You're an elementary school kid and you're already working! Isn't it tiring?"

"I'm not an elementary school kid!" he bellowed hotly before closing his eyes and groan. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings and judging from how quickly he recovered, he must have heard the same comment too many times.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know..." I apologized.

I saw him blink a few times before his posture returned to its former composed state. "No, it's... it's fine. Anyway, I should get going."

"But if you are from another world... do you have a house here?"

"No."

Thinking to myself, I wonder where else would someone stay if not under a roof. "Then where do you go back to at the end of the day?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "Nowhere. I spend my nights outside. And why are you crying?"

"Th-that's horrible!" I couldn't help myself but grab his shoulders. No one should have to bear the cold nights outside, not with such a small body. "I-It must have been a huge burden to sleep outside, especially during the winter year... I-It must have felt really chilly, right...? And you have to work too..."

"Not... exactly? Look-"

I immediately cut him off from saying anything else. "You can stay here! I'm sure my family would say the same if they were here!"

I felt his hands removing mine from his shoulder and suddenly found myself staring in his exasperated expression. "I am a boy."

"Didn't Karin-chan bring you over to stay a few times?"

"I highly doubt anyone in your family would approve when you, a girl, are alone at home."

I shook my head and clenched my fists up in determination. "Don't worry! I won't do anything that will hurt you or Karin-chan!"

"That's not the point! And there is nothing between her and I!"

"Ah~ Karin-chan said the same thing before! The both of you are still shy about each other. How cute! There is nothing to worry! The both of you are perfect for each other!"


Here marks the end of the prologue. Only this chapter will be written in Yuzu's POV while the rest of the story will be in third.

Yuzu in this story will look like the girl (Kabato) I put in the display image. I needed a slightly older variation compared to her canon image so I hope this aspect will be bearable. This story will be a re-written 'Afraid of Falling in love with you', which I completed a few years back so I doubt anyone would remember it. In any case, I hope it goes along smoothly.

Thank you for reading!