"Please, take a seat here."
Katsuko scratched her elbow when Akon gestured to the one singular chair in the lab.
She was in Squad 12's barracks.
It was currently six days after the battle. She was supposed to show up at the Soul Society five days later but since there weren't any pressing matters other than a report, she chose to prioritize her human life over the afterlife.
Sorry, not sorry.
What exactly was her priority?
Haru and Jun came over with their school notes to help her catch up on school on Monday after school, postponing her attendance in the Seireitei for Tuesday afternoon.
Her parents were okay with it now. After all, what's done is done. However, her powers would remain with her forever now, and she would still be involved in the spirit affairs. She just promised to not do anything too dangerous and to tell them the truth from now on even if they didn't understand it all.
And like always, she would return home.
Katsuko sighed and made her way to the chair, making herself comfortable all while staring at Akon who was going around the lab at his own pace. It was just the two of them in the lab. There was no Captain Kurotsuchi (thank freaking god) because he was apparently in Hueco Mundo scavenging for research materials with his Lieutenant and a few seated officers, leaving Akon, his Third Seat, in charge of the Squad for the time being.
She learned very quickly that Akon was a man she was comfortable being around with.
Her trip to the Soul Society was not lonesome. She came with Kensei, Rose and Shinji since they were scheduled to show up some time before the end of the week after they made their choice. There wasn't any point in delaying since they weren't opposed to becoming Captains once more. And so, they traveled through the Dangai with Katsuko, who they made fun of after she kept looking around for the damn Cleaner.
…
…
…
"Would you relax?" Kensei grabbed the back of her jacket when she stumbled into him and tripped over own feet when she wasn't paying attention. He held her up like a cat by its scruff.
Unlike the last time she went to the Soul Society, this time, she entered the Dangai in her human form with her own attire and glasses. She was wearing the same jacket as when she went to visit Shinji and the others. It was just a quick trip to the Soul Society anyway.
The Soul Reapers who were accompanying them on the way there looked back to see Katsuko wriggling around in embarrassment.
"Stop it! Lemme go!"
"Only if you calm down and stop moving around so much."
"Geez," Shinji scowled at her. "The Cleaner is not going to kill you."
"It could!" Katsuko shot back. "Do you know how many times I had to run away from that damn thing?! Two times! That's one time too many!"
Rose put a thoughtfully hand under his chin. "I've never known anyone who could outrun the Cleaner… well, aside from you and your orange haired friend."
"Hiragi-san," A Soul Reaper with short brown hair gently addressed with a reassuring smile. "Please, don't worry. There won't be any problems because we made arrangements to disable the mechanisms so we can all pass safely." The other Soul Reapers with him echoed his reassurances.
"You heard the man." Shinji flicked her chin, causing her to try to weakly kick his thigh in mid air with her blue converse.
"Fine…"
"If you are still afraid, you're free to hold my hand." Rose offered amicably, hand out.
"I'm not a baby." Katsuko said, pouting as Kensei put her down.
…
…
…
When they arrived, the group of Soul Reapers who brought them to the Seireitei split into two groups, to escort the Vizards to Squad 1 and to bring Katsuko to Squad 12. Afterwards, she was like a baton in a race, being handed over to another group in order to meet with Akon. He walked out of an office with some paperwork while looking troubled over them. But the moment he saw her face, he was quick to hand over the papers to some girl with chains on her hair and ushered Katsuko to follow after him into a lab room.
He alone would take charge of extracting the information for the Soul Society's report on the war against Aizen.
"There's no need to look so worried." Akon said, tapping away on some keyboard.
"I'm not really worried… more like curious? I've never been in a lab. I only see labs in movies where there's a mad scientist about to do some unethical experiments." Katsuko tore her eyes away to stare at the ceiling, and then whatever she could spot in the lab room.
There was a weird looking worm hanging on a wall.
Akon couldn't help the small chuckle escaping him. He didn't know what movies were but he was smart enough to understand what she meant. "Well, that wouldn't be too far from the truth with my Captain. But don't worry, it's just a memory search and recording. We did the same thing to Naogoma Chisaki from Squad 9 when she was extracted from you to prove her innocence."
"... What will you see?"
"The memories about your time in the real Karakura Town against Aizen. You'll just need to think back to that time."
"... But what if I forget a detail? Isn't that bad for your report?"
Akon reached for a lever on his left and swiftly pulled it which made a valve come out from the ground. Once the lid opened, it released steam and revealed a tray of vials.
"You'll drink one of these and it will force your brain to recall everything in detail without fail. The Captain prepared this during the time you were unconscious after Naogoma Chisaki unsealed your wounds since the Captain Commander couldn't fully trust her words after supposedly killing her fellow officers and escaping to the World of the Living."
Katsuko's mouth formed a straight line. "Ah… makes sense."
The criminal says they were innocent and blames the man who betrayed the Soul Society for their crime. How convenient. Words are simply words, not proof.
The girl watched as Akon approached her with some wires. With his finger, he motioned for her bangs to move up so he could put a patch on her forehead.
She squinted when he flattened it against her skin. He used his index fingers to make sure it was well pressed against her skin.
"It doesn't hurt." He informed her before pushing the sides of her hair that hid her temples to attach smaller round patches on each. She blinked at him and just gently shook her head just as he looked her in the eyes.
"It just feels like Urahara-san's patch…" The material felt the same.
Akon stepped back once he finished. Despite lacking eyebrows just like a certain Captain, she could tell he was raising a non-existent eyebrow at her statement. "Did he search your memory too?"
"Uhh… not exactly." Katsuko tipped her head and gingerly touched her temples. "But you'll find out why soon enough if you're going to record my memory with your stuff."
Again, I just hope I don't get in trouble…
He only let out a hum as a response, reaching for one of the vials, shaking it briefly before uncapping it and handing it to her.
"Go ahead. Fair warning, it doesn't taste good."
"Wonderful." She deadpanned.
Carefully, she took the vial and stared at the pink liquid. She couldn't help but feed her curiosity and take a whiff. It didn't smell like anything. With a shrug and a sigh, she brought the vial to her lips and was about to drink it all in one go until she remembered one way to block out taste. Her free hand quickly pinched her nose and she downed it in one go. But the moment she let go of her nose, she shuddered and shook her head, sticking her tongue out.
Akon compared the reaction akin to those who didn't like liquid medicine in Squad 4's barracks.
After handing the vial back to Akon, she was instructed to remember the time when she entered the real Karakura Town.
The moment she stepped foot outside after leaving behind Isshin and Ichigo in the Dangai.
I came running out.
My feet touched the outskirts of the town. My eyes immediately recognized a familiar building in the distance. It was in that building that I did my yearly check ups. I also saw that one street that the bus I took to school had to pass by during an intersection.
I recognized Matsumoto's spiritual pressure nearby Ichimaru Gin's.
And then I felt the weakened presence of my friends somewhere in town. They were too low for my liking.
I needed to hurry and find them…
Akon could already see the effects taking place.
Her face was devoid of emotion and she simply looked in a daze, as if she was spacing out as she began to recall it all. He put his hands inside the opposite sleeves and stared at the giant screen in the center of the lab room. He would be the first one to see everything that took place before Aizen's defeat.
.
"To whom do I owe the pleasure?"
The girl turned and shrugged nonchalantly. "Just me. Regular Hiragi Katsuko."
Aizen seemed amused. "It seems Shisugu refuses to poke his head out anymore. But, in a sense, he has never left since you stand before me once again."
Ever since Aizen gave Shisugu a reality check, he didn't surface anymore. It forced Katsuko to fight on her own and use the new abilities she had the best way she could.
"I'll admit… you're right about me not being able to escape his shadow. I can't dismiss how he… how I feel towards you. I can't forget, friend." She said the word sharply and almost mockingly. "The longer this war goes on the more I get closer to him. It's annoying and confusing. But even so," She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
She suddenly pointed her finger at him and yelled angrily, "But if you touch what's mine I won't stand idle!"
Aizen smirked and lifted his palm out to her. "Very well, then I shall begin with you instead, Hiragi Katsuko. I will have another use for you before Kurosaki Ichigo arrives. I was going to kill his friends and show it to him but I have changed my mind. The person who he fought so hard to save, and his friends from the town he wants to protect, I will end them all and give him hatred to perfect the new power he will bring with him."
Katsuko smirked darkly. "Ichigo doesn't need hatred to beat you. And I won't let you give him hatred because I will not die first. They will not die either because I will make sure of it. You can try to kill me… but don't think it'll be as easy as eighteen years ago!"
"What familiar confidence." He chortled.
.
Akon narrowed his eyes.
"Eighteen years ago…?"
He looked at Katsuko who remained in a daze-like state.
"Shisugu? As in… Naogoma Shisugu?"
He saw everything, even the unpleasant moments when she basically died and then rejuvenated herself with Kido.
And since the drug she took was meant to force her brain to remember everything, it was so powerful that it made her feel everything as well.
She wasn't able to avoid the memory of pain, making her face twitch at every painful 'death' she suffered.
…
…
…
"Someone looks tired."
Katsuko looked ahead and found Renji at the entrance of Squad 12's barracks, leaning against the door.
"Oh, hey, Renji…" She greeted tiredly, barely covering her mouth in time when a yawn escaped her. She blinked away her tears but still used her sleeve to wipe them just in case. She smiled at him lazily. "You look well. Did all your injuries heal already?"
Renji nodded and shook around the arm he wasn't leaning on. "Yeah. Orihime-chan's been helping out Squad 4 and I was able to get healed first with a few people. I heard you were helping out with the battle's report by having your memory prodded, so I figured I'd pass by on my way to say hi."
"How nice of you." Katsuko droned, walking past the doors, lethargic.
Renji raised a brow, eyes fixed on her form. "Okay, you look even worse than the time you passed out after Ichigo. What's wrong?"
"Akon gave me a drug which forced me to basically relive my fight against Aizen, the one sided battering I got, and my brain is just fried. He said I needed to eat something to get back some energy, so I gotta head home and eat something. First," She lazily looked around, trying to remember which way was towards the giant Senkaimon. She clapped her hands on her cheeks and dragged her fingers down her face, stretching down the skin under her eyes. "How do I get back? Where is that giant Senkaimon…?"
Renji inwardly cringed at the mention of Squad 12's drugs. The battle Captain Kurotsuchi had against Szayelaporro… and the use of one of his drugs. Yeah, he was glad he wouldn't be on the receiving end of his science.
The red haired Lieutenant pushed himself off the doorframe. "I'll get you something to eat because I'm concerned you'll pass out again. They won't find your body at this rate."
Katsuko looked at him, confused, letting go of her face to look at him properly. "There's food here…?" She trailed off but then realized that she did once eat somewhere in the Seireitei before. "Right… I forgot this is a city and not some military zone with no food."
She did eat some sweets somewhere in a teahouse with Chisaki where she first met Ikkaku and Yumichika.
"Are you sure? Didn't you say you were on your way somewhere? I don't wanna hold you back from whatever work you have to do…"
Renji snorted. "Yeah. I was on my way to get taiyaki. Don't worry, I'm on a break right now. Come on." Gesturing his hand for her to follow, he started walking down the street without waiting for her to follow him.
Katsuko blinked twice, her brain not quite registering the information. When she forcefully rebooted, she ran after the tall man, her shoes echoing as they slapped the ground.
"You guys have taiyaki here?!"
…
…
…
In their hands was a fresh taiyaki bought from a store that sells pastries. Renji decided they would just eat their food while walking since every seat was occupied by Soul Reapers who were also on their break, but only after making sure she was well enough to not fall pass out on the way. Katsuko didn't mind standing if it meant she could leave that rather noisy place, her brain didn't really like lively places right now.
"So, where's Rukia?" Katsuko asked, taking another bite.
"Hm? Oh, she's actually writing her report on Hueco Mundo at the Squad 1 barracks. Everyone who went to Hueco Mundo had to write their own report on their battles and whatever findings they had on that place. The realm of the Hollows was basically undiscovered territory up until now so we've been updating our files on it. I already did my report last week so I've been liberated from all the extra paperwork."
"Damn, and I thought I had it rough." Katsuko chuckled. "I have to catch up on my school studies."
"Oh, right. You're a student. Forgot about that. I haven't studied anything in at least fifty years."
Katsuko chortled. "Okay, old man."
"The hell?! I am not old."
Grinning, the girl ignored the way Renji narrowed his eyes at her, offended by the 'old' comment.
"Anyway, that explains why Captain Kurotsuchi is out there, huh?"
"He was very insistent on going there the moment the town swap and all other pressing matters were done." Renji couldn't imagine finding something in that wasteland.
"Well, you can include this in your report: white grass is edible."
"White grass?" Renji echoed, confused, mouth full.
"While I was in Los Noches, they fed me white grass. It wasn't the most appetizing meal but it certainly did the job."
"Strange. I only ever saw sand in Hueco Mundo…" Renji looked up at the sky, trying to recall anything that was similar to that white grass she was talking about. He remembered trees… but that was about it. "But I guess it must be edible and sustainable to keep a prisoner well fed…"
Katsuko stared at her taiyaki thoughtfully. After he spoke the name of that realm, she couldn't help thinking about something… it was just some curious thought.
She probably already had the answer…
But… meh…
"Heu, uh, why did you come to Hueco Mundo with Ichigo?" She asked, staring at his side profile, eyes curious.
"Huh?"
"I mean… you're a Lieutenant, someone of your rank was important for this war. I mean, not that I'm ungrateful," she quickly held up a hand to dismiss the thought. "Thank you for coming to save me, but I literally just thought about it just now so I'm just wondering what the reason was."
Renji squinted his eyes, looking at her as if she was missing an eyebrow.
"Oh, wow. Here, I thought you were smarter than Ichigo. I guess you guys share the same brain cells sometimes." He pointed his taiyaki at her, frowning deeply. "You know, I was going to punch him if he went to Hueco Mundo without waiting for me and Rukia."
Katsuko froze with her taiyaki. "Huh?"
Renji looked ahead and sighed. "It doesn't matter if I'm a Lieutenant with responsibilities. I've learned to forsake that title if it means doing what's right. It's like Rukia said, rescuing a friend is not a mistake." He looked at her and scowled, eyes narrowing. "Are we not friends?"
He even held up his taiyaki as if to prove that they were.
Katsuko pouted and timidly played with the wrapped of her snack. "... Yes, but… I just thought…"
"You just thought too much about the specifics, that's what." Renji used his other hand to drop his big hand on her head, lightly rattling it. "Things don't have to be complicated for it to work."
And besides, she risked her life to help Ichigo save Rukia a few months ago. Why wouldn't he do the same for someone who was dear to Ichigo?
Escaping his grasp, Katsuko muffled her mouth against the taiyaki. Now she felt stupid for asking when the reason was truly that simple. "Sorry, sorry. Stupid question, I guess. To be honest… I thought I had to do it all on my own." She admitted, almost sheepishly.
The red haired Lieutenant paused when her words registered in his brain. "... Did you believe no one would come for you?"
Even though the situation wasn't the same, the circumstances were similar enough.
Katsuko and Rukia were captives, prisoners by the ones their rescuers called enemies.
But he had to wonder if she was the same as Rukia when it came to being imprisoned. Unlike Rukia's case, who was ready to die from her execution, Katsuko didn't seem like the type to give up on the idea that someone would come for her. She knew what kind of person Ichigo was after all, they were close friends.
Katsuko continued chewing when he asked, slowly turning her head to look at him and shrug lightly.
Renji's gaze softened at her silent answer.
"It's not like I thought you didn't want to. I just knew that you weren't going to be allowed to because, what's my life compared to all of those in Karakura Town? As depressing as that sounds, it was the truth. I just had to find hope somewhere else, in myself, no one else."
Well, he supposed that kind of thought process did fit Katsuko's character. Rationality. Still, it was still unnerving to basically hear the lack of faith.
"Well, they did try to stop us from coming after you. But Rukia and I just pretended to follow orders because we already knew we weren't going to listen to the Captain Commander's orders. Thankfully, we made it before that idiot went through the Garganta by himself." Renji dropped a hand on her shoulder. "But now you know, I've got your back when you need help. So, don't make me say it again, alright?"
"Yeah, I got it." The girl nodded, smiling softly but was unprepared for the way his hand moved up and dropped on her head. It seemed like people were touching her head a lot these days. She tried looking towards him when he didn't let go, but he just started moving her head around.
"W-What…?!"
"I'm just making sure you stop sharing that one brain cell with Ichigo because it's annoying." Renji snorted, shaking her head, not letting go while she squirmed. His advantage of having a big hand meant his grip was hard to escape. It might as well be a damn claw like in those claw machines!
In the end she resorted to trying to bite Renji's taiyaki. She wasn't going to. It was merely a bluff to have him let go. He yelped and put her at arm's length, pushing her back which only made her grin.
"By the way, why do you keep saying I share a brain cell with Ichigo?! What did he do?"
He scoffed. "The fool thought Rukia and I weren't going to come. In fact, he was going to go to Hueco Mundo by himself to rescue you."
"A…A-Are you serious?! Again?!"
She couldn't believe he intended to do a suicide mission by himself again!
Katsuko latched onto Renji's sleeve and exaggerated a frown. "My brain just did a backflip…"
"Yeah, but I'm honestly not surprised knowing him… I bet that's why you went with Ichigo, huh?"
"Damn, you figured me out."
By himself though…?
When she remembered learning from Yoruichi how he was planning to go to the Soul Society all by himself it triggered one of her memories when she was fighting against Noctter on the inside while Ichigo fought against him on the outside.
…
…
"You're awful. You drag your friends in your business," Noctter repeated.
"I never forced anyone to come with me." Ichigo revealed, fighting without holding back. "I was going to come to save Katsuko all by myself!"
"Oh?" Now that was curious. "But everyone is drawn to you because you once achieved the impossible."
Noctter slid back against the floor when he stumbled from the blow, inhaling sharply. "I guess that gives Katsuko a reason to believe in you."
"Getsuga Tenshou!"
…
…
Oh… yeah, I guess he did say that.
Still, he's so crazy.
Renji saw the way she was silently smiling fondly to herself.
"Ah, Abarai-kun."
Renji and Katsuko looked behind them to see Hinamori Momo. She was coming from an intersection of one of the streets they just passed by.
"Oh, Hinamori-kun! You're finally out of Squad 4, huh?" Renji exclaimed, happy to see her walking about. He heard what happened to her from Kira Izuru, their old classmate, and was worried about her, especially when she needed Squad 12's assistance for organ recovery. After Squad 12 helped her, she was staying in Squad 4's medical station for quite a while, leaving Squad 5 with its seated officers to handle the Squad while their Lieutenant took time to recover.
"Yes, I'm finally returning to Squad 5."
Hinamori turned her attention to Katsuko who was staring at her from Renji's side. Much like others, her immediate thought was that she looked very much like Chisaki. But she was quick to correct her thoughts when she knew who this person was, a previous Ryoka, and the one who was taken away by her traitor Captain which forced the other Substitute Soul Reaper, Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji to chase after her in Hueco Mundo.
The same person who she attacked with her Shikai…
As for Katsuko, she was glad to see her better. She looked tired though, as expected from people recovering from war.
But much better than last time I saw her.
I'm glad.
While Renji was focused on his friend, Katsuko's eyes were drawn to the man catching up to the smaller Lieutenant. Shinji was walking behind her at his own pace.
Renji turned his attention to the Shinji who was standing behind Hinamori Momo. He didn't know who he was, but from the way he was dressed he knew that Shinji was not from the Seireitei. He dressed like a human.
"Who is…?"
"Ah!" Hinamori moved to fully reveal Shinji to Renji. "This is Hirako Shinji. He will be the new Captain of Squad 5."
Renji's eyes widened in realization. He heard that the vacant Captain positions were going to be filled by Soul Reapers who used to hold the position a long time ago. The story was that Aizen Hollowfied them, and then they were forced to live in the Human World, hiding for years until they came to fight against Aizen in the Fake Karakura Town.
Renji immediately stood straight and bowed his head. "It's nice to meet you, Captain Hirako!"
"I gotta get used to this again." Shinji mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "No need to be so formal. I haven't officially been named Captain of Squad 5 just yet. So take it easy. I still need to adjust to this place."
Katsuko snorted, waving her hand dismissively. "Yeah, no need to respect this guy. He ain't all that great."
Shinji clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes at her. "Man, you always got somethin' to say, dontcha, cheeky girl?"
"Eh? Katsuko, you know him?" Renji looked back and forth between the two. He saw the way Katsuko stuck her tongue at Shinji who simply deadpanned at her. At his question, she pointed at her face.
"He taught me how to use the Hollow mask."
Ah. The dots were connecting. She did once tell him that she was training with people for her Hollow mask.
"And she loves me for that."
It was Shinji's turn to stick his tongue out when Katsuko gave him a look.
"Um, Hiragi-san." Hinamori interrupted their little banter, making the human turn her attention to her almost immediately. The shorter Lieutenant lowered her head a bit. "I heard that you were the one I attacked under Captain Aizen's illusion… I'm sorry for that."
"Oh, no, no." Katsuko waved her hands dismissively, surprised that she was apologizing for such a thing. "It's fine! Everyone was caught in the illusion so I don't blame you for that. I just feel bad that I couldn't do more to help you."
"But you got hurt trying to protect me… If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt and… and maybe then Shiro-chan wouldn't have… I'm really sorry I caused you trouble." Hinamori clasped her hands together, fingers fidgeting against her knuckles.
Katsuko awkwardly lowered her hands, unsure how to respond when she looked so despondent. Hesitant, she looked to Renji for help on how to deal with the situation. But he just seemed just as lost as she was.
"Momo." Shinji sighed, hand on his hip, his voice shattering the incoming depressing mood. It startled the Lieutenant, prompting her to quickly look at her new Captain. He flicked her forehead, making her hands shoot up to her head.
"E-Eh?"
Renji and Katsuko exchanged looks.
"What you mean to say is 'thank you'. In a situation like that one, no one is to blame. So, instead, thank her and keep your head up. That's it."
Hinamori lowered her hands from her forehead when she stared at his stern face, letting his words sink in. Then her face was clear of that despondency she was quick to display. She nodded her head and switched up to thank Katsuko instead for trying to help her, looking more positive with that small smile on her face
The only thing Katsuko could do in response is also smile.
Mostly because of the exchange.
She was aware.
This Soul Reaper was Squad 5's Lieutenant today, a spot previously occupied by Aizen Sousuke who served under Shinji. They both experienced a betrayal by the same man. And maybe one day, she would see the betrayal Aizen did to her as well, the cause of her origin. But for those who experienced being stabbed in the back by someone supposedly close to them… there was just something nice in seeing the way they already bonded.
"Now, then, let's continue heading back to our Squad." Shinji started walking again.
"W-Wait! At least let me guide the way, Captain Hirako!"
"No way, I want to jog my memory." Shinji said stubbornly.
"But…!"
"No, buts or asses."
"They look like they're hitting it off great." Renji leaned down to whisper to Katsuko, surprised and relieved.
"Oh? You think so, too? I was literally just thinking that." Glancing at him, Katsuko whispered back, grinning.
"I think this might be good for her."
Hinamori turned to look at Renji as she jogged after Shinji. "See you, Abarai-kun. And thank you again, Hiragi-san!" As she turned to look back in front of her, she ran into Shinji's back, muffling her surprised yelp which made her step back and hold her nose, confused. Her new Captain had stopped to look at Katsuko.
"By the way, Kensei and Rose are headin' back to Karakura Town. Knowin' how you're a scaredy cat when it comes to the Dangai, maybe you should catch up with them because I'm headin' back later to get some stuff."
Each new Captain had a life in Karakura Town, they had belongings they would like to bring along as they settle into their new positions. Katsuko could already guess that Rose was planning on bringing an assortment of instruments. It certainly felt like a Rose thing to do.
"Okay, where's Kensei then?" She asked immediately.
"He's at the Squad 9 barracks."
Katsuko looked at Renji. "Where is that?"
"Nearby. Not too far actually. Want me to show you there?"
"Yes, please!"
Seeing as Katsuko was eager to join Kensei, Shinji waved his hand lazily, taking that as his cue to leave.. "Anyway, see you later, Katsuko. Don't miss me too much, alright?"
Knowing what he meant, she clicked her tongue. "Ahrgh! Shut up!"
After finishing their taiyaki, Renji dragged her to Squad 9 barracks. Yes, drag. Because Katsuko could not flash step in her current body. She passed through those Soul Reaper guide's Senkaimon but with Urahara's Reishi Henkanki, like Shinji, Kensei, and Rose, with a physical body but she couldn't exactly use the flashstep.
She didn't know why.
She didn't even understand, after thinking about it, because how the hell did the Vizards carry around their Zanpakutos and use flashstep when they were in human form?!
Do I have to peel off my outer soul layer skin?!
…
…
…
Renji was carrying Katsuko under his arm who just admired the sights when he decided to take a shortcut by jumping above buildings. Instead of just grabbing her by the jacket, he just picked her up since he figured she didn't weigh too heavy. At first, she complained about how weird it looked but he just shot back that it would take forever to get there by foot which Kuchiki Byakuya would cook his ass for if he returned from his break late.
He looked down at the girl who was looking over her shoulder when she spotted something that caught her eye.
"So… you're scared of the Dangai?"
"Do not make fun of me."
Renji snorted and jolted her in his arm to adjust his grip, startling her. "Fine. But it's kinda funny."
"It's called trauma!"
Meanwhile, in Karakura Town, a certain shady looking man in a little candy shop in Mitsumiya, was standing in front of a screen, hand hovering over the keyboard. He was frowning at what was displayed on the screen that flashed gently a red hue, highlighting the shadows in the room.
"No good…" He muttered. He put a hand under his chin and squished his cheeks as he kept staring at the red light.
It seemed like no matter what he did, the result stayed the same.
The longer he stayed stuck on this particular matter only seemed to throw him back to the time when he was unsuccessful in undoing the Hollowfication.
There was no undoing what was done.
Not without harming the soul.
Especially with the Hougyoku out of his possession now.
The Hougyoku…
Urahara exhaled through his nose.
…
…
…
"Why didn't you tell me they were alive?!"
Bewildered, Katsuko's eyes darted around for help as her face was currently being squished by her lookalike. Chisaki's hands were holding her face and her body was hunching to meet Katsuko's eyes at the same level.
"Huh?" Was the only thing Katsuko could coherently mutter with how her mouth was reduced to fish lips.
Why am I being attacked?!
I didn't do anything!
Once Renji and Katsuko arrived, they were just in time to see Kensei walking towards the exit of Squad 9 barracks with Chisaki and Hisagi following him, chatting about something they couldn't quite hear. However, the conversation died the moment the two were spotted by the three because Chisaki all but sprinted towards Katsuko, shouting her name which only cemented the human girl's feet to the ground, confused as heck as to why she was hollering at her.
Immediately, she ended up in this position that had her attempting to ask Renji for help but he just threw up his hands and said break time was over. She didn't miss that shit eating grin on his face as he abandoned her.
She wasn't going to forget that.
What happened to having my back?!
"You knew they were alive all this time and you didn't say anything?!" Chisaki whined in her face, squishing it even harder.
"Huoooh?!"
"Chisaki-senpai!" Hisagi jogged over to the two girls to try and calm her down.
"My previous Captain and Lieutenant were alive!"
Oh.
"Nuuh, Aih diunh nooh!"
Chisaki deadpanned. "Don't lie." She released one of her cheeks to point her thumb back at Kensei who was just watching the show with a flat look on his face. "He told me everything."
Katsuko managed to tear herself away from Chisaki after ripping her cheek out of her grasp. With a pout she soothed her abused cheeks and stared back and forth between Kensei and Chisaki. The noble was somewhat throwing a tantrum over the fact that Katsuko knew the truth and yet kept it hidden from her…
And Katsuko didn't really feel like dealing with this just yet.
She was still digesting her taiyaki, her brain wasn't ready yet.
…
…
The human pointed at Kensei.
"Who is this guy?"
She decided to play dumb.
"Katsukooooo!"
But that didn't work.
The faux look of genuine confusion in regards to Kensei fell and Katsuko jumped in her skin when Chisaki lunged to try grabbing her again. She ducked and darted away, evading successfully by swerving around Hisagi so she could run behind Kensei and use him as a shield. Hisagi, poor Hisagi, ended up getting run into by Chisaki when she tried catching the smaller girl. He groaned and nearly doubled over from the force.
The new Captain of Squad 9 groaned at the chaos and then used his arm to barricade Katsuko from the upset Third Seat.
"Enough. Stop this."
Chisaki skidded to a stop and frowned at him, unaffected by the stern annoyed look that he had on his face.
Hisagi was rubbing his arm with a frown. Why was he getting caught in the crossfire?
Katsuko put her hands on Kensei's arm to peek over it since it blocked her sight.
Hisagi just watched from the side, a little surprised by what was happening. It wasn't often he got to see his senior act this way, somewhat childish.
He supposed that it was also a way to show that she was just as happy to know that Muguruma Kensei would take back his old position as he was when he discovered that his childhood idol was now his superior.
"Look, I knew who they were but I didn't know if they were the same people I saw in your memories. I wasn't going to give you false hope if I was wrong, after all you were pretty devastated from what I saw." Katsuko defended, still peeking over Kensei's arm who started dropping it to shove his hand in his pocket. "I never really had the chance to tell you after that once I found out they were the same people."
Simmering down, Chisaki sighed and put her hands on her hips. Her decision to not tell her anything at all, even if she was unsure, was out of consideration for her. A kindness.
"And she was right to keep her mouth shut." Kensei added. "Central 46 once made the decision to dispose of us as Hollows. How would they react if they saw us alive with Hollow powers? It's against the law, or did you forget?"
Hearing his words made Katsuko glanced up at him. Her eyes took in the sight of his expression. It was the same as Shinji's that day. The impersonal tone and the unbothered look on his face as he spoke of the Soul Society's black and white ways. Once again, it was unnerving to see.
But at least things were better now.
It doesn't piss me off as much.
Chisaki relaxed her shoulders in defeat, seeing as there was reason in their arguments there was no point in arguing about it now. It was just that she found it unreasonably unfair how Katsuko knew they were alive, it felt like she was missing out. If only she was conscious during the times Katsuko encountered them as a regular human.
But she might have tried to ask if they could return… and that wouldn't bode well.
Kensei looked down at Katsuko who relaxed when Chisaki was back to her default mode. "Anyway, what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be at Squad 12?"
"Hm? Oh! Nah, I finished my business there. I met Shinji at some point and he told me that you and Rose were heading back so… I'm tagging along."
Kensei didn't say anything but just nodded with a hum. He was heading back to gather his things and tell Mashiro she was permitted to return with him after he talked about it with the Captain Commander. He had to because she kept throwing a fit that she wanted to be his Lieutenant again, to be in Squad 9, but couldn't since Hisagi already had the position. Hisagi was the one who suggested she could become a reporter for Squad 9's newspaper, one that would report strange occurrences in both worlds.
In the end, it would be up to her to decide if she wanted that position.
Kensei only hummed in response. "Because you're scared."
"Say it louder so the Hollows in Hueco Mundo can hear you." Katsuko grumbled.
"Listen, with how you were acting back there you might as well have been telling them yourself." Kensei shot back.
Katsuko crossed her arms and turned her head away, huffing.
"But now I'm curious… How long did you know about the Vizards?" Chisaki suddenly asked.
Katsuko and Kensei looked at each other for a second.
"I think… I was nine when I met Kensei?"
"That hardly counts as knowing."
"You met him as a child?" Hisagi realized.
Chisaki gasped. "Nine…? Wasn't that the age when I sealed myself inside you?"
"Yeah, you literally missed it. You sealed yourself inside of me and attracted a Hollow."
"I was passing by and she just kept staring at the Hollow that was coming straight for her. So, I killed it."
Katsuko nodded. "Yeah, and then you just told me to go home while looking all mean. But as for 'knowing' about the Vizards… I'm not really sure.. Uhh… Should I count the time they worked as renovators…?"
Chisaki's eyes widened and she immediately looked at Hisagi and Katsuko with a big smile crept up her face. Her Lieutenant gave her an odd look. She immediately grabbed her junior and lookalike by the arm and pulled them forward so that all three of them could stand in front of Kensei. Katsuko was taken by surprise since she was trying to calculate the years only for her body to get yanked. Standing next to each other, Hisagi and Katsuko let out surprised noises when she puts hands on their heads and ruffled their hair. Hisagi was forced to bend down since he was taller, completely flabbergasted.
"Hey!"
"W-What is it?!"
"Look at that, Captain Muguruma! You saved both of these kids from Hollows before and now they're all grown up before you! It feels like it's all coming full circle!" Chisaki exclaimed, excited by the realization, still ruffling their hair. Of course, she was older than both of them and, just like Kensei, she saw them as children once before, giving her every right to treat them like younger ones.
Her words only made Hisagi and Hiragi slowly look at each other.
Oh. That's right. He was also saved by Kensei when he was a boy. She once saw that memory of Chisaki trying to lift his spirits after he was still shaken from being nearly eaten by a Hollow.
As Kensei saw how they turned their attention to him at the same time, he saw their younger selves also looking up at him. Hisagi had that scared teary expression while Katsuko had that puzzled yet cautious look.
"All I remember is this one," He pointed at Hisagi. "Bawling his eyes out when he wouldn't stop. It was annoying."
"Captain! I was a child back then!" Hisagi cried, defending his younger self. "Plus, you weren't exactly comforting…"
"And you," Kensei moved his finger to Katsuko. "You still have that dumb, naive, lost and confused look sometimes."
"Wow. Just say I look stupid." Katsuko droned, amused yet also slightly offended.
Chisaki kept smiling, enjoying the result of fate in front of her eyes. The hurt she experienced from losing her Lieutenant and Captain long ago was healed upon hearing they were actually alive and well. This coupled with the fact that they would return to Squad 9 filled her with nothing but joy, making her feel like she was going back to those happy days. But this time, a grown up Shuuhei would be added to the mix, and perhaps even Katsuko, someone dear to her after basically watching her grow, as well.
Oh, she was feeling so giddy about it.
"Now, now, let's just forget about that." Chisaki smiled, releasing the two. "We'll all get along, for sure."
Katsuko only adjusted her glasses and stood straight awkwardly while taking discreet glances at Hisagi who was scratching the back of his head.
Get along, huh? Why do I feel like she's telling two kids to get along? And why am I one of those kids?
With that amusing thought in mind, she lifted a finger and pointed at Hisagi.
"He once tried to kill me." She said flatly. She knew that she was basically insinuating that she wouldn't get along with Hisagi. But she couldn't help it. Because it sounded like she was telling on a sibling to a parent.
"Oh, come on." Hisagi blinked and slowly gave her a look. "Back then you were an enemy. Don't make it sound like I just did that recently."
She turned her head away, chuckling while hiding her smiling lips on her shoulder.
…
…
…
Friday arrived.
It didn't feel like it had been a week since it all happened.
But the notes in her school bag said otherwise. The pages were dated, proving the passage of time.
Katsuko sighed while walking on an empty sidewalk. It was only today that she fully digested the fact that she had been gone for almost if not a week, trapped in Hueco Mundo. That was a long time. But the inner battles, the struggles, everything felt like months.
Perhaps her mind aged by five months through the whole ordeal.
The girl lifted her hand to yawn in her hand.
She was still so tired after the war.
Was this mental exhaustion?
She didn't understand how Inoue had so much energy left, especially after treating a lot of wounded. But she supposed that if she was one way then Inoue was the other, after all they were opposites.
Chad seemed to be doing well after recovering from his injuries.
Ishida was also operating just as well. He was already going back to his normal days and participating in his handicrafts club.
Rukia also looked well after she met up with her at the Senkaimon. Apparently, she wanted to see Katsuko off after quickly finishing her report at Squad 1 because the last time she saw her was when she fell into a one day coma.
Was it just her that was tired?
Katsuko gently rubbed her eye as she walked, mumbling to herself how sleepy she was.
Today at school she was asking herself if there was anything she could do for Ichigo, anything at all. It didn't have to be something as big as giving her powers to him or trying some science with Urahara to wake him up earlier. She understood there was nothing to do for him and that she was going to have to wait for him to awaken. He was going to be gone for a while until he awoke. He would eventually return though.
That's when it hit her.
There was something she could do for him.
And it was no problem at all for her.
She was always willing to do it for him.
That's why she was going straight to his house.
It took a minute to finally timidly ring the Kurosaki residence doorbell. It was her first time showing up unannounced like this. But she just hoped she could be allowed to do it. She made sure to pull down her uniform nervously and fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. The second the door opened, her heart stuttered and she looked up to see Yuzu and Karin both answering the door.
"Oh, Katsuko."
"Katsuko-chan!"
"H-Hi…" Katsuko waved awkwardly. "I don't mean to bother you."
"Nah, it's fine. We just got home from school." Karin dismissed her worry. "What's up? Ichi-nii is still sleeping."
She was a little speechless at how Karin looked very casual about it. Maybe she didn't know what happened? But how did their father explain Ichigo's coma? Surely they would ask questions and wonder if he got into an accident—?!
"Don't worry. We know what happened… at least the gist of it." Karin reassured.
"Oh." Katsuko dropped her hand.
Yuzu hummed in agreement but she looked a little despondent being the more sensitive twin and all. "We don't know when he'll wake up yet but he's going to be okay. It just feels… lonely."
Karin put a hand on her sister's head to comfort her. "The guy in the hat said he'd tell us when he'll wake up as soon as he figures it out. So just think about making his favourite food when he wakes up. I'm sure he'll love it." She then focused back on the older girl who was watching the two, asking once more what the sudden visit was for.
Katsuko pulled down her bag and fumbled around to pull out her notes.
"I, uh… just wanted to recopy my notes in his notebooks. If it's okay?" She asked sheepishly, holding up her notes for them to see. "If not," she put down her notes and pointed at the front porch. "I can just quickly write them here on loose papers out and just hand it over to you when I'm done and he can recopy them when he wakes up."
It was the one thing she always did for Ichigo whenever he skipped school on that specific day.
She was always willing to do it for him and he just stopped asking, always grateful she did so out of the kindness of her own heart.
Yuzu smiled softly and opened the door wider. "Don't be silly. You don't have to do it outside. You can go up to onii-chan's room and write it yourself."
"Yeah, it'll be less work for him too." Karin nodded, appreciating Katsuko's help. "Besides, we could also use another brain in case we have trouble with our homework."
Ichigo was usually the one to help them with their homework since their father was of little help with it. Especially when he had the tendency to come home late because of work.
Yuzu's face lit up. "Oh, good idea, Karin-chan! We can do our homework together in his room!"
"Oh, yeah! He sleeps like he's dead anyway so it won't bother him."
"Wah! Don't say that!"
Katsuko's tense body relaxed when she saw how at ease the two girls were. On the way to their house, she thought they'd be more protective over him so he could sleep in peace. Any outcome she thought of usually ended up with her having to turn back and go home after being denied entry.
Thank you.
"Come on in!" Yuzu gestured for her to come in. "You guys head up first! I'll go get us some snacks!" She quickly said, running off to the kitchen. "Katsuko-chan! We have chocolate cookies, melonpan, and uhh… more cookies but a different flavour…?"
Katsuko entered and closed the door behind her. "Anything is fine! Take your pick!" She shouted while removing her shoes and neatly placing them on the side. "You can ask me anything for homework. Just don't make fun of me if I blank out because my brain is tired today!"
Karin headed towards the living room where her school bag was. "It'll be better than the old man at least."
It took an hour for them to finish all their homework together. Instead of copying Ichigo's notes right away, she decided to join their homework session. The two girls dragged in their desk chairs in his room. And they all somehow fit at his desk since Yuzu refused to have Katsuko sit on the floor to do her homework. It was kind of funny how they were all somewhat cramped but still managed to get their work done without any issue.
Only because they were all right handed.
And it was good since Katsuko could answer any questions right away since they'd just have to pass along their papers towards the wall and closet where she was stuck against.
They kind of treated Ichigo like decor in the back of the room. He was just peacefully sleeping on the bed while they did their work. Sometimes, Yuzu would glance over to her brother just to stare at him but Karin would divert her attention somewhere. The shorter black haired girl even dropped her school activity book on her brother's stomach to show that he was alive and still breathing because she claimed that Yuzu was staring at him like he was dead. Katsuko even patted her head to reassure her that he would wake up and make it up to her by hanging out with her.
She and Karin would force him to hang out with her if they had to.
And instead of the two girls getting up and leaving the room and leaving Katsuko to start copying notes, they all decided to finish the snacks that Yuzu prepared first.
Karin was eating a melonpan, Yuzu was sipping on her orange juice in between the two black haired girls, and Katsuko was eating her chocolate chip cookie. The last chocolate cookie on the plate was for Yuzu, which Katsuko and Karin found strange that she chose orange juice to wash down chocolate, because… why? Those two things did not match at all!
Katsuko munched and stared at the cookie intently. It was good. "Hey, Yuzu… where'd you buy this? I want this." She laughed softly mostly to herself because she was self aware of how she was literally falling in love with it. It wasn't too hard, not too messy because it was solid yet soft enough to bite. It was her type of cookie. She needed this in her house… like yesterday.
"Hm? Oh! I got it from that confectionary store near the flower shop in the shopping district! It's the one with the blue logo with confetti around it. Onii-chan also likes these ones so I buy them whenever I get the chance!"
"I'm going there with my mom the next time we go there."
Karin was leaning on the desk with cheek resting on her knuckles, listening to her sister and brother's friend talk about sweets. Her eyes drifted to the closet where Rukia was standing in front of last week when she announced that she would be moving out and leaving their home. It was same day when the man in the hat came by to explain why their brother was in that state. Rukia's identity was revealed. And if that wasn't shocking enough, their own father also revealed that he knew and was involved in secret affairs but chose not to dive in deeper detail. That same day, Chad, Inoue, Ishida, and some man with red hair came to see Ichigo while he rested.
Katsuko was the only one missing.
Which she found odd considering she was pretty much involved in whatever world her brother was in.
Karin pushed her arm off the desk and sighed, deciding to interrupt their conversation. "Well, we should probably let Katsuko start copying notes for Ichi-nii so she can head home early. She said she was tired earlier so she should go home before it gets darker outside."
"Oh, you're right. Sorry!" Yuzu quickly got up from her seat after carefully shimming out of the middle. When she grabbed the empty plate and the chair, Karin took her desk chair and shook her head.
"It's alright, Yuzu. I got it. You just go down with the plate."
"Okay, thanks, Karin-chan."
Katsuko looked hesitant. "Um, should I help?"
Yuzu shook her head with a smile. "It's fine! You can just focus on the notes! That's why you came here, after all." was all she said before stepping out of the room, leaving Karin and Katsuko together.
"Well, I guess I'll start." Katsuko started looking around for Ichigo's school bag to check if he had a notebook she needed in there. Karin was rolling the two desk chairs out of the room before stopping just past the closet to look back at Katsuko who found the bag sitting on the floor in between the desk and closet.
"By the way… the guy in the hat mentioned that Ichi-nii went to go save someone."
Katsuko turned to Karin.
"Was it you?"
Wow…
Was that a lucky guess?
Katsuko smiled a little and gave her a sigh. "How'd you know?"
"Well, you were the only one who wasn't there when they brought Ichi-nii home and you once told me that you'd try to make sure he was okay in whatever he was doing."
Just from that alone?
Detective Karin out here.
"If I could, I would have been there… but I was also out of it." Katsuko rubbed the back of her neck. "To be honest, I'm still tired from it."
"I'm guessing you were in danger then."
"Yeah. I was. In my situation, I couldn't exactly make sure he didn't do anything reckless that would worry you."
And I was the one who basically killed him… but I'm not going to say that.
"It's fine." Karin looked towards her brother. "But yeah, that sounds like an Ichi-nii thing. Always fighting to protect. That won't ever change. I know this because he's always done that for me and Yuzu. And he's done it for you too," Karin looked at Katsuko, smiling gently. "He cares about you."
Katsuko lowered her head a little and nodded, a smile also coming up on her face. Her head turned to look at the sleeping boy. "Yeah, I know. And I care about him too." She was sure that Ichigo knew that too even if they couldn't hear them speak. "But it wasn't just me this time," She looked at Karin. "It was for all of us."
"Yeah. I know."
…
…
…
The natural light coming from Ichigo's window was dimming and she didn't even realize it until she leaned back in his chair and stretched in it. She had to turn on the lamp on his desk to see better. It gave her enough clarity to show her how much she had left to do.
God, there was so much…
Her plan, until Ichigo woke up, was to show up every Friday to copy whatever he missed. But this was way more than what she expected. Because it wasn't just the absence because of Hueco Mundo and the war.
His notes were missing plenty because he was absent from school even before then and because Kon did not take notes for him. Just looking at how much was missing from his notes made her so grateful to Aiza who happily took notes for her while she trained with the Vizards. Unlike Kon who had no interest aside from the women in their school, Aiza took enjoyment from acting like a student because it was a cool experience.
Katsuko sighed tiredly and leaned back in his seat suddenly, making the chair slightly oscillate.
She dropped her glasses on his desk and covered her eyes with her hand.
"I'm so sleepy… so tired…"
With another sigh, she dropped her hand on her lap and just stared up at the ceiling. She flexed her right hand on her lap to alleviate the slight pain she was feeling from the constant writing. It almost made her feel like that one time she was in detention in elementary school where she was forced to rewrite a sentence twenty times.
Her head lolled a bit, just enough for her to look at Ichigo.
His hair was still in its hermit hairstyle. But was it just her imagination or was it a little shorter this time?
He was also in his human body in regular attire. He just looked like a regular teen with shaggy hair sleeping peacefully in his bed. No one would have known that this boy saved the entire town and was currently paying the price for it.
I hope you'll wake up before the end of the year at least.
You can't miss Christmas with your family. It'll make Yuzu sad.
And Keigo will also feel sad if you don't join whatever festival comes up during the holidays.
Haru and Jun wanted to go to a barbecue place for our birthday. I'm pretty sure they want you there too.
"I just hope you wake up soon…" Katsuko whispered in the silence, her voice disappearing just as fast as it sounded.
I wonder when Urahara-san will know when you'll wake up.
Katsuko sat properly in the chair and scratched her head. "He hasn't called for me yet… I hope whatever test he did isn't bad." she mumbled to herself when she remembered the test she took. He said it would take a day or two… yet there was no answer.
Was it like a doctor's test in which they don't call you unless there was something wrong?
"Maybe I'll go pay a visit on the weekend…"
Another yawn escaped her for what felt like the hundredth time. She might have cracked her jaw this time. Her arms fell on the desk, on all the papers, and she leaned forward to shake her head against them, trying to shake off the sleepiness. The little tears were wiped away with her sleeve.
"Man…" Katsuko rested her cheek on her arm, facing towards Ichigo once more. She jutted her bottom lip and blew her bangs away from her eyes. "Hm… yeah, I should cut my hair, huh? You're right."
..
..
"Hey, your hair, has it ever distracted you?" Ichigo asked her.
"Hm?" Katsuko looked to her left where some of her hair appeared in her sight, "Not really… I mean, sometimes it gets in the way but I can still see." She jutted out her bottom lip and huffed to make her bangs fly away from her eyes.
"Well, obviously you should bring something to keep it out of your face."
...
...
...
Ichigo couldn't help the chuckle escaping him. "I guess I do play the part. I don't know how you can see with your hair all up in your face everyday." He brushed his bangs to the side with his hand, a fruitless effort. They just dropped back in front of his eyes. "I hate it."
"It's pretty easy. You're just new to the long bangs club." Katsuko smiled softly before jutting out her bottom lip and blowing the air out of her eyes just as Ichigo looked over to her. "But I feel like cutting them shorter since they do kinda get in my vision when I fight."
"Didn't I tell you find a way to keep it out of the way?"
Indeed. Back when they were training to rescue Rukia, Ichigo asked her if her hair got in the way and suggested to keep them out of her eyes since they did get in her eyes. However, she was quick to abandon the hair pin at some point and just go rogue with it.
"I'll cut them. It's about time I did." Katsuko waved her hand dismissively. "I feel like I'll look better with a haircut anyway."
"You would, actually." Ichigo nodded, deadpanning. It was always better when people could see her face instead of having it grow longer and literally curtain her face and look like the Grudge.
She leaned back on her hands and raised a brow from the side. "You're making it sound like I'm ugly everyday. Thanks."
"Your words, not mine." Ichigo said flatly, looking away, playing along.
...
...
He always told her to cut her hair just enough so that she could see what she was doing.
So she could fight safely.
He told her that at the start and he told her that at the end.
"Care, huh?" Katsuko muttered, reaching up to fiddle with her long bangs.
She knew that he said that because he cared about her well being in a fight.
"I care about you too so I really hope you wake up soon. Everyone wants to see you, y'know?"
…
…
…
It was evening when Isshin returned from work. The moment he entered the genkan, his eyes went straight to the extra pair of shoes that was neatly placed. It didn't look like the size of one of Karin's soccer mates from school. They looked like the shoes belonging to Ichigo's school, specifically Katsuko's.
Confused, he looked up and sensed Katsuko's spiritual pressure in the house.
He looked at his watch just to make sure he wasn't mistaken. No, it clearly said seven in the evening. Tonight's dinner was already floating around the house. How strange.
He stepped into the living room and found his two daughters, one was playing video games while the other was cooking dinner. Upon seeing him, the bubbly one greeted him with a smile while the other nonchalantly greeted him.
"Girls… Katsuko is in Ichigo's room?"
Karin and Yuzu paused.
They looked at each other.
"Wait, she's still here?" Karin paused her game. "I thought she left already?" She was so immersed in her game that she thought Katsuko might have passed by to say bye but she just forgot about it.
"It was so quiet upstairs…" Yuzu trailed off. "Wait, what time is it?"
Yuzu lost track of time during dinner and laundry that she forgot that Katsuko didn't leave.
The three of them went up to Ichigo's room and noticed how there was no light under his door. Isshin was the one who opened the door and revealed a single light in the darkness.
The lamp.
And slouched on Ichigo's desk was a sleeping Katsuko amidst all the school notes.
Katsuko is very tired these days because of the war, huh?
... When was the last time she got sleepy like this? Hmmm...
Ayo, does anyone remember what I said in chapter 3 about Katsuko's name? Her draft name was Hiragi Shunka because of a certain someone in the Soul Society. That someone was Hisagi Shuuhei LMAO because they were both saved by Kensei! And Shinji having 'Hira' in his name was even better.
Ahh, it feels so good to finally get to the Kensei, Shuuhei and Katsuko part XD It's so little to the story but I just love the idea of it haha.
.
Also, I've been getting a lot of messages from people who want to illustrate this story. Each one sounds exactly the same. I chose not to talk about it because I didn't care UNTIL I saw someone drop a review with the same structured message. Listen, if I don't make money with this story... what makes you think I'll PAY YOU to illustrate it? I can draw. If I want to, I'll do it myself.
So, BRUH JUST STOP BECAUSE YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME. I don't like seeing that in review format when reviews are meant to talk about the story! It's not meant to advertise your 'commissions'.
Thank you and goodbye. :D
.
Anyway~
Please drop relevant reviews! I like reading them! And thank you for the 400+ favourites and followers!
AAANDD I made it. I got this out on Cour 3 release date!
It's Saturday, so I'll try to post on Saturdays while Cour 3 is running. I can't promise it'll be every week though!
Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you have a nice day/night!