The night was like water. Asano Kiyoshi stared blankly out the window, where the hazy mist was outlined by moonlight in a silver halo, looking soft and intimate.
Recalling what Yoruichi had told him that afternoon, Asano Kiyoshi felt an itch in his heart. He wanted to try and see whether he could wrap Kido around his arms.
But after glancing at the neighboring room, Asano Kiyoshi dispersed the spiritual pressure in his hands. It was already so late; disturbing Nel's sleep would be far too awful.
In the neighboring room, Nel had a desk lamp lit. Using its faint light, she sat before a book with needle and thread in hand, knitting a sweater for Asano Kiyoshi.
Since she was a beginner, there were faint bloodstains on Nel's arms—injuries she had suffered while learning to use needles.
After all, now that she was inside a Gigai and no longer protected by Hierro, a few cuts on her hands were unavoidable. But for some reason, Nel felt that doing it this way seemed to produce better results.
When she sensed Asano Kiyoshi withdraw his spiritual power, a small smile appeared on Nel's face. Little Kiyoshi works so hard... I should make something delicious tomorrow to help him recover. Hmm... It's been getting cold so quickly lately. Should I knit another pair of gloves?
"Hiss! That hurt!"
Looking at her freshly pricked fingertip, Nel sighed helplessly. This is so hard...
The warm yellow light shone upon the girl's lake-green hair, coating it in a faint golden halo that looked gentle and heartwarming.
Yet beneath Nel's blissful expression, a shadow lingered, impossible to dispel.
As her heart suddenly contracted, Nel furrowed her brows in pain. Within her body, a wave of spiritual pressure that did not belong to a Hollow was spreading