The firewood crackled as it burned, and the rising flames added a few touches of warmth to the chilly Hueco Mundo.
Asano Kiyoshi and Nel sat at the very back of the cave, with a small fire before them. Dondochakka and Pesche were closer to the entrance. It was not that they did not want to be near Nel, but their snoring was far too loud, so Asano Kiyoshi and Nel had chased them aside together.
Meanwhile, Bawabawa's body nearly blocked the entire cave entrance while also encircling everyone.
How should he put it? This scene gave Asano Kiyoshi an inexplicable sense of security.
The burning fire, the cold moonlight, the tiny space...
It was so much like the little fortress he had made from blankets and pillows as a child, curling up inside it with an indescribable sense of comfort and safety.
Nel looked at Asano Kiyoshi, a trace of drowsiness in her large eyes. She gave a long yawn and said to him, "Nel is a little sleepy, but Nel doesn't want to sleep yet~ I want to hear stories about where the Shinigami live! I've told you so much about Hueco Mundo~ You should tell me about the Shinigami too. Are all Shinigami like you?"
Hearing Nel's words, Asano Kiyoshi thought for a moment and decided he should first tell her some of the truth, lest she develop too much goodwill toward every Shinigami later on. After all, as far as Soul Society was concerned, most Shinigami held the subjective view that Hollows should be "cut down."
But he had to take it slowly. Nel needed time to come to understand it.
So, he cleared his throat and looked into Nel's gold-green eyes, clear as spring water, before slowly saying, "Hmm, where should I begin... Forget it,