That was precisely why, when Ailin mentioned running into an acquaintance in the Human World, Haruko Kuchiki's first thought was of the villagers from the village she had protected as a "miko" all those years ago.
However, Haruko Kuchiki also remembered that humans of that era had only lived, on average, fifty or sixty years.
More than a hundred years had passed. That village had already gone through four or five generations. How could anyone she knew still be alive?
Sure enough, the moment Haruko asked that question, she was immediately punished for it.
"How could that be?"
Ailin smiled and lightly flicked Haruko Kuchiki on the forehead.
"It's been over a hundred years since we last came to the Human World."
"Even everyone in that village has probably entered the Rukon District by now. How could any of them still be in the Human World?"
"Mm..."
Haruko Kuchiki covered the spot where Ailin had flicked her and gave a pained cry, her mind beginning to turn.
"Ailin, you said it was an acquaintance I knew. Other than the villagers, could it be Captain Urahara and Miss Yoruichi? They're the only people we knew in the Human World."
At last, Haruko Kuchiki's mind was working properly.
At the very least, neither of the two she named was an acquaintance who would die after merely a century.
"No. Captain Urahara and Lord Yoruichi are indeed in the Human World, but the acquaintance I sensed this time isn't either of them."
"Oh? Then who is it?"
Haruko Kuchiki's curiosity was fully piqued now.
"It's Gin."
"Gin?"
"Gin?"
Two different tones of "Gin" came from Haruko Kuchiki's mouth in quick succession. Even Ailin could hear the surprise in her voice.
Back when Gin had become Ailin's disciple, he had still been a tiny