Chizuru's Actions

When that trace of spiritual power appeared, only one thought remained in Chizuru's mind.

The pain I endured tonight was worth it.

"We need to get out of here quickly."

Looking at the mess covering the ground, Chizuru rose while grimacing in pain. The battle had made far too much noise. If she were caught, it would be troublesome.

She wiped the blood from her forehead, put Snow Fang back into its wooden sword bag, and dragged her increasingly heavy steps toward home.

Her injuries did not seem too serious, and the pain was still within what she could endure. However, she might have to take tomorrow's classes off.

Also, she needed to clean the blood off her body before reaching home. Otherwise, it would be even more troublesome if her family saw her like this.

While Chizuru was thinking about taking tomorrow off, she reached a crossroads at a corner. Her steps suddenly stopped. She quickly retreated around the corner, then slowly poked her head out.

Across the street stood the museum, one of Karakura Town's landmarks. It was currently shrouded in a strange mist.

The mist was not thick, but it carried an unpleasant damp chill, as if it had isolated the museum from the world around it.

What concerned Chizuru most were the figures standing before the museum entrance.

The orange-haired spiky head was especially conspicuous beneath the streetlights. The oversized Shinigami uniform and the enormous Zanpakuto wrapped in bandages on his back left no doubt that it was Ichigo.

Beside him were... Ishida, and the Soul Reaper who had gone to the school looking for Ichigo.

"Ichigo?"

Chizuru instinctively wanted to call out to them, but the moment she opened her mouth, Ichigo's voice crossed the intersection first.

"Still no sign of Aunt."

Teacher?

Chizuru froze