Gin and Rangiku

The escape attempt ended in failure.

The moment Yato pushed open the door, he spotted several idlers in short brown clothes loitering outside his courtyard. They gathered in twos and threes, laughing and shoving one another.

A few of them occasionally glanced Yato's way, their faces brimming with ill intent.

Uchiha Yato closed the wooden door and sat back down.

"So, they made preparations on two fronts. Nomura Yuji came to persuade me, while they sent people to watch me and keep me from running."

He paused, puzzled.

"Is the Horiuchi Family really this determined to obtain my admission notice?"

"Yato, be careful." The nameless girl looked serious.

"Spiritual pressure at the twelfth grade might fool ordinary people, but not nobles. You don't even have a Soul-Cutter Sword yet, and you know nothing about swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, footwork, or kido. If you clash with the Horiuchi family, things won't look good. The scales of victory will not tip in your favor..."

"You're being too polite. Between us, just say what you mean."

"You're incredibly weak. The Horiuchi family could kill you as easily as slaughtering a pig. Ah, what a hopeless loser you are, man."

"..."

Yato rolled his eyes. Just as he was about to fire back, he caught sight of two heads by the window.

"So it's you two. Come in and sit. Why are you peeking from outside?"

The boy shook the bundle in his hand.

"Nomura's group leader just delivered this. There's smoked chicken and jerky. You two haven't had meat in a long time, have you?"

"Wow! I want some!"

Before Yato could finish speaking, a blonde girl rushed into the room.

She looked around twelve or thirteen and wore a hemp kimono. Her golden hair gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, full of life.

—It was Matsumoto Rangiku in her younger days!

"Thank you, Big Brother Yato! You're so nice! You're amazing! Way better than Gin!"

The little girl had a very sweet mouth and quick hands. Grinning mischievously, she grabbed the smoked chicken and started eating on the spot.

As she ate with great delight, Rangiku did not forget to tear off the fattest drumstick and stuff it into the boy's hands behind her.

"Gin... you should eat too... Mm, meat really is delicious."

Uchiha Yato smiled and looked up at Ichimaru Gin.

At this time, Ichimaru Gin had light purple hair and a thin face. His narrow eyes were always half-closed, concealing every trace of emotion.

"Sorry to trouble you, Big Brother Yato."

He was far more polite than Rangiku. He thanked Yato with proper honorifics and even ate the smoked chicken with refined manners.

"Eat slowly. There's more if it isn't enough."

Yato poured tea for the two of them, then set fruit and rice balls on the table.

It was quite a coincidence. Rangiku and Gin, who also lived in the Flower Withers district, happened to be Yato's neighbors.

However, the two of them had it far worse than Yato. They were too young and not strong enough to earn much, so they could only depend on each other.

Yato occasionally helped them out, and over time, they became rather familiar with one another. Gin and Rangiku were also grateful and returned the favor by helping Yato tidy his courtyard and trim the weeds.

"So being a Soul Reaper is this great?" Matsumoto Rangiku said with her mouth full of grease.

"Nomura's group leader usually holds his nose so high in the air, but this time he actually brought so much delicious food!"

Yato explained with a smile.

"I'm not a Soul Reaper yet. I haven't even entered Shin'ō Academy."

"You'll definitely make it, Big Brother Yato!"

"Let's hope so... Rangiku, do you want to become a Soul Reaper?"

"I always heard those people died fast. A Hollow could swallow them at any time. But if I could eat this much good food every day, it doesn't sound too bad?"

"Haha..."

Rangiku was still rather simple-minded now, a little naive and sweet, and Yato was happy to tease her.

"Speaking of which, I'll be going to Shin'ō Academy soon. You've eaten so much of my food, so how are you going to repay me?"

"Uh..." Little Rangiku scratched her head. Then she seemed to think of something, and her eyes immediately lit up.

"I've got it! Gin and I will go fishing in the forest to the east tonight. Last time I went diving, I saw lots of river clams beneath the pebbles. I'll get some pearls and give them to you!"

"Fine. It's a deal."

The nameless girl in red Warring States armor could not help but let her eyes brighten slightly. She cast Matsumoto Rangiku an approving glance.

—Pearls were good for the eyes. She was rather obsessed with anything that nourished them.

Yato and Rangiku chatted enthusiastically, but Ichimaru Gin remained silent at the side the whole time.

He quietly sipped his tea and ate his jerky in small bites, chewing slowly.

Like a snake preparing to hibernate.

Only after Rangiku grew tired of talking and turned her attention back to the smoked chicken did Ichimaru Gin set down his teacup and speak calmly.

"Big Brother Yato."

"What is it, Gin?"

"Your courtyard is much livelier than usual."

"Yeah."

"I heard there's been a gang of thieves around here lately. You..." Young Ichimaru Gin paused, deliberately stressing his next words.

"You're not like Rangiku and me. You have more valuable things at home. Be careful."

Oh?

Yato felt a flicker of emotion in his heart.

Heh... What a sharp kid.

Sure enough, a genius of this caliber had been different since childhood.

Yato waved a hand, seeming somewhat nonchalant.

"Don't worry. Nomura's group leader is quite capable when it comes to dealing with thieves. Besides, aren't there noble lords around?"

He grinned. As his lips moved, his pearly white teeth clicked together. It did not look like he was speaking so much as a ferocious tiger about to devour someone.

"If someone wants to seek justice, they can always find someone to turn to, right?"

"That's true..."

Ichimaru Gin froze for a moment. He failed to catch the restrained killing intent in Yato's words and merely felt that this neighboring older brother, who usually studied diligently and trained hard, had everything under control.

The three chatted for a while longer before Gin and Rangiku finally rose to leave.

"Not so fast. You two wait here." Uchiha Yato separated a portion of the food Nomura Yuji had sent, packed it up, and handed it to Rangiku.

"Take it. I'll be heading to Shin'ō Academy soon anyway, and at least for the next six years, I won't have to worry about food."

Yato smiled as he handed it over, then raised his head and glanced at Gin and Rangiku's small house in the distance.

It was less than fifty meters from his own courtyard.

Too close.

His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. By the time he turned back, every trace of abnormality had vanished from his expression.

"Rangiku, don't forget my pearls."

"Got it, Big Brother Yato! Don't worry, I'm an amazing swimmer! I'll go right now!"

The blonde girl hurried out of the courtyard, leaving Ichimaru Gin alone with the large bundles in his arms as he helplessly bid Yato farewell.

"Sorry for causing you trouble, Big Brother Yato."

"It's nothing. By the way, you and Rangiku are going fishing in the forest to the east tonight?"

"Yes, and we'll look for pearls while we're there."

"Haha... Young man, make sure you seize the chance to spend time alone with a girl late at night."

Uchiha Yato patted Ichimaru Gin on the shoulder.

As he breathed, his five fingers tightened, squeezing Gin's bones until they creaked.

"Spend a little more time playing over there with Rangiku... There's no need to rush back tonight."

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