"Recently, Karakura Town has experienced a series of thunderstorms and gas leaks. We urge the public to take precautions and pay attention to their safety at home."
Early in the morning, the orange-haired boy sat in the living room, eating bread, fried eggs, bacon, and milk while listening to the morning news broadcast on TV every day. Recently, Karakura Town has become quite unsettled. In just half a month, there have been seven thunderstorms and eight gas leaks, resulting in more than twenty casualties. This has caused panic among some people in his school, and all sorts of rumors are flying around.
"Oh my~ aren't these locations a bit too close to our house?"
A beautiful woman with orange hair, wearing an apron and sitting on the sofa, looked somewhat troubled after confirming the locations of several incidents shown in the news on television.
"Don't worry, darling, no matter what happens, I'll be there to protect you."
As the orange-haired beauty finished speaking, a black-haired man who looked to be in his forties glided over to her, knelt on the ground, and hugged her legs as he spoke.
"Thank you, Little Isshin ~"
"However, I'm more worried about Little Isshin and the children's safety than my own."
The orange-haired beauty gently patted the black-haired man's head and spoke softly.
"So let's go pick up the kids from school today, something we haven't done in ages!!"
The black-haired man, whose name was Isshin Kurosaki, seemed to have grasped something and spoke with a smile.
"Um?!"
"Okay! Let's do it that way!"
"As long as we're a family together, there's nothing to be afraid of."
After listening to Isshin Kurosaki's words, the orange-haired beauty gently pressed her finger to her lips, pondered for a while, and then smiled sweetly. Indeed, as husband and wife, she and Isshin Kurosaki were of one mind.
"That's right, that's exactly it, so Ichigo?"
Tears welled up in Isshin Kurosaki's eyes. He was deeply moved by the orange-haired beauty's words. Isshin Kurosaki turned his head to look at the orange-haired boy, as if he was about to say something.
"I'm sorry, I'll leave Yuzu and Karin in the care of Mom and Dad."
"As for me, there's absolutely no need to worry... Even if any danger arises, I'm perfectly capable of overcoming it."
The orange-haired boy, named Ichigo Kurosaki, stood up from his seat at the dining table and gently wiped his lips clean with a tissue.
"I've had breakfast, and it was delicious, so... you don't need to pick me up tonight, thank you."
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, Ichigo Kurosaki picked up his backpack and headed out the door without waiting for his parents to say anything.
"Well then, I'm going up now..."
As soon as Ichigo Kurosaki finished speaking, he vanished from the living room.
What happened to that child?
"It feels like they're increasingly disregarding me."
After Ichigo left, Isshin Kurosaki huffed and puffed, feeling that he had no authority as the head of the family and that his children didn't take him seriously at all... But come to think of it, he was the one who married into the family, so the real head of the family should be the orange-haired beauty named Masaki Kurosaki, who was smiling and watching Ichigo Kurosaki leave.
"Alright, Ichigo's a big kid now. If his parents pick him up, he'll lose face in front of his classmates."
Masaki Kurosaki understands Ichigo Kurosaki very well. She knows why Ichigo Kurosaki treats them with such a seemingly cold attitude, but Masaki knows that Ichigo Kurosaki hides all his deep love in his heart. He loves his family more than anyone else, and he wants to protect them more than anyone else...
"In that case, I will also..."
Karin Kurosaki Karin Kurosaki, who looks like a little boy, decided to imitate her older brother and, after hearing Masaki's words, coolly asked to go home alone.
" Karin, you can't."
Unfortunately, before Karin could finish speaking, Masaki had already realized what Karin Kurosaki was about to say. She looked at Karin Kurosaki very gently and spoke in a loving voice.
"Forehead..."
As Karin looked at her mother's smiling face with narrowed eyes, her body trembled slightly. The absolute fear of her mother hidden within her body was completely unleashed at this moment.
"I... I understand..."
Karin slowly lowered her head and continued eating the food on her plate.
"Mmm, so good~"
Masaki Kurosaki softly praised Karin.
"Mom, please come and pick up your Yuzu!"
" Yuzu's been so long since I've gone home with my parents!"
Sitting next to Karin Kurosaki Masaki Kurosaki, a little girl named Yuzu Kurosaki, with short orange hair and an appearance that resembles Masaki Kurosaki —in fact, one could say she's a miniature version of Masaki Kurosaki—raised her hand and laughed cheerfully.
Okay~ Okay~
"Even Yuzu are good kids~"
After hearing what Yuzu Kurosaki Masaki Kurosaki, Masaki smiled sweetly. Yuzu inherited the softest parts of both Masaki and Isshin in terms of personality, and was a lovely little girl.
"Hmm~"
The Yuzu nodded heavily, sat back down, and continued eating the bread, bacon, and eggs on his plate.
"It seems like Yuzu really enjoy coming back with their parents!"
"He's still just a child after all~"
Karin looked at Yuzu, who was acting coquettishly, as if she were trying to prove something, or as if she were explaining that she was now an adult and no longer a child like Yuzu, and said in a low voice.
"I disagree with what Karin said!"
" Karin is the same age as me. If I'm a child, then Karin is a child too!"
The Yuzu plopped up from his seat, his little face puffed out in anger as he spoke.
"Ah... I accidentally said it."
Karin looked at Yuzu's puffed-up face with anger, and lowered her head helplessly. She accidentally blurted out what was on her mind.
"I'm sorry, you Yuzu ~"
Karin clasped her hands together and earnestly apologized to Yuzu.
"Um..."
"Since Karin has sincerely apologized to me, then I won't be angry anymore."
After receiving Karin's apology, the angry expression on Yuzu's face vanished instantly.
"A smile is definitely more suitable for Yuzu than a long face."
Karin looked at the Yuzu whose sky had cleared and smiled gently.
"Uh-huh?"
Why say things that could be misunderstood?
Upon hearing Karin's words, Yuzu's face instantly turned bright red.
"Huh? Did I just blurt out my true feelings again?"
What's wrong with me lately?
Looking at Yuzu's expression, Karin immediately realized that she had once again accidentally said something she shouldn't have... She felt somewhat distressed. Lately, she had been like this, somewhat absent-minded, perhaps because the wandering spirits had been constantly making noise in her ears, saying that monsters were coming, many, many monsters were coming, causing her to have trouble sleeping, which led to some mental problems.
" Karin, a monster is coming... More people have been killed, run!"
"Run away from here!"
Just as Karin was feeling troubled, a semi-transparent wandering spirit suddenly appeared in front of Karin and began to ramble on.
"Damn it! It's so noisy!"
As Karin spoke, she punched the wandering spirit, sending it flying.
" Karin..."
Yuzu looked at Karin, who had suddenly become angry, and was somewhat at a loss.
"Um, Yuzu, I wasn't talking to you~"
Karin quickly stood up and comforted Yuzu, who had been frightened by her.
"Yes, I understand. It's Mr. Tanaka's ghost again, right?"
Did Mr. Tanaka say anything today?
As if understanding Karin well, Yuzu nodded and smiled gently.
"It's just nonsense about monsters coming and telling us to run!"
Karin imitated Mr. Tanaka's manner and began to preach.
"Hahaha... a monster? Is Mr. Tanaka doing stand-up comedy?"
The Yuzu was amused by Karin's appearance.
"Who knows? That guy's always been like that."
Karin snorted coldly and spoke with feigned disdain.
" Isshin..."
Although they spoke unintentionally, the listeners took it to heart. Masaki Kurosaki and Isshin Kurosaki exchanged a glance, and at the same time, an ominous premonition arose in their hearts.
Ichigo walked quietly down the street after leaving his house. Although he told his parents not to worry about his safety, he was actually paying attention to everything around him. This was a habit he had developed over the years of martial arts training.
Please take a detour...
Just as Ichigo was about to take the shortcut to school as usual, a scene that shocked him appeared before him.
Countless firefighters and police officers erected barriers, blocking the path ahead... And behind the barriers, a scene that seemed to shake the heavens and earth trembled, stimulating Ichigo Kurosaki's nerves.
"Is this something a gas explosion can do?"
"An earthquake... or those monsters?"
Ichigo Kurosaki stood rooted to the spot, gazing at the ripped earth, his heart pounding... Others might not know, but he remembered the monsters he had witnessed, and the beautiful, sword-wielding girl in the black robe...
"Ding~"
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki was reminiscing about his childhood, a dark shadow flashed past him. Although it disappeared from his sight in just a moment, Ichigo Kurosaki definitely saw it clearly.
"That is..."
Ichigo Kurosaki had long forgotten the girl he had only met once when he was a child, but he still recognized Ichigo Kurosaki girl who had haunted his dreams all these years and saved his life... Ichigo Kurosaki wanted to stop her, but she was as fast as lightning and disappeared in front of Ichigo Kurosaki in an instant, just like she had back then.
Ichigo Kurosaki faced the direction the girl had disappeared in, and reached out his hand. Although his body was still standing in the same spot, his mind had already vanished with her figure.
Distracted and unsteady, Ichigo Kurosaki made his way to his school, guided only by his subconscious.
Good morning Ichigo!
Ichigo morning, Ichigo!
" Ichigo, the weather's nice today!"
" Ichigo..."
Ichigo Kurosaki, kept greeting Ichigo, but Ichigo completely ignored them. He sat alone by the window, quietly gazing out the window. One class passed, then two, then lunch break, until school was over. From morning till night, Ichigo Kurosaki just stared out the window, motionless, even forgetting to eat, lost in thought.
" Ichigo!!!"
Just as the school bell rang throughout the classroom and the students left one after another, a girl with short black hair hugged Ichigo Kurosaki 'Ichigo Kurosaki neck and called his name in a deep voice.
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Let me go! Tatsuki!"
Caught off Ichigo Kurosaki was choked by the girl and began to beg for mercy.
"Hehe~ Now you know how powerful I am, right, Ichigo~"
A black-haired girl named Tatsuki Arisawa hugged Ichigo Kurosaki's head and laughed.
"Okay, okay~"
Ichigo Kurosaki nodded helplessly. Ever since he single-handedly took on two biker gangs, totaling more than two hundred people, and sent them all to the hospital, the only person in the entire school who dared to put his throat in front of him was his childhood friend, Tatsuki Arisawa, with whom he had grown up Little Ichi.
"Looks like you're finally a little more awake, Ichigo ~"
"In that case, I happen to have a task for you."
Tatsuki Arisawa lifted Ichigo Kurosaki from his seat and smiled slightly.
What mission?
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at Tatsuki Arisawa, who was smiling at him, a few beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.
"Now I order you to take Orihime home. You probably know that Karakura Town is dangerous lately, right? But I have club activities later... Damn it, I'm so unwilling to entrust you with such a good thing as taking Orihime home."
Tatsuki Arisawa Ichigo Kurosaki, Tatsuki Arisawa, who is like a brother to Ichigo Kurosaki, clenched her fists, feeling extremely heartbroken that Ichigo Kurosaki Orihime home.
"Uh... how can you do this? We can't trouble Kurosaki-kun..."
The girl with long orange hair, as warm as the sun, trembled slightly after hearing what Tatsuki Arisawa said. She looked at Ichigo Kurosaki shyly and spoke softly.
"Go ahead and bother this idiot! Although he may be a little slow-witted, he's definitely capable of protecting people. After all, he's the genius fighting boy who won the world karate championship and the world middleweight boxing championship at the age of Jūshirō, the Ichigo Kurosaki!"
It's unclear Tatsuki Arisawa is praising or criticizing Ichigo Kurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki, but Tatsuki is doing it anyway, using a passionate voice to promote Ichigo Orihime Inoue Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Tsk..."
Ichigo Kurosaki clicked his tongue inwardly. He couldn't tell Tatsuki Arisawa was praising him or scolding him. In any case, he decided to think positively and just assume that Tatsuki was praising him for now.
"But..."
Orihime was still somewhat hesitant; she didn't want to cause any trouble for Ichigo Kurosaki.
Let's go!
Ichigo Kurosaki packed his schoolbag, came to Orihime's side, gently patted Orihime shoulder, and began to speak.
"Huh?!" Orihime Inoue looked at Ichigo Kurosaki, who wasn't giving her a chance to speak, and was slightly taken aback at first, then smiled broadly, "Okay, Kurosaki-kun."
" Tatsuki, I'm going home now. Remember to go home early after your club activities too!"
Orihime Inoue held Tatsuki's hand and began to preach.
Don't worry, Orihime!
Tatsuki Arisawa held Orihime Inoue's hand, smiling sweetly. Orihime Inoue was the sun in Tatsuki Arisawa's heart, warming everything about her.
"I'm leaving~ you idiot~"
"I hope nothing happens when you get home tonight."
Ichigo Kurosaki faced Tatsuki Arisawa, it was unclear whether he was concerned for him or responding to Tatsuki Arisawa's earlier insult that he was an idiot.
"Mind your own business!"
Tatsuki Arisawa cold, completely lacking the gentleness he had shown when facing Orihime Inoue earlier.
Let's go!
Seeing that Tatsuki Arisawa so energetic, Ichigo Kurosaki smiled slightly, now he could safely escort Orihime home.
" Tatsuki, I'm leaving now..."
" Kurosaki-kun, wait for me!"
Orihime Inoue watched as Ichigo Kurosaki left without permission after speaking, and quickly chased after him.
"You idiot, if anything happens to Orihime, I'll make you pay."
Tatsuki watched Ichigo Kurosaki and Orihime Inoue depart as the setting sun descended the mountain, and smiled slightly.
An hour and a half later, after the sun had completely set, Ichigo Kurosaki successfully escorted Orihime Inoue home. The two chatted awkwardly along the way, or rather, this would happen no matter who was with Ichigo Kurosaki. He was a man of few words who kept everything to himself.
After saying goodbye, Ichigo Kurosaki walked towards his home by the moonlight, wondering if fate was playing tricks on him...
Ichigo Kurosaki wanted to take a longer route today, and as he walked, he unknowingly found himself back at the place where he and his mother were attacked by that monster several years ago.
It seems that everything started here. He encountered a raging monster here, realized his own weakness for the first time, felt the desire to become stronger for the first time, and met that mysterious girl for the first time. Then he was saved by that unknown girl... Everything started in this park.
"Cough cough..."
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki about to leave the park that had taken so many of his firsts, a soft cough caught his attention. He wanted to see who was in the Ichigo Kurosaki so late at night, just like him.
Then, Ichigo Kurosaki saw a girl leaning against a streetlamp in the park, wearing tattered black clothes stained with blood, holding a cracked blade in her hand. She was almost unconscious, her eyes glazed over, opening and closing intermittently, as if she were having a final battle with her own eyes.
It's her!
Ichigo Kurosaki recognized the girl instantly. It was the girl who had brushed past him that morning, the girl who had saved him here. Ichigo Kurosaki was certain he wouldn't mistake Ichigo Kurosaki, even after several years.
She needs me!
Ichigo Kurosaki quickly walked up to the girl. The moment he saw her, he knew what he had to do.
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(End of this chapter)