Tatsuki's face flushed red as she pulled Orihime aside and whispered something privately.
Orihime nodded obediently, her wide eyes filled with confusion.
After a moment, Tatsuki led Orihime back and said to the slightly bored Ichigo, "This is the new friend I wanted you to meet—Inoue Orihime. She'll be starting high school with us this year."
"I figured you might end up in the same class, so I thought I'd introduce you two ahead of time."
Her words weren't entirely sincere. Originally, she had planned to play matchmaker… but now? The matchmaker was starting to have her own feelings.
"Oh, nice to meet you, Inoue-san. I'm Kurosaki Ichigo—Tatsuki's childhood friend," Ichigo greeted politely.
"Idiot! Who says that themselves?!" Tatsuki blurted out, embarrassed.
In their culture, calling yourself 'childhood friends'—especially in public—was just a step shy of declaring you're dating.
"Nice to meet you, Kurosaki-kun. I'm Inoue Orihime," Orihime replied with a smile, not phased at all by Ichigo's introduction.
Clearly, Tatsuki had already prepped her for this.
(Truthfully, Tatsuki liked Ichigo—but she didn't want to lose a friend who liked him too.)
"Inoue… Inoue?" Ichigo murmured, the name tugging at something in his memory.
"Oh! Inoue Orihime! Her brother died near my house on the way to the hospital," Ichigo suddenly recalled.
It had been five years ago, a rainy night. Her older brother had passed away before he could make it to the hospital.
Thinking of that, Ichigo looked at her with a bit more compassion.
He, too, had lost his mother in an accident five years ago.
Of course, Ichigo wasn't tactless enough to say it out loud. On the surface, he just kept smiling and chatted with Orihime and Tatsuki about random things.
The mood was light, but each of them harbored their own private thoughts.
"Hey! Let's grab something to eat!" Tatsuki suddenly clapped her hands and changed the subject.
"Yay! I heard a new restaurant opened nearby, and I've been dying to try it with you!" Orihime's eyes lit up like stars at the mention of food.
Ichigo sweatdropped. No wonder she's so… well-developed. She must eat like a horse. Nutrition really does matter.
"Alright, let's—"
Before he could finish, a deafening explosion tore through the mall as a wall collapsed!
"BOOM! CRASH!"
Ichigo instinctively pulled Tatsuki into his arms and crouched, shielding her from the falling debris.
When the dust began to settle, Ichigo looked up and asked, "You two okay?"
Orihime had been startled, but thankfully wasn't hurt. She dusted herself off and replied, "I'm fine!"
Tatsuki, still in Ichigo's arms, blushed furiously. "I'm fine…"
Only then did Ichigo realize what kind of position they were in. Awkwardly, he let go of her, about to speak—but then his gaze was drawn to the thick dust swirling at the blast site.
Something… was moving in there.
And it was coming right toward them.
Ichigo's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Tatsuki, something's not right. Let's head home. You should walk Orihime back—I think her arm might be scratched."
Tatsuki nodded, still shaken by the blast. Judging by the damage, it could've easily happened right next to them…
"Yeah. Let's reschedule for another day." Tatsuki didn't hesitate. True to her character, she quickly grabbed Orihime—who looked like she wanted to say goodbye—and started toward the exit.
Ichigo smiled. "I'll be right behind you. Gonna hit the restroom real quick."
They nodded and left without questioning it.
Now alone, Ichigo turned back to the source of the collapse.
A massive figure stepped out from the dust—blue, bull-like, walking on four legs…
Its head completely wrapped in a bone-white mask.
What stunned Ichigo even more was that no one else seemed to notice this thing. People walked by, completely oblivious to the monster in their midst.
"What the hell is that thing?!"
The ground cracked beneath its steps, leaving deep impressions. There was no question—this was a supernatural entity.
But looking at the curious passersby, Ichigo didn't dare flee openly.
If it really is targeting me… if I run and it chases, someone else might get hurt…
So Ichigo kept calm, casually walking out of the mall.
But he didn't relax.
Because the monster was still following him.
It wasn't locking directly onto him—just staying within range, like it could only sense his general presence.
Ichigo didn't understand why it was tailing him…
but he did understand one thing: there was no way he could beat it.
"Huff… Huff…"
In a quiet alley, Ichigo bent over, gasping for air.
"Should've lost it by now…"
He waited… silence. No sign of the creature.
Just as he began to lower his guard, a chilling voice hissed in his ear:
"Such a tasty little snack… I've finally found you…"
Ichigo's eyes widened in terror. He whipped around—
—only to come face to face with a white bull's mask inches from his own.
Even someone as tough as Ichigo nearly jumped out of his skin.
Anyone else would've probably peed themselves on the spot.
But he was Kurosaki Ichigo!
In that moment, fear didn't flood his heart—fury did.
"BASTARD!"
Ichigo threw a punch with all his strength— and to his surprise, it landed.
The monster was sent flying, crashing into the alley wall!
What the hell?! That worked?!
No time to think. Ichigo dashed for the opposite end of the alley.
But the beast recovered faster than he could imagine.
"You little snack… I'll rip you to shreds!"
Like a Spanish bull, it charged—head lowered, horns aimed for Ichigo.
If it landed that blow, he'd be skewered like a kebab!
Ichigo barely rolled to the side in time, dodging the deadly thrust.
But now, he had no way out.
Damn it! What do I do now?!
"Simple. Use MY power."
(End of Chapter)
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