Shinichi's reply to Rukia's question had been... laughable. Ridiculous, even. He really needed to start coming up with better excuses.
Rukia frowned, unimpressed. "The hell does that even mean?"
Shinichi raised his hands innocently, feigning ignorance. "What?"
She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "How did you go invisible, Shinichi? How did you do that?"
Shinichi shrugged and said bluntly, "I didn't."
Rukia stared him down. "Yes, you did."
Shinichi took another step toward her, voice as casual as ever. "No, I didn't."
Rukia threw her hands up in frustration. "I saw it with my own eyes!"
Shinichi tilted his head and said, "Are you on something, Rukia? I think someone added something very bad to your meal today."
Rukia gave him a deadpan look. "You're the one who cooks for me though."
He blinked. "Oh... damn."
Rukia exhaled slowly, her tone softening. "Look... if you don't want to tell me, it's alright. I don't mind. I won't force you to explain. You can tell me when you're ready—or never, if that's what you choose."
She paused, her voice lowering. "It's not like I'll be here forever, you know..."
Shinichi looked at her. Her eyes shimmered—not just with light, but with something deeper. Sorrow? Regret? Maybe both. It was hard to say, but it hit him harder than he expected.
He quickly looked away and cleared his throat. "Okay... we can have this conversation later. First, let's help Urahara and everyone else clean up the rest of the Hollows."
Rukia nodded, regaining her composure. "Right."
---
Back where Ichigo and Ishida were still facing off against the Menos Grande—now seething with fury after being knocked down by the invisible strike from Shinichi—things were growing more desperate. Every strategy they tried was falling short. The Menos groaned as it stood tall once again, its massive body looming like a skyscraper, and its hollow eyes now burned with rage.
The air thickened.
Suddenly, the Menos began charging up a powerful attack. At its mouth, a dark red glow began to form—intense, vibrating with raw energy. The orb grew rapidly, crackling violently as black and red energy spiraled together in a tight sphere.
This was the Cero—a concentrated beam of spiritual energy used by Menos-class Hollows and above. When unleashed, it could obliterate entire city blocks in a flash, its speed and destructive capacity immense. The surrounding air trembled under the sheer pressure of the attack, the light casting long, monstrous shadows.
With a screeching roar, the Menos unleashed the Cero.
The beam shot forward like a blazing comet, roaring toward Ichigo and Ishida.
Ichigo didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and leapt into the air, blade raised high. As the Cero neared, he positioned his zanpakutō to absorb the impact. The collision was instant and blinding.
The world lit up.
The ground cracked beneath Ichigo's feet as he grunted, holding the massive surge of power at bay. His teeth clenched, arms trembling, but his zanpakutō drank in the energy like a black hole.
Ishida shielded his eyes, squinting against the blinding light. "What's happening to him?!"
A heartbeat later, the light began to recede.
Ichigo roared as he deflected the fully absorbed Cero back toward the Menos. The redirected beam streaked across the sky and slammed directly into the Menos' chest.
The explosion rocked the area, shockwaves tearing through the air. The Menos shrieked in pain, its titanic form staggering backward.
Without another sound, it turned and retreated, slipping back into the garganta crack in the sky. The portal sealed shut behind it with a hiss.
Ichigo stood still, victorious—but not for long.
Suddenly, he collapsed to his knees, screaming in agony. Blue reiatsu began pouring from his body, wild and uncontrollable.
Rukia's eyes widened. "What's happening to him?!"
Shinichi, completely unfazed, replied dryly, "I dunno. Looks like he's having some kind of weird orgasm."
Rukia stared at him in disgust. "Eww! This isn't the time for your stupid jokes!"
Shinichi raised his hands, trying to act concerned. "O-Oh, sorry, sorry. I mean... his reiatsu seems really unstable."
Ishida ran to Ichigo, placing a hand on his shoulder. He could feel the overflow of spiritual energy threatening to tear Ichigo apart from the inside.
Drawing his bow, Ishida began firing arrow after arrow into the sky—each one absorbing fragments of Ichigo's unstable reiatsu. The effort took a toll. His skin cracked, blood dripping from his fingertips, but he didn't stop.
Only after the final arrow left his bow and dissipated into the air did Ichigo finally calm. The torrents of reiatsu faded, and Ichigo slumped forward, breathing heavily but alive.
From afar, Shinichi scoffed. "They seem in pretty bad shape..."
Rukia side-eyed him. "Look who's talking."
Shinichi blinked. "What do you mean?"
She pointed to his right arm. Shinichi followed her gaze and froze. His forearm was bent at an unnatural angle, bruised and swollen.
"WHAT THE HELL?! MY ARM—OWWWW! I DON'T WANT A CAST, NO!"
Rukia chuckled at his over-the-top reaction. "Don't worry, idiot. I'll heal it using kido... or at least make it a bit better."
Shinichi whined. "DO IT QUICK! IT HURTS LIKE HELL!"
Rukia sighed and knelt beside him. "Bring your arm here. I can't completely heal it with kido, but I can make the healing process a lot faster."
Shinichi narrowed his eyes. "Does that mean I'll have to wear a cast?"
Rukia raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
"THAT'S SO LAME!"
She raised a finger. "I wonder who thought it was a great idea to go invisible and punch a damn Menos with full strength."
Shinichi looked away, sulking. "Tch... You don't have to say it. I know..."
Rukia smiled softly, shaking her head at him.
---
It was finally night time. The chaos of the day had settled, and a strange stillness blanketed Karakura Town.
Shinichi was sprawled out on the floor, wrapped in a blanket with a cast strapped firmly to his right arm. His breathing was deep and steady, completely passed out from exhaustion. His limbs were flung in all directions like a dropped ragdoll. A thin line of drool trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he mumbled incoherently in his sleep.
"No... I don't... want a... cast... no... that's... lame..."
Rukia sat upright on the bed, her back pressed against the wall. The moonlight from the window bathed the room in silver, casting soft shadows over her face. She hadn't been able to sleep. Her thoughts were spinning, dragging her deeper into worry.
'A Menos... was forced to retreat... here, in the world of the living,' she thought grimly. 'There's no way the Soul Society won't take notice. They'll send someone. They always do. I have to go back...'
Her eyes wandered to Shinichi. Even in his absurd sleeping position, there was something peaceful about him. Carefree. Unbothered by the weight she carried.
She smiled softly.
Then, her voice barely above a whisper, she said, "It was a very good experience..."
Her expression grew solemn.
"Shinichi... thank you."
---
Morning broke over Karakura Town with a warm golden hue, casting long shadows across the schoolyard. The school grounds buzzed with energy as students filled the field during PE period. Laughter, chatter, and the sound of sneakers pounding the ground echoed as different groups played their favorite sports.
Ichigo, Mizuiro, and Keigo were caught in the middle of a heated soccer game. Keigo, surprisingly agile, darted around the field, pulling off some impressive plays. Ichigo, with his strong build, had been forced into the goalkeeper position—not that he minded. He enjoyed the challenge.
Away from the action, Rukia sat alone on a bench near the fence, her arms crossed and her thoughts far from the game. Her gaze was distant, fixed on nothing in particular.
The Soul Society will take action soon, she thought. I shouldn't get close to anyone...
Orihime and Tatsuki approached from behind, Orihime being cheerful as always.
"Kuchiki-san! Come sit with us!" Orihime called out with a wave.
Rukia blinked and turned toward them. "I'm fine here."
Tatsuki, never one to take no for an answer, marched over and grabbed Rukia's wrist. "Come on. No sulking. We're watching the guys make fools of themselves. It's a public service."
Before Rukia could protest, she was dragged over and seated with the group, watching the boys chase after the soccer ball like wild animals.
A short distance away, Shinichi stood leaning against a tree, calmly sipping from a juice box. His usual detached expression made him look like a spectator at a completely different event. He wasn't wearing a cast now, his arm had surprisingly almost healed, it wasn't possible with only healing kido, there was something else to it too.
Tatsuki called over to him. "Hey, Shinichi! Why aren't you playing?"
He paused mid-sip, glanced sideways at her, and said, "I've never really been interested in sports."
Orihime tilted her head, genuinely surprised. "Really?"
Shinichi gave a simple nod in reply.
As the game came to a close, Ichigo's team emerged victorious. Orihime stood up and clapped enthusiastically. "Congratulations, Kurosaki-kun!"
Keigo fell to his knees, tears streaming. "B-But I was the one who played the best!"
Orihime blinked, then smiled awkwardly. "O-Oh... you too, Asano-kun..."
Suddenly, three upperclassmen—each holding a basketball—strode onto the field. Their expressions were smug, and their postures oozed arrogance.
"Only good at soccer, little boys?" one sneered.
Keigo, ever the braggart, stood up straight. "We can play any sport!"
The seniors laughed. "Really? I don't think freshmen idiots like you can do anything. You're just wannabes who think they're hot shit."
Ichigo's jaw tightened. "What the hell did you just say?"
One of the older students mocked him further. "Aww, gonna go cry to your momma now?"
That was it.
Tatsuki shot up like a spring, eyes blazing. She'd heard every word, and that last remark—especially about Ichigo's mom—was a line no one should have crossed.
"Why don't you guys play a match then?" she growled. "I've been wondering why our seniors are so pathetic lately. Guess I just got my answer... fuckers."
The seniors burst into loud, obnoxious laughter.
"HAHAHA! SHE ACTUALLY WANTS US TO PLAY A GAME OF BASKETBALL AGAINST THEM!"
Tatsuki smirked. "What? Are you scared? Afraid of getting humiliated in front of the whole school?"
Their laughter stopped. Their leader stepped forward, face serious.
"Fine. We challenge you to a game of basketball. But we have a condition."
Tatsuki narrowed her eyes. "What condition?"
He licked his lips and pointed at Orihime, Tatsuki, and Rukia. "If we win... you three go on a date with us."
Tatsuki's face twisted in disgust. "Eww..."
Orihime gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, while Rukia's eyes widened in a mix of shock and revulsion.
Tatsuki didn't flinch. "Fine! We accept. Not like you're going to win anyway."
The three seniors chuckled to each other darkly, clearly confident in whatever plan they had brewing.
---
It was time.
A 3v3 basketball game under the golden glare of the late morning sun, with the entire PE class now gathered around to watch. The PE teacher stood in the middle of the court with a whistle hanging from his neck, arms crossed with the solemnity of a championship referee.
On one end, the three smug seniors: Akira, Nishinoya, and Kendo. On the other, Ichigo, Keigo, and Chad—Mizuiro having been swapped out due to his lack of height. The rules were simple. First to eleven.
The whistle blew.
Both teams leapt for the ball. The initial scramble was fierce, but Kendo, with his towering height and brutish strength, tipped it easily toward his team.
Nishinoya caught it effortlessly, his slender fingers flicking the ball through his legs with practiced grace as he began dribbling up the court. He passed to Akira, who spun around Ichigo with a quick behind-the-back move and then dished it to Kendo, who bulldozed his way into the paint.
With a single pivot, Kendo turned and dunked the ball with enough force to rattle the rim.
"1-0," the PE teacher called.
The ball was checked again.
Nishinoya, with frightening control, handled the ball like it was an extension of his own body. He hit a crossover so clean that Keigo fell backwards trying to keep up. From beyond the arc, Nishinoya jumped and sank a three-pointer with textbook form.
"3-0."
Ichigo tried to get more aggressive, putting pressure on Akira during the next possession. But Akira was slick—quick jab steps, a spin, and a no-look pass to Kendo, who laid it in off the glass.
"6-0."
The crowd was getting restless.
Chad tried to contest a drive, but even his strength couldn't counter Kendo's frame in the post. A turnaround hook went in clean.
"8-0."
Next play, Nishinoya drilled another three right in Ichigo's face, barely needing space to get his shot off.
"10-0."
On the sidelines, Tatsuki's fists were clenched. She leaned in toward Orihime, whisper-shouting, "How are they playing so good?!"
Orihime blinked and replied with a sheepish smile, "It's because they're part of the Karakura High basketball team..."
Tatsuki whipped her head toward her. "SHIT! YOU COULDN'T HAVE TOLD ME THIS SOONER?!"
Back on the court, the seniors were taunting.
Akira grinned, spinning the ball on his finger as he stared straight at the girls—particularly Rukia, who shuddered under his gaze.
"With this final shot... our date is secured," he said, sticking out his tongue.
He bounced the ball twice. But just as he moved to pass, something felt... wrong.
The ball was no longer in his hands.
"Huh?"
He turned.
Someone was spinning the ball on their index finger like a Harlem Globetrotter.
It was Shinichi.
He stood in the center of the court, sipping the last drop from his juice box and tossing it aside. He sighed.
"Fine... maybe I'll get back to it."
Nishinoya narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
Shinichi didn't even spare him a glance. "Keigo. Sit down. I'm playing in your place."
Keigo, drenched in sweat and barely standing, simply nodded and shuffled over to where Shinichi had been chilling earlier.
Shinichi smirked. "It's our ball, isn't it? I'm just a replacement. Hope you all are okay with that... or are you too scared?"
Akira scoffed. "Replacement when we're a bucket away from winning? Man, this is funny. Let's finish this quickly."
He checked the ball to Shinichi, who caught it casually. The seniors locked into tight defensive stances.
The crowd went silent.
And the game resumed.
The crowd leaned in, the court silent except for the sound of sneakers squeaking against pavement.
Ball in hand, Shinichi stood at the top of the key, calm and unreadable. Akira and his teammates were locked into a tight defensive triangle, but something about Shinichi's posture made the air heavy. Then—he moved.
Like lightning.
He faked a drive to the left, forcing Akira to shift his weight, then instantly spun to the right and crossed between his legs, snatching ankles. Akira staggered. Shinichi stepped back behind the three-point line and launched the ball with perfect form.
Swish.
"That shot was clean!" Orihime gasped.
Tatsuki's eyes widened. "Where the hell was he earlier?!"
10–2.
On the inbound, Nishinoya tried to shake him off with a behind-the-back dribble, but Shinichi was glued to him. He snatched the ball with a perfectly timed steal, darted down court, and launched himself into the air. With shocking hang time, he slammed the ball through the hoop.
BOOM.
"H-How..?!" Rukia blinked, her mouth slightly open.
10–3.
On the next possession, Kendo attempted a screen, but Shinichi weaved through it like smoke. Akira tried to shoot, but Shinichi timed his jump perfectly, swatting the shot away. The crowd erupted.
"He's reading every move," Tatsuki muttered. "It's like he already knows what they're going to do."
He didn't let them score. Not even once.
Back on offense, Chad passed to him on the wing. Shinichi gave a single jab step, sending Nishinoya flying. He stepped up, drained another three.
10–5.
With each possession, he broke them down—fakes, spins, step-backs. He wasn't just athletic. He knew the game. Pump fakes drew fouls. Crossovers left them stunned. The scoreboard ticked.
10–8.
Then, the most outrageous move yet, Akira and Nishinoya double-teamed him near the baseline. Shinichi faked a drive, spun through both, and lobbed the ball off the glass. He caught it mid-air and dunked it again.
The crowd exploded.
Orihime clapped. "Amazing, Kisaragi-kun!"
Even Rukia, quiet as she was, felt something flutter. He was unstoppable.
10–9.
The next play, Chad set a screen. Shinichi used it to gain just enough separation. A clean jumper. Nothing but net.
10–10.
Final point. All eyes on him. Akira gritted his teeth, body drenched in sweat. "You think you've got us figured out, huh?!"
Shinichi just smiled.
The ball was checked. He dribbled once. Twice. Then he launched forward.
Akira tried to stop him.
But Shinichi didn't just drive—he flew.
A euro step between two defenders. He rose up high—higher—and slammed the ball through the hoop with a thunderous two-handed dunk.
Game.
10–11.
Silence.
Then a tidal wave of cheers from the crowd. The seniors stood stunned, completely dismantled.
Tatsuki and Orihime rushed toward Shinichi.
Tatsuki panted. "God! I'm never challenging anyone without knowing everything about them again... that was scary! Also—you said you weren't interested in sports! But you were like a pro out there!"
Shinichi sighed and stretched his shoulders. "I did say I'm not interested in sports... never said I was bad at them."
Orihime laughed. "Thank you so much, Kisaragi-kun!"
From a distance, Rukia looked at him. He met her eyes. No words needed. They both smiled.
As Shinichi walked toward the locker room to change, a screen flickered in front of him.
[How did you do that? I don't remember giving you an ability that turns you into a god at basketball.]
Shinichi chuckled. "I was a national player in my past life. Dealing with these guys? Piece of cake."
[After that game... I think you've got a horde of girls after you now. I saw at least eight blushing when you dunked.]
He blushed slightly. "Since when do you say stuff like this?!"
[You should be happy I'm trying to help your virgin ass by providing useful social info.]
Shinichi rolled his eyes. "Never thought Bleach would have slice-of-life episodes like this. It felt... good. Just playing. No Hollows, no danger... just fun."
He looked up at the clear sky.
"I wish... things could've just stayed this way..."
However, Shinichi knew in his mind that, Shit was about to get real.