Karakura Town, rooftop of an abandoned building.
"Moshi moshi, Rangiku, how are things on your end?"
Toshiro was using his communication device to contact Rangiku.
"Oh, Captain, sorry, we've run into a bit of a problem here, so we haven't left yet."
Rangiku's voice came through the communicator.
"Hmm? A problem? What kind of problem? The fighting here has been over for quite a while, and you guys still haven't left. If something really major had happened, by the time you got here, it would have been way too late."
Toshiro complained.
"Here's the thing, Captain. Just as we were about to leave for the Living World to meet up with you, Captain-Commander sent word that to make it easier for us to move around in the Human World, he planned to have the Technology Development Bureau equip us with Gigai. So, we're currently at the Technology Development Bureau waiting for them to make the Gigai for us."
Rangiku explained.
"Uh... Aren't you worried about something major happening in the Human World? You're just leisurely hanging out at the Technology Development Bureau."
Toshiro was speechless.
"Well… since you're already there, Captain, nothing will go wrong. So whether we arrive a little earlier or a little later doesn't really matter. Plus, to make the Gigai fit better, we need to go to the Technology Development Bureau ourselves and state our requirements."
"Besides, we already saw what was happening in the Human World through the Technology Development Bureau's monitoring equipment, so you don't need to scare us like that."
Rangiku said nonchalantly.
The reason Rangiku was so calm wasn't just because she trusted Toshiro's strength, but also because she had seen Toshiro's battle in the Human World through the Technology Development Bureau's equipment.
Knowing that the situation in the Human World wasn't critical, Rangiku was so relaxed. Otherwise, no matter how lazy she usually was, Rangiku wouldn't falter at a crucial moment.
"Oh, right, Captain. Since the fighting in the Human World is over, you should come back too. We can all go to the Human World together tomorrow. It's getting dark now anyway, and the Gigai will take some more time to be ready. You should come back and try on your Gigai too."
Rangiku suggested.
"Go back?"
Toshiro looked up at the darkening sky and nodded. "Alright, I'll come back too, and we can all go together tomorrow."
Seeing that it was getting dark, and Toshiro hadn't even prepared a place to stay, he had no choice but to go back for now.
…
The next day, morning.
Human World, Karakura Town, Ichigo's school.
Although he had been seriously injured in yesterday's fight with Yammy, fortunately, none of the injuries hit vital points. After a night's rest, coupled with his cockroach-like vitality, although not fully recovered, he was still able to attend school.
Orihime also came to school with bandages on.
"Inoue..."
Ichigo looked at Orihime with a complex expression, emotions like guilt and self-reproach appearing on his face.
"What is it, Kurosaki-kun?"
Orihime responded with a radiant smile.
Orihime knew very well that Ichigo was feeling terrible, but precisely because of that, she felt she needed to face him with a smile.
"Inoue! I... no, never mind... I guess I shouldn't..."
Ichigo seemed to want to say something to Orihime, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to speak the words in his heart.
Then, Ichigo looked at Orihime guiltily, as if ashamed to face her, fell silent, and turned to walk to his seat.
Tatsuki, in the corner, watched the two of them with a dejected expression, never approaching to ask what had happened yesterday, nor speaking to them as usual.
Because she felt she was no longer from the same world as Ichigo and Orihime.
She was just an ordinary, mundane student, while Ichigo and Orihime were humans… no, perhaps no longer humans, possessing powerful and mysterious abilities.
Meanwhile, Orihime and Ichigo were also preoccupied with their own thoughts and didn't notice Tatsuki's unusual behavior.
"Sorry, Chizuru, I need to go to the bathroom."
After looking dejectedly at Ichigo as he returned to his seat, Orihime said to her friend and then suddenly left the classroom.
Ichigo, sitting in his seat with a dejected look, didn't see this, still immersed in self-reproach.
'Inoue is hurt, Chad is seriously injured, Tatsuki nearly lost her life... all because I'm useless and dragged everyone into this. And I... besides apologizing, I don't even know what to do about it.'
"Hmm?"
Just as Ichigo was wallowing in self-pity, he suddenly sensed several Reiatsus approaching.
Tap, tap, tap.
Just as Ichigo noticed the Reiatsus approaching, footsteps could also be heard from the hallway outside the classroom.
"Hey! Which classroom is it anyway?"
"How should I know?"
"You don't know? But didn't you write it down on a piece of paper before we left?"
"Uh... I lost it."
"You lost it!? Geez, what's wrong with you!!"
"Alright! Both of you, stop arguing! Can't we just use our Reiatsu to sense it?"
"But this is my first time wearing this thing. I'm not very good at controlling my Reiatsu yet."
"Then you really are an idiot."
"Hmph! I'm not an idiot! ...Come to think of it, these clothes are too tight. They're not as loose and comfortable as the Shihakusho."
"Heh, if you find it too tight, why don't you do what I do? Don't tuck the hem in, and undo a few buttons."
"Hey, hey! What are you so proud of? If you have time to show off, you should tidy up! I'm embarrassed for you, dressing so shamelessly!"
"Alright! Stop arguing. If you want to avoid drawing attention, keep your footsteps light."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"We're here! It should be that classroom up ahead!"
The noisy chatter, accompanied by footsteps, drifted into Ichigo's classroom.
Swish!
The classroom door was suddenly slid open, and several figures wearing the same uniforms as the other students walked in nonchalantly.
"Goooood morning!"
"You doing okay, Ichigo?"
The newcomers greeted Ichigo.
"Renji! Toshiro!!"
Ichigo looked at the several 'uninvited guests' who had suddenly barged into the classroom, shocked.
These so-called 'uninvited guests' were naturally the advance team members: Toshiro, Rangiku, Renji, Ashido, and Sojiro.
The ones making all the noise outside in the hallway were Rangiku and Renji.
"Seriously, Ichigo, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me 'Captain Hitsugaya'."
Toshiro frowned.
There was a reason Toshiro cared so much about how Ichigo addressed him.
After all, Toshiro was friends with Isshin. Not only did this guy Ichigo not call him 'Uncle', but he even called him by his first name, 'Toshiro', making it seem like they were equals.
But that would make Toshiro a generation younger than Isshin!
'If Isshin finds out, he'll definitely make fun of me.' Thinking this, Toshiro's attitude became firmer. He absolutely would not give in on this matter of address.