Asakura Yoh hadn't been resting his eyes for long before he was jolted awake by the ear-splitting sound of a door being kicked open.
Just from the noise alone, Asakura Yoh already knew exactly who had returned.
A petite girl with crimson twin-tails, red eyes, wearing a black-and-white Gothic Lolita dress and a conspicuous white fuzzy hat—Dokugamine Riruka.
"Yo, it's been a while, Riru—mgh!"
Before he could finish his greeting, a strange-looking rabbit plushie slammed into Asakura Yoh's face. The force was so great that even after he pulled it off, a bright red mark remained on his face.
"What was that for? I finally come back, and this is how you welcome me?"
"You have the nerve to ask me that!?"
Hearing Asakura Yoh's words, Riruka Dokugamine's twin-tails practically stood on end like a bristling kitten. Severely nearsighted, she narrowed her eyes and glared intensely at him.
"Three months!? You haven't shown your face in three whole months! You just dump all the troublesome work on us while you go off somewhere to enjoy yourself! I can't believe it! Do you even deserve to be called the Boss!?"
Facing the storm-like wave of sound, Asakura Yoh was well-prepared and covered his ears in advance. Seeing this, Riruka grew even more incensed.
"Even that shut-in Yukio is more reliable than you!"
For Riruka Dokugamine, those were the most venomous words she could muster.
"Oh, it sounds like you and Yukio are getting along well. That's a relief," Asakura Yoh said with a chuckle.
"We are not! You idiot!"
Riruka's chest heaved with rage; it was clear her anger wasn't just for show.
"But since you rushed back the moment I arrived, you must have missed me quite a lot. Want a reunion hug?"
Asakura Yoh held out his arms, but upon hearing this, Riruka's face flushed crimson. She pointed a trembling finger at him, stammering for a long time without managing to get a single word out.
"Alright, alright, I'm joking. How have things been lately, Riruka?"
Riruka Dokugamine averted her gaze and pouted stubbornly, though the blush on her face refused to fade.
"Who's joking with you, idiot..."
Riruka's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, but even without hearing her clearly, Asakura Yoh could guess she was still harboring a grudge.
"I did have some things to take care of during this period. I'll spend more time with you all from now on."
Asakura Yoh reached out to pat Riruka's head, but she slapped his hand away.
"Do you think we're children!? Who wants to 'play' with you!?"
"Is that so? I was planning to make it up to you by taking you shopping for whatever you like, but I guess I shouldn't waste my breath."
Asakura Yoh said with a meaningful smile, his words striking right at Riruka's weakness.
"..."
Riruka held it in for a long while before finally letting out a few staged coughs to mask her embarrassment.
"Ahem. Well, since you're so desperate to go shopping with me, I suppose I can indulge you. It's just having an extra pair of hands to carry bags anyway."
"Yes, yes. It's my honor."
Her resentment mostly dissipated, Riruka finally remembered her purpose.
"By the way, things are a total mess outside. Was that your doing?"
Though it was a question, Riruka's tone carried a hint of certainty.
"Hmm, not exactly?" Asakura Yoh thought for a moment before continuing,
"I was the one who separated them, but I wasn't the one who unleashed all those Hollows."
"Was it that Aizen Sosuke guy?"
Riruka asked again. Ever since Asakura Yoh brought her here—saving her from a childhood where her abilities had led to her being isolated and rejected by everyone—she had heard the name Aizen Sosuke from time to time.
Yet, from the way Asakura Yoh spoke of him, she couldn't tell if the man was a friend or a foe.
"Most likely. He's probably testing Ichigo's potential, and Sado's and Inoue's along with it."
"You've mentioned Kurosaki Ichigo many times. Can that guy really become as strong as you say? And who are Sado and Inoue?"
Riruka asked curiously. Asakura Yoh had once said that if Kurosaki Ichigo could tap into his full potential, there would be fewer than five people in the world who could match his combat power.
"Of course. But Ichigo is still weak right now; he needs time to grow. As for Sado and Inoue, they both have the potential to awaken Fullbring. I'll likely bring them here later."
Riruka had initially felt dismissive hearing that Kurosaki Ichigo was weak, but hearing that two new members were joining made her sit up instantly.
"Newcomers!?"
Though she tried her best to hide it, Asakura Yoh could sense a hint of excitement in her reaction.
To Riruka, who had once been isolated because of her abilities, gaining more companions—or rather, more of her own kind—was something that made her quite thrilled. Of course, that was contingent on one thing...
"What kind of people are they? Are they cute? They're not closeted shut-ins like Yukio, are they?"
Asakura Yoh stroked his chin, adopting a thoughtful expression.
"Inoue is indeed quite a cute girl. But Sado... well, his appearance can't exactly be described as 'cute.' However, I think he's pretty cool, and he's very kind-hearted. I think you'll like him."
'A quite... cute... girl...?!'
"Hey, Riruka? Why are you spacing out?"
"None of your business!"
Struck in the face by the plushie once again, Asakura Yoh wordlessly removed the scent-trailing toy from his face.
Asakura Yoh expected her to stomp off in a huff, but to his surprise, Riruka simply sat on a sofa not far from him, her cheeks puffed out.
'This girl...'
...
On the other side, just as Riruka had said, things had descended into total chaos for Kurosaki Ichigo and the others.
Their original goal was simply to find the soul of Yuichi's mother, but for some reason, swarms of Hollows had mysteriously appeared throughout Karakura Town.
If the Hollows had gathered in one place, it would have been one thing, but they were scattered everywhere.
Even if Kurosaki Ichigo wanted to find the others and protect them, he had no idea where to start. Fortunately, he had the Soul Candy Rukia had given him; otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to transform into a Soul Reaper.
"Damn it! What the hell is going on!? Yuzu, Karin, old man... you guys better be okay!"
Working alone just like Ichigo, Ishida Uryu's right hand—the one he used to draw his bow—was already raw and bleeding. Yet, he continued to eliminate the Hollows appearing one after another without a second thought.
As for Asakura Yoh's previous lecture, he couldn't afford to care about it now. After all, if he left things as they were, the living would likely be the ones to suffer.
"