1 Chapter one: Local thief.

[South Rukongai, District 22]

As the day eased into twilight, South Rukongai's District 22 awoke. This pocket of the district housed rows upon rows of old structures, their faded facades standing resolute despite the wear and tear of time. From their chipped rooftops to the crumbling brick walls, the buildings bore an undeniable charm of the old world, if somewhat rough around the edges.

Carving through this residential maze, narrow streets bustled with activity. They were like veins of the district, pumping life through it, lined with everything from small corner shops to the hustle of street vendors. Locals moved about in a synchronized dance of survival, their silhouettes coming to life under the soft, warm glow of the setting sun.

On top of these weathered houses, the agile silhouette of a teenager moved with the graceful might of a jungle cat. His tanned skin glistened in the twilight, and his golden eyes were alight with mischief. This was Hideki Fujioka, a notorious juvenile thief whose reputation spread far and wide in the district.

Hot on his heels, an enraged mob chased him, their shouts echoing against the crumbled brick walls. "You won't get away this time, Fujioka!" a burly man bellowed, his skin glistening with sweat from the relentless pursuit.

The chorus of outrage was accompanied by a rain of objects, from old kitchenware to worn-out shoes, each aimed at the nimble teenager. Yet, Hideki weaved through the airborne obstacles with the ease of a wildcat navigating dense foliage.

"What's wrong, can't keep up?" Hideki called out, his voice ringing clear over the chaos. The words brimmed with amusement as he leaped effortlessly across the rooftops, a flash of youthful audacity against the setting sun.

"You lot are slower than snails on vacation!" Hideki jested, his voice full of delight as he nimbly sidestepped the barrage of objects, each evasive move a testament to his agile footwork.

"Up to his old tricks again, eh?" Below the rooftops, a seasoned woman couldn't help but voice her thoughts, her hands resting on her windowsill. Her eyes sparkled with amusement at the ongoing spectacle. A chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head. "Never a dull moment with that boy."

Nearby, a middle-aged woman watched with bated breath from behind her window, her heart pounding as an errant object narrowly missed her house. She gasped, quickly retreating from the window. "Good heavens! He's going to land himself in hot water one of these days."

The spectacle unfolded as an evening routine, much like a local drama, its actors bathed in the twilight. For the onlookers, Hideki's daring exploits had become a staple of life in District 22, his audacious spirit a source of both entertainment and worry.

"That kid has the nerve of a wildcat," a passerby mused, pausing to watch the pursuit. "Just hope he knows the shinigami won't turn a blind eye forever."

"Wishful thinking," replied a burly man lugging a heavy box. "He's been giving them the slip for a while now." While Hideki continued to outmaneuver his pursuers, the residents of District 22 remained mostly quiet observers, their daily lives punctuated by the antics of the local mischief-maker.

A woman in the mob, her face flushed with frustration, finally erupted, "You won't outrun us forever! You'll pay for..."

Hideki's grin broadened, interrupting the woman mid-sentence. "I've paid my share of dues, trust me! But if you're looking for payback, you've gotta catch me first!" He taunted, the stolen bag of food secure against his chest.

It wasn't personal. Necessity, not malice, drove his hands into the pockets of the more well-off. It wasn't easy to be an orphaned kid in the Soul Society, even more so if you happened to be born with great amounts of spiritual energy.

"Come on, folks! Can't you spare a bit? They say sharing is caring, right?" His jest echoed through the streets, an undercurrent of earnest wonder buried beneath his sarcastic tone. Did they grasp the gnawing hunger that drove him?

With a final nimble leap, Hideki found himself perched atop a building, peering down at his pursuers. "Catch you later!" His grin was wide and taunting, a final show of defiance before he dashed off, swallowed by the lengthening shadows of the twilight.

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

As nightfall swept over District 22, it cloaked its outskirts in a serene darkness, a solitude Hideki had learned to find comfort in. Nestled among the trees, he reclined against a sturdy trunk, cross-legged and surrounded by his pilfered bounty.

The spoils of his venture—a bag filled with loaves of bread and various fruits— would be enough to satisfy his stomach, at least for a couple of days. Hideki's golden eyes shimmered with eagerness as he cradled a loaf of bread, drawing in its scent. His lips curled into a contented smile. "Nothing like fresh bread."

His worn yukata, faded from time and frayed from adventures, hung off his lean frame, a testament to the life he led. His raven locks fell down his back, with two long bangs framing his face, adding to his wild and untamed charm.

"I should probably save a little for later." He mumbled, to himself as he glanced at the food he had left. A crumb of bread clung to the corner of his lips, which he swiftly wiped away. "I always wake up starving," he muttered, a small bead of sweat trickling down his cheek. "Not sure why, considering all I do is sleep."

''How about a little training, then?'' Hideki said to himself, a wide grin plastered over his face as he took a bite from another loaf of bread. "This energy has to be good for something, right?" The spirited teenager extended his right hand towards the sky, gathering his spiritual energy. A small sphere of reishi began to form, shimmering in a soft golden hue.

The sphere, at first glance, appeared fragile, like a bubble ready to pop. Yet Hideki continued to fuel it with his spirit, encouraging it to grow stronger. His focus was unwavering, and with a final surge of energy, the sphere solidified into a translucent orb floating above his palm.

"Not too shabby," Hideki congratulated himself, a sense of pride tinging his words. He held the orb closer, examining his creation. "Not too shabby at all." With a swift motion, he crushed the orb, releasing a cascade of spirit particles that glittered in the moonlight before fading into the night.

"I know I could do more, but..." His voice trailed off, eyes following the last traces of his dissipating spirit energy. Letting out a sigh, his hand reached for an apple nestled within his stolen treasure. "I can't exactly max out," he reasoned, worryingly chewing on his lower lip. "That would just mean needing more food."

Despite his successful heists, especially those from the more affluent, it was a struggle to keep up with his relentless hunger. With a nonchalant shrug and an air of resignation, he sighed, "Guess it's time to hit the hay."

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

[Seireitei, Squad Six Barracks]

Inside the Seireitei, nestled within Squad Six's barracks, an atmosphere of quiet diligence pervaded the scene. The division's members were engrossed in their various duties, their focus lending a serene quietude to their surroundings.

In the heart of the barracks, the office of the Sixth Division's Captain bore the same air of quiet industry. The rustle of papers and the muted murmur of conversation from his subordinates were the only sounds that dared to break the silence.

Captain Ginrei Kuchiki sat at the helm of the division and also presided over the Kuchiki Clan, one of the illustrious Great Noble Houses. Ginrei was a man of advanced age, his slate gray eyes, thick gray mustache, and long silver hair a testament to his years. His attire was befitting his rank - a short-sleeved captain's haori, a black shihakushō underneath, and a sumptuous white scarf draped elegantly over his shoulders.

His office was spacious, dominated by a large desk in the center. It bore stacks of paperwork, neatly arrayed and attentively handled by his efficient lieutenant.

"Our workload seems to have multiplied, Father," observed Sōjun Kuchiki, his tone carrying a hint of bemusement. Sōjun was a youth of average stature, his shoulder-length black hair and bluish-purple eyes striking against his fair skin. His locks were meticulously groomed, framing a face of noble lineage.

Like his captain, he was clad in the standard shihakushō. However, he distinguished himself from his fellow soul reapers with two notable adornments - a kenseikan that sat on the left side of his head, signifying his noble status within the Kuchiki Clan, and a lieutenant's badge worn proudly on his right arm.

Ginrei acknowledged his son's comment with a nod. "Indeed," he concurred, his gaze landing on a particular document from the stack on his desk. "Some of this does seem rather familiar." It bore the official stamp of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, with the crest of the Central 46 and the words, "Assignment: Squad Six."

Ginrei passed a weathered hand through his long gray hair, propping his chin in his palm thoughtfully. "It seems the soul reapers we dispatched weren't successful in apprehending this thief."

Sōjun's eyes flickered with curiosity at his father's words. "Another thief?" he echoed, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of his kenseikan. He stole a glance at the document held by his father, concern dawning in his eyes.

Ginrei shook his head, his sigh carrying a hint of resignation. "No, not a new one, the same persistent culprit. Last month, I delegated some of our unseated officers to investigate this. Repeated instances of theft have been reported in District 22 of South Rukongai. Normally, I would leave such matters to local authorities, but our officers' inability..."

Sōjun furrowed his brow, perturbed. "Wouldn't our involvement be rather excessive for a common thief? It's rare for the Sixth Division to be tasked with such ordinary crimes."

"Under regular circumstances, I'd agree. However, our thief seems to have vexed a few minor nobles in the district, hence our intervention. Our officers were dispatched to apprehend him, but from the looks of this report, he has struck another noble's property just recently."

"But what exactly is he stealing to warrant such attention?" Sōjun inquired, his curiosity piqued. His arms crossed over his chest, he reclined in his chair, focusing on the paper in his father's hands.

"Food," came Ginrei's terse response, accompanied by another sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair once again. "The thief's crime is as common as any in South Rukongai, but he seems to have irked the wrong noble."

"All of this for mere food?" Sōjun's eyebrows arched in surprise. The revelation was alien to his experiences; as a noble, he'd never known the pang of hunger. The idea, thus, struck him as utterly bizarre.

"Our thief must be a soul with an exceptional amount of spiritual energy if he's able to elude our officers," Ginrei mused, discarding the paper atop the stack of similar documents before pushing them aside. "This would explain his frequent thieving. After all, regular souls don't experience much hunger."

"So, who are we assigning to apprehend this thief?" Sōjun questioned, pushing his chair back as he rose from his seat. He adjusted his uniform, clearing his throat. "I believe our sixteenth seat, Ishikawa Akira, would be well-suited. He's somewhat inexperienced, so this could provide..."

Ginrei cut him off mid-sentence. "Summon Kawakami Makoto to me." His abrupt directive drew a puzzled look from Sōjun.

"Our third seat, just for this mission?" Sōjun inquired, disbelief lacing his tone. "Father, no matter how talented this thief may be, isn't dispatching our third seat to arrest him a bit excessive? Won't he feel slighted to be sent after a mere thief?"

"Some might indeed find it offensive, but as far as I recall, South Rukongai is where Kawakami was born," Ginrei remarked, his expression composed as he regarded Sōjun. "If anyone can deal with the locals there, it's him. Besides, a change of scenery might prove beneficial. I've noticed him growing increasingly complacent recently."

"Understood, father." Sōjun nodded, turning on his heel to depart the captain's office, leaving Ginrei to his solitude in the silent room.

Once the door closed behind Sōjun, Ginrei reclined in his chair, savoring a sip of his tea. He allowed himself a moment of quiet introspection before reaching for the stack of documents once more.

"I'm not sure why, but I can't dismiss this feeling," Ginrei muttered to himself, eyes fixed on the paper in his hand. "Something feels peculiar about this situation."

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

As elusive as sleep often was for him, tonight was no different. Hideki found himself tangled in his bed, his dreams replaying the same haunting sequence they had for the past fortnight.

He saw a striking woman - hair as dark as his own, eyes a penetrating violet, and a beauty that radiated grace. Yet, her features were etched with sorrow, her voice called out, but it didn't reach him. As she met his gaze, her eyes held an unspoken yearning.

Hideki woke with a start. A gasp escaped his lips as he propped himself up into a sitting position. Sweat had beaded his forehead, glinting under the dim light, stark against his deep tan. He fought to control his ragged breathing. "That damn dream again," he muttered, the words sounding rote with repetition.

'Who in the world is she?' His mind grappled with the puzzling question, his teeth gnawing at his lower lip in thought. 'I've never seen her before. But why can't I shake her from my mind? Why do I keep seeing her in my dreams?'

"I don't understand." Hideki muttered, a frown creasing his brow. He spat onto the earth, musing aloud. "I've seen her every night for weeks. Is she someone familiar?" He dismissed the thought with a shake of his head and a cynical chuckle. "No way. She's too refined to be from this ragtag district."

Hideki sighed, a defeated expression painted on his face. "Haunted even while asleep." His pessimistic words only served to deepen his frown. He rested his arm on his knee, letting out another sigh. "Just my luck," he added under his breath, an echo of bitter resignation present in his voice.

With the image of the mysterious young woman still fresh in his mind, Hideki stood up, stretching his muscles with a grunt. He rolled his neck, a satisfied sigh escaping him as his back cracked. "Ah, that's the stuff," he muttered to himself, his scowl fading away. "What I wouldn't give for some quality sleep."

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

"You summoned me, Captain Kuchiki?" Kawakami Makoto's voice echoed within the confines of Captain Kuchiki Ginrei's office, pulling the elder from his reverie. He bowed deeply, maintaining a respectful stance.

"There is an issue in South Rukongai, specifically District 22," Ginrei began. "A local thief has been disrupting the region, pilfering food from the... wealthier residents. You are to apprehend him posthaste."

Behind Kawakami, Sōjun watched anxiously, bracing for the third seat's potential eruption at the idea of being tasked to hunt down a common thief. Contrarily, Kawakami simply furrowed his brows, contemplating Ginrei's directive.

After a moment of silence, he finally responded, his head still bowed, his voice barely above a whisper, "Is that all?"

"Yes," Ginrei confirmed simply. "From the intel we've gathered, the thief could be one of the local orphans, but our knowledge ends there."

"Consider it done, Captain Kuchiki." Kawakami bowed once more before pivoting to exit the room.

On the surface, he was the image of serenity, but beneath that calm veneer, Kawakami seethed with irritation. The idea of being tasked with such a mundane problem chafed at him, and his mind reeled with the overwhelming pile of work that lay ahead.

'Damn it, damn it, damn it! This is bullshit!' He raged internally, sauntering down the barracks hallway, his head hanging low in exasperation. 'I was just about to take the mother of all naps! Why the hell am I the one getting saddled with this crap job? This really blows!'

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

As the early sun stretched its fingers over the horizon, Hideki woke with a grumble, stretching his arms skyward from his makeshift bed on the ground. He squinted at his surroundings, the morning's dim light making his golden eyes squint. "Fuck, it's freezing!" he complained, pulling his worn clothing tighter around his body.

With a long, irritable yawn, he lumbered to his feet, starting to gather his pitiful pile of stuff. "Shit, I'm freezing my ass off. I hate goddamn mornings," he grumbled, a loud growl from his stomach punctuating his words. "Right, grub time." It had been a couple of days since his last successful snatch-and-grab at the market, and the hunger gnawing at his belly was making him quite irritable.

"Had big plans for training today," he sighed, resigned to the fact that the only training his body was ready for was a marathon sprint to find food. "What's the bloody point if I can't even stand straight?"

Moments later, he reluctantly trudged out of the sanctuary of the forest, his feet hitting the packed earth of the main road. His eagle eyes swept over the ramshackle buildings and bustling streets that so many called home, a bead of sweat trickling down his cheek. 'Shit... I'm drawing attention already,' he grimaced, catching the whispers and wary glances from the people around him.

"Market it is, then," he muttered, deciding on his destination and darting down a narrow alleyway to avoid any further unwanted attention.

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

"Seriously, how in the hell did I end up with this shitshow?" Kawakami Makoto grumbled under his breath, staring blankly at the bustling market around him. 'Just my luck, dealing with some pissant thief. Even worse, I'm practically on the doorstep of District 9. Damn it...I'll have to drop by to see mom.'

The mere thought of his mother's wrath, should she learn he had been in the vicinity and not visited, sent a shiver down his spine. 'Death by a thousand zanpakuto would be a picnic compared to her nagging.'

"Excuse me, sir," the gravelly voice of an elderly woman brought him back to the present. Her thin lips were set in a disapproving frown as she addressed him from behind her produce stall. "If you're not buying, move along."

"Huh? Oh, shit...sorry, ma'am." Makoto blinked, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Lost in thought, y'know? Gimme some of those fruits."

With a curt nod, the woman handed him a basket filled with assorted fruits and vegetables. He paid and trudged deeper into the market square, slipping further into the river of bodies that flowed through the busy streets.

To better blend into the crowd, he'd ditched his usual uniform for a simple dark blue kimono. The last thing he needed was for this thief to catch sight of a soul reaper and bolt.

'Supposedly this sneaky bastard comes through here every few days,' Makoto mused, his eyes darting around as he tried to spot any signs of the thief. 'Shouldn't be too hard to sniff him out.'

"This is such a goddamn pain in the ass," he grumbled, raking a hand through his hair. He heaved a sigh, his frustration evident. "If this punk was just ripping off the homeless, nobody'd give a damn. But no, one noble bitches, and now I gotta play hide-and-seek." He spat on the ground, a bitter taste in his mouth. As if nobles didn't have enough to eat already.

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

With the ease of a cat, Hideki bounded from rooftop to rooftop, maintaining a low profile as he closed in on the marketplace. As he neared his destination, he hunkered down behind a low wall, hidden from the eyes of the market-goers. He waited, biding his time until the flurry of whispers and suspicious glances stirred up by his arrival died down.

After a couple minutes, Hideki dared a quick peek over the edge of the roof. His golden eyes flickered over the scene below with an intensity that belied his casual demeanor. "Alright," he murmured to himself, "fruit's up first."

With that, he vaulted over the edge and into the throng below, his eyes immediately landing on a familiar fruit stall. "Bingo!" he crowed silently, a grin pulling at his lips.

His focus wasn't on the fruit, however, or even the merchant who sold it. Instead, his gaze was trained on the potential customers, picking apart their attire with a practiced eye. As his golden gaze darted around, one figure stood out like a sore thumb.

The man looked to be in his early twenties, boasting a head of long, white hair pulled back in a top knot. He stood by a fruit stall nearby, dressed in a pristine dark blue kimono that matched the color of his eyes. The look on his face was one of annoyance, his gaze flicking restlessly from one stall to another.

'Huh? Who's this pretty boy?' Hideki thought, his brows knitting together. 'Doesn't look like your average market rat...' His train of thought was derailed as the fruit merchant struck up a conversation with the stranger. 'But his spiritual energy...'

He couldn't tear his eyes away from the man, his curiosity piqued. The guy's spiritual pressure was a palpable force, tugging at Hideki's own energy. He had never encountered another soul with such a formidable aura.

As if sensing Hideki's gaze, the stranger suddenly turned, locking eyes with him. The corners of his lips tugged upward into a sly grin, and Hideki felt his heart skip a beat. Hideki immediately froze, the blood running through his veins turning cold at the sight of the man's piercing gaze. 'Shit!' Hideki's heart pounded in his chest, and he ducked down instinctively, pressing his back to the rough tiles of the roof.

'Did he spot me? From all that distance?' He bit down on his lower lip, a flurry of thoughts zipping through his mind. 'No, no way. I was camouflaged, right? Ain't no way he saw me...' He tried to convince himself, peeking at the stranger from his rooftop perch. 'Must've just been bad luck. The guy's not even looking my way anymore...'

He let out a small sigh, shaking his head. 'Better safe than sorry, though. I'll give that one a miss,' he decided. But his stomach had other plans, protesting with a loud grumble that made him wince. 'But I gotta eat... I'll just pick another mark and scram.'

So, when he was sure the white-haired man had lost interest, he returned his attention to the crowd. His gaze roamed over the sea of heads until it landed on a middle-aged woman standing near a stall on the other side of the market. A large basket was in her hand and her dress was finely tailored—much too fancy for an ordinary resident of District 22.

'Look at the threads on her... She's gotta be loaded to dress like that,' he reasoned, nodding to himself. She was the perfect target.

"C'mon, Hideki, get your shit together," he muttered, eyeing the distance between them. He took in her appearance, his lips curling up into a smirk. "Yeah, I can work with that."

He lowered himself into a crouch, his legs coiling up like springs. Then, with a force that shook the rooftop, he launched himself forward like a bullet from a gun.

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

"Hmm?" Makoto's eyes flicked to the side, catching a blur of movement that cut through the crowd. A smirk twisted his lips, and he let out a low chuckle. "Well, I'll be damned! The kid's got guts, striking even after sensing me." His voice was full of amusement. "Got to hand it to him, ballsy move."

His heart pounded with the thrill of the chase, and in a blink, he was gone, leaving only a mirage of himself behind. He zipped through the throng, the people around him oblivious to his high-speed sprint.

In less than a heartbeat, he reappeared on the opposite side of the market, planting himself squarely in the path of the would-be thief.

"What the—!?" The small thief skidded to a halt, his golden eyes bulging at the sight of the man. "You've gotta be shitting me...!" His face turned white as a sheet, recognizing the stranger from before.

'I could've sworn he was way on the other side just a moment ago...' Hideki's mind spun as he immediately whipped around to bolt in the opposite direction.

But just as he tried to escape, he crashed headfirst into the chest of the soul reaper, the impact sending him sprawling onto his backside. "Son of a bitch!"

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," Makoto said, sweeping his hand in an exaggerated greeting. A grin spread across his face. "You're Fujioka Hideki, right? I've done my homework. Heard you've been quite the busy bee around here."

Hideki was still sprawled on the ground, the taste of copper filling his mouth. He spat a wad of blood onto the pavement, wiping his mouth as he tried to regain his composure.

"What the fuck...? You just teleported across the market!" Hideki's incredulous voice echoed as he glowered up at the soul reaper, pushing himself off the dirtied ground.

"Teleporting? Nah, not quite." Makoto's chuckle rolled off his tongue, shaking his head. "I'm just a bit quicker on my feet than most. Comes with the job, you know."

Hideki huffed, wiping the fresh trail of blood from his lips. His eyes bore into Makoto with a dark, icy glare. "And I've got a knack for slipping out of shit situations, so..." Makoto's amusement at the situation was unexpected. This mission had originally felt like a bothersome chore, but something about the defiant kid in front of him sparked an unexpected spark of enjoyment. Maybe it was seeing a shadow of his own past in the brazen young thief.

'I suppose Captain Kuchiki hit the nail on the head this time around.' The thought hummed in Makoto's mind as he watched Hideki, whose eyes bore into him like a cornered animal.

"I've heard as much," Makoto replied, grinning down at the boy. "You've got a real talent for dodging capture. But, kid..." He spread his arms wide, his voice booming out over the crowd. "Today ain't your lucky day."

Their conversation was cut short as the whispers of the crowd began to amplify. It had started as a quiet murmur, but as people took notice of the soul reaper's presence, they began to swarm around the scene. Soon enough, Hideki's notorious face was recognized by the market-goers, causing a wave of restless chatter to ripple through the crowd.

"That's the little shit!" / "Poor kid, I kinda liked him." / "About time someone caught him!" / "Looks like he bit off more than he can chew this time." The crowd buzzed with their harsh comments.

"Ah, right." Makoto's expression sobered, his cocky smirk fading as he looked around at the growing crowd. He straightened his posture, turning back to Hideki. "Maybe we should continue this little chat somewhere less... public." Hideki gritted his teeth, a string of curses dying on his lips.

Before Hideki could respond, Makoto's firm grip encircled his wrist, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished from the marketplace. An instant later, they reappeared atop a roof some distance away.

"Wha...?" Hideki stammered, looking around in surprise. Makoto let go of his wrist, stepping back to afford him some space. "Oh... I see," Hideki murmured under his breath, rising to his feet and distancing himself from the soul reaper. His golden gaze was locked on Makoto's feet, watching with newfound comprehension. This time, he'd seen it clearly, even if only for the briefest of moments.

"Speak up, kid," Makoto urged, struggling to make out the young thief's whispers.

"Nothing," Hideki replied hastily, casting a look back towards the marketplace. The crowd below was still in disarray, heads spinning as they sought out the vanished pair. "So, what's next? Off to jail?"

"Heh, could be," Makoto mused, shaking his head lightly. "But it seems your lucky streak hasn't run out yet." His gaze flickered from the confused crowd to Hideki, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "I tend to be a bit more... flexible with penalties than the folks down there," he explained. "However, I can't just let you off scot-free. There has to be something in it for me."

Hideki shot a sour look at the soul reaper, lips pressed into a pout. "Alright, let's hear it then," he grumbled, folding his arms defensively. "What's your price for letting me go and forgetting all about this?"

"I get it, you know," Makoto began, scratching thoughtfully at his chin. "I remember how it feels to be as hungry as you are." He let out a small chuckle. "Well, maybe not exactly like you, my spiritual power wasn't quite as... intense. But the struggle, I understand that."

"But I regret to inform you, my jurisdiction doesn't extend to legalizing thievery," Makoto continued, humor ebbing from his voice. "And I certainly can't turn a blind eye to you running back and resuming your... activities." Suddenly, Makoto clapped his hands together, a broad smile spreading across his face as he glanced down at Hideki. "I've got it! Fujioka Hideki, you will enroll in the Spiritual Arts Academy and train to become a soul reaper yourself!"

"... What...?" Hideki fell silent at Makoto's proposal, his golden eyes widening in shock as he gaped at the soul reaper.

"Brilliant idea, isn't it?" Makoto asked, rubbing his nose as he reveled in his own cleverness. "I truly am a genius!"

"No way! Not happening!" Hideki dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "Why on earth would I want to join some pretentious, expensive academy?" With that, he turned his back to Makoto and, to the soul reaper's surprise, he vanished into thin air.

"... What!?" Makoto's jaw dropped, his eyes bulging as he stared at the spot where the thief had just stood. "Was that... Did he just...!?" Makoto stuttered, but his shock quickly gave way to amusement, and he burst out laughing. "A flash step!? That cheeky kid!" Unable to contain his glee, Makoto vanished as well, laughter ringing out as he pursued the fleeing thief. "What an outrageous talent!"

End of chapter one.