102 [Spiritual Cases Arc] Part 102: A Request for the Future
# August 14th - Karakura Town, Kasazaki – Hirohyaku Supermarket #
Four days had passed since the group returned to the world of the living, and each member was trying to savor their moments of respite in different ways.
Exiting the city market, Yato Yasakani found himself sighing, not being there for shopping at the moment.
Yato hadn't expected Rukia to return with him and the others to the world of the living. Now, with Rukia staying at his home again, Yato began to consider that, even though he had enough money to live comfortably for a few more years, it might be prudent to find a part-time job as a precaution.
Lying on Yato's shoulder was the red cat Cheshire, maintaining a mischievous gaze toward Yato, who, in contrast, seemed a bit sulky.
Cheshire: "This is already the third place that doesn't need services... what's the next stop?" - He commented playfully.
Yato: "I don't know... still thinking..."
As he walked, Yato always made sure to be away from people before responding to the feline. Since Cheshire was a spiritual being, ordinary people couldn't see him, so Yato wanted to avoid looking like a madman talking to himself.
Before Yato ended up in this world, in his previous life, he always sought to learn new things as a way to make it easier to find a job. He wasn't a professional, but he knew how to do various things, even if he only had a basic understanding of them, such as sewing clothes, selling products, taking care of animals, and a few other skills.
Yato found himself wandering through the city, the sun slowly dipping below the horizon as he tirelessly searched for a job. Grateful for the absence of any Hollow encounters during his stroll, he persistently asked passersby if they knew of any employment opportunities.
In his quest, an elderly lady kindly pointed him to a recently acquired store in Minamikawase, mentioning that the owner was transforming it into a small coffe shop.
Frustrated with himself, Yato couldn't help but give a light tap to his own face, realizing he had overlooked the possibility of finding opportunities closer to home when he embarked on his job search.
# Karakura Town, Minamikawase - 06:00 p.m. #
Yato set out to explore the suggested coffee shop, now named "X-Coffee." The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee beckoned him as he approached the modern establishment. A sleek sign by the entrance indicated they were indeed in need of staff.
Before entering, Cheshire, who had been lounging on Yato's shoulder, let out a bored yawn.
Cheshire: "This is getting dull... Maybe I'll find some entertainment elsewhere." - He commented, his form shimmering into red threads that dissipated into the air.
Yato's expression shifted to one of concern as he mulled over the unpredictable nature of his Fullbring, Cheshire. It had a tendency to wander off, seeking more interesting things. The problem lay in Cheshire's quick boredom, which could lead to strange manifestations, such as Tatsuki gaining powers or Nemu viewing Yato as a father figure.
Yato: "I just hope he doesn't do anything..." - He sighed and pushed open the door, greeted by the sound of soft jazz music and the hum of conversation. The interior was chic and contemporary, with an industrial touch in its design. The place had a cozy atmosphere with warm-colored walls and comfortable seating.
There were few people in the place, and Yato speculated that it might be because of the time.
A girl with a disgruntled expression took orders, casting occasional glares at the customers, but Yato didn't pay much attention and went to the counter where a tall, middle-aged man with short dark hair was arranging coffee supplies seemingly engrossed in his work. Judging him to be the owner, Yato went straight to him without noticing that the girl, noticing Yato's approach, gave him a quick, disinterested look before returning to her tasks.
Yato: "Excuse me, sir. Are you the owner of this coffee shop? I noticed you're in need of more employees, and I'm interested in the position."
The man at the counter glanced up, briefly acknowledging Yato's presence with a nod, and for a brief moment, despite Yato maintaining a calm expression on the outside, the young man's heart raced in surprise.
The owner, had a thick mustache, and a dark leather-like strap covering the man's right eye.
Before Yato could muster any reaction, he heard the sing-song voice of his zanpakutō, Ōkagetsu, in his mind.
Ōkagetsu: 'You'll never see it coming~~~'
The man looked at Yato as his hands were behind his back.
Giriko: "Certainly. I am the owner of this establishment." - He spoke politely, bowing slightly and placing his hand over his chest. - "My name is Giriko Kutsuzawa."
Yato's mind was a chaotic swirl of emotions. He fought the urge to scream after the surprise and stifled a chuckle at Ōkagetsu's recent antics.
Giriko: "Is everything alright, young man?" - He inquired, observing Yato.
Yato: "Oh, sorry. I'm Yato. Yato Yasakani." - He extended his hand to Giriko, who greeted him with a polite nod.
Giriko: "Nice to meet you, young Yasakani. Any particular reason you're interested in working with us?"
Yato: "Well, I live alone, and money won't last forever, so I thought about getting a part-time job..."
Giriko: "You certainly got a good sense of responsibility for someone your age."
Giriko cast a brief glance toward the girl deftly clearing mugs from the tables as the last customers bid their farewells.
Giriko: "That young lady could learn a thing or two from you." - After the customers departed, Giriko pulled out a vintage pocket watch. - "Exactly six hours and ten minutes."
The man was on the verge of continuing his sentence when the waitress's high-pitched voice abruptly intervened.
Waitress: "Hey, Giriko! Spare me from your monologues about time and all that boring stuff!! It pisses me off! Why do I have to work here?! I don't even like coffee!!" - She stomped over, complaining all the way until she stood toe to toe with Yato. - "And you, who are you?" - The waitress was a young, slender girl with magenta eyes and long hair of matching color, styled into two pigtails.
Now that the girl was face to face with Yato, after the young man finally realized who she was, he almost had another panic attack but tried to keep his composure as much as possible.
Yato: "I'm... Yato Yasakani. Nice to meet you."
The girl crossed her arms, and just as she was about to speak, the man interrupted.
Giriko: "This is Riruka Dokugamine. She's the daughter of an old friend of mine. He thought she needed some responsibility and suggested that I employ her here."
Riruka: "Hmph!"
Yato knew that the whole story was a lie, but he couldn't help but wonder why the Fullbringers had shown up so soon.
Yato: 'If I recall correctly, the Fullbringers stayed in Naruki, another town... and I only started looking for a job just now, so there's no way they could have known about it... unless they were already around here spying on Ichigo from a distance... and now probably spying on me too...'
Giriko: "Anyway, Yasakani-san." - He turned to the young man, adjusting the chain of his pocket watch. - "Do you happen to have any work experience?"
Yato: "Well, not with coffee, but I've picked up quite a bit of various things. Sewing, selling, animal care..." - Yato gestured casually as he listed his skills. - "I usually pick things up quickly."
Riruka, still with crossed arms, rolled her eyes at Yato's response, clearly unimpressed.
Giriko: "Well, we could use someone with a diverse skill set. We're short on hands in various departments. Let's start you off with something simple and see how you do." - The owner handed Yato an apron and pointed toward the coffee machines, indicating Yato's starting point. As Yato donned the apron, he noticed Giriko calmly making his way to a vacant table, settling in as if he were a regular customer.
Giriko: "Riruka-san, why don't you show Yasakani-san the ropes around the coffee machines?" - He suggested, his voice carrying an air of casual interest.
Riruka let out an audible sigh but begrudgingly agreed.
Riruka: "Ugh, fine. But if he messes up, it's on you, Giriko!" - Riruka reluctantly guided Yato. - "Alright, listen up, Mr. New Guy. This is the espresso machine, and over there is the grinder. I'll spare you the details and just tell you to follow my lead." - She pointed to various machines while delivering a rapid-fire explanation.
Yato, despite his initial surprise, nodded along, absorbing the information as best he could.
Giriko observed the training session with an air of amusement, occasionally interjecting cryptic comments about time and patience.
By the end of the shift, Yato found himself wiping down counters and tables, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. Riruka, begrudgingly, had to admit that Yato wasn't as hopeless as she initially thought.
Giriko: "Before you call it a day, how about you prepare a cup of coffee for me, Yasakani-san? Consider it a little test of your skills." - Giriko flashed a sly smile.
Yato: "Okay..."
Feeling a mix of nerves and determination, nodded and set to work. The espresso machine hummed to life as he skillfully brewed Giriko's requested coffee. Riruka watched with a skeptical gaze, arms still crossed, as Yato focused on each step.
Giriko, sitting at the table, maintained an air of expectancy. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans filled the air as Yato presented Giriko with the carefully crafted cup.
Yato: "Here you go, Kutsuzawa-san. I hope it meets your expectations."
Giriko accepted the cup, taking a deliberate sip. A moment of suspense hung in the air before Giriko's expression softened into approval.
Giriko: "Well done, Yasakani-san. You have a knack for this." - He glanced at his pocket watch. - "And you completed the test precisely at 08:30 p.m." - Giriko gestured towards his pocket watch, emphasizing the synchronicity. - "We close at 8:30, and you managed to complete the task right on time."
Yato, relieved and pleased with the outcome, couldn't help but smile.
Yato: "Thanks, Kutsuzawa-san. I'm grateful for the chance."
Giriko: "Consider yourself officially part of the team. We'll discuss your schedule and responsibilities in more detail next time. For now, you can head home and rest."
As Yato thanked once again and was preparing to leave for the day, Giriko, closing his pocket watch, leaned back in his chair.
Giriko: "Remember, time is both a teacher and a companion. Embrace its flow, and you'll find your place within it."
Yato: "Right..."
Yato had no idea how to respond and found Giriko's repeated talk about time quite annoying. To avoid raising suspicions, the young man simply gave a brief nod before leaving.
# Meanwhile #
Cheshire, having dispersed into red threads earlier, embarked on his own curious escapade. The mischievous cat spirit meandered through the dimly lit streets, his form weaving through the shadows.
Intrigued by an unusual presence, he was drawn to a woman whose beauty was captivating, her dark hair cascading gracefully on her shoulders
However, upon closer inspection, Cheshire's mischievous eyes widened in surprise. The woman's face was an enigma, a void devoid of emotion or expression. It was an unsettling sight that contrasted sharply with her seemingly alluring appearance.
Cheshire, being a spiritual being with a keen sense for the supernatural, couldn't help but sense an otherworldly aura around the mysterious woman. The red cat observed her from a distance, threads of red energy pulsating with curiosity.
The woman moved with an eerie grace, her steps echoing in the quiet night. Cheshire, ever the curious spirit, contemplated whether to approach or maintain a safe distance.
Cheshire, maintaining a playful demeanor, decided to approach the mysterious woman cautiously.
Cheshire: "Well, well, what do we have here? A mysterious beauty wandering the streets. Mind if I join you for a stroll?" - He purred, his red eyes gleaming mischievously.
The woman, her expression remaining enigmatic, turned her gaze toward Cheshire. Without uttering a word, she gave a subtle nod, acknowledging his presence.
Cheshire: "Ah, a silent companion. I like that." - He chuckled, intertwining his red threads with the subtle energy surrounding the woman.
As they continued their leisurely stroll, the woman's gaze shifted from the surroundings to Cheshire, her eyes narrowing in subtle recognition.
Woman: "You bear a resemblance to those white creatures that attack me from time to time." - Her voice was soft. - "Other people don't see you."
Cheshire: "White creatures, you say? I hope I'm not mistaken for something unpleasant like a Hollow~" - He flicked his tail, the red threads swirling around him.
Cheshire, deciding to be candid, grinned mischievously.
Cheshire: "Well, my dear, I'll cut to the chase. I've got a little favor to ask..." - His red eyes gleamed with a mixture of playfulness and sincerity.
After the feline's words, various rifts appeared in the sky, and from them emerged giant Hollows, the Menos Grande. Despite this, the woman still wore an empty expression, and the feline continued to smile, looking at her.
Woman: "Favor?"
The woman glanced briefly at the Menos Grande that had emerged. Suddenly, in a surreal twist of events, the air itself seemed to cleave through the colossal creatures, tearing them apart into fragments. She maintained a stoic expression throughout, her gaze unwavering.
Cheshire: "To be more precise..." - The feline's tone changed, sounding a bit serious and contemplative. - "I am the power of a young boy... a young boy who is the same as you..."
The woman continued with her vacant expression and didn't say a word. The only sign that she understood what the feline had said was a subtle furrowing of her eyebrows.
Cheshire: "In the future, both you and he will end up dealing with ridiculously powerful beings... and I feel that the choices he made will shape the fate of many." - The feline gazed at the woman with a tranquil expression.
Cheshire: "I understand this might not pique your interest, and you might believe there's nothing in it for you. But if, for some reason, my presence manages to stir even a hint of curiosity in you..." - The feline began to dissipate into red threads, its voice echoing. - "Consider aiding him in the future."
The woman's gaze lingered on the spot where the cat had vanished. Though her external expression remained stoic, internally, a flicker of curiosity ignited for the first time since her return to civilization. Lost in contemplation about the mysterious boy, she failed to notice a Senkaimon opening nearby.
