187 Aftermatch

(Ryoto's pov)

I was starting to get tired after firing off these two Getsugas, but I can't relax just yet. I released, even more, Reiatsu, and right now, it was mixed with Zangetsu's, which made it extra violent.

I looked around at all the Hollows, which took a step backward.

Ryoto: "Who is next?"

My voice was carried through the battlefield, and it made the Hollows rush at me. They solely focused on me. That's fine by me.

---

Making myself a big target for Hollows was a good choice in the long run. By far, I have the best stamina of all people here. It also made my classmates killing weaker Hollows much easier. I got slightly wounded in this fight, but my ever-so-growing collection of scars didn't expand today.

Besides the ones given to me by Kaede, I had some from my fight with Yan Fon's bodyguards. I will have a lot of explaining to do when I return home. Hopefully, I won't look like Yama-jii at that point.

For now, at least, I could still wear shorts and T-shirts without exposing my scars, and I would leave it at that.

(A/N If someone gets a reference, he gets a lollipop!)

(E/D: I got it.)

(A/N No, you don't.)

The point is it was finally over. There weren't any more Hollows coming, and the effects of the bait vanished. Three students died because of this attack, and all were injured.

For most of the people here, it was the first time seeing death up close.

I was annoyed that Rin got injured, but I'm not delusional enough to believe that I could do even more. I did everything I could, and Rin is alive and not seriously wounded. She has cuts here and there, but her limbs are still connected to her body. I can't ask for more, but as I've said, I'm annoyed that I didn't find that assassin earlier.

I relaxed too much. I should have expected that there would be an assassination attempt on Yoruichi. Still, little old me thought that school for training Shinigami with many nobles attending would be better guarded. I will speak with the manager.

...

It's not funny if Karen is not annoyed at my comments.

Zangetsu: "If that makes you better, you annoy me plenty, and I am more than happy to speak out my complaints about you."

'It's not the same. You just want to beat me up. Karen would threaten me with some stupid mission, but you at most would ban my Shikai for a week. By the way, please don't do it. I need it to survive.'

Zangetsu: "I will consider it."

'I also want Bankai. Where do I place an order?'

Zangetsu: "The joke I was about to do is bellow me, but it has something to do with Joe."

'Is he related to Candice?'

Zangetsu: "You know the answer to that question."

'But you still didn't answer my first question. How do I get Bankai!?'

Suddenly Zangestu got serious.

Zangetsu: "You are not ready for it. At this point, you will never be. Because if you try to achieve it, you'll face something that you try to avoid."

'Do you really think that at this point I care about facing my past more than about protecting Rin?'

Zangetsu: "Fair enough. How about the test, then? If you can hear what I say, then we'll start training it. Sounds fair?"

'Too fair. What's the catch?'

Zangetsu: "There isn't one. I'll be satisfied if you'll be able to hear what I'll say, that's all."

'Then out with it already.'

I waited for Zangetsu to say anything, but there was no answer for him.

Zangetsu: "Looks like you failed today. Better luck next time."

I don't know why but I feel like he just didn't say anything. The next time I'll need to be inside the inner world to see him speaking.

---

As I was talking with Zangetsu, I was lying under the tree waiting for the Academy to send someone as we can't communicate with anyone.

Without hell butterfly, we can't return to Soul Society unless we want to go through Dangai, and with injured in our group, we don't want to risk running into Kototsu there.

(Rin's pov)

Ryoto was lying under the tree. He said he likes doing it because it reminds him of a plant back home.

All we could do right now was to wait. Our senpai was still trying to contact the Academy, but we all knew that we would need to wait for them to notice something wrong. At the moment, we were trying to take care of our injuries.

To be honest, this whole situation didn't fully sink in. We all just fought for our lives. We've seen our classmates die, and their bodies lie on the ground not so far away from here, and I don't feel too much about their deaths.

Am I strange?

It was my first fight to the death, and I killed multiple Hollows. They were honestly terrifying, but I fought and slayed them.

But it was still nothing compared to what Ryoto did.

To borrow Aya's words, 'he aggroes all the Hollows'. Not to mention his fight with Menos. I need to train like crazy.

Tsunagari: "And we'll get stronger together. Don't worry, girl, we'll catch up to him in no time. Oh, I get the idea! Why don't we, when you get stronger, stab Ryoto through his chest and then through yours so he could feel how you feel about him!? Ain't I a genius!?"

'Won't he die because of it, and won't I die as well?'

Tsunagari: "As romantic as double suicide is, you both won't die if you target emotions to be connected, but that's for another time. You just unlocked your Shikai, and what I said is pretty advanced, but I'm proud of you, girl! Remember that no matter what you'll decide to do, I'll be here to support you."

The last sentence was said more seriously than the rest. Her voice also changed to be much more gentle and warmer.

I couldn't help but smile at her words.

Yoruichi: "What are you smiling about~?"

Yoruichi-san approached me.

Rin: "Nothing much. I was talking with Tsunagari. It's my Zanpakuto's name, by the way."

Yoruichi: "Right, you unlocked your Shikai! Congratulations are in order since you were the first in our group besides the badass over there that unlocked it. We'll need to have a party because of that! I hope we'll have grilled fish!"

Yoruichi started to talk about the food like it was already decided that we were going to party. But it's not a bad idea. It will take some thoughts out of my mind.

Tsunagari: "Did I mention before that I am a great therapist? I may not have any clients until now, but that means that I got no complaints until now!"

I ignored Tsunagari's comment.

Ryoto: "Then how about I'll cook for that party?"

Ryoto got up and joined the talk. Hearing that he'll make the food instantly made my mood better. I haven't eaten Ryoto's food in ages, and just mention of it makes me salivate.

Yoruichi: "Rin, why are you salivating?"

I quickly wiped out my salvia. I can't allow Yoruichi-san to eat his food. He would basically tame her, and I can't allow it. I'll sacrifice myself and eat her portion as well.

---

END

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