Despite the serene beauty of the night, Shinichi Kisaragi's mind was anything but calm.
He stood motionless in front of Urahara, his hands buried deep within the pockets of his hoodie. His expression was unreadable, but his fingers twitched slightly—a subconscious response to the words that still echoed in his ears.
"You have something inside you, Kisaragi-san," Urahara had said, his voice as lighthearted as ever, yet tinged with an underlying weight that made Shinichi's stomach twist. "Something… hungry."
"Are you human?"
Hungry? That was the part that stuck with him the most. It wasn't just the words themselves, but the way Urahara had said them—like he knew something Shinichi didn't, like he was peering past the flesh and bone, into something deeper, something unseen.
A sharp gust of wind snapped him out of his thoughts. He shifted his weight slightly, adjusting his stance as his gaze flickered toward the man before him. Urahara stood as he always did, his striped bucket hat tilted forward just enough to cast a shadow over his eyes. The ever-present folding fan rested against his chin, partially concealing a knowing smirk.
Shinichi scoffed, forcing a chuckle as he shook his head. "That was a good joke, Candy Man, but I'm really not in the mood for your dumb humor."
Urahara's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it deepened. His fan flicked open with a soft snap, obscuring the lower half of his face once more. "Oh! My bad, Kisaragi-san! I thought you would enjoy a little joke. Haha!"
There was something unnerving about him. It wasn't new—Urahara had always been cryptic, his words laced with riddles and half-truths. But this time, there was a weight behind them, a gravity that made Shinichi's skin prickle with unease.
Before he could press further, an ear-splitting shriek tore through the air.
His body moved on instinct, tensing as his head snapped toward the source of the sound. Not far from where they stood, Ichigo was locked in battle with a Hollow, his massive zanpakutō cleaving through the air in wide, powerful arcs. The monster shrieked, writhing in pain as its form began to disintegrate into the night.
Shinichi let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of his neck before waving a dismissive hand. "Well then, I'm gonna take my leave, Shopkeeper. Bye."
He turned, not bothering to glance back, but he could still feel Urahara's gaze lingering on him—watchful, dissecting, as though peeling away the layers of his very being. Something within him stirred, a sensation he couldn't quite name. It wasn't pain, nor was it fear. It was something deeper, something restless.
Urahara's voice, barely above a whisper, carried through the wind. "You are a very interesting person, Kisaragi-san…"
---
The night stretched long and quiet over Karakura Town, its silence interrupted only by the occasional rustling of trees or the distant hum of passing cars. Inside his home, Shinichi lay sprawled across his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The glow of the streetlights outside cast faint, shifting patterns through his window, shadows stretching and retracting with every flicker of movement beyond the glass.
His bed felt… strange. Too soft. Too unfamiliar.
It had been a while since he last slept in it. With Rukia taking up residence in his closet, he had gotten used to the hardwood floor, to the cool, solid surface beneath him. But now, lying here, enveloped in the familiar scent of home, he found no comfort. Only unease.
"…My bed is mad comfortable, huh? Wait…" He furrowed his brows, sitting up slightly. "Why do I sleep on the floor in MY OWN house again?"
As if in response to his musings, the doorknob rattled before turning. The hinges let out a faint creak as the door swung open, revealing Rukia's small frame silhouetted against the dim hallway light.
She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her before leveling him with a stare. Even in the darkness, he could see the exhaustion in her violet eyes. Dark circles clung beneath them, her usual sharpness dulled by fatigue.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual, yet carrying an unmistakable weight.
Shinichi exhaled through his nose, leaning back onto his pillow. "I couldn't bear staying at that stupid place for another second, so I came back."
Rukia ran a hand through her dark locks, letting out a slow breath. "You could've at least told me you were leaving. I was looking for you."
He smirked, tilting his head toward her. "Well, well, you've had a long day then, huh? Don't worry, you can sleep. I was gonna go away from this 'territory' of yours anyway."
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she studied him for a long moment, something unreadable flickering across her features before she finally spoke. "Don't sweat it. You can sleep on the bed today. I'll take the floor."
Shinichi arched a brow, skepticism evident in his expression. "Haha, you've developed quite the sense of humor by staying with me."
Rukia groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'm not kidding, fool. You can sleep on the bed. Consider it my gift for saving me that day."
Silence stretched between them for a beat before Shinichi burst into laughter, the sound full and unguarded. "Oh, thank you, your highness, for letting me sleep on my own bed for once."
Rukia's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "Nope. You don't deserve the bed anymore. Go back to the floor."
"Hey, c'mon! I was just kidding! Sorryyyyy—"
Their laughter filled the small room, echoing off the walls, pushing away the weight of the world outside. And for that moment, just that moment, nothing else mattered.
---
The morning air in Karakura High buzzed with an unusual tension as a group of students stood crowded inside the principal's office. The air smelled faintly of old wood and ink, and the weight of authority pressed down on everyone present. The stern-looking PE teacher stood before them, arms crossed, his face red with barely contained fury. His booming voice echoed off the walls, making the students flinch.
"You all have brought the name of our school down on international television! Do you have any shame?!" he roared, glaring at each one of them in turn.
Ichigo, Rukia, Shinichi, Keigo, Mizuiro, Chad, Orihime, and Tatsuki stood in a loose semicircle, facing the enraged teacher. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken blame, and the weight of the accusation settled on their shoulders.
Tatsuki, ever the bold one, stepped forward with a frown. "Me and Orihime didn't have anything to do with this! Why are we even here?"
The PE teacher turned to her sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Because you were present there! You could have stopped them!"
Tatsuki's eyes flashed with defiance. "They're old enough to know how to act in a public place! We aren't their caretakers!" Without waiting for another word, she grabbed Orihime's wrist and turned on her heel, storming out of the office with Orihime in tow.
Shinichi watched them go, then lazily raised his hand, his expression one of pure boredom. "Uhm… by that logic… I should be excused too. I was literally just standing in a corner. I didn't even attend the full show."
The PE teacher's glare snapped to him, his frustration mounting. "No! They were innocent girls! You are a man—you should've done better!"
Shinichi's brows shot up in disbelief. "What kind of sexist remark is that?!"
Before the argument could escalate further, a sudden sound of crying broke through the tension. Soft, pitiful sobs filled the room.
All heads turned toward Rukia, who had her face buried in her hands, her small shoulders shaking with the force of her sorrow. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I-I… I didn't know… this would happen… I-I'm s-so sorry… I'm such a fool… uhu… uhu…"
The PE teacher hesitated, startled by the sudden display of emotion. His anger wavered as he took a step toward Rukia, his hands lifting slightly in an awkward attempt to console her.
That was all the group needed. In the split second that the teacher's attention was diverted, everyone bolted. The office door swung open as Ichigo, Shinichi, Keigo, Mizuiro, and Chad made a run for it. The teacher turned back just in time to see their retreating backs.
"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" he shouted. He spun back to Rukia, only to find that she had disappeared as well. His face twisted in frustration as he clenched his fists. "These damn kids!"
The principal, who had been silently observing the chaos unfold, merely sighed and adjusted his glasses. "Calm down, they're just kids. Don't worry."
---
Outside, the group regrouped, still catching their breath from their hasty escape. The tension from the office melted away, replaced by an infectious sense of amusement. Laughter bubbled up as they recounted what had just happened.
Keigo clapped a hand on Rukia's shoulder, grinning. "Kuchiki-san! You're such a great actress! Haha! It was all because of you that we managed to escape."
Rukia placed both hands on her cheeks, her expression turning into that of a bashful, jolly high school girl. "Oh no, no~ I really didn't do anything, Asano-kun!" she said, feigning innocence.
The group's laughter continued until a sudden beeping sound cut through the air. Rukia's face instantly turned serious as she pulled out her Shinigami cellphone. Her eyes flickered to Ichigo, and without missing a beat, she grabbed his wrist.
"Hey! We need to move."
Ichigo barely had time to nod before she started pulling him along. Shinichi took a step to follow, but before he could move further, Rukia's finger poked against his chest, stopping him in his tracks. He looked down at her hand, then back up to her face, confused.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, her voice firm. "Stay here. You're not a Soul Reaper. Fighting Hollows isn't your job. You're just a human, so… act like one."
With that, she turned away, tugging Ichigo along as they disappeared into the distance.
Shinichi stood frozen, his eyes widening slightly. A strange feeling settled in his chest, a cold weight that pressed against his ribs. Then, a smile—small, bitter, almost resigned—curled onto his lips as a single thought flickered through his mind.
"Oh right… I forgot. I'm not the main character… just a disposable side character. No surprise. I've always been that… even in my previous life… haha… that was cold, Rukia. Kinda hurt."
The rest of the group had been watching the scene unfold. Though they hadn't heard the conversation, what they assumed happened was even worse.
Keigo leaned in with a mischievous smirk. "Oh, so I guess now we know who Kuchiki-san really likes? Looks like she didn't want you to hinder their private time, Shinichi… hehehe…"
Shinichi let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Haha, very funny, Keigo." He turned away, ready to leave.
Orihime stood a few steps away, silent. Her usually bright expression was dimmed, and her eyes were slightly downcast. It was obvious why. Everyone knew she had a crush on Ichigo—had for the longest time.
As Shinichi walked past her, he slowed, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Don't worry, Orihime… they are just friends.."
Orihime's eyes widened, her cheeks turning a faint pink. Before she could say anything, Shinichi was already walking away, a lopsided smile still lingering on his lips.
And just like that, the moment passed, leaving behind a strange mix of emotions neither of them had quite expected.
---
The lunch break was nearing its end when Ichigo and Rukia finally returned, their expressions unreadable. They walked up to where Shinichi was sitting, sipping from a juice box with an air of complete disinterest. Rukia sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking.
"We went there," she said, her voice carrying the weight of confusion, "but there was no Hollow in sight. It was... strange."
Shinichi barely acknowledged her, his eyes still fixed on the ground. He took another sip from the juice box, the straw making a soft crinkling noise as it flattened under the pressure of his lips. He finally responded, his tone indifferent, almost detached.
"Okay... and?" he said without looking at her. "Why are you telling me this? I'm just a normal human, not a Shinigami. I've got no business with that."
Rukia stiffened, caught off guard by his response. She opened her mouth to say something but quickly shut it again, pressing her lips into a thin line. After a brief silence, she let out a small breath.
"Right..." she murmured under her breath.
Shinichi stood up and walked away without another word, tossing his empty juice box into a nearby trash bin. Just as he reached the door to his classroom, he felt a sudden yank on his arm. His body jerked backward as Rukia pulled him forcefully, her grip surprisingly strong for someone her size.
"Woah—! What the hell?!" he shouted, stumbling slightly as she dragged him along. "Where are you taking me?!"
"I need to talk to you!" Rukia snapped, her grip tightening.
She didn't stop until they were away from the crowded hallways, leading him to a secluded area behind the school building. Only then did she release his arm, spinning around to face him, her violet eyes blazing with frustration.
"Alright," Shinichi muttered, rubbing his wrist where her fingers had dug into his skin. "What's this about?"
Rukia took a deep breath, her hands clenching into fists at her sides before she finally erupted. "What's wrong with you?!" she demanded. "Why did you use my own words to taunt me back there?"
Shinichi's face remained calm, unreadable. "Don't make this a big deal," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I've got class. I'm going."
He turned to leave, but Rukia took a sharp step forward, her hands trembling.
"DO YOU EVEN CARE?!" she shouted after him, her voice raw with frustration.
Shinichi halted in his tracks. The air around them seemed to still.
After a long pause, he spoke, his voice quieter now, but carrying a weight that couldn't be ignored. "Pretty ironic coming from you, huh?" He let out a bitter chuckle. "Sorry, but I'm not a Shinigami like you or Ichigo. I don't matter here. Bye."
He took another step forward, but this time, Rukia's voice wasn't angry—it was breaking.
"You think I don't care?" she said softly, and this time, Shinichi noticed the quiver in her voice. "The problem I'm facing right now is that I care too much."
Something in her voice made him freeze.
"I might not be here for much longer, Shinichi..." she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I might have to go back to the Soul Society sooner or later. After that... we'll never see each other again."
Shinichi slowly turned around, his eyes locking onto hers.
"I told you not to come with me and Ichigo because I care," she continued. "I didn't want you to get hurt again. I don't want to go through that again. I don't want to be the reason you end up in another coma... I just—"
Her voice wavered, the weight of her emotions catching up to her. She swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as if trying to push back the tears threatening to escape.
Shinichi's breath hitched. No one had ever spoken to him like that before. No one had ever cared like that before. The realization hit him like a tidal wave, but he didn't know how to respond, how to process the unfamiliar warmth that settled in his chest.
His voice was quieter when he finally spoke. "I don't care if you go back to the Soul Society tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year..." He met her gaze, his expression softening in a way that made Rukia's breath hitch. "I like to stay in the present. And I think you should too. Even if you do go back... the memories will stay. The emotions will stay. And that's what matters. So don't waste your present worrying about the future, Rukia."
Rukia felt her heart clench, his words striking something deep within her. She stared at him, speechless.
Shinichi turned away once more, walking toward the school building. Just before he stepped inside, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"Also..." he added, his voice carrying a warmth that made her chest tighten. "Thank you. For caring about me."
For a long moment, Rukia didn't move. Then, slowly, a small, genuine smile crept onto her lips—a smile that only Shinichi ever seemed to bring out in her, no matter the circumstances.
---
The morning buzz in Karakura High was unusually loud, the halls packed with students gathered around the bulletin board. The results for the midterms had just been posted, and the entire school seemed to be in a frenzy. Excited whispers and disappointed sighs filled the air as students anxiously searched for their names among the rankings.
Keigo, pushing through the crowd with exaggerated enthusiasm, squinted at the board. "Alright, guys, let's see just how gloriously we failed! I'm counting on all of us sticking together in the bottom ranks!" He ran his finger down the list, scanning name after name. "Nope... Nope... Not in the top 30... We're safe!"
Just as he was about to turn away in triumph, his eyes landed on a familiar name.
"Wait..." He froze. "Ichigo?! 23rd place?!"
In a dramatic outburst, he spun around and grabbed Ichigo by the collar. "HOW COULD YOU BETRAY ME?! I THOUGHT WE WERE IN THIS TOGETHER! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF US!"
Ichigo, completely unfazed, sighed. "Keigo, let go."
Keigo ignored him, turning sharply to Chad. "At least I can count on you, buddy! You're still my best friend, right?!"
Chad, who had been silently observing the chaos, simply shrugged.
Keigo quickly turned back to the board to confirm Chad's placement, expecting his loyalty to remain intact.
"Rank 11?! CHAD, YOU TOO?!" Keigo clutched his chest as if physically wounded. "IS THERE NO ONE LEFT I CAN TRUST?!"
Tears welled up in his eyes as he turned desperately to Mizuiro, his last hope. "Mizuiro, my dear friend, tell me you didn't—"
Mizuiro, ever calm, casually answered, "Oh, I'm third."
Keigo's body stiffened. His hands shook. His lips trembled. Then, at the top of his lungs, he screamed, "OH, FUCK ALL OF YOU! SHINICHI IS MY BEST FRIEND NOW!"
Meanwhile, Ichigo had been carefully reading through the rankings himself, his brow furrowed. "So, who's first?" he asked aloud, looking to Orihime.
Orihime, who had been smiling softly, responded without hesitation. "Oh, it's obviously Ishida-kun. He's been ranking first since middle school."
Ichigo blinked. "Ishida who?"
Orihime gasped, as if the very idea of not knowing was absurd. "You don't know Ishida-kun?"
Frowning, Ichigo turned back to the list. "But... Ishida is second." Inoue couldn't believe his words as she spoke out, "What?! That's impossible!"
Ichigo's voice faltered slightly, an unsettling realization creeping in. "Then who the hell is first?"
His eyes trailed up to the very top. And there, in bold letters, was a name he had never expected.
"Rank 1... school topper... Sh-Shinichi Kisaragi."
Silence fell over their group. As if drawn by an unseen force, their heads all turned toward the same direction.
Across the hall, leaning against the wall, stood Shinichi, sipping on a juice box with the indifference of someone completely unaffected by the commotion. His gaze flickered to the crowd of wide-eyed, stunned faces staring at him.
With a long, drawn-out sigh, he pulled the straw from his lips, exhaled lazily, and muttered under his breath, "What are you looking at, you fucking illiterates?"