Ichigo stumbled through the window, his body barely responding to the effort. His legs felt like lead, each step an exhausting task. As he stepped into his room, he collapsed onto the floor, his chest rising and falling in ragged breaths.
His heart hammered in his ears, the adrenaline from the battle still lingering in his veins. Despite the exhaustion weighing him down, he forced himself to suppress any trace of Reiatsu, locking it down so tight that not even a drop could be sensed. The last thing he needed was anyone or anything picking up on his weakened state.
' I should be happy that it wasn't intelligent enough to stalk me back home, honestly, ' he thought, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.
The weight of the encounter was starting to sink in, and as much as he tried to suppress it, the overwhelming fatigue began to crash down on him like a tidal wave.
With a grunt, he dragged himself up from the floor, his limbs screaming in protest. He peeled off his sweaty, dirt-streaked clothes, his body aching with each movement. His arms felt like they'd been overused, his legs like jelly from the constant strain.
The bruises from the Hollow's claws and the fatigue from pushing his Reiatsu to the limit made everything feel heavy, like his own body was working against him.
Without hesitation, he walked to the bathroom, the cool tile floor a welcome contrast to the sweltering heat of the night. As the hot water began to pour over him, Ichigo sighed in relief, feeling the tension in his muscles slowly melt away.
The heat from the water soothed his sore body, helping to alleviate the pain that had been nagging him since the fight.
' Yep, best part of the workout. Bathing, 'he thought with a slight smile, letting the warmth of the water seep deep into his aching muscles.
He let the water cascade down his body, each drop washing away the sweat and grime of the day's battles. The coolness of the bathroom air felt refreshing against his heated skin, providing a small sense of relief.
As he stood there under the shower, the events of the fight replayed in his mind. He couldn't help but admit to himself that he was scared, even if it was just for a moment.
The Hollow had been powerful, relentless, and despite everything he had tried, he wasn't sure if he would've survived without that bokken. The weight of it still lingered in his hands, even now as he stood in the shower, but it had saved him.
'Worst part was that I didn't even have a real sword...' he thought, his fingers subconsciously tracing the scar on his shoulder from the Hollow's claws. 'Yet the bokken might as well have been a sword. It really helped me out. Without it, I would've most definitely died.'
The realization sent a cold shiver through him. He wasn't ready for a fight like that. But the Hollow hadn't killed him, and he'd made it home, bruised but alive. Still, he couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that if he didn't get stronger, he wouldn't be so lucky next time.
' I need to eat, ' he reminded himself as he finished rinsing off. His stomach growled in agreement, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since earlier in the day.
His body needed fuel to recover, especially after the strain he had put it through. Stepping out of the shower, he dried himself off, his movements slow and deliberate, taking his time to appreciate the relief that came with each passing second.
'Tomorrow,' Ichigo thought as he glanced at himself in the mirror, 'I'll get stronger. I have to.'
....
On the following day, Ichigo woke up, his body no longer aching as he pushed himself up from the bed. Stretching his arms, he rolled his shoulders, testing for any lingering soreness, but to his surprise, he felt completely fine. Running a hand over his torso, he checked for any marks, yet all the scars and bruises from his previous battles had vanished. A small smile tugged at his lips as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, planting his feet on the floor.
'Alright, time for some morning meditation,' he thought, shifting into a cross-legged position on the mattress.
Closing his eyes, Ichigo steadied his breathing, allowing his mind to settle into a state of focus. In a world filled with Hollows, Soul Reapers, and never-ending chaos, moments like these were rare. Meditation not only granted him clarity but also strengthened his connection to his Zanpakutō. He knew that once he officially became a Soul Reaper, his sword's name would eventually fade from memory, a frustrating inevitability.
'When I become a Soul Reaper, I'll most likely forget its name. Man, that's gonna suck,' he thought with a sigh.
Time slipped by as he sat in stillness, his focus unwavering. After ten minutes, he exhaled softly and opened his eyes, feeling refreshed. Ready to tackle the day, Ichigo stood up and made his way to the bathroom, stepping into the shower. The warm water washed over him, soothing his skin as he ran a hand through his damp orange hair. He let the heat loosen his muscles before drying off and getting dressed.
When he entered the kitchen, the aroma of freshly prepared food greeted him. Yuzu had already set the table, and his family was gathered, enjoying breakfast. As he sat down, Yuzu smiled and thanked him for making breakfast the previous day. He responded with a simple nod before reaching over and giving her a gentle head pat.
Across the table, Karin narrowed her eyes, watching with clear envy. Ichigo caught her expression and smirked slightly before extending his hand to ruffle her hair as well.
Their father, Isshin, dramatically leaned forward, arms spread wide. "What about me, Ichigo?! Don't I get one too?!"
Ichigo didn't even hesitate—his foot shot out, sending Isshin flying backward with a well-placed kick. The old man crashed into the floor with a loud thud, groaning in exaggerated pain while Yuzu and Karin ignored him.
Finishing his meal, Ichigo grabbed his bag just as Mizuiro arrived at the door. With a quick farewell to his family, he stepped outside, walking alongside his friend as they headed toward school.
'It's Wednesday today. Fuck, I have a test? Well, it is what it is,' Ichigo thought, rubbing the back of his head with a tired sigh.
Mizuiro glanced at him, amusement flickering in his eyes. "What's got you sighing this early in the morning?"
"The test, of course," Ichigo grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Mizuiro chuckled. "Oh, that? It was postponed to Friday, so you don't have to worry."
Ichigo blinked. Then, slowly, a wide grin spread across his face. The weight of dread that had settled in his chest instantly lifted. He wanted to leap into the air, fists raised high, with We Are the Champions blaring in the background. But that wasn't his style. He had to play it cool.
Clearing his throat, he gave a casual shrug. "Oh, that's cool," he said, as if the news didn't just save his morning.
Mizuiro smirked knowingly, but they continued walking without comment.
Upon arriving at school, they were immediately greeted by Keigo, who launched into an exaggerated rant. "You guys won't believe it! I confessed to this super cute girl yesterday, and she—"
"Rejected you," Ichigo and Mizuiro said in unison, not even looking at him.
Keigo gasped dramatically. "You didn't even let me finish!"
Ichigo sighed, tuning him out. This was just another morning ritual. Keigo's tragic love life was a running joke at this point—he'd probably been rejected over a thousand times throughout high school.
'Sadly, he isn't the MC of that 100 Girlfriends manga,' Ichigo thought dryly, resisting the urge to laugh.
TO BE CONTINUED