Hearing Orihime's question, Ichigo asked curiously, "Orihime, you know him well?"
Orihime smiled and said, "I guess so. We're both members of the Handicrafts Club. Ishida-kun is actually the best craftsman in our club!"
"Really?!" Tatsuki said in amazement.
"Yeah, for a guy to have such amazing sewing skills... that's definitely suspicious!" Ichigo added, giving a look like he'd found something shady.
Inside the classroom, Ishida Uryū showed off his craftsmanship, helping a classmate perfectly fix her stuffed animal.
Watching the scene unfold, Ichigo was completely dumbfounded.
Seriously?
This guy's that ridiculous?!
After school—
As usual, Tatsuki said, "Wanna walk home together, Ichigo?"
But Ichigo waved his hand. "I've got something to do today. You and Orihime-chan go ahead without me. Let's walk together tomorrow."
Seeing Ichigo's serious expression, Tatsuki assumed another Hollow must have appeared.
"Be careful, then. I'll head off after club activities," Tatsuki said.
Ichigo nodded and, as soon as he saw Ishida leaving school, started following him.
And not stealthily either — he followed openly, without even trying to hide it.
Which made Ishida thoroughly confused.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, why are you following me?" Ishida finally turned around and asked.
"Ah, you noticed? Oh well," Ichigo replied nonchalantly.
Ishida's forehead twitched.
Could you be any more obvious?!
Seeing Ishida staying silent, Ichigo got straight to the point. "I just wanted to ask — how did you know Rukia and I were Shinigami?"
Ishida stared coldly at Ichigo. "Kurosaki Ichigo, actually, I've been watching you for a long time."
"Huh? I thought I was hiding pretty well," Ichigo said, puzzled.
"You were hiding well. Too well," Ishida sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ichigo asked, confused.
Without another word, Ishida stomped his foot lightly, and a web of white spirit threads appeared on the ground.
"See these? This is what ordinary people look like to me," Ishida explained, pointing at the white threads.
Then he walked over to Ichigo and reached out as if grabbing the air.
"But you—your thread is transparent!"
Yes, normally, every human had some spiritual energy, visible as white spirit threads.
But Ichigo's spiritual thread was completely invisible — meaning he had absolutely no spiritual energy.
Which was impossible!
Even dead souls had spiritual threads!
Ichigo stared, finally understanding. "So that's what gave me away... I tried too hard to hide it!"
Ishida snorted. "But I couldn't be certain based only on you. It was that transfer student — her thread was bright red, the color of a Shinigami!"
Ichigo nodded. One red thread, one transparent — anyone would find that suspicious.
Now that his curiosity was satisfied, Ichigo was about to head home and exchange information with Rukia.
But as he turned to leave—
"Kurosaki Ichigo, how about a little competition?"
Ichigo stopped in his tracks.
He turned to look at Ishida with a weird expression.
"A little match, to see who's better!" Ishida said, full of energy.
But to Ishida's disappointment, Ichigo replied flatly, "You're better. I surrender."
He turned and started walking away.
Ishida was speechless.
Could you be any less motivated?!
Frustrated, Ishida used a provocation. "What? Are you scared?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm scared. I surrender," Ichigo said carelessly.
The truth was, Ichigo could sense Ishida's spiritual pressure — and it wasn't even as strong as Rukia's currently weakened state.
If he fought him seriously, it would be like a grown man bullying a kid. He really didn't have the heart for it.
"You bastard! You're looking down on me!"
Furious, Ishida pulled a white pill-like object from his pocket.
Seeing it, Ichigo's eyelid twitched. "Oi, what the hell is that?"
"This," Ishida said with a smirk, "is a Hollow bait. Once activated, it'll attract a ton of Hollows. The contest will be — who kills the most during the time the bait lasts!"
Hearing that, Ichigo's face changed dramatically.
"You win! You Quincy are awesome! Just put that thing down, alright?!"
But instead of listening, Ishida, even more provoked, crushed the Hollow bait right in front of him!
Ichigo's blood pressure skyrocketed.
"I said you win! Why the hell would you still smash it?!" Ichigo shouted, on the verge of losing it.
"Hmph. Kurosaki Ichigo — let's see who's stronger! Let the facts speak!" Ishida declared, totally ignoring Ichigo's protests.
"Damn it!!"
Ichigo didn't have time to argue anymore.
He immediately dashed toward his home at full speed.
Because in his perception, Hollows were already beginning to appear all over Karakura Town!
He had to make sure his home — and everyone around it — was safe!
Not just that — there was also Tatsuki!
Hollows loved targeting spiritually strong humans — and aside from Ichigo, Tatsuki had the strongest spiritual energy among normal humans!
"Shit... I have to make it in time!"
Ichigo cursed himself bitterly.
If only he hadn't followed that lunatic Ishida!
"Hmph, Kurosaki Ichigo... this time, I'll win! You don't have to worry. I'll wipe out every last Hollow — so no one will get hurt!"
Ishida watched Ichigo run off, feeling smug.
Although, Ichigo's speed seemed way faster than he expected...
Ichigo arrived near his apartment building, heart pounding—
But then he felt a chill.
Karin wasn't home.
Only Isshin and Yuzu were inside.
Karin — who could also clearly see Hollows — was missing!
There was no time to think.
A Hollow's spiritual pressure was already headed toward his home!
"Damn it!!"
(End of Chapter)
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