"Your name—I know."
Su Li's lips curved lightly. The faint smile on his face caught the girl off guard, her breath pausing for an instant before her beautiful features hardened in frost. "You dare mock me?"
Her words carried anger, but Su Li's expression did not change. "I don't," he answered, voice calm as still autumn water.
The quiet weight of his answer left her speechless. She knew he was not lying—he had truly intended to leave, even without looking back. That knowledge lit a spark of fury in her chest. How could he be so heartless, so cold? To turn away without hesitation, without the faintest glance? The thought twisted within her, and her brows furrowed in anger.
Before her resentment could spill forth, Su Li's voice broke the silence again. "The melody was played beautifully. Next time, I'll return to listen."
The girl froze, stunned. "Where are you going?" she blurted, unable to hold it back.
Su Li sighed, spreading his hands with a helpless smile. "I'm in the enemy's camp, remember? I can't just sit here talking with you. You wouldn't want me killed, would you?" His teasing tone softened the weight of his words.
She turned her head sharply, cheeks coloring. "Tch. Who cares about you… go and die if you want. Better to be killed." Her nose wrinkled in anger, though beneath her words swelled countless unspoken questions and emotions she dared not reveal.
"Good. Very sensible." Su Li chuckled faintly. "Then I'll go."
Without another word, he turned, stepping neatly off the platform. His figure faded from the white jade world, leaving only silence in his wake.
Loneliness crept across the girl's flawless face, yet within moments it shifted. A gleam of cunning sparked in her eyes, and a sly smile tugged at her lips.
—
In the vast laboratory, Nilu sat numbly in Su Li's arms, her small body trembling.
"Da da da…"
Footsteps echoed. Nnoitra's tall frame approached with a cruel grin carved into his face. Nilu did not resist; she had not recovered from the bitter truth. She had fought fiercely, pressing Nnoitra back and nearly certain of victory, but when her strength failed at the most crucial moment, her body shrank, her adult power vanishing. Child again—helpless, powerless. She could not accept it, yet she could not deny it.
Behind her, Su Li lay unconscious. Peixue and Dondochakka bled heavily, bodies broken. She herself had reverted and lost all combat ability. Who remained to stop Nnoitra now? The four of them were nothing more than prey, waiting for the butcher's hand.
Despair gnawed at her heart.
Peixue and Dondochakka, sprawled in blood, could only turn their eyes to Nnoitra's looming form, despair etched deep in their gaze.
"Da da da…"
The shadow of his figure fell over Nilu. She felt her blood freeze, fear tightening every breath. Nnoitra's grin widened, brimming with cruelty.
"Look at you—pathetic. Truly delightful." His voice dripped contempt.
The massive scythe lifted slowly, its blade resting against the crack in her mask. The chilling edge numbed her skin, making her tremble.
"This time, I'll start here," he whispered, smile feral.
Peixue and Dondochakka felt their hearts sink into an ice cavern.
Tears and snot ran freely down Nilu's cheeks. Once again she looked like the timid child she had once been—pitiful, helpless. "Sorry…" The little girl's voice shook with sorrow, her whisper falling soft against the boy's chest.
Her guardians fell silent. They knew to whom she spoke. Sorry—for failing his trust. Sorry—for failing to protect him. Sorry—for being weak.
"What? Begging for mercy now?" Nnoitra blinked, then laughed, exhilarated. "Apologizing now is useless, you little bitch!"
His madness flared as he lifted the massive scythe high.
"Sorry… sorry…" Nilu sobbed, forehead pressed to Su Li's legs, tears soaking his clothing.
The blade fell.
Wind screamed through the laboratory. Peixue and Dondochakka closed their eyes, unwilling to watch.
And then—
"You've done well, Nilu."
The youthful voice was soft, steady.
Nilu's eyes flew open. Peixue and Dondochakka snapped their heads up in disbelief. Nnoitra's expression twisted, shock flooding his features as the scythe froze in midair. A single finger held it at bay.
Su Li's eyes opened slowly, and within them galaxies seemed to shatter and reform.
"Su Li-san!!" Nilu cried with joy.
"Su Li!!" Peixue and Dondochakka shouted, hope flooding their battered bodies.
"Damn him…" Nnoitra's teeth ground together. Rage and dread warred across his face. He knew the truth of this boy. Yammy, Grimmjow, Luppi, Szayelaporro—all had fallen to his hand. This youth was no ordinary Shinigami. He was absolute power.
"Che…" Nnoitra retreated a step, then steadied, his eyes burning with reckless hunger. His fear twisted into exhilaration. What he desired most was to cross blades with the strong, and before him stood one of the strongest. His fighting spirit roared like fire.
"Hey, boy! Fight me!!" he bellowed, scythe raised.
Su Li ignored him. With calm precision, he lifted Nilu and placed her gently on the ground before rising to his feet.
"Every stray dog thinks to bark," he muttered, brushing dust from his robes. "Annoying."
Nnoitra's grin faltered, his eyes hardening. Su Li's hand rested on his Zanpakutō, fingers curling around the hilt. He gazed at the blade, emotions flickering through his eyes—nostalgia, excitement, anticipation.
The laboratory stilled, time itself holding its breath.
At last, his voice rang clear, light yet filled with command.
"Let's play… Xia Ji."
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