Just as Arisawa Tatsuki was confronting Chizuru, Chizuru suddenly stopped sweeping when she noticed something and tossed the broom aside.
"I don't feel like cleaning anymore. I want to head home."
"Hey! Don't just walk off, Chizuru!" Tatsuki called after her sharply.
Orihime's figure appeared in the distance, and the moment Chizuru noticed her, the irritation she held toward Tatsuki vanished completely. A soft expression crossed her face instead. She raised her hand to wave, her thoughts shifting immediately.
Compared to sweaty, noisy boys, Orihime's presence felt like something warm and comforting. She wanted to hold her close, to bury her face against her chest.
But Orihime did not acknowledge her words at all. As Chizuru approached, she frowned slightly at Orihime's distant gaze.
"What's wrong, Orihime? You look spaced out."
Orihime's expression remained serious.
"I… suddenly remembered there's a show I want to watch at home. We should leave now. Walk with me."
Without waiting for a reply, Orihime grabbed both Tatsuki and Chizuru by the hands and started pulling them toward the school gates. For an instant Tatsuki's cheerful demeanor faltered, and she glanced at Orihime cautiously.
"Yeah… let's head back quickly."
Confused, Chizuru muttered under her breath.
"Why is Orihime so insistent? She usually waits until we leave together."
"Don't question it. Just follow her," Tatsuki said firmly.
Orihime turned back toward them with a soft smile, but hidden behind her back, her palms were drenched in sweat. She had already noticed the Hollow watching from above but couldn't tell them. For their sake, she forced her lips into a smile as if nothing was wrong. When she glanced up again, the Hollow had vanished from sight. A second later, countless Bala rained down at them.
"Inoue!" Tatsuki shoved Orihime down and shielded her with her body as the attacks struck. Orihime immediately scrambled to help her up.
"Tatsuki!"
"I'm fine-" Tatsuki began with a shaky grin, but then her hands moved against her will and closed tight against Orihime's throat. She stared in fear at her own fingers.
"How… how is this possible?"
The Hollow's warped voice echoed with a low laugh.
"Because I am poor at direct combat, I evolved differently. My seeds take root in the opponent's body once they're struck, controlling their movements. How does it feel to be killed by your closest friend?"
Tatsuki tried to fight her own right hand with her left, but swollen veins twisted down her arm, leaving her fingers stiff and alien against her will. Her body betrayed her, but her legs were free. She pushed forward and lunged at the Hollow, biting down with her teeth in defiance.
"Anyone who dares hurt Orihime-I'll never let it happen!"
Orihime reached out desperately as Tatsuki charged, but before she could react, the Hollow's arm pierced through Tatsuki's head in one clean strike. Blood and fragments sprayed outward as Tatsuki's body collapsed to the ground, eyes still open with shock. Her voice lingered faintly as her strength left her.
"Orihime… I'm sorry… I can't protect you anymore. From now on… protect yourself…"
Orihime froze as tears welled in her eyes. Her mind recalled how her brother once told her that her orange hair was warm and comforting, so she had always kept it long to honor that. Back in junior high, a group of girls had mocked her and cut it short against her will. She had withdrawn, more and more isolated-until Tatsuki had stood up for her, fighting the bullies and offering her hand in friendship. From then on, Orihime kept her hair long again, proof of the trust she placed in Tatsuki and the bond they shared. For three years, she had lived relying on her protection and strength. She bowed her head now, hands curled tight to her chest.
"This time… it's my turn to protect you."
The flower-shaped clips on her hair glowed, scattering into six bright spiritual petals.
"Santen Kesshun!"
The shield shaped as three petals swung forward, cutting through the Hollow cleanly in one arc. The creature dissipated instantly. Orihime clenched her fists and whispered firmly, "I won't forgive anyone who harms Tatsuki."
She knelt beside Tatsuki and summoned her Shun Shun Rikka again, healing her grievous wounds until her life was pulled back from the edge. Nearby, Kurosaki Ichigo dispatched the remaining Hollows while preparing for Uryū Ishida's side of the fight. But more Hollows appeared in droves, overwhelming Ishida. Ichigo moved quickly, standing back-to-back with Ishida as the two coordinated to cut down the advancing swarm together.
When the battle subsided, Ichigo turned to Ishida.
"Do you want to come to Soul Society with me?"
Ishida clenched his fists.
"Of course. But I'll have my own goals once we're there."
At that moment, Yuta pointed at the air. The Garganta opened like a black fissure across the world. Hinamori Momo froze in awe at the sight, still unsettled each time she watched Yuta casually open pathways reserved for Hollows.
How could a Shinigami use abilities belonging to Hollows?
Ishida's face was even more rigid at the sight, the Quincy instinct in him screaming at the presence of Hollow ability used so freely. For Quincy, Hollow reiryoku wasn't just dangerous-it was poisonous, corrosive to their very existence. Yet Yuta stepped inside the darkness calmly. Hinamori followed him. Ichigo and Ishida entered next, with Sado behind them.
Orihime lingered last at the gate. She turned to Tatsuki, who was still weak but safe.
"Tatsuki… wait here for us." Her voice was gentle but resolute.
Tatsuki nodded faintly. "Be careful, Orihime."
Orihime smiled softly and whispered in her heart as she stepped forward into the dark Garganta passage.
"Thank you, Tatsuki… for always protecting me."
Tatsuki watched silently as Orihime disappeared into the shadows. The distance felt heavier with each step that carried Orihime into a world that no longer belonged to her.
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