Kaede scoffed at Renji's smug expression while Aya only smiled softly beside him. Renji took a deep breath, placed his hands on his hips, and looked toward the distant village ahead.
"Well then," he said dramatically, "time to see what this glorious village has in store for us."
The group walked toward the settlement as the evening sky darkened overhead. Lanterns glowed along the streets while villagers moved between shops and homes finishing their daily routines. The moment Renji and the girls entered, however, people began staring openly at them.
Renji frowned immediately.
"What's their problem?"
Rei hesitated before answering quietly. "Maybe because we're dirty…"
"We also smell pretty bad," Aya added, entirely without shame, tilting her head like she was announcing the weather.
Renji stared at her. Then at his sleeve. He sniffed it once, very quickly, and chose not to comment.
