Cole stared at Rukia for a few seconds—then realization dawned.
In the anime, she had stayed with Ichigo only because he was the sole substitute shinigami.
But now, with him present—and far more conspicuous—of course she'd choose to live in his mansion instead of Ichigo's cramped closet.
Sorry, Ichigo. He had just stolen your roommate.
…
"Wow, this bed is so soft!!!"
Rukia flopped onto the mattress, rolling around in delight.
Cole leaned against the doorway, speechless. "Why do you look like such a kid right now? Don't tell me Soul Society doesn't even have proper beds?"
Rukia sat up earnestly. "In the Seireitei, we only had wooden frames. Even with futons, they were still hard. This is my first time on something this soft."
"…Alright then."
Cole patted her head fondly. "In that case, stay here and enjoy it. I'll make sure you get used to real comfort."
Her cheeks flushed red. She slapped his hand away. "Idiot. I'm a hundred and fifty years old. Don't treat me like a child."
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"Right!"
Rukia suddenly pulled out a spray can like Doraemon producing a gadget. "I need to alter Inoue's memory."
Cole frowned. "Is that really necessary? You're both living in my house now. It's not like you won't see each other again."
"It's absolutely necessary. What if she starts talking about shinigami and Hollows?" Rukia dashed out with the spray.
Cole sighed. Whatever. Orihime would probably remember within a few days anyway.
…
By evening—
Orihime, cheeks bright red, slipped her hand into Cole's, stammering, "Cole-kun… when are we going to Kurosaki's for dinner?"
Cole's brow twitched. He turned a deadly glare toward Rukia.
What the hell did you change in her memory!?
Rukia blinked innocently back. The spray works randomly. Don't look at me.
Cole rubbed his forehead. He had no choice but to hold Orihime's hand as they headed to the Kurosaki household.
Soon after—
"What!!!"
The walls of Kurosaki Clinic shook with Isshin's bellow.
"Cole, you're moving out!?"
Ichigo groaned. "Dad, can you not scream?"
"You ungrateful brat!" Isshin wailed, booting his son straight into the wall.
BANG!
Ichigo peeled off the plaster, veins bulging. "You bastard old man…"
"Cole, why!? Is it because my useless son upset you?" Isshin sobbed.
Cole coughed. "Uncle Isshin, you've misunderstood—"
But Isshin cut him off, pointing at the lavish dinner spread on the table. "Cole! If you stay, I'll cook like this every day! You can even have Ichigo's room!"
Ichigo's eyes bulged. "Then where do I sleep!?"
"In the storage room!"
"What!!!"
Cole sighed. "Uncle Isshin, you've really got it wrong—"
Isshin gasped suddenly. "Ah! Is it because I forbade you from dating Yuzu and Karin!?" He sprinted to his daughters. "If it's just one of them, maybe—"
BAM! BAM!
Both Yuzu and Karin socked him in the face, blushing furiously.
"Idiot old man! What are you saying!?"
"I'm still a kid!" Yuzu snapped.
Amid the chaos, Orihime smiled softly. Watching the family bicker warmed her heart.
But then she bowed her head apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Kurosaki-san… Cole-kun is moving out because of me. Please don't be upset."
Isshin froze, then collapsed dramatically before Masaki's portrait, bawling. "Wife! Did you hear? Our boy has grown up—he's leaving with his girlfriend! I can't bear it!!"
Ichigo's mouth twitched violently. He looked at Cole and Orihime. "…You two… are living together?"
Orihime blushed like a bride, murmuring, "From now on, Kurosaki-kun, Yuzu, Karin—you're welcome at our house anytime. It's not far, and I'll treat you well."
Ichigo nodded automatically—then his brain caught up. He froze, gaping at Cole.
Yuzu and Karin also stared, cheeks puffed, glaring at Orihime with faint hostility.
Cole forced a laugh, already planning to smack Rukia later.
What the hell kind of memory did you rewrite!?
After dinner, they all said their goodbyes.
Ichigo sighed. "Cole's moving out… I'll miss having him around."
Yuzu and Karin nodded tearfully. Five years together had made them family.
"Cole!!!"
Ichigo suddenly called out. "Where's your house? I'll come visit!"
"Oh, it's right there."
Cole pointed fifty meters away—at a sprawling mansion.
"???"
Ichigo blinked.
Isshin blinked.
Yuzu and Karin blinked.
They stood frozen at the doorway, watching Cole stroll into a home worth hundreds of times more than Kurosaki Clinic.
…
The next morning—
Cole sat at his dining table, staring blankly at Ichigo, Isshin, Yuzu, and Karin—all shamelessly eating his breakfast.
"…Didn't you promise to cook for me?"
Ichigo shoved rice into his mouth and snapped, "Shut up, you damn rich bastard!"
...…
......
(End of Chapter)
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