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〝 Uh-huh… it is peaceful. No thanks to you. 〞
He’s still on edge. No matter how calm Aizen was, or how he tried to reassure him that he meant to harm, Ichigo refused to let his guard down. —
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❝ This town, the one you and your allies fought so hard to protect. It's rather peaceful. ❞
Calm airs leave his person as if he were communicating his thoughts about an exotic painting in a museum.
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〝 You remember anything about them? Or see where they went? 〞
As Deputy Soul Reaper of Karakura Town, it was Kurosaki’s responsibility to make sure any potential threats were analyzed and taken care of if need be.
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〝 Weird things led you here, huh? 〞
Well… it’s possible it could be hollows. People who can’t see spirits can still sometimes see their outline, and are aware something is there. Maybe the same was true here. —
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So he didn’t find her delayed reaction strange at all. In fact, he’d gotten rather used to it at this point.
He was just on his way home, and he was just gonna lay in his bed, so…
〝 Are you doing anything right now? 〞
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He stepped closer, a hand raised in a slight wave as he closed the short distance between them.
As much as he appreciated Orihime… she could be a bit of an airhead. In the best way possible of course! Not stupid, just… distracted. —
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her long hair whipped behind her like a fiery banner as wide gray eyes sparkled with instant delight followed by cheeks flushing with that familiar、uncontrollable warmth that appeared whenever ichigo was near .
‘ kurosaki – kun .ᐟ ’
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Ichigo nodded along. He could feel Byakuya’s regret and disdain toward his past actions, the same ones that nearly resulted in his sister’s death at his own hand.
〝 If you want my opinion… I think Rukia’s already forgiven you. 〞—
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though the near-execution of the same sister he'd brought into his family was a sin he'd never expunge. )
How eye-opening that your sense of will caused my sense of judgment to falter, and for that, I maintain the utmost gratitude.
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He scratched at his head a bit, trying to figure out how to explain this in a way that made sense.
〝 I mean, you’ve saved her life plenty of times. I’d say almost killing her kind of pales in comparison to that, right? 〞
A shrug. —
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ᅠ
" who did ya' bet on , @getsugasavior * ? " well , does it even matter? the greats have been eliminated pretty early in the world cup , and the vizards , despite more than half being captains , have taken to betting!
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〝 So… if that thing is a demon… 〞
He seemed to be opening up to the possibility. Almost like he believed it could be true, even if for just a moment.
〝 … what does that make you? 〞
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Operating solely off instinct, Kurosaki’s hand moved toward his blade, gripping the hilt with ferocity and desperation.
There was no way this guy was human. Not in the slightest. It’s like his body moved on its own in response. —
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❝ The name's 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚, kid.
So you gonna tell me yours.. or am I gonna have to find out from you 𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 ? ❞
Ichigo's reason to break into sweat was a good one — indeed, Dante possessed nearly the same malevolent aura as that /thing/ he'd slain moments prior.
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Once that demonic appearance faded, and his playful demeanor returned, the strawberry lowered his guard slightly. His hand still gripped his blade, but he was more willing to listen now compared to a mere moment before.
〝 That’s one way to get yourself cut down. 〞—
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