Ichigo returned home after finishing a day of teaching.
"Welcome back, Ichigo-nii!" Yuzu peeked her little head out from the kitchen.
"Yo, Ichigo!" Karin on the sofa also looked over.
Looking at his two very cute younger sisters, Ichigo was in an excellent mood.
Of course, it would be even better if a certain unreliable father didn't go crazy!
Thump!
A heavy punch landed on the face of Isshin, who had been sneaking up to ambush him. Ichigo said helplessly, "Why do you keep doing this? It's so childish!"
"If you keep this up, I'll have to drag you back to work on Kukaku's behalf!"
Hearing the name Kukaku, Isshin was greatly alarmed.
"What? You've already gotten in touch with Kukaku?"
"Of course. Some things, I don't go looking for them, but they find me themselves!"
"So, act normal, Dad!" Ichigo said, exasperated.
Under the surprised gazes of Karin and Yuzu, Isshin, who usually ignored such things and ran wild, was actually stopped by Ichigo's few words.
"Oh, Ichigo-nii, how did you do that?" Karin was very surprised. "Who is Kukaku? Dad's mistress outside?"
"Cough cough!" Hearing Karin's question, Ichigo choked.
"She's not Dad's mistress! Simply put, she's our cousin!" Ichigo explained.
'Well, she is also my lover.'
Hearing Ichigo's words, Yuzu and Karin were also surprised. "Cousin? Didn't Dad say he had no relatives?"
"Not exactly none, but he lost contact with them. Now I've reestablished contact."
"Speaking of which, Karin, Yuzu, do you want to visit our old home?"
Looking at his two adorable little sisters, Ichigo asked with a smile.
"Hey, Ichigo! The old home isn't that easy to get to!" Isshin warned.
He didn't want Karin and Yuzu to know about the Soul Society.
However, Ichigo's perspective differed from his.
Ichigo, who also regarded the two as his own dear sisters, cared for Karin and Yuzu no less than anyone else.
"It's one thing not to use a connection, but it's another to have a connection and not know about it!"
"Moreover, Karin and Yuzu have the right to know about their origins!"
"Not to mention the distant future. With Karin's Reiryoku, do you want her to live her whole life in fear because of her uniqueness?"
"All fear stems from lack of understanding!"
"We can't protect the two forever!"
Ichigo said.
Hearing his words, Isshin fell into deep thought.
Beside them, seeing their brother and father arguing, Karin and Yuzu understood this was a crucial moment.
The two didn't speak, just looked at Ichigo and Isshin with concern.
They would unconditionally support whatever decision Ichigo and their father made.
After thinking for a while, Isshin was ultimately swayed by one of Ichigo's sentences.
"What if what happened to me happens to Karin in the future? You wouldn't want a young girl fighting and getting covered in blood, would you?"
Isshin was moved!
Ichigo knew the Reiryoku from Isshin and Masaki was entirely inherited by Ichigo, but Isshin didn't know that.
What if one day Karin also got Ichigo's 'script'?
"Alright, I understand." Isshin sighed softly. "But a major enemy is at hand. Let's tell Karin and Yuzu after this is over!"
"Fine!" Ichigo nodded, indicating no problem.
After discussing for a while, matters about the future were settled.
After dinner, bidding farewell to his sisters,
Under their surprised gazes, Ichigo went into the kitchen again and prepared another dinner, then returned to his room.
In Ichigo's room, Rukia, wearing pajamas, was sitting at his desk, controlling a PS2 Ichigo had found time to acquire these past days.
Hearing the door open, Rukia turned her head.
"Ah, Ichigo, you're back?"
Putting down the PS2 controller, Rukia instinctively showed a smile.
"Mhm, having fun?" Ichigo handed the dinner to Rukia.
"Lots of fun!" Rukia took the dinner. "Although playing human games with Shinigami physical abilities feels like a case of overwhelming advantage, overwhelming advantage is also really fun!"
Saying this, Rukia opened the dinner box.
Seeing the three exquisite side dishes and a soup, Rukia was overjoyed. "Oh, Ichigo's cooking is this good too? Thanks!"
"You're welcome!" Ichigo smiled...
He didn't take the controller from Rukia to continue playing, but simply rested his chin on his hand, watching Rukia eat.
Indeed, he still preferred Rukia.
Not just because Orihime is only 15 now, so he's not daring to touch her.
But compared to Orihime's nice figure, gentle temperament, and all-around homemaking Yamato Nadeshiko skills, when it comes to companionship, someone with a bit of spiritedness like Rukia is more comfortable.
To put it simply, Orihime could be a perfect woman, satisfying you in every aspect.
Even gentle her could play games with you, but that would just be to accompany you.
Rukia is different. Although her 'assets' as a female are slightly less, she's the type who can genuinely play with you.
She can not only be a wife but also a buddy. That's Rukia's best point.
So, even in his previous life, Ichigo never quite understood the CP pairings in Bleach.
He wondered if Kubo, like Aoyama Gosho, a firm supporter of the childhood friend trope.
Ichigo shook his head, not really understanding these mangaka.
In other words, whichever character the main narrative perspective focuses on, it's a complete story.
As the male lead in a Shonen battle manga, Ichigo had multiple female admirers, including encounters with many beauties in the movies, some even offering 'benefits' upfront, yet he ultimately chose a childhood friend.
As the female lead in a Shoujo-esque narrative, Rukia had a loyal dog-type childhood male friend, then rose to prominence by entering an aristocratic family, gaining a strong, cool, and handsome older brother, though this brother didn't particularly like her.
Subsequently, joining the 13th Division, the 'abused' Rukia encountered the sunny, handsome senior, Shiba Kaien.
Although Shiba Kaien died, later, coming to the Living World, she met Kurosaki Ichigo, putting on the play of a hero rescuing a princess captured by an evil dragon.
As for later, there were also encounters like with Ashido, definitely leaving traces of affection everywhere.