"Huh, Kosuzu-san!?"
"Long time no see, Airi-san."
The female Shinigami waiting at the rendezvous point was none other than Kosuzu Renjoji, a classmate from my academy days.
I couldn't help but blink in surprise at this unexpected reunion.
"...Or perhaps I should call you Lieutenant Yukawa now?"
She murmured, her eyes distant as if nostalgic for the past.
The incident began when Captain Unohana stopped me.
'I have brought you a Hollow extermination mission, something you have not done in quite some time since becoming a high-ranking officer. However, this mission requires joint action with a Shinigami from another squad. I have already spoken to the other party, so please go to this location at this time. The Shinigami accompanying you knows the details.'
That was the gist of it.
Since it was an urgent matter, I had to postpone all of today's daily duties to prioritize this request. The person I hurried to meet was her—Kosuzu.
"That's not necessary. You can call me what you used to."
"Is that so? Then I'll call you Airi-san."
She had been assigned to the Sixth Division and had been working there ever since.
She became a seated officer faster than I did, and there were expectations that she would become a Third Seat or a Lieutenant, but you never know how life will turn out.
I became the Lieutenant of the Fourth Division, and she is currently the Fifth Seat of the Sixth Division.
In terms of rank, I am higher, but we have known each other for a long time. Besides, this isn't a formal setting, so there's no need for formalities.
"But it really has been a while. Our relationship became a bit strained after..."
"Yes, since Sachie's funeral... That was the last time we spoke without reserve like this."
Back in the academy, there was another close friend named Sachie Ayase. We used to hang out together even after graduation.
However, after Sachie was killed by a Hollow, we somewhat drifted apart. She was always the mood maker of our group.
With her gone, our relationship slowly shifted out of alignment, and gradually, we stopped interacting outside of work.
We also started interacting more with the squad members of our respective divisions.
"Still, Airi-san, you haven't changed a bit since the old days... It reminds me of our time at the academy..."
She looked at me with a gaze mixed with a hint of jealousy and envy.
Back when we were classmates, Kosuzu was a beauty with the aura of a refined young lady, but one cannot win against the flow of time.
Now, she had completely taken on the appearance of an elderly woman. From her perspective, it's no wonder she feels that way seeing my appearance.
For a Shinigami's appearance to age means their spiritual pressure is that weak.
"That's not... I think it's wonderful that you're married and have children, Kosuzu-san. That's not flattery; I genuinely mean it."
Currently, she has the atmosphere of a very elegant grandmother, and she possesses a dignified appearance that befits that atmosphere.
I had heard rumors of her achievements in the Sixth Division, so there is absolutely no need for her to humble herself. Besides, getting older means you turn into a powerful character trope; I'm sure of it.
She hasn't been a Shinigami for the same amount of time as me just for show, right?
"Really? I don't feel bad hearing you say that, but it's still complicated... Seeing you now, unchanged as you are, I feel like my own lack of power is being paraded before me..."
"That's why I said..."
I started to speak but couldn't weave any further words.
I could vaguely see complex emotions swirling deep in her eyes.
It wasn't just jealousy toward me.
It was something more intricately tangled, something that had fermented over the years.
"...Hey, Kosuzu-san. Did something happen? Even for this request, if it's just a Hollow extermination, surely asking for backup from the Sixth Division would have been enough. Why call me?"
"You're right. As you say, a lot has happened... Well, I'll tell you while we walk. Including the reason I called you."
With that, she began to walk as if leading the way, and I hurriedly followed.
"Even so, I wonder where I should start..."
"From the beginning is fine. I'll keep you company for as long as it takes."
We walked side by side, but since I am taller, my stride is longer. I walked slowly so she wouldn't have to worry about it, while trying not to make it obvious.
"Right... The first thing I thought about was, as expected, my own powerlessness. Aging rapidly like this. My spiritual pressure as a Shinigami weakening. It was frustrating."
"Kosuzu-san!? But that is natural. Even the Captain-Commander will eventually..."
"Yes, I know that! But even knowing it, there are feelings that cannot be helped..."
She cried out in grief.
"When she—when Sachie died, I swore I would clear her regrets... I swore I would avenge her. But I couldn't find the Hollow responsible, and before I knew it, so much time had passed..."
"Eh... Is that so!?"
If we're counting from back then, it's been hundreds of years!? I had also been keeping a discreet eye out for the culprit who killed her, but I thought it had already been slain.
"Yes, it is. It might sound pathetic, but I thought of her as an irreplaceable best friend. Enough that I wanted to be with her regardless of any gain or loss..."
I understand Kosuzu-san's feelings. She—Sachie-san—was a precious friend to me too.
It's just that when we lost her, our directions shifted slightly.
I wanted to heal no matter what.
She wanted to bring retribution no matter what.
Ah, I see... Is that why we gradually drifted apart?
"That's why I wanted to find it! But I couldn't... I aged, and it was judged that I could no longer continue as a Shinigami in the Gotei 13. It was around that time that I found an article featuring you in the Seireitei Communication."
"Ah, that... It's kind of embarrassing..."
"To be honest, I was jealous. Your grades at the academy were average, and you hadn't distinguished yourself after joining the squads... yet you remained young. You still had the time I so desperately desired... How envious I was, that's what I thought."
Conveying such raw negative emotions to someone isn't exactly easy to say... No, I actually like her more for not hiding it poorly.
Or perhaps she has no room to spare for such consideration? Or maybe she trusts me enough that such consideration is unnecessary?
"Is, is that so...?"
"Yes, it is. But being jealous won't change anything. I was just going to retire as a Shinigami... That's what I thought until a little while ago."
"Until a little while ago? ...Ah! Don't tell me!!"
Hearing it put that way, even I would realize.
"Yes, exactly. The information on the Hollow I've been waiting for finally arrived! Just when I learned about you and thought I had no time left, the opportunity to defeat that hateful, hateful Hollow came around!! I even thought it was divine intervention!!"
...I understand the sentiment.
"Then, the reason you called me for this extermination request... is to achieve revenge together?"
"There is that feeling, too. But... I wanted someone who knows my glorious days... to witness my final service as a Shinigami. I wanted Airi-san to see it through... I had that thought as well."
Saying that much, she stopped walking and smiled self-deprecatingly.
"Or perhaps, were you averse to being dragged along by such boring sentimentality—my personal selfishness?"
I slowly shook my head.
"Not at all. If things had stayed as they were, we might have remained estranged forever. I might have remained ignorant about Sachie-san's situation. So, I have nothing but gratitude. Thank you."
Hearing her honest feelings, how could I resent her? How could I make a sour face?
"Is that so? Hearing you say that, I also... Thank you."
Kosuzu-san smiled as if relieved.
It felt as though the awkwardness had finally been resolved... That's what it felt like.
"Fufu... Ahahaha! I really am hopeless... I didn't even notice something like this until now. Maybe I never had the right to be jealous of you from the start."
"What's wrong all of a sudden?"
Kosuzu-san had been staring at me for a while, but she suddenly started saying such things and laughing mockingly at herself.
"That ribbon."
"Ah, this?"
When she mentioned it, I lightly touched the ribbon tying my hair.
"That's the one we gave you when the three of us went shopping a long time ago, isn't it?"
"Yeah... It was a memento... I've been wearing it ever since."
It was something I received ages ago, so it was completely worn out, but I kept repairing it and using it. As expected of the person who gave it to me; even though its appearance has changed quite a bit, she noticed it clearly.
"You accepted Sachie in your own way. To think I couldn't even notice this... How clouded my eyes were, how pathetic my narrow-mindedness is..."
Hmm, she's gotten completely depressed... It's no wonder she didn't notice given the state of this ribbon, but... I know!
"...Hey, Kosuzu-san. Once this job is done safely, shall we go for tea together?"
"Eh? Tea?"
"A meal works too, or maybe shopping in the Rukongai like in the old days. How about it?"
She listened to my sudden proposal with a blank expression, but eventually, she laughed as if she understood what I wanted to say.
"...You're right, just like the old days..."
"Yes, exactly. Let's make enough noise for Sachie-san too. It's a rare opportunity."
"Oh my, are you telling an old lady like me to make noise?"
"It's fine, it's fine! You're so beautiful you'd put clumsy female squad members to shame."
While having such a joking conversation, we proceeded toward our destination.
'It is a death flag indeed!!'
Ah! Hey, Nubatama! Hold back just this once!! I thought you were reading the room and staying silent!!
'No, no, it is just... The wonderful premonition was buzzing so strongly!! I could not endure it and came out!!'
What do you mean, wonderful premonition buzzing...
'Three antennas, I say!! Three antennas are standing erect without shame, buzzing away!!'
Yes, yes, reception is good, I get it.
Come to think of it, the Denreishinki is seemingly about to be practicalized.
With the infrastructure in place, that mad scientist is going to get a hold of the information network. They're going to start using regular phones any moment now.
If that happens, orders and Hollow information should come by email, so maybe it'll get a bit easier?
"According to the information, it should be around here..."
While exchanging status updates and stories of hardships in our squads, we arrived at the destination—the place where the Hollow in question was likely hiding.
I've been to places where enemies hide like this several times for Hollow extermination requests, but I never get used to it no matter how many times I come.
A unique tension, or perhaps the smell of death and fear. I feel a tense atmosphere that warns against letting one's guard down.
The area is densely overgrown with trees, grass, and plants, creating many blind spots. I can react with Reiatsu perception, but Kosuzu-san... She can still do it, right?
She's not a rookie or a regular soldier anymore.
"Shall we split up and search? If one finds it, inform the other immediately and block the opponent's retreat. No hard feelings regardless of who finds it. How does that sound?"
"I don't mind. But if possible, please let me take revenge for Sachie."
She's full of motivation, Kosuzu-san... It looks kind of dangerous.
Well, she has achieved Bankai. In the first place, if it's just a Hollow, she shouldn't struggle that much. Since Kosuzu-san is a seated officer, she must have reached Shikai, so even in the worst case, she shouldn't fall behind.
"Understood, that's fine. Just calm down a little more, okay?"
"I'm sorry... But when I thought that my long-held desire might be fulfilled... I just..."
"If you rush too much, they'll exploit that. Keep your heart hot but your head cool, and try to act as usual."
Just in case, I reminded her again before starting to search in the opposite direction she went.
While opening my Reiatsu perception fully, I carefully searched the surroundings for anything lurking.
However, after searching for a while, there was no such reaction.
Was the direction wrong, or was the information itself incorrect?
"...Should I just use Bankai and search everything at once?"
'Mumumu! Is it my turn!?'
I glanced at the Zanpakuto still sheathed at my waist.
It might be safer to use Nubatama's Bankai to search this entire area, but I wonder if that would clear her heart... What to do—
"Aaaaaahhh!!"
"Eh!?"
—My thoughts were forcibly interrupted by a scream coming from behind me.
"That voice just now...!!"
There's no mistake; it's Kosuzu-san's voice.
Does that mean that way was the correct direction!? Did the Hollow appear!? Then why didn't she signal...?
"Ah, geez! That was careless of me!!"
Most likely, faced with her nemesis, such thoughts flew out the window. She couldn't suppress her eager feelings!
If I thought about it a little, I should have known!! Why did I take my eyes off her!? Just because I got recognized a little by Captain Unohana, did I get a big head!?
Drawing my Zanpakuto, I moved instantly with Shunpo toward the direction of her voice in a great hurry.
"Kosuzu-san! Are you sa... Eh!?"
"Gu... Airi... san..."
"Oh my, oh my, another Shinigami... And this one is quite young... Kihihihi! Talk about lucky!!"
As expected, the Hollow was there.
The Hollow had pierced Kosuzu-san's abdomen with its claws and was licking its lips while looking at its prey. But because I jumped in, it turned its attention to me.
That scene was, in a sense, expected.
However, what was different from my expectation was the Hollow's appearance.
It looked slender with a feminine form, possessing a silhouette reminiscent of a beast like a fox or a wolf.
If that were all, it wouldn't be much of a problem, but the problem was the Hollow's Reiatsu.
He—no, she? Since the voice was higher pitched than I thought—possessed a spiritual pressure far greater than I anticipated.
"A Huge Hollow... No, a Menos Grande in the making...?"
A Huge Hollow refers to an entity that possesses an extremely large body as an individual.
Like a mutation, they are large, stronger, and tougher than normal Hollows, but still just a bit special. They don't leave the category of existence known as a Hollow.
And a Menos Grande is an existence that has changed form after hundreds of Hollows have cannibalized each other and survived.
You could call it a higher existence of Hollows.
"...Either way, not an opponent that will go down easily, huh..."
Judging from the Reiatsu, she seems to be an existence on the way to becoming a Menos Grande, looking like she might evolve soon.
But this is natural, in a way.
If she is truly the Hollow that attacked Sachie-san, hundreds of years have passed since then. Calculating from that time, it's actually rather slow. It wouldn't be strange if she had evolved long ago.
"Release Kosuzu-san!"
I shouted while holding my Zanpakuto in a Seigan stance.
"No way!! If you want to defeat me, why don't you just cut through her? That's what Shinigami do, right!? Kihihihihi!!"
"A-Airi-san... It's as this guy says... Gufu! Never mind me, get the Hollow... Agu!!"
The Hollow shook its arm, deliberately flaunting Kosuzu-san's existence at the end of it.
While spitting bubbles of blood from her mouth, perhaps out of pride as a Shinigami or a strong desire not to let her nemesis escape, she shouted while grabbing the claw piercing her own belly.
"You're noisy! Who gave you permission to speak?"
"U... ga... Aaaaahhh!!"
"...Kuh! Stop it!!"
But that must have displeased it.
The Hollow gripped Kosuzu-san's head with its free hand with enough force to crush it. A pained scream rose, and she vomited a large amount of blood.
"But it's just as this Shinigami says. Look, look, wouldn't it be fine to sacrifice this Shinigami and save yourself? Defeating me, running away to call for backup, it's all your freedom!!"
"...!!"
This Hollow is saying this knowing I can't move.
If I make a bad move, it kills Kosuzu-san instantly. After immobilizing me like this, it will kill me slowly. It's a cheap drama for that purpose.
In that case, there is no need to go along with this farce any longer.
What I have to do is decided.
"In that case, release her!"
"Airi-san! Goho! W-What are you saying..."
"I'm saying I'll take her place. Look, this is fine, right?"
'O\h my\, indeed.'
With an exaggerated motion to show it off, I threw the Zanpakuto I was holding far away.
...I heard a strange voice, but ignore it, ignore it.
"As you can see, I'm unarmed. Am I still scary to you like this?"
"No! Stop doing something so fooli... Aaaaaaahhh!!"
"Nice, nice! I like it!! Sacrificing yourself in vain for a dying comrade!! Is that the beautiful friendship of Shinigami!? It makes me want to vomit!!"
Shouting in high spirits, the Hollow seemed to put even more strength into the hand grabbing her.
"I don't need a dried-up hag like this either! It's better to have someone young and beautiful like you!! Ah, how enviable, how jealous!!"
I'm not that young, you know.
"Come on, come here! I'll eat you instead of this dried fish hag!!"
"Airi-san... Sto... Goho! Stop it...!!"
"...Kosuzu-san, you're going to avenge Sachie-san, right? Then I can't let you die in a place like this. If that happened, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself..."
She tried to persuade me while still vomiting blood, but I have things I can't yield on either.
So I cannot listen to that request.
As the Hollow desired, I approached her.
"Besides, I don't intend to die either... So rest assured!"
"What stupid things are you saying! You're going to be eaten by me right here!! Take that!!"
"...Gu."
"Noooooooooooo!!"
The free hand flipped, and its claws pierced through my abdomen.
"Ahahahaha! What do you mean you don't intend to die!! There's no way you can be fine with a hole opened in your belly!!"
"...Goho."
That's not necessarily true.
It used to be a rather daily occurrence.
I can heal something like this easily myself.
But well, let's let it swim for a little longer.
"Here, as promised, I'll release this hag. However, Shinigami really are all idiots...! That short Shinigami, too, died in vain protecting someone like this! It makes me laugh!!"
"Short... Shinigami...? Are you talking about... Sachie-san...?"
Acting as if I was in too much pain to move, I slowly looked up and asked.
"Hah!? I don't remember names! She just came with a low-ranking Shinigami and sacrificed herself to let that one escape! Ah, I remember now! More Shinigami came right after that, so I couldn't eat all of her!! It makes me angry just remembering it now!!"
"...Hmm. Is that so..."
It matches the situation when Sachie-san was attacked and the wounds on her body.
It seems there was no mistake about this guy being the one.
"Kosuzu-san, looks like there's no mistake. It was worth putting my body on the line."
"...Eh!? A-Airi-san..."
She looked at me with a blank expression, as if she had forgotten the pain of her wounds.
Well, that's natural.
I'm speaking normally without a care, despite having my belly pierced.
"I could have threatened it with force, but they lie calmly to save themselves. So, I took the method of letting it get carried away and talk, and it was the correct answer."
"Y-You, why! How can you move!?"
"Unfortunately for you! In the Fourth Division, this level doesn't even count as a scratch!!"
I slammed my elbow into the claw in front of my eyes, snapping it off, and forcibly broke free from the restraint.
"Guaaa! My claw!! You, why... T-That wound!?"
"Ah, this? I healed it."
The shock must have blown away even the pain of having its claw forcibly crushed. After all, the hole that was open in my stomach until a moment ago has closed in an instant.
"You healed it, you say!? Don't screw with meeeee!!"
It lunged at me as if enraged, opening its mouth wide to bite with its fangs. But I didn't dodge.
I simply accepted the attack with my body as it came.
"Yes, yes, try to resist by surrendering yourself to anger like that. I'll turn all of that into a sense of powerlessness... for you!!"
"Gugiiiiiiiiii!!"
Even while having fangs sunk from my shoulder to my chest, I remained unmoved.
Rather, it's a chance now that the opponent has stopped moving.
I grabbed the Hollow's arm that was right nearby and twisted it off with brute force.
"...If I do this, it will serve as a bit of an offering to Sachie-san, won't it?"
"Gu, gigigigi... Kodo donda (This woman)! Gubudderu (She's crazy)!! Guzo (Damn)! Guzo (Damn) it!! Goubabeba (If it's come to this)!!"
"Yes, yes, it's admirable that you won't let go even now. So I'll give you a little more of a reward!"
Is it trying to tear me apart? It's resisting desperately, but it's no trouble at all.
What I unleashed next was a straight punch. I simply slammed a full-force blow right into the Hollow's face.
"Gyaaaaaaaa!!"
It seems even this couldn't be endured.
The pain of having its mask forcibly shattered and its face punched made it instinctively let go and writhe in agony.
"Hey, what's wrong? Is this the end? I'm a precious hostage, you know? I'm unarmed, remember?"
"Yabero (Stop it), dammit!! What are you!?"
I continued to provoke it, but it seems to be a spineless coward that gives up at this level.
Sigh... Why did Sachie-san have to be killed by someone of this level? She was such a good girl...
"Then, enough... Hado \#88: Hiryu Gekizoku Shinten Raiho!"
I chanted the Kido, unleashing a massive lightning strike from my palm to burn the Hollow.
"...Did you understand the suffering a little?"
"Ka, hyu... ga... aah...!"
Normally, this Kido possesses enough power to instantly obliterate an opponent of this level, but I held back and adjusted it delicately.
I restrained it just enough so that it was left alive with everything from the chest up and one arm remaining.
I wonder how much shock and pain comes from having more than half of one's body incinerated in an instant. It seems it's hyperventilating and screaming. That's the state it's in.
"Come on, Kosuzu-san. Wake up."
Next, I went to her, who had suffered severe injuries, and gently reached out my hand.
At the same time, I didn't forget to heal her wounds with Kaido.
"Eh... Why, the wounds... !?"
"I told you earlier, didn't I? I healed them."
Oh, come to think of it, did Kosuzu-san not know about my skill with Kaido?
She looked back and forth between me and the place where the wound had been, unable to hide her astonishment that the hole in her stomach had closed instantly and the unbearable pain had vanished.
"You're going to take revenge for Sachie-san, right?"
"...! Don't tell me you did that dangerous stunt for that purpose!?"
"I promised."
She looked at me with disbelief, but eventually, she stood up and took her Zanpakuto in hand.
"Kahi... Gahyu..."
"Sachie's... nemesis!!"
She flashed her sword at the Hollow, which was already on the verge of death.
That ended it.
"With this, with this, finally..."
"Yes. Congratulations."
She was breathing roughly, as if she had accomplished her long-cherished desire.
Probably, various emotions are swirling inside her. For this, she needs time to calm down and organize her heart.
"A-Airi-san. That, that hair..."
"Eh?"
Just as I wondered what she meant, at that moment, the ribbon seemed to reach its limit and tore, causing my tied hair to spread out softly.
"Did that Hollow break it? Are you okay, are you hurt?"
"I'm okay. But if that were the case, I wouldn't have let it end with just that level."
"Eh, you were still holding back with that?"
"Yes, of course... !?"
"Airi-san!?"
A sudden, intense pain assaulted my head.
No, not just my head. Intense pain assaulted me from inside my body, as if to burst my whole body open.
I nearly lost consciousness, and Kosuzu-san hurriedly supported me.
"It seems I pushed myself a little too hard after all... I'm sorry, could I ask you to postpone today's tea?"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]