"That brat still hasn't come back today?"
That afternoon, Head Teacher Ohara stared at the attendance list, his brow furrowing into a tight knot as he noted Asuka's continued absence.
Sitting across from him, Teacher Bunin shook his head helplessly. "Who would dare ask? The mission probably isn't finished yet. Or perhaps you'd like to ask the lords of Squad Zero?"
"Forget it, let's just leave it be," Head Teacher Ohara said, shaking his head.
Indeed, although the mission was complete, Asuka had yet to return to the Soul Society.
Just the thought of sitting in a Shin'o Academy classroom, staring at Teacher Bunin's blackboard covered in ancient history and obscure incantations, made Asuka's head throb as if it were about to split open.
Thus, facing Shinobu Kocho as she prepared to open the Senkaimon, he spoke with absolute self-righteousness. "I feel that the spatial fabric of the World of the Living just suffered a massive shock and is still highly unstable."
"As the Substitute Soul Reaper personally appointed by the Soul King, I must remain here to observe for a while longer, just in case any residual Blanks cause trouble."
Shinobu blinked, a teasing smile flashing in her eyes. "Oh my, Mr. Asuka is certainly dedicated to his duties."
"But if you skip class for too long, the teachers might just get angry."
"Alas, it can't be helped. Protecting the Three Realms is a heavy responsibility." Asuka avoided her gaze, replying with utmost seriousness. "For the sake of the world, I'll just have to bear the infamy."
Watching Asuka's feigned solemnity, Shinobu couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.
"Very well. Since Lord Asuka has made his decision, as your deputy, I naturally must stay in the World of the Living to assist you."
Her eyes curved into beautiful crescents. "However, regarding asking Captain Unohana for a leave of absence, I'll have to trouble you to discuss that with Manager Urahara yourself and borrow his communication equipment."
And so, riding the convenient excuse of monitoring the World of the Living's stability, Asuka shamelessly settled in at the Urahara Shop.
Kisuke Urahara was naturally all for having these two stay over to foster their relationship.
Not only did he readily help them sort out their leave of absence with the Soul Society, but he also thoughtfully provided them with casual clothes for the World of the Living, Gigais, and plenty of pocket money.
Asuka ushered in the most relaxing and carefree period he had experienced since his return.
There was no slaughter, no conspiracies, and no headache-inducing textbooks.
He dug out the dilapidated bicycle he used to use for deliveries.
Although the chain still creaked, a simple oiling and repair job made it ride smoothly enough.
The summer breeze, carrying the moisture of the river, swept through the clean streets of Karakura Town.
Wearing a simple solid-colored T-shirt and casual trousers, Asuka looked just like an ordinary high school youth.
He pedaled effortlessly, letting the bicycle glide smoothly along the tree-lined path by the river.
On the back seat of the bicycle, Shinobu wore a floral knee-length dress with a light-colored knit cardigan over it.
Sitting sideways on the back, she gently wrapped her hands around Asuka's firm waist and rested her cheek against his back.
The sunlight cast dappled shadows over the two of them, reflecting the thumping rhythm of their heartbeats.
"Asuka, look at that cloud over there. Doesn't it look like a white dog taking a nap?" Shinobu pointed at a fluffy cumulonimbus cloud on the horizon, her voice carrying a rare lightness.
"Not really," Asuka replied in a steady tone, laced with amusement. "I think it looks more like that rice ball you burned in the kitchen yesterday."
"Mr. Asuka!" Shinobu pinched his waist lightly in embarrassment. "I already told you, that was because the temperature on Manager Urahara's secondhand oven is too hard to control!"
"If you keep teasing me like this, dinner tonight will be nothing but boiled cabbage."
"Alright, alright, I was wrong." Asuka yielded, a rare occurrence.
Feeling the negligible force against his waist and the genuine warmth pressing against his back, Asuka's brow unconsciously relaxed.
This kind of daily life—which ordinary people might find mundane or even boring—was an extravagant luxury bought with countless tears and blood for people like them, who had hovered on the brink of life and death for nearly a century.
If possible, he truly wished this riverside street would never end.
The two of them rode the bike, wandering aimlessly around Karakura Town.
They visited the downtown commercial district to look at the dazzling array of modern goods.
Asuka had zero interest in the flashy clothing, but Shinobu displayed her girlish nature, dragging him through one clothing and accessory store after another.
Although they ultimately bought nothing, watching Shinobu's happy smile as she held up various silk scarves in front of the mirror made it all worthwhile.
Asuka felt that if things could just stay like this forever, it wouldn't be so bad.
In the afternoon, they walked into a movie theater.
Kisuke Urahara's pocket money came in handy. They bought two tickets for a recently popular action blockbuster, along with a large bucket of popcorn.
In the dark screening room, the screen displayed explosive Hollywood-style gunfights and car chases.
However, to Asuka, who was accustomed to battles between Soul Reapers, the action choreography in these mortal movies was as full of holes as children playing house.
Asuka expressionlessly stuffed popcorn into his mouth while lowering his voice to critique the action scenes in Shinobu's ear.
Listening to Asuka's utterly dense critiques, Shinobu felt both exasperated and amused.
She reached out a slender finger, pressing it gently against Asuka's lips, and shushed him.
"Mr. Asuka, this is a movie. It's acting, not a battle between Soul Reapers." Shinobu's eyes sparkled in the reflection of the screen. "Can't you put aside your combat instincts for a moment and just enjoy the plot?"
Feeling the soft touch on his lips and seeing Shinobu's slightly pouting face, Asuka obediently shut his mouth.
"Alright."
He gave a muffled response. Though his gaze returned to the screen, his mind had long since wandered off into the clouds.
Shifting quietly in the dark, he gently placed his hand over Shinobu's hand resting on the armrest.
Shinobu's breath hitched slightly, but she didn't pull away, allowing Asuka's large, warm palm to envelop her hand.
In the movie theater with its deafening explosions, the beating of their hearts was distinctly audible.
That night, they returned to the basement of the Urahara Shop.
After eating a hearty dinner prepared by Tessai, the group gathered in the living room to watch TV.
On the television screen played a late-night program with extremely high ratings in the World of the Living—Spirit Expedition Team.
"Bwahahaha! To all the viewers in front of the TV! Welcome to this episode of Spirit Expedition Team!"
On the screen, an incredibly flamboyantly dressed man wearing sunglasses was laughing exaggeratedly.
He crossed his arms over his chest, striking his signature pose. "I am your master medium, Don Kanonji! Today, we will lead everyone to explore the deepest evil spirit curses of Karakura Town!"
Asuka sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, his brow twitching as he watched the clown-like man on TV.
"Is this guy serious?" Asuka pointed at the TV, critiquing him. "He only has such a pitifully weak amount of Spiritual Energy... Won't he run into some kind of accident?"
"Oh my, don't be so serious, Asuka." Kisuke Urahara sauntered over with a cup of hot tea, smiling cheerfully. "Humans in the World of the Living are under a lot of stress. They need this kind of entertaining program to relax their nerves."
"Besides, even though Master Don Kanonji is flamboyant, he occasionally manages to stumble his way into solving minor problems."
"I heard that today's episode features a special guest."
Following Kisuke's words, the camera angle on the TV screen shifted, cutting to a man standing beside Kanonji.
It was a young man with short blond hair wearing a cheap gray suit, looking somewhat mercenary and shrewd.
He adjusted his tie while facing the camera, revealing a deceptively professional smile.
"Good evening, viewers. I am the psychic invited by Master Kanonji to assist in this exorcism operation—"
"Reigen Arataka."