Toshiro's home.
Toshiro carried Momo, who had a sprained ankle, all the way back to his home. Seeing that Momo was still asleep, he placed her on the tatami and covered her with a blanket.
"Haa-"
Toshiro also couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Although he had appeared very strong when facing the Hollow earlier, inwardly he had been extremely uneasy.
Toshiro's previous life was that of an ordinary university student. He had never even killed a chicken, let alone a person. Although Hollows aren't exactly human, they still evolve from human souls.
But Momo had been watching at the time, so he couldn't afford to look too cowardly.
Thankfully, the Hollow had shattered into ice crystals when it died, so the scene wasn't too bloody. In fact, it looked somewhat beautiful.
Besides, he was destined to become a Shinigami in the future. These were things he would have to face sooner or later. Better to encounter and adapt to them early.
After relaxing, Toshiro sat down beside the tatami and quietly watched Momo.
'Actually, Hinamori is quite cute, isn't she?' Toshiro couldn't help but think as he looked at her.
Momo herself is indeed a very moe and cute girl, but many people dislike or even despise her, including Toshiro in his previous life.
Not for any other reason, but because Momo's actions in the original work made her seem like a brainless fan of Aizen.
Admiring Aizen isn't wrong. Toshiro himself was a fan of Aizen-sama in his past life.
But turning her blade against her childhood friend because of her admiration for Aizen, disregarding her duties as a Lieutenant and the bonds of friendship, that's not good.
It's like some mindless celebrity-chasing fans in his previous life, ignoring their family's circumstances, spending their parents' hard-earned money to chase stars, even threatening to commit suicide upon hearing their idol is getting married, completely disregarding the feelings of family and friends.
Such behavior is truly detestable.
But now, Momo is different from her original counterpart. Toshiro noticed that ever since he defeated the Hollow and saved her, Momo had been avoiding eye contact with him and seemed flustered. It's likely she had developed feelings for him.
Toshiro isn't as dense as some anime protagonists… he could tell that much.
'Hmm, the 'hero saves the beauty' trope might be cliché, but it's still effective,' Toshiro thought to himself.
Momo lay quietly, emanating a natural aura, like a sleeping princess, unconsciously stirring one's heart.
Then, almost as if possessed, Toshiro leaned down and slowly moved closer to Momo.
"Mmm..."
Just then, Momo suddenly opened her eyes.
Momo blinked, looking blankly at Toshiro, whose face was less than three centimeters away.
As Toshiro, feeling awkward, was about to pull away, Momo proactively lifted her head and lightly kissed Toshiro's cheek.
Toshiro stared at Momo in disbelief, not expecting her to not blame him but even actively help 'resolve' the situation.
The two looked at each other in silence, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Toshiro wanted to break the silence but didn't know what to say.
Instead, Momo, though somewhat embarrassed, spoke up: "Toshiro, I guess we're lovers now. You have to remember to marry me later, okay?"
Then, without waiting for Toshiro's reply, Momo buried her head like an ostrich and said nothing more.
Toshiro was momentarily stunned, then equally unsure of what to do.
His feelings at that moment were complicated.
In his previous life, his family situation was difficult, so as for girlfriends... Toshiro indicated he had no idea what that creature was.
Even if a girl was kind-hearted and didn't demand cars, houses, or this and that from him, he didn't even have money to treat someone to a meal or a movie. Who would want to be with him?
Momo herself is a pretty, cute girl. Combined with the special feelings he harbored for her after merging with the original Toshiro's memories, her sudden confession left Toshiro pleasantly surprised and at a loss.
"Hey, Hinamori, were you serious about what you just said? Can you say it one more time?"
Momo's sudden confession made it hard for Toshiro to believe.
"Idiot Shiro-chan, it means exactly what it sounds like," Momo Hinamori's voice sounded muffled.
Once confirmed, Toshiro felt overjoyed inside.
'From now on, this guy has a girlfriend. Time to leave the FFF Group.'
Thinking of future plot developments, Toshiro thought to himself: 'Sorry, Aizen-sama. Even though I quite liked your character when watching the anime in my past life, now... if you dare hurt Hinamori, I will definitely... kill you!'
Next, Toshiro wanted to strike while the iron was hot and deepen his relationship with Momo, but she persistently ignored him.
Even lunch was delivered by Grandmother. Momo only ate after Toshiro left the room. It's hard to believe she was so bold earlier yet so shy now.
After lunch, Toshiro decided to go to the street to buy some liniment or medicinal wine for Momo.
The reason Momo went to the mountains to gather herbs earlier instead of buying them from a pharmacy was that pharmacy prices were quite high. It wasn't necessary to waste money like that.
Now, the family still had some savings, so buying some medicine was more than affordable. Besides, after becoming a Shinigami, his salary should be decent, considering how dangerous the job is.
Walking on the street, Toshiro saw that the commotion caused by the Hollow earlier had already subsided.
Everyone was going about their business as usual, with no sign that any disturbance had occurred. As residents of the Rukongai, things like Hollow attacks were already commonplace for them.