Present day, Karakura Town.
A strange tear in space opened silently—unseen by all.
From within it, a black shadow slipped out.
"Hahahaha! Who would've thought I'd transmigrate after death? Could I be the Chosen One?"
Hovering mid-air, the black shadow laughed wildly, brimming with arrogance.
"Let me take a look at this world!"
He swept his gaze downward, taking in the towering buildings and bustling streets below.
"A modern world, huh? That means I can use my knowledge to become the richest man alive!"
"But first... I need a new body. Otherwise, my soul will vanish."
He muttered to himself.
At that moment, a spiky orange-haired boy happened to walk right underneath him.
"No time to think! You'll do!"
The shadow let out a shriek and lunged down at the boy's body—but…
"DUANG!"
To his utter shock, the boy reacted with lightning speed and knocked him to the ground with a single punch!
"W-what?! I'm in soul form! How can this guy see me?!"
Lying flat on the pavement, the shadow was dazed and full of disbelief.
"Huh... this is the first time I've seen a soul like this."
The orange-haired boy crouched down, rubbing his chin with curiosity.
"Now's my chance!" The shadow gritted his teeth and, taking advantage of the boy's momentary distraction, dove straight into his body.
Then—less than a second later—he vanished.
The spiky-haired boy stood up, rubbing his head. "Weird soul. Just dissipated?"
Yep. Dissipated just like that.
The instant the black shadow entered the boy's body, it was crushed by an overwhelming power. No scream. No struggle. Just… gone with the wind.
And that's how the most tragically unlucky transmigrator in history died—because the body he dared try to possess belonged to Kurosaki Ichigo!
My name is Kurosaki Ichigo. I'm 14 years old, just finished middle school.
Next year I'll be entering high school. I live with my dad and two younger sisters.
Earlier today, while out shopping with Tatsuki, my childhood friend, I ran into a weird spirit. But I just punched it and it disappeared.
Hope it reincarnates smoothly.
What Ichigo didn't know was that, although the spirit had vanished, its influence had already begun to take root— and would lead him down a completely different path in life.
"You're late, Ichigo!"
A tomboyish girl stood with her hands on her hips, pointing accusingly at him.
"Yeah yeah, I got held up on the way. Sorry, Tatsuki." Ichigo scratched his head and apologized with a sheepish grin.
"Tatsuki?" she blinked. Ever since they started middle school, Ichigo hadn't called her that.
Tatsuki stood on tiptoe and felt his forehead, confused. "You don't have a fever…"
Ichigo gave her a weird look. "Of course I don't. You're the one acting weird, Tatsuki."
Tatsuki pulled her hand back, replying confidently, "It's because you stopped calling me that ever since middle school!"
To be precise, ever since Ichigo beat her in a fight, he stopped.
Ichigo paused. "Really? I don't remember that."
Veins bulged on Tatsuki's forehead.
Ichigo shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever, my bad. I won't do it again, Tatsuki."
Tatsuki got even more annoyed and elbowed him in the gut.
"Ow! What was that for?" Ichigo rubbed his stomach, not catching what she mumbled.
Tatsuki glared at him and snapped, "Nothing. Let's go."
She turned toward the shopping mall.
Ichigo quickly followed. "So, why'd you ask me out today?"
Tatsuki didn't answer, looking conflicted.
If Ichigo had treated her the same way he did during middle school, she would've gladly kept their relationship at the 'childhood friends' level.
But…
Seeing Ichigo's usual frown replaced by a rare, gentle smile—it stirred something in her.
The Ichigo she grew up with… that warm little sun she used to protect… had become cold and distant over time.
Yet today… it was like the old Ichigo had returned.
"Hmph, I actually wanted to introduce you to a new friend today."
"A new friend?" Ichigo blinked. His friend circle wasn't exactly large.
Tatsuki saw his confused face and sighed. A promise is a promise.
"Hi, Tatsuki-chan!"
At the sound of a girl's voice, both of them looked up—
and Ichigo's eyes were instantly drawn to those curves.
Don't blame him. There's a saying: the greater the mass, the stronger the gravity. For a teenaged boy like Ichigo, such a sight was hard to ignore.
But he forgot… Tatsuki was standing right next to him.
"Pervert!"
Another elbow jab brought Ichigo back to his senses. Tatsuki leaned in with a jealous hiss, "Wipe that lecherous look off your face!"
Blushing, Ichigo scratched his head awkwardly, then finally took a proper look at the girl approaching with a cheerful smile.
Besides her impressive figure, she was undeniably beautiful—
long, flowing orange hair, a youthful outfit that radiated vibrance.
When she saw Ichigo, she blushed slightly and greeted Tatsuki with a smile. "Sorry I'm late, Tatsuki-chan. I overslept."
"No worries," Tatsuki replied with a wave. "We just got here. This guy was late too."
Ichigo quickly jumped in, "Tatsuki, stop picking on me already!"
But when the girl heard Ichigo call her Tatsuki, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait… is he your boyfriend?!"
(Yes—Orihime Inoue's imagination knows no bounds. Is she an airhead… or secretly a genius?)
Both Ichigo and Tatsuki froze and locked eyes.
"EHHHHHH?!?!"
(End of Chapter)
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