The Hollow ignored Ichigo's words and lunged straight at Orihime.
"You bastard, at least listen to what I'm saying first!!" Ichigo flash-stepped in front of the three girls and sent the Hollow flying back with a powerful roundhouse kick!
The massive Hollow was sent hurtling backward, carving a long scar across the ground from the impact.
"Let me ask you—do you know why older brothers are born first?!"
Ichigo slowly drew his Zanpakutō and pointed it directly at the Hollow lying on the ground.
"Because the older brother is supposed to protect the younger siblings born after him! Saying you want to kill your little sister—how the hell can you call yourself her brother?!"
With a roar, Ichigo charged forward and slashed off one of the Hollow's arms in a single blow!
"GRAAAHH!"
The Hollow howled in pain.
At that moment, Orihime finally gathered her courage.
"I know why you couldn't move on to heaven, Onii-chan. It was because you promised not to leave me alone, right?"
"I'm sorry, Onii-chan… I was selfish. But I've always felt your presence. That car accident today—you were the one who protected me, right?"
Upon hearing Orihime's words, the Hollow stopped struggling. He stared at the hairpins clipped into Orihime's hair.
In an instant, the Hollow's mask shattered—revealing the face of Inoue Sora, Orihime's brother.
"No way!" Rukia exclaimed in shock. She knew Hollows better than anyone—it was the first time she had seen one regain control of itself!
Even more shocking—he shattered his own mask!
"O…Onii-chan?" Orihime was stunned at the sight of her brother's face.
"Orihime." Gone was the crazed Hollow. Inoue Sora now radiated calmness.
But Sora didn't spend much time talking to Orihime. He was fully aware—he wouldn't stay lucid for long. So instead, he turned to Ichigo.
He stretched out his remaining arm. "Shinigami. Could I borrow your sword for a moment?"
Ichigo didn't hesitate—he tossed his Zanpakutō over to Sora.
Sora gripped the blade in a reverse hold with one hand. "I won't stay sane much longer… If I use a Shinigami's blade, I can be purified and move on, right?"
"Yes. There, you'll be able to live a new life," Rukia replied instead.
"I see." Sora turned to Orihime.
"I'm sorry, Orihime. I never thought I'd hurt you. I really was a lousy older brother," he said with regret.
With that, Sora prepared to drive the blade into his own body.
"Wait!" Orihime cried out.
"Onii-chan… I always wanted to apologize. I was selfish too. So… goodbye. I hope you find peace."
Hearing that, Sora smiled gently. "Yeah. I'm going now."
And with a serene expression, he plunged the blade into his body—his form dissolved into spirit particles and faded, his soul heading to the Soul Society.
Seeing Sora disappear, Orihime could no longer hold back her tears. She broke down crying in Rukia and Tatsuki's arms.
Ichigo silently picked up his Zanpakutō from the ground and sighed.
...
The next day.
"What?! Someone bombed Orihime's house?!" Chizuru, one of their classmates, was shocked.
"It's true! Not just me—Tatsuki, Kurosaki-kun, and Kuchiki-san were there too!" Orihime said earnestly.
"Really? Tatsuki?" Chizuru turned to ask her.
"Ah? Uh, yeah… that's right." Tatsuki nodded, but unlike Orihime's easygoing tone, her brows were furrowed in worry.
That's because Orihime's memories had been altered—but Tatsuki's hadn't!
According to Rukia, Tatsuki had developed strong spiritual power, so memory alteration didn't work on her like it did on Orihime.
Tatsuki remembered everything that happened the day before.
...
After school.
"Hey, Ichigo… have you been fighting those monsters this whole time?" Tatsuki asked as they walked together.
"Yeah… sorry, Tatsuki. I should've told you," Ichigo said apologetically.
Tatsuki shook her head. "You don't have to apologize. I get it—you were trying to protect me, weren't you?"
"I didn't want to drag you into this," Ichigo said, frustrated with himself.
"You were just afraid I'd worry too much, right?" Tatsuki asked, gently taking Ichigo's hand.
"Yeah…"
"Of course I'd worry! You're fighting dangerous monsters—how could I not be worried?" Tatsuki looked directly into his eyes.
"But Ichigo… you're doing it to protect us, aren't you? I know that."
"Tatsuki…"
Tatsuki suddenly hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Even if I'm scared, I know what you're doing… and I'll always be by your side!"
Ichigo didn't say a word—he just held her close.
That night, lying in bed, Ichigo thought of Tatsuki… and found himself liking her even more.
But a loud shout suddenly broke his thoughts.
"Ichigo! Wake up! There's a Hollow!"
His closet door suddenly burst open, and Rukia jumped out—wearing his sister's pajamas!
"AHH!!"
Ichigo nearly jumped out of bed. So Zangetsu-san meant HER when he talked about the girl living in my room?!
"Why the hell are you living in my closet?!" Ichigo shouted in disbelief.
If his dad or sisters saw this, they'd think he was a total freak keeping a classmate locked up in the closet!
"No time to explain! We'll talk on the way!" Rukia yanked open the window and jumped out, pulling Ichigo after her.
Ichigo could only sigh and transform back into his Shinigami form, carrying Rukia as they rushed toward their destination.
After they eliminated the Hollow and returned to Ichigo's room...
Ichigo couldn't help but press her for answers.
"Hey! Don't act like nothing happened! You still owe me an explanation!" Ichigo said, annoyed.
Rukia looked at him, arms crossed, and replied matter-of-factly, "In my current condition, I don't have a place to stay. Obviously, I had to live here."
Ichigo stared at her. "You've got that much money in your account. You could easily rent a place. You even managed to enroll in school. Don't tell me you couldn't fake housing documents."
That shut Rukia up. Right… why didn't I think of that...?
But she still insisted, "It's more convenient this way! I can drag you out to hunt Hollows right away—it's efficient!"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]