Talk with Rin

(Ryoto's pov)

After some waiting, someone finally appeared to take us back. We were currently surrounded by members of a Stealth Force. It seems that as soon as they got the notice that something strange had occurred, they deployed the unit to ensure Yoruichi's safety. After some questioning and taking the assassin back with them, they left us in the hands of teachers. I'm going to milk the Shihoin clan later. Having the clan owe me something may come in handy in the future.

After we returned, we were immediately sent to the Squad 4 barracks to heal up. We also took the three bodies of our classmates. The mood wasn't the greatest as we lost these people today, but that's the life of Shinigami.

In the barracks, we were being treated by the members of the squad. I was being treated by a nurse. She just bandaged me a bit since all I had were some cuts here and there. Other students have it worse than me, and currently, more experienced members of squad 4 were focusing on them.

As I was getting my arm wrapped in bandages, the door to the room suddenly opened, and a Captain and lieutenant entered.

Am I in trouble? I don't think I did anything wrong, but it feels like when a teacher is coming to you, and you start going over everything to think about any possible trouble you caused so you can think up an excuse in time.

Joking aside, I could probably guess why they are here.

Retsu: "Ryoto Yuuki-kun, it seems you can't stay out of trouble."

She said with a gentle smile. Next to our very gentle, kind, and definitely not murderous Captain stood a tall silver-haired woman. The lieutenant of the 4th Division. She is still shorter than me, though.

I love being taller since, in my previous life, I was relatively short. I wasn't a dwarf, but I still developed insecurities. Thankfully they didn't transfer to this life, and I can look down on people now. If I wasn't tall, I would probably have a habit of sleeping on the trees and not under them.

My thoughts drifted away a bit too much. Better focus on the Captain in front of me.

Ryoto: "That's not true, Captain. I was trying to have a peaceful day with my classmates, and an assassination attempt happened. Thankfully I wasn't on one of my famous walks. Otherwise, the results would be grimmer."

I said with empty eyes.

They didn't know how to react to my comment and decided to ignore it. I think people tend to do it more often as of late. It may be that more experienced people don't want to humor my stupidity.

Retsu: "We came here to ask some questions because of the unusual circumstances, and since you were in the centrum of this event and are practically unharmed, you are the first to be questioned."

Ryoto: "And why are you the one doing that? I would assume that it would be the Stealth Force that would interrogate me since the target was Yoruichi and all."

Retsu: "That would certainly be the case if I didn't stop them. Members of Stealth Force aren't known to be delicate with hospital patients, so after I asked them nicely, they allowed me to do it in their stead as they take their time taking care of the assassin."

She threatened them, didn't she, and she said it without breaking a smile.

Retsu: "So I would like you to explain to me what happened."

Ryoto: "Well, in short, the assassin used Hollow bait and gathered a big number of Hollows to our location. We were forced to fight them, but the situation didn't look good for us. The appearance of Menos Grande didn't help. Thankfully I managed to drive it off, and after that, we killed all the Hollows. They were all weak, but their numbers were the problem."

Retsu: "You are awfully calm for someone who just escaped death, Yuuki-kun."

Her gaze pierced through me, trying to uncover my secrets. That's scary.

Ryoto: "Not the first time near death, as you probably noticed."

I pointed at my currently visible scars. I was without a shirt, and not everything was covered in bandages, and they could still see some of my old wounds.

Retsu: "An experienced young man, I see. But what was that about Menos Grande?"

It seems that I'll get some kind of reaction out of her. Her lieutenant was already making a platter of expressions which I enjoyed greatly.

---

After answering all of their questions, they let me go since I didn't need medical attention. As I was leaving the building, I met Rin, who was waiting for me. We walked around in silence. I was looking for a good place for us to relax, and I finally found a great tree that we could sit under.

Ryoto: "You probably have a lot of questions since you saw the world of the living but let me explain a few things first. The first thing is that it may not be our world. Something similar happened to me before, and I was able to come back after some time. Interestingly no time passed back home. This situation reminds me of that time. I had my suspicions before, but I didn't tell you for a few reasons. You have the right to be mad at me for making you think that we can't return, so hit me if you want to. I won't defend myself."

I was waiting for at least a slap to come to my face, but the only thing Rin did was put her hand on mine.

Rin: "Were you expecting me to slap you or something? Don't you know me by now? I'm sure you had your reasons for doing that. I would want to say to believe in me, but we both know that I wasn't in the best of mind. I will work hard so you can put your trust in me but for now, just know that I believe in you full heartily. At least now I know that we will be able to return someday, and for now, it's enough for me."

Her words were warm and something I wasn't expecting to hear but also something I needed to hear at the same time. I could also feel her warmth through the hand that I was holding. Being trusted like that by someone other than Lala is strange.

I think Rin deserves to know a little bit about myself that I'm reserving to only my family and doctor. People from the Assassination classroom world are an exception since there I went a little bananas. After living with her for a few months, I think I could count her as family.

Ryoto: "Rin, do you know why I have my eyes always closed?"

Rin: "Huh?"

She was surprised by my question, but I continued speaking without waiting for her answer.

Ryoto: "My eyes look pretty unusual, so I keep them closed most of the time. Especially now since who knows who is marking in the shadows... planning. However, I think that you deserve to see them."

I turned towards Rin to look her in the eyes, and she did the same. Then I slowly opened my eyes, revealing my crystal blue eyes.

Rin: "Beautiful."

That was the only word that she said, at which I smiled.

We spent the rest of the evening under the tree as Rin was using my shoulder to take a nap.

I enjoy these quiet moments.

---

END

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