Ch: 10
"See you next year! Rukia-san, Kira-kun, Asanji-kun!"
"Yes, next year I'll definitely make it into the first group!"
"Be careful, Hinasen-kun!"
"I'll bring you some dumplings as a souvenir!"
The most intense year of the past century had finally come to an end. It was a moment when all my hard work bore fruit, achievements ranging from joining Yon-sama's camp, interacting with characters from the original work at the Spirit Arts Academy, and freeing Hime-chan. Some achievements were perhaps too much, but I'll just convince myself they're within the margin of error.
However, achievements are merely stepping stones toward the ultimate goal. It's a dangerous path that demands caution, but it's only natural for humans to want a little reward along the way.
It's Hinamori's reward time.
***
"—Shiro-chan, it's been so long!"
"! …You're late, Hinamori, whoa!?"
Even in the Soul Society, seasons change. During spring break, the Spirit Academy was closed, and I was enjoying my first reunion in a year with my beloved younger childhood friend.
He must be happy to see his kind and beautiful older sister. How delightful.
"I'm sorry, Shiro-chan. I've been so busy I couldn't spend time with you..."
"What? Nobody asked you to spend time with me! And who's your sister?"
"What? I'm not your older sister? We lived here together..."
"No, your real family runs the tailor shop at the market. Just let go!"
"Ah!"
The tsundere shota resisted my embrace with all his might. Huh? Using violence? How bold of you. It seems like a little punishment is in order, doesn't it?
"But Grandma told me that Shiro-chan often calls my name in his sleep, sounding so lonely."
"Huh, what?! No way! Why would I call your name in my sleep?!"
"Oh, so it's different? ...Ah, I sometimes dream about Shiro-chan, so I thought maybe you did too..."
"Eh...? What, what, what...!?"
"Oh, Grandma appears in my dreams a lot too."
"──!"
Yay, yay, yay~. Your face is all red, what's wrong, Shiro-chan? "I don't know!" he shouted while throwing laundry at me, so I caught it before it hit the ground with a quick step.
The boy was mesmerized by my superhuman reflexes. I couldn't help but want to tease Shiro-chan, who was so easily flustered, but unfortunately, it's Rangiku-san's role to lead him down the path of death.
Well, I could handle all the plot points myself and make him completely dependent on me, what a lovely catastrophe that would be. But if he doesn't recover after I scream "Hinamori!" at him, we'll miss out on the adult Shiro scene from the Gerard battle, so I suppose I should keep my social circle diverse. Thinking about my childhood friend's future, I'm such a caring older sister, aren't I?
Objectively speaking, I'm aware that I'm the type who could be labeled a yandere, but as long as I'm the most important, or second most important, person to you, I'm a moderate who only demands lung capacity. Restrictions really are the worst, aren't they, Shiro-chan?
Oh, I was so happy to see you again that I forgot the main topic.
"Speaking of which, Shiro-chan, has anything been different lately?"
"Huh? Nothing really. ...The house just feels bigger since you moved to the Spirit Arts Academy dorm."
"Bigger? The property size is the same as always... Why?"
"Ugh, shut up, it's just your imagination!"
Hmm, it seems like he's starting to notice me. In the original story, Shiro-chan was just a childhood friend with little more than casual feelings, but now he's finally entering puberty, swayed by my teasing attitude and natural clumsiness (carefully cultivated over time)?
It's a classic trope of love, realizing how much someone means to you only after they're suddenly gone. That's definitely a big change lately, huh?
...And the moment when this all comes full circle is when Shiro-chan shines the brightest, oh no, I'm drooling. slurp
However, from what I've heard, it seems Shiro-chan isn't ready to start his frozen food business yet. His "Hyorinmaru" is about to awaken, so I'll tell Grandma about some examples and countermeasures for the mysterious phenomena caused by children with spiritual powers, just in case I'm not around. I'll say I learned it at the Spirit Arts Academy.
"—Well, it's just an old story, but Grandma, keep an eye on Shiro-chan. I don't want him to hurt anyone without meaning to."
"I know, Momo-chan. You've become such a wonderful older sister, haven't you? Haha."
Stop it, Grandma. That affection works on me. You should live until you become a living Buddha.
***
"Oh! It's Momo-chan!"
After replenishing my Shironium, I continued on to greet the tailor couple at the market. I hadn't had many opportunities to visit in the past ten years since I became an apprentice at Kukaku-san's mansion, so I was deeply moved.
"Momo-chan! You've gotten even more beautiful since I last saw you!"
"H-Hinamori-san! I... I've been wanting to see you so much!"
"Momo... Guide me..."
"We haven't celebrated your admission to the Spirit Arts Academy yet, have we? Let's have a feast today!"
"Yes!"
"Stop it! Everyone, stop! It's embarrassing!"
The market buzzed with excitement over the return of the legendary signboard girl. Wow, I'm pretty popular, aren't I, Hinamori-chan?
But the original Hinamori-chan, who doesn't realize her own charm, isn't just insensitive, she's borderline mentally ill... Oh wait, she wasn't the signboard girl in the original story? What a waste.
"Momo-chan, how's the Spirit Arts Academy?"
"It's a world of combat, so it can be a little frightening, but I'm enjoying my studies."
"I see... Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Yes, I'm training with Asanji-kun and Kira-kun, who are both excellent people, so we support each other—"
"!?"
"Asanji... Kira...!?"
"—What?"
"There's a guy's shadow on Momo-chan!?"
"Eeeeeh!?"
The homecoming festival was incredibly fun, even though I was exhausted from being tossed around by those lively people. I wish I could bring Shiro-chan into this group, but everyone finds him creepy and avoids him, and he just stays cooped up in his room all the time, so it's difficult...
Well, Shiro-chan will become a proper human being when he becomes a shinigami. For now, I'll make the most of my position as one of the few people who can heal his loneliness and increase my influence.
Hehe, it's all Shiro-chan's fault, isn't it...? I'm just trying to comfort you because you're all alone and looking so sad... rape eyes
The next day, I went to see my older brother Shidanbo at Shirodo Gate to take care of my last errand in the area.
"Just give him the package, right?"
"Yeah, it's a thank-you gift for taking me as an apprentice, and also for all the trouble I've caused you..."
"What's with the gloomy face, Momo? We're family, aren't we?"
Yudanbo-san laughed. The person I wanted to give it to was Kukaku-san. That demonic glasses-wearing guy had revealed that her misfortune was actually a setup to manipulate me, so I needed to at least make a token apology for my mental health.
Still, my senpai is proud, so even if I tell her everything, she'll probably say something like, "Don't take the blame for my mistake," in that manly way of hers. This is just my way of drawing a line.
Also, I've been up to all sorts of mischief, like peeking at the Onmyoji books and using her as cover when showing off my knowledge of the original work to Yon-sama. Please forgive me for that too.
After three days of fully enjoying the bright and cheerful world above, I stepped into the dark and enjoyable, the world below.
***
"—You're Hinasen Momoko, first-year student, right?"
In the western outskirts of Rukongai, a deep forest spread out. Hiding my spiritual pressure and being careful not to be followed, I made up an excuse about searching for medicinal herbs for my Kido class and headed to a small dilapidated house to meet a man.
...Half a year has passed since Yon-sama's orders. I need to get used to shouting that embarrassing thing about Himei before I can move forward.
"…Nice to meet you. I am Hinamori Momo. Thank you for your cooperation today—Captain Tōsen."
Alright, let's begin the Bankai training.
***
10 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
patreon.com/Well_being