[OLD VERSION] Chapters 7-12

Chapter 7 - Being a big sister is inconvenient sometimes…

Ren stared at his phone, Ella's name and picture filling the screen. "Shit, I didn't expect this. I don't know how I should behave in front of her!" His heart pounded, but he couldn't get an answer so fast. "Screw it! I'll manage somehow." He swiped to answer the call.

"He-hello?" Ren stuttered a little. It was too late to turn back now.

"Ren!" Ella's voice came through, a mix of relief and sternness. "I heard what happened at school. Are you okay?" She sounded worried. Ren could weirdly feel some familiarity to the owner of the voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit banged up," Ren replied, trying to sound casual. Maybe she would be too focused on his injuries to notice anything about his behavior, so he just tried to act how he felt a little brother should.

"You suddenly arrived beaten up in several places with a very bloody cut in your left arm, how's that 'fine'? I was very scared, you know?" Ella admonished him with a tone hinting she felt wronged by his actions.

"But I'm glad to hear that." she said, her tone softening. "You need to take better care of yourself, little brother. I can't have you getting hurt while I'm not around to protect you."

Ren could imagine her smiling softly, a stoic demeanor cracking just a little. According to what he knew, Ella had always been the responsible one, balancing her demanding career with looking out for him. He was starting to get a clearer image of her character and personality in his mind.

"How's work?" Ren asked, trying to change the subject. Any information was important right now.

"As busy as ever," Ella sighed. "But you're more important right now. I left some money in your account for any medical expenses. Make sure to use it, okay?"

He felt a pang of gratitude. "Thanks, Ella. I appreciate it."

A small bout of silence was then interrupted by Ren's voice again, after a moment of hesitation "Say, Ella, where are you currently? Are you staying away for a long time?"

"Hm? Have we not discussed this before? I'm the only one that can take care of what dad left us. This means I have to be here and always be available to solve the problems and make decisions whenever they are needed. There is also a lot to learn, and many people's lives depend on our success." Ella explained. Wherever 'here' was supposed to be, Ren understood it was far away and she probably wouldn't be back anytime soon.

"But you don't have to be concerned with me, just know things are going well. What you DO have to be concerned with however is your own well being. After that comes your grades. You should remember that you need to be smarter if you want to lead the family's business later, okay?" She said in a strict tone.

"Yes mom~" Ren responded. He actually felt slightly annoyed this time.

There was a brief pause, then Ella's tone shifted, becoming more playful. "You know, I've missed our late-night talks. Maybe I should come over and keep an eye on you."

Ren chuckled nervously. "I'll be fine, really. Just need some rest."

"Still, it wouldn't hurt to have some company," she teased. "You never know when I might show up at your door."

Ren felt his face heat up. Ella's flirtatiousness was something he had never expected. "You're too much sometimes." He said, sounding like a kid who's toy was taken away.

She laughed, a sound that was both comforting and unsettling. "Alright, alright. I'll let you rest for now. But don't think you can get rid of me that easily. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will. Thanks, Ella."

"Take care, Ren. And remember, I'm just a phone call away."

Ren ended the call and placed his phone on the bedside table. His mind was swirling with thoughts of Ella, her concern, and her unexpectedly flirtatious tone. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease, as if he was about to remember something, so he turned his attention to something familiar and comforting.

His eyes fell on the guitar leaning against the wall. It seemed his previous self hadn't played in ages, but the instrument had always been a source of solace for the current him. With a sigh, he picked it up and settled on his bed, his fingers automatically finding their place on the strings.

The first strum resonated through the room, a rich, warm sound that seemed to ease his tension. He began to play a familiar tune, one he had learned years ago —This was a song he never learned in his past life, though he didn't notice it—. The melody flowed effortlessly, and he closed his eyes, letting the music wash over him. 

As he played, old yet new memories surfaced from somewhere. He could see himself playing this very song for Ella when they were younger. She had always been his biggest fan, cheering him on and encouraging him to play it occasionally, but he didn't do it very often since he felt like he was bad. Those were simpler times, before their parents died, and everything became complicated.

'Am I Renn… or 'Ren'?' He wondered. 'Maybe we are one and the same now… I wish I could remember more.'

The music helped him relax and focus. Each chord, each note, brought a sense of peace that he desperately needed. It was as if the guitar was an extension of his soul, a way to express the emotions he couldn't put into words. A strange synergy seemed to occur from the addition of his increased skill and technical expertise as a musician and the memory of this song from his previous self. It was becoming something that belonged to both.

After playing for a while, he felt a sense of calm return. The worries and uncertainties about his relationship with Ella and his new life in this world faded into the background. He set the guitar down gently and lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

He thought about Ella's words, her concern for him, and her playful teasing. He understood now that she cared deeply for him. He also discovered that she was away for quite some time already and it would remain like that in the foreseeable future.

With a sigh, he decided to let go of his worries for now. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift into a light, peaceful sleep, the melody of the song still echoing in his mind.

[...]

Ella leaned back in her office chair, staring at the now dark screen of her phone. A small, wistful smile played on her lips. She felt really relieved to know he was alright. The call that came from Karakura High School earlier in the day left her worrying the entire morning and afternoon, since Ren seemed to have turned off his phone before he slept again in the infirmary.

"Ren, you're so oblivious," she murmured to herself. Her professional facade slipped away in the privacy of her office, revealing a longing that she kept hidden from everyone, especially her brother.

After their parents' deaths, Ren was everything for her. He was the only thing she had left in this world, and if it was not for him, maybe she would not be able to keep going. 

Ever since they were young, she had taken on the role of the protector, the responsible older sister. But her feelings for Ren had grown more complicated over the years. Ella loved him deeply, maybe more than a step-sister should, and that scared her. She feared pushing him away if he ever found out.

Having to live here, on a different side of the world so far away from Ren, was both a good and a bad thing for her.

"But he was a little different today. He's calling me by name now… hehe" A smile crept up on her face remembering Ren's earlier actions, but then, Ella sighed, shaking her head. "Get a grip, Ella. He's your brother. You're supposed to take care of him, not…" She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

She pushed the conflicting emotions aside and focused back on her work, her stoic mask slipping back into place. The businesswoman facade was a safe shield, one she used to keep her true feelings at bay. For now, she would continue to care for Ren from a distance, hoping that one day, maybe, she could reveal her true self without losing him.

[...]

The light of the sun shone through the curtains of Ren's room as morning approached. Sensing the change, he woke up, noticing an unfamiliar ceiling. Confused, he rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Memories of the previous day flooded his mind, a glint of realization flashing through his eyes a few moments later. The reality started to sink in. It was not a dream. He really was in another world, in a different body, living a different life.

He lay in bed for a while, feeling the weight of his new reality. His most recent memories lingered in his mind, mainly his conversation with Ella along with the soothing notes of the song he had played. Despite the peaceful sleep, his arm still ached, and he knew he needed to take better care of himself.

As if he had finally rested after a long time, Ren felt refreshed. The prescription from the infirmary doctor Aki recommended taking the day off to rest, and he intended to follow it at first, but realizing the consequences of such an action, decided otherwise.

"If I don't go today, things will escalate even more. People's imagination can go very far." Understanding this point, Ren sat up and noticed the guitar resting against the bed, as he had forgotten to put it back before sleeping yesterday.

After getting up and leaving it on the previous spot atop Ella's unused bed, Ren wondered why they shared a room for a moment before remembering it was the only usable room upstairs. Not thinking much about it, he opened the curtains and grimaced at the sudden brightness.

His second day started now.

[...]

Ren was eating breakfast after taking a quick shower in the bathroom. It had a bathtub and a small shower head on the wall. While he ate, he was looking at the notes he made the previous night to refresh his memory. The living room's TV was serving its purpose as background noise.

"I'll go to school today, and go to a library afterwards before coming back home. I'll look for anything useful and try meditation too. Since I already know I'm spiritually sensitive enough to see the Hollows and Rukia clearly, that means I should have some amount of reiryoku in me." Ren muttered to himself, organizing his thoughts.

"The main objectives are to learn how to feel it, then control it." He made a mental note.

He looked at his bandaged left arm and shoulder, noting the bandages should be changed soon.

"The prescription said it's okay if I take the day off, so it wouldn't be a problem if I joined during the break before the fourth period. It's better to visit the Kurosaki Clinic nearby and ask for their help with switching these bandages. I can use that chance to get more medicine too. I have more than enough money for it." Ren was surprised by the amount sent by Ella, but he inferred it meant his family's business must be doing very well.

"Once I get to school, that's when the challenge starts. I can have some answers ready so I don't say anything I shouldn't. I'll prepare on the way… and-" His thoughts swirled. "I hope it goes well." It was everything he could do.

Finishing his breakfast, Ren put the dishes in the sink and went upstairs to his room. He grabbed his phone and changed into the school uniform's trousers and a loose black t-shirt, putting the blazer over his shoulders instead of wearing it normally. He left the house and locked the door.

"Kurosaki Clinic it is then."

[...]

As Ren left, he forgot to turn off the TV in the living room. A few minutes later, a news program started, showing the aftermath of the destruction in the area where his encounter with the Hollow happened. The japanese journalist duo on screen had excited expressions as they discussed the ongoing investigation.

"In breaking news, we have an update on the bizarre incident that occurred yesterday's morning in Karakura Town," announced the male anchor, Takeshi Yamamoto. "Authorities are still piecing together the events, but what we've learned so far is astonishing."

His co-anchor, Ayumi Tanaka, nodded enthusiastically. "That's right, Takeshi-kun. Initial reports suggested the destruction was due to some kind of explosion or even a rogue demolition, but new evidence points in a different direction."

The screen switched to footage of the scene, showing debris and chaos, then to a group of police officers examining the area. "Investigators found nearly thirty unconscious individuals at the scene," Ayumi continued. "Interestingly, these individuals were identified as members of two notorious local gangs. They were found incapacitated, and their condition is still under investigation."

Takeshi leaned forward, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "What's even more intriguing is the testimony of a young woman found at the scene. According to her, she and her little sister were rescued by a young man with red hair and greenish-blue eyes who fought off the gang single-handedly. She believes this hero was severely injured in the process of protecting them from one of the gang members wielding a katana, and after that he decimated every single one of them."

The screen switched to an interview with the girl, her face blurred for privacy. She was visibly emotional, tears streaming down her face. "He saved me," she said, her voice trembling. "There were so many of them, and I thought I was done for, and even more worried about what would happen to [redacted]-chan after that. But then he appeared and fought them all. He got hurt, but he didn't care. He just wanted to protect me and her."

Back in the studio, Ayumi had a sympathetic expression. "This young man is believed to be Ashikawa Ren, a 1st year student from Karakura High School. Police found evidence of him leaving the scene grievously injured, and while he is not a suspect, they are eager to speak with him to understand what happened."

"The police shared exclusively with us that the young man in question just proceeded to make his way to school as if nothing happened, and only collapsed after getting to his classroom and answering the morning roll call. What a strong sense of mission and determination!" Ayumi rubbed away a small tear from her eyes, and continued. "One of our reporters talked with one of his classmates during the evening yesterday, take a look at this:"

"We heard you were present when Ashikawa Ren arrived at the classroom, Keigo-san, can you tell us what happened?" A reporter's face appeared and he soon held the mic closer to another person's mouth as the camera turned.

The image of Asano Keigo appeared onscreen as he spoke excitedly "I was there! The dude came in with a bang with his arm bleeding so much there was a trail of blood in the corridor, but when Misato-sensei asked him what happened and if he was okay, he just shrugged and said 'Just… had a rough morning, wouldn't be like this if they didn't aim for the little girl.' and still tried to get to his chair and sit down, saying he was fine. When he fell with a smile on his face I thought he was dead for sure!" He tried to make a stoic and serious face when reciting 'Ren's' words, but wasn't able to maintain it. "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen! A man amongst men!" It seemed Keigo's recounting of the events was a little… exaggerated…

The screen cut back to Takeshi and Ayumi as the former said. "I really have to agree with you on this, Ayumi-chan. Even I got a little emotional after hearing this!"

A school photo of Ren appeared on the screen, his quite handsome face now associated with heroism and bravery. Takeshi continued, "Ren's identity was uncovered through the investigation, and the young woman's heartfelt testimony has already started to gain national attention. This story is quickly spreading, capturing the hearts of many."

Ayumi added, "It's not every day we hear about a high school student taking on a gang to protect someone in need. The details are still emerging, but Ashikawa Ren is already being hailed as a hero by many. If anyone has more information about Ren or the events of yesterday's morning, they are encouraged to come forward."

The broadcast continued with the anchors debating the implications. "Do you think this will affect the local perception of gang activity in Karakura Town?" Ayumi asked.

Takeshi nodded. "Absolutely. This incident highlights not only the dangers but also the potential for ordinary citizens to make a difference. It could spark a broader conversation about community safety and individual courage."

Meanwhile, Ren was blissfully unaware of the growing media frenzy around him as he made his way to the Kurosaki Clinic, intent on getting his bandages properly changed and some medicine. The clinic was quiet, a stark contrast to the storm brewing outside, and Ren took his time, thinking if he should ask them to teach him how to do it on his own as well.

Chapter 8 - Kurosaki Clinic

Ren left his house at around 8 am, heading to the neighboring Kurosaki Clinic. As he approached, he glanced up at the overhead sign again before stepping inside. The interior of the clinic was more detailed than he had imagined from the anime, filled with a mix of modern medical equipment and a homely, welcoming atmosphere. Ren felt a mix of excitement and bewilderment at being in such an iconic place.

His moment of appreciation was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned to see a short girl with large dark gray eyes and black hair cropped just above her shoulders. Her eyebrows were thin and dark, and she wore a nurse's uniform and cap, almost completely white with a light pink undertone. It was Karin, the youngest of the Kurosaki twins and Ichigo's younger sister.

"Good morning, are you a client?" she asked in a curt tone. Scanning Ren's figure, she noticed, "You're from Karakura High School? Why aren't you in class? Are you also one of those delinquents I hear about?" She looked at Ren suspiciously, then seemed to recognize his face. "Wait, aren't you the guy who moved to the next house a while ago?"

Still smiling due to his previous excitement, Ren didn't mind her attitude and answered, "Good morning, I'm a client, yes. As for your other questions, no, I'm not a delinquent from what I remember. I'm a classmate of your brother Ichigo and got injured yesterday in a small incident, so I came to ask for help in changing the bandages on my left arm and hopefully buy some medicine from you guys. And yes, I should be the one you're referring to. I must say it's quite reassuring to have a clinic literally a few steps away." He paused for a moment and said "You must be Karin-chan, I believe?"

Karin's eyes twitched at Ren's question, but she nodded. "That's right. Alright, wait here. I'll get my dad."

As she turned and went to somewhere inside screaming "Daad, there is a customeeer!" Ren chuckled and remembered what he knew about Karin. 

Karin is more authoritative and out-spoken, if compared to her soft-spoken twin sister Yuzu. She is a sensible person but doesn't mind beating her father Isshin a few times when she thinks he's acting dumb or unreasonable. Her tough exterior results from her mother's death, and, because she could not be useful around the house like Yuzu, she resolved never to cry so that she would not burden her family with her personal troubles. 

The death of their mother Masaki heavily affected the twins, making them have to mature much faster than normal. However, Karin still cares deeply about her family, and since she isn't easily impacted emotionally, she often endeavors to be more reliable for her older sister. Seeing them in person, Ren felt bad for them, especially since he was aware of the truth of the incident.

While he got lost in thought, a moment later, Isshin Kurosaki appeared, accompanied by Yuzu. Isshin was a tall, muscular man with spiky black hair and brown eyes. He had thin facial hair around his mouth and on his cheeks. Wearing a white lab coat over his casual shirt and trousers, he had the appearance of a man in his forties, often noted by Karin. In the anime, Isshin typically acted in a goofy, energetic, and fun-loving manner, with a loud voice, big smile, and a wide range of facial expressions. Ren knew what lies underneath, however, as Isshin was actually a Shinigami in the past, among other things.

Yuzu, in stark contrast to her sister, had short light blonde hair with short bangs hanging over the right side of her forehead. She wore a red hair clip on the left side of her head. Her eyes were dark brown and appeared much softer than Karin's. Compared to Karin, Yuzu was more soft-spoken and empathetic.

Isshin greeted Ren with his characteristic enthusiasm. "Good morning! You must be the neighbor boy! I'm Isshin Kurosaki, the best doctor in Karakura Town!" He struck a dramatic pose, making Ren chuckle. It felt a little amusing to know he was possibly pretending.

"Good morning, Dr. Kurosaki. I'm Ashikawa Ren. As I mentioned to Karin-chan, I got injured yesterday and need some help with my bandages and medicine," Ren explained, holding up his left arm. He then handed Isshin his prescription.

Isshin examined Ren's arm briefly. "No problem at all! Come, let's get you fixed up. Yuzu, prepare some new bandages and see if we have the medicine listed here."

Yuzu nodded, smiling warmly at Ren. "Okay. I'll bring some tea too. Give me a hand, Karin." Then both of them excused themselves.

As they moved to the treatment area, Ren couldn't help but notice the lively atmosphere of the clinic. The walls were adorned with various medical posters and family photos, giving the place a personal touch. The faint smell of antiseptic mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed tea, making Ren feel oddly at home.

Ren sat on a white stool and took his blazer and shirt off, exposing his pale skin and the few bruises still remaining. His left shoulder and upper arm were enveloped in white bandages, with a line of red in a specific spot.

Isshin worked quickly and efficiently, his goofy demeanor giving way to a more serious and competent doctor's attitude as he removed Ren's bandages. "So, Ren, what exactly happened to you? Got into a fight or something?"

Isshin had a small frown looking at Ren's injuries as Yuzu came in with a cup of green tea and stopped for a moment in surprise after seeing the slash in their patient's arm. Karin had been asked to bring the bandages and other stuff needed for cleaning and medicating. She left it on a table near Isshin and stood to the side, also scanning Ren's condition with a surprised look.

Thanking Yuzu for the beverage, Ren hesitated, remembering the true cause of his injuries. "Not exactly. It was more of an accident, really. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Got caught off guard."

Isshin nodded, not pressing further as Yuzu and Karin also had somewhat skeptical looks. "Well, accidents happen. Just be more careful next time." He finished securing the bandages and patted Ren on the back. "There you go! Good as new!"

"Thank you, Dr. Kurosaki," Ren said, flexing his arm a bit. "Could you also show me how to do this myself, just in case I need to in the future?"

"Of course! You can call me Isshin too, no need to be so polite. Since we are neighbors, we should be closer! Hahaha!" Isshin laughed, demonstrating the proper technique for changing and securing the bandages. Ren paid close attention, grateful for the practical lesson.

Karin had left at some point and returned with the prescribed medicine, handing it to Ren with a smile. "Here you go, there was some of it here. If you have any doubts about the prescription you have, the dosage or anything else, just ask our dad."

"Thanks, Karin-chan." Ren said, accepting the medicine. "And thank you guys too, Isshin-sensei, Yuzu-chan."

Karin shrugged. "No problem. Just don't make a habit of getting hurt." Then she looked at him with an annoyed look in her eyes, asking "Also, can you drop the 'chan'? It feels weird coming from you."

Isshin interjected. "What's wrong with 'chan'? Your dad also wants to use it, but you're so cold. I know that deep inside you're just shy and love daddy a lot. Karin-chan is such a tsundere~" He commented while hugging himself, as if to fend off the cold treatment he received from Karin.

A vein popped in Karin's forehead as she barraged Isshin with kicks. "Who's a tsundere!! Who would love such a father with a pre-school level mental age!"

Ren chuckled watching the scene. "I'll do my best." After they calmed down he got up. "About the payment…" He had his bank card with him in order to pay.

A battered Isshin gave a thumbs up from the ground. "It's fine! You don't need to pay us for such a small thing."

"Still, I have to pay for the medicine, at the least. No need to worry about money, as I have more than enough." Ren insisted. It was not his style to not pay for something knowing he could comfortably do so.

"Okay then." Dr. Kurosaki relented and they proceeded to collect the payment for the medicine.

Before leaving, Ren couldn't resist his curiosity. "By the way, could I hang out with you guys sometimes? I've heard a lot about the Kurosakis and with my big sister being away for who knows how long, I've been all alone since I came here."

Isshin beamed. "Of course! Ichigo is at school now, so you'll meet him there, but you're welcome to visit anytime. We're a friendly bunch!"

Yuzu also smiled. "Since you're the same age as Big Brother, you guys could become friends."

Ren thanked them again and left the clinic, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction. The visit had gone smoothly, and he had gained a bit more insight into the lives of the Kurosaki family. As he walked back home, he couldn't help but feel a growing connection to this new chapter of his life.

[...]

Leaving the Kurosaki Clinic, Ren took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, feeling the warmth of the sun as it began to rise higher in the sky. The visit to the clinic had been both enlightening and comforting.

Ren walked back home to gather his things for the day. With his school bag slung over his shoulder, he took a moment to check his reflection in the mirror, ensuring his uniform was neat and his bandages well-concealed. Satisfied, he stepped outside once more, ready to head to school.

He decided to not trust buses anymore, and resolved to walk to school from now on. It would also help in conditioning his body, so he didn't complain about it. If other people could, then he can too.

As he walked down the streets following his map, Ren couldn't help but reflect on his previous encounter with the Kurosaki family. The dynamics he had witnessed left an impression on him, even though he knew what to expect. Isshin's blend of goofiness and competence, Karin's tough exterior hiding a caring heart, and Yuzu's gentle warmth all painted a picture of a family that had found their way through hardship, and that spoke to him.

He thought about the family he left after dying in his previous world and his new one here, particularly his sister Ella. He felt a little bit of tension between them during yesterday's talk, since she seemed somewhat distant despite her words, and wondered why that would be. It contrasted with the open affection he had seen at the Kurosaki Clinic. He honestly wondered what it would take to bridge the gap between them, since he didn't wish to be estranged from the only family he had in this new life. 

The streets of Karakura Town were beginning to buzz with activity. Shop owners were opening their stores, and other students were making their way to school. Ren exchanged nods and smiles with a few people along the way, feeling a little bewildered since he didn't know how they were acquainted. Some of them even called him 'little hero', which confused him.

Despite that, the journey itself was pretty uneventful, even though Ren walked in an alert state, which was comprehensible, considering his hectic first day. He made his way to the school district and soon was able to see the now familiar buildings of Karakura High School. He felt a sense of anticipation for the day ahead. 

Ren longed for a more peaceful experience today. He was looking forward to seeing his classmates and talking to them, maybe even Ichigo himself, since he now had a common topic after meeting his family. Though he expected it wouldn't be the case, there was no harm in hoping for the best.

Soon, Ren entered the school grounds, taking a moment to appreciate the calm before the rush of students filled the space once the break started. He found a quiet spot under a tree and sat down, since he still had some time, pulling out his notes to read while waiting for when the third class would be almost over. He didn't want to intrude and interrupt Misato-sensei's class, especially after his little blunder during yesterday's homeroom.

As he read his own descriptions of the personalities of his classmates and what he could remember about their story and motivations, Ren couldn't shake the feeling that his life was becoming intertwined with this world, and he was no longer a spectator. Being able to enter places from the anime, see them from angles never shown, meeting supposedly 'fictional' people in person, interact with them and see them call his name and react to his words, all of this had an impact in Ren's perception of the reality he now was starting to accept.

It would not be an immediate thing, but he could vaguely see himself embracing this world fully in the future, calling it 'home'. For now however, he still felt a little conflicted.

When the time he expected came, Ren got up and walked inside the school's main building, making his way towards class 1-3. He didn't get lost this time, since he could still remember his path from the previous day.

[...]

As he walked through the corridors, he came across a few students who seemed to recognize him, looking at him with various gazes. Some looked curious, others shocked, and a few even seemed excited. Ren dismissed these reactions as the aftermath of his dramatic entrance the previous day, not realizing there was more to it.

The misunderstanding about his encounter with the Hollow was still roaming uncontrolled, and it had only served to exacerbate things further. However, Ren remained unaware of this, attributing the stares to the injuries and the spectacle he had caused.

When he arrived at class 1-3 a few dozen minutes before the morning break, he took a deep breath to calm his nerves and said "Excuse-me" before opening the door. As he entered the classroom, everyone's heads turned towards him and a hush fell over the room. Misato-sensei was looking at him like she had seen a ghost, and the class was no different. Their reactions were of shock and complete silence.

Ren paused at the doorway, feeling the weight of their stares. He gave a small, awkward smile and bowed slightly. "Good morning, everyone." he greeted, trying to sound as normal as possible.

The first one to break the silence was the teacher herself, as even she was shocked to her core and couldn't hold back her voice, subconsciously shouting.

"A-ASHIKAWA!!?"

Chapter 9 - Life can throw curveballs sometimes

"ASHIKAWA!!?" Misato-sensei's voice echoed through the classroom.

"Y-YES!" Ren was a little spooked by the sudden shout, answering by reflex.

For a moment, there was silence in the class. The teacher was watching him, her mouth agape.

It didn't persist for too long, however, as Ren took the chance to walk further inside the class and bow towards his colleagues as he said. "First and foremost, I'm terribly sorry to have shown you such an unbecoming sight of myself to you yesterday. It was not my intention to cause a bad impression, but I didn't consider things much in my tired and injured state after the small accident I had. I hope you don't mind it and still treat me as a normal classmate, so I'll be in your care once again." These were the words he prepared in advance on the way here.

He then bowed towards Misato-sensei and said to her with an apologetic smile as he raised his head "After I woke up, I heard that you were very worried about me. I'm sorry to have made you worry, Misato-sensei. I'm also very grateful for your concern, and will be more careful to not repeat a similar thing in the future.".

Hearing his words seemed to have helped her break away from the initial shock as she asked him "A-aren't you supposed to be at home recovering??"

"Hm? Ah, I've already gotten better enough to come to class. Though my body still hurts and I can't use my left arm exactly how I want." He tried to show it but winced a little when moving his left arm brusquely. "Anyway, I can't be at home forever, right? Hahahaha…" Ren's laugh failed to lighten the mood.

'It was just yesterday that it happened…' A collective thought was shared between everyone except Ren.

His antics were enough to revive the rest of the class, however, as someone shouted "Ha! Suck it, Keigo, I told you he was not dead!" A bespectacled student said with a smug smirk as he fixed his glasses with a face that screamed 'All according to Keikaku'.

"Wha- weren't you the one saying he died when he fell yesterday, Kobayashi? If you're the same then don't pretend to not be, idiot." Keigo snapped back.

"You guys are still going on with this?! Oh my god, this class is full of idiots." A girl with long black hair admonished from another seat.

"Hey, don't lump us together! Not everyone here is that dumb!" Another guy shouted back his grievances as he pointed towards the two.

"Okay, everyone calm down! No one's dead, so isn't that rude to Ashikawa?" Misato-sensei had recovered in these few moments and silenced the chaos.

"It's okay to call me Ren, Misato-sensei." Ren said with a smile, completely calm as if this situation's focus was someone else.

It broke her flow for a moment, but she managed it and asked "O-okay, so Ren-kun, are you really in a condition to come to school?"

Ren nodded "I should be fine for now, sensei. I actually stopped by a clinic next to where I live to do a check up and change my bandages. I'm also following the prescription given to me by Aki-sensei before." He smiled and made a joke to attempt to lighten the mood. "I love Misato-sensei's classes, and would never miss one if not for that."

"O-oh, thanks." The joke didn't land that well since she kind of took it literally. "Then you can sit. Let's wrap up the previous topic, and since there's a few minutes before break, please restrain yourselves for now, everyone. I am full of questions too, so calm down."

''Aki-sensei ' and now this… This guy… He's good.' Mizuiro Kojima squinted slightly as he looked at Ren. It seemed he had competition now.

Ren walked to his desk, which was in the last row on the back of the class, by the windows on the left side. He took his books, hung the bag on the desk's hook and sat down.

Soon the bell would ring signaling the breaktime, but for now there was only the teacher's voice. It was a brief respite before chaos ensued once again, so Ren enjoyed it while he could.

[...]

Ding~ Dong~ (insert classic-anime-school-bell.mp3)

The bell rang, signaling it was breaktime before the start of the 4th period.

"Ok, that's all for now. We'll continue this in the next class." Misato-sensei grabbed her things and made her way to the classroom door. "And Ashikawa, come to the teacher's office sometime today. I want to ask you some things."

As soon as the teacher left, Ren was swarmed. First to come were the girls in the class.

"Ashikawa-kun, yesterday you looked really bad, are you really okay?" Orihime approached with some of her friends, asking Ren.

"That's right, your arm had that cut bleeding so much some of it fell on the ground, that didn't look like a light wound to me." Tatsuki also said from her side.

"Thank you for your concern, Arisawa-san, Inoue-san." Ren looked at them with a warm smile, explaining "The worst part is already over, excluding my arm, but that too has been properly cared for, so even though I should be resting, I believe there's no problem to come if I'm careful."

"Whew, that's good then, hahaha." Orihime let out a relieved laugh. "Now you can go even further beyond! Go to space and reach the moooon!" She then made an excited face as if imagining some spaceship taking off. If one didn't pay attention, they may actually believe it.

"Haha, don't mind Orihime too much. She's just relieved after seeing your state yesterday." Tatsuki laughed at her best friend's antics, but soon looked at Ren with doubt. "That was a shocking sight, really. It actually feels weird to see you back like nothing happened after Ichigo and Chad carried you to the infirmary before."

"That's only proper, else how could he remain in competition for the first exams." A serious girl with long black hair and a mole under her left eye, Kunieda Ryou, said as if it was a matter of course. She seemed to see Ren as a rival, since he ranked just below her in the entrance exams.

"How did it happen, anyway?" Chizuru asked.

"Hey hey, is it true that you got into a fight to save two girls? That's why you got hurt that bad??" Mahana Natsui, a girl with short, curly brown hair and eyes asked bluntly, unable to contain her curiosity.

"Hana-chan, you're being rude." Ogawa Michiru, who had short brown hair with clips in her bangs lightly admonished her friend.

"But I've seen it too. It said on TV he beat more than a hundred men and only got injured because they decided to attack the girls he was defending." One of the guys around finally sensed an opportunity to join the conversation.

"That's right, I've heard he broke their legs and arms to teach them a lesson." Once one got in, others popped up.

"He didn't even ask for anything, just told them to be safe and left. So cool!" Another one butted in.

"Which news are you guys watching? I've heard there were actually 200 hundred people, and half of them were yakuza!" Someone else said excitedly.

"You guys are so dumb, there were only thirty gang members that Ren completely decimated. But it's true he left without asking for anything from the young girl and her little sister, and that he only got injured to protect them." Keigo also joined the fray. His information was "accurate", so he proudly basked in the girl's attention.

"Shut up, Keigo! You're just showing off because you had the chance to appear on the news!" Kobayashi threw a wrench in Keigo's plans.

"Kobayashi, you fucker! You wanna fight, huh?!" Keigo could not take it anymore.

Before they could do anything, Tatsuki appeared suddenly, delivering a blow to each of their heads. "We're trying to have a conversation here, you idiots!"

"That's right, can't you see our Ren-kun is getting troubled?" Some girl somewhere had already advanced from Ashikawa-kun to Ren-kun in the meantime, while Ren unknowingly felt a shiver in his spine.

"Yeah, Ren-chan put so much effort to save them like a knight in shining armor and was about to explain to us how it went, so you can't go somewhere else." Another girl added fuel to the fire.

Meanwhile, the focus of everyone's attention was sitting there, looking confused at the situation. 'Gang? News? Completely decimating 200 people?? Saving two girls and getting injured in the process???' Ren was utterly dumbfounded by what he was hearing. 'What is happening??!' 

Before he could ask anything, the bell rang once more, breaking the chaos as everyone got back to their seats.

[...]

As the rest of the morning classes happened, Ren wasn't able to focus at all.

'I definitely didn't fight off any gang members yesterday, much less save a girl and her sister. There's something weird happening here.' Ren was racking his brain to understand what could possibly have led to this.

'I was being chased by that hollow, and it took everything I had just to stay alive. There surely was no time to pay attention, much less save someone. I wouldn't even have survived if not for Rukia getting there in time...' It was very confusing for him.

He remembered the excited looks and the debate about the news his classmates had. 'I need to get to the bottom of this. I feel like I'm letting slip some crucial detail in front of my nose.'

Soon, the bell rang once more, now for the lunch break. Finding himself surrounded once again, Ren had a wry smile on his face, but decided to use this chance to understand better what was happening.

[...]

"Say, everyone... I told you it was just a small incident, so I'm a little confused by your reactions." Ren started by asking this, sensing a chance.

"Huh, haven't you watched the news, Ashikawa? You are all over them." Tatsuki said, surprised.

"I heard you went back home after waking up in the afternoon inside the infirmary, but at that time things were already getting heated about an incident where nearly thirty gang members were found unconscious in the alleyways a few minutes away from the community park. For Ashikawa-kun to be unaware..." Kunieda Ryou was a little bewildered.

"It was amazing~" Orihime said excitedly. "On the way to school today, every TV was showing Ashikawa-kun's face."

"I saw it before leaving too. It was so cool~" A short student with a shaved head said. He was called Connie by his classmates.

 "Haha... I was a little distracted on the way, so I didn't notice anything..." Ren explained. He remembered something and asked. "Does anyone have a video of the news program? I also want to see."

Keigo, who was also in the circle, answered. "I have it here. It's the same news that aired today. My sister sent it to me because it has my interview." He took out his phone and showed a video to Ren. It seemed Tatsuki's blow earlier had helped him calm down.

Ren thanked him and proceeded to watch the video as his classmates watched his reactions.

When the news anchor duo Takeshi and Ayumi began, Ren was initially watching curiously. Seeing the image of the 33 gang members sprawled on the ground, battered and bruised, however, had him make a dumbfounded expression.

Were these guys actually collateral damage from the hollow attack? I remember that area somewhat, so it's possible I didn't notice them while being full of adrenaline.' He tried to make sense of what he saw.

As he thought, the screen suddenly showed the image of a young woman with chestnut hair. There was a small girl in her arms with similarly colored hair. Though her face was a little blurry, it was easily discernible that she was crying as she explained that a boy with red hair and greenish-blue eyes saved her in the nick of time before going away without asking for anything, or even saying his name, for that matter. However, as soon as she was shown a picture of Ren she affirmed to be completely sure it was him.

"I-I see..." The young man in question was currently staring at the screen, smiling wryly. 'I think I get it now... that's the only possible answer.'

'If Rukia was there and these people as well, it makes perfect sense.' Ren shook his head with a smile then sighed, muttering "I didn't expect this."

'It should be the work of that memory substitution tool. If she used it on everyone present and replaced their perspective of the events with the same randomly generated memory, things would line up perfectly for this to happen.' Ren finally got to the crux of the matter. 'And since I was indeed there, I was most likely seen leaving the area by the expected time and proceeded to make my way to school and collapse, as this investigation shows... Then I have no way to actually refute this.'

"I can only accept it now." Ren muttered as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

Unbeknownst to him, Ren's reaction was understood as complete confirmation of the events. While he closed his eyes, everyone around him exchanged glances, coming to some sort of understanding as the first to act was Keigo, breaking Ren from his thoughts as he put a hand on his shoulder and said.

"It's okay man. Even if you're a hero who saves damsels in distress, we'll still be your classmates!" He gave a thumbs up.

"That's right, Ren-kun. You are very cool and amazing, so don't mind it!" The same girl from before gave Ren another round of goosebumps.

"Yeah, Ren-sama shouldn't be worried about something so trivial." He felt his instincts almost kick in from these words, though he couldn't see who said it.

Looking at the expressions around him, Ren didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Chapter 10 - Local tomato meets local angry carrot

"Everyone, while it's good to talk with you guys, I have to excuse myself. I need to go to the bathroom." Said Ren as he got up from his seat. He rocked an apologetic expression on his face, but inside he felt like extricating himself from this situation in order to process things and calm down. They didn't mind it much, and he was able to exit the circle without incident.

Ren left the classroom, his mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions.

As he walked down the hallway, the murmurs and glances from his classmates took on a new light. He could see the admiration in their eyes, the awe in their whispers. It was surreal, knowing that they believed him to be some kind of hero.

He passed by a group of students huddled together, their conversation halting as he approached. They stared at him, wide-eyed and whispering fervently the moment he was out of earshot. Ren tried to ignore it, but it was impossible to escape the sense of being watched, judged, and idolized all at once.

Entering the bathroom, Ren let out a sigh of relief. The cool, tiled room was a stark contrast to the bustling hallways. He approached the sink and splashed cold water on his face, hoping to calm his racing thoughts. The water felt refreshing, a brief reprieve from the chaos of the day. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the strain of trying to piece together what had happened.

"I need to clear my head," he muttered to himself. The idea of returning to the classroom, facing more questions and attention, felt overwhelming. He decided he needed some fresh air, a quiet place to think.

Leaving the bathroom, Ren made his way to the vending machines. The hum of the machines and the clinking of coins as he bought a can of soda and a sandwich provided a momentary comfort. He took a deep breath and headed for the school terrace, hoping it would be as deserted as he remembered from the anime.

The stairwell leading to the rooftop was dimly lit, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the walls. Each step felt like a small escape from the constant scrutiny. Pushing open the heavy metal door to the rooftop, Ren was greeted by a gust of fresh air. The terrace was bathed in sunlight, the city's skyline stretching out before him.

For a moment, he simply stood there, taking in the view. The sounds of the school below were distant, almost nonexistent. It was a peaceful contrast to the chaos inside. Ren walked over to the edge of the terrace, leaning against the iron bars and letting the breeze cool his face.

His thoughts wandered back to the news reports, the exaggerated stories his classmates had believed. 'Gang members... saving girls... it's all so absurd.' he thought, grumbling to himself "I'll definitely tell Rukia to get some other tool if I ever get the chance." It was inaccurate, yet fit too well with the evidence found and there was no denying the impact it had on those around him. They saw him as a hero, and that perception was powerful, even if it was based on a misunderstanding.

"That news program mentioned the police is interested to hear my account of the facts. That's troublesome..." Ren wondered how he could accurately and plausibly make an account of events that never happened in the first place.

"Things will probably be hectic for a few days. Let's hope I'll be left alone after the heat cools down. It's not really a bad thing to have a hero's reputation, but it's just that I don't necessarily have the strength associated with it, if I ever need it." He muttered with a deprecating smile. A few moments later, he seemed to have recovered a bit and came to some sort of resolution. "Let's go with the flow for now. It won't be a problem if I get strong enough. And for that, the first step is the school library."

As he took a sip of his soda, he heard the door to the terrace creak open behind him. Turning, he saw Ichigo Kurosaki and Yasutora Sado step out. Ichigo's spiky orange hair and serious expression were unmistakable, and Chad's towering figure was imposing yet calm.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Taking a break from all the hero worship, Ashikawa?"

"Yeah, haha" Ren answered, offering a small smile. "Didn't expect to see anyone else up here."

Ichigo gave a curt nod. "We usually come here during lunch break, since it's nice and quiet. You?"

Ren shrugged. "Needed some air. It's been... an interesting day."

Ichigo smirked. "Understandable."

Ren took the opportunity to introduce himself properly. "Thanks for helping me out yesterday. And this morning, your family was a big help too. You're Kurosaki and Yasutora, right?"

Ichigo's eyes narrowed slightly, his curiosity evident. "No problem. And yeah, I'm Ichigo, and this is Chad, or Sado. You said my family helped you?"

Ren nodded. "Yeah, I went to the clinic and your dad and sisters helped me with my bandages and gave me some medicine today. I really appreciate it. I actually moved into the house next to you guys before classes started."

Ichigo seemed to relax a bit. "They're good people."

Ren had a sudden thought and said with a smirk. "So you're that Ichigo, huh. It's a cute name, considering your bad rep." If one didn't look at how it's written, they could say it meant 'strawberry'.

"Wha- My name is not read like tha-" Ren's words seemed to trigger Ichigo as he snapped before being interrupted by the other's laughter.

"Hahahaha... I'm sorry... you just- Hahaha" Ren couldn't hold back.

"Y-you asshole, wanna fight, huh?!" Ichigo was getting annoyed. He kept staring at Ren.

After a few moments, Ren recovered his composure and asked "Nah, I was just messing with you, hehe. Your name, since it's not strawberry or fifteen, what's it meant then? Protect?"

"Tch." Ichigo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "That was close. It means to protect (go) one thing (ichi), get it?!"

"Ooh, that sounds cooler than strawberry, for sure." Ren chuckled.

There was a brief silence as they all took in the moment. Ren decided to address the elephant in the room. "So, I heard some crazy stuff on the news video the folk back in class showed me. People are saying I destroyed a gang to save some girls. Seems a bit... exaggerated. What do you think?"

Ichigo's expression turned serious. "Is it true? Did you really do that?"

Ren hesitated, considering his words carefully. He couldn't reveal the whole truth, especially about the existence of Hollows or that he was able to see spirits. "I was there, and things got out of hand very fast. I did what I could to help, but things could have ended very differently just as well. Let's leave it at that."

Chad, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "It's good that you helped. It's the right thing to do."

Ichigo studied Ren for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough, I'm with Chad on this. Just be careful to not let it get too out of hand while you can. People can get the wrong idea about you."

Ren chuckled softly. "Tell me about it. You guys don't really strike me as a duo of fearsome gangsters. Should I beat you just like the hero I am now?" He asked with a smirk.

"Heh, you can try." 

Ren took it as a compliment. "You guys sure seem to know a lot about handling yourselves. What's the story?"

Ichigo shrugged. "Just trying to get through school without too much trouble. People make assumptions about me because of my hair and my attitude so I study a lot to shut them up."

Ren nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I got that today. People see what they want to see."

Chad added, "Ichigo's a good guy, though. He helps people, even if he pretends not to care."

Ichigo shot Chad a look but didn't deny it. "And Chad here, probably doesn't die even if he's killed, he's just that tough of a nut to crack. Doesn't talk much, but he's got a good heart."

Ren looked at Chad, quietly acquiescing. "Seems like you two have each other's backs."

Chad nodded.

They proceeded to talk some more about their shared experiences of being misunderstood, then suddenly:

Ding~ Dong~ (schoolbell.mp3)

The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break. Ren felt a sense of camaraderie with Ichigo and Chad. He felt more grounded, ready to face whatever came next.

"Hey, thanks for the chat," Ren said, heading toward the door. "I needed to clear my mind, and it helped. If you guys don't mind, we should hang out again."

Ichigo grinned. "Sure. Just don't bring the noise with you."

Chad nodded again.

Ren laughed. "I'll do my best."

[...]

Ren, feeling a bit more at ease after his previous conversation, walked back to class with the two. As they entered the classroom together, whispers erupted among the students.

"Wow, Ashikawa's got guts hanging out with those two," one student murmured.

"Yeah, Ichigo and Chad are known troublemakers. He must be fearless." another replied.

"You fools, Ren-sama would remain the same no matter who he spends time with!" That same girl said again. Whoever it was, it seemed something troublesome was starting there.

Ren ignored the comments, focusing instead on finding his seat. He exchanged a nod with Ichigo and Chad before settling down for the afternoon classes. The rest of the day passed without major interruptions, though Ren could feel the curious eyes of his classmates on him. He tried his best to pay attention to the lessons, but his mind kept drifting back to the strange turn things had taken once again.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Ren gathered his things and said goodbye to his classmates. Ichigo offered to walk home together since they were neighbors, but Ren refused, explaining he had to talk with the teacher and make a visit to the library. He made his way to the staff room to speak with Misato-sensei as she had requested in the morning. He excused himself and entered.

Ochi Misato was alone, sitting at her desk and looking through some papers. She glanced up as Ren entered, her expression softening with concern. "Ah, Ren, come in. Please, have a seat."

Ren took a seat across from her, feeling a bit nervous under her scrutinizing gaze. "Thank you, Misato-sensei."

She leaned forward slightly, her brows furrowed. "How are you feeling? Have you really recovered enough to be back in class? I imagined you would need at least three or four days to rest."

Ren offered a reassuring smile. "I'm doing much better, thank you. I might still be a bit sore, but I didn't want to fall behind in my studies."

She nodded slowly, somewhat relieved but clearly still worried. "I see. I'm glad to hear that, but don't push yourself too hard. And... I wanted to ask you about what happened. The news reports were quite dramatic. Is it true?"

Ren hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, it's true. I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand, but I did what I had to do."

She sighed, shaking her head. "You're very brave, Ren, but you need to be more careful. If you ever find yourself in such a situation again, please call for help. Don't try to handle everything on your own."

"I understand. Thank you for your concern, Misato-sensei" Ren replied earnestly and smiled.

She gave him an encouraging smile. "Alright, if you're sure you're okay, you're dismissed. Young people shouldn't push themselves too much and should enjoy life more. Just promise to take care and rest properly."

"I promise," Ren said, standing up. "By the way, could you tell me where the school library is? I'd like to do some research."

"Of course. It's on the first floor, look for the signs and you won't miss it." she explained, pointing towards the direction.

"Thank you, Misato-sensei," Ren said, bowing slightly before leaving the staff room.

With a determined stride, Ren made his way to the library. Now it was time to continue his plan for the day. He needed to find something, anything, that could help him understand more about spiritual energy that he didn't know of.

Arriving at the library, he was greeted by the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the soft rustling of pages. Shelves lined with books stretched out before him, a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be explored.

"Okay, let's start."

Chapter 11 - Books sharpen one's mind, meditation sharpens the spirit?

Once inside the library, Ren went to the librarian's desk and asked about books in spiritualism, philosophy and any historical and folklore works related to these topics.

The librarian, a girl with black hair and round glasses, was initially confused, but decided not to mind it much since there were a few teachers who asked weird things as assignments from time to time. She pointed him to a few sections in the back that should be able to help him, and Ren went to search there after thanking her.

He took his time selecting a few books and started to read books about the concept of spirit and spiritual energy.

Forty-something minutes later...

"This is a mess. How can any of this make sense." Ren started mumbling to himself.

"These guys keep glossing over the idea while not delving deeper." He noted.

"This won't do. Let's look for some other books." He got up and took a few other books from the shelves nearby.

As Ren reached for another book, he saw a faint, ghostly figure out of the corner of his eye. The spirit seemed to be searching for something among the shelves. Ren watched it for a moment, then shook his head, reminding himself to stay focused on his task.

One hour and a half later...

"First of all, there is no consensus on the actual concepts of spirit. The idea of energy itself is well explored in physics but there is no consistent mention of the idea of spiritual energy." Ren had a notebook with some notes and scribbles to the side of a small pile of books.

"These shintoism books go a little bit deeper but much of it is just assumptions without any evidence corroborating. The African religions also don't help much. It's too esoteric..." Ren filled a page and discarded some of the books, putting them back on the shelves and taking out others.

"The folklore stuff comes very close to the truths known in the anime, but it's hard to see where the line is drawn between the real events and the exaggerations added along decades or hundreds of years." Ren mused as he tapped his pen on his lips, thinking.

As Ren was deeply engrossed in a book, the lights flickered and then went out, plunging the library into darkness. He heard a loud thud from the other side of the room, making him jump. Moments later, the backup generator kicked in, and the lights came back on. Ren glanced around, heart pounding, wondering what caused the noise.

Noticing it was the previous spirit trying to get a rise out of the librarian girl, Ren shook his head, but had a sudden revelation.

"If things were like this, not a lot would actually make any sense. There must be some truth to it." He noted, getting up once more. "Maybe I should look at the occult?"

Three hours later...

"Haah, I think there probably won't be anything useful here." Ren sighed as he looked at his desk after closing another book.

There was a proud pile of books on various topics related to spirits, exorcism, occultism, physics, philosophy, history and folklore, among other things. He had filled nearly thirty pages worth of notes, but the overall situation didn't change as much.

"It's a dead end." Ren muttered as he stared at the mess in front of him, a sense of frustration gnawing at his insides. "Why is this so difficult?"

Looking around, he saw the librarian packing her stuff, and dusk had already come through the windows. Unknowingly, he had spent more than five hours in the school library, and made pretty much no progress besides confirming some of the conjectures he had already established.

Calling it off for the day, Ren got up and organized his things before putting them inside his school bag. After that, he put back all of the books he had previously taken, but also picked one about meditation he had considered to have the best explanations on how to get started, since it specifically mentioned 'spiritual meditation'.

He asked the girl to register it in his name and left while reading it on the way back.

"Hmm..." Ren was reading the book taken from the library earlier. It was called 'Spiritual Meditation 101 for starters'. While he walked, he mused "Huh, it's pretty much the same thing as the other books on the topic, but it has 'spiritual' in the name this time."

"Still, if I ignore those clearly useless steps, then meditation itself consists in calming down and attuning with oneself and the environment." He analyzed. "This can be useful if I approach it using the knowledge I already have about how this world works."

"I'll try it once I get home. I also have to refresh my notes with anything new I can remember, mainly the approximate time when things will start moving." Ren decided.

Feeling more hopeful, he continued making his way back to his house.

[...]

A few dozen minutes later, Ren had arrived in front of his house. The walk was uneventful, if he ignored the occasional spirit and their shenanigans. Still, there wasn't trouble, not yet, at least, something he was very grateful for.

It was already dark, only the light poles shining in the streets while the moon didn't show up yet. He glanced briefly at the Kurosaki Clinic nearby before opening the gates and entering. After opening the front door and getting inside, Ren let out a sigh of relief.

"1 day with no Hollow accident. Maybe I should make one of those paper counter things. Though I have a feeling this peace won't last long..." Ren said to himself, feeling more at ease in the comfort of his personal space.

He went to the bathroom to take a hot bath and sat in the living room, watching the various news programs talking about the incident and Ren's heroic demeanor during and after the event. It also had gotten out somehow that he showed up to school today despite the 'specialists' speculation that he would need from 3 to 5 days to recover enough for it, based on the information they had on his injuries. This seemed to fuel the fire, as more people began talking about it.

"This again... Has my natural regeneration slightly increased? It could be possible, considering stamina, life force and spiritual energy are closely related concepts. But even so, except the cut in my left arm, the other things weren't that dangerous. It's possible they misunderstood based on the fact I collapsed in front of everyone after the adrenaline ran out." Ren pondered while watching.

He looked at his hand and clenched his fist a few times "I don't really feel any different, yet the evidence points that my Reiryoku did increase during the previous encounter with that Hollow. Thinking about it, I didn't even learn the thing's name, the appearance was not familiar either."

Thinking for a moment, Ren soon shook his head. "No point in wasting time thinking about it, since Rukia had already purified him. Whoever it was, it's now in the Soul Society."

"What is confusing me, however, is that even that Don' Kanonji guy knew how to channel his spiritual energy into Reiatsu to form that little ball of energy in the anime, but I don't feel mine yet. I shouldn't be too far in the actual amount, and I refuse to believe I'm as bad a talent as Ichigo or Zaraki were in Reiatsu control." Ren tapped his foot on the ground as he racked his brain for an answer.

Growl~

His thought process was once again interrupted. "Let's eat first." Ren got up with a wry smile.

[...] 

Ren put on the table a plate with some frozen food he had just cooked in the microwave.

"I should do some shopping tomorrow." He made a mental note.

Opening his laptop, Ren updated his notes and added a few conjectures to the things he wasn't really sure about.

"Ok." He said to himself, satisfied with his work.

"Let's revise what I know. Since Rukia still has her powers, the story definitely hasn't started." Ren made a few notes on another page.

"Ichigo is still 15, and the school year just started. We're currently on the 12th of February, and Kurosaki Masaki's death was on June 17th from what I remember." He was getting close.

"It was not shown exactly how much time passed between each episode, but it shouldn't be many weeks or too few days." Ren noted down his observations, coming to a conclusion. "With this, it's safe to conclude the story should have happened somewhere in May."

'That gives me two and a half, nearly three months to prepare.' Ren thought.

"It should be enough time to get myself in good shape to at least evade attacks better. I can also work on my fighting skills. If my plan works, I could possibly awaken my shinigami powers, so maybe a little kendo training could help too once my arm heals." He decided on a course of action.

"Ok, as soon as I recover fully, I'll use the time left to get closer with everyone and train myself for the upcoming chaos." Ren felt a renewed sense of determination.

"For now... let's meditate."

[...]

A half an hour later, Ren was sitting cross legged in his bed upstairs, trying to empty his mind.

"If it's just feeling my own Reiatsu, this could work." Ren started taking deep breaths and focusing his mind.

After some time, he started to calm down, focusing on the sensations he could feel from his body. There was the soft feeling of the bed below him, the hum of the air conditioner bringing the temperature down, and the muffled sounds from the outside passing through the closed glass door leading to the balcony.

Ren concentrated on his breathing and heartbeat, and after an unknown amount of time, they started to slowly synchronize. He seemed to enter a trance, his mind devoid of random thoughts and concerns that previously ran rampant.

In that state, there was a soft hum echoing inside his head. It was as if it was always there from the beginning, like background noise coming from within. Focusing more on it, Ren started to recognize it as the sound of a piano, playing a soft melody with grace. He could hear even the small sounds of the keys getting pressed as a small wooden piece hammered one of the strings arrayed inside.

Ren tried to visualize the scene, but there was only a blur, while the sound itself was clear.

He simply kept listening, unaware of anything else. Ren drifted off, almost as if getting lulled into a calm and peaceful sleep.

BEEEP! BEEEP! BEEEP!

Suddenly, a high pitched alarm pierced his eardrums, and he jumped off from his seat in an alert state.

He had somehow grabbed a knife in his stupor, and was currently gripping it with so much strength his fingers turned white.

"Who is it?!" Ren was looking around with widened eyes, waving the kitchen knife around with fear.

Silence prevailed.

"Huh?" Ren was starting to come back from his senses. 

He had relaxed too much right now and got caught completely off guard by the sudden sound.

Looking around and seeing no danger, and then at his current state, Ren felt his cheeks turn red in shame as he grumbled. "Fuck, I dropped my guard."

Ren sat back down, heart still racing from the scare. "I've never felt fear like that before, to think I'd get so jumpy from a clock." he thought, gripping the knife tighter. "I need to be stronger, more prepared. If something like this can shake me, how will I handle real threats? I can't afford to let my guard down so easily."

Taking a few moments to calm down, he was able to relax and recall what had just happened.

"That was weird. Was it supposed to be that effective?" He muttered.

"I felt relaxed after some time and started ignoring everything else around me." Ren took deep breaths as he analyzed the events.

"Then there was... That song..." He recalled the soft hum of the piano. "I- how could it be.."

He gulped "I know it, very well actually. It was the piece I used to play for the kids sometimes. But that performance... that style... it wasn't me."

Ren felt confused. That particular song was one of his own compositions, and one hadn't written down properly yet. Aside from the little kids from the community project who he played the song to before going home, no one should know.

Yet...

He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something going on here.

"I know every single detail of that song. Whoever was playing came very close to me in terms of technique, but they had different habits and played it more softly overall. There was also a bit of amateurishness too." Ren noted.

He kept thinking for a few minutes, but couldn't come to a definite answer. This meditation thing had gotten way too confusing all of a sudden.

BEEP~ BE-

The ringing started again, but Ren moved swiftly this time, delivering an accurate blow to the alarm clock's button. It was almost midnight by now, which surprised him a little.

"I swear these things have some sort of grudge against me." Ren grumbled.

Deciding it was better to think about it tomorrow, Ren shook his head and turned the lights off, going to sleep as the song still echoed in his mind.

Chapter 12 - The third time's the charm, or maybe not

An orange hue started to wash away the darkness in the sky, creating a beautiful gradient that continued expanding as time passed.

Soon, there was almost no darkness remaining, and the sun rose, the sky tinted in a light blue. The chirping of the birds started to sound, indicating the morning's arrival. On the leaves of the many trees in the landscape were the moisture from the early dew, reflecting the light around.

Many windows and doors were being opened, with various people starting their routine. Stores and establishments were getting ready to open for the day.

Meanwhile…

The light shone up through the pair of gray curtains, illuminating the room.

"Ugh… so bright…" A figure tried to use the bedsheets to hide away.

Moments later, it sat up abruptly, revealing the appearance of a young man with short dark red hair and aquamarine eyes that were currently squinted, looking around.

Glancing at the alarm clock, he noticed it was currently past 6 am. The young man sighed before getting up and heading to the bathroom.

Ren woke up a little late, but there was still time. As he washed his face, he had a nagging feeling on his mind. He felt as if he had a pleasant dream, but couldn't remember it.

"I slept like a rock. That's rare…" Ren mused as he fixed his messy hair. He was usually a light sleeper, but it seemed his new adrenaline-filled days were having some influence on him.

He went upstairs to get his uniform, and noted the guitar lying on the other bed in the room. It had a lacquer applied to the wood instead of paint, and some of the metal strings had a few green spots.

"I should buy a new set of strings in the shopping district later. Getting a piano and some other instruments here wouldn't be a bad idea either, maybe a digital one." Ren said to himself.

"Thinking about buying stuff, the fridge is almost empty, and I also need a watch." When he thought about it, things popped up for him to get.

'Well, money shouldn't be a problem for now, so I could make a trip there today and get everything.' Ren made a mental note to pass by the shopping district on the way home.

"There is also the library thing. I'll go to the school library again, and then look for a public one later." He had to give it another try.

"I don't need to rush things anymore since I know there's still more than two months before Ichigo's house would get attacked and the events from the anime get started." Realizing this, Ren felt calmer.

"As long as I learn how to suppress my own Reiatsu, I will be safe to live peacefully until then." This was the main objective for now. Ren didn't know if he would have the same luck should another Hollow take a liking to his soul, much less a stronger one.

He remembered the meditation from last night "I should read a bit more about how meditation works before trying it again. That felt very weird."

The process itself was similar to the way he calmed his mind and focused before a solo performance, but the results were different.

Finishing wearing his uniform, Ren looked at the time and calculated he should still make it if he ran.

"I'll figure out something to eat at school." He grabbed his bag and keys.

Ren made his way to the gate after closing the front door. 'My body feels a lot better. If it's like this, I can make it in time before homeroom starts.' He smiled, noticing the bruises and fatigue didn't feel as bad as the previous day.

He closed the gate and left in a sprint.

It was the start of his third day in this new world.

[...]

Ren made a beeline towards school, and was actually successful in getting there on time, though he broke a sweat and had to change shirts in the boys locker room.

He noticed that people were still looking at him wherever he went, but it felt a little different now. Before, he felt curious, fearful or excited gazes, but today, there was no fear in their eyes anymore.

'Yesterday these guys were backing away as soon as they saw me, and some of those who didn't were looking as if I was some horrible monstrosity that would beat them up and eat them later.' Ren noted.

Some of them even took the initiative to greet him when he passed by them, much to Ren's surprise. He didn't think it was a bad thing, however, since it helped him calm down too.

'I wonder what could make my image in their minds change so fast' Ren thought. He hadn't done anything new yet, aside from everything already going around.

Ren made his way towards classroom 1-3 after getting changed. Since the initial shock had passed, he hoped that now he could properly interact with everyone. The thought of talking with people who previously were just characters was very exciting to him.

'I was overwhelmed last morning because of the whole hero thing. But today I won't falter!' He steeled his resolve before going upstairs.

[...]

As Ren neared the classroom, the familiar hum of morning chatter greeted him. Students were clustered together in small groups, animatedly discussing their plans for the day, or simply keeping to themselves. The sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm, inviting glow across the room. He could even make out a few conversations.

"Did you see the new movie that came out last weekend?" one student asked, leaning over to share a magazine with his friend. "I heard it's really good."

"Yeah, I went to see it with my sister," his friend replied. "The special effects were amazing!"

Nearby, another group was discussing their recent purchases. "I finally bought that new video game," a girl said excitedly. "I spent all night playing it. It's so addictive!"

"Which one?" her friend asked, eyes lighting up with interest.

"The new RPG everyone's been talking about. The graphics are insane."

A couple of students at the back were talking about their classes. "I can't believe we have a math test next week," one of them groaned. "I haven't even started studying."

"Me neither," his friend admitted. "I'm just going to wing it and hope for the best."

There was also a buzz of excitement about the upcoming Valentine's Day. "So, do you have any plans for tomorrow?" a girl asked her seatmate, a hint of shyness in her voice.

"Not really," her friend replied, blushing slightly. "I might give chocolates to someone, though."

"Who?" the girl teased, nudging her friend playfully. "Is it a secret?"

Ren couldn't help but smile at the normalcy of these interactions. It was comforting to see his classmates engaged in typical high school activities instead of talking about himself, and it made him feel more at ease.

From the last one, he noticed that tomorrow would be Valentine's Day, which meant the classic events of girls giving chocolate to the boys, and then giving them something back during White Day. He wondered if someone would ever give him one. It was an interesting event to read or watch, but a little nerve-wracking to partake in.

Peeking inside, Ren scanned the room, noting familiar faces. Tatsuki was at her desk, talking with Orihime. Keigo and Mizuiro were deep in conversation, with the former's expressive gestures contrasting sharply with the latter's composed demeanor. Ichigo stood near them leaning on the windows, looking slightly exasperated. Chad approached them and just stood there, silently.

Keigo was the most animated of the group by the windows, his voice rising and falling dramatically as he spoke. "I'm telling you, Mizuiro, that girl in Class 1-2 is definitely into me. She was totally checking me out yesterday! I bet I will finally get chocolates tomorrow."

Mizuiro smiled and replied, but ended up looking at the distance, "Keigo, you say that about every girl. Besides, you know my type. I'm a gentleman who appreciates older ladies, so I'm not really concerned with girls from other classes. If only Hirase-sensei would give me chocolates tomorrow..."

Ichigo sighed, running a hand through his spiky orange hair. "You two are hopeless. Can we talk about something else for a change?" He looked at Chad hoping he would change the topic.

Chad, towering over the others with his stoic expression, simply nodded. He rarely spoke unless directly addressed, and even then, his responses were brief. "Morning, Ichigo," he said quietly.

Ichigo was speechless.

"Ichigo, a man must dream! You lack resolve and determination my friend. How can you ever get a chocolate if you don't dream?" Keigo pointed at Ichigo while saying.

"Who needs chocolate, anyway?" Ichigo said and pointed towards Tatsuki and Orihime. "Look at those two. Do you think anyone would get it from them?"

Across the room, Tatsuki and Orihime were engrossed in their own conversation. Orihime, with her long auburn hair and bright eyes, was enthusiastically describing a new recipe she had tried the night before. "So I mixed natto with strawberry jam and put it on toast! It was surprisingly good!"

Tatsuki blinked, trying to process the combination. "Orihime, that's... really unique. You're always so creative with your recipes."

Orihime beamed, clearly pleased with the praise, even if Tatsuki's compliment was laced with mild confusion. "Thanks, Tatsuki-chan! Maybe I can make some for you sometime!"

"Nah, I'm good. Thanks." Tatsuki said. She was sweating coldly and waving her hands.

"Aw, really? It's so good though..." Orihime said.

...

Understanding Ichigo's point, Keigo relented. "Okay, fair enough, but even so you still have to dream, you know?"

"Sure sure, do you wanna bet there will be no chocolate for you tomorrow?" Ichigo provoked with a smirk.

"I'll politely decline." Keigo answered before slumping his shoulders in resignation.

Near the front row, Ishida sat quietly at his desk, engrossed in a book. His glasses perched on his nose, and his expression was one of intense focus. He seemed oblivious to the lively conversations happening around him, absorbed in whatever he was reading.

Deciding he had already peeped enough, Ren entered the class. As he made his way to his desk, a few students paused their conversations to greet him.

"Hey, Ashikawa-kun!" called out Orihime, her voice cheerful and welcoming. "Good morning! Are you feeling better?"

"Morning, Inoue-san, Arisawa-san," Ren replied with a smile. "Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better today. Thanks for asking."

Tatsuki gave him a nod. "Glad to hear it. Even the teacher said she was surprised to see you back so soon."

Ren chuckled. "I'm tougher than I look, Tatsuki." He made a mock flexing pose only to wince again as he stimulated his left arm too much, eliciting a laugh from the two.

"Oh, I would certainly be interested in fighting a hero. Ever thought of joining the karate club?" Tatsuki said sarcastically.

"I probably won't join, but trying it once or twice seems nice. I might take you up on that once I recover." He snapped back with a smirk.

"You are good at talking, at least." She chuckled.

Ren spoke with them briefly before making his way to his desk which was close to where Ichigo and friends were. He greeted them. "What's up, Ichigo, Chad."

Keigo waved enthusiastically from across the room. "Ashikawa! Morning. Did you save someone else today?"

Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "What do you think I am, Asano-san? I'm just a regular guy."

Keigo shrugged dramatically. "Regular guys don't do dramatic entrances after saving ladies in distress. That was very cool!"

"Haha, thanks. I got that from your interview you showed me before." Ren felt a little embarrassed.

Ichigo nodded at Ren. "Morning, Ren. You're looking better today."

Ren smiled. "Yeah, getting proper rest does wonders. Thanks, Ichigo."

Ichigo shrugged nonchalantly.

Chad turned towards Ren, his quiet strength and calm demeanor ever-present. "Morning, Ashikawa."

Ren returned the gesture. "Morning, Chad. You can call me Ren too, no problem."

"Okay" Chad replied simply, his deep voice carrying a sense of reassurance.

"Hey, I want in on that too! It's like only the two of us are being left out! 'Asano-san' feels too cold..." Keigo butted in while Mizuiro nodded with a smile.

"While Asano-san's words may be a little exaggerated, since you're friends with Ichigo and Chad, then you are a friend of ours as well."

"Hey, what did you just say?" Keigo snapped towards Mizuiro with a deadpan look.

"Haha, okay then." Ren chuckled at their antics.

As the students continued their conversations, Ren felt more relaxed. The initial shock and awe had faded, replaced by genuine interest and casualness. It was a comforting change, one that made him appreciate the normalcy of school life once again.

The classroom door slid open, and in walked their homeroom teacher, Misato-sensei. "Good morning, everyone." She looked at Ren and gave him a smile, noticing he seemed better than yesterday.

She began, her voice clear. "I hope you all had a good night's rest. Let's get started with the announcements."

Ren sat down, listening attentively. The morning routine, the friendly banter, and the sense of community—it all felt right. As he looked around at his classmates, it was as if he was beginning to find his place in this world.