Days passed, and Ichigo adjusted to the routine of school life. He learned more about Kuoh Academy, its history, and its students. Yet, no matter how he tried to focus on homework and tests, that strange sensation—the feeling of something lingering in the shadows—wouldn't leave him.
One evening, after finishing up some late club activities, he started his walk home under the dimming sky. As he cut through a quieter part of campus, he noticed a figure in the distance, illuminated by the faint glow of a street lamp. Curious, he slowed his pace. The figure was tall, with dark wings that spread behind him, a wicked smile curling across his face as he held a dark lance of energy in his hand.
A scream echoed through the silence.
Reacting instinctively, Ichigo rushed forward, only to find a female student cowering in front of the winged man. She had been cornered against a wall, eyes wide with terror, clutching her hands in front of her as if to shield herself.
"Hey!" Ichigo shouted, stepping closer. "Leave her alone."
The man turned to him, surprise flickering across his face before his expression turned mocking. "And who might you be, human? This doesn't concern you."
Something stirred deep within Ichigo. It was a feeling he hadn't felt in this world yet—a need to protect, to fight. Memories of past battles flashed through his mind, blindingly vivid, and before he knew it, his body moved on instinct, adopting a stance that felt natural, like slipping into an old uniform.
"Maybe not," Ichigo replied, clenching his fists. "But I don't stand by and watch people get hurt."
The winged man sneered. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But bravery means little when facing a fallen angel."
In a blur, the fallen angel lunged, thrusting his lance toward Ichigo. He dodged on instinct, barely evading the weapon's deadly edge. His body moved almost on its own, his reflexes sharp and quick, honed by battles he could barely remember.
As the fight continued, Ichigo felt something within him stirring—like a faint spark, a flicker of power just waiting to be unleashed. But he couldn't grasp it fully, as if it was hidden behind a wall, just out of reach. Still, he held his ground, trading blows and dodges with surprising skill, surprising even himself.
The fallen angel's frustration grew. "What are you? No ordinary human could keep up with me!"
"I could ask you the same," Ichigo replied, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip.
But before either could move, the sound of footsteps approached, and Ichigo turned to see the red-haired girl from his homeroom, along with a few other students who radiated a strange, almost demonic aura. They arrived swiftly, surrounding the fallen angel.
"Enough, Raynare," the red-haired girl commanded. Her voice was cool, yet powerful, as if she were used to giving orders.
The fallen angel—Raynare, apparently—scowled but lowered his weapon. "Rias Gremory," he spat, anger flaring in his eyes. "I have no quarrel with you—yet. But this isn't over."
With a final glare at Ichigo, Raynare vanished, leaving nothing but the faintest trace of dark energy behind.
The red-haired girl—Rias—turned to Ichigo, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise. "You shouldn't have been able to hold your own against a fallen angel like that," she murmured. "Who are you?"
Ichigo shrugged, still catching his breath. "I'm… Ichigo Kurosaki. Just a normal guy, I guess."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but let the matter drop. "Interesting. Well, Ichigo, thank you for stepping in. That was… impressive, for a human."
Before he could respond, Rias motioned to her companions, and they left as quickly as they'd come, disappearing into the night.