Chapter 28: Awakening and Reunion

Chapter 28: Awakening and Reunion

"Alright, stop crying!" Lolita pulled Rukia onto a park bench to comfort her. After all, any girl would be terrified after having her chest groped.

"Wuu... that... who are you?" Rukia asked as she wiped her tears, looking at the sister who looked exactly like her brother.

"I am... uh," Lolita smiled slightly. Just as she was about to explain their relationship, she suddenly clutched her head and fell to her knees.

"Eh? What’s wrong?" Rukia asked.

"Lolita!" Ichigo shouted, a large red maple leaf mark on his face.

"Don't... don't come over!" Lolita raised a hand to stop the two who were rushing toward her.

A soft blue light emanated from Lolita’s body. A magnificent, light-blue katana with a silver-white guard materialized at her waist.

"Eh? That’s my brother’s Zanpakuto. Just who are you?" Rukia asked, drawing Sode no Shirayuki and aiming it at Lolita.

"What’s going on?" Ichigo asked, completely clueless.

*Crack—* Like shattering glass, the Zanpakuto at Lolita’s waist broke into countless fragments, which then reassembled, transforming into Shuster, dressed in a Shinigami shihakusho.

"Phew, finally restored. It’s a pity my power hasn't fully recovered yet. Hey, thanks for your hard work, Lolita..." Shuster, now standing, looked at Lolita and thanked her before turning around. "Oh?"

"..." Rukia stood there, stunned.

"..." Ichigo was equally dumbfounded by the scene before him.

After a moment of silence, Shuster broke into a sunny smile. "Morning! Rukia! And Ichigo, you brat!"

"Brother!" Rukia lunged into Shuster’s embrace. After all, seeing someone you thought was dead standing right in front of you—whether they were friend or family—would make anyone emotional.

"Hey, Lolita, what’s going on? How does he know me?" Ichigo asked, walking over to Lolita, who was standing to the side with a happy smile as she wiped Rukia’s tears.

"Oh, you mean that? You could say I am him, and he is me. I am the Zanpakuto spirit split from his soul, so we are the same person," Lolita replied, looking delighted.

"..." Ichigo found this incomprehensible; it was far too profound.

"Hey, Brother, who is she?" Rukia asked, pointing at Lolita. They looked identical, save for their gender and hairstyle—Shuster’s was a high ponytail that made him look cheerful, while Lolita’s was a simple bind that gave her an air of gentle femininity.

"Her? She’s... my sister!"

*Crack...* (Sound of two hearts breaking)

"Hm? What was that? I think I just heard a strange sound..." Shuster looked up at the frozen Rukia and Ichigo, then back at Lolita.

Ichigo was petrified. The thought of a brother emerging from inside his sister’s body was simply unscientific.

Rukia was petrified because she knew the Kuchiki family had only two direct descendants—there was no third person... and certainly not a girl! A twin brother and sister!

Of course, Shuster, despite his natural air, was smart enough to understand the situation. "Oh, I see! Well, Rukia, Lolita is the spirit of my Zanpakuto! But she’s using a Gigai right now so you can see her! I can see your Zanpakuto spirit too, you know!"

"Really?" Rukia’s eyes sparkled as she grabbed Shuster’s clothes.

"Just kidding!"

"..."

"Brother, stop joking around. How is your spiritual pressure recovery coming along?" Lolita asked, cutting straight to the point.

"..." Shuster’s expression turned serious. "Less than forty percent. About the level of a seated officer. Just enough for Shikai..."

"It should be enough to deal with that guy," Lolita said solemnly.

"Alright, that’s enough for now. I’m going to find that old man Urahara to get a Gigai. Well then, Ichigo, thank you for taking care of my sister!" Shuster said, bowing to Ichigo.

"Ah, you’re welcome," Ichigo replied, returning the bow.

"However," Shuster’s tone suddenly shifted, and a sky-piercing murderous aura erupted, causing the clouds in the sky to distort. "It’s a good thing you didn't try anything strange with my sister. Otherwise, even if she tried to stop me, I would have killed you!"

*Gulp.* Ichigo felt immense pressure, relieved that he hadn't had any improper thoughts at the time.

"Let’s go!"

And so, the four of them set off for Urahara Kisuke’s shop.

...

"Heh heh, Ichigo."

"What?" Ichigo, walking behind the three, looked at Kon—now in his lion-doll form—who was squinting at him with a tone that made Ichigo feel annoyed.

"Hey, hey, Ichigo... how was the feeling just now? How big was it?"

"What?"

"The chest! The chest! That just now... was it an 'A' or a 'B'? I’m certain it wasn't a 'C'..."

"You... you perverted doll! What are you spouting!?" Ichigo’s face flushed red at Kon’s words, remembering the 'groping' incident. Embarrassed and angry, he pulled at Kon’s plush cheeks.

"Are you... are you embarrassed and angry?"

"Shut up! If you say one more word, I’ll seal your mouth and hand you over to Yuzu!"

"Oof!!!" At the mention of Ichigo’s sister, Kon shuddered, images of aprons, flower hats, and bibs flashing through his mind. *What a joke, I’d rather let that wooden-clogged hat destroy me completely...*

Seeing Kon go quiet, Ichigo suddenly remembered something. He rummaged through his damaged bag. After pulling out an object and checking it, he let out a sigh of relief. A faint smile appeared in his eyes as he looked ahead at Lolita, who was laughing and talking with Shuster.

...

"What!? Sister, you gave all your power..." Rukia had accepted the fact that she had another sister, but upon learning that Lolita had given all her spiritual pressure to Ichigo, she exclaimed, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

*Pat.* Shuster pressed down on her hand and shook his head.

"But... wuu..." Rukia wanted to say more, but her head was gently stroked by a hand. She looked up to see Lolita smiling at her.

"Can you keep it a secret for me?" Lolita didn't say much, just smiled.

"I understand..." Looking into those beautiful eyes, Rukia couldn't refuse... though her eyes were a bit red.

"What’s going on? What did you two do to make her cry?" Ichigo asked, puzzled, as the black-haired girl turned toward him with red-rimmed eyes.

"None of your business! You pervert!" Clearly, Rukia harbored a sense of resentment toward the boy, whether because he had taken her sister's power or because of that recent 'accident.' Yet, beneath that resentment, there was a strange sense of familiarity... This boy, he was so much like Captain Kaien...

"Haha," Shuster and Lolita just laughed. Lolita hugged Rukia and gently stroked her hair.

"I told you, that was a misunderstanding! Didn't I... apologize?" Ichigo’s face flushed with an unnatural red again at the memory. He glanced at Lolita nervously, relieved to see she didn't seem particularly bothered. *Wait, does she still not understand Shuster’s identity?*

"Hmph! If a simple 'sorry' fixed everything, the world wouldn't need police! Mr. Pervert!" Rukia huffed and turned her head away, ignoring him.

"Who’s a pervert!?"

Watching the two bicker, Lolita smiled softly. "Rukia, since you’re here, I’d like to ask you for a favor..."

"What is it, Sister..."

"It’s like this. Ichigo is still a novice, and he needs someone to guide him in his work as a Shinigami..." Seeing Ichigo’s indignant expression, she continued, "I haven't been able to focus on recovering my spiritual power because I’ve been accompanying him. Now that you’re here, I’d like to ask you to guide Ichigo and carry out Shinigami tasks with him. You two should look out for each other..."

"What!? Be on a team with him/her?" Both exclaimed.

Facing their shock, Lolita nodded, her voice warm. "Please..."

"Since it’s your request, Sister..." Rukia glanced reluctantly at Ichigo. "Be grateful, rookie! You should feel honored to have me, Rukia-sama, guiding you through missions!"

Ichigo rolled his eyes at Rukia. "Tch, who cares about you, Onion-head! 'Sama,' indeed—you can’t even beat me..."

"What did you say!?" Rukia nearly drew her sword, but Shuster pulled her back.

"I’m not talking to you anymore... Oh, Lolita, I almost forgot. This is for you..." Ichigo suddenly remembered something and pulled a black-and-white doll from his bag, holding it out to Lolita.

"This is..." Both stared at the doll Ichigo held out. Shuster was slightly stunned, then looked at Lolita. Lolita’s expression froze for a moment, and her hands reached out toward the doll instinctively... It was the strange doll from the crane machine they had passed by earlier that morning... The Lich King!

"What is this strange thing..." Just as Lolita was about to take the doll, Rukia snatched it first, inspecting it. "I’m telling you, who would like a gift like this? If you’re going to give a gift, you should give a Chappy! You idiot!" She pulled a drawing from her robes, pointing at the pattern on it.

"A rabbit?" Ichigo couldn't help but retort at the familiar scene.

"It’s not a rabbit! It’s a Chappy! Apologize to my Chappy right now!" Rukia threw the strange cat-like, human-like doll at Ichigo.

But before it hit the ground, Lolita caught it mid-air. Fearing someone else might snatch it away, she hugged the doll to her chest as if protecting her own child, her cheeks flushed. "Ichigo... thank you. I love it..."

"Haha," Shuster smiled and gently ruffled Lolita’s silver hair. "Stop fooling around, let’s go!"