"I don't need new clothes," I protested. Here we go again. I only said that after yesterday I should probably change clothes, but that doesn't mean I need to buy anything. Kittan has some decent clothes. They'll suit me just fine. Yes, they're a little big, but that's okay. "They'll fit when you grow."
"That's if you grow," Kittan quipped—earning a slap on the head from Hikari. The girl herself was short and understood my pain about my appearance and height.
"Ouch!"
"No, Karasumaru-kun," Momoto-san insisted. "We're going."
"But—"
"Please!" She looked at me with such huge eyes that I couldn't resist.
But I should have insisted.… It turns out that Momoto-san often chats with Matsumoto…
I noticed the first warning sign as soon as we left the house, when she smiled slyly. And I felt the full horror when a familiar store appeared on the horizon…
They grabbed me and forcibly dragged me there...
Life is fleeting…
They brought me to the same store. The saleswomen recognized me, and costume hell began with renewed vigor. Damn, Dante experienced less torment in the circles of Hell than I did today… The others either pitied me or laughed at my misery. But their fun didn't last long. Their turn to become mannequins came right after. That was when everyone discovered this dark side of Momoto-san. Every single one of them had to participate in this hell.
I don't think any of us will forget this anytime soon.
All of us…
They did manage to find me some new clothes, but no shoes. I'm still barefoot, but never mind. The important thing is that I won't be going back to that store.
Having broken free from Momoto-san's shackles, I ran as far as I could. Maybe I should visit Matsumoto, and then check on Hotaru.
I was the first to reach that shinigami. Fortunately, she was already home. As always, she was asleep—she'd gone drinking again yesterday. Oh, that Rangiku… I had to cook again. Only a meal prepared for her by someone else could get her lazy bum out of bed.
An hour later, she got up and happily devoured her food. What a lazybones. It must be hard for her captain to have such an assistant.
"I'm not going to teach you Shunpo," she said immediately.
"No need for that right now—I came for something else."
"Oh? Interesting."
"Do you know how to heal?"
"I'm not teaching you that," she sighed.
"No need!" I rolled my eyes. "I need to help a friend. He's in very poor health and constantly needs medicine."
"Then take him to a doctor."
"That's impossible," I sighed. "He's a Marked One. Who would treat them?"
"Hmm." She scratched the back of her head. "I'm a bad healer. I never mastered those techniques. But I can ask Isane. She'll also off work soon—I'll tell her to come."
"Thank you," I smiled. "That will save Hotaru."
"Do you help them often?"
"As much as I can," I replied, sipping my tea. "No one else can help. The locals help me out—they know who I'm bringing everything to, so they sell to me without asking questions. Sometimes they even throw in a little extra. I just know how to get there quickly and quietly, so I handle that part."
"I see," she said, finishing her meal. "We'll come tomorrow."
"Thank you, Rangiku," I smiled.
"Ah! You're so cute!" she pounced on me and started squeezing me!
What a nightmare! I hate my cute appearance! She's stronger than me—I couldn't escape. Breathe! Oxygen!!!…
"Enough! Let me go, you wicked woman!" I finally struggled out of her grip. I had just escaped from Momoto-san, and now this. How awful. I hope this passes with age; otherwise they won't let me live.
Somehow, I managed to escape her grasp and flee. Yeah. It's not easy being me.
But the redhead kept her promise. The next day, after work, the shinigami came to me. Isane hadn't changed at all over the past year. Still just as modest and beautiful.
"Good afternoon, Isane-san," I greeted her.
"Hello, Karasumaru-kun," she smiled. "You've grown."
"And you are still as beautiful as ever."
The girl blushed at the compliment.
"Hey!" Rangiku protested. "Why don't you compliment me?"
"If there was something to compliment," I snorted.
"You little feathered rascal!" She grabbed me and started ruffling my hair.
"Let go, you lewd human female!" I tried to get out."Your watermelons are suffocating me!"
"What?! That's it!" She increased the pressure. Damn—she nearly scalped me.
"Rangiku-san! Don't torture Karasumaru-kun!" Isane tried to intervene.
"Don't stop me! He needs to learn good manners!"
"Who else here needs to learn them?" I shot back.
My torture continued for another ten minutes. Damn woman. She really knows how to torment someone.
Momoto-san invited my "friends" into the house and treated them to her baking. The girls were delighted. Isane listened attentively and agreed to examine Hotaru. After lunch, we gathered some food and headed to the Marked Ones.
Rangiku carried me on her back because we were traveling by Shunpo. No matter how fast I can run, I'm still far from a shinigami's abilities. But I must admit—it's a strange and pleasant feeling. I can't wait to do it myself.
When we arrived, I dismounted. The Marked Ones weren't expecting shinigami and tensed immediately. Honoka-san shielded the children with her body. Andy stood up, as did the old man.
"Calm down, everyone!" I said. Seeing me, they relaxed slightly. "I brought a good doctor."
At that, they finally eased up. Isane entered the right house and approached the patient. Pale, bald, thin, but still optimistic—Hotaru greeted her with a smile. The compassionate girl immediately began treatment. We all watched the process as if it were some ritual dance. I didn't understand anything, but it looked cool and, most importantly, seemed to help.
"How are you feeling?" I asked him.
"Good," he smiled happily. "A lot better!"
"Isane said you'll get better in time."
"Yeah!" His whole face glowed with joy.
"Well, okay, I'll go check on the others," I said, standing up. "Tetsu, Tatsu—come here!"
"Yes!" the kids cheered, running over. I let my friend chat with them for now while I spoke with Isane.
Leaving the house, I headed toward the shinigami.