Chapter 3: Learning About the Human World

But I haven't been there in such a long time. I've grown quite distant from their current trends.

We'll need to do a lot of preparation for this mission before we go.

That's true.

I know very little about the world of the living myself. Perhaps we should seek advice from those who have visited it recently.

That's a great idea.

Let's find someone who goes to the world of the living often, and ask them about it.

Hello there, Captain Komamura, Lieutenant Iba.

Hey, you guys! What perfect timing!

Actually, we were hoping to ask for a favor. You see...

...and that's where we need your help.

Ah, so you're going on a trip to the world of the living.

I'm sorry to take away from your time, but do you think you could lend me a hand?

I can help with that. Leave it to us.

Right, Renji?

Yeah, of course.

Oh, but would it be greedy of me if I asked for a favor in exchange?

It's just that I've been feeling kind of sluggish lately.

May I request for a quick training fight, Captain Komamura?

Not a problem. I'll be glad to be your opponent, if you don't mind.

Thank you very much, sir!

I appreciate that you're letting me learn from you. Well, here I go!

Thank you so much for the fight!

Don't be humble. It was good training for me as well.

Now, will you tell me about the world of the living?

I can only speak from what I've seen myself, but I'll tell you what I can.

Times change a lot faster over there, so there's always something that surprises me every time I go.

Oh? Is it that different?

Can you give some examples?

Let's see...

One time, I went to a shopping mall to buy some clothes for my Gigai, and there was a digital panel in front of the store.

If you stand in front of that panel, you can try on clothes using the picture of yourself that shows on the screen.

That sounds quite convenient.

It was. You just use the controls on the screen, and you can see all the clothes without actually having to put them on.

Hmm. That does sound interesting.

They also have a lot of portable devices.

I actually borrowed one from Ichigo the other day so that I could blend in with the world of the living as much as possible.

It's this, here. You put the earphones in your ears, work these buttons like this, and you can listen to music.

You can hear music out of this little machine?

So many people use it over there, so I thought I should get used to having one too.

That makes sense. Do you mind if I take a look at it?

Of course you can.

Hmm, I see. So you operate this by using this little screen?

Oh, but be careful. These devices are really fragile compared to the ones that they make in the Soul Society.

The LCD screen cracked.

I'm sorry, Renji. I thought I barely pushed it.

Oh, uh, it's fine! I mean, it's not fine, but it'll be okay!

I'm very sorry. I'll pay you the money for it.

No, no. I'm sure Ichigo will forgive us if we apologize.

Rukia! Have you seen my MP3 player?

What's an "MP3 player?"

That little device that plays music. You were using it the other day.

Oh, I lent that to Renji.

Don't just give my things away to other people without telling me! Go get it back, right now!