Chapter 3: The Fruits of Training

I-chi-goooo! Whatcha doing here?

Huh? We're about to go check out that café near the station.

Never mind Tatsuki, but do you actually mean you're hanging out with both Orihime and Rukia?!

Do you even understand what sort of envious situation you're in?! It's beyond harem status!

And here I am, always being left out of your fun events!

The one near the station? You mean the one that has a special menu out right now?

I guess so. That's what Orihime said.

Can I join you guys?

Yeah, sure. I don't mind.

Please, don't ignore me!

Oh, I didn't even notice you were there, Keigo.

I was obviously here! I was with you the whole time, wasn't I?!

Hey, Ichigo.

Huh? Oh, hey, Chad. What's up?

I found this.

Kon! Where were you hiding all this time?

Thanks. We were kind of looking for him too.

So? What were you doing with Chad?

He's freakin' scary, Ichigo!

I don't even know why, but he came running at me all of a sudden without a word! He doesn't change his facial expressions or anything!

I should've known! I belong by your side, Rukia! I'll follow you to the ends of the earth!

You idiot! That's how you keep getting yourself into trouble all the time.

*Beep Beep Beep*

Ichigo!

We'll talk about this later. You get into my body and head over to the café with them. I'll catch up later.

Oh, sure.

I'll help you.

Thanks.

Oh, wait! I'll come too!

No, you go with them, Orihime. I need you to keep an eye on Kon so that he doesn't do anything stupid again.

We have to hurry!

Rukia, you seem to be moving a bit differently today.

You can tell?

Tatsuki taught me some Karate earlier.

Oh, I see.

I feel like I can move a lot easier now.

And the way I balance my strikes...

Quit talking about that right now. We need to finish this quickly and join up with them.

Right, sorry. Let's concentrate.

Why are you still smiling?

Me? I'm just amazed at karate. I only learned the basics but my fighting style feels different.

I thought I still had a long ways to go in order to master Hakuda, but I think this training in the world of the living is pretty useful after all.

Then... Do you want to try boxing next?

Sure. I want to study as much as I can while I'm here.

Hey, guys. Let's head over to the café already.