Chapter 2

You followed me here of your own accord. What did you do that for?

Because we picked up something you dropped near the shrine, geez! Here, take it!

Huh? Huh, you're not kidding. These are getting harder and harder to buy, even in the human world, so you really saved me some trouble there.

What is that magazine, anyway? I think I already know, but...

Do you want to see it? Here.

*Gasp*

Whooooooaaa!

A sexy magazine?! Ugh, I knew it! You can't just go around dropping those!

Sheesh. Anyway, our business is done here, so let us go back to our world.

I don't know how to send humans back. Shouldn't you know, since you came here in the first place?

I don't. I've always had someone send me back.

Psh.

I wouldn't be here if you didn't drop that stupid magazine of yours, you pervert!

I'm not a pervert. I'm conducting research on human desires.

Stop trying to make your excuse sound legit!

Oh, fine. Come with me.

Help me out, Shinji. I've landed myself in some trouble.

What is it, Lisa? I'm dealing with enough as it is. I already told you we don't have time for you to go and buy your sexy magazines!

Too bad, I already went and bought one. But I also accidentally brought back a human, so...

What? A human? Another one?!

You guys are here, too?

Rukia?!

You also got dragged in here, huh?

Only because I followed you when you ran off!

Well, it's a good thing we found each other. Getting separated here would be bad news.

Are you guys done with your teary reunion now?

Wait, Shinji?!

That's right. I'm Shinji Hirako, Lord of the Lake, so you'd better bow down to me.

Lake? It's more like a swamp. Stop being so pretentious.

Whatever, same thing. Anyway, we'd love to send you guys back, but...

...we've got a festival to go to, so we can't. Sorry about that.

What?! That's the worst excuse I've ever heard!

Quiet down, will you? You wouldn't want any other spirits to find out you're here.

You should know that by now, since it's your third time here and all.

That's true, but...

Hey, how do you know who we are?

We heard about you guys from the Rukia of this world. And then the Rukia of your world told me that you'd come back.

But wow, they really do look alike. I bet she could fool even a fox spirit with those looks.

So, you know the Rukia from this world?

Yeah, we're kinda like shut-in buddies.

Shut-ins, huh?

Rukia rarely ever comes down from her mountain.

We'll have to go to her ourselves if you want to meet her.

Huh?