Chapter 4

Achoo!

(Where am I? And why am I so cold?)

You're finally awake.

Toshiro? What is this place?

Are you not fully conscious yet? We're at the beach. I was cooling myself off here when you suddenly washed ashore.

Retsu took a look at you, but you didn't swallow any seawater apparently. You seemed fine, so she said to just let you rest here for a while.

Oh, right. I must've got swept away by a huge wave while I was surfing with everyone.

You're not injured, but the sun was beating down on you pretty hard. I cooled you down using Hyorinmaru's power. If I hadn't, you probably would've gotten heatstroke.

Thanks, but now I'm too freakin' cold! Why are you hanging out around here, anyway?

I'd rather take it easy than run around the beach like everyone else. I was hoping to relax over here, away from the noise.

I guess I get that, but you should still come and have a bit of fun, y'know? Everyone got really pumped up for the beach volleyball earlier.

Though I guess with your height, blocking might be a bit of an issue, huh?

What did you say?

But you do have a point. If I spend all my time relaxing, I'll end up out of shape. Ichigo, you should prove you're not all talk by sparring with me.

I wasn't the one who said you'd end up out of shape!

Wait, wait! You're not going to hold back even a little?! This isn't just sparring anymore!

You should be able to handle it, no problem.

What the hell, man?!

Ichigo? You're awake! How are you feeling?

Retsu! Hold up, Toshiro! Stop!

Tch.

S-Sorry. I was lucky that Toshiro was here when I got washed ashore. He was looking after me.

Looking after you? From where I'm standing, it looks like he was trying to kill you.

Well, that's...

Captain Hitsugaya, are you forcing Squad 4 to work during our vacation?

If this pointless fighting results in any injuries, you will receive no medical care from me.

If you're content with that, then go ahead, by all means.

(But I don't want to go ahead with this! At all!)

We just got a bit overexcited messing around. We'll be more careful! Right, Toshiro?

Yeah, that's right...

Is that so? In that case, make sure to take extra precautions as you play so as not to harm one another.

Of course! Whoa, now that things have calmed down, I'm starving!

Let's head back and eat, then.