Chapter 5

Ichigo! You're up and about!

Yeah, sorry for making you worry. I'm back and better than ever.

Hey, you brought Toshiro back with you, too!

Don't misunderstand my reasons for coming here. I only came over because there was talk of food.

Come on, why can't you just admit it?

Shut it! So, what's on the menu today?

Barbecue! You've got to have a barbecue when you're at the beach!

Retsu prepared all of the ingredients and utensils for us. We just have to get the fire going and start grilling!

Lady Yoruichi, we'll take care of all the preparations. Please have a seat.

Let's get on with it, then!

You don't need to get so excited about setting up a barbecue, y'know.

Well, it looks like we're set. You know, I actually went to great lengths to prepare a selection of the best meat and seafood that I could find.

How about we all wager these ingredients and take part in a little contest?

What kind of contest?

Since we only have a few of the very best ingredients, whoever wins the contest will get to eat them!

It'll be one-on-one matches. We'll decide who goes against who by drawing numbers.

Please discuss with your partner how you will be facing off. We're all here on this vacation together, so let's try and strengthen the bonds of our squads, okay?

Number six... That's you. Let's do our very best.

S-Sure, let's go for it. What do you want to do for our match?

How about we recite ten different types of chemicals that are effective against Hollows?

Huh?

I said, how about we recite ten different kinds of chemicals that are effective against Hollows? I don't mind which one of us goes first.

Huh?!

Um, ah... Amino acids!

Wrong.

Glucosamine!

Wrong.

Why the hell would I know what chemicals work against a Hollow?!

So, do you admit defeat?

Fine, you win.

*Sigh* I wonder how the other matches are going. Guess I'll take a look.

Rukia, Renji. How's it going?

I lost to Yoruichi at her beach flag game.

I played a word association game about cute things with Orihime, but unfortunately, I lost.

Oh, I see.

I really wanted to win those delicious meats and share them with my brother, but rules are rules in a contest.

We'll still get to eat as much of the regular meat as we want, anyway.

Mhm.

Speaking of which, Ichigo, do you think Byakuya is enjoying the vacation?

Thinking back on it, the volleyball match ended in our loss, and he spent more time teaching me to surf than surfing himself.

I feel like I still haven't managed to accomplish what I set out to do.

It might not have gone exactly the way that you wanted, but I think he's probably just happy to be spending time with you, Rukia.

I think so, too.

Captain Unohana!

I, for one, would be extremely happy to know that Isane and everyone else were thinking about me and doing things for my benefit.

The important thing isn't what you're doing, it's who you're doing it with.

You are very important to Captain Kuchiki. I think you should have more faith in yourself.

Um, thank you! It's really reassuring to hear you say that.