Part 12: The Lost Agent Vol. 1, 3-1

Uryu!

Oh, Ichigo!

So he even gave Ichigo a call? Really? That was unnecessary.

Uryu...

You're so predictable. You speak like an adult, but it's still just talk.

I thought I wasn't supposed to be allowed visitors here. Couldn't my condition get even worse from having people come see me?

Don't be foolish. Who do you think operated on you? Your wounds won't get worse from having visitors.

You're an amateur who was slashed by an enemy and nearly died. You're not in any position to be telling your doctor what he should and shouldn't do.

Wait. He was...what? An enemy cut you down? What the hell's he talking about, Uryu?!

It's none of your business.

Of course this is my business! You were attacked and almost killed!

Listen, if you can't handle this thing yourself, then we'll have to do something about it together!

Say something!

Sharing any information is vital. Don't you let my efforts go to waste.

No one asked for your opinion!

Uryu...

I'm sorry, Orihime. There isn't anything I can say to you right now.

Please, go home.

............

Ichigo?

Huh? Oh, I bet you've gotta be pretty exhausted by now, Orihime. I'll walk you home.

What? No, but I... Uh, really?

Perhaps I'd better drive her back myself. And you should go home now.

I recall how your dad can be. He'd probably give me grief if he knew I had you out this late.

I understand. Thank you.

Ichigo doesn't seem like he'll be much help, so I'll tell you this instead.

Uryu wasn't attacked by a Hollow.

Huh?

But it wasn't by a Soul Reaper, either.

I found residual Spiritual Pressure on his wounds. And to be frank, I'm not sure if I can call it "Spiritual Pressure." It was a kind of energy signature unlike anything I've ever come across.

What does that mean?

Don't ask me. I've told you everything that I know about this.

My thinking is that even Uryu doesn't know a thing about who attacked him.

So you see, it's not that he didn't want to tell you what happened to him. It's just that he had nothing to tell.

I see...

This is just my hypothesis, but whoever attacked him possesses some power we know nothing about. This enemy is probably...a human.

Someone who is less like a Soul Reaper, and more like you and Sado.

Since Uryu is a Quincy, he would generally fall into that category as well.

Assuming that the attacker was human and had been targeting individuals with unique abilities...

...it's logical that the next person in line could be Sado or you.

What's going on here, damn it! I'm not understanding any of this!

Damn it! Isn't there anything I can do to stop it?!

............

Ichigo...Kurosaki.

Ichigo!

There you are! Do you know anything about Chad?

Could you be a little more specific, Orihime? What about him? What's up?

How's he doing?

"Doing?" Did he catch the flu or something?

Oh. So then, you don't know either?

I figured he should know about what happened to Uryu, so I went by his first period class to tell him. And guess what? He hasn't been coming to school lately.

Since you're close, I thought you'd probably know something about where he is.

I'm surprised. Guess you haven't heard from him either. I bet he's just sick. Think I'll go drop by his home with a get-well gift today.

Say! How 'bout you join me and we could both go check in on him?

Sorry. I've got stuff to do today, so...

(Has something happened to Chad too? What the hell is going on here?)

Tonight's not good. How about tomorrow?

Let's say, 8 p.m.? Show up in front of the rundown apartment building that's at 717th Street in the Chobara District. I'll hear what you want to talk about then.

Relax. I think I'll be able to help you.

Chad? Hey, Chad! You home?

From the look of things, I'd say he's not home.

Assuming that the attacker was human and had been targeting individuals with unique abilities, it's logical that the next person in line could be Sado or you.

Ah...!

No, don't! I mustn't think like that! He has to be doing just fine!

I pray that Chad will be back at school tomorrow feeling all better!