A Cinematic Ending
A black cat crouched by the roadside, its amber eyes glinting with a strangely human-like expression. Its sleek fur showed it wasn't a stray.
Soi Fon's brows furrowed. That… expression. Impossible for a cat.
Bai Shi caught her gaze and chuckled.
"Want to pet it?"
"No," she said flatly. Unlike the obsession she would later develop, she felt nothing for the creature now.
"Don't be shy. Petting a cat isn't shameful," Bai Shi teased, tearing open a chiffon cake wrapper. He crumbled a corner into his palm.
"See? Use both kindness and force. A little menace to establish respect, and food to tempt it. Come here, little kitty."
The cat glanced at him, unimpressed. With a flick of its paw, it scratched five bloody lines across his palm before strolling away leisurely.
"Hah! Loser," Miyamoto Ikumi laughed.
"Idiot," Soi Fon said coldly.
Bai Shi only shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Dogs are easier. Cats… not so cute after all."
Ungaya Daishi glanced at his bleeding hand. "Do you need a clinic? Rabies is no joke."
Bai Shi waved it off.
"On a rare date like this? I'm not ruining it with something as unlucky as a hospital."
Ikumi blinked in surprise. "Date? Aren't you two brother and sister?"
Their height difference—1.85 meters beside 1.5—certainly gave that impression.
"She's a legal lolita," Bai Shi said proudly, throwing an arm around Soi Fon's shoulders.
Ikumi gaped. This penniless fool has a girlfriend like her?
Bai Shi grinned. "True love conquers all. By the way, Daishi—got any money?"
"Yes…" Daishi pulled out his wallet. Before he could count, Bai Shi plucked the bills from his hands.
"Consider this a loan. If we meet again in a hundred years, I'll pay you back tenfold."
Daishi chuckled. "Alright. What's your name, brother?"
"Shiraishi. From now on…" He trailed off, noticing Soi Fon's sharp eyes on him. He leaned closer to Daishi and whispered, "If you ever need me, Mi Village, West District 10."
"Is there even such a place in Japan?" Daishi frowned. He didn't care about repayment; he simply wanted to see Bai Shi again—to maybe touch another mysterious world.
"You'll know when the time comes."
"I'll try to find it," Daishi smiled. His curiosity burned brighter than his caution.
Bai Shi admired that. A true young man should chase the unknown. But without fate's favor… such men die young.
And fate, he knew, would not favor Ungaya Daishi.
He remembered: in the original tale, Kurosaki Ichigo once worked part-time at Unagiya, a small shop run by Ikumi Unagiya, a widowed mother.
"Some secrets shouldn't be uncovered," Bai Shi said softly. "Curiosity can be fatal."
"Yeah," Daishi nodded, though it was clear he hadn't listened.
Bai Shi said no more. He slung an arm over the boy's shoulder, then returned to Soi Fon and took her hand.
"We won't disturb your little world anymore. Goodbye."
Ikumi flustered. "Wha—don't say weird things! I don't have that kind of relationship with him!"
Daishi just smiled and waved. "Goodbye."
Bai Shi led Soi Fon away. After two blocks, he stiffened.
"…Strange."
"What?" she asked.
"We're being followed."
Soi Fon arched a brow. "Impossible." Tracking and counter-tracking were her forte. No one could tail her without being noticed—except, perhaps, the man beside her, whose concealment was unnaturally absolute.
"My senses don't lie," Bai Shi muttered. This isn't an occasional glance. Someone's watching constantly.
Soi Fon considered, then said, "We'll check. I count to three, we both turn. You left, me right."
"One, two, three."
They spun, scanning the street. No suspicious figures. Only…
"That cat again," Bai Shi muttered, spotting the black feline.
"It's just a cat," Soi Fon said with a scowl.
But Bai Shi rubbed his chin. A black cat…? Yoruichi Shihōin was famous for walking the earth in this form. Could it be…?
"This cat must like you," he said lightly. "Why not hold it?"
"I told you, I don't care for cats."
"Try," he coaxed, draping an arm around her and imitating a girl's whiny tone.
Goosebumps prickled her skin. She kicked him sharply. "Talk properly!"
He laughed and released her.
As Soi Fon approached, the black cat stayed still, then leapt gracefully onto her shoulder. Its warm fur brushed her cheek. Against her will, she didn't find it unpleasant.
Bai Shi's gaze lingered on its tail. Transformation matches the body… but what about the tail?
"Why are you staring at a cat?" Soi Fon asked dryly.
"Just curious."
"…Pervert. Don't go near it."
"You have the dirty mind," Bai Shi countered, taking her hand again. "Come on. Let's hit the amusement park. I've wanted to ride the Ferris wheel at night forever—"
"Machi Park closes at 5 p.m.," Soi Fon said, pointing at the hours posted outside.
Click. Another piece of his dream snapped off.
He exhaled, then grinned anyway.
"No problem. We'll play for now. I've got a better plan."