Chapter 244: Disillusioned (I)

Chapter 244: Disillusioned (I)

“Heading out at this late hour, Harribel?”

The soft voice drew Harribel's attention, and she turned to find Izumi clad in a loose t-shirt and denim shorts, looking awfully cozy in the rather warm environment. The former Quincy had settled in as if she’d always belonged here. And despite her clear yearning for Kazuya’s affection, Izumi seemed untroubled by his roster of other lovers—an attitude that Harribel found both admirable and refreshing.

Less conflicts among them meant fewer headaches for Kazuya, after all.

“My mind wanders every time I sit idly. I need a walk to cool my head.”

Izumi nodded in understanding. “I can relate to that. I also can’t stop thinking about Otouto... which happens every other minute. I miss being in her warm arms.”

The raw longing in Izumi’s expression softened Harribel’s gaze. “Izumi, it’s only been a day. Be more patient.”

“It feels like forever...” Izumi said with a sigh before shaking her head. “In any case, try to come back before dinner.”

“That is my intention.”

With a parting nod, Harribel took her leave, setting out for her favorite spot to quiet her restless mind—the bridge overlooking the gently flowing river, the only one in the town. Bathed in the orange hues of the sunset, she reminisced about her times with Kazuya. She had gotten his messages through the Hell Butterfly but they couldn’t make up for the lack of his warmth around her.

‘This mission will come to pass soon... And we’ll be together again.’RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

Lost as she was in wistful remembrance, Harribel almost failed to notice the approaching spiritual pressure until its owner was nearly upon her.

“My, my... you look really sad out here, Harribel. Is your companion not around to keep you company?”

Her solitude thoroughly shattered, Harribel glanced up to find a familiar silver-haired Shinigami hovering above her, his smile no less unsettling in the fading sunlight. He was the only man capable of setting her on edge with his mere smile.

“Did you have a fallout?” Gin asked, his grin widening a tad. “I’m usually good for relationship advice but lesbians are outside of my expertise.”

After all, the reward would be staying by Kazuya’s without interruptions. A reward worth going through all the trouble in the world.

Considering the risk behind it, she shook her head. “Kaz doesn’t need anyone’s help. She can handle her own revenge.”

Gin’s smile evaporated, replaced by a concerned look. “She’ll never get another chance because Aizen isn’t leaving the Soul Society. If he does, he’ll be more powerful than ever. Just take my deal. I’ll bring him to Hueco Mundo and isolate him with your friend. Once he is gone, you won’t have to worry about a schemer targeting your peaceful life.”

He sounded genuinely desperate, or he was a god at faking emotions — Harribel leaned towards the former rather than the latter as she was decent, if not excellent, at judging people.

She crossed her arms, sizing up the creepiest Shinigami she had crossed paths with. “What if this is a setup to get rid of Kaz? How can a Hollow like me trust you, a Shinigami, to keep his words?”

Gin turned to face her fully, his icy blue eyes glimpsing from half-closed lids. “No one in the current Soul Society has the power to stop your friend from leaving. She is abnormally powerful for a Hollow...”

She was once again reminded of the ridiculous strength of her lover. In the likelihood she was deceived by Gin and everything turned out to be a trap, she was confident in Kazuya’s ability to escape with his life.

Her lips curled up. “I can say the same about Aizen... someone like him shouldn’t exist among the Shinigami.”

Gin smirked. “Let’s correct that little mistake. Are you in?”

Harribel hesitated, torn between her desire to see Kazuya’s mission concluded and her instinctive wariness of Gin’s motives. “I will... discuss the matter with Kaz. Though I cannot guarantee her agreement.”

“Fair enough.” Gin tucked his hands into his loose sleeves and gave a smile that was far less creepy, seemingly genuine. “I’ll meet you here tomorrow. Give me your decision then.”

With a curt nod, Harribel turned to leave, her mind already racing ahead to her next steps. She would need Kisuke’s expertise in contacting Kazuya, and quickly.

She turned around to leave. She had to hurry home and borrow Kisuke’s expertise in sending a message to Kazuya.

“Gin Ichimaru,” the Shinigami called her, prompting her to glance back. “Since we might well be working together soon, I thought you ought to know my name. Until tomorrow, then.”

And with that, he vanished in a flickering blur of Shunpo, leaving Harribel alone with her troubled thoughts and the looming darkness of the night.