The two of you walked side by side in Karakura Town, the chilly evening breeze rustling through the leaves. Hiyori, ever the spitfire, was grumbling about something—probably Shinji annoying her earlier. But despite her sharp tone, there was a warmth in her eyes when she glanced at you.

"I still don't get how I ended up with a regular human like you," she muttered, her voice tinged with her usual tsundere edge. "You're weak, you know? No spiritual powers, no zanpakuto... nothing."