(TL: The name of Shizuku was wrong, it was Senna...In my defense, who even watched the fillers...)
Ukitake left with the other Shinigami, leaving behind a visibly displeased Rukia.
It wasn't because of what Ichigo had done. If she had been in Senna's place, Ichigo would've done the same to protect her.
What really frustrated her was the fact that she had created her own love rival!
Just look at Senna, those tearful eyes practically wanted to suck Ichigo right into them!
"Thank you, Ichigo," Senna smiled sweetly.
"It's nothing. We're friends, after all," Ichigo brushed it off.
Rukia couldn't stand it anymore. Excuse me? I'm still standing right here, and you're flirting with my man?!
She immediately stepped forward and grabbed Ichigo's arm.
"This memory orb girl, I get it—you're grateful to my Ichigo. I'll accept that gratitude on his behalf."
Oh yeah, total official wife energy.
Not to be outdone, Senna clung to Ichigo's other arm, eyes flashing.
"That's not right. I heard from Yuzu and Karin that this Rukia-san is just… someone staying at Ichigo's house, isn't she?"
"Well aren't you bold. Ichigo literally stormed the Soul Society for me. Our relationship's long past that point."
"Really? Because just now, Ichigo didn't hesitate to protect me first."
Ichigo stared at the two girls on each side of him.
For the first time… he felt what it truly meant to be in a love battlefield.
Neither Senna nor Rukia backed down. As their voices escalated, sparks flew.
"Hmph! I guess you need a real lesson on where I stand in Ichigo's heart!" Rukia's spiritual pressure began flaring around her.
Senna wasn't backing down either. "Oh yeah? Let's test that, then."
Golden reiryoku began rising around Senna as well.
If Ichigo didn't stop them now, this was going to blow up.
So he wrapped his arms around both of them and shouted, "Alright, that's enough! Calm down, will you?!"
You know what? For both Rukia and Senna, this was the first time being held by Ichigo like this.
And just like that, both their faces turned bright red.
Technically, there was no rule in the Soul Society that said a Shinigami could only marry one person. In fact, their system resembled that of an old aristocracy—noble families could do as they pleased, with only a few exceptions like the Shihouin.
Seeing the two calm down, Ichigo finally let out a sigh of relief.
Whether it was Rukia or Senna , he didn't want to lose either of them.
What guy would want to see a girl he risked his life to save marry someone else?
Seriously, right?
Rukia huffed. "I'm heading to the Urahara Shop. I need to ask Kisuke how we're going to handle that canyon in Soul Society's skies. I'll be home tonight."
Ichigo nodded. "Alright. I'll wait for you at dinner."
Before leaving, Rukia shot Senna a glare.
Senna just stuck her tongue out in response.
After she was gone, Senna's mood dropped again.
After all, she had just learned her identity was fake. Her memories weren't real. Anyone would struggle to handle that.
If it hadn't been for Rukia's presence diffusing some of that pain earlier, Senna might have totally shut down.
"Senna, are you alright?" Ichigo asked gently.
Senna didn't even bother pretending around Ichigo anymore. She looked at him with pitiful eyes.
"Can you come with me to the graveyard from yesterday?"
Ichigo paused, then nodded. "Yeah."
At the graveyard, the two stopped in front of a certain gravestone—just as Senna remembered.
"I remember… it was right here!" she said.
Ichigo crouched and examined the name carved on the headstone, then turned to Senna .
The moment Senna read the inscription, her eyes widened. Her expression darkened.
"As I thought… my name isn't on it," she murmured, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Ichigo immediately stood up and wrapped her in his arms, stroking her hair.
"It's okay. It's okay," he whispered. "No matter what those memories were—whether fake or real—they're in the past."
"What matters… is that we met each other. That's real. That memory belongs to you and me."
Senna's heart warmed at his words. She lifted her tear-streaked face.
Ichigo continued, "Forget the past. It doesn't matter anymore. Starting today, you'll have a new life. We'll create our own memories."
With that, Senna threw her arms around his neck, and Ichigo instinctively caught her.
She whispered in his ear, "Thank you, Ichigo."
(She wasn't very tall, maybe just slightly taller than Rukia… around 150cm or so…)
(Ichigo's life was getting more chaotic by the day…)
The girl no longer questioned her identity or feared being taken away again.
The boy, with his strength—and more importantly, his sincerity—had convinced her to stay.
This time, there was no scarf fluttering in the wind.
This time, Ichigo would take her hand—and never let go.
That evening, back at the Kurosaki household...
"Yuzu, let me help you with dinner!" Senna offered as soon as she walked in and saw Yuzu cooking.
"Huh? You know how to cook too, Senna-nee?"
"Of course! Onee-san's skills are top tier!"
She rolled up her sleeves and immediately showed off.
After all, she was a memory orb—a fusion of many souls. There had to be at least one excellent cook in there!
"Wow, the food is delicious tonight! Yuzu, your cooking's gotten even better," Isshin praised at dinner.
"That wasn't me—it was Senna-nee who cooked!" Yuzu quickly corrected him.
Everyone, even Rukia, looked at Senna in surprise.
Senna smiled sweetly at everyone except Rukia. "It's just regular home cooking. Don't praise me too much, Uncle."
Then she turned to Rukia and flashed a sly smile (or so it looked to Rukia).
"Hehe, looks like I took the lead~" she whispered smugly.
Rukia turned her head with a huff, but internally she was on high alert.
Damn this woman… she even knows how to cook? And it's actually good?! No way—I need to make up for this somewhere!
After dinner, Rukia volunteered, "I'll wash the dishes. I didn't help cook, so let me do at least this much."
Before anyone could reply, she rushed off to the sink.
"Then I'll tidy up the rooms!" Senna said, not to be outdone.
Watching the two women suddenly clean like mad, Karin sighed and turned to Yuzu. "What's up with them?"
Yuzu thought about it and replied seriously, "Hmm… It's definitely because of Ichigo. It's obvious—both Senna-nee and Rukia-nee are showing off their wife skills!"
Karin had no words. This whole thing was absurd…
But… it was true.
The two girls went all out cleaning the house.
Eventually, they sat down on the couch, panting.
Rukia glanced sideways. This girl… she's a worthy opponent!
Senna also thought, No wonder she met Ichigo before me. She's not easy to deal with.
Just then, Yuzu brought over slices of watermelon.
"Senna-nee, Rukia-nee, you've been cleaning all day—have some watermelon!"
Isshin, Ichigo, and Karin joined in.
After taking a bite, Isshin was stunned. "Who bought this? It's so sweet!"
"Rukia-nee did! She bought it on the way home," Karin explained.
"Ah, this must've cost a lot. You didn't need to go that far, Rukia," Isshin said.
Though his salary wasn't bad, feeding three kids wasn't easy. Things like watermelon were usually rare treats.
"It's nothing. I've been eating here for free. I felt bad, so I'll take care of the fruit from now on," Rukia declared proudly, patting her chest (though she didn't really have much to pat).
Ichigo was flustered. "No, you really don't have to…"
"It's fine. You know me, Ichigo. This is just a drop in the bucket. Besides, you don't want me just freeloading here, right?"
Senna narrowed her eyes. She's counterattacking with fruit offerings? Ugh! But… the watermelon is really good…
She stewed in frustration… while eating two more slices.
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Isshin snuck into Ichigo's room.
"Old man? What's up?" Ichigo asked, confused.
Isshin patted his shoulder seriously. "Ichigo… I have to ask you—between Rukia and Senna, which one are you going to choose?"
"Huh? Choose? What are you talking about?" Ichigo looked at him blankly.
According to Zangetsu, considering their current spiritual energy levels, both Rukia and Senna were close to Captain-class power.
They'd live for thousands of years easily.
So… why did he have to pick one?
No way these two were going to fight each other for centuries, right?
Rukia, Senna: …You sure about that?
(Seriously, even some Emperor and Kings—wasn't their house full of wives constantly fighting? These things never end well.)
Luckily, the two girls seemed to have come to some kind of truce. At home, they stopped competing.
But out on Hollow patrol missions? It was a different story…
Still, maybe that was fine.
If they didn't act like that, Ichigo might actually start doubting if they really liked him.
After a few days of rest, Ichigo took Senna to Soul Society to handle her official identity.
After all, she was a powerful Shinigami. The Gotei 13 had to be involved.
With support from Yoruichi and Unohana, Senna was formally admitted to the 13th Division—the same one currently stationed in Karakura Town.
From that day forward, she became an official Shinigami and could even receive Soul Society's monthly stipend.
And when she released her terrifying spiritual pressure—comparable to a Captain's—it was settled.
(End of Chapter)
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