Pre-Conquest Holiday (4)

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

===

The long-awaited regionals had finally come. Ichigo and his schoolmates gathered in one of the arena's corners, discussing the best approach to winning the tournament. Their palpable enthusiasm was not shared with Ichigo. The young hybrid looked around in boredom, trying to find a decent participant to parry some of his half-hearted attacks.

'Why am I even surprised they are normal?'

Ichigo sighed as he concluded he would spend most of his time waiting for his turn. His fight would be lackluster so it would end in a flash. The club president noticed his lack of interest but mentioned nothing. He knew Ichigo's skills, so he didn't think forcing Ichigo to listen to him would change anything.

"All right, guys. The tournament is starting."

The fighters of the first round were called. The youngest member of the club went first. The club president and the coach acted as the officials and accompanied the Karateka to the mattress. The other members were cheering for her on the side. Ichigo watched the scene with a half-smile. The six supporters managed to be louder than half of the arena.

Eight fighters were competing from their school. 1 in the Women's Strawweight, 2 in the Women's Flyweight, 1 in the Women's Bantamweight, 2 in the Men's Lightweight, and 2 in the Men's Middleweight. Ichigo and the club president competed in the Middleweight. Ichigo was the tallest contestant, striking an intimidating appearance.

"Yoi, Hajime!"

The match began and Ichigo watched their youngest briefly before losing interest. The fight was in their youngest's favor, so his attention was unnecessary. His gaze swept over the audience and found his family looking at him with an intense gaze. Yuzu waved cheerfully, Karin nodded casually, and his father flexed his bicep for whatever reason.

Ichigo moved his gaze and found his friend group plus Chizuru. Uryū and Sado watched the tournament stoically, Orihime pumped her fist in encouragement, and Chizuru did her best to catch Orihime off guard so she could grab her breasts. A pointed look from Ichigo stopped her, though. She should think about Orihime's mortification for being molested in public even if it was by her friend.

Ichigo was about to return his gaze to the ongoing match when his eyes caught someone unexpected. Ikumi and Kaoru were in the audience seat. Kaoru was enthralled by the match, but Ikumi noticed him. She gave him an awkward wave which he returned briefly.

Ichigo wondered why Ikumi was there. He doubted she was there to watch him. After all, he didn't tell her he would compete. Ichigo's eyes followed Kaoru's line of sight. The kid watched a female Karateka fighting on one of the mattresses. A quick assessment told Ichigo she didn't resemble Ikumi at all. She wasn't a family.

'Why should I care?'

He shrugged in the end.

A few matches later, Ichigo's turn came. He went to the mattress and let his officials help him put on the gloves and protectors. He didn't need them but must wear them if he didn't want to get disqualified. Ichigo and his opponent met in the center of the mattress. The referee explained what they could and could not do, told them to bow to each other, and ushered them to go to their respective corner.

"Yoi, Hajime!"

As soon as the match began, Ichigo's opponent quickly shuffled to his side. Ichigo stepped forward calmly letting his opponent get closer. His opponent threw a punch when they were close enough. Ichigo stepped aside and swept his opponent's leg, making him fall. The match was temporarily stopped as the judges awarded him points.

The match resumed. Ichigo's opponent became more agitated as he was angry because of the previous bout. Ichigo closed in on his opponent this time, finding his opponent not worth his time. Ichigo threw a punch which his opponent blocked by crossing his arms. Ichigo immediately spun his body and kicked the side of his opponent's head.

Bang!

"Out!"

His opponent lost consciousness, making him automatically the winner. He bowed to the judges and the referee before going down the mattress. His clubmates were excited. They were celebrating the pathetic defeat of his opponent while praising him for a good job. Ichigo shrugged and enjoyed the moment. It sucks to be a loser.

Tatsuki's turn came soon after. She knocked out her opponent in the second round. Everyone agreed that Tatsuki had become stronger than she was a year ago. The club president's match was one match after Tatsuki's. He didn't knock out his opponent but dominated his opponent throughout the rounds. The winner was clear from the moment the match started.

"Onii-chan, that was an amazing fight! You just went woosh, poosha, and ba-dump!"

"That was a great match, Ichi-nii. I am surprised you didn't kill them with your strong hits."

Ichigo went to his family during the break time. His family was excited by his display, but he only registered his sisters' views. He didn't want to hear Isshin rambling about how he could have used German Supplex on his opponents, which was illegal. His friends joined them not long after. Uryū awkwardly greeted Isshin whereas Sado and Chizuru politely. Orihime instantly bonded with Yuzu and Karin after giving a quick hello to Isshin.

"I can't imagine you want to waste your time on this useless activity," Uryū remarked, correcting his glass.

"What else do you want me to do, Uryū?" Ichigo asked wryly.

"Studying medicine for once. You are not planning on becoming a professional athlete, are you?" Uryū's eyes narrowed.

"What is wrong with that?" Isshin asked in confusion.

"No one will take care of your clinic," Uryū pointed out.

Isshin's eyes darkened, "You have to be a doctor, Ichigo!"

Of all the things they could bond over, Ichigo didn't expect Isshin and Uryū to bond over his career choice. He wasn't averse to being a doctor; he wanted to be one. However, he didn't want to tell them about that. He felt better drenching them in suspense.

Two people approached them, causing Ichigo to turn to the side. They were Ikumi and Kaoru. Ichigo smiled at the mature lady, earning a pretty one in return. Kaoru looked hesitant but waved his hand cordially.

"Hello, Ichigo. Is this your father?" Ikumi greeted and gestured at Isshin.

"Hi, Ikumi, Kaoru. Yes, this is my father. Dad, this is Ikumi," Ichigo introduced Ikumi to Isshin.

Isshin gave Ikumi a once over before nodding his head with a smirk. "My son seems to have a preference. I approve; welcome to the family! Ah, I am Kurosaki Isshin. It's nice to meet you, Ikumi-san."

"W- What?"

Ichigo glared at Isshin as Ikumi sputtered. The ex-captain bowed politely, acting like nothing happened. Karin scrunched her nose up. Unlike the clueless Yuzu, she knew her father was messing with her brother.

"I do have a preference, but sorry about that. My dad suffered from a serious concussion a decade ago, leaving him with one functioning cell," Ichigo said smoothly, earning a snort from Uryū and a small chuckle from Ikumi.

"Likewise, Kurosaki-san," Ikumi bowed politely. "This is Kaoru, my son. Kaoru, introduce yourself."

"Unagiya Kaoru. Nice to meet you, Uncle."

"Wahaha! What a polite kid!" Isshin laughed before conspiratorially whispering to Ichigo. "Is that your son? How long have you been hiding him." Everyone could hear him.

Ichigo ignored the question and asked if everyone was hungry. They were uncomfortable with the mood Isshin set, so they affirmed readily. A few minutes later, they were eating in a restaurant. They somehow found a table big enough to accommodate them. Their conversation revealed to Ichigo that Ikumi and Kaoru were there to watch a neighbor's son compete. The kid had been bragging to Kaoru about it, so Kaoru pestered Ikumi to watch.

They returned to the arena once they finished lunch. The match resumed. Ichigo and his clubmates dominated the fight thanks to their practice with him. By some unfortunate chance, those in the same category met each other. Ichigo wasn't that interested in winning, so he was ready to concede the fight to his club president.

"No. You will be our Ace, Ichigo. Don't lose here. It's okay even if I don't get to the nationals. It might be my last year, but I will also compete in college."

Ichigo had to respect his club president's decision. He didn't defeat his club president with a single blow, though. He let his club president showcase his skills before defeating him. It lasted for two minutes, but it was his longest match. His club president fainted with a wide smile on his face. Everyone agreed it was the most intense match in the arena.

The rest was a blur. Ichigo came in first place and so did Tatsuki. The rest of his clubmates got either second or third. They went home carrying a medal and that put a smile on their faces.

"Say cheese!"

"Cheese!"

They took a photo together, showcasing their medals and certificates.

"Well, it seems we can hold off our celebration since everyone wants to spend time with their family," the president club smiled. "Everyone, good work today. I will inform you from the Email when we will go party!"

The winners bade farewell before leaving. Tatsuki remained with Orihime and Chizuru as they wanted to celebrate her victory together. Sado bade his farewell and left the arena. Uryū left after the semifinal. Ikumi and Kaoru were still there, talking with the twins.

"It's time for celebration! Where are we going?" Isshin enthusiastically exclaimed.

"Anywhere as long as you don't make a fool of yourself," Karin grumbled, earning a chuckle from Ichigo.

Ikumi approached Ichigo carefully, "Ichigo. A moment, please." Ichigo silently followed after Ikumi. "Something came up. I normally would leave Kaoru at home alone, but I don't think I can do that. I don't know anyone else I can depend on right now. Can you…?"

"Sure."

Ikumi sighed in relief. "Thanks. I will properly compensate you later."

Ichigo told his family he needed to help Ikumi. Ikumi apologized to Isshin for disturbing their family time, but he only gave Ichigo a thumbs up and said, "Go wild but safely."