Little Changes

Aika was stunned speechless. She wasn't even sure that this is something that Kisuke would normally say. Nevertheless, despite her inexperience, she was able to tell the conviction that was behind him, even though he sounded really frivolous, 'What the... When did our relationship jump to this stage?!'

Naturally, she wasn't complaining and her heart thumped in glee a few times instead, even then she didn't know where this was coming from and this also became somewhat unsettling, 'Although he doesn't tell us everything, he promised that he wouldn't lie to us.'

"No, no, no. Instead of minding me, you should deal with those Gods. Aren't they a great risk for everyone if not dealt with properly?" Nevertheless, Aika still tried reminding Kisuke of the 'proper' priorities, "And would Yoruichi even agree, since it concerns everyone's safety? And what the hell's a 'late puberty'!? Are you saying that I was very immature until now!?", She asked while doing her best to suppress the grin that was about to surface from her face. "And lastly, don't just chalk this up to me going through puberty! Although there might be truth to that, it isn't everything!"

"You don't have to worry about that. Once I explain the situation to her, I'm sure she'll give me her approval." Kisuke then stood up, intending to leave without listening to Aika's complaints, "Now that the plan's been changed, I'll go break the news to Yoruichi and alter our other plans for a bit before meeting my appointment with Medusa."

Aika wanted to do the same thing, but she stopped when she felt Kisuke's hand on her head, "I may know a lot of things, but that doesn't mean I know most of the things in the world. While I knew that you were struggling with something, I didn't know what exactly it was. Nonetheless, if you want it resolved, as someone with a bit more experience in life than you, I can say that you first have to figure out what you want to do before you can start on a solution."

"In any case, if you want an ear to grumble in, I'll lend it to you later."

Aika could only stare at Kisuke's back who left the room and thought, 'What I want to do, huh... I honestly don't know... I hope I can think of something aside from the current status quo.'

.

.

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Kisuke arrived at the room where Yoruichi and Medusa were staying and talking about the current operations of the tower. There were only the two of them because the rest were watching Kuroka and Koneko do some tests and adjustments to their newly acquired strength, so that they could use it in a real battle.

The moment he entered the room, Yoruichi immediately asked in curiosity and concern, "How is she?"

Kisuke shook his head and said, "I would be lying if I said she's doing fine. Even then, I can't really help her since I don't really know what to do.", he then sat down beside her and asked, "Maybe you know what to do instead?"

Hearing that, Yoruichi couldn't help but giggle for a bit.

"...What? Is my helplessness really that funny?"

"Well, more than funny, it's really surprising.", said Yoruichi while shrugging her shoulders, "You, who played and schemed around literal Gods and Transcendent beings that break the rules of the world, spewing out all the possible scenarios despite not having the ability to see the future, is having a hard time dealing with a single girl. If those from the 12th Division and Visoreds, especially Kurotsuchi and Hiyori, were to hear this problem of yours, what do you think would be their reaction?

"I can, at least, imagine Aizen doing his best to break out of his seals, not to destroy Soul Society, but to give you a smack enough to obliterate your entire being."

Kisuke rested his back and replied, "Then he would need to gather all of his strength to annihilate me out of existence... probably."

Medusa didn't know nor have any idea of the names they mentioned, however, just the fact that someone out there could threaten Kisuke's life, who's pretty much almost immortal, made her shudder. Even then, she didn't say anything nor asked them to clarify what they were talking about. She knew for sure that there would be a time when Kisuke and Yoruichi would finally reveal their mysterious past. The fact that they allowed her to listen in already made her happy that they felt that she's trustworthy enough.

"Returning to Aika's issue, since it's you, even though you couldn't think of a solution, you at least have something in mind, right?"

Without any hesitation, Kisuke nodded, "Since I can't do it and none of us can truly help her, I'll bring her to people that could."

Yoruichi already has an idea of what Kisuke is trying to say. But before that, she curiously asked, "Even Hestia-sama or Artemis-sama can't help?"

Kisuke couldn't help but sigh before answering, "Hestia-sama and Artemis-sama might be able to say a few words that could help her, but remember, although Aika is, without any shadow of a doubt, one of us, she was originally not part of this world nor our world. She's not part of this sphere filled with violence.

"It's true that she might have already accepted this as her reality, but it's not so easy to replace the values and common sense that she'd cultivated through the majority of her short life and that life has always been a small and innocent experience. No matter how wise the Goddesses are, they can't fathom how she's lived such a life, just like I couldn't fully understand how everyone lives their lives."

A small smile emerged from Yoruichi's face and added, "Well, if one tried to fully understand someone else's way of life, there would only be a conflict due to misunderstandings, so there's no point in doing that." She then turned her sights to the quiet Medusa, "What do you think?"

Medusa was startled when Yoruichi suddenly asked her. However, she didn't have to think about her answer and said, "I'm sorry, but amongst everyone here, I'm probably the least experienced in regards to what life has to offer as I only spent my time fighting, rampaging, and escaping. Now that I've thought about it, it's really a miserable life."

"Ah... Sorry about that... I shouldn't have asked."

Medusa immediately shook her head, "Please don't apologize since you're just asking out of curiosity. Nevertheless, I do have something to say."

Kisuke and Yoruichi peeked at each other before staring at Medusa to wait for her, "Compared to the first time I met master, he has changed significantly."

While Yoruichi seemed to understand, Kisuke tilted his head in confusion and tried to think back, "Me? Changed?", he asked while internally grumbling, 'I'm still the lovable shopkeeper that can't help but think about the worst-case scenarios... Yep... No change in that.'

Medusa acknowledged that Kisuke himself didn't know about it so she continued, "When I first met you, although I wanted to do anything to return the favor that you'd granted me, I was actually scared of you."

Kisuke's brows furrowed but he let her continue, "Yes, I was incredibly thankful and ready to do anything and everything, but somehow, somewhere inside me feared you because although you sympathized with my situation, you also saw me as an interesting subject that you could study. Because of that, I wasn't sure if my fate would be better or worse in your hands."

"..."

"And even though it was different, I could tell that Akeno-san and Irina-san were in a similar situation as me when you took them in."

"..."

"But as I've said before, that was in the past.", Like a blooming flower, a smile that came from deep within her appeared on her face, "Right now, you're in the midst of figuring out what's the best, not just for our safety, but also our overall well-being. I'd like to serve master from the bottom of my heart from here on out."