Chapter one: Kousei.

"Isn't it fascinating?" a thin, fragile figure murmured, tightening his grip. "Life, in all its cruelty, gives even the smallest creatures the power to overcome. A scorpion's sting, a snake's bite—they can bring down giants. In this world, the seemingly weak can reveal incredible strength."

The man he held struggled, eyes bulging in disbelief. The alley was narrow and dark, the only sounds the distant hum of Rukongai nightlife and the man's desperate gasps for air. The larger man, once a local thief who had terrorized the weaker residents of the district, now found himself at the mercy of someone he had overlooked as insignificant.

The teenager's grip was strong, despite his appearance. He smiled, his teeth white and even. His calm demeanor was at odds with the violence with which he squeezed his captive. Around them, the dim light from a nearby lantern cast long shadows, flickering as if mocking the man's fading strength.

"I find that beautiful." His voice softened, almost reverent. "It's the unexpected strength, the hidden potential that makes life truly fair. It's not about who's bigger or stronger or any other superficial trait. It's so much more than that. Even the smallest spark can start a wildfire."

The larger man gasped, his struggles growing weaker. The teenager's grip grew even stronger, a stark contrast to his delicate appearance. As the man's vision blurred, he couldn't help but be struck by the surrealness of the situation. This was not how he imagined his night would end—overpowered by some weak kid he intended to rob.

"It's unpredictable, that's what I love about it. You just never know." A slight grin tugged at his lips, the expression unnerving in its intensity. "One minute, you think you've got it all figured out. Then the next..." A giggle escaped his lips, the sound soft and childlike. There was a snap, a choked cry. The man's body jerked, then sagged, falling limply to the ground.

For a moment, there was silence. The teenager let go, his victim collapsing like a ragdoll. "See?" He sighed, a content smile on his face. "It's wonderful." His gaze turned to the sky. "Isn't it?" The darkness stared back, no answer forthcoming. He giggled again, a high, giddy sound.

[ . . . . . . . . . ]

The soft clinking of coins echoed through the streets of Rukongai as a small pouch filled with currency was tossed into the air and caught again. The repetitive, metallic jingle broke the quiet murmur of Rukongai's nightlife. A thin, fragile figure strolled through the streets, his fingers deftly playing with the pouch of coins. Each toss and catch followed a rhythm, a peculiar melody in the stillness of the night.

The streets of Rukongai were lined with modest buildings, their silhouettes illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. A few scattered residents glanced his way, curiosity and caution in their eyes, but none approached. The street stretched ahead, flanked by wooden houses with tiled roofs, casting elongated shadows under the dim light.

His steps were confident, unhurried, dark blue locks of hair swaying in the cool breeze. He glanced around, his golden irises reflecting the lantern light. He was dressed plainly, with dull, muted colors on his yukata, the simple garment tied loosely at his waist, rustling softly with each movement, its fabric worn but clean.

"That oaf had a lot of coin on him," he thought, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "Did he just steal it, or was he just hoarding it like a greedy rat?" He caught the purse one last time, tightening his grip around it. "Either way, it's mine now." He paused, glancing down at the pouch in his hand, a strange glint in his eyes. "With this," he mused, "I should have enough to make it to Seireitei."

He looked around, searching for a resident who might provide some information. His eyes settled on an elderly man standing on the entrance of a small shop, his face lined with years of hardship. The old man's eyes widened slightly as the teenager approached, his posture tensing.

When he was within an arm's reach, the teen spoke, his voice quiet but polite. "What district is this?"

''...'' The old man stared at him, suspicion written across his face. How could he not be suspicious? After all, he had seen this blue haired, fragile-looking boy walk into the alley followed by the district's most notorious criminal, only for him to emerge without a scratch a few minutes later, holding a pouch full of money. ''South Rukongai, District 22.''

The teen nodded, a pleased expression on his face. "I'm close, then," he said, reaching into the pouch and fishing out a coin. "Here." He tossed the coin, the man's hand automatically moving to catch it. "Thanks for the information." With that, he turned, making his way back to the street.

''Hold on a second." The teen turned, raising an eyebrow as the old man stared at him, the coin clutched tightly in his hand. He hesitated, clearly debating whether or not he should speak. "What... what did you do to him?" he finally asked, his voice low, his words directed towards the alley where the boy had emerged from earlier.

''To who?'' the teen asked, tilting his head.

"I... never mind," the old man said quickly, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter.'' Was it experience, or was it a premonition, that made the man change his mind? Either way, the blue haired youth didn't question it, merely shrugging his shoulders. ''Wait, just one more thing. What's your name, boy?''

"Kousei," the teenager replied, his thumb and index finger absently twirling a strand of his dark blue hair. "Kousei Endou.'

[ . . . . . . . . . ]

The path Kousei walked was worn but still visible, a narrow dirt trail winding its way between two distinct landscapes. On one side, the blackened remnants of a structure lay in ruins, with a gloomy field full of dead trees and grass lying on the outskirts of a district. The ground, barren and lifeless, was marked by scars from old flames.

On the other side of the road, nature bloomed as if nothing had happened. Grass swayed in the breeze, vibrant and full of life, tall trees with rustling leaves creating shifting patterns of light on the ground. Insects sang their songs, accompanied by the melodious chirping of birds perched among the branches.

Kousei hummed a soft tune as he followed the path, his gaze flitting between the two worlds, one alive and thriving, the other dark and barren. His fingers absently ran through his blue hair, brushing a few stray strands away from his eyes, his sandals kicking up dust with every step, creating a small cloud of brown powder around his feet.

As he approached the remnants of one of the charred structures, something caught his eye—a figure lying on the ground, motionless. He stopped, tilting his head, intrigued rather than concerned. There was a girl, blonde hair matted with dirt, her clothes torn and her body marked with even more dirt. Her face was turned to the side, her eyes closed, lips pressed together.

Kousei knelt down beside her, his gaze cool and detached. He noticed the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest. "Well, you're still alive," he muttered, brushing a few strands of her hair away from her face. "You look like a wreck," he said softly, almost to himself. "Passed out from hunger, huh? Must mean you've got some spirit energy, like me."

He poked her cheek gently. "Hey." No response. He poked her again, a bit harder. "Wake up." Still nothing. With a sigh, he sat down cross-legged beside her. "Alright then," he murmured, reaching into his bag as he pulled out a small loaf of bread. "This should do the trick. You hungry?"

Kousei waved the piece of bread near her nose, almost teasingly, like one would do with a treat for a dog. He moved it back and forth, watching for any reaction. It didn't take long. After a few seconds, the girl's nose twitched, her lips parting almost imperceptibly. He grinned, a strange, childlike delight shining in his eyes. "Thought that might get your attention."

Blue orbs snapped open, wide and unfocused, searching. The blonde turned her head as Kousei continued to wave the bread just out of her reach, watching her eyes follow the movement. "Funny, isn't it?" he said lightly, almost conversationally. "Most people don't need much food to get by. Passing out from hunger is a foreign concept to them. But you and me? We need a bit more than the usual to keep going."

''You... You too?'' The girl's voice was weak, her gaze still unfocused.

''Yup.'' Kousei held the bread out to her. ''Go on, eat it.'' With trembling hands, the girl managed to sit up. No words were exchanged as she took the loaf, biting into it without hesitation, a blissful expression spreading across her features as she chewed, slowly regaining her senses.

''...''

There was a pause as she swallowed, looking down at the half-eaten piece of bread. Her gaze drifted back to Kousei, looking conflicted for a brief moment, before she offered him the remaining portion. Kousei chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "You finish it," he said, standing up. "Aren't you starving?"

''But...'' The girl had a weird expression on her face. "You look like you haven't eaten in days."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kousei's brows twitched. "I'm not the one who was passed out in the dirt."

"Are you sure?" The girl stared, unconvinced. "You look kind of sick and—ow!" Kousei pinched the girl's cheeks, tugging her face this way and that, a mock serious expression on his face.

"How rude," he said. "I'm just naturally skinny."

"Ah! Ow ow ow ow! That hurts! Stop pulling my face!" she squealed.

"Hmph." With one final pull, he released her face. "Now eat up, or I'll reconsider." The blonde scrambled away, clutching her red, swollen cheeks and rubbing them furiously. She shot him a dirty look before stuffing the remaining bread into her mouth, chewing slowly, almost as if to spite him.

''Rangiku.'' / ''Hm?'' / "That's my name," she clarified, her words slightly muffled.

"Ah." Kousei brushed the dirt off his clothes, his shadow falling over the girl as she sat on the ground, the sun behind him. "We didn't really get a chance to introduce ourselves, did we?" He extended a hand to her. "I'm Kousei. Nice to meet you." She glanced at his hand, hesitated for a moment, then took it as he helped her up.

''Kousei.'' Rangiku repeated, as if testing the name.

Rangiku wiped the crumbs from her mouth and stretched, shaking off the stiffness. Her gaze settled on Kousei, noticing for the first time their height difference. Though he seemed her age, he was almost a head taller.

Kousei's dark blue hair was long and wild, flowing past his shoulders. Two prominent bangs framed his face, curling up at the tips, contrasting with Rangiku's shorter, straighter blonde hair.

Kousei noticed her staring and raised an eyebrow, an amused smile forming on his lips. "Caught you staring," he teased, tilting his head slightly, his bangs shifting with the movement.

"I wasn't staring," she muttered, looking away quickly. "I was just thinking... I've never seen you around here before."

''That's because I'm not from this district," Kousei replied matter-of-factly, turning his gaze back to the path. "Just passing through on my way to Seireitei."

"Seireitei?" Rangiku echoed, her eyes widening. "But that's where Soul Reapers live, isn't it? Why would you go there?"

"To become a Soul Reaper," he said matter-of-factly. "Why the surprise?" he added, glancing at the dilapidated buildings. "I've had enough of this place, it's boring me to death. The stench, the mindless rabble—it's all so... uninspiring, so mundane.'' His gaze met hers, golden orbs glittering. "Don't you crave something more?"

Rangiku averted her gaze, staring at her feet. ''More?'' Whatever she had expected him to say, it wasn't that. It wasn't that she disagreed with him—far from it, actually, the Rukongai was a dull and bleak place. But becoming a Soul Reaper, entering the Gotei 13—that was no small feat.

"... I once met a Soul Reaper," Kousei began, his voice carrying a hint of reverence. "She was a seated officer who came to our district for an investigation. The moment I saw her, I was captivated. Her strength wasn't just physical—it was something deeper, something that radiated from her very being." He paused, shaking his head as if still in awe. "She had this presence, an undeniable aura...''

''That day, I was starving, just like you were when I found you,'' Kousei recalled, a distant look crossing his features. "I was at the district's market, begging for scraps. The vendors were as stingy as ever; I didn't even have the strength left to steal. Then, out of nowhere, she knelt beside me, offering a rice ball. I bit into it so fast that I ended up biting her finger."

He rubbed the back of his neck. ''She didn't even flinch, just laughed.'' There was a short pause, the ghost of a smile on his lips. ''When I met her gaze, I felt it—the power radiating off of her, the intensity.'' Kousei stared at his palms, as if imagining the feeling. "I couldn't wrap my head around it. 'How?' I wondered. 'How can someone who appears so delicate possess such strength?'"

He turned to Rangiku. "When she turned to leave, I crawled after her like a stray dog, desperate for any scrap of hope. I begged her to teach me how to get stronger, so that one day I could be like her." Kousei's voice had a faraway quality, as if lost in the memory. "I still remember her words, as clear as day."

"You already have that strength," Kousei repeated, his gaze fixed on his palm. "There is a reason for that hunger you experience.'' In Kousei's mind, an image of the woman opening her palm and summoning a ball of light appeared. "We have a well of power inside of us, a reservoir that these people around us lack. That's the only reason I found you, even in your state, your spiritual energy stood out.''

With her other hand, she grabbed his own, and forced his palm open. ''I knew what to do, even without her teaching me. My palm began to glow with a bright light, and soon after a sphere formed.'' He could still see her smiling as the glowing sphere floated above his palm. ''That was the last I heard from her before she walked away.''

''...''

Kousei shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts. ''Sorry.'' He cleared his throat. "I'm not usually one for sentimental ramblings. I guess you caught me in a good mood," he said, looking a little embarrassed. "Having said that, I'd better get going."

"Wait." Rangiku stepped forward. "If you're planning to leave the district, that means you'll be going straight through the main road, right?" When Kousei nodded, she continued. "I'm heading that way as well, the market is over there, with some luck I might get my hands on some fruit. Would it be alright if I tag along until then?"

"Sure," Kousei agreed. "Let's go."

[ . . . . . . . . . ]

''Living conditions sure improve the closer you get to the Seireitei," Kousei muttered, taking in the sights around him.

''What does that mean?'' Rangiku asked.

''The buildings, the people—there's a difference,'' Kousei observed, glancing around. ''This place has more structure, less chaos. Even the air feels cleaner.'' He took a deep breath, as if to illustrate his point. ''Don't get me wrong, it's still a hellhole, but it's a cleaner, less miserable one.''

''Hm...'' Rangiku hummed thoughtfully. ''I have never left this district, so I wouldn't know the difference. Are things really that bad where you come from?''

''You have no idea.'' Kousei scoffed. ''I once heard the higher the number, the worse the district. I'm inclined to agree with that." There was a pause as he pondered his next words. "I grew up in South Rukongai, District 74. That place is nothing more than a hardscrabble, violent, crime-infested mess. I'm glad to be out of there."

"You have been traveling for a while, then." / "Yup, eleven months and counting.''

''I think I have about a month before the next batch of applicants enter the Academy. If everything goes according to plan, I should be ready to join them, I'll get my blade and uniform there.'' Kousei ran his hand through his hair, pushing his bangs further to the side. ''I heard the program lasts around six years, but that's not really a problem. I've got nothing but time."

''Sounds tiring...'' Rangiku muttered. "I don't think I could handle that much work. Just the thought makes me exhausted."

''Compared to life in the districts, it's nothing,'' Kousei countered, brushing off the complaint. ''A roof over my head, food to eat, and a bed to sleep on? Sounds like paradise to me." He stretched his arms, cracking his knuckles. ''Plus, the training will help me get stronger. What's not to like?''

''...''

''Hey, Rangiku.'' / ''What is it?'' / ''We already passed the market."

Rangiku turned her head to the side, avoiding his gaze as she walked. "... I know." Kousei let out a snicker, a teasing smile spreading across his face. The sound made Rangiku's ears turn pink. "Shut up, not another word!" she snapped, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "I just remembered there's something I need to pick up further down the road, alright?''

''Rangiku.'' Kousei said.

"What is it?"

"You're a terrible liar."

End of chapter one.