35 Picnic (1/2)

In a park somewhere in Seireitei, two silhouettes could be seen, where one was talking animatedly and the other listening on while nodding occasionally. The sun was drowning over the horizon as it carpeted the figures, elongating their shadows. As the day was nearing its end, there was no one but the two in the park but that changed when two more figures arrived,

”…and that was how Yuroe got suspended yesterday” Rangiku stifled a laughter as a scream was heard behind her.

”Rangiku-san!!!” Yuroe was their blushing hard as she looked unbelievingly at her friend's betrayal. She was carrying a basket presumably filled with food.

”You said you won't tell Itsuki and Gin”

”Well, they could've found out if they wanted to and Gin isn't here so, technically, I haven't told them, only Itsuki” rationalised Rangiku as she looked back at Yuroe.

”Still!!!”

Everyone laughed at her while Itsuki just smiled

”Ma, ma. Who would've expected the most sensible student to get suspended” laughed Ketaro as he sat beside them.

”If it wasn't because of me covering for you, how else would I have gotten suspended” Yuroe retorted. As Yuroe spent more time with them, she slowly started to come out of her shell. She held more confidence, no longer as timid as before. With this confidence her talents also came out. She was taking the graduation exam this year and would be the second to pass it in two years.

Itsuki realised that this was another butterfly effect, he changed the way Rangiku interacted with others as in the original, she only had Gin as her friend. Maybe his presence changed the small interactions she had with her classmates, but he didn't know. Not much was known of their time in the academy. There was a chance that in the original, Yuroe's talents never shone due to her timidly personality. All that, though, never mattered. What mattered was that right now they were his friends.

”So Yuroe, what division are you thinking of joining?” Rangiku suddenly said as she bought Itsuki out his thoughts.

”4th division” Yuroe gave a smug smile as she replied. Yuroe was quite confident with her choice and she had her reasons. She had shown exceptional talent in healing and had already been given the olive branch from the 4th division.

A tick appeared on Rangiku's forehead as she looked at Yuroe's smug face. Suddenly shooting up, she grabbed Yuroe in a headlock and clenched her other hand's fist as she started poking her head.

”Hoo, feeling quite smug, huh?”

Looking at Rangiku's evil face, both Itsuki and Ketaro tacitly moved back.

”Uwawawa, it hurts, Rangiku-san”

After punishing her Rangiku sat back down still fuming. Secretly, inside, she was happy for her friend although the smug face did tick her off. Everyone there did know that but chose to stay quite as a small smile was plastered on their lips.