Someone was coming through my window.
It was that exorcist girl from earlier.
The moment she stepped into my room, she looked straight at me. I kept my eyes shut and pretended to be asleep. After a second, she looked away and started scanning the room. Then I heard her mutter something.
Exorcist Girl: "Hmm... It's not here, but I think it's close."
Kenji (Thought):What the hell does she mean by 'it's close'? Don't tell me there is a damn monster's near my house?
She was about to leave—until her eyes landed on my desk. My drawing book was sitting right there.
Kenji (Thought):Oh shit… Is she gonna check my drawings? Fuck.
But instead of grabbing the sketchbook, she picked up the wooden bunny statue next to it.
Exorcist Girl: "Wow… this is a really cute bunny."
Kenji (Thought):Oh. Phew. She's just looking at the bunny. I was originally planning to carve a statue of that monster I keep seeing, but it was way beyond my skill—so I made a bunny instead, just to kill time. Looks like she's a fan of bunnies, lucky me. But the drawing… yeah, the monster's definitely in the sketchbook. Please—just leave it at that. Don't look at the damn drawing book.
Exorcist Girl: "I wonder if he drew a picture of a bunny too…"
And then… she reached for the drawing book.
Kenji (Thought):Shit. SHIT. PLEASE NO. FUCK. I should've hidden it If this were to happen.
But she stopped. Shook her head.
Exorcist Girl: "Not the time. I can feel it… The Hollow's even closer now."
Kenji (Thought):So that's what they're called—Hollows. Huh. Also, why is she talking to herself? Wait… did she figure out I'm awake? Nah, probably just one of those weirdos who talks to themselves. Whatever—just get out.
She left through the window.
I waited a few seconds, then stood up and walked over.
Kenji (Thought):She didn't even bother closing the damn window. Unbelievable. Still, if she's right and the monster's nearby, I better stay up. Maybe I can keep track of where she's going and see what's going on.
I spotted her outside, hopping across rooftops until she landed on Ichigo's house.
Kenji (Thought):Right, forgot to mention—Ichigo's place is pretty close to mine. I can see it clearly from my second-floor window. Even better with a telescope. Thank god she didn't knock it over. That thing was a gift from my parents. If she'd broken it, I probably would've cursed her out and blown my cover. Phew.
Kenji (Thought):So the Hollow's at Ichigo's place? Good. Maybe I won't get dragged into this mess. Still, better keep watching. There is a chance the monster could level a city if it felt like it.
Since the exorcist girl was taking her sweet time in there, I decided to grab my telescope and keep an eye on Ichigo's house. A few minutes passed. I sat by the window, casually munching on chips, just watching.
Kenji (Thought):She still hasn't come out. Must be in Ichigo's room. Too bad I can't see what's going on in there. I'm guessing she's explaining everything to him… or maybe she captured him? Either way, Ichigo can see her too, and he's the kind of guy who'd walk right up to someone like that if they broke into his house—doesn't matter if they're human or not. Especially. Huh? Wait—what the hell is that?
I adjusted the telescope. A Hollow was heading straight for Ichigo's house.
It smashed into the place like a wrecking ball.
I saw Ichigo's dad—Isshin—get knocked out cold. Yuzu was hurt, but crawling up the stairs. Probably going to find Ichigo. I still Couldn't see him or the exorcist girl.
Then the Hollow grabbed Karin. Looked like it was about to eat her.
Kenji (Thought):Damn… Ichigo's really not catching a break tonight.
Still chewing my chips, I kept watching.
Kenji (Thought):I wish I could record this shit… but it wouldn't work. These things never show up on camera. And even if, by some miracle, it did—keeping that footage would be a terrible idea. If the exorcist ever found out? I'd be screwed. Same goes for my drawings… though maybe they'd just brush them off as random sketches. Who knows. Not like I'm the "record and upload" type anyway. If this were digital, maybe I'd think twice—but it's 2002. We're still stuck with goddamn videotapes.
Then I saw Ichigo charge the Hollow—with a fucking chair.
He tried to save Karin and, of course, got smacked aside like a toy. But he got up again.
Kenji (Thought):I'm actually impressed. Didn't think he endured it. But still, what are you doing, man? A chair? You could've at least grabbed a knife or gun. Oh right. Japan. No guns. Ugh.
Ichigo dodged another attack, and that's when the exorcist girl reappeared—slashing the Hollow's arm, the one holding Karin. The Hollow screamed loud enough for me to hear it.
Karin dropped. Ichigo caught her. The Hollow vanished.
Kenji (Thought):Damn. Nice combo. Still—how is no one else waking up from this? Even if they can't see the Hollow, all that destruction should've gotten someone's attention. What the fuck is wrong with this neighborhood?
But it wasn't over.
The exorcist girl stayed on guard, clearly sensing more danger. Makes sense—she only cut its arm. I watched Ichigo and the girl talk, probably about what to do next. I wished I could hear them. Then—just like that—the Hollow came back.
The exorcist girl was ready.
And Ichigo? He ran straight at it.
She probably scream tried to stop him, but he didn't even hesitate. He stood in front of the damn thing and started yelling.
Kenji (Thought):What. The. Actual. Fuck. Is he seriously trying to talk it down? That's insane. Is he trying to go one-on-one with it? Even dumber. Trash-talking it? Okay, maybe that one's a little believable. Still—he's gonna get himself fucking killed.
Well, whatever Ichigo did must've pissed the Hollow off, because it stretched its neck like Luffy—probably ready to bite him in half. But right before it could, the exorcist girl stepped in front of Ichigo, shielding him with her body.
Kenji (Thought):This feels like something straight out of an anime. Next thing you know, the guy getting protected is gonna awaken some hidden power. Is that what's happening here? Seriously… if that's really the case, then this is an anime world—and Ichigo's the protagonist.
Why do I think that? Easy. Too many weird things: every food brand looks fake as hell, hair colors are all over the place—Ichigo's got orange hair, and that's natural, not dyed—and, oh yeah, ghosts and monsters are real. Not to mention, I saw his mom about to summon some kind of power once, even if it vanished right after. So yeah, Ichigo awakening some kind of ability? Makes total sense. Still, I'd rather watch it from a safe distance—like, say, my bedroom.
Ichigo gave the exorcist girl a look—like he was silently asking why. Bleeding and clearly weak, she crawled over to a nearby electric pole and used it to support herself. Then, without a word, she held her sword out toward Ichigo as the Hollow charged in. From the looks of it, she was trying to give him the sword.
Kenji (Thought):What the hell is the girl waiting for? Just give him the damn sword already!
But it wasn't that simple. Ichigo didn't take the sword—he stepped up and let her stab him with it.
Kenji (Thought):Wait—what?!
A huge flash of light exploded from the point of contact. Even the Hollow stopped mid-charge to watch. And when the light cleared…
Ichigo had already cut off the Hollow's arm.
And standing there was Ichigo—except now, he looked just like the exorcist girl. Except, y'know… with a massive-ass sword.
Kenji (Thought):I FUCKING KNEW IT. ICHIGO IS THE PROTAGONIST. That big-ass sword is all the proof I need.
Said me—shoveling potato chips into my mouth even faster… even though the bag was already empty.
Ichigo didn't hesitate. He charged at the Hollow and cleaved straight through its mask. The thing didn't just vanish—it got atomized.
Then Ichigo collapsed, unconscious.
Kenji (Thought):Well, looks like it's finally over… but I want to see what happens next.
I shifted my telescope over to the exorcist girl. Her black kimono had turned white—probably because she gave her power to Ichigo or something. Then, someone else arrived. Some shady-looking guy, dressed like a suspicious traveling merchant or con artist. He started talking to her and of course I couldn't hear what they were saying like always.
But then the shady merchant… he looked directly at me.
Not "in my direction." No. At me. Right through the telescope.
He smiled.
I froze.
Kenji (Thought):Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope—
I immediately backed away, slammed the window shut, locked it, yanked the curtains closed, dove under my blanket, and prayed he wouldn't come anywhere near me.
Kenji (Thought):How the hell!? You know what—never mind. This is anime logic. Anything can happen. I just hope that guy doesn't show up at my door.
Meanwhile...
Exorcist Girl: "Hmm? What's wrong?"
Suspicious Merchant: "It's nothing… I just saw a beautiful butterfly, that's all."
Exorcist Girl: "…This is no time for jokes."
Then they continue talking each other.
Back to Me:
I waited an hour. No knock. No window tapping. Nothing. Eventually, I peeked out through the telescope again.
They were gone. Ichigo's house still wrecked looked abandoned. His family was nowhere to be seen.
Kenji (Thought):Or maybe they were just put back in their rooms. I mean, if they were really gone, it'd be all over the news by now… unless there's some kind of memory-wiping magic or something. Still, I doubt it. That exorcist girl seemed like she was protecting them, so it makes more sense they're putting in back to their room. Yeah… anything else wouldn't add up.
Kenji (Thought):Wish I knew what happened in there… but honestly, I'm just thankful that creepy merchant guy didn't come here. Whatever. I'm tired. I'll check it out tomorrow when walking toward school i past their house anyway.
I climbed into bed, finally ready to sleep. One last thought crossed my mind before I drifted off:
Kenji (Thought):Still… why did the Hollow target Ichigo in the first place? Was it because he's the protagonist? Or is there something else going on? Guess I'll find out someday.
And with that, I finally fell asleep—wondering what tomorrow would bring.