Chapter 157: Promise to answer
(A/N We reached one of the goals! *CLAP* *CLAP* *CLAP* but Editor-san still needs 60 Powers stones.
Stone him like a witch!)
(E/D: Sorry bro, I am not into that kinda shit.)
Days went on, and I decided to talk to Zangetsu about something. These strange noises that I heard in my inner world are bothering me slightly, and who knows my inner world better than the resident of that world himself.
I sat under Celine and summoned Zangetsu, only to realize that the sword had changed slightly. It grew in length and looked like a traditional nodachi.
Was that because I unlocked Shikai, and the sword became more personalized to me?
If I remember correctly, even Zanpakutos in their sealed forms varied in size and shape. Good examples are Gin with his Zanpakuto looking like ordinary wakizashi or Kenpachi with his nodachi-like blade. So the possibility of this being normal is high.
But there's no point in thinking about it. Zangetsu probably has all the answers to my questions but will he give them is another question.
I placed Zangetsu on my lap and started meditating, and after a short while, I was sucked into my inner world.
In front of me was standing someone familiar.
White Shihakusho, pale skin practically white, eyes black and yellow, cocky smile, and a big sword wrapped in some kind of cloth on his back.
Zangetsu, my Zanpakuto.
Zangetsu: "What is it this time? Another spar?"
Ryoto: "Not this time. I have some questions for you."
Zangetsu: "And it would be...?"
Ryoto: "What were these noises that distracted me when I was here last time?"
Zangetsu: "Noises? Maybe a wind."
His words feigned ignorance, but his look was telling me that he was playing with me. He didn't even bother trying to hide it.
At this point, I doubt that he would hide something harmful to me. He had a lot more chances to kill me during our sparrings, so why would he do it in such a roundabout method. Besides, it's not in his style.
Ryoto: "Fine, I won't push any further..."
It seemed that my answer surprised Zangetsu as he was ready to taunt me a bit more.
Ryoto: "...But can you at least tell me what you want. You told me before that what you want and what I want are two completely different things, but you never said what it was."
Zangetsu tried to understand why I asked this question as the only thing we did here was a fight and sit and enjoy the atmosphere without saying any words.
Zangetsu: "... What's your game?"
Ryoto: "There's no game. You are my Zanpakuto, and I should know you better than I do at the moment, and I plan on fixing it. You should know that only because you know someone's name doesn't mean that you're their friend."
Zangetsu didn't answer and just started laughing like a maniac.
Zangetsu: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I can't believe that it was just that!"
Zangetsu wiped away a tear from too much laughing.
Ryoto: "Why was it so hard to believe it?"
Zangetsu: "Because I didn't think you would be smart enough to do it."
Ryoto: "I feel insulted."
Zangetsu: "Not important right now. You wanted to know what I wanted, right? I'll tell you when you achieve Bankai and not only that I'll tell you about these noises as well. Great deal, isn't it."
Ryoto: "OK, give me Bankai."
He looked at me as if I was an idiot. I think I saw a bit of disgust as well.
Zangetsu: "Do I look like a charity to you?"
Ryoto: "No, you look like me."
Zangetsu: "..."
Ryoto: "...I didn't hear no."
Zangetsu: "You're fucking with me, aren't you?"
This time it was my turn to smile.
Ryoto: "A little revenge for all those beatings."
At that, Zangetsu smiled as well.
Zangetsu: "Not bad, but if you want Bankai, master your Shikai first. Right now, you use me like a glorified knife that can shoot big waves of energy."
Ryoto: "I'll try my best."
Zangetsu momentarily turned serious.
Zangetsu: "Don't try. Do it. You'll either succeed or fail, but you need to have your eyes on the success the whole time and have a mindset of being able to do it. The failures that make you closer to your goal aren't failures. They're stepping stones to success. You truly fail only when you give up."
Ryoto: "...I'll keep that in mind."
But why is he telling me that right now? Maybe it's some kind of hint or just a reminder of my previous failures and that I should avoid them.
That goes, of course, without saying. I'm not planning on repeating my mistakes.
With that I left my inner world.
---
I forgot to ask about his changed appearance.
(Zangetsu's pov)
Jacob left.
???: "I'm surprised that you promised him to tell him what he wanted."
Zangetsu: "And I'm not surprised that he couldn't find you with how short you are."
I patted her head.
???: "Don't call me short!!!"
But she quickly calmed down. I think she is used to my teasing by now.
???: "So what changed? For you to give him a chance."
Zangetsu: "Nothing changed, but I want to see his chosen path. Will he fail or succeed in protecting his current happiness, but the moment he gives up, I'll kill him myself."
I said without any mercy in my voice.
???: "You know that I won't allow it, right? No matter how many times he'll give up, I'll help him stand up once again!"
She stood her ground against me.
We are two sides of the same coin but still the same coin.
(Run's pov)
Today is the day I'll finally meet Ryoto in person. I can't wait! Since the day we kissed, I couldn't stop thinking about him. So what if he is Lala's fiance candidate. I'll just seduce him myself.
(E/D: Wouldn't that make you gay. But I am a Jojo fan so I am not complaining. Plus I am cultured to the point of having all the tastes.)
As I was looking around the hallway, I finally found him. He was talking to one of our classmates, but I didn't mind them and rushed towards him, planning on jumping on him.
Lala: "Achoo!"
Someone sneezed, and I felt pain in my whole body the next moment. I recognized that as Lala's tail beam.
Damn Lala! Even now, she stands before my love, but I won't give up!
My next attempt was during the next break, and this time I was ready for any unexpected attacks, just in case, but maybe I should change my strategy.
To get close to Ryoto, I should get close to his family first, and his brother goes to the same class as us.
During the next break, I decided to try out this idea.
Right now, he was walking down the hallway.
Run: "Hello, Rito-san!"
I gave him my best fake smile, but he didn't even stop to look at me. Now that I think about it, he seems more gloomy than usual, and there was a strange flame on his forehead, but it didn't discourage me. If that meant being with Ryoto, I'd accept this challenge!
I walked in front of him again and repeated my actions from before, but this time I also did a gentle wave.
How about this?
Rito: "You're... not... Haruna-chan..."
He ignored me and walked over me without any remorse, dirtying my uniform in the process.
He continued to walk like a zombie.
I was about to explode with anger, but then Ryoto and Lala, who apparently were following him, arrived.
Ryoto: "I think there's something wrong with these Bullets. They give him strength, but his behavior is more of a zombie. He still wants to confess though, so you are going in a good direction."
(E/D: Yup, this is brotherhood, using the younger as a guinea pig. Ah~ The nostalgia. Reminds me of childhood.)
(A/N What do you mean. Ryoto is just trying to help his brother. His actions are altruistic in nature. I swear.)
Lala: "Hmm, these Bullets are a lot more complicated than I thought they would, but it's so fun researching them! Thank you for giving them to me!"
Lala hugged Ryoto.
Argh!!!
I'm not jealous. I'll be the one in her place soon!
Wait, it's my chance. I'll play an injured, so he'll take me to the nurse's office and hopefully take care of me there! But as I was about to execute the plan, I sneezed because of the dust that Rito created by walking over me.
Run: "Noooooo!!!"
---
END
(A/N: Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee...)
(E/D: Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee... Coffee...)
(A/N I don't even drink coffee...)
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