Collide

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The March of Time

Ichigo gazed at a monstrous creature clinging to the back of a passerby. The curse had a massive smile on its hideous lips that seemed permanently stretched. Ichigo's face contorted into a deep frown; his eyes fixated on the person now lost in the sea of people. The weight of the situation bore down on him, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration that poked at him.

They are more hideous than any hollow... he thought with a cringed expression.

As he walked towards his destination, he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief at the countless curses he had encountered on his way. The air was thick with frustration and anger as if the very atmosphere was a reflection of the chaos of the world. There was also an overwhelming feeling of solitude and depression emanating throughout the city.

As he stood there, staring at the towering apartment complex, he couldn't help but feel a sense of resignation wash over him. The building, with its seven floors, could have been more impressive. The paint was peeling off the walls, the windows were cracked and dirty, and the balconies were rusted and unstable. The overall condition of the building could have been better maintained, which made him feel uneasy and apprehensive. He wondered how anyone could live in such a place, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the residents who called it home.

"Welcome to Tokyo..." he muttered under his breath.

-

As Ichigo cautiously stepped inside the room, his eyes scanned the surroundings. The walls were bare, and the floor was cold, grey concrete. A dim light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a dull light across the room. A small bed was in one corner, and a wooden chair in the other. The room lacked personal touches or decorations, making it feel sterile and lifeless. Ichigo let out a deep sigh as he realized that this would be his home for the foreseeable future.

"How much is the rent?" he asked the landlord behind him.

The thuggish-looking man reached up to scratch the back of his neck, causing a few tattoos on his arms to peek out from under his shirt sleeves. After contemplating, he spoke up, recalling the information he had been asked for. "I believe your friend haggled the price down to 50,000 yen per month," he said gruffly. "Once you're done settling your stuff in, head to my office to finalize things."

Ichigo nodded as he set his bags down. "Alright, I'll see you in a bit then," he said to the leaving man.

With his piercing gaze fixed on the man's back, the substitute soul reaper noticed a subtle but concerning detail. He raised his voice to draw the man's attention and offered a suggestion, "Your neck looks like it might be bothering you. Have you considered seeking assistance from an exorcist? It's possible that an evil spirit could cause your pain."

"Focus on unpacking, kid!" the landlord yelled right back as he continued walking down the hall, disregarding his advice.

As Ichigo stepped into the room, he felt a wave of further disappointment wash over him. The stale and musty smell in the air made it unpleasant to breathe. As he began to unpack his belongings, he looked around the room for a desk to place his laptop on. Sadly, the apartment was unfurnished except for a bed provided by Urahara. So, he instead settled with placing his laptop on his most oversized luggage, feeling frustrated by the lack of space.

He pressed the power button on his laptop, and it hummed to life, illuminating the room with a soft glow. The light was a welcome relief from the dimness and made the room feel more alive. Although the room was far from ideal, Ichigo thought he could make it work.