Bleach : Kurosaki Neighbor

Eight years had passed since my reincarnation.

At first, I was confused—no messages, no explanations, nothing to tell me how or why I was reborn. But I accepted it quickly.

For the first time in both my lives, I had parents—a real family. My mother and father were kind, and even our neighbors, the Kurosaki family, treated me warmly. Their son, Ichigo, was about my age. We talked occasionally, but not often. Unlike him, I preferred staying home, playing video games, watching anime, reading manga, or studying.

But my mother insisted that I should socialize more, so I started visiting the Kurosakis on weekends.

If you're wondering why I bothered studying when I was already smart in my past life, the answer is simple—this was Japan, and my previous life had been in America. Academically, I was just average back then, so I figured I'd make an effort this time. Besides, I genuinely enjoyed anime and manga, even in my past life. My favorites included One Piece, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Demon Slayer, and many more. I didn't watch everything—only what interested me.

Honestly, when I first realized I had been reincarnated, I half-expected to awaken some kind of superpower, like in those stories. But I didn't. And you know what? I wasn't disappointed. A peaceful life was better than endless battles. I'd had enough fighting in my past life.

...

The Kurosaki household was always lively, filled with warmth and energy. Whenever I visited, Ichigo and I played video games together. Fighting games were my specialty—I never lost.

"Can you let me win just once?" Ichigo asked.

"No," I replied flatly.

"Or at least take it easy? You didn't even lose a single HP bar!" he whined.

I smirked and decided to humor him. I let my HP drop to a single digit before finishing him off.

"There. Happy now?"

Ichigo stared at the screen, mouth agape. "W-What?! How?! Why?!" Then, as expected, his frustration bubbled over into tears.

Masaki walked into the room and knelt beside him, offering comfort. I raised an eyebrow. "Come on, it's just a game. Why do you always cry when you lose? Just accept it."

Masaki sighed, turning to me. "Maybe you could let him win for once?"

"Never."

"You just said it's just a game."

"Exactly. Which is why I don't fake a loss. I hate losing, and I hate letting people win on purpose. He should learn how to handle defeat instead of crying about it. When I lose, I don't cry. I get mad, sure, but I accept it."

That was the truth. In my past life, whether as a kid or an old man, I hated losing. And throwing a match just to spare someone's feelings? No thanks. You can judge me all you want—everyone has their own principles.

Ichigo sniffled. "But I never see you lose… not even once."

I shrugged. "You just don't see it."

Of course, he hadn't. My losses belonged to a different life. It wasn't fair to compare my experiences to a child's, but part of me hoped he'd learn to take a loss without breaking down. Then again… I did just rage-quit a game back home.

Masaki shook her head with a sigh. "Alright, enough of that. How about some lunch?"

Ichigo immediately perked up. "Yeah!"

I stood up, dusting off my pants. "Nah, I'm heading home."

Masaki smiled. "Really? You don't want to eat with us?"

"My mom's cooking is better."

The truth? I just wanted to go home and retry that game I couldn't beat—even in my past life.

Ichigo gasped. "No way! My mom's cooking is the best!"

Masaki sighed, expecting an argument, but I just shrugged. "Every kid thinks their mom's cooking is the best. Right, Ichigo?"

Ichigo blinked, processing my words. Then he slowly nodded. "Yeah… you're right."

With that settled, I left.

As Masaki watched me go, she murmured, "So mature for his age… I wish my son was like that."

Ichigo frowned. "Mom? Do you hate me because I'm not like him?"

Masaki's eyes softened. She ruffled his hair, smiling. "Of course not. No matter what, I'll always love you. You and he are just different, that's all. I just want you to keep growing and improving."

Ichigo's frown faded, replaced by determination. "Yeah… I'll do my best to make you proud."

Masaki chuckled and took his hand. "I know you will. Now, let's eat."

With that, they headed inside as I walked away, already thinking about my next battle.

...

When I got home, my parents were in the dining room.

"You're back already? How was playing with Ichigo?" my father asked.

"It was good."

That was my only response. My father just sighed.

My mother looked at me. "Did you eat over there?"

"Just some snacks."

"You didn't have lunch?"

"Nah. I told them I'd rather eat at home. Your cooking is better."

My mother smiled. "Oh, thank you. But you shouldn't say that to the neighbors, especially Ichigo. He hates it when someone compares his mother to others."

"I wasn't comparing. I was just stating a fact. Even Ichigo agreed that every kid loves their own mother's cooking the most. Now, I want to eat, then play some games."

I prepared my food and said, "Itadakimasu."

After finishing my meal, I let out a satisfied sigh. "As expected, Mom's cooking is the best in the world. Thanks for the food."

I washed my plate and went to my room.

Setting up my NES, I muttered, "This time, I'm beating that damn Battletoads level."

Downstairs, my parents exchanged a look, their expressions softening.

So mature… but he's always been smart from a young age, my father thought. It's only natural he'd mature quickly. I'm happy for him—

"AAAAAAAAAH! THE SPEEDER BIKE LEVEL! THIS STUPID FUCKING SPEEDER BIKE LEVEL! FUUUUUUUCK!" I snapped, nearly breaking the controller.

HOW?! HOW CAN I STILL NOT BEAT THIS LEVEL?! I'VE PLAYED THIS GAME FOR OVER FIVE YEARS IN MY PAST LIFE! I DON'T HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST PEOPLE WHO DID NOTHING TO ME, BUT THIS—THIS I WILL NEVER FORGIVE! WHOEVER DESIGNED THIS, I SWEAR I WILL—

"LANGUAGE!" my father's voice boomed from the other room. "Where did you even learn that? And settle down! You're disturbing the neighbors! Do you want me to sell your game console?"

I immediately abandoned my murderous thoughts.

"Please don't! I'm sorry! My apologies! I just… I saw grown adults say 'fuck' when they're angry."

In truth, I already knew swear words, but man, this was the first time I really snapped at a game. Was it because I was young again? If I had raged like this in my past life, I probably would've had a heart attack. Thank god I didn't. Still, this was embarrassing. I just hoped the neighbors didn't hear me.

"Language," my father repeated.

My mother sighed. So mature… except when he loses at a game and starts raging. But this is the first time I've heard him scream like that. We still love him all the same, but… did he just swear? I have to scold him.

"You're banned from video games for three days, young man."

"But—"

"No buts."

I sulked, but I calmed down quickly. Thinking about my parents, I smiled to myself.

You know… when I first revealed my true skills to my parents—not in video games—I thought they'd be terrified. But instead, they were proud. And now I realize… even if I had never shown them anything, they would still love me just the same.

I love this family. I'm proud to be reincarnated here.

…Still sucks to be banned from games for three days, though.

...

Meanwhile, at the Kurosaki household, they were in the middle of lunch when my scream echoed through the neighborhood.

Yuzu clung tightly to Masaki. "Mommy, what was that noise? I'm scared."

Masaki gently patted her head, forcing a reassuring smile. I take it all back—so much for being mature. He still acts like a child when it comes to winning and losing. And… did he just swear?

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It was just the wind," she said.

Karin frowned. "But it sounded like a screa—"

"It was just the wind," Masaki repeated, her tone firm.

She turned to Ichigo, who was staring in the direction of the scream, looking confused. "See, Ichigo? That proves you're better than Kenjiro at something."

Ichigo blinked. "Really?"

Masaki nodded. "Yep. But if you ever act like that, you'd be banned from video games. I bet Kenjiro is getting grounded as we speak. You wouldn't want that, right?"

Ichigo quickly shook his head. "No way! I'd never do that!"

From the side, Isshin chuckled to himself. Man, she's scary when she's angry… but damn, she's still beautiful.

...

We attended the same school and trained at the same karate dojo. School was a necessity—I had no choice but to go. But the dojo? I didn't want to attend. I already knew how to fight—better than any instructor there.

But my mother insisted.

She told me Ichigo was training there too and that learning how to fight was important.

I didn't want to reveal my skills, fearing she'd see me as a monster. But once I stepped into the dojo, I stopped holding back.

I won every match. Every spar. Even against the instructors.

I glanced at my mother, expecting fear in her eyes.

Instead, she was smiling—beaming with pride.

She hugged me tightly. "You're amazing!"

For a moment, I froze. Then, I hugged her back.

After training, I usually walked home with my mother. But by the time I turned eight, I stopped. She worried and insisted on picking me up, but I told her, "I'm not a child anymore."

She sighed. "You're not even ten yet."

"I win every time at the dojo. I even beat the instructor. There's no need to worry. Besides, the dojo is close to home."

Eventually, she relented.

But the truth was, I wanted to walk home with her too. I just thought it would be safer if I went alone.

Ichigo's mother once offered to walk with me along with Ichigo, but I declined.

"Sorry, I like running better," I said before dashing off.

She just chuckled. "Just be careful."

Ichigo and I fought often at the dojo. He was stubborn, always determined to win—but he never did. Every time he lost, he cried. But the moment he saw his mother, his tears stopped, as if they had never been there.

Watching that, I understood something.

So that's how a child sees their parent…

In my past life, I never had that. But now, I did. That was enough.

I also fought Tatsuki. She was much more skilled than Ichigo—she even won against the instructor once. But she was still nowhere near my level. I never held back, not even against children. That was my principle.

She lost.

She cried—but only for a moment. Then, she wiped her tears and glared at me.

"I'll win next time!"

She said that every time she lost.

I found it kind of cute.

Life was normal. Peaceful.

Until that fateful day came.

Not for me.

But for Ichigo.