Setting: Karakura Town; a playground. Reader insert.

Yuusuke exits the Senkaimon and steps into Karakura Town. You quickly follow in suit, noticing the vermilion shade of the sky, receding daylight. The growing coldness if the air latches onto your body which is partially protected by your Shinigami uniform.

" Hey," your senior calls. Your attention snaps back to him. He glances at you over his shoulder. You notice how the decreasing light emphasises on his greying, raven black hair.

" We'll split up and look for the Captain. He shouldn't be far away. Tsk. We have so much work to take take of and here I am looking for that idiot in the Human World out of all places." Yuusuke shakes his head, " Let's meet up it one hour in front of the school. If Hibiki is not found until then... No. We'll find him. For sure. And then I can finally take my overdue paid leave!" The man exclaims before letting out a dry laugh.

" Are you finally losing due to lack of sleep, Yuusuke-san?" you say, " We do not get any paid leave."

" Must you be such a party popper!" The third seat of the Construction Squad hisses, " Now, go! Shoo! " with hands on his hips and a frown on his face, the man waits for you to finally begin your quest.

You flash him a small smirk before turning around and shumpo to different locations in search of Captain Hibiki.

_*_

Half an hour later, you find yourself in front of a playground. There is a junglegym, slides, a few benches and swings. But there is something strange about one of these swings. From a distance you can discern the silhouette of someone. As you approach them you start noticing how familiar this hunched over person was.

Behold! It was none other than Captain Hibiki!

" Finally!" You exclaim out loud, " Was easier than I thought."

Startled, Hibiki looks in your direction making you stop dead in your tracks. The gaze he directs at you is indescriptible. The air around him is heavy and weighs on you. His beautiful, peppermint eyes, devoid of all emotion seem out of place with pronounced bags under them.

" Not that good at hide-and-seek, am I?" the brunet snorts, " Sit down."

You oblige, quietly sitting on the swing beside him. The wood is cold. Even colder now that the sun has nearly disappeared behind the horizon. Almost ethereal glow from surrounding lamp posts lights up the surroundings; effectively creating an uneasy feeling within you as you gaze at Hibiki.

The Captain seems....pathetic. But then again...when did he not. Although Hibiki did prove his strength more than once, it was at time like these that you find yourself thinking if this man was not better off not being a Captain.

Yes, it was at time like these when work had kicked the living daylights out of Hibiki. When he look so frail and lost. When he was staring blankly at the ground, face solemn, chocolate brown hair even more messy than usual; his arm clinging to the ropes of swing. He looked like a porcelain doll that threatened to fall, to break at anytime.

He wasn't like most of his other Captains of the Seireitei. He did not mind showing how vulnerable he was at times.

"Yuusuke must be furious," the brunet suddenly says catching you off guard.

" Y-yes," you reply, " Quite furious...indeed."

Hibiki chuckles. He slowly straightens himself.

" You must think I'm weak. A sorry excuse for a Captain." He blurts out of the blue.

" Wha--"

" Don't lie," Hibiki's voice is firm and authoritative.

Silence.

"..."

"...."

"....Yes, I do," you finally confess, " But that doesn't mean that I don't respect you, Captain. "

Hibiki shakes his head," I don't blame for thinking this way. I am aware that I do not give off a very Captain-like impression..."

"You sure don't, Captain," you agree while laughing.

" I'm more shocked that you're still around. I thought you'd leave and join other squads just like the others," Hibiki admits.

" Well, you guys have piqued my interest," you reply, grinning. Your eyes meet and he offers you a rare, sincere smile which leaves you slightly taken aback.

Suddenly, you feel a hand on you head. You stiffen, ready to draw your zanpakuto.

" Relax, y/n, " Hibiki laughs," it's just a head pat. "

He stares into the darkness whilst gently patting your head. Not knowing how react, you simply mimic Hibiki.

" Thank you," he says softly, Thank you for staying," his voice drops an octave but you still manage to catch what follows, " It means a lot to me."

Your eyes widen but you remain quiet. You can hear your heart thumping loudly in your chest.

"THERE YOU ARE, SON OF A..."

Yuusuke's yells snaps both you and Hibiki back to reality. He quickly retracts his hand as you shoot up from the swing.

"Calm down, Yusuke, " the Captain calmly says in his usual, tired voice.

" Captain!" Yusuke continues to fume, " I won't let you off easily this time. Shirking your responsibilities and escaping to the Human World. Just what were you thinking!? If Yamamoto...."

You tuned off whatever Yuusuke rambled on about. You share a knowing look with a half-amused, half-annoyed Hibiki.

Knowing Yuusuke, this earful will probably drag out for a good 10 minutes.

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Hello! Around you still here? Yes?

Then here's the first reader insert type of thing for this preparation book. It was initially intended to be a longer chapter but since I don't have much time on my hands right now and that's about what I can manage for the time being.

I truly hope you e