“Youngsters caring for their elders? I suppose that’s usually the case. Unless the youngsters in question are children, in which case, it’s the other way round?”

In any case, Ichigo is often stuck in the caregiver role... first, with his brothers then with those two grandpas he loves dearly.

Hearing that he’s the exception does make him feel quite embarrassed, and he’s not quite sure how to respond to that.

“.... oh, er, thank you for making an exception for me, Uguisumaru-dono.”

And he doesn’t remember the first time he was held by a human, but he can vaguely remember the loving way his late master handled him.

“... yes, it is. It is... a very enjoyable thing.”

How he misses being his master’s favourite.