Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, two full months slipped away.
"Are you certain you understand where you went wrong?"
Kurotsuki Renya looked calmly at Chisentao, who stood before him, and spoke in a low, steady voice.
Chisentao lowered his head slightly and nodded.
"Aizen Sōsuke is a criminal who betrayed Soul Society. I should never have tried to shield him."
Renya studied him for a moment, then gave a faint nod.
"That's good. You may leave."
Chisentao rose to his feet, turned, and exited the room without another word.
Renya remained seated, his expression unreadable. He could not be sure whether Chisentao truly understood his mistake, but this was the limit of what he could do. He could not execute him, nor could he confine him indefinitely without just cause.
All Renya could do was hope that Chisentao would not act against Seireitei at a critical moment.
Otherwise… Renya would personally end him.
Renya changed into casual robes and left the squad barracks. He crossed the arched bridge outside the Second Division headquarters and stopped, waiting quietly.
Before long, a familiar figure approached.
Neatly cut short hair. A light lavender kimono. Pale legs visible beneath the hem.
"Sister Soi Fon."
Renya turned and extended his hand.
Soi Fon hesitated for only a brief instant before placing her hand in his. Together, they walked toward a nearby restaurant, fingers intertwined.
Today was their day.
They would eat together, walk together, spend the evening together, and not part ways until night fully descended upon Seireitei.
Renya had spent sixty years trapped within the Dangai. Physically, he now stood at around one hundred and fifty-four centimeters tall roughly the height of a thirteen-year-old by human standards.
However, with his spiritual pressure and the distortion of time within the Precipice World, those sixty years amounted to barely two years of growth in Soul Society.
At thirteen, his height was not short. By the time he reached full maturity, it would easily approach one hundred and eighty centimeters.
Even now, he was already slightly taller than Soi Fon.
"Let's go eat," Renya said with a smile.
Hand in hand, they headed toward the food district.
They had barely gone far when a lazy voice rang out behind them.
"Renyaaa~ You're taking Captain Soi Fon out again?"
Renya stiffened and turned.
Kyoraku Shunsui stood there, wearing his floral haori, straw hat tilted low over his eyes.
"Captain Commander no, Captain Kyoraku," Renya corrected himself quickly and bowed.
Soi Fon's face flushed red instantly. She stepped half a pace closer to Renya, subtly using his body to block Kyoraku's view.
"Haha, go on, go on," Kyoraku waved lazily. "I won't interrupt. But Renya, if you ever have emotional troubles, feel free to consult me again."
With that, he strolled away, humming softly, a blade of grass hanging from his mouth.
After he left, Soi Fon glanced at Renya.
"Consult him… again?"
Renya nodded.
"The idea of giving you flowers came from Captain Kyoraku."
"I see."
Soi Fon smiled faintly, tightening her grip on Renya's hand.
"But I don't like roses."
"You don't?"
Renya looked genuinely surprised.
"I like lilies."
"Lilies?"
Renya tilted his head, studying her.
"But… lilies and Sister Soi Fon feel very different."
"Different?"
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"You're saying I'm not innocent, pure, or refined?"
"No no!" Renya hurried to explain. "I mean that Sister Soi Fon is independent, strong, sharp, beautiful, and unyielding."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Like a snow lotus. Blooming in winter. Unafraid of the cold. Able to endure loneliness."
Soi Fon blinked, then smiled softly.
"I've never seen a snow lotus."
Renya smiled back.
"After we're married, I'll take you to the Human World. We'll travel and see everything together."
"…Good."
Soi Fon imagined the scene, and a gentle smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
They entered a small Japanese-style restaurant, requested a private room, and sat across from one another on the tatami.
Soi Fon unexpectedly ordered sake.
"Counting the time you spent in the Dangai, you're already one hundred and twenty years old," she said calmly. "You're an adult. You can drink."
Renya blinked.
"So… I really am an adult."
One hundred and twenty years had passed since he arrived in this world.
Yet it all felt like yesterday training, missions, comrades, love.
Soi Fon poured the sake. They raised their cups, clinked them lightly, and drank.
The sake was mildly sweet, carrying a faint rice aroma, with an alcohol content of about sixteen percent.
Low but deceptively effective.
Neither of them was good with alcohol.
By the time the bottle was empty, both were visibly tipsy.
Soi Fon's cheeks were flushed, her eyes half-lidded, her usual sharpness softened into something dangerously alluring.
Renya leaned back slightly, hands braced behind him, watching her with a faint smile.
"What are you staring at?" Soi Fon asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
"You're beautiful," Renya replied honestly.
She snorted.
Renya shifted his posture, stretching his legs forward. The low table was small, and his feet brushed against hers.
Soi Fon was petite. Her feet were small.
Through their thin socks, they could feel each other's warmth.
"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously.
Renya chuckled and lightly brushed her sole with his toes.
She recoiled instantly.
"That's ticklish!"
Renya rose and stepped closer.
"What are you"
He sat beside her, pulled her gently toward him, lowered his head, and pressed his lips to hers.
Soi Fon's eyes widened.
Her body stiffened.
Her lips were soft, thin, warm.
Renya kissed her lightly then more deeply.
Tentatively, then instinctively.
This was their first true kiss.
When the moment broke, the air itself trembled.
A massive pressure descended upon Seireitei.
"What…?"
They rushed to the window and looked out.
A gigantic Garganta had torn open the sky.
More than thirty figures emerged, clad in fragments of white armor, their reiatsu overwhelming.
Behind them towering Gillian-class Menos Grande.
And at the forefront
Aizen Sōsuke.
Beside him, Ichimaru Gin.
Renya's expression hardened.
"…So it begins."
Aizen had finally launched his assault on Seireitei.