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Moonlight streamed into the room through the window. The luxurious mansion in the Noble District carried a rich fragrance, an aroma emanating from spices purchased at great expense by the nobles.
Aozaki Reiji had visited many grand noble residences, and every household was filled with this scent.
They called this traditional art, which originated from a great Western nation, the Way of Incense, classifying it alongside the Way of Flowers and the Way of Tea as refined arts.
Unlike those extravagant nobles, Aozaki Reiji's room had a more subtle and elegant fragrance.
"It smells so good, just like Captain Reiji!"
Kotetsu Isane couldn't help but exclaim in her heart as she inhaled the fragrant scent.
Looking at Kotetsu Isane's beautiful face, Aozaki Reiji entered the room, holding a tray, and said, "These are a few small dishes I made, and a few bottles of wine my senior brother Shunsui gave me."
Pointing to the more than ten dishes on the table, Aozaki Reiji sat beside Kotetsu Isane and said, "This is his treasured good wine. He's supposedly kept it for many years, unwilling to drink it. I hope you don't mind it."
"No, how could I? These dishes look very appetizing," Kotetsu Isane quickly waved her hand and said, looking at the abundant feast.
"I heard Isane likes to eat porridge because she doesn't want to grow taller, and porridge doesn't have much nutritional value," Aozaki Reiji said, giving the tall girl in front of him a meaningful look.
"Isane cares too much about what other people think, but in my opinion, not everyone's opinions need to be taken to heart. It's enough to care about the people who are important to you."
"Actually, how you look has nothing to do with them, and they are all wrong."
"There's nothing wrong with continuing to grow taller. Isane looks very cute, and there's nothing wrong with her."
Kotetsu Isane's delicate body trembled slightly, then she poured herself a glass of wine, and then proactively raised her glass and drank it all.
"Thank you, Captain Reiji. I know you're trying to comfort me; you don't have to go out of your way."
"What do you mean comfort? I'm speaking the truth; there's not a single lie."
Aozaki Reiji raised the wine glass in his hand, then took a sip and said.
"Hmm…" Kotetsu Isane's heart stirred. Then, her beautiful eyes fixed on Aozaki Reiji in front of her, and her sister's words echoed in her ears.
Is this the best opportunity…?
"Then… then Captain Reiji… do you like…"
Bolstered by the wine, she was still timid, and by the end of her sentence, her voice was barely audible.
"I like you," Aozaki Reiji seemed to know what she was going to say, looking directly into her eyes without blinking, "I've liked you since my last life."
Last… last… last life?
Is Captain Reiji talking about when he was in the Human World?
But I was born in Seireitei, and the Fourth Division doesn't need to stand guard in the Human World, and I've never been to the Human World!
Besides, with such a big age difference, how could we have met in a previous life?
Could it be… is this a love confession!?
Does Captain Reiji really have those feelings for me too?
After an intense brainstorm, Kotetsu Isane suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment, and deep in her heart, there was an unspeakable surprise.
Under the influence of moonlight and alcohol, Kotetsu Isane slowly leaned into Aozaki Reiji's embrace, carrying that faint, elegant fragrance, and felt as if she was being held by a taller person.
The night gradually deepened, and the moon hung in the sky.
The dense darkness seemed to be draped in a layer of silver light.
...
Seireitei, Fourth Division Barracks.
"Third Seat Yasochika, has Isane returned?"
Inside the Captain's Office, Unohana looked worried. Seeing the office door open, she asked with concern.
"Captain, Vice-Captain Isane hasn't returned yet, but Third Seat Kiyone Kotetsu of the Thirteenth Division has arrived."
The person who rushed in was Third Seat Yasochika of the Fourth Division. Seeing his captain worried about her subordinate, he quickly reassured her.
"She brought Captain Ukitake's medical report. It's Vice-Captain Isane's handwriting. It looks like she'll be staying with Third Seat Kiyone tonight and probably won't return to the Squad Barracks."
"Staying with Kiyone?" Unohana couldn't help but frown, feeling that something wasn't right.
It was common for Kotetsu Isane to go see Kiyone at night.
But she always informed her when she went out, yet this time, she didn't even return, which was truly strange.
However, Kiyone is Isane's sister, so if there was a real emergency, she should have told her.
"In that case, never mind. Anyway, tomorrow is a day off."
Looking at Third Seat Yasochika in front of her, Unohana nodded slightly and said, "Did Kenpachi Aozaki come to the Fourth Division today?"
"No," Third Seat Yasochika shook his head. "I heard he went to the Thirteenth Division today to see Captain Ukitake, and then he returned to the Noble District."
This little fellow, does he think he can hide it from me just because he broke through First Class Reiatsu? How dare he deliberately avoid me!?
Unohana huffed coldly, annoyed.
She would periodically visit the First Division to check on Aozaki Reiji's training progress. She knew when Aozaki Reiji reached First Class Reiatsu—right after Yamamoto!
He used to come to her from time to time, but now, after breaking through First Class Reiatsu, she can't even see him.
When she sent people to find him, he always said he was busy.
He has time to go to the Thirteenth Division, but he can't come to the Fourth Division?
Wait… the Thirteenth Division?
Unohana paused, then her expression gradually turned cold.
Feeling the sudden drop in temperature, Third Seat Yasochika couldn't help but shiver.
It was the first time he had seen his captain look so terrifying. The aura emanating from her heart seemed capable of freezing people into ice sculptures.
"Captain, I have something else to do… I'll be leaving now," Third Seat Yasochika said, turning to run.
Unohana said coldly, "Wait."
"Captain, it's not my fault! I didn't do anything!"
Third Seat Yasochika's steps faltered. He felt that taking another step would bring him close to death. He reluctantly turned around, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"When Vice-Captain Isane returns, tell her to come to the office," Unohana said, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes!" Third Seat Yasochika answered with a mournful face.
Why is the Captain's killing intent so terrifying!?
...
The moon in the sky grew even brighter.
The Squad One Barracks were brightly lit. A white-haired man was led to the tea room by Squad members.
"To have the Shinigami Research and Development Institute provide treatment…" Yamamoto mused, looking at his beloved disciple in front of him, muttering to himself.
"I promised my junior brother; I plan to go to the Twelfth Division for a check-up tomorrow," Jūshirō Ukitake said, wiping the blood from his mouth with a handkerchief and looking up at his teacher's bright head.
Yamamoto closed his eyes, seemingly after a fierce internal struggle, and said in a deep voice, "Very well, it is no longer this old man's era. You may go and try it."
"But I truly didn't expect it. That boy Reiji still has some conscience, knowing to think of you, his senior brother."
"It is this disciple's incompetence, for troubling Teacher and junior brother," Jūshirō Ukitake lowered his head.
Looking at his disciple, who was constantly tormented by illness, Yamamoto's heart was filled with pain, but he could only sigh helplessly.
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