"My lord, I'm off to school."
In the early morning, after finishing his breakfast, Shisui bid farewell to Kenma, shouldered his backpack, and left the Shihoin estate for the Shin'o Academy.
The leave he had taken had long since ended. He had been delayed for another two days to help Kenma deal with the souls from the world of pirates.
However, the teachers at the Shin'o Academy all knew that Shisui had the Shihoin clan behind him, so they wouldn't make things too difficult for him.
Shisui's grades were outstanding, at the top of his class. He was the apple of his teachers' eyes, a reflection of the academy's achievements. Upon his return, he probably wouldn't even be reprimanded.
After watching Shisui's figure disappear completely, Kenma slowly withdrew his gaze.
Yoruichi's voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
"I didn't think you had such a tender side. To even see Shisui off, you're just like his parents."
"You, could it be that you really think of Shisui as family?"
Kenma had already sensed Yoruichi's approach. The expression on his face was as calm as still water.
"Shisui is an excellent subordinate of mine. It is only right to show concern. That is all."
He didn't turn around. His gaze fell on Yoruichi, a hint of novelty in his eyes.
"How rare. You're up so early today. Normally, you'd still be sleeping in at this time."
"Kenma, you know my schedule in quite some detail."
Yoruichi was surprised by Kenma's words.
Her eyebrows raised, a teasing look in her eyes.
"To know so much detail, you must have been observing me for a long time, right?"
"Hehe, be honest. Do you have a crush on me, which is why you're paying attention to my daily routine?"
Kenma's brow furrowed, his lips pursed as he stared at Yoruichi's face in silence.
Seeing him silent, a bright light shone in Yoruichi's eyes. She made a fist with her right hand and gently tapped it on her left palm, her tone becoming even more playful.
"Ya, could it be that you really like me, which is why you were so mean to Suì-Fēng and Kisuke?"
"So, you were jealous"
The last word was drawn out.
The mischievousness in Yoruichi's heart was no longer concealed and was on full display.
Kenma was silent for a moment, then said speechlessly, "...You're overthinking it."
"Really?" Yoruichi chuckled. "Am I overthinking it, or did I hit the nail on the head?"
"Oh my, the real reason you accepted Father's request and agreed to marry into the family, could it be that it was love at first sight for me?"
"You tsundere, how about you just admit you like me? If you do, I might even give you a chance to pursue me."
'Give me a chance?'
Kenma laughed silently.
'We're about to get married. Once the deed is done, what's the point of pursuing?'
'His agreement to marry into the family was purely for the privileges and wealth of the Shihoin clan...' Such words obviously could not be said directly.
Especially not in front of Yoruichi, the current head of the Shihoin clan.
Even if everyone knew it, to say it out loud would be unseemly.
Moreover, Kenma could see that Yoruichi's current behavior was clearly just to tease him.
This was not the first time Kenma had encountered such a thing. Every now and then, he would be subjected to Yoruichi's teasing for no reason. He was already used to it and simply chose to remain silent.
He wouldn't give Yoruichi the slightest chance to make fun of him.
"What, still not admitting it?"
Seeing Kenma still silent, Yoruichi was naturally not satisfied.
She crossed her arms and said with conviction, "Ever since you found out I like to sleep in, you haven't made those ghostly cries in the early morning for the past few days. Isn't that proof enough?"
Perhaps because the safety of her two companions was guaranteed, Yoruichi, feeling relaxed and with nothing better to do, had subconsciously started to tease her fiancé.
She just wanted to see the moment when Kenma, who was praised by her father for his stability, broke his stern mask and showed his true feelings.
Whether it was shame turning into anger, rage, or a face full of shyness, it would all bring her joy.
Although, up to now, she had not yet achieved this goal.
But the more difficult it was, the more motivated she became, and the more determined she was to achieve it.
Kenma looked at Yoruichi with a strange expression, as if he were looking at a fool.
"Yoruichi, that's not a ghostly cry, it's called 'Enshō'."
"Also, I was with Shisui in the World of the Living for the past few days for training. You haven't forgotten, have you? To be so senile at such a young age?"
Although Kenma really wanted to say "idiot" in his beautiful native language, looking at Yoruichi's skin tone...
She didn't even deserve the word "white idiot."
"Is, is that so... haha, I was wondering why I've been sleeping so well these past few days."
The playful expression on Yoruichi's face immediately froze, and she was left in an awkward position.
She had spoken too quickly and had forgotten about that.
To have made such a big blunder in front of Kenma, she had really embarrassed herself this time.
Although she was so embarrassed her toes could have dug through the floor, after years of training, her skin was thick enough to endure it.
'As long as I'm not embarrassed, the one who's embarrassed is the other person!'
Yoruichi simply acted as if nothing had happened, put on a look of vibrant energy, and tugged on Kenma's sleeve, pulling him outside.
"The morning is the best time of the day. Kenma, what are you standing around for? Let's go to the barracks. There's a lot of official business piled up."
"With so much official business in the squad, whose fault do you think it is?"
Kenma's face darkened. He retorted to Yoruichi, while at the same time gripping her hand and gently pulling it from his sleeve.
"Ah, what did you say, Kenma? I can't hear anything."
"Stop talking nonsense and let's hurry to the barracks, or we'll be late!"
Yoruichi simply pretended not to hear Kenma's accusation and only quickened her pace.
Sparks were almost flying between her feet and the ground, kicking up a trail of dust.
Seeing Yoruichi's ostrich-like behavior of playing dead whenever she encountered a problem, Kenma sighed inwardly and then followed.
After arriving at Squad 2 on the hill, Vice-Captain Ōmaeda was already there.
The moment he arrived, he saw Yoruichi and Kenma coming together, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.
"Captain, Lord Kenma, you've arrived. Well, I have something to attend to, so I won't disturb you."
For the two of them to come together, it must be because of Urahara Kisuke and Hachi Shōryō, who had been locked up a few days ago.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo had no desire to get involved in this mess.
But before he could take two steps, Yoruichi called out to him.
"Wait, Ōmaeda, I have something to inform you."
Under Marechiyo's puzzled gaze, Yoruichi said, "From today onwards, Urahara Kisuke's third seat and the captaincy of the Detention Unit are revoked. Fourth Seat Kenma is promoted to third seat, and the captaincy of the Detention Unit will be taken over by Uchiha Fugaku, who will be the fourth seat of Squad 2."
"I will issue the formal order later. You can prepare in advance."
Marechiyo glanced at Kenma beside Yoruichi and nodded heavily.
"Oh, I understand, Captain."
'Uchiha Fugaku, from the name, he must be related to Shisui, which means he's a confidant of this son-in-law of the Shihoin family.'
'It seems the two have reached some kind of deal. They've come today to release Urahara Kisuke and the Hachi girl.'
In just an instant, Marechiyo had figured out most of the story.
He had no interest in the love-hate relationship between Yoruichi and Kenma and would absolutely not get involved.
Seeing that Yoruichi had no other business, he quickly left the place.
Kenma and Yoruichi went to the captain's office. He personally watched as Yoruichi wrote out the transfer order, signed, and stamped it.
He took the transfer order and admired the command and the Miscanthus pattern on it. Seeing no omissions, he nodded and put it away.
Yoruichi said with a puffed-out face, "The Detention Unit is now in your hands. Don't make any mistakes and let me catch you."
"Not in my hands, but in Uchiha Fugaku's hands," Kenma said seriously. "He is he, I am I. There is no improper relationship between us. The Gotei 13 is not a place for private appointments."
Hearing this, Yoruichi couldn't help but sneer.
"You really know how to talk."
"To still be so formal at a time like this, so watertight."
This was Squad 2, the Shihoin family's Squad 2.
It was the place with the most serious private appointments. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was the private property of the Shihoin family and its vassal nobles.
"I've done what I promised you. Now, let's go to the Maggot's Nest and release Suì-Fēng and Kisuke."
"Naturally."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]