Chapter 152: Light Snow
The duty office's time flowed past in warmth.
As bells chimed, the day's casual talk and work reached conclusion.
"Alright, alright, everyone finish here for today."
Kaien stretched luxuriously, calling out.
"Be careful on the road. Have fun."
Miyako looked toward Suoh, gently reminding.
"Mm. Kiyone-neesan, let's go."
Suoh had already organized his desk, smiling at her words.
Subsequently standing, taking a soft wool scarf from the chair back, casually wrapping it around his neck.
Kiyone similarly hadn't bought New Year gifts yet. Earlier she'd requested to accompany him.
One sheep is herding, two sheep is also herding.
Maybe pulling Kiyone along would make the evening shopping journey somewhat easier.
Besides, not a couple's date. More people, more lively.
The two walked shoulder-to-shoulder from the barracks.
The air carried this season's particular crisp cold and quiet.
Seireitei's winters proved quite cold, but snowfall was rare.
So, no accumulated snow on the roads.
But today proved somewhat different. Currently approaching evening, the leaden gray sky suddenly began dropping light snow.
"It's snowing! So rare!"
Kiyone delightedly extended her hand, catching several snowflakes, watching them rapidly melt into minute water stains in her palm.
Suoh stood in the snow.
Shihakusho's black paired with scarf's gray, plus snow's white—complementing each other beautifully.
Crisp air struck his face. Cold wind wrapped with fine snow landed on his eyelashes, quickly melting.
"Kiyone-neesan, let's go."
He pulled the scarf slightly higher, covering his lower face, exposing only calm eyes.
Seireitei in snow appeared more solemn than usual. Their footsteps moved slightly slower than normal.
"Speaking of which, Tsukasa."
"You, Rangiku, and Third Seat Hitsugaya—do you often gather privately?"
Kiyone tightened her scarf, asking softly.
"Quite frequently."
Suoh's steps didn't stop. Answer remained direct.
The Kotetsu sisters' relationship was excellent. Isane's movements couldn't hide from her closest person.
Really pestered unbearably by Kiyone.
After seeking Suoh's opinion, Isane had disclosed everything seen and heard.
"What do you all do? Just... eating? Training?"
Her curiosity about the secret base practically overflowed.
"Both."
"Does Kiyone-neesan also want to come? Next time we go, if you're free I can bring you along."
Suoh glanced at her, speaking easily.
Both ginseng and purple reishi cultivation progressed more smoothly than imagined. Suoh's future plans could begin advancing onto the agenda.
"Really?!"
Kiyone spoke joyfully, then suppressing overly exposed excitement.
"But not tonight. Have to wait a couple days."
"I know!"
Kiyone grinned in response.
While speaking, the two had arrived at the agreed commercial district entrance.
Under the gate marker.
Hitsugaya was already waiting there.
Wearing a white scarf, several snowflakes on silver hair, jade-green eyes appearing especially cold against the snowy scenery.
Arms crossed, standing quietly by the pillar, form upright, possessing composure transcending his age.
"Been waiting long?"
Suoh approached, patting snow from his shoulder.
"Just arrived."
"Rangiku said she was hungry. Went to buy food."
Hitsugaya shook his head. Exhaled breath condensed into white mist in cold air.
Words barely finished, a bright voice carried from the distance.
"Here, here! Sorry, queuing delayed me slightly!"
Rangiku waved, jogging over. Golden hair especially dazzling in white snow, hands still carrying an exquisite cloth bag swaying with movement.
A fluffy white shawl wrapped neck, shoulders, and chest thoroughly, making facial and neck skin appear even more fair, brilliant and charming.
She stopped before Suoh, exhaling a cloud of white breath, eyes settling on him with a smile.
"Tsukasa, today's outfit is quite handsome. This scarf color really suits you."
Her praise direct and natural.
"Thanks. Also rare seeing you wrapped this thoroughly."
"But, very beautiful."
Suoh nodded, tone relaxed, likewise naturally reciprocating the compliment.
Rangiku rolled her eyes at him, chiding.
"The last half-sentence is enough. You and that glib mouth."
"Rangiku, Hitsugaya, hello!"
Kiyone raised her hand in greeting, eyes involuntarily moving back and forth between radiant Rangiku and handsome, composed Suoh.
Though knowing nothing existed between them, this scene before her eyes proved quite pleasant.
Made her heart stir slightly watching.
"Fourth Seat Kotetsu."
Hitsugaya nodded faintly in return.
"Kiyone came too? Wonderful!"
"Tonight we should really browse properly."
Rangiku enthusiastically linked arms with Kiyone.
"Alright, everyone's here. Snow won't stop soon either."
"Let's first find somewhere to eat and warm ourselves."
Suoh looked up at the increasingly dense snow curtain in the sky, proposing.
"Agreed!"
"I know a great shop. Follow me."
Rangiku impatiently immediately seconded. The fluffy shawl looked warm, but she lacked much resistance to hunger and cold.
The four thus turned, walking into the bustling commercial district.
The snowy night commercial district—brilliantly lit.
Lantern light passed through the gradually dense snow curtain, spreading out patches of warm orange-yellow halos, illuminating dancing snowflakes crystal clear.
Various shops lined both street sides, windows bright and clean.
Shop-front tables displayed all manner of New Year goods, accompanied by calls.
Despite cold weather, streets still flowed with people like weaving.
Clamorous voices mixed together, constructing Seireitei commercial district's year-end characteristic lively scene.
The group of four merged into the flow.
Rangiku walked at the very front, enthusiastically leading the way.
Reaching their destination.
The tea room wasn't large, yet quite elegant.
The four found window seats, sitting down. Through white-papered windows could faintly see outside's confused crowd of shadows.
Ordering simple sweets and hot tea, food's warmth quickly dispelled bodily cold.
"Alright, body's warm now. Time to prepare for business."
Suoh set down his teacup, pulling a long list from inside his uniform.
The writing enumerated names plus some simple notes.
"So many!"
Rangiku also leaned over to look, eyes widening, surprised.
Various items totaling thirty-some.
In her not-brief life, people she cared about numbered fewer than one hand's fingers.
She finally understood where Suoh's socially adept personality came from.
"Mm, I'm here too?"
She saw her own name among them, freezing briefly.
An inexplicable warm current mixed with some sourness quietly surged in her heart.
This feeling for her proved both novel and warm.
"Of course."
"Kiyone-neesan and Hitsugaya are also included."
Suoh's answer matter-of-fact. Gaze not shifting from the list, continuing to calculate shopping routes.
And these normal social courtesies for him proved merely basic conduct in human relationships.
"Wait a moment, everyone. I'll be ready shortly."
Tea fragrance wafting, snowy shadows hazy outside the window.
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