"You damn brat... So you really are secretly in love with me! And you even went so far as to create something like this. Was it Kisuke Urahara's doing? Or that lunatic Mayuri Kurotsuchi?"
Senjumaru Shutara stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, at the tall beauty standing before her—someone who looked exactly like her. Shock and disbelief colored her voice.
"This is seriously messed up! Doing something like this is against every moral principle. Even if I maybe like you just a little... I'd still be furious!"
Hands on her hips, Senjumaru's face was full of righteous anger, looking like she could explode any second.
"Wait... Did you just say something outrageous just now?"
"I did not!"
Senjumaru denied it instantly, her voice loud and shrill, like a lioness throwing a tantrum.
Masatsuki Aozaki sighed and shook his head.
"You really are simple-minded... Didn't I already tell you? Have you forgotten my ability? This is Shigarami—my Shigarami, not yours, Senjumaru-senpai."
As he spoke, he gently ran his fingers through Shigarami's hair, his eyes filled with warmth and affection.
It felt like watching a nobleman and noblewoman secretly meeting behind their families' backs in some old romantic tale.
Senjumaru started to nod in understanding—then froze.
"Oh, I see... Wait, what do you mean your Shigarami? When did you...?"
Mid-sentence, she suddenly recalled the image of Masatsuki wearing an apron—and her face turned beet red.
Her eyes darted back to Shigarami.
"So it was that time... You didn't do anything indecent to her, did you?"
"Not yet."
Masatsuki replied smoothly, a smug little smile tugging at his lips.
"What's that supposed to mean?! Why wouldn't you—"
Senjumaru frowned, clearly annoyed.
"What do you mean, why? It's exactly what it sounds like—because it reminds me of you, Senjumaru-senpai."
"…Are you saying I disgust you?" she muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with a mix of hurt and frustration.
"Oh come on, can't you let me finish a sentence?"
Masatsuki looked at her, completely exasperated.
"Idiot…" Senjumaru huffed.
"Even if you say that..." Masatsuki shrugged, helpless.
"You're such an idiot, Masatsuki! A big, dumb idiot! I'm getting mad now—no, I'm already mad!"
Senjumaru suddenly burst out, shoved Masatsuki aside, and stormed out of the bedroom without looking back, sprinting toward her room.
"…What's her problem?"
Masatsuki scratched the back of his head, completely baffled.
"You were kinda mean, Masatsuki. No matter what, you shouldn't make it seem like you're replacing Senjumaru-senpai."
Kirio Hikifune gently patted him on the shoulder as she spoke.
Shigarami silently nodded in agreement beside her.
"That's not it," Masatsuki replied seriously. "I've never once thought of using Shigarami to replace Senjumaru.
To me, Shigarami is Shigarami, and Senjumaru is Senjumaru.
They're both one of a kind."
That was the truth.
Even if they looked identical, he had never seen any of his Zanpakutō spirits as substitutes.
Each one had her own unique charm and worth, her own thoughts, personality, and purpose.
They were individuals—not replacements.
That belief was something Masatsuki held firmly to, both in how he interacted with them and how he loved them.
Sure, seeing Shigarami would sometimes stir memories of Senjumaru. But even then, he never once confused the two.
There was no question—eventually, he would make a move on Shigarami. But he simply needed time to adjust.
...
Back in her own room, Senjumaru Shutara slammed the door behind her.
She slumped against it, slowly sliding down until she sat on the floor, arms wrapped tightly around her knees.
Her head buried itself deep, hiding the expression that had gone completely blank.
"What should I do... My reaction just now..." she muttered to herself, her voice trembling.
"Ugh..."
Had she overreacted?!
Shame and frustration crashed over her, drowning her thoughts. She couldn't pull herself out of it. Forgetting all sense of composure, she knelt on the ground, nearly banging her head against the floor.
That said, her anger hadn't been baseless.
As Kirio Hikifune had pointed out, she truly had felt as if her very existence was being replaced.
Like she no longer mattered.
Like she was becoming insignificant—especially to Masatsuki Aozaki.
The thought disgusted her.
On top of that, seeing someone who looked so much like her share such close intimacy with Masatsuki Aozaki had stirred something deep inside her, something she couldn't name.
"Since I've already humiliated myself this much… maybe I should just… run away!"
After rolling around on the wooden floor for what felt like forever, Senjumaru Shutara clenched her teeth and balled her fists. Finally, she made a decision—one that could only be called cowardly.
Sitting up, she glanced at her closet.
...
Meanwhile, in Kirio Hikifune's bedroom...
"Are you sure it's fine not to go after Senjumaru-senpai?" Kirio Hikifune asked, watching the door with the concern of an understanding older sister.
Masatsuki Aozaki barely reacted, shrugging lightly.
"We can go later. Let her cool off first. It's not like she's actually going to run away."
"You didn't object?"
A sly glint flickered in Kirio Hikifune's eyes as she let out a meaningful sigh.
Masatsuki Aozaki smiled, showing not a hint of shame.
"Of course not. I like her, so I'm definitely going to find her."
His shamelessness was unparalleled.
When it came to sheer audacity, he could proudly call himself the greatest disciple of the Shameless Sect.
"I know, but I'm still not happy."
"Just because I'm a little slow sometimes doesn't mean I don't realize when you're saying something that should make me jealous!"
Kirio Hikifune finally dropped the act, her affectionate yet possessive gaze locking onto Masatsuki Aozaki.
Masatsuki Aozaki responded with a tender smile, pulling her into his arms before pressing a deep kiss to her lips.
Time passed before they finally parted.
Masatsuki Aozaki exhaled slowly as he loosened his embrace, then asked softly,
"My dear Kirio-san, was my service to your satisfaction?"
His words hit right where he intended.
Kirio Hikifune's lips curled into a smirk. She licked them, savoring the taste, before nodding in satisfaction.
"Mm, not bad."
"As long as you're happy."
With that settled, it was time to get back to business.
Under Masatsuki Aozaki's instructions, Shigarami began working, pulling out a pile of tattered clothes Kirio Hikifune had stored away.
As expected of Senjumaru Shutara's Zanpakutō, Shigarami had perfectly inherited her master's weaving skills. By the end of the afternoon, the once-ruined garments had been completely restored.