After much effort, all the strange garments were finally repaired.
Taking the opportunity, the warm-hearted and affectionate older sister suggested spending some romantic time together as a way to thank Masatsuki Aozaki for his help.
And so, the two of them shared a few sweet, intimate hours…
...
Kirio Hikifune lay quietly on the soft bed, completely lost in slumber.
"...There's plenty of passion, but still not enough skill."
Masatsuki Aozaki's face carried a fond smile as he gently picked up a sheet and carefully draped it over Kirio Hikifune.
It was already past dinner time, but he didn't bother waking her—there was no need.
In fact, as Kirio Hikifune drifted into deep sleep, Masatsuki Aozaki could clearly sense her Reiatsu gradually growing.
For the sleeping beauty before him, his gaze was filled with tenderness.
He leaned down and placed a gentle, lingering kiss on her forehead before silently leaving, not wanting to disturb her dreams.
...
With quiet steps, Masatsuki Aozaki made his way out of the room and into the guest quarters, stopping in front of Senjumaru Shutara's door.
"...She really ran off?"
He glanced around doubtfully.
Wasting no time, he spread out his spiritual perception, then... swiftly walked toward the closet.
Sliding the door open, his eyes landed on the small, enclosed space—where no one should have been.
Sure enough, there was someone inside.
Masatsuki Aozaki blinked in mild surprise, but his expression soon softened into a gentle smile.
Crouched in the corner of the closet was a woman, curled up tightly.
The moonlight streaming through the window bathed her skin in an ethereal glow, making her seem almost unreal, as if she were wrapped in an illusion.
Masatsuki Aozaki called out softly,
"...Senjumaru-senpai?"
Before him sat his esteemed senior—a member of the exalted Zero Division, a royal secret agent who safeguarded the Soul King, and one of the strongest female Shinigami in all of Soul Society.
Yet here she was, hiding in a tiny closet, a stark contrast to her usual commanding presence.
Senjumaru Shutara was not the type to easily reveal vulnerability—let alone cower like a helpless child.
This was something she would only do when her defenses were truly broken. And yet, she seemed strangely calm, as if she hadn't quite reached that point.
Though Masatsuki Aozaki often appeared carefree and frivolous, he was far from oblivious.
Most of the time, his laid-back demeanor wasn't due to ignorance—it was simply because he couldn't be bothered to restrain himself.
His Reiatsu withdrew swiftly, receding like a tide.
Slowly, he reached out and gently placed a hand atop Senjumaru Shutara's head, a silent attempt to soothe her emotions.
Seeing no resistance, he decided to stroke her long hair—a quiet effort to comfort the "child" before him.
"Don't..."
The word came out as an abrupt command.
Senjumaru Shutara froze for a moment before suddenly lifting her head. Her reddened eyes locked onto Masatsuki Aozaki with an intense gaze.
"Don't... treat me like a child!"
Masatsuki Aozaki was momentarily stunned. His eyes traced over Senjumaru Shutara once more.
She was still dressed in her Zero Division uniform—the black and white fabric adorned with embroidered black winter daphne, a clear symbol of her rank and status.
Her long hair, usually tied up with a golden headpiece, now cascaded freely down her back like a waterfall. Every strand gleamed with a dark luster, smooth as silk, brushing softly against her pale skin.
With her hair down, she carried a different kind of allure—her usual refined elegance now laced with a distinctly feminine charm.
After speaking, Senjumaru Shutara fell into silence, and the atmosphere between them grew heavy.
Masatsuki Aozaki, sensing her intent, slowly bent his knees and knelt before her, lowering himself to meet her gaze at eye level.
...
He wanted to say something—to break the silence—but the words wouldn't come.
Senjumaru Shutara's eyes slowly lowered, her half-lidded gaze reflecting his image.
Then, her hands moved.
Softly, they settled onto Masatsuki Aozaki's shoulders.
He tensed slightly at her touch.
And then—
With sudden force, Senjumaru Shutara pushed him down.
Completely caught off guard, Masatsuki Aozaki hit the ground.
Before he could react, she was on top of him, pressing him down with her full weight.
His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected her to do something like this.
But he didn't resist.
There was no reason to.
If anything, being pinned like this wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it was rather comfortable.
So he simply accepted it, lying still and allowing her to hold him down.
Under the shifting moonlight, her movements seemed surreal—like a fleeting illusion, a dream on the edge of waking.
Her hands moved again, this time reaching for his face, cradling his cheeks gently between her palms.
Masatsuki Aozaki was momentarily dazed. Instinctively, his lips parted, as if to speak.
But before he could utter a word, Senjumaru Shutara suddenly leaned down—
And kissed him.
It was quick. Soft.
A fleeting brush of lips, yet it caught him off guard.
Still, he didn't resist.
It wasn't their first kiss, but Masatsuki Aozaki had never expected Senjumaru Shutara to be particularly skilled in such things.
This wasn't about technique—it was a simple, direct touch. A cool sensation spread from her lips to his skin.
And then, just as naturally, they parted.
The moment passed.
Masatsuki Aozaki licked his lips slightly, still savoring the lingering sensation.
"You didn't have to do that," he murmured. "No one can replace you. I never have, and I never will, let anyone take your place…"
Senjumaru Shutara's face turned red.
"I know that," she shot back, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm not stupid. Don't underestimate me."
Her flustered reaction contrasted sharply with her usual composed self, as if she were struggling to hold back an emotion too strong to contain.
As if trying to vent her frustration, she grabbed Masatsuki Aozaki by the collar and yanked him closer—so close that the space between them nearly vanished.
Under the moonlight, the two simply stared at each other.
Ten minutes passed in silence.
Then, Senjumaru Shutara finally spoke:
"You said you liked me, didn't you?"
Her voice held a hint of challenge, yet beneath it was something more—something that sounded almost like desperation.
Masatsuki Aozaki could feel her breath against his skin.
He inhaled deeply and met her gaze head-on.
"Senpai, of course I like you," he said. "But now that the misunderstanding's cleared up, you should really think about this. Acting on impulse… you might regret it later."
That tone again—so maddeningly composed.
Damn it…
Senjumaru Shutara's grip on his collar tightened.
"Then keep liking me," she declared. "Your confession—I accept it!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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