Kirio Hikifune picked up her knife and fork, delicately cutting off a small piece of omelet before placing it in her mouth, chewing slowly. Then, she picked up the glass of milk beside her and took a small sip.
Her movements were elegant, as if a noble savoring breakfast—at least, that's how she saw it.
Her expression remained neutral—neither particularly pleased nor disappointed. She simply swallowed naturally and moved on to the next bite.
Kirio Hikifune's indifferent reaction made Senjumaru Shutara a little uneasy. She blinked her large eyes, a hint of doubt and concern flickering in them. Unsure of what Kirio truly thought of the breakfast, she carefully observed her expression.
But when no answer came, Senjumaru Shutara turned her head and gave Masatsuki Aozaki a pleading look, as if hoping for some reassurance or a hint from him.
Masatsuki Aozaki, however, didn't directly respond. Instead, he picked up a piece of omelet, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed with exaggerated vigor. As he ate, he let out a few satisfied "mm" sounds, making his approval clear.
Finally, he nodded, signaling to Senjumaru Shutara that she could relax.
Seeing his reaction, Senjumaru Shutara let out a relieved sigh.
She had overlooked one thing—Masatsuki Aozaki had made the food himself. Of course, he knew exactly how it tasted. If it hadn't been good, he wouldn't have let her serve it.
Naturally, it tasted fine.
The seasoning was a bit on the heavy side, not exactly refined cuisine, but that was expected. Both he and Kirio Hikifune preferred strong flavors. If it had been too mild, they wouldn't have liked it.
This was exactly the taste he was aiming for—something that suited both their palates.
Kirio Hikifune finished the last bite of her omelet and picked up her plate.
"Let me take care of it, Kirio-chan."
Senjumaru Shutara gave a small nod, her tied-up hair swaying slightly with the movement. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, like a child eager to impress their parents.
Kirio Hikifune paused at the sight, tilting her head slightly in surprise. She seemed intrigued by Senjumaru Shutara's reaction, as if she were observing a rare creature. Stroking her chin in amusement, she mused,
"You've really grown up, Senpai!"
Stop treating me like a child.
Senjumaru Shutara's eyes twitched slightly, but she knew arguing was pointless. Holding back her frustration, she simply pursed her lips in silent protest.
Kirio Hikifune gazed at her with calm, beautiful eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. Then, she gently parted them and spoke in a soft voice,
"Then, I'll leave it to you, Senpai."
"…Huh?"
Senjumaru Shutara blinked in confusion. She turned her head blankly, her eyes landing on Masatsuki Aozaki.
Masatsuki Aozaki merely spread his hands and let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
"Well, that's rare. Then, I'll leave it to you too, Senpai."
Senjumaru Shutara hurriedly gathered the dishes and scurried off toward the kitchen.
As Kirio Hikifune watched her leave, she turned back and playfully winked at Masatsuki Aozaki.
Kirio really is adorable.
Masatsuki Aozaki reaffirmed this fact.
The usually carefree woman was showing a subtle, almost bashful side today. Her slightly jealous, reserved demeanor was unexpectedly charming.
However, after being momentarily captivated by Kirio Hikifune's cuteness, Masatsuki Aozaki quickly shifted his attention back to the kitchen and frowned.
Such a waste of a pretty face, yet she never learns.
She embarrasses herself time and time again, but never takes the lesson to heart. Always making the same mistakes.
It's exhausting just thinking about it.
And yet… sometimes, like this morning, she manages to be so hopelessly endearing.
Hopelessly endearing? Or maybe I'm just biased?
Masatsuki Aozaki felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Not sure why he was even annoyed, he stood up irritably.
"Once everything's cleaned up, we're continuing. You're going to learn it today."
However, Senjumaru Shutara looked visibly troubled, her large eyes blinking uncertainly.
Judging from that expression, it was unlikely she'd succeed.
But Masatsuki Aozaki wasn't about to give up.
"Kirio and I will teach you together. I refuse to believe you can't learn something this simple in a single day!"
…
One day later, in Senjumaru Shutara's Zero Division Riden…
Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed after their shower.
Trailing behind them was the last person—hesitating, glancing around nervously with every step, looking as if she had forgotten how to walk.
Masatsuki Aozaki let out an exasperated sigh, his expression filled with annoyance.
"What are you even doing? Aren't you the 'Great Weave Guardr'? You always watch the two of us so intently, yet now that it's your turn, you can't even face us?"
"No, that's not it… I'm just not used to this. At least let me put some clothes on first…"
Senjumaru Shutara mumbled weakly, shrinking her shoulders in embarrassment. Wrapped in nothing but a towel, she looked utterly uncomfortable.
In truth, if one took a closer look, they would see that Senjumaru Shutara was undeniably a beauty.
Though not particularly tall, her proportions were impeccable. Long limbs, a graceful silhouette—she had an elegance that was nearly flawless.
Apart from her personality, which differed from Kirio Hikifune's, in every other aspect, she was close to perfection.
As someone with a deep appreciation for aesthetics, Masatsuki Aozaki had an acute sensitivity to human beauty. His eye for detail and unique perspective made him a natural critic in this area.
So, without waiting for permission, he went ahead and picked out an outfit for her.
It was a long, purple yukata adorned with floral patterns—simple yet refined. When draped over her, it enhanced her elegant aura, exuding a charm that rivaled even traditional kimonos.
Notably, this yukata had come from Senjumaru Shutara's own wardrobe.
Why had Masatsuki Aozaki been in her room in the first place?
The answer was simple—she had been too embarrassed to even move, so he had reluctantly done her a favor.
Masatsuki Aozaki studied his handiwork, nodding in satisfaction. With a smirk, he remarked,
"As expected, when someone has the right temperament, it's best to leave a little to the imagination."
"Though it covers up quite a bit, that air of mystery only makes people want to look closer. A perfect masterpiece."
"…You really do have a filthy mind, don't you?"
Hearing him express such thoughts so openly, Senjumaru Shutara's flushed face darkened with disdain. Crossing her arms over her chest, she instinctively leaned away, as if trying to put some distance between them.
Being forced into an outfit that suited Masatsuki Aozaki's tastes and then praised in such a bizarre way…
It was rare for him to offer any kind of compliment, leaving Senjumaru Shutara torn between feeling secretly pleased and utterly uncomfortable.
That said, she didn't actually dislike the yukata.
After all, even a Shinigami who had been single for a thousand years was still, at her core, a woman who appreciated beauty.
There was no reason to be unhappy about looking good.
She had to admit—Masatsuki Aozaki had a good eye.
And with his blunt and unwavering gaze locked onto her, Senjumaru Shutara found her feelings becoming unexpectedly complicated.
…I can't bring myself to hate it.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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