Inside the office of Hollow Special Operations Section 6.
After three hours, Miyabi and Sol finally emerged again.
"Section Chief, Brother Sol! You two finally came out!" Soukaku hopped over to them, clearly worried. "You even missed lunch—don't starve yourselves!"
"Good girl, Soukaku. But I always carry snacks with me. No way I'd starve."
Sol patted the blue-skinned little loli's head and handed her a rainbow lollipop.
"Thank you, brother!"
Soukaku's eyes curved into crescent moons as she accepted it happily.
So Brother Sol always carried food on him? What a smart adult.
Then… Section Chief Miyabi and Brother Sol must've been sneaking snacks inside earlier?
Was this the level of adulthood—food tasted better when eaten secretly?
And they were closer now after sneaking food together.
Next time they sneak food, she'd definitely ask Brother Sol to let her join.
"Sol, thank you for your hard work today."
Tsukishiro Yanagi poked her head out from a mountain of documents, visibly exhausted.
The Bringer incident had just concluded, yet she still had to write an analysis report and summary.
There were also several Hollow-disaster cases awaiting post-incident review. Thinking about it made her head ache.
"…" Sol looked at her with sympathy. "Seems you worked harder than I did."
"Sorry you have to see the unreliable side of Section 6."
Tsukishiro Yanagi adjusted her glasses, apologetic.
"Honestly, compared to certain departments that are always leisurely, a busy Section 6 is more reassuring."
Sol remembered countless similar news reports and shook his head with a laugh.
If any of those people had even half of Yanagi's work ethic, citizens would be showering them with plaques of gratitude.
"Anyway, let's not chat too long. Today's training is over. I should head home."
Sol waved casually, smiling.
"S–see you. That training… I'll contact you through Knock-Knock."
Hoshimi Miyabi, uncharacteristically shy, avoided eye contact.
Even she couldn't say "romantic cultivation" openly in front of Yanagi.
"Mm. Don't worry—I won't forget."
Sol winked, understanding perfectly.
"I'll drive you home," Tsukishiro Yanagi offered, rising from her seat.
"No need. I don't want to take up your time."
Sol glanced at the mountain of documents on her desk and shook his head. "I'll wander around outside. No need to trouble yourself."
If she drove him again, she'd probably have to work overtime tonight. That was too cruel.
He thought a moment, then asked, "I heard you like red bean buns?"
"Mm." Yanagi nodded, curious why he'd ask.
"Then let me treat you, as thanks for coming to pick me up earlier."
Sol placed a steaming bag of red bean buns on her desk and turned to leave.
"…Huh." Tsukishiro Yanagi wiped her glasses, wondering if she was hallucinating from overwork.
Her hands were clearly empty just now—how did a steaming bag of buns suddenly appear?
But out of politeness, she still murmured, dazed, "Thank you."
Sol waved without turning back and left the Section 6 office.
"Waa—amazing!" Soukaku squeaked, then called out loudly, "Bye-bye, Brother Sol!"
Only after Sol's figure vanished completely did she creep toward the bag of red bean buns, poking it with curiosity.
Soft to the touch—and a rich aroma drifted out, intoxicating.
Wow. It was real!
He could manifest something delicious out of nowhere!
Soukaku swallowed hard. In her heart, Sol's figure grew immeasurably tall.
Tsukishiro Yanagi stretched, her elegant curves nearly bursting out of her uniform.
She approached the bag, and under Soukaku's drooling gaze, picked up a bun.
"Mmm… it smells wonderful!"
Her eyes lit up.
As a red bean bun connoisseur, she had never smelled one this good—not even from her usual favorite bakeries.
And… was it her imagination, or was it glowing?
"It's glowing!"
Soukaku shouted.
"It is glowing," Hoshimi Miyabi said calmly.
"…"
So it wasn't an illusion after all.
It looked tempting, smelled tempting—so it must be truly tempting.
Just as Yanagi prepared to taste this glowing red bean bun, a loud rumbling came from Soukaku's stomach.
Yanagi grabbed two more buns—passing one to Soukaku, the other to Hoshimi Miyabi.
"Thank you, Sister Yanagi! You're the best!"
Soukaku rubbed against her waist affectionately, then bright-eyed, took a huge bite.
Yanagi only smiled, and she and Miyabi tasted their own buns.
The bread was soft, wheat fragrance rich, ingredients and craftsmanship all top tier.
The red bean filling inside was smooth, sweet, and exquisitely refined.
Just one bite, and all of Yanagi's exhaustion melted away.
"It's so good! I've never eaten a red bean bun this delicious!"
Soukaku closed her eyes in bliss, as if swimming in a sea of red bean paste.
Tsukishiro Yanagi and Hoshimi Miyabi both nodded—they felt the same.
Yanagi savored the sweetness and sighed inwardly: Sol… what a gentle person. And these buns are amazing. I need to ask him later where he bought them.
After finishing hers, Miyabi returned to the training chamber, brought out the crystal plate of honeydew—seven untouched slices—and offered them to Soukaku and Yanagi.
Beautiful things should be shared.
"I'm so happy—I can taste melon again!" Soukaku was moved nearly to tears, conquered by the flavor.
Once, Section Chief Yanagi went through a phase of obsessively choosing the perfect melon and bought dozens.
Soukaku ate them all so they wouldn't go to waste. She ate until she could no longer taste melon at all.
And now—today—she could taste it again. Incredible!
Miyabi stroked her head gently, showing a faint smile.
Then she took a seat at Yanagi's desk and started helping with documents.
"Thank you, Miyabi. Today is truly a day worth remembering."
Tsukishiro Yanagi watched her work with satisfaction.
She would still have to review everything later, but the attitude deserved praise. Seeing Miyabi like this made her reluctant to overwork her.
After all, in combat, Miyabi always charged forward and carried the heaviest burden for Section 6.
"We can't let you work too hard," Miyabi said calmly while reviewing documents.
Yanagi was delighted and asked with a smile, "Then what about tomorrow's meeting?"
"Cancel it."
Miyabi responded instantly.
She had the divine martial manual Sol gave her—she had to begin cultivation immediately.
"I knew it."
Yanagi held her forehead, exasperated yet fond.