The summer nights in Seireitei were unusually dark, though a faint glow still lingered in the sky when the festival began. Crowds had already gathered along the streets, their voices blending into a lively hum.
This was the first official Summer Festival of Seireitei, one of the rare celebratory gatherings held in Soul Society. Naturally, it attracted countless shinigami and Rukongai residents eager to see what had been prepared.
The festival grounds had been set along the moat's riverside, where glowing paper lanterns floated gently down the water's surface, casting ripples of light.
Kurotsuki Renya walked alongside Captain Suì-Fēng, leaving the 2nd Division barracks behind. Yet, he noticed her pace slowing with each step, her head lowered.
"Captain Suì-Fēng, is something wrong? Are you tired?" Renya asked, curious.
Before she could answer, a loud, familiar voice boomed from the distance:
"Hahahaha! Renya, you're here!"
Renya turned and saw Marechiyo Ōmaeda, Vice-Captain of the 2nd Division, approaching. Behind him were three companions.
A heavily built woman, a bespectacled young man, and a short, timid-looking girl.
Renya tilted his head and asked politely, "Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, who are these people?"
Ōmaeda puffed out his chest. "Allow me to introduce them! This is my elder sister, Ōmaeda Nozomi. This is my younger brother, Ōmaeda Saburō Kijirō. And this—" He placed a hand on the shoulder of the small girl hiding behind him. "—is my younger sister, Ōmaeda Kiyoe."
"P-Pleased to meet you…" Kiyoe muttered, bowing shyly.
Renya studied them. Nozomi's sharp tone didn't match her looks, and Saburō had the awkward air of a scholar. But Kiyoe—she stood out, with delicate features and a soft presence that contrasted with the rest of the Ōmaeda family.
Nozomi Ōmaeda grinned at Renya. "So, you're Kurotsuki Renya? My brother says you're some kind of genius."
Renya glanced at Marechiyo with suspicion. Compliments weren't his usual habit.
Marechiyo coughed, face reddening. "W-Well, it's true!"
Nozomi smirked and leaned closer. "By the way, you don't have a girlfriend yet, do you? My little sister is adorable. If you married her, you'd get a generous dowry too."
"Big sis…!" Kiyoe squeaked, hiding behind Saburō with flushed cheeks.
"Nozomi, enough," Saburō sighed. "Can't you see he already has company?"
Only then did Nozomi notice Suì-Fēng—though the Captain was awkwardly hiding behind Renya, her gaze lowered.
Nozomi froze. "Wait… you mean…?"
Renya nearly choked as Suì-Fēng pressed closer, as though retreating from sight. For the usually unshakable Captain to act like this—it was almost surreal.
Marechiyo blinked, realization dawning. He muttered quickly, "We should go."
The Ōmaeda siblings departed, though not without whispers.
"Brother, why did you rush us away?" Nozomi asked.
"Didn't you notice? That was Captain Suì-Fēng." Marechiyo shuddered. "I could never mistake her. After decades of being punched, I know that presence anywhere. But… she looked completely different."
Nozomi gasped. "Then she came to the festival with him…? They're dating?"
Marechiyo gave a sly grin. "That's right. No other explanation fits."
. . .
Once they were gone, Renya whispered, "Captain, you can come out now."
Suì-Fēng emerged, her cheeks glowing red. She glared at him. "This is all your fault."
Renya chuckled lightly. "Captain, there's no need to hide. Why fear being seen with me?"
"I just…" Her lips pressed thin. "I don't want anyone thinking I'm… dating you."
The words almost escaped her, but she quickly brushed them aside, waving her hand dismissively. "Forget it. Let's just move on."
As they strolled further into the festival, another familiar voice called out:
"Renya, Captain Suì-Fēng—what a surprise!"
It was Matsumoto Rangiku, Vice-Captain of the 10th Division, with a short white-haired boy at her side.
Renya blinked. "Captain Hitsugaya?"
Hitsugaya Tōshirō gave a polite nod. "Good evening."
Renya turned to Rangiku. "Weren't you supposed to be attending with the Women's Shinigami Association?"
Rangiku giggled. "Oh, that plan fell apart. Nemu-chan went with Captain Mayuri, Nanao's stuck with Captain Kyōraku, and Yachiru's glued to Captain Zaraki. So I dragged poor Shirō-chan with me instead."
Her eyes then fell on Suì-Fēng, widening. "Wait… Captain Suì-Fēng? With Renya?"
Suì-Fēng stiffened. "Rangiku… hello."
Rangiku's lips curved knowingly. "I see, I see. So that's why you didn't join our outing." She winked. "You two must be on a date!"
"N-No, it's not—" Suì-Fēng tried to explain, but Rangiku had already pulled Hitsugaya along, flashing a teasing thumbs-up behind her.
Renya couldn't help smiling. For once, being misunderstood felt… good.
But then he froze, as a chill ran down his spine. Suì-Fēng was staring at him, her gaze sharp as blades.
"Are you happy?" she asked coldly.
Renya bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Captain. I didn't expect that. But… yes. I'm happy to be here with you, outside of training. Truly."
Her lips twitched, almost forming a smile, though she quickly turned away. "Hmph. I'm not enjoying this. Let's just see what's here."
She walked ahead. Relieved that she wasn't truly angry, Renya followed eagerly.
They stopped at a small food stall. "Two boxes of takoyaki, please," Renya ordered.
The vendor cooked swiftly, pouring batter into the sizzling cast-iron mold, adding octopus pieces, cabbage, and green onions, turning the spheres with practiced precision. The aroma filled the air.
Suì-Fēng sniffed curiously. "What is this?"
The vendor grinned. "Takoyaki, a favorite festival snack from the Human World. Light batter filled with octopus, cooked crisp outside, soft inside, topped with sauce."
He handed over a tray of six steaming takoyaki with skewers. Renya paid and offered one to Suì-Fēng.
She hesitated, then took a bite. Her eyes widened instantly. "Delicious!"
Renya smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Please, have more."
Suì-Fēng picked up another ball, but then paused. "Food tastes better shared. You eat too."
Renya obeyed, taking one for himself. They ate together, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed brighter.
For Renya, it was joy born of sharing with the one he loved. For Suì-Fēng, it was the unfamiliar but warming sensation of companionship.
Her first yukata. Her first new hairstyle in decades. Her first festival. Her first shared meal.
Step by step, Suì-Fēng was changing—and all of it traced back to Kurotsuki Renya.
For the first time in her long life, she was learning to walk forward… not alone.