The Captain-Commander was extremely satisfied with Tōshirō's aptitude and accepted him as his third disciple on the spot.
As a result, a very awkward scene momentarily unfolded in the room.
Tōshirō addressed Soifon as "Teacher Soifon," while addressing the Captain-Commander as "Master."
This seemed prone to causing a misunderstanding—that the Captain-Commander and Soifon were of the same generation.
In the end, Soifon declared that they should each stick to their own separate terms of address.
*
By the time Soifon emerged from the First Division, the sky was approaching dusk.
Right now, her mind was filled with evil plans to invade the Tsunayashiro Clan.
Coincidentally, Isane Kotetsu, who had come to the First Division to submit a procurement list for supplies, ran into Soifon.
"Captain Soifon!" She jogged over to Soifon. "Do you have a moment right now?"
Soifon turned her head at just the right moment, only to have two soft, warm masses collide with her eyes...
That tall, busty woman... she was truly too evil.
Taking two steps back, Soifon tilted her head slightly to look up at the other party. It seemed Isane Kotetsu had no self-awareness in this regard and had launched a humiliation attack against her completely unconsciously.
"I do have time, but is there something you need, Isane?"
Soifon gently sniffed the nearby air; a faint, milky scent still lingered.
"Um..." Isane Kotetsu seemed to be thinking. "Captain Unohana said she wanted Captain Soifon to come to the Fourth Division to discuss the competition being organized by the Shinigami Women's Association."
"A competition? Let's head over now, then."
Since it was a matter concerning the Shinigami Women's Association, Soifon agreed immediately. After all, she was a member.
*
The Captain's office of the Fourth Division was filled with the faint aroma of medicinal herbs. Unohana Retsu was kneeling before a low table, several hand-drawn drafts of event proposals spread out before her.
"Captain Soifon has arrived," she said with a gentle smile, gesturing for Soifon and Isane to sit opposite her. "Please, have some tea."
"I heard from Isane that this is about the Association's competition."
The mischievous Soifon used her toe to poke the sole of Isane's foot next to her.
"Eep—!"
Isane Kotetsu let out a strange squeak, then involuntarily covered her mouth. Due to her shy nature, she didn't dare say anything to Soifon.
Witnessing all of this, the steam from the tea obscured Unohana's expression. She smiled, not taking Soifon's prank to heart.
"Yes." Unohana Retsu lifted the teapot to pour herself another cup. "We want to hold an ikebana—flower arranging—competition as a spring event. However, funding is a bit tight..."
So it was about sponsorship? That was simple; the Ōmaeda family never refused such things.
Soifon answered with almost no hesitation: "That is fine. How much do you need?"
"Captain Soifon agrees so readily." Unohana Retsu pursed her lips in a light smile. "However, I haven't finished speaking yet."
"Eh?!"
A bad premonition spontaneously arose.
My Combat Instinct... why are you sounding an alarm?!
"As a senior member of the Association, and as the primary sponsor of this competition... I hope Captain Soifon will also set an example by personally participating in the competition."
She pushed a teacup in front of Soifon, her voice gentle yet carrying a certain black-bellied vibe that refused to take no for an answer.
"I'll pass on that..." Soifon's hand, holding her teacup, paused in mid-air. "I have no talent in that area, so let's forget it."
"Talent can be cultivated." Unohana's fingertips gently stroked the petals of a camellia in the porcelain vase beside her. "If Captain Soifon is willing, I can teach you hand-in-hand."
Seeing that she was still hesitating, Unohana Retsu suddenly leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice even further: "If Captain Soifon is not interested in flower arranging, then how about Kendo?"
If this wasn't a threat, then what was it?
"..."
"I suppose I am interested in flower arranging after all, Captain Unohana..."
Certain memories uncontrollably floated to the surface of Soifon's mind—a secret chamber made of Seki-Seki Stone, a woman, sweat, and battle.
Unohana Retsu sat up straight with satisfaction, her smile becoming even more gentle. "Then it's settled. Starting tomorrow, come to the Fourth Division for dinner after work every day, and then I will teach you flower arranging for two hours. One month should be enough for you to master the basics."
Soifon nodded silently and took a large gulp from her teacup.
I'm sorry... Captain Aizen. Regarding the conspiracy against the Tsunayashiro Clan, I will find time to meet you.
*
At the same time, inside the Second Division Captain's dormitory.
A slender black shadow soundlessly opened Soifon's dorm, gliding inside quietly without triggering any warning barriers.
First, the figure circled the bedroom, then flipped up onto the roof beam, completely concealing itself within the shadows.
Yoruichi Shihōin crouched on the crossbeam, her golden cat eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
Ever since they parted ways in the World of the Living last time, that sudden kiss from Soifon had been etched into her mind like a brand.
The soft, fluttering sensation, Soifon's breath so close at hand...
Yoruichi Shihōin had turned it over in her mind for many days. Finally, unable to suppress the restlessness in her heart, she decided to risk infiltrating the Seireitei to ask for clarity face-to-face.
She adjusted her posture, suppressing her Reiatsu to the absolute limit, and waited patiently.
However, time passed minute by minute, and the night grew deep.
The patrol squads outside the barracks changed shifts again and again, but Soifon still did not return.
Yawning soundlessly, Yoruichi Shihōin licked her paw, suddenly sensing a familiar fluctuation of Reiatsu from outside the door.
She's here!
She watched as Soifon pushed open the door and walked in, holding a stack of books obviously related to flower arranging. The tips of her hair were still damp, and her body radiated the fresh, light scent of a bath.
Soifon placed the books on the table first, then sat cross-legged on the tatami. She drew Suzumebachi and carefully wiped the blade with a soft cloth.
Only after finishing all this did she extinguish the lamp, lift the quilt, and lie down in the bedding.
Another half hour passed, leaving only the sound of even breathing in the room.
Yoruichi waited patiently a while longer, until the rise and fall of Soifon's chest became steady and long...
The black shadow dropped silently from the roof beam. In mid-air, Spirit Particles flickered like exploding specks of light, transforming into a beautiful figure with long purple hair. She landed barefoot on the wooden floor without making a single sound.
Then, the corners of her mouth curled up, and she pounced toward the sleeping Soifon on the bed—
On the bed, Soifon, who should have been fast asleep, suddenly snapped her eyes open.
Soifon's hand shot out like a striking viper, precisely clutching Yoruichi's throat. Then, relying on instinct, she violently slammed Yoruichi onto the bedding beneath her.
Bang—
The quilt and mattress depressed under the impact, and Yoruichi's back hit the bedboards with a muffled thud.
Yoruichi Shihōin had just thought to rise and resist when Soifon pressed down on her waist, her right arm pinned across Yoruichi's collarbone, restraining her completely.
The moment their eyes met, Soifon froze.
"...Lady Yoruichi?"
Soifon's eyes widened slightly in the darkness. Feeling the fine texture of skin and smelling the familiar fragrance, she clearly saw the "assassin" she had pinned to the bed.
Yoruichi, instantly restrained by Soifon, was not having an easy time either. She tried to get up several times, but was firmly held down on the bed by Soifon's strength.
This girl... when did she become so strong?
Giving up the struggle, Yoruichi Shihōin lay back beneath Soifon, her mindset gradually shifting to one of simply letting things be.
In fact, Yoruichi Shihōin even adjusted her posture to lie more comfortably, completely disregarding the fact that her body was currently exposed to the other party's gaze.
"Heh..."
Yoruichi curled her lips, lifting the hand that wasn't pinned down. Her fingertips gently tapped the back of Soifon's hand, which was still barred across her neck.
"Nice moves, Soifon."
She tilted her head slightly, the tip of her tongue lightly licking her lower lip.
Realizing the situation belatedly, Soifon removed her elbow from Yoruichi's body.
"Lady Yoruichi, why are you..."
"Well..." Yoruichi Shihōin sat up and crossed her legs. "Where should I start..."
Whoosh—
Soifon flipped the quilt from the bed and draped it over the other person.
"Phew..." Soifon patted her pounding chest. "In any case, Lady Yoruichi, could you please bring your own clothes in the future..."
The impact after the Shihōin Clan's cat transformation wore off was truly too powerful.
It was fine for her to see it now, but what if someone else saw it in the future?
____
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