When Fujimiya Makoto escaped the clutches of danger, it was already nearing dusk. On the streets, many Shinigami were passing by, some heading home for a warm meal, others gathering for drinks, creating a bustling scene reminiscent of the evening rush in his past life.
After months of reconstruction, the Soul Society still had many areas reduced to ruins.
However, as time passed, many places began to show signs of life.
"Gurgle..."
Fujimiya Makoto's stomach growled faintly.
He rubbed his belly, feeling weak as he muttered:
"Damn it!"
"That Saito!"
"Just for tugging my tongue, she went so hard!"
"Next time, I'll bite her back!"
"I'm hungry."
With no other choice, he detoured to a nearby temporary market, bought braised pork and vegetables wrapped in lotus leaves and tied with string, and slowly carried them home.
In a way, Shinigami weren't much different from humans.
Due to their innate spiritual energy, they felt fatigue, hunger, and sleepiness, and their daily routines weren't much different from ordinary people's.
At most, during missions, their schedules might be more erratic, and they could endure fatigue better.
Thus, Rukongai had places like the Luban An, where merchants and taverns gathered to serve the occasional visiting Shinigami.
Fujimiya Makoto was no exception.
However, since the chefs outside were terrible, to ensure his taste buds didn't fail him in the next thousand years, he had to cook for himself.
Unfortunately, just as he finished cooking, an uninvited guest appeared at his window.
"Thud!"
Katori Batsuzai pressed against the window, her fair, tender face and the two large, soft mounds in front of her created three oddly shaped shadows on the transparent glass.
Fujimiya Makoto stood by the kitchen window, his deadpan eyes silently observing her.
[Makoto! Look at her!]
[Such a big pair delivered to your door, when will you make your move?]
[Can it be today?]
"Shut up!"
Fujimiya Makoto snapped, and the little broken sword immediately fell silent.
Then, he turned to the window, sighing:
"Captain Batsuzai, if you have something to say, you can come in through the front door."
"Eh... hehe~"
Katori Batsuzai tried to be cute to get her way.
The girl scratched her cheek, whispering:
"Actually, I just wanted to see if Senior Saito was here today."
"If she's here, it'd be inconvenient for me to come in..."
"Right?"
"What's inconvenient about it?" Fujimiya Makoto casually opened the window for her, gesturing for Katori to enter, "I just got beaten up by her."
"Look, my face is bruised."
"Do... domestic violence?!"
Katori Batsuzai's eyes widened, as if she'd heard big news.
Fujimiya Makoto glanced at her:
"Make sure to say that in front of Saito next time."
"N... never mind..."
Katori Batsuzai seemed to recall something unpleasant, gently rubbing her poor mounds.
Previously, when she accidentally angered Senior Saito during a battle, this area always got slapped.
Smack, smack.
Fujimiya Makoto casually asked:
"Is there something up? I already submitted this month's manuscript to you, right?"
"Ah, it's about the manuscript, but not this month's." Katori quickly waved her hands, still looking weak.
However, only when talking about manuscripts did this weak girl become unexpectedly firm.
"Hmm?"
Fujimiya Makoto sensed something was off and turned to look at her.
Then, he saw Katori's face slowly reveal a mischievous smile, scratching her cheek, seeming embarrassed:
"Um, Makoto, you know, we're going on the Hueco Mundo expedition next month."
Hearing this, Fujimiya Makoto's heart sank.
However, before he could stop her, Katori quickly said:
"I've thought it over! Even though it's during the mission, if I try a little harder, I'm sure I can help you finish your task too!"
"So, can you stay in writing mode during the expedition?"
"I'll have the logistics team provide water and enough paper and pens for you!"
The bespectacled girl breathed heavily, her expression excited!
"Bridge of the Nose!!"
Fujimiya Makoto immediately extended his Er Kang hand, as if trying to grab her mounds, loudly stopping her:
"Don't abuse your authority, Captain Katori!"
"Snap out of it!"
"Being distracted during battle will definitely get us both thrown into the depths of Hell!!"
At this moment, even Fujimiya Makoto wanted to grab her collar and slap her mounds.
Forced overtime?!
Is this something a human would do?
It's downright devilish!
"Eh?"
Katori Batsuzai's eyes widened, cautiously asking:
"Depths of Hell?"
"Re... really?"
"Is it that serious?"
Fujimiya Makoto lightly turned the spatula, tapping her head:
"It's that serious!"
"You're the captain, I'm the vice-captain!"
"There are only twenty-six of us in the entire Soul Society."
"If we trade military merits, do you think it's a big deal?"
Yes.
Even without considering the captains' amusement, the Hueco Mundo expedition had immense appeal.
Because it was a rare opportunity to slaughter Hollows en masse for military merits and hone one's skills.
"Eh—?!"
Hearing this, Katori's tone rose.
Her entire body slumped like noodles onto the table, her mounds pressing against it, forming flat arcs.
The bespectacled girl whined:
"If that's the case... won't I not see updates for a long time?"
"Exactly!"
Fujimiya Makoto said, transferring the dishes from the pot to the plates, placing them on the table, and continuing:
"I'm under strict orders from Unohana-sensei."
"If I don't master Shikai during this expedition, I won't be able to return."
"You're so dumb, you still haven't mastered Shikai." Katori propped her small bun face on the table, lowering her voice in annoyance.
"What did you say?!"
Fujimiya Makoto thought he'd misheard and grabbed Katori's ear, demanding she repeat it.
"I... I didn't say anything!"
Realizing she'd accidentally spoken her mind, Katori quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening, instinctively trying to run outside.
However, before she could leave, her collar was grabbed.
The girl turned, her face tearful.
"I'm sorry."
"..."
Fujimiya Makoto glared at her, twisting her soft cheek, pointing to the table, his face dark:
"Since you're here, you can't leave hungry."
"Go! Serve yourself."
Katori's eyes sparkled, seemingly excited:
"Really?!"
She'd smelled the aroma since earlier.
Fujimiya Makoto had never heard such a question:
"Or do you want me to twist it again?"
"I... I'll serve myself!"
Katori immediately fled Fujimiya Makoto's grasp, quickly running to the steamer to serve rice.
Fujimiya Makoto watched her back, crossing his arms, wearing an apron, holding a spatula, lecturing his unruly child, exuding an air of a housewife.
Tonight's meal at the Fujimiya household was simple: braised eggplant, stir-fried tofu, and braised venison.
Though originally only for himself, since he felt like eating more, the portions weren't small.
Batsuzai showed no grudges, despite her high status, she always seemed weak, not minding Fujimiya twisting her face, serving rice for both, and sitting down casually.
Compared to Shutorara, the flat-chested glutton, Batsuzai ate gracefully, her rice bowl placed neatly on the table, using only one hand to hold it, the other holding chopsticks, habitually moving clockwise between the three dishes.
"Is Batsuzai also from the human world?"
"Or were you born in the Soul Society?"