"As I thought, you have a rather twisted sense of humor."
Enrakyōten gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before slowly raising her head. Her eyes were clear and bright, as mesmerizing as the still waters of autumn.
"Hearing you say that... does that mean you know me well?" Masatsuki Aozaki blinked, a trace of confusion flickering across her face.
"Yes, I do. I am your Zanpakutō now. I get along quite well with those girls—they seem to like you a lot."
Enrakyōten let out a soft sigh, her voice as light as a passing breeze.
"Someone's coming."
"Don't worry, she's very gentle." Masatsuki Aozaki stuck out his tongue playfully. "You don't need to worry about me—I'm perfectly fine..."
"To be honest, I never make a deal where I come out at a loss. Letting you stay here is basically like you renting my space."
"By that logic, shouldn't you be paying me rent?"
"It's a bit early to be talking about that," Enrakyōten chuckled. "Besides, you're not really taking this seriously."
"Hmm... I see. So what you want is sincerity?" Masatsuki Aozaki hesitated for a moment, trailing his fingers lightly across the water's surface, sending ripples outward. "You want to establish a true connection with me?"
Enrakyōten lowered her head in silence, then leaned over Masatsuki Aozaki. Without a word, she reached out with her slender hand and gently stroked his face, which was still clouded with doubt.
"Goodbye," she whispered.
"Goodbye," Masatsuki Aozaki responded, his gaze fixed on the woman before him as her form gradually blurred, growing fainter until she finally disappeared.
...
Just then, the door creaked open, and a figure slowly stepped inside.
She lowered her head, gazing at the pool of water as steam curled into the air. Reaching up, she gently smoothed her long, flowing hair, which cascaded like a waterfall. Then, with an elegant motion, she loosened the obi at her waist, let her yukata slip from her shoulders, and stepped toward the bath.
Masatsuki Aozaki silently spread his arms, waiting for the woman approaching him.
Finally, she arrived at his side and gracefully lowered herself into the warm water.
Amid the swirling mist, the two were so close they could feel each other's breath.
Retsu Unohana's luminous eyes were captivating, their depth seamlessly blending with the transparent water around her, making her entire presence seem even softer.
She looked up at Masatsuki Aozaki, her naturally gentle face now tinged with a delicate flush, making her beauty all the more alluring.
Outside, the rain intensified. Heavy droplets pounded against the wooden window, splashing into countless shimmering beads of water.
The torrential downpour lashed at the earth, sending up ripples and mist, as the world beyond blurred into a haze of falling rain.
"You seem happy," Retsu Unohana murmured, leaning back against Masatsuki Aozaki. Her gaze drifted toward the ceiling as the steam-filled bathroom made her feel as if she were lost in a dreamlike haze. "It looks like everything went smoothly."
"Very smoothly." Masatsuki Aozaki adjusted his posture so Unohana could rest her head against his shoulder more comfortably. "The experiment was a success—I saw those old relics with my own eyes as they turned into crazed beasts."
"Beasts?" Unohana frowned.
As a master of refined technique, she found such an outcome far from ideal.
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