Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90 - 90: Mission

He shot up in bed, drenched in sweat, as if he had just taken a sunbath inside the sun itself.

Rangiku Matsumoto stood before him, staring in shock before slowly sitting down at the edge of the bed.

The room was empty except for the two of them.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Rangiku asked. "Or did you wear yourself out playing with Yoruichi Shihōin for too long?"

"I had a dream... I'm not sure if it was a nightmare," Masatsuki Aozaki muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Is training over?"

He stretched, feeling as if the world around him had become more attuned to him—more comfortable.

If he had to describe it, it was a sense of belonging.

It was as if, until now, he had been nothing more than a traveler in this world, but now, this world had started to feel like home.

Though if he went by that man's words, it wasn't that the world had changed—it was that he was finally accepting it.

"It's almost dinner time. You promised to only train with your Zanpakutō for an hour every afternoon," Rangiku huffed. "And you've been sleeping all day. Are you part pig or something?"

"No, I'm a snake..."

Masatsuki Aozaki blinked, startled.

He had thought he'd only been asleep for a few hours, but he had actually slept for an entire day and night. Looks like he really needed to pace himself better.

"I... didn't do anything weird, did I?"

"No, you were out cold like a dead pig," Rangiku said, shaking her head. "If you didn't wake up soon, I was about to call Captain Unohana."

Masatsuki Aozaki pressed a hand to his forehead.

When exactly had that strange dream begun?

Had it started the moment he lay down? When he first heard the wind?

Or... was he still dreaming?

The feeling of not being able to distinguish reality from illusion was irritating.

He reached out and smacked himself on the head—hard—then opened his eyes... and realized he wasn't wearing anything.

"...Don't tell me that guy—" Masatsuki narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, radiating pure murderous intent.

"It's not my fault..." Rangiku said weakly. "You were just lying there, completely defenseless."

"...Good thing it was you."

Masatsuki exhaled in relief before making a face.

No wonder his whole body felt sore, and he was still sweating—he must have just finished training.

But that dream... it had felt way too real.

He could still picture that middle-aged man's face with perfect clarity.

Normally, he only had eyes for girls—so why was a middle-aged man lingering in his mind so vividly?!

"Dinner's ready. Let's go."

"Oh, right."

Masatsuki grabbed a random shirt and threw it on before following Rangiku outside.

Once outside, Rangiku pulled out an ornate, gold-inlaid food box and began setting the dishes on the table—each one meticulously arranged.

"Hm, let's see..." She did a quick count, then pouted. "Nine dishes in total. And they're all your favorites."

She glanced at him.

"Don't give me that look. You know I can't cook. Ichimaru made them and sent them over."

Masatsuki Aozaki nodded.

Rangiku was fine when it came to eating—but cooking? No way.

These authentic chinese dishes smelled incredible—one whiff and he could tell they'd been made with true skill.

He really couldn't have picked a better little brother than Gin Ichimaru—the guy could handle just about anything!

"Hold on a second... I've got something even better."

Rangiku Matsumoto walked into the kitchen.

When she returned, she was carrying several bottles of sake.

"Well, for the record, Yoruichi and I didn't actually do anything..."

Masatsuki Aozaki swallowed hard. His head buzzed as he realized—she clearly wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily!

Rangiku picked up a bottle and raised an eyebrow. "Not willing?"

"Of course... I'm willing."

"You had a mission today, but you didn't show up at the 2nd Division. That's why she came looking for you," Rangiku explained. "I told her what happened, and she said to let you rest." _{freeweb\n(o)v.e\l.com}

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