The system reminder sounded in his mind, bringing a satisfied smile to Arata's face.
"Arata, you cheated, didn't you?" Ayasegawa Yumichika suddenly leaned close to Arata's head and asked quietly, a trace of suspicion in his eyes.
Arata shrugged and said, "Yumichika, you can say whatever you want." He didn't explain any further, but Yumichika, as if understanding something, just shook his head helplessly.
"Well, this is actually for the best." Yumichika looked at the drunk Ikkaku and sighed. "That Ikkaku really needs to quit drinking. Every time he gets drunk, he makes a mess. I've lost count of how many times I've had to clean up after him."
At that moment, the door of the izakaya suddenly swung open and a familiar figure entered. Her voluptuous silhouette immediately drew the attention of all the guests.
"Ah, isn't this our talented graduate? Tells big sister he's underage and shouldn't drink, then turns around and gets drunk to the bone with the 11th Division?"
Matsumoto Rangiku's slightly husky, mature voice, full of magnetism, came with a teasing and mildly annoyed tone.
Arata turned around and saw Rangiku wearing a loosely fitted shihakushou, her long golden hair casually draped over her shoulders.
"Rangiku-san, what are you doing here?" Arata was a bit surprised.
"I heard you were drinking here, so I came to take a look. What's wrong, don't want to see me?" Rangiku sat down next to Arata without the slightest hesitation, her proud chest visibly swaying with the large motion.
She glanced at the drunken lump and said in surprise, "Ha? Looks like I'm late?"
"Ikkaku's already down," Yumichika explained. "Arata just had a drinking bet with him, and Ikkaku was the first to hit the floor."
Rangiku's eyes lit up. "What kind of bet?"
"Ikkaku promised he wouldn't drink anymore until he becomes a vice-captain," Yumichika said.
As soon as she heard that, Rangiku burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! That guy probably won't drink again for the rest of his life!"
Arata helplessly shook his head. "Rangiku-san, please, try to say fewer things like that in the future. People can get offended easily."
"Don't worry, everyone in the 11th Division is super chill. Besides, Ikkaku's drunk, he can't hear a thing." Rangiku leaned toward Arata, and the gentle scent of her body mixed with perfume washed over his face.
"Since the bet's already over, what do you say you spend the rest of the evening with big sister having a second round… of tea?"
Arata looked at Rangiku's face so close to his, and his heart unconsciously began to beat faster.
He gently cleared his throat and shifted away a bit. "Rangiku-san, I really can't drink anymore. I have training with Captain Soi-Fong tomorrow."
"Ah, I'm not taking you out for alcohol. I want to bring you over to mine for some tea. Kikuchaya recently released a few new products, and I want your help reviewing them."
"Kikuchaya?" Arata blinked. He remembered the last time he was there was two months ago.
He could still clearly recall the taste of that Shishi Ruyi fruit tea.
And speaking of which, during his first lottery draw in Hueco Mundo, he seemed to have won something called the "Kikuchaya Platinum Membership Card."
When she saw him hesitating, Rangiku immediately raised three fingers as if taking an oath: "We're really just going for tea! I promise I won't make you drink—"
"Besides, with your build, I couldn't get you drunk even if I wanted to."
That line drew a wave of laughter from the gathered members of the 11th Division.
Yumichika lifted the now completely drunk Ikkaku and waved toward Arata. "Rangiku-neesan, Arata, you two go ahead. I have to drag this drunk back."
"If the captain finds out that his most reliable subordinate is this wasted again, he's going to have a fit tomorrow."
"I leave him to you, then, Yumichika." Arata nodded to Yumichika, then turned to Rangiku. "Let's go, Rangiku-san."
By the time they left the izakaya, the sun was already setting.
The streets of Rukongai were painted in the same golden hue as Rangiku's hair, and the alleys bustled with people.
Rangiku walked ahead, her long golden hair swaying gently in the evening breeze.
The hem of her shihakushou swayed with each step, occasionally revealing the white, slender lines of her feet.
When they turned the corner, a two-story building appeared with a wooden sign that read "Kikuchaya."
Compared to two months ago, the shop had clearly expanded, and a new signboard displaying new products had appeared at the entrance.
When they opened the door, wind chimes jingled with a clear sound.
The waitress Koharu, who would usually greet them at the door, was nowhere to be seen this time. Instead, four young silhouettes in waitress uniforms appeared.
"Welcome to Kiku… Arata-senpai?!"
Four different voices rang out at once, so loud that the gray cat on the counter meowed in fright and leapt onto the beam.
Arata looked closely and realized that the four in front of him were actually Renji and the others, who were supposed to be on break according to the schedule.
"You guys…" Arata's gaze moved over the four of them and finally landed on the name tags hanging on their chests.
"'Kikuchaya Summer Special Waiters'?"
Rangiku laughed and took the tray from Renji's hand. "Didn't expect this, did you? The four of them signed up on their own for summer jobs here."
She leaned in close to Arata's ear, her warm breath mixed with a faint body scent brushing against his ear: "Ever since you shone at the graduation ceremony, Shinō Spiritual Arts Academy has been full of your fans~"
Hearing that, Renji's face turned even redder than his hair and he stammered in explanation: "Arata-senpai, don't get the wrong idea, we just heard that the shop owner is Vice-Captain of the 10th Division, Matsumoto-san, and thought we could learn some spiritual pressure control tricks that aren't taught at school…"
"Yes, Arata-senpai." Kira helplessly pointed at the drink board. "Who knew that on our first day we'd be learning to make all these weird drinks."
Arata looked at the drink board and clearly saw:
"Fifty Shades of Grey Special – whipped coconut latte (comes with a photo with the shop owner).
The Greatest Milk Tea – Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (comes with a signed card by Saito Arata)."
"This…" Arata's lip twitched as he looked confusedly at Rangiku. "Since when are you selling this, and when exactly did I sign anything?"
Rangiku proudly flipped her long hair. "We started the day after the graduation ceremony. Every day there are girls from various divisions in Seireitei asking when you'll come visit."
"As for the signature…" she suddenly lowered her voice, "I copied your handwriting from your notes. It's selling really well."
Before Arata could say anything, Hinamori Momo ran over to him, holding a notebook in both hands, and asked with hopeful eyes, "Arata-senpai, can I have your autograph?"
"Uh… no problem with the autograph." Arata took the pen and quickly wrote his name.
"Thank you, Arata-senpai!" Hinamori Momo bowed to Arata with satisfaction.
Arata didn't know what to say. No matter what Hinamori changed, her fangirl nature would probably never disappear.
On the counter, several colorful tasting glasses were neatly arranged.
As soon as Arata sat down, Rukia carefully handed him a glass of "The Greatest Milk Tea," that is, brown sugar bubble milk tea.
"Arata-senpai, this is my honor, as a reward for your earlier guidance in kendō!" Rukia said seriously.
"Rukia, since you're so thoughtful, I'll oblige." Arata accepted the milk tea with a gentle smile. After the first sip, his eyes lit up immediately.
"Not bad, not bad. This level of sweetness suits me perfectly."
"Of course, do you see whose masterpiece it is!" Rangiku laughed, clearly very pleased with Arata's praise.
"Rangiku-san, your tea-making skills have really improved by leaps and bounds." Arata took another sip, then as if remembering something.
"Speaking of which, I mentioned earlier to Rangiku-san that we could start an association for tea art. I wonder, do you still remember that?"
———
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