On the third day after the captaincy assessment, in a secluded courtyard in the western district of Seireitei.
Arata was reclining on a sofa, his fingertips gently gliding over the blue-and-white porcelain tea set in his hands.
Morning light entered the room through the paper windows, making the porcelain teaspoon on the table shimmer.
This was a shipment of goods he had recently imported from Noble Street. The quality was just fine, and the price wasn't too high about 800 million.
The sound of straw sandals stepping on the cobblestone could be heard in front of the door.
"Shhhhp——"
Matsumoto Rangiku forcefully pushed open the wooden door. Her long, wavy golden hair and huge, snow-white breasts shook from the sudden stop in her run, immediately drawing Arata's attention.
"How is it that your hideout is harder to find than Captain Shiba's secret vault?" Rangiku squeezed inside with a bundle of papers in her arms, and her sash unintentionally loosened slightly due to the big motion.
"The recruitment flyer for the Tea Association is printed. Do you want to…"
Her words abruptly stopped as her gaze was drawn to the incredibly beautiful blue-and-white porcelain tea set in front of her. The light reflecting off its surface created a warm glow, like an autumn pond.
"This is…" Rangiku set the documents from her arms down and carefully reached out to touch the teapot. "Where did you get such a luxurious item?"
She would swear she had never seen anything so finely crafted in her life. The patterns, texture, colors, everything looked so natural it resembled a perfect piece of art.
Arata leaned back lazily on his arms and looked at the stunned Rangiku. "Rangiku–san really has taste. I found it yesterday at an auction on Noble Street."
"Noble Street?" Rangiku's eyes widened. "How much did this set... "
"Not much, only 800 million rin." Arata casually cut her off. "But the owner saw I was tall and handsome, so he gave me a five percent discount."
Rangiku inhaled sharply, and her ample chest heaved.
Suddenly, as if realizing something, she turned her head toward the corner of the room, there were also a dozen beautifully crafted wooden packaging boxes stacked there.
"Don't tell me all those are…"
"Yes, they're tea sets prepared for the association members." Arata stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the sunlight.
"Since we're establishing a Tea Association, it has to be the best in all of Soul Society. We can't appear shabby and stingy."
Rangiku covered her forehead with her palm and sighed. An indescribable feeling of heaviness and dizziness washed over her entire body. She suddenly realized that she and this man were no longer in the same class at all.
"You wasteful brat…"
Arata didn't react at all. Instead, he took the papers she brought and began flipping through them page by page.
Even though it was a recruitment flyer, the content covered membership requirements, activity schedules, staff structure, etc. It could be said to be very detailed.
"Well done, better than I expected." He nodded in satisfaction.
"Of course." Rangiku proudly puffed out her chest. "I even went to consult with Nanao. She's the vice president of the Shinigami Women's Association, so she gave me a lot of advice."
Arata raised an eyebrow. "So you went to the 8th Division to see Vice-Captain Ise?"
"Yes." Rangiku pulled out a list from her bosom. "Nanao even asked Captain Kyōraku to contact a few noblewomen who are interested in the tea ceremony. This is the list of those willing to join the association."
Arata took the list, which clearly stated the names of female relatives from major noble families such as the Kuchiki and Shiba clans, as well as many scattered nobles of various ranks.
When he turned to the back, it was mostly familiar faces from various divisions.
[Association President] Saito Arata
[Honorary Directors] Yamamoto Genryūsai, Unohana Retsu, Kuchiki Ginrei
[Resident Instructor] Kotetsu Isane
[Diplomatic Ambassador] Matsumoto Rangiku
[Rotating Lecturers] Shiba Kaien, Yakumo Kadori
[Permanent Members] Soi Fong, Kyōraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jūshirō, Ise Nanao, Hisagi Shūhei, Kanisawa Hotaru, Aoka, Edogawa Ran, Haihara Ayumi…
He wasn't too sure about the names listed after that; they were probably shinigami from various divisions.
Looking at the number of people listed, Arata couldn't help but admire that Kyōraku Shunsui was truly a veteran captain who spent years hanging around izakayas, his contacts and network of acquaintances were truly broad and deep.
He dragged over so many people at once.
He was just about to say something when the sound of footsteps was heard again at the door.
"Excuse me." Kotetsu Isane opened the door and entered, holding a beautiful snack tray in her hands. "I brought some snacks, I thought they might be useful for tomorrow's new member recruitment…"
Her voice gradually faded, and her gaze shifted back and forth between Arata and Rangiku. Especially when she saw the loosely tied sash around Rangiku's waist, her face instantly turned red.
"Eh? I think I came at the wrong time…"
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became awkward.
"No, you came at the perfect time." Arata skillfully broke the silence. "Isane, come try the black tea I just brewed. It should be a good tea for tomorrow's recruitment."
He smoothly lifted the white teapot from the table and completed the entire process, rinsing the cup, pouring the tea, adding water in one go.
The light golden tea flowed into the cup, releasing a strong, sweet aroma.
"I added some Fangyue herb." Arata handed the cup to Isane. "It can calm the heart and spirit, especially good for people like you who often stay up late."
"Fangyue herb? Isn't that the plant reserved for nobility, where a small packet costs a million rin?" Isane widened her eyes, her tongue trembling.
"Of course not." Arata shook his head.
"Whew, that's a relief."
Indeed, how could such a precious herb be used in free tea for Tea Association recruitment?
"I bought a rare variety that costs eight million per packet. How could I use street stall goods worth a million rin to entertain guests?" Arata shook his head and pulled out a transparent pouch from the side cabinet.
Inside was Fangyue herb, a white plant with calming effects.
Isane's face twisted in shock, and her voice suddenly leapt, nearly piercing the other two's eardrums.
"E–eight, eight million?!"
Only after they finally managed to calm the panicking Isane were Arata and the other two women able to resume their conversation about the association.
"The request for the recruitment activity has already been approved and officially starts tomorrow at 2 p.m." Isane's face was still flushed, still embarrassed by her earlier scene.
"Understood. Thank you for your efforts, Rangiku–san, Isane–san." Arata nodded to the two women, his face full of gratitude.
"Alright, alright, don't just talk, give us some real reward." Rangiku unceremoniously leaned on his arm and looked at him teasingly.
Of course, Arata understood what she meant. This woman was already far ahead of others in terms of shamelessness.
He pulled out two boxes of snacks and tea from another cabinet and handed them to her.
"Eat fewer sweets. Don't quit drinking only to get hooked on sugar."
"Isane–san, make sure to monitor her."
"Don't worry, I'm not the type who gains weight easily."
"Is that so, Isane–chan?"
"Eh? I wish I had a figure like Rangiku–san…"
With mild anxiety and amusement, Arata saw the two women off, then returned to the peace of solitude.
Just as he was about to relax a bit, the system notification suddenly sounded.
[Fate Mission: Path of Tea Art (Completed)]
[Type: Side]
[Mission Goal: None]
[Mission Requirements: Establish the Shinigami Tea Association and successfully recruit 10 or more members.]
[Time Limit: 7 days]
[Reward: 300 fate points]
Not bad, another 300 fate points came in.
Arata nodded in satisfaction.
———
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