The next day.
Arata was packing the last set of tea wares into a cardboard box.
The first reception meeting of the Tea Association was scheduled for 2 p.m. As the president, he had to arrive early to prepare everything.
The wind chime hanging in front of the window suddenly rang, even though there wasn't a breath of wind.
Arata slightly furrowed his brow and unconsciously touched the Zanpakutō at his waist with his fingertips.
Ever since Shihouin Yoruichi had unexpectedly visited him that night, he had become especially sensitive to such sudden disturbances in spiritual pressure.
"Guess who~"
A mature, lazy female voice sounded behind him, and a pair of white hands covered Arata's eyes, with warm breath blowing behind his ear from close proximity.
Arata sighed in relief. That voice was very familiar to him.
"Rangiku–san, are you playing some kind of children's game?"
He loosened the grip on the sword hilt with his right hand, gently moved it to the woman's hand, and with slight force, pushed it away.
Very fragrant, very smooth, and very soft.
Hm, she must be using an even more expensive hand cream.
"Ah, Arata is really boring, like this you'll never learn how to please women."
"For things like that, Rangiku–chan doesn't need to worry. "
Arata turned around, preparing to respond to Rangiku's teasing, but the sight before him made him freeze, and his heart skipped a beat.
Today, Rangiku was rarely dressed in a dark purple kimono. Her wavy golden hair was styled into an elegant, refined bun, with a few small white gardenias woven into it.
The usual sash was replaced with a corset, which made her already proud figure even more stunning.
Because of their height difference, Arata had to slightly lower his head, and his gaze directly landed on her chest; snow-white curves clearly outlined, making him swallow involuntarily.
"Stunned, aren't you?" Rangiku proudly spun in a circle in front of him, and her sleeves drew a graceful arc in the morning light, like a beautiful princess stepping out of a painting.
"Nanao said we should dress formally for the welcome party, so I went to the kimono shop in Runlin'an and had it custom-made overnight."
Arata lightly cleared his throat to hide his inner discomfort and the tremble in his chest, then turned his head slightly. "Ahem… truly… it looks wonderful."
"Um… what's the name of that shop? Maybe I'll stop by later."
"We'll talk later." Rangiku stepped closer and grabbed his arm. The soft contact of their bodies sent a sudden shiver through him.
"Isane is already busy preparing the venue. I came to rush you so you'll hurry over. Come on, come on!"
As the two of them walked through the corridors of the western district of Soul Society, many patrolling shinigami gave them surprised looks.
Some admired Matsumoto Rangiku's new appearance, while others were surprised that the two of them were walking so closely together.
Soon they arrived at Dojo No. 2 of the Fourth Division, only to see that the place, normally used for Kaidō classes, was already packed with people.
The welcome meeting, which they had initially thought would attract only thirty or forty people, now had almost a hundred crammed inside.
Kotetsu Isane was busily pouring tea for several lavishly dressed ladies. Beads of sweat were already forming on her forehead, and there were a few wrinkled stains from spilled tea on her light blue kimono.
"Our president has finally arrived~" Shiba Kaien emerged from the crowd of female shinigami, holding a wooden tray full of empty teacups in his hands.
"If you hadn't come soon, these noble ladies would've questioned Vice-Captain Isane until she fainted."
Arata glanced across the room and realized that, besides the people from the list, many unexpected faces had shown up.
Among them was the captain of the Ninth Division, Kaname Tōsen.
Did Aizen send him to monitor?
Arata thought for a moment, then shook his head. Such surveillance had no effect on him as long as they didn't come to cause trouble.
He asked Kaien to help Isane, while he went to greet the others.
"Lord Ginrei, how have you been lately?"
"Captain, please try this black tea. I specially prepared it yesterday."
"Sensei, I added Fangyue herb to the tea; it will help ease your mind and body."
"…"
After one round of courteous greetings, Arata was already sweating.
Talking to all these big shots of the Soul Society was no less exhausting than his previous fight with Ichimaru Gin.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and the welcome meeting officially began soon after.
"President Saito." Kuchiki Ginrei, who sat in the front row, suddenly spoke. His old but dignified voice instantly quieted the noisy hall.
"I'm very curious what's so special about this Tea Association you've founded?"
All attention turned to Arata.
He took a deep breath and picked up the prepared box of tools, then stepped onto the podium.
"Thank you for the question, Lord Kuchiki." He performed a formal noble bow.
"Now, please allow me to briefly introduce the origin, spirit, and future development plans of the Tea Association."
"First of all…"
————
The welcome meeting ended in a harmonious atmosphere.
Arata stood at the entrance of the Fourth Division, watching the last noblewoman board her carriage, while members of the other divisions were also slowly dispersing.
"It's finally over…" Kotetsu Isane came out rubbing her sore shoulders. On her light blue kimono were several tea stains. "I didn't expect so many people to show up!"
Matsumoto Rangiku hugged her from behind around the neck, the softness of her chest pressing against Isane's back. "It's all thanks to the delicious tea Isane brewed. Those noblewomen praised you endlessly~"
Seeing the two women looking tired but emotionally fulfilled, Arata felt warmth in his chest.
He clapped his hands and gently said, "Thank you both for your efforts today. As a reward, I've decided to take you to dinner and hot springs at Kinzenyu."
Yes, that's the Kinzenyu inn–onsen owned by the Omaeda family.
Besides lodging and hot springs, their dinner is also very good.
"Really?" Rangiku's eyes immediately sparkled like a cat spotting tuna. "I want to drink!"
Isane shyly grasped the hem of her kimono. "But Captain Unohana said…"
"It's okay to relax a little sometimes." Arata smiled. "I already asked Captain Unohana, she gave permission for you to return to the division a bit later tonight."
"Great!" Isane beamed, smiling like a child.
The three of them slowly walked down the street, their intertwined silhouettes stretching in the setting sun.
Arata walked in the middle; Rangiku on one side was endlessly chattering about all the interesting things from the welcome meeting, while Isane on the other occasionally added a few words.
"That lady from the Kasumiōji family was staring at Arata the whole time!" Rangiku elbowed Arata in the chest, teasing him. "I think she probably sees you as a potential son-in-law."
Isane covered her mouth and giggled. "Some other women from smaller noble families were even bolder. They came directly to me and asked if Arata–kun was already engaged."
Arata helplessly shook his head. The enthusiasm of those noblewomen really was a bit too much.
However, when he remembered that all his side missions were completed thanks to them, the sense of fulfillment in his heart eased all the slight discomfort and fatigue.
The gilded sign with the inscription "Kinzenyu" gleamed in the dusk.
Omaeda Kichiyo had already received the message and personally welcomed them at the door.
"Saito–kun! Vice-Captain Matsumoto! Vice-Captain Kotetsu!" With his chubby body, he gave a surprisingly nimble bow.
"For you, we've prepared the best private room and private hot springs."
As he said this, under the corner where no one could see, he gave Arata a small "yeah" gesture with his hand.