Chapter 125: Promise
The following day.
When Matsumoto Rangiku awoke, the room remained pitch dark.
She lay in soft bedding, momentarily somewhat dazed.
Here held no sounds of squad members' morning bustle, only a piece of reassuring quiet.
She sat up. Golden hair scattered messily across shoulders.
Collar loosely slipped down, exposing half a pale shoulder.
Sitting quietly for a long while, she casually gathered her garment front, standing barefoot walking to the window, pushing open the window to look outside.
Outside window, illumination bright. Not far away, hot spring pool steamed with hazy vapor. Lush bamboo forest verdantly overflowed.
Then she spotted Suoh and Hitsugaya's figures conducting morning training beside the bamboo forest.
Both wore white training garments. One large, one small, separated by several meters, standing side by side, calmly focused performing morning exercises.
Utterly plain basic sword swing practice.
Matsumoto Rangiku leaned against windowsill, quietly watching.
She watched somewhat entranced. At Tenth Division, sometimes rising early she'd also see squad members group morning training, yet scenes where rhythm and breathing proved almost synchronized—this was her first witnessing.
Watching briefly, she turned back inside.
Tidying bedding, donning shihakusho, using fingertips to slightly arrange somewhat disheveled hair strands.
Completing these tasks, she pushed open the door, stepping outside.
Proceeding outdoors, she discovered a bamboo basin placed on a bamboo stool beside her feet.
Inside held face towels and washing utensils.
Comprehending with a smile, she lifted it.
Passing without disturbing them, she instead walked to the water basin outside the kitchen, drawing clear water from the urn for simple washing.
Washing completed, using face towel to gently wipe her face. Cool water allowed her to completely awaken.
Placing bamboo basin on nearby shelf holding identical basins.
Subsequently walking to stone stools slightly nearer the bamboo forest, sitting down. From this position, she could more clearly observe both.
Moments later.
When wooden swords last time cut through air, then stilled.
Suoh and Hitsugaya simultaneously concluded forms. Blade tips lightly pointing groundward, slowly exhaling long breaths.
After brief silence, Suoh first turned offering greeting.
Their gazes met mid-air, exchanging smiles.
Without cosmetics, Matsumoto Rangiku lacked usual charm, gaining several parts youthful vitality. Style and yesterday's her each held distinct appeal.
"Morning. Sleep well?"
"Morning. Incredibly well."
"Just here proves too quiet. Somewhat unable to sense time's passage."
Matsumoto Rangiku stretched her body. Simple garment hem slightly lifted with movements.
"This indeed represents a major problem here. That's why I hung so many clocks at various positions."
"Hitsugaya and I will briefly clean up. After eating breakfast, we'll leave."
Suoh spoke while walking with Hitsugaya toward the kitchen.
"Anything needing help?"
Matsumoto Rangiku stood asking.
"No need. Very quick."
Suoh didn't turn back, only raising hand waving.
Hearing this, she sat back down, watching both's backs.
Hitsugaya fell slightly half-step behind, turning head speaking something quietly to Suoh. Suoh lightly nodded.
Approximately quarter hour later.
Suoh carried a tray emerging. Hitsugaya followed behind, hands carrying two variably sized ceramic pots.
"Breakfast will be simple."
"This is what we usually eat. Hope it also suits your taste."
Suoh placed the tray on the stone table. Plates stacked with steaming pancakes, edges slightly browned, emitting flour's honest sweet fragrance after baking.
While arranging the meal, he accepted the small pot from Hitsugaya's hands, placing it beside the table.
"This small pot contains honey. You can add according to your own taste."
"The other pot holds soy milk. Drink your fill and refill yourself. Don't be polite."
Hitsugaya helped distribute bamboo forks and soy milk, then sitting in the position beside Suoh.
"Looks really great. Didn't expect you could also make this."
Sensing fragrance transmitting from before her, Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes brightened slightly, speaking with pleasant surprise.
"Don't know much. Just personally enjoy eating it."
"Unfortunately, courtyard fruit trees haven't harvested yet. Otherwise adding some fruit flavor could improve further. When that time comes, try again—guaranteed you'll like it."
"Today just manage with this for now."
Suoh picked up the small pot, drizzling a little honey on the pancakes, then passing it toward her.
"Then next time I'll properly anticipate it."
Matsumoto Rangiku smiled while taking the pot, imitating Suoh's approach, slowly drizzling honey.
Golden honey liquid slowly seeped through pancake body and gaps. Color tempting.
Subsequently passing the pot to Hitsugaya beside her.
"I'll start eating."
Matsumoto Rangiku used bamboo fork cutting a piece, placing it into her mouth.
Pancake outer layer slightly crisp, interior soft, carrying perfectly appropriate subtle sweetness and egg fragrance. Combined with honey's moisture.
Drinking another mouthful of warm soy milk—bean fragrance mellow, lacking excess seasoning. Pure and simple.
Perfectly suited her taste.
"Truly delicious!"
Matsumoto Rangiku sincerely sighed emotionally.
Voice soaked with full happiness.
"Glad you like it."
Suoh smiled faintly.
Nothing surpassed this as better praise. Regular breakfast tasted somewhat differently flavored.
Usually Hitsugaya also frequently praised his cooking. Only because of reserved personality, provided emotional value proved somewhat insufficient.
Beside them, Hitsugaya didn't respond, only slowly carefully eating his own portion. Eye-brows comfortably slightly curved upward.
Accompanied by this space's unique soothing background sounds.
Three people quietly finished breakfast.
Suoh stood preparing to clean up. Matsumoto Rangiku moved faster, looking toward him, expression serious.
"Leave these to me. You two go tidy your own things."
"How could guests do manual work?"
Suoh froze, smiling slightly.
"What guest not guest? After eating so much good food, I should do something showing appreciation."
Her eyebrow arched. Speaking while beginning to collect things on the stone table. Movements though not too practiced, also proved efficient.
Seeing this, Suoh no longer stood on ceremony, nodding.
"Alright, then I'll leave it to you."
Matsumoto Rangiku returned him a 'rest assured' expression, carrying plates toward the kitchen.
"Hitsugaya, let's change clothes. Prepare for work."
"Okay."
Hitsugaya nodded, standing to follow.
After brief tidying.
Three figures successively leaped from the cave opening. Stone slab closed behind them.
Seireitei's morning sunlight penetrated through wooden door cracks into the dark chamber.
Sensing scenic light changes, Matsumoto Rangiku immediately felt somewhat wistful, turning to speak.
"Tsukasa, don't worry. I'll properly keep this place secret."
"Yes, I know. I trust you."
"Also, you're welcome to come anytime. Just when coming, best have Hitsugaya bring you. He's more familiar with routes—safer."
Suoh felt quite reassured about Matsumoto Rangiku's character and promises.
One more person equaled one more laborer. Matsumoto Rangiku didn't eat much. What he contributed proved merely some ingredients.
"Really? Thank you!"
Matsumoto Rangiku's lip corners lifted into bright arc. Being trusted always felt pleasant.
Recalling the flower tea packet Suoh gave in her clothes, she added.
"Next time I'll bring some good sake over. It's what I've collected for a long time. Very excellent!"
"No problem. Then I'll prepare some grilled meat and side dishes. Perfectly suitable."
"Then it's settled!"
Hearing this, Matsumoto Rangiku's smile grew even more radiant.