Chapter 164: Kukaku
"Oink oink!?"
Something moved inside Shiba Ganju's bulging chest, poking out a small furry head.
A small gray-brown boar.
Round black eyes curiously stared at Suoh, nose twitching.
"This is Bonnie!"
"Big brother brought him back from the western forest for me—he's very well-behaved!"
Shiba Ganju held the small boar up higher like presenting treasure.
Bonnie seemed to understand his young master's praise, cooperatively grunting twice, short tail wagging—full of spirit.
"A very cute little fellow."
Suoh spoke sincerely—he also quite wanted to raise an adorable pet.
Unfortunately, ordinary small animal souls found it very difficult to survive in Seireitei's high spirit particle density environment, making his heart's desire an extravagant hope.
"Right?!"
Shiba Ganju smiled happily.
Then as if remembering something, he set Bonnie on the tatami beside him before stepping back two paces, assuming a somewhat awkward empty-handed striking posture.
"I started practicing kendo recently—Kanehiko teaches me!"
"Tsukasa-niisan, help me check my form."
As he spoke, he swung several empty strikes in proper fashion, mouth accompanying with 'whoosh whoosh' sound effects.
"Your stance isn't bad."
"Lower your center of gravity a bit more."
"Imagine roots extending from the soles of your feet into the ground. When striking, power should originate from your waist and abdomen, not just your arms."
Suoh evaluated seriously, rising to press his shoulder and help adjust his posture.
"Like this?"
Shiba Ganju adjusted his stance accordingly, face tightening seriously.
"Yes, maintain it."
Suoh nodded in affirmation.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Miyako exchanged glances, eyes full of relief and happiness.
At this moment, crisp footsteps came from the corridor—unlike Ganju's hurried pace, these steps carried distinct rhythm.
Also carrying faint low-voiced persuasion.
"Lady Kukaku, there are guests—please mind your appearance...!"
"I know, I know! Aren't they family too? No problem!"
The voice drew closer as the sliding door opened once more. A tall, striking woman stood at the doorway.
White headband binding black hair, brows and eyes bearing some resemblance to Shiba Kaien, radiating bold spirit.
Her lips naturally curved upward with a dashing, approachable smile.
Her entire person resembled a leaping flame, instantly brightening the tea room.
She wore red fitted clothing convenient for movement, a thick gray cloak draped outside with sleeves rolled high, exposing solid forearms.
Her hem still bore gray-black stains, clearly just emerging from somewhere like a workshop.
"I'm Shiba Kukaku. You're Suoh Tsukasa?"
"My brother mentioned you so many times—in person you're even stronger than I imagined."
"Don't worry about age or other troublesome things—just call me Kukaku."
Shiba Kukaku spoke while striding into the tea room with large steps, stopping before Suoh.
She naturally crossed her arms—this motion unintentionally emphasized her already impressive figure's curves even more prominently.
The distance between them was less than a meter.
Her frank gaze met Suoh's calm vision in the air.
"Kukaku, hello."
Suoh's face remained completely calm, allowing her examination while smiling in greeting.
This was the current Shiba Kukaku.
Because of his intervention, the Shiba couple remained safe, causing the entire Shiba family's fate trajectory to shift.
His existence had influenced the original plot's direction, but personality construction derived more from the characters themselves.
The originally Shinigami-hating Shiba Ganju now aspired to become one.
The current Shiba Kukaku likewise possessed both healthy arms compared to the original work, appearing considerably younger.
Her brows lacked the hardness ground out by pressure from the original work, radiating vigorous vitality and confidence instead.
Her brother and sister-in-law served as the family's pillars. She needn't worry about her younger brother's growth either, maintaining quite a relaxed mentality.
Her bold personality and warm treatment of others matched impressions quite closely.
The current Shiba Kukaku roughly represented the youthful bloom version from memory.
Though unclear why she hadn't chosen to become a Shinigami, her strength couldn't be weak either.
Already possessing seated officer-level spiritual pressure during this period—her power shouldn't be underestimated.
"Kukaku, take this to wipe."
"Just came from the fireworks workshop—what new design were you tinkering with this time?"
Shiba Miyako approached carrying a cloth wrung in warm water.
Looking at her sister-in-law's hem stains, her tone carried several degrees of helpless indulgence.
"Thanks, Miyako-neesan, I'm a bit thirsty."
"Tested new spirit particle ash ratios today—results were good, just too much smoke."
Shiba Kukaku accepted the cloth, wiping casually and simply, tone carrying some dependence.
"Alright, alright, the tea's still warm—I'll get you some right away."
Outside the window, the final traces of sunset were swallowed by night.
In the mansion grounds, that jet-black chimney stood quietly like a silent guardian protecting the Shiba family.
Inside the tea room warmth prevailed as Suoh integrated into the Shiba family atmosphere without difficulty.
The mood grew even more harmonious.
Everyone drank tea, eating the delicate wagashi Shiba Miyako prepared, chatting casually.
"Lord Kaien, dinner is ready."
Kanehiko's voice came from outside the door.
"Good, we'll be right there."
"Let's go, Tsukasa—try the Shiba family dinner. It won't disappoint you."
Hearing this, everyone rose. Shiba Kaien draped his arm around Suoh's shoulder warmly.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Suoh smiled in response.
Regarding delicious food, his anticipation had always been direct and honest.
The Shiba family dining room blazed with light.
The long table overflowed with abundant dishes.
Not only traditional New Year cuisine but also distinctive grilled meat and mountain vegetable hot pot.
Aromatic fragrances filled the air, stirring appetites.
Clearly, to entertain Suoh, Shiba Miyako and Kanehiko and Ginpei had invested considerable thought.
Both preserving holiday traditions while ensuring abundance and deliciousness.
Kanehiko and Ginpei silently and efficiently served dishes and poured drinks.
"Tsukasa, don't be polite—eat plenty tonight."
Shiba Kaien sat in the main seat with a grand wave.
"Gladly."
Such a simple request—Suoh agreed especially readily.
Night deepened amidst the Shiba family's warm lamplight and joyful laughter.
After dinner, Suoh toured the Shiba household accompanied by Shiba Kukaku.
A jet-black shadow almost merging with darkness appeared without warning on a window ledge to one side of the corridor.
A completely black cat without a single other color sat crouched on the window ledge at the boundary between moonlight and shadow.
Just abruptly intruding into their field of vision.
Its spiritual pressure state gave a similar feeling to Bonnie's.
The instant Suoh saw the black cat, Shiba Kukaku beside him missed a beat in both footsteps and heartbeat.
Though she immediately recovered normalcy, that momentary freezing and the faint helplessness of 'here we go again' showing on her face transmitted clearly to the keenly perceptive Suoh beside her.
Undoubtedly, things weren't so simple.
In the original work, Yoruichi Shihoin was her friend of many years.
The black cat's identity had become self-evident in Suoh's mind at this moment.
Suoh looked toward Shiba Kukaku.
Shiba Kukaku's expression remained calm as she spoke.
"This one—a stray cat from outside. Don't know where it's from. Looks cute so occasionally I feed it around the workshop area."
"Always running around outside and disappearing. Today probably because it got cold, it came back again."
"Come here!"
Finished speaking without regarding Suoh's reaction, she waved self-servingly to summon the black cat.
"Meow~!"
The black cat leaped lightly into her embrace, nuzzling her chest and acting spoiled.
"Mm, quite cute."
"Beautiful coat color, very spirited eyes too."
Suoh's gaze rested on the black cat, evaluating.
Feigning ignorance while inwardly finding it amusing, cooperating with the performance.
Never expected to encounter the underground space's original owner in this place.
Interesting, truly interesting.
***
40+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces