Chapter 166: Beauty
Light clusters and ribbons of different hues and forms interwove, collided, and spread through the air.
Constructing a constantly changing, magnificent three-dimensional scroll.
Colorful light descended like willow strands, thread by thread, meandering and chasing each other.
Drifting open into scattered radiance like stars filling the sky.
This feast of light and color enveloped the entire Shiba family courtyard, illuminating everyone's amazed faces.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Miyako leaned against each other, eyes reflecting brilliant splendor, faces showing calm appreciation and pride.
The black cat Yoruichi's pupils contracted into thin lines under intense light, tail swaying leisurely, lightly keeping beat with the fireworks' rhythm.
Suoh looked up at this dazzling canopy occupying nearly his entire field of vision, pupils reflecting myriad colors.
This proved not merely visual pleasure but a gorgeous display of the Shiba family's spiritual power techniques.
"How is it?"
Shiba Kukaku's voice rang beside him.
"Breathtaking."
"This is the most stunning fireworks show I've ever witnessed, Kukaku."
Suoh turned his head toward her.
He answered clearly, every word transparent with amazement.
Smiling slightly, he lifted his teacup, toasting both the magnificent scene still blooming and transforming in the sky and this performance's creator.
"Good."
Shiba Kukaku's smile instantly expanded, accepting this wave of respect.
Her face carried sincere, unreserved joy and pride, more brilliant and bright than any firework.
She said no more, simply settling back comfortably against her chair, treasuring this highest praise in her heart.
Then issuing commands toward the fireworks platform.
"Continue."
Another wave of fireworks ascended.
This final night of the New Year holiday reached its climax in the Shiba family mansion's courtyard in such a passionate and romantic manner.
The fireworks celebration ended.
Everyone remained seated, savoring the recent brilliance.
Suoh set down his teacup, turning toward Shiba Kukaku, tone naturally stating his request.
"Kukaku, I have a presumptuous request. Tonight's fireworks were too beautiful, too spectacular—they've given me an idea."
"I'd like to purchase two sets from you. One I want to send to Terada-ya to add festive cheer at the holiday's end. The other I want to bring back to Seireitei for friends to see as well."
"What's this about purchasing? I'll just give them to you."
"Don't be so formal with me!"
Hearing this, Shiba Kukaku raised an eyebrow, responding readily.
"Alright."
"Just please arrange ordinary ones for Terada-ya's set. They're all normal souls without spiritual power—seeing bright, lively displays is enough. Safety first."
Suoh didn't stand on ceremony either.
Subsequently he supplemented several points with serious expression.
"Quite thorough consideration."
"Small matter—I'm Rukongai's foremost fireworks master. Absolutely safe!"
Shiba Kukaku listened with crossed arms, appreciation flashing through her eyes.
"Right, this is on me. For Terada-ya's, I'll use the gentlest formula ratio."
"When I have Kanehiko deliver them, he'll stay to help launch them. Just relax."
"Thank you!"
Shiba Kukaku waved her hand.
The matter was thus settled.
Night deepened, cold once more enveloping the courtyard.
Everyone bid each other goodnight, dispersing separately.
Suoh returned to the guest room the Shiba family had prepared for him.
The room proved spacious and clean, bedding fluffy.
He washed up and lay down but didn't immediately fall asleep.
His gaze seemed to sweep past the window frame, quietly waiting a moment.
Awaiting a certain guest's arrival.
However, until night outside grew deeper, aside from some wind sounds outside, no other movement occurred.
Not having waited for anyone, Suoh's eyelids gradually grew heavy, consciousness sinking into peaceful sleep.
The next morning, Suoh awoke to a sensation of slight pressure.
His consciousness hadn't fully cleared yet—he only felt something pressing on his chest, requiring slightly more effort to breathe.
...Sleep paralysis?
He slowly opened his eyes, gaze falling downward.
Last night's black cat crouched on his chest, golden cat eyes unblinkingly looking down at him, tail tip elegantly draped beside its paws.
Its posture resembled a monarch inspecting their domain.
"Morning."
"Could you get down first? To be honest... you're a bit heavy."
Their eyes met.
Suoh fell silent for two seconds, completely awakening, speaking softly.
His voice carried the slight hoarseness of recent waking, calmly and familiarly offering a greeting.
The black cat tilted its head, seemingly somewhat surprised by his overly composed reaction.
It didn't meow or move, only the inquiring meaning in its gaze growing more intense.
"Kid, how did you figure it out?"
A husky, unique male baritone sounded from Suoh's chest.
Suoh showed no surprise. Rather, his lips curved with an extremely faint smile.
He maintained his supine position, meeting eyes with the uninvited guest on his chest, responding methodically.
"Get down first. This position isn't good for conversation—really quite unfriendly to me as the one being pressed."
"Heh, alright."
The male voice chuckled low, responding with a hint of amusement.
The next second, the black cat jumped aside. Suoh unhurriedly propped himself up, sitting cross-legged.
Suoh began explaining.
"Too many things."
"First, cats are very easily startled animals, whether by sound or bright light. You had absolutely no stress reaction during yesterday's fireworks show."
"But last night's fireworks show, from the first one whistling into the sky to the last one bursting—you enjoyed it thoroughly. Too obvious."
"Plus the seat Kanehiko and Ginpei prepared for you. Bonnie didn't get that treatment."
Suoh continued, extending an index finger to lightly tap his temple.
"Also, when I first met you and probed with spiritual sense, though I detected no abnormality, your reaction looking at me was too humanized."
"Finally, female cats shouldn't disguise themselves as males."
"This makes a big difference to me."
"After all, if a male pressed on me early in the morning, just thinking about it would give me nightmares going forward."
Of course, the final point he didn't voice—also the most critical point—he'd watched the original work.
But this couldn't be spoken aloud. The previous observations and reasoning already sufficed to construct a convincing explanation.
The room quieted for a moment.
"Good observation, and quite gutsy too. Kid, you're interesting."
The black cat, or rather Yoruichi Shihoin, responded after brief silence.
Finally, that husky voice sounded again, only the tone had changed—the mature woman's voice proving considerably more pleasant to the ear.
"However, I'm very curious whether you can maintain this composure after seeing me in this form."
As her words fell, white smoke rose from the black cat's form.
Within the haze, the black cat's silhouette outline twisted, transformed, and elongated.
The smoke dispersed. A woman in a casual duck-sitting posture replaced the black cat's original position.
Maintaining silky purple hair reaching her waist, falling to both sides of her chest.
Her skin was a vibrant wheat tone, taut and smooth.
A delicate face combining wild allure with bold spirit bore a pair of golden eyes currently looking straight at Suoh with undisguised playful smile.
Most eye-catching was her currently completely unclothed state.
Carrying primitive, vigorous life force, impacting the viewer's vision and cognition.
The air seemed to freeze for an instant.
Suoh's breathing paused almost imperceptibly.
Looking at the morning light's scene, he shook his head with a smile.
Young and vigorous, blood running hot—some heat rising slightly.
Fortunately, having mental preparation beforehand, he could still control his emotions without losing composure.
"Truly a novel performance. Also, thank you for the warm hospitality, senior."
Suoh's lips curved with a smile, speaking easily.
Invisibly reclaiming a thread of initiative.
"Tch, boring."
"Didn't expect you'd be so slick despite your young age, kid."
Yoruichi Shihoin's red lips curved slightly, that smile brilliant yet carrying a hint of provocation.
Though her mouth said boring, the interest in her eyes clearly grew more abundant.
"I'm Yoruichi Shihoin. Kid, lend me an outer garment—it's a bit cold."
"Thirteenth Division Third Seat, Suoh Tsukasa. Pleased to meet you, senior."
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