Kapitel 30: Chapter 30: A Simple Day
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over Soul Society as Yoruichi and Seijirou strolled through the quiet streets of the Seireitei.
It was rare for both of them to have time to relax, especially with their respective duties and the ever-present threat of Hollows and missions that pulled them in opposite directions.
Yet here they were, sharing a peaceful afternoon, free from the burdens of rank and duty. For the moment, it felt as though the world had slowed just for them.
Seijirou walked beside Yoruichi with his hands tucked in his sleeves, a content silence between them. It was a silence they'd grown accustomed to—a comfortable quiet that spoke of years of friendship and countless moments like this.
Their recent spar was still fresh in his mind; he could feel a faint soreness in his muscles from the intensity of the match, a soreness that he welcomed as a sign of hard work well spent.
"So," Yoruichi broke the silence, nudging him with her elbow. "What do you think of Shunko? Not too shabby, right?"
Seijirou chuckled, shaking his head. "Not shabby at all. Honestly, it was incredible."
He glanced over at her, his eyes glinting with admiration. "To create something like that? You've outdone yourself, Yoruichi."
She grinned, clearly pleased by the compliment. "Well, I need something different to keep up with you. After all, it's not like you're easy to impress." Her tone was teasing, but there was pride in her words. "It's nice to know I can still make you sweat."
He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "You make it sound like I'm some immovable mountain. I have to say, it's refreshing to see someone who can keep me on my toes, too."
Yoruichi laughed, she knew he was barely trying, but she likes to be complimented by him like this.
They continued to walk, eventually making their way to a quieter, more secluded part of the Seireitei—a hidden garden tucked away behind the main quarters.
The garden was lush and vibrant, filled with flowering plants, towering trees, and a gentle stream that wove through it like a ribbon of glass.
It was a place known only to a few, and Yoruichi had shown it to him years ago during one of their earliest outings. Since then, it had become their unofficial meeting spot, a small haven where they could escape from the pressures of their roles.
Seijirou sat down beneath a large cherry blossom tree, resting his back against the trunk as he gazed out over the garden.
Yoruichi plopped down beside him, stretching her arms over her head before resting them behind her, leaning back with a sigh.
"Peaceful, isn't it?" she murmured, closing her eyes and letting the sunlight bathe her face.
"Very," he replied, his tone soft as he looked at her.
In moments like these, he felt like he was seeing the real Yoruichi—the one who wasn't defined by titles or expectations, just a friend who enjoyed the same peace he did.
They sat there for a while, saying nothing, just soaking in the tranquility. The sounds of distant birds and the gentle rustle of leaves filled the air, adding to the serenity of the moment.
Eventually, Yoruichi broke the silence again, though this time her voice was quieter, almost contemplative.
"Do you ever think about the future, Seiji? Like, what comes next?" she asked, her gaze still fixed on the garden in front of them.
He took a moment to consider her question. "Sometimes," he admitted. "But I'm not sure what I'd want. I think, for now, I'm just focused on getting stronger… and figuring out what I truly want."
He glanced at her, his gaze thoughtful. "What about you?"
She shrugged, a faint, almost wistful smile playing on her lips. "I guess I want to protect what matters to me. My friends, my family… people like you."
She looked at him then, a warm glint in her eyes. "You've been by my side since the beginning, Seiji. It's hard to imagine a future without you around."
He felt a pang of emotion at her words, something deeper than he cared to admit. Clearing his throat, he gave a slight nod, his tone gentle. "I'll always be here, Yoruichi. You don't have to worry about that."
She laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Good. Because if you ever disappeared, I'd probably come and drag you back myself."
They shared a quiet laugh, the kind that only close friends could understand. For all their teasing and sparring, there was a profound respect and trust between them that went unspoken.
It was a bond built over years, one that had grown stronger with every shared experience, every challenge they'd faced together.
As the afternoon drifted into early evening, Yoruichi lay back, resting her head on her arms as she stared up at the canopy of cherry blossoms overhead.
"Do you remember when we first came here?" she asked, a nostalgic smile on her face.
Seijirou nodded, his gaze softening. "I do. You dragged me out here after we both snuck out of training. I think that was the first time I realized how much I enjoyed your company."
She smirked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "Oh? And here I thought you were just tolerating me because you had no choice."
He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Not at all. I think I knew, even then, that you were different. You understood things that others didn't… and you never looked at me differently, no matter what."
They sat in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. For Seijirou, these moments with Yoruichi were a reprieve from the complexities of his life, a chance to just be without the weight of expectations.
She had a way of grounding him, reminding him of the simplicity he often craved.
The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, orange hue over the garden. As the shadows grew longer, Yoruichi sighed, sitting up and stretching her arms over her head.
"We should probably head back before anyone notices we've been slacking off," she said, though her tone was reluctant.
Seijirou nodded, but he didn't make a move to get up just yet. "Yoruichi," he said quietly, his gaze serious as he looked at her. "Thank you for today. I think… I needed this."
She smiled, a softness in her expression that was rare for her. "Anytime, Seiji. You know that."
As they walked back through the garden, side by side, a comfortable silence settled between them once again.
And for Seijirou, this moment felt like a memory he'd cherish forever—a peaceful afternoon spent with someone who understood him in a way no one else did.
It was a reminder of the life he was fighting to protect and the bond that gave him strength.
For the first time in a long while, he felt a quiet contentment, a peace he didn't often allow himself to feel.
And as they walked back together, he found himself hoping for more days like this—simple, unhurried, and filled with the company of the one person who'd always been by his side.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein