Capítulo 37: Chapter 37: A Day With A Cat
Seijirou hadn't had much time to process his new title as captain of the 3rd Division.
The events of the day had been intense and surreal; Captain-Commander Yamamoto's test, the captains' deliberations, and, finally, the gravity of hearing his promotion announced to the assembly.
Now, in the stillness of his office, he was gathering his thoughts, mentally sorting through the responsibilities that awaited him. But before he could fully settle into his new role, a knock sounded on his door.
The door slid open without waiting for a response, and there stood Yoruichi, her grin as bright as ever.
She stepped inside, her hands casually on her hips, surveying him with that familiar, mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, Seiji, do you plan on hiding in here all day?"
Seijirou sighed, though he couldn't keep a smile from tugging at his lips. "It's 'Captain Kageyama' now, you know."
"Oh, right, right. My apologies, Captain Kageyama," she teased, rolling her eyes. "But if you think I'm going to start calling you that, you're very mistaken."
Her expression softened. "Congratulations, Seiji. I'm really proud of you."
Something warm and genuine settled between them, and Seijirou felt a slight flutter. He'd been so focused on his duties and ambitions that he hadn't anticipated how much her words would mean to him.
"Thank you, Yoruichi. It… means a lot to hear that from you."
Yoruichi's eyes sparkled with that mischievous energy he knew all too well.
"You're not going to get all serious on me, are you?" She grabbed his arm before he could respond. "Come on, we're celebrating. No excuses!"
He blinked, momentarily caught off guard as she practically dragged him out of his office and down the hall. "Yoruichi, there's still work I need to—"
"Work will be here tomorrow, Captain." She waved off his protests, determined. "Right now, we're going to celebrate your promotion properly."
Seijirou couldn't help but sigh, but showed no resistance, allowing her to lead him out of the division headquarters and down the winding paths of the Seireitei.
Soon enough, they arrived at the lively center of the Rukongai, where vendors were selling sweets, food, and various trinkets.
The atmosphere was bustling and cheerful, a welcome contrast to the weighty discussions he'd left behind in the meeting hall.
The two of them strolled through the marketplace, with Yoruichi eagerly leading the way.
She stopped at a small vendor selling skewers of grilled meat and bought a few, handing one to Seijirou. "Here, try this. It's the best in Rukongai."
Seijirou took a cautious bite, surprised by the rich flavor. He couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed such simple pleasures.
"It's good," he admitted, nodding.
Yoruichi beamed. "See? You've been missing out, cooped up in your office all the time." She nudged him playfully. "Honestly, Seiji, it's like you're afraid to take a break once in a while."
They wandered deeper into the marketplace, sampling various treats and admiring the vendors' wares.
As the evening progressed, Seijirou felt himself relaxing, letting go of the formalities and responsibilities he'd been carrying.
Yoruichi's presence was effortless, grounding, and he realized just how much he'd missed moments like these with her.
As they reached a quieter part of town, Yoruichi led him to a spot overlooking the city, the lights of the Rukongai twinkling below.
She sat down on a nearby bench, patting the spot beside her. "Take a seat, Captain. I've got a toast prepared for you."
Seijirou raised an eyebrow but complied, sitting down beside her. She pulled out a small bottle of sake she'd snuck from one of the vendors, and they each took a cup.
"To Seiji," Yoruichi said, lifting her cup with a warm smile. "To the man who's never afraid to fight for what he believes in, and who's finally getting the recognition he deserves."
Seijirou smiled, feeling gratified. "Thank you, Yoruichi," he replied, raising his cup as well. "And to you… for always believing in me."
They clinked cups and drank, the warmth of the sake matching the warmth that lingered between them.
For a while, they simply sat in comfortable silence, gazing out over the view. The air was cool, with a gentle breeze that carried the faint sounds of the bustling town below.
After a few moments, Yoruichi turned to him, her gaze unusually soft.
"You know, I always knew you'd make it this far," she said quietly. "Even back when we were kids. There was always something about you—this drive, this determination. It's like you were destined for something great."
Seijirou looked at her, a mix of gratitude and something deeper stirring within him.
"It's strange," he admitted. "I've always had this vision, this… ambition. But hearing it from you makes it feel real in a way I hadn't expected."
Yoruichi smiled, leaning in slightly. "Seiji, you've been so focused on your goals, but don't forget that you're allowed to enjoy these moments, too."
Her voice softened, and her gaze held his, a hint of something vulnerable flashing in her eyes. "And you're allowed to let others in."
Seijirou swallowed, the weight of her words settling over him. He'd spent so much time burying himself in his ambitions, his plans, that he'd almost forgotten the importance of these connections.
And now, with her so close, he could feel the depth of that connection, one that had always been there but had never been fully acknowledged.
"You've always been there for me, Yoruichi," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "And… I don't think I've ever told you how much that means to me."
Her expression softened, and a slight blush touched her cheeks as she looked away for a moment. "Well, someone has to keep you from getting too serious all the time, right?"
They both laughed, the tension easing into something familiar and comforting. But as the laughter faded, their eyes met again, and this time, the silence between them felt charged, filled with unspoken words and possibilities.
Without thinking, Seijirou reached out, his hand resting gently on hers. Yoruichi didn't pull away; instead, she looked down at their intertwined hands, her expression thoughtful.
"You're full of surprises today, Captain," she said softly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. But her tone held a warmth that belied the teasing words.
Seijirou smiled, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't known in a long time. "I suppose even captains are allowed to have surprises."
They stayed like that for a while, watching the lights below as the night deepened around them.
There were no grand confessions, no declarations. Just a quiet understanding, a shared moment that spoke louder than words.
As they made their way back to the Seireitei, side by side, Seijirou felt a renewed sense of purpose, one that went beyond his ambition.
Yoruichi had reminded him of the world outside his responsibilities, of the connections that mattered just as much.
And as they walked together through the quiet streets, Seijirou couldn't help but glance at her, feeling content with her presence.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder