บท 232: CHAPTER 264: Fabulous Tea~
Even with his senses, Kazuya couldn't pinpoint the exact direction of this stalker. Rangiku, on the other hand, was completely oblivious. This stalker was very skilled at their job.
"Rangiku, let's go inside. I'll treat you to some tea."
"I'd have preferred some alcohol but tea is fine. I can't be too greedy."
Kazuya opened the door for her. "Do you never get tired of alcohol?"
"Booze is love. Booze is life." Rangiku walked inside and took off her sandals. "Why don't I take you out for some today?"
"A date with my Vice-Captain. Breaks my heart to say no to that."
Rangiku turned around and gave him a judging look. "What's keeping you busy today?"
"Training, training, and more training. I can't stagnate my growth because I beat some goofy-ass Arrancars."
"Those goofy-ass Arrancars nearly ended me." Rangiku shook her head. "I hope you don't reject me next time."
"I promise."
While wearing slippers, Rangiku took a peek down the long hallway. "It's bigger than it looks from the outside. Captain Unohana gave you an expensive place."
"She is the best."
Rangiku glanced at his smile and realized that her Captain would need more than just words to convince Kazuya into becoming his successor. At the same time, she understood the expenses were justified to gain the loyalty of a talent with his potential. It was near-impossible to predict his ceiling. He might even end up joining the Royal Guards and directly serve the Reio.
'Why are all silver-haired brats geniuses?'
One had already become a Captain, and the other was most likely to succeed her Captain. She felt bittersweet about working under Kazuya in the future as he'd always remind her of her lack of talent.
…
Fifteen minutes later.
Kazuya put down the tray on the low table and sat down on the floor. The living room was preoccupied by the sleeping Yoruichi. As such he had to utilize the other living room. Seriously, the house had half the rooms as his Living World's mansion, which was just absurd for a house of this size.
Rangiku leaned in with closed eyes and deeply inhaled the tea's aroma. "This smells heavenly. Let's see if it tastes half as good as its aroma."
She picked up the tea cup with both hands with more elegance and grace than Kazuya expected from her. Slowly bringing the cup to her lips, she took a small sip. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she continued sipping. With a final slurping sound to show appreciation, she put down the tea cup.
"Haah, it was divine. The best tea of my life! How did you brew this?!"
She only sensed his presence in the kitchen, so she knew the tea was brewed by his hands only.
"Oh. It's a secret." He chuckled. "I'm glad you liked my first brew."
Observing Unohana paid off massively. With all the same ingredients present in the kitchen, he had no trouble taking guidance from the memory and recreating the same magic Unohana's tea had.
"First brew?" Rangiku asked with wide eyes, nearly flipping the table out of shock. "You gotta be kidding me…"
"I'm not." He shook his head, revealing a smile. "Let's just say I'm very good at observing and applying the said knowledge. Captain Unohana is the one you should praise."
"I have tasted Captain Unohana's tea. It's good but not as flavorful as yours." She reached forward and grabbed his collars. "Can I come here everyday for tea?"
He scratched his cheek. "I get it. Can we put it behind us and talk about why you graced my home?"
Rangiku went back to her seat and smiled. "Can't I come to see my fellow Shinigami without an ulterior motive?"
"Yes."
"Ouch, that went straight through my heart."
"…"
Rangiku giggled and then suddenly put on a serious expression, the air around her shifting with her mood. "I asked around for any clues about my missing Zanpakutō Spirit. Can you guess what I found?"
"More missing Zanpakutō Spirits?"
She raised her brows in surprise. "How did you know?! Y-You must be the mastermind behind these incidents! Wait… is this the part where you reveal that the tea was drugged, and then I'll pass out and wake up in a dark basement?"
He flicked a Reiatsu bullet at her face. "It's not a murder mystery."
"Ahahaha. I watched a good one the other day. The Living World's theaters are amazing. Why don't we go there someday? You can help me choose some clothes and we can even dine at a restaurant there."
"What you're describing is a date."
"No, it's called hanging out with a friend. Besides, I'll cover all the expenses."
"You look desperate. Well, fine. I'll be your boyfriend."
Rangiku narrowed her eyes, smiling. "Good. Let's talk about the Zanpakutō Spirits."
"So who else lost their Spirit?"
"Ikkaku Madarame, the Vice-Captain of the 11th Squad."
"Never heard of him."
She let out a soft giggle. "He makes some of the funniest faces. Yesterday, when we were drinking in the town, he brought up a lack of voice from his Zanpakutō recently. Then he blamed it on 'Hōzukimaru' being upset with him for not properly utilizing its strength."
Kazuya nodded as he listened to her. "I heard that the guys from the 11th Squad don't treat their Zanpakutō Spirit with proper respect."
Although he knew that Muramasa was behind Ikkaku's Zanpakutō Spirit's disappearance, he had to act skeptical before Rangiku. Otherwise, she'd grow suspicious of him when he eventually ends Muramasa's plans. The alcoholic blonde had one of the keenest observation skills among her peers.
Rangiku nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm not really certain that Madarame is suffering from the same condition as me. But it's suspicious nevertheless."
"I see. I'll look into your matter when I'm free from my training."
Rangiku stood up and fixed her kimono. "That tea alone was worth coming here all the way. But I gotta go now or the Captain will eat my ear off."
"See you soon."
Once Rangiku left, Kazuya stretched and returned upstairs for a quick shower. As he returned to the bedroom, he heard a scraping sound outside the window. The noise would've eluded anyone without hearing as sharp as his.
He picked his Zanpakutō from the bedside and carefully approached the window.
***
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