"If I hadn't accelerated time tenfold, I might not have finished." The flower arrangement competition's judges were typically the previous y
"If I hadn't accelerated time tenfold, I might not have finished."
The flower arrangement competition's judges were typically the previous year's top three winners. This meant Unohana Retsu was both a contestant and a judge, potentially a biased one.
As the judging began, Unohana Retsu noticed Kyōraku Callum, smiling brightly, at his display. She hadn't paid much attention to his participation; her previous suggestion to ban him from competing had been a joke. However, upon seeing the vibrant display before him, a hint of surprise flickered in Unohana Retsu's eyes.
"Kyōraku-kun's flower arrangement skills seem to have improved greatly," she murmured.
Standing beside her, Kotetsu Isane's usually reserved gaze was filled with surprise. "It's… it's quite unexpected!"
The judging commenced. Based on the display order, Kyōraku Callum's position was near the end. Unohana Retsu deliberately placed him last.
"Kyōraku-kun," Unohana Retsu said, a gentle smile on her face, stopping opposite his display and meeting his gaze. Her smiling eyes held an unreadable emotion.
Her expression softened, and she turned her attention to Kyōraku Callum's creation. The flower arrangement was primarily purple, with intricately arranged flowers set in a vase. Winding blue tendrils spiraled around the gentians.
Unohana Retsu's expression was one of slight astonishment. The artwork exceeded her expectations. While not the most exceptional flower arrangement she'd ever seen, it was a fine piece.
Kotetsu Isane and another female Shinigami beside her also looked surprised. The other members of the Fourth Division were fully aware of their Vice-Captain's flower arrangement skills. While they tried to avoid mentioning it in his presence, being so bad that Unohana Retsu had considered banning him was a unique accomplishment.
However, the artwork before them was undeniably artistic. From the arrangement of the flowers to the construction of the vase, there were no flaws.
"Does this piece have a name?" Unohana Retsu asked softly.
Kyōraku Callum's lips curved into a confident smile. "Swordsmanship!"
As he spoke, the flowers on the display suddenly bloomed. An intense sword intent, like a clear spring, flowed down the gentians.
"A very impressive artistic creation!" Unohana Retsu's smile grew even more radiant.
Kotetsu Isane nodded in agreement as Unohana Retsu spoke. She was about to add her own thoughts when she heard the next two sentences.
A gentle voice spoke beside her. "Is this your declaration of love, Kyōraku-kun? I like it!"
Kotetsu Isane's neck stiffly turned, like a rusty gear.
Wait… what did I just hear? I must be hallucinating from working too hard. Or maybe Kyōraku-kun's spiritual pressure is too strong, affecting my hearing.
Kyōraku Callum's expression was equally colorful upon hearing Unohana Retsu's words.
"Uh, glad you like it," Kyōraku Callum replied stiffly.
Snap! A sharp sound echoed. Kyōraku Callum and Unohana Retsu instinctively looked towards the source, only to see Kotetsu Isane, rubbing her cheek with an embarrassed smile.
After their gazes shifted away, Kotetsu Isane rubbed her cheek, hissing softly. "Ouch, I wasn't hallucinating. But this…"
She still couldn't believe what had happened. She felt that either she had a problem, or the world did. Something was definitely wrong.
"The Captain, while gentle, has never said…"
Under Kotetsu Isane's shocked gaze, Unohana Retsu slowly reached out towards Kyōraku Callum, her movements gentle.
"Wait! What are you doing, Captain?!" Kotetsu Isane screamed internally, her cheeks flushed, as if anticipating an inappropriate scene.
"Kyōraku-kun," Unohana Retsu's gentle voice pulled Kotetsu Isane from her fantasies. "Can I have this?"
Kotetsu Isane stared blankly at what Unohana Retsu was pointing at. "Oh, it's the flower arrangement."
For some reason, she felt a little disappointed that she hadn't seen what she expected. "What a shame!"
Kyōraku Callum couldn't quite decipher Unohana Retsu's intentions. However, based on their past interactions, he confidently replied, "Of course, it was made for you."
Upon hearing this, Unohana Retsu's lips curved into a beautiful smile. "Thank you, Kyōraku-kun."
Kotetsu Isane didn't know how to describe her current feelings. She felt that a lot had changed in this flower arrangement contest.
First, Flower Arrangement Novice Vice-Captain Kyōraku Callum had become a Flower Arrangement Master, creating a piece that was on par with her own.
And now, the Captain's words had opened up a whole new world.
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