For Yuta, Matsumoto Rangiku's method of making money was just another thing he'd heard about in passing.
There were simpler ways to earn money. If someone developed new tech and passed it to Team 12, the patent alone would make them rich. Or they could rob from the rich and hand it to the poor-borrow some cash from those bloodsucking nobles and crush them if they dared complain.
As the two walked down the road, Matsumoto introduced, "Swordsmanship Competition. It's held by Division 11 every decade."
"It's for finding whoever's the strongest with the sword in Seireitei."
"The top three don't just win money-they get fame, reputation, and even some time training with the Captain of Squad One."
"Even though they say it's open to the 'strongest' swordsman," she continued, "it's usually vice-captains and Division 13 members who join. The captains are too busy for it-and honestly, they're too strong to be interested anyway."
"Since spiritual pressure could throw off balance, there's a rule that everyone fights with restricted reiryoku. It's supposed to be personal swordsmanship only."
…
Matsumoto finished her explanation of the Seireitei Swordsmanship Competition.
"So basically," Yuta said, "a big duel between vice-captains and seated officers?"
"That's one way to put it." She smiled. "When we rank up-we'll be rich and loved by everyone!"
"But it's not starting just now," she added with her hands clasped together. "Until then-I'll have to rely on you, Brother Yuta."
"Let's go after lunch." Yuta nodded. Supporting Matsumoto Rangiku wasn't much of an issue.
Warm sunlight draped over them as they left with full stomachs, making him feel just drowsy enough to squint at the light.
"Let's check out those roasted nuts and lotus seeds while we pass by," Rangiku said.
An old woman sat behind her stall with little wooden boxes filled with different kinds of nuts-some shelled, some not.
Yuta realized he hadn't tried any of Seireitei's snacks like this before.
"Go on then," he said. "Pick what you want."
Rangiku nodded and strolled beside him up to the stall.
With a kind smile, the old woman glanced between them. "You two look just like lovers. Why not buy some to take home?"
Rangiku pulled out her coin bag and grabbed some of the nuts. "Old lady-he and I aren't what you think…"
"I know, I know…" the woman grinned as she weighed their chosen items. "It'll cost you one ring."
After Yuta paid, Rangiku followed along carrying the bag of snacks in one hand.
"I've actually not tried these dried fruits before," she said. "What do they taste like?"
"They're good," he replied. "Let me open one for you."
Rangiku placed the bag over her arm, pinched one nut with her fingers, peeled off the shell, and held it at Yuta's mouth.
He ate it directly from her hand; his lips brushed her fingers without meaning to. The nut was crisp and slightly sweet-a bit like peanuts but softer in flavor.
"Hmm. Tastes decent," he said.
"Try the lotus seed now."
She peeled another one and fed it to him again without breaking rhythm.
It had less flavor than the nut-lighter and faintly fresh on his tongue.
They made their way back together-to the house Yuta was renting inside Community property.
There was grass stretched out in front of the house, thick and clean under the sunlight. With no one else around to bother them-they sat directly on the lawn.
Yuta leaned back slowly as warmth drifted through his skin. The sun was gentle enough to relax him into sleepiness before anything else could steal his thoughts away.
"You look sleepy," Rangiku said with amusement. "Want my lap for a pillow?"
Yuta gave her one nod-and shifted down until his cheek rested across her thighs. They were warm and healthy under his weight-softer than any cushion he'd tried before-and far better than anything manufactured.
His view of the sky was cut in half by her body leaning over him-but he didn't mind much at that point.
Peaceful darkness took its place instead.
Rangiku continued peeling snacks beside him-even while feeding him lotus seeds carefully one at a time with fingers that smelled faintly sweet from their oils. Between each offering she'd stroke his scalp-fingertips moving slowly to untangle his hair where it had knotted near the base of his head.
When she saw that he'd dozed off-she used both hands to gently knead pressure points across his scalp to help him relax even further.
Her expression softened as she looked down at his sleeping face.
"You don't always have to take care of me," she whispered. "I'm allowed to take care of you too."
Time passed slowly-then quickened behind her as footsteps approached from elsewhere across the courtyard.
"Miss Kuchiki, this is this month's income ledger," someone called out politely from behind the hedge. "Please take a look when you're able."
Paper rustled as pages flipped open-but then came sudden hesitation as one step halted mid-stride.
"What is it?" asked another feminine tone nearby. "Miss?"
"What's that over there?" came Rukia's clear question next.
"That's Yuta." Shisui answered promptly from behind her. "One of my tenants here in Community housing. As per Miss's instructions-we offer strong discounts for civilian renters."
"Well done," she replied simply. "You may step back now."
Shisui bowed away as Rukia stepped closer to investigate for herself-and spotted Matsumoto first before anyone else.
Rangiku noticed her at almost exactly the same time and waved lazily from where she was sitting.
"Kuchiki!"
Rukia brushed hair back from her face as she stepped forward quickly toward them. "Matsumoto-why are you here?"
Rangiku gestured toward Yuta's head resting on her lap and answered softly,
"This is Yuta's house-or rather, he rents it from your family property network. He and I are… well, we're friends I guess. So I'm staying with him for now."
"Oh… I see…"
Yuta stirred faintly at the edge of their words-opened only one eye-and glanced toward Rukia Kuchiki who now stood above him at the edge of sunlight.
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