"Anyway, since it was Lady Yoruichi who allowed him into our squad, there's nothing more to say. From today onward, we're colleagues. By the way, I'm the squad's captain, and this here is Hōshō Aya, our vice-captain."
"And over here are Lilynette, Harribel, and Kokū—three of our squad members, and your seniors."
Yūshirō Shihōin introduced the members standing behind him to Kōmyōji Tokitani.
"I understand. I've already looked into everyone before coming, so you can rest assured."
Tokitani rose, gave a small bow, and smiled politely.
"Oh? You've done your homework?"
"Then let's see just how well you think you know us."
Yūshirō pressed a hand down on Tokitani's shoulder, his tone edged with challenge.
"Hahaha… please don't worry, Lord Yūshirō. Since the elders of my clan allowed me out, it means the Kōmyōji family will never harm your interests. At the very least, I never will. I'll faithfully carry out my duties as a servant to the King beneath the King."
Tokitani chuckled softly as he spoke.
"'Servant to the King,' huh? That's hardly necessary. It seems your clan is scheming something, but as long as it doesn't touch me, I don't care…"
Yūshirō shook his head lightly, falling silent for a moment.
"Please rest assured—everything I do is for your benefit."
Tokitani smiled faintly as he answered.
"My benefit? Do you even know what it is I want?"
Yūshirō's expression froze. His sharp gaze locked on Tokitani.
"…"
Tokitani simply smiled back, saying nothing.
"Just do your own part well."
Yūshirō's voice was cold.
"As you command!"
Tokitani dropped to one knee, as if pledging loyalty to his lord.
"…"
Finding him tedious, Yūshirō turned and left the training hall, intending to take a bath to shake off his irritation.
"As expected of a natural-born king… that aura is enough to make anyone tremble."
Tokitani whispered as he watched Yūshirō's back disappear.
"Hey! You just made Captain Yūshirō upset, didn't you?"
"On your very first day in the squad, you've already angered your captain. Things won't be easy for you from now on."
Hōshō Aya glared at the smiling man, finding his demeanor unsettling.
"You must be Vice-Captain Hōshō Aya! I've long heard of your name. They say you're training in Kidō techniques. As it happens, I have here a secret manual from the Kōmyōji clan on Kidō training. Allow me to gift it to you…"
Ignoring Aya's warning, Tokitani pulled a book from his robes. It was a compilation of Kidō techniques created by Soul Society's many prodigies—though the Kōmyōji family had merely collected and preserved them.
"A Kidō training manual?!"
"For me?"
Aya's face flushed slightly. It was the first time she'd ever received a gift from a stranger, and such a valuable one at that. She instinctively turned to seek Yūshirō's opinion, only to realize he had already left. Caught off guard, she didn't know how to respond.
"Of course. Please accept it." (After all, you're the King's woman.)
Tokitani inclined his head lightly, keeping the latter thought to himself. Then he produced more items for the rest of the squad.
"This is a bubble blower—it'll release endless soap bubbles if you infuse it with spiritual power."
He handed it to Lilynette.
"This is a spiritual-weight device. By channeling energy into it, it can greatly increase the body's load. It looks like a simple wristwatch."
He offered it to Harribel.
"And here is a training-grade Asauchi forged by our clan. It won't resonate with your soul, but it's durable enough to serve as a weapon."
This went to Kokū, who had been troubled about his Zanpakutō's unique appearance giving him away. With this substitute blade, his secret would be safer.
"Please accept the manual. Everyone has received a gift, after all."
Returning to Aya, Tokitani spoke gently.
"Then I won't refuse. Thank you for the Kōmyōji family's generosity."
Aya bowed politely.
"Think nothing of it."
Tokitani smiled faintly. He knew Aya's background well—last child of the Hōshō clan, a covert family within the Onmitsukidō. Her brothers had all perished for the Kōmyōji family's cause. A lesser noble house might be dismissed easily, but since she was aligned with the future "true king," they had to treat her with care.
"Wow! Real bubbles!"
"My body feels like I'm carrying a giant tortoise shell on my back."
On the other side, Lilynette and Harribel had already begun playing with their gifts.
"Huff! Huff!"
Even the simple-minded Kurotsuchi Kenpachi swung his Asauchi happily, unconcerned that it was merely a failed experiment of the Kōmyōji family—crafted to escape Nimaiya Ōetsu's control over Zanpakutō.
"Three of them."
Tokitani stood in the corner, watching the three women with a calculating smile.
"The King only has three consorts? That's far too few. Should I introduce my sisters to him?"
"…No, that would only annoy him. Those pampered noble girls would never suit his tastes."
His mind worked quickly, discarding the idea. Yūshirō clearly preferred women who were more genuine, more striking in character—not the haughty daughters of noble houses.
Meanwhile, in the bathhouse—
"My sister really is troublesome… bringing such an irritating guy into my squad."
Yūshirō sank into the hot water, scowling as he scrubbed at the bubbles.
"Still… why does he look so familiar? I feel like I've seen him somewhere before…"
"…Forget it. I can't recall."
He tried to think, but no memory came. Of course, it wasn't strange—Tokitani was from one of the other Five Great Noble Houses. Running into him in the past would've been natural. Yūshirō brushed it off.
"…But still, why can't I remember?"
Restless, he twisted in the bath, the nagging thought gnawing at him.
Just then, the door slid open and a man in a bathrobe with green hair entered.
"Tch…"
With a splash, Yūshirō stood.
"Why are you here?"
"I came to deepen our bond."
It was Tokitani, the very man Yoruichi had arranged to join his squad.
"I don't like you. I don't want to bond with you."
Yūshirō waved him off, his voice laced with disgust.
"That's fine. As long as I like you, that's enough."
Tokitani sat down beside him, face flushed from the steam, watching Yūshirō with unsettling admiration—like one beholding a work of art.
"Tch…"
A chill ran down Yūshirō's spine. For the first time in his life, he felt fear. Sometimes, inexplicable kindness was more terrifying than hatred.
"…Are you gay?"
Yūshirō eyed him cautiously.
"If you wish it, I'll divorce my wife immediately."
Tokitani's lips curled into a twisted smile, his low, magnetic voice sending Yūshirō reeling.
With a splash, Yūshirō stormed out of the bath, dressed in haste, and fled the room stiffly.
"Lord Yūshirō, did I do something wrong?"
Tokitani followed soon after, feigning concern.
"The moment you appeared before me, everything was already wrong."
Yūshirō quickened his pace, heading straight for the squad headquarters. He needed answers from his sister.
"Lord Yūshirō, I truly only wish to help you."
"Really? Because it looks to me like you're only here to make trouble."
Unmoved, Yūshirō entered the squad room with Tokitani trailing behind.
"Sister!"
He found Yoruichi sitting on a cushion, snacking on grapes without a care.
"…Huh?"
"Cough! Cough!"
"Oh, Yūshirō. What brings you here?"
Caught off guard, Yoruichi quickly put down the grapes, straightened her posture, and forced a dignified air.
"Sister… why is this man in my squad?"
Yūshirō's voice was calm but firm.
"Well… it's just the messy politics of noble families. When the Kōmyōji clan's head makes a request, as head of the Shihōin, I can't refuse."
"So you'd sacrifice your brother just because of some deal between clan heads?"
Yūshirō pressed.
"'Some deal'? Do you know how exhausting it is to be the head of one of the Five Great Houses?"
"My shoulders ache constantly. I've never had proper rest."
Yoruichi bristled at his words, her tone sharp.
"And that justifies sacrificing your own brother's interests?"
"Don't put it like that, Yūshirō! This is also for your sake. I've looked into Tokitani—he's talented, capable. He can help you with many problems. Overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
"As for your little secrets—you don't need to worry. The Kōmyōji clan already knows."
"…What?"
Yūshirō froze, instantly understanding. Harribel and the others being Hollows, Kokū's unusual Zanpakutō… things he had hoped to keep hidden.
"Already discovered?"
He turned sharply to Tokitani.
"Yes. We've known since your return to Soul Society."
Tokitani admitted it with a smile.
"…Ah."
Yūshirō pressed a hand to his face, overwhelmed.
"Don't worry, Lord Yūshirō. The Kōmyōji family will never speak of it. We'll always be your strongest support."
Tokitani dropped to one knee, bowing deeply in solemn vow.