Deep within the mountain beneath Sōkyoku Hill, there existed a vast underground cavern.
This place was a secret base jointly constructed by Shihōin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke during their time within the Onmitsukidō. Halfway up the mountain lay the headquarters of the Stealth Force, while deeper underground rested this hidden sanctuary.
It was here that Kurosaki Ichigo had once completed his Bankai training, and it was also here that Urahara Kisuke constructed a hot spring capable of accelerating recovery through spiritual stimulation.
At this moment, inside the cavern, a slender figure lay quietly on the stone floor.
Her eyes were closed.
Her expression was calm.
Her breathing was steady.
It was Sui-Feng.
Nearby, her head rested lightly upon a pair of legs.
The owner of those legs was Kurotsuki Renya.
Renya had already changed into fresh clothes. He did not immediately go to see the others Ichigo, Renji, and the rest either required urgent treatment or were being watched closely by the Fourth Division. Appearing before them now would only cause confusion.
But Sui-Feng was different.
He could not wait any longer.
At his request, Yoruichi had quietly removed Sui-Feng from Sōkyoku Hill before she regained consciousness. If she had awakened there, overwhelmed by emotion, she might have lost control entirely.
If Renya had truly died, Yamamoto Genryūsai would have erased his body completely, leaving no trace behind.
At present, only Yamamoto, Unohana Retsu, and Shiba Kūshirō knew the truth.
Even Renya himself had truly died
only to be revived.
This was his first time inside the underground base.
Sui-Feng remained unconscious.
Then
"Hmph!"
Her eyes snapped open.
In the next instant, she flipped upward and delivered a sharp kick toward Renya's head.
Boom!
Renya raised his arm, blocking the strike. At the same time, Sui-Feng twisted midair, landing several meters away, her stance sharp and alert.
"…Huh?"
The moment she clearly saw Renya's face, her expression froze.
She blinked.
Then rubbed her eyes.
"…Renya?"
Renya smiled gently and opened his arms.
"…Is it really you?"
Her pupils trembled.
Then
She rushed forward and slammed into his chest.
Sui-Feng was taller than Renya; the impact forced him back a step before he caught her.
"I missed you so much," she said, her voice trembling.
She pulled back, her eyes red, staring at his face as if afraid he might vanish.
"I missed you so much."
Renya smiled softly.
"I'm here now."
"But you'll leave again," Sui-Feng said suddenly, gripping his clothes tightly. "When I wake up, you'll be gone."
Renya froze for a moment.
Then he understood.
She thought this was a dream.
"I'm real," he said quietly, looking directly into her eyes. "Sui-Feng… I'm alive. This isn't a dream."
She buried her face against his shoulder, her cheek pressed against his.
"Don't lie to me," she whispered. "I can only see you in dreams."
Renya's chest tightened.
She hadn't even allowed herself to hope.
Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms around her and gently patted her back.
They stayed like that in silence.
After some time, footsteps echoed.
"Haa… this hot spring is still amazing. I feel great."
A familiar voice.
A dark-skinned woman with short hair, wearing nothing but a white towel, strolled in while drying her hair.
Sui-Feng stiffened and lifted her head.
"Yoruichi."
"Oh? You're awake, Little Bee?" Yoruichi greeted cheerfully.
Sui-Feng frowned. "Why are you here?"
"I brought you here."
Sui-Feng straightened.
Renya stood beside her and gently took her hand.
"That's right. Yoruichi brought me here too."
Sui-Feng stared at Yoruichi, then exhaled slowly.
"…I see. You knocked me out. I've wanted to kill you for years, so naturally I'd dream of you."
She still thought this was a dream.
Renya didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Yoruichi sighed, walked over, pinched Sui-Feng's cheek and slapped her hard.
"Ow!"
Sui-Feng slapped Yoruichi's hand away, then froze.
"…That hurt."
Renya smiled. "Because you're not dreaming."
Yoruichi nodded. "He's really alive."
Sui-Feng pulled out a kunai, dragged it across her finger.
Blood welled up.
"…It's real."
Her shoulders trembled.
"Renya…"
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, meeting her gaze.
She burst into tears.
Renya immediately pulled her into his arms, letting her cry.
She cried for a long time.
When she finally calmed down, she pulled back and asked quietly,
"What happened?"
Renya sat beside her and told her everything slowly, honestly, without hiding a single detail.
Throughout the story, Sui-Feng never let go of his hand.
When he finished, she whispered,
"So that's how it was…"
She bowed her head toward Yoruichi.
"…I'm sorry."
Yoruichi waved it off. "Don't worry about it."
"Please thank Urahara Kisuke for me," Sui-Feng said softly. "For saving Renya."
"I will," Yoruichi replied.
Sui-Feng stood and pulled Renya up.
"Let's go. Others want to see you too."
There was no clinging. No impulsive emotion.
She handled everything first.
In her heart, she made a quiet decision.
After this is over… I won't wait anymore.
Holding Renya's hand, Sui-Feng walked out of the cavern.
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