Writing a novel on work time is pretty comfortable.
In a blink, the workday ended.
Yoshio looked at his twenty-thousand-word manuscript and happily tucked it into a file envelope.
He had plans to eat with Shuhei tonight—drink a bit and discuss submitting the work to Seireitei Communication. A great opportunity.
He's the 9th Division Lieutenant and the executive editor of Seireitei Communication. He's the most powerful editor aside from Editor-in-Chief Tōsen Kaname. So of course I should talk submissions with the editor-in-chief's office.
Since last time he hadn't brought Shuhei to Damo House, they went there again for drinks. The food and drink quality at Damo House is excellent.
This time it was just Yoshio and Shuhei. As soon as they sat down, he put the envelope in front of Shuhei.
Shuhei took it curiously. "What's this?"
"I wrote a novel. Can it be serialized in Seireitei Communication?"
"Novel? You write novels?!" Shuhei exclaimed.
"What, I can't?" Yoshio said. "I happen to like reading."
"Really?" Shuhei took the manuscript from the envelope, glanced at it, and quickly became engrossed.
He didn't put it down until Yoshio had finished two bottles of wine.
"This is amazing—way more gripping than Captain Ukitake's 'Pisces Reject,'" he said, shocked.
"Of course." Yoshio preened. "Not that Captain Ukitake's 'Pisces Reject' isn't excellent."
"It's just that 'Pisces Reject' always tries to teach a lesson. While it's a fine and educational work, it inevitably falls a bit short in pure reading pleasure."
"Alright, I'll get on it. Don't worry, I'll give you a prime slot in Seireitei Communication. It'll be a bestseller!"
If sales are good, he, as editor, could get a cut.
He's not a noble like Yoshio and only has some savings. Even though he's a Lieutenant now, expenses are still high.
After discussing the novel, Shuhei hurried off to arrange things, leaving after only a few drinks.
Yoshio smiled as he watched Shuhei go, then shook his head and prepared to head home.
However, just as he was about to leave, he saw Rukia Kuchiki again.
Damo House is very close to the Kuchiki residence, so seeing Rukia wasn't surprising.
He thought for a moment, then walked straight over.
He'd had few chances to interact with Rukia Kuchiki for a long time; he had to take the initiative.
Right now, Gotei 13's Squads are almost isolated from one another. Each Squad has only its own captain, and Lieutenants go to the 1st Division for fixed captain meetings.
During meetings, it's basically captain-to-captain and Lieutenant-to-Lieutenant.
Because of that, many Lieutenants don't even know other Squads' captains.
When the plot began, Renji didn't even know who the 10th Division captain was—ridiculous.
Yoshio didn't have many opportunities to meet other Squads' captains, and striking up conversation rashly is rude.
Thus Yoshio remained mostly inactive socially.
He had to run his foundation first, before anything else.
But because Rukia Kuchiki's abilities were too important, Yoshio decided to approach her.
"You are..."
Yoshio stepped up to Rukia Kuchiki. "Rukia Kuchiki, right?"
Rukia paused, puzzled by Yoshio's sudden appearance.
She's a member of the Kuchiki family. Everyone in the Sixth District knows her and treats her with respect, which makes it hard for her to make friends.
And she basically recognizes all the regulars in the Sixth District—but now...
Who is he?
Rukia felt Yoshio looked familiar, like she'd seen him somewhere.
"I'm Abarai Renji's friend," Yoshio introduced himself first. "I'm also a graduate of the Class of 2061, so I'm your senior. I'm now the 5th Division Lieutenant, Yoshio Kamado."
"Renji's friend..." Rukia was a bit surprised. She bowed slightly. "So it's Lieutenant Yoshio. What can I do for you?"
"Ah?" Yoshio froze, quickly stepped back two paces, and said, "Please don't let anyone see you doing that. I may be a Lieutenant, but you're from the Kuchiki family—our status is equal."
Legally, a Lieutenant and a member of a great noble family are indeed equals.
Of course, if it were her direct superior, Rukia's bow would be acceptable.
But he wasn't the 13th Division Lieutenant, so he couldn't demand that from Rukia.
"Lieutenant Yoshio, what did you want with me?"
"I wanted to talk about Renji. I happened to be eating here. Would you like to come in and sit for a bit?" Yoshio pointed at Damo House.
Rukia hesitated.
After a moment, she said, "Alright, but I only have ten minutes. If I'm late, my brother will be upset."
"No problem."
Ten minutes is fine. Yoshio led Rukia back into Damo House.
Before going in, he casually picked up a bottle of wine.
"Drink?"
"No." Rukia clasped her hands.
Yoshio poured himself a cup and said, "Renji is also in the 5th Division now. He told me about you. I'm curious what kind of person could be adopted by the Kuchiki family."
Rukia smiled wryly. "Now that you see me, are you disappointed? If I didn't look like Lady Hisana, I wouldn't have been qualified to be adopted."
"..." Yoshio said, a little puzzled, "How are you not qualified? Miss Kuchiki, you just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy and already possess such strong spiritual power. I don't think it'll be long before you become a seated officer."
"Is that so."
Rukia lowered her head. Even though he complimented her, she didn't seem enthusiastic.
At this time, Rukia had a bit of an inferiority complex.
Yoshio shook his head. "Actually, some things can be seen from subtle details. What you think is true may not be."
"...What do you mean?" Rukia looked up, confused.
"Miss Kuchiki, you like sweets, right?"
"Huh? Did Renji tell you?"
Yoshio didn't answer, just smiled mysteriously. "The food you eat at the Kuchiki household is all sweet, isn't it?"
"...Yes..." Though a noble, Rukia's tone lacked confidence.
"But Captain Byakuya prefers spicy food," Yoshio added.
"Impossible!" Rukia grew agitated. "At home, meals are clearly all sweet!"