In the Ninth Division barracks, Mirai was getting ready to lie down comfortably. He wanted to have a relaxing afternoon.
Suddenly, a very strong shiver went through his body. There was no warning.
"What's going on?" Mirai stopped in a strange position. He had one foot on the floor and the other was about to go onto the bed. He slowly turned his head to look around the empty room.
The windows were closed tightly. The door was locked.
He used his ability to sense spiritual energy, and everything seemed normal. There were only a few members of the division walking through the courtyard.
However, he felt a strange feeling in his heart. It felt like a small cat was scratching him.
"This shouldn't be happening..." He moved his foot back and sat on the bed with his legs crossed. He started to think about things one by one.
"Aizen is in the Fifth Division spending time with Captain Hirako. Yoruichi and that strange merchant Urahara are busy with their underground place."
"My book The Killer of Meteor City is selling well. I will get my money soon..."
He checked his mental list. There did not seem to be any problems happening right now.
Was he just too nervous? Did writing books make him feel like people were out to get him?
Just as he was doubting himself, a loud voice shouted.
"Mirai!"
It was a sharp and happy female voice. It was very loud and moved through the barracks.
"Come out right now! I know you're in there! If you don't come out, I'm going to charge in!"
The look on Mirai's face changed immediately.
He had forgotten about her!
He hit his forehead with his hand. He quickly pulled a piece of white paper from under the desk. He took a pen and started writing very fast.
It was Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna!
To leave her alone before, he had promised to give her an ending for his old story.
But he had been so busy with his new book and publishing it. He had completely forgotten!
Now, the person he owed was at the door!
He had to give her something to make her quiet. He knew how Mashiro Kuna acted.
She was the type of person who would follow him for 24 hours to watch him work!
She would follow him to eat. She would wait outside the bathroom. She would even look through his window while he slept!
Other girls might care about what people thought of them. Mashiro did not think like that.
She would only think that watching him this way was a good and fun idea!
Mirai felt very scared.
His brain worked faster than ever. The pen in his hand moved so fast that it was hard to see.
He was using a normal brush right now. He was not using his Zanpaku-tō, Raijin Seisho.
The reason was simple. When he first found the power of his Zanpaku-tō, he did some tests.
If the story had nothing to do with the people or history of the Soul Society...
For example, if he wrote stories about other worlds or different types of hells...
Then the readers' feelings would not help him. His Zanpaku-tō could not collect energy from those stories.
In other words, he could only get spiritual energy by writing stories about this world.
This was a big reason why he stopped writing those other stories.
People did not read them because they did not fit the culture. Also, they did not make him stronger. They were a waste of time.
"Mirai, I'm counting down from three! Three!"
Mashiro Kuna's loud voice came through the door again.
"Idiot, stop screaming in the courtyard," another voice said. It sounded tired. It was Captain Kensei Muguruma.
Mirai thought to himself: Captain, please help me! Please control your Lieutenant!
"Two!" Mashiro did not listen to the Captain's warning at all.
"Stop it," Kensei Muguruma said. He sounded like he was scolding her. "If you break the building, you will have to pay for it with your own money."
"One!" Mashiro finished counting and stopped. Then she answered with confidence, "Go ahead and take my money! I use the Captain's money when I go out anyway!"
"No way!" Kensei Muguruma answered quickly and strongly.
"I just bought the newest equipment to train spiritual power. The Twelfth Division recommended it this month. I spent all my money! I have nothing left!"
He spoke as if he was doing the right thing.
"Then use the division's extra money!" Mashiro's voice became louder. At the same time, she began to gather her spiritual energy outside. "Mashiro... Power Up!"
"Idiot! Don't do anything crazy!" Kensei Muguruma sounded worried.
Bang!
Mirai's door was suddenly pushed open from the inside!
He jumped out of the room. He was holding the paper with wet ink. He was breathing hard, but he had a big smile on his face.
"Captain! Lieutenant! Good afternoon! What a coincidence, I just finished writing!" He held up the paper.
In the courtyard, Mashiro Kuna had her fist in the air. There was a white light of spiritual energy on it.
She was really going to hit the door!
When she saw Mirai, she made a sound of annoyance. The white light on her hand went away.
She walked to Mirai and held out her hand. "Give it to me!"
Mirai quickly gave her the paper.
Mashiro took it and looked at the first few lines. She looked very disappointed.
"Mirai, why is it so short?"
The smile on Mirai's face stopped. Then, his face became very red very quickly.
His eyes got big, and he spoke very fast because he was nervous.
"What do you mean 'so short'?! I'm not... I mean!"
"I'm talking about the paper! This is a short poem!"
"It is a serious final part! It is the most important part! Don't you know that the best things are often small?!"
He tried to explain, but he was so nervous he almost confused himself.
"Is that so?" Mashiro Kuna finally held the paper near her eyes. She started to read it seriously.
...
There were a few more parts. The writing looked like it was done in a hurry. However, it felt sad and strong.
Mashiro looked at it quietly. For a moment, the only sound was the wind in the leaves.
Suddenly, she started to cry a lot. The tears fell down her face.
She looked up. Her eyes and nose were red from crying. She shouted at Mirai, "Mirai, you big idiot!"
After she shouted, she held the paper tight and ran away. She went into her room and closed the door very loudly.
Mirai and Kensei Muguruma stood in the courtyard and looked at each other.
Kensei Muguruma looked very confused.
He rubbed his short silver hair and spoke quietly, "What is there to cry about?"
In his opinion, the poem was just a bit artistic.
It was just a few sentences. He did not understand why she was crying.
He really could not understand how his Lieutenant's brain worked.
Mirai looked at Mashiro's door and felt better. He had finally tricked her.
He turned around and had a polite, sad smile. He said to Kensei Muguruma:
"Captain, Lieutenant Mashiro has a very kind heart and strong feelings. You should go and talk to her."
He sounded very honest, and he looked like he was worried.
When he heard this, Kensei Muguruma looked serious again. He acted like a proper Captain and cleared his throat.
"Hmph. She wasted so much time waiting for this paper. Now that it is finished, she must go back to training."
He turned to Mirai and began to give him a serious talk.
"Mirai, writing is something you are good at, and it helps the division. But you are a Shinigami. You are an officer of the Ninth Division. You must never stop training! Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes, Captain. You're right. I'll definitely pay attention and train harder."
Mirai nodded many times. His smile looked perfect.
He only acts like this in front of other people, Mirai thought.
I remember who went on a picnic with the Lieutenant. He left the job of finding new members to me, even though I am only the 5th Seat...
While Mirai was thinking this but acting respectful...
"Hahaha! If you want to train, you are always welcome to come to the Eleventh Division for a match!"
A loud and powerful laugh came from the entrance of the barracks.
Mirai looked toward the sound.
He saw three people at the gate.
the person in front was tall. He wore a white Captain's robe with the number "11" on the back. He had a very big smile. It was the Captain of the Eleventh Division, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.
Next to him was the Lieutenant, Ashido. He was quiet and looked cold.
And behind Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was a woman. She wore a white Captain's robe. Her long black hair was in a braid. She had a kind and gentle smile.
When Mirai looked at her—and she looked back at him with a smile—
His brain felt like it exploded.
It's over. I'm going to die.
I have not even spent the money I made from my books yet!