Summer nights in the Seireitei stayed relatively bright, and when Yamahiko and Sui-Feng emerged, the sky was still dimly lit. Many people had already gathered on the streets.
This was the Seireitei's first Summer Festival, one of the few festivals celebrated in the Seireitei. As a result, it had attracted a large crowd just as it had started.
The festival's venue was along the banks of the Seireitei, with lanterns adorning the riverside. People had gathered for a night of festivities.
Yamahiko and Sui-Feng left their barracks, and Sui-Feng's pace gradually slowed. She lowered her head, prompting Yamahiko to ask, "Captain Sui-Feng, what's wrong? Are you tired?"
Sui-Feng didn't respond, but in the next moment, a voice called out, "Hahaha, Yamahiko, are you here?"
Sui-Fēng looked up and saw that the person in the distance was Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo. Behind him were a few others.
A sturdy woman, a young man with glasses, and a short girl were with him.
Yamahiko asked Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, "Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, who are these people?"
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo introduced them, saying, "Let me introduce you. This is my sister, Maremi Ōmaeda, this is my brother, Marejirōsabu Ōmaeda. And this is my sister, Mareyo Ōmaeda."
"Hello."
Yamahiko's gaze swept over the three of them. Ōmaeda Maremi wasn't particularly beautiful, Ōmaeda Marejirōsabu wasn't particularly handsome, but why was Ōmaeda Mareyo so lovely?
They only differed by one character in their names; why was she so cute?
Yamahiko's mind wandered through many thoughts but ultimately put them aside.
Ōmaeda Maremi smiled at Yamahiko and said, "You must be Yamahiko? My brother said you're a genius."
Yamahiko looked at his Vice-Captain, he complimented others?
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo coughed and said, "It's the truth."
Ōmaeda Maremi smiled and said, "By the way, you don't have a girlfriend, do you? How about my sister? She's so cute, and if you marry my sister, you can get a substantial dowry."
"Big sister."
Upon hearing this, Ōmaeda Mareyo shrunk behind her brother, her face turning red with embarrassment.
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo interjected, "Alright, big sister, stop messing around. Haven't you seen Yamahiko with his companion?"
"I haven't seen them yet. Sorry, sorry," Ōmaeda Maremi showed a apologetic expression.
She didn't recognize her?
Yamahiko turned his head and noticed Sui-Fēng hiding behind him, looking down and avoiding eye contact with the others.
You too, huh? But you look so cute.
Sui-Fēng, shrinking timidly behind him, was like a little bee expelled from its hive.
But that's okay; I can stay by your side.
Yamahiko observed the scene, feeling a sense of joy filling his heart, and he said, "You're right, I already have a girlfriend. Ah!"
Just as he finished speaking, he felt a poke in his back.
"Alright, we won't disturb you two any longer. We're going to have fun. Say hi to the captain for us."
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo left with his brother and sisters. After they had walked a distance, Ōmaeda Maremi asked her brother, "Why did we leave so quickly?"
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo whispered, "Didn't you see? The person standing behind Yamahiko is Captain Sui-Fēng."
Ōmaeda Maremi widened her eyes and asked, "No way?"
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo snorted and said, "Though she's hiding, I recognized her. After all, she's been beating me up for decades. It's just that she's changed so much."
Ōmaeda Maremi looked shocked and said, "They're attending the Summer Festival together. Could it be they're in a relationship?"
Vice-Captain Ōmaeda Marechiyo wore a mischievous smile and said, "Exactly, they are in a relationship."
...
Yamahiko, seeing them depart, finally said, "Captain, you can come out now."
Sui-Fēng, her face red, walked out and glared at Yamahiko, saying, "This is all your doing."
Yamahiko looked at her and said, "Captain Sui-Fēng, it would be better if you didn't hide. Why are you afraid of being seen by others?"
"I'm afraid..."
I'm afraid that people will think we're in a relationship.
Sui-Fēng really wanted to say it, but she felt it would be too suspicious to voice her concerns, so she just waved her hand and said, "Let's go."
Sui-Fēng followed Yamahiko to the Summer Festival. She had initially hoped to keep a low profile and not be noticed, but after walking a few steps, they ran into someone they knew.
"Yamahiko, you're here."
It was Matsumoto Rangiku, and behind her was a short young man. Seeing him, Yamahiko's eyes widened, "Hitsugaya Toshiro?"
Hitsugaya Toshiro looked at Yamahiko, slightly bowed, and said with an indifferent expression, "Hello."
Yamahiko turned to Matsumoto Rangiku and asked, "Vice-Captain Matsumoto, isn't the Women's Shinigami Association supposed to visit the Summer Festival together?"
Matsumoto Rangiku smiled and said, "But everyone has their own plans. Isane Kotetsu and Captain Retsu Unohana are together, Nemu Kurotsuchi and Nanao Ise are together, and Sui-Fēng, I don't know where she is. Wait, are you Captain Sui-Fēng?"
Matsumoto Rangiku stared at the woman next to Yamahiko, her eyes widened.
Sui-Fēng awkwardly said, "Rangiku, hello."
Matsumoto Rangiku looked at Sui-Fēng and then at Yamahiko, saying, "You two aren't in a relationship, are you? No wonder, Captain Sui-Fēng, you said you wouldn't participate in the Women's Shinigami Association's tour activities."
Yamahiko's lips curled into a knowing smile, as if saying, "That's right."
Sui-Fēng didn't want to be misunderstood, and quickly explained, "It's not like that; he just begged me."
Matsumoto Rangiku had a mysterious smile and said, "I understand."
Sui-Fēng was about to continue explaining, but Matsumoto Rangiku made a supportive gesture to her and said, "Well, enjoy your time together. I won't disturb your private world."
Matsumoto Rangiku wore a mysterious smile, called out to Hitsugaya Toshiro, and left.
Yamahiko felt extremely happy inside when people assumed he and the woman he loved were a couple. It was a fantastic feeling. But in the next moment, he sensed an overwhelming killing intention. He turned around and found Captain Sui-Fēng staring at him, saying, "Are you happy?"
Yamahiko quickly replied, "Captain Sui-Fēng, I'm sorry; I didn't expect it to turn out this way."
Pausing for a moment, he continued, "But I am genuinely happy to explore the festival with Captain Sui-Fēng, rather than just training. I'm really, really happy."
A joyful smile appeared on Yamahiko's face, and Sui-Fēng, seeing that smile, felt a slight warmth in her heart for some reason.
"Hmph, I'm not happy, but let's go and see if there's anything fun."
Sui-Fēng took a step forward, and Yamahiko, seeing that she wasn't angry, quickly caught up.
"Captain, look at this!"
Yamahiko called out to Sui-Fēng as they approached a small stall and ordered, "Sir, I'd like a box of takoyaki."
"A box of takoyaki, alright, I'll make that for you."
The shopkeeper skillfully began preparing the takoyaki, and Sui-Fēng stood beside Yamahiko, sniffed, and asked, "What is this?"
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "This is a snack from the living world, something I learned while working in the living world. It's made from octopus balls with octopus powder and water mixed with chicken eggs. They're fried and grilled, then topped with vegetables, flipped, grilled some more, and finally, sweet sauce is added. Look, that's how it's done."
After grilling, the shopkeeper placed six takoyaki balls in a box and put two sticks aside. He handed them to the two, smiling, and said, "Enjoy."
Yamahiko gave the money to the shopkeeper and handed a stick to Sui-Fēng, saying, "Captain, you go first."
Sui-Fēng picked up a stick, skewered a takoyaki ball, and raised it to her mouth. She took a gentle bite.
"Mmm."
Sui-Fēng's eyes widened, and she looked at Yamahiko with an almost incredulous expression.
"Is it delicious?" Yamahiko asked Sui-Fēng.
Sui-Fēng nodded and said, "It's really delicious."
With that, Sui-Fēng shoved the remaining takoyaki ball into her mouth, chewed it, and swallowed, showing a satisfied expression.
Yamahiko immediately handed the box to Sui-Fēng, saying, "There's more."
Sui-Fēng picked up a stick, skewering another takoyaki ball, and looked at Yamahiko, saying, "You should eat some too."
Yamahiko waved his hand and said, "There's enough for me; I'll buy more if needed. Captain Sui-Fēng, if you like it, eat more. When you're done, I'll have some. I'm not that fond of it."
When you love someone, you want to give them everything you have. Watching the satisfied expression on their face makes you feel happy. Of course, to make them eat it all, you have to show an expression that you don't want it.
Hearing this, Sui-Fēng fell silent for a moment and then smiled, saying, "Food is meant to be shared, it's better to eat together. Hurry and eat."
"Okay."
Yamahiko nodded, picked up a stick, skewered a takoyaki ball, and, together with Sui-Fēng, swallowed it in one bite.
Both of them chewed on the takoyaki and found the food in their mouths even more delicious. Yamahiko felt joy in sharing food with the person he liked, while Sui-Fēng found happiness in sharing it with a friend.
For Sui-Fēng, there were many changes happening, and these changes were closely related to Yamahiko. She began to enjoy spending time with others more, slowly emerging from her 'solitary' lifestyle.
Now she was no longer alone, there was always someone by her side.
~End of the chapter~
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