Sosuke Aizen, how did he come here?
Yamahiko was taken aback when he saw Aizen. Memories of how Aizen had created a Hollow that nearly killed him rushed to his mind, and anger welled up inside him.
[Sosuke Aizen - img]
Aizen, with a smile on his face, asked, "Why no welcome for me?"
Yamahiko quickly suppressed his anger and put on a friendly face, saying, "Oh, it's not that. I just didn't expect Captain Aizen to be invited,, and I certainly didn't expect Captain Aizen to come."
Aizen maintained his placid demeanor and said, "I was invited by Momo Hinamori. She said she hoped I could come here. If it's too sudden, I can leave."
Yamahiko replied, "No need, Captain Aizen, please come in."
Yamahiko knew that asking Aizen to leave would raise suspicions, so he welcomed him into the gathering.
As soon as Aizen entered the room, Momo Hinamori rushed over and exclaimed, "Captain Aizen, you really came!"
Aizen, still smiling, replied, "Yes, I had some free time, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know Yamahiko."
Free time? What a load of nonsense. What is he doing here?
Despite his inner frustration, Yamahiko maintained a smile and said, "Captain Aizen, it's an honor to have you here."
The other captains and vice-captains had a favorable attitude towards Aizen, mainly because of his polite and refined demeanor that he displayed publicly. Even up to the very moment of his betrayal, no one had suspected him.
The first one to sense something amiss was Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division. She only realized the truth after discovering Aizen's body.
Aizen quickly mingled with others at the party, but Yamahiko couldn't shake the feeling that he had a hidden agenda for attending his birthday celebration. While Aizen claimed to be there due to free time, Yamahiko couldn't believe it was merely for his birthday.
Yamahiko was determined to figure out Aizen's true motives, and the uncertainty made his heart race with unease.
Sui-Feng, standing by his side, noticed his distress and asked, "What's going on?"
Yamahiko glanced at Aizen, who was still observing him. He nodded in Aizen's direction and turned to Sui-Feng, saying, "It's nothing, Captain Sui-Feng. What would you like to eat? I'll get it for you."
Yamahiko and Sui-Feng headed to the dessert table, grabbed some cookies and cakes, and walked to the terrace, leaning against the railing as they enjoyed their snacks and conversation.
Curious, Yamahiko asked, "Did you organize this birthday party, Captain Sui-Feng?"
Sui-Feng smiled and replied, "Didn't you hear it was Yachiru Kusajishi's idea?"
Yamahiko shook his head, saying, "Yachiru Kusajishi only suggests ideas; she definitely isn't the organizer. Plus, there are so many friends here, all of whom I know very well. The one who did is someone who knows me well. Besides you, Captain Sui-Feng, no one else would do this for me."
Sui-Feng looked at Yamahiko, her expression softening, and said, "After all, you're my subordinate."
Yamahiko reached for Sui-Feng's hand and asked, "Captain Sui-Feng, is that all there is?"
Blushing, Sui-Feng looked at Yamahiko and said, "Of course, what more could there be?"
Yamahiko playfully asked, "Is it being my girlfriend?"
He gently touched her hand, and her palm felt warm and slightly moist.
Sui-Feng gave a small huff and said, "You're still a little brat. How could I be your girlfriend?"
Yamahiko's eyes lit up when he heard her response. He inquired, "So, Captain Sui-Feng, does that mean when I grow up, you'll consider being my girlfriend?"
Sui-Feng looked at Yamahiko and chuckled, saying, "Of course, you have to grow a bit taller. Right now, you're too short. Others won't consider you as my boyfriend."
Yamahiko's eyes brightened, and he asked, "So, does that mean when I grow taller than Captain Sui-Feng, you'll be my girlfriend?"
Sui-Feng nodded and said, "That's right."
Currently, Yamahiko maintained the appearance of an eleven-year-old and stood at around 1.43 meters in height, which was seven centimeters shorter than Sui-Feng. Achieving an additional seven centimeters in height in the human world would only take a year or two, but in the Soul Society, time passed differently, and the higher one's spiritual pressure, the slower their growth. To grow those seven centimeters, it might take him four or five decades or even longer. However, Yamahiko wasn't worried; he had plenty of time in his long life to wait.
Moreover, Aizen's unexpected appearance reminded Yamahiko that it might not be the right time to pursue romance until the current crisis was resolved. With only thirty-two years left before the story's events began, waiting seemed like a wise choice.
Yamahiko smiled and said, "I'll work hard for it."
Sui-Feng added, "There's one more thing I'd like to request."
"One more thing?" Yamahiko looked at her, a bit puzzled, as he thought there was only one request.
Sui-Feng gently said, "I want to make sure you don't give up on your training for my sake. So, I request that you master your Bankai."
Now, it all made sense. She didn't want him to neglect his own growth for the sake of their relationship. This request was more for his benefit.
Yamahiko felt touched and assured her, "Of course, I will master my Bankai."
Upon hearing Yamahiko's response, Sui-Feng looked at him and said, "As long as you fulfill your promise, I will marry you and be your wife."
'Wife?' Yamahiko's expression froze, and he asked, "Captain Sui-Feng, are you saying you'll be my wife?"
Sui-Feng furrowed her brows and asked, "What's the matter? Don't you want that?"
Yamahiko quickly replied, "Of course, I want that. I just thought it was about being in a romantic relationship."
Sui-Feng retorted, "Is there really a difference between being a girlfriend and a wife, or are you saying you weren't pursuing me with marriage in mind at all?"
Yamahiko hurriedly explained, "No, that's not it. My dream is to marry you; that's why I pursued you."
It was clear that Sui-Feng was very committed to her relationships, believing in being exclusive and committed to one person throughout. Her past relationship with Yoruichi had shattered her heart when Yoruichi betrayed her, but she couldn't forget. Now, Yamahiko had slowly replaced Yoruichi in her heart, and that's why she was willing to accept him, and only him.
At the same time, she expected him to remain steadfast and continuously strive to become stronger.
Yamahiko realized how seriously Sui-Feng considered this matter and felt moved. He promised, "I wholeheartedly embrace the idea of Captain Sui-Feng becoming my bride.."
Sui-Feng smiled and said, "Then you better work hard."
Yamahiko nodded earnestly. However, just as they were talking, a voice interrupted them, "Alright, you two, come on over."
It was Momo Hinamori, gesturing for them to join her.
Yamahiko asked, "What's going on?" as he took Sui-Feng by the hand and led her back inside.
Yamahiko was taken aback as Momo Hinamori explained, "Captain Aizen wants to showcase his Shikai. It's called Kyoka Suigetsu, a water-based Zanpakuto that utilizes water and mist to create irregular reflections, making it incredibly beautiful."
[Kyoka Suigetsu - img]
"What?" Yamahiko's eyes widened. Aizen was going to reveal his Shikai? Aizen's abilities were far more intricate than merely using mist and moonlight to deceive his enemies. He possessed complete control over all five senses and could induce permanent hypnosis with a single glance.
However, he fabricated an ability to mislead others, using water and mist to mimic deceptive techniques. Aizen would periodically showcase this ability to the other lieutenants. His visit here wasn't a celebration of his own birthday but rather an opportunity to hypnotize himself.
There was also the possibility that he would use this opportunity to hypnotize those who had never fallen under his influence, like Renji Abarai, Izuru Kira, or Hinamori Momo—promising and potentially powerful Shinigami.
Yamahiko was alarmed. He couldn't afford to be hypnotized. Once under Aizen's control, it would be incredibly challenging to break free from his influence, and he'd be at Aizen's mercy.
Absolutely, he couldn't allow himself to be hypnotized!
~End of the chapter~
The moral of the story: Don't give up on pursuing someone you love, even if they friendzone you or put you in the 'brozone.' As long as she's not dating someone else and is focused on her goals, keep pursuing, my friends. Life is short, so be genuine while pursuing the one you desire, and be as loyal to her as you want her to be to you. There's so much more to say, but let's leave it here for now.
"You can fall in love multiple
times but there is always
that one person you can
never 'un-love'."
~Ross(F.R.I.E.N.D.S)
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