For the next few days, Kurotsuki Renya remained in the Fourth Division barracks. Renji Abarai and others came to visit, staying to help care for him.
Soi Fon returned to her own investigations, but found nothing. Under her insistence, all of Seireitei began focusing suspicion on Kisuke Urahara as the likely culprit. Before Aizen's betrayal was ever revealed, no one would have suspected him.
On the fourth day, Renya's arms had already healed, though his leg remained badly injured. Still, at least he could move his hands.
So Renya wrote a letter, and when no one was around, he handed it quietly to Captain Retsu Unohana.
"Captain Unohana, if one day I am framed and sent to prison—or die suddenly—please read this letter and deliver it to Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Please, don't let anyone else see it."
Unohana received the letter with calm poise. "Is this connected to the attack on you? Do you know who was behind it?"
Renya touched his nose and admitted, "That's right."
"Then why not say it outright?" Unohana asked softly.
Renya gave a wry smile. "Because it's useless to say now. Without proof, no one would believe me. And even if they did, we couldn't touch him—it would only make him more cautious."
Unohana studied him. "Then why give the letter to me?"
Renya met her eyes, smiling faintly. "Because Captain Unohana's reputation is unmatched. If I'm framed, the letter itself will prove something. If I named Aizen directly now, there's no way to catch him—no evidence. But if I prepare ahead of time and then fall victim to a scheme, the letter's contents will at least confirm it indirectly. And beyond your prestige, there's your strength. With you, the letter will be safe."
Unohana tucked the envelope away inside her robes. "I will keep it secure."
Renya nodded. "But if I vanish suddenly, please hold onto it until I return. If nothing happens, then the letter remains sealed. It's not a perfect plan, but it's the only path forward."
Unohana's eyes softened. "I will watch carefully. But you must also take care of yourself."
Her words told Renya she understood the weight of his warning. The arrangement itself proved how dire the matter was.
Renya smiled. "Thank you, Captain Unohana. I'll be careful."
"Careful of what?"
A new voice cut in as Soi Fon walked in, carrying a small paper bag. The envelope in Unohana's hand vanished with a subtle motion, so smoothly that Renya never saw it leave.
"I was just reminding Renya not to strain his injured leg," Unohana replied serenely.
Soi Fon stepped up to Renya, setting the bag on the cabinet. "Remember what Captain Unohana told you."
Renya gave her a crooked grin. "Of course."
"Captain Unohana, how is he?" Soi Fon asked.
"Only the leg remains. With a few more days of treatment, he'll be discharged," Unohana said.
Soi Fon bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Captain Unohana."
"You're too polite," Unohana said with a gentle smile, then excused herself, leaving the two alone.
⸻
After Unohana departed, Soi Fon pulled an apple from the paper bag. She rinsed it outside, then drew a knife. The blade moved in her hand with perfect precision, flickering arcs of light tracing across the fruit. In moments, the peel slipped off in one flawless spiral—thin, even, and leaving the pulp perfectly intact.
Her limb control and fine movements were among the very best in Seireitei.
When she returned, she held the apple out, but Renya only opened his mouth wide, clearly expecting to be fed.
Soi Fon's brow twitched. "Your arms are healed. Eat it yourself."
"I don't want it. If you won't feed me, I won't eat," Renya pouted.
Soi Fon scratched her head in exasperation. This brat… After glancing at the door to make sure no one was watching, she sighed. "Fine. Just once—because you're bedridden."
She lifted the apple toward his mouth, and Renya took a bite, chewing happily—until he started coughing violently.
"Careful."
Soi Fon quickly sat by his side, patting his back until he recovered. She shot him a sharp look. "You're not a child. Stop being careless."
Renya's eyes caught hers up close—her pale skin, her sharp yet fragile expression. On impulse, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Soi Fon froze, her expression darkening.
Regret surged through Renya. What did I just do? She'll hate me for this…
Her voice came low, dangerous. "What was that supposed to be?"
"I—I'm sorry, Captain. I couldn't hold back. You can slap me if you want," Renya said quickly, guilt and panic showing in his face.
He knew he'd gone too far. The timing was all wrong. Their relationship wasn't ready. After years of restraint, why had he lost control now?
Seeing his nervous face, Soi Fon almost found it amusing. This kid is terrified?
The thought sparked something strange—annoyance, but also the faintest trace of joy. Still, she masked it beneath her cold demeanor.
"For the sake of you being injured, I'll forgive you this once. But if you try it again, I'll break your leg myself," she warned.
Renya blinked. "You're… not angry?"
"I'm furious," she snapped, but her blush betrayed her. "Now eat."
She brought the apple back to his mouth.
Renya chewed quietly, then gently took her left hand in his own. Her fingers were slender, her palm soft.
Soi Fon stiffened, but she didn't pull away. She rationalized quickly in her heart: He's injured, I just feel pity. That's all.
But even she knew her walls had shifted.
Renya realized with surprise that his reckless act had somehow moved their bond forward.
Why now? For four years, she never responded to me. And yet, when I kissed her…
What Renya didn't know was that Soi Fon's defenses weren't really aimed at him anymore. After fourteen years together, she had long considered him a trusted companion. And just as always, beneath her sharp exterior, her true emotions remained carefully hidden.
And sometimes, it only took a single kiss to begin breaking down that wall.