The overall structure of Gatonden perfectly embodies Hikifune Kirio's unique characteristics.
According to her, the mountains, rivers, sky, and earth—all the scenery—serve no other purpose than to cater to her ingredients.
However, Aozaki Reiji felt that these landscapes also served Hikifune Kirio herself.
Hikifune Kirio was the type who disliked dressing up.
Senjumaru would even put on light makeup whenever she made an appearance.
But Hikifune Kirio had no awareness of such things at all.
Whether she was with Aozaki Reiji, attending Gotei 13 Captain meetings, or participating in the welcome party last time, she was always the original, natural, and unadorned Kirio.
Senjumaru once suggested teaching her how to apply makeup, and she asked her lover Aozaki Reiji for his opinion.
Aozaki Reiji told her, "You're perfect as you are."
From then on, she lost all interest in makeup and similar matters.
Her unadorned, natural beauty, amidst the green shade and clear sky, possessed a unique, natural charm.
This was perfect, and Aozaki Reiji had no intention of changing her.
The reason was simply that Hikifune Kirio was already perfect as she was.
Hikifune Kirio possessed her own pure beauty, requiring no external embellishment or alteration.
Her unpolished, natural beauty complemented the surrounding natural environment, making her a part of this beautiful scenery, and indeed, the most beautiful part.
It's perfectly fine for this girl to continue to maintain her pure side.
While there's nothing wrong with being open to things that can make oneself better, Aozaki Reiji also hoped she would maintain this purity.
This was a slightly contradictory feeling.
Seeing something as beautiful as Hikifune Kirio, it was natural to want to protect her from being tainted by other things, and then to selfishly possess her forever.
This was the greedy person known as Aozaki Reiji.
However, his base nature seemed to have always been a virtue in the eyes of his lovers.
It was truly strange, and he couldn't tell who was truly at fault.
At noon, by a lake in the dense forest.
Aozaki Reiji pulled out a pile of picnic tools from his shadow space and turned the adorable little animals into a delicious lunch.
The curling smoke, as expected, attracted the divine soldiers guarding the "city."
Seeing that it was Hikifune Kirio and Aozaki Reiji, after a brief chat, they tactfully decided not to disturb the two and quickly retreated.
As they left, Aozaki Reiji shook his head, looking at the fully armed divine Squad in their own territory.
Hikifune Kirio was a little puzzled, blinking her large eyes as she looked at him.
Aozaki Reiji explained:
"If Retsu saw a scene like this, she'd definitely be excited. Every time I go on a date with her, the first thing to clash is always sword against sword."
Hikifune Kirio imagined the scene and couldn't help but shiver.
Aozaki Reiji affectionately stroked her long hair, smiling as he continued:
"But her hobby is too brutal; you absolutely mustn't learn it!"
"...Mm."
Hikifune Kirio nodded obediently.
Hikifune Kirio actually had a good relationship with Unohana; both were veteran captains of the Gotei 13.
She and Unohana had known each other for centuries.
It was well-known that scientific experiments were prone to accidents, a point on which Aozaki Reiji and Urahara Kisuke had the most authority.
Whenever experiments in the Twelfth Division resulted in accidents requiring healing, they would go to the Fourth Division, sometimes even more frequently than the Eleventh Division, which undertook high-risk missions.
Over time, they naturally became familiar with each other.
While prolonged interaction between people inevitably led to friction, generally speaking, Hikifune Kirio and Unohana had no personal animosity.
Perhaps that wasn't quite right; there actually was some.
Hikifune Kirio secretly glanced at Aozaki Reiji.
Unohana had later come from behind and unceremoniously taken possession of Aozaki Reiji.
Meanwhile, she, despite being his girlfriend, hadn't seen him for decades, and the most intimate thing they had done was a kiss with tongues.
This alone made her feel very uncomfortable.
Although, fundamentally speaking, Unohana had met Reiji first and had been interested in Reiji first.
Hearing rumors that Aozaki Reiji was favored by the Captain-Commander, she had a sudden urge to meet this exceptional genius, so she took Jūshirō Ukitake, who was supposed to be attending classes at the Shin'o Academy, and...
But that was a different matter.
She had established their relationship earlier, yet Retsu had monopolized him for decades, making him her own.
This made Hikifune Kirio involuntarily feel a sense of jealousy.
Being very honest about her feelings was also a characteristic of this elder sister.
...As Hikifune Kirio unconsciously drifted off again, Aozaki Reiji suddenly presented her with a bouquet of roses.
"Here, these are for you."
"Eh..."
Hikifune Kirio dazedly took them.
Only then did she realize that Aozaki Reiji had been busy in her wild vegetable garden since earlier.
She didn't grow such things in her garden for romantic reasons or anything like that.
It was simply because they were also ingredients.
They could be used to make desserts, tea, or even wine.
But Aozaki Reiji giving them to her now clearly wasn't for use as ingredients.
After all, they had just finished lunch.
"...Thank you."
Hikifune Kirio silently held the fresh flowers and softly thanked him.
Hikifune Kirio didn't dislike beautiful things... No, rather, she liked them.
Should she make them into flower cakes, or use them to brew wine...?
Brew wine, she decided. Compared to flower cakes, Reiji preferred wine.
—Hikifune Kirio made her decision.
Although it was Hikifune Kirio's first date and she didn't know what to do.
However, she was still very happy about the date itself.
As long as Aozaki Reiji was by her side, that was the greatest happiness for Hikifune Kirio.
As the sun gradually set and the sky slowly turned to dusk, Aozaki Reiji and she embarked on the journey home together.
Hikifune Kirio was accustomed to the path leading from this land to that house, so she didn't find it arduous.
Since they had gone on their date, Aozaki Reiji had not left Hikifune Kirio's sight for the entire day.
This made Hikifune Kirio feel incredibly sweet, and she tightened her grip on the man's hand in hers.
She couldn't help but hug Aozaki Reiji, then lifted her head, looking at him with deep affection, and softly said:
"Reiji... just tonight, stay with me, alright?"
Just then, Aozaki Reiji also stopped, quietly looking at the beautiful twilight scenery before them, and slowly began to speak:
"Kirio, you know me well, so you understand, don't you? I am a very greedy person."
"!?"
Hikifune Kirio blinked her large eyes in surprise, tilting her head.
She didn't understand why Aozaki Reiji would suddenly say such a thing and could only choose to remain silent.
Aozaki Reiji continued:
"Since we parted, I've often thought of you. And, of course, Senjumaru."
"..."
"So, when I found that Kirio was still Kirio, I was very happy."
Aozaki Reiji turned his head and gave Hikifune Kirio a brilliant smile, a smile that made Hikifune Kirio's heart race.
Thump!!
Thump!!!
Listening to her heartbeat, she noticed Aozaki Reiji's fingers intertwined with hers.
As if she were about to suffocate, Hikifune Kirio felt her heart being gripped by a large hand, yet there was an indescribable sense of comfort.
Every action of Aozaki Reiji had a profound impact on her heart and body; every movement made her want to respond.
Looking at Hikifune Kirio, Aozaki Reiji's expression grew even softer.
"I also like you very much, so I'm very sorry, Kirio... I can't grant your request."