Meanwhile.
"Ugh…"
Senjumaru, who had fled from Aozaki Reiji's side, clutched her wildly beating chest and stumbled into the room, quickly leaning against the door, panting heavily.
What have I done?
Senjumaru couldn't determine whether her current feeling was shyness or anger; she could only repeatedly question herself deep down.
These past few days, Senjumaru had barely closed her eyes after countless times returning to her room.
Even when she returned to her room to rest, she couldn't fall asleep.
Lying on the bed, her body was unusually hot, as if she had a persistent high fever, tossing and turning restlessly.
In Senjumaru's mind, Aozaki Reiji's figure lingered, Hikifune Kirio's figure occasionally appeared, and many chaotic thoughts intertwined, making her feel incredibly confused.
Finally, Senjumaru fell into a deep sleep, but when she woke up again, it was already morning.
She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear her head.
Then… Senjumaru subconsciously reached downwards.
When she realized the subtle familiarity of the abnormality, Senjumaru rushed to the bathroom in intense shame.
Cold water poured down from overhead, and Senjumaru's body trembled slightly.
She closed her eyes tightly, feeling the coolness of the water's impact, trying to calm the turmoil within her.
Such days had repeatedly continued for several days…
Each day was like a lengthy and peculiar movie, replaying the same scenes and emotions.
Then, just this afternoon.
Senjumaru finally felt a trace of tranquility, her mind slightly calming, as if her state of mind was gradually returning to that of a senior.
However, the moment she saw Aozaki Reiji, all her efforts turned to dust.
The temperature on her face rapidly rose, and her heart began to pound uncontrollably, as if it would leap out of her chest.
Her legs involuntarily moved, wanting to escape this awkward situation.
"Ugh… How could I have become like this…"
Senjumaru hugged her legs tightly, curled up in a corner, muttering in a depressed whisper.
Once again, she couldn't understand her own thoughts.
She couldn't help but think of the Almighty the Soul King, silently praying that he could give her some enlightenment.
But then she realized that this great being, though he had a son, had never experienced love, nor had he ever had a lover or a wife; he was a genuine million-year-old bachelor.
Thinking of this, Senjumaru shook her head helplessly, knowing she couldn't rely on the Soul King to solve her problem.
Senjumaru took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
She told herself that this was just a momentary impulse, and perhaps everything would return to normal after a while.
However, in a corner deep within her heart, an indescribable emotion quietly grew, plunging her into deep self-doubt.
These past few days, she had truly been undignified, falling into the abyss of desire, unable to extricate herself; she should be clear about this.
But this was only because she had seen something she had never seen before and temporarily lost control; she was used to it now and could control the situation!
From now on, she would definitely take care of her juniors like a senior and would no longer have any strange thoughts.
However, facts proved that not only her body, but even her subconscious was more real than her rationality.
Therefore, Senjumaru could only feel immensely distressed, so anxious and depressed that she almost cried, staying in the corner until she calmed down.
… … … …
Lunch didn't actually take much time, but for a couple in love, it felt like a very, very long time had passed.
Hikifune Kirio had just woken up from her sleep and had been staring intently at Aozaki Reiji, unable to look away even while eating.
Hikifune Kirio knew that Aozaki Reiji would be leaving soon, and precisely because of this, she wanted to take advantage of this time to look at him more.
And Aozaki Reiji naturally wasn't shy; he responded with an equally ardent gaze and chuckled softly:
"Although it will be another half a month, I believe it won't be long before we can meet again."
Hearing this, Senjumaru couldn't help but grumble:
"Arrogant fellow, he talks as if he can come up whenever he wants."
"Mm."
However, Hikifune Kirio seemed to have completely ignored Senjumaru's words, instead nodding obediently.
Normally, young couples who had just fallen in love like them should be inseparable, clinging to each other.
But Hikifune Kirio knew very well that now was not the time to enjoy sweet moments.
She had never been a willful person, and their lives were long, with plenty of time to spend together.
Moreover, in these past few days, she had received abundant love from Aozaki Reiji, so it was temporarily fine.
Patiently waiting was also a quality a good partner should possess.
Hikifune Kirio gazed at Aozaki Reiji, a faint smile appearing on her delicate face.
"I will be here… waiting for you."
Aozaki Reiji nodded slightly.
After he gave Hikifune Kirio a passionate kiss, Senjumaru prepared to leave the living room.
Just then, Hikifune Kirio grabbed her.
Hikifune Kirio did not want to show off her successful love life in front of a senior who had been single for a thousand years.
Her clear, large eyes now held a bit more charm than usual, and a touch of shyness as she looked at Senjumaru.
She said softly:
"Senjumaru-senpai, please stay for a moment, I have something I'd like to ask of you."
"…Ask me?"
Hikifune Kirio nodded gently and pulled her into the room.
Entering the room, she opened the wardrobe.
What met her eyes were the previously tattered clothes, now neatly organized and placed inside.
Upon seeing the pile of torn fabric, Senjumaru was slightly stunned, her eye twitching, and she narrowed her eyes, looking at her.
Is this… displaying spoils of war?
Isn't that a bit too much!
Hikifune Kirio walked up to Senjumaru, looking down at the senior who was still slightly shorter than her despite wearing high-heeled geta, and asked in a pleading tone:
"Can you help me mend these clothes, Senpai?"
"This… I'm afraid I can't. I haven't been feeling well lately."
Senjumaru turned her head away.
Of course, it wasn't because she was jealous of her junior and unwilling to help, as she had no such standing.
It was just that every time she saw these things, the scenes she had witnessed in this room these past few days would involuntarily surface in her mind…
Just then, someone walked in from outside, as if in his own home; Aozaki Reiji entered naturally.
"Does the Zero Division also have such situations? But if Senjumaru can't do it, then leave it to me."
"You can do this too?"
Senjumaru was slightly surprised, tilting her head gently.
She still maintained the subtle distance between herself and Aozaki Reiji that they had kept all day, with two body lengths separating them.
"Such a thing is naturally no problem for me. Come out, Shinetsu Sazaki."
Aozaki Reiji replied, while scrutinizing her with a suspicious gaze.
Compared to using the other's Zanpakuto to tease people, he was more concerned with the distant attitude this woman had shown today.
But never mind, it's just a child throwing a tantrum.
Aozaki Reiji shook his head, looking like a troubled old father.