The Heroic Shiba Kūkaku
The distance between West District 5 and West District 4 depends on who you ask.
For ordinary souls, it was certainly far.
But Shiraishi was no ordinary man, so he considered the short trek manageable.
Still, his unfamiliarity with the route slowed him down. He constantly checked the map for landmarks, stopping and starting until twilight bled into night.
By the time he arrived, the starry sky was high overhead. On the wide, open plain, lush grass swayed among fields of small red flowers. The scene was beautiful enough to inspire a painter—yet the view was interrupted by a lone compound.
Two peculiar stone statues stood on either side of the entrance, each holding aloft a banner with the words:
"Shiba Kūkaku."
Shiraishi stepped toward the gate.
"Wait!"
A loud voice rang out as two towering figures leapt down from the rooftop.
They were identical to the statues: square-faced, bushy mustaches, round hats, and clothes reminiscent of old-style retainers. Standing nearly two meters tall, they dwarfed Shiraishi, who barely reached their shoulders.
"Who are you?" asked the one on the left.
"You're dressed strangely," the other added.
"No matter what, Jin Yan and Yin Yan won't let you pass."
"Turn back!"
Their routine sounded like a comedy act, each trading lines with exaggerated expressions.
Shiraishi burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You two are hilarious!"
The two men froze, exchanged whispers, and quickly changed their tune.
"Jin Yan, this guy has good taste."
"Indeed. He gets our hidden jokes. He must not be ordinary."
"Then let him through."
"Agreed."
The pair waved him forward without hesitation. Whether he posed a danger to their mistress didn't seem to concern them in the least. After all, both together couldn't match a single finger of hers. Guarding the place was more hobby than duty.
The heavy door opened, revealing a staircase leading underground. Yin Yan stayed behind while Jin Yan escorted Shiraishi down the dim passage. At the lowest level, a glow of fireflies shimmered around a sliding paper door.
"When you see Lady Kūkaku," Jin Yan warned in a low voice, "mind your manners. If you anger her, you won't leave alive."
"Don't worry. I'm always polite," Shiraishi said confidently.
Before Jin Yan could announce him, a sharp, commanding female voice cut through the door.
"Is that Jin Yan?"
"Yes, Lady Kūkaku!" Jin Yan snapped to attention.
"Why are you dawdling? Let the guest in already!"
"Yes, ma'am!" He rushed forward, opened the sliding door, and stepped aside.
Inside was a large room, sparsely decorated. A wall painting, a square carpet, a low, vividly colored table, and futons bearing the Shiba family crest filled the space.
Shiba Kūkaku lounged on a bench like a boss of the underworld. Her olive-green eyes gleamed with curiosity as she asked, "So, are you just passing through, or did you come here looking for me?"
"Of course, I came for you," Shiraishi said without hesitation. He dropped to one knee, extended his hand, and declared, "Please marry me, Lady Kūkaku!"
"Hah?!" Jin Yan nearly fell over.
Kūkaku blinked in surprise. It was the first time anyone had said something like that to her—and strangely, it wasn't unpleasant. With a laugh, she waved it off. "Hah! You're a funny one."
Shiraishi's eyes couldn't help but wander. Her fiery red crop top looked more like a bellyband than clothing, straining to contain her chest. Her smooth back and shoulders were bare, and her beige skirt was slit scandalously high. His face heated as instinct urged him to look closer.
"你这个混小子!"
Jin Yan finally snapped, ready to clobber him.
"Jin Yan, mind your manners with guests," Kūkaku barked.
"But Lady Kūkaku, he's being indecent!"
"It's nothing," she dismissed. "Most men who see me are smitten. This one's just honest about it. That's no crime."
She propped her chin on her hand, eyeing Shiraishi up and down. "That said… you're not my type."
"Lady Kūkaku, don't be so quick to decide," Shiraishi said.
"Enough. Tell me your real business."
He straightened and spoke. "My name is Shiraishi. As you can see, I'm an ambitious young man. Because I have a strong sense of justice, I couldn't stand the evil of the Onmitsukidō's Fifth Seat in West District 3. I killed him, and now I'm on the run. I hoped the Shiba family might shelter me."
"The Fifth Seat of the Onmitsukidō…" Kūkaku muttered.
Jin Yan added, "That would be Hasegawa Taizō. They say he was a cruel man, with a taste for other people's wives."
"Tch. Figures. Most Shinigami are rotten." Kūkaku spat to the side, her tone bitter. She could never understand why her brother, Kaien, had chosen to join their ranks.
"You can stay here," she said at last. "I don't mind stirring up trouble."
"Then let me stay for life!" Shiraishi exclaimed eagerly.
Kūkaku ignored him, her eyes narrowing as she sensed something outside. "That reiatsu… fast, stealthy."
Shiraishi frowned. "Impossible! I made sure I wasn't followed."
"You stay here. I'll handle this. Sometimes being head of a noble clan has its perks."
She rose gracefully, striding to the door without a backward glance. Their personalities clashed yet oddly fit: he loved to ramble, while she only heard what she wanted, ignoring the rest.
Kūkaku climbed the stairs and emerged outside—only to be met by a crushing wave of spiritual pressure.
A Captain's reiatsu, released without restraint!