"What?!"
When Arata heard the news, he nearly spat out all the tea he had just drunk.
"All the captains are going?"
"Yep." Rangiku came over to him with a wide grin. "Everyone's really excited about going on vacation to the Human World~"
Arata helplessly placed his hand on his forehead. "How can you still be this happy? We were originally planning to enjoy a little time alone together."
"What's the big deal~" Rangiku clung to him like a koala, her two soft mounds pressing against Arata's back, and that seductive sensation kept pounding directly at his heart.
"The more people, the livelier. And the chances for just the two of us will come plenty in the future."
"Alright, alright, your happiness is what matters most."
"Arata is the best~"
Having resolved that dilemma in his head, Arata suddenly remembered something.
"If everyone goes, what about Seireitei? There's no way no one will stay behind to keep watch, right?"
"That's easy." Rangiku took an empty cup from the table and threw a few sticks into it.
"Captain Kyōraku suggested we draw lots to decide who will stay on duty."
And so, at the captains' meeting the next day, an unconventional lottery ceremony began.
"I'll go first!" Kenpachi Zaraki stepped forward and wanted to "break the ice."
He grabbed a slip, unrolled it, and immediately grinned. "Vacation! As expected of me!"
"Oho~ Ken-chan is so lucky~" Yachiru cheerfully patted his head.
"Let me try." Unohana Retsu elegantly pulled a paper, glanced at it, and with the same gentle smile said, "It seems I'm lucky enough to go with everyone."
Captains like Soi Fong, Kyōraku, and Ukitake each drew a "vacation" lot and all showed satisfied expressions.
Even Ichimaru Gin and Aizen drew "vacation."
When it was Tōsen Kaname's turn, he opened his slip with an expressionless face. "Duty."
Komamura Sajin sighed. "Me too."
Thus, it was finally decided that the two captains, Tōsen Kaname and Komamura Sajin, along with their lieutenants, would stay behind in Seireitei.
Yamamoto Genryūsai made the final decision: "Captain Tōsen, Captain Komamura, the safety of Seireitei is now in your hands."
"Captain, rest assured. I will certainly protect everyone in Seireitei!" Komamura Sajin struck his chest with his fist and pledged in a deep voice.
…
The day before departure, even the students of the Shinō Spiritual Arts Academy received the news.
"Senpai Arata!" A red-haired boy stopped Arata, who had returned to the Kendo Club door to get tea and snacks.
On Abarai Renji's face was written pure excitement. "I heard you're going on vacation to the Human World?"
Arata raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit helpless. "No way the news made it all the way here too?"
"The whole school knows!" Renji said excitedly. "Um… can we…"
"Don't even think about it." Arata instantly read his mind. "Students of the Spiritual Arts Academy can't just casually go to the Human World. That's the rule."
Renji immediately deflated. "Ooh…"
Seeing his disappointed face, Arata suddenly felt a little guilty.
After all, Renji and his group worked really hard in class, and Rangiku had already mentioned it to him several times.
Even though his Kidō talents were pretty average, Renji still came to Rangiku persistently to ask about anything he didn't understand and was always the last to leave the classroom.
"But…" Arata changed his tone, "if it's for special field practice, maybe an exception can be made."
Renji's eyes lit up immediately. "Really?!"
"I'll submit a request to the Captain." Arata patted him on the shoulder. "But I can't guarantee it'll be approved."
"Thank you, senpai!" Renji bowed deeply. "You're the best!"
That afternoon, after Arata did his utmost, Captain Yamamoto finally approved the request because of him.
Renji, Rukia, Kira, Hinamori, as well as Toushirou and Kusanagi, those outstanding students, were given a one-week internship opportunity in the Human World.
"Awesome!" A rare spark of excitement appeared on Hitsugaya Toushirou's usually calm face when he heard the news. "I've never been to the Human World before."
Kusanagi Sojirō threw an arm around his shoulder. "I heard the ice cream in the Human World is especially delicious!"
"Shiro-chan, you two…" Hinamori Momo couldn't help but laugh. "Is food all you guys think about?"
Toushirou blushed slightly and turned his head away. "It's not!"
That evening, Arata and Rangiku packed their luggage.
"Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit…" Rangiku listed the items when she suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! I forgot to buy a new swimsuit!"
Arata kept folding clothes without looking up. "Swimsuit? I remember you already have several in the closet?"
He clearly remembered that, when the mood struck them, they had already tried having sex in swimsuits multiple times.
"Those are old~" Rangiku whined playfully. "I want a new one for the beach~"
Arata finally put down the clothes in his hands, helpless. "Then let's go buy one now?"
"The shopping street in West Rukongai shouldn't be closed yet!" Rangiku cheered and pulled him outside.
The two hurried to the biggest shopping street in West Rukongai, only to find that most stores were closed, and the ones still open were mainly izakayas and entertainment places.
"How could this be…" Rangiku slumped her shoulders in disappointment.
Arata checked the time. "There should be one store still open. Follow me."
He led Rangiku through an alley and arrived at a shabby little shop, with various unusual pieces of clothing displayed in the window.
Next to it hung an old sign with three large characters written on it.
"Chiyoju"
The wind chime on the door rang clearly as they entered.
"Welcome." An elderly white-haired woman came out from the back room. When she saw Arata, her eyes lit up. "Oh ho, isn't this young Mr. Saito? Long time no see."
"Good evening, Granny Chiyo." Arata greeted her politely. "We'd like to look at some suitable swimsuits."
A knowing smile appeared on Chiyo's face as her gaze slid over to Rangiku. "And this beautiful young lady is…?"
"My fiancée, Matsumoto Rangiku." Arata introduced.
"Miss Matsumoto, you're such a beauty~" Chiyo warmly took her hand. "Come, come, let me pick out a few that will suit you best!"
Half an hour later, Rangiku came out of the changing room, her face all red, dressed in a sexy black bikini.
"How do I look?" She spun in a circle, and the swimsuit, with its minimal fabric, barely covered her proud curves.
Her massive snow-white breasts were nearly spilling out, and the two straps looked like they were bearing the unbearable burden of their lives.
Seeing that incredibly alluring body in front of him, his Adam's apple involuntarily quivered. "It's a little… too revealing."
"Eeeh—" Rangiku pouted unhappily. "Didn't the Seireitei newspaper say people in the Human World dress like this at the beach?"
"I don't care, go change." Arata said firmly.
He had no problem watching his woman, but taking her out like that to let others look? No way.
There you have it, double standards at work.
In the end, under Arata's insistence, Rangiku picked a relatively conservative purple one-piece swimsuit, but the cut at the waist still nicely emphasized her curves.
"Are you satisfied now?" Rangiku poked Arata's stiff face with her finger.
"Well… it'll do." Arata mumbled, but while paying, he secretly asked Granny Chiyo to pack the bikini she had worn earlier too.
Even if she can't wear it to the beach, she can wear it at home.
Arata nodded in satisfaction.