10th Division.
Momo, currently the 10th Division's Seventh Seat, carried a tray towards the Captain's office. On it were pastries she made for Toshiro and a pot of hot tea.
Due to Toshiro, Momo joined the 10th Division after graduating from the Shin'o Academy. To better assist him, she constantly trained her abilities.
Recently promoted to Seventh Seat, she still felt far from being a true help to Toshiro. Thus, during his work, she often prepared food or tea for him.
This time, as usual, after making pastries, Momo headed to the Captain's office. However, her mind was preoccupied with another matter.
Soon, she reached the office door.
"Shiro-chan, I brought you something to eat," Momo said, pushing the door open with her free right hand.
Inside, only Rangiku lounged idly on a sofa.
"Rangiku-san, where's Shiro-chan?" Momo asked, puzzled.
"Oh, Captain went out on business. He's not in the division," Rangiku replied lazily.
"I see," Momo said, disappointed.
She sat on the sofa opposite Rangiku, placing the tray on the table between them. With Toshiro absent, bored, Momo chatted with Rangiku.
During their conversation, Momo suddenly said, "Oh, Rangiku-san, do you know about the birthday?"
"Birthday? So these pastries are for my birthday? Thank you, Momo! Munch—" Rangiku grabbed the pastry plate from the table and stuffed one into her mouth.
"Rangiku-san!!" Momo exclaimed, snatching the plate back angrily. "These are for Toshiro! And your birthday is in September, right?! We already celebrated earlier!"
Rangiku chuckled sheepishly. "Hehe, you mentioned 'birthday', so I thought it was a gift for me."
Momo retorted, exasperated, "I wasn't talking about your birthday! I meant Toshiro's birthday!"
"Captain's?" Rangiku looked confused.
"Yes! Today is Toshiro's birthday! Don't tell me you forgot?!" Momo said, incredulous at Rangiku's blank expression.
"Ahaha... well..." Rangiku stammered, too embarrassed to admit it.
When Rangiku had her birthday, Toshiro organized a party for her. Now, forgetting his birthday made her feel ashamed.
"Hmph, fine. Luckily, we know now. Let's discuss how to give Toshiro a surprise. Then I'll accompany you to buy him a gift," Momo said, relenting.
"Mhm, mhm," Rangiku agreed readily.
They then planned a 'surprise' for Toshiro.
After finalizing, Momo said, "Rangiku-san, let's go prepare Toshiro's gift."
"Wait, Momo. Hold on a sec. I'll leave a note for Captain to meet us at the agreed spot," Rangiku said suddenly.
She walked to Toshiro's desk, grinned sneakily, picked up a paper, and wrote with her left hand. After writing, she secretly pressed a lipstick kiss on the note.
"Hehehe..." Rangiku smirked, pleased with her scheme.
Finally, after a good laugh, she placed the note and left with Momo to shop for Toshiro's gift.
Noon.
After finishing his business, Toshiro returned to the 10th Division. Entering the Captain's office, he found it empty.
"Rangiku... probably slacking off somewhere again," Toshiro muttered casually.
He didn't dwell on it, as Rangiku slacking was normal. If she ever became diligent, he'd worry she had a fever.
"Hmm? What's this?" Approaching his desk, Toshiro noticed a note.
Picking it up, he read: "Tonight at 9 p.m., please come to the roof of the training ground west of the division barracks." It included a heart drawing and even a lipstick kiss at the end.
"'Could this be the legendary 'love letter'? Seems some admiring, beautiful female Shinigami wrote it," Toshiro thought, stroking his chin somewhat narcissistically.
"Well, I'll go. Even though I have Momo, it's better to refuse in person. Besides, it's not good to leave someone waiting in the cold," Toshiro unconsciously justified to himself.
9 p.m.
Finishing his tasks, Toshiro headed to the training ground roof.
On the roof, besides Rangiku and Momo, an unexpected person waited: 5th Division's Captain… Aizen Sosuke!
Whoosh!
Arriving at the training ground, Toshiro lightly tapped the ground and instantly appeared on the roof.
"He's here, he's here!" Rangiku said excitedly upon seeing him.
"Ah?" Upon reaching the roof, Toshiro froze, seeing who awaited him.
He had assumed the note was from some admirer, inviting him for a confession. But here stood Momo, Rangiku, and… Aizen! Instantly, Toshiro realized the note was Rangiku's prank.
'But why was Aizen here?'
If it were just Momo and Rangiku, fine… a prank was a prank. Having two beauties accompany him under the moonlight to relax wasn't bad. But Aizen's presence? What was this about?
'Does Aizen have another scheme?' Toshiro couldn't help but wonder.