"I knew it! I just knew it!"
A grumbling voice drew closer from outside, and Kazuma knew exactly who it belonged to.
As the voice came nearer, a rather flamboyant figure appeared.
The newcomer wore a pink haori and carried a wine gourd in one hand.
His face was already flushed, and he muttered to himself between tipping his head back for another drink.
It was none other than Kyōraku Shunsui, the man who treated alcohol like the meaning of life itself.
After Kazuma finished explaining the truth to Ishida Uryū, everyone had stayed seated while waiting for Rukia.
They waited and waited, yet she never showed up.
Instead, this old drunk arrived first.
"Well, look at you, Shunsui. That nose of yours is impressive. You smelled good wine from all the way over there? What are you, half dog?"
Kazuma smiled helplessly as Shunsui staggered over.
Then his expression turned suspicious.
"Or have you sneaked into my captain's office before and gone looking for it?"
Kazuma suddenly understood everything.
This shameless old bastard had actually tried to steal his wine!
"I didn't! I haven't! Stop making things up!"
Shunsui's expression changed in an instant, and he fired off three denials in a row without missing a beat.
He would never admit to something this humiliating!
The worst part was that he really had come here to steal wine — and had failed every single time!
If word of that got out, how would he ever show his face again?
Orihime and the others were right there, so Shunsui silently prayed none of the little brats would notice his expression.
If they saw through him now, the reputation he'd spent years building would be gone in one afternoon.
"Huh…"
Three curious voices sounded at once.
Orihime, Uryū, and Chad all turned their heads and stared right at Shunsui.
His guilty face was painfully obvious.
"Oh my! What are you rude little brats staring at? Do you actually dare question the honesty of a captain?"
Seeing their reaction, Shunsui felt his dignity slipping away.
His relaxed expression darkened, and he straightened his back, deliberately striking an imposing pose in an attempt to win back some authority.
"Give it a rest, Shunsui. Stop trying to confuse them! Everyone knows exactly what you're after. If you want to drink my wine, just say so."
Kazuma had no intention of saving Shunsui's dignity.
He even shook his head at Orihime and the others, warning them not to fall for the man's empty display of authority.
Shunsui's face flushed redder, and he wisely fell silent.
He'd come here specifically for Kazuma's wine.
If he kept arguing and got thrown out, he'd be the one who suffered.
"Captain Kyōraku, could you please step outside for a moment?"
The sudden order to leave caught Shunsui completely off guard.
"Oh my! Kazuma, why are you being so stingy? I only want a taste of your wine."
Shunsui muttered, looking thoroughly wronged.
The wine he'd been dreaming about was right in front of him, yet he couldn't even take a sip. It was unbearable.
"Did I say I wouldn't let you drink? I need to get the wine out first, so behave yourself and wait outside."
Kazuma rolled his eyes.
If he truly refused this old drunk anything, Shunsui might actually fight him over it.
"Understood! I'm going outside right now! Immediately!"
Shunsui retreated with remarkable speed.
Just to be safe, Kazuma raised his hand and placed another barrier around the office to stop him from spying.
"Honestly, what kind of person do you think I am?"
That was what Shunsui said aloud.
His sneaky eyes and the way his body leaned toward the room gave away his true intentions perfectly.
He tried to peek inside, but thanks to the barrier, no matter how hard he stared, all he could see was darkness.
"Come in."
Kazuma's voice finally sounded from inside.
Unable to hold back another second, Shunsui shot through the door.
"Not bad! Two whole bottles. I knew you had plenty hidden away."
The instant he entered, the rich, mellow smell filling the room captivated him.
His nose twitched as he followed the scent and spotted two bottles of fine wine sitting on the table.
His eyes lit up.
He crossed the room in a few quick strides, practically drooling.
"Get lost! Only one bottle is for you. You're not getting anything extra."
Shunsui had immediately reached out, meaning to grab both bottles at once.
Kazuma slapped away his greedy hands and pulled one bottle safely back toward himself.
"What a miser! You've got so much hidden away. Would giving me one more bottle really kill you?"
Shunsui glared at him and complained loudly.
For a man who loved alcohol more than his own life, being surrounded by excellent wine and forbidden from drinking another bottle was almost worse than death.
"It isn't completely impossible for me to give you another one…"
Kazuma guarded the bottles closely, a teasing smile slowly spreading across his face.
"Tell me! What do I have to do for the other bottle?"
Shunsui perked up at once, his eyes shining as he stared at Kazuma.
"Hehe. The condition might be a little difficult for you. But if you can manage it, forget one bottle — I'll pack up my whole collection and give it to you."
Kazuma's smile widened as he spoke slowly, pausing on purpose to make Shunsui even more impatient.
"Stop dragging it out and tell me already!"
Shunsui could barely wait any longer.
"My condition is simple. At the next captains' meeting, when we vote on whether Central 46 should be abolished, you stand on my side and support the proposal. How about it? Do you dare to agree?"
Kazuma cleared his throat and named his condition with a perfectly serious face.
Then he gave Shunsui a challenging look, clearly certain the man would never accept such an outrageous demand.
"Oh my, I knew you were plotting something! You're actually using a condition like that to put me on the spot. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Shunsui froze for a moment before glaring at Kazuma and cursing him out.
"Just tell me whether you agree."
Kazuma already knew the answer.
He'd only made the offer so Shunsui would finally give up.
"Forget it! Forget it! Wine may be wonderful, but I need to stay alive long enough to drink it."
Shunsui shook his head hard.
Of course he couldn't agree.
If he dared support such a proposal, the other noble families would probably tear him apart with their bare hands.