Seireitei, 12th Division Headquarters.
Masatsuki Aozaki sought out his two closest friends, Kisuke Urahara and Kirio Hikifune.
The two were initially surprised by his idea of building a laboratory beneath the 11th Division barracks, but considering his impulsive nature, it wasn't all that shocking.
In the end, tempted by Masatsuki Aozaki's cooking, Kirio Hikifune—despite being a captain—agreed to help.
As for Kisuke Urahara, though he found the whole thing troublesome, he had no say in the matter as a subordinate. With no choice but to accept his captain's orders, he reluctantly went along with it.
On his way out, Masatsuki Aozaki ran into Senjumaru Shutara.
After enduring a mix of threats and persuasion, he ended up modeling for her for a few hours before he was finally able to escape the 12th Division.
...
"What did you do to Kirio-san to get her to renovate your barracks?" Lisa Yadōmaru asked.
She knew the 12th Division handled technological research and development, but construction wasn't exactly their job.
"All I did was treat her to dinner."
Masatsuki Aozaki gazed out the window at the moonlit night.
The lone full moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft silver glow over the ruins of the 11th Division, draping them in an eerie luminescence.
Right now, they were in a residential district on the outskirts of the 11th Division. Masatsuki Aozaki had spent a hefty sum renting the area as a temporary headquarters.
Lisa Yadōmaru rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"There's no way a single meal convinced the 12th Division to rebuild your barracks. They've got better things to do."
"Have you decided yet? You're still dragging this out," she added impatiently.
"Yeah, these should do." Masatsuki Aozaki yawned, blinking lazily as he handed her a stack of documents—personnel files of Gotei 13 squad members.
"They're all girls. Typical."
Lisa Yadōmaru snorted, flipping through the files—until something caught her eye.
"Wait a second… there are actually a few guys in here. And they're fresh graduates from Shin'ō Academy?"
"What's so strange about that?" Masatsuki Aozaki rolled his eyes. "As captain, I picked them for the good of the squad. You think I'd choose people just to satisfy my own selfish interests?"
He wouldn't deny he had his preferences.
But that didn't mean they conflicted with his responsibilities—every single one of them was more than qualified to join the 11th Division.
"Or are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Please, we're just business associates. Why would I be jealous?" Lisa Yadōmaru's face turned slightly red.
She had known Masatsuki Aozaki for years, and for someone with her reputation in the Gotei 13, resisting temptation was easier said than done.
A stormy night flashed through her mind—rain pouring, thunder rumbling, and Masatsuki showing up at her door, drenched from head to toe, delivering her custom publications as usual...
Lisa quickly shook her head, pulling herself out of the memory.
If she kept thinking about it, she might actually lose control and pounce on the man grinning mischievously in front of her.
"I'm just curious why you picked these people. I don't recognize any of their names."
"This year's top graduates from Shin'ō Academy were definitely Byakuya Kuchiki and Kaien Shiba."
"Byakuya joining the 6th Division is a given, but Kaien Shiba—he's got ties to you, doesn't he?"
Ties? More like family—though he's never been particularly fond of me…
Masatsuki Aozaki shook his head and leaned close, whispering into Lisa's ear. "He's set on joining the 10th Division. Captain Isshin Shiba is his uncle."
To be honest, Masatsuki was relieved.
If Kaien had chosen the 11th Division, he would've been watching him like a hawk. And if he found anything suspicious, he'd undoubtedly go running to Kūkaku.
That would've been a pain.
Besides, in this timeline, Kaien had joined the Gotei 13 earlier than expected. His strength wasn't at the level it would be in the future—he was just an ordinary Seated Officer. There was no real need to recruit him into the 11th Division.
Lisa felt the warmth of his breath against her ear, a strange ticklish sensation stirring in her chest.
She wanted to laugh.
Then, Masatsuki wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Lisa was certain now—the emotion she felt was "satisfaction."
Masatsuki suddenly frowned. "Huh…"
"What's wrong?"
"News from Gin Ichimaru. It's about the barracks reconstruction." He took a deep breath. "Damn, he nearly gave me a heart attack. Good thing nothing serious happened, or I would've had to teach him a lesson."
Lisa shifted slightly, loosening her obi as she shot him a sidelong glance. "Worried about getting caught? About you and me…?"
"As if. I was just in a very delicate state a moment ago—but I'm fine now."
Masatsuki Aozaki did a quick check of his physical condition, nodded, then reached out to rest a hand on Lisa's waist.
...
After several exhausting days, Masatsuki and Lisa now found themselves sharing the same bed.
Masatsuki sat up, yawning as he ran a hand through his silky hair. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, planting his bare feet on the smooth floor.
Lisa followed suit.
Their movements were eerily synchronized, their footsteps softly tapping against the floor.
It was almost as if they had been living together for years—perhaps this was what people meant by "looking like an old married couple."
They headed into the bathroom of their temporary residence, slipping into the bathtub for a bath together.
By the time they emerged, they were fully awake.
Masatsuki returned to the bedroom and gestured for Lisa to sit down on the bed.
The glasses-wearing woman, dressed lazily in a loose yukata, flopped down onto the mattress without a care in the world.
Masatsuki pulled a fresh Shihakushō from the closet and helped her get dressed.
Then, from a drawer, he retrieved a pile of silk stockings.
"Which type today, my lady?"
"Black. Knee-high."
Lisa didn't hesitate for a second. With just two words, she had effortlessly played into his preferences.
"You know me well, my lady."
Masatsuki smirked, lifting her delicate feet and carefully slipping on the black silk stockings he had picked out.
Lisa had a perfect figure—neither too full nor too thin, with not a single flaw from head to toe.
Not that he had a particular thing for black stockings—he just thought they suited her.
For the record, the West had developed stocking-knitting techniques as early as the 16th century. Masatsuki had merely picked up the craft through some casual study.
For things like this, he always had plenty of motivation.
As Lisa lounged idly, Masatsuki ran a hand through his hair, tidying it up as he spoke.
"I'm heading to see Master today. He sent word for me to go."
"...Mhm."
Lisa, still admiring Masatsuki's handiwork, sat with her legs neatly together and gave a small, obedient nod.
The sight was so cute that Masatsuki felt his heart melting.
If only he had a sailor uniform lying around—she would look even more adorable in one.
What a shame.
Masatsuki sighed dramatically, shaking his head in regret.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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