Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde

Chapter 261: Fractures

After a hearty meal with everyone, including Unohana, Kazuya took the Senkaimon Gate back to the Soul Society. The moment he stepped out, the scent of crushed petals hit him like a wave, a reminder of the ruin they brought to the beautiful scenery.

Unohana had opened the Senkaimon Gate here to avoid any prying eyes.

Kazuya plucked a vibrant flower and placed it behind Unohana’s ear. “Ending our first date right where it began. How poetic.”

Unohana clicked her tongue. “A date where the man spends half the time with five other women has to be the worst date imaginable.”

Her sarcastic remark made him laugh. When interacting with people beyond her close circle, she put on a serene, elegant, and kindhearted demeanor. However, in his presence, she abandoned all pretenses and showed her true colors.

“Well, I can make up for it now.”

“How will you do that?”

He extended a hand. “By inviting you to my house.”

Her curiosity had led him right into his carefully laid-out trap. Tricking one of the oldest women in the world wasn’t that hard.

Unohana rolled her eyes, looking more amused than annoyed. “You’re a smooth talker, I’ll give you that.”

The begrudging compliment made him chuckle. “So, what’s your answer?”

“Obviously no. You can’t handle my killer instincts.”

She had no intentions of becoming anyone’s beloved; her genuine affection lay with the four-foot blade resting in the sheath behind her back. Even if she considered romance, she wouldn’t compete for affections of the same man as Isane. That was something she refused to do.

Kazuya had his work cut out for him if he wanted to win her heart.

He smiled, unfazed as if he didn’t register her sarcastic remark. He gently touched her shoulder. “I can’t just handle your killer instincts,” he said, leaning close to her ear and whispering in his most charming voice, “I can tame them.”

His voice had her entranced, frozen in place as if trapped in a surreal dream. It took her a few moments to regain her senses and push him away.

“Leave now. I’ll return on Minazuki.”

There was a tremble in her voice that Kazuya easily caught. His eyes gleamed as he suppressed a smile. The half-crazy lady seemed quite vulnerable when exposed to his voice — he had more effect on her than she let on.

He shook his head. “What kind of gentleman will I be if I don’t escort a lady home at this hour?”

“Kazuya-san, you needn’t be concerned with my safety. I have the strength to defend myself.”

“I’m well aware of your strength,” Kazuya replied with a wry smile. “I’m more concerned about any unfortunate man who might cross your path.”

“I… don’t kill anymore,” Unohana whispered, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow. Shaking off her creeping emotions, she looked at him and her lips curved upwards into a gentle smile. “Rest the night. I want you fully invigorated tomorrow morning.”

“Goodnight to you too, Miss Yachiru.”

“...”

Once Unohana departed, Kazuya made his way back to his residence. He noticed not one but three familiar spiritual pressures nestled within the boundary of his house.

{Our first guests!}

‘Not guests. Those are my wives.’

Right as he reached the doorstep, the door slid open by itself. Kazuya slid the door all the way, coming face-to-face with Momo Hinamori.

Just one look at him brought a silly smile to her face. She stepped forward and meekly hugged him. “Kazuya-kun, are you happy to see me?”

“Of course. But aren’t you breaking dorm rules by being here?”

The students weren’t allowed outside the dorm at this hour. Momo coming here showed how desperate she was to see him. It was endearing in a way.

Momo looked up, shaking her head. “I took Dorm Granny’s permission.”

In fact, the Dorm Master happily let Momo go when she mentioned Kazuya’s name. He was like a legend at the academy. Nobody wanted to earn his wrath by provoking Momo or anyone associated with him.

Kazuya ruffled her hair affectionately. “You convinced Rukia to come with you. Good job, girl.”

He hadn’t met Rukia after that night. But he knew her reactions would be an amusing sight. Of course, he would stop before she got uncomfortable.

Momo leaned into his hand, looking utterly pleased by the light intimacy.

{As a yandere, I’m not sure whether to feel happy or scared about your ability to tame my kind…}

Momo giggled softly. “I had to drag Rukia with me. She was so embarrassed to see you. I’ve never seen anyone with that kind of blush. Kazuya-kun, I… I think—”

“Kazuya! Momo!” Yoruichi roared from upstairs. “Get here already!”

He rubbed Momo’s head. “Yor is getting impatient.”

Using Yoruichi’s nickname was the right choice as neither Momo nor Rukia were acquainted with Yoruichi’s original form. Whether or not they came to know about Yoruichi solely depended on her whim.

“Umm…”