Chapter 165: Temptations
<span style="font-weight:400">Despite having walked away from the Kuchiki Manor half an hour ago, the heartfelt words of gratitude from Byakuya and Hisana still echoed in Kazuya’s mind. The image of Hisana tearing up, embracing Byakuya, and repeatedly professing her love for him remained just as vivid; it was mostly because of the wetness on his shoulder — Rukia had held back her tears in front of Hisana but ended up crying on the way back.
<span style="font-weight:400">By the time he neared the academy, Rukia had recovered from her storm of emotions and started making little talks.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’re almost there,” Rukia whispered and climbed off his back, curbing the possibility of spreading weird rumors. Messing with Momo was thest thing she wanted. “Can you hide this from Momo and Renji?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sure,” he agreed without any resistance, eyes locked on his dormitory building. “Want me to apany you all the way?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“First you tell me why are you frowning like that again?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Every time she saw him frown like that, some noble got the beating of their life. The fact that he bullied the bullies, the descendants of those sitting at the top of society, always made herugh. His rtionship with Shiba n and his own strength made him a force not even aristocrats wanted to mess with.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just a bit surprised. Wannae hangout with some Vice Captains?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Some other day maybe.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then see you tomorrow.”
<span style="font-weight:400">As they parted ways, a whisper reached him. “Thanks for saving Hisana…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Following that, he heard Rukia’s hurried footsteps gradually fading away. Unaware of his arrangement with Byakuya, she misunderstood his motives for saving Hisana, believing he had set aside his animosity towards Byakuya for her sake.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yoruichi climbed on his shoulder and pawed his ears. “I didn’t think you had it in you to reveal your Shikai for someone else’s wife.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Since Yoruichi was absent during his agreement with Byakuya, she also arrived at the same conclusion as Rukia, albeit with a hint of skepticism.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yoruichi, you’re old friends with Byakuya. Rukia’s blood sister is married to him. I’d be a douche to let her die when saving her takes no effort.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I sense something sinister from you,” Yoruichi whispered, gently tugging at his ear with her soft paws. “You gained something from helping Hisana. What was it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">He cleared his throat. “A small promise. Think of it as a backup n to my own backup n in case things go south here.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re starting to sound like Urahara.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t tter me, Princess Shihōin. This little me is nothingpared to one of the most decorated minds in the world.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Urahara may be a master in thenguage of numbers and logic, but he’s as dense as a meteor when ites to matters of the heart.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He raised an eyebrow at her unexpected remark. “Sounds like he didn’t reciprocate your feelings the way you wanted.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He didn''t believe the present-day Yoruichi harbored romantic feelings for Kisuke, but their past was a mystery to him. Knowing Yoruichi’s demeanor he could only specte on the type of life she led as a teen.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yoruichi couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh, Young Kazu, did I see a sh of jealousy just now? Imagining me with Urahara, were you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hearing him outright confess his jealousy was a breath of fresh air for Yoruichi. She believed that his jealousy was a product of her recent efforts in spoiling him in her own way.
<span style="font-weight:400">She wrapped her paws around his neck in a yful embrace, rubbing her face against his. “I wasn''t referring to myself, silly. Urahara had a whole fan club back at the Shihōin mansion — maids, noblewomen, Shinigami, and even ordinary folk. His naive charm attracteddies, though I was an exception. It feels weird to see him as anything other than my childhood friend.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He nodded, visibly relieved. A gentle breeze wafted by them, carrying with it the faint scent of cherry blossoms as silence fell between them, save for the distant sound of students chatting.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yoruichi’s eyes searched his face as if contemting something. “There is no man in this world who can tie down sh Goddess Yoruichi. I’ve held the same belief for as long as I can remember.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A fellow freedom enjoyer,” he whispered. “Well, I never limit the freedom of my lovers. Doesn’t that make us a match made in Heaven?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yoruichi took a pause as if considering his words. A nonmitted rtionship was the best-case scenario for her, given her aversion to the responsibilities of a rtionship. They were shackles to her.
<span style="font-weight:400">He shrugged nonchntly. “Just speaking facts. We can take it one step at a time, starting as friends. The next stage could be friends with benefits — enjoying the freedom of being single while sharing… certain perks."
<span style="font-weight:400">“Friends with benefits…” Yoruichi’s breath caught, her voice barely a whisper. “Is that your excuse to fuck me?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Clearing his throat awkwardly, Kazuya watched as she yfully tapped his cheek.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You''re quite the charmer,” she teased, herughter light and flirtatious. You almost convinced me with that sweet tongue of yours. Almost tempted to open my legs for you. I’m lucky that I was trained to resist honey traps as the Captain of 2nd Squad.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He clicked his tongue in mock annoyance. "One of these days, you’ll regret teasing me like this."
<span style="font-weight:400">She shrugged off his yful threat with a giggle. “I''d love to see you try.”
<span style="font-weight:400">{Do her. Give her the best hentai female lead treatment.}
<i><span style="font-weight:400">‘...’</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Teasing her and getting teased by her, he returned to his dorm. Outside his room, he found Momo waiting, her demeanor anxious as if she had been eagerly anticipating his arrival.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">‘She must’ve sensed my Reiatsu.’</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">He had stopped concealing his Reiatsu, unless it was necessary to hide from someone. His fight with Soi Fon made his strength public knowledge.
<span style="font-weight:400">{Wasn’t she with the Vice Captains? Did she make some excuse to meet you alone here?}
<i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Probably.’</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Momo suddenly rushed towards him, her movements creating a soft rustling sound, as she hugged him — a brief hug to reassure herself of his well-being. “You’re alright…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Do I not look alright?” he asked, smiling down at her while his hand gently patted her head in aforting gesture. “Rukia is also fine.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What a relief…” she whispered. “What did they want from her?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, things are a bitplicated. I can’t reveal it without Rukia’s permission.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Momo nodded in understanding, her eyes briefly darting behind her. “Your friends are waiting for you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She seemed reluctant to tell him about the Vice Captains, clearly desiring to spend more alone time with him, away from the watchful eyes of the Vice Captains.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s see what they have to say.”