Chapter 257: Crucible (III)
<span style="font-weight:400">Api hurriedly shook her head at Kazuya’s direct question. “Why will I be hostile towards the organization that took my lover away from me? I don’t have any bitter resentment for sleeping alone in my bed while reminiscing about the old days… AND I never feel annoyed every time I see loving couples on the street.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She topped off her passive aggressivements with a nice, gentle shove of a spoon full of rice in his mouth.
<span style="font-weight:400">As she removed the spoon, he chuckled, despite knowing that it’d piss off Api even more. He couldn’t help it when she was acting so adorable.
<span style="font-weight:400">A deep frown formed on her face. “What’s so funny?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nothing. Come here.” He gently took the te from her hand, setting it aside, before pulling her close into his embrace. “I know it’s my fault.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She buried her face in his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. “No, it’s not. You won’t go away if the Soul Society didn’t exist. It’s <i><span style="font-weight:400">their</i><span style="font-weight:400"> fault. They should stop existing.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t hate the sword, hate the hand that wields it,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for making you feel lonely.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll forgive you on one condition.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Api has learned negotiation… My peaceful life is just over.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She bit his chest as her arms wrapped around him tightly. “Come back sooner this time… or I’ll wage war on the Soul Society. I’m dead serious.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will.”
<span style="font-weight:400">For the rest of his twenty minutes, he showered her with affection, making her forget every resentment.
<span style="font-weight:400">Right as the twenty minutes ended, M Rose showed up, wearing a blue string bikini with yellow floral patterns.
<span style="font-weight:400">M Rose yfully tugged at the strings of her bikini, posing in a way that highlighted her toned abs and stunning, slender legs. “Honey, let’s go for a dive. This kitty is thirsty!”
<span style="font-weight:400">She separated from him, shaking her head in disappointment. “You got to stop spoiling this weirdo. She’ll get out of hand one day.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The intention behind her words was crystal clear — she wanted to provoke a strong reaction from M Rose.
<span style="font-weight:400">M Rose pped the wall, making the entire room shake from her fury. “Fuck off, Api. It’s my time. I can do whatever the hell I want.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Stepping away from the bed, Api confronted M Rose head-on. “Who the fuck swims at this hour?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The lioness red at the deer. “I DO! Do you have a problem with ME?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Api flexed her fingers, cracking her knuckles, and twisted her neck. “Let’s settle it with a duel, then. I’ll beat the crap out of you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">M Rose snorted. “We’ll settle it tomorrow. I’m gonna go swimming today.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Api bumped shoulders with the lioness as she walked towards the door.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as the door closed, M Rose lunged at him and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a bear-like hug that could have squeezed the life out of any normal human being.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Kazuyaaaaa.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She stepped back and gave a wide smile. “Did you feel that? My arms are stronger than ever!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You nearly killed me with your grip. What’s your secret?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She thumped her chest before cing her hands on her waist. “I don’t know. I woke up with this feeling, like I could crush anything with my bare hands. Sung-Sun said I’m getting crazier. Do you think I’m getting crazier?”
<span style="font-weight:400">He shook his head. “Nah.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“My response exactly. Snake needs to stop being so self-centered. Anyway, let’s stop wasting time. We have some swimming to do!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya took his Shinigami outfit before the excited lioness dragged him down the stairs.
<span style="font-weight:400">What awaited him in the swimming pool nearly blew his mind away. Sitting on the edge of the pool and waving her legs like a child was Ciri, wearing a ck revealing swimsuit. The ck color certainly matched her goth vibes.
<span style="font-weight:400">As though noticing his gaze, she leaned back with a smirk. “Ka-zu-ya. Fran-ces-ka.”
<span style="font-weight:400">{She’s a goner… so is my beloved. Rest in peace.}
<i><span style="font-weight:400">“Huh? Izanami, what are you talking about?”</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">M Rose snatched his uniform. “I’m gonna hang it in your room. Be right back!”
<span style="font-weight:400">She darted away, making her sneaky n to put him and Ciri in the same ce just in obvious.
<span style="font-weight:400">“She is unstable.” Ciri chuckled as she patted the ground beside her, motioning him to sit with her. “Come over, Leader.”
<span style="font-weight:400">…
<span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, Unohana watched as Api, the third woman, returned to the living room. None of them had anything negative to say about the arrangement, as if they were content with any decision Kazuya made for them.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">‘It must be the reason he cares so much about them.’</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Harribel calmly patted the empty seat beside her. “Api.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Api sighed and plopped beside Harribel. “What is it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You look happier. He must’veforted you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Api’s eyes widened at the unexpectedment. “W-What do you mean? We just talked about the Soul Society.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Harribel narrowed her eyes, looking skeptical. “I believe you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Like hell you do!”
<span style="font-weight:400">A soft chuckle escaped Harribel’s lips. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I believe you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">After a moment of silence, Harribel turned to Unohana. “I hope you aren’t feeling bored.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Unohana shook her head. “Observing the bonds between you and others is quite fun actually. I nearly forgot youdies were Hollows.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Far from nearly, she hadpletely forgotten about Harribel and others being Hollows. While a bit odd and quirky, they could easily pass as a family in the Living World. If it wasn’t for Kazuya, she would have never allowed them to live like this.
<span style="font-weight:400">Izumi nodded her head. “I forget about it too sometimes. It’s not half bad sharing a house with them… they are all very sweet in their own way.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sharing? You aren’t a Hollow?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Izumi tilted her head before she let out a giggle. “You’re mistaken. I’m just a normal human girl who fell in love with Kazuya.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Unohana once again looked at Izumi, probing the brown-haireddy’s Reiatsu with her senses. She couldn’t find much difference in Izumi and every other Hollows’ Reiatsu in the room. Kisuke’s concealment tech was throwing off her senses.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Quincy is the right word to describe her,” Api said. “Also, she didn’t fall in love. She became obsessed with the man she once called her younger brother.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Izumi scratched her cheek, clearly embarrassed to have her secret spilled in front of the guest. “Api, you didn’t have to say it like that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun burst into giggles. “Dear god, moments like these make me feel happy about being with everyone.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Unohana chuckled softly. “Since we have time on hand, why don’t you tell me more about everyone?”