Restricted Death

Chapter 126 "A Lonely Man and a Lonely Woman"

"Tachikawa, when you were in the Spirit Arts Academy, your grades in all subjects were extremely excellent. You weren't number one in the Daoist school, were you?" Kyoraku Shunsui asked slowly.

Despite his surprise, Xin nodded and said, "The top student in my cohort was Qinglu, who is now in the Fourth Division. He is a very hardworking member."

Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled: "Then why is your Zanpakuto of the Hokage school?"

Xin never expected that after so long, someone would ask him such a question again.

He paused for a moment before replying, "I don't know about this either, but Captain Aizen did tell me before that a Zanpakuto is a reflection of a person's inner self. Perhaps this is a strange connection between me and Kaido."

Kyoraku Shunsui's gaze toward Shin carried a hint of mockery, which made Shin feel extremely uncomfortable.

Shin had a vague feeling that Kyoraku Shunsui seemed to know something, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

Ukitake then said, "That's true. Zanpakuto is something mysterious and profound to Shinigami. No one throughout history has dared to say that they have thoroughly studied and comprehended Zanpakuto. I also never expected that my Zanpakuto would have such abilities."

Shiba Isshin also said, "In any case, I hope you can master Bankai soon."

He simply said, "I will try my best."

After the banquet ended, everyone who had gathered there dispersed.

Shinya returned to his new residence alone. He had only recently moved in, and the house had not yet been specially furnished or decorated, but it was still habitable.

Having his own place to live made it much easier for Xin to cultivate.

Although his current strength is not largely due to cultivation, Xin has never become complacent because of it.

#
Another day, Kotetsu Isane didn't see Unohana Retsu in the captain's office. After searching, she found that the captain was alone in the screening room.

She quietly pushed the door open and saw a battle scene playing on the screen.

And the protagonist of it all is actually Xin!

This is footage of a battle that Shin recorded a long time ago when he was interning in the real world and was attacked by a mysterious cloaked figure. At the time, Kotetsu Isane brought it back to Unohana Retsu to watch, but Unohana's reaction was very indifferent, saying that she could watch it later.

"Oh, it's Yongyin. What's up?"

The lighting in the screening room was dim, and Kotetsu Isane couldn't see the captain's face clearly, only hearing her gentle voice as always.

Kotetsu Isane immediately went over and said, "It's about some things from the clinic."

"Well, let's go back."

After leaving the screening room, Kotetsu Isane couldn't help but ask, "Captain, why did you suddenly decide to watch the previous recordings?"

"Nothing, just something to do when I have nothing else to do."

Yuu followed obediently behind the captain. She didn't quite understand the captain's behavior. The captain's interest in Shin before could be attributed to Shin's high regard for such a promising junior, who hadn't officially joined the Fourth Division yet, and his desire to learn more about him.

However, Shin has now become the third seat of the fourth division.

In the captain's office, after reviewing the documents handed to her by Isane, Retsu Unohana suddenly asked, "Where's Tachikawa?"

"I believe he's on a field mission and should be in the real world now."

"Ah."

Unohana Retsu handed the document back to Yuune, saying, "Just give it to him when he gets back."

"Yes."

Shortly after Kotetsu Isane left the office, he was informed by his subordinates that Madarame, the third seat of the 11th Division, had arrived.

After a moment's thought, she judged that the other party was probably looking for a letter again.

When she saw Madarame Ikkaku, she indeed heard him say, "Isn't Tachikawa here?"

"He went out on a field assignment."

With his shiny bald head, Madarame Ikkaku picked at his ear behind his back, looking helpless: "What bad luck, my captain has been nagging me every day, it's so annoying."

Is Yuna asked curiously, "Does Captain Zaraki want to spar with Shin?"

Kenpachi Zaraki's personality was somewhat understood by everyone in the Gotei 13; they knew he was an extremely warlike individual.

Although the 11th Division is a combat division, it is not very busy. Soul Society is relatively peaceful at the moment. Hollows in the human world are handled by the 13th Division. If Hollows cause trouble in Rukongai, the 10th Division will take the lead in handling it. In special cases, the 5th Division and the 3rd Division will also be involved.

The Eleventh Division is more like a special operations unit, only deployed when other divisions encounter troublesome enemies.

Of course, there are also some missions on a regular basis, which is why Shin previously thought that the roles of each squad were not clearly defined.

Yuuto felt that even if Shin returned, he would most likely refuse Madarame Ikkaku's invitation, since Shin had declined it more than once.

She said to Madarame Ikkaku, "I don't know when Shin will be back. Why don't you go back first, Madarame Third Seat? I'll tell Shin when he gets back."

Madarame Ikkaku nodded helplessly, then left the Fourth Division.

In the afternoon, Xin returned with Qinglu.

Yuu also told Shin that Madarame Ikkaku had been there.

"I'm not going," Xin said directly.

Although Yuu-on wasn't surprised, she still said, "It seems like Third Seat Madarame has come looking for you several times. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to keep refusing him like this?"

"Otherwise, should I go to the Eleventh Division and fight Captain Zaraki?" Shin shrugged. "Winning or losing wouldn't do me any good, so why would I go?"

Yuon looked strange, as if believing these words meant that he still had a lot of confidence in defeating Captain Zaraki.

Captain Zaraki's tenure was not long, but all the previous captains of the Eleventh Division have been known as Kenpachi, which represents the strongest swordsman in Soul Society.

"Aren't you afraid of angering Captain Zaraki?"

"If he gets angry over something like this, it would be too domineering and petty. Let him think what he wants. Anyway, he wouldn't dare to cause trouble in the Fourth Division."

Xin seemed completely unconcerned, and then suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, Sister Yongyin, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"what's up?"

"I've moved to a new house, but I haven't done any special decoration or furnishing yet. I'd like to ask you for some advice."

"Eh?"

Kotetsu Isane was taken aback. She knew that Shin had moved to a new house; she was the one who helped him submit the application.

"How...how do I offer advice?" she couldn't help but ask.

"If you have time, come to my house."

"..."

Kotetsu Isane suddenly stopped talking, standing there with his lips tightly pursed, his face slightly flushed.

Go to Xin's house...

"Sister Yongyin?"

Shin's gentle call snapped Kotetsu Isane back to reality, and she found him looking at her with a smile.

"Sister Yongyin, what are you thinking about?"

"N-nothing!" she said quickly, then asked, "When?"

Xin thought for a moment, "Tomorrow, then. It's the weekend, so is evening convenient for you?"

"convenient……"

After returning to her office, Kotetsu Isane closed the door and immediately leaned against it, reaching out to touch her cheek.

The letter suddenly invited her to his home.

What does this mean? It can't really be that we want her to help with the renovation, can it?
Is he... up to something...?

Yongyin's mind was in turmoil, and she couldn't help but start having wild thoughts again.

It's been a while since the last confession, and Xin hasn't given her any signals in the past few days.

This left Yongyin feeling somewhat uneasy; she couldn't understand what Xin was thinking.

Things have finally changed, and he's even invited her to his home. Will Xin take this opportunity to...

As she thought about it, Yongyin's face turned even redder.

When she got home that night, Yongyin told her younger sister Qingyin about it.

Qingyin's reaction, however, was even more excited than hers.

"Really?!" Qingyin exclaimed excitedly, "Great, sister, your chance has come!"

Yongyin felt a little embarrassed: "What nonsense are you talking about? What opportunity..."

"Isn't it obvious?" Qingyin said with certainty, "Inviting you to his house is a perfect opportunity to make a move on you!"

"..."

Upon hearing her words, Yongyin felt her face burning even hotter.

Qingyin was still going on and on: "Sister, just think about it, what if a man and a woman are alone in a room, both willing, going with the flow, like dry wood meeting a raging fire, all of a sudden... tsk!"

The more he said it, the more outrageous and unbearable it became.

Yongyin quickly stopped her sister, feeling embarrassed and annoyed: "What nonsense are you talking about? How could you possibly do that!"

"Why not!" Qingyin said with a grin, "Sister, your spring has arrived."

Yongyin remained reserved, saying, "Even if... we've established a relationship, it can't be this fast. We haven't even..."

Upon hearing this, Qingyin immediately became displeased and said, "Sister, don't make a mistake at this crucial moment. If he wants to do something to you, you can be reserved, but don't be too reserved."

She said, after thinking it over seriously for a moment, "However, going straight to bed after confirming a relationship is indeed a bit too fast..."

"Hey! Shut up!"

Late at night, the two sisters were still whispering to each other while lying on the same bed.

"Qingyin, you have someone you like too, right?"

"Of course."

After a moment's thought, Yongyin realized who it was: "Captain Ukitake?"

"Ok!"

Yongyin couldn't help but sigh: "But..."

She thought it was unlikely that there would be a relationship between Kiyone and Captain Ukitake. After all, Captain Ukitake had been a captain for hundreds of years, and he probably only regarded Kiyone as a junior.

But I also felt that saying these words would make my sister feel bad.

"Sister, I know what you want to say. I've never asked for anything. I just want to stay by Captain Ukitake's side."

"So... besides Captain Ukitake, are there any other men you have feelings for?"

"If it's about romantic feelings between men and women, then no."

"I see you and Sentaro have a pretty good relationship, don't you?"

Upon hearing this, Qingyin immediately looked disgusted: "Come on, I'm so annoyed with him!"

Upon hearing this, Yongyin couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at? Don't think that I have a special relationship with Sentaro. At most, I just consider him a friend."

"I know, I didn't think much of it."

Qingyin lay there on her side, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Yongyin.

"Sis, I'm a little envious of you. I hope you'll be happy."

"..."

Yongyin reached out and pulled her younger sister into her arms.

Yongyin didn't sleep well all night.

The next day was a rest day. Yongyin didn't go to the team dormitory, and neither did Qingyin. The two sisters stayed at home preparing for Yongyin's date that evening.

Choose suitable clothes and put on exquisite makeup.

After struggling for a long time, Yongyin was exhausted and finally called for a stop, saying, "That's enough, let's leave it at that."

Qingyin said, "Sister, this concerns your future happiness, so we can't be careless!"

Yongyin felt helpless. Looking at herself in the mirror, who looked much more radiant than usual, she suddenly felt a little unfamiliar.

Will he like this version of himself...?

She touched her cheek, thinking with some insecurity.

She has always been insecure.

"sister?"

Yongyin said softly, "Qingyin, do you think Xin and I are a good match?"

Qingyin said, "Sister, please don't think like that. You're great too. You're beautiful and have a gentle personality. I'm sure many people like you."

Yongyin just gave a bitter smile: "Is that so..."

Having lived for so long, she has naturally encountered men she liked, but when she stood next to them, they felt more awkward than anything else, which stemmed from her impressive height.

If only I could be a little lower, preferably lower than Xin, so that I could lean on his shoulder.

Would Shin despise himself for this?

Qingyin walked up to her, took her hand, and said earnestly, "Sister, don't overthink it. Taidaochuan definitely likes you, and you two are a perfect match!"

Upon hearing this, Yongyin smiled.

"Um……"

In the evening, Yongyin, wearing a light-colored dress, went to Xin's new home.

She remembered the address perfectly. When she got to the door, she suddenly felt her heart beating faster. She stood there for a long time, but for a moment she didn't have the courage to knock.

What should we say when we meet? What will the letter say to me...?

Yongyin kept thinking about these things along the way, but she couldn't come up with a suitable answer.

After taking several deep breaths, Yongyin finally mustered up the courage to gently knock on the door a few times.

Before long, the door opened, and it was Xin who opened it.

"Sister Yongyin, you're here."

Xin looked at her with a smile. Yongyin blushed slightly and was about to raise her hand to greet him when she suddenly heard a commotion coming from inside the room. Her expression froze.

"Sister Yongyin, come in quickly, we've been waiting for you."

Kotetsu Isane was a little dazed and stiffly stepped inside, only to find that there was more than just Shin in the room.

There were many people scattered around the living room, chatting together. Some she knew, some she didn't, some she was familiar with, and some she wasn't.

Kaien Shiba, Aoshika, Shuhei Hisagi, Kanazawa, Rukia Kuchiki, Momo Hinamori, and many more...

The aroma of food wafted out.

"Sister Yongyin?"

"what?"

Upon hearing the sound of the letter, Kotetsu Isane glanced at it blankly.

At this moment, everyone in the room quieted down and looked at her.

These gazes made Kotetsu Isane feel uneasy.

(End of this chapter)