Restricted Death

Chapter 172 Becoming an Adult
Hinamori's steps were unsteady as she approached Shin's desk and leaned her entire upper body on it.

Xin smelled alcohol on her, indicating that she had drunk quite a bit.

Hinamori looked up, her face flushed, her eyes blinking, and stared at Shin expectantly: "President~ Why are you ignoring me all day? Aren't you happy that I came to the 10th Division?"

"I wasn't ignoring you, wasn't I talking to you?" Xin said casually.

Hinamori pouted and said, "But he's not enthusiastic at all. The president has become very cold."

"You're overthinking it, it's not."

"I definitely do!" Hinamori pouted. "President~ do you really not like me anymore?"

"..."

"President~"

Hinamori called out the letter over and over again, her voice trailing off like a kitten about to be abandoned.

Shin said, "It's late, Hinamori, you should go back and rest. I'm going back too."

"do not want!"

Hinamori suddenly climbed onto the desk without any regard for her image, and then threw herself into Shin's arms.

It's not good to dodge, otherwise the other party will definitely throw you hard.

She then straddled Xin's back, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

The girl's soft, warm body made Shin waver slightly, and the muscles under the captain's haori tensed up.

The message reads: "Hinamori, do you know what you're doing? Look at the state you're in now."

"I know!"

Hinamori's tone suddenly hardened, her eyes fixed on Shin, "I am perfectly sober now, Chairman."

Her warm breath, carrying the scent of alcohol, brushed against Xin's chin, her slender white fingers climbing up the stray hairs on the back of his neck, the strands of hair intertwining with each other, even her breath began to heat up.

"President, do you... still like me?"

Hinamori asked directly and bluntly.

As she just said, despite her drunken state, there was indeed a sliver of clarity in her eyes.

Seeing that the letter didn't reply, Hinamori simply pressed her forehead against the letter's brow, so that they could see each other's emotions more clearly.

"like."

The letter provided the answer.

Hinamori was momentarily lost in thought, but then a smile instantly appeared on her face, like a cat delighted after successfully stealing a bite.

She gently rubbed her nose against Xin's, but Xin slightly turned his head away to avoid it.

"No!" Hinamori said, forcefully straightening Shin's head with both hands.

"Don't run away!"

As she spoke, she pressed her lips to his.

However, it was blocked by the credit finger.

Xin placed one hand on her lower back, looking at the blush on her pretty face and the confusion in her eyes, and said, "There are some things I told you a long time ago..."

"I know."

Hinamori interrupted him, grabbed Shin's fingers and pulled them aside, then suddenly stood up, knelt on the armrest of the chair, and pounced on Shin eagerly.

thump!
A loud noise suddenly rang out in the office. It was because Hinamori had used too much force, causing the chairs they were standing on to overturn and fall to the ground.

She lay on top of Xin, her warm body pressed against his chest, and she could feel his heartbeat through the thin fabric.

Hinamori was breathing lightly. The violent movements had left her hair slightly disheveled, which shimmered with a golden sheen under the warm light of the room lamp. Her clothes had come undone and slipped down, revealing the girl's delicate collarbone. Her body fragrance, mixed with the smell of alcohol, seeped into the space between the two of them.

She slowly sat up from the letter, a few strands of hair falling down, making her pretty face even more charming.

Hinamori tilted her head back, a silent gasp escaping her throat, her eyelashes casting swaying shadows on her eyelids.

She gently raised the corners of her mouth, and a smile spread across her bright face.

Shin lay on the ground, but her mind was surprisingly calm. She watched as Hinamori's hand reached towards her lower back, and the originally tight belt loosened instantly, causing her shihaka to lose its shape.

Perhaps we should say something at this point?
Given his understanding of Hinamori, how could he not know whether she was truly awake or not?

The determination of the girl in front of you should never be underestimated.

A cheap answer was enough to make her go forward without hesitation.

Xin suddenly stood up and pushed her off him to the ground. This violent movement caused them to bump into the desk again. The documents on the desk scattered, the fountain pen rolled across the solid wood tabletop and fell to the floor, and the ink stains spread dark patterns on Xin's dark cuffs.

Their overlapping breaths grew increasingly viscous in the enclosed space. The captain's silver buckle on her haori pressed against her waist, the metallic coolness contrasting sharply with her body temperature.

Hinamori's fingers slowly moved down her spine, curling and tightening at the crisp back seam of her uniform, squeezing the smooth fabric into messy wrinkles.

The sound of the wind outside the window grew louder as it approached, startling the copper bells on the eaves to ring softly. Xin's tense muscles suddenly tightened, pulling her deeper into the shadows.

#
The next day.

Hitsugaya arrived at the barracks early and took the initiative to replace one of the patrol members for the day.

Hinamori appeared in the courtyard, yawning, and Hitsugaya couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight.

"Hinamori," he called out to her.

"Toshiro!"

Hinamori looked somewhat tired, one hand supporting her lower back, the other gently massaging her neck.

Seeing her like this, Hitsugaya couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you sleep well?"

"It seems not," Hinamori replied.

"Aren't you used to the accommodations in the team's barracks?"

"It's alright, I drank some alcohol yesterday, and..."

Hinamori stopped abruptly and slapped her forehead.

Hitsugaya didn't think much of it and continued, "How much did you drink last night?"

"Last night..."

Hinamori scratched her head, thought for a moment, and then suddenly grinned foolishly, unable to hide the joy on her face.

"I didn't drink much... You're here so early."

She changed the subject.

Hitsugaya said, "Today I'll take you on a street patrol."

"Hey, isn't the person leading our patrol another senior?"

"I'm your senior too, and I'm the third seat, the third seat! I have a lot more prestige than ordinary team members, okay?"

Hitsugaya snorted and puffed out his chest. "Shouldn't you thank me properly for leading the team yourself, Third Seat Lord?"

Hinamori smiled upon hearing this and said, "Yes, yes, thank you, Hitsugaya-sama! Our Toshiro is finally a sensible adult!"

Hitsugaya wasn't annoyed by the teasing and smiled back, saying, "So you'd better work hard and become a reliable adult like me as soon as possible."

Hinamori's face suddenly broke into a strange smile upon hearing this, and she said, "To become an adult..."

She gently raised her head, glanced at the sky, and tapped her chin with her finger.

"Xiaobai, maybe at some point in time that you don't know, I've already become an adult, and in a different way than you."

Hitsugaya tilted his head in surprise: "What do you mean?"

Hinamori grinned broadly: "Hehe, it's a secret! I can't tell you!"

Hitsugaya couldn't understand what she meant, and the two chatted and laughed. Hitsugaya noticed that Hinamori, who had joined the Tenth Division, was indeed more cheerful. Just then, Hinamori's eyes suddenly lit up, and she waved in a direction not far away.

"team leader!"

Xin arrived at the barracks at that moment and looked over after hearing the sound.

Hitsugaya also greeted him proactively, saying, "Good morning, Captain."

"morning."

Xin simply nodded and went straight into the office.

He didn't get home until late last night, and Hinamori also woke up completely from her drunken stupor around the same time.

Fortunately, the squad's dormitory was right next door.

At that time, Hinamori insisted on going back to Shin's place with him, but Shin refused.

Looking back now, I realize how heartless I was.

Judging from Hinamori's current attitude, it seems that what I did back then didn't make her hold much resentment.

After entering the office, Xin lay down on the chair.

He initially didn't really want Hinamori to join the 10th Division; she was too clingy and not conducive to Shin's future plans.

However, recalling the feeling of last night, it was a completely different experience from Yongyin's.

Seems pretty good too.

Xin felt that he had fallen into depravity rather easily.

In the courtyard.

Seeing Hinamori's lingering gaze, Hitsugaya couldn't help but purse his lips and say, "Alright, stop looking, she's gone."

Hinamori then looked away, but still had a happy expression on her face.

"Toshiro, don't you think the captain looks even more handsome now than before? He looks so good in his captain's haori!"

"..."

Hitsugaya looked speechless and said, "I'll wear the captain's haori too."

"You're not as handsome as the captain."

One sentence left Hitsugaya speechless, and he demanded, "Am I that ugly?"

Hinamori looked him over again after hearing this and said, "It's not that I'm saying you're ugly, it's just... you look like a little kid right now."

Hitsugaya felt helpless; he didn't understand why his appearance hadn't changed over the years.

Especially regarding his height, he would get angry if Matsumoto Rangiku teased him about being short.

This had become a major worry for Hitsugaya, and he had tried many solutions, but none of them had worked.

Hinamori added, "Besides, even if you grow up, you won't become more handsome than the captain. In my heart, the captain is the most handsome."

Seeing her infatuated expression, Hitsugaya was too lazy to argue anymore.

Hinamori suddenly said to him without any hesitation, "I wonder when I'll become the captain's wife?"

"..."

Hitsugaya remained silent.

"Toshiro?"

Hitsugaya looked up at her and said bluntly, "This is a matter between two people, and it also depends on whether they are willing or not. In my opinion, the captain doesn't have those kinds of feelings for you."

"Oh dear, I've wasted my time asking you. You don't understand at all."

"..."

Hitsugaya felt a bit annoyed by these words.

He said, "The captain has a great personality and rarely puts on airs. He's very easygoing with everyone, but when you greeted him just now, didn't you think he was very cold?"

Hinamori smiled and replied, "That's why you don't understand. Why is the captain so friendly to everyone else, but so cold to me?"

Hitsugaya was stunned: "Why?"

Hinamori analyzed seriously: "Because the captain likes me, but in order to avoid suspicion and let others see anything, he deliberately pretends to be indifferent. Otherwise, given how long we've known each other, don't you find it strange that he treats me like that?"

Hitsugaya frowned and thought about it seriously. He actually felt that Hinamori's words made some sense.

After all, everyone knew that the president and Hinamori were very close when they were in the student council. There's no reason why they would become distant after joining the 10th Division. The captain isn't that kind of person.

After he figured it out, his expression became slightly complicated. He knew very well how much Hinamori liked his captain.

This affection has lasted from when Hinamori first entered the Spirit Arts Academy until now, when she has become a Shinigami.

Doesn't the captain know?

If he also likes Hinamori, wouldn't it be better if the two of them got together sooner...?

Hinamori would be very happy if she were with the captain, after all, she originally joined the 10th Division for the captain.

Hinamori reached out and ruffled Hitsugaya's hair, saying, "Our Shiro may already be the Third Seat, but when it comes to matters of love, he's still a child. He needs to grow up quickly!"

Hitsugaya slapped her hand away with a displeased look: "You act like you know everything. And don't touch my head again. It's not good if someone sees it. Be mindful of your image."

Upon hearing this, Hinamori immediately smiled and bowed to him, saying, "I'm sorry, Lord Hitsugaya, I won't do it again next time."

She added, "Although I'm not very experienced either, I'm not like you, Xiaobai, who doesn't even have a girl he likes yet. You've never even held a girl's hand, have you?"

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes: "Didn't I hold your hand before?"

Hinamori's eyes widened immediately: "How could I count? When you held my hand, it felt like holding your own left hand with your right, and besides, that was when I was so little?"

"..."

Hinamori leaned closer and whispered, "You've never kissed anyone before, have you?"

Hitsugaya glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her face for two seconds before he looked away.

"Not interested in."

Hinamori said, "Let me tell you, kissing is actually very comfortable."

Hitsugaya paused, then looked at her suspiciously: "You..."

Hinamori coughed lightly and said, "It's nothing."

"..."

Seeing that he didn't speak, Hinamori immediately continued, "How about I introduce you to a girl? Come to think of it, Toshiro, you're actually quite good. Apart from looking like a child, you're excellent in every other way."

Hitsugaya replied curtly, "No need."

Hinamori said, "I meant well, don't be ungrateful."

Hitsugaya suddenly asked, "You like the captain so much, does the captain know?"

"I know."

"You confessed your feelings?" Hitsugaya asked in surprise.

Hinamori thought about it carefully for a moment: "I guess so."

"My relationship with the captain... is complicated, you wouldn't understand."

"..."

Not long after, the rest of the team members arrived. Hitsugaya explained the upcoming patrol mission to the small group of three to five new recruits, and then led them away from the 10th Division.

(End of this chapter)