Chapter 133: Promise
Less than three months until the New Year holiday.
The charcoal fire's last warmth was fading away.
"Time to clean up."
Suoh stood, picking up Kikou.
With a thought, the darkness and brilliant starlight receded like a tide, revealing the constant bright ceiling overhead once more.
Light flooded the space again.
The hot spring, cottages, and bamboo forest came back into clear view, as though the starlit feast had been nothing but a brief dream.
Suoh released Shikai, sheathing his blade. His breathing remained relaxed and natural.
Despite how grand the night sky had looked, maintaining it consumed less spiritual pressure than a single Kurohitsugi. Completely manageable.
He turned and saw Rangiku still sitting on the stone stool, head tilted back, golden hair loose over her shoulders, expression distant.
Her face still carried that alcohol flush, especially obvious under the bright lights now.
Suoh figured she was just tipsy and getting sleepy.
Walking over, he collected the empty cup in front of her.
"Good thing I didn't let you drink more. How would you handle tomorrow otherwise?"
"If you're drunk, go rest. Hitsugaya and I can clean up."
Usually, Rangiku would immediately laugh and fire back, or jump up to help.
This time, she ignored his teasing.
Instead, she turned, focusing on his face, speaking seriously and clearly.
"Tsukasa, you're going back to Terada-ya for New Year, right?"
"Um... could I come with you?"
During New Year holidays, she usually spent them alone in Seireitei.
Occasionally the captain remembered her. Sometimes.
How had she spent last year? Drinking alone, probably.
Life in Seireitei was lonely and dull. Only catching glimpses of others' celebrations reminded her another year had passed.
She watched his eyes, a hint of nervousness showing.
Suoh never disappointed.
"Of course. You're more than welcome."
He nodded immediately.
One more person just meant one more set of dishes. And more joy.
He knew Rangiku was basically alone in Soul Society.
She'd been in Seireitei much longer than him, probably had her own routines. He'd never thought to invite her.
But since she was asking, he had no reason to refuse.
"Fair warning though—you can't just be a guest. Terada-ya does a big cleaning before New Year, plus lots of food prep. You'll need to help."
"No problem!"
Rangiku's eyes lit up as she stood happily.
The melancholy on her face vanished completely, replaced by pure joy.
"Then it's settled."
"Last night before holiday break, we meet at White Road Gate and head out together."
"Remember to pack a change of clothes. Don't worry about anything else."
"Yes! Hehe..."
Rangiku nodded vigorously, smile bright.
The holiday wasn't even here yet, but she was already looking forward to it.
Hitsugaya watched her silly grin, oddly reminded of his past self.
He felt incredibly grateful he'd greeted Suoh that first day at the academy.
Being able to stand here now—what tremendous luck.
His lips curved into a small smile.
He was using Daichi Tenyo to sink the stone grill back into the ground. Nobody noticed his expression.
After cleanup, there was still time before bed.
Helping had sobered Rangiku up. Combined with her happiness, she felt energized.
Her gaze challenged Hitsugaya.
"Hitsugaya, let's play! We had a deal!"
"Fine."
Hitsugaya calmly retrieved the board, sitting across from her.
The outcome proved unsurprising.
She didn't win a single game before Suoh called time.
She'd been weaker than Hitsugaya to start, plus she'd been drinking. Winning would've been weird.
Rangiku pushed the pieces around in frustration.
After losing several straight, even her last buzz had faded.
Her eyes showed no real dejection though. The competitive spirit made them brighter.
"Today doesn't count! I was off!"
"Weak."
Hitsugaya calmly collected pieces.
His assessment was concise.
"Hmph! Tomorrow! I'll definitely beat you tomorrow!"
Rangiku shot back, also starting to clean up.
"Everyone tidy up. Time for bed."
Suoh watched them, smiling.
The three separated, sticking with last time's sleeping arrangements.
Rangiku hummed an off-key tune, walking toward the partition wall.
Suoh didn't head straight for the hot spring. He checked on the medicinal herbs first.
Operating this underground space had taken considerable effort.
From nothing to something, from barren to vibrant—the time and energy were immeasurable.
These herbs might be ordinary, but in his hands they held tremendous value.
When first cultivating the fields, Suoh had a clear plan.
Limited by rare seed scarcity, he could only prioritize common herbs first.
He could refine these into pills for Fourth Division, exchanging for rarer seeds.
Build production and reserves with available herbs first.
While gaining experience for truly rare specimens later.
Not easy...
Most resources were controlled by the nobility.
Thank god for his predecessors laying groundwork, letting him carve his own path.
He mentally thanked those who came before, as usual.
Herbs grew batch by batch. Power accumulated bit by bit.
Suoh quickly adjusted his mindset, returning to the hot spring.
Warm water rose past his shoulders. Eyes closed, he reviewed today's blind combat while planning tomorrow's training.
His thoughts flowed like steam, gradually settling into clear order.
When fully relaxed, he rose from the pool.
After drying off and changing, he passed Rangiku's cottage.
He raised his hand, light flickering at his fingertips.
Through the door, he dimmed the interior lighting gradually.
Completing this small task, he returned to his room.
Moments later.
"Good night."
Alone in her cottage, Rangiku softly spoke toward his room.
Even knowing he couldn't hear, she did it naturally.
After her bedtime ritual, she settled into bed.
"Terada-ya..."
Lying in soft bedding, she silently repeated the name in darkness.
No specific impression, yet somehow she could imagine warmth and liveliness she'd never experienced.
Then she closed her eyes, sinking into peaceful sleep.