I didn't want to disturb the happy moments of a couple-to-be, but since the wedding was tomorrow, I had no choice but to be an unfortunate intruder.
Of course, I didn't just burst out thoughtlessly like usual. I approached while intentionally making noise, rustling the grass with my footsteps to signal my presence.
If they had any sense, they'd realize someone was coming and pull apart.
"You know... I'm not usually the type to say stuff like this. But I'm just so happy. You know? It's you who made me like this."
"Pfft... That's good to hear. Let's stay happy forever."
Ah... So this was why she used to scream at me and throw fits whenever I was being romantic with Unohana, telling me not to do that in front of her. This was the reason.
The sense of dissonance from seeing someone I knew act like a completely different person, the guilt and alienation of seeing something I shouldn't have, and that toe-curling cringey feeling... it was just a cocktail of bad sensations.
If I had just glanced and walked by, I could have ignored it, but since I had to talk to them, my body practically twisted in agony the closer I got.
'Argh! My hands! The cringe!'
On the outside, I maintained my composure as best as I could, but inside, I was squirming and screaming in pain.
So, I made my presence even more obvious.
I stepped louder and even readjusted the wooden box on my shoulder to make it rattle.
And yet... why the hell are these two not letting go of each other?
"Kihihi, then do that thing you always do for me."
"Are you sure? Someone might see us."
"We haven't done it today. I don't care if people see. Let them look if they want to."
"Oh, Fu-chan. You're hopeless. Fine, then."
No matter how hard I tried to signal my presence, they ignored me with gritted teeth. At this point, I suspected they were ignoring me on purpose. But if I let this go on and watched them lock lips, it would leave a scar on all three of us—mostly on me. So, I just announced myself the old-fashioned way.
"Hey!"
"H-huh?!"
"Eek?!"
Right. Do that, and you can't ignore me anymore.
The two of them jumped up in fright, bumping their foreheads against each other before scrambling apart, rubbing their bruises.
"Look at you two acting out a damn play. I wasn't going to say this since it's our first time meeting, but boy, you really are blinded by love, aren't you?"
"...Excuse me, but do you realize how incredibly rude you are being for a first meeting?"
"That's why I just said I wasn't going to say it, kid. Rudeness aside, if someone approaches you making noise, rattling a wooden box, and making their presence clear, you should have the sense to back off. I had to call out because I saw you two were about to start swapping spit. What of it?"
"What insolence—!"
"S-Stop! Don't!"
As Furufushi stepped in front of the man who was about to lose his temper, his face filled with despair.
He looked like a man who just lost his girlfriend to some blonde-haired delinquent. I mean, come on, you two were literally just all over each other a second ago.
Why am I the bad guy here?
"Fu-chan...?"
"He's my dad..."
"Dad...?"
"I'm her foster father, but I'm the one who raised the brat. I heard the wedding is tomorrow, so I came to visit."
"Gah...! F-Father-in-law! I apologize for not recognizing you! I am Hijiri Kuchiki, the man who is to become Saito-san's husband!"
Seeing him bow so low his head nearly hit the dirt made me chuckle. He didn't act like a stuck-up noble; he went straight for a deep bow. Not bad.
"Right. The wedding is tomorrow, they say. It wouldn't feel right to come empty-handed, so I brought a little gift."
"What is it? Show me, quick!"
"Hey, brat, watch your tone with your old man. Anyway, here. Take a look."
I set the box on the ground and tore it open, revealing wedding garments that anyone could tell were of the highest quality.
"I don't know if the name means anything to you, but these were custom-made by Senjumaru Shutara, the Grand Weaver and Northern Divine General of Squad 0. I've got different styles in there, so pick what fits."
"The Grand Weaver, Senjumaru Shutara...? Th-This is a custom-made treasure that millions couldn't buy..."
"Who's that...?"
"She's someone who left a massive footprint in the history of the Soul Society... Anyway, she's just incredibly amazing. Someone the likes of us can't even dream of meeting."
Hijiri started to explain, then seeing Furufushi's blank stare, he immediately broke it down into simpler terms. I was satisfied. My foster daughter really is a bit of a dimwit.
Seeing him explain things kindly and at her level, rather than mocking or ignoring her ignorance, put my mind at ease.
I watched with a pleased smile as Hijiri patiently explained Senjumaru Shutara's prestige and Furufushi struggled to understand. Once he finished the explanation, Hijiri stood up and bowed to me once more.
"I truly thank you once again. May... May I ask for your name?"
Satisfied, I patted Hijiri on the shoulder.
"Never mind that. My name isn't important. Just remember me as Saito's father. That's enough."
"But..."
"It's fine. Just make my daughter happy. She's lived a rather... eventful life."
As I said that and looked at Furufushi, she blinked at me, her ears turning red, likely embarrassed about being caught in her earlier public display of affection.
"I already know about Saito-san's past. I am prepared to embrace all of it. That is my love for her."
"Ugh...! D-Don't say such embarrassing things!!"
Seeing Furufushi scream with a bright red face, my expression flattened into one of utter boredom.
"Why are you getting embarrassed now? You didn't care who was watching a moment ago when you were practically melting into each other. What was it? 'I don't care if people see. Let them look if they want to'?"
"Aaaaagh! Die!!"
I lightly stepped on her foot as she rushed to kick me, and I twisted my body to let her punch pass harmlessly by.
"Whoa there, calm down. It was just a little tease, don't get so worked up."
"Ugh... You...!!"
"Haha, isn't Fu-chan cute when she's angry?"
...God. I need to finish my business here and get out fast. I squeezed my eyes shut and then stepped back.
"Anyway, I heard the wedding's tomorrow, so I had to rush these. I didn't have time to prepare anything else."
"It's more than enough! Just being able to take Saito-san as my wife is a gift I can never repay. How could I ask for more!"
"Alright, alright. I get that you two are lovey-dovey. Stop it already."
I waved them off, closed the lid of the box, and stepped further back.
"I've delivered what I came to deliver, so I'm done. I'd hate to keep bothering the happy couple on their pre-wedding night."
"Must you leave already? It's a shame... You could stay for tea and a chat."
"I appreciate the thought. I'll be back for the wedding tomorrow, so I'll see you then."
I left Hijiri, who was smiling and seeing me off, and Saito, who was hiding behind him with a flushed face, behind. Of course, I didn't actually intend to go home yet.
The reason I came here wasn't just to drop off clothes.
Once I was out of their sight, I began to wander around the inner compound of the Kuchiki estate, looking for the head of the family. Detecting presence was as natural to me as breathing, so I found the tea room where the head was located without needing a guide.
"I have been waiting for you."
In the tea room, an elderly man with snow-white hair was stirring matcha with a tea whisk.
The old man paused, set the cup aside, and placed both hands on the floor to bow deeply.
"I am the 23rd Head of the Kuchiki Clan, Renmei Kuchiki. It is an honor to meet the living history of the Soul Society itself."
"You seem to know me well. It's a very old story; I thought most wouldn't know."
"Indeed, that may be true for some. However, among the Five Noble Families who paved the way for the Soul Society's beginning, few would be ignorant of Lord Shimon. In our house, we have even kept records of you in our books."
The head reached into his robes and pulled out an old book titled Shigisan Engi.
"The 'Master' written about by the founder of our house, Myoren Kuchiki, in this book... is that not you, Lord Shimon?"
There was no point in hiding it now, so I gave a curt nod and sat down.
"That's a name that brings back memories. But that book... it's in surprisingly good condition for something written by Myoren's own hand."
"The original is strictly preserved in the Kuchiki family treasury. This is a copy transcribed by my grandfather."
I thought so. It looked too fresh for something hundreds of thousands of years old. Still, it was surprising they even kept the original. If paper were made in those days, it should have turned to dust by now.
I admired the record for a moment before changing the subject. I wasn't here to talk about myself, but about my daughter's wedding.
"I hear the Kuchiki house has a joyful occasion coming up."
"Hoho, for a family, peaceful days without trouble are the most joyful occasions."
"Is that so? Then what I heard must have been a 'celebration,' not just a 'joyful occasion.'"
I cut straight to the point without testing the waters. The head's hand whisking the matcha stopped for a fleeting second. Hmm... I smell something fishy.
"...Yes, it is my grandson's wedding."
"Then it is a celebration."
"The greatest celebration of his life. I was satisfied enough to see a grandson before I die, but now I get to see a great-grandson as well."
The head chuckled hollowly as he spoke. Yes, hollowly. His words held the form of joy, but the foundation beneath them was emptiness, not happiness.
Why? Well, I didn't even have to think hard to guess. The head simply didn't like this marriage.
"For someone saying that, you seem quite displeased with the whole affair."
"How could I be displeased that my grandson has found a partner?"
"And yet, you planned to hold this 'once-in-a-lifetime' wedding quietly within the family estate... Isn't that a contradiction?"
Even the poorest person wants their wedding to be grand. Because, as the head himself said, it's a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
"Furthermore, there are many people who didn't even know this wedding was happening."
I had only heard about Saito's wedding today. It wasn't just suspicious because I hadn't heard; I rarely leave my place, so that's whatever. But the other Captains didn't know? Even Unohana, who is quite close to Saito, was in the dark?
That made no sense. They should have known at least a week ago. Noble weddings aren't things you have to seek out; people talk about them so much you learn by default. Usually, noble weddings involve the whole town gathering to congratulate the bride and groom, with festivals lasting all day.
"You're planning to end your precious grandson's big day quietly, without anyone's blessing... From the treatment, you'd think this was a disaster, not a celebration."
"Hoho... Isn't that a bit of a stretch? The Kuchiki family has always held weddings modestly. This time is simply no different from the past."
"The same as the past? Well, I don't recall you ever suppressing the news of a wedding before. Am I mistaken? Or are you trying to deceive me?"
"Deceive the Master of our founder? Heaven forbid. It is simply that my grandson requested the ceremony be as quiet as possible, so we were forced to limit the news."
I threw out a lure, and he bit immediately. No matter how many winters an old man has weathered, he's still a fledgling to me. If you choke them then let up just a little, they'll naturally come up for air.
"If it was his request, I suppose it can't be helped. Did you hear the reason?"
"His future wife's past was turbulent, and she has many enemies. Fearing it might bring trouble to the family, he requested the quietest, humblest ceremony possible."
"I see. That would be a valid reason. But you see, on my way here, I saw your grandson and my daughter. They seemed quite devoted. They were smiling brightly, talking about how the wedding is tomorrow. They didn't look like a couple expecting a lonely, guest-less ceremony for the biggest day of their lives."
"That must be a testament to how deep their feelings for each other are."
"If they love each other that much, surely they can embrace each other's past. Or are you saying your grandson is a shameless human who doesn't feel sorry for ruining his wife's biggest day, a piece of trash who doesn't actually love his wife?"
"How dare you speak such—!!"
The head, unaware he was biting into a hook, finally snapped as I kept probing his weak spots. He was cornered. There are only so many excuses one can make to avoid the truth.
"If I'm wrong, then say I'm wrong. I'll apologize for my misunderstanding."
The moment he stood up in anger, the game was over. Continuing to deny it would only make him look pathetic. The head seemed to realize this as a vein throbbed on his forehead and he let out an uncomfortable groan.
"...This is an internal matter of the Kuchiki house. I will say no more."
"Is it? Since my daughter is about to become a Kuchiki, I'd say it's a matter I have every right to hear."
The head's eyes widened. He looked utterly shocked. I leaned forward, letting out a smirk.
"What, did the servant only tell you I was here? Yes, Saito Furufushi is my daughter. Though not related by blood, she is a child of my heart, so it's only natural for her father to come visiting. So, why don't you give me an answer?"
Why my daughter's wedding had to be small, without guests, without celebration, and without anyone's blessing.
"I hope the words that come out of your mouth aren't just pathetic excuses, Head of the Kuchiki Clan."
I stared him down. A suffocating silence hung between the Head and me.