Yoruichi was scoffing to herself at that moment.
Yesterday was the first time she had fully transformed into a cat. She wasn't used to controlling that body yet.
Because of that, she was caught by the overactive girl, Mashiro Kuna. She had suffered a "cruel" experience.
After going back, she thought about her mistakes. She stayed in her cat form and practiced hard.
Now, she could use about fifty percent of her Shunpo strength. She was sure she wouldn't be caught again!
She lifted her golden cat eyes and looked at Mirai. Her mouth seemed to curve up in a mysterious smile.
Mirai simply crouched down and reached out. He naturally petted the black cat's head with gentle movements.
"What a shame," he said. "Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna and Captain Kensei are out for a picnic today. They aren't at the barracks."
He showed a "kind" smile. "If you don't mind, you can play with me. I really like small animals."
Yoruichi let out a soft sound at the right time: "Meow~"
The plan was working! She had successfully gotten inside!
Then, she felt her body become light. Mirai picked her up directly.
"Slam—!"
The door was closed heartlessly. She even heard the sound of the latch being locked.
"Wait?" Yoruichi's heart skipped a beat. A bad feeling suddenly came over her.
Why did he close the door? The atmosphere felt a bit strange.
However, her goal was to find Mirai's secrets or something to use against him. She didn't panic.
She let Mirai hold her while she looked around the room quickly with her golden eyes.
The room was still incredibly simple. There was nothing except basic furniture.
Did he spend all the money from his novels on alcohol?
She looked at every corner of the ceiling, the floor, and the walls.
There were no traces of hidden spiritual arrays. There were no hidden compartments. There was nothing at all.
Yoruichi felt a bit disappointed.
She "understood" Mirai. This guy was very cautious. He definitely wouldn't leave real secrets in his room when he was out.
But even now that he was back, the room was still too "clean." Was this trip a waste of time?
Suddenly, a handsome face with a gentle smile moved close. It filled her entire vision.
"Little kitty~ stop looking around. Come and play with me!"
Mirai fell back onto the bed while holding her tightly. He had an almost "obsessed" smile on his face.
Before Yoruichi could react, Mirai buried his face into the soft fur of her stomach. He took a deep breath.
"Inhale—!"
"Meow?!" Wait! What kind of attack was this?!
Then, those "evil" hands began to move over her body without any restraint.
Mirai rubbed her smooth back fur. He petted her sensitive chin and behind her ears. He even brushed her tail with his fingers!
You jerk! Let me go! Mirai, you pervert!
Yoruichi began to struggle wildly. Her four paws kicked and scratched in the air.
But Mirai held her very tightly. His technique... actually felt surprisingly comfortable.
Did he find out who I really am? Is he doing this to humiliate me on purpose?
No... that wasn't it. Those were clearly the eyes of someone looking at a beloved pet. Was this guy a hidden cat lover?!
After fighting at first and then questioning her life, Yoruichi finally... stopped thinking.
Whatever... I'm a cat right now anyway. No one knows I am Yoruichi Shihōin. I'll just... enjoy this for a bit. Hmm, that spot feels pretty good...
After some time, Mirai finally loosened his grip. Yoruichi saw her chance.
She jumped out of his arms like lightning. She ran toward the window without looking back.
She skillfully opened the latch with her claws and leaped into the dark night. She vanished instantly.
Her back looked a bit embarrassed and angry as she fled.
Mirai watched the closed window. The corners of his mouth curled up in a proud way.
Hah, you want to mess with me? I knew my "crazy cat lover" persona would scare you away!
However, jokes were jokes. He knew he couldn't go too far.
He still needed help from Squad 2 for his future books.
He lay back on the bed happily and fell into a deep sleep.
...
"Ah~ ha—"
Mirai stretched his body in the courtyard of the Squad 9 barracks. The sunlight felt warm on him.
"It's a great day today. It's perfect for sleeping late and then... sigh."
He touched his empty wallet and sighed. "I'm so broke. I can't even afford to smell the cap of a bottle of Spiritual Wine."
"Mirai, stay right there. Don't move."
A flat voice came from behind him.
Mirai froze in the middle of his stretch.
He didn't even dare to look back. He stayed in that strange pose like a street statue.
The 3rd Seat of Squad 9, Heizō Kasaki, always had a face that looked as hard as iron.
He was holding a drawing board and a brush. He walked in circles around Mirai, and his brush made quick scratching sounds on the paper.
He walked around for a full hour.
When the sun had moved higher, Heizō Kasaki finally stopped. He looked at his drawing and nodded without expression.
"Alright."
"Phew—!" Mirai finally breathed out. His muscles felt stiff.
He rubbed his sore neck and looked at Heizō Kasaki. He asked helplessly.
"Third Seat, are you... drawing the cover for the new book?"
Heizō Kasaki nodded. His voice was still flat.
"Since this morning, news of the 'Most Beautiful Nobleman of Soul Society' has spread through the Seireitei. Since you were here, I decided to draw the cover."
He paused. His eyes looked at Mirai. He made a "small" request.
"Actually, it would be best if you could use your Shikai. I want to draw another illustration for the inner pages."
"Wait!" Mirai quickly reached out to stop him.
His eyes were wide. He looked very confused.
"Third Seat... that 'Most Beautiful Nobleman' thing... does that have anything to do with me?"
Heizō Kasaki's face didn't change at all. He acted like he was stating a fact of nature.
He pulled a piece of paper from his board and handed it to Mirai.
"Yesterday, you used your Shikai at the Academy training ground. Many people saw it. Someone drew this from the sixth floor of the building across the street."
Mirai looked down. The paper showed him holding the Fūsetsu Egaki while standing in the snow.
The drawing was a bit simple and the lines were blurry. But it captured his elegant and aloof aura perfectly.
Mirai: "..."
His face twitched as he looked at the sky.
He just slept in a little bit late. How did the whole world change?!
"So," Heizō Kasaki focused on Mirai again. He looked determined. "Use your Shikai. Do it for art, and for sales."
Mirai rubbed his forehead. He felt a headache coming on.
He tried to negotiate. "Forget the Shikai. It's too tiring. How about this, Third Seat? Please add a line of text on the cover or in the ads."
He cleared his throat and tried to look sincere.
"Just write... 'The Most Beautiful Nobleman Mirai presents: A shocking new work coming in five days!' How does that sound?"
When Heizō Kasaki heard this, his eyebrows moved slightly.
He stared at Mirai and spoke two cold words.
"Are you..."
"Going to be a Eunuch again!?"
"What Eunuch! Who are you calling a Eunuch!?" Mirai's face turned red as he argued back.
"This is artistic growth! It's about building up inspiration! I'm switching paths to reach a higher level of literature! You can't call a writer a Eunuch for that!"
Heizō Kasaki didn't want to hear the same excuses again. He just stared at him with his "dead fish" eyes.
The first time I believed you, I was naive.
The second time I believed you, I was being kind.
This is the fifth, sixth, or seventh time. When have you not cut the story off cleanly?
In the heart of Heizō Kasaki, a loyal reader who had been hurt many times, Mirai wasn't a "Nobleman."
He was just a heartless author who dropped his stories without a second thought—a total Eunuch!
He snorted and ignored Mirai's protests. He picked up his board and walked away.