Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 369: Welcome Back

"...Why!?"

Kirio Hikifune gasped, her heart tightening as if gripped by an invisible hand, skipping a beat.

That confession had taken everything out of her—the courage of a lifetime, the bravery she might have ever had left.

Masatsuki Aozaki had said he liked her too.

He had done so much for her, indulging her whims these past days, never once growing impatient.

Yet, this was the answer she got?

Had she gone too far...?

Masatsuki Aozaki continued to look into her eyes, his deep gaze reflecting the disappointment on her face.

His voice was low, gentle.

"I want to be even more selfish.

I can’t say for sure it will come true, but I want to be with you for much, much longer."

"Not just for tonight, not just for now—but forever. I want to selfishly have you as mine."

Kirio’s eyes widened.

Her lips trembled, unable to form a response.

Her mind was a mess.

The whole world blurred into something distant, unreal.

A storm of emotions crashed within her.

Excitement. Fear.

Hope. Uncertainty.

This man—this man she loved so deeply—was speaking to her so honestly, so openly, laying bare his desire for her.

Masatsuki’s voice broke through her thoughts once more.

"So I can’t say yes, Kirio. A greedy man like me... even if I only have you once, I wouldn’t be able to let go."

A wave of shame rushed over Kirio, burning deep into her skin.

Compared to Masatsuki’s devotion, she felt... inadequate.

Like a foolish, unworthy lover.

Had she truly trusted him enough?

Had she truly believed in the love he wanted to give her?

He was right.

Just one night?

How could that ever be enough?

They should be together—forever.

And yet, she had never once dared to think that far ahead.

She had believed that simply taking that step, crossing that final line with him before he left, would be enough.

She had told herself she would be satisfied with just that.

But now, she realized...

She had always wanted more.

She had always longed for him—far more than she had ever admitted to herself.

And it was Masatsuki who had made her see it.

...

They were nearly home now.

The grand estate stood at the peak of the hill, just ahead.

But suddenly, Masatsuki stopped.

Turning toward her, he cupped her face gently, his gaze deep and unwavering.

"I’m sorry, Kirio.

I can’t accept your request—because I don’t want to have you just once."

"..."

"I won’t let you leave me so easily.

I want you to be mine, for much, much longer.

And I will never tire of you, nor will I ever let you go."

His words, his voice—there was a weight to them, something powerful and inescapable.

It sent a shiver down her spine.

She tilted her head slightly, looking up at him, eyes shimmering with an unreadable light.

She understood now.

She wanted more.

Not just a fleeting moment, not just one night of passion—

She wanted a love that would last a lifetime.

And Masatsuki had just told her—

That was exactly what he intended to give her.

Her fingers trembled as she reached up, clasping his hand over her cheek, holding onto that warmth.

"...Can you always satisfy me?"

Her voice was small, vulnerable, almost pleading.

"Can you make me feel that even after a hundred, a thousand years... I’d still never want to let you go?"

A smirk tugged at Masatsuki’s lips, something teasing, almost mischievous flashing in his eyes.

"Who knows?" he murmured.

"Though I don’t like to force people... I do know ways to make you completely unable to live without me."

Kirio felt a wave of frustration bubble up.

Even now, he was being so insufferably smug.

So unbelievably infuriating.

Yet, at the same time—

So completely irresistible.

"...You bastard," she whispered, though there was no bite in her words.

Only something warm, something impossibly sweet.

Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, but her lips curled into a smile—

Bright, joyful, breathtaking.

Her breathing was unsteady, heated with emotion.

She exhaled, voice barely above a whisper.

"Kiss me... and give me a happiness I will never forget."

Masatsuki’s smirk softened into something fonder, deeper.

"I understand, my love."

...

On the path leading to their home, time seemed to stand still.

Their gazes locked.

Their bodies drew closer.

Masatsuki leaned in—

And their lips met.

A kiss, filled with warmth, filled with longing.

A kiss that made the rest of the world fade away, leaving only the two of them behind.

Kirio melted into him, into the touch, into the undeniable, overwhelming love between them.

She wanted to stay like this forever.

She wanted time to stop.

She wanted to bask in this moment for eternity.

But even as their lips parted, she knew—

This was only the beginning.

Because now, she wanted more.

Not just until he left.

Not just until they met again.

She wanted to love him for centuries, for millennia.

For lifetimes beyond lifetimes.

She wanted to bind him to her, to hold him close, to never let go.

And she wasn’t ashamed of it.

She was a greedy woman.

A terribly, terribly greedy woman.

And she welcomed it with open arms.

...

"...When will Masatsuki and Kirio be back?"

Senjumaru Shutara hugged her knees, rocking back and forth as she sat on the cold stair steps like a child.

The sun was about to set, casting deep shadows over the stairwell, making it feel even colder. But Senjumaru didn’t want to return to her room or the living room.

As a senior to Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune, she felt responsible for looking after them, even if they were just out playing. If they left her alone to watch the house, then she had to do it properly. And when they returned, greeting them immediately was the least she could do as their senior.

Yet, she remained oblivious to how utterly pitiful she looked—like a lonely child waiting for their family to come home.

The moment she sensed Masatsuki Aozaki’s Reiatsu nearing the hillside, her expression instantly brightened.

Masatsuki wasn’t releasing his full Reiatsu, but he also wasn’t making an effort to conceal it—it simply radiated from him naturally. Even so, its sheer intensity was enough to leave an impression.

However, as a member of the Zero Division, Senjumaru Shutara’s Reiatsu had transcended the ordinary after obtaining the Ōken. No matter how strong the incoming presence was, she could still perceive it clearly.

She hurriedly stood up, dusting off her skirt and brushing off the dirt clinging to her. Then, she hastily smoothed out her hair, scolding herself inwardly.

Why couldn’t she always be at her best? This wasn’t the first time...She never felt fully prepared.

Then, just as the door swung open, she broke into a radiant smile and greeted them with enthusiasm.

"Welcome home! Masatsuki! Kirio!"

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake

This content is taken from fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com