Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 376: In the Shadows

Like he was claiming ownership, Masatsuki Aozaki pulled Senjumaru Shutara into an even tighter embrace, savoring the curves of her body. He

Like he was claiming ownership, Masatsuki Aozaki pulled Senjumaru Shutara into an even tighter embrace, savoring the curves of her body.

He buried his face in her long hair, breathing in her faint, comforting scent. A small smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"This is just a normal goodnight kiss," he said softly. "Something perfectly natural between lovers. So... goodnight, Senjumaru-senpai."

His voice carried a satisfied warmth, and then he really did close his eyes, seemingly drifting off to sleep.

Senjumaru Shutara, however, couldn’t sleep at all.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her body flushed, her thoughts a tangled mess.

That deep kiss from earlier had left her both excited and incredibly flustered—she didn’t know how to deal with the emotions surging inside her.

And she couldn’t stop thinking about the image burned into her mind: Masatsuki Aozaki hugging Kirio Hikifune outside her room.

No matter how she tried, she just couldn’t shake it.

"Ugh... you little devil, Masatsuki!" she whispered, voice trembling with frustration.

Tears welled in her eyes, and in her agitation, she clenched her legs together.

There was no way she was getting any sleep tonight.

Meanwhile, Masatsuki Aozaki, feeling incredibly pleased after teasing her before bed, was having the time of his life.

With such an easy-to-fluster, thousand-year-single noblewoman-type older sister at his side, how could he not mess with her a little? It would practically be disrespectful not to!

So when morning came, his very first thought was to do it again—with a "good morning kiss" this time.

Build the habit slowly, let her get used to it, and before long... he could coax her into revealing her true nature.

It wouldn’t take much—just keep it up, and eventually, even if he went a bit overboard, she wouldn’t mind anymore.

One day, that thousand-year purity of hers would bloom into something new—half coaxed, half willing.

With someone like her—adorably awkward, shy to a fault—this was the way to go.

Imagining that day, Masatsuki Aozaki grinned slyly and slowly opened his eyes.

But—

"Wait... where is she?!"

He blinked, looking around.

The big sister he’d fallen asleep cuddling was nowhere to be seen.

The pillow in his arms had vanished.

Still groggy, Masatsuki Aozaki tried to sit up.

If she’d left the room, he definitely would’ve noticed... right?

Just as he was puzzling it over, a sudden pressure surged up from his waist to his chest.

"What the hell?!"

Startled, he looked down—

The blanket was puffed up unnaturally high.

He quickly flung it off—

Only to find Senjumaru Shutara sprawled on top of him, drooling.

"Oi! What do you think you’re—"

The normally dignified senior was clinging to him like a different person altogether.

Face buried in his chest, arms wrapped around his back, legs locked around his sides—

It was a position that couldn’t possibly be described as proper.

Even worse, she kept licking at the drool on her lips, and every time she nudged against him, she left damp spots all over.

His entire upper body was covered in her saliva.

Embarrassed and annoyed, Masatsuki Aozaki sat her up.

"Hey, hey! The sun’s already up! Wake up, woman!"

"Aaah~"

Senjumaru Shutara was roused by the shaking. She stretched lazily, then let out an exaggerated yawn—completely lacking her usual grace.

Unfortunately for her, playing cute had no effect on Masatsuki Aozaki.

Without hesitation, he slipped his arms under hers, lifted her up, and plopped her down beside him.

"Just look at the mess you made!"

Unable to keep clinging, she licked her lips regretfully with that bright red tongue. Her black eyes stared straight at him, half-lidded and sleepy.

Normally, Senjumaru Shutara would never wear such a sultry expression—but right now, she looked dangerously tempting.

"You treating me like breakfast or something?!"

"..."

Suddenly jolted awake, Senjumaru Shutara looked down at the bed—then froze.

A moment later, she sprang to her feet, her face turning crimson all the way to her neck.

"I-I..."

Words caught in her throat. In the end, she squatted on the floor, covered her face with both hands, and whimpered.

"It’s fine, Senpai," Masatsuki said gently, patting her on the head like a doting older brother. "If you’re hungry, just say so. I am a top-class chef, after all."

"T-That’s not it! I’m going to take a bath!"

She shoved his hand away, sprang to her feet, and bolted for the door.

In a flash, she was gone.

Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled, shook his head, and picked up his clothes.

No way he could make breakfast covered in that much drool.

...

It was another peaceful morning.

Masatsuki Aozaki, Kirio Hikifune, and Senjumaru Shutara sat together, calmly enjoying a hearty breakfast.

Well, two of them were calm—Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune.

Senjumaru Shutara, on the other hand, looked like a guilty child, completely lacking her usual composure.

Quiet and sheepish, she sat with both hands cupped around a curry bun, nibbling it bit by bit—just like a kindergartener.

The look didn’t suit her usual dignified aura at all, but strangely, it was... kind of cute.

That nervous energy she gave off stirred up a sense of guilt-driven desire in a man—like you just had to tease her.

Kirio Hikifune nudged Masatsuki Aozaki with her elbow.

"Hey, what’s up with Senpai today? Did I do something wrong?"

Masatsuki Aozaki leaned in and whispered,

"It’s nothing you did—it’s all on her."

Senjumaru Shutara’s awkward behavior made perfect sense to him.

He already suspected something was off before he even left the room that morning.

That woman had definitely done something—something so embarrassing she’d probably want to die if it got out.

Still, she was his wife now. No way Masatsuki Aozaki was going to stop spoiling her over something like that.

Sure, the "kid" he used to care for had suddenly turned into a wife, but he’d already made up his mind—he owed it to her to be honest with Kirio Hikifune.

"Kirio, actually, I’ve got to tell you something. Senjumaru and I have alrea—"

"Brat, shut it! Kirio, keep eating—we need to talk."

Senjumaru Shutara abruptly stood up, shoved her half-eaten curry bun into Masatsuki’s mouth, and dragged him outside.

"Hey, what was that for, Senpai?!"

"What were you about to say just now?!"

With her face flushed bright red, Senjumaru Shutara slammed Masatsuki Aozaki against the wall and leaned in close.

"Our relationship, of course," he replied without missing a beat.

"You can’t..."

"Having second thoughts, Senpai?"

"Of course not... I just need a little time."

She averted her eyes, unable to look him in the face.

"Ohhh, so Senjumaru-senpai wants to keep this a secret from Kirio and have a forbidden romance with me?"

"Ugh..."

"No problem! But if you want to hide our relationship, you do know what that means, right?"

He nodded while moving in even closer.

Looking at her helpless expression, Masatsuki Aozaki suddenly had the urge to dye his hair blond.

Because really—she was his lover, so why did he feel like the villain here?

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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