One day later...
In the master bedroom of the Aozaki household, Masatsuki Aozaki stood comfortably by the bed while Isane Kotetsu shyly helped him dress.
A satisfied smile played on Masatsuki's lips as he looked at the woman before him.
"Masatsuki, you should hurry and get ready. I heard Aura and Nemu say that today is an important day."
Dressed in a black Shihakushō, Isane's gaze wavered as she looked at him. She was always so easily flustered, and her bashful demeanor only made Masatsuki more fond of her.
He chuckled softly. "Don't worry, how could I possibly forget?"
Then, turning his head, he gazed at the tall, rosy-cheeked beauty before him, his eyes brimming with affection. He leaned in slightly and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
Masatsuki Aozaki could, if he wished, alter his appearance at will—even making himself taller. But he found his current height just right. In fact, he wouldn't mind if Isane were a little taller; it might even suit her better.
Just then, a clear, youthful voice rang out from outside the door.
"Nii-san..."
The moment she heard it, Isane hastily pushed Masatsuki away, her face flushing a deep shade of red.
"Honestly, you're a grown woman. Why are you still so shy?"
Masatsuki watched as she buried herself under the covers, her entire face hidden. Shaking his head, he teased with a grin, "Rukia's already seen everything. What are you so afraid of?"
At that moment, hurried footsteps approached.
A girl dressed in a black Shihakushō with a white Haori draped over her shoulders stepped inside. Her petite frame contrasted sharply with the oversized garment, making her look even more endearing.
Rukia hadn't become a captain yet. The Haori she wore was merely a plain white robe, devoid of any insignia or rank markings. But Masatsuki had thought the look suited her and had given it to her as a gift.
The Gotei 13 had no rule forbidding ordinary Shinigami from wearing Haori. As long as it wasn't too ostentatious, anyone could wear one.
For instance, in the 9th Division, Kensei Muguruma had his entire squad don white robes. As long as the Haori didn't bear the distinctive patterns that signified a captain's status, no one would care.
Even if the old man Yamamoto saw it, he wouldn't say a word. These things were trivial matters.
That guy, Kensei, did have a decent sense of style. If only his strength could one day match it.
Rukia's long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and beneath her deep violet eyes, a faint blush seemed to hint at an unspoken tenderness.
She hurried inside, her gaze landing on Masatsuki, who was still sitting by the bed. Her lips immediately pursed into a pout.
"Rukia, what brings you here?"
Masatsuki smiled at the adorable girl and pulled her into a comforting embrace.
"Nii-sama, have you really forgotten?"
Rukia folded her arms, though her posture carried no real weight of authority.
Hearing the change in her form of address, Masatsuki couldn't help but chuckle.
It was one thing for "Nii-san" to become "Nii-chan"—the meaning didn't really change.
But adding "-sama" at the end? That was typically reserved for formal occasions. Privately, it felt a little too distant.
"Nii-sama, if you keep pestering Isane-nee like this every day, doesn't she ever get to work?"
Rukia smiled teasingly as she glanced at Isane Kotetsu beside her, her tone lighthearted.
"Rukia…"
Isane lowered her head, her face turning red with embarrassment as she mumbled softly.
"Looks like your bottom is itching again. Do you need your sister to take care of it for you?"
Masatsuki Aozaki joked.
"No!"
Rukia tensed up at once, instinctively shrinking her neck as she replied nervously.
After all, she wasn't a child anymore—she definitely didn't want to be spanked by her sister like she was back then.
Especially not in front of Masatsuki Aozaki.
That would be way too humiliating.
"Alright, alright, stop teasing my sister."
Masatsuki chuckled at Isane's flustered reaction, though he also felt a hint of helplessness. He reached out and gently patted Rukia's head.
"How could I forget what day it is…"
He spoke softly, his gaze filled with affection.
"Really?"
Rukia looked up, her previously sulky expression instantly brightening with excitement, a delighted smile spreading across her face.
"Of course. Today is the anniversary of when we first met."
Masatsuki smiled as he reminisced about that special moment, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
"There's no need for you to remember it so clearly,"
Rukia murmured, fidgeting with her fingers as if she were making an offhand remark.
She lowered her head slightly, her eyes avoiding Masatsuki's as if she didn't want him to see her expression.
"I know you're busy with your duties as Captain of the Eleventh Division and an advisor to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute."
"Did Aura and Nemu say something?"
Masatsuki raised an eyebrow. There was an unmistakable implication behind her words. With a sigh, he took her small hand in his own.
"Who was just sulking because they thought I forgot our anniversary and even got jealous of Isane?"
He teased, wanting to see her reaction.
Sure enough, Rukia's face immediately flushed a deep red.
She lowered her head, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
"Nii-san…"
Her voice was as soft as a whisper, tinged with a hint of petulance.
Masatsuki watched her shy expression, then gently stroked her hair with a warm smile.
"Come on, I got you a present."
At his words, Rukia's eyes lit up with surprise, but soon, she shook her head and quickly said,
"Just being with you is enough. I don't need a gift."
"But I already prepared it. If you don't take it, it'll just go to waste, don't you think?"
Masatsuki smirked as he watched her flustered reaction. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently pinched her soft, round cheek.
"Besides, even after accepting the gift, you'll still be with me. Or… do you not want to go out and spend some time together?"
A flicker of anticipation flashed in Rukia's eyes, but she quickly lowered her head again, her shyness taking over.
"Nii-san…"
Masatsuki smiled, taking her hand and feeling its warmth as he slowly stood up, leading her out of the Aozaki residence.
As they reached the doorway, Rukia suddenly remembered something. She stopped in her tracks and turned back toward the room, calling out,
"Take care, Isane-nee!"
Isane, still lying in bed, let out a helpless smile at her words.
She pulled the blanket aside slightly and waved at Rukia, signaling that she was fine.
Seeing this, Rukia didn't linger any longer. She turned back around and continued following Masatsuki forward.
The two of them walked side by side, chatting and laughing, as if the rest of the world had faded into the background.
Eventually, they passed through the front yard of the Aozaki estate and headed toward the streets beyond.