The morning sun bathed Sōkyoku Hill in light, but deep underground, the training ground—untouched by the sun—was as bright as day.
Scattered across the floor were piles of disordered clothing, as if remnants of a chaotic battlefield. Among them was the black, form-fitting nightwear had worn earlier—the standard Onmitsukidō combat uniform, akin to a ninja's attire. Nearby lay Yoruichi Shihōin's usual open-back outfit, along with other uniforms inspired by various professions from the World of the Living, some even featuring animal motifs.
These garments were tangled together, forming a bizarre scene.
In the open space of the training ground, a young girl lay motionless, like a flower in deep slumber.
Her jet-black hair cascaded silkily around her ears, and the slight furrow of her brows hinted at exhaustion and unease.
Yesterday's training had been a grueling ordeal for her.
She had given her all to adapt to this new role, but her body struggled to keep up with the intensity of the regimen.
Masatsuki Aozaki stood silently nearby, his gaze resting on the sleeping girl.
Shaking his head slightly, he sighed inwardly.
"She's still too weak... her physical endurance needs a lot of work."
The entire day had been spent on intensive close-quarters protection training.
Every move had to be executed with precision, every moment requiring absolute focus.
And yet, the young girl had shown remarkable determination.
Even when her body was pushed past its limits, she had gritted her teeth and persisted.
Throughout the training, Masatsuki Aozaki held himself to the highest standard, showing no mercy to
Whenever she reached the brink of collapse, he would allow her a brief rest.
But each time, it was only after she tearfully begged him for it.
Her desperate pleas and tears stirred something in him, but he knew that only through relentless training could she become a truly capable bodyguard.
And so, he remained the cold, unyielding instructor.
Pushing her to grow stronger, faster.
Masatsuki Aozaki sighed again. Her athletic ability still had a long way to go.
He recalled the aerobic training sessions he led for Yoruichi Shihōin's group of older girls—so engaging they made time slip away.
Those girls, always trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers, would challenge him again and again, oblivious to their own shortcomings.
Of course, they lost every time.
The memory made him chuckle.
They were still far too weak!
it's time to get up."
Masatsuki Aozaki gently patted shoulder, trying to wake the sleeping girl.
slowly opened her eyes, still groggy, and mumbled,
"No... no more... I don't want to train anymore. Please, both of you, just let me rest..."
As she spoke, she weakly tried to push Masatsuki away.
Whether it was the exhaustion from yesterday's training or sheer fatigue, her arms had no strength at all. No matter how much she pushed, Masatsuki didn't feel a thing.
Seeing curled up in his arms, her drowsy, delicate expression tinged with laziness and innocence, Masatsuki couldn't help but feel a trace of sympathy.
He gently ran his fingers through her hair and spoke softly,
"Alright, we'll stop training for now."
With that, he lifted her up and carried her away.
As the 4th Seat of the 2nd Division, Hakuda skills were already impressive.
But this was the first time she had ever refused training due to sheer exhaustion.
"Aren't you going to have breakfast? Maybe some milk?"
Masatsuki chuckled helplessly. Faced with this exhausted but undeniably adorable girl, he couldn't bring himself to be angry.
After all, yesterday's training had been especially brutal for a "new recruit."
At first, didn't think much of his words, but the moment he mentioned milk, a wave of nausea hit her.
Clearly, she had overindulged the day before and had no appetite for breakfast.
"Alright, then just rest for now."
Masatsuki gently lowered her into the hot spring, letting her lean against the edge while draping a towel over her to ensure she was covered.
Glancing around the training ground, his gaze fell on the tattered, unusable clothing scattered across the floor.
Shaking his head, he sighed.
"These are beyond saving..."
Before long, light footsteps echoed through the space.
"Pretty quick," Masatsuki remarked with a smile as he turned to face the newcomer.
"Of course! I am the Flash Goddess, Yoruichi, after all," Yoruichi Shihōin declared with a smirk.
She hummed to herself before lifting the bag in her hand and shaking it lightly.
"I've brought clothes! And a specially prepared breakfast~ There's milk, and I even added honey—her favorite!"
This training hall had plenty of spare clothing for the girls, but wasn't a regular here, so her clothes had to be retrieved from either her home or the division.
"I don't want milk... I can't drink it anymore..."
Hearing faint murmuring, Yoruichi couldn't help but laugh.
"Looks like she had her fill of milk yesterday. She's probably going to avoid it for a while."
Grinning, Yoruichi reached out and gave soft cheek a playful pinch, a hint of regret in her expression.
"How can you call that a waste? Yoruichi, have you had breakfast yet? Want to eat together?"
Masatsuki took Yoruichi's hand enthusiastically, leading her toward a small wooden table.
"My, my... I knew it! You're such a terrible guy, Masatsuki~"
"As soon as you realized you couldn't bond with you immediately turned your sights on me."
Yoruichi dramatically clutched her chest, putting on a show of exaggerated shock.
Masatsuki chuckled fondly at her antics.
"Even the great Yoruichi needs to feel a little appreciated now and then."
"Otherwise, knowing how easily distracted you are, Captain Masatsuki, you might just forget about me," Yoruichi teased as she pulled a bottle of milk from the bag and held it up to his lips.
"When have I ever done that? That's slander."
Masatsuki looked at her, half amused, half exasperated.
"You know I never forget anyone," he muttered, sipping the milk.
"No matter what happens, none of us will forget each other. We'll stay together until we're old," Yoruichi said, her golden eyes gleaming with an unmistakable hint of hope.
Masatsuki swallowed the milk slowly, his gaze lowering.
"In truth, I'm the one who can't bear to be without you all."
"So this is my promise."
"I won't forget you. And I won't just become a memory to you."
Smiling gently, Masatsuki reached out and stroked Yoruichi's head, his voice soft and certain.
"We'll always be as we are now. Even as time passes and the world changes, we'll shine together—like the moon and the stars, side by side, for eternity."
"That... is enough," Yoruichi whispered, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"And I'll make that same promise."
p@treon com / PinkSnake