The New Year Festival

December 31, the day before the new year, found everyone preparing to welcome it. It was also the day they had made plans with Kisuke Urahara, and Ye Yang had taken great pains to prepare for it. He first sought out Kaien Shiba to help them celebrate, and Kaien promised that fireworks would go up when the midnight bells rang.

There was also a New Year Festival every New Year's Eve, which always opened with a maiden performing the festival dance. Ye Yang had therefore applied for him and Yoruichi to perform at this year's festival, and his request was approved immediately. After all, their coming-of-age ceremony the previous year had fallen on New Year's Day, and everyone present had marveled at Ye Yang's playing and Yoruichi's dancing. Some had even regretted not seeing such a beautiful dance at the New Year Festival.

When Ye Yang himself applied to perform at this year's festival, there was no reason to refuse. They also allowed him to accompany Yoruichi's dance on the guqin, breaking with the precedent of having only a dance.

Nobles great and small from Seireien, as well as the Soul Reapers of every division, would attend the festival. It could be called the grandest gathering of the year.

That afternoon, Ye Yang and Yoruichi found Kisuke Urahara. "Happy birthday, Kisuke!"

Kisuke scratched his head and smiled. "Yeah, yeah. So, do I get a present?" He looked at them expectantly.

Yoruichi chimed in. "We don't have one ready right now, but we'll give you a surprise tonight. My little brother and I only prepared it to celebrate your birthday. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone."

Kisuke looked eager to know. "What is it? The more you say, the more I want to know. Can't you give me a little hint?"

"Of course not. How could it be a surprise then? You'll find out tonight," Yoruichi said.

"All right, then what are we going to do now?" Urahara asked.

"Go to my house, of course. We still need to change. I haven't done this in ages." Yoruichi stretched.

The three went to the Shihoin Clan estate. Kisuke marveled repeatedly that the Four Great Noble Clans really were different, with an air of luxury everywhere. The Urahara Clan had once been a high-ranking noble clan too, but it had fallen into decline in Kisuke's father's generation.

As the three walked along, they came face-to-face with Ye Yang's father, Shihoin Seigen. Ye Yang and Ye Yang greeted him. "Father."

Kisuke also greeted him. "Hello, Uncle."

Shihoin Seigen looked puzzled. "Hmm, and who is this?"

Ye Yang hurriedly introduced him. "Oh, he's our good friend from Shin'ō. His name is Kisuke Urahara."

Seigen nodded. "Hmm." Then he left.

"Phew—" Yoruichi let out a long breath. Their father had a strong sense of noble hierarchy, and if he learned that Kisuke was merely from a fallen noble clan, there would surely be trouble.

Then Ye Yang, as their host, showed Kisuke around most of the Shihoin Clan estate. Finally, they came to the courtyard where he and his sister used to practice in the mornings. He told Kisuke about their practice there, and Kisuke exclaimed that it was no wonder their Hakuda was so strong.

They fooled around for a while longer, and soon night fell. Yoruichi said, "Kisuke, wait here a bit. We're going to change. Come on, little brother. I haven't worn that outfit in ages."

"Yeah, yeah," Ye Yang said, then went into his room.

When they came out, Kisuke almost didn't recognize them. Yoruichi wore a yellow kimono, and her purple hair was pinned up behind her head, with only a few loose strands framing her forehead. Her expression was solemn, and her golden eyes revealed the nobility of her status. Her aristocratic bearing was plain to see; one look was enough to tell she was the young lady of a noble family.

Beside her, Ye Yang still wore his snow-white robes, and his whole bearing was otherworldly. His gaze had changed at some point too. His usual gentle refinement had given way to an air of indifference, as though none of the people or things around him could move him, as though he did not belong to this world.

Kisuke was stunned by the enormous change in the siblings. Seeing him stare blankly, Yoruichi couldn't help bursting out laughing. "Hahahaha! Little brother, look at Kisuke. Has he gone stupid? Haha..." She laughed without any regard for appearances, returning to her usual self.

Kisuke realized he had lost his composure and hurriedly said, "Now that's the Yoruichi I know. What was that just now?"

Ye Yang's expression also returned to normal. He said to Kisuke, "We can't help it. After all, we're children of the main branch of one of the Four Great Noble Clans, so we have to attend formal occasions. We have no choice."

"Man, being a noble really is exhausting," Kisuke remarked.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. Come on," Ye Yang said as he headed out. But he had taken only a few steps when Kisuke called out, "Ye Yang, what are you carrying on your back?"

Ye Yang looked back at the guqin on his back and said, "It's a secret. You'll find out soon enough."

That night... The streets of Seireien were packed with people. When Ye Yang and the others reached the New Year Festival square, they ran into Sōjun Kuchiki and his wife, who was holding a baby in her arms. Ye Yang went up to greet them. "Uncle Sōjun, have you been well lately?"

Sōjun Kuchiki replied, "Very well. Akatsuki gave birth to a boy a few months ago, too."

The moment Yoruichi saw the baby in Akatsuki Kuchiki's arms, she rushed over. "Aunt Akatsuki, what's his name?" she asked, stroking the baby's head.

Akatsuki Kuchiki smiled. "His name is Byakuya Kuchiki. Look, Byakuya, this is your big sister Yoruichi."

Yoruichi continued playing with little Byakuya until his nose scrunched up and he burst into tears. Yoruichi kept exclaiming how cute he was.

Meanwhile, Sōjun said to Ye Yang, "Little Ye Yang, last time you promised to come visit the Kuchiki estate. Why didn't you come? Could it be that you look down on the Kuchiki Clan?"

Ye Yang broke into a sweat. "How could that be? We had to attend Shin'ō, so we didn't have time to visit. We'll definitely come by when we have time."

"Good, I'll be waiting for you at the Kuchiki estate. By the way, you and Yoruichi are performing the New Year Festival dance today, aren't you? I haven't seen you perform since last time." There was a hint of anticipation in Sōjun Kuchiki's voice.

After saying goodbye to Sōjun Kuchiki and his wife, they ran into many other acquaintances. Shunsui Kyōraku was still walking with Jūshirō Ukitake, while Isshin Shiba was with Kaien Shiba and his siblings. After they had wandered around for a while, the New Year Festival finally began.

First, a master of ceremonies went onstage and gave an opening speech. Then he said, "As everyone knows, the New Year Festival opens with a ceremonial dance. This year, we are fortunate to have invited Miss Yoruichi Shihōin, the young lady of the Shihoin Clan and the one known as the Dancing Princess, to perform the New Year's dance for us. In addition, Mr. Ye Yang Shihoin, known as the Zither Emperor, will play a piece for us. Please welcome them."

Hearing this, everyone around Ye Yang and Yoruichi except Kisuke moved aside, leaving them a path to the stage. Under Kisuke's astonished gaze, Yoruichi said, "Watch closely. You don't get many chances like this."

With that, they went onstage and assumed their earlier aristocratic bearing. Ye Yang sat cross-legged, laid the guqin across his knees, and began to play. As the first note rang out, Yoruichi began to dance. This time, Ye Yang played "Spring Snow," a piece depicting the beauty of early spring: winter giving way to spring, the earth coming back to life, and all things flourishing. It was originally a pipa piece, but Ye Yang played it on the guqin.

The piece could be divided into four parts: introduction, development, transition, and conclusion. Its melody was exceptionally lively, and the music soon carried everyone present into a scene of all things coming back to life. Every note sounded like music from heaven.

Meanwhile, Yoruichi danced gracefully, her movements dreamlike. The joints of her body were as supple as a snake, twisting freely. Her golden eyes seemed on the verge of speaking, light flickering within them. She was like a flower seen through mist, hazy and ethereal, shimmering with beautiful colors yet so far out of reach. Nothing was forced or affected; every movement was natural and fluid, like a white lotus rising from the water.

The two worked together seamlessly. When music and dance came together, they seemed to be the most beautiful thing in the world.

The people below the stage watched in a daze. Even some who had seen them before couldn't help exclaiming, "Such a sight belongs in heaven! How rarely is it heard in the mortal world!"

At last, the music ended and the dance came to a close. Thunderous applause erupted...

Ye Yang and Yoruichi came down from the stage and found Kisuke. Yoruichi said smugly, "Well? Haha, did we leave you speechless?"

"Yes. The Dancing Princess and Zither Emperor really do live up to their names," Kisuke said ruefully, rubbing his nose.

Just then, Kaien Shiba called out to them. "Hey, Yoruichi, Ye Yang, nicely done! You really stunned us."

"Kaien, don't forget what you promised me." Ye Yang didn't introduce Kisuke, since they often practiced and played together and had long been acquainted.

"Of course. I hear it's your birthday today, Urahara? What a coincidence, your birthdays are only a day apart," Kaien Shiba said with some envy.

Kisuke smiled wryly. "Yes, Kaien, I didn't expect such a coincidence either, but having a birthday today doesn't seem all that great."

"It's all right. When the midnight bells ring tonight, it'll be your birthday together with Yoruichi and Ye Yang. The Shiba Clan's fireworks will go up to celebrate your birthdays," Kaien Shiba said, patting Kisuke on the shoulder.

"Then thank you."

Yoruichi cut in. "Let's go. I don't want to stay here anymore."

Kisuke was puzzled. "Where are we going?"

"To the tavern in Rukongai, of course. We have to stay up until midnight tonight. Kaien, why don't you come too?" Yoruichi said.

Kaien Shiba smiled. "If I go, who'll set off the fireworks? Besides, it's your birthday, so I won't butt in. I'll be going, then. Have fun." With that, he left.

Ye Yang said, "Let's get going too. I've already booked a room for a group."

"Yeah, let's go."