Miyako Aoki

"No, Captain Aizen, are you here to see the New Year Festival too?" Ye Yang asked.

Aizen smiled and said, "Yes, it's just that I didn't expect to run into everyone so coincidentally. I never imagined that Hitsugaya- kun is Hinamori brother and also your disciple. What a coincidence!"

"We're going over there, how about we go together?"

Aizen shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness Lieutenant Ye Yang, but I have to go back soon, so I won't bother you any longer."

Ye Yang looked regretful. "Captain Aizen is really serious, but there's nothing we can do about it. We'll be going now. Goodbye, Captain Aizen."

At this moment, Byakuya also spoke up, "Rukia and I won't disturb you any longer. We'll be there in a bit." He then nodded to Aizen.

"Captain Kuchiki, take care."

Byakuya nodded and left with Rukia, followed by Ye Yang who left with Soi Fon and Tōshirō. Aizen, however, remained silent, watching Ye Yang's retreating figure.

Tōshirō was somewhat surprised, wondering why Ye Yang would ask such a question, but he still lowered his head and thought for a while before saying, "I don't know, to be precise, it's because I can't see through him."

Ye Yang nodded secretly. It seemed that Tōshirō's insight was sharper than most people's, but Aizen's disguise was too perfect. Those who had never seen his true face could not see through him at all. It was already quite good that Tōshirō could understand that Aizen was not as simple as he appeared. At least he would be more vigilant.

The three walked for a while longer, encountering many acquaintances along the way. Each time it was time to introduce Tōshirō, he would proactively introduce himself, so as not to be mistaken for Ye Yang's son.

Finally, they headed towards the Shiba Clan. The agreed time was almost up. No matter how many times they watched the fireworks at the Shiba Clan, they could never get enough. When Ye Yang arrived, almost everyone had already arrived, and they were all chatting.

Seeing that Ye Yang and the others had arrived, Kaien knew that everyone was present. She then told Kūkaku that they could begin, and soon fireworks filled the sky, turning the entire sky into ablaze with light.

As expected of the number one fireworks master in Rukongai, Kūkaku brought that fleeting moment of brilliance to its fullest extent, causing everyone to gaze at the sky in a daze, wishing they could firmly remember this beautiful night sky in their hearts.

Ye Yang gently pulled Soi Fon into his arms. Soi Fon's face flushed slightly as she whispered, "Everyone's here, don't do this."

"It's not like it's something shameful to be seen, so what's wrong with it?" Ye Yang said, hugging her even tighter. Soi Fon struggled slightly, but then obediently stopped moving and quietly looked at the beautiful night sky.

Most of the people present didn't see this scene because they were all looking at the sky. Tōshirō was standing next to them, was the first to notice it. However, he was already used to it; he had seen this scene more than once, so he ignored it and continued watching the beautiful fireworks.

The other person who noticed it was Shunsui. He glanced at it, smiled knowingly, and hid a hint of envy in his eyes before continuing to look up at the night sky.

Under this magnificent night sky, people sang and laughed, preparing to welcome the New Year. After watching for a while, they stopped looking up and started chatting.

Ye Yang also took Soi Fon's delicate little hand and walked over. Kaien chatted and laughed with everyone, and there was a beautiful woman beside him. The fireworks display had just started when Ye Yang and the other two arrived, so they hadn't noticed this.

"Kaien, why aren't you introducing this person?" Ye Yang asked as he walked over.

Kaien laughed heartily, "This is Miyako Aoki from our team. Don't let her appearance fool you, she earned her Third Seat through her own hard work. She only came here today at my invitation."

The woman named Miyako Aoki stepped forward and said, "Hello, I am Miyako Wada, the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division. You must be the Shihoin- kun that Kaien often mentions." She was not shy at all, but rather had a very generous and poised demeanor. However, judging from the fact that she called Kaien by his name directly and the unusual look in her eyes, it was clear that the two of them were definitely more than just simple colleagues.

Ye Yang returned the smile, "Hello, I am Ye Yang Shihoin. Kaien specially invited you here, it seems she values you very much." Ye Yang turned to Kaien, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Even Kaien, with his cheerful personality, couldn't help but blush slightly. However, he didn't deny it; instead, he generously admitted, "Hehe, Ye Yang, you're right. What do you think? I have good taste, don't I?"

Ye Yang punched Kaien on the shoulder. "You ungrateful bastard, you didn't tell me about something this big, and you found a girlfriend without saying a word. But speaking of which, Aoki-san is really beautiful, you'd better treat her well."

Miyako Aoki's face flushed slightly as he whispered, "You brat, what are you saying now? It's not even close to happening yet. Don't listen to his nonsense, Lieutenant Ye Yang."

Kaien pulled Du close, saying, "Isn't this just a matter of time? Before long, I'll make sure your surname is changed to Shiba."

This time, she didn't say anything more, her eyes filled with happiness. What woman wouldn't want the man she loves to say such words?

"Well then, I wish you happiness," Ye Yang said with a smile.

Kaien retorted, "Don't you also have Captain Soi Fon? Yet you say I'm not fair. Didn't you quietly win Captain Soi Fon over yourself? You have no idea how big a scene it was when the outside world found out you two were together. You broke the hearts of so many young men, don't you agree?"

"Of course, many members of our Thirteenth Division were heartbroken during those days, and quite a few even planned to challenge you to a duel. The Women's Association also conducted a special interview with you and obtained a lot of valuable information." She said with a smile, her eyes gleaming. Ye Yang had been saddened by them before, and now that she had this opportunity, she naturally wouldn't let it go.

Ye Yang, the big man, said, "How can you believe anything written by those people from the Women's Association?"

Just then, Soi Fon walked over and asked, "Huh? What's wrong? Are you talking about me?"

They all spoke up, saying, "This must be Captain Soi Fon. She's truly a beauty. Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Miyako Aoki, the Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division."

Soi Fon was taken aback at first, as she hadn't seen this poised and elegant girl before. However, seeing how close she was to Kaien, she guessed who she was. She then said, "Hello, I'm Soi Fon, the Second Division Captain. You must be Kaien's friend."

"Yeah, we were just talking about how Lieutenant Ye Yang won you over." Everyone smiled. Ye Yang couldn't help but facepalm. Kaien, your girlfriend seems to have a bit of a cunning streak.

Soi Fon's face immediately turned rosy. Although Soi Fon has a cold and ruthless image in front of outsiders, she is very warm in front of her friends. She also has a flaw, which is that she is a little shy, especially when talking about Ye Yang. Even though they have been together for so long, she still can't help but blush.

Ye Yang quickly smoothed things over. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go find them." Ye Yang pointed to the team leaders and the others, who had gathered together at some point.

Ye Yang held Soi Fon's hand, while Kaien walked alongside Du. The four of them walked past. Upon seeing this, Shunsui couldn't help but say, "Oh dear, these young people nowadays, can't they be a little more considerate? How are we supposed to bear this?"

"Tch, that's just blatant jealousy," Ye Yang retorted mercilessly.

This immediately drew laughter from everyone. At this moment, the fireworks in the sky began to gradually decrease, indicating that time was almost up. It was already eleven o'clock, and there was only one hour left until the new year.

Kaien, a restless person, eagerly asked, "So what should we do next? We can't just sit here and wait, can we? I suggest we go see the grand finale dance of this year's New Year's Festival!"

The so-called New Year Festival dance is the last program scheduled for tonight. It will be performed on a grand stage in Seireien. Each time, a princess from a noble family will go up and dance a special New Year Festival dance. It will always start at 11:30 pm and last for half an hour until midnight to welcome the New Year.

Ye Yang and Yoruichi once shone brightly at the New Year Festival. Ye Yang played the zither and Yoruichi. At that time, the princess of the Shihoin Clan was all the rage. However, Yoruichi stopped going because she was afraid of trouble. Since then, she hasn't had any outstanding dances. Several times, they invited Yoruichi to go again, but Yoruichi always refused.

Shunsui knew this perfectly well, as he attended most of the New Year's festivals, since looking at beautiful women was one of his favorite things.

"I think we should skip it. Every year's New Year's Festival is the same thing, with no innovation whatsoever. There's nothing to see," Shunsui said casually.

Kaien was immediately troubled. "Then what should we do?"

"Let's go for a drink!" Shunsui suggested.

However, everyone immediately objected, saying, "Go by yourself!"

Shunsui gave an awkward smile, but then, as if remembering something, he suddenly said, "I have a great suggestion, and I believe most of you will agree."

"What is it?" Kaien asked.

"Actually, we've all overlooked someone—no, we should say we've all overlooked something about him that many people don't know. The person I'm talking about is right among us," Shunsui said with a smile, glancing at Ye Yang intentionally or unintentionally.

Who is it?

"Of course it's Ye Yang!" (...)