Visits from Every House

P. S.: I'm so sorry, I only updated three chapters last week because I went on vacation during the National Day holiday. I'll make up for it soon. Also, thank you all so much for your continued support, I'm really grateful!!

Kūkaku looked at Ye Yang's interested expression, but then thought for a moment and said, "How about this, if he doesn't cry when you hold him, I'll grant you one request, okay? Or the other way around, what do you think?"

Ye Yang chuckled, "Okay, but... are any conditions acceptable?" Ye Yang was looking at her intentionally or unintentionally, a strange smile playing on his lips that sent chills down one's spine.

"Of course... I can," she said, her voice noticeably less firm than before. Seeing Ye Yang's confident demeanor, she felt less confident herself, subconsciously thinking: He shouldn't be that kind of person...

With some doubt, Kūkaku He handed the Ganju in his arms to Ye Yang. Ye Yang took the Ganju and turned his head, but the crying that Kūkaku had imagined did not occur. The little Ganju had actually fallen asleep in Ye Yang's arms. As for how it fell asleep, only Ye Yang knew.

"Huh? How is that possible? It took me three days to get this little guy to stop crying and fussing. How can he be so quiet in my arms?" Kūkaku looked surprised. Not only Kūkaku was surprised, but Kaien was also surprised.

After this little guy was born, the Shiba Clan didn't have a peaceful day for a long time. No one except their mother would hold him, and he would cry loudly. They had to go to great lengths to gain the little guy's approval. No one but their family members could hold him, otherwise he would definitely cry.

Kūkaku didn't stop Kaien from making the bet with Ye Yang because he thought Kūkaku would definitely win. But the result was a huge surprise to him.

Ye Yang, holding the sleeping Ganju, said smugly, "See? I told you there wouldn't be any problems."

"Why is this happening?" Kūkaku muttered in confusion.

"That's character, isn't it? You have to keep your word. You have to agree to one condition." Ye Yang looked at Kūkaku with malicious intent, like a big bad wolf looking at Shiro-chan.

Kūkaku instinctively took a step back and asked, "What do you want?"

"What else can I do? Of course, it'll be you, the number one fireworks master of Rukongai, preparing a fireworks extravaganza for me. Tonight, of course, remember that!" Ye Yang looked at Kūkaku He with a smile, noticing her face turning pale and then purple, and burst into laughter.

Finally, Kūkaku calmed herself down. Fighting him would be pointless, wouldn't it? She then said, "No problem. It's just a fireworks extravaganza, I guarantee you'll be satisfied. I, Kūkaku Shiba, the number one fireworks master in Rukongai, am not just bragging."

"By the way, where's Uncle Isshin?" Ye Yang suddenly asked. He hadn't seen this clown since he came back.

"Uncle, he'll be here soon. He's representing the Tenth Division, so he's not with us," Kaien said slowly, a black line appearing on his forehead as he thought of his occasionally eccentric uncle.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door. "Second Division Captain Soi Fon has arrived..."

Ye Yang smiled slightly, "Alright, please take your seats."

Kaien, leading Kūkaku, headed towards their location, muttering as they walked, "Tch, valuing romance over friendship."

Ye Yang didn't deny it. He watched as Soi Fon walked in through the door, and everyone in the family bowed and greeted her as she passed by. Although Ye Yang didn't say anything, who in the Shihoin Clan didn't know Soi Fon? She might even be the current head of the family.

She came alone, wearing a Captain's Haori, her leadership qualities honed over decades as a captain were on full display. Ye Yang nodded inwardly. It would be unacceptable for a captain to lack any commanding presence. Her icy demeanor indeed intimidated many, preventing her subordinates from acting recklessly.

She walked to Ye Yang's side without any sense of awkwardness. Ye Yang simply said softly, "You're here? Sit here with me," his eyes full of tenderness.

"Hmm," Soi Fon smiled sweetly, as if a glacier had melted and spring had arrived. If the other members of the Second Division saw this, their jaws would drop in surprise, because Soi Fon usually had a cold and aloof image. She never smiled at the members of the division, so in private they all gave Soi Fon the nickname "Frost Beauty".

Unfortunately, they didn't get to see the glacier melting today. Most of the nobles have already arrived, and only the captains of the Thirteenth Division remain.

As Ye Yang had expected, the first to arrive was the First Division, known for its strict discipline. Yamamoto entered with his vice-captain Chōjirō Sasakibe. Ye Yang greeted them, saying, "Captain-Commander, thank you for coming."

Yamamoto replied expressionlessly, "Congratulations, Shihoin Clan Head," his voice carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. Ye Yang smiled; it seemed he was still holding a grudge about what happened the day before. Ye Yang's methods were too forceful, directly threatening the Central 46, which indirectly made Yamamoto lose face. Right before his eyes Ye Yang had openly threatened the Central 46; anyone would be dissatisfied.

Ye Yang said in a low voice, "Grandpa, you know what happened back then. If I hadn't done that, I would have been dead for sure. They clearly weren't going to let me go, so I had no choice but to fight back."

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes. "I don't care what you've done in the past fifty years, as long as you don't harm Soul Society, otherwise I won't let you have your way, even if it costs me my life!"

The old man's voice was firm. Ye Yang looked at this man who had Soul Society, sighed softly, and said slowly, "What I said before still stands."

Yamamoto nodded and said nothing more, leading the vice-captain to their positions. Ye Yang couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Captain Shunsui Kyōraku of the Eighth Division Captain and Captain Jūshirō Ukitake the Thirteenth Division Captain are visiting..."

As expected of master and apprentice, they arrived almost simultaneously. It's obvious that Ukitake brought Shunsui along. As soon as they entered, Shunsui exclaimed, "Yo! Ye Yang, long time no see! Captain Soi Fon is here too!"

Soi Fon's voice wasn't cold. Over the years, Shunsui and Ukitake had helped her a lot, and Soi Fon remembered it all. Seeing them was naturally different from seeing anyone else. "Captain Ukitake, Captain Kyōraku, thank you for coming."

Ye Yang then said, "Uncle Shunsui, you're here so early today! Where's your Little Nanao? I heard you have a very cute girl as your vice-captain!"

Shunsui laughed heartily, "No way, I always arrive very early, okay? Aren't you afraid your Little Bees will get angry if you say that?"

Ye Yang stopped Soi Fon and said, "Of course not, right, Shaoling?"

Soi Fon blushed as she smiled at the lady. Although their relationship was already confirmed, Soi Fon still couldn't help but feel shy in front of her, and could only nod awkwardly.

"Little Nanao should arrive soon."

As if to confirm Shunsui's words, a girl wearing glasses suddenly appeared behind him. She had mysterious purple eyes, long black hair styled in a bun with her bangs swept to the left, and looked very quiet and gentle. Looking at her was like looking at Yadōmaru from back then. It seemed that Shunsui still couldn't let go of the grudge from that time...

She was visibly surprised to see Soi Fon in Ye Yang's arms, and Soi Fon shyly broke free from Ye Yang, standing behind him without saying a word. The girl greeted, "Captain Soi Fon."

"Um"

The girl continued, breaking the silence. "The captain was pulled up by Captain Ukitake today." After dismantling Shunsui's facade, the girl bowed to Ye Yang and said, "I'm sorry, my captain..."

Ye Yang waved his hand. "It's nothing, nice to meet you. My name is Ye Yang Shihoin, former vice-captain of the Second Division."

The girl was clearly a little reserved, but quickly bowed and said, "Hello, I am Nanao Ise, the vice-captain of the Eighth Division, and also the vice-president of the Women's Association. It's nice to meet you. You were the former vice-captain of the Second Division, so you are the captain now?"

"No, it's just that I left Soul Society for a while because of a mission. I still don't have a definite position. The position of vice-captain of the Second Division is still vacant. I might go back. We're just at the same level. Don't keep calling me 'you' (formal), it sounds awkward. Just call me Ye Yang," Ye Yang said with a smile.

"How can that be?" Nanao insisted, "You are my senior, it's not appropriate to call you by your name directly, how about I call you Senior Ye Yang from now on?"

Ye Yang nodded helplessly. "Call me whatever you want."

"Senior Ye Yang, could you do me a favor when you have some free time?" Nanao gently adjusted her glasses.

"Oh? What is it?" Ye Yang asked curiously.

"It's nothing serious, just that the Women's Association wants to conduct a Q&A session with you. Please be sure to cooperate."

Ye Yang was confused; "Is there such an organization as the Women's Association in Seireien? What is the Women's Association?"

Nanao explained, "The full name of the Women's Association is the Shinigami Women's Association. As the name suggests, it's an organization composed of female Shinigami, established to raise the status of female Shinigami. I am the vice president of the Women's Association. We just want to ask you some questions, please cooperate."

Ye Yang glanced at Ukitake and Shunsui, whose faces showed no change. However, he failed to notice that the two of them had taken a step back without making a sound. This oversight led to a major mistake in Ye Yang's life.

Although Shunsui's face remained unchanged, his heart was in turmoil. Who in Seireien didn't know how terrifying the Women's Association was? Were those questions even questions? No, were they even normal questions? Just thinking about it made Shunsui's heart ache. He wanted to persuade Ye Yang not to agree, but with Nanao there, Shunsui didn't even dare to give her a meaningful look. He could only pray that Soi Fon had mentioned the Women's Association to Ye Yang, after all, Soi Fon was also a member of the Women's Association.

Little did he know that Soi Fon actually wanted Ye Yang participate in the quiz, and she smiled at him.

"Okay, I'll definitely cooperate then," Ye Yang said calmly.

Then, a subtle, enigmatic smile appeared on Nanao's lips. "Thank you."

Ye Yang suddenly felt a cold wind blow against him, and his body trembled involuntarily, as if he had done something wrong...9