Chapter 193
"Terribly sorry."
"The Soul Reaper Women's Association happened to be organizing a team-building activity at the shop today, and all the hot springs were converted into women-only baths in advance."
The young-looking female general explained.
"If there are only female guests, I can report this on their behalf and try to ask if they can make an exception."
"But what about male guests..."
The woman didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already quite clear.
"..."
Soul Reaper Women's Association?
This organization existed so early?
Among the many non-combat official organizations in Soul Society, the Soul Reaper Women's Association should be the highest-ranking: not only is it qualified to preside over the annual budget meetings of all Soul Reaper organizations, but its office is even located in the Kuchiki Clan's secret room.
Haruto really didn't know much about the past of this mysterious organization.
"Then we won't..."
Haruto is planning to move to another place.
There are Seireitei; they don't necessarily need to visit during someone else's team-building event.
I'm afraid I'll come and bother you.
"Oh? Isn't this Haruto?"
A greeting suddenly came from the hotel corridor.
Haruto shifted his gaze and saw a somewhat familiar face, wearing a loose yukata, walking up the wooden stairs leading to the second floor.
"... Miss Hine."
This person happens to be Kuchiki Hine, the younger sister of Kuchiki Sōjun, Haruto had met once during a visit to the Kuchiki Clan. It seems that even if she is not a member of the Gotei 13, she is qualified to join the Soul Reaper Women's Association.
As for the two people beside Hine, Haruto was also familiar with them, especially the one that Ayaka had already greeted:
"Lieutenant Lisa!"
The female Soul Reaper of the Eighth Division usually address Lisa Yadōmaru by her given name, which can be considered a form of special treatment.
"Oh, Ayaka."
Lisa Yadōmaru's answer was quite calm—even while drying her wet hair with a towel, such an alluring action was rendered completely devoid of any ambiguity by her sharp gaze... I wonder if it was because she wasn't wearing her glasses.
As for the last one, Haruto identified her purely by her hair color; he could never mistake that bright green hair.
Lieutenant of the Ninth Division, Mashiro Kuna.
--This guy's preferred fighting style is Hakuda, and judging from his appearance, all the short guys among the captains and vice-captains are basically geniuses.
"You're here for a quick bite too?"
The one who took over the conversation was Kuchiki Hine, who clearly held the highest position among the three.
"That was the original plan, that's correct."
Haruto replied with a smile.
"But it seems like the Soul Reaper Women's Association has booked the entire venue today?"
"Oh~"
Kuchiki Hine clapped her hands lightly.
"No wonder I haven't seen any other guests. Yoruichi is as generous as ever."
"..."
The mystery has been solved.
When Haruto first met Kuchiki Hine, he thought that's how the Soul Reaper Women's Association got its base in the Kuchiki Clan. He didn't expect that Yoruichi was actually a step ahead—he wondered if, like Yachiru, she had already set her sights on Byakuya's few koi fish.
"Together?"
Kuchiki Hine pointed to the inner room of the inn with a half-smile.
"Having the entire venue booked out will save a lot of trouble, but it still feels a bit empty with just our people."
"... No need for this."
Haruto refused very decisively.
According to Byakuya, his aunt's personality is just like Yoruichi's, and Haruto, who came with a relaxed attitude, didn't want to be teased for no reason.
"Don't mention it."
With a single step, Kuchiki Hine arrived in front of Haruto —her mastery of Shunpo was so exceptional that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she came from Stealth Force.
"I'm going to have a chat with Yoruichi. Why don't you bring the girls from the Kotetsu Clan and Kurumadani Clan in to play?"
It was clearly the first time that Kuchiki Hine was meeting Isane and Ayaka.
However, being able to identify her family name so quickly clearly indicates that she is not an ordinary noble lady.
It should be said that...
The women who can control Kōga are clearly not ordinary people.
Just then...
"No need for that trouble."
A woman dressed in a gorgeous orange yukata came down the stairs from the second floor of the inn.
I agree.
Purple hair, golden eyes, dark skin.
Second Division Captain of the Gotei 13, Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, the 22nd Commander of the Shihoin Clan
Acting Head of Household:
Yoruichi Shihōin
Volume 1: Chapter 117, Soul Reaper Women's Association
Yoruichi Shihōin
If we were to define the female characters in Soul Reaper, she would be a dark-skinned, wild goddess!
Haruto hadn't expected to meet her at the hot spring inn, but then he thought that, besides her, there seemed to be no one else who could be the president of the Soul Reaper Women's Association.
There are still many people washing in the women's bath area.
"Although it may be quite different from your original plan..."
Yoruichi Shihōin rubbed her handsome chin.
That smile, seemingly descending from the clouds and looking down from above, was as arrogant and playful as a real black cat; and those steps, imperceptible in terms of Reiatsu, aura, and sound, were probably the true essence of Stealth Force and maneuverability.
"You can go into the men's bath now!"
Yoruichi Shihōin addresses Haruto in the same way he addresses Byakuya.
"Haruto- chan."
"... Thanks."
Haruto answered somewhat reservedly:
He had no reason to refuse this kindness.
In terms of interpersonal relationships, the Kuchiki Clan actually uses him in many situations, but the Shihoin Clan is truly a one-sided benefactor.
Haruto is not quite used to Yoruichi Shihōin's role as his "great benefactor".
That's all.
Haruto and his group successfully entered the hot spring inn.
Ayaka's little scheme definitely fell through, but Haruto was still quite satisfied to have a place to relax (without having to pay for it himself).
Until--
"Splash!"
--When he opened the door to the men's bath, before officially entering the steaming hot spring, he saw Soi Fon completely naked right at the shower area.
"..."
Soi Fon remained frozen in place, like a malfunctioning machine.
"Good!"
Haruto couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
At this stage, Soi Fon is still very young, and her most attractive side profile hasn't even taken shape yet; however, her body, slender yet strong from years of training, possesses a unique beauty that is somewhat dry and barren, which is quite appealing to Haruto, who is used to fine dining.
"Whoosh!"
It's quite common for Seated Officers to use Shunpo) in the Second Division.
"Bang!"
The kick, aimed straight for vital points, was powerful and forceful, but the difference in skill allowed Haruto to defend it with a single palm strike.
"..."
The two remained locked in a stalemate.
It's not that Haruto is fixated on Soi Fon's small body, but her small size makes her incredibly agile, making it easy for her to launch attacks on vital points.
Haruto had to restrain her movements first—it wasn't impossible to use Kidō to grab someone; controlling his Reiatsu was a piece of cake for him. The problem was what to do after he had her under control: completely Shibari a woman's movements with Kidō while they were naked together... Even though he guessed that this scene was Yoruichi's prank, Haruto felt it was best not to do it.
"Be careful, the floor is slippery."
Haruto reminded me very kindly.
When Soi Fon launched her attack, she also grabbed a towel from the railing next to her to cover her crotch; now, because of the murderous blow, the area that was not very clear before was completely exposed in front of Haruto.
To avoid embarrassment, Haruto could only try to distract himself.
"Snap."
Water splashed at Soi Fon's feet.
Whether they appreciate it or not is another matter.
Being grabbed didn't hinder Soi Fon's performance. With a rapid spin in mid-air, she successfully broke free from Haruto's grasp. Although Haruto didn't dare to use his full strength, Soi Fon's Hakuda technique was indeed superb.
Then.
Her slender legs, like scissors, slashed viciously towards Haruto's neck!
Thump!
"..."
Only the gentle sound of flowing water remained beside the vast hot spring pool.
Maintaining a difficult move like the inverted dragon flag isn't hard for Soi Fon... the only problem is the awkwardness.
"That's enough."
Haruto flicked his wrist and spun Soi Fon off his body.
"If it were anyone else, that blow would have really killed them."
The angry attack just now used Reiatsu —no matter how bad Soi Fon is, she is still a high- Seated Officer in the Second Division. Using Hakuda self-sacrificing technique to launch a sneak attack, even a vice-captain would have to be careful not to be caught off guard.
Soi Fon then realized that her impulsive actions were highly inappropriate. Putting aside the issue of the severity of her attack on her colleague, this was definitely not the kind of mental fortitude one should have when secretly agitated.
"..."
Soi Fon gave a slight bow as an apology for her earlier inappropriate behavior.
She didn't continue her previous attack, partly because Haruto had blocked her Reiatsu with a "smothering" motion, and also because of the large bath towel she had just draped over her body.
The bath towels used to dry their bodies were in the outer room, but Haruto managed to go outside and fetch a clean one during a break in their fight.