Just Like That

On the same day, Soul Society, late at night.

Inside the Thirteenth Division barracks, a grand appointment party finally drew to a slow close on an exhausted note.

The night wind swept over the scattered wine cups and ribbons, while the scent of sake and the lingering clamor still hung in the air.

"Thank you so much! Captain-General Ross! Lieutenant Captain Matsumoto! Take care, everyone! You're welcome to come again!"

At the barracks gate, Kurosaki Ichigo wore his brand-new Captain's haori, the smile on his face stiff as a wind-up puppet.

Accompanied by Aizen and Rukia, he mechanically repeated those still-unfamiliar pleasantries until the last important guest vanished into the far end of the night.

Only then did his ramrod-straight back suddenly slump.

"Phew... I'm exhausted!!"

Kurosaki Ichigo unceremoniously dropped onto the threshold, wiped the fine cold sweat from his forehead, and gasped for air. "Being a Captain is this much physical labor? This is a hundred times more exhausting than trading blows with Kenpachi Zaraki two days ago!"

Making a high school student who had just been worrying about final exams suddenly become the Captain of a division managing tens of thousands, while also having to smoothly host social banquets like this, was practically public execution.

No matter how carefree he usually was, tonight's group of Captains radiating Spiritual Pressure had left him with a serious case of social anxiety.

"Hahahaha! This is nothing yet, you know?"

A hearty laugh came from overhead.

Yoruichi Shihoin sat cross-legged atop the Thirteenth Division's wall like a lazy black cat, holding a half-finished jug of wine in her hand, completely unconcerned with appearances. Her face was full of contentment after eating and drinking her fill.

"There'll be plenty more gatherings like this in the future. Captain meetings, meetings for Third Seat and