"Phew~~"
The Shiba residence in the outskirts of West District 1, near the north.
Standing beneath the banner held up by two enormous arms, a trace of hesitation flashed across Duan Mu's face.
A full week had passed since he returned from Hueco Mundo to the Soul Society. Throughout that week, he had been hesitating over whether to tell Big Sis Kūkaku what he had seen and heard in Hueco Mundo.
Because...
Shiba Kaien had always been the pride of Big Sis Kūkaku and Iwao. Whenever they mentioned their elder brother, pride would appear on both their faces.
If possible, Duan Mu did not want Big Sis Kūkaku and the others to find out about this.
Most importantly...
He had failed to kill that thing!!
"Master Duan Mu?"
Just as Duan Mu was hesitating over how to explain it, two tall figures slowly approached from the distance, carrying a pile of ingredients. They were Koganehiko and Gin Hikō. "What are you doing standing here? Why aren't you going inside?"
"Uh..."
At that, Duan Mu opened his mouth, then gave an awkward chuckle. "I was just about to go in."
"You came at just the right time. We were about to prepare lunch. Stay and eat with us." Koganehiko raised the food in his arms, then looked around on both sides of Duan Mu in confusion. "Did Master Iwao not return with you?"
"He took a few underlings to West District 1 to have some fun."
Duan Mu shook his head. Although he planned to tell Big Sis Kūkaku and Iwao the truth about his experience in Hueco Mundo, Iwao's overly impulsive personality made him hesitate over whether to tell him. After struggling with the decision, Duan Mu had sent Iwao off to West District 1 before coming here.
With Iwao's