Yan Si paused when he reached the entrance to the Fifth Division Barracks.
The door was open, and he poked his head inside.
Three people stood in the middle of the courtyard.
Urahara Kisuke, Hiyori, and Hirako Shinji.
Hiyori was crouching low, her right foot drawn back, her knees bent, and her hands spread for balance.
Yan Si knew that stance well. It was the prelude to her flying kick.
Her target was clearly Hirako Shinji.
Urahara stood beside them with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking helpless.
Hirako Shinji had taken a defensive stance, his body turned sideways to Hiyori, his center of gravity low, and his eyes fixed on her feet.
Yan Si pushed the door open and walked in.
His footsteps sounded especially clear in the quiet courtyard.
All three turned toward him. "What brings you two to the Fifth Division?" Yan Si asked calmly, his tone natural. "Pretty lively in here."
"Huh?"
Hiyori straightened up.
She dropped her stance and turned toward Yan Si, surprise showing on her face as she blinked and asked:
"Fifth Seat Yan Si, what brings you here?"
Her voice suddenly became sweet, and she slowed her speech.
"I came to the Fifth Division to protect Captain Urahara," Hiyori said solemnly.
"So nobody kills him on the way."
"Ahahaha." Urahara laughed.
"Well, thank you very much, Lieutenant Hiyori." As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Yan Si.
Their eyes met.
A sharp gleam flashed in Urahara's eyes before his usual carefree expression returned. "My friend Yan Si, you must have some important business here in the Fifth Division, right?"
"I came to see Captain Hirako."
Yan Si stated his purpose while surveying the Fifth Division.
There really weren't many people in the courtyard.
Only two or three Fifth Division members were