Yoruichi walked briskly, as if he didn't notice the many glances around him.
She was the first to stop in front of Yan Si, patted his shoulder with a bright smile:
"Hey, Yan Si, you came quite early! I thought you had to wait until the last minute to sneak in!"
After giving this overly familiar greeting, she seemed to have just seen the captains next to her, smiling and nodding:
"Captain Kyōraku, Captain Hirako, Captain Kensei, you are here too." His attitude was natural and generous, without any hint of restraint.
Finally, she turned her eyes to the three Nobles who looked a little confused. The smile on her face faded, her eyebrows were raised slightly, and her tone was casual but with invisible pressure:
"Are these guys... okay?"
The expressions of the three Nobles suddenly changed. The leader, the short-bearded Nobles, quickly bowed, with obvious fear in his tone:
"No, I don't dare! Mr. Shunko misunderstood! We just... just saw this Fifth Seat Yan Si's majestic appearance, and for a moment we wanted to make friends. Let's chat for a few words, with no other intention! Please forgive me for disturbing you!"
After saying that, the three of them almost hurriedly saluted again, then quickly stepped away and returned to the Nobles table, not daring to look this way again.
Yoruichi then smiled again, and naturally opened the seat next to Yan Si and sat down.
Hirako Shinji's eyes widened, his eyes glanced back and forth between Yoruichi and Yan Si, and his mouth opened slightly:
"Captain Shunko, what you said... did I miss any important plot? When did you and this boy Yan Si get along?"
"Pfft!"
Yan Si just picked up the tea poured by the waiter next to him and took a sip. Hearing this, he almost couldn't control himself and spit out the tea.
He swallowed it forcefully, but choked and coughed twice. A rare crack appeared on his stern face, and he glared at Mako Hirako fiercely.
What nonsense is this guy talking about?
"Hahaha!" Yoruichi laughed nonchalantly, and patted Yan Si's back hard enough that Yan Si leaned forward.
"Don't be nervous, Captain Hirako, I just think this guy is quite interesting and fun."
She neither confirmed Hirako Shinji's exaggerated speculation nor explicitly denied it, but her natural and familiar attitude, with a hint of teasing, would not be misunderstood by anyone as a relationship between a man and a woman.
Kensei Muguruma also showed a surprised look. He looked at Yoruichi and then at Fifth Seat, the one in his team who always wanted to be lazy:
"This... I really didn't know that Yan Si actually knows Captain Shunko."
He brought Yan Si here to stop Nobles from socializing, but he never thought that this kind of relationship would be involved.
Yan Si closed his mouth, stared at the tea cup in front of him, and made up his mind not to answer.
At this time, the explanation is to cover up, talk more and make more mistakes. Maintaining the cold-faced image of "Soul Society noble son" and letting the topic pass naturally is the most labor-saving option.
Yoruichi smiled and took the words naturally:
"We've known each other for a long time, before I became captain, but this guy," she pointed at Yan Si with her chin.
"The reaction was very slow. It wasn't until I put on this Haori that he realized I was from the Shihoin Clan."
She omitted the second half of the sentence. Even after knowing her identity, Yan Si's attitude towards her never became cautious or flattering.
She is still a little defensive, a little helpless, and occasionally shows her true temper when we first met, which makes her feel particularly interesting and relaxed.
"Oh, oh, oh," Kyōraku Shunsui joined the conversation at the right time, gently turning the wine glass on the table with his fingers, the corners of his eyes curved beautifully, and his eyes fell on Yan Si.
"Looking at Captain Shunko's protective attitude just now, I thought that you were also here to "rob people" from those Nobless.
After all, Fifth Seat Yan Si and Aizen Fifth Seat were very close to reaching the sky in one step and becoming the son-in-law of a certain family."
"Captain Kyōraku is joking." Aizen shook his head slightly and sighed with a gentle tone that was just right to be proud but had to keep a distance.
"Nobles's family is not something that we can easily reach. To be favored by Kuchiki family is a great blessing and recognition. Mr. Kōga must be the best among people. As for me, I'm afraid I'm not that lucky yet."
Yan Si's mouth twitched slightly uncontrollably, and he quickly picked up the tea cup to cover it up.
Aizen This guy is really full of acting skills.
His only strategy now is to remain silent, act as a qualified background, speak less and make fewer mistakes!
The three captains Hirako, Kensei, and Kyōraku present, including Yoruichi, were more or less aware of the other side of Yan Si's usual "noble gentleman" face, and also guessed that he was trying hard to maintain his persona at the moment.
Yoruichi even laughed and added:
"Yan Si, it's quite interesting, but he wants to be my Yoruichi Shihōin man? He's still far away!"
She stretched out her fingers, as if counting something, and listed them one by one:
"He looks quite handsome, I admit that. He can write some stories, and he has literary talent.
Normally... well, let's just say I'm working out hard, and I'm a bit self-motivated.
Most of the time, if you know what's appropriate and have a good heart... it's not that bad."
Every time she said something, the expressions of the three captains next to her became weirder.
Hirako Shinji laughed directly and interrupted her:
"Kind? Not a bad person? Shunko Captain, are you sure we are talking about the same person?"
Kensei Although he said nothing, the contempt in his eyes was not concealed at all.
Motivated? Know how to measure? Siwei Yan? Are these two words related to him?
Countless images of this guy flashing through his mind instantly, asking for leave for various weird reasons to fish, leaving team duties to Third Seat, sneaking away to Runlin An, and only coming back after drinking until midnight.
Kyōraku Shunsui remembered the basic personnel files that he had reviewed.
Regarding the columns of Siwei Yan's "daily practice records", the content is so thin and perfunctory that it can be used as a negative teaching material.
Only Aizen always smiled and nodded when Yoruichi spoke, as if he very much agreed with her evaluation.
After Yoruichi finished speaking, he spoke softly with a little emotion in his tone:
"Even an outstanding person like Brother Yan Si admitted that it was difficult to adapt to the life of Nobles and that he was not destined for this path.
Mr. "Kōga" who is about to become a member of Kuchiki family, to be so recognized by Kuchiki family, must have outstanding talents and character that are difficult for us to match."
His words naturally led the topic to the protagonist of today's banquet, Kuchiki Kyōka.
A Shinigami with a commoner background could be favored by Kuchiki family and jump into the top Nobles ranks. I don't know how many Shinigami with a commoner background made Seireitei jealous, and even the children of small and medium-sized Nobles.
"Kōga That boy," Yoruichi curled his lips, looking uninterested.
"It's very old-fashioned and boring. It would be more fun to tease their little Byakuya."
She is referring to Kuchiki family's young grandson, Kuchiki Byakuya.
At this moment, Yan Si noticed that the four captains around him stopped chatting and turned their eyes towards the main seat of the hall.
I saw Captain Sixth Division and Kuchiki family, the current head of the family, Kuchiki Ginrei, wearing solemn headwear, with serious faces and steady steps appearing in front of the hall.
Next to him, followed a young man wearing a white tattoo Haori hakama, tall and straight, with a stern face.
The man's eyes are sharp, his posture is respectful, but he carries an aloof temperament that cannot be ignored.
The protagonist of today's banquet, Kuchiki Kyōka, has officially made his debut.
The atmosphere in the hall also became quiet.