North Rukon District 80, Zaraki.
"Report, head of the family! Our spy sent word by messenger bird that a fire broke out at Yamamoto Shigekuni's private school last night! According to the report, there were fluctuations in spiritual pressure at the scene."
At the Iwamoto House, the largest old noble family in the district, an attendant knelt in the head's study and gave his report in a quiet voice.
Iwamoto Hikoshiro listened silently, then set down the book in his hands. His grizzled eyebrows lifted slightly. "So it wasn't an accident? Someone set the fire on purpose?"
"We don't know yet if the other three families were behind it, sir. But an attack on Yamamoto's private school is good news for us, too," the attendant guessed, leaning forward.
"The front lines are under pressure, so they're trying to strike from behind? It seems the Court Guard Squad's recent offensive has made those three lose their nerve. In that case, I'll add fuel to the fire."
Iwamoto Hikoshiro fell silent for a moment, then said mildly,
"Send word to our spies in Tanzhao District and have them look into the area around Gen Private School... I heard Yamamoto still has a student."
"Yes. They say he's the son of an upper-class noble family," the attendant replied respectfully, lowering his head.
"Hmph, an upper-class noble? Have the spies look into it. If the boy's still alive, seize him in the confusion and question him. We might be able to dig up more information about Yamamoto. If nothing else, it'll distract him." A sly smile crept across Iwamoto Hikoshiro's face.
"Even the so-called Captain-Commander would have a headache dealing with an upper-class noble's demands, wouldn't he?"
South Rukon District 1, Danzhao.
"Trust me, you won't regret it!" Kyoraku boasted, thumping his chest as he and Lin Nan walked out of Gen Private School.
"You'd better be right. Is it really that good?" Lin Nan recalled how Kyoraku had spent ages praising the izakaya's delicious food and couldn't help licking his lips.
It had been nearly a month, and the most decent thing he'd eaten was the bowl of noodles he'd cooked himself two nights ago. Even then, the noodles had turned into a lump by the time he got to eat them. And last night, the steward had served rice with a tiny salted fish for dinner.
Thinking that he might have to spend the rest of his life eating food like that was more than Lin Nan, a foodie from the Empire of Cuisine, could bear. No hot pot, barbecue, rice bowls, spicy hot pot... How was he supposed to live?!
On top of that, people in the Soul Society measured their lifespans in centuries. What kind of long life was that? It was torture!
So when Kyoraku told him about the Soul Society's delicious food, Lin Nan had eagerly insisted they go try some.
"It's definitely good! Their Sake Bun is the best! It's my favorite! Just follow me!" Remembering how delicious it was, Kyoraku couldn't help swallowing, either.
As soon as Lin Nan heard the word "sake," he declared that no drinking was allowed today. Kyoraku was disappointed, but in the spirit of keeping the peace (and avoiding a beating), he nodded and accepted.
They'd only become friends the night before, but Kyoraku already felt a deep bond with Lin Nan. Part of it was that they'd fought before becoming friends. But perhaps it was also because Lin Nan was the first person to take an interest in his worries and listen to him.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Lin Nan felt a trace of warmth and liveliness that he hadn't experienced in a long time. Ever since he'd crossed over, he'd either been running away or fighting. It had been ages since he'd experienced anything like an ordinary life.
The people on the street wore all kinds of clothes. Many were dressed plainly, but overall, their clothes and complexions were several times better than those in Rust Face. Rukongai's District 1 had always been the most popular area. It had better living conditions and was safer, too.
There were all sorts of stalls along the roadside, as well as vendors pushing carts and hawking fruit and other small goods. The buildings and clothes were unfamiliar, but that didn't stop Lin Nan from feeling a long-missed sense of happiness.
The two of them walked down the street, chatting and laughing as they went.
Two figures followed at a distance behind them.
"Did you get a good look? They really did come out of Gen Private School, right?" asked the taller one.
The short, plump man beside him nodded. "That's right. And look at how they're dressed. That's definitely the noble kid!"
"Who's the one beside him?"
"...A noble young master would need a servant to look after him when he went out, wouldn't he?"
The two exchanged a glance, then continued following them.
An hour later.
"Seriously, are you sure you know where you're going? Can you even find the place?" Lin Nan complained as he followed Kyoraku, bored out of his mind. "We've already been here! I think you're worse at finding your way than I am, and I'm the outsider!"
Kyoraku wasn't offended by Lin Nan's complaint. He stared blankly at the three equally shabby alleyways in front of them, his face turning red with embarrassment. "T-They all look the same! H-How are we supposed to find it...?"
Lin Nan pointed at a few people standing by the roadside. "Why don't you ask them for directions?"
Kyoraku jolted as if he'd heard something terrifying. "Huh? A-Ask for directions?"
Lin Nan looked at him, puzzled. "Why are you reacting like that?"
Kyoraku stammered, "I-I don't dare..."
Lin Nan didn't quite understand. "What do you mean?"
Kyoraku's youthful face had turned beet red. "I said... I don't dare ask for directions."
Kyoraku had hardly ever left home since he was born. Servants took care of all his daily needs. Even when he went out, a whole group of servants escorted him wherever he needed to go. Finding his way around and asking for directions had never been his concern.
Lin Nan: "...You don't know the way, and you're afraid to ask. Why were you so confident about taking me out to eat?"
Kyoraku nervously tried to explain, then realized his excuse was hopelessly flimsy. He could only look miserable and helpless.
Lin Nan rubbed his forehead. "Fine. Tell me the name of the place, and I'll ask around!"
Kyoraku looked around carefully again, his eyes shifting as he thought. "How about this? I think someone I know lives nearby. We can go find him first, then have him take us to eat."
Lin Nan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Come on, man. We're just going out for a meal. Do we really need to go through all that?"
Kyoraku said blankly, "It should be fine, right? He's really easygoing. He'd be willing to take us there."
Lin Nan covered his face in exasperation. "I'm not asking whether he'd be willing. We're going out to find food, and you want to get someone else to lead us there, then eat without even inviting him beforehand. Does that seem right?"
"Huh? That's a thing?" Kyoraku blinked, apparently unable to understand. "Th-Then... could you please ask someone for directions?"
Lin Nan asked around nearby until he found out the name of the izakaya and confirmed which way to go. Kyoraku followed behind him quietly, a trace of apology in his eyes, not daring to say a word.
But Lin Nan didn't take it to heart. He acted as usual, chatting and joking with Kyoraku as they went.
It didn't take much thought to figure out why young Kyoraku was like this. He'd grown up without much companionship. His parents had died early, he had no friends, and he was always surrounded by servants. Growing up in those circumstances, Kyoraku was now little more than a brat who was used to throwing his weight around at home.
The two walked for about twenty minutes before they finally reached the place Kyoraku had mentioned.
As soon as they walked in, Kyoraku waved grandly at Lin Nan. "Order whatever you want! It's on me!"
"Great, then I won't hold back!"
The delicious aroma filling the room made Lin Nan's mouth water. His eyes eagerly skimmed the menu, but aside from the noodles, he wasn't familiar with much of the food.
"Uh, maybe you should order. You know this stuff better than I do..."
Kyoraku took the menu and rattled off more than a dozen dishes. Lin Nan hurriedly stopped him, since there was no way the two of them could eat that much. Kyoraku was completely unbothered. "I'm treating you! Of course I want you to try all their best dishes!"
Faced with such generosity, Lin Nan didn't know what else to say. He could only feel touched by Kyoraku's sincerity and generosity.
The meal didn't last long. Kyoraku wolfed down his food and was full in no time. Lin Nan was interested only in one bowl of noodles and the Sake Bun Kyoraku had recommended. The other dishes did nothing for his appetite.
I'll have to cook for myself when I get the chance! he thought, rubbing his not-quite-full stomach. He also felt grateful to Kyoraku once again.
However... when it came time to pay, Lin Nan helplessly discovered that the meal had cost at least two hundred small kan (kan: the Soul Society's currency), while Kyoraku had brought only...
Eighteen coins.
"When I left this morning, I just grabbed a handful from the money box the servants brought. I didn't know it wouldn't be enough..." Kyoraku looked at Lin Nan, his eyes full of confusion and apology.
Lin Nan broke into a cold sweat and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
As expected, the story of the brat wasn't going to end so easily.
He did his best to keep his voice calm and friendly. "You've never gone shopping on your own before, have you?"
Kyoraku nodded.
The izakaya owner looked at the two boys in front of him and huffed angrily. "I didn't think anyone in Danzhao District would try to eat and run... You two better figure out how to pay up right now! Otherwise, neither of you is leaving."
Kyoraku hesitated for a long time before speaking in a voice so small it seemed squeezed from his throat. "Um... I'm the second young master of the Kyoraku House. Could you let us pay later? I'll have a servant bring you the money."
"Kyoraku? The Kyoraku House of the upper-class nobles?"
"...Yes." Kyoraku understood that this was nothing to be proud of, and nodded quietly.
The owner clicked his tongue. "A young master from an upper-class noble family comes to my little shop and tries to eat and run? I might as well say I'm one of the Four Great Noble Houses!"
Hearing the owner's taunt, Kyoraku's face flushed red again. He no longer looked anything like the spirited boy who had fought Lin Nan.
Lin Nan stepped in to smooth things over. "Boss, he really is a young master of the Kyoraku House. He just doesn't usually go out to eat on his own. How about I stay here, and he goes home to get the money? That should be fine, right?"
As he spoke, he looked at Kyoraku with some concern. "Can you find your way home by yourself?"
Kyoraku thought about it seriously, then shook his head. "The main problem is, if I can't find my way, I wouldn't dare ask for directions..."
Lin Nan sighed helplessly. "Then you'd better wait here. I'll go get the money and rescue you."
Before you continue