Unohana Retsu

New Year's Eve, Sunday. It is the eve of the Lunar New Year. Lu Mingfei has been on break for a while now, and the whole family is sitting on the sofa waiting for the broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala.

Everyone is cracking melon seeds and chatting, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

It has been a long time since Lu Mingfei felt this kind of warmth. In the past, he was considered a loser, and his Aunt always looked at him with disdain. Every New Year was dull and tasteless, and his parents never came to see him.

In the Soul Society, there is no such custom for the past ten years. Suddenly, he starts to miss the days at his Aunt's house; in truth, his Aunt always had a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Whenever this time of year came around, he would gaze at the moon and pine for his hometown, though he never understood why there was a moon in the Soul Society.

Now, in this world, being able to sit together with his Uncle, Aunt, and cousin for the New Year in such harmony, a sense of fulfillment melts into his heart.

However, while he would miss home back in the Soul Society, here he finds himself missing his life in the Soul Society.

Although he always felt lonely and like an outsider over there, whenever he missed his hometown, he was often invited by Sister Hana to stay at her place for a few days. He never knew how she managed to discern his thoughts.

Perhaps because he was found by Sister Hana, she feels a strange sense of responsibility toward him.

Watching his Uncle, Aunt, and cousin watching the television with rapt attention, Lu Mingfei closes his eyes and indulges in a brief moment of recollection.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

The door to the barracks is knocked. Lu Mingfei walks away from the window and opens the main door.

"Xiao Fei, Captain Unohana asked me to call you over for dinner."

The person standing there is slender, 187cm tall, with messy silver-gray short hair and a pair of red, strip-shaped earrings.

This is Kotetsu Isane, Sister Hana's lieutenant, who usually conveys the captain's wishes.

"Sister Isane, why did you come yourself? You could have just sent one of your subordinates," Lu Mingfei says with a smile upon seeing Kotetsu Isane.

"I felt a bit embarrassed to send a subordinate just for a matter like this," Kotetsu Isane says, lowering her head.

That is just her personality; although she looks like a tomboy, she is actually quite timid and introverted.

Lu Mingfei stops asking and simply says, "Sister Isane, could you step out for a moment? I'll tidy up and be right there."

Kotetsu Isane obediently goes outside to wait.

Lu Mingfei stands before the mirror, adjusting his Shihakusho. The Shihakusho is entirely black; the upper part resembles a kimono, while the lower part consists of extremely wide-legged trousers that reach the ankles and are cinched, secured by a light-colored belt tied with a black cord.

With his Zanpakuto strapped to his waist, Lu Mingfei walks out of the barracks and heads toward Sister Hana's residence with Kotetsu Isane.

Along the way, many squad members greet him. As they exit the 3rd Division, they are met by a young man with silver short hair, squinting eyes, and a constant smile.

"Lieutenant Mingfei, are you heading to Captain Unohana's place again?" Ichimaru Gin asks curiously.

"Captain, you jest. I am only a 3rd Seat; if you say it like that, Lieutenant Kira won't be happy," Lu Mingfei says respectfully to Ichimaru Gin.

"Ma ma, it's all the same. Since you've mastered Bankai recently, Kira will surely have to step aside for you. If it weren't for the fact that there are no vacancies for captaincy right now, the position would be yours," Ichimaru Gin says, waving his hand with a smile.

"Eh, did I delay your time? My apologies, please go ahead," Ichimaru Gin says to Lu Mingfei in an apologetic tone.

Lu Mingfei and Kotetsu Isane salute Ichimaru Gin, and the two head out together.

"Five Senses Separation, huh?"

Ichimaru Gin watches Lu Mingfei's retreating back, opens his eyes, and wonders what he is thinking.

Upon reaching the destination, it is not a barracks but Unohana's private residence. The scenery outside the door is beautiful, with cherry blossoms drifting down everywhere.

Kotetsu Isane opens the door, and the two walk inside.

A woman with a gentle and serene appearance, wearing her long black hair in a braided plait draped over her front, is sitting at the table drinking tea. She is wearing her white captain's haori, with a grayish-pink lining.

"Sister Hana, is there something you needed me for?" Lu Mingfei sits down directly across from her, completely shedding the formal demeanor he maintains outside.

Kotetsu Isane also finds a seat and sits down.

"Can't I call you over if there's nothing wrong?" Unohana Retsu says with a smile, though the smile carries a hint of pressure.

Lu Mingfei sits up straight: "Of course not, I'm your little brother. Even if you called me over to sleep with you for no reason, Sister Hana, I'd be willing!"

"Oh?" Unohana Retsu smiles with a hidden agenda. "Then you can come over and sleep with me tonight."

Lu Mingfei is drinking tea and nearly spits it out, breaking into a fit of coughing.

Kotetsu Isane covers her mouth and giggles from the side; he deserves it for being such a smart-aleck every time.

"That wouldn't be very appropriate..." Lu Mingfei is visibly intimidated.

Her authority is simply too deep-seated. He wouldn't have been able to stand out from the Shino Academy so quickly without her guidance. He doesn't know why someone with such formidable swordsmanship stays in the medical relief squad.

Unohana Retsu doesn't take it to heart; she was only joking.

"I heard you recently mastered Bankai?" Unohana Retsu asks.

Hearing this, Kotetsu Isane pricks up her ears, wanting to hear about Lu Mingfei's experience with Bankai, as she hasn't mastered it even after being a lieutenant for so long.

"I just had a dream while sleeping recently, and when I woke up, I had mastered Bankai. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure about the situation myself," Lu Mingfei says, scratching his head with a grin.

Kotetsu Isane suddenly has the urge to hit Lu Mingfei; he became a Soul Reaper after her, after all.

"Fine. Your speed is faster than those two geniuses, Ichimaru Gin and Hitsugaya. If you're not careful, you might just be the next Head Captain," Unohana Retsu says seriously.

Lu Mingfei bows repeatedly: "You're flattering me too much, Sister Hana."

"Stand over here and let me take a look at you." Unohana Retsu beckoned.

Lu Mingfei obediently stood before her.

Unohana Retsu stood up, looked at Lu Mingfei, and patted his head. "Hmm, you've grown quite a bit. When I first met you, I thought you were some little beggar; I never expected you to almost catch up to Isane in such a short time."

Lu Mingfei let her pat his head; her movements were gentle, soothing him like an older sister.

"Every year at this time, I see a sense of loneliness about you. Come stay at my place for a few days; I've already tidied up a room for you," Sister Hana's gentle voice rang in Lu Mingfei's ears.

"Alright, Sister Hana."

Festive music began to play, the Spring Festival Gala had started, and Lu Mingfei opened his eyes, the memories of the past fading away with the music.