This Renji Abarai. Ever since he became the Thirteenth Division, he felt that he deserved to be with the stars.
His past life in the Outer Rukongai instilled in him a deep-seated inferiority complex, yet it also fueled his drive to improve.
Initially, he became stronger not to protect the world, but simply to gain a high enough status to Rukia.
When Shin'ō Academy, even being a vice-captain was an unattainable dream, but everything changed Rukia was adopted by the Kuchiki Clan.
Being a vice-captain has become a necessary condition.
He worked hard for it, and then the world collapsed. Amidst the chaos, he firmly believed that Rukia was alright and trained diligently so that he could protect her in the future.
Now he felt the time was right to confess his feelings to Rukia, but he lacked a way to do it in a way that would truly move people.
Renji Abarai didn't confront her directly, but everyone understood that Shiraishi's daughter's sleep habits involved sleeping during the day and partying at night.
If you wake them up, the consequences will be severe.
" Captain-Commander Shiraishi, I have a question for you. How did you confess your feelings to them back then?"
Shiraishi, who uses her daughter's photo as her profile picture, replied instantly, "I won them over with my irresistible charm, why are you asking this?"
"I want to confess my feelings to Rukia at Inoue's birthday party and make our relationship clear."
Renji Abarai provides the answer.
"... Isn't this the kind of thing inappropriate to do in public?"
"Why?" Renji Abarai.
After another moment of silence, he replied, " Rukia is likely rejecting you out of shyness."
"In my opinion, we should discuss it with Inoue. At the birthday party, we should deliberately play a blindfolded game and Rukia to a dark place by herself. The chances of her confessing there are quite high."
"Oh, that makes sense. I'll contact them right away."
Renji Abarai, reminded by Shiraishi, realized that this man was indeed a seasoned player in love, and immediately messaged Orihime Inoue, "Excuse me, Inoue, I plan to confess my feelings to Rukia at your birthday party, can you help me?"
Such blunt words would likely make most people feel uncomfortable. A birthday party is for celebrating one's own birthday, not for someone else to confess their feelings.
Orihime Inoue didn't do that. On the contrary, she showed great enthusiasm, almost overflowing from her words with her willingness to do her best to help. "Okay! How do you plan to confess?"
A very curious emoji was sent.
Renji Abarai Shiraishi's words verbatim.
"If it's too dark, it'll make people nervous. How about having Miss Kūkaku make fireworks for our confession?"
"Oh, wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all. Confessing your feelings is a very important thing, and a sense of ceremony is of utmost importance. Romance is also essential. Captain Unohana will prepare the flowers, and I'll ask her for you."
"Well, it's better if I visit in person."
Renji Abarai and realized that he couldn't let Orihime Inoue handle everything; there were some things he should do himself.
Fourth Division headquarters.
Retsu Unohana returned to her office feeling light and refreshed, the throbbing pain in her chest gone.
She stretched, decided to make herself a cup of tea, and sit by the window to watch the clouds drift by.
A restless Reiatsu was rapidly approaching. She prepared an extra cup, poured in some brewed tea, and then a knock sounded at the door. " Captain Unohana, are you free right now?"
"Yes, please come in, Captain Abarai."
Renji Abarai pushed open the door and walked over, carrying a bag of fruit he had bought at a store he had passed by. " Captain Unohana, I've come here to ask you to make Flower Arrangement arrangement that I can use to express my feelings."
As he spoke, his face turned red, feeling ashamed to speak of such a thing, his heart pounding in his chest.
Retsu Unohana had initially been indifferent, suddenly became very interested upon seeing his expression. "Don't rush, sit down and have a cup of tea. Who is your crush? What are your interests? What's your favorite color?"
I'm not trying to gossip, it's just that the beauty of Flower Arrangement is subjective; there's no such thing as Flower Arrangement that everyone will like. I need to understand the person first in order to create Flower Arrangement that suits their aesthetic.
Renji Abarai thought that Captain Unohana was indeed a professional. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and began to reveal that the person he had confessed to was Rukia, spilling out all the information he knew, down to the smallest detail.
"Oh, I can tell, Captain Abarai really remembers those things."
Retsu Unohana looked like she suddenly understood, and then asked, "How do you plan to confess your feelings?"
Renji Abarai tells Shiraishi and Inoue's plan.
"Fireworks and darkness aren't romantic enough. I suggest a candlelight dinner. As the fireworks go off, you can take out the flowers I prepared and take the romance to its peak."
Retsu Unohana enthusiastically offered suggestions.
Renji Abarai thought about the scene and agreed it was indeed a good idea, so he decisively adopted it, saying, "Yes, I understand. Thank you for your help, Captain Unohana."
"You're welcome. It's something I'm happy to do to help the younger generation get together."
Retsu Unohana replied with a smile, "In other words, we've gone this far. If you dare to back down, it won't be something that can be covered up with just an apology."
She had some understanding of Renji Abarai's personality; when it came to courage, this guy was definitely a fierce man who would never give up even in adversity.
In terms of emotions, it's probably less than half as good as in battle.
Renji Abarai said with a serious expression, "I will not back down this time."
This time he went all in with the courage of burning his boats; if he failed... he would burn his boats...
The thought of a potentially failed confession caused Renji Abarai's initial enthusiasm to vanish completely, replaced by thoughts of Rukia saying yes and what he would do if she rejected him.
He swallowed hard and said, " Captain Unohana, I think we shouldn't be so hasty."
Retsu Unohana smiled and said, "Did you take what I just said as air?"
"No, I'll do it!"
Seeing her treacherous smile, Renji Abarai resolutely changed his mind and decided to give her another chance to confess.
Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back!
He downed his tea in one gulp and left the office with an air of nonchalance.
Retsu Unohana's mind conjured up images of Flower Arrangement, and she didn't forget to message Shiraishi, "Look at how someone confesses their love, and what about you? Not a single flower, let alone a bouquet."
[A book-reading app recommended to me by a friend I've known for ten years, Wild Fruit Reading! It's damn good! I use it to read aloud and listen to books while driving or before bed to pass the time. You can download it here: yeguoyuedu]
The same reprimand came from Kūkaku, followed by Soi Fon and Nemu Kurotsuchi adding their own comments.
Looking at those messages, Shiraishi felt overwhelmed, experiencing once again what it felt like to be caught in the middle of someone else's competitive environment.
"Damn it, Abarai! I was trying to help you with a suggestion, and you tricked me!"
He muttered a single sentence, still speaking gently to appease them: how could a mere candlelight dinner and fireworks compare to him?
He offered up his most precious body.