In the novel " Shinigami: The Unforgiven," Chapter 54, "I Treated You Like a Brother, and You Actually Want to Marry Me," the Senkaimon opened, and pitch-black Hell Butterfly surged outwards in such large numbers that Orihime Inoue was somewhat bewildered. She didn't remember inviting so many people; she had only invited acquaintances.
But she just can't say no to people; everyone is a guest, after all. Luckily, she listened to Kūkaku's advice, and the food was very plentiful.
Shiraishi and the others stepped out of the Senkaimon, greeted Orihime Inoue, and presented her with their birthday gifts.
These birthday gifts are all hidden in another dimension.
The Research and Development Institute's products were not only restricted but also fined, prompting Mayuri Kurotsuchi to reflect deeply and decide to develop some legitimate inventions, such as a transdimensional ring that would allow people to store items in another dimension.
Shiraishi did not prohibit this useful invention; instead, he provided the Research and Development Institute with certain financial subsidies to encourage them to continue their efforts.
Nowadays, Shinigami in Soul Society with spare money buy those rings for convenience when they go out.
Orihime Inoue didn't care whether they brought gifts or not; their presence was enough. However, she didn't refuse the gifts either, as they were all tokens of their affection, and refusing them would have been impolite. She accepted them with a smile and welcomed them in.
The birthday party wasn't held in a room; in order to help Renji Abarai, Orihime Inoue specially moved the venue to the foot of the mountain and held it outdoors.
There were no chairs or assigned seats; various foods were laid out on the tables, and you could choose whatever you wanted to eat.
Ichigo Kurosaki discovers that Yuzu and the others are all at the birthday party. He quickly goes to his family to catch up. He hasn't been home for a long time, since joining the Shin'ō Academy and working in the First Division.
Hakuhō was surrounded by seven mothers who took turns passing her around, laughing merrily.
Shiraishi rarely had free time, so instead of joining them, he went to the table alone, poured himself some wine, and began to sip.
The birthday party was lively; the Shinigami usually have work to do and rarely get together.
The difference between the vice-captain and the captain is only one word, but the gap in strength is quite large. If they want to have a gathering, it often takes ten or twenty minutes for them to use Shunpo.
Unless it's something really important, I'm usually too lazy to do that.
Shiraishi sipped his drink, enjoying the lively atmosphere around him, feeling quite satisfied. Wasn't all that hard work for the sake of protecting a scene like this?
Thinking of next year, a hint of worry appeared in Shiraishi's eyes. The war with the Wandenreich was ultimately unavoidable.
Even Jūshirō Ukitake couldn't hold out for long; Yhwach was needed to act as the Soul King in order to maintain the balance of this world.
Worries about the future flashed through his mind, and he picked up his drink again and rejoined Rangiku Matsumoto's group of alcoholics.
As night fell, after they finished eating their birthday cake, the main event finally began.
Orihime Inoue suggested playing a game of courage: two people team up, one blindfolded and the other holding their hand and guiding the blindfolded person up the mountain.
Rukia couldn't see what was so daring about this game, but she and Renji Abarai were the first couple to go up the mountain.
Renji Abarai knew in his heart that this was a golden opportunity they had created. Without backing down, he resolutely grasped that small hand, suppressing his racing heartbeat, and carefully walked forward.
The forest on the mountain was dark and quiet, so quiet that the pounding of my heart seemed to be about to leave my chest. Moonlight occasionally shone through the gaps in the leaves onto the mountainside, and at that moment, the light took shape, just as it had a heart.
" Renji, Renji, slow down! My feet can't keep up with you!"
Rukia's cry snapped him out of his reverie. "Sorry, I forgot you have short legs."
"Hey, that's very rude of you. You're only a little bit taller than me."
"It's not just a little taller, I'm 1.88 meters tall now, and you're only 1.44 meters."
Renji Abarai remark calmed his tense mood, and he controlled the distance of his steps.
Rukia sighed, "Yeah, when we first met, we were about the same height. But then you grew taller on your own, while I barely grew at all."
"Haha, come to think of it, you really haven't grown much."
Renji Abarai laughed and followed the arrow pasted on the tree, snapping the dry branches under his feet.
That happened decades ago.
Rukia's voice held a hint of wistfulness.
"Yes," Renji Abarai chimed in, and the conversation fell silent once more, but it didn't feel awkward; the air was thick with the gentle flow of water.
Renji Abarai engrossed in the atmosphere of the journey that he wished the mountain road would never end, so he could hold Rukia's hand and keep walking forever.
Unfortunately, the mountain road eventually comes to an end.
A gentle evening breeze rustled through the trees, candlelight flickered, and a round table, its surface a deep rose hue, held a bottle of red wine, clear stemmed glasses, and two steaming steaks. The table wasn't large; it was simply there to enhance the atmosphere.
A sky full of stars serves as the backdrop, suspended high in the air.
Renji Abarai led Rukia to the table, turned around, looked at her calm expression, and took a deep breath. " Rukia, there's something I've wanted to tell you since the first day we met."
"What?"
Rukia asked, somewhat curiously.
Renji Abarai removed the black cloth and took out a bouquet of flowers prepared by Retsu Unohana from another dimension. The flowers bloomed as brightly as flames. " Rukia, I love you! Please marry me!"
Huh?! Rukia's little head was spinning. I treated you like a brother, and you actually want to marry me?!
The immense shock left her standing there, stunned and unsure how to react.
Renji Abarai mustered his courage and said, "This is no joke, Rukia, I really love you. You're the one I love most in this world!"
I love your smile; it makes me feel the joy of being alive. I love the way you speak; in that awful place, your words were like moonlight shining into the woods, deeply illuminating my heart.
When you cry, I want to protect you with everything I have.
When you're angry, it makes me realize my mistakes.
You are the woman who connects me to this world, irreplaceable by anyone else. I am who I am today because I can stand before you, stand tall, and say to you, "I love you, please marry me!"
Renji Abarai blurted out everything on his mind, his face flushed, but he resisted the urge to look down and stared directly at her, waiting for her answer.
Rukia's face flushed instantly, and she stumbled backward, stammering, "Ren- Renji, I, I..."
She couldn't explain it clearly; all she could understand was that Renji genuinely meant it. "Give me some time to sort things out."
Rukia in a state of turmoil. She left after uttering a single sentence, then fled as if by Shunpo.
Renji Abarai didn't stop her. He understood Rukia's confusion. After being best friends for so many years, it would be strange if she wasn't confused by the sudden change in their relationship.
He made a decision in his heart, and the next step was to do what he had decided on a long time ago.
A battle against Byakuya Kuchiki!