A Romantic Showdown?

Kūkaku's smile was bright and direct, and her eyes were full of anticipation.

To be honest, Kūkaku was beautiful.

She radiated youthful beauty from head to toe, with an unrestrained, uninhibited charm besides.

Normally, Wang Xun would have been more than happy to respond to that anticipation.

But now...

Wang Xun felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, a physical reaction to being in danger's sights.

"Um, Kūkaku..."

He chose his words carefully, catching sight of Nanao glaring at him like a hawk out of the corner of his eye.

"Actually, I already have plans today. Sorry..."

After saying that, Wang Xun felt the killing intent beside him ease slightly.

Kūkaku looked at Wang Xun's slightly tense expression, then glanced at the little squirt beside him, who was expressionless but kept sneaking looks at her. She understood everything perfectly.

The disappointment in her eyes lasted only an instant before being replaced by a sly, knowing look.

"Oh~ You already have plans."

Kūkaku drew out her words.

"Well, nothing to be done about that. Let's go together another time."

She waved cheerfully, her smile still bright. "We'll leave it for today. I'm going to find my big brother!"

With that, she turned briskly and walked away with a light step.

Only after rounding a corner did Kūkaku quietly turn back and glance behind her.

In the sunset, Wang Xun seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his shoulders slumping slightly, while Nanao Ise's gaze was no longer as sharp.

An amused smile curled Kūkaku's lips.

That little girl named Nanao didn't look very old, but her feelings were pretty obvious.

Still...

Kūkaku didn't mind. After all, she was just a little squirt who hadn't grown up yet, no threat to her.

Someone like Wang Xun would probably appreciate a more mature, curvaceous type, right?

Kūkaku hefted her weighty assets, brimming with confidence.

Humming a tuneless little song, she soon disappeared around the corner.

Meanwhile, only after watching Kūkaku disappear did Wang Xun feel the prickling pressure at his back finally dissipate.

He quietly let out a long breath.

"Nanao, shall we get going too?"

"Like we agreed yesterday, we'll go to the new Ichiraku Ramen. My treat."

Nanao paused before answering softly.

On the way to the ramen shop, the atmosphere eased somewhat.

The newly opened Ichiraku Ramen was in West District 1. Its facilities and surroundings were better, and it drew considerably more customers.

Even Soul Reapers from the Seireitei often came to eat there.

With mealtime approaching, the shop was already somewhat crowded.

The individual tables were all occupied, so Wang Xun and Nanao sat at the counter. They had just ordered when a familiar voice rang out in surprise.

"Huh? Wang Xun, Nanao, what a coincidence!"

Wang Xun looked up at the voice and saw Kūkaku Shiba approaching from the side, a smile of undisguised surprise on her face.

Kaien Shiba followed behind her, and he froze for a moment when he saw Wang Xun.

Startled, Wang Xun instinctively glanced at Nanao beside him.

Nanao's hand paused around her teacup, then she lowered her head and took a sip as if nothing had happened.

But Wang Xun clearly saw her eyes narrow slightly behind her glasses as her gaze swept over the approaching Kūkaku.

Kūkaku, meanwhile, had already come right up to them as though they were old friends.

"Did you just order too? My big brother and I just got here."

"What a coincidence..."

Wang Xun could already feel the oppressive mood coming from beside him.

Kūkaku smiled brightly, her eyes flicking between Wang Xun and Nanao.

Nanao looked up calmly at Kūkaku and adjusted her glasses. "It really is a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here."

Her tone was polite, but held a faint chill.

"Right?" Kūkaku said with a smile. "There aren't any other seats, so let's squeeze in together."

With that, Kūkaku sat down beside Wang Xun, while Kaien sat next to her with an awkward smile and raised a hand to greet Wang Xun.

Soon, the ramen they had ordered was served.

Kūkaku looked at the ramen in Wang Xun's bowl, a glint flashing in her eyes.

"Is that a new flavor of ramen? I wonder what it tastes like. Can I try some?"

As she spoke, her chopsticks were already reaching eagerly toward his bowl. She looked at Wang Xun with sparkling eyes, a hint of wheedling in her manner.

"Can I?"

Before Wang Xun could respond, another pair of chopsticks darted forward with lightning speed, deftly picked up a small bundle of noodles from his bowl, and placed it on a small dish before offering it to Kūkaku.

The movements were smooth and precise, carried out with an unquestionable air of composure.

After doing all that, Nanao said calmly, "Use a dish. It's more hygienic."

Kūkaku blinked, looking at the bundle of noodles on the dish and then at Nanao's expressionless little face. She burst out laughing, finding it especially amusing.

The rest of the meal proceeded in a strange and somewhat noisy atmosphere.

Kūkaku remained lively, striking up conversations with Wang Xun and Kaien from time to time and occasionally bringing Nanao into the conversation.

Nanao quietly ate her noodles most of the time, giving brief responses only when necessary, but Wang Xun could tell that part of her attention was always on Kūkaku.

Whenever Kūkaku leaned too close to Wang Xun or gave him an overly radiant smile, Nanao would chew more slowly and start reaching for her teacup more often.

Kūkaku looked at Nanao's profile as she feigned composure and found it amusing, but didn't think it was anything she needed to watch out for.

Little Nanao clearly cared an awful lot, yet still insisted on pretending to be calm.

Still, it was rather cute.

In her eyes, Nanao was more like a little sister who had grown possessive of the big brother she relied on, nothing to worry about.

This battle will definitely end in my victory.

Hehe.

At last, the meal ended in an atmosphere of apparent harmony, with undercurrents swirling beneath the surface.

Wang Xun was the first to settle the bill, and the group walked out of the shop together.

"Thanks for the meal, Wang Xun!"

Kūkaku waved with a radiant smile.

"Next time, my big brother and I will treat. You have to come too, Little Nanao!"

Kaien also waved goodbye, and the siblings left side by side.

Only when their figures disappeared into the night did Wang Xun's taut nerves relax.

Why did that meal feel more tiring than a full day of intense training...?

He looked at Nanao beside him. In the darkness, her petite figure seemed somewhat slight as she gazed quietly in the direction Kūkaku had gone.

Nanao turned her head, moonlight and streetlights glimmering on her glasses.

"Miss Shiba is very pretty and lively. She seems to care a lot about you."

"Mm..."

Wang Xun scratched his chin, unsure how to respond.

Before Wang Xun could respond, Nanao moved on from the subject.

"We have an exam tomorrow. Come on, let's head back early."

Wang Xun kept pace with Nanao, the two walking side by side.

Nanao quietly turned her head to look at the young man beside her.

In the darkness, the strong lines of his profile were clearly visible, though for some reason he looked especially haggard.

Moonlight fell on his white hair, giving it a soft sheen.

Nanao's thoughts, however, were in a tangle.

An unfamiliar feeling, sour and bittersweet with a touch of warmth, quietly spread through her heart.

Why was I like a kitten guarding its food just now?

And that feeling of not wanting to see anyone else get close to him...

A vague thought flashed through her mind, making her heart tremble slightly, but she immediately forced it back down.

No, that's not right.

I'm just... just used to having him by my side, that's all.

Yes, that must be it...