Maki took his seat and placed the long sword carefully at his side.
A moment later, Unohana approached without hesitation and sat beside him on the sofa as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Rangiku's eyes widened.
In her mind, alarms were ringing.
This is high-grade gossip.
She had completely forgotten whatever she'd been thinking about earlier. Now her entire focus was on the two of them seated far too comfortably next to each other.
Isane's gentle voice broke the silence.
"Matsumoto-san, would you like more tea?"
Rangiku straightened instantly. "Yes, please."
She had already finished one cup while waiting, but there was no way she was leaving now. Absolutely not. She needed to see how this unfolded. Tea was the perfect excuse to remain seated like a completely reasonable person.
"Got it," Isane replied with a small nod.
Then she turned toward the man adjusting the long blade beside him.
"U-Um… M-Maki-san… w-what about you?"
He glanced at her. "Coffee, please."
Isane smiled softly. "A-alright."
She then looked at the cat perched on his shoulder.
"And you, Yoruichi-sensei?"
"I'm good with anything," Yoruichi answered lazily.
Isane nodded and moved toward the attached kitchen. Unlike certain other offices, Unohana's workspace had a fully equipped kitchenette — everything needed for tea breaks and quiet hospitality.
Rangiku strategically repositioned herself on the opposite sofa, ensuring she had the perfect viewing angle.
Yoruichi leapt gracefully from Maki's shoulder and settled atop the table, curling her tail around herself while waiting for her drink.
Unohana, seated beside Maki, glanced at the long sword.
"Is that also your zanpakutō?" she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Even sealed, she could feel the spiritual pressure radiating from it.
Rangiku and Isane both perked up immediately.
Maki smiled faintly. "Oh, this? It looks good, right?" He lifted it and placed it horizontally across his lap.
Unohana's gaze lingered. "I've never seen you carry it before."
"I just got it," he replied simply.
All three women raised their eyebrows at that.
They didn't press further. If they asked too much, he would probably answer in a way that only created more confusion.
"What is its name?" Unohana asked, her hand slowly approaching the obsidian scabbard.
"It's called Hōzukimaru," he said, a hint of enthusiasm in his deep voice. "And it can transform."
Interest sharpened instantly in the room.
Unohana's fingers brushed the scabbard. The obsidian was real — cool and solid, not decorative. Embedded along its length, a red crystal dragon appeared to shift subtly, as though alive.
"What can it transform into?" she asked.
Maki looked at her and smiled. "It can extend into a spear."
"Spear?" Unohana repeated.
"It's not just a spear… is it?" she added knowingly.
"Oh, you can tell?" Maki's eyes gleamed slightly. "Well, I need to say something cool before it turns into something bigger."
Rangiku straightened.
Isane stopped mid-motion while setting cups down.
"And that would be?" Unohana asked gently, though she clearly knew.
Maki frowned thoughtfully. "The keyword is the same as yours. I think it's called… Honkai? Or Hankai?"
Unohana sighed softly. "It's Bankai, anata."
"Oh, right. Bankai. And do—"
Rangiku slammed her palm onto the table.
"W-what did you just say?" she demanded.
Maki tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
But everyone knew what she meant.
Bankai.
Achieving it was already nearly impossible.
But Unohana calling him anata?
That was a revelation on an entirely different level.
Rangiku slowly turned toward her captain.
"Unohana-sensei… what's going on? Since when did you have a partner?"
Her tone was teasing, but her eyes sparkled with ferocious curiosity.
Unohana lifted her tea calmly. "How should I know? It just happened."
Isane returned with the drinks and placed them carefully on the table.
"Thank you," Maki said.
"N-no problem," she replied, smiling.
Unohana took a quiet sip of tea.
But internally, a different thought surfaced.
Bankai…
Who wouldn't want to test that?
Rangiku sipped her coffee, her eyes never leaving Maki. She couldn't see his full face beneath the shadow, only pale skin, sharp jawline, and red lips.
She desperately wanted to know who this man was — who could possibly make Unohana appear so… softened.
Yet she smiled at the sight of them together, clearly enjoying the unfolding story.
Yoruichi's black coffee had been served in a shallow bowl. She drank it leisurely, golden eyes watching everything.
Isane took a seat beside Rangiku, quietly enjoying her tea.
The office felt heavy — not with hostility, but with layered emotion.
Curiosity.
Mystery.
Interest.
And beneath it all…
Anticipation.
Σ(p´;Д;｀)qAM N. NOT.