CHAPTER 172-173: Reflection

Happy new year folks!

...

Kazuya meandered through the quiet, almost contemplative streets of Karakura Town with Momo on his side. He couldn't help but reflect on the recent incident. He'd harbored this belief, a somewhat naïve one in retrospect, that Aizen wouldn't directly target any Captain until the eve of his grand plan. But today, Aizen acted far more viciously compared to the canon event of him testing out his Hollows.

After dissecting through many theories, he arrived at two reasons. The first, that Aizen had somehow discovered his secret as a Hollow, was quickly dismissed. It didn't align with Aizen's modus operandi; such a discovery would make Kazuya not a target, but a subject of intense, perhaps morbid curiosity. His rare ability to switch between races was a key that could unlock new realms of power for Aizen, even take him through transcendence. Aizen wouldn't rashly send some mere Hollow essence for him.

The second reason, however, held a grim plausibility. The chessboard of power had shifted with Kazuya's actions — Espada's ranks had weakened considerably when compared to the canon lineup of Espada. On the other side, Gotei 13 kept getting stronger with the inclusion of Vice-Captain and Captain-Class candidates like Kazuya, Renji, Rukia, Momo, and Toshiro. Aizen's actions might have been to kill these rising threats.

{I can believe in that. The loss of Barragan and Starrk, the #1 and #2 Espada, is immense.}

During the week Kazuya stayed in the Living World, he had taken Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck from Hueco Mundo and turned them into a permanent member of Kisuke's shop, granting them the same fate as Grimmjow's group. He didn't have to threaten Starrk. In fact, Starrk was rather relaxed about coming with him.

'Then there is the Hollow essence infection. He deliberately used it.'

If he, Momo, and Toshiro went through the Hollowification in Living World, the blame would fall upon the Shinigami who had been previously charged for the Visored's incident. The former Shinigami who had fled the Soul Society to avoid the judgment from Central 46.

Kisuke Urahara.

{Taking out three potential Captains/Vice-Captains and shifting the blame on his rival in one move. He is even more terrifying than we had anticipated… How exciting, Partner!}

'That sly motherfucker has his eyes on Kisuke's Hōgyoku. Does that mean he has a counterplan for Yama's Zanpakutō?'

{Kukukuku. He can prepare all he wants for Yama's flames. Our flames will destroy him.}

Kazuya shook his head at Nami's eagerness to fight Aizen. Even after Aizen tried to assassinate him, he didn't change his stance — he'd only fight Aizen until he was completely confident in killing him.

'Unohana's training should fill the gap.'

{Let Mamahana whip you into shape so you can whip her into shape. It's a win-win for both of you, umu.}

'Did you just imitate… the Umu Empress Nero?'

{No, I'm the Umu Goddess. Umu.}

'...'

Momo, who was walking by his side, grabbed his hand. "Kazuya-kun, people don't realize we're here with them… it's like we're in a separate world, where we can do anything without being judged."

Her glinting eyes and slight smirk carried positive sexual energy. Unfortunately for her, he wasn't in the mood to do anything remotely close to sex.

"Momo, is this your first time in the Living World?"

"I think so," she said, looking towards the starry sky. "I died when I was four or five. Shiro-chan too… We were fortunate that Oba-san adopted us and took care of us like her children."

"Hmm, having good parents is nice."

Momo nodded, then she excitedly dragged him to the Shopping District of Karakura Town. Being a regular visitor to this place, he helped her with directions. After strolling the streets for a couple of minutes, she stopped at a bouquet shop. Strangely, he could sense two familiar Reiatsu within the store.

Things started to make sense when he checked the shop's name. Heiwa na Mure no Hanaya — the shop's name directly translated to 'Peaceful Pride's Flower Shop.'

"Kazuya-kun, these flowers smell nice. Will it be robbery if I take some?"

"No."

Momo pulled him into the flower shop. Inside, the cramped space was a riot of colors and scents. On the right, rows of fragrant flowers in full bloom, their petals a vivid contrast against the black dress of Sung-Sun, who seemed absorbed in tending to the flowers. On the left, a counter where Mila Rose was lost in slumber. 

{It weirdly suits Sung-Sun to open a flower shop. Why is Franceska here?}

'Probably bullied into doing this.'

{Sung-Sun is a menace.}

Meanwhile, Momo was struck by surprise. The random flower shop they walked into had two of the prettiest ladies she had ever met. The warmth coming from Kazuya's hand swept away every sense of inferiority. Holding his hands was every bit of proof of her charm, that she meant something to him.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance coming from many flowers. "Which one do I choose?"

Mila Rose tipped her fedora, and her eyes widened upon seeing Momo and Kazuya. "S-Skull—"

"Ara, Rose. Don't scare customers like that." Sung-Sun looked over her shoulders and placed down the watering can. "Dear, how can we serve two budding Shinigami?"

"Y-Yeah, what do ya need?"

Only after Sung-Sun's deliberate reminder did Mila Rose realize Kazuya's current identity.

Momo immediately became vigilant. "You two know about Shinigami? How?"

In her eyes, even those sensitive to spiritual energy shouldn't be aware of Shinigami. After all, every Shinigami carried gadgets to swap humans' memories if they were discovered.

Sung-Sun covered her mouth with a sleeve and giggled. "We normally don't tell our secrets to everyone, but… I feel like I can trust you two. Me and this lovely lady are, in fact, descendants of Quincy."

She could feel the affection bursting from Momo the way she held Kazuya's hand. Thus, she revealed her made-up identities to pacify Momo's suspicion.

"Yeah, let's trust the guy with a shady smile," Mila Rose retorted. "Cyan, you're ridiculous."

Sung-Sun glared at Mila Rose, who was going overboard with the act. "Rose, I'm the owner. I decide the rules. Obey me, or I shall kick you out."

Mila Rose slammed her fists on the counter. "Don't threaten—"

"Slow down," Kazuya said, reaching out to pat her head. "Anger doesn't suit your lovely face."

Mila Rose leaned into his hand, silently enjoying his caress. "If you say so~."

Momo was left astounded by how effortlessly Kazuya tamed the furious employee. The man she chose was a little too good with the opposite gender.

Sung-Sun giggled. "Rose is also a natural at forming bonds with customers. People always leave a tip for her because of her sheer enthusiasm."

Momo couldn't help but nod in agreement. She skidded to Sung-Sun's side and whispered, "Florist-san… can you help me pick some romantic flowers?"

"Are you going to propose?"

Momo firmly nodded her head, showing no embarrassment in admitting her love. "I want to confess my feelings… You look quite experienced yourself. Do you have any advice for me?"

Sung-Sun couldn't help but chuckle. Momo came to ask her for advice on how to get together with her husband. Being the magnanimous wife she was, she decided to play the wingman.

"Here's how you do this…"

Momo listened to every word of advice with even more attention than her Kidō training. Some things genuinely made her confused, flabbergasted even, but she couldn't question Sung-Sun's wisdom.

After Sung-Sun enlightened her and she received her bouquet of Camellia flowers, Momo meandered to Kazuya's side. He was still having fun flirting with Mila Rose. "Kazuya-kun, we can leave now."

Kazuya noted the bouquet in her hand before giving her a warm smile. "Sure."

Mila Rose waved at him, a hint of longing in her eyes. "Come again, Kazuya and Momo!"

Sung-Sun also waved her oversized sleeve. "Please come back soon."

"We will!" Momo replied enthusiastically. "Bye, Florist-san, Receptionist-san."

As they left the flower shop, Momo's demeanor shifted. She walked beside him, her gaze flitting between him and the bouquet. Even after they traveled halfway back, Momo remained silent, unable to find the courage to say a word. She seemed hesitant about angering him and losing the relationship she currently had with him.

"Momo," he called calmly. "Don't you have something to say?"

"Kazuya-kun…"

"You should know by now that I don't like meek girls."

Momo froze in her tracks, her eyes flying wide open in surprise. Hearing his preference, she threw all modesty out of the window and went down to one knee. She extended the bouquet in her hands towards him. "Kazuya-kun, I love you… I can't live without you. Please accept me as one of your girlfriends!"

Momo knew all about his attraction to Rangiku. Rather than competing with someone else and losing her chance, she straight-up asked to be one of his women.

He took the bouquet with a smile. "What if I say no?"

Her face went pale, but observing his playful smile gave her a sense of relief.

'It's a test.'

She joined her hands before her chest and looked straight into his eyes. "I will try again… if you reject me again, I'll try for the third time. Third time's a charm, you know… hehe."

"And what if that's not enough?"

"It will be," Momo stated, mustering fake confidence to bolster her voice. "My sincerity and affection will reach you one day. That day… As a Shinigami, I'll easily live until that day, trying my absolute best to win your heart."

He extended his hand. "Sheesh. Alright, alright. I accept—"

A loud spatial distortion interrupted their moment as a garganta opened above him. A man with black hair and glowing green eyes walked out. He was a pale-skinned Arrancar with half of his head covered in the fragments of his Hollow Mask and two black lines running down from the center of his eyes.

"Silver hair, blue eyes." Ulquiorra Cifer's cold eyes looked down upon them. "Is it my luck to find you immediately or your bad luck to be here at this exact moment?"

...

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