Chapter 10: A Light Bond

The late afternoon sun cast a soft, warm glow over the Academy grounds as Seijirou made his way toward the training fields.

He was supposed to be meeting Yoruichi for their usual sparring session, but today she had suggested bringing someone else along as well: Kisuke.

Seijirou wasn't entirely sure how this would go. While he and Yoruichi had sparred together countless times, Kisuke added an unpredictable element.

Seijirou knew from his interactions with the other prodigy that Kisuke didn't take things as seriously as others. And with Yoruichi's tendency to egg him on, there was no telling what the two of them might come up with.

When Seijirou arrived, he saw Yoruichi and Kisuke already waiting, deep in conversation.

Yoruichi looked amused, her golden eyes glinting with mirth as Kisuke demonstrated some exaggerated movement, his arms flailing dramatically.

Seijirou approached, raising an eyebrow as he watched the display.

"Is this what you call warming up?" Seijirou asked dryly, folding his arms as he came to a stop beside them.

Yoruichi grinned, elbowing Kisuke, who let out an exaggerated sigh. "See, Seiji doesn't get it either! I told you no one actually stretches that way."

"Just a little creative warm-up routine," Kisuke replied with a shrug, his tone innocent. "Keeps the muscles guessing."

Seijirou gave him a skeptical look, though he couldn't help the slight smile tugging at his lips. "If your muscles need to guess what you're doing, then maybe you're the one who needs more training."

"Oh, burn!" Yoruichi snickered, crossing her arms and shaking her head at Kisuke.

Kisuke looked between the two of them, putting on a wounded expression.

"I see I'm outnumbered," he sighed dramatically. "But just you wait—I'll have both of you eating your words once we get started."

He shot Seijirou a challenging grin, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that suggested he was just playing around. Seijirou found himself relaxing slightly.

He hadn't anticipated that he'd actually enjoy Kisuke's company, but there was something refreshing about his lightheartedness.

It was a welcome contrast to the calculated, intense conversations he usually had with Aizen.

"All right, genius," Yoruichi said, stepping forward and rolling her shoulders. "Show us what that 'creative warm-up' has done for you. Let's make it interesting: first one to land a hit on Seiji wins."

Kisuke's eyes lit up at the challenge. "Oh, now that sounds like fun," he said, turning to Seijirou with a gleeful smirk. "Better watch out, Seijirou. I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Seijirou shook his head, amused. "I doubt anything you have up your sleeve will be enough."

"Is that so?" Kisuke's smile widened, and without warning, he lunged forward, aiming a quick punch toward Seijirou's side.

Seijirou sidestepped effortlessly, letting Kisuke's momentum carry him past. But before he could react, Yoruichi appeared on his other side, striking out with a low sweep.

Seijirou jumped, narrowly dodging her attack, and spun to face both of them, his eyes narrowed.

"Oh, teaming up, are we?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I should have expected this."

Kisuke shrugged, grinning. "You're the one who keeps going on about being superior. We figured you'd appreciate a real challenge."

Seijirou smirked. "All right, then. Let's see what you've got."

The next few minutes were a flurry of movement as the three of them sparred, with Yoruichi and Kisuke working together to try to catch Seijirou off guard.

Kisuke's unpredictability kept things interesting—just when Seijirou thought he had the upper hand, Kisuke would do something completely unexpected, forcing Seijirou to adapt.

At one point, Kisuke threw a small rock in Seijirou's direction, a distraction that allowed Yoruichi to close in from behind.

But Seijirou was faster, dodging the rock and countering Yoruichi's attack in a single smooth movement. Yoruichi stumbled slightly, but she quickly recovered, laughing as she caught her balance.

"Not bad, Seiji," she said, her eyes bright with excitement. "But don't get too comfortable."

Kisuke, who had taken advantage of the distraction to circle around Seijirou, suddenly appeared at his side, attempting to grab his arm.

But Seijirou was ready, twisting out of Kisuke's grip and shoving him back with a light but firm push.

Kisuke stumbled back, but he was still grinning. "I have to hand it to you—you're tougher than you look," he said, brushing himself off.

Seijirou smirked. "Is that so? Maybe you're just not as clever as you think."

Yoruichi laughed, stepping between them. "All right, all right, enough banter. I don't know about you two, but I'm starving. Let's call it a draw and get something to eat."

Kisuke looked at her in mock horror. "A draw? I was obviously winning."

"Oh, really?" Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Because from where I was standing, it looked like you were the one who got pushed on his back."

Kisuke huffed, crossing his arms. "Details, details."

Seijirou chuckled, and for a moment, he felt a strange sense of peace. Here, with Yoruichi and Kisuke, he could let down his guard, if only a little.

They were different from Aizen—less intense, more lighthearted. There was no pressure here, no need to prove himself. He could simply be.

As they walked back toward the Academy, the three of them chatting and laughing, Seijirou couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for this unexpected friendship.

It wasn't something he had sought out, but he was glad for it all the same.

Yoruichi glanced over at him, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, Seiji," she said, leaning closer. "Are you finally going to admit that you actually like Kisuke?"

Seijirou rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

"I tolerate him," he replied, casting a sideways glance at Kisuke.

Kisuke clutched his chest, pretending to be wounded. "Tolerate? Oh, the cruelty! And here I thought we were friends."

Yoruichi burst into laughter, and even Seijirou couldn't suppress a chuckle. Despite himself, he was beginning to see why Yoruichi had been so drawn to Kisuke's company.

There was something disarming about him, a carefree nature that seemed to bring out the lighter side in everyone around him.

As they continued walking, Seijirou felt a small shift within himself. For so long, he had carried the weight of his superiority like a shield, using it to keep others at a distance.

But with Yoruichi and Kisuke, he didn't feel the need to hold that shield so tightly. He could let his guard down, if only a little.

In that moment, surrounded by laughter and the warmth of friendship, Seijirou realized something he hadn't thought possible: he didn't have to face his path alone.

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End of Chapter 10