CHAPTER 86: An Unusual Relationship

Kazuya had a refreshing bath with Sung-Sun first thing in the morning. Mila Rose, Apacci, Harribel, and Cirucci were already there, nestled around the table in the dining room. Each reacted differently as Sung-Sun walked into the dining room with him, her arm twined possessively around his arm.

A scornful sneer twisted Mila Rose's lips as her gaze hardened with clear disdain. Apacci, on the other hand, attempted to cloak her emotions behind a mask of aloofness. But the subtle twitch of her fingers and a faint furrow of her brows betrayed the jealousy brewing beneath her cool facade. Harribel was visibly tight-lipped, her face creased with a barely perceptible frown of judgment. Cirucci, however, appeared utterly indifferent, seemingly uninterested in his love life.

"Husband, let me serve you breakfast," Sung-Sun purred, drawing out his chair and bringing the packed dishes to serve him. "Here. I made you delicious food~."

Mila Rose made a disgusted face as if she couldn't bear to watch Sung-Sun's housewife act. "Apacci, will you do me the favor of smacking this bitch in the head? She has clearly lost it."

Mila Rose was the type to poke fun at anyone, anytime, anywhere with her unparalleled inability to read the room. She'd have been the type of person who made jokes at someone's funeral.

Apacci shook her head. "Let her act… she was moaning all night."

Cyan Sung-Sun stifled a yawn, the corners of her lips curving up. "Husband and I had a fancy night. I'm tired…"

"Oi, Skull and Snake," Mila Rose yelled. "Can't you two fuck in moderation? You guys were so damn loud yesterday. I'd have kicked your asses if Cirucci didn't stop me."

Kazuya had forgotten to put on the forcefield that suppressed noise to an extent. Mila Rose's complaint reminded him of a crucial flaw in the mansion. Even though their bedrooms were so far apart, their superhuman senses could easily pick on the noises coming from another floor.

"Wait," Kazuya said. "Mila Rose sleeps with Cirucci? Don't you two have separate bedrooms?"

"What's wrong with sleeping in Cirucci's room? Her wings are so damn comfortable pillows."

"Oh."

His suspicions of their relationship tickled his mind, unsettling him. If they were to take a romantic turn, he didn't know how he'd handle it.

"Cirucci, you gotta let me try your pillow wings."

Cirucci rolled her eyes. "Be happy I let you borrow my lap. Don't push the boundaries, Leader."

Sleeping with him was different from sharing a bed with a friend. Both of them were aware of it.

"Awww." He turned to Apacci. "Oh, Apacci. I think your Resurrección form gives you fur on your body."

"I'm not using my Resurrección for you to use me as a body pillow!"

"Come on. Listen to your lover's last request."

Her resistance crumbled like a castle of sand under a wave. "Fine…" she admitted with a sigh. "Only tonight."

"Thanks, Apacci."

She was trying not to show any happiness at his request but he could see through her facade. She was pleased that she was desired by him.

Sung-Sun tugged at his sleeve. "Can I join you tonight, Husband?"

"No!" Apacci rejected Sung-Sun with a red face. "Sleep in your room."

"Miser," Sung-Sun said with a cute pout. "Selfish, little miser deer."

"..."

The tension dissolved as he focused back on his breakfast, the sound of his lovers' bickering fading into the background. Once he finished his breakfast, he extended a hand towards Harribel, who was still seated, observing him with a soft smile.

"Come with me, Harribel."

She flinched as her smile vanished. Her shoulders slumped slightly, a hint of resignation clouding her features. She knew the reason behind his request. Turning to Mila Rose and Cirucci, she revealed a stern frown. "Don't try anything weird in my absence."

"I won't!"

He chuckled at her mother-like warnings to the group. "Let's go."

…

Minutes later, Harribel could be seen sitting on a bed while Kazuya leaned against the window of his room.

Harribel looked at him. "Kazuya?"

His lips curved into a reassuring smile. "I want to talk about you. More accurately, I want to know about your inclination to treat me—and others around me like your child."

She hesitated, her eyes wavering with a tinge of guilt. "I don't know… It's just my instinct to look after younger people. You're the only one I may have treated like my… child."

The confession weighed on her. She'd been fighting this battle within herself, knowing it was wrong to impose such a role without his consent, yet unable to resist. Acting like his mother provided her relief on deeper levels.

"Don't make that face," he whispered, approaching her and laying his head on her soft thighs. "I'd have said no if I didn't enjoy your care. I'm just conflicted…"

"Conflicted about your feelings for me?" she asked softly. "Do you remember the favor I was going to ask in Hueco Mundo?"

"What was that about?"

She leaned in, so close that he could see his reflection in her aqua green eyes. "I... I wanted you to accept Mila Rose as your lover. And for us to... remain the same. With me as... your mother."

Her confession hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her suppressed feelings. She had wished to maintain their existing dynamics, to continue cherishing him like a child. But Apacci getting attacked by Gillian had stopped her from asking the favor that may have changed their relationship forever.

"I see," he said, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "What changed your mind?"

"You openly showed interest in me after you became an Arrancar… I couldn't bring myself to ask the favor again."

He reached out and touched her face, tracing her soft skin. "It's fine. You can continue pampering me as long as you want."

But she withdrew from his touch, her eyes shutting tight. A shake of her head followed her retreat. "I won't take things for granted anymore."

"Then how about you take up both roles? Act as my mother and my lover…"

The words felt weird in his mind and sounded weirder in reality. He shut his eyes, trying to escape the awkwardness, only to feel a surprising softness against his lips. His eyes snapped open, meeting the sight of Harribel kissing him, her eyes sealed shut in concentration. It was a simple press of lips, but the emotional magnitude of sharing it with Harribel was enough to make his heart pound wildly.

After a lingering moment, she pulled back, her breath mixing with his. "It's decided then… I'll cherish you like my child, and also love you... as your woman."

He could tell she wasn't immune to the oddness of their situation. The slight hesitation in her voice hinted at the embarrassment she felt about the unusual relationship he had proposed — their current relationship.

"Say something," she grumbled. "You're making it… awkward."

Instead of answering her request, he burst out laughing. "It's refreshing to see Tier's cute side."

A playful ruffle through his hair was her retort, but her touch soon softened, her fingertips caressing his scalp with an affectionate ease. Receiving lap pillows in Harribel's Vasto Lorde form was a blissful expression but receiving lap pillows in her Arrancar form was a completely different experience. It was an entirely different level of comfort and intimacy. It was akin to being spoiled by royalty, which they both were going to become at some point.

{Hey, Partner. Mommy Harribel is temporary and our bond is eternal… forever and ever.}

'...'

A/N: Legendary achievement unlocked: Mommy Lover.

...

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