Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 345

Chapter 345: Chapter 345: A Sense of Novelty

"Sigh..."

After finishing the preparations for Senjumaru Shutara’s room, Masatsuki Aozaki let out a deep sigh as he returned to Kirio Hikifune’s quarters.

It felt like all the strength had been drained from his body, and he collapsed onto the sofa, completely spent.

Kirio Hikifune, now on her fifth cup of sake, still held her porcelain cup with ease, her demeanor as relaxed as ever.

Tilting her head slightly, she smiled faintly.

"Aren’t you going to rest? It’s already late," she murmured, her voice as soft and soothing as a midnight breeze, carrying a touch of laziness and warmth.

"Ah... I still have some things to figure out, and I’m getting impatient. But more importantly—why aren’t you sleeping, Kirio?"

Masatsuki sat up, looking at the easygoing yet strangely dependable woman before him.

A woman who lived alone, yet had no qualms about bringing a random younger guy into her bedroom (?), seemingly unaware of the concept of a young lady needing to protect herself.

"I have a feeling you still need something from me, so I didn’t want to sleep before you spoke up. Is that okay?"

Kirio took a slow sip of her drink, her gaze clear and unwavering—like stars flickering in the night sky.

Masatsuki stared for a moment, at a loss for words.

He took a deep breath, feeling a strange, indescribable warmth surge in his chest.

What the hell is this?

This woman—who should be exuding a bold, carefree energy—why does she suddenly feel so adorable?!

She’s smart, understanding, and just too damn thoughtful—like the human embodiment of a warm, cozy winter coat.

Damn it... This is almost enough to make me cry!

"If you want to learn how to cook in the Soul King Palace, I should be able to help."

That’s what this kindhearted older sister had just told him.

There was absolutely no reason to refuse.

With an expression of genuine admiration, Masatsuki nodded enthusiastically.

"Alright, then I’ll be counting on you, Kirio. Lend me the kitchen next to your room for a while."

"Mm, got it. But... can I be your Master?"

"Master? That’s pretty direct. I thought you’d be a little more subtle about it."

"But I want to teach you, so I’m asking properly. Can I be your cooking Master?"

Kirio Hikifune blinked her large, bright eyes—playfully, almost cheatingly.

Her gaze locked onto Masatsuki’s, making it impossible for him to refuse.

If Kirio had been a few hundred—maybe even a thousand—years younger,

Masatsuki wouldn’t have hesitated.

He would’ve scooped her up in his arms and planted a few affectionate kisses on her without a second thought.

But... doing something like that to a bold and lively older sister in her prime?

That’d just be weird.

So instead, Masatsuki simply smiled—a look of pure gratitude—and accepted her offer.

"..."

The corners of Kirio’s lips curved ever so slightly into a subtle, almost imperceptible smirk.

Making her look even more alluring.

...

Morning in the Soul King Palace

"Hm~"

Early the next morning, Senjumaru Shutara woke up and stretched lazily before sitting up in bed.

Since she had hurriedly set up her room the night before, it still felt somewhat empty—there wasn’t much furniture besides a simple, ordinary bed.

But to Senjumaru, this unfamiliar simplicity made her feel as if she had stepped into another world.

As a member of the Zero Division and the overseer of the Divine Soldier Unit, she was long accustomed to a life of extravagance—though admittedly, it was dull.

Still, what she truly longed for was the chance to taste Kirio Hikifune’s cooking again.

While the Divine Soldiers were decent cooks in their own right, there was still a noticeable gap between their skills and Kirio’s.

Not to mention the heavenly takeout Masatsuki Aozaki used to bring back when she was still in Seireitei.

That flavor—perfectly balanced and seeping into the very depths of the soul—was utterly irresistible.

Thinking about it, Senjumaru shook her head and muttered to herself:

"...No, no, I refuse to be this embarrassing again."

And inside, she found Kirio Hikifune, already sitting at the table, enjoying her breakfast.

Quickly, Senjumaru straightened her hair and smoothed out the edges of her robe.

After making sure she looked presentable, she plastered on a bright smile and greeted her cheerfully.

"Good morning, Kirio! You’re up early."

"...Didn’t sleep all night."

Kirio nonchalantly picked up her knife and fork, slicing off a piece of crispy bacon before popping it into her mouth.

As she chewed, she glanced over at Senjumaru and motioned toward the table with her chin.

"There. Yours is ready too."

Sure enough, right across from her, there was another neatly plated breakfast waiting.

The sight made Senjumaru’s eyes widen.

The aroma of perfectly cooked bacon and ham filled the air. The soft-boiled eggs had a rich, golden hue, and the toasted bread carried a light, smoky fragrance.

Beside them, freshly sliced fruit glistened with moisture, looking irresistibly fresh.

To top it off, three beverages were arranged beside the plate—milk, coffee, and juice.

It was an exceptionally lavish breakfast.

It wasn’t quite the same as any specific Western-style meal but rather a fusion of various breakfast traditions from different cultures.

Senjumaru stared at it in shock.

"Wait... Masatsuki made this? For me? Really?"

Kirio, still chewing her food, reluctantly paused long enough to nod.

"Yup. After you stole the dessert last night, Masatsuki figured you probably liked Western food."

"But since he didn’t know which type, he just combined all his favorites into one."

"Honestly, that kid’s a culinary genius. Took him just one night to adjust to the Soul King Palace’s environment and whip up all this."

Senjumaru blinked in disbelief.

She was impressed, sure—but she waved a hand dismissively.

"Well... it’s just the novelty of it all. My favorite is still the usual..."