Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 349

Chapter 349: Chapter 349: Master Kirio

Then... evening arrived.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the world outside the window darkened, and the cool glow of the moonlight streamed into the room, casting a pale hue over the silent figure within.

Only then did Senjumaru Shutara quietly, cautiously, creep out of her room.

Like a thief in the night, she hugged the walls, moving stealthily down the hallway and slipping past the staircase, making sure to avoid any unnecessary noise.

After confirming that no one was around, she raised a hand to her mouth, coughed lightly, and composed herself, restoring her usual poised demeanor.

Then, almost immediately, she heard voices from the dining room—Masatsuki Aozaki and Kirio Hikifune in conversation.

"As a guest staying under someone else’s roof, leaving without a word at noon—without even saying goodbye to Kirio—was terribly rude of me!"

A deep sense of defeat washed over Senjumaru. For what felt like the hundredth time today, she questioned whether she had completely destroyed her image as a respectable senior.

We’ve barely been living under the same roof for a day... Just how many disgraceful things have I done already?

Of course, what she didn’t realize—

The dignified "senior" image she believed she had never existed to begin with.

Masatsuki Aozaki, who never once took the idea of "senior-junior" relationships seriously, certainly wouldn’t be fooled.

And Kirio Hikifune?

As someone who had been her colleague and close friend in the same division back in Seireitei, Kirio had known her true nature from the very start.

She had simply chosen to spare Senjumaru’s pride by never pointing it out.

Expecting to maintain a reliable image in front of these two had been a completely futile endeavor from the beginning.

So, as she cautiously approached the entrance to the dining room and peeked inside with half her face hidden...

"Wow, this is quite the spread! Not bad, Masatsuki!"

Senjumaru’s eyes lit up instantly, all of her previous worries vanishing in a flash.

Shifting her gaze toward the dining table, she saw Masatsuki and Kirio happily chatting away, surrounded by an assortment of delicious-looking dishes.

"Come on in, Senpai," Kirio called warmly.

There was a gentle, motherly quality to her voice—so much so that if she ever had children, she would no doubt make an excellent mother.

Masatsuki raised an eyebrow, flashing a mischievous smirk as he turned his gaze toward Senjumaru.

Meeting his eyes, Senjumaru felt her cheeks heat up ever so slightly.

But she quickly steadied herself, adjusting her clothes, straightening her posture, and stepping into the room with the grace and composure befitting her noble status.

Masatsuki let out a teasing sigh.

"Senpai, your expressions are getting more and more animated. Alright, starting today, I’ll be learning from you on how to manage subtle expressions."

"If you keep this up, Masatsuki, even as your senior, I won’t be able to stop myself from getting angry."

Hearing this, Senjumaru felt a pang of grievance rise in her chest, causing her lips to pout slightly in protest.

But then—

She suddenly recalled what had happened earlier in the day.

A wave of shyness crept over her, but along with it came a flicker of realization—an urgent warning in the back of her mind.

Get it together.

I am Senjumaru Shutara. A former captain of the Gotei 13. A member of the Zero Division for centuries.

I may not care for flaunting my seniority—but I refuse to keep making a fool of myself!

Summoning her courage, she carefully stepped forward, deliberately keeping her movements refined and measured.

Even so, she couldn’t quite suppress the nervous energy bubbling beneath the surface.

She took a seat across from Masatsuki and glanced at the table.

A neatly arranged set of chopsticks and an untouched bowl had been placed there, along with a meal identical to the ones before the other two.

The presentation was impeccable, and just the sight of it stirred her appetite.

Clearly, it had been set aside for her.

A quiet warmth filled her chest.

She was touched.

But expressing that outright?

If she was struggling to hold back, wouldn’t it be easier to just give in and follow the lead of the exuberant woman beside her?

Masatsuki glanced between Kirio and Senjumaru.

The stark contrast between the carefree, hearty eater and the prim, reserved noblewoman was so amusing that he couldn’t help but sigh in exasperated amusement.

But more importantly—

While Senjumaru herself might not have noticed, Masatsuki had picked up on something else.

From the moment Senjumaru had stepped into the dining room, Kirio Hikifune hadn’t spoken a single word.

Her usual bright expression remained unchanged, yet Masatsuki could see it clearly.

Between bites, her gaze would flicker between him and Senjumaru, only for her lips to purse ever so slightly before she quickly hid it behind another mouthful of food.

Masatsuki let out a quiet chuckle.

Considering the fact that Kirio had once planted a kiss on him right in front of all the captains before their first trip to the Soul King Palace—

There was no way anyone would believe that there wasn’t something going on between them.

So, before the atmosphere shifted any further, Masatsuki decided to pacify the girlfriend he had reunited with after so many years apart.

Turning to meet Kirio’s gaze, he spoke seriously.

"I’d like to continue practicing my cooking tonight. Kirio, be my teacher again and guide me."

Hearing his request, Kirio’s eyes lit up instantly. She straightened her posture without hesitation.

Unlike the composed lady beside her, Kirio was as straightforward as they came.

Her every movement radiated boisterous enthusiasm, and her every smile and expression carried the warmth of a roaring oven, brimming with life.

So when she was happy—

It was very obvious.

"Then I’ll be counting on you, Master Kirio."

"Just leave it to me!"

Masatsuki’s sincere address made Kirio’s smile widen even further, the corners of her lips curving up with undisguised joy.