The next moment, Rukia looked at the familiar figure, and the stone hanging in her heart finally fell, and her whole body relaxed.
"Brother Reiji..."
Then, Rukia rushed over without hesitation and hugged Aozaki Reiji directly.
"What's wrong?"
Aozaki Reiji was a little confused by the girl's panic.
But he still subconsciously stretched out his hands to catch the cute girl.
He skillfully stroked her smooth hair, with a gentle smile on his face, and asked softly:
"What happened? Are you hungry?"
"No..."
Rukia sniffed the faint, unique fragrance on Aozaki Reiji's body, and her face turned red like a ripe apple.
She quickly closed her eyes, trying to hide her shyness.
However, in the heart of this 'brother', she seemed to have really become a glutton!
"Oh my, it seems Captain Reiji is very popular with children, so I'm relieved."
Just then, a strange voice sounded beside them, interrupting Rukia's thoughts.
Rukia turned her head curiously to look.
She had rushed out of the room just now, only thinking of Aozaki Reiji, and hadn't paid attention to anything around her.
Only then did she see a man with a black and white face standing beside Aozaki Reiji, looking at her with a terrifying smile.
"Mochi... Mochi monster!"
Looking at Mayuri Kurotsuchi with his strange makeup, Rukia blurted out subconsciously.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi: "..."
Why are these brats so rude!?
"So who is this girl?"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked at the 'ill-mannered' little Rukia and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eye as he spoke.
"Mind your attitude, Deputy Director Kurotsuchi Mayuri, didn't you hear her call me 'brother'?"
Aozaki Reiji held the startled Rukia and raised an eyebrow, saying.
"She is now also a member of the Aozaki Family, insulting a high-ranking noble is a serious crime."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was stunned, seemingly not expecting Aozaki Reiji to say that.
He remembered that the Aozaki Family only had Aozaki Reiji, right?
He did know that Aozaki Reiji came from the Human World, could this child be his clansman from the Human World?
But Aozaki Reiji had been a Shinigami for so many years, how could he still remember things from the Human World!
"Don't think so much, she's just an ordinary child brought back from Rukongai."
Aozaki Reiji glared at him, looking impatient.
Seeing Mayuri Kurotsuchi's expression.
He didn't need to guess to know that this great genius was losing control of his brain and overthinking again.
Is this guy that kind-hearted?
Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked at him suspiciously, clearly not believing his words.
"Hmph, that's none of my business, anyway, I've brought the person to you."
"However, I haven't found the 'shadow world' you mentioned yet, so I'm going back first."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi finished speaking and turned to leave.
"Lord Mayuri... are you leaving?"
Suddenly, a calm voice reached Rukia's ears.
She subconsciously turned her head.
She saw a little girl with a blank expression standing there, her eyes calm as she watched the three of them.
At this moment, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's gaze swept over his masterpiece, then he waved his hand dismissively and said:
"From now on, you will stay here, Nemuri."
"Yes, Lord Mayuri."
Nemuri Kurotsuchi lowered her head slightly after hearing his words, indicating acceptance of the arrangement.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi glanced at her with indifferent eyes, then turned to Aozaki Reiji and said casually:
"Captain Reiji, Nemuri Nanago is my latest creation."
"The research is still ongoing, I might still need her, so don't let her become Waste (broken) too quickly."
Aozaki Reiji saw Mayuri Kurotsuchi's indifferent expression and couldn't help but laugh, finding everything happening before him very interesting.
He crossed his arms lazily over his chest, tilted his head, and said with a smile to Mayuri Kurotsuchi:
"Oh, are you concerned about your 'daughter', Deputy Director Kurotsuchi Mayuri?"
Upon hearing this, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's face flashed with displeasure and panic, but he quickly suppressed it.
He responded indifferently:
"That's absurd, she's merely my experiment. Giving her my surname doesn't mean she's my daughter."
"If you wish, you can change her name anytime."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi sneered, his gaze filled with disdain, and he said coldly:
"I don't have time to waste here, Captain Reiji, if you want to chat, find someone else."
After speaking, he turned and left.
Aozaki Reiji looked at Mayuri Kurotsuchi's retreating back, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, a hint of slyness in his smile.
He said softly:
"Is that so? Then I won't see you off. I'll take good care of Nemuri. Take your time, Deputy Director Kurotsuchi Mayuri."
Then he patted Nemuri Kurotsuchi's small head, his eyes full of anticipation.
Nemuri Kurotsuchi looked up at Aozaki Reiji with a serious expression and asked:
"Reiji-sama, what would you like me to do?"
Aozaki Reiji smiled slightly and said:
"You don't need to do anything. Just stay by my side, like Rukia, and let me raise you well."
As he spoke, he pulled Nemuri Kurotsuchi to his side and gently stroked her hair.
Rukia, in his arms, widened her eyes upon hearing this.
I only arrived yesterday and haven't had time to do anything!
How do I already have a competitor today?!
She couldn't help but feel a little frustrated, but at the same time, she grew curious about Aozaki Reiji's actions.
Yesterday it was herself, and today another little girl came.
She heard that noble lords all had some strange fetishes...
The more she thought about it, the redder Rukia's little face became.
Growing up in a mixed-up place like District 78, she had heard all sorts of vulgarities, so how could she not know about those dirty things?
Aozaki Reiji held Rukia with one arm and stroked Nemuri Kurotsuchi's little head with the other, envisioning the future.
However, when he turned to look at the two little girls in front of him, he showed a helpless expression.
"But I don't seem to have any experience with raising children..."
Aozaki Reiji sighed, feeling a bit troubled.
When he was with Ichimaru Gin and Rangiku in Rukongai, that didn't count as raising children; at most, it was just daily interaction between friends.
Neither of them looked like children back then, except for their appearance.
Now, facing actual 'children', he was at a loss as to how to deal with them.
Aozaki Reiji patted his head and said helplessly:
"Forget it, don't think so much for now. When problems arise, I'll figure out how to solve them."
"If I really can't handle it, I'll go find Sojun."
"Byakuya was raised by him, so he has more experience with children than I do."
Then, Aozaki Reiji looked at the two little ones in front of him and asked:
"I'm going to prepare breakfast, you two haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you?"
The two little lolis answered in unison:
"No."
After speaking, the two exchanged glances, then looked away.
Rukia narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly pondering something.
Nemuri Kurotsuchi, on the other hand, was very indifferent, merely glancing at the other person casually before refocusing her attention on Aozaki Reiji.
Aozaki Reiji smiled and led the two little lolis into the house.
After Nemuri Kurotsuchi left the kitchen to help in the dining room.
Rukia's body seemed to suddenly lose its support, clinging softly to Aozaki Reiji.
Perhaps because Aozaki Reiji had saved her, Rukia developed a strong sense of dependence on him.
Before, due to Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemuri Kurotsuchi being present, Rukia was somewhat reserved.
But now that only the two of them were left, she hugged Aozaki Reiji without hesitation.
"You mischievous little girl..."
Aozaki Reiji gently embraced Rukia, looking at the cute little girl in his arms, his eyes filled with doting affection.
His gaze fell upon her deep purple eyes, as if he could see stars twinkling within them.
"From now on, you don't have to be afraid of anyone..."
Aozaki Reiji said softly, but then suddenly paused, as if remembering someone.