Chapter 142: Playfulness
This night proved both long and interesting.
The liveliest time the underground space had ever seen.
At this moment, four people surrounded the board.
After twenty-some rounds, the game entered its prime. Each person's style revealed itself clearly.
The board was covered with everyone's pieces, forming a delicate balance and opposition.
"Watch my lucky throw!"
Rangiku grabbed the die enthusiastically, cupping it in her palms, pretending to shake it several times. She even blew on it before tossing it toward the board's center.
The die spun, gradually stopping.
Four dots.
"Heh!"
She casually surveyed the board situation, lips curving slightly upward.
Between safely reaching her own finish and actively knocking others back, Rangiku chose the latter without hesitation.
Active offense—that was her style.
"Die, Hitsugaya!"
Can't beat him at other things, but surely she could beat him at board games?
She pinched the yellow piece, knocking the blue piece ahead back to base. The piece failed to survive her deliberate attack.
With that motion, her eyes flashed with excited triumph.
Whenever the die allowed, she always delighted in knocking others' pieces back to restart.
Especially Hitsugaya and Suoh's pieces—she gave them special attention.
The former because this genius boy usually crushed her in all aspects. The latter because Suoh always looked so effortlessly composed.
She couldn't help wanting to see what expressions they'd show when their pieces got knocked back.
"Hmph."
Hitsugaya withdrew his gaze, unconcerned, already accustomed to such treatment.
His turn to roll.
He picked up the die cleanly, not even glancing at it, casually tossing.
The die tumbled through air, landing on the board with a light sound.
Six dots.
"Oh?"
Suoh's brow arched slightly.
"Hey, no way?"
Rangiku's smile froze briefly, speaking uneasily.
Just now, while knocking the blue piece back, she'd also sent her own piece right to the blue team's base entrance.
Hitsugaya ignored her muttering.
He first relaunched the just-downed piece from base back onto the track.
Remaining moves: three.
"Wait—"
Rangiku instinctively sensed trouble.
Hitsugaya lifted his eyes, calmly looking at her. That gaze clearly read: My turn.
He didn't speak, simply picking up his piece, gently pushing the yellow piece blocking his path off the track.
"Tch, bad luck."
Rangiku pursed her lips.
Instant karma came that fast.
Just moments ago gloating over knocking Hitsugaya's piece back, next instant her own piece got sent home.
"That's called what goes around comes around."
Hitsugaya spoke flatly, tone emotionless, but his slightly upturned lips betrayed his current mood.
"Heh—"
Isane couldn't help a light laugh, but immediately feeling it impolite, quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Her turn.
She nervously pinched the die, taking a deep breath as though performing some major ritual, then gently rolling.
Two dots.
"Ah, two dots..."
She sighed somewhat disappointedly, but still seriously moved her green piece in a retreat before the finish.
"Isane-neesan plays very steadily."
Suoh observed the board.
His red piece sat one space ahead of one of her green pieces.
Even when having opportunities to knock others' pieces back, Isane rarely actively attacked. More often she'd choose to move other pieces.
Every step taken with extra caution, rarely actively passing others' pieces.
But because of this, victory's dawn was closest to her. Two pieces had already reached the finish. Only two others remained on the board.
"Hehe, safety first."
She happily passed the die to Suoh, smiling.
"Then watch me."
Suoh smiled in response, tossing the die, equally enjoying the game's fun.
Time flowed unknowingly.
Finally, Isane's last piece, after multiple round trips before the finish line, ultimately stopped at the goal.
"Done! I won!"
She clapped her hands joyfully, face blooming into a bright, delighted smile.
Nobody cared about strict victory rankings, only the process's happiness.
"Congratulations."
Suoh collected the pieces.
"Next time I'm making new tactics!"
Rangiku stretched luxuriously.
Though she'd completed fewest pieces, she'd undoubtedly knocked back the most—quite satisfied.
"Anytime."
Hitsugaya's reply was concise.
"Playing together with everyone was really fun."
Isane helped roll up the board cloth, speaking sincerely.
The game concluded with Isane's joyful declaration.
"Alright, alright! Isane, come! I'll take you to the hot springs, air out that hot pot smell."
Rangiku stood, moving to Isane's side, pulling her up.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Isane's face also showed anticipation.
Suoh packed the game away, casually reminding.
"Remember, you drank alcohol—don't soak too long."
"I know."
Rangiku waved with a grin, then intimately linking arms with Isane.
The two figures walked side by side toward the hot spring area. Laughter and low conversation gradually fading.
"Let's wash up too."
Suoh looked at Hitsugaya, nodding.
After simple washing, Hitsugaya returned to the main cottage. Suoh prepared materials needed for tomorrow morning.
For a moment, the vast space held only him.
When he'd finished preparations and was ready to return to rest.
Just as he turned, taking a few steps toward the main cottage—
"Waa—!"
"Isane, your skin is so smooth! The texture is amazing!"
Rangiku's undisguised voice, carrying amazement and laughter, drifted over faintly through the bamboo forest and distance, riding the air.
Not loud, but in the silent underground space, it stood out somewhat.
Hearing this, Suoh's steps paused slightly.
"R-Rangiku, don't... don't suddenly touch there!"
Immediately following, Isane's caught-off-guard low cry, carrying embarrassment and fluster.
"What's the problem? We're all girls."
"Plus it really is super nice—like fine silk! What do you use for skincare normally? Tell me quick!"
Rangiku's voice brimmed with curiosity and mischief, clearly enjoying herself.
"Nothing special... just normal care... ah, not there, it tickles...!"
"Let me feel more—"
Fragmentary conversation mixed with splashing water sounds and Rangiku's undisguised happy laughter, carried over with warm steam.
Suoh stood in place, face showing no particular expression.
He didn't need to imagine this scene—it already appeared in his mind.
After pausing just a few breaths, he turned back toward his room.
By the spring pool, just as Suoh imagined, was a lively scene.
Rangiku's whole body submerged in the pool, only exposing neck and beautifully lined collarbones. Golden hair wet, several strands clinging to cheeks and neck sides, adding several parts lazy charm.
Fingertips still reluctantly rubbing lightly, face carrying a mischievous brilliant smile.
"Really, no more of that next time!"
Isane's face was completely flushed—whether from the hot spring's heat or embarrassment.
Arms instinctively crossed over her chest, guarding against her friend's overly enthusiastic touching just now.
Completely a playful female flirt, gaining some shadow of her future self.
Carrying a different heroic beauty from Rangiku.
At this moment, moistened by hot spring and steam, her expression softened considerably, revealing a special radiance.
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