[Just as we've been saying 'it's cold' at the beginning of recent chapters!!]
"Eek!! You startled me!"
'What is it, Nubatama!? What's wrong all of a sudden?'
[Currently, the season is winter!! In the cold, the Shiba daughter was born! You went drinking with the Head Captain and had tea parties!!]
'Yeah, I know all that since I was there, but what about it...?'
[Therefore, today is the biggest event of winter!! It is New Year's Day!!]
'That's right... before I knew it, it became January 1st...'
[The Holy Wars of Bon and Year-end are over, and it is time to relax under the kotatsu!! Milady!! Happy New Year!!]
'Yes, Happy New Year. It's been a long time, but I look forward to working with you again this year.'
[Naturally!! I look forward to working with you mega-lots!!]
---
"To everyone in the Fourth Division, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year!!"
And so, since the new year has arrived.
I am giving my New Year's greeting to the squad members of the Fourth Division like this.
...Huh?
Giving a New Year's greeting is fine, but are the squad members coming to the Fourth Division without a New Year's holiday? Or did I force them to give up their holiday to gather?
Is that what you're thinking?
No, no.
Each division's barracks has a dormitory attached, so I just gathered the squad members who were there to greet them.
Coming to the workplace takes no time at all.
[The workplace and the dorm are attached lol. You did it!! Now you can work anytime!!]
'When you put it that way, it suddenly sounds like a sweatshop...'
Well, considering this is a profession where you might get killed by Hollows if you let your guard down, it might already be black enough.
"I think you've gotten quite used to the new system of the Fourth Division, but getting used to things makes it easier to become careless, so please keep your guard up."
"Yes!!"
Everyone's response is reassuring.
The new system—the first half of the first year was chaotic with personnel affairs and adjustments. In the second year, since we were still fumbling around, everyone was cautious.
But now is about the time when things start to loosen up. I should just urge caution.
"...And enough with the stiff talk. Here is the New Year's gift you've all been waiting for."
"Yay!!"
"This year too!!"
"Thank you very much!! Captain!!"
As soon as I said it, cheers erupted from the squad members.
That's right. New Year's Day means otoshidama.
This must be one of the reasons why the squad members gathered so early in the new year.
And about this otoshidama, I'm doing it on my own discretion.
Probably, other divisions don't do this, right? I've never heard of it before. The most they do is hand something personally to specific squad members.
I started it in my first year as captain to encourage the squad members. seeing their happy faces made me happy, so I just ended up doing it.
"Okay, come and get it in order. I'm sorry the amount is the same as last year."
"Not at all! Thank you, Captain!!"
By the way.
The budget for this otoshidama comes mostly from my pocket money—though I do squeeze a little bit out of the Fourth Division's reserve fund.
I'm paying out of pocket.
So the amount is a bit small, but...
Well, it can't be helped.
Right now, I am the Captain of the Fourth Division and also the eldest.
...There were people older than me a little while ago... did I give them any?
"Also, you are free to use it however you like. But those who have time, please switch shifts with the kids working today, even if just for a little while."
Shinigami have New Year's holidays, but Hollows do not. When they rampage, they do so without hesitation, whether it's Bon or New Year's.
So, we need to keep people around just in case something happens.
Since it's a small number, the probability should be low... but condolences to the kids who draw the short straw.
And whether they were listening to me or not, the kids who received the otoshidama are happily talking with their colleagues, saying things like "What should I use it for?"
They are completely distracted.
Ah, the kids who have work from now on are looking at them with resentful eyes.
Swap... with them... even for just an hour...
---
"Good grief, finally done."
"Good work, Captain."
"Yes, then finally, this is for Isane. Happy New Year."
"Ehehe... thank you very much!!"
After distributing to everyone, the last one is for Isane.
It was the same last year, but I feel like this girl is the most pleased.
That makes me happy too.
With this, I have genuinely finished distributing to everyone.
"Nnh... alright, then next is... I'm going for New Year's greetings."
Since I'm still a novice captain, I'll go through these social formalities just in case.
In my first year, everyone came to celebrate because I had just been inaugurated, but from the second year onwards, that won't be the case.
"I will accompany you, Captain!!"
"...Eh?"
As I tried to prepare for departure, Isane was in high spirits.
"It's okay, you know? You don't have to force yourself..."
"I'm fine! Besides, I couldn't accompany you last year, so this year for sure!!"
"I-Is that so...? Then, please do..."
"Yes!"
So, this year I am greeting people with Isane in tow.
However, we aren't doing anything particularly unusual.
We just went to greet each division—though the Eleventh Division almost tried to detain us—and greeted people who have helped us in the Seireitei.
So, there isn't really anything worth mentioning.
And—
"Okay, next is here."
"Here is..."
Isane's face became a little grim.
It's strange, seeing as she should be coming here all the time.
"It's the Kuchiki house, you've been here before, right?"
"That is true, but... th-that was for the Women's Shinigami Association gatherings..."
"I don't really understand the psychology of being fine going as part of a Women's Shinigami Association gathering, but having trouble walking in through the front door with dignity..."
"But! It's such a magnificent mansion, you know!?"
I've gotten used to seeing it, but the Kuchiki house really is magnificent.
Well, I doubted my eyes when I first saw it too.
"It's fine, we're invited."
"W-We are invited...!?"
"Yes. Incidentally, today will be a long one."
"Eh... wh-what is going to happen!?"
When I tried threatening her a little, she showed a frightened expression just as I aimed for.
"That is something to look forward to when we get inside."
With that said.
"Hello."
"Well if it isn't Captain Yukawa, Happy New Year."
"Seike-san as well, congratulations."
When we arrived at the Kuchiki house, Seike-san came out at a timing that seemed almost planned. I guess the profession of Byakuya's attendant has no New Year's holiday.
"We have come for New Year's greetings. Also, the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division is with me this year."
"Nice to meet you! I-I am Isane Kotetsu!"
"This is very polite of you. I serve Byakuya-sama, my name is Nobutsune Seike."
Oh, is this the first meeting for these two?
"By the way, where is Captain Kuchiki? I would like to greet him."
"He is in the Great Hall. However, much as I would like to guide you, right now—"
"Ah, that's right. It's the same every year."
"Big Sister!? It's Big Sister!!"
Oh my? The young voice interrupting this conversation is...
"Tokiya-kun. Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year!!"
As expected, it was Byakuya and Hisana-san's child, Tokiya-kun.
As soon as he saw me, he ran up with a child-like full-speed sprint and hugged me.
"Whoa, there..."
This full-speed dash dive happens every time we meet, but... he's gradually getting stronger. A child's growth speed is amazing...
Although I caught him, I staggered just a tiny bit.
"Tokiya-kun is always full of energy. Here, otoshidama."
"Thank you!!"
"Hahaha, as always, he is very attached to Yukawa-sama. It is an enviable thing."
Seike-san is reacting like a relaxed, good-natured old man.
"Hey, hey, Big Sister from the Fourth Division, come too. Rukia-oneechan and Renji-oniichan are here too!! Let's play together!!"
"Can't be helped. Are you gathered in the small room again?"
"Yeah! That's right!! Mother is together with us too!!"
He pulls me along with the forcefulness unique to children.
"Um, Captain. What is the small room? And, greetings to Captain Kuchiki...?"
"...Eh? Ah, right. It can't be helped that you don't know, Isane. Actually—..."
Isane, completely left behind by the flow of conversation, looks anxious.
So, to explain simply.
Byakuya is the head of the Kuchiki family, after all.
Since it's New Year's, branch families and relatives gather, and they hold something like a greeting meeting in the Great Hall. It's like an annual ritual.
I don't know the details, but seating arrangements are decided, and it seems to be a solemn and troublesome affair.
For someone like me, who isn't a relative, to nonchalantly show up at such a meeting is a bit...
Even if I am a Captain, the atmosphere would be "read the room."
The reluctance shown during the conversation with Seike-san was due to this.
And one more thing.
Since the Kuchiki house is large and spacious, besides the Great Hall, there are several places that could be called medium halls or small rooms.
In one of those small rooms, Byakuya's personal acquaintances are gathered.
For example, kids in positions like Abarai-kun.
Furthermore.
Since Tokiya-kun is still small, once he shows his face at the beginning of the meeting and gives a simple greeting, his role is done.
After that, playing with Rukia and Renji in the small room has become a regular New Year's event.
That's why the conversation "Rukia and Renji are here" and "gathered in the small room" took place earlier with Tokiya-kun.
"—...That's how it is. Even if I show my face to Captain Kuchiki, it will be a little later. So it means wait while playing with Tokiya-kun."
"Is that so... It's tough, isn't it..."
While talking about that, the small room came into view.
Voices laughing and chatting happily can be heard leaking from inside.
"Mother! The Big Sister from the Fourth Division has come!!"
Oh my, truly a child.
Without calling out from the outside, he slid the shoji door open all at once and went in. Well, it saves time explaining, which helps.
"Oh my, Yukawa-sensei."
"Ah, Sensei. Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Hisana-san, Rukia-san, and Abarai-kun too. Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
"Whoa! Is Vice-Captain Kotetsu with you this year!?"
"It's true! Come to think of it, I don't think we've ever greeted properly... I am Rukia Kuchiki!"
"I'm Renji Abarai!"
"Thank you for being so polite."
Like that, once we entered, the noisiness increased in an instant.
Since they are fellow Shinigami, Isane is breaking the ice immediately too.
"Wow... what is this!? O-Osechi cuisine...?"
"Oh, did you notice? This tastes just as good as it looks."
"Yes. The first time I ate it, I thought, 'Is there really such food?'"
Isane, visiting for the first time, is immediately captivated by the osechi cuisine.
Being one of the Four Great Noble Houses, the food is luxurious. I was astounded when I first saw it too.
"For someone like me, I make up for a year's worth of nutrition with this every year."
"Good grief, Renji, saying such pathetic things..."
"Rukia! You were so scared at first you couldn't even touch your chopsticks!!"
"D... Don't mention that!"
Especially since Rukia-san and the others had just escaped from extreme poverty in Rukongai, the day they saw something like this... it was a situation where you could easily guess what happened.
"Fufufu, is that so. You two seem really close."
Isane is looking at the two playing around with a heartwarming gaze.
Really, these two should just get together already...
"B-By the way, Sensei! Do you know the title 'Kamaitachi'!?"
Perhaps wanting to escape Isane's warm gaze, Rukia-san suddenly said such a thing.
No, is this girl bad at changing the subject!?
"Kamaitachi? My, that's quite a nostalgic title."
"You know it!?"
Oh, Abarai-kun took the bait too.
"Kamaitachi is a name called for the strongest projectile user. The first one to be called that was the Eighth Kenpachi—Kenpachi Azashiro."
"The Eighth..."
"Kenpachi was...?"
"A projectile user...?"
Not just Rukia-san and Abarai-kun, but Isane, who was listening next to me, also had a blank look on her face.
"I don't mean to be rude, but um... a Kenpachi used projectiles...?"
"That's right. But probably, it's a little different from what everyone is imagining."
"Meaning?"
"Not a Kenpachi who was the strongest projectile user, but a Kenpachi who could also use projectiles. One of the nicknames given to him was Kamaitachi."
That person was only a Captain as Kenpachi for about a year.
But in such a short time, he created various legends.
"In the end, Kenpachi Azashiro was imprisoned in Muken as a criminal. So information about him has been restricted or deleted from public records quite a bit, but even so, his nickname has been passed down as a title like this. Just that alone is amazing—he was an amazing Kenpachi."
I don't even really understand how he defeated Captain Kuruyashiki.
"By the way, why did you ask about Kamaitachi?"
"Ah, well. Tokiya-kun was boasting. He said that Brother was scheduled to inherit the title of Kamaitachi but declined it."
"Is that true, Tokiya-kun?"
When I moved my gaze following Rukia-san's reply, he had a somewhat unconvinced expression on his face.
"Big Sister from the Fourth Division... Father is stronger than that something-something Kenpachi, right? He wouldn't lose, right?"
"Eh...?"
"Even Kamaitachi, it should be much better if Father took the name, right?"
...Ah, I see.
My praising Kenpachi Azashiro didn't sit well with his childish heart. Inside this child, Byakuya Kuchiki is the strongest, coolest Shinigami who loses to no one.
"That's right. Your father is very strong and proud, so he refused the title of Kamaitachi. To become an even more amazing Shinigami than the Kenpachi of that time, and to be called by a name stronger and more amazing than Kamaitachi. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Father is amazing!!"
I spoke for Byakuya's heart without asking, but I wonder if it's okay?
Well, it's much better than this child getting into a bad mood.
"That's right. While we're at it, why don't you think about it, Tokiya-kun? What would be the most fitting name for your father to be called?"
"For Father!? U-Um..."
I brought up the topic myself, but...
I'm scared that some outrageously sensed nickname is going to pop out.
However, before words could come out of his mouth, Hisana-san interjected.
"Now, now. Let's leave the thinking for later. Yukawa-sensei, if you'd like, please have this."
"Oh my, it's ozoni."
A staple of New Year's alongside osechi, ozoni was served.
The Kuchiki house's version is finished as an elegant dish using white miso... hmm?
"This is different from the Kuchiki house's version, isn't it?"
"Yes. Actually, though it's embarrassing, I relied on my memory to recreate the taste I knew..."
"Eh!! Then this is handmade by you, Hisana-san!?"
"Yes... I hope it suits your palate..."
I see. That's why it looked completely different.
I slowly took a bite, and it had a seafood-based seasoning. It's probably different from the traditional taste of the Kuchiki family, but this has its own flavor and deep taste.
Or rather, ozoni is basically something that has as many flavors as there are households. As long as it's delicious, anything goes.
"It's made deliciously, it's fine."
"I helped too!!"
"I see, that's why it's so delicious."
The figure of him puffing out his chest with a 'heh' is childish and indescribably cute.
"Yukawa-dono!"
And here, Byakuya makes his entrance.
"I received word and left the place to Grandfather to hurry here... If you were here, had you just said you were here, I would have come immediately..."
"No no, socializing is necessary too. Also, Happy New Year."
"Brother!"
"Hello, Captain Kuchiki!"
"Oh, Rukia. And Renji too. Forgive me, I couldn't show my face here easily."
Did Seike-san tell him?
He has the air of someone who rushed over in a panic, and is hurriedly adding greetings afterwards.
"Happy New Year, Captain Kuchiki."
"Hm, you are surely... the Fourth Division's..."
"It's Vice-Captain Isane Kotetsu. She said she wanted to accompany me, so I brought her along."
"Is that so. It seems my greeting was delayed."
"N-No, no, not at all!!"
Isane is flustered by Byakuya's overly humble attitude.
Just as I thought that exchange was over, this time Hisana-san timidly held out a bowl to Byakuya.
"Um, Byakuya-sama... this..."
"Oh! Is this the taste of Hisana's memories!?"
"Yes. Compared to what is served in the Kuchiki household, I think it is a clumsy thing, but..."
As soon as he saw it, Byakuya broke into a beaming smile.
In contrast, Hisana-san looks half anxious and half embarrassed.
"But just now, I received a seal of approval from Yukawa-sensei saying there was no problem. I think there is no problem with the taste."
"Hahaha, Hisana is a worrier. Until now, you said it was a secret until the taste was satisfactory, and wouldn't let me eat it easily... let's see, I shall partake."
He slowly inserted his chopsticks, chewed it over and over in his mouth as if savoring it, and finally swallowed.
The wife watched her husband's state as if she had even forgotten to breathe.
"Umu! Delicious!! It is the first time I have eaten ozoni this delicious!!"
"Thank goodness..."
Hisana-san exhales in relief.
"Rukia, Renji. You two eat it too. It is delicious."
"Brother!?"
"Wait, Captain Kuchiki!?"
"Ah, that's right. With this much taste, we should serve it to Grandfather and everyone in the house... no, should we make it a family treasure...!?"
"Byakuya-sama!!"
Wow... Byakuya is taking action aggressively, like once he thinks of something he goes straight for it.
Towards such a Byakuya, Hisana-san is trying to stop him while her face turns bright red.
While being shown such a happy interaction between a close couple, the New Year at the Kuchiki house passed by.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]