"...Currently, or 'now,' is such an old-fashioned way of saying it. Nobody uses that anymore.
Regardless, I am presently being escorted in grand fashion.
As for what happened—
'Excuse me.'
With a dull metallic clink, handcuffs were fastened around both of my outstretched wrists.
'This is the first time I've ever worn handcuffs, but they're surprisingly heavy.'
I moved my arms slightly to check the fit. This is what it feels like to be restrained, huh? I gave them a little tug to the side, but they were quite solid and didn't seem like they would come off easily. It's a bit thrilling, almost like some kind of bondage play...
'That is only natural. Surely you are aware of these handcuffs, Captain Yukawa?'
The one speaking was a member of the Stealth Force. They likely belong to the Executive Militia or the Detention Unit. Missions like capturing criminals fall under their jurisdiction. I could see a glimpse of that expertise in the practiced way he applied the cuffs.
These were the members who appeared after I indicated my intent to surrender. There were about ten of them, but judging by the situation, I suspect Ichimaru and the others dragged them here by force without consulting Soifon. They probably said something like, 'This is an emergency, so report to the higher-ups later,' or 'We'll handle the report, just come with us.'
'Yes. I've heard the stories.'
These handcuffs are used when confining criminals to cells. Like standard handcuffs, they bind the wrists with a short chain to restrict movement, but they also have the added effect of sealing spiritual pressure. Thanks to this effect, even criminals with high spiritual pressure can be safely imprisoned. After all, if they could control their spiritual pressure freely, they could easily break out using brute force or Kido. It is a convenient tool with functions unique to the Seireitei.
Basically, these handcuffs—or rather, restraints with spiritual-pressure-sealing properties—are placed on anyone who is imprisoned. Naturally, that means Orihime and the others also have these...
Wait! Oh no!! I didn't seal them at all!
I'm such a scatterbrain! I suppose I couldn't blame them if they managed to escape in an emergency. Tehe!
...Well.
They can escape on their own if it comes down to it, and it seems like Momo would give them her full cooperation, so in a way, their safety isn't an issue.
'Also, here. I am turning over my Zanpakuto as well.'
'I will take it.'
'Don't touch it!'
Just as I drew my Zanpakuto, sheath and all, from my waist, one of the Stealth Force members tried to take it. I rejected him with a sharp tone.
'W-What!?'
'Do not misunderstand, I am not saying I won't surrender it. However, Captain Komamura... I will entrust this to you.'
'Hm... To me...?'
The rule for handing a blade to someone else is to hold the blade side yourself and point the hilt toward the other person. Following that etiquette, I held out my Zanpakuto to Captain Komamura.
'Yes. Because I believe Captain Komamura is the person with the strongest sense of justice and honor here.'
'Mmuuu...'
He let out a troubled groan, but he didn't seem to feel too bad being told that. Slowly but surely, he accepted the Zanpakuto.
'My, how cruel. Do you not trust the Stealth Force?'
'I simply thought Captain Komamura was the most trustworthy.'
'Hmph... Is that so...'
Ichimaru narrowed his thin eyes in a meaningful way. But honestly, I couldn't possibly give it to Ichimaru or Tosen, could I? To a Soul Reaper, a Zanpakuto is a partner. If I have to hand it over, it has to be to someone I trust.
'Furthermore, my captain's robe... oh, should I take off my Shihakusho as well?'
'W-W-W-Wait!?'
'No, no! The Zanpakuto alone is enough! I have certainly received it! Besides, you are already in shackles! It would be a hassle to take off your captain's robe, would it not!?'
When I tried to take off my clothes as well for good measure, I was stopped by everyone with incredible intensity. Though, now that he mentioned it, he was right. Taking off clothes while handcuffed would be a real struggle. The Stealth Force member who let out a voice that sounded like he was hoping for a strip show and Captain Komamura who hurriedly stepped in to stop me were both quite cute.
'Vulgar...'
Tosen muttered under his breath, but... if I'm showing submission, isn't this level of commitment fine?
'Well now, Captain Yukawa, you're more interesting than I thought.'
Ichimaru spoke again... wait, oh?
'Even so, Kira-kun, that's a shame. Even though you're in the same Fourth Division, it seems Captain Komamura is more trusted.'
'...'
Oh no! Kira is depressed again! I thought he hit rock bottom earlier, but it turns out there was a basement floor!! I-I should say something, right!? But what am I supposed to say!?
'I gave it to Captain Komamura because his fluffiness felt good.'
No, no, that's no good! Um...
'Kira-kun, when you're with Ichimaru, you're incredibly untrustworthy.'
Wait, why would I deliver the finishing blow!! Not that, not that!
'We shall now begin the transfer of Captain Yukawa. Ordinarily, she would be placed in a cell, but due to a special order from Central 46, we are heading to the Central Assembly Hall.'
What! Time's up already!? Give me more time! An extension! Additional time!! Ah! Hitsugaya has a look in his eyes that says 'Take her away already!'
'P-Please wait!'
'Third Seat Kira, what is it?'
'I! I will participate in the transfer as well!'
Oh my. He's suddenly saying something quite bold.
'B-But that is...!'
'It's fine, isn't it? Let him go.'
'Captain Ichimaru... but...'
'Kira-kun cooperated in capturing his own captain, so he must be prepared for this. Besides, this might be the last time. Let him say his goodbyes.'
Hmm... is this... out of kindness? Or is he trying to make him tag along because he has some kind of scheme? Ugh! I can't read him...
'I... I understand. Then, Third Seat Kira will also accompany the transfer.'
...And that is how we got here.
So, I am currently being escorted in grand fashion.
'...'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'...'
I am surrounded not just on four sides, but six, by members of the Stealth Force. The silence is heavy and oppressive.
'...'
And next to me, Kira is also silent.
If I tried to escape from here, it would inevitably be seven against one... no, even if Kira might be a 'maybe,' it would still be six against one. Moreover, since my spiritual pressure is sealed by the handcuffs, a hard fight would be certain. Escaping would be quite a chore.
The biggest problem of all is that I don't have my Zanpakuto. In other words, Nubatama isn't here.
Ugh... I'm so lonely... But you know, there is someone even lonelier than me. Please listen to the voice of that person's heart.
'NUBATAMA-DONO!! Why, oh why have you disappeared!! You and I were one in body and soul!! Were we not bound by a bond harder than iron or diamonds, a bond that was slimy and sticky!! To think that merely letting go of the physical Zanpakuto would separate us! It is too much!! Nubatama-dono! I believed with all my heart that you were a versatile, super-handsome, super-beautiful, super-pretty, super-cute shota boy... and yet you betrayed me! You betrayed my pure feelings!! Such a wonderfully perfect spherical body, with not a single millimeter—no, not even a femtometer—of error!! Any famous artist in the world would run away in shame! Ahhh, sniff sniff! Hah hah! I want to sniff your jet-black rubber ball body! Wait, I mean! Fluffy, slippery! Slop slop!! Kyun kyun!! ...Eh? My feelings are reaching you, Nubatama-dono...!? Then I shall let you hear even more!! I shall answer your soul's cry with my own!! Today, I have something I want to tell you!! WHAT IS IT!? Nubatama-san of Class 3-B! Won't you mix black and black with me to create Schwartz!! I'M SORRY!! I won't—I'M SORRY!!!!'
Right, good work.
'Halfway through, even I stopped knowing what I was talking about.'
Yeah, Nubatama was quiet the whole time just because he wanted to do that, wasn't he?
'The idea that my screen time would disappear just because you let go of the physical blade is impossible.'
It's like that comedy routine about the confused person in the tenement.
'I love that bit, that whole confusing vibe!!'
To be honest, if things had gone poorly, Nubatama might have started pulling pranks on Captain Komamura. Considering that, this current state is actually preferable. I'm glad I'm with Nubatama. I'm glad I'm not causing trouble for anyone else. I truly feel that way.
'Oooooh!! Is that perhaps a confession of love!!'
Yes, yes. We're always together, no matter when or where. I really do rely on you. So... I'm counting on you from here on out, too.
'Ah, My Lord!! I! I!!!! I'm going to fully manifest right—'
'Um, Sensei...'
Ah, sorry, wait a second. Kira is saying something.
'—Aaah! The timing! The timing is terrible!!'
'Third Seat Kira, private conversation is...'
'I'm talking to myself. So I don't need a reply.'
Even though he was warned by the Stealth Force member, he pushed through forcefully. Not bad.
'I told you this before, but Captain Aizen used to give advice to me, Captain Hitsugaya, and the other members of the squads. He really... he really listened to me with such kindness...'
As we walked toward the Central Assembly Hall in silence, Kira began to speak in a low, dejected voice.
'That's why... that's why when Captain Hitsugaya learned that Captain Aizen had been killed... I think he lost control of his emotions. Truly, Captain Hitsugaya trusted Captain Aizen so much... that's why he resorted to such violent measures...'
'...'
I want to say something to him. But you see, I'm a prisoner right now. I'll refrain from speaking.
'At the very least, I... I believed in you, Sensei. I believed that you could never be thinking of such a thing... because I believed in you, because I wanted to prove your innocence... so that you'd never be under such strange suspicion again... but! But...!'
I see. Kira had his own thoughts on the matter. Hmm, I'm starting to see a bit of what was happening behind the scenes.
'...It's only natural if you don't trust me anymore... From your perspective, Sensei, what I did must look like nothing but betrayal... But even so, I... I...'
Ah, the part from earlier where I handed the Zanpakuto to Captain Komamura is still bothering him! He finally looked up a bit, but now he's hanging his head again! Don't worry about it! I told you not to worry about it!!
'You should have said that you hesitated to give it to him because you thought it would cast suspicion on him as a member of the same division. Or that because other captains were present, you prioritized giving it to someone with weaker ties to the case. It would have been good if you could have said that.'
Exactly! That's what I wanted to say! In those kinds of situations, you panic and the words just don't come out!
...Ugh! I really should say something to him. Even if I'm scolded or hit, I won't stop speaking!
'Kira-kun, that's...'
'Captain Yukawa, please refrain from private conversation!'
'I know! But...!'
'We will be arriving at the Central Assembly Hall shortly.'
'Eh...'
What!! Already!? That was fast! I mean, it was a long way to get here! It definitely took some time!
'We're almost... there...'
Kira, who had been looking down until then, suddenly looked up at the sky... and with his head still tilted back, he put his hand on the Zanpakuto at his waist.
'Sensei... I'm sorry!!'
'Eh!?'
With that, Kira swung his Zanpakuto in a single flash.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]