Kukaku's smile was bright and direct, her eyes filled with expectation.
To be honest, Kukaku was beautiful.
She didn't just exude an aura of youthful radiance; she possessed a sense of wild, unbridled beauty.
Usually, Ren would have been more than happy to respond to such expectations.
But now...
Ren felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up—a physiological reaction to being locked onto by danger.
"Um, Kukaku..."
He spoke cautiously, catching Nanao's gaze out of the corner of his eye. She was staring at him like a hawk.
"Actually, I already have plans today. I'm so sorry..."
After saying this, Ren felt the murderous intent beside him slightly diminish.
Kukaku looked at Ren's slightly tense expression, then glanced at the expressionless little girl beside him who was secretly stealing glances. She understood the situation perfectly.
The disappointment in her eyes lasted only a moment, replaced by a flash of cunning and realization.
"Oh? You already have plans, then."
Kukaku drew out her words.
"Well, there's no helping that. Let's do it another time when we're both free."
She waved her hand generously, her smile still bright. "Forget about today, then. I'll go find my big brother!"
With that, she turned briskly and walked away with a light step.
Only after rounding a corner did Kukaku quietly look back.
In the sunset, Ren seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his shoulders slumping slightly. Beside him, Ise Nanao's gaze was no longer so sharp.
A playful curve formed on Kukaku's lips.
That girl named Nanao didn't look very old, but her feelings were quite obvious.
However...
Kukaku didn't mind. After all, she was just a little squirt who hadn't grown up yet; she wasn't much of a threat.
A man like Ren would probably appreciate a more mature and curvaceous type, wouldn't he?
Kukaku weighed her own heavy assets, full of confidence.
Humming a tuneless melody, she soon disappeared around the street corner.
On the other side, seeing Kukaku disappear, Ren finally felt the prickling pressure on his back dissipate.
He quietly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
"Nanao, shall we go too?"
"Like we agreed yesterday, it's my treat at the new Ichiraku Ramen shop."
Nanao paused for a moment before giving a soft reply.
On the way to the ramen shop, the atmosphere was slightly more relaxed than before.
The newly opened Ichiraku Ramen was located in West District 1. The layout and environment were better, and the foot traffic was much higher.
Soul Reapers from the Seireitei would often visit the place.
As mealtime approached, the shop was already somewhat crowded.
The private tables were already full, so Ren and Nanao sat at the counter. Just as they finished ordering, a familiar voice rang out with surprise.
"Huh? Ren, Nanao, what a coincidence!"
Ren looked toward the voice and saw Shiba Kukaku walking over, her face wearing an undisguised smile of joy.
Shiba Kaien followed behind her. He blinked when he saw Ren.
Ren was startled and instinctively glanced at Nanao beside him.
Nanao's hand holding her teacup paused for a moment, then she lowered her head to take a sip as if nothing had happened.
But Ren clearly saw her eyes narrow slightly behind her lenses as her gaze swept over the approaching Kukaku.
Kukaku, however, had already approached them with familiarity.
"Did you just order? Big brother and I just got here, too."
"What a coincidence indeed..."
Ren could already feel the low-pressure zone emanating from his side.
Kukaku smiled brightly, her eyes darting between Ren and Nanao.
Nanao looked up, calmly met Kukaku's eyes, and adjusted her glasses. "It is quite a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Her tone was polite but carried a faint coldness.
"Exactly!" Kukaku laughed. "There are no other seats anyway, so let's just squeeze in together!"
With that, Kukaku sat in the seat next to Ren. Kaien sat down next to Kukaku with an awkward smile and raised a hand to greet Ren.
Soon, the ramen they ordered was served.
Kukaku looked at the ramen in Ren's bowl, a glint flashing in her eyes.
"Is that a new flavor? I wonder how it tastes. Can I have a try?"
As she spoke, her chopsticks were already reaching out eagerly. She looked at Ren with sparkling eyes, her tone slightly flirtatious.
"Is it okay?"
Before Ren could respond, another pair of chopsticks moved with lightning speed, steadily picking up a bunch of noodles from Ren's bowl and placing them on a small saucer, which was then handed to Kukaku.
The movement was fluid, precise, and carried an unquestionable calmness.
After finishing this, Nanao said calmly, "Use the saucer. It's more hygienic."
Kukaku blinked, looking at the noodles on the saucer and then at Nanao's expressionless little face. She burst out laughing, finding it particularly amusing.
The rest of the meal proceeded in an atmosphere that was both strange and somewhat noisy.
Kukaku remained lively, constantly finding topics to chat about with Ren and Kaien, and occasionally prompting Nanao to join in.
Nanao spent most of the time eating her noodles quietly, giving brief responses only when necessary. But Ren could feel that a part of her attention was always focused on Kukaku.
Whenever Kukaku's body got too close to Ren, or when she looked at him with too bright a smile, Nanao's chewing speed would slow down, and the frequency with which she picked up her teacup would increase.
Kukaku looked at Nanao's profile as she feigned composure, finding it amusing but not seeing it as something to be wary of.
'This little Nanao clearly cares to death, yet she still has to put on a calm act.'
'But it's actually quite cute.'
In her eyes, Nanao seemed more like a little sister with a sense of possessiveness toward a brother she relied on—hardly a concern.
'In the end, this battle will definitely result in my victory.'
'Hee hee.'
Finally, the meal ended amidst a surface-level harmony that masked a surging undercurrent.
Ren eventually paid the bill, and the group walked out of the shop together.
"Thanks for the treat, Ren!"
Kukaku waved with a radiant smile.
"When it's mine and big brother's turn to treat, little Nanao must come along too!"
Kaien also waved goodbye, and the two siblings walked away side by side.
Only when their figures blended into the night did Ren's tense nerves finally relax.
'Eating this meal felt more exhausting than a whole day of high-intensity training...'
He looked at Nanao beside him. In the night, her small figure seemed a bit thin as she stood quietly looking in the direction where Kukaku had left.
Nanao turned her head, the moonlight and streetlights reflecting off her glasses.
"Miss Shiba is very beautiful and lively. She seems to be quite fond of you."
"Well..."
Ren scratched his chin, unsure of how to respond.
Without waiting for Ren's reply, Nanao moved on from the topic.
"There's an exam tomorrow. Let's go and get back early."
Ren walked beside Nanao as they moved side by side.
Nanao quietly turned her head to look at the boy beside her.
In the night, the sharp lines of his profile were clearly visible, though for some reason, he looked exceptionally haggard.
The moonlight spilled over his white hair, giving it a soft luster.
At this moment, Nanao's heart was a mess.
A strange feeling, sour and slightly warm, quietly spread through the depths of her heart.
'Why did I act like a cat protecting its food just now?'
'And that feeling of not wanting anyone else to get close to him...'
A blurry thought flashed through her mind, making her heart tremble slightly before she forced it back down.
'No, that's not right.'
'I'm just... I'm just used to having him around.'
'Yes, that must be it...'