6th sector - Ryotei* "The safflower".

(*A fancy traditional Japanese restaurant)

In Eastern end of the 6th sector, there is a block of noble residences standing in a row.

The head of the Kuchiki clan - one of the four noble families - have for generations, shouldered the responsibility of squad 6 captain, the squad building for that division exists in the 6th sector, and the Kuchiki clan are purveyors of various long standing shops that are lined up side by side there too. For that reason, nobles wishing for fine quality goods all set up residence here, the common soldiers have dubbed this wealthy sector "Kizokugai (Noble city)".

"Hey Yamada… Is this really the right place!?"

The 4th division's vice captain Kiyone Kotetsu asked Yamada Hanataro, the third seat of the same squad, who was concealed behind her as they walked.

"It's a prime location, it should be right….but…."

Hanataro timidly followed Kiyone whilst checking the electronic correspondence that he received from Kuchiki Rukia, many times over.

As they passed through bamboo thickets and advanced on a straight gravel covered road, the Sukiyamon* (*Sukiya architecture style gate) came into view. Before the lattice door there was beautifully brushed lettering that said "The safflower" and paper covered lamps cast a soft light on its surroundings.

"Th… This is the place…. isn't it… "

"We're already late for the get together, there's nothing we can do but go in."

As Kiyone made up her mind, she raised her hand to the lattice door. The wind blowed and bamboo leaves rustled.

"Lieutenant… I already have a stomach ache…!"

"Keep a strong spirit Yamada! Otherwise your internal organs will be twisting apart as soon as we enter!"

"Uuuu… I'm afraid…. "

"We are vice captain and 3rd seat! So even if you are going in and out of such a high class establishment, it's not at all strange! That's right, it should not feel strange! It's alright, it's alright!"

Whilst encouraging themselves, they opened the sliding doors and took a step inside.

The entrance of the restaurant was at the end of a stone pavement where both sides were dotted with paper lamps arranged in a row, and before that a pink kimono clad nakai* was waiting for them.(*Nakai - like a waitress/hostess at ryokan restaurants)

As the figures of the pair entered her vision, the nakai respectfully bowed and said "welcome, please come."

The pair bowed their heads slightly as they walked hurriedly on the stone pavement.

"uh… We have an engagement with Kuchiki…"

"Yes, we have been informed, Kotetsu sama, Yamada sama"

Without any doubt, their names were indeed invited to the restaurant as expected, they both exhaled a breath of air in relief.

"I will guide you, please, this way."

Led by the elderly nakai, they advanced through the corridors facing the gardens that had been arranged to magnificent levels of detail. The amber of the polished floorboards shined.

After crossing the corridors where huge koi fish were swimming atop a pond, they were shown into a private room.

"Here it is….your guests have arrived."

The nakai called out through the (fusuma) sliding panels, to which a reply of 'yes' came from the inside.

The nakai slid open the panels noiselessly, with smiles towards Hanatoro and Kiyone, "Everyone is here now".

"Kotetsu dono! Hanatoro!"

Rising from her zaisu chair, Rukia greeted them. Beside her, Abarai Renji also stood, with a bow he said "Thank you for coming when you are so busy!"

"eh? What's this, what are you talking about!? Everyone is coming aren't they!"

The familiar shinigami placed themselves around the extravagant low table placed in the middle of the spacious tatami room.

"Glad that you could make it~!"

"Thank you for coming, Kiyone san, Hanataro kun."

Rangiku Matsumoto waved her hand and Hinamori momo swiftly bowed her head.

"Yo, Kotetsu! How's the 4th squad?"

"Isn't it fun working in the same place as your older sister?"

With a laugh, Kiyone said "fairly!" in reply to Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika.

"Yamada kun you were promoted. Congratulations."

Kira Izuru congratulates Hanataro who shyly touched his hand to his head.

"Th….Thank you very much, Lieutenant Kira… !"

Observing that scene Hisagi Shuhei spoke.

"Oi, that was a while ago! Did you not see the seated members register that came out after the Great War? That was very hard to produce you know… !"

"I'm looking at it properly. It's just that his face is merely different since the promotion."

"That's true, today is the first time seeing you after the great war…. I think."

"Did you not meet at the times of your physical examinations? It seems every soldier has been made to go to the coordinated relief station."

Renji asked Izuru who replied "I'm exempt from physical examinations."

"This guy gets examinations at the department for research and development, so it's ok…. Haven't you read captain Kurotsuchi's research paper?" Hisagi asked.

"I have read it but…. What's it like coming back to life and then becoming amazingly strong?"

"You are truly an idiot."

"Zero reading comprehension."

Rangiku and Hisagi said in lightning quick remarks.

"e-eh? Why? what's wrong?"

Rukia patted Renji on the back and said "I'll explain later…"

"Well, don't stand there forever Kiyone and co, sit here!"

That said, Rangiku pointed to two empty seats next to Hinamori.

"But Rangiku san, we cannot decide such things as our seating arrangements can we? Like the head of the table or the foot of the table."

"Now now, there's no need to be so formal! I think it's okay if we put the captains in front of the tokonoma*! Right Kuchiki?" (*Tokonoma = alcove were art or flowers are displayed)

"Yeah…. It is. If that's alright with everyone…. "

Opposite Renji and Rukia, a slightly disgruntled Hitsugaya Toshiro who was placed at the other end of the table, nodded in agreement indicating that it was no problem. Kiyone and Hanataro sat down and all seats were occupied.

Curiously enough, against the tokonoma, the right hand side of the low table was entirely male members, the left hand side was three women hanataro. Watching as Rangiku laughed saying "Hanataro is also on the girls team!", Yumichika shook his head thinking 'good grief'.

"You're a 'girl' yourself, you're a bit old for that kind of thing don't you think."

"Hold your tongue Yumichika! Do you want me to knock you out!?"

"Come now, Rangiku san! Yumichika san also, please stop it's no big deal!"

Kiyone rebuked, Yumichika shrugged his shoulders and said "understood".

"Ahem." Renji stood up straight and puffed out his chest to speak.

(Saying "ahem" was clearly absurd)

(Should have said more than just cough "ahem"….)

(don't think this "ahem" is a meaningful word…..?)

Rangiku, Hitsugaya and Hisagi thought.

Renji, with a nervous expression, looked around at all who were present. After also standing up, from the tension, Rukia's cheeks were slightly flushed.

"T-today, thank you for sparing your valuable time for us."

Rukia's voice sounded shrill and nervous. Her cheeks became increasingly red.

Renji inhaled a breath of air.

"Actually about that, we…. "

Everyone unconsciously stopped breathing due to the tension in the air, the pair's heartbeats could be heard.

"We, are getting married!"

Renji declared, together they bowed deeply.

A moment, of silence.

When the couple raised their faces, Rangiku grinned and applauded them.

"Congrats!"

"That's great, Abarai!"

"Congratulations!"

Ikkaku and Yumichika also clapped their hands at the same time. One person after the other spoke words of congratulations and applauded.

"err… Thank you very much, we are happy. We're happy but… Everyone isn't surprised…. ?"

"We had intended to set up something like a surprise but….."

Rangiku smirked as she saw both of their expressions which was a complex mixture of both joy and confusion.

"Well, don't you know?"

"There's an important announcement', I thought, when Rukia chan didn't include it in her message earlier, how can one think otherwise?"

To Yumichika's words, Hinamori also smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Since it was just me and Yamada that were both summoned by Kuchiki, I thought "what's the announcement about?" until we came here, but…. Everyone is here and at a place of this sort of ranking"

"That's right. When I saw this place's appearance I also thought it was that kind of announcement."

Kiyone and Izuru also agreed with everyone.

"I… Did not realise anything at all…. "

As Hisagi muttered that, Rangiku quickly remarked harshly with "Thickhead! Uncool! Sleeveless!"

"huuuh…. Sleeves are irrelevant…..!"

Directly opposite a moaning Hisagi, kiyone shook Hantaro's shoulder and asked "Hey, what's up with you Yamada?"

"Huh! I was so amazed that my consciousness went flying!"

Hanataro whose eyes were left wide open, finally regained his senses.

"A-are you okay? Hanataro!?"

Looking at her face anxiously, he replied "yes" to Rukia, Hanataro bowed deeply to the pair.

"I'm sorry I lost consciousness when we were celebrating…. "

Renji took no notice of the apology and instead showed him a smile that said 'it's no problem'.

"uhh… Congratulations, Rukia san, Renji san….! The marriage of the two of you…I, am truly happy…! The fact is, I don't understand why, even myself, but….I want to say "thank you", I just feel like that."

Hanataro tried to reflect upon every little word so that he could convey his blessing to the best of his ability.

"Thank you, Hanataro…. "

"…. Thanks"

Looking at the couple who earnestly expressed their gratitude, naturally everyone's smiles grew.

"Once again, congratulations! Kuchiki, Renji!"

Rangiku declared.

"May you both live together in happiness!"

As kiyone clapped her hands, a round of applause was given to the couple again.

Rukia smiled shyly, Renji displayed a toothy grin.

—–Hitsugaya thinks.

The road to restoration is still far ahead, there are many places where untouched wreckage is spread far and wide. Meanwhile, the appearance of these two people who will build up new connections, will become hope for everybody.

"What is it? You're grinning~"

Rangiku laughed a little, poking Hitsugaya repeatedly with her fingertips. There was no moodiness like there usually was in his voice that calmly responded with "nothing".

"… It must have took considerable effort to do all this, Abarai!"

Hisagi said looking around the wide room.

"No I, left the task of the restaurant up to Rukia…"

"Because I don't know much about restaurants, I wanted the people of my household to book a restaurant with private rooms for me."

"Well, it's such a high class restaurant that's why."

Rangiku said shrugging her shoulders.

"It's my first time coming to kizokugai (noble city), I was insanely nervous~"

Kiyone laughed it off as Rukia apologised to her for that.

"It was reported to me that this restaurant was not pretentious, and that it was popular…"

Chiyo, a maid who usually performs miscellaneous chores around Rukia, is the youngest employee of the Kuchiki clan, she is a familiar companion for Rukia. For that reason, she entrusted the selection of the restaurant to Chiyo with confidence.

["I will make preparations so that you have the perfect restaurant for today's gathering!"]

She recalled Chiyo's self confidence, face brimming with a smile.

It is certainly a perfectly suitable place for a gathering. Apart from the fact that it is not actually 'popular'.

"Well yeah, seems like it's popular with the four noble clans"

Ikkaku uttered, everyone nodded in agreement.

"But I think we are highly ranked enough for a place like this, aren't we? There's one captain, eight vice captains and two 3rd seats?"

Yumichika said, looking around at all. Who were present.

"We don't come to establishments like this because it's not a question of status, it's a question of money~"

Rangiku responded with a sigh.

"Uuh… I'm scared of the bill….!" Renji held his head in his hands, from the corner of the room, the nakai who lingered there approached to slide open the panels.

"… Abarai sama"

"Yes?"

"We have received payment"

"eh!? From who….!?"

"That is… From a certain ally…Nothing more."

The nakai spoke ambiguously about that certain somebody.

(It's Kuchiki Byakuya….)

They guessed the person's true identity.

"… I'm sorry, for inconveniencing my brother… " Rukia muttered, Hitsugaya then spoke.

"I don't think such a thing is any trouble for him….he's happy you guys are getting married"

Raising her head, Rukia fluttered away tears that had filled her eyes.

"…. we have to go thank him"

Renji uttered to Rukia in a whisper, who strongly nodded in assent many times over.

"If the head of the family has paid for it, then do not hesitate to eat and drink!"

"Even if Renji paid for it, I don't feel like holding back…"

"Yeah! I'm a man who doesn't hold back when he's being treated!"

Listening to the exchange between Ikkaku and Yumichika, an exasperated Hitsugaya grumbled "Don't throw your chest out like you're proud of that…"

"… Hinamori? What were you looking around for just now?"

Rangiku remarked, Hinamori a little shyly pointed to the sideboard of the low table.

A beautifully carved crane was there.

"At first, I thought the carvings here are amazing. So then, if I looked around at only the celebratory things…"

In the tokonoma there was a hanging scroll suspended there with calligraphy, and white plum blossoms were arranged in a vase. There were splendid pine trees on the gold leaf covered folding screens and cherry blossoms in full bloom painted on the fusuma sliding panels.

"It's a bit overkill for a celebration right…"

Izuru said feeling a slight pressure in his forehead.

"Is this room normally used for celebrations?"

As Hinamori asked, the nakai gave a relaxed smile and lowered her head whilst she replied.

"… We were able to make preparations like this with instruction we received from a certain ally."

Surprise ran through everyone in the room as they all started to chatter.

"eh!? You were able to alter the interior design!? Didn't you book the reservations just this morning Kuchiki!?"

To Kiyone's inquiry, Rukia said "yes" and nodded.

"Everything today was down to my brother to begin with… "

It may have been reported to him by Chiyo out of worry, Rukia thought. In contrast with a perplexed Rukia, everyone was lightly smiling.

"Captain Kuchiki…..is he not awkward at celebrating?"

Ikkaku remarked, followed immediately by Yumichika and Rangiku.

"He's too excessive. The celebration feels congested."

"He's not exactly used to celebrating."

"Captain Kuchiki's 'cold demeanour' image is unrivalled but…there must also be a side to him that's in high spirits since his younger sister is getting married…"

Hisagi keenly stated.

"Haha… Although he might get angry if you said such a thing, I think that is very heartwarming."

"That's true." Hanataro chuckled, agreeing with Hinamori.

"….I think he wanted to do something a little extra before Kuchiki san leaves his hands."

Izuru looked at the interior of the room overflowing with good-luck charms, the true motives inside the heart of a reticent man, he thought. It was beyond imagination that this room came from his usual not very talkative self.

"Please accept it with the feeling that it is filial piety towards your older brother."

Said Hitsugaya. Rukia happily smiled 'yes'.

When the couple conveyed their intention to marry to Byakuya, he only said a few words;

["I see….understood."]

After saying just that, he left the couple behind in the room that he exited.

The next day onwards, especially because his attitude did not seem to change and his demeanour was the same as usual when they encountered him, he did not object to the thing but it seemed he he didn't give much blessing either….the two were continuously worrying.

Today however, they understand that Byakuya, beyond all expectations, blesses their marriage fully, the couple felt relieved by that.

"Renji, let's get everyone something to eat or drink soon."

"Right! Please, we beg your assistance!"

Hearing Renji's request, the nakai turned her body towards everyone.

"Then, we will begin….How about beverages?" She asked whilst bowing deeply in a seated position.

"It's okay if we request whatever we want, captain Kuchiki's treat right!? Then let's have your most expensive sake please~!"

Rangiku said in a cheery voice, Ikkaku also added "Bring bottles!"

"Both of you are shameless…..ah, sake cups for each person please."

Hisagi's face looked as if he wanted to say "don't you drink yourself after all, Yumichika!"

"The captain doesn't need a sake cup~. It's believed your growth will stop when you drink sake right? Captain."

Looking at Rangiku's broad grin, Hitsuguya felt a twitch in his temple.

"….It is a special celebratory occasion. I will also drink."

"Is that okay?~ You won't grow taller, isn't that right?~ No matter how much time passes, you won't mature like that 'Daiguren Hyourinmaru handsome edition' time?~"

"Be quite Matsumoto! Besides that's not the name of that form anyway!"

Rangiku is speaking about the appearance of Hitsugaya's Bankai at the time it was shown in the 'Protection of the Soul King Great War'. When the ice petals that bloom in mid air disappear, Daiguren Hyourinmaru exhibits its true worth, corresponding with that power, Hitsugaya temporarily grows into the body of a young man.

"That's right Rangiku san. That's 'Daiguren Hyourinmaru version two~noble son of ice~' is it not?"

"I conclude that it's 'Dai-Daiguren Hyourinmaru." (*Dai=big)

"Ayasegawa, Madarame! Why are you both naming it as you please!? …And Hisagi! What were you writing down just now!?"

"Well umm….If I publicly advertise the name in 'Seireitei communication' it will raise up excitement, won't it…."

"Absolutely not!"

Elsewhere from the clamor of voices arguing back and forth, Hinamori, with a smiling face told the nakai "some fruit sake for me please."

"Hey captain~ please let me take pictures when you grow into an adult. At that time, I didn't have my denreishinki* because I was carried in the medical treatment pod, I couldn't take a photograph~!" (*Soul reaper mobile device)

"I refuse!"

"The same as everyone else for me is fine" said Izuru.

"By the way, Rangiku san what were you doing at that time? didn't see you on the battlefield"

"Me, well I was told by the captain, everyone was doing as they pleased, causing a scene and the destroyed Soul King Palace wreckage was falling down on Seireitei, I was breaking it up with Haineko until it became an okay size! Simple~! The fact is, I was doing my best!"

"Really? it was like that….! Since I was swiftly attacked and on the verge of death the whole time, I can't remember anything at all…..pff that is pitiful!"

Next to Kiyone who raked a hand through her hair, Hanataro whispered his request for some green tea to the nakai.

"['Great war - persons of distinguished service behind the scenes special feature']…..Not bad at all!"

Hisagi muttered, writing down his idea for a special feature in his notebook.

"…It's been a long time since things have been lively like this"

Renji laughed a little, Rukia also nodded in agreement "That's right".

Prior to the Great War, it was part of everyday life that troops from each squad would gather and drink sake together after work. But now, every squad is busy with reconstruction operations, even if you just drink with people of the same squad, troops of several squads gathering as drinking parties was extremely rare.

The couple were deeply grateful that these troops were able to accept their invitation under such circumstances.

—1 hour and 3_ minutes since the start of the banquet.

The drunkards, Rangiku, Yumichika and Kiyone, were persistent, only when they finished listening about the couples meeting up to the marriage proposal, information that they had inquisitively pried from them, did they finally set the pair free with a look of satisfaction.

"And? When is the ceremony?"

Ikkaku said whilst gulping down the expensive sake like water.

"I discussed it with Rukia, but we've planned to not conduct a ceremony, we will only register the marriage."

"It's such a time like this, so just being able to celebrate with everyone in this way…."

"You can't do that!"

Rangiku shot up and slapped the low table with a *bang*. With eyes bulged open, she thrust her index finger towards the pair.

"You must absolutely conduct a ceremony!"

Rangiku spoke with hopeful eyes to Rukia who was at a loss for words.

"For sure, I want you to plan it because it's such a time like this….! Everyday I'm receiving reports like 'that squad house has been repaired, that facility has been reopened', you know? I think this is bright news. But then again, everything is usually just "this is restored back to its former self"….!"

Hearing of the reconstruction advancement was a pleasant thing. That sentiment was no lie.

Although it was no lie—

"When I received an email from Renji this morning, 'is this a marriage announcement?' That's what I thought, for the first time in a long while it truly felt like my heart was boiling over in excitement! I was so cheerful!…since you two made me feel so great, how you decided not to hold a ceremony…such a thing like that….I absolutely will not tolerate it!"

After saying that, Rangiku gave a tender smile. It was not merely a consequence of drunkenness, that the area around her eyes were slightly tinged with red. Hinamori cried loudly as if the sake she had consumed had slackened her tear glands, "I also want you two to hold a wedding ceremonyyyyy….!"

"Oh~ there there…Hey Abarai Kuchiki-i! Hinamori is crying like this! Take some responsibility, hold a ceremony!"

Kiyone barked embracing Hinamori's head closely.

"I also agree! Besides, Renji…if you don't hold a ceremony, what if captain Kuchiki doesn't remain silent~?"

Ikkaku emptied his sake cup with a gulp.

"At any rate, it gives captain Kuchiki a reason to want to celebrate. If this one celebratory occasion is wasted, he'd be offended."

Saying that, Yumichika with a confident expression looked at Renji. Blood drained from Renji's face.

"[The true revival begins from here—–Abarai, Kuchiki, two vice captains, marriage ceremony special feature]…50 pages, fully loaded opening spread wedding photos…not bad!"

"It's not good to connect anything to work right now, Hisagi san"

Without paying attention to Izuru's candid advice, Hisagi reviewed the draft of the magazine's content from next month onwards.

"There are rarely marriages like this between fellow lieutenants. No one complains when you celebrate on a grand scale."

Hitsugaya said, calmly tilting back his sake cup.

"…thank you very much. Truly…how we are so blessed…!" Rukia placed her hands on her knees grasping tightly, she looked at Renji.

"Let's hold a ceremony, Renji! let's allow everyone to celebrate this to the marrow of our bones!"

Though it could've been written off as a desperate proposal, Rukia's eyes however were sparkling with happiness. Renji hit the palm of his hand with his fist "alright! Let's do it!" he reciprocated with a smile.

"Everyone, we will have your attendance! Will you please accept this responsibility and come?"

Everyone gladly nodded to Renji's invitation.

"If it's been decided as such then I need to make preparations for a kimono in a hurry~! And putting in a booking for measurements!"

Rangiku excitedly took out her denreishinki and began to send an electronic message to a familiar draper.

"Matsumoto…just the other day you said you have too many kimonos that you can't wear them all, wasn't a cabinet brought over to you from my office…?"

Hitsugaya was uninterested in garments, he only had a few clothes himself. For that reason, originally there were two cabinets placed in the Captain's office, now one remains without much use. It was absolutely no problem to have things that do not get used, but considering there was already twenty cabinets crammed into the lieutenant's room; Rangiku's passion to purchase even more new things whilst also possessing that many kimonos, was no small wonder to Hitsugaya.

"I will also go for new kimono tailoring…!"

"Ah! Well then Hinamori, shall we go together?"

"Uhh, is that okay!? I definitely want to go with you!"

Kiyone raised her hand "me too, me too!" At that exchange, Rukia's eyes also shined.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto, me too…!"

"Kuchiki you can't! Isn't it captain Kuchiki who should be deciding the arrangements for your kimono~? He will undoubtedly give orders for the highest quality things, so behave yourself!"

Rangiku said, Rukia feeling slightly abashed nodded her head in agreement.

"Err…I, have no experience in something like this… what's appropriate for a man to wear…?"

Hanataro enquired after timidly raising his hand.

"Well, I think it's okay for the guys to wear their shihakusho. After all this is acceptable uniform. Also I have no money to buy"

So when he saw Hisagi laughing that it was okay and he need not worry, Hanataro exhaled a large breath of air and said "that's good…"

"It seems there is no money because Hisagi San does nothing but waste it… Yamada kun, if you go to a draper store and tell them about the sort of budget you have and what kind of thing you want to wear, they will choose something precisely adequate for you. Try going there once."

"Th…thank you very much, lieutenant Kira"

Hanataro bowed his head to Izuru over and over again until he was halted by Izuru who said "that's enough!".

"I, should wear Western clothes~! I wonder if you will invite Ichigo and Orihime chan too?"

"That's right…! Of course we will speak with them!"

Renji replied to Yumichika, he then asked Rukia "is that okay?"

Rukia nodded 'of course' enthusiastically.

"…for a while, things will become more busy now…" Uttering that her face radiated bright with joy.