Chapter 261
"Special Wartime Order!"
The messenger from the1st Division first bowed to Momo, then reported respectfully, "First: permission is granted for high-ranking Seat Officers, including Lieutenants, to carry their Zanpakuto at all times within the Seireitei."
"Second: permission is granted to fully release Zanpakuto during combat."
"The above are orders issued by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 1st Division. Everyone must remain vigilant. After all, the opponents have already defeated Lieutenant Abarai. They could attack the division barracks and all members at any time. Lieutenant Hinamori, please also be cautious."
"Hmm, I understand."
Momo nodded.
After delivering the orders, the messenger left to notify others.
The cell fell quiet again.
"Special Wartime Order... Permission to carry Zanpakuto..."
"Renji... why did you end up like this?"
"And you didn't have to engage without authorization..."
"Isn't maintaining peace wonderful?"
"Why must everyone fight and kill each other?"
In the silent cell, Momo talked to herself.
Regarding the recent turmoil in the Seireitei, Momo felt deeply uneasy from the bottom of her heart.
Momo sat on the floor, hugging her shoulders, trembling slightly. "Toshiro... I... I really don't want to fight..."
In her anxiety, Momo instinctively wanted to rely on Toshiro.
Thinking this, she glanced at the unconscious Renji. "Renji, rest well here. I'll go back now."
Night, 10th Division, Toshiro's Residence.
Inside the room, candlelight flickered. Toshiro wore a coat, sitting cross-legged before a desk, handling leftover work from the day.
Knock knock knock...
A knocking sound.
"Toshiro, are you asleep?"
Momo's voice came from outside.
"Not yet. Come in."
Toshiro replied.
Creak...
Momo pushed the door open.
"Uh..."
Seeing Momo wearing a light nightgown that perfectly outlined her graceful curves, looking quite captivating, Toshiro was momentarily stunned.
"Ahem, what is it? Do you have something, Momo?"
Regaining his composure, Toshiro coughed lightly, asking somewhat unnaturally.
Late at night, Momo not sleeping, coming to his room dressed like this… what did she mean? Toshiro couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.
"Sorry..."
"Can I talk with you for a bit, Toshiro?"
Momo said, her face red.
Although she had already established a relationship with Toshiro, coming to his room dressed like this at night still made Momo feel extremely shy.
Earlier, she only thought about finding Toshiro. It wasn't until she was outside his room that Momo realized she had come wearing only her nightgown.
"I know it's not good to disturb you so late..."
"But... but I really couldn't sleep! So I wanted to talk with you!"
"I'm sorry... I'm always doing such embarrassing things in front of you, unable to help you at all."
Momo's face was red like a ripe apple, as if about to turn into a steam machine.
"Heh..."
Seeing Momo so nervous, Toshiro couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you nervous about? We're already a couple. It's not like you haven't been to my room before."
As he spoke, Toshiro stood up and walked over to Momo, draping his coat over her shoulders.
"Find a place to sit. I still have some work to finish."
"Come to think of it, you must be quite tired today… first searching for Renji, then looking after him. So if you want to stay here, it's fine. Even if you stay all night without leaving, it's okay."
Toshiro teased.
Hearing Toshiro's words, Momo blushed and lowered her head but didn't refute.
Then, Toshiro continued sitting cross-legged at the desk, handling work.
Momo surveyed Toshiro's room and finally sat down on the futon where Toshiro slept.
There's no special meaning. Momo sat there simply because there were no other comfortable places to sit in Toshiro's room.
Although Toshiro, as the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division, held high rank and authority, his room was very simple. Aside from a desk, there was only the futon for resting.
"Oh, right. How is Renji's injury, Momo?"
Toshiro handled work while chatting with Momo.
"Renji is fine after treatment."
Momo replied, sitting on Toshiro's futon.
"Is that so? That's good. Speaking of which, during the Captain's Meeting today, Byakuya wanted to dismiss Renji from his Lieutenant position. But because some opposed, it was eventually dropped."
Toshiro said.
"Some opposed? That must have been you, Toshiro, right?"
Momo said with certainty.
"Well, although I spoke up first, others also didn't agree with dismissing Renji."
Toshiro explained.
"Hmm, I knew Toshiro wouldn't just watch a friend get punished."
Momo smiled.
"Can't say that. Right now, the Gotei 13 is fighting the Ryoka. Dismissing a Lieutenant would affect morale. So, for both public and private reasons, I wouldn't agree."
Toshiro said.
Time passed slowly. Toshiro handled work while chatting with Momo.
Momo's originally anxious and uneasy heart gradually calmed.
'Toshiro's words... Toshiro's voice... Everything about Toshiro is so reassuring...'
'I'm glad I came here today... Being with you is truly blissful, Toshiro...'
In this peaceful, comfortable atmosphere, drowsiness gradually overcame Momo. She eventually couldn't help but lie down on Toshiro's futon and fell asleep.
"Yare yare, can't be helped!"
After finishing work, Toshiro turned to see Momo lying on his bed and sighed helplessly.
Then, Toshiro walked over and tucked Momo in properly.
Afterwards, Toshiro went outside and sat down on the corridor floor in front of the door.
"Aizen... will probably 'die' tonight, right? What should I do next?"
Toshiro looked at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky and murmured.
Sitting at the door for a while, having thought about how to proceed, Toshiro returned to the room.
"Then... where should I sleep?"
Toshiro looked at the bed occupied by Momo, somewhat troubled.
Toshiro's room wasn't large, and there was no extra bedding.
"Well, no choice. Have to sleep together."
With that, Toshiro lifted the covers and slipped in.