Bleach: Azashiro

***Akihiko Azashiro*** 

I decided not to postpone the conversation with Shika until later. It's better to figure it out right away so that there is no misunderstanding later. Plus, tomorrow I am required to give an answer. Therefore, it is advisable to solve everything today. 

Unlike the rest of the house, the door to Shika's room was wooden when the servants had paper doors. All members of the Shihoin clan had such doors. It seems to me that this is how they emphasize their status. I may be wrong, but there is no such thing in my house. 

*Knock-knock* 

I knocked on the door a couple of times and began to wait. Shika was not long in coming, and her voice was heard from behind the door. 

-Who? - I thought it was strange. I didn't hide my reatsu, and she had to feel me. 

-Akihiko. - Shaking his head, I threw unnecessary thoughts out of my head. It's worth focusing on the main thing. 

-Ah, w-come in.- With a stammer, she invited me in, friend. 

Slightly bewildered, I opened the door and entered the room. The first thing I did was examine her and didn't find anything unusual. It was not much different from the room that was allocated to me, except that I didn't have a full-length mirror and a larger closet. The rest was one to one. For some reason, I wanted to see Chika-san's room, with his passion for gold jewelry. 

"W-hello". - Shika's voice distracted me from strange thoughts and made me pay attention. 

-Hi.- I greeted her calmly. 

I looked at her and understood: she knows. I cannot explain her behavior otherwise. Everyone hesitates, not in a state of standing calmly, blush on their cheeks, avoids a direct look, but furtively looks at me. Phew, if she knows, it will be much easier. 

-Have you been told yet? - I decided to clarify. 

-YES.- Almost screaming, she replied. 

-What's your answer? - all I had enough for. 

-I-I, m-I, no,...- she tried to say something. It turned out to be so-so, of course. 

Looking at her, I came to the understanding that it was better to take everything into my own hands. Since it's difficult for her to talk about such things, I'll be the first to say. 

-You and I have been friends for years now, and I hope this event doesn't affect our relationship, whatever your answer. For myself, I have already decided everything. I like you, and I would be glad to see you as my wife. But if you are against it and don't want it, I will take your side and achieve the cancellation of the engagement. - Without changing my face, I said in a firm voice, in one breath. 

-NO!!! - Chic naturally shouted into my face and immediately lowered her gaze and was embarrassed. 

All I could do was look at her in bewilderment, looking for clarification. What she meant by her "no" remains a mystery to me. In the meantime, I looked at the embarrassed girl and caught myself thinking that she looked funny when she was embarrassed. 

-I mean, I, yeah. No, in general, I AGREE!!! - Shrieking her last words, Shika blushed even more, although much more so, and jumped onto the bed and hid her face in a pillow. 

Of course, I understand it; the topic is quite embarrassing, but I didn't expect such a violent reaction from her. I'm also embarrassed, but it's better to put everything on the shelves right away. And to be honest, I'm not very comfortable now either, but I'm good at keeping my face. 

"Great, then come to your senses as soon as possible, and I'll go." - I sat down next to her on the bed and finally stroked her head soothingly. - See you tomorrow. 

Not hearing any objections from the girl, I left the room. 

Closing the door behind me, I leaned my back against it. The strength suddenly ran out. Ugh, it's more complicated than it seems at first glance. Apparently, I was more worried than I thought. I can't explain my back, soaked from sweat, otherwise. 

That's enough; you need to take a shower and go to bed. Tomorrow is an important day. And to the screams coming from the room, I went to my place. 

***Shika Shihoin*** 

-Yes, yes, yes, yes. - I jumped around the room with happiness as soon as Akihiko left it. 

***Akihiko Azashiro*** 

It's been a week since talking to Shika. Now we can be called a couple. She didn't stick to me all week, trying to spend all her free time next to me. Not to say that I was against this development of events. I liked her company. 

By and large, our relationship has not changed much. We got along great before. It's just that now, we could take some liberties with each other. We haven't yet gotten further than hugs and kisses on the lips. And I think it won't come to the wedding. Still, Shika, like me, is from noble families, and such behavior before the wedding is condemned among aristocrats. The rest remains the same. This couldn't help but make me happy. 

As a result, we agreed to get married in a few years. As my father put it: "get used to it for now, and then we'll see." 

By the way, today the fate of the Tsunayashiro clan is being decided. A week has passed since my trial, and the charges against them were brought. Apparently, Council 46 has made a decision and is ready to announce its verdict. It is not yet known what punishment Council 46 will choose, but we can say now that they will lose their noble status. 

Otherwise, my days are similar to the previous few years of training. It's worth saying thank you to Chika-san. As soon as he heard our positive answer, he organized a month's rest for us. Without arguing at all. I think he was more happy about our engagement than we were. Therefore, I either train or spend all my free time in the company of Shika. 

-Young master, the head calls you to him. - A vaguely familiar shinigami came up to me and conveyed a message. 

-Who? - I asked the question for a reason. Recently, local servants have also begun to call me "young master." So confusion is created about who invited me to his place, father or Chika-san? 

-Deichi Azashiro-sama. - The servant explained. 

"Okay, I'll be there in an hour." - I answered him and let him go. 

First, I should warn Shika. Alas, the walk around the city will have to be canceled. Well, nothing can be done; since my father is calling, something important happened. 

Finding my chosen one was not difficult. She trained on the next training ground. Dressed in her uniform, she jumped on iron poles, honing her movements. She looked sexy at the same time. Ahem, didn't come then. 

-Shika.- I called her. 

-Hello. - My miracle landed next to me and rushed to hug. 

-It's time? Sorry, I got a little carried away. - In a guilty voice, she said, continuing to hug me. 

-No, father calls me. Today I can't take a walk. - I said in a slightly disappointed tone, stroking the girl's white hair. 

-Mm, nothing. Since Deichi-san is calling, something important probably happened. - She said, breaking her arms. - Will you last long? 

-Don't know; it all depends on my father. But I think I'll be back in the evening. - I answered her calmly. 

"Well, okay, then go ahead, I still need to finish training." - Instantly changing her mood and raising her nose, Shika began to drive me away. 

-Hmm, so so. - I approached her and lifted her by the waist, kissing her on the lips. 

Out of surprise, she began to pull her legs, but as soon as I kissed her, she suddenly calmed down and gave herself over to a pleasant process. Ten seconds later, I stopped the kiss and put her on the ground. 

-YOU, you. - Pointing her finger at me, she repeated. - Hmm, go already. 

-Bye, bye. - Waving goodbye, I walked towards the exit from the Shihoin estate. 

-Fool. - Shika yelled at my back. 

*** 

Yasuko met me at the gates of Azashiro's estate. It didn't seem like much time had passed, but I managed to miss her. Unlike her parents, she could not visit me. 

-Akihiko-sama, welcome back.- Shining with joy, Yasuko said. 

"Hi, how are you?" I asked. 

-All's well. You should hurry; Azashiro-sama is waiting for you in her office. - In a serious voice, she answered. 

It's interesting; she calls me by name, but she still adds the prefix "-sama," at the same time, her father is called exclusively by his last name, with the same prefix. 

God, I remember how tormented I was to deal with these consoles. I wanted to quit, but my vigilant mother did not allow it. Now I am grateful to her that she then forced me to teach them. Alas, understanding came only recently. It turns out that you can insult a person very much if you turn to him incorrectly. For example, by name, you should name only your close friends and family. If I turned to a barely familiar person by name, he might think that I want to offend him. For me, all this is strange, but man is such an animal; he gets used to everything, and I'm used to it. 

-Okay.- With my head nodding slightly, I walked towards my father's office. 

Throughout my short journey, every servant considered it his duty to bow and greet me. This used to cause discomfort. I'm not used to this attitude, but as I said, I've gotten used to it over time. This is the kind of society here; servants were taught to show their respect every time they met their master. 

As a child, it even occurred to me to talk about it with my father and the servants. I tried to dissuade them from bowing to me every time they met. Hah, I remember the faces of their complete misunderstanding of what was happening when I voiced my request. As a result, this became another reminder that the world is different, where the orders and norms of behavior differ from those familiar to me. I had to get used to it, heh. 

With such thoughts, I didn't notice how I got to my father's office. Greeting the guards, I went inside. 

-Father.- Entering the office, I said hello to my father. 

-Ah, Akihiko, you came finally. Sit down; I'll finish soon. - Looking at me, my father said and continued to write something. 

Sitting on the sofa, I examined the office. Nothing has changed during my absence. Although, not much time has passed. 

A few minutes later, my father finished writing and put all the papers on the edge of the table. 

"The trial passed in the morning," he said in a pleased voice. 

Of course, I knew what kind of court we were talking about. And it was all the more interesting to hear about the results. 

-The Tsunayashiro clan has been stripped of their noble family status and expelled from Seireitei. - My father has become like a cat who has eaten too much sour cream. - But that's not all. All their property will be divided among the families affected by Hideo Tsunayashiro's actions. 

It was great news. At best, we expected to achieve expulsion, and the decision of Council 46 to divide all Tsunayashiro's funds was unexpected. Initially, it was assumed that families would fight in attempts to take away a larger piece. Not a single family would risk going against the court's decision. And it turns out that Council 46 will decide how much and who will get it. Hmm, maybe this way they want to stabilize the situation by taking control of everything. In my opinion, a good solution. 

-How will the distributions go? - That's what I was primarily interested in. 

-Council 46 will compile a list of all property and a list of affected families. On a first-come, first-served basis, clans will be called and chosen. - Said the father. 

-Hmm, who will be first? - I clarified, a rather important point. 

-We. - Father smiled. 

"Heh, who would doubt it." - I said, grinning. 

"Here's the list; we can claim any two points." - My father handed me a piece of paper. - Look, maybe you'll like something. 

I took it and returned to its original place. Painfully comfortable sofa. Having gone through all the points with my eyes, only one attracted my attention: Library. Tsunayashiro was one of five families at the origin of the Soul Society. Therefore, I considered knowledge of such a family the most valuable prize. 

-Library.- I briefly expressed my thoughts to my father. 

-That goes without saying. Didn't you like anything else? - Asked the father. 

-No, money, shops, we got it all. You can also pick up the estate. The rest should be left to other families. Don't be too greedy. - I answered him calmly. 

-Heh, it's definitely a son. That's what we'll do. - He agreed with me. - In the meantime, I wanted to introduce you to a lady. 

-I'm almost a married man, father.- I looked at him condemningly. 

"Hey, you misunderstood everything." - My father tried to justify himself, but instantly became serious and continued. - She is a killer, Aki. I want to use her services to kill the remnants of Tsunayashiro. It will be useful for you to get to know her. 

-Okay. Where is she now? - I asked interestedly. 

"He'll come any minute now," he replied. 

"Hey, why the hell did I have to drag myself so far, huh?" bursting into the office, said a short girl. - Which one of you is Dacie!? 

-I.- Father raised his voice. 

"Who are you!?" This pigtail stared at me indignantly. 

"Akihiko Azashiro; it wouldn't hurt for you to introduce yourself either." - I said, roughly imagining who she was. 

-What did you blurt out!? - She tried to kick me in the head. 

-Sho.- 

Pointing at her with my finger, I managed to release the clot of reatsu in time, which pressed her into the wall opposite me. 

-Ah, you! - Getting out of the wall, she reached for the zanpakto. 

-Stopped! - Grandpa suddenly appeared and stood between us. - Saito, I didn't invite you to fight with my grandson! 

-Hmm, teach him manners, old man. - Saito calmed down for a moment. 

Only now I was able to see her normally. Saito was a young, light-skinned girl with large violet eyes, one of which was covered by a black bandage attached to her head with two straps surrounding her in the form of a cross. She had long dark pink hair braided in two thigh-length braids on either side of her head, with bangs falling on her face on the right side. Overall, she looked bloodthirsty, especially considering her smile. 

From my feelings as a real person, I can say that she is very strong. At least the number of reirekus is greater than that of her grandfather. 

-Calmed down? Great. - Said my grandfather and sat down opposite me. - Akihiko, meet my old friend Furofushi Saitou; you can just call her Saito. 

-Nice to meet you.- With a face that doesn't express anything, I said. 

-Hmm, say come on, old man, what was he calling. - She plopped down on a chair and threw one leg over her armrest. 

-There is work. - Grandfather seemed to deliberately piss her off. 

"It's good to get on your nerves; just tell me what you have there." - Saito was furious. 

-The Tsunayashiro clan recently lost its status and was expelled from Seireitei. It is necessary to kill the two remaining members of Tsunayashiro's family. - Instead of grandfather, the father took the words. 

"You have nothing passions happening here." - The girl said in surprise. - So what, how strong are they? 

-The targets don't pose a threat. However, now there are two users of the bankai constantly next to them. - In one breath, the father said. 

-Clearly. Are they stronger than you, Keigo? - She turned to her grandfather. 

"No, together they can still create problems for me, but even so, I'm stronger," my grandfather answered confidently. 

-Hmm, no problem then. You have a hundred thousand kan. Payment in advance. - And extended her hand towards her father. 

"Of course, just do everything outside of Seireitei," he quickly agreed. 

Quite an interesting acquaintance. Something tells me that we will meet again in the future. 

On the busti, I already managed to meet Unohana, if you can call it that. Link in the comments. 

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