You’re Really Annoying

Suzumebachi Rin.

The moment Seiya uttered the name, the girl in front of him reacted like a startled cat, her face contorting into an expression of sheer hostility.

"You insolent fool! I no longer go by that name! Don't dare speak my past name with your filthy mouth!"

Ah, come to think of it, this was indeed a thing.

"Didn't you… change your name or something?"

As part of her family's tradition—

Suzumebachi Rin was the ninth inheritor of the Suzumebachi line, a lower noble family dedicated to assassination and executions, sworn to serve the Shihōin clan for generations.

The moment she stepped onto this path, her old name was discarded, replaced by the ancestral title passed down to her from her grandmother.

"Let me think… isn't it Sui-Feng now?"

Seiya couldn't help but recall this particular detail during his Shunkō training, along with certain "noteworthy" moments involving her.

And now, here she was in person.

Unfortunately, Seiya found himself entirely uninterested.

After all—

"She's way too young…"

Her slim frame, undefined features, and the overall lack of maturity made her seem like a boyish teenager.

How could Seiya possibly muster any enthusiasm for someone so green?

To make matters worse, her tsundere attitude was utterly lost on him.

Meanwhile, in front of Seiya, Sui-Feng was clearly livid at being addressed by her old name.

"Insolent!"

She took a step back, raised her leg high, and aimed a sharp kick at him.

Here it comes—

No hesitation, just straight to violence.

In this regard, at least, she was already showing glimpses of a future Second Division Captain.

But Seiya was ready. Anticipating her move, he rolled backward and evaded the blow.

The wind from her kick grazed his face, stinging his nose and jolting his senses back into focus.

Landing lightly on his feet in a crouch, Seiya wiped the blood from his nose and smirked as he examined the faint red streak on his hand.

"Looks like you've still got room for improvement, Lady Sui-Feng."

The strike had been sharp, but a missed hit was meaningless.

Sui-Feng's nerves seemed to snap.

"You—!!!"

She twisted her body and launched another high kick, her left leg slicing through the air like a scythe aimed at Seiya's face.

Her form was precise, her movements sharp—

But unfortunately—

"She's too weak."

Seiya had seen far fiercer attacks during Yoruichi's training. Compared to those, this was child's play.

Before her kick could land, Seiya reached out with his right hand and caught her ankle mid-air.

Smack!

She instinctively tried to pull back, but Seiya's grip held firm.

"Let me go!"

Her face turned beet red—not from exertion, but from humiliation, especially with Yūshirō standing nearby to witness her disgrace.

To be seen struggling like this in front of a member of the Shihōin family was an unbearable blow to her pride.

"Let me go!"

Her voice cracked with frustration as her expression grew increasingly flustered, her face as red as a pufferfish about to burst.

Seiya found the entire spectacle amusing.

Toying with someone this straightforward was unexpectedly satisfying—

"Have I been hanging around Aizen for too long?" he wondered, feeling his own mischievous streak emerge.

"How about saying 'please'?"

"Go to hell!"

"Well then, how about I drag you over to Captain Yoruichi?"

"Guh…"

At the mention of Yoruichi, her resistance faltered, and she froze, her eyes darting nervously.

Seiya's smirk widened as he saw her torn expression—half furious, half speechless.

"Seiya…"

Yūshirō's hesitant voice broke the tension. Not one to speak up often, his attempt to mediate was notable in itself.

Seiya sighed and finally released Sui-Feng's ankle.

The girl stumbled back like a slippery eel, retreating several meters before crouching down to nurse her sore ankle.

Sweat matted her bangs to her forehead, her face a mix of frustration and exhaustion as she glared at Seiya.

Watching her struggle, Seiya raised an eyebrow.

"Does it hurt?"

"None of your business!"

Still defiant, still weak—

This was the epitome of Sui-Feng at her current stage.

Seiya rolled his eyes and waved dismissively.

"Fine. For Yūshirō's sake, let's call it even this time."

His words offered an easy out, but judging by Sui-Feng's expression, she either didn't understand or simply refused to back down.

Before she could retort, Yūshirō gently intervened, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Sui-Feng, let's leave it at this for now."

Though clearly still fuming, she gritted her teeth and lowered her head in reluctant acknowledgment.

"Understood."

Her capitulation carried the bitterness of defeat, her expression one of utter frustration.

Watching her sulk, Seiya couldn't help but think:

Sui-Feng's devotion to the Shihōin family is admirable, but it's painfully obvious—her entire focus is centered on Yoruichi.

If Yoruichi ordered her to jump off a cliff, she'd probably smile and do it without hesitation.

"So this bond between them was already forming, even back then…"

Shaking his head, Seiya turned to leave.

"Well, I'm heading back to rest. Thanks for the help today, Yūshirō."

Yūshirō flushed slightly, bowing quickly.

"No, no! Thank you! Let's continue tomorrow!"

"Sure thing. See you then."

Seiya left the Shihōin estate and began descending the mountain toward his dormitory at the Second Division.

As he walked, his shirt draped over his shoulder, he clumsily applied ointment to the burns on his back, wincing at the awkward angle.

"Ugh, this is such a pain…"

Before he could continue, a familiar figure landed lightly in front of him.

It was Sui-Feng, her expression as sour as ever.

She raised her hand and stretched it toward him, her tone dripping with disdain.

"Give me the ointment."

Seiya blinked, then tossed the container to her.

"What's this? A sudden pang of conscience?"

Sui-Feng ignored his sarcasm. She opened the container, scooped out a generous amount, and, once Seiya walked past her, began applying the ointment to his burns with cold precision.

"This is simply repayment. I won't disgrace myself further in front of Yūshirō. And you did hold back earlier."

"Well, at least you're self-aware."

"Don't get cocky. One day, I'll surpass you. Enjoy your little victories while you can."

Seiya snorted. "That might be the funniest thing I've heard all year."

"Hmph. You wouldn't understand the training of the Onmitsukidō. I've only just started—I've got plenty of room to grow."

Her confidence was admirable, but Seiya couldn't help but think she'd picked the wrong target to boast to.

"Sure, sure. Good luck with that."

"Lost for words, huh?"

"Wow, you're annoying."

As he finished speaking, Seiya suddenly asked, "By the way, where's the girl who used to serve alongside Captain Yoruichi? Why's it just you now?"

Sui-Feng paused for a moment before resuming her work.

"She died in the line of duty. Chitose-neesan fulfilled her responsibilities as a member of the Onmitsukidō."

"I see…"

A somber atmosphere settled between them. The cool sensation of the ointment on his back broke the silence, prompting Seiya to speak again.

"You like Captain Yoruichi, don't you?"

"...?!?"

Her hands froze, and she immediately switched from gentle application to punching him squarely in the back.

"Don't spout nonsense!"

"Ow, ow! Geez, such a big reaction. So you don't like her?"

"It's not… it's not like that…"

Seiya tried turning to see her face, but Sui-Feng raised her fist threateningly, forcing him to drop the idea.

"It's not a big deal. Liking someone of the same gender isn't exactly unheard of, you know."

"But it's Captain Yoruichi! And… and I only admire her!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

The two fell into an awkward silence.

Finally, Sui-Feng broke it with a low mutter.

"You're really annoying."

Seiya chuckled, his grin widening.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

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Powerstones?

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