The Cat at the Wedding

The day of Shiba Kaien's wedding came quickly.

A captain of Squad 3 getting married was no small event in the Seireitei. Even if the other squad captains didn't attend in person, they all sent representatives and congratulatory gifts.

From Squad 4 came, aside from Shin and Yamada Hanatarō, both Iemura Yasochika and Aoga.

Today, none of them wore their standard shihakushō. Instead, they were dressed in more formal black attire.

In the Shiba compound's courtyard, Shin mingled with familiar faces, casually chatting in small groups.

Kaien was busy, of course—greeting friends from all over, barely having a moment to himself. His younger brother, Ganju, was also hurrying about, helping host the guests.

The bride, now the Vice-Captain of Squad 3, Shiba Miyako, was someone most people knew or had at least heard of—beautiful, gentle, and her match with Kaien truly seemed like the perfect blend of talent and grace.

The guests gathered in clusters, murmuring about the newlyweds—some wistful, others plainly envious.

The topic mostly captivated the likes of Matsumoto Rangiku, Ise Nanao, and Kotetsu Isane—women who were naturally inclined to gossip at weddings. Of course, there were others who remained entirely indifferent to such things—like Madarame Ikkaku or Ayasegawa Yumichika.

As they chatted, Kotetsu Kiyone's eyes twitched with mischief. She turned to Shin with a sly grin and lobbed a question at him:

"So, Tachikawa, when are you getting married?"

The conversation snapped toward Shin like a released arrow.

He hadn't been saying much up to that point, and now he blinked in faint surprise.

He noticed Isane gently tug at her sister's sleeve, and when she looked his way, her face had turned a faint shade of red.

Shin kept his tone neutral. "What's with the sudden question?"

Kiyone laughed. "Just curious. I heard you were really popular with the girls back in the Shin'ō Academy."

Shin shrugged. "When I want to get married, I will."

That wasn't enough for Kiyone, though. She pressed on: "So you're saying you don't want to get married right now?"

Matsumoto raised a brow. "Kiyone, why do you care whether he wants to or not?"

Only then did Kiyone realize how her question might've sounded. She quickly backpedaled, "I'm just... randomly curious, that's all."

Matsumoto gave her a look. "You're not... into him, are you?"

Shin coughed, cutting her off before she could go further. "Miss Rangiku."

Matsumoto gave him a knowing smirk, then said no more.

Making his exit, Shin wandered off alone and found a quiet bench to sit on. It didn't take long for Ikkaku and Yumichika to find him and plop down beside him.

"Not bad. You picked the best spot to slack off," Ikkaku said, grinning. "Matsumoto was trash-talking you after you left."

Shin leaned back, unconcerned. "What'd she say?"

"Said you were too restless to ever settle down."

"Let her say what she wants."

The three of them lounged there, killing time until the ceremony began.

Ikkaku brought up the topic of Shin visiting Squad 11 again, clearly not letting it drop.

"You really don't give up, do you?" Shin sighed.

"Not my fault," Ikkaku groaned. "Our Captain's been breathing down my neck about it. Come on, just do me a solid."

"No."

"Why not?"

"No reason. Just don't feel like it."

Ikkaku snapped, "You little bastard. You remember that inter-squad sparring match you wanted? I agreed without a second thought!"

"…Fair point."

Shin rubbed the bridge of his nose. Shouldn't have owed this guy a favor.

He said, "What if your Captain kills me?"

"Oh come on," Ikkaku said. "She's not gonna kill you. Just sparring, right? You're not that weak. And even if you lose, losing to our Captain isn't exactly shameful."

Shin considered it, then nodded. "Alright. I'll go."

Ikkaku perked up. "Tomorrow?"

"Fine."

"Deal!"

Shin glanced at him and smirked. "What if I beat your Captain?"

Ikkaku snorted. "Now that would be something."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Shin didn't respond, simply stared ahead, letting the silence stretch.

Then his eyes lit up.

He'd spotted Shiba Kūkaku.

Today she wore a formal kimono, hair pinned up, light makeup accentuating her features—fiery, striking, not a trace of her usual wild demeanor. She was stunning.

"Kūkaku-san!" Shin called out.

She turned her head toward him, acknowledged him with a reluctant nod, and walked away.

As Kaien's sister, she naturally had to dress up for the occasion. Shin could tell from her expression she wasn't at all comfortable in that outfit—especially not in front of people she knew.

Shortly after, Ganju came trotting over.

"Shin-aniki!"

"Ganju."

"Need a drink or anything? I'll get you something."

Shin chuckled. "I'm good. Go do your thing."

"Okay, but if you need anything, just call me!"

Soon enough, it was time. The ceremony began. Shin stood with Ikkaku and Yumichika amid the crowd, watching Kaien and Miyako's wedding unfold.

But his gaze mostly hovered on Kūkaku.

Her current affection score? Only 30.

Plenty of room to grow.

Maybe he'd drop by the Shiba household more often—chats with Kaien, casual drop-ins. There were possibilities.

Of all the women he knew, the ones with the lowest affection ratings were Soi Fon, Nemu, Kusajishi Yachiru, Ise Nanao, and Kūkaku.

Soi Fon, Nemu, Nanao—he had no easy angle on them for now. Especially Nemu. Even if he did get closer, increasing her affection wouldn't be like dealing with normal people.

Better to focus on Yachiru and Kūkaku next.

Just as he was lost in thought, something caught his eye.

The courtyard had filled up for the ceremony. Everyone was gathered near the center.

Off to the sides were two long tables lined with drinks and dessert trays.

And on one of them, a sleek black cat stood, its head buried in a drink cup, tongue lapping away at the clear liquid inside.

A black cat…

Could it be…?

Shin narrowed his senses, probing with reiatsu detection. Nothing unusual. No trace of spiritual energy. Just a regular cat.

But the cat glanced at him. Licked its paw. Then dipped its head right back into the cup, drinking deeply.