Becoming the tenth Hashira was awkward, to say the least. The previous nine were likely comfortable with each other or at least well-acquainted. On your first day, only a handful seemed welcoming—Kocho, Kanroji, Rengoku, Tengen, and Himejima. Out of the four who weren’t, one was particularly unwelcoming. After that encounter, you avoided him, except when you had to go on missions together.

Thinking back to that day four months ago, you never imagined you'd be eating lunch with him. After all, he was one of the scariest Hashira, with the Serpent Hashira right behind him. This wasn't the first, second, or even fourth time you’ve shared lunch together. You called it a date, though he insisted it was just a "friendly lunch outing," one he hadn't missed in the two months since you started going out.

“I bought a bracelet at the market yesterday,” you mention after sipping your mocha. Shinazugawa glances up and raises a brow. He asks why, and you shrug, replying, “It looked pretty.”

He scoffs. “Where is it? Why aren’t you wearing it?” he asks, eyeing your empty wrist. You pull a small emerald-green pouch from your haori and show him the bracelet. He holds out his hand, and you extend yours, assuming he’ll take it. Instead, he rolls the bracelet onto your wrist and leans in for a closer look.

“What do you think?” you ask, noticing he’s staring at your hand longer than usual. Typically, he’d glance at things and lose interest quickly. But this time, you see him lower his head, feeling his lips press against the back of your hand. The action catches you both off guard. He squeezes your hand, then meets your gaze with his usual firm expression.

“Don’t you dare say anything.”