It was time.
Countless days of blood spilled, lives lost, and bitter words had come to an unforgiving peak, wearing down on the already too worn out shoulders of Captain Yū Nakamoto. The groove had not changed at all, the far future still appeared bleak, and the pain had become all too familiar, but no matter what was thrown to the Fourth Division, their Captain had ensured the job would always get done. But, just because the job was done, did not mean Yū was. There was still one more essential chunk to the week that Captain Nakamoto knew was vital, something he had greatly anticipated days prior yet had ensured to keep as a mystery to all except himself. Forced to burden this hefty secret to himself until the time came, Yū waits patiently across the main entrance to the relief station, residing in the shadows of the nearest hallway as he watches the clock tick.
5 seconds... 4... 3... 2... 1...
The clock's arm ticks into alignment, signifying the kickoff to his bone-crushing secret... the end of his week; No, the
best part of Yū Nakamoto's week: his trip to Shinigami's Health Land. An artificial onsen that provided complimentary Yukata and easily one of Yū's favorite places to further his Yoga technique with a combined pharmacy that sold the best treats and take-home aromatherapy treatments... Only one word could be used to describe such a place:
heaven.
With an uncharacteristic pep in his step, the otherwise stoic Captain Nakamoto struts out from the relief station with nothing in mind but his meditation rock, a warm bath and if he was lucky,
silence. In truth, the best part of his routine was the mere fact that
no one knew about it, so not a single soul in his division could hound him down for whatever excuse they could pass off as an "emergency." The few of his subordinates that do catch him during his short travel there greet him with a light bow, a wave, a
"Good day, Captain Nakamoto!", and are all met with a wordless nod and smile in return– all the same as usual, as if its an ordinary day with everyone out to perform their ordinary routines. He does not attempt to further the conversation nor give away his personal excitement with the many that stop to greet him as every step he takes draws him closer and closer to his one hour or so of freedom.
"I’m sorry, all children will need a guardian to accompany them to their appropriate bath space."
“You do this every time… every time…” Yū grumbles in pronounced irritation, his expression darkening as he fails to see just above the countertop.
"And it never gets old..." the attendant replies amusedly as she slides a wicker basket underneath the glass partition. Yu’s hand reaches over to grab ahold of the basket and pulls it toward him, cradling it into his arms as he shuffles to the entrance on the side.
Hastily before even reaching the bathing area, he slides out of his straw sandals and socks in two quick hops, the opposite index finger hooking each pair off in rapid succession. With one hand, he folds both the sandals and the socks before tossing them in the wicker basket he carries; And with his free hand, he slides out the pair of white slippers from the basket and slaps them on the ground in front of him, allowing him to easily hop into them as he approaches the bathing area. The blue curtain that signifies the mens’ area is pushed back with a raised forearm, before draping behind him as he enters.
As passionately foreseen, 20 minutes later Yū finds himself already much more refreshed with a quick cleansing in the bathing area and a freshly pressed white Yukata clinging onto his skin. His unbreakable mask of apathy finally comes undone, a warm smile firmly planted between his rosy cheeks and underneath sparkling eyes.
And best of all, he was
alone.
He places his folded uniform into the provided basket and tucks his zanpakuto alongside it, before he realizes… that this wouldn't be the case, after all.
‘What’s he doing here... ’ he questions, obviously knowing of course
what he was doing, but...
'Why now of all times?!' His Reiatsu is unmistakable, belonging to a closer friend of his. Of course the natural reaction to recognizing a friend's presence would be comforting, sometimes even thrilling. But no matter how close their friendship was– in this specific moment, it wouldn't justify unknowingly disturbing the Captain's alone time. Yū fights the urge to display his sour attitude outwardly, a proposed harsh grimace forcefully constricted to display just a blank stare.
He quickly stores his belongings in one of the many privacy shelves before rising to his feet, a wooden basin and towel gripped by his left arm. With his right, Yū slides the straw door to the changing room open, flicking it shut behind him as soon as he steps out and onto the uneven stone floor. The shift in air quality is immediate, the crisp, conditioned atmosphere now hot and overwhelmingly humid– full of vigor. Faithfully opposite to the saying, the intense heat was like a breath of fresh air accompanied by rich aromas that helped alleviate stress and brought on a welcoming sense of ease. Despite this, his guise remains unimpassioned, as the Reiatsu he senses now begins to become visible, a crimson silhouette being the only perceivable thing from behind the thick steam. Yū follows the stone pathway leading to the scalding pool until his eyes finally begin to meet the hazy form of his friend, Nibui, sitting as if rooted to the spot. Yet most interesting of all, that specific spot was...
“That's my meditation rock...”
... Yu whispers, his approach not slowing in the slightest as the Third Seat's form becomes more clear from behind the veil. A soft red hue emanates from his body; It is now clear to Yū that the Shinigami is in a deep trance– most likely not aware of his immediate surroundings. But, was he so unaware to not realize the wielder of the affectionate voice that echoed in his head now stood mere feet in front of him? If Nibui didn't realize this now, he'd realize it in the next two seconds and this time, the voice wouldn't be as affectionate in the slightest.
“Hey, you.”
“What are you smiling about? You're in my spot.”
