Masatsuki Aozaki led Shutara Senjumaru into his room. However, his room didn't even have a proper space for receiving guests. In the end, Masatsuki sat in a chair while Senjumaru sat on the edge of the bed.
The older woman looked visibly conflicted. She placed her hands on her lap, fingers tightly intertwined, and watched Masatsuki cautiously.
"Well… first of all, I want to ask about what happened the day before yesterday. Why did you do that?" Senjumaru spoke up first.
"The day before yesterday?" Masatsuki tilted his head slightly, looking puzzled.
"That thing! You… you kissed… me!"
Senjumaru's frustration spilled over, and her voice rose slightly.
"Oh? So you do remember. I thought you'd already forgotten."
In stark contrast to Senjumaru's world-ending reaction, Masatsuki remained completely at ease.
Until yesterday, Senjumaru had acted no differently than usual, showing no signs of being bothered. Masatsuki had assumed she'd already moved past it. But yesterday, something had clearly changed.
It wasn't as if Masatsuki hadn't noticed her unusual behavior—he just hadn't brought it up. And soon enough, he realized something else.
Senjumaru had suddenly become easily flustered, yet she showed no real aversion toward him. No matter how much he teased her, she didn't seem to dislike it.
That puzzled him. Why was she reacting this way?
Senjumaru's expression grew even more uncomfortable. Her face turned red as she spoke with a hint of irritation.
"How could I possibly forget? That was my first time."
A mix of emotions flickered in her eyes as if she were recalling that particular moment.
"At the time, I may have allowed it, but I had absolutely no experience."
"…You, on the other hand, seemed… very skilled…"
Her voice grew quieter and quieter, barely audible by the end. She lowered her gaze slightly, her cheeks glowing with heat.
During her brief stay in Seireitei, she had visited Masatsuki's home and learned that the Aozaki family had grown into a massive household with an ever-expanding population.
But right now, it was as if she had completely forgotten where all those people came from.
Masatsuki didn't have a single child.
"Well, I don't mind telling you. It's not like it's some big secret."
His tone carried a teasing lilt, almost playful.
However, Senjumaru was far from satisfied with his response.
"Then hurry up and tell me!" she urged impatiently.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation and curiosity, as if she couldn't wait to hear the truth.
Masatsuki chuckled at her urgency.
"You really want to know that badly?"
He deliberately toyed with her, making her even more flustered.
Senjumaru nodded vigorously. "Of course! I'm the victim here!"
But looking at her, she didn't seem like much of a victim at all.
Back then, when he had caught her, Senjumaru had already lost control of her body.
At first, she had tried to convince herself of that.
But the truth was, those large hands of his—barely exerting any force—weren't actually restraining her.
She had been able to move.
At that moment, she had felt her heartbeat race, her mind spinning with countless thoughts.
And yet, she had never been more clear-headed in her life.
So, in the end… it had been her own choice.
Senjumaru Shutara stole a glance at Masatsuki Aozaki's pensive expression before continuing,
"As the… victim, I want to know what you were thinking at the time."
There was a trace of anticipation in her voice, as if she was hoping for an answer that could clear up her confusion.
"My thoughts… were probably something like 'Senjumaru is so cute. I really like her,' or something along those lines."
Masatsuki nodded with a completely serious expression.
Senjumaru froze for a moment.
"Because you like me?"
"That's right, I like you!"
Masatsuki's lips curled into a wide smile as he admitted it without hesitation. Then, he met Senjumaru's eyes directly and, in a teasing tone, began,
"If you—"
Before he could finish, Senjumaru suddenly shot to her feet, cutting him off.
"Wait, wait, wait! I'm not ready for this yet. Let me think! Please, just give me a moment to think!"
She clutched her head, body trembling, her wide eyes resembling someone who had just been struck by lightning. Shaking her head frantically, she muttered under her breath, trying to process what had just happened.
Masatsuki watched her, frowning.
Originally, he had assumed that if she regretted accepting his kiss and threw a fit over it, he would just sincerely apologize, and that would be the end of it.
After all, both of them had been responsible for what happened—it wasn't like she could hold it against him forever.
But now… this reaction wasn't anything like what he had expected.
"What the hell is this woman freaking out about?!"
Masatsuki sighed, shaking his head helplessly. He just couldn't understand how her mind worked.
Then again, it wasn't the first time.
This woman had always been impossible to read. Her thoughts were completely unpredictable, making it a challenge to figure out what she wanted at any given moment.
And judging from the way she was acting now, it didn't seem like she'd calm down anytime soon.
Masatsuki made his decision.
Before things could spiral further, he needed to let her cool off on her own.
Without hesitation, he reached out, slipped his hands under Senjumaru's arms, and—like picking up a child—lifted her up effortlessly.
Then… he unceremoniously tossed her out of the room.
"Wait! Please, Masatsuki-chan! Don't just throw me out! I'm your senior!"
As expected, Senjumaru didn't disappoint. The moment she landed on the ground, she immediately started making a scene.
"What the hell?! How could you do this to your senior?!"
"Staying in a man's room and doing nothing but yelling—that's just being a nuisance!"
"Now get out."
Masatsuki shot back, clearly exasperated.
"Ugh…"
Senjumaru opened her mouth to argue, but before she could get a single word out—
BANG.
The door slammed shut behind her.
She sat there, stunned, mouth slightly open, unable to say anything.
She had never expected Masatsuki to just… confess out of nowhere (?).
She had been on the passive end of this entire situation from the start.
Her brain—running on what might as well have been a single-core processor—couldn't even process how she was supposed to respond.
She hadn't even had the chance to be properly flustered before being kicked out.
Sitting on the floor in front of the door, she slowly hugged her knees and mumbled to herself,
"…It's not like I ever said I wasn't willing. Ahhh… Was he mad because I didn't agree right away? Masatsuki-chan is actually kinda cute… hehe."
...
Masatsuki Aozaki: Who the hell are you calling mad? Try saying that again while looking at my wives. What right does a thousand-year-old virgin like you have to say that?!