The Alchemist in Bleach

"I have a friend..." Upon hearing this similar phrase again, Ichiro couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. Haruka remembered that the last time he heard this phrase was in the past.

Hearing this sentence structure, coupled with Linglan's hesitant expression, he had a pretty good idea of ​​what Linglan was going to ask next.

So Ichiro calmly took a sip of tea, looked at Suzuran with a smile, and asked a similar question as before, but the difference now was that he was no longer a single dog!

At first hearing, I didn't understand the meaning of the question; upon hearing it again, I realized I was part of the question!

Although the meanings are slightly different, they are roughly the same: he, Tenshin Ichiro, is no longer a single dog!

"Yes, my friend, that friend."

'You don't need to emphasize it so many times...' But Ichiro didn't interrupt her. Instead, he smiled quietly at Suzuran, secretly wondering, 'Could it be Tenma?'

After all, in Ichiro's memory, the two seemed to have a very good relationship, and Tensei was now quite outstanding after Ichiro's guidance.

"My friend has fallen for someone, but she's too shy to say it. So she asked me to help her think of a subtle way to hint at it. That's why I'm asking you, Ichiro, what are your thoughts?"

"Are you too embarrassed to say it?"

"Well, according to my friend, he seems a little worried. After all, it would be very awkward if he confessed directly and failed, and he might not even be able to remain friends with her."

"I understand." Ichiro nodded with deep feeling. Back then, he had missed out on his first, second, third, fourth, and fifth crushes in the same way. He was just two short of forming the Calabash Brothers, but unfortunately, he time-traveled, and this feat could not be continued...

“That’s easy.” Ichiro took a sip of tea, a smile playing on his lips, and said decisively, “Now, let’s assume that you are your friend!”

"..." Suzuran stared at Ichiro for a moment, then blushed and nodded, whispering, "Hmm, I'll try..."

"You find the person you like, and tell him that you have a friend who likes him, and see what he thinks. Does he have someone he likes, or... um~" As he spoke, Ichiro suddenly paused. Why did this script feel so familiar... "Or maybe he doesn't have those kinds of thoughts, or if he liked you, he would definitely react as soon as you asked him this question!"

Ichiro quickly dismissed the sudden question that had arisen in his mind. This inexplicable sense of familiarity was something that happened often, and besides, this was a famous scene, so he didn't take it to heart and continued speaking.

"Understood, yes, I'll tell my friend."

Seeing that Suzuran was still so persistent, Ichiro smiled but didn't point it out.

"By the way, I have another question. My friend likes someone, but it seems he already has someone he likes, and they've been living together for a long time. It seems they've recently gotten together."

"Childhood sweethearts?"

"Pretty much. In this situation, do you think we should insert it?"

'Hmm, I haven't heard of Tiancheng having any childhood sweetheart? Could it be someone other than Tiancheng?'

Secretly gossiping to himself, Ichiro sat up straight, looked intently at Suzuran, and said solemnly, "You must not have such thoughts! Everyone is equal in the face of love! As long as they are not married, you still have a chance. When it comes to love, be bold and pursue it. Never, ever let yourself regret it!"

Of course, competition must be conducted fairly, not through underhanded means. After all, that has a negative impact, and you're so beautiful and talented; you can win without resorting to such methods! Trust me!

"Really?" Linglan seemed unusually happy, but then her expression softened. "But they have a really good relationship, and they spend a lot of time together. I'm worried..."

"Worried? What's there to worry about? Who said that spending more time together guarantees victory? You think spending more time together is an advantage, but on the contrary, I think spending more time together is actually a disadvantage!"

"why?"

"Haven't you heard the saying 'Even a green plum can't withstand a sudden downpour'?"

"Um, is there any explanation for this?"

At this moment, not only Suzuran was a little curious, but the future store manager with ramen-noodle hair outside the door also stopped his hand from going to the doorknob and stood quietly listening to the conversation between Ichiro and Suzuran inside.

"Here's the thing, let me explain. Childhood sweethearts, childhood sweethearts, the relationship is certainly good, but they are still just friends, at most just very close friends. Otherwise, why call them childhood sweethearts? Wouldn't it be better to just call them lovers? Lovers are together all the time, right?"

Of course, under normal circumstances, childhood sweethearts easily become a couple. After all, only those who have feelings for each other will stay together. But as the saying goes, childhood sweethearts can both make and break a relationship! Sometimes, it's precisely because they're too familiar with each other that they don't know how to start a conversation, or rather, they're too shy to do so, because they don't know how to begin the next step in their relationship!

As he spoke, Ichiro suddenly peeked out and whispered, "I'll give you an example, but don't tell anyone."

"Well, if you've only told me that." Of course, Suzuran didn't say the last part aloud, in case Ichiro got angry and refused to say it again.

She was quite interested in this, partly because of her own gossipy nature, and partly to see if it could be of any help to her... friend's love life.

"Take Urahara for example. He and Yoruichi are childhood friends, they grew up together since they were little. They clearly have feelings for each other, but they just don't dare to say it, like cowards! In my opinion, if things continue like this, he will lose to someone who comes along by chance sooner or later!"

Upon hearing this, the coward outside the door clenched his fists slightly, but judging from the thoughtful look in his eyes, he had clearly taken the words to heart.

Outside the door, the cowardly bureau chief was listening attentively, while inside, Suzuran also raised her own questions.

"Why? If you're childhood sweethearts, wouldn't you be more familiar with each other? Shouldn't it be easier for you to be together?"

"A close relationship is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Sometimes, being too close can make you feel more like brothers. On the other hand, a sudden appearance can bring a sense of novelty. Coupled with a strong offensive, winning is a simple matter. After all, childhood sweethearts are too familiar with each other, which creates an invisible comfort zone. You might think your childhood sweetheart is going to win, and coincidentally, they think so too! So, go for it boldly, and don't let yourself regret it!"

"Yes! I understand, Ichiro, I won't give up!"

At this moment, Linglan's eyes were exceptionally firm, indicating that this problem had indeed troubled her for a long time, even though it was her friend's problem.

Suzuran wasn't the only one who made up her mind; the cowardly chief outside the door also did. After hearing Ichiro's words, he turned around and left, abandoning his work and heading straight for the Second Division!

Ichiro is right, it's dangerous to wait any longer!

Although he was also afraid that things would become awkward if he broke the ice, what he feared even more was the situation Ichiro described...

However, because of this, he missed out on another great show...

Inside the room, Ichiro nodded, quite satisfied with Suzuran's reaction. This was the kind of determination the Fourth Division members needed. As long as they swung their hoes well, no corner was too tough to dig down!

Then, Ichiro suddenly leaned half a body forward and asked in a low voice, "Do I know the person your friend likes?"

Suzuran nodded and replied, "I know him. He's a captain in our Fourth Division."

“A seat officer.” Ichiro frowned. There weren’t many male seat officers in the Fourth Division, only a few. And the only one who was close to Suzuran was Tensei. But as far as he knew, Tensei didn’t have a childhood friend. Could it be a girl?

Thinking about it, Ichiro smiled. How could it be… well, it's not impossible either.

Ichiro fell into deep thought, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"..." Seeing Ichiro like this, Suzuran knew that Ichiro had probably misunderstood...

He rubbed his forehead and continued, "He's a man, and he's outstanding. His reply is the strongest in the Fourth Division."

"Oh? The strongest is Hui Dao? Our team also has... Hui Dao?" Ichiro's smile froze on his face as he stared blankly at Suzuran.

Although it might sound strange to say it himself, Ichiro still has the right to call himself the Fourth Division's number one, or even the number one in Soul Society, so...

Just as Ichiro was wondering if Suzuran had misspoke, her next words shattered Ichiro's last hope...

"He's also a minister in our Technology Development Bureau. Although his human form Zanpakuto is excellent, I won't admit defeat!"

Fourth Division, strongest in the era, head of the technology development department, humanoid Zanpakuto...

Isn't that me? So I really am the person in the question?

At this moment, Ichiro felt a little embarrassed. Good grief, after all that teaching, it turned out he was the one who got undermined! Anyone who didn't know better would think he was a jerk!

"Um... well, I think you... should think carefully about that friend of yours, just in case..."

"She'll regret it if we don't act, didn't you say that everyone is equal in the face of love? As long as we're not married, there's still a chance. Don't let yourself regret it!"

Ichiro: "..."

"Life is big..."

"Thank you, Ichiro. I got the answer. I'll go now. I still need to tell my friend. Oh, by the way, Ichiro, I have a friend who likes you." Without giving Ichiro a chance to reply, Suzuran turned and walked out of the office, leaning against the door and covering her blushing face with her hands.

She said it! She said it!

Although she didn't say it directly, she didn't believe Ichiro wouldn't understand now that things had come to this.

After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Linglan removed her hand from her face and walked towards her office.

After walking for a while, she paused, and then she encountered the world...

Taking another deep breath, suppressing his emotions, he walked straight to the world and said, "I will not admit defeat! You are only temporarily in the lead!"

After saying that, Lily of the Valley crossed the world directly.

The world paused for a moment before realizing what she meant, then smiled confidently, turned around, and replied, "Is that so? But I won't stop, I won't let you catch up!"

Upon hearing this, Linglan paused for a moment before continuing her walk toward the office, while the world on the other side took a deep look at Linglan's retreating figure.

The world had known about Suzuran's feelings for him for a long time. After all, Ichiro was handsome and talented, so he was bound to attract the hearts of many "seductive and scheming" women. However, what she didn't expect was that even after returning to the team several times this week to show off their relationship and announcing their romance, she still couldn't stop them. Instead, she was met with a declaration of war...

That's a misconception. In other people's eyes, Ichiro and Sekai have long been a couple. For example, when they went to tell the captain about it a few days ago, the captain asked with a puzzled look, "You two, weren't you already together?"

While it might seem far-fetched to fall in love with one's own Zanpakuto, well, what can you do when this sword can transform into a Shinigami (death god)? And for an incredibly long time at that.

The captain believed they were already together, and so did everyone else.

Therefore, it was somewhat unnecessary for the world to deliberately bring Ichiro back to the team to show off their affection; it seemed more like a provocation...

It's foreseeable that lily of the valley is the first, but certainly not the last...

Meanwhile, in the office, Ichiro was completely baffled... cough, completely perplexed.

He never expected that Linglan liked him; this feeling was not just a misperception!

Damn it, what happened to the three great illusions of life? Why aren't they working anymore?

Ichiro wasn't unaware of Suzuran's thoughts; on the contrary, he had noticed them many times. However, because Suzuran was undeniably beautiful, Ichiro dismissed them all as the "she likes me" of the three great illusions: someone calling him, his phone ringing, or someone liking him. After all, Ichiro was quite experienced with this kind of thing...

What I didn't expect was that this time it wasn't just my imagination...

Therefore, Ichiro felt very bad, especially when he thought about how he had just been giving Suzuran advice and encouragement. The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he became. Could there be anything more outrageous than teaching a girl to steal his boyfriend?

"Dong Dong~"

"Please come in, Sekai? What brings you here?" Ichiro, who was deep in thought and trouble, looked up and saw Sekai enter. He asked somewhat awkwardly.

"Did Linglan just confess her feelings to you?"

"Um... kind of, I guess. How did you know?"

"There's still a trace of her scent here, and on the way here, she declared war on me."

"Uh... I see..." Ichiro felt a little embarrassed, but also relieved. It was good that he knew this, otherwise he really wouldn't know why he had given Suzuran advice on how to win her over...

"So... I get the feeling you're quite disappointed?" Sekai slowly walked behind Ichiro, massaging his shoulders as she asked.

"No! You're overthinking it! I'm just relieved that you guys didn't have a conflict, after all, we're still on the same team."

"Really? Actually, I don't mind being with her. Anyway, the social rules are different. If you want to start a harem, I have no objection~" Sekai leaned slightly forward, her breath sweet as orchids, and whispered in Ichiro's ear.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I, Tenshin Ichiro, would never have such a thought!" Ichiro raised his right hand and hurriedly and loudly guaranteed!

"Really?"

"More real than real gold!" Ichiro swallowed hard. "So, could you please put your knife away? I'm getting a little nervous..."

"You haven't done anything wrong, so what's the rush? I'm just peeling an apple for you." As she spoke, she conjured an apple in her left hand and began to peel it.

Ichiro looked at the machete in Sekai's hand, his lips twitching. Who the hell uses a machete to peel an apple? Why don't you use the Dragon Slayer Sword? Do you think this is for some show-off?