"Please spare me." Fujimiya Makoto begged repeatedly.
He didn't want to be a programmer again in this life.
The two continued bickering as they entered the depths of the research facility.
Shutorara Sennenmaru sat at her machine, seemingly studying the microscopic structure of a special fabric. Seeing the two in a female-dominant position, she raised an eyebrow.
"Oh... so early in the day, you're in the mood for this?"
"But if possible, could you not do such vulgar things on my turf?"
"What's vulgar?" Saito asked.
Fujimiya Makoto sighed helplessly: "What do you think we're doing?"
Shutorara Sennenmaru feigned confusion: "Isn't it like the more intimate groups of North Island macaques, where they groom each other's fur while soaking in hot springs, building emotional foundation for the upcoming mating?"
"We're not mating!" Saito Futaba's face turned red, loudly refuting—she understood that word.
"But Saito doesn't deny 'grooming each other's fur' or 'riding on the other's head.'"
Shutorara Sennenmaru's tone remained casual.
She was naturally arrogant, looking down on everyone, her voice faint.
"Not at all!"
Saito's face remained red, loudly refuting.
As if finally realizing how shameful this behavior was.
However, after she said that, Saito Futaba finally jumped off Fujimiya Makoto's neck.
Truly a cause for celebration.
Fujimiya Makoto looked at Shutorara Sennenmaru gratefully.
Noticing his gaze, Shutorara Sennenmaru merely 'tsk'ed disdainfully, looking slightly displeased.
No matter whose whims she indulged...
This wasn't a good habit.
"So?" Shutorara Sennenmaru asked calmly, "What brings you here? You're not here to mark your territory like canine animals, are you?"
"If you have something to say, say it quickly. I still have research to finish."
Fujimiya Makoto straightened his expression, briefly explaining:
"Since we need to go to Hueco Mundo for the expedition, I wanted to ask if you could make some remote positioning and life detection devices."
"Also, I need a device to help train reishi control."
Hearing Fujimiya Makoto's confident voice, Shutorara Sennenmaru suddenly turned to him, her expression slightly curious:
"Vice-Captain Fujimiya."
"Did you misunderstand something?"
"Huh?"
Fujimiya Makoto was taken aback.
Shutorara Sennenmaru slowly explained: "The Technology Development Department's annual budget and research goals are fixed. The devices to be developed need to follow the procedures you set and be finalized at the beginning of each year."
"This isn't your treasure trove."
"Ah, this..."
Before he could finish, Shutorara interrupted, saying faintly:
"This is a rule you set yourself, Vice-Captain Fujimiya."
"You're not planning to break the rules, are you?"
The elegant woman's voice carried a hint of mockery.
Only then did Fujimiya Makoto remember that last month, Shutorara had complained to him about the Technology Development Department's insufficient budget.
She really held a grudge...
"Actually, I've already submitted a report to increase the Development Department's budget!"
So, Fujimiya Makoto's expression became serious:
"Not only that, even our 11th Division's combat equipment research budget for the next hundred years will be tilted toward Shutorara's Development Department."
"I just haven't reported it to the captain yet."
Shutorara Sennenmaru finally smiled satisfactorily, her narrow eyes curving into a charming arc, humming contentedly.
"That's more like it."
Saito Futaba looked at the two in confusion.
What budget?
What's more like it?
It had to be said.
Not letting this girl handle the 6th Division's affairs was probably the right choice.
Shutorara Sennenmaru stood up from her seat, gesturing casually:
"Follow me."
"I'll also help you with an experiment."
As she spoke, she walked toward the deeper underground entrance.
Fujimiya Makoto quickly followed.
From the entrance, it seemed just a narrow underground corridor.
But after turning a corner, the ground beneath their feet suddenly gave way.
The next moment, a vast space appeared before them.
Shutorara landed steadily, her bone hands acting as supports.
The other hand grabbed the stumbling Fujimiya Makoto.
"Hey!"
Saito Futaba's single eye widened: "The underground here is so big?!"
"How long did it take to dig this?"
Saito's astonishment was not unfounded.
If measured by area alone, this place was almost like a wasteland.
At a glance, the radius was at least ten kilometers.
If dug by hand, it would take decades, even centuries.
But...
Fujimiya Makoto turned to Shutorara.
The elegant woman smiled lightly: "It did take quite a while."
"About three days to finish."
"So, be careful not to mess everything up."
"Huh?"
Saito turned to her.
Shutorara Sennenmaru explained their purpose:
"To showcase the 13th Division Shinigami's identity, the Captain-Commander recently gave me a research task."
"That is, the development of the Shinigami robes."
"Shinigami robes?"
Saito looked down at her clothes, confused: "Aren't we already wearing them?"