Chapter 79: Who Doesn’t Like a Maid in White Silk?

With Shutara Senjumaru as his first employee, Yamabuki Haruto shifted focus to securing investment. His target? Kano Chiharu. No girl resists beauty, just like few men shun power. Armed with his maid outfit, stockings, and charm, Haruto was confident Chiharu would invest.

Haruto led Senjumaru from Rukongai to the Kano estate. Chiharu, a fellow noble and Gotei 13 ally, greeted them warmly. “Need more money?” she teased, eyes glinting.

“I’m frugal,” Haruto huffed. “I’m here for business. Your family deals in food and clothing, right? Decent profit?”

“Enough for our needs,” Chiharu replied.

“Want more? This is a sure bet.” Haruto unveiled the black-and-white maid outfit, laced at the hem, and delicate white stockings. “Try it on?”

Chiharu hesitated. Cute clothes were tempting, but, “It’s… too embarrassing.”

“Then let Chimaru try,” Haruto said, tossing his recruit into the fray.

Chiharu nodded. Sisters test the traps. She summoned Kano Chimaru, her younger sister and a Gotei 13 recruit. “Instructor!” Chimaru beamed. “Heard you got hurt in Hueco Mundo. You okay now?”

Haruto’s heart warmed—someone cared. “Got you a gift. Latest fashion. Try it!” His grin masked his scheming.

“So cute!” Chimaru squealed, oblivious to the trap, and dashed to change.

Ten minutes later, she pranced back. Haruto and Chiharu stared, stunned. Chimaru, already charming, was radiant in the maid outfit and stockings. Haruto had shortened the skirt two inches, crafting an absolute territory between stockings and hem. No man resists this.

Chiharu’s eyes sparkled. “I’m in. Profit split?”

“Fifty-fifty,” Haruto said. “We’re colleagues.”

“Done. We’ll cover funds and manpower; you handle tech,” Chiharu agreed.

Haruto smirked. He hadn’t worked in fashion, but he knew trends from a thousand years later. Senjumaru confirmed stockings were simple to mass-produce on an assembly line. Rukongai workers, scraping by in poverty and danger, would leap at a job with food, lodging, and safety—better than modern perks.

The Kano family moved fast, securing a shop in East Seireitei near Rukongai, needing only light decor. They handled recruitment and construction. Ten days later, Haruto’s shop was ready.

Quality needed hype. Haruto’s poster girl? Saitō Furofushi. “Wear this to draw customers?” she roared, thrusting her Zanpakutō at him. “I’m Sixth Division’s captain! I have pride!”

“Can’t honor a bet?” Haruto sighed. “I’ll ask Chiharu. Better figure, prettier, gentler…”

“Give me the clothes!” Saitō snapped. Chiharu’s figure tops mine, but prettier? Gentler? I’ll outdo her! “Thirty days, then I’m free.”

“Deal,” Haruto said.

The shop opened with a bang. Day one was a frenzy—maid outfits and stockings flew off the shelves. Buyers or gawkers, it didn’t matter; word of Haruto’s unique store swept Soul Society.