บท 39: Chapter 39: Not Enough in the Bowl, There's More in the Pot.
Cold Sweat... Within moments, cold sweat began to bead on Makoto's forehead. As he met the piercing gazes of those around him, he couldn't shake the feeling of being caught—like a child who'd been sneaking off to play games on a tablet during study time, only to be caught by family, teachers, and colleagues all at once.
Panic...
Instinctively, Makoto began to panic.
No!
Why am I panicking?
His gaze sharpened, and he quickly regained his composure.
He was a perfectly well-behaved young man, after all. He hadn't done anything wrong—he was merely cooperating with the second division's investigation, while also making connections with the future captain of the division.
The situation at hand was simple. All he needed to do was express complete ignorance about Fon's true intentions, while letting his colleagues in on the fact that Fon had other plans. In the end, he could play the innocent bystander who had no idea what was going on.
Though it sounded a little convoluted, Makoto found a way out almost instantly, and it wasn't hard to execute.
After all, before this, his reputation had always been that of a pure and gentle young man. If it hadn't been for this moment of being caught red-handed, no one would believe that he might be some sleazy playboy. And, of course, he wasn't.
"Teacher, Aoki Fifth Seat, Risa, it's so good to see you..."
Makoto's glasses, perched on his nose, perfectly hid the brief flicker of emotion that had passed over his face. He wore a relieved expression as he spoke.
"Miss Soi Fon from the second division invited me to dinner to celebrate my first successful consultation today. I never expected her to end up drunk. Now I'm not sure how to get her home."
Second Division?
The words that briefly flashed through Senju Makoto's mouth made Unohana's eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, open just a bit wider. She scrutinized Soi Fon carefully.
It didn't take long for Unohana to identify Soi Fon—she was a member of the second division, serving as a bodyguard for the secretive commander of the Onmitsukido, Shihouin Yoruichi.
In that instant, Unohana understood much more.
For a member of Shihouin Yoruichi's bodyguard unit to casually appear in the Fourth Division and even befriend Makoto, not to mention invite him to dinner, was highly suspicious.
There was a strong possibility this was linked to Shihouin Yoruichi's guidance!
Within the span of a heartbeat, Unohana was sure of this guess.
However, the fact that Soi Fon was so drunk that she needed Makoto to support her surprised Unohana. This was an unexpected development.
Thinking about this, Unohana's gaze shifted back to Makoto. With a gentle tone, she asked, "Makoto, where do you plan to take her next? I wouldn't mind lending you the garden for the night if that helps."
But at the sight of Unohana's gentle eyes, Makoto felt a chill run down his spine, his hairs standing on end, as if some predatory beast had locked eyes with him.
Makoto scratched his head, feigning complete ignorance of Unohana's subtle hint. With a pure expression, he said, "Well... Teacher, I'm not very good at taking care of drunk people. I was just wondering where the Feng family residence is."
"I was just about to take her home."
"Is that so?"
Unohana glanced at Makoto with a smile that seemed more like a faint smirk. She then turned to a female officer from the Fourth Division standing behind her.
"Could you please take Miss Soi Fon back to the Fourth Division for some rest, and then contact Captain Shihouin to have her picked up?"
"Yes, Captain."
The female officer nodded, stepping forward to take Soi Fon from Makoto's hands. She immediately turned and carried her towards the Fourth Division barracks.
As for Makoto, once he had handed Soi Fon over, his back was practically drenched in cold sweat.
Unohana-sensei... She's truly terrifying. That seemingly thoughtful and reasonable arrangement was, in fact, a clear statement to Shihouin Yoruichi.
'In the future... I must avoid angering Unohana-sensei at all costs!'
Makoto silently reminded himself as he outwardly tried to appear helpful, ready to make his escape at any moment.
"Wait a moment, Makoto. I imagine you didn't eat much with Miss Soi Fon earlier. Why don't you join us for a meal?" Unohana spoke up.
"Teacher, I'm already full..." Makoto subtly declined, sensing something was amiss.
"No, you're not full." Unohana's tone carried a hint of seriousness as she pressed the point.
Makoto froze for a moment, then placed a hand on his stomach and replied honestly, "You're right, teacher, I could eat a bit more."
"Good."
Unohana nodded with satisfaction before leading the group from the Fifth Rescue Team towards the barbecue restaurant.
During the entire process, Makoto remained silent, obediently sitting beside Unohana as directed. He maintained a posture of keeping his head low, avoiding the occasional glance from Risa, who sat across from him.
When the first batch of grilled meat was ready, Unohana nearly piled three servings of it onto Makoto's plate with a gentle and caring expression.
"Here, eat more. If your bowl isn't enough, there's plenty left on the grill..."
"..."
Makoto almost felt on the verge of tears. Unohana-sensei... Surely she isn't implying something, right?
A little guilty, Makoto hesitantly glanced up at Unohana, only to meet her gaze, which seemed to carry an underlying dark and foreboding quality.
Immediately, he felt a shiver run down his spine and quickly buried his head back into his bowl, replying hastily, "That's enough, enough, teacher. The bowl is fine."
"If it's not enough, just let me know~" Unohana's tone remained gentle, yet firm.
"It's definitely enough." Makoto quickly reassured her.
Unohana gave him a pointed look, but didn't press him further.
'Now that Makoto is my disciple, and the Eleventh Division thinks they can take him from me?'
Unohana's thoughts briefly turned to the simplicity of Zaraki Kenpachi's mind, who could entertain such fantasies, but it surprised her that Shihouin Yoruichi had also sent Soi Fon from her bodyguard unit to interact with Makoto—getting drunk together as well.
This led Unohana to wonder if, had she not happened to run into them, Makoto would have taken Soi Fon back to the Second Division, and Shihouin Yoruichi might have smoothly made contact with him afterward.
'Makoto... is so popular? Aside from his skills in healing and in the Way of the Sword, have I overlooked some other talent of his? Could he have an extraordinary gift in Shunpo (Flash Step)?'
Unohana once again cast a scrutinizing glance at the pure-hearted young man beside her, who was now burying his face in his food. A sense of doubt began to creep into her thoughts.
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