章節 21: Chapter 21: Present
In the time that followed, as expected, no patients came in for a consultation. The only sound in the office was the faint "rustling" of pages as Makoto Senju flipped through his book.
Compared to the humans in the living world, the Shinigami had far longer lifespans. Someone like Unohana, for instance, had held her captain position for nearly a millennium.
Because of such long lives, the circles within the Seireitei were much smaller than one might imagine. It became increasingly clear which Fourth Division members were the most trusted in the medical arts, making them well-known among other Shinigami and nobles alike.
So, for most of the newly-joined members of the division, it was more about providing them with an appropriate learning environment.
Senju had no impatience toward this, maintaining a steady pace as he studied knowledge that the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy didn't teach.
Moreover, this knowledge of healing arts and the mystical art of Kaido could scarcely be found outside the Fourth Division.
It was only due to Makoto Senju's status as Unohana's disciple that Chiyoko had handed over such precious texts on Kido and medicine without reservation.
But this wasn't without its difficulties for Risa, who spent the better half of the day sitting rigidly on a chair not far from Makoto, her whole body tense and uncomfortable.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
As the chime signaling the end of the day's duty rang through the division, Risa nearly leaped to her feet, making a hasty escape.
"Risa…"
Just as Risa pushed open the office door and took her first step out, Makoto's gentle voice sounded behind her.
Her body froze, her cheeks flushed in an instant.
Embarrassment, discomfort, confusion…
For a moment, Risa feared he might say something teasing, or mock her for failing to distinguish between genders, or even scold her for her earlier disrespect.
However, as she slowly turned her head, feeling her neck stiff, what greeted her was Makoto bathed in the glow of the evening sun, his smile bright and warm.
"Thank you for your help today, Risa. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ah?!"
Risa froze, staring blankly at the gentle, pure-hearted young man before her for a moment before she snapped back to reality, hurriedly bowing slightly.
"Yes… see you tomorrow, Makoto."
Then, Risa practically fled from the room, her footsteps echoing "thud, thud, thud" in a flustered rhythm as she hurried off.
Only after she'd left did the corner of Makoto's mouth curl up slightly, his true pleasure breaking through.
See you tomorrow, Risa. I hope you have a lovely evening…
Perhaps lost in her own embarrassment, Risa overlooked something critical. But Makoto hadn't forgotten the shadowed expression on Chiyoko's face.
It wouldn't be surprising if Risa encountered a bit of trouble once she got home, would it?
Tomorrow… she probably wouldn't return to the division with a limp, right?
Hmph, a mere lily dares to challenge me?
With that thought, Makoto's mood lifted considerably.
When Makoto returned to the courtyard, his smile froze almost instantly.
"Back so early?"
Kneeling elegantly on the tatami, Unohana sat before him, gracefully making tea with a serene poise.
"Yes, Sensei."
Makoto obediently seated himself across from her, carefully sipping the tea she offered.
His eyes brightened slightly.
The tea was crisp and refreshing, with a faint bitterness that soon transformed into a delicate sweetness, filling his mouth with a fragrant aftertaste. As he breathed in, he could clearly sense the lingering aroma spreading across his palate.
"Amazing tea!"
Though Makoto wasn't particularly well-versed in the art of tea in the Soul Society, he could tell this was exceptionally high-quality. Perhaps it was even the type reserved for captain-level Shinigami and noble elites.
Seeing his reaction, Unohana casually reached for a small, neatly-wrapped gift box by her side and placed it in front of him.
"Since you like it, take these tea leaves with you."
"Thank you, Sensei."
Makoto thanked her, then noticed the delicate packaging of the gift box. Curiously, he asked, "Sensei, how did you know I like tea?"
"I saw the teacup you left out this morning…"
She paused, then continued, "The tea provided in the guest room is adequate, but has its flaws, so I prepared a little gift for you. Think of it as a token to commemorate your apprenticeship."
In truth, though Unohana had kept him in check with her subtly playful, teasing ways over the past two days, Makoto couldn't help but feel moved in this moment.
Such thoughtfulness…was truly precious.
As he ran his fingers along the box, he paused, lifting his hand to reveal the insignia of the Sixth Division on the box.
In an instant, Makoto understood: this gift wasn't something Unohana had acquired so nonchalantly, as she had implied.
Most likely, she'd personally gone to the Sixth Division, known for its noble authority, to secure these tea leaves.
Just then, Unohana, still holding her tea with both hands, broke the silence.
"Makoto, did you and Risa have a pleasant time together today?"
"Yes, it was enjo—"
Makoto's voice faltered, nearly breaking into a cold sweat as he forcibly swallowed the word torturous.
One careless remark, and this precious gift might end up as his own offering on the altar.
With a gentle smile, her demeanor graceful and warm as ever, Unohana continued, "Risa is quite a good kid. Make sure to get along well with her, but don't neglect your studies in Kaido and medicine."
Makoto's mind raced. He quickly saw through the subtle undertone, recognizing that the core of her message lay in her latter remark.
"Yes, Sensei. Today, I reviewed some texts left by Fifth Seat Aoki and had a few questions…"
As he spoke, he pulled out a small notebook from his sleeve, adopting the look of a diligent student as he sought Unohana's guidance.
Sipping her tea lightly, her gentle expression remained unchanged throughout, patiently listening to his inquiries and occasionally offering a soft reply.
A long while later, Makoto finally returned to his room, drenched in sweat, and collapsed onto his tatami mat, utterly exhausted as though he'd been completely drained.
After only half a day in the gynecology unit, how many real questions could he even have accumulated?
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