Chapter 43: Conclusion
Under the gazes of those at the field's edge, Suoh's figure drawing Hazy Night back to his waist drew closer and closer.
"Tsukasa, good work."
Hitsugaya slowly lowered his crossed arms and stepped forward to meet him, the corners of his mouth curving slightly in a smile welcoming the victor's return.
The other three at the field's edge watched Suoh's approaching figure with somewhat complicated emotions.
Seeing their friend beaten into such a miserable state naturally made them feel bad.
Yet reason told them that the one who'd proactively started trouble this morning was precisely the person currently pinned to the ground.
Noticing the unnaturalness on Hinamori Momo and Kira Izuru's faces as well as the worry on Rukia's, Suoh proactively spoke to ease this slightly awkward situation.
"His injuries aren't serious. I was careful about the force I used."
"Just before the bakudou disappears, you'd better let him cool down alone for a bit first."
"After that, help him go find the infirmary teacher."
Throughout the entire process, Suoh had only released two watered-down Byakurai. And with Byakurai's characteristics, even penetrating wounds wouldn't bleed much.
With Abarai Renji's physique and the infirmary teacher's healing kidou treatment, he'd be out of bed in a day or two. It wouldn't affect his studies at all.
Of course, Suoh couldn't manage psychological trauma. People always had to pay some price for their actions.
The defeat, humiliation, and unwillingness Abarai Renji's heart was currently experiencing could only be faced and digested by himself alone.
Hearing Suoh say Abarai Renji's injuries weren't serious, Rukia finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Those two Byakurai had been too fast. She'd only seen the horrifying scene of the white lightning penetrating Abarai Renji's body, not clearly seeing the locations.
"Thank you... and I'm sorry."
Sensing the sincerity and goodwill in Suoh's words, she bowed slightly.
"Actually, Renji didn't mean any harm. He just..."
Her hands clasped somewhat unnaturally before her as she tried to find a reasonable explanation for Abarai Renji's abrupt behavior this morning, her voice soft with some difficulty.
Then her words suddenly stopped.
Rukia's lips pressed together lightly, her eyes full of confusion and helplessness. She couldn't think of this explanation.
She suddenly realized—with three-plus years of academy life spending little time together, in what capacity was she apologizing and explaining on Abarai Renji's behalf right now?
A friend from Rukongai? A playmate who'd grown up together? A fellow student at the Shinoreijutsuin?
The changes brought by time and status made her suddenly aware of the difference between the wounded beast lying on the field and that impulsive but cheerful youth from the past.
This subtle sense of strangeness was like a layer of hazy mist separating her from the current Abarai Renji.
And because of the confusion this strangeness brought, she wondered—did she really have the right to seek Suoh's understanding on Abarai Renji's behalf?
This recognition made her next words stick in her throat, unable to continue.
She could only stand there, facing Suoh with a trace of helpless awkwardness, awaiting his rebuke and scolding.
Watching her anxious appearance, Suoh could only smile helplessly, his tone peaceful as he said with a smile:
"It's fine. I forgive him."
"After all, I've already vented what I needed to vent."
This morning's matter was already turned over on his side. As for how Abarai Renji wanted to settle it, that would have to wait until their next meeting.
If he wanted to come again next time, then next time would be another matter.
"Thank you..."
This straightforwardness and magnanimity instead left Rukia unsure how to respond. She could only express thanks again.
"Settled."
Seeing she finally no longer wore that pitiful, suffering appearance, Suoh also breathed a sigh of relief internally. Without saying more, he turned his head toward Hitsugaya beside him and asked:
"Toshiro, want to chat with your friend for a bit? I'll wait over there."
"No need. Grandmother is still waiting for me at home."
"Hinamori, I'm leaving first."
Not catching the teasing tone in Suoh's voice, Hitsugaya shook his head and answered seriously, calling out to Hinamori Momo beside them whose expression was dazed.
"Alright, we'll head out first then. Goodbye."
Before parting, Suoh also raised his hand in farewell toward Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo beside them.
"Okay, goodbye."
The two who hadn't yet recovered responded almost mechanically to Suoh's farewell. What had happened this morning had quite an impact on them.
Suoh didn't mind. He walked shoulder to shoulder with Hitsugaya toward the dining hall's direction.
After walking only a few steps, as if suddenly remembering something, he casually suggested:
"Don't know if there's still enough food at the dining hall at this hour. How about we use shunpo to get there?"
"...Alright."
Hitsugaya thought briefly. Though the battle had ended quickly, it had still delayed considerable time. Thinking he could return home earlier, he nodded.
The two figures gradually dispersed into the distance. Their conversation also gradually scattered on the wind.
Only the three people at the field's edge remained in silent wordlessness, along with Abarai Renji in the field who'd finally struggled to sit up with his head lowered.
...
West District One's edge.
Suoh and Hitsugaya's figures, each carrying a bag, emerged from the small door beneath the White Path Gate.
The scene before their eyes instantly transformed from the Seireitei's orderly appearance to Rukongai's dust-filled streets.
"Money really doesn't go far."
Suoh lifted the heavy bag in his hand, sighing lightly.
His tone carried some reflection on the consumer shock just experienced.
Though goods within the Seireitei had more complete variety and better quality, those prices really were a bit predatory.
Things like moon plums, the most precious items on West Rukongai's streets, were merely among the most ordinary sweets in confectionery shops—yet still half again more expensive.
This was probably the Soul Society version of "earn money in the Seireitei, spend it in the Seireitei—don't think about bringing a cent back home."
Unable to restrain his shopping desire, besides the bonus, Suoh had also contributed some of his own savings.
"That's right."
Hitsugaya nodded deeply in agreement, a trace of pained expression faintly surfacing on his face.
Originally, he'd been quite satisfied with the academy-issued bonus, thinking it a considerable fortune.
The result was that the commercial district's prices far exceeding his imagination had harshly taught him a lesson.
"But the things really are good."
He then looked down at the carefully selected white peaches and yam cakes in his bag, plus some summer-use miscellaneous items at the bottom, nodding with satisfaction.
"That's true. Let's go."
Suoh also smiled. The two no longer lingered at the entrance, stepping forth toward Hitsugaya's home a hundred meters away.
Before long, the two arrived before the earthen house. The sun was currently high. Outside the door, there was no sign of Hitsugaya's grandmother.
"Grandmother, I'm home."
Hitsugaya called toward inside the house, his voice no longer carrying any of its usual coldness.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Suoh also followed with a greeting.
Soon, light yet hurried footsteps came from inside.
A wrinkled hand lifted the grass curtain. An elderly woman with white hair and small frame slowly emerged.
"You're back!"
The old woman's kindly face carried a delighted smile. Her gaze fell joyfully on the two before the house.
She first carefully looked her grandson up and down to confirm his condition before noticing the unfamiliar black-haired youth standing beside Hitsugaya.
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