Chapter 49: Another Encounter
The two walked side by side on the road leading to the academy, their steps synchronized though their thoughts differed.
Just past the White Path Gate, having just turned the corner near the academy entrance.
"Tsukasa, is... is Grandmother alright?"
Toshiro's tone carried some uncertainty as he asked with a trembling voice.
Despite training together with Suoh Tsukasa, Toshiro's experience using spiritual sense ultimately wasn't as rich as Suoh's.
Though he hadn't detected any abnormality in his grandmother's soul state, some fears didn't originate from rational judgment.
All along, that night when his grandmother had been frozen to bone-deep weakness was the deepest and most stubborn nightmare in his heart. Even inadvertently recalling it now made his entire body shudder.
Suoh's gift was definitely not a whim. He must have detected something Toshiro himself hadn't noticed.
Excessive worry made his voice produce uncontrollable trembling.
"Ah, she's fine."
Suoh answered lightly.
"She's just a bit weaker than an ordinary soul, that's all. Her fluctuations are still relatively stable. If she eats a bit of meat regularly, she'll gradually recover."
Not expecting his actions to frighten the usually calm Toshiro like this, Suoh somewhat awkwardly scratched his head and continued.
After Toshiro received his first reward, the Hitsugaya household would only get better and better from here on. It just required him to pay a bit of attention in the early stages.
Some words involved his own secrets and weren't good to say too clearly, resulting in a small misunderstanding.
"Ah... She's fine!?"
"That's good then."
Hearing this, Toshiro froze for a moment, clearly not expecting this answer.
But he still had confidence in Suoh's judgment. His tense body immediately relaxed.
"By the way, can you eat spicy dried meat?"
Suoh looked at his appearance, feeling a bit guilty in his heart.
So he hurriedly found an excuse to change the subject. Originally, he'd planned to share the snacks after arriving at school.
He rummaged through his bundle and pulled out a meat strip with low spiciness.
"Try this."
He broke off a piece and handed it to Toshiro to taste, stuffing the remaining half into his own mouth.
To avoid getting tired of it, he'd deliberately made several flavor versions, including different spice levels.
"Spicy? I haven't tried it before."
Toshiro accepted it. The half meat strip in his hand had scattered tiny red dots attached. He held it and looked at it briefly, then without saying much, directly put it in his mouth.
Though Rukongai had wasabi, horseradish, and chili peppers, the quantities were relatively scarce after all.
Given the Hitsugaya household's past living standards, Toshiro had grown to his current age without tasting what spiciness was like, so he was somewhat curious in his heart.
"...Not bad."
During the first half of chewing, Toshiro felt fine. In his mouth was only meat fragrance and salty-sweetness. He felt the flavor wasn't anything special.
"Mm... The taste is pretty good."
The second half gradually started feeling somewhat wrong. He suddenly felt his throat tightening slightly. Forcefully suppressing the urge to cough, he slowly spoke with furrowed brows.
'As expected, still a child's tongue. How interesting!'
Looking at Toshiro's somewhat reddened eyes, Suoh couldn't help feeling a trace of mischievous secret delight in his heart.
"Mm, looks like this flavor is a bit too heavy and not quite suitable for you."
Yet his mouth spoke seriously. He pulled out an oil paper package he'd already prepared.
"This one is honey-flavored. Put it away."
"Alright..."
He had a feeling he was being looked down on somehow. Toshiro accepted the oil paper package.
In his heart, he secretly vowed to find an opportunity to learn to eat spicy food. He couldn't be looked down on anymore.
Through their time together, he'd already detected that though most of the time Suoh treated him as an equal.
Occasionally at certain moments, he'd still treat him like a child. This really left him somewhat helpless.
It wasn't good to tell him directly to his face either, as that would make him seem very childish. Truly unsolvable.
While talking, the two had already reached the academy entrance.
After completing simple return registration at the duty office, they continued walking toward the dormitory along the familiar path.
Having just passed through the final corridor, the small courtyard was right before them. From afar, they could see a tall figure leaning against the white wall beside the moon-viewing gate.
That distinctive red hair remained flamboyant under the setting sun, though it had lost some of that day's sharpness.
It was precisely Abarai Renji, whom they hadn't seen for over a day. His arms were crossed before his chest in an appearance suggesting he'd been waiting for quite some time.
"Tsukasa, that guy again."
Toshiro stopped first, raising an eyebrow and shooting Suoh a glance, clearly also recognizing the person before them.
"It's fine. He doesn't look like he's here to cause trouble."
Suoh was taller and his eyesight was also a bit better. He could clearly see the expression on Abarai's face.
There was completely none of that day's hostility. His expression was relatively calm, with only some boredom from waiting.
While the two talked, Abarai Renji also noticed their figures. His left leg that had originally been leaning against the wall quietly straightened. His crossed arms also loosened and dropped to his sides.
When the distance closed to one or two steps away, Suoh stopped first and asked with a smile.
"Abarai-san, is there something you need from me?"
The same location, the same words, only with the addition of the term "san." The two people in conversation had switched positions, but the situation was completely different.
"Heh..."
Hearing these words, recalling his hot-headed self from yesterday.
Those clownish behaviors, Abarai Renji gave a self-mocking laugh.
"Yesterday was my fault. I'm sorry, Suoh-san."
"I was offensive. Feel free to hit or scold me as you please."
Then he took a deep breath, straightened his body, and seriously bowed in apology to Suoh.
Somewhat surprised by his current frankness and sincerity, Suoh made a gesture as if to support him.
"Lift your head. I didn't take it to heart, and I already forgave you long ago."
"Thank you!"
Abarai Renji froze for a moment. When he straightened, the emotions in his eyes were completely swept away, recovering his usual straightforward appearance.
The next moment, Suoh extended his right hand in a fist.
"We could even say we didn't know each other without fighting. Let's get to know each other properly. Suoh Tsukasa."
As the saying goes, grievances should be resolved not prolonged. Abarai Renji's character wasn't bad. Having one more friend wasn't bad either.
"Didn't know each other without fighting... is it?"
"Those words are quite philosophical!"
Hearing this phrase, the other two people's hearts shook. Their admiration for Suoh in their hearts deepened somewhat more.
"Abarai Renji. Please take care of me."
Seeing his action, Abarai Renji also reacted. Understanding the intent, he bumped fists, speaking sincerely.
The two looked at each other and smiled. Their fists briefly touched in the air. They'd formally gotten to know each other.
Having made a friend, Suoh looked at the bit of bandage showing from his right collarbone and casually asked.
"By the way, how are your injuries? And what exactly was the situation yesterday? Could you explain in detail?"
Suoh still had confidence in his own sense of restraint when striking. He was more curious about the reason for yesterday's provocative visit.
"The injuries are fine. Almost healed."
"Yesterday was because I'd recently heard some rumors about you being very strong. Combined with being in a bad mood, I wanted to challenge you. I was too impulsive."
Abarai Renji answered directly, briefly explaining the circumstances.
He didn't push the responsibility onto anyone else, only mentioned the mistakes he himself had made.
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