Chapter 103: Sincerity
"Alright, Kaien."
"Tsukasa knows he was wrong. Stop blaming him."
Shiba Miyako stepped forward at the appropriate moment to smooth things over, smiling gently.
She casually placed a freshly brewed cup of hot tea before Suoh.
"Has the condition been resolved? What exactly caused you to injure yourself so carelessly?"
Her gaze carried concern that wouldn't accept deflection. Clearly she wanted a complete explanation.
Suoh brushed his hand across his disheveled hair. Instantly his hairstyle fully restored itself, impeccably neat. Then he responded.
"Isane-neesan specially requested Captain Unohana's help with the examination. Everything's completely resolved."
"I just trained somewhat excessively before, my body accumulated some hidden problems, which triggered pain in my Saketsu and Hakusui."
"But everything's fine now. After this experience, the same problem won't occur again. You could say a blessing in disguise."
"Captain Unohana personally examined you!?"
Kotetsu Kiyone exclaimed from the side, her eyes carrying traces of worry and lingering fear as she looked at Suoh.
She'd thought it was just a minor issue her sister could resolve. She hadn't expected to disturb the Fourth Division's captain.
Seeing the atmosphere turning in the wrong direction again, with everyone's gazes directed back at him, Suoh hurriedly added explanation.
"Actually the condition really wasn't that serious."
"Only Isane-neesan hoped I'd recuperate for quite a long time, which I found difficult to accept."
"She saw my emotions were somewhat off, so she specially requested Captain Unohana's assistance."
"Of course ultimately, this is also thanks to Kiyone-neesan's help making the connection. If you hadn't brought me to the Fourth Division, things wouldn't have resolved so smoothly. I'm deeply grateful!"
With this combination of explanation and deflection, he both clarified the situation and didn't forget to credit Kotetsu Kiyone, pressing his palms together in thanks.
"Well naturally! Whose sister do you think she is!"
"The night before taking you for treatment, I repeatedly reminded my sister to take good care of you. At least you have some conscience!"
With Suoh speaking thus, Kotetsu Kiyone straightened her chest, her face showing slight pride.
This credit truly did belong to her!
"Kiyone, well done!"
Shiba Kaien looked at Suoh's slippery demeanor, both exasperated and amused.
After praising Kotetsu Kiyone first, he retrieved an official communication letter from within his clothes, waving it about, speaking curiously.
"Since Captain Unohana personally treated you, we'll consider this matter closed. However, what's this appointment as Special Emergency Medical Team Captain about—"
"You brat, you were only at the Fourth Division one day. How did you make such a big move?"
"What?"
"Appointment letter?"
The office grew lively again.
Even Kotetsu Kiyone, who'd been feeling proud moments ago, immediately shifted her gaze to the official document, her pride instantly replaced by shocked suspicion.
"Tsukasa, you're not transferring divisions, are you—"
"Did Captain Unohana make that a condition for treating you—"
Her voice carried disbelief as a terrible thought formed in her mind.
Instantly, she mentally filled in yesterday's events.
In her imagined scene, Suoh's face was pale, sitting dejected before Unohana Retsu.
That captain who always wore a gentle smile looked down from above, proposing the condition that she'd only treat him if he joined the Fourth Division.
While Suoh had no choice but to painfully agree, and Kotetsu Isane stood aside with an awkward expression, powerless to intervene.
How despicable!
"How could you agree so easily!?"
Thinking thus, Kotetsu Kiyone looked at Suoh with eyes full of sympathy and indignation, as though he'd suffered tremendous grievance, speaking emotionally.
"Huh!?"
Suoh froze.
"Ahem—"
This absurd speculation made Shiba Miyako, who'd been drinking tea, nearly lose composure. She quickly covered her mouth corner, her shoulders slightly trembling, clearly struggling to contain laughter.
"What are you even talking about?"
"Kiyone, your imagination is a bit too vivid."
Shiba Kaien also got choked by her peculiar mental gymnastics. He pressed his hand to his forehead speechlessly, looking helplessly at the wildly imaginative Kotetsu Kiyone.
"Kiyone-neesan, that thinking is dangerous!"
"That's not how things happened at all. How could Captain Unohana do such a thing? Besides, I have no intention of transferring divisions."
"Part-time work! Just part-time work!"
"I help the Fourth Division handle critically wounded patients. Captain Unohana provides me ingredients and Kaidō instruction. I completely benefited!"
Suoh finally regained speaking rights, hurrying to clarify.
He felt sweat nearly forming on his forehead.
"Ah— so that's how it is!"
Only then did Kotetsu Kiyone relax.
The other previously uninformed members also sighed in relief, genuinely startled by her baseless speculation.
"Oh right, these are for everyone."
"When your body feels weak or painful, you can take one pill. Your condition will improve."
"Ordinary injuries will completely heal with one pill. When you run out, just ask me for more."
Speaking thus, Suoh retrieved six porcelain bottles from his clothes, distributing one to each person present.
His previous medicinal pills held little significant effect for others, so normally he just consumed them himself.
This new version's effects differed completely. One pill basically equaled a purple healing potion.
Only the effect on Shiba Kaien would be somewhat weaker. Therefore he'd adjusted the formulations in varying degrees for Mitaka Hiko and Kuchiki Rukia's bottles to different strengths, avoiding over-supplementation.
"Ho? Good stuff."
"Your compensation is quite generous!"
Shiba Kaien was the first to accept, removing the stopper and sniffing closely.
With his extensive experience, he immediately assessed what he held, raising an eyebrow in praise.
"Tsukasa, this is too precious."
"Your body just recovered. Keep them for yourself."
Shiba Miyako's fingertips sensed the warm bottle, speaking with concern.
"Exactly, exactly."
The other several people echoed in agreement, all trying to return the items.
"Hey, don't refuse."
"I refined these things myself. I still have plenty more."
"The key isn't the materials—it's the technique Captain Unohana taught."
"Besides, yesterday I made everyone worry needlessly. Consider this my apology."
"Furthermore, as long as everyone stays safe and healthy, that's more precious than any miraculous medicine."
Surveying the companions present, Suoh spoke earnestly.
These heartfelt words left everyone momentarily silent.
"You brat, you really know how to talk!"
Shiba Kaien laughed at his words, forcefully patting his back.
"Since this represents Tsukasa's sincerity, let's not be polite! Everyone accept them!"
With his pronouncement, everyone finally treasured and carefully stored away their bottles.
"Alright, trial's concluded, gifts received."
"Everyone return to your positions and get busy."
Shiba Kaien clapped his hands.
Then he deliberately looked toward Suoh, mouth corners smiling, continuing.
"Especially Tsukasa. Since you received Captain Unohana's instruction, good fortune lifts your spirits—surely handling a few extra documents shouldn't pose any problem?"
"Your share from yesterday was handled by Miyako and myself."
"As you command!"
Suoh straightened his back, accepting a thick stack of documents, responding readily.
Sunlight outside the window shone perfectly, illuminating the office brightly. Accompanied by the sound of turning pages, weaving together an entirely ordinary peaceful morning at the Thirteenth Division.
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