Chapter 123: Loosening Soil
Empty bowls on the stone table still retained some residual warmth.
"Thank you for the meal."
Matsumoto Rangiku contentedly set down chopsticks.
For her second bowl, she'd actively requested adding bamboo shoots—the flavor proved richer.
Suoh's words held no falsehood. Materials he used were all top quality. Even the simplest noodle soup couldn't compare to cafeteria offerings.
She'd eaten somewhat more than usual.
Of course, a full stomach proved unavoidable.
"Burp..."
"Um... where should I put the bowls and chopsticks?"
She unconcernedly released a small satisfied burp.
Hitsugaya glanced at her somewhat speechlessly, finishing his last bite before also setting down bowl and chopsticks.
Suoh laughed lightly, standing to begin collecting dishes, speaking casually.
"Ha ha, don't be polite. Today you're a guest—just leave them."
"You can stand and walk around a bit. Later you can soak in the hot spring."
"Before you arrived, I partitioned a small separate spring beside it. The one surrounded by bamboo walls—entrance has a stand with new towels."
"How thoughtful."
Matsumoto Rangiku looked in the direction Suoh's finger pointed. Indeed, on the hot spring pool's other side she spotted a circle of delicate bamboo enclosure, murmuring.
The bamboo wall stood about one person's height higher, both ensuring privacy while blending with surrounding bamboo forest scenery.
"As it should be."
"Hitsugaya, help make some tea. Later during rest, everyone can drink together."
Suoh placed all bowls and chopsticks into wooden tray. After instructing, he turned back toward the kitchen.
Though he didn't mind sharing a hot spring with Matsumoto Rangiku, considering Hitsugaya, he'd spent some effort making slight arrangements.
The secret base would eventually have other female visitors. Matsumoto Rangiku's visit merely represented an opportunity.
"Alright."
Hitsugaya nodded, standing.
"Is he always like this?"
Matsumoto Rangiku leaned forward, curiously asking in low voice.
"Like what?"
"Just... very good at taking care of people."
"Since we met, it's been this way. Tsukasa always takes matters seriously, whether training or daily life."
Hitsugaya fell silent briefly, nodding in response.
Since they'd met, it had been like this.
Treating some life details as training.
Enjoying life while also enjoying training.
"You sit first. I'm going to make tea. We still have quite a bit to do later."
"Oh."
Matsumoto Rangiku responded once, sitting back down on the stone chair, gaze turning toward the kitchen direction.
Through half-opened bamboo curtain, she could see Suoh standing before the counter tidying up, movements orderly and unhurried.
Hitsugaya's movements also proved efficient—using kido to boil water, retrieving tea canister, preparing tea utensils.
Matsumoto Rangiku watched with interest.
In Tenth Division office, only when Captain Shiba Isshin brought steamed buns and sweets entertaining everyone would he actively handle these daily trivialities.
Tea quickly prepared.
Clear tea water poured into cups. A crisp floral fragrance immediately dispersed. Hitsugaya placed the cup before her.
"What tea is this?"
Looking at flower leaves within the cup, Matsumoto Rangiku couldn't help asking.
So many questions.
Yet Hitsugaya still answered the question.
"Chrysanthemum tea, added a little licorice."
"You just ate too much. Drinking some of this helps digestion."
"Nosy!"
Matsumoto Rangiku glared at him, resentfully taking the teacup.
Hitsugaya didn't respond, only continued pouring two cups, himself taking one for shallow sip.
He couldn't be bothered arguing with her.
At this moment, Suoh also emerged from the kitchen, sitting down beside the stone table, picking up a cup and pouring it into his mouth, speaking with satisfaction.
"Water temperature just right."
Kido techniques numbered many types, yet all required active spirit particles for effectiveness. Uniquely lacked rapid cooling methods.
Hitsugaya's Hyorinmaru excellently compensated for this deficiency.
No waiting required to drink appropriately tempered tea. Making cold drinks also proved no problem.
Three people quietly drank tea.
Floral fragrance spread through mouths, carrying faint sweetness.
"This tea truly tastes good."
Matsumoto Rangiku sincerely praised.
Daily she drank both tea and alcohol. Besides alcohol, she'd also stocked some superior tea leaves in her quarters.
"If you like it, take a canister when leaving. All stuff I made myself. When usual tea gets boring, change flavors."
Suoh smiled, pouring himself another cup.
This underground space—whatever planted grew well. Many spaces he hadn't fully utilized yet.
Though his consistent behavior belonged to illegal occupation, also shearing Seireitei's wool.
Such minor details he'd never minded.
Not being restricted by rules represented the true essence of growing stronger.
After brief rest.
Three people carrying bamboo baskets arrived before a vibrant medicinal field, each hand gripping a small medicinal hoe.
Despite this month's neglect, thanks to this uniquely advantageous environment, some more basic medicinal herbs had already matured.
Originally Suoh hadn't planned having guests help. He couldn't resist Matsumoto Rangiku wanting to experience pastoral life.
Suoh pointed toward the field explaining.
"Harvesting medicine isn't difficult. Just be careful not damaging roots and stems. Use the hoe to gently loosen soil, then lift the whole plant."
"Sounds not difficult."
Matsumoto Rangiku waved her medicinal hoe, eager to try.
Hitsugaya silently picked up his medicinal hoe, walking to field edge. Movements swift, earth penetration depth and angle both perfectly appropriate.
Hoe lightly scraped, gently pried, using his other hand to lift.
One root-plump medicinal herb was completely extracted. After shaking off soil, he placed it into the basket.
Movements flowing like clouds and water.
Matsumoto Rangiku imitated his appearance, bending at an adjacent position, striking toward a medicinal herb before her.
CRACK—
Slight breaking sound arose. She stared blankly at the medicinal herb in hand. Upper half stem and leaves remained in hand, lower half roots broken halfway.
"No problem."
"Movements a bit gentler. When feeling resistance, just change angle."
"Like this."
Suoh's voice transmitted from beside her.
He approached, crouching beside her, slowly carefully demonstrating movements.
Steadily lifting once, an entire medicinal herb emerged from soil, roots complete.
"Looks easy, doing it actually quite requires feel."
Matsumoto Rangiku watched his hand movements, then looking at her own broken medicinal herb, comprehending.
"Try several more times and it'll be fine."
Suoh placed the harvested angelica into her basket, encouraging.
"Yes!"
She rallied, striking toward the next medicinal herb. This time much more careful.
Though movements still appeared awkward, time spent longer, she finally completely harvested one plant.
"Very good. Take it slowly. Keep it up!"
Suoh praised.
"Okay."
Matsumoto Rangiku looked at the medicinal herb in hand, heart surging with full sense of accomplishment.
Though only a small matter, this first harvest left her inexplicably feeling joyful.
While Suoh raised his medicinal hoe preparing to work, Hitsugaya on the other side had already finished half a row of herbs, basket in hand nearly full.
Time quietly passed during focused labor.
All mature medicinal herbs in this area were completely harvested.
Three people separated and categorized their respective harvests, concentrating them beside the field. Piled into several small mountains of fresh medicinal materials, they emitted rich earthy aroma and fragrance.