Chapter 154: Discretion
After the brief interruption passed, that fleeting encounter proved nothing more than an inconsequential coincidence.
For Suoh, running into Aizen hadn't caused any significant psychological ripples.
Even someone standing at Soul Society's apex like Aizen couldn't bypass Suoh's spiritual awareness to plant Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis without using Shikai and doing so silently.
Otherwise, in the original story, he wouldn't have needed to demonstrate his ability before numerous vice-captains.
"Captain Aizen is so good to his subordinates."
"For captains to be that busy yet still personally accompany newly recruited members to buy clothing—such meticulous care."
Kiyone gazed at the warm, harmonious scene of Fifth Division's group, speaking softly with admiration.
"Our Captain Ukitake's care for everyone is equally excellent."
Suoh smiled lightly at her words.
His tone remained natural, carrying not a trace of comparison or doubt—simply stating a fact.
"Indeed."
Kiyone readily agreed with this assessment.
In her heart, Captain Ukitake's importance remained incomparable.
"Alright, alright, both captains are wonderful."
Rangiku listened with a slight pout of her red lips.
Clearly she held little interest in topics related to captains.
Changing the subject, she looked down at the silent Hitsugaya beside her and asked.
"Toshiro, what's the deal with you and that girl Hinamori?"
"From how you two acted just now, you're acquaintances?"
"Neighbors."
Hitsugaya didn't even lift his eyelids, tersely offering two words in response.
"Oh?"
Rangiku drew out the sound, her eyes flashing with interested light.
"Doesn't quite seem that way—you two looked quite familiar, and your recruitment times were close together. Childhood friends?"
Her tone paused as her gaze swept between Hitsugaya's profile that still carried boyish youth and Hinamori's direction, her smile deepening.
"Though she's quite a bit taller than you, so I suppose she'd be the older sister from next door."
"You're too loud—shut up!"
At the mention of height, veins seemed to pulse at Hitsugaya's temple.
Sensing the teasing hidden beneath Rangiku's questions, he had no intention of indulging this woman.
He shot her a glare, directly and decisively ending this tedious conversation.
"Pfft..."
Kiyone beside them couldn't help covering her mouth with a light laugh.
Suoh's expression remained unchanged—he was used to it.
To gossip while not forgetting to needle Hitsugaya at the same time was truly her style.
As they chatted, Aizen and his subordinates finished settling their accounts nearby and turned to leave.
Before departing, the two men of similar height had their gazes meet perfectly in the air.
Just a brief moment of eye contact so fleeting it could almost be overlooked.
Aizen's lenses reflected the shop's warm light, making his expression unreadable as he nodded in acknowledgment toward Suoh and the others.
Suoh's expression remained normal, smiling as he politely returned the nod.
Keenly observing the person beside her, Rangiku tilted her head.
She recalled Aizen's earlier words of "I've heard much about you," speaking with some uncertainty.
"It feels like Captain Aizen... appreciates you quite a bit?"
"Your personalities are somewhat similar too."
Watching Aizen lead his people away from the corner of his eye, Suoh withdrew his gaze, his tone calm.
"Perhaps. After all, there aren't many students like Hitsugaya and me who can graduate from the Academy in such a short time."
"As a special guest instructor, it's only natural for Captain Aizen to pay more attention to and appreciate outstanding graduates."
He didn't pursue the meaning behind Aizen's words and actions.
To him, though Aizen was the big boss, ultimately this period was still early. Analyzing someone with such profound thoughts wasn't as important as the current task of purchasing New Year gifts.
Suoh didn't particularly like complicating matters—overthinking easily led to headaches.
"That makes sense."
Rangiku nodded in agreement.
Her fingertips brushed past the soft-textured fabric nearby as she turned her head.
"Tsukasa, look at this wisteria purple—for Miss Terada as a shawl, it should be quite nice."
"This sappanwood red would suit your Kotama-neesan very well. What do you think?"
Though they'd never formally met, through daily conversations Rangiku had become fairly familiar with the two women from Terada-ya, and she held considerable confidence in her own judgment.
"Mm, both the texture and colors are excellent."
Suoh stepped forward for a closer look, nodding.
To be fair, one purple and one red—both colors were beautiful, though he couldn't really see much difference.
Looking at the fabrics didn't conjure many images in his mind; he couldn't mentally construct the specific effect of how they'd look when worn.
Their current common point remained limited to his earlier response.
"Miss Rangiku has good taste—they suit them well."
By comparison, Kiyone, as a regular patron of Terada-ya, had considerable authority to speak. She leaned in for a look and confirmed.
"We'll take them!"
Suoh nodded without hesitation, his decisive efficiency making both women smile.
Trusting his female companions' judgment proved the most efficient decision-making method in this moment.
Hitsugaya also silently examined gifts for his grandmother, his gaze eventually settling on an earth-toned fabric.
"That one won't work—the color's too heavy, it looks gloomy."
"For elderly people in winter, warm colors look more comforting. This one's good!"
Regarding his judgment, Rangiku voiced her opinion quite frankly, helping him choose.
Hitsugaya's eyes shifted slightly without answering.
However, he still accepted her suggestion, seriously taking the camel-yellow fabric she handed over.
Even if the advice came from a certain annoying person who always loved teasing him.
Next, Suoh's gaze swept across the accessory display area, selecting several obi ties in different colors.
Besides those for personal use, some were intended as gifts.
Having the proprietress wrap these small items separately along with the previously selected larger pieces and settling the payment together, the New Year gift shopping concluded perfectly.
Walking outside, Rangiku lightly stomped her feet to dispel the sudden cold, turning her head to ask.
"Tsukasa, do you have anything else to buy?"
"Everything's complete."
"Where to next?"
"Want to grab a drink? I know a newly opened izakaya nearby that's supposed to be excellent."
"Hot oden would be perfect in this weather."
Rangiku stretched languidly, her eyes flowing with bright light under the illumination as she happily suggested.
The proposal made even her eyes narrow, as if already feeling the warmth brought by the contents of a cup.
"Rejected."
"You still have lots of division duties to handle tomorrow."
As the Third Seat assisting the vice-captain, Hitsugaya immediately spoke up, his tone decisive.
"Eh—Toshiro's so strict! It's not like I'd skip out on that work!"
Hearing the friendly bickering resume beside him full of life's pleasures, Suoh adjusted the packages in his hands, feeling the weight of the gifts.
He looked up toward the sky where the snow had stopped and clouds had parted, where stars were lighting up.
"Go ahead."
"Just drink less."
He spoke with a smile, his voice merging into the cool night breeze.
Tonight had been enjoyable.
Moreover, Rangiku had led them to many places and offered plenty of suggestions, genuinely helping him considerably.
For these reasons alone, Suoh naturally should fulfill Rangiku's request.
"Hooray!"
Rangiku's face immediately lit up with delight, not forgetting to wink triumphantly at Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya turned his face away with a barely audible huff but didn't voice further objection.
He trusted Suoh's sense of propriety, and he himself would keep watch from the side.
As night deepened, the lantern light connected into a warm flowing river.
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