Chapter 155: Sasakibe
The next day, Suoh rose early, first taking the oseibo gifts to Captain Ukitake Jushiro at the Ugendo.
Then he circled back to the duty office, placing each person's gift on their respective desks.
None were particularly expensive, but all were thoughtful.
After completing these tasks, he picked up the package filled with remaining gifts and left the Thirteenth Division barracks.
This would be a rather busy day.
First stop: Tenth Division.
Captain Shiba Isshin's office remained as always, largely unchanged.
Only the desk surface appeared somewhat cluttered.
Shiba Isshin stepped across the threshold into the room.
He found three people already waiting inside, each holding a neatly wrapped gift box.
His footsteps paused, his expression showing a moment of bewilderment and surprise.
"Uncle Isshin / Captain, thank you for your care this past year."
Suoh spoke first, presenting his gift together with Hitsugaya.
"Captain, here's mine too."
Rangiku stepped forward half a pace, also extending the small delicate gift box in her hands.
Shiba Isshin accepted each one with a smile.
When he finally looked at the gift Rangiku offered, surprise flashed through his eyes before transforming into an amused smile.
"Oh? Rangiku, you're actually preparing oseibo gifts now?"
"I've been your captain all these years, and this is the first time I've received a present from you."
He drew out his tone, eyebrows rising with an expression of 'the sun's rising from the west.'
Rangiku's ears heated slightly as she reached to take it back.
"If you keep talking, I'm taking this gift back."
"If they weren't all giving gifts this year, I wouldn't bother with this hassle."
In the past, her lack of financial restraint combined with her Rukongai origins meant no one had taught her about these social courtesies.
She'd never taken the matter of oseibo gifts to heart.
After meeting Suoh, certain things had changed imperceptibly. Over this period, his influence on Rangiku ran deeper than imagined.
Besides some changes to her appearance, her habits had shifted too.
Though she still drank occasionally, she'd learned to control the amount herself.
This gift had been purchased with money saved from her drinking budget.
"So there's a role model nearby."
"Thank you—I accept everyone's thoughtfulness."
Shiba Isshin smiled happily, properly setting the gifts aside.
He looked toward the quietly smiling Suoh and the calm-faced Hitsugaya with satisfaction.
Since Rangiku had joined their group, she'd become considerably more reliable.
The already excellent Hitsugaya's performance improved day by day.
Work had become much easier—he could wake up laughing from dreams about days like these.
Then, seeing the still-bulging package beside Suoh, he asked curiously.
"Tsukasa, what are these?"
"For others. I'm planning to visit Fourth Division and First Division next."
Suoh explained.
"I see."
"Go ahead then. Be careful on the road, and give my regards to Captain Unohana and the Captain-Commander."
Hearing this, Shiba Isshin nodded with understanding.
After brief conversation, knowing Suoh's schedule was tight, Shiba Isshin didn't detain him further.
"Yes, sir."
Mission accomplished, Suoh headed straight for Fourth Division.
Second stop: Fourth Division.
Near year's end, Fourth Division operated at high capacity.
Captain Unohana Retsu accepted her gift quite straightforwardly, smiling as she received it before offering a few warm words of encouragement with an elder's benevolent smile.
Delivering the other two gifts encountered slight complications.
Isane's reluctance stemmed from her overly polite nature.
Unaccustomed to receiving such formal presents, she felt undeserving.
Suoh expended some effort persuading her to accept it with peace of mind.
The gift prepared for Hanataro Yamada couldn't be delivered because the recipient was nowhere to be found.
Year-end cleaning duties throughout Seireitei proved too demanding—Fourth Division as a whole maintained an extremely busy state.
He could only request that Isane pass it along on his behalf.
When Suoh left Fourth Division's barracks, the sun had risen considerably higher.
Finally, today's last stop: First Division.
Also the visit requiring the most caution.
Suoh waited at the barracks entrance.
Before long, a meticulously groomed division member arrived to guide him.
Not toward the inner chambers or training grounds where the Captain-Commander usually resided, but to First Division's duty office.
This was protocol.
In First Division, unless specifically summoned, no Third Seat had the authority to directly meet the Captain-Commander.
On previous occasions when Suoh received personal instruction from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, it had always been through the notification and guidance of First Division Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro.
The duty office's interior was orderly and spotless.
Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro sat upright behind a Western-style desk with severe lines, holding a quill pen while busy processing documents.
He wore his shihakusho beneath a white captain's haori, white hair and golden eyes, two meticulously trimmed black mustaches above his lips conveying an aura of rigid precision.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, Thirteenth Division Third Seat Suoh Tsukasa here for an audience."
"Enter."
Hearing the announcement, he lifted his eyes, responding in a deep voice.
His gaze fell upon Suoh with falcon-like precision.
The division member departed and the paper door closed, subtly changing the room's atmosphere.
"Tsukasa, welcome! I was just thinking I wouldn't see you during this year-end to New Year period—quite regrettable."
"Quick, sit, sit!"
The rigid severity on Sasakibe Chojiro's face melted away like ice meeting warmth.
Setting down his pen, he quickly came around from behind the desk to stand before Suoh, speaking warmly.
His tone lightened as if greeting an old friend.
Suoh smiled slightly, following his lead to sit down with a relaxed expression.
He then picked up a gift box with packaging slightly different from the others, possessing a rather modern and fashionable appearance, and passed it over.
"Sasakibe-san, I wish you well this year-end. A small token of appreciation."
"Tsukasa, you're too kind."
"Perfect timing—I just bought some red tea of excellent quality. It's cold outside, so have a cup and rest a while."
"Mm."
Their relationship proved much better than one might imagine.
If other First Division members witnessed this interaction, their jaws would likely drop in shock.
In the eyes of First Division members, Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro was Captain-Commander Yamamoto's most loyal and rule-abiding deputy, nearly somewhat rigid.
However, hearts always have corners of preference.
Sasakibe Chojiro stood alone in all of First Division.
The entire division favored green tea and traditional Japanese cuisine, yet he alone preferred black tea and Western food.
This deviation, within First Division's tradition-focused environment, inevitably felt somewhat lonely.
Suoh was the only one who could resonate with him regarding food preferences, frankly acknowledging him.
Moreover, Suoh possessed extensive knowledge of Western culture, offering numerous insightful opinions during their interactions.
After several encounters, he quickly came to regard Suoh as a kindred spirit.
After a brief period passed, the two chatted idly before Sasakibe understood his purpose for this visit.
The Captain-Commander's training schedule followed the first and fifteenth of each month.
At the conclusion of their last session, the Captain-Commander had explicitly instructed Suoh to return once more before year's end for a year-end evaluation.
Suoh's visit to First Division served both to deliver oseibo gifts and for this matter.
Sasakibe listened quietly, his gaze resting on Suoh's face for a moment.
After a brief pause, he nodded slightly, accepting the oseibo gift meant for the Captain-Commander.
"Tsukasa, wait here a moment. I'll present the gift on your behalf."
"Mm, thank you for your trouble."
Suoh responded naturally.
***
40+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces