Chapter 74
"?"
Under Haruto's curious gaze.
A man dressed in standard Shihakushō, with downcast eyes and a somewhat frail appearance, walked in somewhat hesitantly.
"That..."
Speaking in front of so many people was clearly a huge challenge for the newcomer; if it weren't for two familiar faces present, he probably would have turned and run away.
After a brief but intense internal struggle:
"I am Hanatarō Yamada, the Fourth Division's 42nd Seat!"
He clearly bit his tongue, but that didn't stop him from introducing himself... Timidity may be innate, but his earnest nature remains unaffected.
Please take care of me!
Perhaps because he bowed too forcefully, Hanatarō Yamada almost broke his spine.
"..."
So that's what Kiyone meant.
Hanatarō Yamada is the younger brother of Kiyōnosuke Yamada, the vice-captain of the Fourth Division who just treated Haruto's injuries.
"Haruto, a sixth-year student at the Shin'ō Academy."
Haruto quickly stood up from the tatami mat and extended his right hand to Hanatarō Yamada with a serious expression.
"Thank you for your brother's care; I look forward to your guidance in the future."
"Hanatarō."
Don't underestimate Hanatarō Yamada just because he's only a lower- Seated Officer in the Fourth Division. That's because he dislikes competition. Even though his Reiatsu and Kaidō not as strong as his older brother Kiyōnosuke Yamada's, when it comes to real skills, becoming a higher- Seated Officer would be a piece of cake for him.
Haruto took the initiative to stand up and greet him.
Even though he disliked the scene, Byakuya had no choice but to introduce himself:
"Byakuya Kuchiki."
Despite his seemingly timid demeanor, Hanatarō is actually quite perceptive; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so startled by Byakuya's concise introduction that he almost jumped up.
Fortunately, Ayaka is always able to quickly liven up the atmosphere in this situation... and with Kiyone added in, it becomes even more lively.
"Hi hi~ This is Ayaka Kurumadani's Daze~."
"... Nanao Ise, please take care of me."
Otherwise, if only Nanao were to speak, the awkward silence would be something Haruto couldn't salvage.
"..."
After everyone responded...
"Kiyone."
Haruto said to Kiyone, who was about to Kiyone the door.
"Um?"
"Isn't there someone else outside... aren't you going to introduce them?"
The footsteps coming from the corridor just now weren't from just one person. Haruto wasn't the owner, but he felt it was best to remind him anyway.
"Sigh~"
Kiyone spread her hands helplessly, shaking her head and sighing.
If Haruto hadn't noticed, that would have been one thing—such a possibility never existed in the first place—but since Kiyoto had already made his stance Kiyone, he certainly couldn't pretend not to know.
"Hello!"
Kiyone poked her head out the door and said weakly.
"Come in..."
"Yes!"
Her voice, even louder than Kiyone, nearly startled the birds that had made their home in the trees.
"Knock knock!"
Accompanied by strong, powerful footsteps.
A man with a white headband, a nascent goatee, and skin tanned red by the sun appeared before the crowd.
"I am Sentarō Kotsubaki, a member of the Thirteenth Division!"
The man bowed deeply and forcefully, the bundle he held in his hands did not tremble in the slightest despite the large movement.
"I just moved from Rukongai to next door to Yamada-kun today. These are some gifts I prepared, please don't be shy!"
"..."
The atmosphere, so out of place with the room's ambiance, brought a brief silence to everyone.
"Kiyone."
In times like these, Haruto definitely has to step in.
"Huh?"
"They came with gifts, how could you turn them away?"
Haruto took the initiative to step forward.
He first took a bundle from Sentarō Kotsubaki with both hands and held it under his arms, then extended his right hand and said:
"Welcome to yet another 'Taro-kun' joining us."
"Thank you... thank you for your patronage!"
The Yamada Clan is very interesting.
The name Taro is usually used for the eldest son in a family. Hanatarō, who has an older brother, should be called "Jiro".
Characters like Sentarō Kotsubaki are more normal.
Although he couldn't recognize the person at first glance, Haruto recognized them after hearing their self-introduction:
The future vice-captain of the Thirteenth Division, Rukia Kuchiki's adjutant.
"..."
Thinking about this...
Haruto glanced subtly at everyone in the room.
Apart from Ayaka and Hanatarō, everyone gathered here tonight seems to be the future backbone of the Gotei 13:
Byakuya and Isane are both Captain-level.
Kiyone, Nanao, Sentarō Kotsubaki are all Vice-Captain-level... It seems that having "flower" in one's name comes with a built-in debuff.
Haruto returned to his seat, picked up his bundle, and gestured to Sentarō Kotsubaki.
Can I open it?
"Please... please make yourself at home!"
I don't know why.
When Sentarō Kotsubaki is around Haruto, he's always a little reserved, unlike when he's around Kiyone and Hana.
Taro's attitude was completely different:
It probably carries a hint of Japanese male chauvinism.
Through the self-introduction just now, Haruto already knows about the Kotsubaki Clan situation—although she claims to be from Rukongai, the fact that she can be neighbors with the Yamada Clan means that she has already obtained noble status.
This is inside the Seireitei. Owning a house here means you're at least a relatively well-off mid-level noble.
With just two simple sentences of conversation, Haruto understood the reason:
Sentarō Kotsubaki's father, Jin'emon Kotsubaki, is the current vice-captain of the Seventh Division and also the Zanjutsu instructor of the Gotei 13.
He is also a swordsman who climbed his way up from Rukongai.
Instructor of Zanjutsu for the Gotei 13.
Such a status is undeniably high, and it's only natural that the Central 46 Chambers would bestow upon him a noble title...
It is relatively easy to control.
As for the role of overall director, it has always been held by Shigekuni Yamamoto; that is to say, without considering the Zanpakuto's abilities, Sentarō Kotsubaki's father's Zanjutsu can be ranked second in Soul Society on the surface...
On the surface.
"This is?"
Haruto opened the bundle that Sentarō Kotsubaki had sent, and a delicate fragrance slowly wafted out.
Tea from my hometown.
"Sentarō Kotsubaki replied."
"..."
"Is this Lieutenant Kotsubaki's intention?"
"No, that's what I meant."
Sentarō Kotsubaki shook his head in denial.
Born in Rukongai, it means the family has no background. A father who is only a Vice-Captain-level doesn't have enough salary to afford a gift that would impress a nobleman.
However, since they are moving into Seireitei, it would be impolite not to offer a gift, and given that they are already not highly regarded, it might just invite more gossip.
So...
Local specialties from your hometown make excellent gifts.
Although Sentarō Kotsubaki may appear rugged, he is actually quite thoughtful; perhaps this visit was an opportunity he had been considering for a long time— Kiyone's behavior, she hadn't initially planned to invite Sentarō Kotsubaki.
Thank you.
Place the box containing the tea cakes beside you.
"Alright, alright!"
After Haruto finished his conversation with the "loudmouth," Kiyone finally seized the opportunity to join the conversation.
"Sister, hurry up and bring the things upstairs."
"Everyone came here tonight because of your flower arrangement!"
Although this was just an excuse made up by Kiyone, when it came to actually going on stage, Isane still took it very seriously.
"Um!"
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on her, Isane was not intimidated this time; instead, she nodded firmly.
Even the most introverted person has their own space.
Half an hour later.
"Call!"
Isane took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"..."
After she placed the fern shears beside her and bowed slowly, the entire "flower arrangement" process was considered completely finished.
"Clap clap."
Haruto led the applause.
This wasn't just empty flattery. Haruto's aesthetic sense was only average—most of his attention was on the opposite sex, and he had little knowledge of flowers and plants—but after seeing Isane's work, he genuinely felt the presence of beauty: the bouquet standing in the vase looked exceptionally elegant against the backdrop of the branches and leaves.
Not only that.
The most important thing is the sentiment behind it.