You're Happy Too Soon

"Phew~"

On the road away from the Mortuary, Chiba Makoto could not help but let out a small sigh of relief. He could even faintly sense Aoki Risa's somewhat regretful gaze behind him.

Don't stare at me. If you want someone else to get soaked in the rain for you, aren't there plenty of other graduates?

Makoto grumbled inwardly, but his steps unconsciously quickened as he caught up with Yamada Seinosuke.

Yamada Seinosuke, who had been watching Makoto from the corner of his eye, spoke.

"Actually, this is a place all Fourth Division recruits must experience first. Unlike the other divisions, whose duties inevitably involve combat and death, the Fourth Division is a medical division. To prevent its members from losing composure when providing medical aid on the battlefield, we can only use this method to gradually accustom them to death and make them understand... the preciousness of life."

"Though we are Soul Reapers, once we die, we can only lie in the Mortuary. Everything we cherish, everything we hope for, everything we desire will cease to exist..."

As if something had come to mind, Yamada Seinosuke spoke with a hint of emotion. A trace of sorrow appeared on his usually cool face.

However, having already gained a preliminary understanding of Yamada Seinosuke's personality, Makoto believed, at most, the punctuation in that speech.

Besides, Makoto was not some clueless novice. That explanation did nothing to conceal Yamada Seinosuke's black-hearted, twisted sense of humor.

Even if he truly intended to train new members to face death, he could have arranged for them to work at the Mortuary in a gentler manner instead of springing such a surprise attack on them.

This guy... was definitely indulging his own twisted tastes!

Yet Makoto wore an enlightened expression on the surface, as if he thoroughly approved of Yamada Seinosuke's explanation. He even added proactively, "Vice-Captain Yamada is right. Only those who understand how precious life is can grasp the true meaning of Kaido and Medical Skills. Only then can they truly devote themselves to studying and researching Kaido and Medical Skills."

Hearing Makoto's words, surprise flashed through Yamada Seinosuke's eyes. He then subconsciously rubbed his chin and pondered in secret.

That sounds... far more profound than what I just said...

Excellent. I'm stealing that!

The next time new members join the Fourth Division, I'll use those words to explain it.

While Yamada Seinosuke was thinking, he led Makoto into the center of the Fourth Division Barracks and stopped at a place resembling a courtyard, filled with quiet, wistful serenity.

Upon arriving there, Yamada Seinosuke's cool expression tightened slightly. With a little more respect and caution, he knocked on the wooden sliding door and said, "Lady Unohana, Chiba Makoto has arrived."

A gentle voice soon sounded from within.

"Mm. Let him come in."

"Yes."

Yamada Seinosuke answered, then opened the sliding door and gestured for Makoto to enter.

Only then did Makoto realize that Yamada Seinosuke had specifically brought him to meet Unohana Retsu, Captain of the Fourth Division.

Makoto took a slight breath. Several guesses and thoughts flashed through his mind before he stepped into the room.

Soon, Unohana Retsu appeared before him.

At that moment, however, Unohana Retsu was kneeling on a tatami mat. Her posture was elegant and noble, while her profile held gentleness, wisdom, and concentration. Her long, slender fingers delicately arranged flower branches in a vase, and outside stood a cherry tree in full, splendid bloom.

It was a scene like a painting—the flowers beautiful, the scenery elegant, and Unohana Retsu the tranquil heart of the entire picture.

Even Makoto was slightly stunned in that moment. He instinctively stopped moving, afraid of disrupting such a beautiful scene.

As though she had sensed Makoto's arrival, Unohana Retsu paused. She turned toward him, a supremely gentle smile blooming across her face as she said, "Don't be nervous. Please, sit."

"Yes."

At Unohana Retsu's gesture, Makoto sat on a cushion beside her.

Unohana Retsu moved the flower vase in front of her to one side, then faced Makoto with a poised and intellectual manner, carefully examining him.

Although Unohana Retsu had already reviewed Makoto's file several times, this was their first close encounter.

Black eyes, black hair, delicate features, and the brightness unique to a young man. Yet there was no lack of gentleness in his eyes, making others instinctively feel close to him and trust him.

Makoto likewise used the corner of his eye to cautiously observe Unohana Retsu, who was so close at hand.

It had to be said that Unohana Retsu was unquestionably a great beauty. Although Makoto clearly knew from memories of his past life that she had once been the blood-soaked First Kenpachi, his heart still skipped a beat at her gentle, intelligent smile.

"If you don't mind, may I call you Makoto directly?"

"Yes."

Faced with Captain Unohana's initiative to draw closer, Makoto remained outwardly calm and responded with impeccable etiquette for the era.

"Makoto, then do you know why I specifically asked to meet you this time?" Unohana Retsu asked with a smile.

"Please instruct me, Captain Unohana."

Makoto answered, but his gaze suddenly noticed a document placed beside Unohana Retsu. His photograph could vaguely be seen on it.

Unohana Retsu did not pick up the document. Instead, she spoke directly.

"Chiba Makoto. During your time at Shin'ō Academy, you ranked first in your grade every year in Kaido and Medical Skills assessments. Within two years of awakening your Zanpakuto, you voluntarily participated several times in medical rescues during practical combat training and live missions, treating a total of 315 students—265 with minor injuries and 50 with severe injuries."

At this, Makoto's eyes shifted. He had not expected that his performance at Shin'ō Academy over the past few years had been recorded so thoroughly.

"Without question, this is an exceptionally outstanding record. Since Shin'ō Academy was founded, you are perhaps the graduate with the most exceptional talent and passion for Kaido and Medical Skills."

Unohana Retsu spoke in a tone of admiration. "I am very pleased that you took the initiative to apply to join the Fourth Division."

Suddenly, perhaps because Yamada Seinosuke had rubbed off on him, Yamada Seinosuke's face and the words he had once spoken—"You're happy too soon"—instinctively sprang into Makoto's mind. The words nearly slipped out of his mouth.

Makoto's gaze immediately sharpened. He realized that Unohana Retsu's gentle tone had made him completely relax, to the point that he had nearly committed such an instinctive and absurd act.