Pig Brain Overload?

However, just as Aoki Chiyoko was considering how to show appropriate goodwill toward Chiba Makoto, a Captain's Disciple, without provoking dissatisfaction among the other members of the Gynecology Department, she opened the office door and was greeted by the sight of Aoki Risa clutching Makoto's arm with both hands and shaking it repeatedly, her face flushed red as she cheered excitedly.

"Makoto, that's wonderful! Did you hear that just now? The Captain gave me special permission to join the Medical Relief Squad... Don't worry, don't worry. From now on, I, Aoki Risa, will look after you..."

"Mm-hm, mm-hm..."

As for Chiba Makoto, he rather absentmindedly humored Aoki Risa.

It had to be said that once one had seen enough scenery along the road, one naturally became an old hand.

Makoto had originally been a complete novice when it came to physical intimacy with women, something so rare for him that Captain Unohana's intentional or unintentional teasing that morning had thrown him off balance. Yet after enduring Aoki Risa's occasional intimate rubbing, he was now surprisingly calm.

After all, once one had witnessed the abyssal sea of generous curves, how could climbing a hill with only slight rises possibly make one lose composure?

More importantly, Captain Unohana's gaze as she departed still kept replaying in Makoto's mind—those eyes brimming with tenderness.

But Makoto knew perfectly well that if he did not hurry back to the courtyard tonight to check in, and Unohana Retsu mistakenly believed that he had truly gone with Aoki Risa to research milk-based skincare, he would probably die a terrible death!

"Ahem!"

Seeing that Makoto and Aoki Risa in the office were still respectively distracted and flustered, Aoki Chiyoko could not help coughing loudly twice.

At once, Aoki Risa fell silent as swiftly as a mouse spotting a cat, and said fearfully.

"Mother."

Makoto also greeted her respectfully. "Fifth Seat Aoki."

Aoki Chiyoko first nodded at Makoto in acknowledgment, then turned a sharp, stern gaze toward Aoki Risa and scolded her.

"Risa, what kind of disgraceful behavior is this? Hurry and apologize to Makoto."

Makoto scratched his head with an innocent look, seeming somewhat embarrassed as he hurriedly defended Aoki Risa, while quietly adding fuel to the fire.

"Fifth Seat Aoki, Risa has not behaved improperly at all. On the contrary, I envy Risa's liveliness and innocence immensely. I imagine Aoki Risa must have had a carefree and happy childhood."

In an instant, Aoki Chiyoko's face nearly went completely dark.

Lively and innocent—those were undoubtedly not praises that should be bestowed upon a qualified noble heir.

Perhaps... she had been too busy with work and had indulged Risa too much. It was time for Risa to recall the "heartfelt" love of her childhood, and understand the responsibilities and honor of the Aoki Family that she now bore.

Feeling Aoki Chiyoko's gloomy gaze, Aoki Risa's body trembled almost instinctively, clearly reminded of a certain childhood warmth.

However, with Makoto present, Aoki Chiyoko did not erupt. She merely said sternly.

"Since Makoto has spoken on your behalf, I shall let it pass this time. Do not forget the responsibility and honor you bear. You must never do anything that would disgrace the Aoki Family."

"Yes, Mother."

Makoto watched from the side as Aoki Risa bit her lip and answered.

Then, a hint of friendly warmth appeared on Aoki Chiyoko's stern face, which carried an inexplicably mature charm, as she said.

"My apologies for letting Makoto witness such an embarrassing scene."

Makoto put on the slightly awkward manner of a youth as he replied. "Fifth Seat Aoki maintains strict family discipline. It could be called a model for the nobility."

Those words made Aoki Chiyoko's eyes brighten slightly, and the goodwill in her gaze toward Makoto grew even stronger, with a faint touch of intimacy added to it.

As Captain Unohana's only disciple thus far, though Chiba Makoto came from the lowest stratum of Rukongai, he might not lack the possibility of attaining a Captain-level position in the future.

Befriending Makoto, whose potential was immense, and receiving his approval would both bring ample benefits to the Aoki Family.

"Makoto flatters us. My daughter will need much guidance from Makoto in the future."

Listening to the exchange between Aoki Chiyoko and Makoto, Aoki Risa became even more convinced that Makoto was truly some great noble. Otherwise, Captain Unohana would not have shown him special care, and her mother, who valued noble honor so highly, would not have treated him as though he belonged to a superior noble house.

Thinking of this, Aoki Risa could not help reminding her smugly, "Mother, Makoto is a woman."

Aoki Chiyoko froze, then scolded her in an icy tone. "What nonsense are you saying? Makoto is Captain Unohana's newly accepted disciple."

"What?!"

Aoki Risa went blank. She turned to look in disbelief at the innocent-looking, delicate youth beside her, then starting from her neck, nearly her entire head turned bright red.

Faintly... Makoto seemed to see steam rising from Aoki Risa's head.

Pig brain overload?

Makoto blinked innocently and silently offered that assessment. After realizing how much Aoki Risa feared Aoki Chiyoko, he had deliberately held back from clarifying things, so this was hardly a wasted effort.

This time, Aoki Risa would probably get to thoroughly enjoy some motherly love after returning home tonight.

After Aoki Risa caused such an absurd misunderstanding in front of Captain Unohana's disciple, Aoki Chiyoko arranged a new outpatient office in the Gynecology Department for Makoto and Aoki Risa to study and see patients in, almost with a dark expression on her face.

Although Aoki Chiyoko had some concerns about Makoto's true ability, Aoki Risa had already reached the level where she could see patients independently. It was only to avoid giving others something to talk about that Aoki Chiyoko had forced Aoki Risa to undergo a transitional period at the Mortuary like an ordinary new member.

Thus, with Aoki Risa as his partner, Aoki Chiyoko was not worried about patient consultations. What truly concerned her instead were certain rumors.

Once Aoki Chiyoko had made the arrangements and left, the new outpatient office fell into deathly silence.

Aoki Risa seemed as though someone had struck her pressure points. Other than her toes continuously digging foundations into the floor, she did not dare glance in Makoto's direction at all. She did not even make the slightest sound, as though she feared drawing Makoto's attention and suffering social death before the person involved once more.

Makoto, on the other hand, welcomed the quiet and began reading the Kaido and medical books related to the Gynecology Department that he had requested from Aoki Chiyoko.

After all, Unohana Retsu stood at the pinnacle of Kaido and Medical Skills throughout the Soul Society.

Even as her disciple, Makoto understood that while much of the knowledge was more advanced than what Shin'ō Academy taught yet remained utterly foundational, and while Unohana Retsu would not mind teaching it personally, that was not the proper attitude toward learning.

It was like asking a top mathematician to explain how to solve a simple quadratic function, was it not?