Gift

For the time that followed, just as expected, no patients came in for consultation. The only sound in the office was the occasional soft rustle of Chiba Makoto turning pages.

Compared with humans in the World of the Living, Shinigami had far longer lifespans. Someone like Unohana Retsu had even served as a captain for nearly a thousand years.

Over such long lives, the circles within the Seireitei were much smaller than one might imagine. Which Fourth Division members were more trustworthy in particular fields of Medical Skills became increasingly apparent and widely known among the other Shinigami and nobles.

Thus, most members who had just joined a department were merely provided with a suitable environment for learning.

Makoto was not the least bit impatient about this, maintaining an unhurried pace as he studied knowledge that Shin'ō Academy did not teach.

Moreover, these were precious Kaido and Medical Skills teachings that were difficult to obtain outside the Fourth Division.

This was entirely thanks to Makoto's status as Unohana Retsu's disciple. Otherwise, Aoki Chiyoko would never have so unreservedly handed such valuable Kaido and Medical Skills books directly to him.

Aoki Risa, however, had it rough. She sat motionless in a chair not far from Makoto for the better part of the day, feeling both awkward and tortured.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

As the bell marking the end of the department's shift rang, Aoki Risa practically shot to her feet and fled as though for her life.

"Lisa..."

Just as Aoki Risa pushed open the office door and took her first step outside, Makoto's gentle voice sounded from behind her.

Aoki Risa's body stiffened, and her cheeks flushed again almost instantly.

Humiliation, embarrassment, helplessness...

Aoki Risa thought Makoto would say something excessive, mock her for being unable to tell his gender, or angrily rebuke her for her rudeness toward him.

Yet when Aoki Risa slowly turned her stiff neck, what entered her sight was Makoto, most of his body bathed in the evening glow, his smile radiant and warm.

"Lisa, thank you for taking care of me today. See you tomorrow."

"Ah?!"

Aoki Risa froze. She stared blankly for a long moment at the young man before her, so pure and gentle, before suddenly coming back to herself and hurriedly giving a slight bow.

"Yes, see you tomorrow, Makoto."

Then Aoki Risa ran away as though fleeing in defeat, her frantic footsteps echoing from afar.

Only then did Makoto's eyes curve slightly at the corners, revealing his genuine delight.

See you tomorrow, Lisa. I hope you have a very pleasant evening...

Perhaps Aoki Risa, immersed in her own embarrassment and social death, had overlooked something, but Makoto had not forgotten Aoki Chiyoko's gloomy expression.

If nothing unexpected happened, something unexpected would happen to Aoki Risa once she got home, right?

Tomorrow... Lisa probably would not limp back to the department, would she?

Hmph, a mere lily dared offend me?

Thinking of that, Makoto's mood improved considerably.

However, when Makoto returned to the courtyard, the smile on his face froze almost at once.

"You're back so early?"

Before Makoto was Unohana Retsu, kneeling gracefully on the tatami and making tea with an elegant, gentle air.

"Yes, Teacher."

Makoto obediently sat across from Unohana Retsu and carefully took a sip of the clear tea she pushed toward him.

His eyes immediately brightened slightly.

The tea was crisp and clear, mildly bitter upon entering the mouth before transforming into sweetness. With a slight breath through his nose, he could clearly feel the rich fragrance lingering between his lips and teeth.

"Excellent tea!"

Though Makoto knew little about the Soul Society's tea culture, this was undoubtedly excellent tea—perhaps even the sort supplied exclusively to captain-class Shinigami and high-ranking nobles.

Watching Makoto's reaction, Unohana Retsu casually picked up a small gift box beside her and placed it before him.

"If you like it, take these tea leaves and brew them yourself."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Makoto thanked her, then noticed the exquisitely wrapped gift box and could not help asking in confusion, "Teacher, how did you know I liked tea?"

"This morning, I saw the teacup you had set aside..."

After a pause, Unohana Retsu continued, "Although the tea prepared in the guest room is not bad, it has some flaws after all. So I prepared a gift for you, as a gift for becoming my disciple."

It had to be said that although Makoto had been toyed with to the point of misery by Unohana Retsu's hidden mischief over the past two days, his heart could not help but stir at this moment.

This thoughtfulness... was truly precious.

Suddenly, the fingers stroking the gift box paused. Moving them aside, Makoto discovered that it bore the emblem flower of the Sixth Division.

In an instant, Makoto understood that the preparation of this gift might not have been as casual and unconcerned as Unohana Retsu made it seem.

Perhaps Unohana Retsu had personally gone to request this tea from the Sixth Division, the Noble Command Division.

Then, Unohana Retsu, cradling her teacup in both hands, suddenly spoke.

"Makoto, did you enjoy getting along with Lisa today?"

"Mm, it was quite..."

Makoto's voice caught. Cold sweat nearly burst from his forehead as he forcibly swallowed back the word "nice."

With one careless answer, this gift might well become an offering placed before his memorial tablet.

Unohana Retsu's eyes curved gently, her manner soft and intelligent. "Lisa is quite a good girl. You must get along well, but do not neglect your Kaido and Medical Skills studies."

Makoto's thoughts raced. Without the slightest hesitation, he ignored the first half of Unohana Retsu's words, which were clearly meant to conceal her true intent, and understood that the key lay in the latter half.

"Yes, Teacher. Today, I looked through the books left by Fifth Seat Aoki and came up with a few questions..."

As Makoto spoke, he took a small notebook from his robes and, looking every bit the obedient student, began asking Unohana Retsu for guidance.

Unohana Retsu took a light sip of tea. Her gentle expression did not change in the slightest from beginning to end, nor did she interrupt Makoto. She quietly listened to his questions, occasionally offering a pointer or answer.

After a long while, Makoto returned to his room drenched in sweat. He collapsed onto the tatami as though he had been completely drained.

He had only spent the better part of a day in the Gynecology Department. How could he possibly have accumulated that many questions?