Chiba Makoto looked up, and Unohana Retsu's gentle, seemingly encouraging expression entered his sight, as if she were urging him to make some impulsive reaction or do something offensive.
No, that wasn't right!
Chiba Makoto suddenly shuddered inwardly and understood completely.
This was probably Teacher Unohana's black-bellied way of settling accounts over the thoughts he had blurted out unconsciously while trying to raise her affection for him!
The moment he carelessly did anything improper, Teacher Unohana would have an excuse to punish him!
So, the only thing he could do now... was faithfully observe the boundaries expected of a disciple and obey Teacher Unohana...
"Y-yes... Teacher, I understand..."
Under Unohana Retsu's gentle gaze, Chiba Makoto spoke in a slightly trembling voice, then slowly undid his Shinigami uniform...
Gradually, a mixture of faintly flustered and gentle sounds rose within Unohana Retsu's room.
A moment later, Unohana Retsu's door slowly opened. With bandages wrapped around his chest, sweat beading on his forehead, and his steps unsteady, Chiba Makoto emerged while supporting himself against the wall. Then, staggering with uneven steps, he made his way back to his own room.
Everything that had just happened... had been sheer torture!!!
In that somewhat dim room, he, a pure and innocent young man, had been forced by an exceptionally beautiful mature older woman to remove his outer garments. While desperately holding firm to his bottom line, he had endured all manner of cruel "gentle" treatment from that mature older woman at such close range.
And under those circumstances, Chiba Makoto had to maintain the persona he presented before Unohana Retsu at all times, not daring to reveal the slightest improper thought or instinct. It was nothing short of agony and torment.
*Unohana Retsu... there's no way she doesn't know how attractive she is... She definitely