The news was too shocking. (From the novel "Shinigami: The Unforgiven," Chapter 197: The Choice)
Rangiku Matsumoto took a deep breath, still unable to calm down. She picked up her coffee, took a sip, and the sweetness slowly spread in her mouth, gradually calming her emotions. "Why did Captain Unohana die? What grudge did she have against Captain Zaraki?"
Natsuko Akiyama shook her head and said, "I don't know. I only know it involves something far-reaching, and there might be some conflict."
"Is that so?" Rangiku Matsumoto sighed inwardly, a little regretful that she shouldn't have asked about such vague gossip.
The relationships among members of the Shinigami Women's Association are generally quite good.
Isane respects Captain Unohana so much; it would be hard for her to keep quiet about it if she knew the truth.
But how should I put it?
Why did you tell me this?
"You're the one who should ask me."
Natsuko Akiyama remarked, "You're still the same person you were at the Shin'ō Academy, so willful. Will your new captain be able to tolerate it?"
Rangiku Matsumoto leaned back, stretching her waist as much as possible. "Don't mention that guy to me. He's even lazier than me. Honestly, why are all the captains I encounter lazybones?"
Birds of a feather flock together.
Natsuko Akiyama calmly sipped her coffee, showing absolutely no mercy in her words.
"... There's no love left. So that's how I am in your heart."
Rangiku Matsumoto touched her chest, looking somewhat aggrieved, but unfortunately, her acting skills couldn't fool her roommate of six years.
Natsuko Akiyama remained unmoved and continued talking about things outside of work.
For example, the latest kimono shops, the trending hairstyles for summer, and which brand of nail polish has released new designs.
As they chatted, they finished their coffee. Rangiku Matsumoto, itching to go shopping, suggested they visit a kimono shop, but Natsuko Akiyama declined, saying, "I'm sorry, I have lunch with a male Seated Officer from my team, so I can't go shopping with you."
"Hey, you didn't say who it was earlier?"
"It's a secret. I'll tell you after I've dealt with him."
Natsuko Akiyama deliberately kept her in suspense, then used a Shunpo to leave the street.
Rangiku Matsumoto was a step too slow and couldn't grab her. She could only stomp her feet, thinking to herself that she would definitely find out more next time.
Now, looking at the sun-drenched, scorching street, she crossed her arms and murmured, "Should I go to the kimono shop next? Or to the Fourth Division?"
Hmm.
After thinking it over, Rangiku Matsumoto decided to go to the Fourth Division. No matter what, she had to find Isane to discuss what was going on and maybe even get lunch for herself.
She Shunpo to the Fourth Division.
The midday sun was scorching.
The cicadas chirped incessantly from morning till noon, echoing in the courtyard of the Fourth Division.
When it's mealtime, the team members put down their training and head to the canteen in small groups, though some occasionally eat out.
" Isane ~"
Isane Kotetsu paused, turned around, and asked, " Sister Rangiku, are you taking a day off today?"
"Yes, I need to talk to you about something. Let's go outside."
Rangiku Matsumoto wiped the sweat from her forehead and rushed over using Shunpo. It was really hot.
"Hey, look over there, it's huge!" "And the person there is beautiful." "I love those legs."
The male team members whispered among themselves, their eyes involuntarily drawn to the woman with short orange hair.
Isane Kotetsu apologized to his friends, then ran to Rangiku-nee and asked, " Sister Rangiku, is something serious?"
Rangiku Matsumoto thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, treat me to a meal first."
"No problem." Isane Kotetsu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was something serious, but it turned out to be a dinner invitation.
The two left the General Infirmary and went to an izakaya (Japanese pub) on the street outside for lunch.
"Two bottles of chilled sake, a plate of edamame, and a large plate of salmon sashimi."
Rangiku Matsumoto found a seat near a corner, picked up the menu on the table, and quickly ordered. " Isane, if you eat edamame with your sake, that should be enough to fill you up, right?"
"Hmm." She nodded, thinking that edamame and sake probably weren't very nutritious foods, so eating them wouldn't affect her height.
Rangiku Matsumoto closed the menu, sat opposite her, and stared at her with a gaze that seemed to want to see every single Matsuge.
Isane Kotetsu touched her face, puzzled, and asked, "Is there something dirty on my face?"
"No, it's just that there are some things I'm not sure if I should tell you."
Rangiku Matsumoto sighed. Judging from her well-fed and well-rested appearance, she was most likely unaware that Captain Unohana was going to teach Captain Zaraki.
They would never have known the life-threatening danger Captain Unohana might be facing.
Should I say it myself?
But this was Captain Unohana's choice.
Rangiku Matsumoto is tilting her head; what should I do?
Isane Kotetsu understood, grabbed her left hand, and said with a determined look, " Sister Rangiku, please don't give up on yourself."
I don't usually spend much money, and I still have some savings. Please don't release and sell those obscene photo albums to pay off your gambling debts.
"..." Rangiku Matsumoto was stunned. "Hahaha."
She chuckled, her slender waist seemingly unable to support her ample bosom, swaying precariously. " Isane, what are you thinking? It's not like that."
She raised her right hand and clapped it. "I may enjoy good wine, but I have absolutely no interest in gambling."
"Oh."
Isane Kotetsu an awkward smile, then asked curiously, "So what do you want to say?"
"This... might be a little painful for you."
Rangiku Matsumoto rolled up her sideburns with her hands.
The waiter brought over sake, edamame, and salmon sashimi. "Please enjoy your meal."
Having said that, the man withdrew.
She reached for the sake, opened it, gulped down a mouthful, and said, " Isane, do you know that Captain Unohana is going to teach Captain Zaraki?"
"Huh?"
Isane Kotetsu had just picked up an edamame when she froze, instinctively retorting, "That's impossible! Captain Unohana is the Fourth Division Captain, how could she possibly teach Captain Zaraki of the Combat Division kendo?"
"I'm not entirely clear on the specifics, but the application was submitted to Captain-Commander Yamamoto some time ago, and I expect to receive a response around the 9th or 10th of next month."
Rangiku Matsumoto took another swig of sake and said, " Captain-Commander Yamamoto's mood has become very bad because of this. I'm afraid, cough, this is just my speculation, but Captain Unohana might be in danger."
Boom!
It was like a thunderbolt striking my mind.
Plop! The pea and the stalk fell together; the former rolled onto the table, while the latter returned to the plate.
Isane Kotetsu's head was buzzing, completely confused about the situation. The image of Captain Unohana flashed through his mind; her attitude had been unusually gentle these past few days.
A chill crept into my heart.
She unconsciously crossed her arms, gripped her shoulders, and tried to convince herself and Rangiku opposite her, "It's okay, it's just a normal kendo lesson, right?"
Rangiku Matsumoto hadn't expected such a strong reaction. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Um, it's nothing. Maybe we misunderstood."