It's December again.
Will the atmosphere be the same as last year?
Shiraishi twirled the ballpoint pen in his hand. Since he took over Captain-Commander, the brush pen had been phased out, mainly because it was difficult to write with and far less comfortable than a ballpoint pen.
He looked at a report submitted by Rangiku Matsumoto, who wanted to hold a New Year's party to reward the team members and invite everyone to gather and celebrate the New Year.
Next was Hitsugaya's report, outlining the tasks to be done. With staff already understaffed, various official duties piled up, and he strongly requested that there be no holidays this year and that overtime continue.
He even reprimanded Matsumoto, saying that his report was just slacking off and that he had no energy left to organize a New Year's party.
What should we do?
Shiraishi continued twirling his pen, partly leaning towards Hitsugaya's words, and partly feeling that Rangiku Matsumoto's words were correct.
Everyone needs to relax and unwind after the war.
After much thought, he made a decision: to spin the pen and use whichever option it landed on.
He placed the pen between the two, and with a flick of his wrist, the ballpoint pen spun around a few times.
Hakuhō ran over, and he quickly picked her up. This man, who thought his father didn't know, secretly blew on the pen, trying to turn it towards the toy side.
Cute as she was, Shiraishi still scolded, " Little Hō, this is official business, don't fool around."
"I was worried that Dad was working too hard, as he hadn't seen Moms for many days."
Hakuhō answered in a childish voice, her large eyes seemingly about to shed tears.
Shiraishi was immediately at a loss, picked her up and said, "My sweet baby."
Meeting them is even more tiring, he silently swallowed those words. It was fun, but it was also really tiring. He had suppressed his impulse for so long, and heaven knows how intense they would be.
On second thought, he decided to hold the New Year's party as usual. As for the teams, there was no need to make too many preparations. Those without families could just gather to drink and eat some good food.
He has a family and goes home to be with his wife and children.
A simple celebration is necessary; annual leave is still required.
If you have to work during the Lunar New Year, what kind of Lunar New Year is that?
Shiraishi rejected Hitsugaya's proposal to work overtime, and also rejected Matsumoto's proposal to hold a large New Year's party, because there simply wasn't enough manpower to organize it, so they opted for a simpler approach.
Then simply broadcast the New Year's Eve gala in the World of the Living.
Anyway, there's no war in the World of the Living, and it's developing rapidly.
Shiraishi continued to approve the documents.
Fourth Division, General Infirmary.
The General Infirmary was bustling with activity during this period. Despite the heavy Daxue outside, it did not dampen the desire to visit patients.
Rukia, carrying a basket of fruit, visited every day, bringing gifts each time. Her excitement was beyond words.
She skillfully entered the gate of the General Infirmary, turned the corner, went up to the second floor, and heard the sound of chess pieces being placed on the open door. Her breath turned into a white cloud.
Rukia to the door, knocked, and said, " Captain Ukitake."
" Rukia, you're here. Just come in."
Jūshirō Ukitake was dressed in a warm patient gown. The doors and windows were tightly closed. His face no longer had the emaciated appearance it once had, and it had regained some of its flesh color.
"No, etiquette is essential." Rukia shook her head and stepped into the ward, saying, " Captain Kyōraku, are your injuries still not fully healed?"
"Yes, it's a real headache."
Shunsui Kyōraku chimed in agreement. He was torn between leaving the hospital and staying home; it didn't seem right to slack off during the busiest time in Soul Society.
But Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Flesh Supplement... well... aside from himself, no one would dare use it.
He didn't want his life or even his body parts to be controlled by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Given Mayuri's personality, it was possible that he was secretly monitoring something while remaining hidden.
She could only stay at the General Infirmary, allowing Captain Unohana to observe at her leisure and even talk to the young and pretty nurses.
Most importantly, I can play chess with my old friends.
To be honest, he was prepared for the possibility that he would never be able to play Ukitake face-to-face with Ukitake again in his entire life.
Upon seeing the state of the body the other party had just brought, Shunsui Kyōraku turned pale with fright, more terrified than when facing death himself.
I wish I were the skin and bones.
It would be great if nothing happened.
Well, taking a break now and then isn't a bad thing.
Jūshirō Ukitake spoke up for Kyōraku, taking bananas from the fruit basket and handing one to Kyōraku and another to Rukia, saying, "Being able to live a leisurely life is proof that you're alive."
" Captain Ukitake, how are you feeling today?"
Rukia asked with concern.
Jūshirō Ukitake smiled and said, "Not bad. Captain Unohana praised my quick recovery, and I believe I'll be able to take real action in another two or three years."
"..." Rukia felt that the recovery wasn't very fast, but seeing Captain Ukitake's optimistic expression, she smiled too. "Yeah, I'll invite Kiyone and Sentarō along then, and we'll see the scenery."
"Yes." A hint of sadness flashed across Jūshirō Ukitake's face. So many familiar people had left, and the Thirteenth Division he remembered had become just a few Shinigami.
He can understand generational change, but he still feels heartbroken about this extremely violent method of generational change.
" Ukitake, it's your turn." Shunsui Kyōraku noticed his sadness but didn't know how to comfort him, so he urged him to play the game, believing that his friend could get out of that shadow.
Jūshirō Ukitake glanced at the board, pondered again, and made his next move.
Rukia watched from there. She didn't understand much about these things, but being able to stay by Captain Ukitake's side in her spare time brought her a sense of peace.
The two players were halfway through their game.
Shunsui Kyōraku suddenly exclaimed, "This is bad! Isane is coming! Bakudō Number Twenty-Six: Kyokkō!"
With a flick of his hand, he concealed both the chessboard and himself, hiding behind the wall.
Jūshirō Ukitake quickly covered himself with the blanket and lay down on the bed.
Isane Kotetsu, accompanied by several squad members, made rounds to check if anyone was disobeying the doctor's orders. " Rukia, you've come to see Captain Ukitake again."
"Yes, Kotetsu." Rukia nodded obediently.
Isane Kotetsu stepped forward to check on him and said, " Ukitake- san, you shouldn't be causing any trouble, right?"
"No, I've been lying down the whole time."
Jūshirō Ukitake shook his head repeatedly. His superiors wouldn't let him play, but he had been bedridden for over two years and genuinely didn't want to continue. Even if he couldn't leave the bed, playing some Go for a while was fine.
The problem is with Shunsui Kyōraku; he was punched in two holes by Lille, leaving him with no flesh or blood, making repairs extremely difficult.
However, he himself is not honest.
Isane Kotetsu left the ward, Shunsui Kyōraku lifted the Kyokkō, put the chessboard back, and said, "I'll go back and deal with her first."
[Honestly, I've been following the updates lately, switching sources, and using various reading voice options. yeguoyuedu is available for both Android and iOS.]
" Captain Kyōraku, you should focus on recovering from your injury."
Rukia made a comment.
Shunsui Kyōraku spread his hands and said, "It's because Isane- chan and the others are too tense. A little exercise will only do them good, not bad."
Rukia shook her head, thinking that if Nanao Ise hadn't been busy with the team, she would have definitely come over and taught this guy a lesson.