Chapter 140: Temptation
'Truly frightening talent.'
Watching them nearly perfectly replicate her operation, movements showing not the slightest awkwardness.
Isane observed silently from the side, sighing inwardly.
"Very good. Maintain this rhythm and state. Now, let's finish the rest together."
This completely set her mind at ease. She nodded.
The cultivation room fell so quiet the very air seemed to thicken. Even light and shadow flowed with extraordinary slowness.
Under Isane's guidance, the three meticulously repeated the planting and covering steps.
The final cluster of mycelium was securely placed.
The cultivation beds were now evenly covered with fluorescent white spots. Though unremarkable, they carried Suoh's subsequent expectations.
Isane packed everything away, looking at Suoh and Hitsugaya beside her, gaze full of admiration.
"Absolutely perfect. Achieving this completion level on your first attempt."
"The upcoming mycelial growth period is the most critical stage. Environmental stability requirements will be even higher. Especially humidity must be maintained within an extremely narrow range, plus light avoidance. You understand all the detailed conditions, yes?"
"No problem. Hitsugaya, we'll need your help adjusting humidity."
Suoh flexed his knuckles, producing faint sounds.
He understood clearly.
Successful inoculation was only the first step. The long subsequent cultivation period was the true test.
"Understood."
With their spiritual pressure manipulation, interior lighting rapidly dimmed while air humidity suddenly climbed.
The three exited the cultivation room in sequence.
Suoh left last, raising his hand to activate kidou runes on the door, ensuring maximum environmental stability inside.
Outside, Rangiku had timed it perfectly, approaching with a tray.
"Done? Perfect timing. Still warm, can drink immediately."
She smiled as she handed tea to each person, gaze lingering on Isane's face.
"How was it, Isane? Went smoothly? From your expression, seems like no problems."
"Thank you."
Isane accepted the warm teacup, taking a sip. The smooth, sweet taste instantly moistened her somewhat dry throat.
Glancing at the cultivation room's closed door, she spoke easily.
"Very smoothly. Now, we just see if these little ones' vitality matches the growing environment we've provided."
"Definitely no problem!"
Rangiku patted her chest, supremely confident.
As though success was already a done deal.
Suoh drained his cup, looking toward Isane.
"Isane-neesan, thank you for making this special trip today and guiding us so long."
"It's getting late now. Why not stay the night and relax here a bit?"
"Consider it my small token of gratitude."
"No need to be polite, I really shouldn't... impose. Besides, the division might—"
Isane froze slightly, instinctively moving to decline.
"Eh— Isane, don't leave!"
"At this hour there's nothing urgent. Plus Captain Unohana is there!"
Rangiku intimately linked arms with her, cutting in.
"I'm telling you, Tsukasa's cooking is especially good. He specially prepared lots of great ingredients. Normally we can't even get this stuff. Today we're benefiting from having you here!"
"Plus this place has lots of beautiful scenery, the hot spring is great for your skin, and during dinner you can see the 'starry sky' Tsukasa creates. It's really interesting..."
Hitsugaya didn't speak, but also looked toward Isane, arms crossed, nodding lightly. His attitude seconded the invitation.
Isane looked at the three before her. The refusal suddenly became hard to voice.
Remembering Captain Unohana's smiling instructions before departure, looking again at this secret base full of vitality.
Curiosity and a desire to relax instantly gained the upper hand in her heart.
"...Then I'll... impose."
She finally nodded, face showing a somewhat embarrassed smile.
"That's right!"
Rangiku happily clapped.
Suoh waved his hand, looking at Rangiku with a smile.
"Then Rangiku, you show Isane-neesan around. We'll be ready soon."
"Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Rangiku nodded, pulling Isane toward the flower garden.
"Come, come, Isane. Let me tell you, I personally cultivated all these flowers..."
Suoh watched them walk toward the flower garden before turning toward the kitchen. Hitsugaya quietly followed along.
Thinking about Isane's usual dining habits, he pondered briefly and had an idea.
His thoughts turned to ingredients. His lips curved up.
Ever since one particular day when he'd had Hitsugaya try using Hyorinmaru to flash-freeze ingredients at low temperature to instantly lock in freshness, the base's ingredient management had undergone revolutionary change.
This technique not only maximally preserved ingredients' fresh flavor and texture—after rapid thawing, flavor loss proved minimal too.
Allowed the base to store extremely abundant ingredient types and quantities, no longer limited by seasons.
Everything based on reasonable ability development and utilization.
After simple division of labor, the two soon worked busily in the kitchen with practiced coordination.
A while later.
"Alright, you can come over now."
Suoh carried a steaming stone pot to the table, raising his hand to call out.
"Hot pot today?"
Arriving at the call, Rangiku looked expectant, seeing the various side dishes prepared on the bamboo rack nearby, asking impatiently.
Speaking thus, she helped Hitsugaya arrange the tableware.
"Yes, though the broth base is a bit different from usual."
Suoh teased slightly, lifting the stone pot's lid. Rice fragrance wafted forth.
"This is... hot pot? Using white rice porridge as broth?"
Seeing the finely bubbling white porridge and the table's dazzling array of side dishes, Isane's eyes showed obvious surprise.
She'd never before imagined such a combination.
"Right, congee hot pot."
Suoh ladled a bowl of porridge from the jar of refill stock for each person, placing them in front of everyone while explaining.
"There's also plain drinking porridge. The eating method is simple—just like regular hot pot. Put whatever ingredients you want in, blanch them in the boiling porridge until cooked."
"Once cooked, eat directly or dip in soy sauce with ginger paste."
"The porridge base will slowly absorb the fresh flavors from various ingredients. Drinking it at the end offers another entirely different taste."
"Sounds very interesting."
Isane looked at the white, smooth porridge base before her, also feeling Suoh's thoughtfulness, speaking with emotion.
At this moment, Rangiku beside them blinked, raising her hand.
"Tsukasa, can we drink today?"
"A little bit."
Suoh looked at her expectant expression, nodding with slight helplessness.
"Yes! You're the best!"
Rangiku immediately beamed, making a victory sign, quickly running to the kitchen. Soon she returned carrying alcohol and cups.
The four sat around the stone table.
Subsequently, at Rangiku's urging, the brilliant starry sky descended once more.
Warm firelight illuminated each face.
"So beautiful..."
Gazing at the overhead stars, Isane voiced sincere admiration.
"The scenery is lovely, but don't miss the delicious food."
Suoh smiled in reply, picking up serving chopsticks to lift a thin slice of meat, swishing it several times in the boiling porridge. Soon the meat changed color and curled.
"Isane-neesan, try some. If it's good, eat plenty today."
He placed the meat in Isane's bowl, gesturing.
"Thank you."
After thanking him, Isane tried dipping it in soy sauce with ginger paste before putting it in her mouth.
The meat was fresh and springy, not the slightest bit greasy—only pure meat fragrance with the porridge's sweetness, plus a hint of ginger's heat.
"It really is delicious."
The taste was rich-layered yet mild, much better than she'd expected.
Her eyes carried obvious delight as she offered sincere evaluation.
"Then eat more. See what you like, help yourself. More comfortable that way."
Suoh passed over the serving chopsticks, speaking warmly.
Seeing the smile on his face and the bamboo chopsticks in his hand.
"Alright."
Can't dampen the mood, she told herself.
Besides, occasionally breaking her routine a little should be fine.
With this thought, Isane hesitated no longer, accepting from him.
***
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