Chapter 149: Year's End
A talented person.
This was the complete reason Suoh gave his treatment journal to Kira.
Spontaneous impulse, also a casual act.
No utilitarian intention of recruitment or networking existed.
Future Kira's zanpakuto Wabisuke possessed quite interesting abilities.
Not pure gravity application, but accompanying slashing hits—on some rule level, continuously doubling weight effects.
If flexibly utilized, could produce unexpected effects in specific situations.
However, current Kira remained at a considerably distant remove from awakening that power uniquely his.
This wasn't merely a matter of spiritual pressure accumulation or asauchi imprinting.
Crucially—his heart was confused.
Like a pond shrouded in thick fog. Couldn't illuminate his own outline, couldn't reflect a clear image.
But this was also quite normal.
The vast majority of Shinigami's initial reasons for walking this path proved varied and complex.
Those with firm goals from the start, plus action capability to steadfastly execute those goals—in Seireitei they were the minority.
More people were like Kira at this moment. With graduation's tide, randomly assigned to some division.
Then beginning to fumble through adaptation. In day after day duties and training, slowly seeking their own position and meaning.
And this confusion, in comparison, seemed especially clear—also especially piercing.
Same-period friend Renji Abarai, with that stubborn energy refusing to yield plus desire to grow stronger, together with the kidou-talented Momo Hinamori, entered the highly regarded Fifth Division.
That squad led by Aizen Sosuke, whose reputation among Shin'ō Academy students stood extremely high.
There existed various different mission types—from Living World stationing to Hollow incident handling—meaning rapid promotion opportunities.
Plus the captain personally creating through example a good division atmosphere. An ideal destination in many idealistic graduates' hearts.
Also what Kira had hoped for.
But the result—among the three, only he was assigned to Fourth Division at the disdain chain's lowest rung.
Daily tasks mostly some trivial, repetitive matters.
Checking medicines, transporting equipment, plus endless cleaning.
Fourth Division barracks.
That treatment journal personally handed over by Suoh currently lay quietly on the desk in Kira's quarters.
"Good thing I didn't give up..."
Kira finished washing, changed to simple clothes, yet had no sleepiness, murmuring lowly.
He lit the oil lamp, kneeling at the desk, carefully opening the journal.
Light illuminated his face.
Time passed like a white colt flashing past a gap.
Approaching year's end, the air also carried a layer of busyness and obvious relaxation different from usual days.
The duty office windowsill formed a thin layer of frost flowers, glinting with scattered light under morning sun.
During this period, Suoh completed two more rescue missions, likewise completing two acupuncture training sessions under Unohana's instruction.
Though progress not obviously rapid, direction proved correct.
And that Kira whose eyes hid confusion gradually became proactive and positive.
Recently beginning to learn utilizing work intervals to consult him, attitude proactive and serious.
Suoh didn't overthink. As long as questions asked, answers given.
The relationship between them, in this back-and-forth, underwent subtle change.
But only to this extent.
Kira always maintained clear subordinate posture.
Never omitting respectful language, attitude permanently respectful. When consulting, always first properly bowing in greeting. When leaving, also properly taking formal leave.
Not exactly friends.
Beep beep—
The soul pager in his chest's alert sounded.
Suoh stopped document work in his hands, casually pulling it out.
Among numerous transmission records, the vast majority came from Hitsugaya.
Today's no exception. Just today's message slightly longer, but also nothing too important.
In the duty office, Suoh's side sounds particularly drew attention, interrupting this peace.
Kaien lifted his head from mountain-piled year-end reports, stretching his neck to look toward him, curious.
"What's wrong? Tsukasa, looking so serious. Nothing urgent at this hour, right?"
"Nothing much. Later after duty ends, planning to buy year-end and New Year gifts with Hitsugaya and Rangiku."
"Arranging meeting time and location."
Suoh replied to the message, answering honestly.
Previously he'd arranged with Hitsugaya that when timing was about right, they'd go together to commercial district buying New Year supplies.
He'd originally only planned going with Hitsugaya—two people. Rangiku was added later.
Reason for only inviting Hitsugaya purely efficiency consideration.
Just two men together—clear objectives, quick decisive victory. Estimated an hour or so could settle it.
But with Rangiku's shopping preferences, feared until nightfall the three couldn't exit the first shop.
But somehow she'd learned of their plans. Could only bring her along too.
"Oh? Hitsugaya and Rangiku?"
"Seems your little group's activities are quite rich."
"Shopping for gifts? Sounds exactly like what young people should do."
Kaien smacked his lips. Didn't mean anything particular. Purely found it interesting.
"Kaien-niisan, your tone sounds weird somehow."
"Year-end gift giving, plus New Year preparations—don't these all need handling? Has Kaien-niisan already prepared everything?"
Suoh's expression unchanged as he put away the soul pager.
Oseibo typically gifts juniors and younger people gave to superiors and elders, meaning expressing gratitude accumulated over the year.
Several days ago Konoe Hidezo had coordinated with several squad members to give him gifts—only then reminding him of this matter.
Otherwise he'd really have overlooked this custom.
With Kaien's carefree personality, probably similar situation.
Just he was a transmigrator who hadn't really given oseibo gifts. Kaien was because his personality was thus.
"Uh, well..."
Kaien, turned against with his own question, immediately lost half his momentum, rubbing the back of his head.
Eyes drifting toward his wife's side, attempting to seek support.
"Miyako, the oseibo gift for the captain... you prepared it, right?"
"Prepared long ago. If not for someone recently constantly shouting 'busy busy busy,' dragging until now still not finding suitable opportunity to present it."
Miyako placed freshly made tea gently on her husband's desk, smiling.
"Ahem!"
"Speaking of which, Tsukasa, what are you planning to buy? For the captain, and for me—better pick carefully."
Kaien tactically coughed, changing topics.
Lifting the teacup for a sip, got scalded and hissed.
He proved not the least bit ambiguous. While mentioning the captain, imperceptibly included himself.
"Kaien!"
"Where have you seen someone directly asking for gifts like this? Too discourteous."
Miyako chided, reaching to pat her husband's shoulder.
"What's the problem? We're all family!"
"Tsukasa, right?"
Kaien, entire person with chair scooting closer to Suoh, speaking matter-of-factly.
Face showing that 'I won't be polite with you at all' hearty smile.
"No problem."
"Kaien-niisan naturally gets one. Miyako-neesan's won't be lacking either."
"I do have some ideas, but temporarily keeping secret. Will reveal when presenting."
Suoh had long grown accustomed to Kaien's straightforward personality, nodding with a smile.
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