Chapter 150: Cold Moon
Over the year, Suoh had received considerable care.
Not only from everyone at Thirteenth Division, but also from people in other divisions.
This year marked his first year-end as a Shinigami.
These past days, just the gift list alone had consumed considerable mental energy.
Each person needed an appropriately suitable gift—both expressing sincerity while not seeming inappropriate.
"Tsukasa, you don't need to send me one. Your thoughtfulness is already enough."
"You only recently became a Shinigami. Keep your money for yourself. You'll need it for plenty of things later."
Miyako politely declined this forthcoming gift, thinking of Suoh.
"Miyako-neesan, it's fine. Thanks to Tenth Division, my purse is fairly full."
Suoh patted his waist pouch's position, expression relaxed.
Supplying pills to Tenth Division brought considerable income. Plus Fourth Division's herb purchase payments had arrived. His current savings exceeded what ordinary seated officers possessed.
Procuring gifts—more than sufficient.
"Look at you, so capable."
Miyako smiled, lightly chiding, eyes full of warmth. She didn't insist further.
She understood Suoh's personality. Once he decided something, he'd seriously follow through.
While chatting, the duty office's essential trio finished work and returned.
"Phew— Finally can catch our breath. This time every year is absolutely killing!"
Kiyone poked her body through the door, complaining loudly.
Mitaka and Kotsubaki followed, carrying things across the threshold.
The three entered in height-staggered formation, bringing a gust of cold wind plus liveliness.
"Yeah, yeah."
Kotsubaki shook his head, sighing in agreement, setting his stack of boxes against the wall with a thud.
"Hurry and close the door—it's cold!"
Kaien, chair facing away from the door, felt cold sweeping from behind, turning to protest.
The cold gust made him involuntarily shiver.
Hearing this, Mitaka silently turned to stack boxes properly, incidentally pulling the door firmly shut. As considerate as ever.
Kiyone rubbed her hands, sidling to the brazier's edge, sighing comfortably.
"Ahh... still warm inside. It's freezing out there."
Subsequently her eyes looked left and right, surveying the three smiling faces around her.
"What were you all talking about just now? You look quite happy."
"First drink some hot tea to warm yourselves."
Miyako carried a tea tray, bringing life-saving warmth to the three who'd suffered outside.
"Thank you, Miyako-neesan!"
"I'm alive again!"
Kiyone accepted the teacup, impatiently taking a sip, exclaiming.
Kotsubaki and Mitaka also accepted teacups. Thanks rose one after another.
Tea talk shifted from triangle to neat circle.
Everyone gathered around the brazier, holding teacups, enjoying this peaceful interval between busyness.
For a time, several people chatted together.
Kiyone curiously pursued the earlier topic. Kaien laughingly explained.
"We were talking about Tsukasa preparing oseibo gifts. This kid—the elders he's giving to this year aren't few."
"Oseibo gifts?"
Kiyone's eyes lit up.
"Right! Year-end is approaching. I completely forgot from being busy!"
She realized suddenly, then turning toward Suoh, asking with interest.
"Tsukasa, who are you planning to give to?"
"Besides everyone here, Captain Ukitake, Captain Unohana, Isane-neesan, Isshin-ojisan, and also... the Captain-Commander."
Just as Suoh counted on fingers to the Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, the scene froze for an instant.
"Captain-Commander?!"
"You're planning to give oseibo to the Captain-Commander?"
Hearing this, Kotsubaki nearly spat out his tea, eyes widening, disbelieving.
Other expressions not much different. Only the Shiba couple remained fairly calm.
"Is there a problem?"
Suoh asked, puzzled.
Then quickly realizing, continuing.
"Oh, I just remembered I haven't told you all yet."
"Through the captain's connection, starting several months ago I've been regularly receiving instruction from the Captain-Commander."
"The gift is just to express gratitude for this period's teaching."
"Ah?"
Kotsubaki couldn't immediately process this statement.
After approximately several breaths, he finally digested this information. Face shifting from shock to a complex emotion.
"Young people—remarkable."
He set down his teacup, incredibly moved, giving Suoh a thumbs-up.
Joined Thirteenth Division for decades. Due to status, still hadn't met the Captain-Commander face-to-face, let alone establish connections.
Among present company, only Kaien and Suoh had directly contacted him.
Recently joined Suoh had pulled ahead by such a large margin. Some emotions inexplicably surged.
He knew Suoh possessed outstanding ability. Knew the captain valued Suoh highly.
Never expected Suoh could even gain the Captain-Commander's recognition.
Not jealousy, but a complex emotion of formidable younger generations.
Thinking this, he felt quite happy for Suoh, also quite admiring.
Achieving such accomplishments in such short time relied on far more than just luck.
Kaien, watching his 'I'm really inadequate as a senior' emotional expression, couldn't help teasing.
"Hey, hey, Sentaro, what's with that face."
"Drink less usually, focus more on training. Perform well—maybe someday you'll also receive the Captain-Commander's audience."
"Ah, forget it."
"This kind of pressure and honor—better leave it to young people like Tsukasa to shoulder."
Kotsubaki waved his hand with a grin, lacking interest. He didn't possess such great ambition.
The Captain-Commander's audience?
Just imagining made his scalp tingle, hands and feet cold.
"You guy!"
Kaien looked at his worthless appearance, speechless.
"Hahaha! Sentaro can't even beat me. Kaien, better count on me than him."
Kiyone, also Fourth Seat, took over the conversation, puffing out her chest confidently.
"Kiyone, you've indeed progressed considerably these years."
Miyako smiled gently.
"Of course!"
Receiving recognition, Kiyone proudly lifted her chin.
The atmosphere became relaxed and pleasant again. Firelight illuminating each face.
"By the way, Tsukasa."
Kiyone suddenly remembered something, asking curiously.
"When the Captain-Commander instructs you, what's it like? Is he especially stern? I've heard his scolding is terrifying!"
This question drew everyone's interest.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni—in most squad members' hearts, a dignified, almost legendary existence.
Aside from First Division people, those who could personally see him were extremely few. Naturally rumors about him carried mysterious color.
"Quite frightening initially. Got used to it over time."
"Actually he's quite kind normally, as long as you don't make mistakes."
Suoh recalled being chased and slashed by the squinting Captain-Commander, involuntarily narrowing his eyes.
Only recently, as his performance improved, had circumstances become somewhat easier.
Of course injuries still weren't few. But he'd also grown accustomed.
Subsequently, following others' inquiries, he recounted some details and feelings from receiving past instruction.
He spoke with calm understatement. The others listened increasingly alarmed, unconsciously holding their breath.
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