Chapter 151: Gossip
Since birth, humans have possessed a need to share information.
This need manifests not only in curiosity.
But more in attention and care toward those around them.
This social interaction called gossip stimulates our brains to release dopamine, making people feel pleasure when participating in topics.
Men and women.
Friendship and romance.
Especially in Seireitei's relatively oppressive environment, any slight disturbance could rapidly evolve into after-meal conversation material, quietly spreading among the crowd.
One could say, behind every interpersonal interaction inevitably spread countless discussions.
Facts proved exactly thus.
Suoh deeply understood this.
"Speaking of which, Tsukasa, haven't you been getting quite close with Rukia from our division lately?"
Kiyone blinked, tone carrying some probing.
Now, when the topic shifted from Captain-Commander to Suoh's interpersonal relationships, the duty office atmosphere clearly became more relaxed and lively.
After all, few people were as socially adept as him, with acquaintances throughout various divisions.
"Yesterday when Hiko and I were moving things, we saw you two through the training ground window."
Her words quickly drew present people's attention.
"Mm, saw them. At that southeastern corner training ground."
Mitaka beside her silently nodded, confirming this account.
"What?"
"Tell us."
Everyone's gazes turned toward Suoh. The air around the brazier seemed to heat up several degrees.
The room briefly quieted.
Meeting everyone's searching gazes, Suoh looked at these faces full of curiosity, finding it somewhat amusing. Expression calm as he replied.
Tone as flat as commenting on the barely passable winter weather outside.
"I'm simply instructing her in zanjutsu and hakuda."
"Rukia's shunpo and kidou foundations are quite solid, but close combat needs strengthening. Year-end division assessment approaches. As senior and Third Seat, instructing squad members is my duty."
"As long as someone has courage to request, circumstances permitting, regardless of who, I'll treat everyone equally when instructing."
This answer was watertight, presenting an upright, selfless posture impossible to fault.
Beyond current strength, from all aspects, Suoh felt Rukia Kuchiki needed improvement.
Like mentality.
Not only her—previously Kira Izuru was the same.
Though both possessed talent surpassing others, both were bound by internal shackles.
And Suoh's proper attitude added credibility to his words and actions.
"Tsukasa, you're too nice!"
Kiyone pursed her lips, tone carrying some emotion.
"Back when I first joined, why didn't I have handsome seniors patiently instructing me like this?"
"Am I not handsome?"
Kaien pointed at himself with a question-mark face.
Called out, Kaien immediately objected. He straightened his posture, sitting upright, expression saying 'what kind of talk is that?'
He pointed at himself, eyebrows raised high.
"How's that the same?!"
"Back then your hair looked like a bird's nest every day. Your shihakusho was all wrinkled."
"Only improved after marrying Miyako-neesan."
Kiyone immediately rebutted.
Objectively speaking, Kaien's face and overall appearance were acceptable. Just his personality somewhat carefree.
Plus when they first met, before he and Miyako became husband and wife, he didn't much care about personal appearance details, usually seeming somewhat unkempt.
Unlike Suoh, who spent time daily properly tidying his appearance.
Hearing this, Suoh laughed quietly at the side. Kiyone's description painted quite a vivid picture.
She paused, adding another sentence.
"Plus your instruction style—everyone knows it. Either 'comprehend yourself' or 'take more beatings and you'll get it.' Completely different from gentle Tsukasa!"
Speaking thus, she also elbowed Mitaka beside her, who'd been quietly drinking tea.
Mitaka, bumped by her, hand trembled. Tea nearly spilled.
He steadied the cup, nodding very sincerely.
Every group training, he was the biggest victim.
Recalling countless past days of aching all over from drills, expression stiffening slightly.
"Kiyone's right. Kaien's instruction... style is somewhat unique."
"Hey! Too much!"
"Weren't we talking about Tsukasa? How'd the topic turn to attacking me?"
"Fine, instructing Rukia is senior responsibility. We'll tentatively believe that reason."
"Tsukasa, tell us honestly. If not Rukia, what's your situation with Rangiku?"
"Tonight aren't you going shopping together at commercial district?"
Kaien leaned forward slightly, fingers tapping lightly on his knee, smile becoming somewhat teasing.
Using the information gap with the late-arriving trio, he deliberately omitted Hitsugaya from the description, making it seem more suggestive.
This statement barely out, the duty office's just-relaxed atmosphere instantly became subtly heated again, mixed with more excitement.
If instructing same-division juniors remained within duty scope, then intimately interacting with another division's vice-captain—
Especially a female vice-captain of Rangiku's outstanding appearance—more easily sparked rich imagination.
"What!"
Kiyone's eyes widened, flashing with excited light.
"Vice-Captain Rangiku is indeed one of Seireitei's renowned beauties. Pretty, personality also cheerful. Tsukasa has good taste."
"Though she's somewhat older than you, that's not a problem."
"You two are quite suited. Tsukasa, you better make your move."
Kotsubaki nodded toward Suoh, affirming.
"Kaien, really. Third Seat Hitsugaya is also going along."
"You're making it sound like there's really something there."
Miyako lightly patted her husband's arm, reproaching.
She'd clearly observed everyone's reactions, especially her husband's mischievous thinking.
According to her observations from past two banquets, Tsukasa and Rangiku's relationship indeed proved good. Their actions and words showed friend-like rapport, but far from intimate.
Moreover, recently Suoh's words, actions, and expressions showed no signs of being in a relationship.
If the two genuinely became a couple in future, she as an elder sister who viewed Suoh like a younger brother would naturally be happy to see it.
But if not, she didn't want her husband's half-joking remarks adding unnecessary pressure to Suoh, affecting their interaction.
Though present company were all their own people who wouldn't gossip everywhere, discussing others behind their backs still wasn't good.
Her gaze gently turned toward Suoh, carrying comfort and meaning to help him out.
This considerate protection—Suoh also clearly felt it.
Meeting Miyako's gaze, he lightly shook his head, indicating he didn't mind at all.
Romantic matters should flow naturally. Rangiku wasn't as relaxed and carefree as her exterior suggested. She hid plenty inside.
Their current interaction mode proved quite comfortable.
"What!"
Others, greatly disappointed, pointed at Kaien.
Especially Kotsubaki, this veteran who'd witnessed his and Miyako's entire process from meeting to knowing each other.
He exposed all Kaien's past embarrassments, like that year's gift-giving incidents trying to please Miyako.
Kotsubaki cleared his throat. Under Kaien's suddenly nervous gaze and Miyako's smiling eyes, he began his revelation.
"Never mind other things. Just talk about gift-giving."
"Kaien made plenty of jokes back then. One time for Miyako's birthday, he ran to commercial district, believed a merchant's words, bought back a music box supposedly the Living World's latest fashion—something that would absolutely move girls to tears upon seeing and hearing..."
He vividly described that music box's off-tune music after opening, plus the non-rotating wooden figure that popped out.
"At least the sincerity was genuine. Miyako happily accepted it anyway."
Kaien spoke with slight embarrassment.
Everyone laughed heartily.
Even Miyako couldn't help covering her lips, smiling. Her flowing gaze full of tenderness recalling past events.
***
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