At first glance, it might seem peaceful, but various incidents do occur. And when an incident occurs, the Fourth Division is called out.
It's a common story—a rather mild one—for a new recruit who trained too much to collapse and be carried into the Comprehensive Relief Station.
"A Hollow appeared in the Rukongai, and I got injured while exterminating it, so please heal me." This is also a common story.
"Another squad has departed, so go provide support." As happened before, this also happens quite often.
Being a Soul Reaper is a dangerous job, after all.
When it comes to violent stories—sometimes, really sometimes—a noble who lost a power struggle starts a rebellion, and Soul Reapers of the Gotei 13 are dispatched to suppress it.
Such things happen too.
Naturally, the Fourth Division also goes to the scene and plays an active role in treatment, preparing meals, sewing Shihakusho, and so on.
The Fourth Division is busy with one thing or another, but there are fun things too.
Basically, inpatients are often mentally weakened, so we sometimes serve as simple conversation partners.
This is also work for us, and if we respond kindly, they often get quite attached. Perhaps thanks to that, sometimes confidential stories slip out unexpectedly.
"There is no door you can put on a person's mouth," as the saying goes. Well, I won't go around spreading rumors, though.
Conversely, there are often times when I am overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness.
Everyone naturally desperately performs relief and treatment for the injured, but even so, there are limits. Wishing to save everyone is still nothing but a pipe dream for the current me—
"Haa..."
—I gently run my fingers over the ribbon.
I thought I understood it in my head, thought I was prepared... but thinking that I can't see her face anymore...
No, I don't want to recall this story any further. Even if I worry, lost time won't return.
I have to get back to work!
"Ah, Yukawa-san. Just in time, could I ask you for a small favor?"
"Yes, what is it?"
A senior called out to me.
This person is the 11th Seat, so she's much higher ranking than me. But the Fourth Division has a trend of not being that particular about hierarchical relationships of positions. Or rather, we can't afford to be particular.
"It's about this patient, could I ask you to handle him? I have to see another person and can't leave."
Saying that, she handed me the medical record.
She asked "Could I ask you?", but it's close to pushing it onto me. Well, I have no reason to refuse either.
"Of course, I don't mind."
"Then I'll leave it to you. Right now, he's in Room 105."
"Understood."
Guessing from the flow, did a high-ranking noble soldier come or something?
Anyway, let's examine this person. Let's see—
"...Eh?"
—Seeing the patient's name written on the medical record, I was inadvertently speechless.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, come in."
"H-Hey. Technically the patient is me... CoughCough!!"
When I called out to enter the hospital room, I heard a voice different from what I expected—but within the range of assumption—followed by the expected voice coughing.
"Excuse me."
"Huuh? Isn't the usual person examining me?"
"No, she said she had another matter. I'll be taking over instead. I am the 20th Seat, Airi Yukawa."
There were two Soul Reapers in the hospital room.
One is a man with an appearance exactly like a playboy.
He was the one who gave permission to enter earlier and voiced the doubt about the change in charge. An aloof attitude can be felt from every bit of him, but the aura he occasionally emits is sharp, as if a real sword were thrust at you.
And the other one, a white-haired man.
This one looks very serious and responsible, but he seems quite weakened now, perhaps due to illness.
No, should I say his appearance draws the eye even while weakened?
"Then, I will begin treatment for 3rd Seat Ukitake."
That's right.
The one in the hospital room was—according to my knowledge, the future Captain of the 13th Division—Ukitake-san.
I was surprised when I saw the name on the medical record.
So he belonged to the 13th Division from this time. And being the 3rd Seat at this point is extremely excellent.
Ukitake-san became a Soul Reaper around the same time as me. Yet he's already the 3rd Seat, while I just became the 20th Seat...
Is this the difference in growth speed... the difference in talent...?
And the fact that Ukitake-san is here means the one next to him is—
Thinking such things in my heart, I begin the treatment.
The medical record says lung disease. And it also says treatment with Kaido is no problem.
First, I irradiate the chest with weak spiritual pressure to probe inside and identify the affected area.
Once the location is known, I slowly, yet carefully and accurately perform healing with Kaido towards it.
"...Phew, how is it?"
Did I continue Kaido for about thirty minutes?
Seeing that his condition had recovered to a problem-free line, I stopped my hands.
"Are there any parts that still hurt or feel painful?"
"Hmm...? Ah, thank you. I feel completely better."
Ukitake-san smiles, looking like he's in good condition.
Good. His complexion has become much brighter too. I suppose the treatment was a success somehow.
However, I noticed while treating him, Ukitake-san's internal spiritual power is extraordinary. It's intense enough to put a clumsy captain to shame.
That's why this illness is so unfortunate. It would be good if I could cure it completely, but this is...
"However, according to the medical record, this illness is constitutional and congenital, so... a complete cure is... I apologize."
"No, no, please don't worry about it."
The one who answered wasn't Ukitake-san, but the man next to him—well, there's probably no mistake, but let's ask pretending it's our first meeting just in case.
"Um, excuse me, but who are you? Are you an attendant?"
"Ah, Shunsui Kyoraku of the Eighth Division. Nice to meet you."
There's nothing else to say but 'as expected'. The future Captain of the Eighth Division, Kyoraku-san.
"Eighth Division... is it? Why are you here?"
"Different squad, but Ukitake and I are best friends. I'm keeping him company. Besides, it serves as an excuse to skip work like this."
"Kyoraku, you're the 4th Seat too, so you should—..."
Ukitake-san chides him looking exasperated... but more importantly.
4th Seat!! 4th Seat at this point!?
Kyoraku-san should have been in the same class as Ukitake-san...
In other words, he became a Soul Reaper around the same time as me after all...
This is... the difference in talent... Geniuses are just!!
"Now, now, Ukitake, isn't it fine? Thanks to that, I got to meet such a cute girl."
"...Eh?"
"Airi-chan, was it? We've passed each other many times inside the Fourth Division barracks. But this is the first time we've talked like this, right? How about a drink together sometime?"
He puts his hand on my shoulder... Wait, am I being hit on?
Ah, he glanced at my chest.
"I apologize, but I am still on duty. Please refrain from such personal talk."
"Oh my, too bad. I got rejected."
When I stood up smoothly so as not to be rude, Kyoraku-san backed down without doing anything more.
Was I just being teased, I wonder...?
"I will go get 3rd Seat Ukitake's medicine, so please wait a moment."
"Yes, yes, please do."
I went outside as if escaping.
...Huh? I just realized, but maybe the talented juniors from when I was a student were...!?
"Hey, Ukitake. Can you tell me honestly? ...How was her treatment?"
Timing it for when Airi left the room and was completely away, Kyoraku speaks.
"How... well, her skill is good."
"As I thought? Well, looking at Ukitake's complexion, even I understood that well."
The moment she applied Kaido, the pain subsided smoothly and he became comfortable.
Kyoraku, watching from the side, understood well that the expression of suffering until then instantly changed to surprise.
It's not once or twice that he has come to the Fourth Division to accompany Ukitake like this—which also doubles as skipping work.
And naturally, he has accompanied Ukitake's treatments too.
"When I first heard she was the 20th Seat, I wondered how it would go, but it was unnecessary worry... No, rather, it might have been lucky."
"...Kyoraku."
"Her skill is much better than those who treated you until now... Am I wrong?"
"..."
As if speaking for Ukitake's impression, which he swallowed without voicing due to his personality, Kyoraku says so.
And to those words, neither denial nor affirmation was returned, only silence.
But to anyone's ears, that silence could only be thought of as affirming Kyoraku's words.
"Well, don't think too deeply about it. By the way, how about nominating her from next time? Including the nomination fee."
"Well... putting that phrasing aside. I'll consider your opinion too."
"I think that's good, just rely on her heavily. Don't they say something about an older wife and golden straw sandals?"
"...Eh!! Older!? I-Is that so!?"
"What, you didn't notice? She's our senior from when we were at the Spiritual Arts Academy. Ukitake must have at least seen her too."
Airi Yukawa stood out in various ways enough that there wasn't a male classmate at the Academy who didn't know her name.
Well, the reasons were her height or her bust size; she wasn't known for excellent grades, but was famous in a different direction—especially the vulgar direction among male Soul Reapers.
Therefore, partly due to his personality, Kyoraku knew well, while Ukitake didn't realize until told.
"Ah... I remember. Come to think of it, she was there."
The existence of a woman much taller than the average man is not easily forgotten. At least enough to remember immediately if told.
"Right. Then, can you remember her appearance from the Academy days? She was often with two good friends."
"Appearance...? No, sorry, but I can't go that far..."
"She was a beauty. As much as Unohana-taicho."
"...!!? Is that true!?"
Even Soul Reapers are by no means immortal or unaging.
Everyone ages eventually and dies before long. However, that time is not equal for everyone.
Simply put, while an individual's spiritual power is growing, aging slows down.
Staying unaged for a long time is also proof that there is room for growth.
And this room for growth—while largely due to innate potential—can also be extended through training.
A hundred and some years since Ukitake and Kyoraku graduated from the Academy.
During that time, even they have matured in appearance little by little, yet only Airi remains unchanged from the figure in his memory.
"...Well, let's just leave it at 'I met a good doctor now', shall we?"
"Yeah..."
If such a person has just become the 20th Seat, what kind of reason could there be? Their doubts were endless.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]