"Well then, I'll be leaving now."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
"Squad Leader Yukawa, we leave the rest to you."
With such words being exchanged, many squad members leave the General Relief Station one after another. Those who remain are just a few squad members, including myself.
"Well then, the night shift starts from here. Everyone, let's do our best."
"""Yes!"""
"Especially you, Officer Kotetsu. This is your first night shift, right?"
"Y-Yes! I look forward to working with you!"
Isane replied with an extremely nervous expression.
"Don't be so nervous. Even if it's the night shift, what we do is the same as during the day."
"That's right. If nothing happens, that's good, and it's rare for anything to happen."
"Is... Is that so...?"
She answers while her eyes dart back and forth at the senior squad members' words.
Seeing her unchanged demeanor since the entrance ceremony, I inadvertently smiled.
"Well, it would be troublesome if you relaxed too much. But what they are saying is true. What we do is the same as during the day, and for this time, just experiencing what the night shift is like and learning it with your body is enough. So relax your strength."
"I-I'll do my best!"
She answered my words with full force... I told you to relax.
I mentioned before that the Fourth Division is like a hospital, so it is a sleepless castle. We rotate shifts: early shift, late shift, night shift, and off duty.
Basically, all squad members—though there are differences in frequency—work in this cycle. However, there are exceptions who are not involved in this cycle.
Those are the new recruits.
We can't tell a newcomer who just arrived to do this and that and the night shift too, so for about a year while they learn the job, meaning until just before new recruits arrive, we rotate them without night shifts.
And from today, the newcomers assigned this year will experience their first night shift.
That is why she is so nervous, and the other night shift squad members are teasing her or giving advice while recalling, "I guess there was a time like that for me too..."
However, given her personality and her position as a newcomer, those words don't reach her easily.
Incidentally, today both the Captain and the Lieutenant are away from the barracks on other business. That might also be fueling her anxiety.
...I have to work hard to become a more reliable seated officer.
"Come now, calm down. Want some tea? I'll make it."
"No way! To have 4th Seat Yukawa make tea! I-I will make it!!"
Isane hurriedly stood up as if chasing after me.
"...Then, let's make it together. Everyone else will drink too, right?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you!"
So, Isane and I enter the kitchenette side by side.
...Technically, I am the oldest and highest-ranking among this group... but the other girls don't even show a sign of helping.
I don't mind particularly, though.
"Then I'll boil the water, so Officer Kotetsu, please prepare the tea snacks."
"Tea snacks... is it?"
"Yes, they should be in the cupboard."
When I say that, she obediently opens the cupboard.
"...Is it...?"
Then, she found yokan wrapped in paper that said "For Night Shift - Do Not Touch".
"Since it's the night shift tonight, I bought it before coming in for the late shift."
"Eh!? This, did you pay for it yourself, 4th Seat!?"
That's right, late shift to night shift back-to-back.
Work is fun!!
...We're short on people, so it can't be helped! We need someone with a certain level of responsibility! Besides, I'm used to it by now.
"Don't worry about it."
"T-Thank you for the food!"
So, for a while, the kitchenette is filled with the sounds of water being put on the fire, preparing the teapot and teacups, and preparing the yokan.
"Have you gotten used to the Fourth Division?"
"...Eh, ah! Yes!!"
"Ideally, I'd like to look after each newcomer carefully, but once my rank went up, that became quite difficult..."
"That's not true... The seniors are treating me well, and the 4th Seat is overseeing my work. Thank you very much."
While working, we have that kind of conversation.
Well, I know she climbs all the way to Lieutenant in the original work. I somehow favor her a little more than other newcomers and look out for her.
Isane seems somehow bewildered, whether she is happy or confused.
However, working side by side like this makes the room feel cramped.
Well, it's no wonder.
I am 185cm, and Isane is 187cm, so she is 2cm taller than me.
...Just looking at appearances, Isane adopts a posture that makes her look shorter, so I look taller, but looking only at numbers, that's how it is.
If two people like that are here, of course it feels cramped. It might have been the right answer not to help.
"Everyone was saying earlier, but just because it's the night shift doesn't mean you need to be strangely on guard. Emergency patients being carried in or the condition of inpatients changing suddenly doesn't happen often. If you just do the rounds and normal duties properly, a night passes quickly. Right?"
I say that in a joking tone to calm her down, as she still hasn't seemed to relax.
'Well, since it is being used as a topic of conversation like this, it is certain that some incident will occur.'
Nubatama! Meta-reading is prohibited!!
'Mumumu...'
What do you mean "mumumu"!
It was the night shift, but nothing happened. Good work. The end.
—Isn't that fine! Even with such a punchline, I have no problem!!
'Then there won't be enough running time!! Assuming the actual running time is 23 minutes, with 10 minutes for the previous episode summary and flashback scenes, and earning 5 minutes by expressing the same scene repeatedly from different angles...'
It's fine! You don't have to earn running time so recklessly!!
...Well, in the end, something does happen, though.
"...!!?"
I stood up reflexively and turned vigorously toward the main entrance.
The others turn toward me, surprised by my sudden action.
"Um, did something happen?"
"I'm sorry, just... if it's unnecessary anxiety, then that's no problem, but..."
Should I call it a premonition?
Feeling something like a hunch, I hurriedly go outside.
"That is..."
I noticed it when I got outside the premises.
There was a single small girl—with bobbed black hair, still a very young girl—running toward us with all her might.
Since it's during the night shift, naturally it is night, specifically late at night. Normally, a child of such an age wouldn't be out, so why...?
"What's wrong? Do you have business with the Fourth Division?"
I felt a slight suspicion, but if something happened, it's a serious matter. I rush over and ask gently while squatting down to meet her gaze.
"Help...!"
"Help?"
Looking closely, I understood well.
She is quite a beautiful girl with large eyes and well-defined features, but right now large drops of tears are spilling from her eyes.
She must have fallen many times; not just her face but her nightwear is dirty with soil and sand. A girl who slipped out of her bedroom, attacked by someone and fled—it almost looks like that.
While sobbing and hiccuping, that voice squeezed out desperately is enough to make me harbor a sense of crisis.
"Save my brother! Save my brother!! Please!!"
"Brother...? ...!!"
When told that, I felt a faint Reiatsu.
But it was very, very small, so weak it seemed like it would disappear any moment. Because of my job, I have felt this many times.
If my hunch is correct, this sensation is—
"Senior!"
"Squad Leader Yukawa!!"
"Oh, who is that child...?"
They must have wondered what happened when I rushed outside. Everyone on the night shift followed me out.
But I have no time to explain.
"Emergency! Officers Niimura and Hotta, prepare the Intensive Care Unit!! Make it ready to use anytime!!"
"Eh... huh!?"
"Um...?"
"Answer me!!"
"""Y-Yes!!"""
They must have sensed the anomaly from my appearance, shouting while emitting an unusual atmosphere.
The two of them rush off in a panic.
"20th Seat Heike and 18th Seat Togakushi, prepare the medicine! Assume the worst-case scenario and gather strong ones in order from the top!!"
"Understood!!"
"R-Roger!!"
"Everyone else follow me!! Officer Kotetsu, please take care of that child!!"
After shouting that, I dashed off without listening to their replies.
I used Shunpo at full power, and after running for a few seconds, I saw the source of that premonition.
"U... uu... gh..."
"Hang in there! Not yet, don't die yet!! Just a little more, just a little more...!!"
There were two male squad members.
One was lending a shoulder to the other, walking with unsteady, slow steps as if drunk.
But the two are not drunk.
Whatever happened, their Shihakusho are miserably tattered. Both have sustained serious injuries with large and small wounds carved all over their bodies, but one is particularly bad.
His Shihakusho is dyed with overflowing blood and discolored to a dark black, and his face is pale with not a speck of vitality felt. Illuminated by moonlight and unreliable streetlights, his figure could be mistaken for a ghost.
"What happened!?"
"Ah, you are...?"
"I am Airi Yukawa, 4th Seat of the Fourth Division! I came with the help of the girl leading the way!!"
"A girl!? Thank goodness, she's safe... No, more importantly, save him! Save this guy!! Please!!"
"...!!"
...Th-This is!!
Looking closely, I understand the severity of the wounds even better.
Whether done by a Hollow's claws or fangs, lacerations have gouged his limbs. Naturally, he has taken wounds to the abdomen too, and probably the organs...
I don't know where they brought him from, but it's a miracle he's lived this long with these wounds.
He must possess considerable mental strength. Normally, one would die of shock from the pain, or otherwise lose consciousness from excessive bleeding and then die...
Even if treated right now, the survival probability is—
"Squad Leader!"
"Finally, finally caught up..."
—There, wheezing, everyone else caught up.
I want to let them catch their breath, but there isn't a single second to spare.
"Good timing! 15th Seat Chigusa and 16th Seat Ryokawa!! You two go call the Captain and Lieutenant respectively!!"
"Eh...?"
"Um... uh...!?"
"We have a critically injured person!! Time is of the essence!! We are short-handed! If anyone interferes, you can pin all responsibility on me!! Hurry!!"
"R-Roger!!"
"Yes!!"
"You know the locations, right!? If you are unsure, confirm at the barracks once before going!!"
I shouted at the backs of the two who dashed off, but did they hear me?
Anyway, those two possess the highest rank and Reiatsu among those present. Then, although I haven't measured it, they should be fast on their feet too.
Aah!! Jeez!! Why aren't the Captain or Lieutenant here on a day like this!! Was that really an incident flag after all!?!?
"Officers Nunokawa and the others transport the two... no, I will carry this one! I ask you to take care of that patient!!"
"Yes!!"
While giving instructions, I pick up the squad member who was being supported by the shoulder and return the way I came at full speed toward the barracks.
During the move, I perform even slight Reiatsu treatment to strive for life extension, but how effective will it be...
"Ha, eh... that's not the speed of a Fourth Division member..."
I felt like I heard such a mutter from behind.
"Preparations!?"
"Ready!! Over here!!"
When I jumped into the General Relief Station with force enough to kick down the entrance door, Niimura was waiting impatiently. Hotta has also prepared a stretcher.
"Got it! Immediately..."
He probably intended to lead me to the Intensive Care Unit, but I stop him.
"This person is the patient, I'm sorry. I'll go right away, so please go ahead!"
"I see, understood. Please come quickly!! Hotta, let's go!"
"Oh! ...Wait...!!"
Officer Niimura holds down Officer Hotta's words, which were about to slip out upon seeing the patient, with his hand, and they rush into the treatment room.
Niimura-kun, nice judgment!!
There are words that absolutely must not be spoken. Even more so—
"Um, Doctor..."
—In front of such a small child, there's no way they could be said.
Isane must have comforted her and brought her this far.
There was that bobbed-haired girl, grabbing the hem of my hakama, making a face so anxious she looked like she would cry loudly again.
"It's okay. I will absolutely, absolutely save him."
"Really!? Will Brother really be saved!?"
"Yes..."
I say that gently to reassure her.
Ideally, I would want to pat her head here, but unfortunately, I am dirty with the patient's blood. While hiding the bloodstains with my arm, I strive to choose gentle words.
However, it is painful that I cannot guarantee absolutely that it will be okay.
"However, your brother has very big injuries. Possibly, our power alone might not be enough."
"Eh...! Th-That's..."
"So!"
I interrupt the girl's words and say.
"So, I want you to cheer for your brother too. Tell him to do his best, not to lose to injuries. If that voice reaches him, your brother will surely be saved too."
"Really!?"
It isn't a lie, but it isn't the truth either.
However, whether one can hold on at the very edge depends on the person's mental strength. If there is a voice of encouragement there—even more so if it is the voice of a blood relative, how reassuring would that be?
"...Yes."
"I understand! I will do my best! I will do my best to cheer for Brother!!"
The girl suddenly looks at me, who somehow nodded, with sparkling eyes.
...This means I can't betray her expectations. If it fails, I have to apologize to this child even if I offer my head...
...Oops, no good. I almost forgot one more person.
"Come on, Officer Kotetsu. Let's go."
"Eh...?"
"What are you spacing out for? We are short-handed, join as an assistant."
"N-No way... Me, it's impossible for me!!"
"...Follow my instructions. You don't have to do anything else, and if you fail, push all responsibility onto me."
"No way! But...!!"
"Just come on, let's go!!"
Since she looked like she was going to say something careless like Hotta earlier, I hurriedly pull her along without letting her argue.
After all, I have to let her gain experience too. For the future.
That said, as expected, might this be difficult...
'Can't be helped, nyaa... indeed.'
"Condition!?"
"Extremely critical! We are extending life with Reiatsu treatment and drugs, but..."
"I know! Anesthesia!?"
"It's okay!"
"Good, prepare for Spirit Particle Suture!"
In the Intensive Care Unit, the patient transferred from the stretcher to the operating table was sleeping. Inside, Hotta and the others were already there, administering the medicine Togakushi and the others presumably brought.
"This is bad..."
Looking properly in a bright place, the damage to internal organs is severe. This cannot be ignored... here and there...
"First, ice; stop necrosis with low temperature! Prepare!"
"Yes!"
"Officer Kotetsu!"
"Y-Yes!!"
Was it reckless after all? She is completely overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
"You learned it at the Academy and from seniors, right!?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!"
She hurriedly chanted Kido and joined the treatment.
"Heartbeat is weakening! Blood pressure too!"
"Administer hematinic! The medicine... Officer Togakushi! I told you strong ones in order from the top!"
"Eh, but..."
"This isn't enough efficacy! He'll die before the effect kicks in!?"
"I'm sorry!"
She leaves the treatment room once while crying.
Normally this medicine would be fine, but right now this isn't enough. It has to be strong enough to be bad for the body.
I'm really sorry for getting harsh. But I have no leeway either.
"Here, bleeding...!"
"That's the aorta; then Officer Kotetsu! Ligation of the blood vessel! You can do it, right!?"
"Yesss!!"
"I will take this organ... ugh...!"
The damage is too severe! What to do about this...
"Only promoting regeneration with Reiatsu treatment... Make it in time!"
I hold my hand over the affected area and attempt recovery with all my might.
"Whoa, here too...!?"
"There too!? Hooks! And a loupe too! Isane!!"
"Yesss!!"
"Suction!"
"Gauze here!! Compression hemostasis!!"
"Yessssss!!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting!!"
"Slow! Togakushi, start administration as is! Heike, go to assistant!"
"Yes!!"
The two assigned to medicine returned.
The drugs they brought are... no problem.
"Here!?"
"This is... resection! We'll regenerate it from there with Reiatsu! Antibiotics here!"
"Is the Saketsu okay!?"
"Squad Leader, here!!"
"Ugh, here is..."
Here means—with this degree of damage...! It won't lead to death, but as a Shinigami...
"It might be impossible, but I will promote regeneration with Reiatsu treatment. Everyone else handle the rest!"
"""Yes!"""
Can I... fix it? Of course, I intend to treat it with all my might, but just here...
"Blood pressure stable! Pulse is normal too!"
While continuing to chant Kaido with all my might like that, it seems we somehow passed the critical point.
"I'm late!"
"Captain!!"
It seems Captain Unohana has come too... with this...
"Ar, e...?"
"?"
Because the Captain, came... did I relax, too much...
Since a while ago, continuously, using, Kaido...
C-Consciousness is...
"!"
"4th Seat Yukawa!!"
I felt like my name was called.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]