"K-Kachoo!"
"Vice Captain, do you have a cold?"
Isane peered at me with concern.
"It's not that... but it certainly has gotten colder."
"It hasn't snowed yet, but it feels completely like winter already, doesn't it?"
Before I knew it, the season was winter—
Looking outside, the trees have completely lost their leaves, giving off a bleak feeling. The sun is about to set soon, so combined with the sunset sky, the bleakness is doubled.
But in winter, the air is clear, so the sky looking up appears more beautiful than usual, so I can't hate it completely.
"I wonder if we should increase the heating equipment a little more? Also, fire usage increases and the air gets dry, so we have to be careful about fires too."
"Thorough fire safety precautions, right?"
"It's getting cold, so I really don't want to do patrols anymore."
Patrolling under the cold winter night sky while holding wooden clappers and shouting "Be careful of fire"... there was a time long ago when I did that too.
Commonly called the night watch.
Newcomers are always made to do it. Since night comes early in winter, it's done regularly with various meanings of vigilance included.
"But, maybe I'm a little happy that warm food becomes delicious?"
"Ah! That's nice! Like hot pot, or steamed buns! Roasted sweet potatoes are hard to discard too..."
It was when I was enjoying such winter talk with Isane during a break in work.
A single squad member came running with a changed expression.
"Um, Vice Captain!!"
"Oh my? Did something happen?"
"At the entrance, Lord Byakuya Kuchiki has arrived!!"
"...Eh?"
...Wait, that one!?
That one who was still a child without even pubic hair when he first appeared!?
That one who became a Shinigami but was casually glossed over in the narrative!?!?
That one who has now grown up splendidly, managing Squad 6, and is scheduled to officially inherit the Captain position and the headship of the Kuchiki family from Ginrei-san soon!?!?!?
'What magnificent explanatory dialogue!! I shall give you 10 points!!'
Yay, points!
"Did you hear what business he has?"
"N-No. Just that he has a request for the Vice Captain, only that..."
The girl who came to inform me is a little frightened.
Well, if a person from the main branch of the Five Great Noble Families comes, normally one would be scared. Hearing the name Kuchiki, even upper-class nobles are intimidated by their high status.
...As someone who knows Yoruichi-san and Kukaku, I'm troubled by the gap every time though.
Even so... why?
We became acquaintances when we were children, and we've met on the job.
But we've only had normal "business exchanges."
Sure, when he just became a Shinigami, we talked about meeting as children, but by that time he was already suppressing himself, or trying to behave calmly.
Being such a Byakuya, even when he has business, it's always exchanges like passing word to Squad 4 as a Shinigami—as Squad 6.
Moreover, he always made a reservation saying "I will visit on this day" in advance, so a pattern like today's "suddenly showed up" is a first.
"Understood, I'll head there immediately."
Just when I was enjoying girls' talk, it's ruined.
However, it can't be helped since he's here; it's a nomination by name from Byakuya.
...I don't want to go.
'It reeks of trouble, after all!'
I don't want any more unknown trouble brought to me though...
'In other words, if it is a known trouble, there is no problem! Is that what it is!!'
I don't need... that kind of wordplay...
-----
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Vice Captain Kuchiki."
"Vice Captain Yukawa!!"
When I headed to the reception room for guests—I can't make a person of the Kuchiki family wait in a strange place, after all. Tea was properly prepared too—Byakuya stood up as if he had been waiting for this and bowed his head.
"I'll get straight to the point! Please, lend me your strength!!"
"...The business is conveyed, but the reason is completely unclear. Calm down and please explain in order."
"Hah! Th-This is inexcusable."
Although he has completely hidden it now that he's become a Shinigami, the Byakuya in front of me is emotional just like when he was a child.
Personally, I like this better though.
"The reason is, um... about my wife."
"Wife... eh, your wife!! You got married!?"
"Yes, about five years ago."
I feel like I haven't heard the expression "sai-kun" (wife) in a long time.
Wait, just a minute!!
"...But I don't remember seeing such an article..."
Retrieving back numbers of the Seireitei Communication from past memories, I don't remember seeing it.
If there was news related to ceremonial occasions in the Five Great Noble Families, it should definitely have become an article.
Especially since Byakuya is a big figure, the head of the Kuchiki family (almost confirmed). Yet, it's impossible for the Seireitei Communication not to feature such a happy event...
"Regarding that, there were somewhat special circumstances, so I had them stop making it an article. The ceremony was also completed with only relatives, so it is not known..."
Seeing him looking somewhat hesitant to speak, I finally remembered.
Byakuya's marriage partner is that person, right? I forgot her name, but Rukia's older sister. She should have been from Rukongai.
And well, coming this far, even if I forgot the details, I can naturally guess the reason.
"In other words, there was a reason it couldn't be made public?"
"...Tch!!"
Byakuya's shoulders trembled with a start.
"Because of your wife's origin?"
"Yes... that is correct. I am impressed by your insight."
And so, what was told from his mouth was the story up to the marriage of Byakuya and his wife.
According to him—
He met his wife from Rukongai—her name was Hisana. I totally forgot—and welcomed her as his wife.
But mixing blood other than noble blood is against the rules. Byakuya himself knew that.
Knowing that, he pushed through the opposition of those around him and married Hisana-san.
—That's what he said.
Yeah, probably the same as the knowledge I know.
That said, the sense of privilege of nobles exists in any world...
Taking a commoner as a wife is against the rules, so he probably received the opposition of those around him head-on. Because he considered it shameful, it wasn't reported extensively in the Seireitei Communication.
Surely, pressure was applied.
The ceremony being only for relatives was also because he couldn't invite relatives or concerned parties. Really only the concerned parties of the Kuchiki main family—and only those who would celebrate Byakuya's marriage even knowing Hisana-san was from Rukongai, I suppose.
No wonder I didn't know, and couldn't know.
"I understand the story... but what do you want me to do with your wife—Hisana-san? Surely you don't mean just become a conversation partner?"
"No, that is not it. Please, save Hisana's life!!"
"Life...?"
When I made a doubtful face, additional explanation came from Byakuya.
According to him—
Hisana-san had a baby sister.
But the two of them couldn't survive in Rukongai—specifically the 78th district of South Rukongai "Inuzuri," the third worst district from the bottom in terms of public order—and she left her sister and went out of Inuzuri.
Even after marrying Byakuya, from feelings of self-condemnation like "only I became happy" and "I abandoned my sister in a dangerous place," she went out walking to look for her sister almost every day.
Because she pushed herself too hard when her body wasn't strong originally, she fell ill.
—That's what he said.
Right, I feel like she died for that reason.
"You want me to cure that illness?"
"Yes, that is correct."
He is bowing low and pleading... eh, isn't that a bit strange?
"With the Kuchiki family's connections, you could call any number of doctors, right!? In the first place, there is the Seireitei Mao Relief Station in the noble district! Why ask me...?"
The Seireitei Mao Relief Station is a relief station specializing in upper-class nobles located in the noble district.
It's a super expensive but super polite hospital with the latest equipment specializing in super VIPs. It's also the place where the nostalgic "former" Vice Captain Seinosuke Yamada was invited.
...Come to think of it, his brother Hanataro-kun is also in Squad 4 before I knew it. When did that kid join...?
Anyway. If it's there, they should cure her no matter what.
Besides, Hisana-san is a relative of the Kuchiki family, so she meets the condition of specializing in nobles. It's impossible for Byakuya not to know, so normally thinking, he should rely on them, he should do so.
Even if not, he could just grab a doctor from around there and say "Cure her," so why did he come relying on me??
"That is, um... the main doctors and clinics have already been tampered with, and it was impossible to rely on them."
"Eh!? They go that far...? That means, basically, because they didn't like Hisana-san, they took her falling ill as a good opportunity... right...?"
"Most likely..."
When I asked fearfully, Byakuya nodded regretfully.
"What about asking Captain Unohana?"
"I thought about that too. But I am the next head of the Kuchiki family, yet I have gone against the rules. For such a self to selfishly rely on her for personal reasons goes against the rules."
"...Then, why bring this story to me?"
"Because Vice Captain Yukawa is also a personal acquaintance..."
Um, in other words.
Official requests are no good, but personally asking an acquaintance is safe! Is that it?
Because it's an individual moving for an individual, it doesn't go against the rules?
...Wow... what is that reason... to put his wife in danger for such a reason...
...I want to punch him... with full power!!
Calm down, calm down me...!!
Not yet, not yet...!!
'O, Ooh... The flames of rage are dancing the Awa Odori like crazy behind my Liege...'
Like with the Shiba family, maybe it would have been different if Yoruichi-san was here, but that person isn't in Soul Society anymore.
Even so, this is too much!!
"I am aware that I am saying something unreasonable even to myself! But I have no other way to rely on but Vice Captain Yukawa! Counting on the Vice Captain's skill that completely cured that severely injured person I knew in my childhood, please... please!!"
Hmm... well, Byakuya thought about it in his own way...
He is a human of the Kuchiki family that values rules and discipline, after all.
The loophole he finally found as a result of desperate thinking. Something like a thin spider's thread.
Above all, a human life is at stake.
'And it is a woman's life!! At that point, the option not to save her is impossible!! Nn ww Any option other than saving is impossible ww'
Don't grow grass (use 'w' for laughter), grass.
"I understand."
"T-Then!!"
"I will disturb the Kuchiki household starting now. Please guide me."
I know the location though.
But since I can't enter the noble district easily, and it seemed like there would be trouble if Byakuya wasn't there.
Byakuya guided me with an expression of joy like meeting a Buddha in hell.
-----
No matter how many times I come, it's a spleeeeendid mansion. And when I enter inside, a spleeeeendid garden welcomes me again.
Living in such a wide and splendid mansion, having status, honor, and money—Madam, Madam, did you know? That muffler-like thing Byakuya wraps around his neck. They say that costs enough to build ten houses. The hair ornament called Kenseikan is also something only upper-class nobles can wear, and I hear it's also expensive enough to make eyeballs pop out—yet, he struggles even to take his wife alone to the hospital.
I sympathize just a little.
"It is here."
A while of advancing through the Kuchiki house guided by Byakuya. We finally arrived at the destination.
...Even though I'm just walking inside the house, time passes calmly. It's a huge difference from the Shiba house.
"Hisana, it's me. I'm coming in."
"..."
What reached from beyond the shoji was a faint, faint voice that was barely audible.
After confirming that a sound only to the extent of a small breath returned, Byakuya opened the shoji slowly.
What first jumped into my eyes was a very wide room.
A room that is over twenty tatami mats in size. In the middle of it, a futon is laid out alone, and a single woman is sleeping there.
Just that this room is very lonely.
There are no things. No chest of drawers, no desk, nothing like that at all.
By the pillow, there is a tray, medicine, a water pitcher, and since it's this season, a brazier, but other than that, there is nothing.
'What could it be... a poignant sadness...'
Surely they have master craftsmen available, they could request a renovation or something.
'What have they done! Indeed!!'
Well, there are things to prioritize over that right now.
"Hisana. It's me, Byakuya. Do you recognize me?"
"Lord Byakuya..."
She had her eyes closed, but it seems she wasn't sleeping.
When Byakuya called out, she opened her eyes thinly and turned her gaze towards him with weak eyes.
So this is Hisana-san. I didn't have her in my memory at all.
But as expected of someone Byakuya fell for, she is a beauty. Right now she is eaten away by illness and her complexion is pure white looking like she's about to die any moment, but she's still a beauty.
Or rather.
Just like Rukia!! Even if they are sisters, isn't this too similar!! Learn from the Kotetsu sisters!!
In other words, Byakuya lost this wife, and after that took Rukia into the Kuchiki family as a sister-in-law, right?
...Strange rumors will definitely rise. I feel like he's fanning the flames of bad reputation himself.
"This person... is..."
"A doctor."
"A doctor... but, it is impossible..."
"That's not true! She is, Lady Yukawa is, um, no problem! That's why I brought her!!"
Somehow he looks just a little like a husband caught in the act of cheating.
Like he brought a woman in front of his wife and is making an excuse "this is a doctor so it's safe."
'I heard there was such a person in power once! Bringing a mistress pretending she is medical staff... what an enviable story!!'
"I am the Vice Captain of Squad 4 of the Gotei 13. My name is Airi Yukawa."
"Gotei...? That too, surely, Lord Byakuya said no..."
Ah jeez!! Why is even the wife worrying about such boring things!!
"I formed a personal friendship with Byakuya-san when we were young. This time I visited due to that connection. Besides, rushing to a friend's crisis is natural."
"Lord Byakuya's friend... is that so."
She finally showed a relieved expression.
Even so, her voice is weak and even speaking seems painful. She can't even sit up.
Why did you leave her alone until this point!! It's obvious the death sentence countdown is going crazy!!
'Even if you hold down the A button, this is unavoidable!!'
"Straight to the point, allow me to examine you. Excuse me for a moment with your kimono."
"Yes..."
While lying down, opening the sleepwear... wait, she's thin.
Originally not strong, her appetite decreased due to illness, and because she didn't eat, the illness progressed further and she couldn't eat again—a vicious cycle.
She's getting thinner and becoming just skin and bones, her chest is like a washboard.
So what's the status of the illness? I know it's already quite bad though.
Allow me to probe a little with palpation and Reiatsu irradiation.
...
...
...Wow.
"This is..."
Inside the body, it's a mess.
In a word, why is she alive right now? That level.
Moreover, it will get colder from now on so the body will weaken... No matter how I think about it, she can't survive the winter. If she lasts until early spring, it's a miracle...
If shown to a normal doctor, a long-distance throwing tournament would start on the spot without waiting.
'A doctor's spoon throwing tournament!! I hear the record is flying to the moon!!'
If only you had called me sooner!! End of summer... no, one month ago would have been fine!!
Byakuya!! You remember this!! Specifically, be prepared for the next chapter!!
"How, is it...? Please do not hold back and say it clearly... I understand my own body..."
"Hisana! Don't say such things!!"
...She has properly realized her time of death.
"Is that so... then, I will say it clearly."
"Yes..."
"If it were a little later, it would have been too late."
"Is that so... as expected... eh...?"
The couple looked at me with expressions of disbelief.
Hisana-san had prepared herself but was betrayed in a good way, and involuntarily did a double-take.
It's not a lie. If it were about three months later, it would have been too late.
'That count has already gone down to zero!! It has entered the life's lost time (stoppage time)!!'
Lost time is Japanese-English, so you better call it additional time.
"Um, Doctor... such consideration is unnecessary so..."
Oh my, she doesn't believe me.
Hisana-san thinks I told a lie to give her hope.
"It is not a lie. Complete recovery will take considerable time, but it's okay. You will be cured."
"Is, is that true...!"
"It is true."
When I affirmed it flatly, a single tear spilled from her eye.
"I can still... live..."
"Hisana! Ah, yes indeed!!"
Byakuya also takes her hand and calls out encouragingly.
"Now then... I will start the treatment. Relax and entrust yourself to me."
...Nubatama, no holding back. Okay!
'Of course!! It is like this now, but it is confirmed that Hisana-dono will also shine if polished!! Ah, it feels like reproducing a cat abuse copypasta, somewhat pounding with excitement!!'
To heal with full power, I chanted Kaido.
-----
"With this, for the time being, it's okay. As expected, the debility is significant, so it was impossible to cure completely at once. Regular treatment to some extent is necessary but..."
"Thank you very much!!"
"Also, please make her eat meals properly. Nutrition is the basis of living."
I managed to succeed.
Perhaps due to fatigue after treatment, Hisana-san is sleeping slowly now.
And next to her, Byakuya is bowing his head to me repeatedly.
However... as expected, I'm tired.
After all, the patient's body is a mess. It's a state where just mistaking the position or order of healing a little could cause adverse effects elsewhere.
I wore down my nerves tremendously.
Even after doing this much, it's not completely cured yet. I need to continue treatment several times.
Just from that, you can understand how troublesome her situation was.
I want to go home and sleep already, I want to sleep but—
"Vice Captain Kuchiki, I have something I want to talk about a little. Could you step outside?"
—I still have one more job.
Glancing at the sleeping Hisana-san, I called Byakuya outside.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]