That tiny, tiny boy who was hailed as a "genius" at the Shino Academy went to Squad 10.
I was so surprised... That was Toshiro Hitsugaya. Not knowing that at all, I was thinking things like "If you were more reliable, Hinamori-san might not have ended up like that!" while pushing him hard. Oops, my bad, my bad, tehepero.
'You don't feel bad even a little bit, do you...'
Well, I don't care about that kid.
"Emergency contact from Squad 13!! One of the squad members is in unknown condition, and they want backup immediately! I repeat! From Squad 13—..."
While I was working at Squad 4, an emergency broadcast came in.
...Yeah, it might feel a little strange. But technology has advanced, so we have facilities like this too. Like facilities to announce to the squad when a contact comes in.
It's not like the technological level is stuck in the Edo period forever. It seems like only Squad 12 has a lot of outstanding equipment, but the other squads have them too.
Leaving that aside.
"Squad 13, huh..."
Is it about time for the jackpot?
As I said before, I only remembered that "something terrible happens to Kaien-san." So, like this, I pay attention every time something unusual happens in Squad 13.
Well, mostly it's a miss.
Incidents completely unrelated to Kaien-san.
It would be easy if I could just tell Rukia-san, "Contact me if Kaien-san takes on a mission that looks dangerous." But there's no way I can say that!! Casually conveying "Contact me anytime" was the best I could do.
So even for small events, I stick my neck in and check.
"Which squad is deploying? I'm going too."
"Eh!! You too, Vice-Captain!?"
"The condition is unknown, right? It'll be too late if something happens."
"U-Understood! Heey, the Vice-Captain says she's going with us too!!"
"Eh!? The Vice-Captain too!? Then we can do with fewer people, right?"
"They said only one person is in unknown condition, so maybe sending two people is enough?"
I call out to the kids preparing to deploy and forcefully secure my accompaniment.
This is what they call pushing through with authority.
"Oh my, deploying again?"
Just as I was leaving, Captain Unohana stopped me.
Hmm... I've been going out a bit too much lately, so maybe she's suspicious?
"Yes. If there's nothing, I'll leave it to the squad members and return immediately."
"Speaking of Squad 13, that child from the Kuchiki family you were concerned about has enlisted, hasn't she? It is a cliché way of saying it, but it is not good to get too involved with a specific person, you know?"
"...?"
...Ah, so that's it.
Ever since "Congratulations on your childbirth, Hisana Kuchiki-sama" a little while ago, I've sometimes been looked at as a "dog wagging its tail for the Kuchiki family."
Showing my face at Squad 13 frequently at such a time—connected via Rukia-san—it can't be helped if they think I'm plotting something untoward.
I think it's very like the Captain to give me this kind of warning properly.
"I don't have any such intentions. I intend to observe moderation."
"If so, then it is fine..."
"Thank you for your concern. Well then, I'm off."
Seen off by the Captain and others, I head to Squad 13.
Looking outside, the sun has almost set. Even if nothing happens, I wonder if I'll be back at night.
"Oh, Sensei!? You came, Sensei!?"
When I went to the Squad 13 barracks, Rukia-san welcomed me.
"I heard the condition was unknown, so just in case. So, where is the patient?"
"This way!"
At the destination she guided me to—
"Yukawa, huh? Why are you here!?"
"Kaien-san. No, because there was a contact."
"What!? Who contacted Squad 4!?"
"I-It was me..."
"Now, now, Captain Ukitake. Please don't be so angry. This is also Squad 4's job. Rukia-san hasn't done anything wrong."
No, really. Don't be angry.
She did the best job possible.
I feel like hugging her and giving her a kiss.
What was the word they say at times like this... Exacta! Was it?
'(That means "Correct"... Perhaps you mean the one who said "Lucky" to imply...)'
The one laid out in the room was Miyako-san.
I have met Miyako-san face-to-face.
I have also spoken with her.
I have even used Kaido on her.
With her polite way of speaking and soft demeanor, most men would fall for her just by talking.
She's strong as a Soul Reaper too; she's the 3rd Seat of Squad 13.
Rukia-san happily said something like, "She's a different type from Sensei, but she's an amazing person. I admire her."
And she married into Kaien-san's place!
She's a wife!! A married woman!! That's why she has the Shiba surname!!
Kuh! Same workplace, same squad, and Vice-Captain and 3rd Seat!!
What is that, I'm envious.
Or rather, the people of Squad 13 who are shown the couple's flirting scenes are pitiful...
That Miyako-san!
I... haven't massaged this person.
You know, remember when I massaged Kukaku before?
At that time, in the end, I was made to sit in seiza with Yoruichi-san, the three of us, and got lectured, didn't we? Since then, Kaien-san's guard has become tighter.
Contact with Miyako-san was limited to a handshake at most.
...Kuh!! To think I can't massage the breasts of a person who is a lump of tolerance and motherhood!!
'I also get turned on looking at Miyako-dono!! Ah, I envy Kaien-dono!! I want to massage and massage and massage that butt to my heart's content!!'
Well, because I think things like this, I guess I'm being guarded against.
She's his wife, after all. He has to protect her himself.
"...Is the person requiring aid Miyako-san?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Umm, what happened?"
"I'll talk about that. Actually—"
According to what Captain Ukitake told us in place of Kaien-san.
It seems they found a troublesome Hollow, and Miyako-san and others were given a reconnaissance mission.
They left early this morning, and the anomaly occurred in the evening of that day.
Only Miyako-san returned. The others are unknown, but presumably wiped out.
Someone with medical knowledge in Squad 13 examined Miyako-san lightly, and although she is injured, her life doesn't seem to be in danger.
However, she is unconscious and won't wake up.
To that, the sentence "Rukia-san called Squad 4 just in case" is added.
When she contacted us, Miyako-san's condition was still unknown.
"I see."
"Um, Vice-Captain, then we didn't need to come...?"
"That's right. There don't seem to be any major external injuries, so let's leave the rest to Squad 13."
In contrast to me, who was convinced alone, the subordinate children timidly offered.
Yes, I understand the feeling.
Normally, there would be no turn for us. You want to go home quickly, right.
But you know, isn't it strange that she came back with only this level of injury even though she went out for reconnaissance?
Isn't it also strange that she's conveniently unconscious?
Even assuming she came back to call for backup, would she, the 3rd Seat, come? Miyako-san has a strong sense of responsibility and is a high-ranking officer, you know?
It seems more likely she would stay behind to buy time until her subordinates returned with backup?
Above all, if she fought a strong Hollow, wouldn't there be worse injuries?
In other words, simply put, it's too suspicious.
The option of not investigating is impossible.
"Just in case, I'll examine her too. Then let's go home."
"I think there's nothing wrong."
The person from Squad 13 who examined her says so, but...
Well now, will demons come out or snakes come out?
I examine her body...
...
We, well, it's a commemoration. Let's do a light touch while examining.
Holding my hand over her chest, probing with spiritual pressure irradiation, and casually grabbing lightly... Ooh, what is this. The size is decent, but what elegant mountains... —Wait!!
"Tsk!!"
"What, what happened!?"
I messed up!! I let my guard down!!
To react so obviously, I'm one to talk!!
...It was there, inside. A large foreign object!
A Hollow is lurking!!
The moment I realized, I inadvertently reacted as if I touched electricity and was repelled.
"Everyone back away!! Kaien-san, I'm sorry!!"
"Hah? What does that..."
"Bakudo \#30! Shitotsu Sansen!!"
"Oi Yukawa!! What are you doi—"
While raising a voice of restraint, he tried to grab my shoulder to stop me, but I ignored it and fired a Bakudo to stop her movement.
"Chii!!"
However, Miyako-san, who should have been unconscious until now, sat up vigorously and escaped from the Bakudo.
That movement and reaction speed are not, by any means, those of a person who regained consciousness just this moment.
It's impossible unless she had been observing the outside situation in detail from much earlier.
"Miyako!?"
"Miyako-dono!?"
"What!? What is happening!?"
The members of Squad 13 are reacting like they are in the depths of confusion.
"Miyako-san is being controlled by a Hollow... probably in a form lurking inside her body...!"
"Impossible! There are no such traces anywhere!?"
It's a result-based argument, but Rukia-san calling us was a super Good Job.
I'll give the person from Squad 13 who diagnosed her a fist later.
"Kuh! Woman!! How did you notice!?"
The voice is Miyako-san's.
But the tone and content are foul enough that I can't believe she said it.
Probably, the lurking Hollow is making her speak.
"I intended to sneak in like this, kill the Soul Reapers, eat them and play, but it's all ruined!! You did something hateful!!"
"You bastard!! Get away from Miyako right now!!"
Led by Kaien-san, several Squad 13 members drew their swords and surrounded Miyako-san.
"Hi... hihihihi...! Hihihihihihi!!"
"What's so funny!"
"Dear... stop..."
"Tsk!! Mi, Miyako!? Is it Miyako!? Are you back to your senses!!"
Miyako-san suddenly showed a meek face and expression, and seeing that, Kaien-san's movements dulled.
"You fool!!"
"U, Oooh!!"
"Tsk!! It doesn't go so well, huh...!!"
Striking the gap of carelessness, Miyako-san instantly drew her sword and slashed, but Kaien-san managed to react and parried it.
In other words, that was acting just now; was it probing her memories?
Appealing to emotions, it's hateful but effective.
And that slashing speed... a 3rd Seat isn't just for show. Controlling that body freely... it's a little problematic.
"Bakudo \#61! Rikujokoro!!"
"Ootto!!"
She avoided this too!? Even though I aimed for an opening!!
Unexpectedly quick!! Or maybe I held back too much...
"I cannot be caught in a place like this!!"
"Damn! Wait!!"
Violently breaking the wall of the room, Miyako-san runs away.
"Uoh!! What!? The wall broke!!"
"3rd Seat Shiba!? What's wrong!?"
"Idiots! There was a contact earlier, don't let your guard down! Take a stance!!"
When I went outside a bit late, I heard such voices from the Squad 13 members.
Apparently, Captain Ukitake informed the others about the earlier commotion in advance.
Otherwise, not knowing about Miyako-san's madness, it wouldn't have been strange if several people were slashed in a passing demon manner.
Eventually sensing the presence of the Soul Reapers, Miyako-san fled again.
"Miyako! Miyakooo!! ...Captain, I'm going after her!! It's useless to stop me!!"
"Wait Kaien!! We don't even know where the opponent is..."
"Bakudo \#58 Kakushitsijaku! ...I found her!"
Kakushitsijaku is a spell to capture the opponent's location.
I memorized the opponent's spiritual pressure in the confusion earlier.
Finding this much is easy-peasy.
"Thank you! Yukawa, where is she!?"
"Right there! I'll guide you!"
"Wait! I can't let you, from Squad 4, stick your neck in..."
"I'm already a splendid involved party. Besides, I was the one who noticed the opponent lurking inside Miyako-san, right? I was the one who found the location, right? I think I can be of help."
It would have been fine to chase her all at once and capture Miyako-san by force.
However, I refrained because I thought Kaien-san would cry if I did that.
This time, let's stick to being behind the scenes as much as possible.
"Above all, you need a medic, right?"
"...Kuh! Understood, but I'm going too!!"
Thus, the three of us—me, Kaien-san, and Captain Ukitake—decided to pursue.
The others are to stay behind, be vigilant just in case, and take command of the battle.
"Kuchiki, you stay here! I count on you for vigilance along with the others!"
"Yes! Captain, Vice-Captain Kaien. Please be safe...!"
...Huh? Wasn't Rukia-san in this pursuit unit too...?
In my memory, she was supposed to go through an experience that would make her cry here...
Huuh!? Why is she standing on the seeing-off side!?
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]