"I don't wanna anymore... I can't go home..."
'My Lord! Please, please pull yourself together!! Looook, it's a jet-black rubber ball!!'
Nubatama tries to comfort me, but... my heart won't be healed by just that.
Eh? Did something happen? Well, yes... things happened, a lot of things... Where should I start...
First, first thing in the morning, I went to a certain house for a regular checkup. I wondered about going so early in the morning. But, I had filled up my schedule with errands before and after. This was the only slot open. I could have shifted the timing, but I wanted to do the checkup as much as possible.
Because the patient is a pregnant woman.
That's right, I'm going to act as a midwife again. Ever since the childbirth uproar at the Kuchiki family, I had been politely declining all requests... But I couldn't refuse this one request no matter what, so I accepted just one. I was involved to some extent in a certain incident with the other party, so I also had a feeling of wanting to be as considerate as possible.
I made a slightly unreasonable request to the other party and had them move the checkup time to first thing in the morning.
And when the checkup was over... I headed to Squad 11 with heavy steps. What date is it today? It's July 7th♪
And you may have forgotten, but every year on July 7th is the day Captain Unohana and Vice-Captain Zaraki decided to fight with all their might. ...So the two of them clashed their feelings worth a year's worth against each other as if to say "take this". I desperately healed the two who were on the verge of death over and over again... And furthermore, I got dragged into it...
What is that, Vice-Captain Zaraki!! What do you mean what!? Eh!? Shikai!?!? You already learned Shikai!?!? Wa-Wait a minute!! What is that size!! What is that destructive power!?!? Nubatama! I'll also use Shikai and slide the friction to defend... Hiiiiiii!!! Why are you also breaking through normally!! It hurts, it hurts, I'm dying, I'm dying!! Wa-wa-wa-wait! Captain Unohana is participating too!? That's no good, I'll really die!! Ah jeez, Hado 91! Senju Koten Taiho!! ...Hey, it's a Hado in the 90s!! And yet could you stop slashing at me normally!?
And well, this kind of situation continued for a full day and night... and when I realized, it was July 8th.
If I'm made to keep company with something like this, it's decided that my heart and body will be tattered!!
I was somehow released, and now I am trudging through the Seireitei trying to go home. I completely lack the energy and physical strength to make it home. Right now, I'm walking with unreliable steps like a drunkard... The time is also just morning, so it looks like I'm returning home in the morning after getting drunk...
Ugh... I'm more tired than when I was continuously given unreasonable demands during my time as a Lieutenant, or during the first three months of my captaincy... I want to melt away just like this...
—Hyan!
...Hm?
—Hyan Hyan!!
"This voice is..." "Hyan!!" "Wa-wa-wah!?"
I unintentionally stopped my feet at the animal cry I suddenly heard, and an unknown dog jumped at me from the front. The owner must be brushing it carefully; its white fur is very glossy, and just from that, I can tell this child is treated with care. The size is like a normal dog—or maybe a little bigger? This is plenty cute for this size. But above all—
"Hyan Hyan!!" "Ahahahaha!! It-It's ticklish, I said...!!"
—It is inexplicably friendly. Just when I thought it jumped vigorously, it started licking my face all over. It's super ticklish... ahahahaha!! It's wagging its tail furiously; does it like me?
"Goro! What is the matter all of sudden... Mu! You are... !?" "...Ah! Captain Komamura... Ahahahaha!! H-Hey! I-I said no...!!"
The one who appeared chasing after the dog was Captain Sajin Komamura of Squad 7. Despite having a huge body that is top-class even among Soul Reapers, he wears a deep wicker hat like a monk and wears gauntlets, thoroughly hiding his skin exposure. Combined with his extremely deep voice, some new squad members are afraid of him.
Well, in reality, he is not a scary person at all, though.
"Hey Goro, stop it! Captain Yukawa is troubled too! ...What is it? Speak."
This dog's name is Goro, huh. Just when Goro barked something, Captain Komamura showed a solemn reaction.
"Fumu, is that so? If that is the case... but, you could have at least told me..." "Um, Captain Komamura...? Do you understand what Goro-chan is saying?" "Well, yes."
Hmm, as expected. To me, it only sounds like yapping.
"By the way, what did he say?" "He says you look so haggard that he couldn't bear to watch, and became worried. Therefore, although we were in the middle of a walk, he unintentionally ran up to you and is telling you to cheer up."
Ah, that's why Captain Komamura was fidgeting with one hand idly. He was holding the lead in that hand until a moment ago, but if it slipped out before he knew it, his hand would feel somewhat lonely.
"I see... thank you, Goro-chan. Thanks to you, I'm healed." "Hyan!!" "But, can I pet you a little more...?" "Hyan Hyan!!" "...He says he doesn't mind." "Yay!"
Since I got permission, I hug Goro-chan with all my might.
Ah, fluff fluff... the fur is fluff fluff... My thorny heart is being healed... this is animal therapy... I didn't need Squad 4 to recover... One dog is enough...
Goro-chan's fluffy fur... Moreover, Captain Komamura properly washes this child. There's no strange smell at all... Even when I hug him, he doesn't show a single reaction of dislike, on the contrary, he rubs his body against me... What a super good boy this child is... Ah, no good... I'm falling... Falling for the fluff fluff, for the fluff fluff...
'My Looooord!! Rather than such fluff fluff, please enjoy mine!! My slimy body too!! It is jet black!! It is shiny!? It is slimy!!'
Ah, fluff fluff...
'She's not listening to me... Hmph! De gozaru...'
...Hah! No good, no good. Sorry, Nubatama. I'm okay... I have returned to my senses!
'That is a word less trustworthy than "I'll go if I can"...'
"Um, by the way, why is Captain Komamura here?" "Even if you ask why... I can only say I met you by chance in the middle of Goro's walk. In the first place, this is District 7—Squad 7's jurisdiction, you know? It is natural for me to be here." "District 7!?"
An unexpected answer came back.
"Eh...? Um... Isn't this District 4...?" "It is District 7."
I asked again while petting Goro-chan, but the same answer came back. Huh...? I was supposed to be returning to District 4 normally... To lose my way, just how exhausted was I...
"Rather, why are you in District 7? Did you have some errand?" "That is... it's a short story if I tell it but..." "Hyan!" "Mu? ...Well, that is true."
What did Goro-chan say?
"Goro says he wants to continue the walk. If you have no errands, I will return, is that alright?" "...Then, may I go together with you?" "I do not mind that but... didn't you have some errand?" "No, it's okay."
Because my errands ended yesterday. Also, since I probably won't be of any use today anyway, I've already adjusted my schedule to be off duty.
"Hey, Goro-chan. You're cute, aren't you~" "Hyan!!" "...I didn't think you would follow us all the way to the Squad 7 barracks."
After that, we walked together, and I ended up imposing on them all the way to the barracks. I was even allowed to hold Goro-chan's lead! He was cute. Walking is super fun.
When we went to Squad 7, everyone looked at us with curious eyes. If their own Captain and the Squad 4 Captain returned together, of course they would be surprised.
"I'm sorry, he's just so cute and cute..." "Well, Goro doesn't seem to dislike it either. Please be his playmate for a while." "Hyan!!"
Goro-chan also barked happily. Come to think of it...
"Captain Komamura can talk with Goro-chan, right?" "Ah, yes, but?" "That means after all, under that hat..."
Even though we have already entered the Captain's office, he shows no sign of taking off his hat. simply put, it's like using a parasol even indoors, so it feels nothing but strange.
"Ah, yes. You also know my true identity, do you not? Exposing my appearance under the bright sun would only invite needless confusion."
Captain Komamura's true identity is a werewolf. There is a wolf face under this hat. Or rather, both his face and body are covered in fur. Naturally, a muzzle is also fully equipped. Just growing beast ears and a beast tail is OK? It's an orthodox type of beast different from that kind of Kemono.
But he is a very good person who takes the initiative to be considerate and match our convenience, thinking "My appearance is different from humans and will be feared, so I'll hide it." So he hides it with a hat and gauntlets so the beast attributes aren't visible from the outside. Also, since his race is werewolf, he understands both human language and dog language.
This is bilingual... even though I only understand Japanese and Rakugo...
"Even if you show your face, I don't think it will come to that." "Is that not because you already know my true identity?"
Doing the dangerous job of a Soul Reaper, it is impossible to hide one's true identity forever. Attacked by a Hollow and the mask tears, exposing the true identity! That kind of thing is natural in a sense. Much less Squad 4 treats squad members of each squad when they are injured. If they are wearing the Shihakusho, we strip them off saying "It interferes with treatment!", so there are opportunities to know.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I was blessed with that opportunity, though.
"It helps that you do not spread it around but... even subtracting that, I do not think my appearance will be accepted so easily." "I don't think that's true."
Stopping the hand that had been petting Goro-chan until then—
"Ei!" "Nu!? What are you doing!!"
—I snatched the iron hat Captain Komamura was wearing.
"See, as I thought, it's not scary at all. Right, Goro-chan?" "Hyan!"
Under the hat, a wolf face was showing a confused expression.
"Your fur is magnificent too." "S-Stop it!"
When I gently stroke around his head, there is a fluffy and soft sensation not inferior to Goro-chan. Ah, this is good... lots more fluff fluff than Goro-chan...
"In the future, a child of the werewolf clan like you might become a Soul Reaper, Captain Komamura? Isn't there also a method of taking the initiative to appeal yourself to prepare for such a case?" "That is... certainly, there might be such a person in the clan but..." "Come on, come on, this fluffy fur is a splendid charm point! Ah, the touch is outstanding... Goro-chan, why don't you get spoiled too? It's your Master's fur, you know?" "Hyan!"
When I urged him, Goro-chan jumped as if he had been waiting.
"Hey Goro! Stop it!!"
Just like that, licking Captain Komamura all over... this is what they call grooming!! What is this, a super spectacle... If other Soul Reapers saw this figure, everyone would accept it in an instant! Definitely! Without a doubt!! Isn't it super healing!!
"Ah... Goro-chan's fluff fluff in my right hand, Captain Komamura's fluff fluff in my left hand... this is the ultimate healing..." "Captain Yukawa! Do you understand!? I am a man!! For you, a woman, to do such an action that invites misunderstanding—!!" "Wow... double fluff fluff... super happy..." "D-Do not pet my ears!! Do not put your finger in there!!"
I fluffed him up until I was satisfied.
Squad 7 members who heard the commotion came, saw this shameful state, and it caused a mild uproar. But that is another story.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]