Last night, I ended up having to trade blows with Kenpachi until the sun went down. Not only that, but Captain Unohana even joined in when she got excited. Ikkaku barged in too. It wasn't a three-way brawl but a four-way mess, and my whole body was left in tatters.
When it was all over and we were headed back, Ichigo told me, "The gap between us was so huge that I couldn't really follow it. But it was worth watching."
No, no, you... what are you talking about...?
Coming from someone who saw that, I must look like total trash, right?
Or rather, because I saw it, it stirred up a sense of crisis in me. To put it another way, I couldn't help but think, 'If I don't have at least that much power, isn't it dangerous?'
But as I thought, I really shouldn't do things I'm not used to.
"Ugh... as expected, doing this the day after that fight is a bit tough..."
The biggest difference from yesterday is that I keep telling myself, 'This isn't unnecessary interference; everyone gets hungry.'
While my body feels normal, I can feel my spirit sinking a bit heavily. Even so, I'm working hard on making lunch boxes for everyone today, just like yesterday.
[OVER-INTERFERENCE IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN!! I HAVE LEARNED THIS THE HARD WAY!! THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL A "CORRECTION"!!]
I'll say it again: this isn't unnecessary! Eating is part of training!
"I'm pretty sure he said he'd start Bankai training today... if that's the case, he'll be burning a lot of energy, so I should probably make the seasoning a bit stronger... then—"
"Um, Sensei!"
While I was shaping a rice ball, someone called out to me.
Oh? This voice...
"P-Please let me help too!"
When I turned around, Izuru Kira was there, just as I expected.
He seemed completely eager to help, already wearing an apron and a bandana, looking perfectly prepared.
But this boy was supposed to have a rest day today... is he okay not taking a break?
"I'm happy to have the help... but are you sure? You can guess who's going to be eating this, right?"
"...Yes. But even so, I... please..."
Why is he being so desperate? We're just cooking, you know? It's no different from the kitchen duties in Squad 4.
"All right, thank you, Kira. In that case, could I ask you to start with the vegetable prep?"
"Understood!"
With that, he picked up a nearby kitchen knife.
He really is full of motivation...
"There's a lot to do, so be careful. Pay special attention to keeping the sizes uniform."
"Yes!"
"Also, be careful not to cut your hands. But if you do, tell me immediately so I can treat it."
Giving Kira instructions like this feels somewhat nostalgic...
This boy—and Momo too—was so talented that he rose to the rank of seated officer quickly, so he didn't get much experience with things like cooking or sewing.
Is that why? His movements feel a bit precarious.
"...Ah, for that one, you actually want to make the sizes uneven. It changes the texture and makes it more interesting."
"Eh, is that so?"
"Just a little bit... so it doesn't get monotonous, okay?"
We continued cooking, chatting like that from time to time.
I thought about it when I saw how much they ate yesterday, but since I planned to make even more today, I'm honestly happy to have the extra help.
"Ah, that reminds me, Kira. Did you hear the news about Renji?"
"Eh... no, I don't think I've heard anything... what happened?"
"The story about Renji confessing to Rukia."
"...What!?"
—Slice!
Well, it didn't actually make a sound like that. He must have been shaken.
Kira had cut his hand so badly it made me hallucinate that sound.
"Aaaaaahhh!!"
"Oh, for goodness' sake! I told you to be careful! Here, let me see."
Wow, that's a pretty deep cut!
I quickly disinfected it, treated it, and... there, all done.
If this were a manga, this would be the scene where I'd suck or lick the wound. I'd pop the finger into my mouth, maybe let out a small 'Mmm,' and the other person's face would turn bright red. That's the classic trope.
[THAT IS A HEROINE MOVE!! FOR THE SAKE OF THE VISUALS, YOU SHOULD LICK HIS FINGER!! NO, WAIT, PERHAPS FROM KIRA'S PERSPECTIVE, HE WANTS TO LICK YOU...!?]
That's taken on a completely different meaning, hasn't it?
In reality, since I can heal it with Kaido, there's no need to lick it.
Besides, it's one thing if you lick your own wound, but having someone else do it is a bit... in my position, I can't be doing something that might transmit strange bacteria.
[THAT IS ONLY PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE COVERS...]
Be quiet!
"Ah... Sensei, thank you very much."
"No problem at all."
Now that the wound was treated, we resumed cooking.
Then, I continued telling him about Renji and Rukia, who had turned bright red for just a moment earlier. Though, I only briefly explained how it all started.
"I see... so Renji did that."
"That's why I want to support them however I can. You three were in the same class, so please help out as much as you can."
"...Yes."
By the way, is Aizen going to try something?
Things are at a standstill for now, but it doesn't seem like the type of situation that would stay interesting for him if it lasted too long...
There was no movement at all yesterday, but that could be interpreted as the 'calm before the storm' or the 'preparation stage for a scheme.'
Hmm... if I had to think of something...
Ah! Careful, careful, I almost steamed the fish too long and made it dry.
It's bad to think about unnecessary things while cooking.
I'll save the thinking for when everything is finished.
---
"Airi-rin's cooking two days in a row...! I'm so happy!!"
"Hey! Eat properly and savor the flavor! That's not beautiful at all!!"
Following yesterday's lead, I came to the 11th Division again today with the refreshments.
Since it was the second day, they already knew the drill... the moment I showed my face with the food, Third Seat Kusajishi snatched the tiered boxes and started eating.
Her movements were incredible. By the time I realized it, they were gone.
Venting his frustration at Third Seat Kusajishi was Fifth Seat Ayasegawa.
He wasn't there yesterday, but he showed his face today. Since Ikkaku is here, along with the Captain and Vice-Captain, it's not surprising he'd be here too.
"What's all the racket...? Oh, you're back today too! I'm grateful... hey, don't eat it all yourself, Kusajishi! I'm eating too!!"
"I'll have some as well! I've been getting quite hungry!"
"Food... the Captain's... food..."
"Ms. Yukawa's cooking, huh... you aren't going to say it costs money again today, right?"
Good grief... it looks like a gathering of hungry ghosts...
[HOWEVER, BEING WELCOMED LIKE THIS CERTAINLY DOESN'T FEEL BAD FOR THE COOK!!]
Captain Unohana and the others gathered around as well.
"I'm not going to say something stingy like it costs money today, so here, Ichigo, you eat your fill too."
"For real? I can trust you, right?"
Ichigo is doubting me. I told you, I won't do what I did yesterday.
"Is it to your liking?"
"I have my opinions on many things, but I admit your culinary skills are beautiful."
"I-Is that so...? Thank you..."
That might be the first time Fifth Seat Ayasegawa has praised me to my face.
"There's even more than yesterday."
"I wanted something a bit spicier, do you have any?"
"Sorry. I mainly focused on things Ichigo would like. Also, seeing how much you all ate yesterday, I figured you could handle a larger amount. Kira helped me out too."
"Ah... hello..."
Since the volume was so high today, Kira helped me carry it all to the 11th Division. I'll have to do something for him later to thank him for helping with the cooking too.
Maybe because there are so many people he doesn't usually interact with, Kira is being even more quiet than usual today.
"Airi-rin's cooking makes my tummy full, but I can still eat more! Thank you too, mister!"
"No, it was nothing..."
Kira is being completely overwhelmed by Third Seat Kusajishi.
"You're hungry too, aren't you, Kira? Let's eat together."
Look, Seventh Seat Yamada is eating without saying a word.
[HE LOOKS SO EXHAUSTED THAT HIS ZOMBIE STATE FROM YESTERDAY ACTUALLY SEEMED HEALTHY... IT SEEMS HANATARO IS UNCONSCIOUSLY REALIZING THAT IF HE DOESN'T STUFF HIMSELF NOW, HE WON'T SEE TOMORROW...]
M-Maybe I should have someone take over for him?
"By the way, how is Ichigo's progress?"
"We sparred a little yesterday... he's doing okay."
When I asked casually, Vice-Captain Zaraki answered me.
...Wait, what!?
"You fought with Vice-Captain Zaraki!?"
"Yeah... it was crystal clear he was holding back, but I still couldn't lay a finger on him... I didn't feel like I was going to make it out alive..."
He must have been remembering that moment. Ichigo was shivering.
"Actually, I also sparred with him for a bit."
...Huh? Seriously? With Captain Unohana too?
"I-Ichigo... were you okay...?"
"...Yeah."
H-He's not responding... his eyes are dead... back when it was Vice-Captain Zaraki, there was still fear in them...
Even Kira has a look on his face like, 'Wait, what is this guy...? He actually fought those two...?'
"Don't tell me Fifth Seat Ayasegawa also faced Ichigo?"
"...Hmph."
"Don't act cool."
Ah, that's enough. I can guess from Ikkaku's comment.
He's not the type to engage in a direct sword fight... though it would be a different story if he released his Shikai.
"By the way, Yoruichi... you didn't stop the fights with the Captains? I thought it was a bit too early for that..."
"They weren't using Zanpakuto, but wooden swords. I didn't think he would die... however..."
A wooden sword... Ah! The 'hard, unbreakable wooden sword' Zaraki has loved since his days as Captain. I used to get thrashed with that thing all the time too. It hurt a lot.
True, it won't kill you, but... you miscalculated, didn't you?
"W-What about the Bankai training...?"
"We've been using a special method since yesterday. However, I wouldn't say the results are promising."
A special method? Are they using that convenient item that helps with materialization and submission—the Tenshintai?
But I'm pretty sure that had a time limit...
Either way, Ichigo's body is a wreck. Fine, I'll lend a hand.
"Ichigo, do you have a second?"
"Huh? What is it, Ms. Yukaw—wait, whoa!?"
Ichigo let out a surprised shout.
There's no need to be that surprised, is there?
"W-W-What are you doing!?"
"What do you think? I'm examining you. It looks like I need to be a bit more thorough."
I just pulled his clothes off a bit because I wanted to see his skin directly. He's overreacting.
Let's see... I brought my face close enough to almost bury it in his chest as I carefully checked his wounds, muscles, and bone structure.
If I'd known it was this bad, I would have brought my medical tools.
During the exam, Ichigo stayed still. Though, I wish he'd stop pointlessly tensing his whole body...
Hmm... treatment here, and here. Oh? This spot only has basic first aid.
"Whoa... th-that's right, Ms. Yukawa! How are Inoue and the others doing!?"
Perhaps unable to bear the silence during the treatment, he asked that desperately.
"Orihime and the others? Officially, they're Ryoka, so we have them in the cells, but other than that, I'm making sure they're as comfortable as possible."
"I see... so that means they're training too?"
...I see. That's right.
I should let Orihime and the others train too. I've been too trapped in the fixed idea that 'only Ichigo is doing intense training.'
"Ah, but Uryu..."
"Ishida!? Did something happen to him!?"
"Yes, actually..."
There was no point in hiding it, so I told him that his spiritual pressure had vanished.
"...Damn it! That Ishida! He's always trying to look too cool...!!"
Ah, Ichigo's spiritual pressure rose a little.
He can get stronger even from something like this... I'm jealous...
Once the meal and treatment were finished, we left the 11th Division. We planned to skip the sparring with Vice-Captain Zaraki today and go straight back to the 4th Division.
If he keeps fighting Vice-Captain Zaraki every day, the division's work won't get done, and I want to train Orihime and the others even a little bit.
So, I politely declined for today.
...In exchange, I was given an order for tomorrow's refreshments.
It was: "Pack more sweets."
But when he said that, he glanced at Third Seat Kusajishi for a split second... He's kind, isn't he?
"Thank you so much for helping today, Kira."
"No... it was... it was nothing..."
I was walking ahead and Kira was following behind, so I couldn't see his face. However, what I heard from behind me was a low tone and hesitant words.
"Ah, that's right. You might already know even if I don't say it."
So, I turned around to face him directly and flashed a smile to cheer him up.
"Today is a secret, okay?"
"Heh... just what exactly is a secret?"
Standing beside Kira was Captain Hitsugaya.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]