However, just as Chiyoko Aoki was considering how to show the appropriate amount of goodwill to Makoto Senju—the Captain’s disciple—without provoking dissatisfaction among the other members of the Gynecology Department, she pushed open the office door.
To her shock, she saw Risa Aoki clutching Makoto’s arms with both hands, shaking him back and forth, her face flushed with excitement as she cheered.
“Makoto, this is amazing!
Did you hear that just now?
The Captain gave me special permission to join the Relief Squad…
Don’t you worry.
From now on, I, Risa Aoki, will have your back!” “Yeah, yeah, yeah…” As for Makoto, he was merely humoring Risa in an absentminded manner.
It had to be said that once one had seen enough scenery along the road, one naturally became an experienced driver.
As a complete novice who had rarely had any close contact with women, Makoto had been a bit flustered this morning by Retsu Unohana’s intentional or unintentional teasing.
But now, even with Risa constantly brushing against him in close quarters, his heart remained remarkably steady.
After all, having gazed upon the vast, bottomless ocean of Unohana’s bountiful beauty, how could he lose his composure over slightly undulating hills?
More importantly, the warm, gentle parting glance Unohana had cast his way before leaving kept replaying in his mind.
Makoto knew very well that if he did not return to the courtyard early tonight to “clock in” and report to her—and if Unohana came to believe he actually went to study “milk skincare” with Risa—he would likely meet a very painful end!
*Cough, cough!* Seeing the distracted Makoto and the overly excited Risa inside the office, Chiyoko could not help but cough loudly twice.
Instantly, Risa froze like a mouse spotting a cat.
She quickly quieted down and spoke fearfully.
“Mother.” Makoto also greeted her respectfully.
“Fifth Seat Aoki.” Chiyoko nodded to Makoto in response, then turned a sharp, stern gaze upon Risa, scolding her.
“Risa, what kind of insolent behavior is this?
Apologize to Makoto-kun at once!” Looking thoroughly innocent, Makoto scratched his hair and quickly “pleaded” on Risa’s behalf, subtly adding fuel to the fire.
“Fifth Seat Aoki, Risa wasn’t being insolent at all.
On the contrary, I deeply envy her lively and innocent nature.
I’m sure her childhood must have been incredibly carefree and happy.” In an instant, Chiyoko’s face went completely dark.
*Lively and innocent.* These were words that should never be used to praise a proper noble heir.
Perhaps…
she had been so busy with work that she had indulged Risa too much.
It was time to remind Risa of the “visceral” love of her childhood, to make her understand the responsibilities and honor she now bore as a member of the Aoki family.
Feeling Chiyoko’s gloomy gaze, Risa’s body shivered almost instinctively, clearly recalling some “warmth” from her childhood.
However, out of consideration for Makoto’s presence, Chiyoko did not fly into a rage.
She merely said in a solemn voice, “Since Makoto-kun has pleaded on your behalf, I will let it go this once.
Do not forget the responsibilities and honor you bear.
You must never do anything to disgrace the Aoki family.” “Yes, Mother,” Risa replied, biting her lip.
Standing to the side, Makoto watched this unfold.
Then, Chiyoko’s stern, mature, and strangely charming face softened into a warm smile.
“My apologies, Makoto-kun.
You had to witness such a joke.” With the slight awkwardness of a young boy, Makoto replied, “Fifth Seat Aoki’s strict family discipline is a model for the nobility.” These words made Chiyoko’s eyes light up slightly.
Her warmth toward Makoto grew even deeper, carrying a hint of closeness.
As Captain Unohana’s only disciple to date, even though Makoto came from the lowest depths of the Rukongai, there was a strong possibility he would reach the level of a Captain in the future.
Befriending a young man with such immense potential and gaining his approval was highly beneficial to the Aoki family.
“Makoto-kun flatters us.
I must ask you to look after my daughter in the future.” Listening to the exchange between her mother and Makoto, Risa became increasingly convinced that Makoto was some kind of high-ranking noble.
Otherwise, Captain Unohana would not have shown him such special favor, nor would her mother—who valued noble honor above all else—treat him with the deference shown to a superior noble.
At this thought, Risa could not help but smugly interject, “Mother, Makoto is a girl.” Chiyoko froze, then scolded her in a voice as cold as frost.
“What nonsense are you talking?
Makoto-kun is Captain Unohana’s newly accepted male disciple.” “What?!” Risa was stunned.
She turned to look at the delicate, handsome boy beside her in utter disbelief.
Then, starting from her neck, her entire head turned a brilliant crimson.
Vaguely…
Makoto could almost see steam rising from the top of Risa’s head.
‘Pig-brain overload?’ Makoto blinked innocently, silently amused.
It was well worth holding back his explanation after noticing Risa’s fear of Chiyoko earlier.
This time, Risa would surely enjoy a thorough taste of her mother’s “love” when they returned home tonight.
After Risa had caused such an embarrassing misunderstanding in front of Captain Unohana’s disciple, a dark-faced Chiyoko quickly arranged a new consultation room in the Gynecology Department for Makoto and Risa to study and practice.
Although Chiyoko had some concerns about Makoto’s actual skill level, Risa was already fully capable of independent practice.
The only reason Risa had been assigned to the Mortuary like a regular new recruit was to avoid giving rise to gossip during her transition.
With Risa as his partner, Chiyoko did not worry about the clinical side of things.
What she truly needed to worry about were the potential rumors.
Once Chiyoko finished the arrangements and left, the new consultation room fell into a dead silence.
Risa stood as if her acupoints had been sealed.
Aside from her toes digging furiously into the floor, she did not dare cast even a single glance in Makoto’s direction, nor did she make a single sound.
She seemed terrified of drawing his attention and dying of embarrassment in front of him once again.
Makoto, on the other hand, welcomed the peace and quiet.
He began to flip through the Kaido and medical books he had requested from Chiyoko.
After all, Retsu Unohana stood at the absolute pinnacle of Kaido and medicine in the entire Soul Society.
Even as her disciple, Makoto knew that asking her to explain basic, academy-level concepts—even if she did not mind teaching him—was not the right way to learn.
It was like bringing a simple quadratic equation to a world-class mathematician and asking them to show the steps.