Just Eat More 22: Chapter 22: Eat It or Don’t…
Just Eat More After all, Makoto hadn’t gone to the Gynecology Department to dissect a hundred female Soul Reapers alive.
Thus, the questions he had used to get through tonight’s session were practically every single doubt he had accumulated regarding Kaido and medical science over the past few years.
Makoto truly couldn’t comprehend how Unohana managed to squeeze him so dry down to the very last drop without ever making him feel embarrassed.
*Could it be…
that Unohana is truly that experienced?
In terms of Kaido and medicine, that is…* Suddenly, Makoto’s eyes widened.
He sat up with a start, murmuring, “I…
I’ve been played…” There was no doubt about it.
By sending him to the Gynecology Department today and using the gift as a pretext, Unohana had completely pulled Makoto into her rhythm.
As a result, Makoto had forgotten to hold anything back, allowing Unohana to thoroughly map out his current level of proficiency in Kaido and medical science.
“Which…
which means if I ever slack off or try to lounge around in the department, another questioning session like this will completely expose me?” The light slowly drained from Makoto’s eyes.
…
Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Aoki residence, Risa Aoki knelt dejectedly on the pebble-covered ground.
As a cold breeze swept past, she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, trying to capture a sliver of warmth.
This was her punishment—imposed by Chiyoko Aoki for Risa’s rudeness and loss of composure earlier that day.
Mistaking the disciple of Captain Unohana for a woman and teasing him was no minor offense.
Depending on how Makoto chose to handle it, he could have brought ruin upon the entire Aoki family.
Therefore, almost the moment Risa returned home, she was subjected to Chiyoko’s harshest punishment.
Not only was she denied dinner, but she also had to kneel on the ground and reflect on her actions until dawn.
Though Risa was exhausted, starving, and freezing, she didn’t dare challenge Chiyoko’s authority.
Furthermore, she knew how hard her mother had it, carrying the burden of the Aoki family alone after her irresponsible father died.
Strictly speaking, Risa should have resented Makoto.
That guy could have clarified the misunderstanding right away…
Yet, for some reason, despite having harbored a slight aversion to men since childhood, the image of Makoto’s pure and gentle face surfaced in her mind.
Unconsciously, she found herself making excuses for him.
*Maybe…
he just wanted to indulge me?
Or did he not have time to warn me?
Or perhaps he didn’t mind letting me make fun of him just so we could get close quickly?* *And he thanked me for looking after him today…* *Honestly, I didn’t even do anything…* Kneeling in the cold wind of the dark night, tired and hungry, Risa found herself thinking that Makoto’s smile was remarkably warm.
…
The next day, when Makoto arrived on time to begin his daily routine at the Gynecology Department, he was surprised to find Risa already in the office.
She had even placed a beautifully packed, delicious-looking bento box on his desk.
*Wait…
surely Risa Aoki wouldn’t try to poison me over such a small thing, right?* Makoto couldn’t help but look at her with a trace of suspicion.
He couldn’t think of any other reason why she would do this.
Moreover, noticing the faint exhaustion she couldn’t quite hide, Makoto guessed she must have thoroughly experienced Chiyoko’s “maternal love” the night before.
This only made him suspect a poisoning attempt even more.
Under Makoto’s gaze, Risa looked away awkwardly.
Unwilling to meet his eyes, she spoke in an offhand tone.
“I made a bit too much for my bento this morning.
Since I don’t believe in wasting food, I made a portion for you too…” As she spoke, her voice grew slightly more assertive, as if trying to sound convincing.
She even turned her head, determined not to back down as she met his gaze.
However, when she saw the warm, inquisitive look in Makoto’s eyes, her heart skipped a beat.
Her courage instantly drained away, and her voice softened immediately.
“Is that…
okay?” Makoto nodded.
Although he was still a bit puzzled, he was reasonably sure she harbored no ill intent.
“Thank you very much.
I’ll eat every last bite with gratitude,” Makoto said earnestly.
“Who…
who wants your gratitude?
Just…
eat it or don’t…
just eat up!” Stammering through her words, Risa paused for a brief moment before lowering her head and rushing out of the office, looking very much like she was fleeing the scene.
Watching her leave, Makoto gave it a moment’s thought.
He then did some light cleaning around the office before diving back into the Gynecology Department’s Kaido and medical texts.
Frankly, he had no choice but to work hard.
There was a very high chance Unohana would check his progress every single day when he returned to the courtyard.
If Makoto couldn’t come up with anything, there was no telling how the black-hearted Unohana would react.
For Soul Reapers with their vast lifespans, time was often the easiest thing to lose track of.
Having settled down to focus on Kaido and medical science, Makoto was in no rush to sow the Forest Seeds.
After all, Ichigo wouldn’t grow up for another hundred years or so.
Moreover, with Makoto clinging to Unohana’s thigh for protection, he didn’t have to worry about any trouble finding him.
Furthermore, in the absence of other troubles, Unohana herself was the biggest trouble of all in his eyes!
As for Risa’s revenge or poisoning, it never materialized.
Aside from frequently preparing various bentos for Makoto, she behaved in a strangely contradictory manner—seemingly trying to keep her distance from him, yet somehow wanting to draw closer.
Ultimately, Makoto could only assume this was all just a task assigned to her by Chiyoko Aoki.
Even though Makoto hadn’t taken on any patients since joining the Gynecology Department, spending his days like a sponge absorbing vast amounts of Kaido and medical knowledge, word of a male Soul Reaper physician joining the Gynecology Department began to slip out as his presence became more frequent.
The news stirred up ripple after ripple of gossip throughout the Seireitei.
What truly set the Seireitei ablaze, however, was Unohana casually acknowledging Makoto’s status as her disciple during a captains’ meeting.
She had openly stated that, based on his areas of expertise, she had specifically assigned him to the Gynecology Department.
In an instant, the name of “Gynecologist” Makoto Senju rang out loud and clear, echoing across the length and breadth of the Seireitei!