Chapter 20: Makoto Senju is the Captain's disciple?!

However, just as Chiyoko was contemplating how to show proper goodwill to Makoto, the captain's disciple, without causing dissatisfaction among the other members of the gynecology department, the door to the office swung open. To her surprise, she saw Risa, both hands tightly gripping Makoto's arm, shaking it repeatedly while her face flushed with excitement, continuously cheering.

"Makoto, this is fantastic! Did you hear that? The captain has approved me to join the emergency team... Don't worry, I'll be looking out for you from now on, Risa's got your back…"

"Mm, mm, mm..."

As for Makoto, he was somewhat distracted, responding absentmindedly to Risa's enthusiasm.

It must be said, the more one experiences the sights along the journey, the more one becomes an experienced traveler.

Originally, Makoto, a physiological novice who rarely had the chance to be close to women, had been flustered this morning by a teasing glance from Unohana. But now, as Risa's occasional intimate gestures continued, his demeanor had become much more composed.

After all, once one has gazed into the vast and all-encompassing depths of the ocean, how could one be fazed by the mild undulations of a hilltop?

More importantly, Makoto's mind still repeatedly replayed the gaze Unohana had cast upon him as she left—eyes full of tenderness.

But Makoto was well aware that if he didn't return to the courtyard early tonight and check in, Unohana might mistakenly think he was truly off with Risa researching the topic of milk skincare. And the consequences of that would be unbearable.

"Ah-hem!"

Upon hearing the sound of a deliberate cough, Risa froze in panic, like a mouse spotting a cat, and immediately fell silent. In a fearful tone, she spoke.

"Mother."

Makoto also respectfully greeted, "Aoki Fifth Seat."

Chiyoko first nodded to acknowledge Makoto, then turned her sharp, serious gaze onto Aoki Risa and scolded.

"Risa, what kind of behavior is this? Hurry up and apologize to Makoto-kun!"

Makoto, appearing harmless, awkwardly scratched his head, quickly defending Risa. He added, with a bit of restrained irritation, "Aoki Fifth Seat, Risa didn't do anything inappropriate. On the contrary, Risa's lively innocence is something I deeply envy. I'm sure her childhood was carefree and happy."

In an instant, Chiyoko's face darkened with displeasure.

"Lively innocence" was undoubtedly a compliment that shouldn't belong to a proper noble heir.

Perhaps… she had been too lenient with Risa while busy with work. It was time for Risa to be reminded of the "tough love" from her childhood, to understand the responsibilities and honors she now bore as a member of the Aoki family.

Sensing the heavy look from Chiyoko, Risa instinctively shuddered, seemingly recalling some warm memory from her childhood.

However, given Makoto's presence, Chiyoko refrained from reacting harshly. Instead, she spoke in a stern tone.

"Since Makoto-kun has spoken on your behalf, I'll let it go this time. But don't forget the responsibility and honor you bear. You must never..."

"The matters regarding the Aoki family."

"Yes, Mother."

Makoto, standing to the side, watched as Risa bit her lip and responded.

Then, Chiyoko, with her serious and strangely mature yet alluring demeanor, allowed a trace of a smile to appear, saying:

"My apologies for causing Makoto-kun to witness this."

Makoto, feeling slightly awkward, replied in a youthful tone, "The Aoki family's traditions are quite strict—one could say it's a model of nobility."

This comment made Chiyoko's eyes brighten slightly, her gaze softening with a growing sense of warmth and even a bit of closeness.

As the only disciple of Unohana Retsu, despite Senju Makoto's lowly background from Rukongai, there was still a possibility that he could rise to the rank of captain in the future.

It would be beneficial for the Aoki family to foster a relationship with someone of Makoto's potential, and to earn his approval.

"Makoto-kun is too kind. My daughter still has much to learn, and I hope you will continue to guide her."

As Aoki Chiyoko conversed with Makoto, Risa became more certain that Senju Makoto must indeed be from an incredibly noble family. Otherwise, Unohana wouldn't have shown him such special consideration, and her own mother—who placed great importance on noble status—would not have acted so much like a superior aristocrat towards him.

Realizing this, Aoki Risa couldn't help but feel a bit smug, and reminded her mother with a teasing tone, "Mother, Makoto is a male."

Chiyoko froze for a moment, her tone turning frosty as she reprimanded her daughter. "What nonsense are you speaking? Makoto-kun is the new disciple of Captain Unohana."

"What?!"

Risa blinked in shock, turning to look at the seemingly innocent, refined young man beside her. Her face turned red from the neck up to her head.

Somehow, Senju Makoto could almost see steam rising from the top of Aoki Risa's head.

*'Pig... brain overload?'

*(TL/N - Idk what the hll is this anyway)

Makoto blinked innocently, suppressing the urge to comment. He couldn't help but silently judge the situation, which hadn't been clarified until now. He'd noticed Risa's fear of her mother and decided to hold back any explanations.

After this little blunder, Risa would likely face some 'motherly love' when she got home that evening.

Shortly after, Chiyoko, with a rather dark expression, arranged a new office in the gynecology department for Makoto and Risa to study and take shifts.

Though Chiyoko had some reservations about Makoto's actual abilities, Risa had already reached the level where she could independently handle appointments. However, to avoid leaving room for gossip, Chiyoko insisted that Risa go through the process as if she were a regular new recruit at the funeral home.

With Risa as his partner, Chiyoko had no worries about handling consultations. The real concern, however, was the potential rumors circulating.

Once Chiyoko left, the new office fell into an oppressive silence.

Risa seemed frozen, as if someone had struck her pressure points. Aside from her toes nervously digging into the floor, she didn't dare to look at Makoto. She was so still that not even the slightest sound escaped her, seemingly terrified of drawing Makoto's attention and risking another "social anxiety" in front of him.

Makoto, on the other hand, welcomed the quiet. He began flipping through the medical books and related notes about the gynecology department that Chiyoko had provided.

After all, Unohana stood at the pinnacle of both the Soul Society's healing arts and her medical expertise.

Although, as her disciple, Makoto could learn much from Unohana, the basic knowledge he was exposed to was still elementary compared to the advanced teachings at the Central 46 or the Academy. Even if Unohana didn't mind personally teaching him, Makoto knew that wasn't the right way to learn.

It was like trying to ask a top-tier mathematician to solve a simple quadratic equation.

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