Chapter 24: An Encounter with Aizen Sosuke

Finally, it wasn't until Makoto and Yamada had retreated all the way to the courtyard that they felt the pressure looming over them dissipate.

"Captain... why did you suddenly become so frightening?" Yamada muttered, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, still confused.

Makoto, equally perplexed, felt an unease stirring in his heart. Frowning, he fell into deep thought.

Had I overdone it? Was I too eager, and now I've made Unohana-sensei dislike me?

But even though I've been relying on Unohana-sensei to avoid certain troubles, my gratitude toward her is sincere. Even if she saw through my intentions, she shouldn't have reacted like that, should she?

Women… sigh, they're so difficult to figure out!

Senju Makoto clicked his tongue in frustration, his face full of helplessness. He turned to Yamada and asked, "Vice-Captain Yamada, do you have any spare rooms?"

"Huh?" Yamada blinked, not quite processing the question.

With a hint of exasperation, Makoto responded, "Since the captain kicked me out, I won't be able to stay in the courtyard tonight. Do you have a spare room where I can stay for the night? Or perhaps..."

Makoto raised an eyebrow, his face showing a touch of embarrassment. "We could squeeze in together if need be."

Yamada shrugged nonchalantly, replying with his usual sharp tongue. "Not really appropriate. Even if I were willing, my wife definitely wouldn't be."

???

Makoto's thoughts froze.

Wait, what? How does a sharp-tongued, sarcastic guy like you have a wife, while I'm still a single dog?

This isn't fair!!!

But wait... I'm not planning anything weird, so why would your wife mind?

Why don't you ask her? She might actually say yes!

Unfortunately, despite all his internal commentary, Makoto kept these thoughts to himself as he watched Yamada walk away.

Of course, it wasn't because he didn't think he could take on Yamada.

It was purely because Makoto had an instinctive feeling that if he spoke those words aloud, Yamada, the scheming man he was, would definitely report it to Unohana-sensei.

However, after Yamada Seinosuke left, standing in the vast, empty courtyard in front of the Fourth Division headquarters, Makoto couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly abandoned and lonely.

I'm still single, yet somehow I've already experienced the feeling of being kicked out of my own home?

Maybe... I could go stay at Risa's place? They are at least a middle-class noble family...

But Makoto quickly discarded this somewhat risky idea and instead turned toward the gynecology department, deciding to spend the night training in the office.

Just as he was about to enter the gynecology department's door, a gentle male voice, rare in the Seireitei, suddenly called out from beside him.

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt. Are you Senju Makoto?"

Makoto froze in his tracks. The soft, kind expression he usually wore stiffened slightly, and he turned his eyes to the side. Standing next to him was someone who appeared somewhat ordinary, but who exuded a remarkably warm, gentle aura that made people instinctively feel at ease...

The Male Shinigami Whose Thoughts Were Trusted and Close

Brown hair, black-framed glasses, and the insignia of the Fifth Division's vice-captain...

Makoto's breath involuntarily quickened for a moment, and a name immediately sprang to mind.

Aizen Sosuke!

The terrifying man Makoto had tried so hard to avoid ever since entering the Shin'o Academy. Aizen Sosuke, a man who had reached the peak of the Shinigami's combat skills—Zanpakuto, Shunpo, and Kido—and who, with his own strength, manipulated both Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, playing with monsters of unimaginable power!

Despite having mentally prepared for numerous scenarios where he might face Aizen Sosuke, Makoto hadn't expected it to come so suddenly, and so early on—while he was still unprepared!

Almost instinctively, Makoto's right hand moved to grasp the hilt of his Zanpakuto, but just as quickly, he forced himself to calm down, consciously shifting to a posture that was wary but not overtly hostile.

Losing his composure... It's inevitable. Any foolish attempt to cover it up would only make me seem more suspicious. I'll have to follow through with the reaction I just had…

In the split second, Makoto made a quick assessment of the situation.

Aizen Sosuke, meanwhile, appeared to have observed every reaction Makoto had, and casually asked, "Makoto-kun, you seem quite nervous?"

"Heh…"

Senju Makoto let out a cold chuckle and replied, "For an unidentified male Shinigami appearing in the gynecology department in the dead of night, don't you think that's a bit too arrogant of you? State your identity and intentions, or don't blame me for assuming you're here to do something inappropriate."

For a moment, even Aizen Sosuke seemed taken aback, realizing that his sudden appearance could indeed raise suspicions.

He scratched the back of his head and waved his hand dismissively, his tone softening as he explained, "Sorry, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I am the Fifth Division's vice-captain, Aizen Sosuke. I'm not some unidentified person."

Senju Makoto visibly relaxed just slightly, though his inner vigilance didn't waver as he asked, "Your purpose?"

Aizen Sosuke answered calmly, "Two of the female officers from the Fifth Division—Takamoto Natsuki and Mikami Yuki—have taken sick leave and are in the hospital, so as the vice-captain, it's my duty to check on their condition."

Takamoto Natsuki? Mikami Yuki?

Senju Makoto wasn't sure whether these two individuals existed, but it was clear that Aizen Sosuke wouldn't lie about something so easily verifiable.

Was it a coincidence?

Or a well-planned encounter?

After all, Senju Makoto's presence in the gynecology department tonight was entirely by chance, and it was far from his usual routine.

So… could it really be a coincidence?

If so, it was just too unfortunate. He should have gone to Risa's house instead of coming back to the department! That would have been far better!

As his mind raced with these thoughts, Makoto relaxed his exterior and spoke with a touch of apology, "Sorry, Vice-Captain Aizen. It's just that it's rare for a male Shinigami to appear in the gynecology department at this hour, so I might have overreacted. Please forgive my rudeness."

Aizen Sosuke's eyes, behind his black-framed glasses, revealed warmth, and with an appreciative tone, he said, "No harm done. On the contrary, Makoto-kun, your reaction and actions are quite impressive. The current state of Soul Society is far too lax. Years of peace have dulled the vigilance of many of our comrades."

Upon hearing these subtly pointed words, Makoto's heart skipped a beat.

Aizen Sosuke… You know how to speak, don't you? Can you say less?

I can't tell if you're testing me, but I'm just a rookie Shinigami who joined the Fourth Division two months ago. Aside from nursing and relying on others, I really don't know much.

Unohana-sensei, are you awake?

Your kind and pure-hearted disciple is being tested, requesting immediate rescue—it's quite urgent…

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