"Captain Suì-Fēng, if there's anything you'd like me to do, just tell me."
Facing Suì-Fēng's request, Yamahiko quickly responded. He knew this was his best chance to get involved in Shunkō. If he missed this opportunity, Suì-Fēng might not offer to teach him Shunkō.
Even her own research on Shunkō, which she would use in her battle with Yoruichi five decades from now, was not highly developed at this point.
In her fight against Yoruichi, she initially had the upper hand thanks to Shunkō and even managed to wound Yoruichi using her Shikai, Suzumebachi. However, she was ultimately defeated by Yoruichi's Shunkō. Yoruichi mentioned that Suì-Fēng wasn't ready for it yet, and the attack was not lethal.
Yamahiko's involvement would not only help him master Shunkō but could also expedite Suì-Fēng's own progress.
Suì-Fēng explained, "As I mentioned earlier, it involves combining Kidō and Hakuda. However, it's just a concept at the moment. I hope you can research it with me, and we can share the results together. Are you willing?"
Yamahiko eagerly replied, "I'm willing."
Suì-Fēng nodded and said, "Good. Let's meet on Saturdays and Sundays to research Shunkō together."
Yamahiko scratched his head and expressed concern, "But I still have to work, and a full day might be too much..."
Yamahiko spent at least six hours on his daily tasks, and taking a whole day off would mean sacrificing his training time.
"I'll have Ōmaeda take care of your weekend duties. After all, he's the captain of Patrol Corps," Suì-Fēng said irritably.
Hearing this, Yamahiko agreed, "Okay, I'll come find you on Saturdays and Sundays, Taichō."
(Note: Taichō - Captain of a group of forces)
Suì-Fēng glanced at the sky and commented, "It's getting late. Today's special training is over. You can go back now."
Yamahiko looked at Suì-Fēng and took out a stack of money from his pocket, saying, "Taichō Suì-Fēng, I received my salary for this month a few days ago. Here's what I owe you."
Suì-Fēng furrowed her brows and said, "I told you that you don't need to repay me."
Yamahiko replied earnestly, "When you borrow money, you have to return it. Please accept it, Taichō Suì-Fēng."
Suì-Fēng, with no other choice, accepted the money. Yamahiko then said, "By the way, in gratitude for taking the time every week to train me, I'd like to invite you to dinner."
"Dinner? That's not necessary."
Suì-Fēng waved her hand and said, "I help you because you have the potential worth helping."
Yamahiko looked at Suì-Fēng and smiled, saying, "But this kind of help is substantial. It has improved me a lot. Captain, please let me repay you for this help."
Suì-Fēng didn't want to accept it, but Yamahiko had already jumped ahead and stood some distance away, saying, "Taichō Suì-Fēng, let's go."
Suì-Fēng had no choice but to follow him. She may have appeared cold on the outside, but she wasn't good at social interactions, especially rejecting people. Besides, Yamahiko was just a child, only fourteen years old this year, and his intentions were sincere.
So, Suì-Fēng reluctantly accompanied him. However, as they left the barracks and walked along the streets, she couldn't help but feel increasingly uneasy.
Why were people around them staring at her?
Suì-Fēng looked very uncomfortable and increasingly impatient. At this moment, a seductive, blonde woman not far away noticed Suì-Fēng and quickly called out, "Captain Suì-Fēng."
Suì-Fēng saw the person and nodded, saying, "Vice-Captain Matsumoto."
The person in front of them was Rangiku Matsumoto. Seeing Yamahiko, she smiled and asked, "Yamahiko is here too. What are you and Captain Suì-Fēng up to?"
Yamahiko smiled and replied, "We're going out to eat!"
"Just the two of you?" Matsumoto Rangiku looked puzzled.
Suì-Fēng hurriedly explained, "Yamahiko just received his salary and wanted to treat me to a meal. I couldn't refuse, so..."
Matsumoto Rangiku grinned and said, "Just received your salary? That's great! Count me in."
Yamahiko looked at Matsumoto Rangiku curiously and asked, "Vice-Captain Matsumoto, aren't you supposed to be on patrol?"
"Patrol duties are handled by the subordinates below. I'm just supervising to see if they're slacking off." Matsumoto Rangiku chuckled and added, "Don't forget about the time you peeped on me."
Yamahiko scratched his head and agreed, "Alright, I'll treat you to dinner as well, Vice-Captain Matsumoto."
Matsumoto immediately wrapped her arm around Yamahiko's shoulder, squeezing him under her arm, and said, "That's more like it."
Yamahiko's head was squeezed against Matsumoto Rangiku's ample bosom, and his face turned bright red.
Seeing this scene, Suì-Fēng frowned and said, "Let's go quickly."
"Right."
With Matsumoto Rangiku still hugging Yamahiko, they headed towards the restaurant. They hadn't walked far when a voice from the distance called out, "Little Yamicchi, Captain Suì-Fēng, Vice-Captain Matsumoto, where are you guys off to?"
The three of them stopped in their tracks, and they saw a pink-haired girl not far away, holding a paper bag and munching on gold candies.
"Vice-Captain Yachiru."
Matsumoto Rangiku looked at Yachiru Kusajishi and asked with a smile, "Do you know Yamahiko too?"
Yamahiko quickly explained, "When I was at the Shin'ō Academy, Vice-Captain Yachiru helped me find the job."
Yachiru Kusajishi nodded and said, "That's right, I helped him."
Matsumoto Rangiku jokingly said, "Then, Yamahiko, why don't you treat her to a meal?"
Yamahiko quickly replied, "Vice-Captain Yachiru, please join us."
After thinking for a moment, Yachiru said, "Hmm, I'll come along."
So the group expanded once more, now consisting of four people, as they headed towards the gourmet street together.
Matsumoto Rangiku, still with her arm around Yamahiko, asked, "Yamahiko, what do you plan to treat us to?"
Yamahiko smiled and said, "I plan to take everyone to the Gogi House."
(Note - Gogi-go-ui is "grilled meat" basically Korean BBQ.)
The Gogi House was a well-known restaurant on the gourmet street, frequented by those who enjoyed grilled cuisine.
Matsumoto Rangiku chuckled and said, "That sounds great. It's been a while since I had been there."
Yachiru Kusajishi said, "I want Buldak."
(Buldak - 'fire chicken')
Yamahiko quickly agreed, "Sure, we'll order Buldak later."
The four of them arrived at the Gogi House. Upon entering, the owner saw Yamahiko and greeted him with a smile, saying, "Young man, you're back again."
Last Sunday, after receiving his salary, Yamahiko had treated Renji, Rukia, Izuru Kira, and Momo Hinamori and Kondo to a meal here. Yamahiko naturally remembered them. In the three years since he had arrived in the Soul Society, they had helped him immensely. So, when he received his money, he treated the five of them to a meal.
Yamahiko nodded and said, "Yes, please arrange a private room for us."
"Certainly."
The owner led the four of them to the second floor and into a private room. The room was elegantly decorated with an antique round table, high-backed chairs, and several traditional paintings adorning the walls. It had an old-world charm.
After they all took their seats, the owner handed them the menu and asked, "What would you all like to eat?"