In the following days, Yamahiko continued to stay at the hospital. Renji Abarai and others visited him and took care of him during his recovery.
Suì-Fēng enthusiastically went back to investigate, but couldn't find any concrete leads. Under her persistence, the entire Soul Society considered Kisuke Urahara as the prime suspect for the investigation.
Until Aizen hadn't exposed himself, no one suspected him.
By the fourth day, Yamahiko's arm had already healed, but the injuries to his leg were still severe. However, he could now move both of his hands.
So, Yamahiko wrote a letter and found a moment when nobody was around to give the letter to Unohana Retsu. He said, "Captain Unohana, if one day I'm framed and imprisoned or suddenly die, please read this letter and hand it over to Captain Yamamoto. Besides that, please don't let anyone else see it."
Unohana Retsu accepted the letter and asked, "Is it related to the recent attack on you? Do you know who attacked you?"
Yamahiko touched his nose and replied, "To some extent."
Unohana Retsu asked gently, "Then why not just say it outright?"
Yamahiko chuckled and said, "Because saying it won't help. Without evidence, no one will believe, and even if they find out, they won't be able to catch him. It will only make him more cautious."
Unohana Retsu nodded and said, "But why give me the letter?"
Yamahiko looked at Unohana Retsu and smiled, saying, "Only Captain Unohana's prestige is persuasive enough, and combined with my framing, it will indirectly confirm the existence of the culprit."
If he were to reveal Aizen's name now, it would be impossible to catch him, and there would be no evidence. But if he made preparations in advance and was framed, the contents of the letter would indirectly be confirmed.
He chose Unohana Retsu not only for her prestige but also for her strength. With her, protecting the letter wouldn't be an issue.
Unohana Retsu took the letter and said, "I'll keep it safe."
Yamahiko nodded and added, "But if I suddenly disappear, please hide this letter until I reappear."
In case he wasn't framed, Yamahiko had made a plan. While it wasn't foolproof, it was the best he could do.
Unohana Retsu said, "I'll be vigilant. You take care too."
From Yamahiko's words, Unohana Retsu knew that the situation wasn't simple. Planning for one's safety in this manner indicated the urgency of the situation.
Yamahiko smiled and said, "Thank you, Captain Unohana. I'll be careful."
"What are you being careful about?"
A voice suddenly echoed, and Suì-Fēng walked in, carrying a paper bag. The letter in Unohana Retsu's hands had disappeared, and Yamahiko didn't even notice her movements.
Unohana Retsu chuckled and said, "I just told Yamahiko to be careful not to let his leg touch the ground."
Suì-Fēng approached Yamahiko, placed the bag on a nearby cabinet, and said, "You better remember what Captain Unohana said."
Yamahiko laughed and replied, "Of course."
Suì-Fēng turned to Unohana Retsu and asked, "Captain Unohana, how's Yamahiko's condition?"
Unohana Retsu answered, "Now, it's only the leg injury. After a few days of rest and treatment, he'll be able to leave."
Suì-Fēng bowed to Unohana Retsu and said, "Thank you, Captain Unohana."
Unohana Retsu responded, "You're too polite, Captain Suì-Fēng."
After Unohana Retsu left, Suì-Fēng took out an apple from the paper bag, went to freshen up, and then grabbed a knife. The knife transformed into arcs of light in an instant, and the apple's skin was peeled off with precision, leaving the perfect fruit behind.
Suì-Fēng had exceptional control over her body, especially when it came to delicate tasks.
After peeling the apple, she offered it to Yamahiko. However, Yamahiko didn't use his hands to take it. Instead, he opened his mouth, indicating that she should feed him.
Suì-Fēng said in an exasperated tone, "Your hand is better now. You can eat by yourself."
Yamahiko immediately responded, "I don't want to. If you don't feed me, I won't eat."
Suì-Fēng sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She couldn't help but feel exasperated with this stubborn little devil. She glanced at the door, saw no one was around, and said, "Fine, just this once, considering you're lying in a hospital bed."
Suì-Fēng handed the apple to Yamahiko and brought it close to his mouth. Yamahiko took a bite, chewing it with great delight, becoming happier with every bite.
However, his joy quickly turned into distress as he choked on the apple.
"Be more careful," Suì-Fēng scolded.
She sat beside Yamahiko and patted his back as he recovered. When he was finally okay, she rolled her eyes and said, "You're not a child. Pay attention."
Yamahiko gazed at Suì-Fēng, who was so close that he could see her fair, porcelain-like skin, and he couldn't resist the urge to move his head and plant a kiss on her cheek.
Suì-Fēng froze in her tracks, looking at Yamahiko with a displeased expression.
Regret washed over Yamahiko immediately after the impulsive kiss. What had he done? This wasn't the right time for such an intimate gesture. Suì-Fēng must be furious.
Suì-Fēng raised an eyebrow and asked in a stern tone, "What are you doing?"
Yamahiko put on a remorseful face and said, "Captain Suì-Fēng, I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself. If you want to slap me or give me a few good earfuls, please go ahead."
Yamahiko hadn't completely won her heart yet, and he was aware that his over-familiarity had pushed her away. Especially with the recent rumors and gossip about their relationship, she had become more guarded with her feelings.
He believed that it was the right time to gradually open her heart, slowly replacing Yoruichi Shihōin in her affections. However, he had gone too far this time by kissing her without her consent.
He had managed to control himself before, so why had he lost control this time?
Yamahiko was sweating profusely in his anxiety. Seeing him like this, Suì-Fēng found it amusing. This guy was terrified?
Why didn't she feel angry when he had offended her but instead felt amused? And she even felt a tiny bit happy? However, she couldn't show these emotions. Suì-Fēng glared at Yamahiko and said, "Consider yourself lucky you're injured this time. If there's a next time, I'll break your leg."
Yamahiko was slightly puzzled and asked, "Captain Suì-Fēng, you're not angry?"
Suì-Fēng snorted and said, "I'm very angry, but there's nothing I can do about it. It's because you got hurt. Now eat."
Suì-Fēng's face turned slightly red as she offered the apple to Yamahiko's mouth. Yamahiko couldn't help himself from reaching out and touching Suì-Fēng's left hand, holding it.
Suì-Fēng's hand was small, with slender fingers and a soft palm, making it very pleasant to touch.
Suì-Fēng's body trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away; instead, she let him hold her hand. She kept repeating to herself in her mind, 'It's because he's injured, I feel sorry for him, that's why I'm letting him hold my hand.'
That must be it.
Yamahiko hadn't expected that their feelings for each other would progress so rapidly because of his injury and impulsive action.
But why?
Even though Suì-Fēng had not responded to his feelings over the past four years.
What Yamahiko didn't know was that although Soifon was still in a defensive mode, he was not the target of her defenses.
Fourteen years of being together had long made Suì-Fēng consider him a close friend.
As described earlier, Suì-Fēng was a tsundere who feigned high-handedness to conceal her true emotions.
How could he make her reveal her true feelings?
With a kiss!
~End of the chapter~
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