Feeling the warmth of Makoto's gentle presence, Risa clung tightly to his hand, her grip growing stronger as she choked back sobs.
"Makoto... Makoto-kun, Mother, she... she..."
Makoto softly patted Risa's back, his voice calm and soothing. "It's all right now. Everything is going to be all right..."
"I... I couldn't do anything. I couldn't stop the enemy, couldn't heal Mother, couldn't even ease her pain. I... I'm useless... Ugh..."
Gradually, Makoto felt the dampness spreading across his chest. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to utter platitudes like "My condolences," "The departed are gone, focus on living," or "You need to move on."
He knew all too well how empty and dismissive such words sounded in the depths of grief. If he were in Risa's place, hearing those words might provoke him to retaliate with anger, perhaps by pointing out the listener's own losses and demanding if they could remain so detached.
In this moment, what Aoki Risa needed was not empty reassurances but a comforting embrace to vent her sorrow.
Still, the news of Chiyoko's death left Makoto feeling a deep sense of loss.
After all, within the division, Chiyoko had always taken care of him. Whenever Makoto encountered difficulties in kido or medical techniques, he would seek her guidance, often engaging in discussions lasting one or two hours. Yet, Chiyoko never showed the slightest impatience.
Makoto's rapid progress in both kido and medical techniques over the past year might have been due to Captain Unohana's nightly training, but Chiyoko's patient mentorship also played an undeniable role.
Scanning the faces of the surrounding Fourth Division members, Makoto saw confusion, sorrow, and fear etched into almost every expression.
It was clear that while others may not have witnessed the death of a loved one like Risa, they had nonetheless endured the trauma of seeing their comrades, friends, or superiors fall—whether through hollowfication or death. Their spirits had taken a severe hit.
The atmosphere was thick with a cloud of despair.
"Pull yourselves together!"
Suddenly, Senju Makoto—known among the Fourth Division for his gentle demeanor, a kindness that made others feel as if they were bathed in spring sunlight—spoke sharply. One hand continued to comfort Aoki Risa, but his voice rang with stern intensity.
"Sorrow, hesitation, fear—they are all allowed!"
"Even though we bear the title of Shinigami, it does not mean we are immune to grief, confusion, or fear. But do not forget—we are members of the Gotei 13!"
"Perhaps the Fourth Division does not participate in combat and is tasked solely with healing, but what is this display of weakness? Is this the resolve of those who carry the name of the Gotei 13?"
Pausing, Makoto's gaze swept over the faces of his comrades, now showing glimmers of determination.
"Captain Unohana is currently unable to perform her duties. Vice-Captain Yamada has hollowfied and is missing. By order of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, I have been appointed as the temporary Vice-Captain..."
"Bear your grief and your fear, but use them to do what the Fourth Division is meant to do."
"No matter what, the Fourth Division will not fall here!"
Makoto's final declaration sent a jolt of energy through the gathered members of the Fourth Division.
For Makoto, his time in the Fourth Division had been just a year—hardly long enough to form unbreakable bonds. But within this division, where fatalities were traditionally rare, there were many members who had served for decades, even centuries.
For these veterans, their attachment to the Fourth Division ran deep.
What surprised Makoto, however, was the lack of reaction from the nearly two hundred surviving members when he mentioned Vice-Captain Yamada's hollowfication and his temporary appointment. There was neither resistance nor concern.
Reflecting on Yamada's usual behavior, Makoto began to understand why.
Though Yamada likely harbored no ill intent, his sharp tongue and penchant for relentless criticism had made him widely unpopular. Few, if any, among the rank and file mourned his absence.
No one enjoyed a superior who constantly nitpicked and mocked them.
"So, from today onward, Makoto-kun is the Vice-Captain?"
"What happened to Captain Unohana? Could she have been..."
"Vice-Captain Senju is right. The Fourth Division won't collapse so easily!"
...
In response to the questions and comments around him, Makoto answered in a calm and steady tone.
"Captain Unohana is fine. She is assisting the Central 46 with the investigation into this incident and will return to her duties later."
"I am merely a temporary Vice-Captain. Once Vice-Captain Yamada resolves his hollowfication issue, he will resume his role."
"For now, the priority is to restore order to the Fourth Division."
As he spoke, Makoto's gaze swept over the familiar faces of his comrades.
Excluding the trainees at the morgue, the Fourth Division originally had over 300 official members. Over the past year, Makoto had made it a point to participate in team activities, learning the names and specialties of nearly everyone.
Now, reviewing the roster of survivors, he realized that over half of the members were lost, and more than half of the seated officers were gone. The devastating losses had crippled the division, leaving its morale in tatters.
The "hollowfication incident" had struck the heart of the Fourth Division's barracks. Combined with their generally weak combat abilities, it was no surprise the losses were so severe.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Makoto began drafting plans to shift the division's focus in the future. He organized a temporary medical unit led by two seated officers to treat injured members of other divisions on-site.
Even Aoki Risa, her eyes still red from crying, requested to join the unit.
Initially, Makoto intended to refuse, but the resilience in her gaze gave him pause.
In that moment, he couldn't help but feel that she had grown, suddenly maturing into a young woman with strength and determination.
Thus, he granted her request.
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