"This is already a very favorable price. The two pairs of glasses, with the packaging, cost 500 rings. Especially the pair you're wearing, which costs 1000 rings, is truly worth the value. Just the material used, Silver Spirit Steel, is worth 700 rings…"
The glasses shop owner paused for a moment, seemingly noticing Makoto's discomfort, before adding, "How about we try a pair with a better cost-performance ratio? I can offer you a further discount."
"No need."
Makoto glanced at Soi Fon beside him, then spoke again. "I quite like this pair of glasses. I'll take it as is."
He then took out 2000 rings from his pocket, handed it to the shop owner, and received the other two pairs of glasses, promptly leaving the shop.
At that moment, feeling the sting of losing a small portion of his salary, Makoto couldn't help but mutter to himself about the evil of the Seireitei nobles.
The Seireitei makes money, and the Seireitei spends it—there's no chance of bringing any of it home.
Fortunately, Makoto was currently living in Captain Unohana's quarters, with all meals, lodging, and sleeping arrangements covered, and no extra expenses. Otherwise, in just a few days, his entire salary would probably end up going back into the nobles' pockets.
As Makoto felt once more how important he was to Captain Unohana, he heard Soi Fon's somewhat embarrassed voice from beside him.
"Actually, you didn't have to buy that pair of glasses. I haven't really bought anything before, so my taste might not be great."
Makoto adjusted the glasses that still felt unfamiliar to him and replied, "No, Miss Fon, your taste is quite good. I really like this pair. Thank you, Miss Fon."
In truth,Makoto hadn't paid much attention to Fon when picking out the glasses. He had simply compared the options carefully and selected three pairs that best suited his preferences.
But hearing this, Soi Fon's face subtly flushed, and she unconsciously quickened her pace, walking ahead of Makoto. Inside, she felt a little flustered.
'This idiot, no... don't make it sound like I'm the one who gave him a gift…'
Walking behind her, Makoto's gaze unintentionally fell upon Soi Fon's back.
It had to be said that Soi Fon's figure was truly very youthful. Makoto, still in his growth period and nearly 1.8 meters tall, had room to grow. However, Soi Fon only reached about his chest in height.
As she walked ahead, Senju Makoto's attention couldn't help but be drawn to her slender waist.
So delicate, so graceful, a curve that could easily be held in one hand…
'Can such a delicate waist really unleash the kind of power that could kill someone in a fight?'
Although Makoto knew Soi Fon would eventually reach a captain-level achievement, he couldn't help but have this doubt appear in his mind.
"We're here. This barbecue place, Lord Yoruichi took me here once, and it's really delicious. Is that okay?"
As Soi Fon turned back to speak, Senju Makoto's expression remained as calm and gentle as ever as he replied, "No problem. It's up to you, Miss Fon."
"Mm."
Then, with a slightly more mature demeanor, Fon began interacting with the shopkeeper in front of Makoto, trying to appear more composed despite the subtle youthful hesitance in her actions.
Then, she chose a seat near the window and sat down.
Soi Fon watched the innocent young man in front of her, who seemed to be curiously observing his surroundings, and couldn't help but silently pump herself up.
'Good, everything is going smoothly. Now I can truly start thinking about how to extract information!'
'Alcohol, that's right. Even the noble Lord Yoruichi relaxes his guard after drinking, so I need to figure out a way to get Makoto to drink as well!'
'It's possible. I will definitely complete Lord Yoruichi's task perfectly...'
Soon, as the grilled meat and sake were served, and with Fon awkwardly starting the conversation, Senju seemed to transform into the innocent, naive young man he appeared to be when he first entered the Seireitei.
Especially after being invited by Soi Fon, Makoto took a couple of sips of sake, and his previous calm, composed demeanor from the medical department vanished, replaced by a more active and engaged attitude.
The atmosphere between Makoto and Fon grew warmer and more comfortable as they shared various amusing stories from their pasts.
"Fon... Miss Fon, did you know? When I was in the Rukongai, watching patient after patient helplessly die, I swore I would become a..."
Before Makoto could finish, Soi Fon, who had been sipping her sake in small amounts, interrupted with a hazy gaze. "Doctor Senju, no need to be so formal. Just call me Fon."
Makoto paused, his eyes, equally hazy, subtly sizing up Soi Fon.
Could it be... that she's really drunk?
For a moment, Makoto's enthusiasm for the conversation waned. He realized that continuing would be pointless—after all, what good would flirting with a drunken Soi Fon do? How much information could she even remember?
It was better to save time and focus on something more meaningful, like training... training... training...
"Fon... Miss Fon, you're drunk," Makoto said, his tone slightly slurred as he subtly pointed it out.
"I... I'm not drunk... hic"
Soi Fon pouted, her gaze a bit dazed, and asked, "You're the only one, other than Lord Yoruichi, who's this kind to me. Doctor Senju, I'm really happy today... you... are my friend, right?"
Friend?
Hearing this, Makoto couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for his paycheck.
A wasp's sting at the end of its tail, a woman's heart is the most dangerous.
With her drunk, my salary will surely suffer.
Makoto had an inexplicable feeling, as though he had been tricked into a forced consumption trap, dragged into paying for a night out by some kind of scheme.
But in a public place like this, Makoto certainly couldn't reach into the drunken Soi Fon's pocket to search for her wallet, could he?
Reluctantly, after paying the bill, Makoto supported the drunken Soi Fon and prepared to take her back to the Second Division.
After all, Makoto didn't have his own place and couldn't bring Soi Fon back to the Captain's quarters of Unohana, as that would be... somewhat inappropriate and inconvenient!
Although Makoto, as an upright man, wasn't worried about anything untoward happening, he was still wary of causing unnecessary misunderstandings or awkward situations.
Just as Makoto was about to leave the restaurant, supporting the still-drunk Soi Fon, his body froze as he looked ahead in surprise. A group of people, including Aoki Chiyoko, Aoki Risa, and several members of the Fifth Rescue Team, were standing in front of him. Leading them was the ever-gentle Unohana Retsu.
??!!
Makoto stood dumbfounded.
Risa stared at Makoto in disbelief before her gaze moved to the half-drunken Soi Fon leaning on him. She asked, "Makoto... Makoto-kun, what are you doing here? And... who is she?"
Chiyoko glanced up at the sky, her voice tinged with confusion. "Makoto-kun, isn't it still too early for the shift change?"
As for Unohana, she simply smiled gently, her expression serene with no hint of surprise or anger.
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