Makoto turned his gaze towards Fon, whose expression was tinged with confusion.
It wasn't because Makoto had unexpectedly revealed the semi-permanent release state of his Zanpakutō, but because Yoruichi seemed intent on stopping her from taking his life.
"Fon, stabbing there won't work. And even though I could heal myself, dont you think it might lead to a psychological trauma?"
Despite the situation, Makoto wasn't angry. Instead, he chose to tease her.
If the roles were reversed and his beloved mentor Unohana asked him to take Fon down, Makoto would likely carry out the order reluctantly, albeit with a heavy heart.
At most...he might resort to a bit of trickery—taking her down first, healing her in secret, and hiding her away to recover.
But unlike the straightforward and thoughtful Makoto, Soi Fon was still too young and earnest. She had even tearfully declared moments ago that once Yoruichi no longer needed her, she would come to apologize to him.
Though he found her earnestness a mix of endearing and exasperating, Makoto simply couldn't bring himself to be angry at her.
Fon clearly regarded him as an important friend.
'Unfortunately, for Fon, Yoruichi will always come first. At best, I'm close to a second and even that is uncertain.' Makoto thought with a quiet sigh.
That sigh snapped Fon out of her daze. She turned toward Yoruichi, whose smug grin suggested satisfaction in her higher standing in Fon's priorities.
"Lady Yoruichi! You've gone too far!!!" Fon exclaimed, her voice trembling with indignation as her eyes reddened.
"How could you give me such a fake order? I almost… I almost followed through completely!"
"Ahahahaha~!" Yoruichi laughed heartily, hands on her hips. Her noble and elegant demeanor as head of the Four Noble Houses was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, Fon, you're just too adorable. Come here, let me hug you…"
"No—!"
Fon's resistance was futile. Within moments, Yoruichi had scooped her up, rubbing her cheek affectionately against Fon's face, leaving the younger girl blushing furiously.
One dark, one light. One petite, one commanding. One adorable, one seductive.
The scene was so mesmerizing it felt like a work of art. Makoto's blood surged. If only he could draw or had a camera, he would've immortalized the moment.
Perhaps I should study photography in my spare time, Makoto mused. Capturing moments like this is crucial…
The thought quickly dissipated.
Given his track record—being nicknamed "Brother Makoto" by Kusajishi Yachiru, narrowly escaping Fon's blade—stacking more risks on himself felt unwise. Better to focus on sketching. At least drawing didn't come with any cursed nicknames… probably.
Yoruichi paused her playful antics and glanced at Makoto with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Makoto, that look on your face… Don't tell me you want a hug too?"
?!
Both Makoto and Fon froze.
Makoto assumed Yoruichi meant she'd hug him. Fon thought she meant Makoto would hug her.
A faint blush crept across their faces, tinged with a trace of expectation.
Yoruichi, mistaking their reactions as confirmation of some unspoken bond, burst out laughing. "Oh, is that so? You'll need to get permission from Lady Unohana first."
Makoto's mind cleared instantly. Like hell I'd say that to her! Knowing Unohana's temperament, she might interpret it as him defecting to the Second Division.
Compared to Yoruichi's chaos, Unohana's reliability seemed far more appealing.
Yoruichi eventually released Fon, who buried her face in the older woman's chest, thoroughly embarrassed. After offering Makoto a few tips to refine his Shunpo, Yoruichi declared the session over, scheduling the next one for a week later.
Makoto had just begun to relax when Yoruichi posed a sharp question: "why is your spiritual pressure lower than what Unohana had described? It didn't even match the level of a vice-captain proficient in Shikai."
Knowing he couldn't hide the truth, Makoto admitted that during a prior encounter with an Adjuchas, he'd overexerted himself using large-scale healing for an extended period, leading to his current state.
Yoruichi accepted his explanation without pressing further, seemingly lost in thought.
---
The next day, Makoto returned to his office, resuming his usual duties. To his surprise, Fon appeared before him, looking anxious.
"Um… Makoto, I'm sorry," she said, guilt evident in her voice.
"Why are you apologizing?" Makoto feigned ignorance.
Fon lowered her head. "Last night… I went too far. I left so many Marks on you… I almost…"
Before she could finish, Makoto interrupted with a gentle smile. "It's fine!"
"If it's you, Fon, I don't mind at all…"
He adjusted his glasses, his tone soft and reassuring.
"Think of them as marks of friendship, symbols of the bond we share."
Fon was stunned. At that moment, Makoto seemed to radiate warmth—not the gleam of Ikkaku's bald head, but a glow of genuine kindness. Moved, she murmured, "Makoto…"
However, before the atmosphere could deepen, another voice cut in.
"Huh? Soi Fon, you're here again? Didn't I tell you pediatrics is 800 meters to the right? Or are you here to ask Makoto for directions again?"
Risa appeared, inserting herself between Fon and Makoto with a teasing tilt of her head, as if placating a sulky child.
Makoto sighed, rubbing his temples. Separately, both girls were charming. Together, they were a chaotic storm.
Why does it feel like I've stumbled into hell?
He couldn't figure it out.
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