Who is this person?
Matsumoto Rangiku felt puzzled.
When did such a handsome stranger join the Shinigami of the Gotei 13? He was certainly a sight for sore eyes.
"Shh—!"
Just as her red lips parted, about to ask, Shiba Isshin had already strode over to her side with silent, large steps.
He first held a finger to his lips, giving a tiny "hush" to signal her to stay quiet, and then followed up with a series of frantic winks and grimaces, his expression urgent and somewhat mysterious.
"?"
Rangiku failed to grasp his complex optical code entirely, but she understood the clear "be quiet" gesture.
She blinked, swallowing her question for the moment, though her face remained written with lingering curiosity.
Smiling broadly, Suō Tsukasa stood with his arms crossed, looking at the two in front of him.
He held out the wooden box in his arms, offering his congratulations.
"Tōshirō, congratulations on graduating, and congratulations on becoming a Shinigami."
"Yeah, thanks."
Tōshirō reached out to take it.
Beside them, Shiba Isshin watched the scene of the two young Shinigami—one tall, one short—exchanging a gift.
"Oh, this is just too touching...!"
Being a man of deep emotions, Isshin's eyes trembled slightly as he whispered. He lightly covered his mouth, terrified of disturbing the moving reunion of these two.
"Captain, what's going on?"
Rangiku, however, failed to see the "touching" part. She leaned in and whispered into his ear, her hand over her mouth.
First, a handsome stranger appeared in the squad barracks; second, this stranger seemed quite familiar with her captain; and third, he was clearly close with the new recruit, Tōshirō. It was all very confusing.
Was there supposed to be a family reunion ceremony before the enlistment ceremony? But they don't look alike at all!
The reunion between men was much simpler than expected. Before Isshin could even begin to explain, the "touching" reunion between Suō Tsukasa and Tōshirō was already over.
Tōshirō stood with the wooden box in his arms, joining Tsukasa in watching the two whisperers.
"Eh? Is it over already?"
Snapping back to reality, Isshin realized something was off and turned to the pair in confusion.
Tōshirō didn't quite catch his meaning, but Suō Tsukasa understood his thoughts instantly and nodded with a calm expression.
"Yes, it's over."
"Is that it?!"
Isshin looked at Suō Tsukasa in disbelief, the words blurting out in shock.
You remembered your friend's graduation date, took special leave from your squad, carefully chose a gift, and came all this way—just for this?
Is that it?!
Where's the hug?!
Where are the hot tears?!
Give me back my sincere emotional investment! This isn't right!
The fire of passion and expectation in Isshin's heart burned out, leaving his expression somewhat pale and despondent.
Ignoring her captain's disappointment, Matsumoto Rangiku took a step forward with a beaming smile, leaning in close to Suō Tsukasa to curiously size him up.
She tilted her head slightly, her lively eyes blinking with interest as she smiled.
"I am the Lieutenant of the Tenth Division, Matsumoto Rangiku. And you are?"
"Hello, Lieutenant Matsumoto. I am Suō Tsukasa, Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please look after me."
Tsukasa met the female Shinigami's gaze calmly, bowing slightly with a gentle smile.
Women in the world were like flowers, each with their own beauty. Rangiku's style was entirely different from Kuchiki Rukia's from this morning. She was like a bright, vivid cosmos flower. Her striking features, graceful figure, and the perfectly placed beauty mark near her lip made her smile exceptionally dazzling.
However, while a mature, seductive Matsumoto Rangiku from decades later might make his heart skip a beat, the version before him, still carrying a youthful air, was not quite enough. Thus, he felt no need to shy away or avert his gaze.
"Oh— I see. It's a pleasure."
Rangiku drew out her words, a look of realization dawning on her face.
She had indeed heard that name before. Not from Shiba Isshin or Tōshirō, but from several companions in the Women's Shinigami Association. The appearance of the man before her certainly matched the rumors.
Rangiku's eyes darted to the wooden box in Hitsugaya's arms. Her lips curled into a smile, and with unconcealed curiosity, she looked at Suō Tsukasa.
From the Rukongai to the Seireitei, she had never received such a formal gift, nor had she seen others show such solemn sincerity. She asked directly, leaning forward slightly with a bright smile.
"By the way, what gift did you give? Can we see it?"
Tsukasa chuckled and turned his gaze to Tōshirō, his tone casual.
"Of course."
"Tōshirō, why don't you open it for her? You should see if you like it as well. If you don't, I still have time to exchange it."
Tōshirō glanced at Tsukasa, said nothing, and opened the box.
He pulled back the silk cloth and took out an ebony scabbard identical to the one on Tsukasa's waist. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached back to unfasten his Zanpakutou. He deftly removed the somewhat plain original scabbard and slid the blade into the new ebony one.
As the blade slid into the scabbard, it made a solid, quiet sound—a perfect fit.
"Woah, from Seishoudo? This is very expensive!"
Rangiku, a veteran of shopping and fashion, recognized it at a glance. Her eyes lit up as she cried out in surprise.
"Tsukasa, this...!"
Hearing her outburst, Tōshirō, whose eyes were filled with fondness and joy, paused as he held the Zanpakutou. He turned to Tsukasa with a hesitant expression.
"Don't listen to her. Once you're a Seated Officer, you can easily afford it with your salary."
"It's not as exaggerated as she says."
"The style might be a bit old-fashioned, but I find it quite good to use. What do you think?"
Suō Tsukasa shook his head gently.
He had just caught a glimpse of her carefully drawn eyebrows, lip color, the silk scarf around her neck, and her silver necklace. He had a clear grasp of this Lieutenant's aesthetic and spending habits.
The base salary for a Third Seat and a Lieutenant differed by more than double. Even if Tsukasa added in the bonuses he received from handling Hollow threats, he would only just reach a Lieutenant's base pay. Because of her refined tastes, things of average price became "very expensive" in her mouth.
"Relax. From today on, you are a Seated Officer. Don't worry about being unable to afford such things."
"Just accept it. Don't listen to Rangiku; she only calls it expensive because of her own circumstances," Shiba Isshin said, patting Tōshirō's shoulder to reassure him, while casting a disdainful glance at Rangiku.
"Think about whether it's expensive because you don't work hard enough!"
"Hmph! Girls have many things to spend money on!" Rangiku retorted indignantly, her hands on her hips, acting completely righteous. "Of course I don't have money to buy such an expensive scabbard."
"If you're so capable, Captain, why don't you give me one? Then I'll admit it's not expensive!"
"Ah, this...!"
Isshin, caught in her trap, found himself at a loss for words and could only rub his nose awkwardly.
While a Captain's salary was significantly higher than a Lieutenant's, he frequently treated his subordinates to meals and was generally undisciplined with his spending. He could afford it, but there was no need to lose money over a momentary argument. If he set this precedent, he could already envision the future scenes of this Lieutenant finding every possible excuse to pester him for gifts.
"Ahem—!"
With these thoughts racing through his mind, Isshin coughed lightly and looked away, feigning composure.
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