"Ukitake-senpai, what are you doing here?"
Masatsuki Aozaki watched as Rangiku Matsumoto and Gin Ichimaru left after their visit.
The next moment, he saw a familiar figure—a handsome man with white hair being wheeled into the room and placed on a hospital bed.
Yoruichi Shihōin had left the 4th Division early that morning. As the captain of the 2nd Division, she had plenty of matters to handle.
"I haven't been feeling well these past few days and have been coughing up quite a bit of blood, so I'm here for treatment," Jūshirō Ukitake said, leaning back against the bed before covering his mouth and coughing twice.
Masatsuki Aozaki frowned in concern. "Coughing up blood? That doesn't sound like a minor issue."
"It's just a little blood. Happens all the time. No need to worry—I'm used to it." Ukitake waved a hand dismissively with a smile.
Masatsuki muttered, "You're used to it…" Then, suddenly snapping back to reality, he blurted out, "Don't get used to something that terrifying, Senpai!"
Ukitake gave a faint smile, but before he could respond, a familiar voice cut in.
"3rd Seat Masatsuki, don't shout in the infirmary! You'll disturb the other patients!"
"Yes, I know."
The lingering memories from his past life told Masatsuki that raising his voice in a hospital really wasn't appropriate, so he shrank back slightly, feeling a bit guilty.
Turning his head, he caught sight of someone familiar and widened his eyes in surprise.
"Seinosuke Yamada? What the hell are you doing here?"
"Hah!? This is the 4th Division. Why wouldn't I be here?"
Seinosuke Yamada looked thoroughly unimpressed.
Frankly, he would much rather be serving at Retsu Unohana's side than looking after a couple of sickly patients.
"And another thing, Masatsuki, as the Lieutenant of the 4th Division, why do you think you can just call me by name?"
Masatsuki Aozaki scoffed. "It's just one rank difference!"
"A rank is a rank!"
"I'm also a Special Advisor to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, so technically, we should be on equal footing."
"The what? That sounds made up."
"Alright, you two," Ukitake interjected, sighing. "As colleagues, you should value harmony. No need to argue."
To his surprise, both Masatsuki and Seinosuke turned to him simultaneously and said in unison:
"Senpai, shut up. I know exactly what kind of guy this is—you cannot let him get away with things."
"Captain Ukitake, you should just focus on recovering. You can't keep showing up at the 4th Division every other day."
Ukitake instantly fell silent, shoulders slumping as if physically wounded. It was hard to say which of them had hurt him more.
"Speaking of which, as a noble, shouldn't you be receiving treatment at Shin'ō Medical Institute?" Masatsuki asked, puzzled.
"Idiot," Seinosuke scoffed. "The Shin'ō Medical Institute only treats members of the Four Great Noble Houses and the upper nobility. Captain Ukitake, as a lower noble, isn't eligible for treatment there."
Hearing that, Jūshirō Ukitake lowered his head even further in quiet defeat.
"You better show some respect to my senior!" Masatsuki Aozaki snapped. "He's a captain of the Gotei 13—at the very least, he deserves a private room, right?"
Even if he knew Seinosuke Yamada was just being sharp-tongued, the way he spoke made it hard to stay in a good mood.
"With everything that happened the night before last, you're lucky to even have a deluxe room," Seinosuke said flatly. "You don't exactly have the right to be picky."
"If we can't change the room, at least get him a better caretaker." Masatsuki sighed in frustration. "Why is it you of all people? Where's Captain Unohana?"
"You? You think you're worthy of having Captain Unohana personally take care of you?" Seinosuke sneered, showing no mercy.
For once, Masatsuki didn't argue. Instead, he nodded. "Right now, I'm not. But in the future? Who knows?"
"In the future? What, are you planning to become the Captain-Commander?"
"Who can say?" Masatsuki grinned. "One of the attackers even called me the Captain-Commander's successor."
Jūshirō Ukitake raised a hand. "Masatsuki, don't you think it's a little inappropriate to say that out loud?"
Masatsuki shrugged. "What's wrong with it? If Master knew his disciple was being recognized, he'd probably be proud."
"Well, technically, you're right. Any master would be happy to see their student succeed, but… something about this just feels off."
"What feels off?"
"I don't know," Ukitake admitted, shaking his head.
"If you don't know, then there's nothing wrong," Masatsuki declared matter-of-factly. "So, there's nothing wrong."
"...Is that how it works?" Ukitake murmured, still feeling like something was amiss.
"Well then, should I be offering my congratulations, future Captain-Commander?"
Despite his words, Seinosuke smirked mockingly as he shrugged.
"I'll take that as a blessing," Masatsuki said shamelessly, pretending not to notice the sarcasm.
"Hah… People hate Seinosuke because he loves making things difficult and has a terrible personality, but if you really look, he does have some good points…"
"Don't talk like we're close," Seinosuke snorted. "But now that I think about it, you're actually kind of an ass."
"Why do I have to deal with someone who only knows how to be verbally abusive?" Masatsuki ignored him and muttered to himself.
"If Captain Unohana can't come, at least send someone cute—like 3rd Seat Isane."
"Where do you get the idea that that big girl is cute?" Seinosuke raised an eyebrow. "Besides, compared to Isane, you're basically a tiny guy."
"I'm not that short… You nasty people just don't get it."
Masatsuki smirked, puffing out his chest.
"A tall figure like that isn't a bad thing at all. If anything, it makes Isane even cuter."
"You're just a straight-up pervert, aren't you!?" Seinosuke groaned, feeling utterly exasperated.
As he spoke, his eyes flicked toward the door.
For a moment, he wasn't sure if he was hearing things, but it almost sounded like a soft thud...
...
Outside the door, a woman sat on the floor, rubbing her forehead.
She was tall, with golden eyes and short, slightly messy silver-gray hair, styled with a few thin braids. A pair of red-striped earrings dangled from her ears.
4th Division's 3rd Seat—Isane Kotetsu!
"Isane, are you alright?" Retsu Unohana stood before her, reaching out to help her up.
"I—I'm fine, Captain!" Isane quickly scrambled to her feet, her voice flustered.
"But your face is bright red. Are you feeling unwell?" Unohana placed a gentle hand on Isane's forehead. "You feel a little warm… Are you running a fever?"
The moment she felt Unohana's touch, Isane's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
"N-No! I'm fine! I just… accidentally spilled the medicine." She hurriedly looked down, staring at the scattered pills and vials on the floor.
Unohana frowned slightly.
Isane was a bit timid and easily flustered, but spilling some medicine shouldn't have made her blush this much…
Still, seeing Isane quietly gathering the scattered supplies, Unohana decided not to press the issue. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the luxury ward.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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