Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

Makoto found himself somewhat surprised. It seemed that Fon's mastery of the covert arts learned from the Omnitsukido had significantly improved. Were it not for the presence of his Seeds of the Forest, he might not have noticed her at all.

Is Soi Fon… hiding from me?

Makoto maintained a composed demeanor as he continued to handle the division affairs, though his mind turned over these questions.

---

Outside the tent, cloaked entirely in the specialized black attire of the Onmitsukido, Fon blended seamlessly into the night. Her spiritual pressure was suppressed to an almost undetectable level.

A few Fourth Division members passed within a meter of her, entirely unaware of her presence.

However, Fon's gaze lingered on the silhouette of Makoto, dimly cast upon the tent's surface. Her seemingly cold eyes occasionally betrayed subtle flickers of emotion.

[Mission Objective: Enter the tent and guard Fourth Division Vice-Captain Senju Makoto. Mission duration: one night.]

This was the urgent directive Fon had received.

Yet, as she arrived and noted she was the sole Onmitsukido operative present, she quickly realized this must have been Makoto's arrangement.

Ordinarily, the Onmitsukido would deploy multiple operatives for a mission, ensuring backup and accounting for unforeseen risks.

Makoto… what is it you want to say to me?

Acknowledging this realization, Fon uncharacteristically chose to disobey her orders, remaining outside the tent instead.

---

Time passed, second by second.

Inside the tent, Makoto carried on as if entirely unaware of Fon's presence, diligently reviewing and approving the day's division reports. Only after finishing his tasks did he rise, stretching as though fatigued.

Whether intentional or not, Makoto moved towards the side of the tent closest to Fon.

Now, separated by just a thin layer of fabric, Fon could see every detail of Makoto's silhouette, even hearing the soft sigh that escaped his lips.

"Ah…"

That single sigh, filled with worry and helplessness, brushed over Fon's heart like a melancholy spring breeze.

"Fon… Have you truly not forgiven me? Not even granting me the chance to apologize?"

Makoto's murmurs were laced with remorse and resignation.

For a moment, Fon—who had planned to shift her position—found her feet unwilling to move.

Makoto doesn't know I'm here…

Her usually cold and detached gaze softened, ripples of emotion stirring within her. Despite her instinctive aversion to letting anyone get close, she couldn't help but listen to Makoto's words.

"Fon… For that day so important to you, I prepared so much—my blessings, my presents…"

"How I longed to witness the moment you inherited the name of 'Sui Feng.' To stand there as a friend and show you that you are not alone in this world…"

"But even after all the effort I spent convincing Vice-captain Ōmaeda to help me, I still couldn't earn the chance to speak with you."

As Makoto spoke, his silhouette wiped at its eyes, a gesture suggesting the presence of tears. His voice grew heavier, filled with sorrow and loneliness, his words trailing into a self-deprecating laugh.

"In the end… I've been cast aside, haven't I? I suppose I'll never even get the chance to explain myself…"

These words, carried softly on the wind, struck Fon like a blade, shattering the hardened defenses of her heart. Unbidden, tears welled in her eyes, soaking into her mask.

Makoto's sorrow, his despair, his isolation… They resonated deeply within Fon, stirring memories she had buried.

Once, she had cherished Yoruichi, idolizing her as someone to whom she could devote everything.

But when the "Hollowfication Incident" occurred, Yoruichi left without a word, seemingly ignoring Fon's existence entirely.

Even though… even though she could have taken me with her—whether to the World of the Living or even Hueco Mundo—I would have abandoned everything to follow her…

Upon learning of Yoruichi's departure, Fon felt as though her soul had been hollowed out, leaving nothing behind.

Her beliefs, upheld for so many years, crumbled.

In her despair, Fon severed ties with the outside world, throwing herself into mission after mission in a futile attempt to numb her pain.

Or perhaps… she secretly wished that one of those missions would finally end her existence.

---

Inside the tent, Makoto paused for a few moments, sensing that Fon remained motionless outside. His brow furrowed slightly.

Is it no use? At this point, with Yoruichi's departure, Fon refuses to hear anyone out…

Makoto sighed inwardly.

As a friend, he didn't want to see Fon trapped in this cycle of grief and despair.

But without Yoruichi's permission—and considering the sensitive nature of their collaboration—Makoto couldn't disclose the truth to Fon.

More importantly, revealing their connection might push the already fragile Fon into complete emotional collapse.

Why? Why would Lady Yoruichi trust Makoto over me?

Have I… already been replaced in her heart?

The thought of this possibility alone was enough for Makoto to imagine Fon's likely reaction—a downward spiral of resentment and despair.

To prevent that outcome, he chose to remain silent, even if it meant enduring her anger and misunderstanding.

---

At last, Fon moved. She appeared at the entrance of the tent, her voice crisp and steady.

"Vice-Captain Senju Makoto, I am here under orders to protect you."

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