Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

Senju Makoto.

Fon, who seemed ready to unleash her fury on Risa, Makoto was momentarily stunned.

Just now… Fon had been pretending to sleep?!

Feeling the puzzled gaze from Makoto and the amused glint in Risa's eyes, Fon instinctively shrank a little closer into Makoto's embrace, as though retreating into a safe haven.

But the next instant, realizing her action was uncharacteristically meek, she straightened up and glared at Risa with annoyance.

"Even in my dreams, your irritating voice manages to reach me loud and clear."

Unfazed, Risa retorted with a playful smirk. "No need to thank me. Honestly, even a pediatric patient shouldn't be sleeping this early."

Pediatrics…?!

Fon's gaze instantly ignited with fury, and she looked ready to tear the infuriating woman in front of her to shreds.

"Well, aren't you considerate. Next time, why not visit the Second Division? I've already prepared plenty of 'presents' for you—ones you won't soon forget."

Risa smiled sweetly, a smile uncannily reminiscent of Makoto's gentle expression.

"No need. You see, I'm always busy helping Makoto-kun with his endless work. Since he was just recently promoted to Vice-captain, I can't afford to be as idle as certain others who have time to wander off into other divisions. So, naturally, I must keep busy."

"Oh, and tonight? I'm on duty as Makoto-kun's bodyguard, tasked with protecting him from suspicious individuals with ulterior motives."

"Suspicious? That's quite unfortunate. Makoto-kun knows me inside and out—there's absolutely nothing about me that could be considered suspicious. Unlike you… But then again, on second thought, there's nothing worth noting about you either, Miss Pediatrics."

"You…!"

For a moment, the sharp exchange between Risa and Fon left Makoto no room to interject.

These two… Can they never get along?

Suddenly, two quick flicks landed on their foreheads, sending them both tumbling out of Makoto's tent.

---

Outside the Tent

Risa and Fon glared daggers at each other, their fiery gazes almost setting the air between them ablaze.

'If it weren't for her… Tonight, Makoto-kun's time would have been mine…'

However, mindful that Makoto was resting inside the tent behind them, both let out reluctant huffs and turned away in opposite directions.

Of course, as Fon's mission tonight was to guard Makoto, she didn't stray far but instead concealed herself nearby.

After a moment, Fon carefully unfolded a small slip of paper in her palm.

"Tomorrow night, at the same time, at the place where our Shunpo paths first crossed—await me there."

A fleeting smile lit up Fon's face. She tucked the note securely into her robes, her once-cold and distant expression softening into one of quiet anticipation and hope.

For the first time, she found a single night to feel excruciatingly long.

---

The Next Day: In the Underground Training Grounds

In the expansive secret training grounds developed by Yoruichi and Kisuke, supported by the resources of the Shihōin family, the area was vast and equipped with amenities, including barriers to suppress spiritual pressure leakage and even a small hot spring.

This was where Makoto had trained in Shunpo under Yoruichi's guidance, often sparring against Fon. Though Fon had resolved never to return to this place, Makoto's invitation stirred something within her, and she realized the space no longer felt so unwelcoming.

After all, this place wasn't just a reminder of her memories with Yoruichi—it was also where she shared moments with Makoto-kun.

When Makoto arrived, having hurried after finishing his duties, he was surprised to see Fon already there, dressed in casual clothes rather than her Omnitsukido uniform. She looked unexpectedly charming as she practiced Shunpo alone.

The sight caught Makoto off guard.

'Could it be… Fon has sensed Yoruichi's lingering presence here, as I hoped, and has begun to come to terms with it?'

This thought crossed Makoto's mind briefly. It was the reason he had brought her here—to help her heal.

Their friendship made it impossible for him to ignore her struggles. Moreover, Fon had the potential to reach captain-level strength. The sooner she achieved that level, the more benefit Makoto would gain from the seeds of the forest he had planted.

In truth, the more his allies grew in power, the greater the returns on his investments would be.

Makoto was, in some ways, the greatest beneficiary of Aizen's Hollowfication experiments. The rare chance to embed the seeds of the forest into so many captain-level Shinigami was an opportunity he would have otherwise never had.

Even so, he regretted the loss of Captain Love Aikawa of the Seventh Division, whose cheerful demeanor and bright personality were snuffed out in a single stroke by Captain Unohana. Love would have been an excellent host for one of his seeds.

Makoto had mourned Love deeply, his display of grief during the captain's soul burial ceremony earning him the sympathy of the Seventh Division.

'Makoto must have carried an immense guilt over Captain Love's death,' they thought.

As Fon sensed Makoto's arrival, she gracefully landed before him, her expression slightly stiff.

"Good evening, Makoto-kun."

Responding with his characteristic gentle smile, Makoto exuded a calming warmth that eased her tension.

"Thank you for coming, Fon. I asked you here because I felt it was important to talk about… Lady Yoruichi's situation."

Makoto carefully chose his words, trying to avoid upsetting her.

But Fon shook her head lightly, her gaze steady.

"Makoto-kun, you don't need to worry about that. It doesn't matter to me anymore."

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