Over the course of the year, Suō Tsukasa had received a great deal of care and guidance. This support came not only from everyone in Squad Thirteen but also from individuals in other divisions. This year marked his first year-end since becoming a Shinigami.
Over the past two days, the mere task of drafting a gift list had cost him a significant number of brain cells. Everyone required a gift that was just right—one that reflected his sincerity without appearing inappropriate.
"Tsukasa, you don't need to send me anything. Having the thought is enough," Shiba Miyako said, declining the upcoming gift with a gentle smile, her concern for him evident. "You've only just become a Shinigami. Keep your money for yourself; you'll have plenty of things to spend it on in the future."
"Sister Miyako, it's fine. Thanks to Squad Ten, my coin purse is actually quite full," Tsukasa said with a relaxed expression, patting the pouch at his waist.
Supplying medicine to Squad Ten had brought in a substantial income. Coupled with the payments from Squad Four for the medicinal herbs they purchased, his current savings were beyond what a typical seated officer could compare to. Purchasing gifts was well within his means.
"You certainly are capable," Miyako teased lightly with a smile, her eyes full of warmth as she stopped insisting. She understood Tsukasa's personality and knew that once he made a decision, he would see it through with conviction.
As they chatted, the indispensable trio of the office returned from finishing their work.
"Phew—finally a chance to breathe! This time of year is always busy enough to kill someone!" Kotetsu Kiyane shouted as she leaned into the room.
Hikone Mitaka and Kotsubaki Sentaro followed her across the threshold, carrying various items. The three entered in descending order of height, bringing in a gust of cold air along with their boisterous energy.
"Too true, too true," Sentaro lamented, nodding his head as he dropped a stack of boxes against the wall with a heavy thud.
"Hurry up and close the door, it's freezing!" Shiba Kaien, whose chair was turned away from the door, protested as the chill hit his back. Stung by the cold wind, he couldn't help but shiver.
Hearing this, Hikone Mitaka silently turned back to stack the boxes neatly and pulled the door shut—considerate as always.
Kiyane rubbed her hands together and huddled close to the heater, letting out a comfortable sigh. "Ah—it's so much warmer inside. It's freezing out there." She then looked around, scanning the smiling faces of the three already in the room. "What were you all talking about? You look like you're having a good time."
"Drink some hot tea first to warm your bodies," Miyako said, carrying a tea tray and bringing life-saving warmth to the three who had suffered in the cold.
"Thanks, Sister Miyako!"
"I've returned to the land of the living!" Kiyane exclaimed, taking a cup and eagerly taking a sip.
Sentaro and Mitaka also took their cups, and voices of gratitude rose one after another. The casual conversation shifted from a triangle into a complete circle. Everyone sat around the heater, cradling their teacups and enjoying the peace in the gaps of their busy schedules.
As they sat together, Kiyane curiously followed up on the previous topic, and Shiba Kaien explained with a laugh.
"We were talking about Tsukasa preparing his Year-End gifts. This kid has quite a few elders to send gifts to this year."
"Year-End gifts?" Kiyane's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's right! It's almost the end of the year; I was so busy I forgot!" She realized suddenly, then turned to Tsukasa and asked excitedly, "Tsukasa, who are you preparing gifts for?"
"Besides everyone here, there's Captain Ukitake, Captain Unohana, Sister Isane, Uncle Isshin, and—the Captain-Commander."
The moment Tsukasa counted off Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni on his fingers, the scene froze for a second.
"The Captain-Commander?!"
"You're planning to send a gift to the Captain-Commander?" Sentaro nearly spat out his tea, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The expressions of the others were much the same; only the Shiba couple remained relatively calm.
"Is there a problem?" Tsukasa asked, puzzled. He then quickly realized and continued, "Oh, I remember now. I haven't told you yet. With the Captain acting as an intermediary, I've been receiving regular guidance from the Captain-Commander for several months now. The gift is just to express my gratitude for his teaching during this time."
"Huh?" Sentaro failed to grasp Tsukasa's words immediately. It took several breaths for him to finally digest the information, and the shock on his face transitioned into a complex sense of awe.
"Young man, you are incredible." He set down his teacup and gave Tsukasa a heartfelt thumbs-up.
Having been in Squad Thirteen for decades, Sentaro had yet to even see the Captain-Commander in person due to his rank, let alone establish a personal connection. Among the group, only Shiba Kaien and Tsukasa had direct contact. Being left so far behind by Tsukasa, who had only recently joined the squad, he felt a surge of complicated emotions.
He knew Tsukasa was exceptionally capable and that the Captain valued him highly. He just hadn't expected that Tsukasa could also earn the recognition of the Captain-Commander. It wasn't jealousy, but a profound respect for the formidable talent of the younger generation. Realizing this, he felt genuinely happy for Tsukasa and admired him. To achieve such heights in such a short time required far more than just luck.
Watching Sentaro's face, which was twisted in an expression of "I really am a useless senior," Shiba Kaien couldn't help but tease him.
"Hey now, Sentaro, what's with that look? Drink less alcohol, focus more on your training, and perform well. Maybe one day you'll get an audience with the Captain-Commander too."
"Ah, forget it. That kind of pressure and glory is better left to young people like Tsukasa," Sentaro said with a grin, waving his hand dismissively. He lacked that much ambition. An audience with the Captain-Commander? Just imagining it made his scalp tingle and his limbs go cold.
"You lazy bum!" Kaien said, speechless at his subordinate's lack of drive.
"Hahaha! Sentaro can't even beat me. Vice-Captain Kaien, you're better off counting on me than on him," Kiyane chimed in, puffing out her chest with confidence as a fellow fourth-seated officer.
"Kiyane has indeed made a lot of progress these past few years," Miyako said with a gentle smile.
"Of course I have!" Kiyane raised her chin proudly at the recognition.
The atmosphere became light and pleasant again as the firelight danced on everyone's faces.
"By the way, Tsukasa," Kiyane suddenly remembered something and asked curiously, "What is it like when the Captain-Commander guides you? Is he extremely serious? I heard that when he scolds people, it's terrifying!"
This question piqued everyone's interest. In the minds of most squad members, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was a majestic, almost legendary figure. Aside from those in Squad One, very few people had seen him with their own eyes, so rumors about him naturally carried a veil of mystery.
"It was quite terrifying at first, but I got used to it over time. Actually, he's usually quite a kind person, as long as you aren't making mistakes," Tsukasa said, his eyes narrowing as he recalled the images of the Captain-Commander squinting and chasing him with a blade.
It was only recently, as his performance improved, that the situation had become a bit more relaxed. Of course, he still suffered plenty of injuries, but he had grown accustomed to it.
Following the inquiries from the others, he began to speak about the details and feelings of receiving instruction in the past. He spoke with a calm, understated tone, but the others listened with growing trepidation, unconsciously holding their breath.