The next day.
Suō Tsukasa woke up early. First, he took his year-end gifts to Ugendo and delivered one into the hands of Ukitake Jushiro.
Then he circled back to the office and placed gifts for the others on their respective desks. None of them were particularly expensive, but they were thoughtful enough.
Having finished this, he picked up the bulging bundle filled with the remaining gifts and left the Squad 13 barracks.
This day was bound to be a rather frantic one.
His first stop was Squad 10.
Shiba Isshin's Captain's office looked much the same as usual, without any major changes. It was only that his desk appeared slightly cluttered.
Shiba Isshin stepped over the threshold and walked into the room. He saw three people already waiting inside, each holding a neatly wrapped gift box.
His footsteps paused for a moment, his expression reflecting a brief flash of daze and surprise.
"Uncle/Captain, thank you for taking such good care of us this year."
Suō Tsukasa was the first to speak, stepping forward alongside Toshiro to present their gifts.
"Captain, mine as well."
Matsumoto Rangiku followed half a step behind, handing over her small, elegant gift box.
Shiba Isshin accepted them one by one with a bright smile.
Finally, when his eyes fell upon the gift Rangiku offered, a flicker of surprise flashed through them, which then melted into an amused, playful smile.
"Oh? Rangiku, even you actually prepared a year-end gift?"
"I've been your Captain for so many years, yet this is the very first time I've ever received a gift from you."
He elongated his words and raised his eyebrows, adopting an expression as if the sun had risen from the west.
Rangiku's ears turned slightly warm, and she reached out as if to take it back.
"Keep talking like that and I'll take it back."
"If it weren't for the fact that they were both giving gifts this year, I wouldn't have bothered to go through the trouble."
In the past, because she had little self-control when it came to spending money, and because she came from the Rukongai where no one had taught her these social etiquettes, she had never paid any attention to the custom of year-end gifts.
After getting to know Suō Tsukasa, certain things began to change imperceptibly. Over this past period, his influence on Matsumoto Rangiku had been deeper than imagined.
Aside from subtle changes in her presentation, it extended to her habits.
Although she still enjoyed a casual drink, she had learned to control her intake on her own. And this gift was bought using the alcohol money she had managed to save.
"So you had a role model by your side."
"Thank you, I accept everyone's kind sentiments."
Shiba Isshin laughed happily, carefully setting the gifts aside.
He then looked at Suō Tsukasa, who was smiling without a word, and Toshiro, who possessed a calm countenance, feeling deeply gratified.
Ever since Matsumoto Rangiku joined their circle, she had become quite a bit more reliable. The already outstanding Toshiro performed better with each passing day. With his workload significantly lightened, he could truly wake up from his dreams laughing at such a life.
Next, his eyes shifted to the still-bulging bundle beside Suō Tsukasa, and he asked curiously, "Tsukasa, what are those?"
"They are for other people. Next, I plan to visit Squad 4 and Squad 1," Suō Tsukasa explained.
"Ah, I see."
"Go ahead, then. Be careful on the way, and please pass along my regards to Captain Unohana and the Head Captain."
Hearing this, Shiba Isshin nodded understandingly. After a brief conversation, knowing that Suō Tsukasa had a tight schedule, Shiba Isshin did not keep him long.
"Yes."
Having completed his task, Suō Tsukasa headed straight for Squad 4.
His second stop was Squad 4.
As the year drew to a close, Squad 4 found itself operating under a heavy workload.
Unohana Retsu accepted her gift directly. After accepting it with a smile, she offered a few gentle words of encouragement, her expression carrying the warm benevolence of an elder.
However, delivering the other two gifts proved slightly more complicated.
Kotetsu Isane was simply too polite by nature. Unused to receiving such formal gifts, she felt she hadn't done anything to deserve it. It took Suō Tsukasa quite a bit of persuasion to put her mind at ease and get her to accept it.
As for the gift intended for Yamada Hanataro, it was a matter of being unable to locate him. The year-end cleaning duties across the Seireitei were incredibly demanding, leaving the entirety of Squad 4 in a frantic state of business. Consequently, he could only ask Kotetsu Isane to hand it over on his behalf.
By the time he stepped out of the Squad 4 barracks, the sun had risen quite a bit higher.
Finally.
It was his last stop of the day: Squad 1.
This was also the visit that required the utmost discretion.
Suō Tsukasa waited at the entrance of the barracks. Before long, a meticulously groomed squad member arrived to lead the way.
They did not head toward the inner chambers or the dojo where the Head Captain usually resided, but came instead to the Squad 1 administrative office.
This was the protocol. In Squad 1, unless explicitly summoned, there was no rule permitting a Third Seat to directly meet the Head Captain. In the past, whenever Suō Tsukasa received personal instruction from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, it was always arranged and facilitated through the Vice-Captain of Squad 1, Sasakibe Chojiro.
The administrative office was arranged neatly and immaculately.
Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro sat behind a Western-style desk with sharp, rigid lines, busy handling paperwork with a quill pen.
Over his Shihakusho, he wore a white jinbaori. With white hair, golden eyes, and a meticulously trimmed black mustache above his lips, he exuded an aura of rigid discipline.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, Third Seat Suō Tsukasa of Squad 13 arrives to pay his respects."
"Come in."
Hearing the squad member's announcement, he lifted his eyes and replied in a deep, resonant voice. His gaze fell upon Suō Tsukasa with the precision of a hawk.
The squad member departed, the sliding door closed, and the atmosphere within the room subtly shifted.
"Tsukasa, welcome. I was just thinking that it would be a shame if I couldn't see you between the end of the year and the beginning of the new one."
"Sit down, please, sit down!"
The rigid severity on Sasakibe Chojiro's face melted away like ice meeting warmth. Setting down his pen, he quickly stepped out from behind his desk and walked over to Suō Tsukasa, greeting him warmly. His tone was light, as if welcoming an old friend.
Suō Tsukasa smiled slightly and sat down with a relaxed expression under his guidance. He then brought out a stylish, modern gift box that was wrapped somewhat differently from the others and handed it over.
"Mr. Sasakibe, I wish you peace and health at the year's end. A small token of my appreciation."
"Tsukasa, you are far too polite."
"It just so happens that I have some newly purchased black tea of excellent quality. It's chilly outside, so have a cup of tea and rest for a moment."
"Thank you."
The relationship between the two was far better than anyone might imagine. If this interaction were witnessed by other members of Squad 1, their jaws would likely drop in shock.
In the eyes of the Squad 1 members, Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chojiro was Head Captain Yamamoto's most loyal and rule-abiding deputy, bordering on archaic.
However, human hearts always possess their own unique preferences.
Sasakibe Chojiro.
While the entirety of Squad 1 favored green tea and Japanese cuisine, he alone preferred black tea and Western food. This eccentricity left him somewhat isolated within the tradition-heavy environment of Squad 1.
Suō Tsukasa was the only one who could truly resonate with him regarding culinary tastes, naturally acknowledging his preferences. Furthermore, Suō Tsukasa possessed extensive knowledge regarding Western culture, offering many insightful perspectives during their interactions. After a few encounters, Sasakibe had quickly come to regard him as a kindred spirit.
After a short while.
The two chatted for a few moments, and Sasakibe Chojiro came to understand the purpose of his visit.
The Head Captain's instructional schedule fell on the first and fifteenth of every month. At the conclusion of their last session, the Head Captain had explicitly instructed Suō Tsukasa to return before the end of the year for a year-end evaluation. Suō Tsukasa's visit to Squad 1 today was for this very purpose, alongside delivering his year-end gifts.
Sasakibe Chojiro listened quietly, his gaze resting on Suō Tsukasa's face for a moment.
After a brief pause, he nodded slightly, took the year-end gift intended for the Head Captain, and said, "Tsukasa, please wait here for a moment. I will deliver the gift on your behalf."
"Understood, thank you for your trouble," Suō Tsukasa replied naturally.