Restricted Death

Chapter 216 The Mystery of Unohana
Kotetsu Isane staggered back to the door of the medical room. As she reached to close the sliding door, her fingertips accidentally slipped, leaving a tiny crack in the door. She froze, her chest heaving. The scene she had inadvertently witnessed earlier lingered in her mind. Her throat tightened, and she stood frozen for several seconds before taking a deep breath, forcing herself to turn around and walk out again.

After returning to the medical room, Kotetsu Isane was somewhat unsettled. She didn't close the door, but stood there for a few seconds before going out again.

Shin and Unohana Retsu were standing there calmly, as if nothing had happened.

She took a deep breath, walked over again, and reported to the two: "The wounded soldier's condition has stabilized. As for the burns, they will be treated slowly later, but they can be completely healed."

Xin nodded gently: "Thank you for your help."

Yongyin lowered her head slightly and said, "It's our duty, and it was our squad's mistake that caused this."

The letter continued, "The exchange meeting should still be going on, I'll go check it out."

After saying that, he took the initiative to leave, while Retsu Unohana remained where she was.

Once Shin's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor, Yuune spoke up, ready to ask, "Captain... what were you talking about with Captain Tachikawa just now?"

What she really wanted to ask was about that puzzling action, but the explicit words stuck in her throat, and she couldn't bring herself to say them.

This is so rude! So presumptuous! Besides, it was just a fleeting glance, which made her feel like she was seeing things.

The relationship between the captain and Shin has always been shrouded in an inexplicable fog. How did they go from a life-or-death battle to interacting as if nothing had happened? Yongyin could never figure it out. She was afraid she was overthinking things, but she couldn't suppress the urge to find out the truth. This inner conflict tore at her nerves.

"You want to know?" Unohana Retsu looked at her with a slight smile.

"..."

Yongyin pursed her lips and lowered her head, saying, "If the captain thinks I shouldn't know, then there's no need to say it."

Retsu Unohana said, "What you really want to ask is what Tachikawa and I were doing just now, right? Isane, you're not being honest."

“…” Yongyin was completely speechless and could only lower her head even further. She felt as if something was blocking her throat. She felt the captain’s all-knowing gaze falling on her head as if it were a physical thing, leaving her nowhere to hide.

Retsu Unohana then added, "I don't know what he meant by that just now. He's a very complicated person, and he always does things that I can't predict or understand. Maybe it was just a whim of his."

These words were like a handful of sand thrown into Yongyin's heart pond. Instead of calming the ripples, they stirred up more mud and dust, and her doubts only deepened instead of being resolved.

A spur-of-the-moment decision? To make such a frivolous and almost blasphemous gesture toward someone like the captain? This explanation is even more absurd than the mystery itself.

However, seeing the captain's expression return to calm and indifference, Yongyin knew she couldn't ask any more questions, not only because it was superfluous, but also because a suffocating sense of self-awareness welled up inside her.

By what right did she express curiosity, concern, and questioning?
Her relationship with Shin was no longer what it used to be. If it were Hinamori, who came with Shin today, who had seen what just happened, she could question him however she wanted, or whoever she wanted, and she would have a legitimate reason to do so.

What about yourself?
Kotetsu Isane asked herself a question, and a belated sense of clarity suddenly seized her.

Where does this sudden, almost despicable voyeuristic and calculating desire come from?

Could it be that deep down there is still a trace of resentment?
Yongyin squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them again, the turmoil within had been forcibly suppressed. She gave herself a silent pep talk: You shouldn't have cared about these things a long time ago!
So many years have passed, from understanding to letting go, haven't we accomplished it all? This reaction now is not only a lack of detachment from the past, but also a disrespect and narrow-mindedness towards the person in front of you.

Hinamori Momo being able to stand by Shin's side is her path; Isane has long seen the relationship between the two of them and has accepted it calmly.

Even deep down, she offered her blessings.

She felt that she should face these things calmly, and show a peaceful smile in front of Shin and Sai Chusen, that would be dignified.

Yongyin doesn't feel regret or pity about this relationship... maybe a little, but she feels mostly gratitude. It was Xin who made her life more complete. After experiencing it and letting go, she is able to face the future with a clearer and more resilient attitude.

Regarding her attitude towards life, Yongyin felt that Shin had taught her a lot. Shin was always moving forward, while she had been stagnant for a long time. She was currently the vice-captain, and although there was little room for advancement, it wasn't entirely impossible. Moreover, many things weren't solely reflected in positions or titles. For example, Shin was already the captain; could he not advance further?
Yongyin takes her work and life more seriously than before, and she now makes time to resume her spiritual practice.

She needs this solid sense of "fulfillment" to anchor herself.

When I occasionally recall that past experience in the quiet of the night, a sense of relief and remembrance is enough.

Like flipping through a yellowed old book, you reminisce and then gently close it.

Just as her thoughts were churning and she was barely managing to rebuild her mental defenses, Unohana Retsu's gentle, almost sighing voice rang out again, precisely piercing the facade of calm she had just established: "Izane, you still care about him."

hum-

Yongyin felt the string in her mind, which had just been released, instantly tighten to its limit again. She suddenly raised her eyes, her gaze flickering violently, like a startled bird, a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment flashing across her face.

She said, "Captain, you misunderstood... I didn't mean that, I was just... concerned about you."

Unohana Retsu chuckled, said nothing more, and left the place, with Isane following behind.

The exchange was coming to an end. The 10th Division and the 4th Division had a decisive victory. Both sides had officers and ordinary members participating in this sparring session. The officers were not of very high rank. For example, Hitsugaya would definitely not have participated. Otherwise, he could have easily won first place in a competition involving all 13 divisions, let alone this small exchange between the two divisions.

At the end, the team members gathered together and thanked each other for their hard work. The young member of the Fourth Division who had accidentally caused a medical accident earlier still looked shaken and deeply guilty. He awkwardly approached Shin and stammered that he apologized again, his head almost touching his chest.

Xin's face showed little emotion; he simply glanced at him calmly, offering no harsh words, but instead uttering a few words of encouragement that made the young team member feel as if he had been granted a pardon.
The Fourth Division is indeed a completely different team now compared to before.

Yuon hesitated for a moment, but still took the initiative to come forward and chatted with Shin for a few words. She glanced at Hinamori, who was standing next to Shin, and Hinamori was looking at her in return.

"We've troubled the 10th Division today, and there was an unexpected mistake. It's our 4th Division's responsibility." She then gave an official apology for the previous incident. "We will definitely give the injured member the best treatment so that he can recover as soon as possible."

After listening, Xin looked back at her calmly, and after a few seconds replied, "Yes, thank you for your trouble."

He didn't say anything more, and seemed unaware of the subtle tremor in Yongyin's complex gaze.

"Let's go," he said to Hinamori and the rest of the 10th Division beside him.

Before leaving, Momo Hinamori's bright eyes lingered on Isane's face for a moment, filled with pure curiosity and a hint of almost imperceptible scrutiny. The corners of her mouth seemed to curve into a fleeting smile. Then, like a true shadow, she followed closely beside Shin, calmly departing with the group of the 10th Division.

Yongyin stood there, watching the white figure walk away, his gaze lingering for a long time. The petite figure beside him nestled so close, so naturally, as if it were born to be there.

For a fleeting moment, something deep within her heart seemed to be stirred by a gentle breeze, but it quickly subsided. Her lips twitched almost imperceptibly, revealing an emotion she herself hadn't yet fully grasped, before she swiftly returned to her calm and composed demeanor as the vice-captain, her gaze now filled with an unfathomable, complex turmoil.

Back in the 10th Division, as soon as Shin entered the office, Hinamori blocked his way, a half-smile on her face. "Why do I feel like that Lieutenant Kotetsu is looking at you a little strangely? Is he still hung up on you, Captain?" Shin raised an eyebrow, his tone calm and matter-of-fact as he replied, "After all, I'm so outstanding, isn't it normal that she can't forget me?"

Hinamori spat lightly at his shameless appearance.

"You don't still want to do something with her, do you?"

"I also can."

Hinamori lunged at him, baring her teeth and claws, cupping the letter's face in her hands, and said fiercely, "No way!"

Having been with Shin for so many years, she naturally knew which girls were around him. She had finally managed to get rid of Rukia, so how could she possibly allow Shin and Kotetsu Isane to rekindle their old flame?!

Xin walked past him to his seat: "I didn't say anything about what I absolutely had to do. Isn't it all just your own imagination?"

Hinamori immediately followed with a grin, wrapping her arms around Shin's neck and nuzzling his cheek.

"I know the captain can't bear to do this to me."

Just as they were getting intimate, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Hitsugaya walked in and saw their close relationship. He immediately felt awkward, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Hinamori released the letter naturally, without any shyness or embarrassment on her face, and looked at Hitsugaya calmly.

Hitsugaya coughed lightly, glanced at the two of them without revealing anything, and said, "Is the exchange meeting over? These are the things to be dealt with today."

He placed a document on the table in front of the letter.

"it is good."

After delivering the documents, Hitsugaya left immediately. Shin flipped through the documents on the table and suddenly asked Hinamori, "Your relationship with Hitsugaya has always been quite special, hasn't it?"

Hinamori knew what he meant, and chuckled, "Who told us to be childhood friends? Before, Hitsugaya hadn't had much contact with other girls, but so many years have passed, things are very different now."

Xin Youyou said, "It's a bit of a pity. Hitsugaya is such a good person."

Hinamori objected: "What's a pity? What's a pity? Abarai is a very good person too. Did you say that to Rukia?"

Xin coughed lightly: "I was just joking, why are you so upset?"

He reorganized the documents and said, "I'll be leaving in a bit. You can take care of these; they're not important tasks."

Upon hearing this, Hinamori immediately said, "Are you going to the Shiba family? I want to go too!"

"If you go, who will do these jobs?"

Hinamori pouted and muttered under her breath, "All he does is order me around."

#
into the night.

Inside the tea room of the Fourth Division.

Kotetsu Isane gently pushed open the door and saw Unohana Retsu standing alone by the window, quietly looking out.

In the center of the room, there was an empty vase and several uncut bouquets.

She remembered the flowers; the team members delivered them that afternoon.

"team leader?"

Retsu Unohana turned around, looked at her with a gentle smile, and said, "Isane."

"..."

Kotetsu Isane bowed slightly and said, "I've finished all my work for today, so I'll be leaving now. Captain, please get some rest."

She just came to say goodbye.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

The person standing there remained gentle and dignified, but Yongyin sensed that she seemed to have something on her mind.

Captain Unohana has a very leisurely life. There aren't many team affairs that are worth her attention. After inspecting various departments every day, she just drinks tea and arranges flowers.

Aside from that, she doesn't have any other hobbies. She might occasionally go out for a stroll, go hiking, or enjoy the spring scenery.

But today, after the exchange meeting ended, Yongyin keenly noticed a change in the captain.

There was no practice of flower arrangement, and the tea set was neatly arranged without any signs of being touched.

What is the captain thinking?
Yongyin recalled the scene she had inadvertently witnessed earlier that day.

In her view, it is extremely intimate and provocative for a man to reach out and touch a woman's collarbone.

The captain and the letter... This is absurd!

She preferred to believe that Xin did this to examine the captain's distinctive "scar" on his collarbone.

However, this was not a preconceived notion, and it was somewhat untenable in her mind.

Filled with confusion and doubt, Yuune left the Fourth Division's barracks.

Meanwhile, Retsu Unohana stood by the window, silently gazing at the night outside.

The pure white haori she wore was occasionally fluttered by the evening breeze. She reached out and gently touched the mark on her collarbone with her fingertips, and a hint of doubt reappeared in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)