"Thank you so much, Ishikawa."
The short-haired girl with flaxen hair and glasses said gratefully, "Your Everything Store only reopened after being idle for nearly four months, which should be your busiest time. Yet, you still took the time to help me research new eyeglass styles. I don't know how to thank you."
[Shirogane Mihane Affection +1, gained 1280 Experience Points, Current Affection: 40]
Looking at the notification on the system interface, Ishikawa's smile grew even warmer. "What is there to thank between friends? In my heart, you are my best friend. Could it be that in your heart, you don't consider me a friend at all?"
His voice was like a spring breeze, making anyone who heard it feel an incredibly warm sensation rise from their heart.
Shirogane Mihane's pretty face flushed, and she quickly waved her hand, saying, "No… I didn't mean that…"
"Then that's fine."
Ishikawa smiled slightly. "As long as you need me, you can come to me anytime. No matter how busy I am, no matter what it is, as your best friend, I will help you."
"..."
Shirogane Ginjirō stood behind the bar, squinting at Ishikawa, who was chatting and laughing with his daughter.
...This little scoundrel, he's definitely brainwashing her, isn't he?
He didn't know how many times he had heard similar words, and the listeners were not just his daughter. He had said similar things to the daughter of the opposite herbal medicine shop owner, the female owner of the clothing store next door, and even the old grandmother from the daifuku shop… and so on.
He emphasized it again and again, as if brainwashing, making his daughter have the illusion that he was her best friend.
For this, Shirogane Ginjirō had warned his daughter countless times, but he didn't know what kind of bewitching potion that scoundrel had given her. Not only did Miyu not cut ties with him, but she also said that he, as a father, was narrow-minded…
Just chop him…
Or maybe just chop him!!
However…
Two years ago, he might have been able to do such a thing, but now Ishikawa… according to Captain Kucihki, his strength is already comparable to a Captain-level Shinigami of the Gotei 13.
He couldn't drive him away, and he couldn't defeat him.
In the end, he could only squint and monitor this scoundrel from the side, preventing him from laying a hand on his precious daughter.
But…
Although this scoundrel was like Reishi, a scoundrel who would float around any woman, he had never laid a hand on any woman, instead giving off a gentle and refined feeling.
And it wasn't an act put on in front of him. He had monitored Ishikawa for several years and found that this guy truly had no sordid thoughts whatsoever.
It made Shirogane Ginjirō wonder if this kid was even a man.
His interactions with those women, rather than being male-female interactions, were more like…
Girlfriends? Brothers? Objects of worship?
Although he would use different interaction methods depending on the object, no matter which method, there was no sordid thought involved whatsoever.
Moreover, once things went too far, even if the other party actively approached him, he would immediately state his own thoughts, clearly refusing with words that would cause as little harm as possible, never procrastinating.
For example, the obese daughter of the daifuku shop owner on the corner of the street fell in love with this kid, but she was gently rejected by him.
If it were just her, that would be fine, after all, her figure was there…
However, as Ishikawa's base in Seireitei, the Commercial Street, countless women held a favorable impression of him.
Among them were young girls, young women, old grandmothers, and even little girls… from three or four years old to several hundred years old; all kinds, diverse, and many of them beautiful and moving women.
But no matter how proactive they were, this kid remained unmoved, as if lacking the emotion of 'love.'
Now, on the Commercial Street, an organization called the 'Ishikawa Fan Club' has appeared. Its members are extremely diverse, and his daughter is the Vice-President of this fan club; the President is Kazuki You, the daughter of the herbal medicine shop owner across the street, who has been promoted to a Thirteenth Seat in the Fifth Division within just a few years.
It is said that…
Even Squad Members of the Fourth Division and female members of the Onmitsukidō joined after hearing about it.
"Uncle Ginjiro, I'm leaving now. I'll visit you again next time."
Shirogane Ginjirō opened his mouth, and finally said somewhat helplessly, "Who wants you to visit?"
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling person. Although this kid was a scoundrel, his words and actions were polite and made people feel very good about him, even him.
Sometimes he even thought…
If his daughter were truly with Ishikawa, it might not be a bad choice.
Although he wasn't a Shinigami, he possessed Captain-level strength in the Gotei 13 and was qualified to move freely within Seireitei. Whether or not he was a Shinigami no longer mattered.
However…
When he saw Ishikawa leave the optical shop and walk directly into the herbal medicine shop across the street, Shirogane Ginjirō's face immediately darkened.
No!!
This scoundrel is absolutely out of the question.
...
Feeling the dagger-like gaze from behind, Ishikawa knew without even turning around that Boss Ginjiro was glaring at him again.
He didn't know what he had done to provoke him; every time he saw him, he would put on an expression as if he wanted to kill him.
"Oh, Kato-chan, aren't you at work?"
Uncle Kazuki, who had one leg, saw Ishikawa walking in from outside and laughed heartily. "How's business recently? Xiao You told me you can now move freely in Seireitei?"
"Yes, Commander Yamamoto granted me the right to move freely within Seireitei."
"Commander Yamamoto…"
Uncle Kazuki clicked his tongue, genuinely exclaiming, "You really are amazing, kid! To actually gain the recognition of Commander Yamamoto!!"
Although he didn't know how Ishikawa managed it, for a Rukongai resident who wasn't a Shinigami to gain Commander Yamamoto's recognition was enough to prove Ishikawa's strength.
But while surprised, he also felt that with Ishikawa's abilities, it was quite normal for him to gain Commander Yamamoto's recognition.
Because, ever since his daughter met Ishikawa, under his meticulous guidance, she had risen from an ordinary Squad Member a few years ago to a Seated Officer, and now even showed signs of becoming a high-ranking Seated Officer among the top ten.
"Xiao You is off today, right?"
"Yes."
Uncle Kazuki nodded. He wasn't as wary of Ishikawa as Shirogane Ginjirō was, because in his opinion, Ishikawa completely treated his daughter as a disciple.
And his daughter, likewise, revered him as someone she looked up to.
"She's in the back room reading," Uncle Kazuki pointed towards the back room.
Ishikawa, familiar with the layout, lifted the cloth curtain and entered the back room. When he saw the black-haired girl dressed in casual clothes inside, a warm smile appeared on his face. "Are you reading a book about floral arrangements?"
"Ah—"
Kazuki You, who was focused on the book in her hand, was startled by Ishikawa's voice, and then she saw Ishikawa standing at the doorway.
"Mr. Ishikawa, why are you here?"
"I told you not to be so formal," Ishikawa smiled slightly. "I've already heard from Miyu. What are your plans?"
"This…"
Kazuki You looked at the book in her hand, her face a little nervous. "I'm still a bit nervous. After all, it's a Floral Arrangement Society personally organized by Captain Unohana. I'm hesitating whether to ask Vice-Captain Hinamori to choose another Seated Officer to accompany her."
"Hmm? Is Vice-Captain Hinamori also attending the Floral Arrangement Society?"
Ishikawa was surprised by the news. Although he had just learned from Shirogane Mihane that Kazuki You was preparing to attend the Floral Arrangement Society organized by Captain Unohana, Shirogane Mihane hadn't mentioned that Kazuki You would be accompanying Hinamori Momo.
"Vice-Captain Hinamori has actually always participated, but in the past two years, because the Fifth Division received orders to maintain a state of readiness for immediate support, she hasn't been able to attend."
Kazuki You hesitated for a moment but still said, "However, the state of readiness has recently been lifted, so after receiving the invitation, Vice-Captain Hinamori is also preparing to attend."
"The reason I'm going is that I accepted Vice-Captain Hinamori's request to go together."
"I see."
Ishikawa nodded. Had the state of readiness been lifted?
However, he didn't delve deeper.
Hinamori Momo attending the Floral Arrangement Society was also a good thing for Ishikawa. Since the Ginjo Kūgo incident, Hinamori Momo had been absent from the Shinigami Women's Association's regular meetings due to the state of readiness.
Now that it was lifted, she should be attending the next meeting.
Although the affection of these female Vice-Captains was extremely difficult to increase.
Even if he attended every meeting, the increase in affection from those association members for Ishikawa was extremely limited.
Even Kuchiki Rukia, who was the easiest to gain affection from, now couldn't have her affection increased by simply talking about Renji's recent situation.
Ishikawa had considered simply bringing Renji in front of her, but although the two cared for each other, they had a stance of never interacting…
"I've made arrangements with Miyu. The three of us will set off for the Fourth Division together later. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me on the way."
Ishikawa paused, then continued, "Although I wouldn't say I'm an expert, I've attended the Floral Arrangement Society many times and have some experience."
"You're too modest."
Kazuki You looked at the smile on Ishikawa's face and said softly, "I heard from Vice-Captain Hinamori that you are now an Glory director of the Floral Arrangement Association founded by Captain Unohana, and you also serve as Vice-President of the Floral Arrangement Association alongside Vice-Captain Kotetsu."
"Captain Unohana is just looking out for me," Ishikawa said, then couldn't help but sigh in his heart. To gain Captain Unohana's affection, he had spent countless days and nights cramming knowledge about floral arrangements.
The result was…
He was already a Vice-President, but Unohana's affection for him had only increased by 1 point, reaching 2 points.
Every time he thought of this, Ishikawa couldn't help but miss Tier Harribel.
Captain-level affection was simply too difficult to raise. If everyone were as simple as Tier Harribel, it would be great.
The surge of over two hundred thousand experience points at once, that kind of pleasure, was simply beyond words.
He had only gained over forty thousand experience points in the nearly half a year since returning to Soul Society.
The experience points provided by Rukongai residents and ordinary people on Commercial Street were simply too, too little.
As for Kazuki You, under Ishikawa's meticulous guidance, her favorability towards him had already reached the maximum of 60 points.
Fortunately, she had always revered Ishikawa as a teacher and had no other thoughts, otherwise, Ishikawa would not have been so relaxed in her company.
"Don't be too nervous, Captain Unohana is a very kind person, and with me by your side, what are you afraid of?"
Looking at the gentle, clear-water-like smile on Ishikawa's face, Kazuki You subconsciously nodded.
Mr. Ishikawa is always so reliable.
"Oh, by the way, now that the combat readiness has been lifted, will Captain Aizen also return to the Shin'ō Academy to continue teaching calligraphy?"
Ishikawa finished speaking and smiled, "The Squad Members who recently joined the Fourth Division often gather to reminisce about Captain Aizen's calligraphy classes, saying that even though it was an elective, it was always packed, with people even standing in the corridors."
"Mhm."
Kazuki You nodded, her face full of yearning as she said, "It's normal for them to miss it; after all, Captain Aizen is so much like you, Mr. Ishikawa.
With such a special teacher, the students must have been interested in calligraphy."
"…"
Hearing this, the smile on Ishikawa's face froze directly, and he finally forced a stiff smile, "You can't just say things like that.
That esteemed person and I are completely different."
However…
The usually gentle Kazuki You, uncharacteristically, was firm: "I'm telling the truth, Captain Aizen is indeed very much like you.
Both of you are equally kind, gentle, and powerful; and you never look down on anyone, treating everyone equally.
Many people secretly say that you are both too much of a 'goody-two-shoes,' but I think you are both the most respectable people."
"If I have the chance, I must introduce you to Captain Aizen.
You two will definitely get along very well and become good friends!"
No—!!
Ishikawa almost yelled out.
Be friends with Aizen?
I haven't lived enough… Anyone associated with him rarely comes to a good end, and being friends with him doesn't even provide me with experience points.
However, should I find a way to get rid of this 'goody-two-shoes' title?
I always feel that those called 'goody-two-shoes' in the Soul Society are never good people…
"How could I be qualified to be friends with that esteemed person?"
Ishikawa managed to twitch the corner of his mouth and quickly changed the subject, saying, "It's almost time.
We should leave."
"Huh?"
Only then did Kazuki You remember that she had to attend the Floral Arrangement Society later, and she quickly hugged the book in her arms.
"Don't be nervous; there are always new people at the Floral Arrangement Society.
When the time comes, Isane and I will explain everything to the newcomers who are interested in floral arrangement."
With that, Ishikawa turned and walked out, wiping away non-existent cold sweat with a raised hand: "I'll go outside first to see if Miyu is ready."
"Mhm."
…
Two minutes later, the three of them set off towards the Fourth Division Barracks.
When the three arrived at the Fourth Division Barracks, the floral arrangement classroom was already filled with many members, most of whom were Fourth Division Squad Members, with a small portion from other Squads.
And these people…
Were basically all women!!
This was also the main reason Ishikawa didn't give up on studying floral arrangement after realizing it was difficult to increase Captain Unohana's favorability.
Because this was an important channel for Ishikawa to connect with female Squad Members from other Squads!
"Director Ishikawa, you're here."
"Vice-President Ishikawa."
"…"
Upon Ishikawa's arrival, a chorus of greetings immediately rang out in the floral arrangement classroom.
"Ishikawa-sama, you're really as popular as ever."
A voice came from behind Ishikawa.
Turning his head, Ishikawa showed a smile that was neither distant nor overly intimate, but very appropriate.
"Long time no see, Vice-Captain Hinamori."
The owner of the voice was none other than Hinamori Momo, the Vice-Captain of the Fifth Division.
Hearing this, Hinamori Momo's face broke into a smile: "It really has been a long time."
In the past two years, she had almost ceased all leisure activities.
While Squad Members still had breaks, she, as a Vice-Captain, along with Captain Aizen, had always been stationed in the Fifth Division.
However, being able to stay with Captain Aizen all the time, Hinamori Momo did not feel it was hard; instead, she felt happy every day.
The sudden lifting of the combat readiness actually made her a little unaccustomed.
Upon hearing this, Ishikawa was about to say something when he felt a weight on him and heard a familiar voice.
"A-Mu, A-Mu… This President is here too."
Turning his head, when he saw Yachiru's innocent smiling face, Ishikawa shook his head: "Yachiru, it's no use even if you cling to me.
Ever since you secretly ate all the snacks and candies before the last Floral Arrangement Society, all the snacks and candies prepared for the floral arrangement classroom have been locked in Isane's cabinet and will only be taken out after the Floral Arrangement Society begins."
Every time before a Floral Arrangement Society, Captain Unohana would have Isane prepare snacks and candies.
As the Floral Arrangement Society neared its end, everyone would admire the floral arrangements while drinking tea and eating snacks before dispersing.
But due to Yachiru's secret eating last time, Isane had locked all the snacks and treats in her office cabinet.
"Ugh— Little Kogetsu is so stingy…"
Yachiru's smile instantly disappeared, but the next second, her eyes lit up.
"However, I brought some konpeito.
You can have them before we eat the other snacks."
Ishikawa took out the konpeito he bought from the Commercial Street from his in my arms and dangled them in front of Yachiru.
Before he could say anything, Yachiru jumped up and snatched them away, and soon she was eating with her face covered in sugar crumbs, making several people burst into laughter.
Just then, the floral arrangement classroom fell silent, and everyone stood up, looking towards the entrance.
Unohana Retsu entered from outside, accompanied by Kotetsu Isane.
"Captain Unohana."
"No need to be so formal."
Unohana Retsu shook her head, a gentle, faint smile on her face: "The Floral Arrangement Society is a place for leisure and relaxation, not for reporting work.
Here, just call me President."
With Unohana Retsu's opening remarks, the Floral Arrangement Society officially began.
Unohana Retsu led the old members in floral arrangement, while Ishikawa and Isane, familiar with the routine, began to teach new members about floral arrangement.
[Sugishita Hanami favorability +1, gained 640 experience points, current favorability: 51]
[Nao favorability +1, gained 640 experience points, current favorability: 59]
[Shibata favorability +1, gained 320 experience points, current favorability: 41]
[Hinamori favorability +1, gained 160 experience points, current favorability: 39]
[Yuki favorability +1, gained 20 experience points, current favorability: 8]
[…]
Looking at the prompts in his mind, Ishikawa was both happy and anxious.
Because those with high favorability were mostly Fourth Division Squad Members, and many of them were close to reaching maximum friendship with him…
To avoid any misunderstandings and awkwardness, Ishikawa would continue to interact with them, and if they needed help, he would definitely assist as a friend.
But…
He had to avoid further increases in favorability at all costs.
This meant that Ishikawa's source of experience points, after the Commercial Street, had one less avenue.
Although there were Squad Members from other Squads at the Floral Arrangement Society, their number was small.
Since most of the Fourth Division Squad Members had reached maximum friendship and explicitly stated they only wanted to be friends, the experience points Ishikawa gained had been decreasing day by day.
Current experience points: 84650.
Among these…
Forty thousand were saved by Ishikawa from before, which meant that after half a year, Ishikawa had only gained over forty thousand experience points.
Especially in the last two months, the total experience points gained were less than three thousand…
It was truly too difficult to find another place like the Comprehensive Relief Station.
If quantity was gone, then quality had to be emphasized.
Thinking of this, Ishikawa couldn't help but sneak a glance at Unohana Retsu.
He secretly wondered if, with his current strength, he could withstand one of her sword strikes without dying, and if he could, how many favorability points it would likely add?
However, Ishikawa only thought about it.
Because every time Ishikawa thought about fighting Unohana Retsu, the fear she had instilled in him during their first meeting would resurface in his mind, like an unyielding shadow.
Perhaps it was a test, perhaps a selection, or perhaps a way to tell Ishikawa that he was not yet able to pique Unohana Retsu's interest.
In any case, the first impression was too terrifying, which made Ishikawa, who usually considered the consequences, afraid to issue a challenge, fearing he would be cut down…
Of course, if focusing on quality, Ishikawa had many other options.
Each member of the Women's Soul Reaper Association, when their favorability increased, could yield a lot of experience points.
But now, they had all hit a bottleneck…
There were only a few female Vice-Captains and Seated Officers, and now they all had a good relationship with Ishikawa, so their favorability was no longer as easy to increase as when they first met.
For example, Isane…
Even though they had always supported and learned from each other at the Floral Arrangement Society and the Comprehensive Relief Station, her favorability towards him was only 54 points, with no signs of further increase.
After thinking it through, Ishikawa realized that making friends in the vast Soul Society was incredibly difficult.
However, this was understandable, as female Shinigami were extremely rare among the Gotei 13's over 6,000 Squad Members.
Aside from the Fourth Division, the Squad with the most female Shinigami was ironically the Fifth Division, which Ishikawa preferred not to interact with, and the second most was the Thirteenth Division.
Those female Squad Members joined because of the personal charisma of the two Squad Captains.
Thinking of this, Ishikawa couldn't help but sigh.
Was there any way to significantly increase his exposure, like in the Human World?