Ukitake's Ukitake's quarters, the Ugendo, held a singular beauty under the light of dusk.
Stepping onto the boardwalk leading to the main house, Suō Tsukasa was first greeted by the faint scent of medicinal herbs wafting through the air.
"Captain, I've arrived."
Tsukasa stepped forward quietly, stopping before the door, and rapped his knuckles against the frame.
The contact between his joints and the wooden door produced three clear knocks. They were steady and unhurried, reflecting his calm state of mind.
He walked a straight path and acted with integrity. Although many members of the squad had suffered quite a bit under his hand, he had a clear conscience.
The Gotei 13 was, after all, a combat force. The atmosphere of the Thirteenth Division was far too lukewarm; the performance of some squad members didn't even match the level of third or fourth-year students at the Shin'ō Academy. It was high time they were whipped into shape.
"Please, come in."
Ukitake Jūshirō's gentle voice responded, followed by a few muffled coughs.
Tsukasa slid the paper door open and stepped into the room.
The light inside the hall was soft. Ukitake Jūshirō sat in the seat of honor, a trace of fatigue showing on his pale face. On either side of his low desk sat two stacks of documents: those already reviewed and those waiting to be processed.
Meeting Ukitake's gaze, Tsukasa bowed and said, "Greetings, Captain."
"No need for such formality. Please, sit."
Ukitake gathered the documents in front of him and nodded, gesturing toward a cushion by the table.
"My apologies, Suō. Calling you here immediately after your return... I hope I haven't interrupted your rest."
"Not at all."
Tsukasa took his seat as invited and shook his head slightly.
His tone was respectful but lacked both stiffness and intimacy. He hadn't been with the Thirteenth Division for very long; he was most familiar with Shiba Kaien and a few others, and had only met Captain Ukitake briefly a handful of times. Since there was no deep personal bond, he treated the encounter with standard etiquette.
"Have you grown accustomed to life within the squad?" Ukitake asked softly, with concern.
He reached for a confectionery box at his side and placed a dish of exquisite ohagi in front of Tsukasa, gesturing toward it.
"You probably haven't eaten since you got back. Try some; these were just delivered today."
There was no hint of captainly authority in his tone; he sounded more like a kind elder looking after a younger relative.
Tsukasa didn't feel uncomfortable. Ukitake Jūshirō had become a disciple of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni long before the Quincy Blood War. Calculating by age, the man was over a thousand years his senior; it wasn't an exaggeration for Ukitake to view him as a child. He treated it like having tea and chatting with an elder—something he was quite good at.
"Everything is fine. With Kaien-aniki and the others looking after me, I'm doing very well in the squad."
"Thank you for your concern, Captain."
Tsukasa followed the suggestion and picked up a piece of ohagi. He took a bite, chewed it thoroughly, and replied earnestly.
In the original story, Ukitake Jūshirō was a renowned "nice guy," and since Tsukasa was an officer under his command, there was nothing to be guarded about. Since this wasn't a reprimand, he had no reason to hesitate, especially since he actually hadn't eaten much since his return.
The ohagi was made primarily of rice and glutinous rice, giving it a soft, chewy texture. The red bean paste inside was lightly sweet, not overpowering, making it an excellent pairing for tea.
It was Tsukasa's first time eating this kind of old-fashioned Japanese sweet, and he found it quite refreshing. After finishing his sentence, he polished off the rest of the treat in two bites.
"That is good to hear."
"I have carefully reviewed the reports you submitted during this period. You have performed excellently," Ukitake praised. Seeing the young man eat with such gusto, he smiled with genuine relief, his expression softening further. The smile brought a flicker of vitality to his pale complexion.
"Hollow suppression missions are the most grueling. If you encounter any difficulties, be sure to report them to the division promptly. Do not overexert yourself."
"You are still young," Ukitake added after a short pause, his voice warm with advice. "Remember that not everything can be rushed. Most importantly, remember to protect yourself."
"I will."
Tsukasa nodded, answering crisply and without the slightest hesitation.
He didn't harbor any stubborn "youthful pride." If he truly needed to request backup, he wouldn't force himself to hold out alone. With his current strength, handling ordinary Hollow suppression missions was more than manageable; the part that truly required effort was leading the squad members in coordinated combat. However, it wasn't without its benefits; the experiences of this period had helped develop his personal ability to control the overall battlefield.
"Good, good!"
Ukitake repeated his approval several times, his eyes shining with sincere satisfaction.
Just then, an attendant dressed in white entered from a side door, carrying a tea set. He placed it down and bowed before retreating. Ukitake pulled back his sleeve and lifted the teapot, personally pouring a cup of clear tea for Tsukasa.
"If you don't mind, stay a while longer."
"Of course."
As the aroma of tea filled the room, the sweets on the table disappeared one by one. Their conversation shifted from formal pleasantries to more casual, everyday talk. Lighthearted laughter occasionally echoed within the Ugendo, and the distance between the two narrowed quietly during the chat.
The sun sank further, and the sky outside the window darkened. Another cup of tea was finished. Tsukasa noticed that the tips of Ukitake's fingers trembled slightly as he held his teacup, and he understood the situation.
Aware of the Captain's health, Tsukasa raised a hand and said, "Captain, I have intruded upon your time long enough today. I believe I should take my leave."
"You are very thoughtful," Ukitake replied with a slight start, followed by an apologetic smile.
Just as Tsukasa was about to stand up, Ukitake suddenly called out to stop him. He reached under the table and produced a thick book, handing it to Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa, wait."
"I know you are exceptionally talented in the way of Kidō. I have wanted to give this to you for some time."
"It's just that writing out the insights and annotations took quite a while, so it was delayed until today."
"High-level Kidō is extremely profound. You must be careful during your practice." Ukitake withdrew his hand slowly, his gaze filled with earnest expectation.
He kept Tsukasa's file information firmly in mind. He had intended to give this book to him much earlier, but due to his health, he could only add notes in the brief intervals between reviewing documents. He had finally completed it only a short while ago.
Tsukasa accepted the book with both hands. When the title Comprehensive Guide to Advanced Kidō met his eyes, his expression froze for a moment before turning into a delighted smile.
"Understood. I will be careful. Thank you, Captain."
Ukitake Jūshirō had gained a deeper understanding of Tsukasa's character through their conversation and didn't feel the need to offer more warnings. He coughed a few times, and once his condition stabilized, he continued.
"There is one more thing. A newcomer will be joining the squad in a few days."
"Her background is somewhat complicated. The squad members might have some reservations about her."
"You hold a great deal of prestige among the members. I hope you can look out for her when the time comes."
"What is her name?"
This wasn't the graduation period for the Shin'ō Academy, nor was it the time for final examinations. For a newcomer to join at such an awkward timing, there was a high probability it was Rukia, who had already become the adoptive daughter of the Kuchiki family. Even though Tsukasa already had the answer in his mind, he still asked.
"Kuchiki Rukia."
"She was previously a student at the Shin'ō Academy, but her current status is the newly adopted daughter of the Kuchiki family," Ukitake replied with a trace of helplessness.
Ordinarily, common squad members were prone to feeling friction with children of the nobility. A case like Kuchiki Rukia's—joining the squad through exceptional circumstances as a newly adopted noble—was even more likely to draw criticism. Without special intervention, it would be difficult for her to truly integrate into the Thirteenth Division even after eight or ten years. This was exactly what weighed on Ukitake's mind.
He had spoken of this to Shiba Kaien earlier today, but considering Tsukasa's personality and age, Ukitake felt he might be better suited to help her. Thus, he made this special request.
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