Invitation

"I see. That is a moving will and conviction. Captain Shihoin is enviable, having a subordinate like you."

Akira spoke with emotion and admiration. Those words, which indirectly affirmed Yoruichi Shihoin's charm, made a smile appear on Shao Ling's face before she realized it.

Perhaps praising Shao Ling directly would not be as effective. As long as one praised Yoruichi Shihoin, Shao Ling would become one's good friend.

Akira's gentle gaze took in her reaction. He could not help sighing inwardly. Shao Ling at this stage was still far from the later captain, who would be cold, proud, and awkwardly stubborn.

Right now, Shao Ling was truly tender and simple.

"In that case..."

An idea moved through Akira's mind, and he said, "I know a special medical massage technique passed down through my family. It can relieve delayed development to a certain degree. If you do not mind, you can come to me regularly for treatment. What do you think?"

Under Akira's gentle concern and harmless eyes, most of Shao Ling's hostility toward him had eased. She even felt a little more trust.

Shao Ling lowered her head and looked at her overly petite, slender figure. She also understood that her development was indeed somewhat delayed.

'If I grow a little more, Lady Yoruichi might like it too, right?'

After hesitating for a long while, she slowly nodded, which counted as agreement.

Seeing this, Akira could not help smiling faintly.

In this way, he could treat Shao Ling's developmental issue while building as good a relationship with her as possible. At the same time, by openly meeting with Shao Ling at regular intervals, he could effectively avoid other surveillance from the Second Division.

Three gains at once.

"Since that is settled, shall we begin today's treatment now?" Akira asked.

"All right."

Shao Ling nodded.

She lay back down on the bed. Compared with before, her mood had calmed considerably. She even had the leisure to begin observing Akira.

Black hair, black eyes, handsome features, and a gaze that always seemed gentle. Once treatment began, his focus became absolute.

Gradually, Shao Ling entered her own rhythm and instinctively began recording information on Akira with the professionalism of the Executive Militia. His estimated height and weight, the appearance of his Zanpakuto, the length of his fingers...

Suddenly, she felt something pierce into her body and instinctively let out a soft, startled sound.

"Ah..."

The next instant, Shao Ling's entire head flushed red. Even her feet seemed to take on another layer of pink.

Akira glanced in surprise at her feet, which almost seemed to reveal her true inner feelings. While continuing the acupuncture, he began chatting with Shao Ling to distract her attention.

"Miss Fon, is this your first time in the gynecology department?"

"Mm."

"Coming alone was very brave, Miss Fon."

"Actually... not really..."

"No, Miss Fon. Among people your age, you are truly outstanding."

"I... I only work hard because I want to catch up to Lady Yoruichi's back..."

"What kind of person is Captain Shihoin? Bearing the name Flash Goddess, she must be very impressive."

At that question, Shao Ling's eyes brightened as if Akira had touched her favorite subject.

For a time, guided without realizing it, Shao Ling grew completely excited. Her previous coldness vanished, and she began speaking passionately. She even forgot that her body was being treated.

Akira responded in a gentle voice while continuing the treatment without the slightest pause.

The seed was naturally planted in silence, taking root firmly inside Shao Ling.

For a moment, Akira clearly felt the rate at which his reiryoku accumulated rise by a small amount. Compared with Kenpachi Zaraki, it was naturally far inferior, but it far surpassed the nourishment Ikkaku Madarame provided.

At once, Akira's gaze toward Shao Ling carried a little more genuine goodwill. He sincerely wished she would become a captain-class Shinigami as soon as possible.

Much later, after Shao Ling had spent a long time enthusiastically discussing Yoruichi's strength, beauty, nobility, and much more, her mouth finally felt dry enough that she had to pause. Only then did she realize her whole body seemed warm, almost pleasantly so.

"Miss Fon, the treatment is over. It would be best to suspend high-intensity training or combat for the next few days," Akira said with a smile.

"It's... over?"

Shao Ling asked blankly, trying hard to remember. All she recalled was Akira's gentle hands occasionally touching different areas of her body. She had not paid attention to the details at all.

She sat up and tried moving. Her body felt as if it were in an unprecedentedly good state.

"Thank you, Doctor Morisawa."

This time, Shao Ling thanked Akira with genuine sincerity.

'A young doctor who looks so innocent and gentle does not seem like some strange person no matter how I look at him.'

'Those strange groans I heard outside earlier were probably the Eleventh Division members' own problem.'

'I almost misunderstood him.'

At the very least, in Shao Ling's heart, Akira's image had changed from a strange deviant into a fairly skilled and gentle doctor who shared her admiration for Lady Yoruichi.

"You're welcome, Miss Fon. If you want to thank me, then pay more attention to your body. Otherwise, even Captain Shihoin might feel distressed over such an excellent subordinate."

Hearing Akira's warm, caring tone, Shao Ling's approval of him increased without her noticing.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly remembered something.

'Oh no. I was so focused on talking about Lady Yoruichi that I completely forgot to probe Doctor Morisawa for information.'

After hesitating, Shao Ling turned back to Akira somewhat nervously.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

She bit her lip and asked, "To express my thanks, can I... invite you to eat?"

"Eat?"

Akira met Shao Ling's nervous, shy gaze.

'Only dinner?'

Generally speaking, Akira usually refused invitations that were only for dinner. However, he understood that Shao Ling's true purpose was probably still gathering information.

'In that case, I should cooperate.'

'Besides, Risa seems to have gone out early today with the relief team. I do not need to worry about being caught slacking off.'

Thinking that, Akira looked at the sky outside the window and said, "Sure. It is almost time to change shifts anyway."

After that, he tidied the office, then headed toward Seireitei's commercial street with Shao Ling, talking and laughing along the way.

x

x

x

If you're enjoying the story so far, consider supporting me on Patreon ❤️
You'll get weekly early access to chapters, along with some exclusive content:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/auroraclairevale