If the Bowl Is Not Enough, There Is More on the Grill

Cold sweat appeared on Akira's forehead almost instantly. Facing all those gazes, he somehow felt like he had been caught sneaking out during work by his family, his teacher, and his coworkers all at once.

Panic.

Instinctively, Akira panicked.

No.

What was he panicking for?

Akira's gaze cleared, and he quickly reacted.

He was an upright, innocent young man. He had not truly done anything. He had merely cooperated with the Second Division's investigation in secret, while conveniently building a good relationship with the future captain of the Second Division.

In this situation, he only needed to make himself seem unaware of Shao Ling's purpose, while allowing Shao Ling, who was pretending to have no other purpose, to be seen by everyone present as someone who did have another purpose.

The final result would be that he became an innocent person who knew nothing about what was going on.

The logic was slightly roundabout, but Akira found the breakthrough almost instantly. Carrying it out would not be difficult.

After all, before this, his public image had always been that of a pure and gentle innocent boy. If he had not been caught on the spot, no one would believe a claim that Akira was some sleazy flirt even if it were spread around. Besides, he was not one.

"Teacher, Fifth Seat Aoki, Risa, I am so glad to see you..."

The glasses on Akira's nose perfectly concealed the flash of emotion from moments earlier. His face showed relief as he said, "Miss Fon of the Second Division specially invited me to dinner to celebrate my first successful consultation today. I did not expect her to get drunk instead. I was just worrying about how to send her back."

Second Division.

The term Akira let slip made Retsu Unohana's curved eyes open slightly. Her gaze carefully examined Shao Ling.

Very quickly, Unohana recognized Shao Ling's identity as a member of Yoruichi Shihoin's personal guard, attached to the Second Division captain and commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukido.

In that instant, Unohana understood many things.

As a member of Yoruichi's personal guard, Shao Ling had appeared in the Fourth Division without warning, gotten close to Akira, and even invited him to dinner. This was undoubtedly suspicious.

It was highly likely that Yoruichi Shihoin had guided it.

Unohana reached that conclusion almost instantly.

As for why Shao Ling, of all people, had ended up drunk to the point that Akira had to support her while walking, that was what surprised Unohana instead.

With that thought, Unohana's gaze shifted back to Akira, and she asked gently, "Akira, where were you planning to send her next? It would also be fine for me to lend you the courtyard tonight."

Facing Unohana's gentle eyes, however, Akira felt a chill run down his spine. Every hair on his body stood up, as if some terrifying presence had slowly opened its eyes and fixed them on him.

Akira scratched his head and pretended not to understand the hidden meaning in Unohana's words.

"Um... Teacher, I am not very good at looking after drunk people. I was having a headache because I do not know where the Fon family residence is, so I wanted to send her home."

"Is that so?"

Unohana looked at Akira with a smile that was not quite a smile. Then she turned to a female Fourth Division member behind her.

"Please take Miss Fon back to the Fourth Division for temporary rest, then contact Captain Shihoin to come pick her up."

"Yes, Captain."

The female member nodded. She stepped forward, took Shao Ling from Akira, and carried her directly toward the Fourth Division barracks.

As for Akira, once he handed Shao Ling over, his back was almost soaked through with cold sweat.

Teacher Unohana was terrifying after all. That arrangement looked proper and reasonable on the surface, but in reality, it was clearly expressing a certain attitude toward Yoruichi Shihoin.

'In the future... unless there is absolutely no other choice, I must never clash with Teacher Unohana.'

While Akira reminded himself inwardly, his surface expression looked as if a great burden had been lifted. He prepared to slip away at once.

"Wait, Akira. I imagine you and Miss Fon did not eat enough just now. Since we are already here, join us for a meal," Unohana said.

"Teacher, I am already full..." Sensing danger, Akira declined as tactfully as he could.

"No. You are not full," Unohana reminded him, her tone gaining a trace of seriousness.

Akira's body stiffened. He touched his stomach and followed his survival instinct.

"Teacher truly understands me. I can indeed eat a little more."

"Mm."

Unohana nodded in satisfaction. Then she led the Fifth Relief Team behind her into the barbecue restaurant.

Throughout the entire process, Akira did not dare make a sound. He obediently sat beside Unohana according to her wishes, eyes lowered, posture restrained. He pretended not to notice the glances Risa Aoki kept sending from his other side.

When the first batch of barbecue was ready, Unohana almost swept three portions of meat directly in front of Akira. Her appearance was gentle and caring as she said, "Come, eat more. If there is not enough in your bowl, there is more on the grill..."

"..."

Akira almost wanted to cry. Teacher Unohana was not hinting at something, was she?

Feeling inexplicably guilty, he discreetly looked up at Unohana beside him. What he saw was a gaze that seemed to carry something gloomy and terrifying.

Akira shuddered in fright and hurriedly lowered his head to eat with all his strength.

"It is enough, Teacher. The bowl is enough."

"If it is not enough, tell me," Unohana reminded him gently.

"It is enough. Absolutely enough," Akira quickly answered.

At that, Unohana glanced at him and did not continue knocking sense into this foolish disciple.

Since he had already become her disciple, the Eleventh Division actually wanted to pry him away from her?

If a simple-minded person like Kenpachi Zaraki had such a fantasy, that was one thing. But Yoruichi Shihoin had even sent Shao Ling Fon from her personal guard to approach Akira. They had gone so far as to get drunk together.

Unohana could not help wondering whether, if she had not happened to run into them, Akira would have sent Shao Ling back to the Second Division, and Yoruichi would then have naturally used that as an opportunity to make contact with him.

'Akira... is this popular? Aside from his talent in Kaido and medicine, have I overlooked some other ability of his? Could he also have extraordinary talent in Shunpo?'

Unohana glanced again at the innocent-looking young man beside her, who had been frightened into burying his head in his food, and a trace of doubt rose in her heart.

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