Under the gaze of the people by the field, the figure of Suō Tsukasa, who had sheathed his Oboroyo at his waist, drew closer.
"Tsukasa, you did well."
Tōshirō slowly lowered his crossed arms and walked forward a few steps, his lips slightly curved in a smile as he welcomed the victor.
The three people on the side looked at Suō Tsukasa's approaching figure, their emotions complicated for a moment.
Naturally, they felt uncomfortable seeing their friend beaten to such a sorry state.
Yet, reason told them that the person who initiated the conflict this morning was the one currently pinned to the ground.
Noticing the unnatural expressions on Momo Hinamori and Izuru Kira's faces, and the worry on Rukia's face, Suō Tsukasa took the initiative to speak, easing the slightly awkward atmosphere.
"He's not badly hurt; I was careful with my strength."
"Just, before the binding spell disappears, you should probably let him calm down by himself for a while."
"Afterward, just help him up and take him to the health teacher."
Throughout the entire process, Suō Tsukasa had only released two diluted Byakurai (White Lightning). Moreover, due to the nature of Byakurai, even if the wounds were penetrating, not much blood would flow.
Given Renji Abarai's physique and the health teacher's healing Kidō, he would be able to get out of bed in a day or two and it wouldn't affect his studies at all.
Of course, Suō Tsukasa couldn't address the psychological trauma; people always have to pay a price for their actions.
The frustration, humiliation, and unwillingness Renji Abarai was currently experiencing could only be faced and digested by him alone.
Rukia felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing Suō Tsukasa say that Renji Abarai wasn't seriously hurt.
The two Byakurai were too fast. She had only seen the horrifying sight of the Byakurai piercing Renji Abarai's body and hadn't clearly seen the location.
"Thank you... and I'm sorry."
Sensing the sincerity and kindness in Suō Tsukasa's words, she bowed slightly.
"Actually, Renji didn't mean any harm, he was just..."
Her hands were clasped unnaturally in front of her, and she attempted to find a rational explanation for Renji Abarai's sudden behavior this morning, her voice soft and strained with difficulty.
Then, her words abruptly stopped.
Rukia's lips lightly pressed together, her eyes full of confusion and powerlessness—she couldn't think of an explanation.
She suddenly realized, after more than three years of academy life where they saw little of each other, what right did she have to apologize and explain for Renji Abarai at this moment?
A friend from Rukongai? A playmate they grew up with? A contemporary at the Shin'ō Academy?
The changes brought about by time and status made her suddenly realize the difference between the injured beast lying on the ground and the impulsive but cheerful boy of the past.
This subtle sense of strangeness was like a hazy mist separating her from the current Renji Abarai.
And because of the confusion this strangeness brought her, did she truly have the right to ask Suō Tsukasa for forgiveness on behalf of Renji Abarai?
This realization made the rest of her words stick in her throat, unable to continue.
She could only stand there, facing Suō Tsukasa with a hint of helpless awkwardness, bracing herself for his rebuttal or reprimand.
Seeing her anxious appearance, Suō Tsukasa could only smile helplessly, his tone peaceful and friendly.
"It's alright. I forgive him."
"After all, I've already vented my anger."
The morning's incident was, for him, already over. As for how Renji Abarai wanted to calculate it, that would have to wait until they met next time.
If he wanted to try again next time, then they would settle it then.
"Thank you..."
This straightforwardness and magnanimity left Rukia at a loss for how to respond, and she could only thank him again.
"All settled."
Seeing that she was finally no longer looking so miserable and pitiful, Suō Tsukasa felt a sense of relief in his heart. He said no more and turned to Tōshirō beside him, asking.
"Tōshirō, want to chat with your friends for a bit? I'll wait for you off to the side."
"No, Grandma is waiting for me at home."
"Hinamori, I'm leaving now."
Not sensing the playful undertone in Suō Tsukasa's voice, Tōshirō shook his head and replied seriously, then called out to the dazed Momo Hinamori nearby.
"Alright, we'll get going then. See you."
Before leaving, Suō Tsukasa also raised his hand in acknowledgment to Izuru Kira and Momo Hinamori.
"Okay, see you."
The two, who hadn't fully recovered yet, responded to Suō Tsukasa's farewell almost mechanically. The events of the morning had been quite a shock to them.
Suō Tsukasa didn't mind and walked side-by-side with Tōshirō towards the direction of the cafeteria.
After only a few steps, he seemed to suddenly recall something and casually suggested:
"I wonder if the cafeteria will still have food at this hour. How about we use Shunpo (Flash Step) to get there?"
"...Fine."
Tōshirō considered this briefly. Although the battle ended quickly, it had still taken up quite a bit of time. Thinking he could go home sooner, he nodded.
The two figures gradually faded and disappeared into the distance, their conversation dissolving into the wind.
Only the three silent figures remained on the side of the field, and in the center, Renji Abarai, who had finally struggled to sit up, his head bowed low.
Western District 1, on the edge.
Suō Tsukasa and Tōshirō, each carrying a bag, stepped out through the small door beneath the Hakutōmon (White Road Gate).
The scene before them instantly shifted from the orderly Seireitei to the dusty, yellowish earth of the Rukongai.
"Money is really hard to hold onto."
Suō Tsukasa lifted the heavy bag in his hand and sighed softly.
His tone carried a sense of wonder at the consumer shock he had just experienced.
While the goods in Seireitei were more varied and of better quality, the prices were truly exorbitant.
For instance, the most valuable Tsukimizake (Moon-viewing Wine) in the Western Rukongai was merely one of the most ordinary items at a confectionery shop, yet it cost one and a half times more.
This was probably the Soul Society version of "earn in Seireitei, spend in Seireitei, don't expect to take a penny home."
Unable to resist the urge to shop, Suō Tsukasa had supplemented his prize money with some of his personal savings.
"It really is."
Tōshirō nodded in agreement, a faint expression of pain on his face.
He had initially been quite satisfied with the prize money the academy awarded him, thinking it was a considerable fortune.
However, the prices of goods in the commercial district, far exceeding his imagination, quickly taught him a harsh lesson.
"But the items are truly good."
He looked down at the carefully selected peaches and yam cakes in his bag, as well as some various summer necessities at the bottom, and nodded with satisfaction.
"That's true. Let's go."
Suō Tsukasa also smiled. The two no longer lingered at the gate and began walking towards Tōshirō's home a hundred meters away.
After a short while, the two arrived at the earthen house. The sun was high, and Tōshirō's grandmother was not visible outside the door.
"Grandma, I'm home."
Tōshirō called out into the house, his voice completely devoid of its usual coldness.
"Excuse the intrusion."
Suō Tsukasa also offered a greeting.
Soon, a faint and hurried sound of footsteps came from inside the house.
The grass curtain was lifted by a hand full of wrinkles, and an elderly woman with white hair and a small stature slowly emerged.
"You're back!"
The old woman's kind face bore a smile of pleasant surprise, her gaze falling excitedly upon the two people in front of the house.
She first carefully examined her grandson up and down to confirm his condition, and only then did she notice the unfamiliar black-haired young man standing next to Tōshirō.
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