Chapter 21:
Benefits
"Good morning!" Kurotsuchi chimed to everyone in the vicinity. They all just gave him a strange look. He ignored them and continued about his day. The captain found himself making kind gestures and comments as well as smiling frequently. At one point his lieutenant asked, "Master Mayuri, are you…alright?" "Of course, Nemu!" Kurotsuchi replied, "What would make you think otherwise?" Nemu answered softly, "Nothing, sir, it's just…" "What?" he inquired. The black-haired lieutenant responded somberly, "You seem awfully…happy." Kurotsuchi nearly turned red in embarrassment. "Get back to work, Nemu!" he snapped at the woman who then bowed and left him at once. The captain was alone in his office. He put his hand on his head and wondered what was happening to him. He had not noticed until Nemu had pointed it out to him that he was actually happy. For the rest of the day the captain tried to be mean to everyone but he kept catching himself doing the opposite. Kurotsuchi ended up sending himself home early for the day due to embarrassment.
Kyōraku found himself humming a playful tune while he was working on some paperwork. Lieutenant Ise entered the room expecting him to be sleeping on the couch. "Captain?" she asked in shock. "Hello, Nanao!" the captain greeted warmly, "You look well rested today." Ise responded with confusion in her voice, "Thank you?" "You're welcome!" Kyōraku grinned at the woman then continued to work. "Captain, are you…working?" the black-haired lieutenant inquired. "Why, yes I am!" the man answered cheerfully, "I'm trying to finish this as soon as possible so I can go out to dinner with Heather tonight." Ise paused, "Dinner…with Heather?" "Yes! I planned a wonderful candlelight dinner, just the two of us." the captain explained eagerly. "That's…that's nice, Captain." the woman responded in an unsure tone. "I know," he agreed and went on, "I'm actually very excited." "Captain, are you…are you feeling well?" Ise questioned her superior. "I feel better than ever." Kyōraku replied and asked in return, "How do you feel?" "I'm fine…" the lieutenant stared at her wide-eyed. "You looked kinda' scared." the captain appeared puzzled, "Is something wrong, Nanao?" "Nothing. Nothing at all. I just—" Ise was cut off by a loud banging sound. "All captains! All captains! Report immediately for an emergency officer's conference!"