Chapter 5: Yachiru's Job?

What are you all gathered around for? Are you guys playing a game?

No, Yachiru. We're not playing around here.

Why are you here, Yachiru?

Me? I'm playing tag!

Oh! The "it" is coming! I gotta go!

Bye bye!

"It?"

Did Kusajishi come this way?

Hello, Captain Kuchiki.

Ah, you must be the "it."

"It?" What are you talking about?

Lieutenant Kusajishi was here just a moment ago and she mentioned you were playing tag.

Such nonsense. What is she thinking?

Oh, so you're not playing tag?

She was running around yapping about how she wanted to play, so I simply ignored her.

But then she took the files I need to submit today and ran off with them.

What?!

I'm trying to chase her down, but I can't seem to predict where she's headed.

She'll probably continue running away until tomorrow at this rate.

This is Lieutenant Kusajishi, after all.

Don't worry, Captain Kuchiki. We'll help you catch her.

If you so wish.

Alright, let's chase down Yachiru!

Hum-de-hum-de-hum!

There you are!

Hahaha! Are you all here to play with me too?

Yayyy!

Yachiru! I'll play with you some other time, so give back those files for now.

You all want these?

Yachiru, those files need to be turned in today. Return them immediately.

Whaaaaat? No!

Cut it out, Yachiru!

Ahahaha! Catch me if you can! I'm over here!

Uh oh! She's getting away again!

I won't let her.

Aww. I guess you caught me.

Did you really think you could outrun my Flash Step?

Captain Kuchiki's Flash Step is on another level.

I guess you didn't really need our help after all.

Now that we've got that handled, let's get back to work. There's still a ton left to do.

Yeah, I guess I should start getting serious about it.

We will now begin the lieutenants' meeting.

First, I'd like to hear your reports about the lieutenant exchange measure.

At the end of the day, I realized how thankful I am for my own captain and my subordinates.

I had a chance to spend a day with Squad 13. Captain Ukitake and his squad members have such a strong, trusting relationship.

I was able to learn a lot from them. It made me want to work harder for my own squad.

I went to Squad 4. I was shown first-hand how difficult it can be to take care of injured and sick people.

It's thanks to Squad 4 that we're able to fight without having to worry. It really opened up my eyes.

I had a lot of fun because everyone played with me!

Thinking back on it, I guess it was pretty fun. A nice change of pace.

I thought it'd be a drag at first, but it was actually nice not having to get beaten up by Captain Soi Fon.

How come all your experiences sound peaceful?

I was forced to become a test subject for some experiment and was this close to becoming a pile of meat and bones.

You too, huh?

I was chased around by Captain Zaraki the entire day. I thought I was gonna die.

I thought I heard some screams in the distance. They must have been yours.

How was it for you, Kira? You went to Squad 2, right?

I...

...was told that there are too many secrets in the Stealth Force, so they couldn't give me anything to do on the spot.

So I ended up cleaning the Squad 2 barracks the entire day.

I wonder why I got sent to Squad 2.

To clean their barracks, right?

A-Anyway! I'm sure each of you were able to reap some sort of benefit out of this.

There may be times when you're too busy to think about others, but let this experience remind you to keep an eye out on your fellow squad members' working environment.

Keep your wits about you and persevere!

That was the most forced, superficial conclusion to a meeting I've heard in a while.

Er.

But I did keep thinking about my own squad while I was away.

Being in a different squad felt a little uncomfortable too.

I felt really lucky to be in the squad I'm in.

Me too.

Yeah, I like being in my squad the best.

I agree. Well, I guess I'll work hard for my own squad today.

So that's what happened the other day.

That's interesting. Now that you mention it, the atmosphere about this place seems a little better compared to before.

Yeah. We're getting work done a lot more efficiently, so that's great.

So you all came to a conclusion that your own squad is the be-

Captain Kyoraku! You haven't finished your work for today yet!

Omaeda! You better knock that off!

Hey, Rangiku! What the hell is this receipt?!

Are you sure things got better?