Chapter 203: Meeting with Quinces
(Ryoto's pov)
We decided to have a meeting in one of the buildings. Inside only four people were allowed. Jushiro-senpai, I and two Quincies. The rest would be outside. It is also worth mentioning that besides the seen Shinigami, we also had some of the Stealth Corps members. You know, just in case. I doubt that Yama-jii has a good opinion of Quincies after his last encounter with them.
The old Quincy, that seemed to be a leader and acted like one was accompanied by someone who looked pretty young. The young man was nervous being there and probably felt out of place.
There was an awkward silence as we sat at the table and waited for the other side to start talking but seeing that the Quincies didn't plan to do it, Jushiro-senpai decided to open the conversation.
"Well, how about we introduce ourselves before we start talking about business? I'll start. My name is Jushiro Ukitake, and I hold the position of Captain of the 13th Division."
"And I am Ryoto Yuuki, Vice-Captain of the same Division."
Following our example, the younger of the two introduces himself as well.
"M-my name is Isamu Ishida, the next village chef."
He didn't sound like a future leader. Did he lack... confidence? I'm not sure. He somehow reminded me of Rito from the manga. Someone who didn't want to be part of this world, but the situation was forced upon him.
The name also reminds me of someone, but I wasn't surprised. I already read the report about who we will be meeting, but the first time I read this name, I was surprised. It could be a coincidence, but a Quincy named Ishida shouldn't be too common.
As Isamu tried to be social and respectful, he got a glare from the old man.
I see. I'm not going to like him.
"Hideo Ishida."
To not look like a man without manners, he spoke his name, but he wasn't happy about it. Not that most Quinces liked Shinigami, but he seemed to despise them.
"I don't understand why we need this meeting in the first place."
Yep, I'm going to hate his guts.
"As it was explained in the messages we sent you, according to our research, the way Quincies kill Hollows is dangerous for the world's balance..."
Jushiro-senpai proceeded to explain everything they needed to know to understand the situation. Ukitake, while being from a low-class aristocratic family, was still a noble of some kind, and he knew his ways with words. He tried to sound respectful but also meant to convey the seriousness of the situation.
It worked on Isamu, who listened carefully to everything Jushiro-senpai was saying, but the old man was not moved by my Captain's words.
"So you're telling me that we should just wait for you, Shinigami, while Hollows attack and kill people around us?" He slammed his fist on the table, enraged. "Are you making fun of me!!!?"
I see a young master syndrome. Makes you a lot more arrogant and stupid. Funny that he is an old man, though, but I see that we won't have any form of a meaningful conversation with him, so I gave up even attempting and change targets.
(E/D: Young master who is a million years old: Junior you dare call this handsome and young me old. Have some manners! Who are you to ask a lady for her age?
Junior: But Master I thought you were a guy.
Young master: *Show his pink panties*
Junior: *Bleeds from his eyes* It was a trap.)
I turned to Isamu, smiled gently, and said, "Since your relative is clearly an idiot that can't understand a simple explanation, I hope that you'll translate it to him later into a language he can understand since it's clearly not Japanese."
"You insolent...!"
Before things could escalate, Ukitake stepped in.
"Now, now, Yuuki-kun probably didn't mean what he said, and he is just tired and nervous. Let's take a short break."
I meant every single word, but I had already achieved my goal. It was to piss off the old man. I tried to see how calm he could act in the face of insult, and it turned out that he couldn't. And because I hate people who don't try to listen.
Also, I noticed that he isn't open to a conversation, so the question is why did he accept the meeting at all.
I'm going to apologize to Jushiro-senpai later for that, but I saved us some time, and I also wanted to establish Jushiro-senpai as someone level-headed. Me being foul-mouthed and not caring about others' opinions but still listening to him makes him look authoritative and someone worth listening to. Basically, I was a bad cop.
The interesting thing is that Isamu was willing to listen. It's possible that he somehow convinced the stubborn old man to do it because he understands their sire situation. He seemed responsible.
If only his grandpa had had an accident...
I should stop these thoughts for now. I don't plan on killing anyone unless it's absolutely necessary, so as long as Isamu somehow manages to convince his grandpa to listen to Jushiro-senpai, we are golden. But I'll keep it as a last resort plan just in case.
I decided to relax under a tree, but I got a surprise guest.
"I didn't think Shinigami were so similar to living people. I expected most of you to be emotionless soldiers that can only follow orders."
It was Isamu who approached me with a gentle smile.
"And you don't seem like a nerve bundle like you were before."
He was noticeably less tense, which is good.
"Yeah, it was my first time being in such an important meeting. I know that grandpa allowed me to be part of it because he doesn't see this as something important, but I know that he is blinded by his pride and anger."
So he also can think for himself.
"Shinigami-San-."
"Ryoto." I interrupted him. "My name is Ryoto Yuuki, so just call me Ryoto."
"Then you can call me Isamu."
There was silence, but I could see that Isamu wanted to ask me something.
"What do you want to ask?"
He scratched his cheek in embarrassment while smiling awkwardly.
"Was it that obvious?"
"Crystal clear, but I'm just used to people looking at me that way. I'm full of mysteries, and no one knows them all."
Except for Zangetsu, but he doesn't count.
Isamu then proceeded to ask me about my life as a Shinigami and the afterlife, and I answered them all to the beat of my ability. He was very curious, and I didn't mind answering his questions. He genuinely seemed like a good person without any hidden motives.
I didn't reveal any secrets. He didn't even ask for any, but soon after, we were forced to return to the meeting.
(E/D: Ah! Yes! Good old politics. Take an unreasonable amount of time for no reason at all.)
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END
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