"Hey, kid, don't be so ungrateful! A Seated Officer position isn't good enough for you? You're still a student at Shin'ō Academy and already getting this kind of offer—talk about divine luck!"
At the bar table, Shin was half-drunk, eyes glazed over as he tried hard to focus on the buxom blonde woman seated across from him.
The izakaya buzzed with chatter; the tables were close enough that you could hear snippets from the next group. But their table drew particular attention—not because of Shin, but the woman across from him.
"A Seated Officer, huh... Which seat was it again?" Shin slurred.
"Twenty-third Seat," Rangiku Matsumoto replied.
"Third Seat, huh..." Shin muttered, misunderstanding. "Well then, since Miss Rangiku's being so generous, I guess I can't hic~ turn her down."
Rangiku gave him a funny look. "Are you really drunk, or just faking it?"
Then her lips curled into a smile. "You want the seat? Fine. Just beat our current 23rd Seat in combat. If you do that, I'll handle the rest."
Shin instantly shook his head like a rattle. "I hate fighting and killing the most."
Rangiku grabbed her chopsticks and bonked him on the head, a mix of amusement and mild irritation in her eyes.
"Don't forget—it was me who recommended you to Shin'ō Academy in the first place!"
But Shin wasn't mad. Likely because, as she leaned in to scold him, he caught a generous glimpse down her cleavage. He propped his cheek on his hand and stared at her lazily, grinning like an idiot. "Of course I remember how good you've been to me, Miss Rangiku. You're so beautiful."
Rangiku arched a perfectly shaped brow, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Join my squad, and you'll be seeing a lot more of me."
Shin waved his hand vaguely, barely coherent. "Can't, got class. I even skipped Zanjutsu class today to come out. I just hope Shuhei covered for me…"
Listening to him ramble off-topic, Rangiku narrowed her eyes. Is he really drunk? she wondered.
"I heard you're a bit of a celebrity at the Academy now," she said. "Skipping class is one thing, but Zanjutsu? You think your teacher didn't notice?"
Tachikawa Shin, currently a fourth-year at Shin'ō Academy. Rangiku had met him years ago in Rukongai and noticed his unusual spiritual pressure. She'd recommended him for the Shinigami path.
And just as she expected, he'd quickly distinguished himself at the Academy—especially in swordsmanship. Rumor had it he once defeated his Zanjutsu instructor during class.
Talent like that had to be recruited into her own Tenth Division. Especially since her lazy Captain always left all the work to her.
"Namita-sensei…" Shin mumbled. "He never shuts up. Just talks and talks…"
Before he could finish, his elbow slipped off the table, and he slumped face-first onto the wood.
"…"
Rangiku crossed her arms and let out a soft sigh.
How many times is this now? Does he already have his eye on another Division?
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Did Vice-Captain Shiba talk to you? Is he trying to poach you for the Thirteenth?"
No reply. Just the steady rhythm of sleeping breath.
Rangiku pouted. What a heartless little bastard.
She got up to pay the bill, but before leaving, couldn't resist giving him a light kick under the table.
After a while, Shin groggily lifted his head, rubbing his face, now stiff from the alcohol.
"Damn, that woman can drink…"
[Rangiku Matsumoto][Affection Level: 63][+1 Spiritual Pressure Rank / +1% Zanpakutō Unlock Progress per 10 points][Full Home Run Reward unlocks at 90 Affection][Shinigami Bond available upon unlocking—grants a Third Tier Reward]
Staring at the system interface through his hazy thoughts, Shin grimaced. He was a lightweight; good thing he didn't say anything too dumb.
Affection had dropped two points since last time. Must've pissed her off.
Shin'ō Academy Dorms
Hisagi Shūhei returned to his dorm room and found that his truant roommate was already sprawled on the bed like a corpse.
"When did you get back?" he asked.
"Couple hours ago."
"Then why didn't you go back to class?" Shūhei frowned, then added, "Namita-sensei was really pissed today. You better watch yourself."
Shin clicked his tongue. "Guy's still holding grudges over a skipped class?"
He'd been way too out of it earlier. Trying to sit through a lecture would've been suicide. A nap was a better bet.
Shūhei ignored his nonsense. "You saw Matsumoto-san again, didn't you?"
Shin, still lying down, crossed his legs and stared at the ceiling as if pondering the cosmos. "Mm."
Shūhei's mind flashed to that unforgettable silhouette. "What did she want this time?"
"She invited me to join the Tenth Division. Said I'd get a Seated Officer position if I did."
Shūhei tensed. "Which seat?"
"Twenty-third."
A beat of silence. Then Shūhei's face grew unreadable. He just stared at Shin, motionless.
Shin noticed and chuckled. "What?"
Shūhei exhaled slowly. "The final exams are coming up in a month. Namita-sensei asked me and Kani to gather a list for him to screen."
Shin'ō Academy was a six-year program, but those who completed all coursework in four could graduate early. Not easy, but doable. Such students usually went on to become top members in the Gotei 13, Kido Corps, or Onmitsukidō.
Still, early graduation wasn't that rare.
"I'm not planning to graduate this year," Shin said calmly.
Shūhei blinked. "But I thought you and Matsumoto-san were already—"
"I never said I agreed."
Shūhei's voice cracked. "You turned her down?!"
Unfazed, Shin replied, "I want to stay here another two years."
"But… she already promised you a Seated Officer spot!" Shūhei's tone rose.
"Twenty-third Seat. Useless and flashy."
Shin stared out the window, eyes soft.
Outside, cherry blossoms fluttered like pink snow, blanketing the winding paths. Students in white uniforms strolled or hurried along—each moment like a brushstroke in a living painting.
"School life is good. Being a student is good. Don't you think so, Shūhei?"
"…"
Shūhei couldn't answer. He never could read this guy.
Shin always wore a carefree smile, but behind those long lashes, he seemed to hide more than anyone else.
He had to admit, Shin was good-looking. No wonder everyone liked him.
Shūhei sat down on his own bed, following Shin's gaze out the window. After a moment of silence, he muttered, "I'm not graduating either."
Shin glanced over, grinning. "Oh?"
Shūhei folded his arms. "I just think I need to shore up my fundamentals."
"Mm. You are pretty weak."
"…"
The mood shattered instantly. Shūhei nearly choked.
Watching Shin laugh like a jackass, he clenched his fists in frustration.
Shūhei was normally a serious, brooding guy. But Shin, having spent years with him, knew better—he was just a repressed little closet perv.
The first time Rangiku came looking for Shin, Shūhei happened to be there. His eyes kept wandering, and Shin never let him live it down.
Good thing Shūhei couldn't beat him in a fight.
[Tachikawa Shin][Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv13][Reiryoku Reserves: 20%][Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 6%][Shinigami Bond: Not Formed][Quincy Bond: Not Formed][Hollow Bond: Not Formed]
Shin's smile faded slightly as he looked over at Shūhei.
"Shūhei… I'm going to do something over the next two years. I want your help."
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