"...Ah!!"
Just before everyone dispersed after the ceremony for the new Captain of Squad 4 and the battle for the new Captain of Squad 11 ended without a hitch, Airi shouted as if remembering something.
"Ca, Captain! I have something I want to ask..."
"Oh my, who are you asking? Captain?"
Airi was made to realize by the slightly exaggerated way of speaking.
Regardless of the process, the current Airi has become the Captain leading Squad 4, and Unohana is no longer her direct superior.
Even though they are close, a certain line needs to be drawn.
"Excuse me, Captain Unohana. Once again, there is something I want to confirm, so please tell me."
"What is it?"
"It is about my position as a lecturer at the Shino Academy. Is there someone acting as a substitute in my place...?"
"Oh my, what are you saying? Isn't it fine if you just continue as is?"
"No no no no! I told you it's impossible!! There is not enough time!!"
"Is it that difficult?"
Unohana asks with a blank face.
"Captain Unohana left, and I, who was the Vice-Captain, moved up to the Captain position, right? At this point, there is a vacancy for the Vice-Captain, right?"
"Why not leave it to 3rd Seat Kotetsu?"
"If we do that, then there will be a vacancy for the 3rd Seat! You might think it would be fine if everyone moved up one seat so that there are no vacancies, but if we do that, the authority of all the seated officers will increase! The scope of work and responsibilities for the majority of seated officers will change! Moreover, suddenly without prior notice!! It's bound to cause confusion, isn't it!?"
As long as it is an organization, suddenly moving everyone up one rank creates its own problems.
"There is also the problem of numbers!? The higher the seated officer, the fewer seats there are, so if everyone is moved up uniformly, the problem of capacity will also arise! Then someone will get the short end of the stick and not be promoted, and then there will be jealousy like 'Why wasn't I good enough'! In the first place, the personnel composition of Squad 4 will change greatly, won't it!? Have you notified, explained in advance, or consulted with the Squad 4 members about that? My guess is you haven't, right!? Because even the person recommended for Captain was kept in the dark until today!!"
Even if it was a surprise, if they were informed that Airi would become Captain, there would be more than a few people who couldn't hide it and would show it in their attitude.
However, since she didn't feel even a speck of such a shadow, Airi intuitively knew that Unohana hadn't told anyone about her appointment as Captain.
"Is it that troublesome?"
"Because no matter how you think about it, I'm the one who has to clear up that personnel-related work too, right!? Captain Unohana intends to move to Squad 11 and escape without taking charge of the remaining work, right!?"
"Oh my, how cruel, to think I was thought of in such a way..."
She hides her face with the hem of her haori as if sobbing.
But to Airi's eyes, that looked like nothing but acting.
"Then will you handle the paperwork?"
"I am already the Captain of Squad 11, you know? To interfere in the internal affairs of another squad, it is too presumptuous, very much so..."
"Seeeeeee!! As I thought, you're going to run away, aren't you!!"
The scream of the new Captain echoed within the premises of Squad 1.
"So, what is the problem in the end?"
"The immediate problem is about the role of lecturer at the Shino Academy. No matter how part-time it is, I'm a Captain now too, you know? Moreover, currently, problems are piling up, you know? Until the internal affairs of Squad 4 settle down, I can't show my face calmly. Besides, since I wasn't informed that I would become Captain from today, I planned the Academy schedule thinking I would still be Vice-Captain this year! If I leave a big hole in that schedule, it will become various issues of responsibility and trust!"
As long as she is a Captain, she must prioritize the squad she leads.
But if she does that, the role of Academy lecturer will be neglected.
Moreover, the schedule has already been decided, and the new semester starts tomorrow.
There is no way she can say something shameless like "Sorry\, it's impossible after all so I'm canceling\" at such timing.
"Will it be such a problem?"
"It will be! New students are coming tomorrow, you know!? Whether I continue or quit, if I don't show my face at least for the first time, it seems like it will be a problem again! But neglecting Squad 4 because of that is an even bigger problem!!"
"Ah... that, you are famous for disciplining new students who know nothing..."
"Please don't say rude things! That is just properly teaching them the hierarchical relationship!!"
About a hundred years have passed since Airi started lecturing new students.
Currently, by simple calculation, some percentage of the Soul Reapers in the Seireitei have been taught by her.
Furthermore, about 10% of them are calculated to have been beaten up by her on the first day.
"Teaching, huh..."
"Besides, I'm a Captain, you know? If a Captain teaches regularly as an instructor, that in itself seems likely to cause problems somewhere, doesn't it?"
A Captain moving lightly seems likely to draw complaints from somewhere, and Airi was also concerned about that.
After all, authority and responsibility are completely different between a Captain and a Vice-Captain.
"...I understand."
"Eh?"
"Airi, please concentrate on Squad 4's problems. I will prepare a substitute."
"Eh... eh...?"
Because the request was accepted too easily, she became anxious conversely and mumbled a vague reply.
"Um... that substitute person is, don't tell me, Captain Unohana...?"
"No, that is not it. However, I have someone in mind who is suitable."
"Someone in mind, is it...?"
She tilted her head wondering who it would be, but no one in particular came to mind as "This is the one!"
However, if she can have a substitute arranged immediately, there is no reason not to take the offer.
"A-Anyway, I understand. Once the coordination and confusion within Squad 4 are settled, I will talk to the Academy side again myself. Until then, I leave it to that substitute. I apologize for seeming to push the short straw onto them, but please give them my regards."
"Understood."
The next day, Airi would come to regret the decision she made at this time.
■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□
Ah, nice to meet you, everyone.
My name is—eh, that doesn't matter so get on with the story?
I got it!
Anyway, I'm a new student who just entered the Shino Academy this year.
The entrance ceremony just finished a while ago, and now all the new students are gathered in the large auditorium.
Basically, about half the guys are nervous.
But among the new students, there are some who are waiting with a look that can't hide their restlessness and happiness.
Of course, I'm also in the group waiting restlessly.
Because, you know! The talk is that an amazingly beautiful teacher is coming now!!
Moreover, that teacher is beautiful and has huge boobs!!
If you knew that, you couldn't stay calm, could you!? Because she's beautiful and has big boobs!!
Apparently, this system started about a hundred years ago—wait, was it a bit shorter? Anyway, it seems to have started about that long ago.
They say if you're asked if you want to join Squad 11 and raise your hand, you get sent flying. But if you don't raise your hand, you get kindly trained by that beautiful teacher.
At first, it was like an open secret only within the Academy, but you can't put doors on people's mouths.
The rumor spread gradually, and now quite a number of people know about it.
Of course, I'm also in the group that learned about it through rumors.
Moreover, that teacher is a Soul Reaper of the Gotei 13. And talk is she's a fairly high-ranking Soul Reaper.
Her ability is certain, and she seems to have a track record as an educator.
On top of that, if you catch her eye, skipping grades and being assigned to the squad you want are as you wish, they say.
In that case! I have to appeal properly all the more!!
The ones fidgeting around me also seem to be guys with the same idea as me; some want to show off their skills, while others just simply want to get close to the beautiful teacher.
Eh? Which one am I? I am... the l-latter, maybe...?
Because if you're a man and hear about a beautiful teacher, you'd want to get along with her, right!?
Besides, the Gotei 13 has a reputation for having many beauties! Even if that teacher is a no-go, there might be a chance to be introduced to the teacher's friends or something!
A beauty's friend is a beauty! It's common sense, right?
Ah... not here yet, not here yet...
While deliberating on such a dream-filled future, I was waiting for the teacher to come.
Then, perhaps my wish got through, the doors of the large auditorium opened vigorously!
"Ou, newcomers. Is everyone here?"
Entering was a male Soul Reaper with a very scary appearance, bearing no resemblance to the advance reputation of a busty beautiful female teacher.
"I am the 3rd Seat of Squad 11, Ikkaku Madarame."
Sq-Squad 11!?
Why is Squad 11, called the combat group!! And a 3rd Seat coming!?
That's weird, right!?
"No time for details! Everyone, get outside!!"
Even though he said that, not a single one of us tried to go outside... no, not even one tried to stand up.
Because everyone was terrified of the Squad 11 man in front of us.
In addition to the bald head, the sharp eyes like a wild beast are incredibly scary. Just from the appearance, it's scary enough to make you want to cry.
Yet the spiritual pressure emitted from that man is very strong, and just being in the same room makes it hard to breathe...!!
Scary! My instincts are screaming to run away from this room, from this place, from the opponent in front of me with all my might!!
But my body is bound by fear greater than that, and I can't move even a finger...
It's scary enough to cry... no, tears would be cute! I feel like I'm going to leak any moment...!!
"Ora, what's wrong!! On the double!!"
""""""Y-Yes!!!!!""""""
Everyone in the large auditorium stood up as if flicked.
Having their bodies stiffened with tension, they probably reached their limit being threatened by a loud voice with a menacing tone.
Everyone goes outside as if fleeing from the spot.
"Aalright, you're outside now. Well then, I'm gonna send you all flying."
When I tried to run away from the auditorium, I heard the 3rd Seat man say such a terrifying thing...
...We're going to be killed! We're all going to be killed!!
There was no beautiful female teacher!! Damn it, we were tricked!!
I shouldn't have... aimed to be a Soul Reaper... This is different from what I heard...
About twenty minutes later.
"Who! Said! To! Beat! Up! All! The! New! Students!!"
"Guoooooooh!! Let go, you bastard!!"
We who went outside were all beaten up by the Soul Reaper called Madarame or whatever.
Even if it's a wooden sword, if you get hit, of course it hurts. It hurt more than anything I've ever experienced, and we were knocked down one by one in the blink of an eye.
Just when everyone had fallen to the ground like that, one Soul Reaper intervened with speed like the wind.
Moreover, that person grabbed the face of the 3rd Seat who beat us up with one hand, and lifted him up just like that, immobilizing him.
Can you believe it?
Even though the opponent is a burly man, she lifted him up fluffily and easily as if lifting a tree branch or something!
The opponent is also grabbing that person's wrist and trying to pull it off somehow, but it doesn't budge.
You're kidding, right!? Because this person is the 3rd Seat of Squad 11!!
It means he's the third strongest Soul Reaper in the combat-specialized unit!
Yet, he's being neutralized as easily as twisting a baby's hand...
Just that was surprising.
But what surprised me more than anything was that the Soul Reaper who came was a woman.
Wearing the captain's haori, proof of a Captain, with long hair tied on both sides, she was tall but slender and incredibly beautiful. Also, her boobs were big.
...Could this person be the rumored beautiful teacher?
"Can you understand my feelings when an emergency contact comes from the Academy when I'm dizzyingly busy! And wondering what it is, it was a complaint to stop you because you're rampaging!? Can you understand my feelings of having to interrupt the handover, situation explanation, and new system explanation because it was our mishap, and coming to the Academy in tears!?"
"It's cracking! It's cracking!! Don't put any more pressure!! Stooop!!"
"I thought assuming the position of Captain would be more magnificent or embarrassing, but being blessed by everyone in Squad 4 while stating my beliefs! But when I opened the lid, a mountain of cleanup was waiting! Can you understand my feelings knowing that I'm destined to be busy with assigning duties from now on!? Can you understand my feelings knowing that I'm destined to run around to various sites so that my subordinate squad members don't make mistakes because I know I'm making unreasonable demands!?"
S-She's saying things that sound incredibly like curse words...
Did something happen to that person...?
"Y-You bastard! That's enough!! In the first place, I was told suddenly yesterday too!! Scarin' and disciplinin' the newcomers here in your place. I was told the arrangements were made so do it to your heart's content!!"
"Hah!? By who!!"
"By your former Captain!!"
"Hah...?"
Ah, the strength left the woman's hand. Thanks to that, he's finally released.
But somehow my guess seems to have been correct.
Actually, that woman is the teacher, and that bald person over there is the substitute... right? Judging from the flow of the conversation.
"Captain Unohanaaaaa!! At least explain properlyyyyyy!!"
The woman crouched down holding her head.
"Haa, well... I can't just be lamenting..."
"It hurts... seriously..."
Just when I thought she was depressed for a full ten seconds, the woman raises her face.
The man had finger marks on his head and looked in pain.
"Over here too, the Captain changed suddenly and it's a huge fuss, you know? Just when we thought Captain Zaraki lost, the opponent who beat him was the former Captain of Squad 4. Well, most squad members were convinced knowing she was your master, but even so, being told she fought and defeated him in front of all Captains doesn't really click."
"That might be so. But I was at the scene too. I saw her win right in front of me, so I can affirm and guarantee—wait, this isn't the time to be talking about that!"
Saying that, the woman walked over to me.
"You, you're a new student, right? I'm sorry Ikkaku startled you. Can you stand?"
"Eh... ah, ha... Ouch!!"
Trying to grasp the gently extended hand, severe pain ran through my whole body.
"Are you okay!? This is, ribs... no, not broken. No cracks either. Numerous bruises, contusions, and scratches... Ah, this is the cause. A hairline fracture in the right arm. Don't move... I'll heal it immediately...!"
"Oi, my head hurts like it's gonna split too... and my neck..."
"You're last! Here, you don't move. Relax..."
When the woman held her hand over my wound, I saw something like soft light.
Then the pain receded visibly, and the injury and fracture healed in an instant like a lie.
"Eh...!? Eeeh...!?"
I stood up in surprise.
But it doesn't hurt.
Earlier it hurt enough to make me cry just by reaching out a little, but now it doesn't hurt or itch at all. It's almost like that pain was a dream.
I'm as energetic as usual—no, more energetic than usual!
"Alright, seems okay. Then, I'm sorry right after you were healed, but can you take care of the other fallen kids? It would be very helpful for the treating side if you line them up orderly like in a hospital."
"Ah, yes... eh, but... there are women too... and they might dislike being touched by someone like me..."
"Oh my, fufu... you're a gentleman."
Trying to move as told, I realized there were women too.
So when I was wondering what to do, that person showed me a very soft smile.
It was a smile that truly cared for me.
There is no basis, no basis, but. But I was made to feel a throb by that smile.
Even though she should be taller than me, it was a cute smile somewhat like a young girl.
"It's okay. Because it's helping with medical acts. No matter who says what later, I absolutely won't let them complain. So rest assured, okay?"
"Y... Yes!!"
It was very, very powerful words.
So I believed those words and helped frantically.
At first, there was the feeling "because she was beautiful."
But halfway through, I genuinely thought I wanted to be of help to this person.
Thus, the relief of everyone was finished.
"Yes, yes, sorry for grabbing your head too, Ikkaku. In a sense, you were a victim too... I'll listen to one request of yours sometime. Forgive me with that."
"Don't forget those words."
"U-Um!!"
When she was treating the person called Madarame as a final bonus, I took the plunge and called out.
"Oh my, you are... thank you, thanks to you, I was saved. Come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Airi Yukawa, Captain of Squad 4—though I say Captain, I just assumed the position yesterday."
"Ah! Yes, thank you very much! Um, so well, the relationship between the two of you... what exactly is...?"
I was told her name and thanked.
It's embarrassing, but my heart was ecstatic. With that momentum, I managed to ask.
"Relationship? Between me and Ikkaku? Hmm... colleagues... maybe...?"
"...At least say 'rivals'."
"If you want me to say that, first try mastering Ryumon Hozukimaru perfectly."
"What did you say, damn it!!"
Seeing them ready to fight like that, I couldn't think of their relationship as just colleagues. More like close friends...
But it's fine. It's much better than being called lovers or a couple!!
Captain Yukawa—I want to work with this person. I thought I wanted to stand next to this person.
I was just vaguely wanting to become a Soul Reaper, but I got a goal!
The fact that this person called out to me first was probably just because I happened to be fallen nearby.
But to me, it seemed like, it's a cliché expression, but a destined encounter!
Squad 4, huh... that means relief and such, right! I have to work hard in those classes too!!
Become a Soul Reaper, stand next to this person!
Also, if I could make this person mine by any chance... just kidding! Just kidding!!
But alas.
The next time I could meet Captain Yukawa was after I graduated from the Academy.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]