"I'm telling you, kid, don't push your luck. Isn't a seated officer position good enough for you? You're still a Spiritual Arts Academy student who hasn't even graduated yet. Getting this kind of offer is already a blessing from the heavens!"
At the tavern table, Mizuhara Shin's eyes were hazy with drink as he squinted, as though trying very hard to focus on the blonde woman with the breathtaking figure seated across from him.
The izakaya buzzed with noise. The tables were packed close together, patrons chatting and laughing over drinks. But the table Shin occupied drew more than its share of attention. Not because of him.
Because of her.
"A seated officer, huh… what seat was it again?" Shin slurred thickly.
"Twenty-third seat."
"Third seat, huh." Shin nodded in sudden realization. "Well then, since Rangiku-san is so sincerely inviting me, I guess I can't—hic—refuse."
Matsumoto Rangiku raised a delicate brow, a strange look flickering across her face as she studied the young man in front of her.
"Are you actually drunk, or are you pretending?"
Then she smiled sweetly. "If you want to be Third Seat, that's fine too. As long as you can defeat our current Third Seat. The rest? I can handle the arrangements."
Shin immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. "I hate fighting and killing the most."
Rangiku picked up a pair of chopsticks from the table and flicked him sharply on the head, faint irritation coloring her expression.
"Don't forget who recommended you to the Academy in the first place!"
Shin didn't get angry. When she leaned forward to hit him, he'd caught a glimpse of a certain scenic view. Now he propped his cheek lazily in one hand, staring at her with a foolish grin.
"Of course I remember how good Rangiku-san's been to me. Rangiku-san is really beautiful."
She lifted her brows again, half-smiling. "If you join our squad, you'll get to see me all the time."
Shin waved a hand groggily. "Can't do that. I still have class. How could I see you every day? I skipped kendo class just to come today. Wonder if Shūhei covered for me…"
Rangiku listened to his rambling nonsense and couldn't help thinking—Is he actually drunk?
"I heard you're pretty famous at school these days," she said. "Other people skipping class is one thing. But you skipping kendo class? You think your instructor wouldn't notice?"
Mizuhara Shin was currently a fourth-year at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy. A few years ago, Rangiku had encountered him by chance in the Rukongai and sensed that his Spiritual Pressure was unusually strong compared to ordinary souls. She had recommended him to become a Shinigami.
And just as she'd expected, he quickly displayed extraordinary talent at the Academy—especially in kendo. She had even heard that he once personally defeated the kendo instructor during class.
A talent like that naturally belonged in her squad—the Tenth Division. In the future, he could help shoulder more of the division's workload.
After all, she'd ended up with a captain who loved slacking off.
"Nanda-sensei…" Shin mumbled thickly. "Nanda-sensei is so annoying. Always nagging and nagging without end…"
As he spoke, the arm supporting his cheek slipped. His whole body collapsed forward onto the table.
"…"
Rangiku crossed her arms beneath her chest and let out a soft sigh.
How many times had this happened already? Could it be this kid already had another division in mind?
Her beautiful eyes shifted as a thought struck her.
"Did Vice-Captain Shiba approach you? Did he ask you to join the Thirteenth Division?"
No response.
Only the sound of steady breathing. He seemed to have fallen asleep.
Rangiku pouted. What an ungrateful brat.
She stood up to settle the bill. Before leaving, unable to suppress her irritation, she lightly kicked him once.
After lying sprawled on the table for quite a while, Shin slowly lifted his head and rubbed his stiff face.
"Damn, that woman can really drink…"
A translucent system interface appeared before his eyes.
[Matsumoto Rangiku][Favorability: 63][For every +10 Favorability: Spiritual Pressure Level +1, Zanpakutō Unlock Progress +1%][Reach 90 Favorability to unlock Home-Run Reward][Can form Shinigami Wedge. Upon forming, unlock Third Reward]
Shin stared at the interface. The alcohol dulled his thoughts; his tolerance was mediocre at best. Fortunately, he hadn't said anything too unnecessary.
Her favorability had dropped by two points since last time. Probably annoyed her.
Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy Dormitories.
When Hisagi Shūhei returned to the dorm room, he found his class-skipping roommate already back, sprawled on his bed in a starfish position.
"When did you get back?" he asked.
"Two hours ago, I guess."
"If you came back that early, why didn't you go to class?" Shūhei couldn't help asking. Then, kindly, he added, "Nanda-sensei was furious today. You'd better watch yourself."
Shin pouted. "Nanda-sensei's tolerance is still that small. It's just skipping one class."
When he'd returned earlier, his head had still been spinning. Going to class would've been suicide. He'd slept in the dorm until he'd sobered up a bit.
Shūhei ignored his shameless remark and instead asked, "You went to see Matsumoto-san again today?"
Shin lay on his bed with one leg crossed over the other, gaze unfocused as though thinking about something. He gave a casual "Mm."
An image immediately flashed through Shūhei's mind.
"What did she want?"
"She invited me to join the Tenth Division. Said I could become a seated officer if I go."
Shūhei's expression stiffened instantly.
"What seat?"
"Twenty-third."
After the initial shock, his expression turned complicated. He looked at Shin lying there and fell silent.
When no response came, Shin turned his head and glanced at him, amused. "What's wrong?"
Shūhei let out a slow breath and shook his head. "The graduation exam is in a month. Nanda-sensei asked Kaniezawa and me to compile the candidate list for him to review."
The Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy ran on a six-year system. But if a student completed all coursework within four years, they could graduate early.
It wasn't easy—only a handful managed it. But those who did, whether entering the Gotei Thirteen, the Kidō Corps, or the Onmitsukidō, would typically become core members.
Still, graduating in four years wasn't unheard of.
"I'm not planning to graduate this year."
Shūhei froze. "Didn't you say you and Matsumoto-san already—"
"I never said I agreed to her."
Shūhei finally lost control of his expression. "You rejected her?!"
Shin's face remained calm. "I want to stay at school for two more years."
"But… Matsumoto-san already promised you a seated officer position!" Shūhei's tone sharpened noticeably.
"Twenty-third seat. Useless and flashy."
Shin didn't seem to care at all. He turned his gaze toward the window, eyes tranquil.
Cherry trees lined the path beside the dormitory. Petals drifted down in soft flurries, blanketing the winding walkway in pink. Boys and girls in white uniforms lingered or hurried past, like figures within a painting.
"School's nice. Being a student's nice. Don't you like it, Shūhei?"
"… "
Shūhei had no answer. He'd never been able to figure out what this friend of his was really thinking.
Shin's face always looked relaxed, but when those long lashes lowered, it felt as though he hid more thoughts than anyone else.
He had to admit—Shin's face was good-looking. No wonder he was so popular in class.
Shūhei sat down on his own bed and followed Shin's gaze outside. After a long silence, he suddenly said, "I'm not planning to graduate either."
Shin turned his head, smiling brightly. "Oh?"
Shūhei folded his arms calmly. "I just think my overall abilities aren't solid enough yet."
"Yeah. You're pretty weak."
"… "
The harmonious atmosphere shattered instantly. Shūhei nearly choked on his own breath. Watching Shin laugh heartlessly, he couldn't help clenching his fists.
Shūhei was usually serious and reserved. But after spending time with him, Shin knew the truth—he was just a closet romantic.
The first time Matsumoto Rangiku came looking for Shin, Shūhei had happened to run into her. From that moment on, his eyes had kept drifting uncontrollably in her direction. Shin teased him about it often afterward, always provoking Shūhei into embarrassed fury.
Fortunately, Shūhei couldn't beat him.
Another system interface surfaced before Shin's eyes.
[Mizuhara Shin][Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv13][Spiritual Power Reserves: 20%][Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 6%][Shinigami Wedge: Not Formed][Quincy Wedge: Not Formed][Hollow Wedge: Not Formed]
The smile on Shin's face faded slightly as he looked toward Hisagi Shūhei.
"Shūhei. Over these next two years, I'm planning to accomplish something."
He paused, eyes gleaming faintly.
"Help me."
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