In the twilight-lit kendō dojo, two figures darted and clashed at the center of the floor. Wooden swords collided, echoing sharp cracks through the space.
"Hold it, stop! Time out!"
Kira Izuru, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, gestured to the charging Abarai Renji to pause.
He promptly collapsed onto the floor, gulping air. "You're a damn monster… You don't get tired, do you?"
Renji stood upright, still looking wired and restless.
"Come on, Kira, we've barely started! Don't tell me you're already done."
Kira shot him a scowl. "If I fought you to exhaustion every day, even if I were made of steel, I'd burn out."
Renji slung his bokken over his shoulder with a dissatisfied huff, clearly still craving more combat.
On the sidelines, Hinamori Momo had been quietly watching them spar. She stepped forward and handed Kira a flask of water. Seeing how exhausted he was, she promptly turned to scold Renji.
"Abarai! Not everyone's a training freak like you. You belong in the Eleventh Squad, you know that?"
Renji, instead of being offended, grinned proudly. "That's the plan."
Momo blinked, startled. "Wait… seriously?"
"What?"
"I mean, the Eleventh Squad?"
"Of course I'm serious," Renji replied. Eleventh was the combat division, revered for its sheer might and disdain for Kidō—perfect for someone like Renji, who was terrible at it.
Momo narrowed her eyes. "What about Rukia?"
"What about her?"
"You idiot! She's part of the Kuchiki family now. She'll almost definitely join the Sixth!"
Renji froze, visibly taken aback. That… hadn't crossed his mind.
Momo gave him a look of utter exasperation.
The Sixth Division was a noble house division. Its members were almost exclusively from the aristocracy. The current Captain was Kuchiki Ginrei, with Vice-Captain Kuchiki Byakuya—likely his successor. Given Rukia's new status, it was only natural she'd be placed there.
"So you're just gonna ditch Rukia and run off to the Eleventh?" Momo pressed.
Renji stood there, struggling. "Where she goes after graduation… that's her choice. I can't interfere. Besides, me and Rukia… we're not what you guys think we are."
Momo snapped, "You're so selfish! I didn't say she should follow you—I meant you!"
Even Kira chimed in now. "Renji, we all know how you feel about Rukia."
Renji's face flushed. A tangled mess of shame, panic, and frustration boiled up at once.
He wasn't wrong—Sixth Division wasn't a place someone like him could just waltz into. Rukia, now bearing the Kuchiki name, belonged to that world. He didn't.
The thought made his chest ache.
They might be together now, in the same class. But after graduation? That could change. He couldn't exactly ask her to come with him to the Eleventh, either.
"What are you thinking about, Abarai?" Momo asked again.
Renji blinked out of his daze. "Nothing."
Momo sighed heavily, her gaze complex. After a moment's silence, she said softly, "Renji… You can't always wait for girls to make the first move."
The tall, wild-haired Renji suddenly looked very small. "You're all… mistaken. It's not what you think."
Momo looked like she wanted to argue, but Kira gently tugged her sleeve and shook his head.
He understood what Renji was feeling.
Rukia was a Kuchiki now. That alone made her feel like someone out of reach.
For now, they could still share this ordinary school life—but after graduation, it'd all change.
Kira shifted the conversation. "Speaking of which, I haven't decided which squad I want to join. What about you, Momo?"
She glanced at Renji, visibly disappointed, and said absently, "Probably the Fourth."
"…That's a coincidence."
"What is?"
"I heard the Eleventh has a strong bias against the Fourth."
Momo chuckled. She'd heard the same. She turned to Renji with a teasing look. "So, Abarai, will you look down on me once I'm in the Fourth?"
Renji gave a distracted smile, clearly elsewhere.
—Elsewhere—
In one of the Academy's conference rooms, Tachikawa Shin stood before Headmaster Shakubō and other senior faculty, presenting his plan for founding new student clubs.
Rukia stood quietly to the side, taking notes with focused diligence.
It was a formal meeting. Everyone listened attentively. At this point, no one dared underestimate the young Student Council President.
When Shin concluded, Shakubō nodded. "We reviewed the proposal you submitted earlier. Your presentation today goes even further. It's clear you've prepared thoroughly."
Shin smiled. "Isn't that how it should be?"
Shakubō laughed. "I believe this student club initiative has great potential. Once it rolls out, I imagine the students will embrace it."
The proposal passed almost unanimously. Afterward, the headmaster asked Shin to stay behind briefly.
Rukia waited quietly outside the door.
When Shin finally emerged, she was right there. "President."
"You did well too, Rukia."
"I didn't really do anything… I just took notes."
"That's still work."
Glancing out the hallway window at the darkening sky, he added, "It's gotten late. Let's go—I'll treat you to dinner."
Rukia hesitated. She was expected home at the Kuchiki estate by now.
"What's wrong?"
Shin had already begun walking ahead, turning to look back at her.
Faced with his gaze, she caved. "It's nothing."
Shin grinned. "Let's go eat outside. I'm sick of cafeteria food."
Technically, students weren't allowed out this late. But Shin, as Council President, had… privileges.
Rukia followed him out of the school building. Just before reaching the gate, she finally whispered, "President, there's someone waiting for me outside. I should let them know."
Kuchiki servants, there to escort her home.
She hated it. The estate wasn't far; she didn't need an escort. She'd already protested—but was told that, until she officially became a Shinigami, she must be accompanied outside.
"All right. I'll wait."
She quickly ran off.
A few minutes later, Rukia returned at a jog.
"President, sorry to keep you waiting."
Shin ruffled her hair. "No need to be so formal."
"…Mm."
She didn't resist. He always did that—ruffled her hair until it was a fluffy mess. Good thing she kept it in a simple bob; if she wore something like Momo's bun, it'd probably get destroyed.
The image made her giggle suddenly.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing!"
They went to a nearby izakaya—popular among Academy students.
When Shin ordered sake, Rukia asked, "Do you like drinking?"
"Depends. Sometimes I just feel like it."
She figured he was celebrating the club proposal getting approved.
"Want some?"
"I'll pass," Rukia said quickly, waving her hands.
It wasn't that she couldn't drink—but being out late, then returning reeking of alcohol? Not a good look for someone still finding her footing in the Kuchiki household.
"Come on," Shin teased. "Just a sip won't hurt."
She winced. "President, please don't tempt me. I'd love to, but… not tonight."
Shin was about to drop it when a familiar voice cut in from behind.
"Oh, I see you, you little rascal—trying to get a girl drunk for nefarious reasons?"
Clunk.
A sake bottle slammed down onto their table.
A pale hand held it firmly.
And then, an arm draped over Shin's shoulders. A woman's scent—intoxicating and familiar—hit him like a wave.
He turned.
"…Matsumoto Rangiku?"
Her face was flushed, lips curled in a smirk, eyes half-lidded with drink. That classic mix of mischief and seduction.
"Wow, fancy meeting you here."
She dropped into the seat beside Rukia without hesitation. Rukia promptly scooted over, a little wary.
Rukia had noticed the Vice-Captain badge on Rangiku's arm.
"Hi there," Rangiku purred. "Matsumoto Rangiku."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kuchiki Rukia."
"Ohhh, so you're the new… adopted daughter, huh?"
"…Yes."
Rangiku's gaze slid back to Shin. She chuckled. "So that's it—you're aiming for the big leagues now, huh?"
Shin wasn't offended, but he played along. "That's quite the accusation, Rangiku-san."
Rukia quickly added, "You misunderstand! The President and I aren't like that!"
"Oh." Rangiku hiccupped. "My bad."
She leaned back and laughed, clearly drunk. Rukia stayed quiet, sneaking glances at Shin.
"What brings you here, Rangiku-san?" Shin asked.
"Just finished a mission. Came to relax. You?"
"Same. Wrapped up something and came to unwind."
She raised an eyebrow. "What could a student possibly have to 'wrap up'? And how are you out this late, dragging the Kuchiki girl with you?"
"She doesn't live on campus. And I am the Student Council President."
Rangiku roared with laughter. "Wow. Special privileges, huh?"
Their food arrived.
Shin poured himself a drink. Rangiku tapped her empty cup on the table—he poured hers, too.
She leaned closer. "Hey. You remember who pulled you out of Rukongai?"
"Of course. I've never forgotten what you did for me, Rangiku-san."
She narrowed her eyes. "And this is how you repay me?"
Shin sighed. "You know why I didn't join Tenth Squad. I really was planning to, until my Zanpakutō awakened."
She didn't say whether she believed him. Her eyes were cloudy with alcohol.
"You're too cunning."
"Being too nice gets you hurt."
"You think I'd hurt you?"
"Of course not. You were the first person I trusted when I came to Seireitei."
Rangiku scoffed, then downed her drink. Rukia quietly refilled both their cups.
Rangiku raised a brow. "You've got a noble girl pouring your drinks now? Bold."
Rukia spoke quickly. "It's not like that! I respect the President a lot, so I don't mind."
Shin sipped his drink innocently.
Rangiku slung an arm around Rukia's shoulders. "Careful, sweetheart. He acts sweet, but he's a sly one. Stick too close and you'll get burned."
Rukia's cheeks lit up crimson.
"I-I…"
She wanted to explain—but the words tangled.
Shin said, "Rangiku-san, don't stir things up. Why would I ever let Rukia get hurt?"
"Oh?" Rangiku smirked. "And what does that mean?"
"What do you mean what does it mean?" he volleyed back, calm.
She looked between the blushing Rukia and the composed Shin.
"…Wait. You don't mean…"
She had only meant to tease—but now she wasn't so sure.
Shin looked at her, calm as ever.
Then he said, clearly—
"I like her."