Night, West Rukongai, District 2—Shuuichi's place.
After clocking out, Shuuichi dragged himself home, worn out.
"Welcome back, Shuuichi-sama!"
At the door, a young woman with long, wavy orange hair promptly offered him a pair of indoor geta.
"Is the Tenth Division always this free? You're off earlier than me every day."
Shuuichi slipped into the geta with practiced ease.
They'd reenacted this little scene more times than he could count. Ever since Rangiku finished her year at Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, she'd moved back in with Shuuichi.
Yes—moved back in.
Ten years ago, after Shuuichi saved Rangiku, whether out of sympathy or guilt, he had let her stay until she could live on her own.
That probably had something to do with the promise he once made to Gin.
Though that had only been part of a plan at the time.
"Not really. Quite the opposite, actually. Lately there've been way more stray Hollows getting lost in Rukongai. We ordinary members can't handle them, so most of the patrol work goes to seated officers~"
Rangiku bowed lightly to Shuuichi. Beneath her loose robe, the "mountains" were anything but subtle.
"I see."
Shuuichi thought back. That tracked. To make tonight's plan go smoothly, Aizen had gradually ramped up attacks in Rukongai over the last few months to tie down enough Shinigami.
"Oh—Shuuichi-sama, what are we drinking tonight? Jasmine or Oolong?"
Before the moment could turn too serious, Rangiku padded off barefoot to the next room and came back with two bottles, asking with a grin.
"You used your salary to buy alcohol again?!"
A headache pulsed behind Shuuichi's eyes.
He had no idea when Rangiku had picked up this fondness for drinking. But ever since she'd graduated, it'd been like this. Most of her pay went straight into booze, which was why she still lived with him.
It had been fine before—she hadn't… exactly "grown" yet back then. But now?
Shuuichi's gaze dipped for a heartbeat. "Taking shape" didn't begin to cover it.
At this rate—one man, one woman, under the same roof—what would people think?
"Just a little. A teeny tiny bit!"
Rangiku giggled, set out the cups, and poured fast. Before Shuuichi could even raise his, she downed one as self-penalty.
"By the way, I ran into Soi Fon these two days~"
Rangiku seemed to remember something.
"Hm?"
Shuuichi, helpless against Rangiku's pace, clinked cups and took a sip.
"She complained that her Onmitsukidō Punishment Force often has to stake out in Rukongai for long stretches. Going all the way back to her own place in Seireitei is too far and inconvenient. I figured you've got plenty of empty rooms and space, and she admires you so much, so I told her, 'You could rest at our place.'"
A sly smile curved Rangiku's lips.
"No. Having one woman in the house is already plenty."
Shuuichi shook his head on the spot.
What a joke—if Soi Fon moved in, then every time he came home he'd get a "Shuuichi-sama" from the left and a "Shuuichi-sama" from the right—his head would explode.
Besides, in terms of strength, Soi Fon wasn't just under Yoruichi's personal guidance; once Shuuichi dispelled Genryūsai's suspicion years ago, he'd been secretly tutoring her as well. Compared to the same period in the original timeline, she was stronger, not weaker.
She'd already mastered Bankai (Final Release), and rumor had it Yoruichi was quietly passing on the secret art Shunkō (Flash Cry).
If Soi Fon started resting here, how was he supposed to sneak out to do his side work?
He didn't have Kyōka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower, Water Moon).
"Eh? So Shuuichi-sama only needs one woman?"
Rangiku suddenly leaned in close.
The mix of alcohol and her own scent brushed his nose, and Shuuichi frowned.
"I don't know how many I 'need,' but Rangiku—have you found the childhood friend from your past?"
"Ah… no."
At the mention of Gin, Rangiku deflated like a pricked ball and shrank back.
She'd chosen the Tenth Division instead of Shuuichi's Fourth so she could search for Gin. But after years of trying, she hadn't found a trace.
The mood went stiff.
Three rounds in, the moon was high and the stars were thin.
One hand drooped off the table; the rest of Rangiku had melted into his arms, mumbling in her sleep, "I'll definitely find you," before dozing off.
Shuuichi smiled wryly, lifted her in a bridal carry, took her to her room, and set her down carefully. He drew the blanket over her with a gentle hand.
From experience, Rangiku would sleep straight through till morning.
And tomorrow… the Soul Society might be turning upside down.
Standing at the doorway, Shuuichi glanced back at Rangiku and couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
Knowing less really did make happiness easier.
He knew too much. Living was exhausting.
Even so, Shuuichi never regretted his choices—past or future.
He slid the door open and headed once more toward Seireitei.
Silent. Without a trace.
At the same time, after their very first day of classes and just receiving their Asauchi (blank Zanpakutō), Gin and Shūsuke quietly slipped out of Shin'ō Academy.
"Told you—trust me! My dad's worked in the First Division for years. He used to bring me to Seireitei all the time, and I've been to Shin'ō Academy a lot, too. I know these roads like the back of my hand!"
Shūsuke spoke with pride.
"Are we going to be okay sneaking out like this?"
Gin sounded worried, though his perpetually narrowed eyes kept sweeping the buildings around them, as if trying to memorize them all.
"What could happen? We're going to ask my dad how to bring a Zanpakutō to Shikai (Initial Release), not doing anything we can't admit to. Even if the instructors find out later, they won't blame us!"
Then, as if to pep himself up, Shūsuke added,
"Your reiryoku—Reiryoku (spiritual power)—aptitude is so high, and mine isn't bad either. Just plodding along by the book at Shin'ō is a waste of time! We agreed to see who becomes a captain first! If you don't go and I leave you in the dust, don't blame me!"
Gin wasn't going to fall for such a clumsy provocation, but he did want to grow stronger fast.
To avoid suspicion, he'd already wasted nearly ten years in West Rukongai. Now he didn't want to waste another second. He just wanted to find the bespectacled Shinigami and kill him with his own hands.
But as Shūsuke led Gin along the road toward the First Division, not far away a terrifying Reiatsu (Spiritual Pressure) erupted, and an all-night-long explosion peeled back the curtain on a bloody opening act.
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