As the lieutenant of the 4th Division, Isane Kotetsu was Retsu Unohana's most dependable aide.
Both Rukia Kuchiki and Muten Natsu had received a great deal of care from her. Most of Rukia's Kidō training had been under Isane's guidance.
Muten Natsu had studied with her for a while as well, but unfortunately never managed to grasp it.
Kidō really did depend a lot on talent.
That said, Muten Natsu did learn solid cooking skills from her. In return, whenever Isane Kotetsu needed help, Muten Natsu would always lend a hand.
Rukia Kuchiki raised her hand to indicate a height. "Isane-san is abouti about this tall now. She's even a bit taller than you."
"I remember when she hit 1.7 meters, she said she didn't want to grow any more," Muten Natsu recalled with a sigh. "She even lived on porridge every day, but she just kept getting taller anyway. If she doesn't like it, it'd be great if she could share some of that height with me."
Rukia Kuchiki puffed up angrily. "If anyone's getting some, it should be me!"
"Alright, alright," Muten Natsu nodded repeatedly. "I'll share it with you."
"I remember there's a shop over here that specializes in clothes for tall girls," Orihime Inoue said, pointing in one direction. "We can go take a look."
Led by Orihime Inoue, and with suggestions from Rukia Kuchiki and Muten Natsu, Retsu Unohana picked out several outfits for Isane Kotetsu, then chose two pieces for herself as well.
With Orihime Inoue and Rukia Kuchiki present, Muten Natsu's only remaining task was carrying the shopping bags.
"Thank you for all the help," Retsu Unohana said as she took the bags from Muten Natsu. "Well then, it's about time for me to head back."
"You're leaving already?" Rukia Kuchiki's eyes were filled with obvious reluctance. "I was planning to make curry for you tonight."
Retsu Unohana patted Rukia Kuchiki on the head. "There's still a lot to handle within the division. We'll have another chance when there's time."
Rukia Kuchiki's lips drooped. "Alright then…"
Muten Natsu opened his mouth, hesitating, but didn't say anything.
Orihime Inoue spoke up instead. "Will you be able to come again? There are still so many places we haven't been to, and so much good food…"
"Of course," Retsu Unohana replied with a soft laugh. "Next time, I'll make sure to set aside more time."
Muten Natsu's expression visibly brightened.
"Muten," Retsu Unohana added, her gaze shifting slightly. "Next time, I'd like to visit your school."
Muten Natsu stiffened. "...Alright."
...
After Retsu Unohana left, Rukia Kuchiki immediately threw herself back into studying.
With final exams for the first semester approaching, she had no intention of being the only one cramming.
"So," Ririn said after finishing an explanation for one problem, "why don't you just let me take the exam for you?"
Rukia Kuchiki replied seriously, "Isn't cheating worse than getting a bad grade?"
"Then keep working hard."
Rukia Kuchiki lowered her head and went back to solving problems. The determined look she had moments ago collapsed within seconds into a pitiful expression.
The door opened, and Orihime Inoue returned together with Muten Natsu.
"That fast?" Rukia Kuchiki glanced at the time. "Was the Hollow weak?"
Muten Natsu shook his head. "By the time Orihime and I got there, the Hollow was already gone."
"Gone?" Rukia Kuchiki guessed. "Did it escape?"
"No," Orihime Inoue said, shaking her head. "I could sense the Reishi dispersing after a Hollow's death. It should have been eliminated."
"There shouldn't be any other Shinigami around here…" Rukia Kuchiki trailed off, then suddenly realized something. "Could it be him?"
"Probably not," Muten Natsu said. Orihime didn't sense any other Shinigami Reiatsu. He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of Calpis. "I'll look into it properly later. You just focus on studying."
Rukia Kuchiki's small face fell into a frown again.
Why is math so hard…
…
Top Performers — First Year, First Semester Final Exams
1 Uryū Ishida — 896
Ryō Kunieda — 892 Orihime Inoue — 887 Kenichirō Nanbu — 841 Muten Natsu — 832 Rukia Kuchiki — 689
"Rukia," Mahana Natsui said in amazement, "your grades went up so much!"
"It's all thanks to Orihime's help," Rukia Kuchiki said with a satisfied smile. Ririn had helped a lot too, but that wasn't something she could really explain to her classmates.
Rukia Kuchiki had originally figured that avoiding a make-up exam would count as success. She hadn't expected to end up on the top performers list.
"Third place…" Tatsuki Arisawa ruffled Orihime Inoue's hair. "Your grades are always this good."
Orihime Inoue leaned into her palm. "Hehehe."
"That's amazing!" Michiru Ogawa looked downright envious. "Orihime, you're really quick."
"I honestly wouldn't have guessed," Tatsuki Arisawa said, watching Orihime Inoue giggle like an idiot. "But ever since she started middle school, she's always been really good at swordsmanship."
"Ryō Kunieda is second," Chizuru Honshō said, turning to Ryō Kunieda beside her. "And she even competed in the high school league with the track team. You're basically the definition of brains and brawn."
"People who competed in the high school league aren't limited to just me," Ryō Kunieda said, pointing at Tatsuki Arisawa with the book in her hand.
"Huh?" The girls all turned to look at Tatsuki Arisawa.
"Ah, I never told you?" Tatsuki Arisawa blinked. "I won the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament in May."
Chizuru Honshō knew Tatsuki Arisawa was strong, but she hadn't realized she was that strong. "What?!"
"Tatsuki-chan is a three-time champion in the junior high league," Orihime Inoue said proudly.
"That's incredible…" Michiru Ogawa clenched her little fists and pumped them twice, though it was more soft than fierce.
"I'm more curious about Natsu," Ryō Kunieda said, narrowing her eyes. "During the exam, he fell asleep halfway through. If he'd taken it seriously, his score would've been even higher."
"He's always like that," Orihime Inoue explained. "If his grades are good, he can sleep in class and the teachers won't say anything. But if writing out the answers is too much trouble, he can't be bothered to pick up his pen."
Mahana Natsui glanced toward the corner of the classroom, where Muten Natsu was asleep with his head on the desk. "Yeah… that does sound like something he'd do."
...
Finals ended without any major trouble. To celebrate Rukia Kuchiki avoiding a make-up exam, Muten Natsu and Orihime Inoue decided to cook her a proper feast.
"Being celebrated by two people who scored higher than me," Rukia Kuchiki muttered as they walked to buy groceries, "feels kind of weird."
"You hadn't studied any of this before," Orihime Inoue said, hooking her arm through Rukia Kuchiki's. "You were starting from zero, so your improvement is way bigger than mine or Muten's."
"We've basically just stayed where we were," Muten Natsu said with a yawn. "You're the one who improved the most, so…"
Muten Natsu suddenly stopped.
A boy in a school uniform was standing in front of him, blocking the way.
The boy pushed his glasses up.
"Muten Natsu, I won the first round."