"I'm telling you, kid—don't be ungrateful. A seated officer position isn't good enough for you? You're still a student at the Spiritual Arts Academy! Getting a deal like this is already a huge stroke of luck!"
At a noisy izakaya, Tachikawa Shinichi sat with hazy, drunken eyes, struggling to focus on the busty blonde woman across the table.
The place was loud, and the tables weren't far apart, but their table drew a lot of attention. Not because of Shinichi, of course, but because of the woman with him.
"A seated officer… what seat again?" Shinichi slurred.
"Twenty-third seat," the woman answered.
"Third seat, huh…" Shinichi mumbled. "Well then, since Miss Rangiku invited me so passionately, I guess I can't—hic—refuse."
Matsumoto Rangiku gave him a strange look and asked, "Are you actually drunk, or just pretending?"
She smiled sweetly. "You can become a seated officer if you want—just beat our current one in a duel. I can handle the rest for you."
Shinichi immediately shook his head like a rattle drum. "I hate fighting and killing the most."
Rangiku picked up her chopsticks and tapped him on the head with a mock glare.
"Don't forget—it was me who recommended you to the academy in the first place!"
Shinichi didn't seem upset—perhaps because when she leaned over to smack him, he caught a glimpse of something nice. With one hand propping up his chin, he grinned lazily.
"Of course I remember how kind you've been to me, Rangiku-san. You really are beautiful."
Rangiku raised an eyebrow and smirked. "If you join our squad, you'll get to see me all the time."
Shinichi lazily waved his hand. "No can do. I've still got class. I skipped kendo just to come here today. I hope Shūhei covered for me."
Rangiku listened to his nonsense and frowned inwardly. Is this guy actually drunk?
"I heard you're pretty famous at school now," she said. "Skipping class is one thing, but you're skipping kendo class. Don't you think your teacher would notice?"
Tachikawa Shinichi was a fourth-year student at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy. Years ago, Rangiku had run into him by chance in the Rukongai. She sensed that his spiritual pressure was above average for a normal citizen and recommended him to become a Soul Reaper.
Her hunch was right. Shinichi quickly showed extraordinary talent in the academy, especially in kendo. Rumor had it, he once defeated his kendo instructor during a lesson.
A talent like him had to be pulled into Squad 10—so he could help carry some of the burdens that her lazy captain always shirked.
"Ugh, Nanada-sensei…" Shinichi mumbled. "He nags so much… never shuts up…"
His elbow slipped off the table, and his face landed flat on the surface.
"..."
Rangiku crossed her arms and sighed.
How many times has this happened? Could it be someone else already scouted him?
Her eyes flickered as she asked, "Did Vice-Captain Shiba talk to you? Try to recruit you to Squad 13?"
No response. Only the sound of steady breathing—he seemed to have fallen asleep.
Rangiku pouted. Seriously, this ungrateful brat!
She got up to pay the bill, but before leaving, she couldn't resist giving him a light kick.
After a while, Shinichi slowly lifted his head, rubbing his face, stiff from drinking.
"That woman can really drink…"
[Matsumoto Rangiku]
[Affection Level: 63]
For every +10 Affection:
+1 Spiritual Pressure Level
+1% Zanpakutō Unlock Progress
Affection 90: Unlocks Full-Base Reward
Affection 100: Soul Reaper Bond available — unlocks Tier 3 Reward
Staring at the system interface, Shinichi's alcohol-fogged mind was slow to process.
His alcohol tolerance was average at best—but at least he hadn't said anything too stupid.
His affection level had dropped by 2 points since last time—probably from annoying her too much.
Shin'ō Academy Dorms
Hisagi Shūhei returned to the dorm and found his roommate—who had skipped class today—already lying flat on the bed.
"When did you get back?" he asked.
"About two hours ago."
"If you came back so early, why not just go to class?" Shūhei scolded. "Nanada-sensei was pretty pissed today. Be careful."
Shinichi pouted. "That guy's always uptight. It was just one class."
He'd come back half out of it, and going to class like that would've been suicide. A nap helped him recover a bit.
Shūhei ignored the shameless remark. "You went to see Miss Rangiku again, didn't you?"
Shinichi remained sprawled out, legs crossed, eyes unfocused as if deep in thought. He responded with a casual "Mhm."
Shūhei pictured her figure in his mind and asked, "What did she want?"
"She invited me to join Squad 10. Said I'd get a seated officer position."
Shūhei's eyes widened.
"Which seat?"
"Twenty-third."
After the initial shock, Shūhei's expression turned complicated. He looked at Shinichi quietly.
Noticing the silence, Shinichi turned and chuckled. "What's wrong?"
Shūhei exhaled and shook his head. "Graduation exams are in a month. Nanada-sensei asked me and Kaizawa to prepare the list of candidates."
Shin'ō Academy had a six-year program. But if you completed all credits within four years, you could graduate early.
Of course, it wasn't easy. Only a few could do it—and those who did usually became core members of the Gotei 13, Kidō Corps, or Onmitsukidō.
But graduating in four years wasn't unheard of.
"I'm not planning to graduate this year," Shinichi said.
Shūhei blinked. "But didn't you and Miss Rangiku—"
"I never said I accepted her offer."
Shūhei's face changed. "You turned her down!?"
Shinichi was calm. "I just want to stay at the academy for two more years."
"But she promised you a seated officer position!" Shūhei exclaimed.
"Twenty-third seat, huh? Useless and too showy," Shinichi said casually.
He turned to gaze out the window.
Outside, cherry blossoms drifted from the trees, lining the winding paths with petals. Students in white robes strolled by—some leisurely, others in a rush. It was like a living painting.
"This place is great. Being a student is great. Don't you like it, Shūhei?"
"..."
Shūhei didn't answer. He never quite understood what went on in Shinichi's head.
He always wore a relaxed expression, but beneath those long lashes, it felt like he carried more burdens than anyone else.
Shūhei had to admit—Shinichi's face was annoyingly attractive. No wonder he was so popular in class.
Shūhei sat down on his own bed, following Shinichi's gaze out the window. After a moment, he said softly:
"I'm not planning to graduate either."
Shinichi turned and smiled. "Oh?"
Shūhei crossed his arms. "I just don't think my fundamentals are solid enough yet."
"Mhm. Yeah, you're still pretty weak."
"..."
The pleasant mood was instantly shattered. Shūhei nearly choked in disbelief. Watching Shinichi laugh carefreely, he clenched his fists.
Shūhei usually came off as strict and serious—but Shinichi knew the truth: he was a closet softie.
Back when Rangiku first visited, Shūhei happened to walk in—and couldn't stop his eyes from drifting toward her curves. Since then, Shinichi teased him about it constantly—always making him red with embarrassment.
Good thing he couldn't win in a fight.
[Tachikawa Shinichi]
Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv13
Reiatsu Reserve: 20%
Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 6%
Soul Reaper Bond: Not Formed
Quincy Bond: Not Formed
Hollow Bond: Not Formed
The smile on Shinichi's face faded slightly as he looked at Shūhei.
"Shūhei, I'm planning to do something over the next two years. Help me, will you?"
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If you find any mistakes in the names of characters, places, or abilities, please let me know and I will fix them as soon as possible.