In the kendo dojo at dusk, two figures darted and clashed at the center of the room. Wooden swords struck with sharp cracks that echoed through the space.
"Stop, stop! Timeout!"
Kira Izuru, panting heavily, raised a hand to halt Abarai Renji, who was still pressing the offensive.
No sooner had he spoken than Kira collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air as he muttered, "You're a damn monster. Don't you ever get tired?"
Renji stood his ground, clearly still buzzing with adrenaline.
"Kira, this is nothing! You're better than this!" he said with some irritation, resting his bokken on his shoulder.
Kira shot him a glare. "If I had to go all out like this with you every day, I'd drop dead—even if I were made of iron."
Renji smirked and swung his wooden sword a few more times, still riding the high of the spar.
Off to the side, Hinamori Momo—who had come with them and been watching the whole time—offered Kira a flask of water. Seeing how wiped out he was, she turned to Renji with a scolding tone: "Abarai, don't go treating everyone like they're as insane as you. You're totally unhinged. When you graduate, you really should join the Eleventh Division."
Renji didn't seem offended in the slightest. On the contrary, he looked quite proud. "That's the plan."
Momo had only said it offhandedly and was caught off guard. "Wait—seriously?"
"What?"
"I mean the Eleventh Division thing."
"Of course I'm serious," Renji replied. The Eleventh Division was the combat division, known for its martial culture and brute strength—widely regarded as the strongest fighting force in the Gotei 13. They also had no use for kidō, which was music to Renji's ears given how terrible his scores were in that subject.
Momo frowned. "Then what about Rukia?"
"Huh? What about her?"
"You idiot! Rukia's a member of the Kuchiki clan now. She's probably headed for the Sixth Division after graduation!"
"She is?" Renji looked stunned. Clearly, the thought had never crossed his mind.
Momo gave him a you're hopeless kind of look.
The Sixth Division was a noble division—most of its members came from Soul Society's upper nobility. Its current captain was Kuchiki Ginrei, head of the Kuchiki family, and its vice-captain was Kuchiki Byakuya, who was widely expected to take over as captain in the future.
So of course Rukia, as a Kuchiki now, would naturally go to the Sixth Division.
"You're really gonna leave Rukia and go off to the Eleventh Division by yourself?" Momo pressed.
Renji hesitated for a long moment before answering. "Where Rukia goes after graduation is up to her. I can't make that decision for her. Besides, it's not like we're... what everyone thinks we are."
Momo huffed. "You're so self-centered. I never said she had to go with you—I'm talking about you, you idiot."
Kira, still sitting nearby, added, "Renji, come on. It's pretty obvious to all of us how you feel about Rukia."
Renji felt his face heat up instantly—embarrassment, awkwardness, frustration, all welling up at once.
But the Sixth Division wasn't exactly the kind of place someone like him could waltz into. That division had standards. Rukia bore the Kuchiki name now, so it made sense. But he? He was just a kid from the Rukongai.
Truth be told, Renji had never really wanted to join a noble division anyway.
Still... Rukia...
Momo's words hit home. If they ended up in different divisions after graduation, they'd hardly get to see each other anymore.
But he couldn't exactly ask her to join the Eleventh Division with him, could he?
"What are you thinking about now?" Momo's voice snapped him out of it.
Renji blinked, looked at her blankly. "It's nothing."
Momo sighed heavily. Her gaze lingered on Renji's face, eyes flickering with a mix of frustration and pity. After a pause, she said, "Renji, you can't always expect the girl to make the first move."
Big, burly Renji suddenly looked a bit... timid. He stammered, "You guys... have it wrong. I don't— It's not what you think."
Momo looked like she wanted to keep pushing, but Kira reached out and gently tugged her sleeve, shaking his head.
He'd guessed what Renji was really thinking.
Rukia was the Kuchiki clan's lady now. That status alone made her feel like someone far out of reach.
Sure, they still spent time together, just like they used to—but that was only because they were still in school.
Right now they could share a class, a lunch break. But after graduation... who knew?
Trying to ease the mood, Kira changed the subject. "Anyway, I still haven't decided which division I'll join after graduation. What about you, Momo?"
Momo glanced at Renji, looking a little disappointed, then replied casually, "Probably the Fourth Division."
"Really? What a coincidence."
"What is?"
"I heard the Eleventh Division folks look down on the Fourth Division."
Momo snorted a laugh. She'd heard that too. Then she turned to Renji and teased, "Abarai, are you going to look down on me if I end up in the Fourth?"
Renji was clearly distracted and gave only an awkward smile in response.
---
Elsewhere.
Inside a conference room at Shin'ō Academy, Nobu was presenting a detailed proposal to Headmaster Sasakibe and other school leaders about establishing various student clubs.
Rukia stood nearby, notebook in hand, diligently taking notes—mostly recording feedback and remarks from the leadership.
It was a formal meeting, and the staff listened intently. By this point, no one dared underestimate the young student council president.
When Nobu finished, Sasakibe spoke up: "We've all read the proposal you submitted in advance. What you just presented today expands on it even further. It's clear you came very well prepared."
Nobu smiled lightly. "It's only natural to be thorough, isn't it?"
Sasakibe chuckled. "Personally, I think these student clubs have a lot of potential. Once implemented, I believe they'll be warmly received by the student body."
The proposal passed with overwhelming support. Afterward, the headmaster pulled Nobu aside for a private word.
Rukia waited quietly outside the room.
As Nobu finally exited, she stepped forward at once. "President."
"Ah, thanks for your help today, Rukia."
"I didn't really do anything—just took notes."
"That's still work."
Nobu glanced out the hallway window at the darkening sky. "It's gotten late. Let's go grab dinner—my treat."
Rukia hesitated. This was usually the time she was expected back at the Kuchiki estate.
"What's wrong?"
Nobu was already walking ahead. He looked back at her.
Rukia was still conflicted, but under his gaze, she blurted, "N-No, it's nothing."
He grinned. "Then come on. Let's eat off-campus. I'm tired of the cafeteria."
It was nearly curfew, and students weren't allowed to leave the Academy grounds freely at this hour. But Nobu, as student council president, had certain privileges.
Rukia followed him out of the administrative building. As they neared the school gate, she finally said softly, "President... Someone's waiting for me outside. I should go tell them."
The Kuchiki family's attendants were there to escort her home.
In truth, the estate wasn't even far from the Academy. Rukia had tried to explain that she didn't need an escort, but was firmly overruled.
Until she officially became a shinigami, she was required to be accompanied.
"Go ahead—I'll wait."
Rukia gave a small nod and hurried off.
A few minutes later, she returned, jogging over to him.
"President, sorry to keep you waiting."
Nobu reached out and tousled her hair, smiling. "What are you apologizing for?"
"..."
Rukia said nothing, just ducked her head slightly and let him do it.
She'd grown used to it. The president often patted her head, messing up her hair. Thankfully, she didn't wear any elaborate styles—her simple short ponytail was easy to fix afterward.
That was partly why she'd never bothered changing her hairstyle.
Sometimes Momo dragged her along to get trims, but she'd only ever shorten it a bit.
Rukia thought to herself, If it were Momo's bun hairstyle, it'd probably get totally ruined by the president's hands...
The thought made her chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
"N-Nothing!"
They walked into a small izakaya near the Academy—popular with students after hours.
Seeing Nobu order sake, Rukia asked, "President, do you like drinking?"
"Depends. Sometimes I'm in the mood."
Rukia figured today was a happy occasion. The Academy had approved his club proposal, so of course he'd want to celebrate.
"Would you like some?"
"I'll pass." Rukia waved her hands quickly.
Not that she couldn't drink—just that it was already late, and if she came home reeking of alcohol, it'd be unseemly.
She still lived very cautiously in the Kuchiki household.
Nobu looked at her with a sly smile. "What's the matter? A little won't hurt."
Rukia looked troubled. "President, please don't push me. I'd be happy to drink with you normally, but... today's a bit different. I hope you understand."
Seeing her so earnest, Nobu was about to ease off—when suddenly, a familiar voice rang out behind them.
"Well, well. Trying to get a girl drunk? That's not very honorable of you."
Clack!
A bottle landed hard on the table between them. A slender, fair hand held it in place.
An arm draped over Nobu's shoulder, and a warm, perfumed body leaned heavily into his back. The sharp scent of alcohol mixed with a woman's fragrance.
Also familiar.
Nobu turned—and came face-to-face with Matsumoto Rangiku's flushed, slightly smirking, and slightly tipsy expression.
"Miss Rangiku?" he said, surprised. "What a coincidence."
Rangiku promptly plopped down beside Rukia, who instinctively shifted over, recognizing the Vice-Captain insignia of the Tenth Division on her sleeve.
Rangiku arched her snowy neck and looked at Nobu with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes—then turned to Rukia.
"Hello there. I'm Matsumoto Rangiku."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kuchiki Rukia."
"Oh, you're that new... adopted daughter of the Kuchiki family, huh?"
"...Yes."
Rangiku turned back to Nobu, laughing. "So that's what this is. Trying to climb the social ladder?"
Nobu didn't take offense, but he replied evenly, "Miss Rangiku, that's a little rude, don't you think?"
Rukia quickly added, "Vice-Captain Matsumoto, you've misunderstood. The president and I aren't like that!"
"Oh?" Rangiku hiccupped.
"My bad. That was out of line."
She was candid, if nothing else. Rukia, seeing she was tipsy, fell silent and simply glanced at Nobu.
"And what brings you here, Miss Rangiku?"
"Just finished a mission—came to unwind. You two?"
"Same. Just wrapped up some business, out for a breather."
Rangiku raised an eyebrow. "What kind of business does a student even have? And isn't it past curfew? You're out here with the Kuchiki girl?"
"Rukia doesn't live in the dorms. She's headed home after this. And as student council president, I can come and go."
Rangiku let out a hearty laugh. "Well, aren't you just full of privileges."
The server brought over the drinks and dishes Nobu had ordered.
He poured himself a small cup. Rangiku pushed her cup toward him. Seeing this, Nobu picked up the bottle and poured for her.
She gave him a sly look. "Tell me, kid—who was it that brought you out of the Rukongai again?"
"Of course I remember. I owe you a lot, Miss Rangiku."
She raised an eyebrow. "And this is how you repay me?"
Nobu sighed. "You know the situation. I really was planning to join the Tenth Division, but then my Zanpakutō awakened..."
Whether she believed him or not, Rangiku gave him a look from under drowsy lids.
"You're so ungrateful."
"Being too grateful can get you in trouble."
"You think I'd harm you?"
"Of course not. I trust you more than anyone. When I first came to Seireitei, you were the one I trusted the most."
Rangiku snorted, downed her drink. Rukia, trying to be polite, refilled both their cups.
"She's the Kuchiki family's precious young lady, and you're letting her pour your drinks?"
Rukia quickly said, "It's nothing like that, Vice-Captain. I respect the president a lot, so I don't mind."
Nobu sipped his sake, face innocent.
Rangiku suddenly wrapped an arm around Rukia's shoulders and whispered, "He always plays the innocent after getting his way. Watch out, or he'll take advantage of you."
Rukia's face turned bright red.
"I—I..."
She tried to explain, but the words fumbled in her mouth.
Nobu spoke up. "Miss Rangiku, don't stir up trouble. I'd never take advantage of Rukia."
"Oh?" Rangiku tilted her head, lips curling. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think it means?"
Rangiku glanced at the flushed, flustered Rukia, then looked at Nobu again.
"Wait... don't tell me—you actually..."
She'd meant to tease them, baiting them into a reaction—but Nobu just looked calm. Unfazed.
That took all the fun out of it. Rangiku suddenly felt a little awkward, like she shouldn't have asked.
But then Nobu looked her in the eye and said clearly:
"I like her."
---
T/N: WHAAAAAAT WE ARENT EVEN AT CHAPTER 50 YET!!!