[Matsumoto Rangiku's fate has changed because of you, and you have gained 65 fate points.]
The system panel appeared.
I just talked to Rangiku for a few minutes, why did the reminder suddenly trigger?
Arata frowned, wondering what exactly he had done to change another person's fate.
Could it be because I just told her to drink less?
It was only their first meeting; his words shouldn't have had such a strong impact…
Arata couldn't figure it out, but since it had already happened, there was no point in dwelling on it.
He glanced at the panel and the system exchange shop. From the time he first interfered with the timeline until now, his fate value had accumulated to 238 points.
The cheapest item in the shop was [Zanpakutō Shikai], which required 500 fate points and that goal was no longer far away.
If he worked a bit harder, he would soon be able to collect enough.
Arata had already thought about how to speed up the accumulation of fate points.
The system's core requirement was to change the fate of others. Previously, he had understood it superficially, to make the original characters deviate from their predetermined paths of life and death, humanity and Hollowhood, etc.
But after this event, Arata suddenly realized that the system's definition of changing fate was much broader.
It wasn't just the narrow meaning of altering someone's entire destiny from life to death, from person to Hollow.
It also extended to subtle, minor changes.
Just like when he had reminded Rangiku to drink less, the system had judged it as [Matsumoto Rangiku's fate has changed].
Even Arata himself didn't know how much less Rangiku would actually drink in the future.
Even if she truly took his advice and restrained herself from alcohol, it would only cause a small change in her habits and interests.
But even that fell within the system's range of evaluation.
Arata was a bit confused. Maybe the system had simply given him a small benefit.
"Maybe I can imitate the club system from Japanese schools in my previous life."
As he thought about it, a basic framework gradually took shape in Arata's mind.
By the time he returned to his dormitory, the framework was nearly complete.
"I want to create a new Peace Allian… No, I want to create a new Shin'ō Academy."
"Arata, what are you mumbling about?"
He had been so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Shūhei's return.
Arata coughed to cover up his awkwardness. "So it's you, Shūhei. When did you get back? I didn't see you when I left earlier."
"Just a few minutes ago." Shūhei stretched, looking physically and mentally exhausted. "By the way, were you mumbling something about a new academy or something like that?"
He heard it after all.
Arata hesitated about whether to share his idea. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to tell him.
"I want to start a kendo club at Shin'ō Academy."
The goal of creating a new Shin'ō Academy was too distant and ambitious, so Arata decided to start with founding a club.
After all, club activities could also help him change other people's fates faster.
"Pff…" Shūhei spat out the tea he was drinking and stared at Arata in shock. "Excuse me? Can you repeat that? I don't think I heard you right."
Is this idea really that outrageous? Arata scratched his chin.
"I said, I want to start a kendo club at Shin'ō Academy."
"Shūhei, do you remember when we went on the soul burial mission during our second life?"
"Of course I remember… huh? Wait, you don't mean that?" Shūhei recalled the past and suddenly froze, as if something important had come to mind.
That "that" referred to the school they had passed during the soul burial mission in the human world the souls they were burying had been students from a school's kendo club.
To fulfill their final wish and perform the soul burial and purification ceremony properly, Shūhei had even studied information about school clubs back then.
"But what's the point of that?"
He didn't understand why Arata wanted to do this now, right before their graduation.
Arata didn't make a mystery of it and immediately explained his idea for founding the kendo club.
The first purpose was to create a place for building connections. Precisely because they were close to graduating, they needed to use the last of their days to form relationships with potential comrades so they could support one another in the future.
Second, the club would serve as a kind of after-school supplementary institution to help sixth-year students improve if they couldn't find a mentor or senior to guide them. Even if it was only within the field of kendo, it could still increase their chances of successfully graduating.
Lastly, Arata needed a place where people interacted with each other so he could activate the system's evaluation of [Change of Fate], but he didn't say that out loud.
To further convince Shūhei, Arata even revealed the secret that he "had a master guiding him" and was fully qualified to be a kendo instructor.
"I see, so that's why you were able to perform those powerful moves during the internship!"
After listening to Arata's explanation, Shūhei suddenly understood everything.
"I didn't expect you, Arata, despite your cold nature, to actually be someone who likes helping others," Shūhei joked. "When the time comes, those students from the regular classes will definitely be grateful to you."
"Count me in for founding the Kendo Club."
Actions speak louder than words, so the next morning, the two of them went straight to the dean's office and submitted an application to the vice-dean, Shibata, for the establishment of the kendo club.
Shibato Mitsunobu initially refused, since no student had ever made such a request before.
But after hearing Arata and Shūhei's explanation, he understood their good intentions.
Moreover, both of them were top students at the academy. Thanks to them, the recent internship mission hadn't ended in heavy casualties. His own promotion to dean largely depended on their help.
Remembering that, Shibato Mitsunobu no longer hesitated and approved their request with a single stroke of his brush.
"Thank you, Dean Shibato. The Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts will surely continue to grow stronger under your leadership."
Arata's flattering words brought a broad smile to Shibato's face, and he even assigned them an empty classroom as the club's activity space.
Once everything was settled, Arata appointed Shūhei as vice president and gave him the task of acting as the club's ambassador, spreading word about the founding of the Kendo Club at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
As president, Arata immediately headed to Rukongai to buy equipment for the club's activities.
But after visiting several stores, he had to admit honestly that the selection was poor.
Either the material of the wooden swords was too weak, or the protective gear wasn't sturdy enough.
The sun was already starting to set, and he still hadn't found a satisfactory shop.
Just as Arata was becoming increasingly frustrated about it, a fragrant breeze blew in his direction, gently clearing his mind.
"Saitō-san, we meet again."
The voice was seductive and pleasant. Arata looked up and saw Matsumoto Rangiku, the woman he had met just the night before.
"Vice-Captain Matsumoto, doesn't the 10th Division have any work today? Why are you in Rukongai again?"
"Don't tell me you snuck out for another drink?"
Rangiku's face darkened at the word "work." "Let's not talk about such unpleasant things. But you, Saitō-san, looked quite troubled a moment ago."
"Don't tell me some sweet girl turned you down?"
How's that even possible? Even if someone were to reject me, it would be a sexy, charming older woman, Arata thought to himself.
Seeing that Rangiku wouldn't stop until she got an answer, Arata had no choice but to tell her about the Kendo Club and ask if she might know anyone involved in that kind of business.