Chapter 47: Liking

In the kendo dojo in the evening, two figures crossed and wove through the center of the room, their wooden blades clashing and producing sharp, intense impacts.

"Stop, hold on a second!"

Kira Izuru panted heavily, waving a hand to signal Renji Abarai, who was still poised to strike, to pause.

With that, he collapsed straight onto the floor, gasping for breath as he muttered, "You bastard, you're like a monster, don't you ever get tired?"

Renji stood his ground, his expression still charged with a high-spirited, excited energy.

"Izuru, we've barely started! You're not usually at this level!" Looking slightly displeased, he hoisted his wooden sword onto his shoulder.

Kira shot him an irritated look. "If I had to spar with you until exhaustion every single day, I wouldn't be able to take it even if I were made of iron!"

Renji curled his lip, giving his wooden sword a vigorous swing, clearly still unsatisfied with the session.

Momo Hinamori, who had come along with them and watched their spar from the side, kindly handed Kira a water flask. Seeing how exhausted he was, she turned to scold Renji with annoyance. "Abarai, stop treating everyone like freaks of nature just because you are one. Someone like you really ought to join the Eleventh Division after graduation!"

Upon hearing this, not only was Renji not angry, but he looked rather pleased with himself as he replied, "I was just thinking the same thing."

Hinamori had only spoken in passing and never expected Renji to seriously consider joining the Eleventh Division upon graduation. She immediately asked in surprise, "Are you serious?"

"About what?"

"I mean about the Eleventh Division."

"Of course I'm serious," Renji said. The Eleventh Division placed supreme value on combat, possessed the strongest martial culture, and boasted the highest combat power among the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Furthermore, most of its members cared little for Kidō, which was precisely what appealed to Renji, whose grades in Kidō were abysmal.

"And what about Rukia?" Hinamori asked again.

"What about Rukia?"

"You idiot, Rukia is part of the Kuchiki family now. After graduation, there's a huge chance she'll be assigned to the Sixth Division!"

"Is that so?" Renji suddenly looked bewildered, as he truly hadn't thought about that.

Hinamori couldn't help but wear an expression that clearly said this guy was completely beyond saving.

The Sixth Division was a noble division, and its members were predominantly drawn from the nobility of Soul Society. The current captain was Kuchiki Ginrei, head of the Kuchiki family, and the lieutenant was Kuchiki Byakuya, who was expected to inherit the position of captain of the Sixth Division in the future.

Therefore, it was only natural for Rukia to join the Sixth Division after graduation.

"Are you really going to leave Rukia behind and go to the Eleventh Division by yourself?" Hinamori pressed further.

Renji stood there hesitating for a long while before saying, "Which division Rukia goes to after graduation is her freedom; how could I interfere? Besides, my relationship with Rukia isn't what you guys think—"

Hinamori couldn't help cutting him off. "You really are selfish enough, Abarai. I didn't say anything about making Rukia follow you to the Eleventh Division; I'm talking about you!"

Kira, watching from the side, also chimed in. "Abarai, to be honest, everyone can see how you feel about Rukia."

Renji suddenly felt his face grow hot. Embarrassment, awkwardness, and self-consciousness all welled up inside him at once.

However, the Sixth Division was not a place he could simply waltz into just because he wanted to. The threshold for that division was extremely high. Rukia now carried the Kuchiki surname, so joining the Sixth Division posed no problem, but he was merely an ordinary commoner student.

To be honest, Abarai Renji didn't particularly want to go to a noble division either.

But Rukia...

Hinamori's words had indeed served as a wake-up call. If the two of them went to different divisions after graduation, wouldn't the opportunities for them to meet each other on ordinary days become exceedingly rare?

He couldn't possibly try to persuade Rukia to join the Eleventh Division with him, could he?

"Abarai, what are you thinking about?"

Hinamori's voice rang out once more.

Renji snapped out of it, looked at her blankly, and said, "Nothing."

Hinamori let out a heavy sigh. Her gaze flickered as she looked at Renji. After a moment of silent contemplation, she said, "Abarai, there are many things you can't simply expect a girl to take the initiative on."

Yet Renji, despite his tall and sturdy build, suddenly turned timid, mumbling evasively, "You guys... misunderstood. I actually... aren't like what you're thinking."

Hinamori wanted to say more, but Kira reached out to tug gently at her sleeve, giving her a slight shake of his head.

At that moment, Kira had roughly guessed what was going on in Renji's mind.

Rukia was now a young lady of the Kuchiki family, and that fact alone made her an existence far beyond Renji's reach.

Although they were still spending every day together and seemed just like before, it was only because they were still in school.

In school, they could study in the same class, but after graduation, things might truly not be the same.

Kira Izuru smoothly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I haven't figured out which division I want to join after graduation yet. What about you, Hinamori?"

Hinamori looked at Renji's current state, inwardly muttered what a pity it was, and casually replied, "The Fourth Division, probably."

"What a coincidence."

"What's a coincidence?"

Kira smiled and said, "I heard that members of the Eleventh Division hold quite a bit of prejudice against the Fourth Division."

Hinamori burst out laughing as well. She had heard of such things too, and she looked over at Renji to ask, "Abarai, will you look down on me in the future if I'm in the Fourth Division?"

Renji's mind seemed elsewhere, and upon hearing this, he could only offer an awkward smile.

Meanwhile.

Inside a meeting room at the Shinōreijutsuin.

Shin was presenting a detailed report to a group of academy leaders led by Sasakibe Chōjirō, outlining his grand concept of establishing various student clubs within the academy.

As his assistant, Rukia stood nearby, taking notes with utmost concentration. Her focus was primarily on recording the speeches made by the academy leadership.

This was a formal meeting, and everyone was listening with profound earnestness. By this point, no one dared to look down upon this young Student Council President lightly any longer.

When Shin finally concluded his presentation, Sasakibe Chōjirō spoke up. "We have all read the advance report you submitted. Your presentation today was even more comprehensive than the written document; it is evident that you have once again made thorough preparations."

Shin smiled lightly. "Isn't thorough preparation simply the right thing to do?"

Sasakibe also smiled. "Personally, I am very optimistic about the prospects of these student clubs. I believe that once implemented, they will inevitably receive the wholehearted support and welcome of the students."

The meeting ultimately passed Shin's proposal with an overwhelming majority vote. After it concluded, the headmaster detained Shin alone for a private conversation.

Rukia waited quietly by the doorway.

When Shin finally emerged as the last person, she immediately fell into step beside him. "President."

"Ah, thank you for your hard work too, Rukia."

"President, I didn't really do anything; I was just taking some notes."

"That is still hard work."

Shin glanced down the corridor at the darkening scenery outside the window and said, "It's getting late. Come on, let's go, I'll treat you to dinner."

Rukia, however, hesitated. At this hour, she was supposed to be returning to the Kuchiki estate.

"What's wrong?"

Shin walked ahead, turning his head back to look at her.

Internal hesitation gripped Rukia. Meeting Shin's gaze, she inexplicably blurted out, "N-nothing at all."

With a gentle smile, Shin said, "Then let's go. We'll eat outside the academy; I'm getting tired of the cafeteria food anyway."

Rest time was fast approaching, and at this hour, students were strictly prohibited from leaving the academy grounds at will. However, who could argue with the fact that the Student Council President possessed special privileges?

Rukia followed Shin out of the academy's administrative building. As they neared the main gates, she finally couldn't help lowering her voice to say, "President, someone is waiting for me outside the academy. I need to go let them know."

A servant from the Kuchiki family would be waiting right about now to escort her home after school.

In truth, the Kuchiki estate wasn't far from the academy, and Rukia felt she had no need for such escorts. She had brought this up with the household, but her request had been flatly rejected.

They insisted that until she formally became a Shinigami, having attendants accompany her whenever she stepped outside was an absolute necessity.

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

Rukia immediately quickened her pace and hurried off.

After a few minutes, she came running back with light, hurried steps.

"President, sorry to keep you waiting."

Shin casually ruffled her hair, smiling as he said, "Why so polite?"

"..."

Rukia pressed her lips together in silence, simply lowering her head and letting him do as he pleased.

She seemed to have grown used to it. The president would occasionally reach out to muss her hair, making her short locks even more disheveled. Fortunately, she didn't usually sport any intricate hairstyles, or else she surely wouldn't have been able to endure the president's "destruction."

Her simple, flared short hair only required a casual brushing back into place after being "ravaged" by the president to return to its original shape.

Because of this, she rarely ever changed her hairstyle.

Sometimes, when Hinamori dragged her along to get a haircut, she would simply have it trimmed a little shorter.

Rukia thought to herself that if she wore a hair bun like Hinamori's, it would undoubtedly become a complete mess if the president ruffled it like this.

At that thought, she couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.

"What are you laughing at?"

"N-nothing!"

The two of them walked into an izakaya not far from the Shinōreijutsuin, a place frequently patronized by academy students on ordinary days.

Noticing that Shin had ordered alcohol as well, Rukia asked, "Does the president like to drink?"

"It depends on the time. Sometimes I feel like having a little."

Rukia figured that today, since the president's club proposal had been approved by the academy leadership, it must have been a joyous occasion, which was why he chose to drink.

"Would you like some?"

"I'll pass." Rukia waved her hands repeatedly.

It wasn't that she couldn't drink, but the time to return to the Kuchiki estate had already arrived. If she showed up back home reeking of alcohol while still out this late, it would be far too unseemly.

She still lived every single day in the Kuchiki household walking on thin ice.

Shin looked at her with an amused smile. "What's wrong? Drinking just a little bit should be fine."

Rukia wore a troubled expression. "President, please don't urge me. I'd be willing to accompany you in a drink, but today's circumstances are special, so I hope you'll understand..."

Seeing this, Shin decided not to press her further. Yet before he could speak, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind.

"I say, you kid, trying to coax a young girl into drinking—are you harboring some improper intentions?!"

Thump!

A wine bottle abruptly dropped onto the table right in front of them with a loud thud, held by a fair, slender palm.

At the same time, an arm draped over Shin's shoulder, and a heavy torso pressed directly against his back, sending a wave of rich alcohol mixed with a woman's natural fragrance washing over him.

That scent was familiar too.

Shin turned his head and caught sight of Matsubara Rangiku's refined profile. Her cheeks were flushed with a drunken red, the corners of her lips curled in a half-smile, and her eyes held a hazy, intoxicated look.

"Rangiku-san?" Shin let out a surprised voice. "What a coincidence."

Without the slightest hesitation, Rangiku pulled up a seat right beside Rukia, prompting the latter to hurriedly scoot aside to make room.

Rukia had clearly recognized the Tenth Division lieutenant insignia on Rangiku's sleeve.

Rangiku tossed her snow-white neck back, looking at Shin with what seemed like a smile. Ignoring him, she shifted her gaze instead to Rukia.

"Hello there, I'm Matsumoto Rangiku."

"Hello, my name is Kuchiki Rukia."

"Oh, so you're that newly adopted... daughter the Kuchiki family took in, right?"

"......Yes."

Rangiku then looked back at Shin, chuckling softly. "So you were trying to climb high branches all along, you rascal."

Shin wasn't offended, though he remarked, "Rangiku-san, that remark is rather discourteous and offensive."

Rukia hurriedly explained as well, "Lieutenant Matsumoto, you've misunderstood! The president and I aren't in that kind of relationship!"

"Oh," Rangiku acknowledged, followed by a slight hiccup. "My apologies then, I spoke out of turn."

She was certainly straightforward. Recognizing that Rangiku was drunk, Rukia chose to sit silently on the side without another word, casting secret glances at Shin.

"What brings Rangiku-san here?"

"Just finished a mission and came to unwind. What about you two?"

"About the same, just finished up some business and came out to relax."

Rangiku looked at him with suspicion. "What business could a student possibly have? Besides, the Shinōreijutsuin shouldn't be letting students out this late, yet here you are dragging this young Kuchiki lady out alone."

"Rukia doesn't live in the dorms; she's heading back to the Kuchiki estate shortly. As president, I have the privilege to enter and leave the school freely."

Hearing this, Rangiku burst into laughter once more. "You rascal, you use your special privileges with such nonchalance."

The izakaya owner brought over the food and drinks Shin had ordered.

Shin poured himself a cup and took a small sip. Seeing this, Rangiku placed her own cup right in front of him, and Shin obliged by picking up the bottle to fill it for her.

Rangiku looked at him with an amused smile. "Tell me, you rascal, do you remember who brought you out of the Rukongai?"

"Of course I do. I have always kept Rangiku-san's kindness firmly in my heart."

Rangiku raised an eyebrow. "Then how did you behave later on? Is that how you repay me?"

Shin let out a helpless sigh. "Rangiku-san, you know the reason why. Back then, I really had made up my mind to join the Tenth Division, but that happened to be when my Zanpakutō awakened."

Whether she believed him or not, Rangiku's drunken eyes flickered.

"You're not loyal at all."

"If you're too loyal, you end up getting the short end of the stick."

"Do you think I'd harm you?"

"Of course not. I trust Rangiku-san deeply; since coming to the Seireitei, Rangiku-san is the person I trust the most."

Rangiku gave a soft scoff, then downed the rest of the wine in her cup. Rukia, showing good initiative, picked up the wine bottle to refill her cup, and then poured some for Shin as well.

"She's a young lady of the Kuchiki family, yet you're just letting her pour drinks for you?"

Rukia quickly chimed in, "Lieutenant Matsumoto, it's not like that at all. I respect the president very much, so I'm happy to do it."

Shin drank his wine with an innocent expression.

Rangiku looped an arm around Rukia's neck and said to her, "This guy always takes advantage and then plays the innocent. You need to keep a firm grip on him; staying with a guy like this will only lead to you getting hurt."

Rukia's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato.

"I, I..."

She wanted to explain, but her heart was in a flurry, and she had no idea how to phrase it.

At that moment, Shin spoke up. "Rangiku-san shouldn't try to sow discord. How could I possibly let Rukia get hurt?"

"Oh?" Rangiku curved the corners of her mouth. "What do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean?" Shin countered.

Rangiku looked between the flustered, blushing Rukia and Shin.

"Could it be... do you really—"

She had originally intended to set a trap in her words to tease the two of them, but she found that Shin's expression remained completely calm and composed.

This made Rangiku suddenly lose interest, and she abruptly felt that she shouldn't have asked in the first place.

Then, Shin spoke.

"I like her."