Chapter 64 Sparring Opponents

Shin waited eagerly for over three months, until the arrival of late autumn, before he finally got the chance to see Shiba Kaien return to the Shinigami Academy as a guest lecturer.

This frequency was already exceptionally high. Aside from Shiba Kaien, it was unlikely that any other vice-captain would frequently visit the academy to teach.

However, three months for a Shinigami was merely a fleeting moment.

During this period, Kotetsu Isane had come to see Shin once more to discuss Kidou together. Because their relationship was built entirely upon the foundation of Kidou, Shin did not make any requests to spar with her.

Isane's favorability rating reached 55. While every increase seemed to go smoothly, it was actually the result of Shin's own hard work. After Isane left each time, Shin would immerse himself in the library for a long time, diligently studying Kidou so that the next time he met her, he wouldn't lack topics of conversation or appear lazy in his understanding of Kidou.

The favorability ratings for Rukia and Hinamori had not shown any significant growth; Rukia's remained at 83, and Hinamori's at 86.

Raising their favorability ratings was becoming increasingly difficult.

Hinamori had never brought up the matter of that kiss again after it happened, but Shin sensed that a subtle balance had somehow been established between the two girls and himself—a feeling that was difficult to put into words.

For instance, when the three of them were present at the same time, both girls would tacitly become much quieter.

Shin knew something definitely had happened between them, but as long as his favorability didn't drop, it didn't matter.

Just as the morning classes ended, Shin hurried down to the ground floor of the teaching building to intercept Shiba Kaien as he walked out.

"Shin?"

Ever since Shin visited his home last time, Shiba Kaien had started addressing him by his given name, making them appear much closer.

"Vice-Captain Shiba."

Shin wore a smiling expression. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? How about I treat you to lunch?"

Shiba Kaien immediately had a bad preening feeling. Why was this kid offering uncalled-for courtesies?

"What are you up to?" he asked, subconsciously taking a step back.

Shin looked completely innocent. "I'm not up to anything. It's just been a while since we last met, and I've missed you, Vice-Captain Shiba."

"..."

In the end, Shiba Kaien was dragged off to the academy's cafeteria by Shin, though he could not eat this meal in peace.

In the past, Kaien was always the one seeking out Shin when visiting the academy, but this time, the other party had actively ambushed him.

"Alright, spit it out. What on earth is this about?"

Shin looked at Shiba Kaien with eager anticipation and asked, "I was wondering if Vice-Captain Shiba has any free time this afternoon?"

Shiba Kaien replied, "That depends. I still have some squad duties to take care of."

Shin adopted a polite tone. "Here's the thing: I would like to ask Vice-Captain Shiba to spar with me for a bit. I wonder if you would grace me with your presence?"

***

Spar?

Shiba Kaien wore a surprised expression. Just for this?

However, seeing Shin's smiling face, his brows soon furrowed again.

He had watched the battle recordings of Shin's two fights. One thing was certain: Shin's strength was definitely no lower than that of an upper-seat officer, and he might even be at the true vice-captain level.

Shiba Kaien's expression gradually grew calm. He knew his own strength well; among the vice-captains, he was merely at a middle-tier level. It wasn't that he lacked confidence, but if he happened to stumble against this kid, he wouldn't be able to hold his head high when facing him in the future.

"So it's a spar. What a pity, I really do have things to attend to this afternoon."

"Then what about tomorrow?" Shin refused to give up.

Shiba Kaien put on a thoughtful look before clapping his hands. "It seems I'll be quite busy for the next month or so."

Shin: "..."

Realizing that Shiba Kaien had no intention of sparring with him, Shin began to ponder how he could make the other party agree.

Shiba Kaien changed the subject. "However, I can find an opponent for you."

"Oh? Who?"

The candidates in Shin's mind had to be at least at the vice-captain level; ordinary seated officers simply couldn't satisfy him.

But upon careful thought, among the active vice-captains of the Gotei 13, who could Shiba Kaien possibly find for him?

Shiba Kaien smiled mysteriously. "You'll know tomorrow."

Shin had no choice but to maintain his anticipation.

The next afternoon.

Inside the Student Council office, Shin suddenly heard a flurry of sharp knocks on the door.

"Come in."

As the words fell, two figures pushed the door open, and Shin's gaze was instantly drawn to the dazzling bald head of one of them.

These two are...

Shin couldn't help being slightly stunned.

"Wearing the school uniform, looks like I didn't come to the wrong place. You must be that Tachibana Shin, right?"

He wore a standard Shinigami uniform with a Zanpakutō at his waist, sporting a billiard-ball-like bald head, narrow eyes, and peculiar red eyeshadow at the corners of his eyes.

Beside him stood a man with an alluring and effeminate appearance, wearing a feather ornament at the corner of his right eye and an orange neck guard.

***

After a brief moment of distraction, Shin found it amusing. The two people Shiba Kaien found for him... were quite suitable indeed.

Especially that bald guy; he was an absolute battle maniac.

"Correct, I am Tachibana Shin," Shin said as he stood up. "The two of you—"

The bald man grinned widely. "I'm Madarame Ikkaku, 3rd Seat and Vice-Captain's Assistant of the 11th Division. This is Ayasegawa Yumichika, 5th Seat of the 11th Division. Yesterday, Kaien came to me and asked me to accompany a guy named Tachibana Shin at the Shinigami Academy for a little sparring match. I don't know if you have some grudge with Kaien, but kid, you're in great luck!"

Hearing this, Shin smiled as well. "You've misunderstood. I was the one who asked Vice-Captain Shiba to spar with me, but since he was busy with duties, he entrusted the two of you to come instead."

Madarame Ikkaku raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. He didn't care about the specific reason anyway, as he had been bored for the past couple of days.

"Is there a place where we can throw down?"

"Yes, please follow me."

The kendo classroom was empty at this time, and since classes were nearly over, they could use it until evening.

Madarame Ikkaku and Yumichika were led by Shin into the kendo classroom. Ikkaku glanced at Shin and noticed he was also carrying an Asauchi.

"Kid, you shouldn't be an ordinary student, right?" he asked.

Neither he nor Yumichika had studied at the Shinigami Academy, but every year students from the academy joined the 11th Division, so they roughly knew the standard of the academy's graduates.

Shin walked slowly to the center of the classroom and said with a smile, "Ordinary or not, you'll find out in a moment."

Ayasegawa Yumichika suddenly felt that the name Tachibana Shin sounded somewhat familiar, though he couldn't remember where he had heard it.

Shin was already impatient and ready to draw his blade when he was suddenly stopped by Madarame Ikkaku.

"Wait a minute."

Finding it strange, Shin watched as Madarame Ikkaku straightened his posture and gave a light cough.

To Shin's astonishment, Ikkaku suddenly stood on tiptoe, held his sword with both hands, hummed a rhythm, and began doing a bizarre and comical dance right on the spot.

Shin: "..."

Ayasegawa Yumichika, leaning against the wall, couldn't help but avert his gaze slightly.