Chapter 1 Tachikawa
"I'm telling you, kid, don't be so ungrateful! Isn't a Seat Officer position enough for you? For a Spiritual Arts Academy student who hasn't even graduated, such treatment is an enormous stroke of luck!"
At the Izakaya table, Shin looked bleary-eyed from drink, as if trying hard to make out the golden-haired woman with the impressive figure sitting opposite him.
The atmosphere in the Izakaya was a bit noisy, and the tables weren't far apart, but Shin's table was particularly eye-catching. Of course, what drew attention wasn't Shin, but the person across from him.
"A Seat Officer… Which Seat was it?" Shin slurred, asking.
"Twenty-Third Seat."
"Third Seat," Shin said, realizing. "Well, alright then. Since Miss Rangiku is so kindly inviting me, I can't—*hic*—refuse."
Matsumoto Rangiku looked peculiar, gazing at the young man in front of her. She said, "Are you truly drunk or just pretending?"
She then smiled sweetly and said, "You can be the Third Seat if you want, as long as you can defeat our Squad's current Third Seat. I can help you with the rest."
Shin immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum: "I hate fighting."
Matsumoto Rangiku picked up the chopsticks from the table and sharply tapped him on the head, seemingly a little annoyed.
"Don't forget who recommended you to the Spiritual Arts Academy in the first place!"
Shin, however, wasn't annoyed. Perhaps it was because he caught a glimpse of something when she leaned in to hit him. He just propped his cheek with one hand, lazily looking at her, and chuckled foolishly, "Of course I remember Miss Rangiku's kindness to me. Miss Rangiku is truly beautiful."
Matsumoto Rangiku raised her delicate eyebrows, a half-smile on her face: "Once you join our Squad, you'll be able to see me often."
Shin, however, waved his hand muzzily: "No, I still have classes. How can I see you every day? I skipped Kendo class to come today, and I don't know if Shūhei covered for me."
Matsumoto Rangiku listened to him rambling on, completely nonsensical, and couldn't help but wonder if this kid was really drunk.
She said, "I heard you're quite famous at school now. It's one thing for a regular person to skip class, but you skipped Kendo class. How could your teacher not know?"
Tachikawa Shin is currently a fourth-year student at Central Spirit Art Academy. A few years ago, Matsumoto Rangiku happened to meet him in Rukongai and found his spiritual pressure level to be quite impressive among ordinary people, so she recommended him to become a Shinigami.
And as Matsumoto Rangiku expected, this fellow quickly displayed extraordinary talent at the Spiritual Arts Academy, especially in Kendo. She heard that he once personally defeated the Kendo class teacher in class.
Such a talent naturally had to be brought back to her Tenth Division! In the future, he could also help her share some of the Squad's affairs, seeing as she was stuck with a Captain who always loved to slack off.
"Mr. Minamida…" Shin mumbled, "Mr. Minamida is so annoying, always nagging endlessly…"
As he spoke, the arm propping his cheek gave way, and he slumped onto the table.
"…"
Matsumoto Rangiku clasped her hands in front of her and let out a soft sigh.
How many times has this happened? Could it be that this kid already has a preferred Squad in mind?
Her beautiful eyes shifted, and she suddenly asked, "Has Vice Captain Shiba approached you? Did he ask you to join the Thirteenth Division?"
There was no response, only a steady breathing sound, as if he had fallen asleep.
Matsumoto Rangiku pouted. What an ungrateful fellow!
She got up to pay the bill, but before leaving, she couldn't suppress her anger and gently kicked him.
After lying on the table for a while, Shin slowly lifted his head, rubbing his face, which was stiff from drinking.
"This woman can really drink!"
[Matsumoto Rangiku]
[Affection: 63]
[For every 10 points of affection gained, Spiritual Pressure Level +1, Zanpakuto Unlock Progress +1%]
[Full Base Reward unlocked at 90 Affection]
[Can form a Shinigami's Wedge. Third Reward unlocked after forming.]
Shin looked at the system interface. The alcohol's numbing effect had dulled his thoughts. His alcohol tolerance was very poor, but thankfully, he hadn't said too much extra.
His affection had dropped by two points since last time. He probably annoyed her.
#
Central Spirit Art Academy Dormitory.
Hisagi Shuuhei returned to the dormitory and found that his roommate, who had skipped class today, was already back, currently sprawled out on his bed.
"When did you get back?" he asked.
"About two hours ago."
"If you came back so early, why didn't you go to class?" Shuuhei couldn't help but say, then kindly warned, "Mr. Minamida was very angry today. You'd better be careful."
Shin pouted: "Mr. Minamida's temper is still so small. It was just skipping class."
His mind was muddled when he got back; going to class would have been suicide. He only felt a little better after sleeping in the dorm for a while.
Hisagi Shuuhei ignored his rascal-like remark and instead asked, "Did you go see Miss Matsumoto again today?"
Shin lay on the bed with his legs crossed, his gaze somewhat unfocused, seemingly deep in thought. He casually hummed, "Mm."
A beautiful figure immediately flashed through Hisagi Shuuhei's mind. He asked again, "What did she want with you?"
"She invited me to join the Tenth Division, saying I could be a Seat Officer if I went."
Hisagi Shuuhei's expression immediately changed at the news.
"Which Seat?"
"Twenty-Third Seat."
After the initial surprise, Shūhei's expression became somewhat complex. He looked at Shin, who was lying there, and fell silent for a moment.
Seeing the silence, Shin turned his head to look at him and chuckled, "What's wrong?"
Shūhei let out a light breath, then shook his head. "The graduation exam is in just one month. Mr. Minamida asked Kanisawa and me to compile a list first for him to review and filter."
Students at Central Spirit Art Academy have a six-year program, but if all courses are completed within four years, one can graduate early.
Of course, this is somewhat difficult, and only a few people can meet the standard. These individuals, upon graduation, can generally become core members whether they join Squad Thirteen, the Kido Corps, or the Onmitsukidō.
However, graduating from Central Spirit Art Academy in four years isn't an uncommon feat.
"I don't plan to graduate this year."
Shūhei was startled by the reply, then asked, "Didn't you say you and Miss Matsumoto already…?"
"I never said I agreed to her."
Hisagi Shuuhei suddenly couldn't maintain his composure: "You refused?!"
Shin's expression was normal; he simply said, "I want to stay at school for two more years."
"You… But Miss Matsumoto already promised you a Seat Officer position!" Shūhei's tone suddenly became much heavier.
"It's only the Twenty-Third Seat. It's useless and too showy."
Shin was completely unconcerned, looking out the window, his gaze leisurely.
Many cherry trees were planted next to the dormitory building, their petals falling softly, paving the winding path in pink. Boys and girls in white robes either paused or hurried along, like a painting.
"School is so good, being a student is so good, Shūhei, don't you like it?"
"…"
Shūhei was speechless. He had always found it hard to fathom his friend's thoughts.
His face clearly showed a relaxed expression, but when his long eyelashes drooped, it seemed to hide more worries than anyone else.
He had to admit, Shin's face was quite handsome, no wonder he was so popular in class.
Shūhei then sat on his own bed and followed Shin's gaze outside. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "It just so happens that I don't plan to graduate either."
Shin turned his head, looking at him with a smiling face: "Oh?"
Shūhei clasped his hands in front of him and said calmly, "I just feel that my comprehensive abilities aren't solid enough yet."
"Hmm, you are indeed quite weak."
"…"
The harmonious atmosphere was suddenly broken, causing Shūhei to almost lose his breath. Watching Shin laugh heartlessly, he couldn't help but clench his fists.
Hisagi Shuuhei was usually a relatively serious and reserved person, but Shin, who had known him for a long time, understood that this personality was actually a hidden pervert.
The first time Matsumoto Rangiku came to find him, Hisagi Shuuhei happened to be there, and his eyes immediately started to uncontrollably glance at her. Later, Shin often used this to tease him, always making Shūhei blush with anger.
Fortunately, Shūhei couldn't beat him.
[Tachikawa Shin]
[Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv13]
[Spiritual Power Reserve: 20%]
[Zanpakuto Unlock Progress: 6%]
[Shinigami's Wedge: Not Formed]
[Quincy's Wedge: Not Formed]
[Hollow's Wedge: Not Formed]
Shin's smile faded slightly as he looked at Hisagi Shuuhei.
"Shūhei, I plan to do something in these two years. Will you help me?"