Kotetsu Isane had been unsettled of late.
Ever since that day when Shin confessed his feelings, he hadn't followed up. Whenever they were alone, they only discussed official matters—never anything personal. And with Isane's personality, she was far too unlikely to bring it up herself. All she could do was cast longing glances as he walked away.
The scheduled sparring exchange between the Fourth and Tenth Divisions took place smoothly. Both squads threw themselves into it with enthusiasm, though in terms of results, the Fourth Division still came up short.
Most of the participants were standard seated officers. Hitsugaya didn't take part—his strength would've been too much like bullying.
Just a few days after the exchange ended, the Thirteenth Division's Vice-Captain, Shiba Kaien, came to visit Shin on his own initiative.
Recognizing it was a casual visit, Shin suggested they meet at a local izakaya.
"I heard you turned down the Squad Three captaincy?" Kaien asked, taking a sip of sake after they'd poured for each other.
"That news already got out?" Shin chuckled.
Kaien nodded.
"I'm just not interested in that position," Shin said simply.
"I see…"
Shin absently spun his cup in his hand, suspecting Isshin's plan was already in motion.
And sure enough, Kaien soon said, "Our captain—Isshin—suggested I try for Squad Three's captaincy."
"Do you think you can win?" Shin asked in return.
Kaien gave him a look. "You don't seem surprised."
"Why would I be?"
"…"
Kaien fell silent, then let out a chuckle. After a pause, he said, "Hard to say. If you're out of the picture, then it's between me and Vice-Captain Ichimaru. But…"
He sighed. "I've never once considered leaving Squad Thirteen."
Shin raised his glass to clink against Kaien's. "This is a good thing for you, though. You're finally getting your moment."
It really was a good thing.
Kaien didn't fully understand why he'd been given the chance. His uncle Isshin was already a captain. He always thought that as long as Isshin held that title, Kaien would remain forever a vice-captain.
Still, there was no bitterness in his heart. He respected Ukitake immensely. He'd have gladly stayed under him forever.
And he genuinely hoped Isshin would remain captain of the Tenth forever too.
But now, suddenly, the Gotei and even Central 46 had relaxed their stance, allowing for two Shiba captains at once.
Captaincy changes in the Gotei usually took decades. If Kaien missed this chance, who knew when the next would come?
"I used to think Ukitake-taichō needed me. That Squad Thirteen couldn't function without me," Kaien said quietly. "But now… his illness is cured. Kiyone and Sentarō are more than capable…"
Shin smiled. "If you're already that clear in your heart, what's there to hesitate about?"
Kaien exhaled deeply. "Yeah… if I win, everyone wins. Even Kūkaku told me to go for it. What am I hesitating for?"
His expression was tinged with melancholy.
They drank slowly for a long time. Kaien didn't say much more. Maybe he just needed someone to sit with while he grappled with the weight of such a major decision.
A good thing—there was no reason to refuse.
"We've never sparred before, have we?" Shin said suddenly.
Kaien chuckled, cheeks flushed. "I don't want to fight you. Losing to you would be too embarrassing."
"Even Gin lost to me. What's the big deal?"
Kaien still shook his head. "Forget it, brat."
Shin laughed and let it go. He guessed Kaien just wanted to preserve some shred of seniority.
He didn't think Kaien could beat him anyway.
But as for Gin vs. Kaien—that was harder to call.
If Kaien had achieved Bankai, then he was certainly on a captain's level.
But Shin knew Gin was still hiding his true power, just like he did during their match.
Thanks to the original manga, Shin knew full well what Gin's true trump card was—and there was no way Gin would reveal that now.
A week later, an announcement came from the First Division.
The captaincy of Squad Three would be determined through a duel between Vice-Captain Ichimaru Gin and Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien, to be held in the presence of all captains, vice-captains, and upper-seated officers.
The winner would become the next Squad Three captain.
The duel was scheduled for two weeks from now.
The news spread like wildfire through Seireitei.
Gin and Kaien—two prodigies compared since their Academy days. Both had graduated in a single year and immediately secured Third Seat positions. Now, both were vice-captains—and rivals for captaincy.
Public interest exploded. The topic eclipsed even the recent Exchange Event.
Unfortunately, the match would not be open to general viewing. Only the upper ranks and Central 46 members could attend.
But before that showdown, another event captured the Court Guard's attention.
The Spiritual Arts Academy's annual Culture Festival was beginning again.
All divisions had been invited.
When Shin heard the news, he sighed. "Time flies."
"It really does," Kotetsu Isane said softly. "Feels like just yesterday I saw you sitting in that classroom."
Her tone was odd, her gaze even more so.
The student who came to deliver the invitation was a girl named Hinamori Momo—and Isane remembered her well.
She'd clearly come to ask about him. Repeatedly.
Unfortunately, Shin had been out on patrol at the time.
But one thing was obvious to Isane: Hinamori had feelings for Shin.
A realization that triggered a subtle surge of jealousy.
Shin sensed something was off—but said casually, "This year's festival will be a bit different. Should be fun."
"…"
He didn't linger. After chatting briefly, he left.
Isane stood there watching his back with growing uncertainty.
What are you thinking…?
Her affection dropped by two points.
Shin wasn't worried. After the incident with Kiyone barging in, he'd adjusted his strategy.
Time to let things cool off.
It was time for the annual festival.
This year's event was the grandest yet, with Rukia Kuchiki—now student council president—personally organizing everything. Thanks to her status, funding wasn't an issue like it had been for Shin in years past.
The format remained much the same.
Shin returned to the Academy with Aojika but didn't go straight to the student council office. Instead, he wandered the campus casually.
He bumped into a few old acquaintances along the way.
"You two look awfully laid-back."
A familiar voice called out.
Hisagi Shūhei, wearing his standard Shihakushō and Zanpakutō at his side, approached them.
Shin grinned. "You're one to talk."
Since becoming Shinigami, the two had rarely crossed paths. Squad Nine and Squad Four didn't overlap much.
Not even Kensei.
The last time they'd seen each other had been during the Exchange Event.
"You're quite the rising star lately," Shūhei said.
"Not really."
"I thought for sure you'd take the Squad Three captaincy."
"No interest."
"If you did, you'd be the youngest captain in Seireitei's history. Fastest promotion from the Academy too."
Aojika nodded beside him, clearly just as puzzled.
"All just empty titles," Shin replied easily. "Doesn't mean anything."
As they strolled through campus, Shūhei asked, "Aren't you going to see the student council?"
"They're probably busy today. No need to bother them."
But as fate would have it, a student council member found them.
Shiba Ganju.
"Big Bro Shin! Shūhei-senpai! Aojika-senpai!"
He was lugging a stack of boxes taller than he was.
"What's all that?"
"Helping my sister."
There would be fireworks tonight.
Shin and the others helped out and followed Ganju to their destination.
Shiba Kūkaku was already there, flanked by two towering retainers.
"You came?" she asked, surprised.
"We ran into them on the way," Ganju explained, then introduced Shūhei and Aojika.
Kūkaku nodded coolly.
"You're already setting up? It's only morning," Shin asked.
"Better early than late," she said, brimming with enthusiasm. "I'm expecting tonight to be the most exciting night Seireitei's had in a hundred years!"
After parting ways with the Shibas, Shin wandered around with his friends a bit longer before preparing to return for the evening.
"President!"
A voice called out.
Someone ran up, breathless—clearly looking for him.
Rukia.
Shūhei and Aojika exchanged knowing looks, greeted her, and politely withdrew.
Rukia stood in front of him, her gaze locked on his.
"You came to the Academy and didn't even stop by the student council?"
"I figured you'd be too busy today. Didn't want to bother you."
He also wanted to avoid running into both Rukia and Hinamori at once. That would be a headache.
"I am busy, but…"
Rukia's voice softened.
She'd heard from Ganju that he was here and had come looking.
Glancing around and seeing the number of people nearby, Shin suddenly reached out and took Rukia's hand.
With a single shunpo, they vanished from the courtyard—causing quite the commotion.
They reappeared in a quiet hallway of the lecture building. Most students were at the festival, so it was empty.
After so long apart, the two embraced instantly. Shin lifted Rukia off the floor, pressing her against the wall, and kissed her without warning.
The near-suffocating kiss lasted a long time before he let her go.
Rukia gasped for breath, face flushed.
"Did you miss me?"
She nodded, cheeks bright red.
"I missed you too."
"Can… can you put me down now?"
Shin gently lowered her.
Rukia tidied her slightly rumpled uniform in silence.
Shin couldn't help replaying the moment. Cute as ever—but yeah… Rukia's figure wasn't exactly…
"You've changed," Rukia murmured, still looking down, ears red.
"Changed?"
"You… weren't this bold before…"
Ah. So it was about his wandering hands.
Their previous kisses had been intense, sure—but always clean, always respectful.
This time, though, Shin's hands had strayed… and not subtly.
Rukia didn't resist—much. But she was insecure about her body. She knew she wasn't the kind of curvy figure men liked.
Someone like Matsumoto—that was the ideal. Even Hinamori was better endowed.
She hadn't thought about these things before, but now… her mind was spinning with doubt.
Shin gently patted her head. "Alright. I'll behave next time."
Rukia's face flared even redder. She hesitated… then shook her head—then quickly nodded.
Shin laughed softly. "What does that mean?"
"It means… whatever. Do what you want, taichō…"