Rukia hadn't told Hinamori that Shin had visited the Academy. Not entirely her fault—Ganju had shared the news while Hinamori wasn't around.
But after Shin left, Rukia was in no state to focus.
She still felt… damp and sticky.
Standing alone in the hallway of the empty lecture building, she leaned against the wall for a while, then ducked into the nearest restroom. When she emerged, her face was still flushed.
She never realized before… the President could be so bad!
Or were all boys like this?
Today's encounter made her reconsider all those times Shin had ruffled her hair. Was he always trying to take advantage?
Yet strangely, she didn't mind at all…
Driven by his teasing, Rukia had been forced to discreetly remove a certain undergarment and stash it in her pocket. Now that it was gone, she felt oddly chilly under her uniform.
Thankfully, by the time she returned to the student council office, she had composed herself.
"Rukia!"
Hinamori appeared out of nowhere, staring at her like a hawk.
"Where'd you go?"
"Just went out," Rukia replied casually. "Checked on the main stage setup."
"Oh really?" Hinamori clearly didn't believe her.
Rukia glanced at Ganju, who happened to be watching them too—only to quickly avert his gaze when caught.
"I heard from Ganju that the President came by the Academy," Hinamori added.
Rukia nodded calmly. "I heard that too."
"You didn't go find him?"
"We bumped into each other—along with Hisagi and Aojika. Chatted for a bit," Rukia explained. "I was busy, and the President said he didn't want to interfere with our work, so he didn't stop by the office. He'll be back tonight for the fireworks."
"…"
With Rukia admitting it, Hinamori couldn't exactly press further.
She'd assumed Rukia had rushed off to meet the President after hearing he'd arrived. She'd even gone out to search herself—but found no trace of him.
Still, she felt Rukia was hiding something.
Yet knowing Shin would return for the fireworks did ease her tension.
Rukia brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. The breeze under her uniform made her instinctively press her thighs together—but she kept her composure.
"Back to work. Still a lot to prepare," she said calmly.
By evening, the Academy was flooded with people.
Thanks to the student council's announcement of a fireworks show, shinigami from all Divisions had gathered. Even the Gotei 13 had granted everyone the night off.
Shin arrived alongside Unohana Retsu and Kotetsu Isane.
The festival grounds were packed. Booths selling food and games lined the crisscrossing lanes in orderly grids, every tent lit with colored lanterns. Students shouted over the crowd, drawing people in.
Besides Academy students and shinigami, many in elegant kimono filled the area. This year's Culture Festival had been opened to Seireitei's civilian residents as well.
Shin bought several skewers of syrup-drenched dango at a stall and handed one to Isane.
"Tastes pretty good," she said after a bite.
He turned to Unohana. "Captain, would you like some?"
Unohana gave him a sidelong glance, a small, unreadable smile on her lips, but said nothing.
"I bet Yachiru would love these," Isane said, smiling.
Just as they turned a corner, they spotted a commotion.
At a goldfish-scooping booth stood none other than Zaraki Kenpachi, hulking over the tiny paper net in his hand, struggling to catch a goldfish. Yachiru stood nearby, hands full of snacks, shouting cheerfully, "You're too dumb, Ken-chan! You haven't caught a single one!"
Zaraki looked exasperated. Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika stood flanking him, clearly amused.
Upon spotting them, greetings were exchanged. Kenpachi looked Unohana up and down, then turned his gaze to Shin.
"Kid."
His deep, gravelly voice fit his imposing frame.
"Why haven't you visited Squad 11 yet?"
He was referring to Ikkaku and Yumichika's repeated invitations for Shin to visit.
Shin replied calmly, "I've been too busy. Couldn't find the time."
"You're a Third Seat. That busy?"
"Squad Four isn't like Squad Eleven. We've always got patients to care for."
Kenpachi frowned and glanced at Unohana. Eventually, he muttered, "Fine. Just don't forget to come eventually."
Shin found it funny. He expected Kenpachi to call out his "excuses" as nonsense, but maybe Unohana's presence kept him in check.
Then Kenpachi tossed the scoop aside. "I'm done."
"Ken-chan! You still haven't caught one!" Yachiru protested.
"Ikkaku, buy her two."
"I don't want store-bought! I want to catch them myself!"
"Stop whining!"
"Ken-chan, you're the worst!"
Squad Eleven vanished into the crowd.
Shin crouched where Kenpachi had been, lifted a scoop, and effortlessly caught a goldfish. He turned to Unohana and Isane.
"Captain, Isane-san, want to try?"
"Sure."
Unohana crouched beside him, took the scoop, and plucked a goldfish with the same ease.
For them, such games held no challenge. Isane tried next, intrigued.
The students running the booth were stunned—two captains and the former student council president?!
"Why couldn't Kenpachi-taichō catch one?" Shin asked aloud.
Unohana said nothing, watching her goldfish writhe in the net.
Isane offered, "It requires a bit of finesse and patience. Maybe that's not his strength?"
"He doesn't need that," Unohana suddenly said.
"Catching one proves nothing."
She poured her goldfish back into the tank, set the scoop down, and stood.
"…"
Isane paid and quickly followed her captain.
Shin glanced back at the goldfish swimming away.
Even water can cradle drifting scales—but it cannot wash away the thousand-year rust of mercy.
Some blades are too dull to even part the surface of a ripple.
A streak of light shot into the night sky—then exploded in a burst of color.
All eyes turned upward.
The Seireitei sky bloomed with fireworks.
The noise would surely keep the whole city awake.
Shin munched on taiyaki, cheeks puffed like a squirrel. Isane, watching him chew, burst into laughter.
She turned her gaze skyward, sighing in admiration.
"So beautiful."
Pity the captain was nearby. No chance to be alone with Shin…
She wouldn't dream of leaving Unohana behind just to sneak off.
But a small part of her wondered—what might Shin say to her, if they were alone?
As the fireworks rained light, she looked at him quietly.
Shin met her gaze and smiled. "What's wrong, Isane-san?"
Her face flushed—thankfully masked by the glow of lanterns and the vibrant explosions overhead.
"President!"
Two voices called out, cutting through the crowd.
Hinamori and Rukia appeared, weaving toward them.
Spotting Unohana and Isane beside him, both girls quickly straightened, bowed deeply, and greeted the senior officers respectfully.
Her…
Isane's heart clenched.
She already knew Hinamori—she had delivered the festival announcement days earlier.
And she'd clearly come here for Shin.
That girl definitely liked him.
And the other one… her gaze toward Shin was no different.
Isane's mind spiraled.
Of course girls would fall for him. Handsome, kind, talented…
And after I didn't give him an answer when he confessed… did he lose interest?
He's not tied to me. These two are both so cute, so… normal. Not like me—too tall, too awkward…
Maybe he's already moved on…
"It's you two," Shin said with a friendly smile.
Unohana simply nodded at the girls, then turned her attention elsewhere.
"We knew you'd come," Hinamori beamed.
"Of course I did. You all worked so hard to put this together."
Shin paused, then turned to Unohana and Isane.
"Captain, Isane-san, I'm going to step away for a bit."
Isane watched him walk off with both girls, heart quietly aching.
"What's wrong, Isane?" Unohana asked gently.
"Nothing, Captain," she answered quickly.
"The fireworks are beautiful…"
She tried to focus on the sky, but her thoughts drifted back to that retreating figure.
She watched for a moment longer—then cast her gaze downward, lashes hiding the turmoil in her heart.
Hinamori hadn't wanted to come with Rukia. She feared Rukia would find Shin first—and do something behind her back.
But she couldn't let that happen.
Still, once she did find Shin… and saw Rukia beside him… her joy turned bitter.
A moment alone with him—ruined again.
They tried to find a quiet place to talk—but the entire perimeter was packed with couples. They had no choice but to keep walking through the crowds.
At one point, Hinamori slipped her hand into Shin's.
She glanced sideways—only to see his other hand being held by Rukia.
Her chest tightened.
"You two hiding something from me?" Shin suddenly asked.
Both girls jumped.
"What?! No!"
Their reactions were too quick. Guilty.
They were keeping their private "fair competition" pact a secret from him.
Shin smirked. "The fireworks are gorgeous tonight. Shiba-san must've worked hard."
"They're truly wonderful," Rukia agreed.
"I heard about the Exchange Event," Hinamori said. "You beat a vice-captain who had achieved Bankai… amazing!"
"And I heard you're about to become a captain!"
"Where are you hearing all this?" Shin laughed.
"From my family—and Ganju."
"Hitsugaya told me last week," Hinamori added. "He gave me the full rundown. He's really strong too."
"I'm not planning to become a captain yet," Shin replied. "Squad Three's next captain will be decided in a duel between two vice-captains."
"Why don't you want it?" Hinamori asked, curious.
"Why does there have to be a reason? I just don't."
"Oh…"
Hinamori squeezed his hand tightly, trying to convey her feelings.
She glanced over—only to see Rukia holding the other hand, smiling so gently it almost seemed like they were already together.
A pang of jealousy stabbed her chest.
She let go.
Why's he holding her hand too? Right in front of me…
Doesn't he know how this makes me feel?
But as she pulled away, Shin quietly reached back out—took her hand again—and lightly brushed his fingers against her palm.
Her lips curved up into a soft, glowing smile.