He Definitely Understood Me!

That was Tachikawa Shin...

Kotsubaki Kotone looked at the refined-looking boy and thought to herself. He was certainly easy to notice.

She had seen Xin's file, which included a photograph, but he was far more striking in person—not only in appearance, but also in spiritual pressure and bearing.

When Xin noticed Kotsubaki Kotone's gaze lingering on him, he immediately realized that information about his Zanpakutō had likely reached the Fourth Division.

Still, she was really tall!

Standing beside a girl like that would have put no small amount of pressure on him.

Kotsubaki Kotone had rarely come out to substitute for a class, but fortunately, she had made some preparations in advance.

At the Spirit Training Academy, Healing Arts Class was merely a category under Kido Class. In terms of importance, it was far inferior to Destruction Arts and Binding Arts, and the academy did not teach advanced healing arts.

"Today, we'll be covering the theoretical knowledge behind advanced healing arts. Advanced healing arts differ greatly from ordinary healing arts. If you master them, they will be far more convenient in practical applications and when treating the wounded. I also hope everyone will take a greater interest in healing arts."

After saying this, Kotsubaki Kotone picked up a piece of chalk, turned around, and began writing on the blackboard. Before long, it was covered in dense text.

After reading it, the students were immediately left somewhat bewildered.

"It's a little... obscure," Shūbīng could not help saying after carefully reading what was written on the blackboard.

"Aoshika, can you understand it?"

Aoshika had the best Healing Arts Class grades in the class. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Barely."

Shūbīng turned to look at the other students. Many of them, Kanazawa included, looked utterly lost. Some had begun whispering among themselves again, saying things like, "What is this even supposed to mean?" and "I can't understand any of it."

After finishing her writing, Kotsubaki Kotone began explaining on her own, directly skipping over the fundamental theory of healing arts.

Those with poor Healing Arts Class grades found it even more incomprehensible.

Hisagi Shūhei first copied down the contents of the blackboard in his notes, then caught sight of Xin listening attentively as well.

"You understand it?" he asked quietly.

"Barely, but it's something I haven't studied before," Xin replied.

His daily training and reading at the library had not covered healing arts.

Hisagi Shūhei knew that Xin was not a lazy person. They had been classmates when they first enrolled, and back then, Xin had been extremely diligent, listening carefully in every class.

Kotsubaki Kotone was not particularly eloquent, so asking her to substitute for a class had truly put her in a difficult position. But this was a task Unohana Retsu had assigned her, so she could only do her best.

It was not until she was halfway through that she noticed most of the students in the classroom were already nodding off, making her heart skip a beat.

Was she explaining it badly?

But there was nothing wrong with the material... Or were they simply uninterested in healing arts?

Besides, the "advanced healing arts" she was teaching were only advanced by Spirit Training Academy standards. If she explained truly advanced healing arts, the students would understand even less.

Kotsubaki Kotone grew nervous. After scanning the classroom, she discovered that Tachikawa Xin was looking at her with bright, focused eyes.

He understood it, didn't he? He was interested in it too...

That let Kotsubaki Kotone secretly breathe a small sigh of relief. After all, Tachikawa Xin was her main objective in coming here.

Thinking about it, that made sense. As someone with a Kidō-type Zanpakutō, how could he possibly be uninterested in healing arts?

Affection: 14

Xin suddenly raised an eyebrow, unable to stop a smile from appearing on his face.

He smiled. He definitely understood it!

Kotsubaki Kotone clearly noticed the change in Xin's expression, and it greatly encouraged her. She immediately continued with her lesson.

The hour-long class came to an end amid Kotsubaki Kotone's unceasing explanation of healing arts theory.

Only when the bell rang did Kotsubaki Kotone suddenly come back to herself. How did I go overtime? While teaching, she had kept watching Tachikawa Xin's reactions. Seeing that he had remained energetic and attentive throughout, she could not help expanding on the material she had originally prepared.

But then she saw the students in the classroom all let out long breaths, their faces plainly saying, "Class is finally over." She could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.

It seemed everyone really was uninterested in healing arts.

Still, she dutifully added one final sentence. "That's all for today's class. Thank you all for your cooperation. Healing arts are a profound and fascinating field of study. If you are willing to work hard, you can gain rewards beyond your expectations. I hope you will explore and study it more after class."

Kotsubaki Kotone left the classroom.

Hisagi Shūhei stretched lazily and could not help complaining, "That was the hardest class I've ever taken."

When he had studied Kido before, the teachers had explained things step by step, allowing him to understand gradually. He had never encountered much difficulty.

But the content of this class became more and more outrageous as Kotsubaki Kotone went on. By the end, even Shūbīng felt as though he were listening to gibberish.

Seeing Xin deep in thought, he asked, "Are you really interested in healing arts?"

"It's all right. Learning more is always a good thing."

Aoshika, beside them, said, "I think Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu taught quite well. Our teachers would never explain things this deeply. It'd be great if she could come substitute more often."

Healing Arts Class was his strongest subject, which was also related to his own interest in healing arts.

"Spare me," Shūbīng said.

After chatting for a few moments, the group was about to get up and leave the classroom when the class monitor hurried over again. "Tachikawa, Teacher Oizumi wants to see you."

"All right, got it."

Meanwhile, in another classroom, Oizumi Rensuke was speaking with Kotsubaki Kotone.

"Lady Kotsubaki Kotone, thank you very much for coming to teach the students, but... what you taught may have been a little too profound for them at the Spirit Training Academy. They have never encountered advanced healing arts."

But Kotsubaki Kotone said, "Only by encountering it can they better understand healing arts and develop an interest in it. There were still several students in class who could understand it, such as Tachikawa Xin. He was very attentive in class."

"Who? Tachikawa Xin? Attentive?" Oizumi Rensuke looked as though he had heard something unbelievable.

Kotsubaki Kotone nodded. "Yes!"

"..."

Oizumi Rensuke remembered that Tachikawa Xin's Zanpakutō was a Kidō type. This matter had already spread throughout the Spirit Training Academy. Perhaps that was why Tachikawa had become interested in Healing Arts Class.

Just then, Xin arrived.

Seeing the boy at the office door, Oizumi Rensuke gestured for him to come in, his gaze upon Xin thoughtful.

He had once been a member of the Fourth Division. Only after leaving the Fourth Division had he come to work at the Spirit Training Academy. Naturally, he hoped more people would be willing to join his former Division of their own accord.

And Xin was an exceptionally outstanding student.

"Then you two can talk. I have something to do, so I'll take my leave first."

After Oizumi Rensuke left, Kotsubaki Kotone finally took a close look at the boy.

His features were clean and pleasant to look at. Thinking that he would be a future junior in her Division, Kotsubaki Kotone revealed a sincere, gentle smile.

"Tachikawa, do you like healing arts?"

There's more later