The Choice Between Two Girls

Kotsubaki Kotone said, "I found a few books on Kidō techniques and thought you might be interested, so I brought them over."

Shin looked surprised and smiled. "Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu, you're far too thoughtful!"

Kotsubaki Kotone then asked, "Tachikawa, did you just come back from training?"

She'd heard him mention taking a bath earlier and assumed he'd worked up a sweat from training and washed up before returning.

Shin shook his head as he walked into the office. "I just took a bath for the sake of it. I woke up a bit late today, and the school bathhouse happened to be empty, so I soaked for a while."

The three girls: "..."

Hinamori Momo and Rukia looked at Shin in his casual clothes and damp hair, both thinking the same thing: President, you're way too relaxed. Do you really treat the school like your own home?

Shin hadn't expected anyone to be in the office at this hour. Glancing down at his own attire, he apologized, "Sorry, that was a bit rude. Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu, please have a seat. I'll go change and be right back."

With that, Shin headed straight for the storage room inside the office, leaving the three girls exchanging glances.

Two minutes later, Shin emerged in his uniform, his hair now dry.

Kotsubaki Kotone couldn't help but remark, "Tachikawa, you really are... carefree."

Shin picked up the books she'd brought and flipped through them briefly. They were indeed professional texts on Kidō, ones he hadn't seen in the Spirit Training Academy's library, and clearly quite valuable at a glance.

Still, Kotsubaki Kotone probably hadn't come just to deliver books.

He said, "These books are too precious. Are you really giving them to me, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu?"

Kotsubaki Kotone smiled gently. "Books are meant to be read. They'd just gather dust on my shelf, so it's better to put them in the hands of someone who loves Kidō and let them serve their purpose."

Shin gave a solemn bow. "Thank you very much, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu."

Kotsubaki Kotone's expression softened, and she said cheerfully, "I'm glad you like them. Once you join the Fourth Division, we can discuss Kidō together."

Shin nodded, then turned to Momo and Rukia. "What are you two doing here? Isn't it class time?"

Momo's face showed an awkward smile. "We remembered there was some unfinished work from the Student Council, so..."

Shin raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding that these two had skipped class, and had coincidentally run into Kotsubaki Kotone here.

What Student Council work could possibly require them to skip class? One of the council's core principles was that no work should interfere with members' studies.

Of course, he, as President, was the exception.

Shin didn't call them out in front of Kotsubaki Kotone. He only said, "You two go back for now. You can handle that work after class this afternoon."

"Yes!"

The two obediently left the office.

After Momo and Rukia were gone, Kotsubaki Kotone smiled and said, "The Student Council members are all such diligent and responsible students."

Shin sat down across from Kotsubaki Kotone and followed her lead. "They're both excellent members. After I graduate, they'll be able to continue leading the Student Council."

Kotsubaki Kotone immediately asked, "So when does Tachikawa plan to graduate?"

The Spirit Training Academy operated on a six-year system. Shin was a fifth-year student now, meaning he had one more year of study. But everyone knew that with his skill level, he could have graduated long ago—after all, he had the achievement of killing a Menos Grande on record. Even many current Seated Officers in the Thirteen Divisions wouldn't dare claim they could casually slay a Menos.

Shin said, "Next year."

The academy had only one term per year, from start to finish, with no summer break. When Shin said "next year," he meant he intended to complete the full six years.

His biggest reason for doing so was still Momo and Rukia. Spending every day with them allowed him to keep earning rewards from the system. Once he joined the Thirteen Divisions, he'd meet new people, but the system's Reaper's Wedge had already bound him to Rukia, and he wanted to grow even closer to her.

It was only one year, after all.

Kotsubaki Kotone mused, "But Tachikawa, you're already fully capable of graduating early. Why stay at school? Becoming a full-fledged Soul Reaper sooner would be the better choice for you."

Shin gave the same explanation as always. "The Student Council was only founded recently. Leaving after just one year as President would make me uneasy about it. Besides, I still have some ideas I haven't put into practice, and I think they'd benefit the students."

Kotsubaki Kotone couldn't help but say, "Tachikawa, you're truly a very responsible person. And someone who really considers others."

"Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu flatters me."

Part of the reason Kotsubaki Kotone had come today was because of her captain.

After watching the footage of Shin killing the Menos Grande, Unohana Retsu had asked her, "Is Tachikawa Shin graduating this year?"

The implication seemed to be that she was very much looking forward to Shin joining the Fourth Division.

That was why she'd come to ask again.

Her captain had never seemed so invested in anyone before. In the past, there had been members who awakened Kidō-type Zanpakutō, and she'd only offered simple verbal encouragement. Perhaps the captain thought Tachikawa Shin's talent was extraordinary—a student who had already slain a Menos Grande. Such talent, applied to the exploration of Kidō, would surely yield even more astonishing results.

Shin didn't want to dwell on the topic of his graduation date. Instead, he picked up the Kidō book and said to Kotsubaki Kotone, "Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu, I actually have a lot of questions about Kidō. Would you be willing to answer some for me?"

The Fourth Division's lieutenant captain's eyes lit up, and her smile widened. "Is that so? It just so happens I'm in no hurry to leave."

Kotsubaki Kotone truly loved Kidō, and by extension, she had a fondness for anyone who shared that love.

Kidō's status among Soul Reapers wasn't particularly high. Though they did life-saving work and earned plenty of gratitude, most people still pursued raw power.

Shin wasn't just making up an excuse to change the subject. He genuinely had questions about Kidō. Ever since Kotsubaki Kotone had given that lecture, he'd put more effort into Kidō, but the academy's teachings were limited, and he'd nearly exhausted the library's collection.

As they talked, Kotsubaki Kotone realized that Shin's understanding of Kidō was far from shallow, and her delight grew.

Time slipped by unnoticed. It wasn't until noon, when another Student Council member entered the office, that Kotsubaki Kotone was jolted out of her engrossed explanation for Shin.

"It's already noon?" she said belatedly.

As the two discussed Kaidō, Xin showed no trace of impatience, listening with utmost seriousness and constantly asking questions. She could feel his thirst for knowledge, which made her feel that all her efforts in explaining were worthwhile, and her fondness for this future junior grew even more.

"Time really flies. Thank you so much, Lieutenant Captain Kotetsu," Xin said with a smile. "It's just noon—let me treat you to a meal in the school cafeteria."

Kotsubaki Kotone gently shook her head. "No, I should be getting back."

After all, she was a lieutenant captain, and on non-holiday days, the Fourth Division had plenty of duties for her to handle.

As she prepared to leave, a faint reluctance stirred within her.

Kotsubaki Kotone looked at Xin's clear, handsome face and suddenly felt that perhaps she could spare more time to come to the Spirit Training Academy and teach this junior more often. She would be happy to do so.

"Tachikawa, there's still over half a year left. Half a year can actually accomplish a lot. I still think it'd be better for you to join the Fourth Division sooner."

"Thank you for the advice." Xin just smiled. "I'll consider it."

[Affection: 47]

Seeing her to the office door, Xin watched Kotone's retreating figure, glancing at the system interface from the corner of his eye. He now had a rough direction on how to raise Kotsubaki Kotone's affection in the future.

And he inadvertently noticed another person's information.

[Unohana Retsu]

[Affection: 3]

It was always 2 before, wasn't it?

When did it become...

Since he hadn't seen Unohana Retsu since the Cultural Festival, Xin hadn't noticed the change right away.

After careful thought, he guessed it was probably because of the Menos Grande he had killed. If Shiba Kaien could find out, it was only natural that Unohana Retsu would know too.

Coupled with Kotsubaki Kotone coming to find him this time, Xin vaguely guessed the reason.

If he joined the Fourth Division after graduation, it would be hard to have any peace...

Tch!

Xin let out a soft laugh.

Though his spiritual pressure and body were still weak, when it came to pure swordsmanship, he actually had some confidence.

"What did the Fourth Division lieutenant captain come to see you about?"

Shūbīng, who had been inside for a while, asked.

"Nothing much. Just building rapport."

"You bastard!" The way Shūbīng looked at him always carried a hint of sourness.

"Hm?"

"Man, I'm jealous!"

"Then you'd better work hard too!" Xin laughed and patted his shoulder firmly.

Another reason Xin wasn't eager to graduate early was that his days at the Spirit Training Academy were actually quite comfortable.

He had once said to Shūbīng: School is really great. Being a student is really great...

No pressure, no one around he disliked, spending every day with friends—he wanted more days like this.

And so these relaxed, leisurely days passed one by one.

Occasionally, small incidents would pop up—maybe some conflict between the Student Council and the students. Kanazawa's style was always strict and unforgiving, so clashes between the Discipline Inspection Department and students were common.

But in Xin's eyes, these were hardly major issues. He would occasionally visit the Principal's Office to discuss the future of the Student Council. He had less than two years left at the Spirit Training Academy, but Suzumebachi Gyosho would continue serving for a long time.

His relationships with Hinamori Momo and Rukia were also growing day by day.

But once affection reached a certain level, it increased very slowly. After another two months, Rukia barely edged past 70.

As for Momo, she still hadn't reached 80.

Once, when Xin patted Rukia's head and Momo caught him in the act, her affection dropped by one point instantly.

Xin had felt a great pity at the time, because patting Rukia's head hadn't increased her affection at all.

Once affection reached the 70s, every single point was hard-earned.

Xin estimated that on a scale from 1 to 100, reaching 50 counted as good friends, 60 and above meant closer friends, and 70 and above meant bosom companions.

Of course, affection didn't entirely represent friendship.

Since all the displayed values were for the opposite sex, the numbers were mixed with many complex elements. For example, Kotsubaki Kotone—Xin considered her a fairly good "friend"—had only a little over 40 affection.

And Matsumoto Rangiku had over 60 affection for Xin, but their relationship was far less close than Rukia's had been when she was at 60.

As for the idea that Rangiku might have some romantic feelings for Xin—that was even more impossible. Knowing the original story, Xin was well aware that Rangiku's heart belonged only to Gin.

If he had to analyze it, it might be a certain appreciation for Xin. Though she never said anything nice to his face, she actually acknowledged him as a person.

Similarly, because affection was just a number, it couldn't precisely define the relationship between two people.

It didn't mean that reaching a certain threshold guaranteed a specific kind of relationship.

It could also represent a bond of trust strong enough to entrust life and death. Of course, Xin currently had no intention of developing that kind of relationship with any of the women on his system.

The words "Full Course Reward" were displayed in bright, bold text, so Xin naturally wanted to secure that reward for every person!

However, Hinamori and Rukia made him realize that his relationships with them had reached a certain impasse, settling into a delicate balance.

This left Xin feeling conflicted and troubled, because if he tried to treat one of them better, it might cause the other's affection to drop.

Hinamori's feelings toward him were clearly mixed with a lot of romantic interest. The biggest trait of that kind of emotion was possessiveness—no one would willingly share their beloved with another.

When Xin made slightly intimate moves with Rukia and Hinamori caught them, she didn't say anything or show it on her face, but the shift in her affection score told Xin she was unhappy inside, even angry.

But since she and Xin didn't have a formal romantic relationship, she had no reason to be upset.

Hinamori and Rukia.

How to choose...

Xin began to ponder this.

Reaching 90 affection would unlock the Full Course Reward. After binding with the Reaper's Wedge and obtaining the Full Course Reward, he could also get a third reward and unlock a second Reaper's Wedge binding slot.

The system was cold text, but Hinamori and Rukia were living, breathing, independent people with their own thoughts.

This wasn't really some 18R-rated adult game with a button to boost affection through interactions.

If he chose to focus solely on Hinamori, her affection might reach 90 more easily, letting him claim the Full Course Reward—but then Rukia's side would likely become very difficult.

The reverse was also true, and besides, Rukia's affection might not hit 90 that quickly either.

This gave Xin a headache.

Tough to handle!