Like

The evening sword-dojo classroom held two figures weaving through the center, blades clashing in sharp, fierce echoes.

"Stop, stop a moment!"

Izuru Kira panted, waving his hand to call a halt to Renji Abarai, who was still poised to strike.

With that, he collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, and said between heaves, "You're like a monster—do you never get tired?"

Renji Abarai stood there, his expression still riding a high of excitement.

"Izuru, this is nothing—you're not usually this weak!" he said, sounding slightly dissatisfied, resting his wooden sword on his shoulder.

Izuru Kira shot back irritably, "If I had to spar with you every day until I dropped, even I'd wear out, iron man or not!"

Renji Abarai curled his lip and swung his wooden sword hard, as if still craving more of the fight.

Hinamori Momo, who had come with them and was watching their spar from the side, kindly handed Izuru Kira a water flask. Seeing him so exhausted, she scolded Renji, "Abarai, don't treat everyone like they're as freakish as you. Someone like you should really join the Eleventh Division after graduation!"

Instead of getting angry, Renji Abarai looked rather proud and said, "That's exactly what I'm planning."

But Hinamori had only said it offhand; she hadn't expected him to actually mean it. She blinked in surprise. "You're serious?"

"What?"

"I mean about the Eleventh Division."

"Of course I'm serious," Renji said. The Eleventh Division was a combat division, fiercely martial, the strongest of the Thirteen Divisions in fighting power. Most of its members didn't care much for kido, which suited Renji perfectly, given his abysmal kido grades.

"And what about Rukia?" Hinamori asked again.

"What about Rukia?"

"You idiot, Rukia's part of the Kuchiki family now. After graduation, she'll almost certainly go to the Sixth Division!"

"Is that so?" Renji was suddenly dazed; he'd never thought about it.

Hinamori wore an expression that said this guy was beyond saving.

The Sixth Division was an aristocratic division, its members mostly nobles of Soul Society. The current captain was Kuchiki Ginrei, head of the Kuchiki clan, and the lieutenant captain was Kuchiki Byakuya, who would likely take over as captain in the future.

So it was only natural for Rukia to join the Sixth Division after graduation.

"Are you really going to leave Rukia behind and go to the Eleventh Division yourself?" Hinamori pressed.

Renji stood there hesitating for a long moment before saying, "Which division Rukia joins after graduation is her choice—I can't interfere. And besides, my relationship with Rukia isn't what you all think..."

Hinamori couldn't help scolding, "You're so self-absorbed. I didn't say Rukia should follow you to the Eleventh Division—I meant you!"

Izuru Kira, watching from the side, couldn't help adding, "Abarai, honestly, we can all see how you feel about Rukia."

Renji suddenly felt his face heat up—embarrassment, awkwardness, shame, irritation—all kinds of emotions bubbling up at once.

But the Sixth Division wasn't something he could just waltz into. The bar was incredibly high. Rukia now bore the name Kuchiki, so joining the Sixth Division was no problem, but he was just an ordinary commoner student.

An aristocratic division—to be honest, Renji Abarai wasn't all that keen on it either.

But Rukia, she...

Hinamori's words had indeed reminded him. If they ended up in different divisions after graduation, wouldn't their chances to see each other become very rare?

He couldn't exactly ask Rukia to join the Eleventh Division with him, could he?

"Abarai, what are you thinking?"

Hinamori's voice rang out again.

Renji snapped back to reality, gave her a blank look, and said, "Nothing."

Hinamori let out a heavy sigh. Her gaze flickered as she looked at him, and after a moment's thought, she said, "Abarai, a lot of things can't just be left for the girl to take the initiative."

The tall, burly Renji suddenly seemed hesitant, stammering, "You... you've got it wrong. I'm really... not what you think."

Hinamori wanted to say more, but Izuru Kira tugged at her sleeve and gave a slight shake of his head.

Izuru had probably guessed what was on Renji's mind.

Rukia was now the young lady of the Kuchiki family—just that fact alone made her an unattainable presence for Renji.

They still spent every day together, seemingly the same as before, but only because they were still at the academy.

At school, they could be in the same class, but after graduation, that was far from certain.

Izuru Kira changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I haven't decided which division to join after graduation. What about you, Hinamori?"

Hinamori watched Renji's demeanor, silently lamenting, and answered casually, "The Fourth Division."

"What a coincidence?"

"What coincidence?"

Izuru Kira chuckled. "I've heard that members of the Eleventh Division look down on the Fourth Division."

Hinamori laughed too—she'd heard that rumor as well. She turned to Renji and asked, "Abarai, would you look down on me if I joined the Fourth Division?"

Renji seemed distracted, and only managed an awkward smile in response.

Elsewhere.

Inside a meeting room at the Spirit Training Academy.

Xin was giving a detailed report to the Spirit Training Academy leadership, led by Suzumebachi Gyosho, about his ideas for establishing various clubs on campus.

Rukia, as his assistant, stood to the side diligently taking notes, primarily recording the remarks of the school officials.

This was a very formal meeting, and everyone listened with great seriousness. By now, no one dared to underestimate this young Student Council President anymore.

After Xin finished his presentation, Suzumebachi Gyosho spoke: "We've all read the report you submitted in advance. Your explanation today was even more thorough than what was in the report. It's clear you've prepared thoroughly again."

Xin chuckled lightly: "Isn't thorough preparation just what should be done?"

Suzumebachi Gyosho smiled as well: "Personally, I'm very optimistic about the prospects of these student clubs. I believe that once implemented, they will certainly be welcomed and supported by the students."

The meeting ultimately passed Xin's proposal with an overwhelming majority in favor. After it ended, the Principal called Xin aside for a private word.

Rukia waited quietly by the door.

When Xin finally walked out last, she immediately caught up: "President."

"Ah, you've worked hard too, Rukia."

"President, I didn't do much—just took some notes."

"That's still hard work."

Xin glanced at the darkened scenery outside the corridor window and said, "It's gotten this late. Come on, I'll treat you to dinner."

But Rukia hesitated. At this hour, she was supposed to return to the Kuchiki estate.

"What's wrong?"

Xin walked ahead and looked back at her.

Rukia's heart was torn with indecision. Meeting Xin's gaze, she found herself answering against her better judgment: "No, it's nothing."

Xin said with a warm smile, "Then let's go. We'll eat outside the school—I'm tired of the cafeteria."

It was nearly rest time, and at this hour, students weren't allowed to leave the Spirit Training Academy freely. But who could stop the Student Council President with his privileges?

Rukia followed Xin out of the academy's administrative building. As they neared the school gate, she finally couldn't hold back and said quietly, "President, there's someone waiting for me outside the school. I need to go tell them something."

The Kuchiki family servant was waiting to pick her up from school.

In truth, the Kuchiki estate wasn't far from the Spirit Training Academy. Rukia felt she didn't need servants to escort her at all. She had raised this with the family, but it was rejected.

They said that before she officially became a Soul Reaper, having attendants accompany her outside was necessary.

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

Rukia immediately hurried off.

After a few minutes, she came jogging back.

"President, sorry to keep you waiting."

Xin casually ruffled her hair and smiled. "No need to be so formal."

"..."

Rukia pursed her lips in silence, simply lowering her head and letting him do it.

She seemed used to it by now. The President would always pat her head from time to time, messing up her hair even more. Luckily, she didn't usually wear elaborate hairstyles, or she definitely wouldn't be able to withstand the President's "abuse."

A simple short ponytail—after the President's "roughhousing," she could just tidy it up a bit and it would be back to normal.

Because of this, she had hardly ever changed her hairstyle.

Sometimes when Hinamori dragged her to the salon, she would just have it trimmed shorter.

Rukia thought, if Hinamori had that bun hairstyle, after the President messed it up like this, it would definitely be a complete disaster.

At that thought, she suddenly couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing... nothing!"

The two walked into an izakaya not far from the Spirit Training Academy. Usually, quite a few academy students came here.

Seeing that Xin had also ordered alcohol, Rukia asked, "President, do you like drinking?"

"It depends on the occasion. Sometimes I feel like having a bit."

Rukia thought to herself that today the President's club proposal had been approved by the academy leadership—it must be a happy occasion, so that's why he was drinking.

"Want some?"

"I'll pass." Rukia waved her hands repeatedly.

It wasn't that she couldn't drink, but she was already past the time she should have returned to the Kuchiki estate. If she went back reeking of alcohol, that would be too disgraceful.

She still lived cautiously every day in the Kuchiki household.

Xin looked at her with a teasing smile: "What's the matter? A little bit should be fine, right?"

Rukia's face showed distress: "President, please don't push me. I'd be happy to drink with you, but today's circumstances are special, so I hope you understand..."

Seeing this, Xin decided not to press her. But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind.

"Hey, you little rascal, coaxing a girl into drinking—are you up to no good with her?"

SMACK!

A wine bottle suddenly landed on the table before the two of them, making no small sound, its grip held by a fair, delicate hand.

An arm draped itself over Xin's shoulder, and a heavy weight pressed directly onto his back, a thick wave of alcohol wafting over from beside him, mingled with a woman's perfume.

That scent was familiar too.

Xin turned his head and saw Matsumoto Rangiku's refined profile, now flushed with the crimson of drink, a faint smile playing at her lips, her eyes half-lost in intoxication.

"Miss Rangiku?" Xin's voice carried surprise. "What a coincidence."

Matsumoto Rangiku then unceremoniously sat down beside Rukia, who quickly scooted over to make room.

She had clearly spotted the Tenth Division lieutenant's armband on Matsumoto Rangiku's sleeve.

Matsumoto Rangiku tilted her pale neck, looking at Xin as if she were smiling, but she ignored him, instead turning her gaze to Rukia.

"Hello there, I'm Matsumoto Rangiku."

"Greetings, my name is Kuchiki Rukia."

"Oh, so you're that new... adopted child of the Kuchiki family, right?"

"...Yes."

Matsumoto Rangiku looked back at Xin and let out a soft, teasing laugh. "So you're trying to climb the social ladder, huh, kid?"

Xin wasn't annoyed, but he said, "Miss Rangiku, that's rather rude and offensive of you to say."

Rukia quickly explained as well, "Lieutenant Matsumoto, you've misunderstood. The President and I aren't in that kind of relationship!"

"Oh." Matsumoto Rangiku responded, then let out a hiccup.

"Well then, sorry, I misspoke."

She was straightforward about it. Rukia could tell she'd had too much to drink and chose to sit quietly without speaking, only sneaking glances at Xin.

"What brings Miss Rangiku here?"

"Just finished a mission, came to unwind. What about you two?"

"Same, more or less. Just wrapped up some business and came out to relax."

Matsumoto Rangiku looked skeptical. "What business could a student like you have to handle? Besides, it's this late—the Spirit Training Academy shouldn't allow students out, should it? And you're bringing this young lady, Miss Kuchiki, out alone."

"Rukia doesn't live in the dorms; she'll head back to the Kuchiki estate later. I'm the President, so I can come and go from the school freely."

Hearing this, Matsumoto Rangiku burst into laughter again. "You little rascal, you're pretty brazen about bending the rules."

The izakaya owner then brought over the food and drink Xin had ordered.

Xin poured himself a cup and took a sip. Matsumoto Rangiku placed her own cup in front of him, and Xin, seeing this, picked up the bottle to fill it for her.

Matsumoto Rangiku smiled at him warmly. "Tell me, kid, do you still remember who brought you out of the Rukon District?"

"Of course I do. I've always kept Miss Rangiku's kindness to me close to my heart."

Matsumoto Rangiku raised an eyebrow. "But then what did you do? Was that how you repaid me?"

Xin sighed helplessly. "Miss Rangiku, you should know the reason. I truly did intend to join the Tenth Division at first, but I happened to awaken my Zanpakutō right around that time."

Matsumoto Rangiku didn't seem to believe him or not, her drunken eyes flickering.

"You're not very considerate."

"Being too considerate means getting taken advantage of."

"You think I'd harm you?"

"Of course not. I trust Miss Rangiku. When I first arrived in Seireitei, you were the person I trusted most."

Matsumoto Rangiku clicked her tongue, then finished the wine in her cup. Rukia, showing good sense, took the initiative to pick up the bottle and refill it for her, then poured another for Xin.

"And here you are, letting the young lady of the Kuchiki family pour your drinks?"

Rukia quickly said, "Lieutenant Matsumoto, that has nothing to do with it. I deeply respect the President, so I'm happy to do this."

Xin drank his wine with an innocent look.

Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly threw an arm around Rukia's neck and said to her, "This guy always gets the better end of the deal and then plays innocent. You'd better watch yourself—being with him means you'll end up losing out."

Rukia's face flushed bright red in an instant.

"I... I..."

She wanted to explain, but her heart was flustered, and she didn't know how to begin.

Xin spoke up then. "Miss Rangiku, don't try to drive a wedge between us. How could I ever let Rukia lose out?"

"Oh?" Matsumoto Rangiku curled the corner of her mouth. "What do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean by what?" Xin countered.

Matsumoto Rangiku glanced at Rukia, who sat there red-faced and at a loss, then looked back at Xin.

"Are you... are you really..."

She had originally planned to set a trap with her words to tease the two of them, but she found Xin's face utterly calm and composed.

That made Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly lose interest, and she felt she shouldn't have asked that at all.

But then Xin said, "I like her."