Rangiku Awakens

Sunlight streamed through the paper windows of the Fourth Division's special care ward.

When Wang Xun open the door, he saw Rangiku Matsumoto's open eyes.

Those eyes were bright, carrying the bewilderment of someone just waking up, and a hint of uncertainty about their surroundings.

She lay in bed, still very young, her short orange hair scattered messily on the pillow.

Although her face was still pale and her lips were bloodless, her eyes had already regained some luster.

Wang Xun walked to the bedside.

"Woke up?"

Rangiku stared at him for a long time.

Then, she spoke softly.

"You are... the one who saved me?"

Her voice was soft, with a slight hoarseness.

Wang Xun nodded.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything wrong with your body?"

Rangiku didn't speak, she just looked at him.

Her eyes gradually reddened.

Where's the silver?

Rangiku suddenly asked.

Where is he?

Wang Xun sighed; he knew she would ask that question.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Xun spoke softly.

He didn't come back with us; he probably told you that, right?

Rangiku's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Gin... Gin did say that."

He said there were still some things to do.

Rangiku lowered her head, her eyes showing no blame or resentment, then she raised her head again.

He'll come looking for me, won't he?

In her eyes, there was only a very simple desire to know the answer.

Wang Xun looked at her and nodded gently.

"Yes, don't worry."

Rangiku remained silent for a moment upon hearing this.

Then, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a somewhat forced smile.

"... That's good."

After she finished speaking, she seemed to have used up all her strength, and her eyes closed slightly again.

Wang Xun stood by the bed, watching her breathing gradually calm down, without saying a word.

Footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Unohana pushed open the door and walked in.

She glanced at the Rangiku on the bed, then at Wang Xun.

"Woke up?"

Wang Xun nodded.

"I was awake for a little while, then fell asleep again."

Unohana walked to the bedside and placed her hand on Rangiku's forehead.

A pale green Kaidō Reiatsu probed into her body, and after a moment, she withdrew her hand.

"Her recovery is going well; she's in good health, even better than I expected."

"Moreover, she has good potential. If a piece of her soul hadn't been separated from her, her future achievements wouldn't be low."

Unohana looked at her, her gaze gentle, yet tinged with a hint of regret.

"What a pity."

She said those two words in a very calm tone.

She had seen many such examples.

Highly talented young people are unable to reach the heights they should have reached for various reasons.

Even so, she's still a promising talent.

Unohana continued.

"He has a good foundation and solid Reiatsu. With proper training, becoming a Seated Officer at the very least shouldn't be a problem."

She looked at Rangiku's sleeping face.

"Once she's feeling better, we can ask her if she'd like to become the Soul Reaper."

Wang Xun nodded.

"I will talk to her."

Unohana glanced at him.

"You're quite attentive."

"I will continue to follow up on her matter. As for you..."

She turned her head and looked at Wang Xun.

"Have you run into any trouble lately?"

Wang Xun was taken aback by this question; this wasn't the first time Unohana had asked it.

Unohana looked at him, her gaze calm.

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

"Actually, it's nothing serious, I should be able to handle it myself."

Unohana did not ask any further questions.

She simply looked out the window, her voice very soft.

"That's good. If anything really happens, you can tell me."

"Although the Fourth Division isn't a combat division, it's enough to protect you."

Wang Xun a warmth in his heart.

"Thank you, Captain."

Unohana didn't look back; she turned and left.

"Alright, she's recovering very well and will be waking up more often. There's nothing much to do today, so spend some time talking to her."

"After all, it's best for someone to be by your side when you've just woken up."

Wang Xun nodded, walked back to the bedside, and pulled over a chair to sit down.

When Rangiku awoke again, it was already dusk.

The setting sun streamed in through the window, bathing the entire room in a warm golden light.

She opened her eyes and saw Wang Xun still sitting by the bed, holding a book in his hand.

You didn't leave?

Her voice was a little stronger than before.

Wang Xun closed the letter.

"I'll be leaving soon."

4

Rangiku remained silent for a moment.

"Oh right, I can't quite remember your name. What's your name again?"

"Wang Xun."

She repeated the name softly.

My name is Rangiku Matsumoto.

"I know."

"Did Yin tell you that?"

"Um.

Rangiku fell silent again.

She stared at the ceiling for a long time.

Then, she suddenly said.

"Yin Ta, did you go do something dangerous?"

Wang Xun looked at her.

Why do you ask that?

"Because he didn't take me with him."

Her voice was calm, so calm it didn't sound like that of a child who had just woken up.

"He never abandoned me before."

Wang Xun fell silent.

He didn't know how to answer.

"He does have some things to do," he said softly. "He'll come back to you once he's done."

Rangiku looked at him.

"Real?"

Wang Xun looked into her bright eyes.

"Real."

Rangiku nodded and said nothing more.

She closed her eyes, a very faint smile playing on her lips.

A few days later, Rangiku's condition improved significantly.

She can get out of bed and walk around now, although she gets out of breath after a few steps, but she is much better than when she first woke up.

Unohana would often come to see her, check on her recovery, and occasionally chat with her.

That day, after checking on Rangiku's condition, Unohana suddenly asked...

"Rangiku Matsumoto, do you want to become Soul Reaper?"

Rangiku was stunned.

"Soul Reaper?"

"Right."

Unohana's voice was calm.

"You have a natural aptitude for Reiryoku, and your foundation is quite good."

"With proper training, becoming Seated Officer will not be a problem."

Rangiku remained silent for a long time.

She had never thought about this question.

She was just an orphan from Rukongai, living with Gin.

To her, Soul Reaper was a being high above her.

"Can I?"

She looked up at Unohana.

Unohana nodded.

"As long as you're willing."

Rangiku lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

Then, she suddenly asked.

"Will Gin... also become Soul Reaper?"

Unohana glanced at Wang Xun.

Wang Xun immediately answered.

He isn't yet.

"But one day, he will be."

Rangiku nodded.

"Then I want to be Soul Reaper too."

Her voice was soft, but firm.

"That way, when he comes to me, I won't be a burden."

Wang Xun looked at her, and his heart stirred slightly.

This girl, like that silver-haired boy, was stubborn.

Unohana nodded.

"Alright, then you can stay at the Fourth Division for now."

"Once you've fully recovered, have Wang Xun take you to the Shin'ō Academy."

Rangiku nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Thank you, Captain Unohana."

Unohana waved her hand, turned around, and walked out.

She suddenly stopped when she reached the door.

"Wang Xun."

"Exist."

Keep a close eye on her affairs; after all, you were the one who brought her back.

"Yes."

Unohana pushed open the door and went out.

Only Wang Xun and Rangiku remained in the room.

Rangiku leaned against the headboard, gazing at the sky outside the window.

The setting sun cast a soft glow on her face.

"Fourth Seat Wang Xun."

"Um?

"Thank you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xun smiled and reached out to ruffle the little girl's orange hair.

He then walked to the window, looked at the distant sky, and silently thought about the silver-haired boy.

I don't know when I'll see him again.

Wang Xun's lips curled up slightly.

When they meet again, Gin Ichimaru will surely be very surprised.