Nanao

After returning to Shin'ō Academy from the Second Division, Wang Xun finally felt that life had settled back into a familiar rhythm.

The sun was setting, and the students on the training ground gradually dispersed.

Wang Xun sat on the steps at the edge of the field, watching Nanao sweat through her practice on the nearby Kidō training ground.

A burst of flame from her Shakkahō blasted the target to pieces. Nanao let out a soft breath and wiped her forehead.

Wang Xun could plainly tell that Nanao had been working harder than ever since returning from the Konsō practicum.

"Senpai."

A familiar voice came from behind him.

Wang Xun turned to see Kaien Shiba strolling over, beads of sweat still on his forehead. He had clearly just finished training too.

"Hey, Kaien."

Wang Xun shifted over to make room for him.

"So, did the Konsō practicum go smoothly?"

"More or less. It's over and done with now," Wang Xun said casually. "But what about you? You've been training so hard lately."

Kaien smiled, his expression somewhat complicated.

"I'm still a long way behind you, senpai. Your progress inspired me, and I felt I should work harder too. I hope I don't fall too far behind you."

Hearing this, Wang Xun thought Kaien had real determination and patted him on the shoulder in encouragement.

The harder you work, the more I improve.

Wang Xun heartily approved of Kaien's diligence.

"By the way, how's Ganju doing lately? He should have gotten in touch with Uncle Ichiraku by now, right?"

At the mention of his younger brother, Kaien immediately looked caught between laughter and tears.

"Speaking of that, I have to thank you, senpai."

"He's been taking that delivery job you arranged for him pretty seriously."

"Now he takes his gang of underlings out on deliveries early every morning, and business is booming."

"Oh, sounds like he's doing pretty well?"

Wang Xun was a little surprised.

"Yeah. That kid's never been this serious about anything before."

There was relief in Kaien's voice.

"Now that he has something proper to do, the house can finally have some peace and quiet, and Kūkaku doesn't have to chase him around and beat him up every day."

Wang Xun imagined the scene and couldn't help laughing.

"That's good, then."

The two chatted for a while as the sky darkened, and Kaien stood up.

"I won't keep you, then. If you're free this weekend, senpai, would you like to come over for a meal?"

"This weekend..." Wang Xun thought for a moment. "How about this? Dinner's on me Saturday night. Let's invite Ganju and Kūkaku and go try the new yakitori at Ichiraku."

"Sounds good. Kūkaku will be thrilled. It's a date, then. See you at Ichiraku on Saturday night."

Kaien agreed with a smile.

He nodded to Wang Xun and left shortly afterward.

Wang Xun looked at Nanao, who was still training, then picked up a cup of water and walked over.

"You must be tired. Take a break."

Nanao did feel somewhat tired when she heard him.

She stopped what she was doing, took the water Wang Xun offered her, and gulped down a couple of mouthfuls.

Wang Xun took the opportunity to absorb the fragments on the ground.

[Obtained Kidō insights ×12, Kidō experience +60]

[Kidō: lv3 (Experience: 2150/3000)]

His lv3 Kidō stood out among his many lv4 skills, making Wang Xun click his tongue.

Looks like it's time to find Kaien and raise my Kidō too.

The sun sank completely below the horizon, and the Reishi lamps around the training ground lit up one by one.

The Spiritual Arts Academy students finished their day's training and left one after another for the dining hall, leaving the training ground empty for the time being.

Nanao and Wang Xun sat together on the steps to one side.

A breeze brushed past, carrying a touch of the night's coolness.

"Wang Xun."

Nanao suddenly spoke, her voice very soft.

"Hmm?"

Rather than looking at Wang Xun, Nanao gazed quietly at the lights in the distance.

"You're actually very strong, aren't you?"

Wang Xun fell silent for a few seconds.

He had known this question would come sooner or later.

"Yes," he admitted frankly. "I have been hiding my strength."

"But I wouldn't call myself very strong. At most, I'm only at a Seated Officer's level. In the vast Seireitei, I don't even rank."

Only at a Seated Officer's level...

For a moment, Nanao didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Nanao bit her lip and murmured.

"In our four-plus years at the Spiritual Arts Academy, I've spent more time with you than anyone else."

"We've gone to class and trained together, gone to the library... but I've only just realized there's still so much about you that I don't know."

"I know everyone has their secrets, and I shouldn't be curious about your affairs, but, but..."

She paused, a tremor creeping into her voice that even she didn't notice.

"I just can't help wondering about the person who always slacked off during training and crammed right before exams, the person who quietly handed me a cup of hot tea when I was absorbed in a book..."

"Was all of that just wishful thinking on my part...?"

Her feelings turned to tears that slipped from the corners of her eyes.

Wang Xun opened his mouth, and as he looked at Nanao like this, he felt something stir in his heart.

He slowly raised a hand and rested it on Nanao's head, gently comforting her.

"The person you know is the real me."

"I don't like training, I love slacking off, and I hate trouble... all of that is true."

He paused, his tone softening.

"It might sound a little sentimental, but the time we spent together in the library was the happiest time I've had at the Spiritual Arts Academy."

"It's just that I need to be more careful about my strength."

Wang Xun spoke softly.

"Nanao, you know what kind of place the Seireitei is. If you're too talented, you'll either be recruited by the nobles or targeted by people with ulterior motives."

"I just want to graduate without trouble, join an ordinary division, and live an ordinary life. And when danger comes, I want to be able to handle it easily, like I did during the Konsō practicum."

He looked up at the night sky, a hint of resignation in his voice.

"Let's not even talk about Tokinada Tsunayashiro before this. You know about him too. Now, because I've shown my strength, the Second Division's captain has her eye on me too."

"She forced me to join the Second Division. I fought as hard as I could, and in the end, I was only allowed to finish this semester..."

As Wang Xun spoke, Nanao quietly wiped away her tears and listened.

At last, Wang Xun sighed softly.

"I'm sorry, Nanao. I really didn't mean to hide it from you."

"For the time we have left, let's keep getting along just like always, okay?"

As Wang Xun spoke softly, Nanao gently rested her head against his chest.

"Idiot, who asked you to apologize...?"

Wang Xun froze and looked down, but all he could see were Nanao's slightly reddened ears.

For a moment, the air fell still.

Even the wind beneath the night sky seemed much gentler.

After a while, Nanao moved her head away and rubbed her reddened eyes, her cheeks flushed.

"What are you laughing at...?"

Seeing the smile on Wang Xun's face, Nanao felt a sudden flush of embarrassment and annoyance and nudged his foot with her toe.

"Nothing." Wang Xun wiped the smile from his lips. "I just didn't expect the little bookworm to have this side to her."

"Who are you calling a bookworm?"

Nanao glared at him, then gave a soft huff and turned her head away.

The two sat there on the steps, quietly watching the night sky.

Before long, Nanao returned to her usual self, and a trace of worry flashed in her eyes.

"You said the Second Division Captain has taken an interest in you, and you'll have to join the Second Division when you finish your studies this year, right?"

"Yeah." Wang Xun shrugged. "Plans can't keep up with change. But since things have already turned out this way, I can only keep going. At least the outcome is good."

The worry in Nanao's eyes did not fade. She had heard of the Second Division's reputation too; it was hardly a benevolent place.

"I imagine the missions you carry out there will be dangerous. You must be extra careful when the time comes."

"Mm, I know. I'll be careful."

Wang Xun stood up, dusted himself off, and held out a hand to Nanao.

"Come on, it's time for dinner."

Nanao's face reddened slightly as she took Wang Xun's hand and stood up.

The two walked side by side.

Just as they always had.