Side Story: Nanao's Day

Shin'ō Academy.

More than three months have passed since Wang Xun graduated early and joined the Second Division.

Campus life continued as usual: classes, training, and the library.

Everything was the same as before, yet there were subtle differences everywhere.

At least that's true for Nanao Ise.

In the early morning training ground, Nanao was practicing her Kidō skills alone.

"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

A blazing fireball flew from his palm, hitting the bullseye precisely a dozen meters away, exploding into a bright burst of light.

Several students around him cast admiring glances his way.

"Nanao's Kidō is still as powerful as ever."

"After all, he's the genius of the Kidō in our generation."

"You're really working hard, Nanao- chan."

Nanao withdrew her hand and let out a soft breath.

genius?

She looked down at her palm.

The flow of Reiatsu was smooth and precise, and the construction of the technique was impeccable.

Unfortunately, she always felt like something was missing.

"Nanao, want to go out for dinner together?"

A girl from the same class came over and asked.

"You guys go ahead, I'll practice a little longer."

Nanao shook her head and resumed her fighting stance.

The training ground gradually emptied out, leaving only her figure repeating the Kidō practice in the morning light.

Again and again.

She only stopped when her Reiatsu was completely depleted and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Sitting on the steps by the field, Nanao took out her water bottle from her bag and took small sips.

His gaze unconsciously drifted to his side, to the corner where Wang Xun used to love to be.

He would sit there watching others train, occasionally stand up and stretch a few times, then go back to his seat.

That guy is always so lazy. I wonder if he's become more diligent now that Gotei 13.

After the afternoon theory class, Nanao went to the library as usual.

My usual spot by the window, where sunlight streams through the glass and falls onto the table, is warm and peaceful.

She unfolded the advanced textbook on the theory of Kidō, but found it difficult to concentrate.

That seat opposite used to be where Wang Xun sat.

He would bring some strange snacks, and then the two of them would read together, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones.

Memories flooded back, and Nanao's cheeks felt slightly flushed.

She shook her head, forcing herself to concentrate on the book.

But my eyes always find themselves unconsciously glancing at the empty seat opposite me.

It's as if the next second, that white-haired boy will sit down with a book in his arms, smiling, and greet me.

However, that spot remained empty, just as always.

At dinner time, Nanao carried her tray and looked for a seat in the cafeteria.

"Nanao- kun, there's an empty seat here!"

Several girls greeted him warmly.

She nodded and went over to sit down.

"Since Wang Xun graduated early, Nanao, you seem to be keeping to yourself lately."

A girl said.

"Yeah, I'm fine on my own."

"Nanao said softly."

"But... you used to always be together."

Another girl is resting her chin on her hand.

"By the way, how's Wang Xun doing in the Second Division? Have you been in touch lately?"

"Not yet."

"Wrong? Ah... that must be because the team is busy, after all, you just joined the team, there's all sorts of training and stuff... right?"

"Ah, yes, yes, he'll definitely make time to come back when he has some free time."

The girls looked at each other awkwardly, then laughed it off to cover up the embarrassing atmosphere.

The topic was then abruptly changed.

Nanao ate her meal quietly, listening to her classmates talk about the latest happenings on campus.

Which teacher told a new interesting story? Which class's genius broke a record? What new shop opened in Rukongai...?

Nanao listened quietly, and felt that her current life was not bad at all.

However, it seemed somewhat bland.

It's like a cup of lukewarm water, neither too hot nor too cold, just right to drink, but lacking a bit of flavor.

At night, Nanao was carrying her textbooks on her way back to her dormitory.

The streetlights on campus were already on, casting a dim, yellowish glow on the stone path.

Occasionally, students returning late would hurry by, their footsteps standing out clearly in the silence.

She stopped and looked up at the night sky.

The night sky in Soul Society is always clear, and the stars are bright.

The moonlight shone down, bathing the entire campus in a silvery glow.

The night Wang Xun left was also like this.

He said, "I'll find time to come back and see you."

His tone was relaxed, as if it were a casual agreement.

Nanao nodded without saying anything, but she remembered it in her heart.

But so much time has passed, and he hasn't shown up even once.

Are the Second Division's tasks very busy?

Or perhaps he forgot about the agreement...

"No, it won't."

Nanao whispered to herself.

He's not that kind of person.

But why hasn't it appeared after all this time?

A young girl's worries are like tangled threads, impossible to unravel or cut.

She continued walking forward, but her pace was much slower than usual.

Days passed by.

Nanao's Kidō skills have steadily improved, and she is now proficient in intermediate-level Hadō and Bakudō, making her one of the best in her class.

Her teachers' evaluations of her grew increasingly higher, and her classmates respected this quiet yet outstanding elementary school student more and more.

Everything went smoothly.

But whenever she was alone, that feeling of emptiness would quietly surface.

The library is missing someone who would share snacks and read books with her.

There was one less person on the training field who would hand her a water bottle when she was tired.

The cafeteria is missing someone who would secretly take food from her bowl and play pranks on her.

Even when walking on campus, Nanao would unconsciously look around, her expression dazed.

"What's wrong with me...?"

Nanao sat by the dormitory window, watching the petals fall outside.

I used to be alone, and I was used to being alone.

Why do I feel... lonely right now?

It was another peaceful afternoon.

As usual, Nanao arrived at the library and sat down in her usual spot by the window.

Today we'll review the history of the Soul Society.

She opened the heavy book, her fingertips tracing the yellowed pages.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm dappled patterns on the pages of the book.

The library was quiet, with only the sound of turning pages and the occasional chatter.

Time flows slowly.

After an unknown amount of time, Nanao felt a little thirsty.

She turned her head to the side, preparing to take the water bottle out of her bag.

Suddenly, I seemed to see a figure sit down opposite me.

The man, dressed in a shihaka (a type of Japanese martial arts uniform), smiled gently, seemingly about to greet him as usual.

"Yo, Nanao."

Nanao was stunned.

She suddenly looked up at the opposite side.

But it was completely empty.

Nanao calmed herself down, realizing that what she had just seen was merely an illusion.

She bit her lip lightly, lowered her head again, and tried to focus on her book.

But he couldn't concentrate on the words in front of him at all.

"What an annoying guy..."