A few scattered stars overhead, shadows scattered across the ground.
Most of the people gathered at Shin'ō Academy had already left; after a whole day of bustle, the place was slowly quieting down.
Beside Nobu now, in addition to Rukia and Hinamori, were members of the Student Council—Rukia had invited him to join the Council members' dinner tonight.
It had been a while since he'd seen some of them, so Nobu chatted with them for a while, praising how successful this year's festival had been—better than the last two.
They stayed late at a yakiniku place, drinking quite a bit. Many of them crowded around Nobu, asking about things in the Thirteenth Division, and about details from the recent Gotei 13 exchange meet.
During the conversation, Nobu casually asked some soon-to-graduate members which divisions they planned to join, and found that not many wanted to choose Fourth Division.
That was normal. Even though Fourth was beginning to change its image, it had only just begun. To completely turn around its reputation would take a long time yet.
When the gathering ended, a tipsy Hinamori clung to Nobu's arm outside the restaurant and refused to let go.
Nobu could only smile helplessly; it took some gentle persuasion to get another girl to help her back.
"Kaichō is really gentle with Momo, isn't he?"
Rukia said it suddenly at his side, half offhand, half deliberate.
She didn't need to return to the Academy dorms, so now only she and Nobu remained.
"You're not happy about that?" Nobu asked in return.
"…"
Rukia pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
In the distance, the last of the Student Council members disappeared around the corner. Behind them, the yakiniku shop still glowed with warm light; the sound of the owner cleaning up drifted out.
"Kaichō, do you know that Momo likes you?" Rukia asked abruptly.
"I do."
"And… what do you think of that?"
Her clear eyes wavered as she asked.
"How do you see her feelings for you… and how do you see our feelings? Today, Kaichō held my hand, but you also held hers. You ate what I fed you… and also what she fed you. Between me and Momo, everything you did was the same. I can't help wondering… in private, do you also treat Momo…"
Her voice grew quieter and quieter; her gaze dropped away from his face.
Nobu tilted his head.
"Isn't that what you two wanted?"
Rukia froze.
He went on, "I noticed a while ago—something must have happened between you and Hinamori. If one of you does something with me, the other immediately does the same. And somehow you can tolerate it from each other. I can't quite figure it out—especially you, Rukia."
Rukia's head buzzed.
Kaichō… guessed it…
The sudden turn made her forget she had been the one pressing him on this.
Seeing her dazed, Nobu chuckled softly.
"So, what's the agreement between you two?"
"I…"
She didn't know how to answer. Was she supposed to tell him about this so-called "fair competition"? Between her and Hinamori it was one thing—but if Kaichō knew, wouldn't it feel… cheap?
Would he think they were treating him like some object to be won?
Would he think she wasn't taking this feeling seriously at all?
He must have guessed. That's why he's been doing it on purpose.
Her chest tightened in panic, leaving her frozen in place, unable to reply.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Nobu sighed, stepped forward, and gently ruffled her hair.
"If I could guess, I naturally also know why you're doing it," he said.
Rukia looked up at him, hesitant.
"Kaichō… are you angry because of it?"
He tapped her forehead with a finger, smiling.
"What do you think?"
"I'm sorry, Kaichō… Momo, she's my best friend, but…"
She wanted to explain, but her tangled feelings couldn't be sorted out in a few words. After a few murmured half-sentences, she fell silent again.
"Enough. Don't overthink it," Nobu told her—then drew her gently into his arms.
Her face pressed against his chest, she hummed a small question,
"Then… Kaichō, do you like Momo?"
"Sure. She's lively and cute, and she works hard."
Rukia blinked in surprise.
He tightened his hold.
"But the way I like her is different from how I like you."
"…"
Relief softened her expression. She took his words to mean the kind of appreciation one had for an excellent junior. In that case, Momo truly deserved it.
Still… since Kaichō had told her this much, maybe she should find a chance to talk things through with Momo.
"What's that bulging in your pocket?"
"Eh?"
Before she could react, Nobu's hand was already in the pocket of her uniform jacket, fishing something out.
Her mind went blank; a startled "ah" slipped from her lips as she lunged to snatch it back.
But how could she be faster than him? He lifted his hand, glanced at the item in his palm—and his expression turned odd.
Rukia's face burned crimson; she couldn't bring herself to look at him, fingers trembling.
"Give it back…"
Without a word, Nobu placed it in her hand. She stuffed it quickly back into her pocket, head bowed so low it might disappear into her chest.
"I'm leaving…"
Her voice was stiff, ready to flee—but Nobu caught her in one motion, pinning her against the wall.
"Kaichō…"
Her gaze was full of uncertainty and fear, eyes large and glistening. Her violet irises were beautiful—Nobu thought no other girl he knew could match her in that.
"Kaichō, what are you doing?"
He kissed her without answering. Only when her rigid body softened did he slowly release her.
Breathing lightly, her chest rising and falling, she no longer looked afraid. Head tilted back against the wall, she looked at him steadily.
Nobu smiled low.
"Because of this morning… isn't it?"
Rukia bit her lip without speaking, legs unconsciously pressing together.
He leaned closer, their noses brushing.
"I want to check," he murmured.
No…
The word was in her mind only—her voice refused to come. Her vision blurred, as if a clear painting had been soaked through, colors bleeding into each other.
So she shut her eyes.
—sshh—
Kaichō's hand is so cold.
...
Nobu wanted a house.
At the Academy, he'd lived in the dorms; in Fourth Division, in the barracks; in Rukongai, he'd had no fixed home at all.
He'd never really needed one before—but lately, the thought of having a space all his own seemed appealing.
If he'd had one, maybe he wouldn't have let Rukia leave so easily that night.
It was simple enough. Though Seireitei was primarily the domain of the noble clans, seated officers of the Gotei 13 had housing privileges. As Fourth Division's Third Seat, Nobu only had to submit an application to be granted a residence.
Approval would take at most a week.
Location and size, of course, were not his to choose—that was a captain's privilege.
While Nobu was starting the process for his new place, the day of the duel between Ichimaru Gin and Shiba Kaien for the Third Division captaincy finally arrived.
This battle was not like the exchange meet before.
The meet had been sparring at heart; this was a real fight, with almost no restrictions. Any method, any tactic—so long as you won, it was allowed.
Even striking to kill could be forgiven here.
Still, Gin and Kaien had known each other a long time. With no deep grudge, neither was likely to truly go for the kill.
And in the end, the decision lay with the Head-Captain and Central 46; if the victor's methods were dishonorable, they could demand another test for the position.
Even so, the fight's intensity was sure to far surpass any match from the exchange meet.
It might even outshine Nobu's bout with Gin.
For most, who became Third Division Captain didn't matter. This was a rare chance to see a captain-level fight up close—so soon after the exchange meet.
That day, Unohana led several Fourth Division seated officers to the First Division barracks.
First Division had a spacious open-air arena. By the time they arrived, the place was already full.
Kyōraku, Ukitake, Isshin, Aizen—they were all there. Most divisions had sent people; small groups gathered, murmuring.
Ukitake and Aizen, both known for their good tempers, were chatting naturally—showing no sign of tension despite their vice-captains being rivals today.
Kaien and Gin were both present, but not standing by their captains. They stood apart, already facing each other from a distance—Kaien calm, Gin wearing his perpetual smile.
There were many familiar faces. The Thirteenth's high-ranking officers were all here, along with members of the Kidō Corps and Central 46.
And Nobu saw one face that surprised him—Kanisawa.
Only senior Thirteenth Division officers had come, but apparently not all were seated officers.
Hitsugaya from the Tenth was here as well—no surprise, as a newly acknowledged prodigy.
But Kanisawa's presence was unexpected. She seemed to be treated well in the Eighth Division, standing quietly beside its captain and vice-captain. She noticed Nobu and gave a small nod to his smile.
The Third Division was still under Togakushi Rikū's direction. Though he represented the division at captain's meetings, he was far from being part of that inner circle; he himself admitted that Third Seat was as far as he'd go. But today, he cared about the result more than most.
Between Gin and Kaien, who would lead the Third?
Togakushi's preference was clear—Kaien was the better choice. Well-known, good-natured, easy to work with, and personally strong.
If he'd been given the choice between Nobu and Kaien, Togakushi would likely have chosen Kaien.
Unohana went straight to join the other captains. Nobu walked over to Kaien.
"How're you feeling?"
"Alright," Kaien smiled.
He really did seem calm—enough to surprise Nobu. Did he have some hidden card?
Nobu didn't know Kaien's true strength—but today, he'd likely see his bankai.
Kaien's tone was light.
"It's just a fight. Give it my all, and whatever comes—win or lose—that's the result I've earned."
Beside him, a beautiful woman couldn't hide her worry.
Nobu felt another gaze on him—Shiba Isshin. Their eyes met, calm on both sides.
And Matsumoto Rangiku, standing near Isshin, kept glancing—almost involuntarily—toward Gin.
"I believe you'll win," Nobu said to Kaien.
Kaien grinned.
"If I do, you'll have to greet me as Captain Kaien from then on."
It was to distinguish him from Isshin; two "Captain Shiba" in the Gotei 13 would be confusing.
"Deal."
They shared a smile. Kaien studied him for a moment, then said suddenly,
"You'll be a captain yourself one day."
"I'll take that as a blessing. But if that happens, don't go disliking me or looking down on me," Nobu replied with a laugh.
Kaien laughed loudly.
"Never! Why would you think that?"
"No reason. Go on—give it your all."
After Fourth Division, other squads arrived in turn. When most were present, Head-Captain Yamamoto spoke briefly with a few Central 46 members, then had Sasakibe Chōjirō take the stage as host.
As Sasakibe stepped forward, the murmuring crowd fell quiet, all eyes turning to him.
The fight to decide the Third Division's next captain… was about to begin.
---
T/N: 4 chaps meeting this weeks quota, i was too focused on something elseeeeeeeeeeeee ive been playing 7daystodieeeeeeeeeee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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