The members of the Tenth Division weren't the only ones confused by Shiba Isshin's sudden decision to take Temporary Leave; Matsumoto Rangiku had no choice but to seek him out personally.
"You're really just going to abandon your entire division like this?" Matsumoto Rangiku questioned angrily. It was bad enough that he slacked off regularly, but now he'd even gone and done something like taking Temporary Leave!
"Oh, don't put it that way. The Tenth still has you, doesn't it? I have total faith in you. And besides, there's still Tōshirō."
Seeing her captain's complete disregard for how absurd his actions were, Rangiku grew even more irritated. "Do you even know what you're doing?!"
"Of course. It's just Temporary Leave, right?"
"Taichō!" Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly raised her voice, but seeing Shiba Isshin's carefree expression, she gradually forced herself to calm down.
"Did something happen?"
"What could happen?"
"Taichō, I'm still your fukutaichō, aren't I? If something's going on, you should tell me," Matsumoto Rangiku softened her voice. "You suddenly pulling this stunt—how do you think our squad members feel?"
Right now, the entire Tenth Division was buzzing about Shiba Isshin's abrupt leave. Though he had always been laid-back in managing division affairs, that didn't mean he wasn't important to them.
His easy-going personality had earned him the genuine affection of his subordinates.
Shiba Isshin lazily waved his hand. "No need to think so much. The Tenth will function just fine without me. Division matters are all yours now, so sorry to dump this on you, but I'll be counting on you."
Matsumoto Rangiku was fuming.
"Then you'd better never come back! Just go and die out there!"
Watching Matsumoto Rangiku storm off, Shiba Isshin gave a helpless, bitter chuckle.
Not long after returning to the Tenth Division and briefly explaining things to Hitsugaya, Rangiku hurried over to the Third Division to see Shiba Kaien. She hoped he could help convince her troublesome captain to reconsider.
Yet after hearing out her request and complaints, Kaien fell silent, merely replying, "I'll talk to him."
"That's great, then. I'm counting on you," Matsumoto Rangiku sighed in relief.
"Hey, you free tonight?" Kaien suddenly asked. "Let's have dinner together."
Instantly wary, Matsumoto Rangiku stared at him. "What do you mean by that? You have a wife, you know!"
Kaien's expression darkened. "It's not just the two of us."
"Then say that clearly! Who else is going?"
"Just a few friends. It's been a while since we got together anyway. Let's go to Nobu's house; he lives alone anyway."
That evening, a whole group arrived at Nobu's place, with Nobu himself being the last to know. Seeing everyone standing at his doorstep, Nobu gave an exasperated sigh.
"At least give me a heads-up."
"It's not like we're mooching off you," Kaien replied, holding two large bags as he ushered everyone inside.
Besides Kaien and Rangiku, the group included Hitsugaya, Kiyone, Kotetsu Sentarō, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Ise Nanao.
When everyone entered the living room, they found Kotetsu Isane already there.
"Ah… hello," Isane greeted them awkwardly, standing nervously and unsure what to do.
"You're here early," Kaien said, mildly surprised. The others seemed unsurprised, though.
"Huh?"
Isane was stunned for a moment. Wait, why wasn't anyone reacting? Could it be everyone already knew about her and Nobu?
At that moment, Kiyone chimed in, "When I told my sister about tonight, she said she had some division work to finish first, so I didn't expect she'd get here this early."
Isane: "…"
She hadn't heard anything about tonight; Kiyone had clearly never mentioned it. Seeing her sister suppressing laughter, Isane flushed with embarrassment.
Fortunately, everyone assumed Kiyone had told her and thought no more of it.
Isane silently rejoiced; if Kaien and the others had come just a little later… who knows what she and Nobu would've been doing…
As the group unpacked their food and drinks in the living room, Isane found an opportunity to drag Kiyone into the bathroom.
"What's gotten into you?"
"Huh?" Kiyone played innocent.
"Why didn't you tell me about this gathering tonight?" Isane demanded.
Kiyone shrugged innocently. "Does it matter? You'd have been here anyway, right?"
"You…"
Kiyone giggled. "What, did we interrupt your romantic evening? Just what were you two planning?"
Seeing her sister's mischievous grin, Isane sighed helplessly. "I haven't decided to make our relationship public yet, so please stop doing this kind of thing."
"Sis, what's there to think about? You two are in a normal relationship, aren't you? What's there to hide?"
"It's none of your business!"
By the time the two left the bathroom, everyone had already gathered around the table, the food and drinks neatly set out.
"Come sit!" Ise Nanao called out.
The girls huddled together, chatting merrily. Nobu looked on helplessly, his home suddenly resembling a noisy marketplace.
Yet, he didn't dislike the liveliness.
After several rounds of drinks, Matsumoto Rangiku began pouring out her grievances, complaining endlessly about her irresponsible captain and how he'd taken leave without even giving advance notice.
Soon, the conversation turned to Shiba Isshin, and naturally, they asked Kaien.
"Kaien-taichō, what's the reason behind Shiba-taichō's sudden leave?"
"I'm not sure either," Kaien shook his head. "He's always been laid-back; maybe he just felt like taking a break."
Nobu and Isane, aware of the true situation, remained quiet.
Even though this was a private gathering among friends, some things weren't suitable to discuss openly.
Kaien quietly sipped his drink. Although he'd organized this get-together, he ended up speaking the least.
"He sure has it easy, dumping everything onto me. What other fukutaichō has it this tough?" Rangiku continued venting.
Nanao softly comforted Rangiku, understanding her plight all too well—having a similarly lazy captain herself.
After thoroughly badmouthing her captain and venting her frustrations, Rangiku enthusiastically encouraged everyone to drink more. After multiple toasts, her cheeks flushed brightly, her speech turning dreamy.
"Why can't I have a handsome, caring, responsible captain?" Rangiku sighed deeply.
"I'd like one too," Nanao nodded in agreement.
Kiyone raised her hand proudly. "Our taichō fits that description perfectly!"
Rangiku shook her head. "No way, too old."
Hitsugaya muttered dryly, "Are you looking for a captain or a boyfriend?"
His comment earned him Rangiku's playful wrath, as she messed up his hair mercilessly. "Little brat, show some respect to your superior!"
It was just an ordinary gathering.
...
By the time darkness had settled deeply outside, everyone gradually departed.
Walking home, Hitsugaya caught up with Kaien.
"Kaien-taichō, about our taichō… you know something, don't you?" Hitsugaya asked.
Kaien was startled. "What makes you ask that?"
"Just intuition."
Hitsugaya had noticed Kaien's slightly strange demeanor at the table.
Kaien pondered briefly. "It's nothing. Uncle probably just wants a break."
After dismissing Hitsugaya's question, Kaien turned to his wife. "What do you think of Nobu?"
Miyako smiled. "He's your friend, isn't he? You should know him better than me."
Kaien nodded. "I'm asking your impression of him."
Miyako paused briefly. "He's a good person. Nice personality, and as a Shinigami, he has a bright future."
Kaien mused aloud. "If I weren't around, would you find him attractive?"
Miyako's smile froze instantly, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
Kaien quickly clarified, "You misunderstand. I phrased that badly. I meant, someone like Nobu—girls generally find him attractive, right?"
Miyako relaxed slightly. "Probably. He's good-looking, and strong too. I imagine plenty of girls like him."
Kaien appeared deep in thought.
"Why are you suddenly asking this?" Miyako pressed.
Facing his wife, Kaien spoke openly. "Do you think… there might be a chance between Kūkaku and Nobu?"
Miyako froze, clearly astonished.
"You want to matchmake them?"
"I've thought about it."
Shiba Miyako pondered for a long moment before responding, "It depends on Kūkaku herself, doesn't it? Even though you're her brother, you can't force her. You know how she is."
"I know. I'm not stupid enough to do something like that. But if they really did get together, wouldn't it be great?"
Miyako considered again carefully. She felt that Nobu was more than good enough to match Kūkaku, but someone with Kūkaku's personality… would any guy really like her?
...
In the days that followed, Nobu frequently received invitations from Kaien to visit the Shiba residence.
Each time, it was always just Kaien, Miyako, and Kūkaku present.
At first, Nobu didn't think much of it. But gradually, he began noticing that Kaien and Miyako were deliberately creating opportunities for him and Kūkaku to be alone. That's when he started sensing something off.
Don't tell me Kaien's trying to become my brother-in-law?
Kūkaku, meanwhile, hadn't thought that far. She no longer rejected Nobu's presence, often enthusiastically describing new fireworks she'd developed, eager to showcase them at the next Shin'ō Academy Cultural Festival.
Shiba Miyako eventually seized a moment to chat privately with Kūkaku.
"What do you think about Nobu-kun?"
"Nobu-kun? Tachikawa Nobu?" Kūkaku asked.
"Yes."
"He's alright, I suppose. Why do you ask?" Kūkaku replied casually.
Miyako chuckled softly. "That's a bit of a lukewarm evaluation. Nobu-kun is famous in the Gotei 13 as a genius Shinigami. He's only been a Shinigami for a little over two years but already has captain-level strength. Appearance, personality, strength—he excels in all aspects."
"That might be true, but what's it got to do with me?" Kūkaku asked, puzzled.
Miyako carefully nudged further, "Such an exceptional man—and he's also your brother's good friend—haven't you ever thought of…"
"No," Kūkaku immediately cut her off. Only now did she understand what Miyako was getting at. Remembering how often Nobu had visited recently, she suddenly frowned. "Is this my big brother's meddling?"
"You can't really put it that way. Your brother and I both hope you find a suitable partner—"
Before Miyako could finish, Kūkaku abruptly turned and stormed out of the room with a cold expression, heading straight to the study. Moments later, Kaien's screams echoed through the house.
"Kūkaku? Kūkaku, what the hell are you— Ah! Let go, you maniac! I'm your brother! Aaah—!"
As Kaien's heart-rending screams filled the study, Miyako sat calmly in the living room, unmoving. With a heavy sigh, she sank onto the sofa.
She was starting to think Kaien wasn't matchmaking—he was throwing his best friend straight into the fire pit.
After that incident, the topic of Nobu and Kūkaku quickly disappeared. Kaien never invited Nobu over again.
...
The agreed-upon month passed quickly.
The First Division issued an announcement: Tenth Division taichō Shiba Isshin, unable to return to duty due to personal reasons, had been officially removed from the rolls of the Gotei 13.
The news instantly sent shockwaves throughout Seireitei.
Although Shiba Isshin wasn't particularly outstanding among the thirteen captains, he'd never made any serious mistakes either. His amiable personality also meant few Shinigami in the Gotei 13 held him in any ill regard.
This event, occurring so abruptly and without warning, left most people stunned, except for the few who knew the inside story.
A handful began speculating about the real reasons behind this.
Shiba Isshin being discharged—was it really only due to personal reasons?
After all, Shiba Isshin had never violated any regulations. Who in their right mind would abandon a perfectly good captaincy and voluntarily leave the Gotei 13?
But such thoughts remained private. No one openly discussed it. Whenever the topic arose, most just nodded along, saying they didn't understand.
The day after learning about Isshin's official removal—and just before the First Division publicly announced the new Tenth Division taichō—
Nobu's home.
"I thought after last time, you wouldn't show up again."
Nobu leaned against the sofa, watching the black cat eating fish on the table before him.
The last time he'd seen this cat had been a month ago.
Chewing the fish, the black cat looked up at Nobu. "I'm leaving soon."
"Leaving? Where to?" Nobu asked, inwardly wondering, Could it be the World of the Living?
He wasn't entirely clear if, from the start, this black cat had stayed continuously in Soul Society, or if it regularly traveled back and forth between Soul Society and the Living World.
"Where I go isn't your business," said the black cat.
"You're really heartless, huh? You've been eating my fish for so long," Nobu grumbled.
"It wasn't like I demanded it. You're the one who insists on feeding me every time."
"So shameless."
The black cat gave Nobu a disdainful glance before continuing to eat.
Nobu remained silent for a long moment, staring at the cat before suddenly speaking again, "Can you help me with something?"
"With what?"
The black cat gave him a strange look. It was the first time Nobu had ever asked it for anything, especially considering he didn't even know its real identity.
What could a cat like me possibly do? Has this guy lost his mind?
Nobu slowly explained, "Help me find a place nobody can discover."