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Shin'o Academy.
More than three months had passed since Hasumi Ren graduated early and joined the Second Division.
Campus life continued as usual—classes, training, and the library.
Everything was the same as before, yet everything felt different.
At least, that was how it felt for Ise Nanao.
At the training grounds in the early morning, Nanao completed her Kido drills alone.
"Hadō No. 31: Shakkahō!"
A scorching fireball erupted from her palm, accurately striking the bullseye over ten meters away and exploding in a bright flash of fire.
Several students nearby cast admiring glances her way.
"Nanao's Kido is as impressive as ever."
"She is the Kido genius of our year, after all."
"You're so hardworking, Nanao-chan."
Nanao lowered her hand and let out a soft sigh.
'A genius?'
She looked down at her palm.
The flow of her Spiritual Pressure was stable and precise; the construction of the spell was flawless.
Unfortunately, she always felt as though something was missing.
"Nanao, want to go grab some food?"
A female classmate walked over and asked.
"You guys go ahead. I'm going to practice a bit longer."
Nanao shook her head and resumed her stance.
The training grounds gradually emptied, leaving her figure alone in the morning light, repeating her Kido drills.
Again and again.
She didn't stop until her Spiritual Pressure was nearly depleted and beads of sweat lined her forehead.
Sitting on the steps by the field, Nanao took a water bottle from her bag and took small sips.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the spot beside her—the corner where Hasumi Ren used to love hanging out.
He would sit there watching others train, occasionally standing up to stretch before returning to his seat.
'That guy was always so lazy. I wonder if he's become any more diligent now that he's in the Gotei 13.'
After her afternoon theory classes ended, Nanao headed to the library as usual.
At her usual spot by the window, sunlight streamed through the glass onto the tabletop, warm and quiet.
She spread out an advanced Kido theory textbook, but she found herself unable to focus.
The seat opposite her was where Ren used to sit.
He would bring strange snacks, and they would read together, occasionally whispering a few words of discussion.
Memories flooded back, causing Nanao's cheeks to flush slightly.
She shook her head, forcing herself to concentrate on the book.
Yet her eyes kept drifting toward the empty seat across from her.
It felt as if any second now, that white-haired boy would walk over with a book, sit down with a grin, and greet her.
But the seat remained empty, just as it had been.
At dinner, Nanao carried her tray through the cafeteria, looking for a place to sit.
"Nanao! There's a spot over here!"
Several girls waved her over enthusiastically.
She nodded and went over to sit down.
"Since Hasumi graduated early, you seem to be spending a lot of time alone lately, Nanao."
One of the girls remarked.
"I'm fine on my own," Nanao said softly.
Nanao whispered.
"But... you two were always together before."
Another girl rested her chin on her hand.
"Anyway, how is Hasumi doing in the Second Division? Have you heard from him?"
Nanao's hand tightened on her chopsticks for a moment.
"Not... not yet."
"Oh? Ah... he must be busy with squad duties. He just joined, after all, so there's probably lots of training... right?"
"Yeah, exactly! I'm sure he'll find time to visit once he's free."
The girls exchanged glances and then laughed it off, trying to smooth over the awkward atmosphere.
The topic was then somewhat abruptly changed.
Nanao ate quietly, listening to her classmates gossip about the latest happenings on campus.
Which teacher shared a new funny story, which class genius broke another record, which new shop opened in Rukongai...
As she listened, Nanao felt that her current life wasn't too bad.
It just felt a bit... plain.
Like a glass of lukewarm water—not too hot, not too cold, easy to drink, but lacking in flavor.
That night, Nanao clutched her textbooks as she walked back to the dormitory.
The campus streetlights were already lit, casting dim yellow glows onto the stone paths.
Occasionally, a student returning late would hurry past, their footsteps echoing clearly in the silence.
She stopped and looked up at the night sky.
The night sky of the Soul Society was always clear, and the stars were bright.
Moonlight spilled down, coating the entire campus in a layer of silver.
It had been a night just like this when Hasumi Ren left.
He said: "I'll find time to come back and see you."
His tone had been casual, like a passing promise.
Nanao had nodded back then, saying nothing, but she had carved the words into her heart.
But so much time had passed, and he hadn't appeared even once.
'Is the Second Division that busy?'
'Or did he... forget his promise?'
"He wouldn't."
Nanao whispered to herself.
"He's not that kind of person."
But if that were true, why hadn't he shown up yet?
A young girl's worries are like tangled silk threads—impossible to unravel, yet impossible to sever.
She continued walking, but her pace was much slower than usual.
The days passed one by one.
Nanao's Kido skills improved steadily. She was now proficient in mid-level Hadō and Bakudō, making her a top student in her class.
Her instructors' praise grew, and her classmates increasingly respected the quiet, brilliant top student.
Everything was going well.
But whenever she was alone, that hollow feeling would quietly resurface.
The library was missing someone to share snacks and books with.
The training grounds were missing someone to hand her a water bottle when she was tired.
The cafeteria was missing someone who would steal food from her bowl just to tease her.
Even while walking across campus, Nanao would unconsciously glance beside her, her expression dazed.
"What's... wrong with me?"
Sitting by her dormitory window, Nanao watched the falling petals outside.
She had always been alone before. She had long since grown used to her own company.
Why did she feel so... lonely now?
It was another peaceful afternoon.
Nanao went to the library as usual and sat in her favorite spot by the window.
Today, she needed to review the history of the Soul Society.
She opened the heavy tome, her fingertips tracing the yellowed pages.
Sunlight filtered through the window, casting warm patches of light onto the text.
The library was quiet, save for the sound of flipping pages and occasional muffled conversation.
Time flowed slowly.
Before she knew it, Nanao began to feel thirsty.
She turned her head, reaching into her bag for her water bottle.
In a daze, she thought she saw a figure sitting down across from her.
He was wearing a Shihakushō and smiling gently, as if he were about to greet her just like he used to.
"Yo, Nanao."
Nanao froze.
She jerked her head up and looked at the seat opposite her.
But it was empty.
Collecting herself, she realized that what she had seen was merely a fleeting illusion.
Biting her lip, she looked down again, trying to focus on her book once more.
Yet the words before her eyes wouldn't sink in.
'Honestly... what an annoying guy.'