Chapter 1: Tachikawa
“Listen, kid, don’t be ungrateful. Isn’t being an officer enough for you? You’re still a student at the Spiritual Arts Academy and already enjoying such privileges—that’s a stroke of great fortune!”
At the tavern table, Shin wore a drunken, bleary-eyed expression, seemingly struggling to make out the striking blonde woman sitting across from him.
The izakaya buzzed with noise; tables were close together, but Shin’s group was particularly eye-catching—not because of Shin himself, but due to the woman opposite him.
“Officer, huh... Which seat are you aiming for?” Shin slurred, tongue thick.
“The twenty-third seat,” she replied.
“Just the third seat, huh,” Shin suddenly realized. “Well then, since Miss Matsumoto Rangiku is so graciously inviting me, I can’t really hiccup—refuse.”
Matsumoto Rangiku’s expression twisted oddly as she looked at the young man before her. “Are you really drunk, or just pretending?”
Then she smiled warmly. “If you want the third seat, that’s fine too. Just beat our current third seat, and I’ll help you with the rest.”
Shin shook his head like a rattle drum. “I hate all that fighting and killing the most.”
With a chopstick, Matsumoto lightly tapped him on the head, a hint of mock irritation in her tone.
“Don’t forget who recommended you to the Spiritual Arts Academy in the first place!”
But Shin wasn’t annoyed. Perhaps because when she leaned over to hit him, he caught sight of something amusing. Resting his cheek on one hand, he looked at her lazily and grinned foolishly. “Of course I remember how good you’ve been to me, Miss Rangiku. You’re really beautiful.”
Matsumoto raised a delicate brow, a half-smile playing on her lips. “Once you join our squad, you’ll get to see me all the time.”
Shin waved his hand drowsily. “No way, I still have classes. Can’t see you every day. I even skipped kendo class today. I wonder if Shuhei covered for me.”
Hearing his nonsensical rambling, Rangiku silently wondered if he was truly drunk.
“I heard you’re quite the legend at school now. Most people skip classes, but you skipped kendo. Doesn’t your teacher know?”
Tachikawa Shin was currently a fourth-year student at the Spiritual Arts Academy. Years ago, Matsumoto had met him by chance in Rukongai and, noting his exceptional spiritual pressure, recommended him to become a Soul Reaper.
Just as she expected, Shin quickly displayed extraordinary talent, especially in kendo. She’d even heard that he once personally defeated the kendo instructor during class.
Such talent naturally belonged in her Tenth Squad! He could help share some of the squad’s duties, especially since their captain was known to be rather lazy.
“Teacher Nanda...” Shin mumbled with a pout. “He’s so annoying, always nagging without end...”
His arm relaxed, and he slumped face down onto the table.
“...”
Matsumoto crossed her arms and sighed softly.
How many times had this happened? Could it be he already had his eye on a particular squad?
Her bright eyes flickered as she suddenly asked, “Has Vice-Captain Shiba approached you? Did he ask you to join the Thirteenth Squad?”
No response came, only the steady sound of breathing—he appeared to have fallen asleep.
Matsumoto curled her lips. What a heartless guy!
She got up to pay the bill, but before leaving, she couldn’t help but softly kick him.
After resting his head on the table for a while, Shin slowly raised it, rubbing his stiff face from the alcohol.
“This woman can really drink!”
[Matsumoto Rangiku]
[Affection Level: 63]
[Every 10 points increase in affection raises spiritual pressure level by 1 and unlocks 1% of the Zanpakutō progress]
[Reaching 90 affection unlocks the full reward]
[Can form Soul Reaper’s Pact; forming it unlocks the third reward]
Staring at the system interface, Shin’s thoughts were sluggish under the influence of alcohol. His tolerance was average, but fortunately, he hadn’t said anything too foolish.
His affection level had dropped by two points since last time—probably annoyed her.
#
At the Spiritual Arts Academy dormitory,
His roommate who had skipped class today was already back, sprawled out on the bed in a starfish position.
“When did you get back?” Shuhei asked.
“About two hours ago.”
“Why so early and not go to class?” Shuhei couldn’t help but say, then kindly warned, “Teacher Nanda was really angry today. You’d better be careful.”
Shin pouted. “Teacher Nanda is still so petty—just skipping class.”
He had been dazed when he got back; going to class felt like courting death. He had to rest a bit before feeling somewhat better.
Shuhei ignored his rogue remarks and asked again, “Did you see Miss Matsumoto again today?”
Shin, lying on the bed with his legs crossed, eyes unfocused as if pondering something, casually replied, “Yeah.”
An image immediately flashed through Shuhei’s mind, and he pressed, “What did she want?”
“She invited me to join the Tenth Squad and said I could be an officer there.”
Shuhei’s expression shifted sharply.
“What seat?”
“The twenty-third.”
After the initial shock, Shuhei’s face grew complicated. He looked silently at Shin lying there.
Noticing the silence, Shin turned to him and chuckled, “What’s wrong?”
Shuhei exhaled and shook his head. “The graduation exams are just a month away. Teacher Nanda asked me and Kanisawa to compile the list for his review.”
The Spiritual Arts Academy’s program was six years. If students completed their courses within four years, they could graduate.
Of course, this was difficult; only a few met the standard, and those who did usually became core members of the Thirteenth Squad, Kido Corps, or the Secret Mobile Unit after graduation.
Graduating from the academy in four years wasn’t too unusual.
“I’m not planning to graduate this year.”
Shuhei was taken aback, then asked, “Didn’t you say you and Miss Matsumoto already...?”
“I never said I agreed to her.”
Shuhei’s expression suddenly broke. “You refused?!”
Shin remained calm. “I want to stay at school for another two years...”
“But Miss Matsumoto promised you an officer position!”
Shuhei’s tone grew heavier.
“The twenty-third seat is nothing special—useless and flashy,” Shin said dismissively, looking out the window with a carefree gaze.
Near the dorm, many cherry trees bloomed, petals drifting down to carpet the winding path in pink. Boys and girls in white uniforms paused or hurried by like a living painting.
“School’s great, being a student is great. Shuhei, don’t you like it?”
“...”
Shuhei was speechless. He had always struggled to understand his friend’s thoughts.
Though his face looked relaxed, those long lashes drooping hid more secrets than anyone.
He had to admit, Shin was quite good-looking, no wonder he was popular in class.
Shuhei sat on his bed, following Shin’s gaze outside, silent for a moment before saying, “I’m not planning to graduate either.”
Shin turned with a bright smile. “Oh?”
Folding his arms, Shuhei calmly said, “I just feel my overall skills aren’t solid enough yet.”
“Hm, you are pretty weak.”
“...”
The once harmonious atmosphere was suddenly broken, nearly taking Shuhei’s breath away. Seeing Shin laugh so heartlessly, he clenched his fists.
Shuhei was usually serious and quiet, but Shin knew from experience that his demeanor masked a fiery spirit.
The first time Rangiku came looking for him, Shuhei was there too. He couldn’t stop sneaking glances at her, which Shin often teased him about, always making Shuhei embarrassed and angry.
Fortunately, Shuhei couldn’t beat him.
[Tachikawa Shin]
[Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv13]
[Spiritual Energy Reserve: 20%]
[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 6%]
[Soul Reaper’s Pact: Not formed]
[Quincy’s Pact: Not formed]
[Hollow’s Pact: Not formed]
Shin’s smile faded slightly as he looked at Shuhei.
“Shuhei, I plan to do something in these two years. I want you to help me.”