"See through me?"
Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes narrowed. Without responding, she lunged again, blade flashing in a flurry of strikes. Each arc of steel blurred into the next, fast and sharp — it was nearly impossible to tell which blow was real, or if all of them were.
But Nobu matched her speed, blocking every swing in turn. Blades clashed and sparked in a shower of light.
Rangiku was growing more and more frustrated.
He looked like he was on the defensive, barely holding her back — yet she couldn't stop attacking. It was as if he was luring her into constant motion, forcing her to strike again and again. Was he really predicting all her moves? Or was the speed gap simply keeping him from countering?
But what if I stop attacking?
Gritting her teeth, Rangiku suddenly pulled back.
In that exact moment, a dull-looking wooden blade slipped in from a sharp angle — so subtle it was almost elegant — grazing her cheek as it passed.
Did he miss?
Or… did she dodge without realizing?
Her breath caught. From the corner of her eye, she saw a strand of golden hair float down, landing softly on Nobu's sword.
She swallowed and froze where she stood.
Nobu slowly lowered his weapon and stepped back.
"Miss Rangiku?"
"…"
She still seemed stunned, lost in that moment when the blade had nearly kissed her face.
From the sidelines, Hisagi Shūhei had witnessed it all. Rangiku, who had been suppressing Nobu from the beginning, had just been…
Defeated?
No way…
Rangiku exhaled slowly and slid her Zanpakutō back into its sheath.
"Is that how you beat your instructor too?" she asked.
Nobu replied calmly, "Nanada-sensei? He's way weaker than you."
When he'd faced Nanada, they'd used wooden swords. Nobu had snapped the instructor's weapon clean in half.
Rangiku gave a short, breathy laugh. She didn't really want to laugh, but she wasn't sure what other expression to make.
Just like that, I lost?
A full-fledged vice-captain — defeated by a student who hadn't even graduated?
Well… in swordsmanship, maybe that's how she could justify it.
Even with that excuse, it still stung.
She recalled the first time she'd met Nobu — a frail-looking boy in the ruins of the Zaraki District, gripping a blade while corpses lay scattered at his feet.
How had I forgotten that?
This kid was far more than just a smooth talker.
"I came here for a reason," Rangiku finally said, turning her gaze toward Shūhei.
He caught her meaning immediately and spoke up, "Right, I just remembered — I've got something to do. I'll leave you two to talk."
Once again, the kendo hall fell quiet. Nobu walked to the side, picked up a water flask, and took a slow drink.
Rangiku took a moment to gather her thoughts. Then she asked, "Vice-Captain Shiba from the Thirteenth — he reached out to you, didn't he?"
"Mhm."
"What seat did he offer?"
Nobu tilted his head playfully. "Miss Rangiku, you give me too much credit. The Thirteenth Division's seats aren't exactly something you pick up off the street."
So you do know how competitive they are, Rangiku thought.
"Then which squad are you hoping to join?"
"I haven't decided yet. Still a ways from graduation, so there's no rush."
Rangiku finally laid her cards on the table. "If you come to the Tenth Division, you'll start as a seated officer. The specific rank depends on your ability."
Nobu smiled lazily. "Miss Rangiku, you're too kind. But all that's still a bit far off. I'll think about it when the time comes."
Rangiku felt a wave of irritation. I'm offering him a real position and he still plays coy? Does he really think he's that special?
Then again, given what he just showed in swordsmanship… maybe he was.
The Tenth Division was primarily responsible for patrols — not especially dangerous, but constant. And with a lazy captain who dumped most of the work on her, Rangiku had been desperate for someone reliable to share the burden.
With his talent, Nobu could easily qualify for a high-seated role once he graduated. Even starting at Tenth Seat, his rise would be swift.
Third Seat — the assistant to the lieutenant.
It wouldn't take him long to reach that position.
Thinking of the captain's earlier instructions, Rangiku decided to take another step forward. "Why don't you name a seat? How high do you want to go?"
Faced with her persistence, Nobu couldn't continue playing the clueless student. He replied, "Miss Rangiku, I'll give the Tenth Division serious consideration after I graduate. Vice-Captain Shiba already asked, but I've decided not to join the Thirteenth."
Rangiku squinted at him. "Really?"
"Really."
He nodded earnestly, then grinned. "I'd love to see you every day, Miss Rangiku."
She rolled her eyes at him, though the motion carried a certain charm. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she remembered the strand he'd cut away mid-duel.
Too bad I couldn't draw out his true strength.
She'd held back — she had to. Going all out on a student wasn't something she could allow herself to do, no matter how talented he was.
After a bit more small talk, Rangiku finally took her leave, returning to the Tenth Division to report in.
"This kid's really something."
After hearing Rangiku's account, Shiba Isshin burst out laughing.
"No wonder he came up with a plan like that. Not your average troublemaker, that's for sure. If you're hoping to get him as your third seat to help with the paperwork, I wouldn't hold your breath."
Rangiku pouted. She was about to reply when something clicked in her mind.
"Wait a minute. I never said anything about offering him the Third Seat. Captain? And what plan were you just talking about?"
Isshin waved her off. "What else is left for someone like him in our division? Honestly, even Third Seat might be beneath him."
Rangiku stared. "Captain, come on. He's not aiming for lieutenant, is he? No one gets promoted that high straight out of school. Even if the strength's there, the experience isn't. Your nephew didn't start out as a vice-captain, either — he started at Third."
Isshin chuckled. "Yeah, and before Kaien, no one thought a fresh grad could become Third Seat either. That's what makes a genius, right? Doing what others think is impossible. Otherwise, the word means nothing."
Rangiku frowned slightly, falling silent.
Isshin added, "Let's leave it for now. If Tachikawa Nobu wants to join the Tenth, he'll come. If not, forcing him won't do us any good. You've done enough, Rangiku."
But Rangiku narrowed her eyes. "No, Captain. You're hiding something."
Isshin gave her a casual smile. "There's a matter that's still under wraps. But you'll find out soon enough."
"…"
Rangiku stared at him, completely baffled.
She was starting to realize that something was going on between her captain and Nobu — something she hadn't been told.
But… they've never even met, have they?
So what the hell did that kid do…?
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T/N: I PRAY TO GOD THIS HASNT BEEN TLED BEFOREEEEE