When faced with the reward for the new check-in mission, Shimo found it utterly impossible to stay calm.
If it had been another swordsmanship style, he might've hesitated.
But this was something else entirely—it concerned the very foundation of a Shinigami's strength:
Spiritual Pressure.
How could anyone even think of refusing that?
And yet… a new problem quickly presented itself.
How the hell am I supposed to bring up visiting Rukia Kuchiki's dorm when I've only just met her?
At Shinō Academy, all dorm rooms were single occupancy.
Making a request like that during their first real conversation? It would be indistinguishable from harassment.
"It's not that I'm worried about seeming like a pervert…"
Shimo rubbed his chin, visibly troubled.
"The bigger concern is that if a certain tsundere siscon finds out… he might actually come after me with a sword."
Rukia, feeling Shimo's strange gaze finally shift away, unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
But for some inexplicable reason, a subtle sense of disappointment lingered in her heart—an annoying unease that made her mood turbulent.
Is it just because I'm new to this place…?
Rukia pondered briefly, then glanced toward Shimo's direction again.
There he sat beneath the faint sunlight, brows tightly furrowed, seemingly deep in thought over some dilemma.
Who is he?
And why did he look at me like that…?
But she was soon drawn back to the lecture, scribbling diligently into her notes like the model student she was.
Shimo, glancing casually at her notebook, suddenly had an idea.
"Seems like there's a loophole I can use…"
The Hakuda class wrapped up quickly. True to form, Sakashita Sekishita, the instructor, demonstrated his decisive nature by ending the lesson the moment time was up—mid-sentence or not.
Then he left the classroom in a rush.
Shimo glanced toward the direction he disappeared—looked like he'd headed for the main gate of Shinō Academy.
"So even instructors here still have to carry out Division duties?"
Puzzled but unconcerned, Shimo dropped the thought.
Around him, students began rising from their seats and heading off to the next class.
With such a tight schedule, Shimo couldn't help but feel a strange nostalgia.
"Feels just like high school…"
"Only… what we're learning is completely different."
Thud!
A stack of notebooks slammed down onto his desk.
Startled, Shimo turned to see none other than Rukia Kuchiki, arms crossed, glaring down at him with an intense expression.
"Hey! Why were you looking at me like that earlier?"
Rukia had never been one to beat around the bush. If she had a problem, she dealt with it head-on.
Her cheeks puffed with frustration, the faintest blush creeping across her face.
She looked angry—but somehow adorably so. It was the kind of expression that made it hard for anyone to take her seriously as a threat.
"It's nothing," Shimo said calmly.
"Just admiring something beautiful, that's all."
He met her gaze directly, speaking every word with absolute sincerity.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kyoraku Shimo."
Rukia hesitated for a moment, then—upholding her usual courtesy—introduced herself as well:
"Rukia."
She deliberately left out the name Kuchiki, which made Shimo pause in thought.
"That's a lovely name."
He barely got the words out before Rukia cut him off.
"Wait—what did you mean by that just now?"
Rukia's curiosity was relentless. She took "getting to the bottom of things" to the extreme.
"It means I was complimenting your looks," Shimo replied, a little exasperated.
How could someone so clever be so dense about this?
Instantly, her cheeks flushed red, and it almost looked like steam was rising from her head.
This… this was new.
Back in Inuzuri, Rukia had lived among filth and crime. She'd fought for survival by stealing, scamming, lying—anything it took.
No one had ever said something like that to her before.
Now, caught off guard, she simply didn't know how to respond.
"I-I… what…"
Shimo reached out gently before she could recover, running his fingers once through her soft, black hair.
"Don't overthink it."
"We've still got another class to get to."
The warmth on her head stunned Rukia for a moment.
By the time she snapped back to her senses, Shimo had already walked out of the classroom.
"Hey!"
"That jerk! He got away with that while I wasn't paying attention!"
She jumped up and chased after him—
But the hallway was empty. Shimo had vanished.
"Damn it!"
"Next class is about to start… I'm gonna be late!"
Looking around and realizing hardly any students were still around, Rukia finally understood the situation.
Clutching her books, she hurried down the hall.
After weaving through several corridors, she finally reached her destination.
"Calligraphy room."
Rukia stared at the sign over the door. "This must be it."
She pushed the door open—
And was greeted by a warm, gentle presence.
Behind a pair of black-rimmed glasses, a soft gaze met hers. A calm, deep voice echoed through the room.
"You're late, young lady."