Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!

Inside the Tenth Division barracks, Tachikawa Shin stood dressed in his pristine white haori, flanked by Rangiku Matsumoto. Before them were rows of freshly appointed recruits, assembled for a brief induction ceremony.

"So many familiar faces," Shin said with an easy smile. "I'm sure most of you recognize me."

It had only been a little over three years since Shin became a Shinigami. Three years ago, many of these recruits had been third-year students at the Shin'ō Academy—meaning they'd all seen him back when he was the Student Council President.

Among them, Hinamori stood at the front of the group, staring at him without blinking, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

"I'm Tachikawa Shin, Captain of the Tenth Division. Welcome to Squad Ten. I don't like wasting time with long speeches, so I'll just say this: I hope each of you can do your best here."

The statement was remarkably brief—so much so that Rangiku sighed inwardly in exasperation.

But to her surprise, the new recruits all smiled brightly. Even such a short address from him made them feel at ease.

After all, he was once their President.

Still the same approachable demeanor. No airs of superiority.

Rangiku then stepped forward to continue where her captain left off, explaining the essential things new Shinigami needed to remember.

Not all the new recruits had been part of the Student Council. Some hadn't even come from the Academy at all.

After all, the Shin'ō Academy wasn't the only pipeline into the Gotei 13. Some noble families in Seireitei could bypass formal Academy education and have their children join the squads directly—as long as they passed the necessary tests.

Rangiku wrapped up by saying that each new recruit would have an assigned senior officer to help them get accustomed to squad duties.

Once the ceremony ended, Shin and Rangiku were just about to leave when a blur of motion cut Shin off.

"President!"

No surprise—it was Hinamori.

She smiled a little bashfully. "I guess I should start calling you Captain now."

"Congrats on graduating, Hinamori."

Shin looked her over in her standard-issue shihakushō, then chuckled lightly. "Though hearing 'Captain' from you doesn't exactly sound full of respect."

She puffed her cheeks. "That's because we're close! Of course I can't treat you like just any superior."

Then she turned and bowed to Rangiku. "Vice-Captain Matsumoto."

Rangiku eyed them with a strange expression. That little exchange said more than a few words ever could.

So what she'd casually teased Shin about earlier… might actually be true?

Their relationship wasn't just "friendly" after all.

"Hello, Squad Member Hinamori," she greeted.

Shin said, "You've just joined today, so you'll be busy. If you need anything, talk to your assigned officer."

"I can't come to you instead?" Hinamori asked directly.

Shin replied with some helplessness, "Work matters, sure. But I've got things to do. I'll be heading out first."

There were still plenty of new recruits nearby—he didn't want to draw attention by lingering with her.

"Captain…"

Hinamori started to say something, but Rangiku smoothly cut in, smiling. "Hinamori, I happen to be free right now. Why don't I show you around the squad barracks?"

Hinamori glanced at Shin's fading figure, then smiled again. "That sounds great. Thank you!"

As Rangiku led her away, she shot Hinamori a sly grin. "So... do you like him?"

Hinamori answered without hesitation. "Mm."

Such a straightforward admission caught Rangiku off guard. Most girls her age would blush or deflect. But not her.

As if loving Shin was the most natural thing in the world.

Rangiku blinked, then laughed. "Didn't expect you to be so honest. You're definitely not like the others."

Just the other day, when they were discussing Academy graduates, Shin hadn't seemed particularly interested in Hinamori. Was it a one-sided thing?

Rangiku clearly remembered the time Shin confessed to another girl—right in front of her.

That was a confession, wasn't it?

He had said he liked her. But maybe nothing ever came of it.

Hinamori asked back, "Why wouldn't I admit it?"

"…"

"If your feelings for someone are strong and certain, then you'll have the courage to face anything. If you still need to hide it… maybe you don't like them enough."

Rangiku stood stunned for a few seconds.

This small-framed girl spoke with a conviction that made Rangiku reevaluate her.

She forced a smile back. "You're right. Alright, let's go. I'll show you around Squad Ten."

Rangiku shook off the thoughts crowding her mind and decided to bring up a certain topic as they walked.

"Hinamori, you were in the Student Council, right?"

"Yes. I was Director of Organization before graduating."

"How well do you know your Council President? I mean the current one."

"You mean Rukia?" Hinamori smiled. "We're best friends."

"Is that so?" Rangiku grinned. "She didn't graduate this year, right? Do you know which division she's aiming for? If not, maybe you could convince her to join the Tenth. You're friends—wouldn't it be great to stick together?"

Hinamori abruptly stopped walking.

"Hinamori?" Rangiku asked.

"She's planning to join Squad Thirteen after she graduates."

"Really? No room for negotiation?"

Hinamori shook her head. "She's a Kuchiki. She said it was her brother's arrangement—Captain of Squad Six. She won't go against that."

"I see…" Rangiku didn't press further.

"Well, I'm sure you know other excellent students. If you get the chance, tell them about us. Encourage them to join Squad Ten."

"I'll keep it in mind, Vice-Captain. Oh, right—there's a student named Shiba Ganjū in the Academy. He's top of our class and planning to join Squad Ten too."

Rangiku lit up. She knew the name, but hearing "top of the class" and "joining Squad Ten" together was music to her ears.

"Really?! That's fantastic! Hinamori, you're a real blessing for our division!"

"Oh no, this has nothing to do with me. Ganjū's coming because of the Captain."

"But I only know about it thanks to you," Rangiku said, warmly grabbing her hand. "I really like you, Hinamori."

Blushing slightly at the show of affection, Hinamori hadn't expected the vice-captain to be so approachable.

Was it because of Shin?

Maybe he'd secretly told her to look after her. Maybe that's why she was being so kind.

The thought buzzed in her chest.

Rangiku, watching her adorable reaction, thought privately: Good girl. Hurry up and grow strong, so you can help big sis out someday. Don't be like that freeloader Hitsugaya…

Hitsugaya had just returned from patrol when he went to see Hinamori. She lit up at the sight of him.

"Tōshirō!"

She waved enthusiastically, bringing a smile to his face despite himself.

"You're starting to look like a real Shinigami now."

Hitsugaya eyed her in uniform and commented.

"What do you mean? I am a full-fledged Shinigami! And technically, I entered the Academy before you—I'm your senior!"

"Seniority's based on squad entry, not Academy dates," he shot back. "So, how does Squad Ten feel?"

Hinamori had been looking for someone to share her thoughts with. Without Rukia, Kira, and Renji around, things felt unfamiliar.

She'd always looked forward to joining Squad Ten. Now that she was here, there were new things to explore.

She knew a few people, sure—but not like Rukia and the others.

And she didn't get to say much to Shin either.

She'd imagined their reunion would be special. But it hadn't gone how she hoped.

Just a polite greeting.

And then he left.

Well… he was a captain now. Of course he was busy.

She gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"It's been good. The seniors are nice, the Vice-Captain is great—she even gave me a tour of the whole barracks today."

"You mean Matsumoto? She gave you a tour?" Hitsugaya looked skeptical.

Hinamori nodded eagerly. "Yup. She's beautiful and really approachable."

"…"

Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes. "Did she… say anything in particular?"

"A lot, actually! She explained all sorts of things about Squad Ten. Way more than what we learned about the Gotei 13 rules at the Academy."

"What else?"

Hinamori sensed something off in his tone. She thought a moment and said, "Oh—she asked me to encourage some classmates to join Squad Ten after graduation."

Hitsugaya sighed. "Our vice-captain isn't as simple as she looks. You should be careful."

Hinamori frowned. "That's not fair. I think she's really nice."

"Just remember what I said. You'll understand what she's like in time."

When he first joined, Matsumoto had also been overly kind to him. He'd once believed she was a reliable senior.

Then he became third seat and realized—she just wanted someone else to handle all the work.

Hinamori tilted her head, puzzled, but didn't push further.

"By the way, we're having a little gathering tonight. Want to join?"

"What kind of gathering?"

"Just a get-together for the new recruits—mostly Student Council people. To celebrate us all joining Squad Ten."

"Why would I go?"

"You were in the Council too! And you know everyone."

"Did you invite the Captain?"

"Why would we do that?" she asked.

"He was in the Council too."

Hinamori rolled her eyes. "He's the Captain! Of course he's busy. He can't just come to a casual get-together like this."

Hitsugaya was speechless. "So you remembered he's a captain, but forgot I'm a third seat?"

"So what?"

"…"

"Do you even know what being third seat means? Most people never reach seated rank their whole lives!"

In the Gotei 13, third seat was top brass—just under the vice-captain, sharing responsibility for the squad's operations. For a regular member, the third seat was their immediate superior.

"I know," she said with a shrug. "But you're still you."

"…And the Captain?"

"He's still the Captain."

"…"

Hitsugaya looked at her calm, casual face and suddenly didn't know what to say.

To her, he was still the childhood friend she'd grown up with.

But Shin… that was something else entirely.

"I'll skip your party. I don't know the others that well anyway."

"All right, suit yourself."

Night fell.

Shin remained in his office, still not having left. Rangiku had said she'd take Hinamori to explore the squad that day—but he hadn't seen her since.

By late afternoon, it became obvious she'd skipped out again.

Which meant he had to stay behind and clean up the work she'd dumped on him.

Because he'd only taken over late in the day, time was tight.

Cursing Rangiku under his breath, Shin finally finished everything and collapsed into his chair.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Rare for this hour.

"Come in."

But it wasn't Rangiku.

It was Hinamori.

Her cheeks were flushed. She stepped in, shut the door behind her, and leaned against it.

She smiled slyly. "President~"

"Knew you'd still be here~ hic!"

Her voice had a strange lilt.

Shin's eyes narrowed slightly. "You've been drinking?"