Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 53: Hinamori Wants a Drink

Seeing them approach, Kūkaku waved them off mid-cough. "Just a little accident."

Kaien snapped, "You nearly blew the house up!"

"Don't exaggerate! It's just a bit of smoke!"

Shin tried to stifle a laugh at her scorched appearance, only for Kūkaku to glare daggers at him.

"What are you staring at!?"

She stormed past them and vanished into the house, likely to clean up.

The smoke slowly began to clear. Blackened powder residue littered the courtyard floor, and Kaien's expression twitched with visible restraint.

He coughed dryly. "Sorry about that..."

Shin chuckled. "Having a sister like her must keep things lively."

When dinnertime came around, Kūkaku emerged once more—freshly bathed, in clean clothes, looking a lot more presentable, though her arms were wrapped in bandages still seeping blood.

Shin stepped forward. "I know some Kaidō. I can take care of that for you."

Kūkaku raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. A student knows Kaidō?

Kaien added casually, "Shin's already been preselected by the 4th Division."

That made her reconsider. She extended her arm.

The bandages were deeply stained, likely from burns and lacerations. Shin didn't even remove them—he just raised one hand and let his Zanpakutō's energy glow faintly as it touched her wound.

"All done," he said.

Kūkaku blinked. She moved her arm experimentally, only to realize the pain had completely vanished.

"You... that fast?"

Even Kaien was caught off guard. Shin hadn't used a known Kaidō technique—whatever he'd done was something new.

"Just stopped the bleeding," Shin explained. "The rest will heal naturally."

"...Thanks," Kūkaku muttered.

[Affection: 7]

"You're welcome."

As Ganju served the dishes, Shin glanced around and casually asked, "Has Vice-Captain Shiba ever thought of sending his siblings to the Academy?"

Kaien chuckled. "Being a Shinigami is a dangerous job. One per family is plenty."

Kūkaku remained quiet, eating without a word. Ganju looked up, curiosity flickering in his gaze.

In truth, both Kūkaku and Ganju were anything but ordinary. Despite not attending the Academy, they still possessed strong spiritual power and techniques handed down within the Shiba family.

Most noble clans had their own private methods of training Shinigami without involving the Academy. Even if the Shiba Clan had fallen from grace, their roots remained deep. Two Shibas—Kaien and Isshin—currently served as Vice-Captain and Captain respectively.

Shin smiled. "There are roles in the Gotei 13 that don't involve frontline combat. And Vice-Captain, don't forget—you're the honorary chairman of the Student Council."

Kaien froze, narrowing his eyes at Shin thoughtfully.

Ganju piped up. "Big bro, what's a Student Council?"

Shin jumped in before Kaien could answer. "It's a group at the Academy that helps manage student affairs and activities—only the best and brightest get in."

Ganju nodded, looking impressed.

Kaien didn't give a definite answer, clearly mulling it over. He'd never pressured his siblings. As long as they were happy, that was enough.

But Shin had planted the seed: if Ganju or Kūkaku enrolled, they'd be eligible for the Student Council. And they were nobles...

Kūkaku probably wouldn't agree.

Ganju, though...

"Big bro," Ganju asked, "can I go to the Academy?"

Kaien glanced at him. "Do you want to?"

Ganju hesitated, looked at his sister, then nodded.

"We'll talk about it later," Kaien said.

"Okay!"

After dinner, Shin offered to help clean up the courtyard. Ganju tried to refuse.

"You're a guest!"

Kaien laughed. "If he doesn't mind, let him help. It's not like we're good at hosting people anyway."

While they worked, Ganju stayed close to Shin, asking question after question.

"What's it like at the Academy?"

Shin grinned. "Most students come from the Rukongai, though there are nobles too. You'll make friends, train together, and work toward becoming a Shinigami. It's a great place."

Ganju listened with wide eyes, asking even more.

Kūkaku pulled Kaien aside.

"You're seriously thinking of letting Ganju go?"

Kaien nodded. "He seems to want it."

Kūkaku looked over at the pair, her gaze unreadable.

"You could go too, you know."

She scoffed. "Not interested."

"...What's the deal with this Tachikawa Shin, anyway?"

Kaien smiled faintly. "Talented. I originally wanted him in our division—or Uncle Isshin's—but his Zanpakutō is too unique. So he's set for the 4th. But he's a good kid."

That was high praise coming from Kaien.

Though she constantly bickered with him, Kūkaku trusted her brother's judgment absolutely.

"I'll check with Uncle," Kaien said, "see what he thinks."

The four of them spent a long time cleaning.

Eventually, Ganju approached his brother again, looking determined.

"I want to go to the Academy."

"So sure already?"

Shin's words had clearly left an impression. Ganju nodded hard.

Kūkaku interjected, annoyed. "You're calling him Shin-nii now? He's younger than you!"

"He said he's older than he looks," Ganju defended. "And he's a 5th-year, student council president! I'd have to call him senpai anyway."

Kūkaku shot Shin a sharp look.

[Affection: 6]

Shin winced. Dammit—why did it drop again?!

Kaien cut in, "No rush. The next admission window's not until next year."

"Oh..." Ganju said, deflating.

Back in the living room, Shin and Kaien sat for tea.

"I don't want Ganju burdened," Kaien said quietly. "I don't know if he's ready for all that."

Shin shook his head. "Vice-Captain, are you implying I have some ulterior motive?"

Kaien remained silent. But if Shin were really chasing prestige, there were easier routes. After all, his assistant was Kuchiki Rukia—fostered by the most powerful noble family of them all.

"Forget it," Shin smiled. "Pretend I never said anything."

Kaien only smiled in return.

As Shin left the Shiba household, he glanced at Kūkaku's affection level.

Still low.

He sighed. A stranger couldn't expect instant trust or warmth.

That's why he'd built the Student Council in the first place—to create a natural framework for bonds to form. Without it, would he have had any excuse to talk to Rukia or Hinamori daily?

Kūkaku wasn't part of the Academy or the Gotei 13. If he wanted anything to happen there, he'd need to start by earning trust from those around her.

That was true with everyone.

Once he graduated, the daily contact with Rukia and Hinamori would vanish. Time would pull them apart.

He might meet new people, sure—but those Shinigami Wedge rewards? He still wanted those.

Decades might sound long, but to a Shinigami, they passed like a blink.

Student Council HQ.

The members were still sorting through the overwhelming flood of club applications. Ever since the idea was launched, sign-ups from all six years of students had far exceeded expectations.

Each club had over a hundred applicants.

"I'm exhausted," Hinamori groaned, stretching.

Hisagi Shūhei glanced at the darkening sky. "You've all worked hard. Let's call it a day. When the president gets back, we'll make sure he rewards you."

Hinamori rested her chin on her hand. "We haven't seen the president all day. He dumped everything on us and vanished."

Rukia said, "He must have something important to take care of."

Hinamori looked at her and pouted.

The two girls walked out into the quiet campus, saying goodbyes to fellow members.

"I should head back," Rukia said.

"See you tomorrow—"

Just then, Hinamori's eyes lit up. She waved excitedly past Rukia.

"President!"

Tachikawa Shin had just returned, spotting them as they left.

Hinamori trotted up to him. "We didn't see you all day! Where were you?"

Rukia lingered behind, then slowly approached.

"I had things to handle," Shin said. "And you?"

"We were swamped!" Hinamori complained. "These clubs are killing us!"

"You've done well. Let's treat everyone to a meal."

He turned to call the remaining members, but Rukia stopped him.

"We already ate. And I should be heading back."

"Alright. See you tomorrow."

Rukia bowed lightly and left. Hinamori watched her go, then smiled.

"President, I'm hungry again..."

Shin laughed. "Want me to ask the others?"

"They're all gone already..."

Just then, Hisagi walked out.

"Hisagi! Want to grab a late-night bite?"

He was about to agree—until he saw the look Hinamori gave him.

"...I'm not hungry," he said, quickly leaving.

Hinamori beamed and grabbed Shin's arm. "Let's eat outside school, okay?"

"We're not supposed to go off-campus."

"You're the president!"

"And how will you get back to the dorms?"

Hinamori hesitated, then mumbled, "Our dorm matron is... pretty lenient..."

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

She looked down, avoiding his gaze.

"...Alright then. Let's go."

"You're the best! I know a great izakaya just nearby!"

"You're drinking?"

"I worked hard all day, didn't I!?"