Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 77: A Farewell Kiss in the Rain

The graduation exams passed without a hitch. All graduates from the Spiritual Arts Academy received official offers from the divisions.

The student council gathered once more for a farewell dinner.

The izakaya buzzed with life, filled nearly wall to wall by Academy students. Shin had drunk a lot—glass after glass raised in his name by friends and juniors alike. Sentiments flowed easily with the sake, especially from those who had entered the Academy in the same year as him. For many, this was the end of an era.

Even Shūhei, usually composed, was red-faced and swaying, clearly intoxicated. No one had to worry about getting up for class tomorrow—there would be no more classes.

One notable thing: Hitsugaya Tōshirō had also taken the graduation assessment and would be graduating in the same year as Shin.

Hinamori, full of excitement at the start of the evening, gradually turned misty-eyed. The fact that both Shin and Tōshirō were leaving at once was more than she could emotionally process. She drank more than usual, clinging to Shin's arm in full view of everyone, sobbing messily.

Shin spent no small effort calming her down before eventually handing her off to a fellow girl to escort her home.

Outside, a gentle rain had begun to fall.

Shin stood beneath the eaves, the cool mist in the air sobering his flushed face. He rubbed his cheeks hard with both hands, clearing his head. Behind him, the izakaya's warm light spilled through the papered windows, while soft farewells echoed one by one as guests departed.

"President."

He hadn't noticed Rukia at his side. Now, with everyone else gone, only the two of them remained. The izakaya still glowed faintly behind them, but the night had gone quiet.

Shin glanced at her.

[Affection: 87]

He reached out without a word and pulled her into his arms.

Rukia stiffened at first, then gradually relaxed. Her small body rested against him, cheek pressed to his chest.

"President... have you had too much to drink?" she whispered.

Shin didn't reply. He just held her tighter.

Rukia slowly wrapped her arms around his back, pressing in close to his warmth.

"President, I don't want you to leave," she murmured, burying her face against his uniform. During dinner, Hinamori had repeated that phrase again and again. Rukia hadn't been able to say it then—but now, in this quiet moment, she could.

Her fingers clenched at the fabric of his shihakushō, holding him like she'd never let go. She breathed in deeply, drinking in his scent as if he might vanish the second she released him.

Eventually, the strength in her grip eased, and she looked up—fringe damp and swaying in the rain. Shin was already looking down at her, eyes closer than the stars themselves.

She wasn't sure where the courage came from—she rose slightly on tiptoe, but he was already lowering his head.

It was like the entire sky came crashing down.

Her lips, chilled by the rain, were soft as plum jelly touched by night dew. A fragile tremble threatened to break them.

The izakaya's lantern light cast latticework across their faces. Rain fell in sheets along the eaves, enclosing them in a transparent cage. Streetlights in the distance blinked faintly. Wind carried droplets into their hair, and Rukia... Rukia wanted to stay lost in that cold sweetness forever.

She felt the flick of his lashes brush her own. A subtle, maddening itch reached into the deepest parts of her chest. It felt like his soul was sipping from her veins—as though rebirth depended on it.

The rain wove a thin gauze over the entire world.

Rukia knew she should've been home long ago—but she couldn't move. They stood there silently, entwined, unwilling to separate.

It was Shin who finally broke the silence.

"Have you decided which division you want to join?"

Rukia shook her head gently. "No."

She desperately wanted him to say come to the Fourth with me. If he said it, she would. She'd make it happen no matter what.

Shin's fingers played softly through her damp hair.

"I thought you'd say you wanted to join the Fourth. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, huh?"

Rukia bit her lip. Her heart was tangled up—partly because of the kiss, partly because of his question.

Hinamori wants to go to the Fourth too...

She almost said it out loud. But at the last second, swallowed the words.

She didn't want Shin to think of her as jealous or petty. Her feelings were like herself—calm, quiet, never burning, never shouting.

Like the rain falling now—clear, gentle, unending.

[Affection: 89]

Shin exhaled softly. "You should head home."

"..."

"What? Planning to stay out all night?" he teased. "I don't mind, but I'm not sure I want Kuchiki elders showing up at my door tomorrow."

Rukia flushed red, but still didn't let go of his hand.

Shin leaned in and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Come on."

Finally, she released his hand and stepped out into the rainy night. She turned back several times, seeing him still standing under the eaves—still standing in that warm light—until even the izakaya's lanterns had gone dark.

The next day, Shin said goodbye to no one.

He donned the shihakushō that had been issued to him and set off for the Fourth Division alongside Aoyama.

The Fourth's barracks were nestled in one of the most beautiful parts of the Gotei 13.

Its flower: gentian.

A tribute to resilient life.

They were greeted immediately upon arrival.

"You must be Tachikawa Shin, right?"

"I am."

"I saw you speak at the Academy's Culture Festival," the man said, offering a hand. "I'm Iemura Yasochika—Fifth Seat of the Fourth Division, and Assistant Commander of the First High-Level Medical Unit."

"An honor, senpai," Shin replied politely.

Iemura smiled. "I've heard a lot about you. Lieutenant Kotetsu's been watching you with interest."

"It's just empty reputation."

Aoyama piped up. "Nice to meet you, Senpai! I'm Aoyama."

With his glasses and short golden hair, Iemura looked nothing like his rank suggested. He radiated warmth.

He brought them into a spacious room where many new recruits had already gathered—mostly recent Academy graduates. Familiar faces spotted the crowd, and some students came over to greet Shin and Aoyama right away.

After a while, Iemura excused himself, leaving the newcomers to mingle. Small clusters of quiet conversation broke out around the room.

Shin stood quietly. Aoyama, meanwhile, looked visibly excited.

"Shin, what do you think Captain Unohana is like? They say she's beautiful, graceful, and incredibly gentle—you've met her, right?"

"Yeah. Once. The rumors are true," Shin replied nonchalantly.

After a short wait, two figures emerged from the inner chambers.

The room instantly quieted.

Unohana Retsu, clad in her captain's haori, walked with serene steps to the front of the assembled recruits. Her face bore the same tranquil smile that had made her famous.

The Fourth Division was a division of healing. They treated friend and foe alike, championing mercy above all else. It was their core philosophy.

Unohana looked like the embodiment of such mercy—soft-spoken, graceful, radiating peace.

But Shin knew better.

He knew that beneath that mercy lay coiled thorns, thirsty for blood.