That Rangiku would ntion Hitsugaya Tōshirō didn't surprise Shin at all.
Had it not been for the boy, she likely wouldn't have shown up at the Shin'ō Academy in the first place.
In the original tiline, she was the one who discovered Tōshirō in Rukongai and brought him into the Academy—and later, into the Tenth Division. After Shiba Isshin's disappearance, Tōshirō took over as the Tenth Division's captain.
But thanks to Shin, Hitsugaya had entered the Academy five years earlier than expected.
"I know him," Shin said, swirling his drink. "He's part of the Student Council now—our local prodigy. But if you're here for him, Miss Rangiku, I'm afraid you're late. Vice-Captain Shiba already paid a visit yesterday."
Rangiku paused, brows gently furrowing. "So... Hitsugaya Tōshirō has agreed to join Squad Thirteen?"
With sixth-grade reiryoku, and if things went smoothly, he could graduate within a year—just like Ichimaru Gin and Shiba Kaien once had.
Shin took a sip. "Not exactly. What I ant is, if you wanted to pull strings through , you're late. I already promised Vice-Captain Shiba I'd speak favorably about Squad Thirteen to Hitsugaya. If you want him for the Tenth, you'd better make your pitch in person."
Rangiku idly toyed with her glass, watching the sake swirl and shimr like liquid moonlight. Her eyes flicked up to et his. "And what does Hitsugaya want?"
"He's fresh out of Rukongai. Doesn't have any preferences yet."
"In that case," she murmured, "a student council president like you could influence him quite a bit."
Shin smiled. "Can't say. We're not that close."
Rangiku's face broke into a sunny smile. She lifted her glass. "You know, it's been a long ti since we drank together, Shin."
The way she purred his na—lazy, sultry, drawn-out—sent a pleasant tremor down his spine.
No wonder Hinamori and Rukia didn't stand a chance against this full-grown fem fatale.
He grinned and clinked her glass. "Only because Miss Rangiku is always so busy."
One round in, and Rangiku sighed dramatically. "Busy's putting it lightly. My captain's a slacker of the highest order. If I weren't holding everything together, the division would've gone up in flas."
She leaned her head into one arm, her eyes half-lidded with theatrical exhaustion.
"I was hoping once you joined the Tenth, I'd have soone to share the load... but alas..."
She refilled her glass, sleeve slipping to reveal a slender, pale wrist.
Shin took another sip, expression unreadable. This woman could act circles around most actors.
But he liked watching.
"You're the backbone of your squad. Captain Shiba should be more considerate."
"Captain Shiba?" Rangiku snorted into her drink.
They clinked again.
Then she leaned forward—her generous bust practically settling on the table.
"If I could rely on him, would I be here now?" she sighed.
Shin feigned offense. "What, Miss Rangiku? Can't I believe you ca just to see ?"
She rolled her eyes at him—dark irises like molten honey, lashes fluttering like waking butterflies.
He squird slightly. This woman was a walking heart attack.
"I just want soone by my side I can count on."
"I could be that soone."
"But you're not joining the Tenth Division."
"Alas." He sighed lodramatically.
Rangiku imdiately brightened. "Then how about... Hitsugaya?"
Shin hesitated, wearing a guilty frown. "But I already promised Shiba-san."
"Shiiin~"
The drawn-out syllable trickled down his spine like warm sake. It slled of jasmine and desire, brewed with the patience of a master manipulator.
"Can't you... find a way?"
She didn't bring up the ti she brought him out of Zaraki district. Didn't ntion debts or gratitude.
She didn't need to.
Her expression, tone, and presence were weapons more potent than any sword.
One hand drifted to her collarbone, brushing casually downward along the neckline of her half-open kimono. The motion looked like she was adjusting it—but her fingertips trailed too far, too slowly, pressing gently into soft, snowy flesh.
Shin stopped breathing.
He watched the fabric shift. Watched those fingers create little waves in that sea of cleavage.
Hsss...
He downed a full glass in one go, only for the heat of the liquor to explode in his throat like wildfire.
He choked, coughed, sputtered.
Rangiku gave him a perfectly innocent look, blinking wide-eyed. "Shin?"
He coughed again, trying to collect himself. No regrets. Totally worth it.
But he couldn't let her think she'd won.
He grimaced, glanced aside, feigning a bitter smile. "Alright, alright, Miss Rangiku. You can stop toying with now."
Her eyes glead with sothing unreadable.
Shin added, "I made a promise to Vice-Captain Shiba, and I'll keep it... But I can still talk up Squad Ten a little. Since your captain is his uncle, I doubt he'd mind."
A victorious smile unfurled on her lips.
"I knew you wouldn't refuse . You're still that sa little street rat I brought into the Academy."
Shin lifted his glass in salute. "And I'll never forget that."
[Affection 2 → 66]
Only two points... Shin sighed internally.
After a few more drinks, Rangiku smirked at him.
"Say, Shin... Why'd you shift in your seat earlier?"
"..."
Is that sothing people ask out loud?!
Shin kept his face straight. "Did I? I don't recall. Miss Rangiku must be very observant."
She ignored his attempt at dignity, voice dropping to a whisper. "Wanna see?"
Shin froze mid-sip.
Then Rangiku burst into peals of laughter, nearly falling out of her seat, her ample chest heaving with every giggle. Shin gritted his teeth, both tortured and tantalized.
This woman... deserves to be punished... thoroughly.
Eventually, she quieted down, sipping her drink with poise again. "You should stick to your little Kuchiki princess."
Shin smiled wryly.
She might look like she didn't care, but she was sharp—razor sharp. As long as you didn't make a move, she'd tease you without rcy. But the mont you did... she'd pull away, cool and untouchable.
He glanced at the affection ter again.
With Gin Ichimaru in the picture, she wasn't any easier to win over than Unohana.
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