Chapter 75

On Kaelith Yurei's first day back at the academy, he found himself the subject of relentless stares. 

From the moment he stepped into the classroom, the looks directed his way were peculiar. 

Some were filled with sorrow, some with pity, and others with concern. 

Of course, there were also a few stifling quiet laughter. 

Sitting behind Kaelith, Aizen could feel the covert glances from the entire class. It left him with an uneasy feeling. 

A few students appeared as though they wanted to approach and ask something, but hesitation kept them rooted in place. 

Just then, Kinoshita entered the room with teaching materials in hand. 

As soon as he stepped in, his gaze immediately fell on Kaelith, sitting by the window. 

Kinoshita opened his mouth, as if about to say something. 

But in the end, he remained silent. His expression grew somber as he made his way to the podium to begin the lecture. 

Kaelith Yurei's hands were crippled. 

Initially, the news was spread among a small circle of students with relatives in Squad Four. 

It didn't take long, however, for the entire academy to learn of it. 

Many speculated that Kaelith wouldn't return to school. 

After all, for a Shinigami, losing both hands was almost a death sentence. 

A Shinigami who couldn't wield a sword—what could they possibly accomplish? 

Even for the Kido Corps, many techniques required intricate hand seals. 

Of course, it wasn't entirely impossible to remain a Shinigami. 

There were Kido techniques that didn't rely on seals, such as Shakkahō (Red Flame Cannon) and Sōkatsui (Blue Fire, Crash Down). 

But… how far could someone go relying solely on such techniques? 

If Kaelith were an ordinary student, it might not matter; he could simply find another way to pass the time. 

The problem was that Kaelith Yurei was a prodigy of the Shino Academy! 

Everyone knew that as soon as Kaelith graduated, he'd be guaranteed a seated officer position. 

Becoming a Vice-Captain was practically a given. 

And yet, in the midst of such a promising future, Kaelith had lost the use of his hands. 

Even someone with a strong mindset would find themselves breaking under such circumstances. 

By lunchtime, the crowd of onlookers had only grown. 

Students from other grades and classes couldn't help but glance in Kaelith's direction as he sat at his table. 

Not wanting to disappoint their curiosity, Kaelith set down his chopsticks, picked up a wooden spoon, and began eating with some difficulty. 

Aizen: "..." 

Yamada Seinosuke observed Kaelith's hands with a curious expression. 

While Kaelith's movements were labored, Yamada, with his trained eye, noticed that many of his motions lacked the telltale signs of injury. 

Could it be that this guy had secretly healed his hands already and was just pretending to still be injured so he could keep visiting Squad Four to see their beauties? 

After a moment's thought, Yamada shook his head lightly. 

No, it couldn't be. 

While Kaelith often seemed unreliable, he wasn't *that* irresponsible. 

Probably. 

Just then, a small commotion erupted near the cafeteria entrance. 

A few students turned their heads to look. 

A petite girl with fair skin and wearing a traditional yukata was walking steadily in their direction. 

Though her clothing was soft and delicate, her firm and powerful steps revealed her martial training. 

Her gaze was resolute, her expression calm, and she carried a bento box as she headed directly toward Kaelith. 

A student from a lower noble family caught sight of the crest on her yukata and gasped in shock. 

"Is that… the Kamizuru family crest?!" 

At those words, several students froze. 

The Kamizuru family? Weren't they a subordinate noble house of the Shihōin clan? 

Weren't members of that family trained in the Onmitsukidō instead of attending the Shino Academy? 

What was going on? 

The girl stopped beside Kaelith. 

As Kaelith looked at her with mild surprise, she placed the bento box carefully in front of her, bowed, and spoke in a clear but slightly trembling voice: 

"Kaelith-sama, I am Soifon, here under orders from the Corps Commander to…" 

Kaelith raised an eyebrow upon hearing her words.

"...To serve you your meal."

The girl's statement carried quite a bit of information.

The title of Legion Commander likely referred to the leader of the Punishment Force, Shihōin Yoruichi. If so, this "subordinate" became rather intriguing.

Kaelith Yurei hadn't even officially joined the team, yet he already had a lower-ranking noble, a member of the elite Punishment Force, serving as his subordinate?

Such privilege! 

Anyone claiming there was no connection between him and the Shihōin household would be hard-pressed to find a believer, even among dogs.

Nearby students at neighboring tables nearly had their eyes pop out of their sockets upon overhearing the conversation.

Serving a meal? What kind of service was this? 

And most importantly, could they watch for free?

Kaelith Yurei let out a curious hum. 

Surprised, he asked, "Soifon? Since when did you start using that name?"

In his memory, the name Soifon was something she chose for herself after Yoruichi defected from the Soul Society. 

Now, without that defection, why would she already have the name?

Soifon replied formally, "Reporting... Lord Kaelith." 

"Soifon is a name passed down in the Feng family, awarded to the most outstanding member of each generation. 

"The previous Soifon was my grandmother. 

"As of yesterday, I officially became a guard to the Legion Commander and inherited this name."

Kaelith nodded in realization.

"I see... as expected from this world's flair for tradition, even name inheritance is a thing."

Although he found the reasoning a bit peculiar, he was still pleased. At the very least, he found the name Soifon more familiar and endearing.

With a cheerful tone, he said, "Got it. I understand now. 

"By the way, wasn't Yoruichi the one who sent you to serve me this meal? Don't waste time. Let's get to it."

Soifon: "..."

After a brief pause, she sat beside Kaelith with a look of reluctant resignation, as if facing her fate.

Under the envious, jealous, and resentful gazes of the other students in the dining hall, she opened a bento box.

Inside were an assortment of delicacies, all prepared by the Shihōin family's chefs to suit Kaelith's taste.

"Hmm, looks good," Kaelith said, nodding in approval. "Start with the tamagoyaki. Pick it up and feed me."

Soifon's lips twitched slightly before she gave a faint nod.

With one hand, she pulled up the sleeve of her kimono. With the other, she carefully used chopsticks to pick up the tamagoyaki and brought it to Kaelith's mouth.

As she watched him open his mouth like some pampered landlord enjoying her service, Soifon's gaze grew complicated.

She owed Kaelith deeply. 

From the moment they first met, when he helped her resolve a training issue, to saving Yoruichi during the prison raid, thereby preserving the reputation of the Second Division. 

And then, he used the Hell Hot Springs to heal her injuries. 

No matter how she looked at it, she owed him gratitude and respect.

But… every time she thought of Yoruichi smiling at him, going out with him, or the spark of joy in her eyes whenever she mentioned Kaelith, Soifon couldn't help but feel as though her chest was weighed down.

And with that, a deep, visceral urge to kill Kaelith would bubble up within her.

However, she understood that such thoughts were irrational. 

Not only was Kaelith their benefactor, but even without that connection, she had no right to interfere in Yoruichi's private life.

Her gaze lowered as the realization hit her. 

Since Yoruichi entrusted her to him, she had to learn to accept it.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, Kaelith swallowed the tamagoyaki and suddenly grinned.

"Have you ever fed Yoruichi like this?"

"Hmm, judging by your expression, I guess not."

"Your first time feeding someone wasn't Yoruichi—it was me, Kaelith Yurei!"

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" (t/n Wait is this another Jojo reference?) 

Watching Kaelith's triumphant laughter, Soifon couldn't help but clench her teeth tightly with a barely audible grinding sound.

Resignation?

To hell with it!

Someday, she was going to cut down this bastard! 

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