Misunderstanding

Kotetsu Isane stepped into the room, her expression dazed. She recognized most of the people present. Shiba Kaien was the first to wave, cheerful as ever.

"Lieutenant Kotetsu!"

"...Captain Kaien."

Her voice faltered.

A confusing swell of feelings churned inside her. All the thoughts she'd carried since the night before—the nervousness, the hopes, the quiet anticipation—now felt laughable. Pointless. Bitter.

She forced a smile onto her face and found an empty spot among the group.

"Ganju, is the food ready?" Kaien called out toward the kitchen.

Inside, it wasn't just Ganju Shiba cooking—Kira Izuru was helping too.

"Almost! Almost!" Ganju hollered back, fumbling with a pot lid.

Kira muttered under his breath, "Why are we the ones stuck cooking?"

Ganju sighed. He didn't have the status to push back—not among this group.

In the living room, the conversation drifted toward how Shin's new home should be decorated.

Most of them didn't know the first thing about interior design, so the suggestions were more imaginative than practical.

Isane sat quietly, sipping her tea, not part of the discussion. Among those present, the only ones she felt genuinely familiar with were Aoka and Kaien. The rest—like Hinamori, Rukia, and Hitsugaya—she merely knew in passing. Some she'd never met at all—Abarai Renji, Hisagi Shūhei, Kanisawa—but judging by the company they kept, they were likely Shin's classmates from the Academy.

She didn't speak. Just drank.

Trying to wash away that faint bitterness in her chest.

It was awkward. Embarrassing. Utterly humiliating.

The more she thought about it, the more her throat tightened. Her eyes burned. She tilted her head back, forcing the feeling down.

She glanced at Shin. He was chatting with Hinamori and the others, smiling.

She wanted to leave. Right now. Just get up and go. But doing so would draw attention—make things worse. Make Shin look bad too.

So she stayed. But she felt so out of place, so… out of sync.

And because she was a lieutenant, the others were hesitant to approach her casually. Even Rukia and the younger ones kept their distance.

Only Hinamori eventually stepped over, cheerful and bright-eyed.

"Lieutenant Kotetsu, do you remember me?"

Isane blinked, caught off guard. "Yes… you're Hinamori Momo, right?"

Hinamori nodded enthusiastically, leaning in. "Yup! After graduation, I want to join the Fourth Division!"

Ordinarily, Isane would have been thrilled to hear that. She loved Kaidō, loved her Division.

But now…

It just hurt more.

This girl was obviously here because of Shin. And from the way she acted—openly affectionate, lingering glances, bold little smiles—it was painfully clear how she felt.

Not just Isane. Everyone in the room could see it.

And Shin? Did he realize it too?

Isane thought about that, feeling a small pang of envy. She wished she could be more like Hinamori. Forward. Honest.

She smiled anyway. "That's great. We'd be happy to have you."

Hinamori beamed. "I'll definitely apply!"

The conversation shifted.

Kaien suddenly chimed in with a grin, "You know, you could also consider Squad Three. We're always looking for exceptional new recruits. And we take care of our own!"

Hinamori shook her head with a laugh. "Nope! I want the Fourth!"

She glanced again at Shin, making it obvious.

No one missed the implication.

Shūhei took a sip of his tea and remarked, "This tea tastes… off."

Hinamori scowled, playfully, "Senpai!"

Hitsugaya sipped his water in silence, eyes lowered. Rukia said nothing either. She was quietly watching Shin, tracking his expressions.

Kaien got the message and let it go, turning his attention to Kira, who was emerging with a tray of food.

"Kira-kun! What about you? Have you thought about which squad to join?"

Kira froze for a moment, then answered, "I haven't decided yet. Maybe… Fourth Division, too."

Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Why Fourth?"

Kira replied honestly, "Because Shin-senpai is there. I figured he'd look out for me."

Shin chuckled, "Of course I would. And Captain Unohana and Isane are both wonderful people."

Kaien slung an arm around Kira's shoulders. "You're thinking too small! The Fourth is a medical unit—are you really suited for that? Weren't you top of your class? Come to Squad Three. I'll take care of you myself. Your talents would be better nurtured there—you could rise to an officer position in no time."

Shin made a mock frown. "Careful, Captain Kaien. Are you saying joining the Fourth would hold Kira back?"

Shūhei raised a hand. "Ninth Division's got its perks too."

Kanisawa chimed in, "Eighth's not bad either."

Hitsugaya added, "And let's not forget the Tenth."

Kaien groaned. "You damn poachers!"

He was a captain, sure—but he acted more like an older brother than a superior. The mood stayed light.

Kira, overwhelmed, laughed awkwardly. "Honestly… I haven't decided yet."

In truth, he preferred the Fourth for practical reasons—once you got assigned to a support division like the Fourth, you were rarely reassigned elsewhere. That meant stability. Familiar faces. A steady path.

And he liked it there—Shin, Aoka, even Hinamori would likely end up there.

Isane watched the entire scene in silence.

They were talking about her squad—but none of it could lift her mood.

Kaien kept trying to sell Squad Three. Shin playfully threw in jabs. "You know, Kira, even if you join Squad Three, I doubt you'll climb higher than Third Seat."

Everyone knew the lieutenant position was already taken—by Kaien's fiancée.

Kaien laughed. "What, you think Third Seat's something you just pick off the street? You're Third Seat yourself!"

Shin shrugged. "I just think Kira's got the potential to go even higher."

Kira blushed. "You're too kind, Shin-senpai."

He eventually nodded politely to Kaien. "Thank you, Captain. I'll seriously consider it."

Kaien grinned wide. "That's what I like to hear!"

He turned next to Abarai Renji.

Renji didn't even hesitate. "I'm going to Squad Eleven."

Kaien tried to persuade him—no use. "I'm going to Squad Eleven!"

In the end, Kaien gave up.

He scanned the room and glanced at Rukia—but didn't say anything.

"Hey, what about me?" Ganju suddenly piped up.

Kaien shot him a look. "Go wherever the hell you want."

Ganju looked wounded. Laughter rippled through the room.

Dinner began. Kaien praised Kira's cooking.

Then asked, "Wait, no alcohol?"

Shin rolled his eyes. "It's late. What if someone gets drunk? I've only got one bed."

Across the table, Hinamori's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at the cup in front of her—the surface of the water rippling faintly.

After dinner, the group began to say their goodbyes. Shin walked them each to the door.

Isane was the last to rise. At the doorway, she clenched her fists.

"Shin, I…"

"Isane," he interrupted gently. "You've seemed… off tonight. You okay? You've been so quiet."

She forced a smile. "Really? I hadn't noticed. Maybe I'm just tired. Haven't been sleeping well."

Standing there in the doorway, the room's warm light behind her, her eyes glimmered like water.

She looked at him for a long moment. Her lashes trembled faintly.

"I should go. You get some rest too."

She turned to leave—only for his hand to suddenly grab hers.

A soft sigh escaped from behind her. Like a stone dropped into still water, it stirred ripples in her heart.

"I think I understand now, Isane."

"…"

Understand what?

Her feelings?

Her heart stopped for a beat.

She didn't resist as he turned her around and gently pressed her against the door.

"Shin, what are you—"

She stared at him, eyes wide, shimmering like fractured glass.

—

Outside, Hinamori and the others walked down the street. At the corner, she parted ways with Rukia.

As she turned to leave, she glanced back toward Shin's house—just in time to see the door close.

But wasn't someone standing there…?

"Hinamori?" Kira's voice brought her back.

"Hm?"

"What are you looking at?"

"Ah… nothing."

Her heart stirred.

Was she overthinking it?

No. Even if Isane was Shin's superior, there was nothing strange about them talking.

No reason to imagine things.

"Let's go," Kira said.

"Yeah… okay."

—

Inside.

Shin looked straight into Isane's eyes, his voice steady and warm. "I'm sorry. I didn't explain myself properly last time…"

Isane bit her lip. A flood of emotions rose to the surface.

She tried to hold it in. "Why are you saying this now? I—"

She didn't want him to spell it out. Didn't want to be pitied. Didn't want him to realize the foolish little misunderstanding she'd built up in her own head.

Maybe it was better to leave. Say nothing more. Let the night end here.

But Shin didn't let go. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her.

Her body stiffened. She tilted back against the door, caught between the solid wood and the heat of his chest.

"Shin, what are you…"

Her voice trembled.

"I'm sorry, Isane."

She looked up, staring at the ceiling light, trying to compose herself.

"You didn't do anything wrong," she whispered. "It's late… I should go…"

But Shin held her tight, shaking his head.

"Ever since I said those things to you… I've been doubting myself."

"Doubting?"

"I wondered if I was rushing. If I'd made you uncomfortable."

"…"

"So I stopped. I didn't bring it up again. I was scared. Scared you'd turn me down."

He pulled back slightly, loosening his embrace. His eyes met hers—apologetic. Gentle.

"I was too impulsive again. I'm sorry."

Isane just stood there. Silent.

She remembered their first meeting—inside the Academy, her standing at the lectern, his gaze among the sea of students.

So clear. So bright.

She could never forget that look.

She remembered every moment they shared—after-school Kaidō lessons, his steady questions, his honest focus. His calm confidence in matches and missions.

But now—faced with her—he was uncertain?

Because she'd wavered?

Because of this stupid misunderstanding?

She was about to leave. But if she walked out now, how would he feel?

Three years. That's how long they'd known each other. Not long for a Shinigami.

But her memories of him were so full, they stretched across her mind like a lifetime.

Suddenly, she stepped forward.

Bent slightly.

And kissed him.

Soft. Gentle. Surprising.

His eyes widened.

"...Mmph."