Transfer Request

The monthly vice-captain debriefing meeting proceeded as usual—except Matsumoto Rangiku was absent.

When Sasakibe Chōjirō saw that only Hitsugaya Tōshirō had come to represent the Tenth Division, he asked, "Where is Vice-Captain Matsumoto?"

A barely perceptible awkwardness flickered across Hitsugaya's face as he gave a small bow. "Vice-Captain Sasakibe, sir. Our Captain has approved extended leave for Vice-Captain Matsumoto. She has not yet returned to duty."

Sasakibe frowned but said nothing, beginning the meeting per usual.

After all, missing a single vice-captain report wasn't cause for much alarm. And although he was treated with deference and respect by captains and subordinates alike, Sasakibe's position was technically equal to Matsumoto's. He wasn't the type to scold her over something so minor.

The meeting itself was routine—monthly summaries, departmental reports, identifying gaps in operations. Anything truly critical would be brought up in the captains' meeting instead.

Once it wrapped up, Sasakibe was the first to leave.

That's when Omaeda Marechiyo, the Second Division's vice-captain, turned teasingly to Hitsugaya. "Poor little Hitsugaya. Getting wrung dry again by your own vice-captain, huh?"

Everyone present was well-acquainted with Matsumoto by now. Though she never made grave errors, her reputation as a lazy drunkard preceded her.

Madarame Ikkaku, Third Seat of the Eleventh Division, chimed in too. "Your Captain's got nerves of steel, letting her slack off like that."

Though Hitsugaya wasn't exactly close with any of them, he'd been Third Seat long enough that they spoke to him freely.

He sighed inwardly. Matsumoto was his superior—no matter how often he cursed her under his breath, he wouldn't talk ill of her in front of others, unlike her.

Omaeda tapped his chin and lowered his voice with faux conspiracy. "You think maybe Captain Tachikawa's been charmed by Matsumoto? I mean, the guy's young, and she's so…"

He trailed off as a voice interrupted him: "Vice-Captain Omaeda."

Shiba Miyako, the newly appointed vice-captain of the Third Division, looked up with a gentle expression. "Mocking a captain like that, especially in front of one of his seated officers? Not very wise."

Omaeda froze. No one laughed along with him. Ise Nanao, in particular, frowned at him coldly.

He gave an awkward chuckle. "Just joking. Just a stupid joke…"

Miyako had only recently become vice-captain, but most of them had known her back when she was still Third Seat. Smart and composed, she was well-respected—and now she was married to the Third Division's captain.

Omaeda, still flustered, caught Iba Tetsuzaemon snickering nearby. The Seventh Division's vice-captain and he were on good terms. Glaring, he muttered, "I respect Captain Tachikawa very much."

Iba responded lazily, "So you don't respect Vice-Captain Matsumoto?"

"You bastard!"

Before they could continue, Ise Nanao cut in, her tone sharp. "Can we end this conversation now?"

Both men shut up immediately.

Though only a vice-captain, Ise Nanao scared them both. She was also the vice-president of the Women's Shinigami Association. Meanwhile, Iba had founded the Men's Association a few years back—with Omaeda as a member. Sadly, their group had become little more than a doormat for the women's association.

They'd started with noble intentions—"real men don't fight women"—but over time, Ise's no-nonsense demeanor had inspired genuine fear in both.

Nanao approached Hitsugaya quietly. "Have you seen Rangiku lately?"

Hitsugaya shook his head. He wanted her to return just as much, to lighten his workload. But since her leave was authorized, he didn't see the point in bothering her—besides, she'd probably just curse him out.

Nanao pondered for a moment, her gaze flicking to the Fifth Division's vice-captain—Ichimaru Gin.

Their eyes met.

That fox-like smile never left his lips. They exchanged a brief glance before Gin turned and strolled out of the room, leaving no trace behind.

Nanao turned back to Hitsugaya, gave a soft farewell, and left.

On the way back to the Eighth Division barracks, her Ninth Seat, Kanizawa, broke the silence. "Vice-Captain Matsumoto… Is something wrong with her?"

Nanao glanced sideways. "What makes you ask?"

"You seemed... concerned."

"…"

Nanao adjusted her glasses. "Nothing. Just don't want her goofing off so long she gets dragged back in by her captain and comes crying to me."

She hadn't visited Rangiku recently due to work, hence her question to Hitsugaya. But until a few days ago, she'd been checking in almost daily, offering comfort.

Rangiku had rebounded quickly—after some heavy drinking, she returned to her usual joking self.

But she never once mentioned returning to duty.

It couldn't go on. Nanao knew something was unresolved in Rangiku's heart. She was still the Tenth Division's vice-captain—a critical post. The First Division wouldn't tolerate extended dereliction. She'd be punished. If she really wanted to leave the Tenth, this wasn't the way.

Nanao figured it was time to sit down and talk seriously.

If Rangiku skipped one more meeting, Sasakibe would likely storm into the Tenth himself.

At a fork in the road, Nanao stopped. "You go on ahead. I have something else to do."

"Yes, ma'am," Kanizawa replied. "I'll handle the afternoon tasks I'm able to."

Nanao smiled faintly. This Ninth Seat of hers was sharp and reliable. But just as she turned to leave, she paused, her gaze returning.

"You… You're close with Captain Tachikawa, aren't you?"

Kanizawa blinked in surprise. After a pause: "We were in the same cohort, that's all."

"What kind of person is he?"

"…?"

Caught off-guard, Kanizawa hesitated. Nanao waited. Finally: "Isn't it obvious to everyone already?"

"You mean… that the real Tachikawa is the same as the public image?"

"Isn't he? Or… do you have some other impression?" Kanizawa asked.

Now it was Nanao's turn to fall silent.

Did she?

She didn't know. Not until she learned what had really happened between Matsumoto and Tachikawa.

"…It was just a passing question," she replied at last, and turned toward another street.

She let herself into Rangiku's house like she always did. But the sight this time was different from previous days.

The room was clean. Wide open windows let sunlight pour in. Rangiku lounged on the floor, one arm propping her head, the other holding a book. A tray of washed grapes and sliced melon sat nearby.

Peaceful. Idyllic.

Rangiku didn't look up when the door opened. She knew who it was. She flicked a grape into her mouth, let the juice burst on her tongue, and said lazily, "You must be real free, dropping by at this hour."

"You forgot the vice-captains' debriefing was today?"

"Didn't forget," Rangiku said without looking up. "Had it marked."

"Hitsugaya said you're on leave. Sasakibe wasn't pleased."

"Oh."

Flat, disinterested.

Nanao sat down beside her, posture relaxed. After a moment, she asked, "So you're not going back?"

"What for?" Rangiku replied, eyes never leaving her book.

Nanao glanced at the cover. Just a trashy paperback.

"And you're still not going to tell me what happened between you and Captain Tachikawa?"

"Nope."

"…Then what now?"

"I'll submit a transfer request. Join your division."

Nanao kept calm. "It's not that simple. Your captain has to agree. Ours, too. And the First Division needs to approve. And even then—like I told you—we don't have a proper seat for you right now. You'd be demoted."

"I don't mind being a co-ranked officer."

Nanao exhaled sharply. "You think it's that easy? You think the First will just sign off?"

Rangiku's tone was unchanged. "Worst case, I'll just go teach at the Shin'ō Academy."

Nanao snatched her book away, furious. "Look at me when I'm talking!"

Rangiku calmly picked another from the stack, rolled onto her side, back to Nanao.

Nanao slapped her shoulder with the book.

"Do you even consider me your friend?!"

Rangiku finally sat up, lazy and a little exasperated. "Nanao… I know you're worried. But I've made up my mind. I'm leaving the Tenth. As for what happened with him… I really don't want to talk about it. To anyone."

"…"

Nanao stared. Rangiku looked away.

Silence.

"…Fine," Nanao said eventually. "Write your transfer request. I'll talk to my captain."

Rangiku smiled, pounced on her, and rubbed her face against Nanao's like a cat, knocking her glasses askew.

"Ugh! I regret ever meeting you," Nanao growled, pushing her off and fixing her glasses.

But Rangiku just beamed. "Best thing in my life was meeting you!"

Yet as Nanao looked at that warm smile, the heaviness in her chest didn't lift. This wouldn't be easy.

She said quietly, "Your request has to go through your captain first… You'll need to see him one more time. That's the only way."

Captains ruled their squads absolutely. Their authority was nearly unchecked.

Kurotsuchi Mayuri of the Twelfth used his own subordinates for grotesque experiments. Many had died. He'd never once been punished.

Nanao's earlier words about going to the Central 46 to report Tachikawa had been said in anger. The reality?

She'd be detained by the First Division. The Captain-Commander would summon Tachikawa and Kyōraku for questioning.

And the Captain-Commander would believe Tachikawa.

Maybe Kyōraku could shield her.

But Rangiku?

She'd be interrogated, then sent to the Nest of Maggots. That would be her end.

Rangiku's smile faded. She leaned back on her hands, gaze distant.

"Yeah. I know."

Nanao said, "I'll do what I can. Talk to my captain, see if he'll intervene. I can't promise anything. If it doesn't work out…"

She hesitated.

Rangiku gave a wry, relaxed smile. "Whatever happens—I'll accept it."