Nanao's Unease

Shin personally received Kyōraku Shunsui.

Strictly speaking, the two weren't particularly close—not as close as Shin had been with Shiba Kaien, for instance—but their relationship was certainly better than the purely formal ties he had with the likes of Kurotsuchi Mayuri or Komamura Sajin.

And since Shin had once cured the chronic illness that had plagued Ukitake for years, Kyōraku had always held a certain degree of goodwill toward him.

"Captain Kyōraku."

Shin greeted him with a touch of warmth and led him into a guest room.

There were no attendants; Shin personally poured the tea, showing proper respect to the older captain.

"I hope I'm not interrupting, Captain Tachikawa," Kyōraku said with a mild smile.

"A captain's work is mostly routine. I wouldn't call this an interruption." Shin replied. "What brings you here today, Captain Kyōraku?"

Fragrant steam curled up from the teacups, drifting between them over the short table in a quiet, elegant swirl.

Kyōraku picked up his cup, sipped lightly. "There is something I came to discuss—though I wouldn't call it official business."

Shin sat across from him with the air of someone ready to listen attentively.

Occasional breezes rustled the trees in the courtyard; the faint sound of leaves brushing against each other slipped through the paper walls and dissolved into the warm stillness of the tea.

Kyōraku spoke at last. "Is Vice-Captain Matsumoto currently in the division?"

Matsumoto?

Shin narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. "Captain Kyōraku has good timing. She returned just today and is in her office now. Should I call her here?"

Kyōraku lightly shook his head. "I'm not here to see her—but it is regarding her."

Shin's expression didn't change. "Oh?"

Kyōraku slowly explained, "Our division's Nanao came to me unexpectedly, saying that your Vice-Captain Matsumoto wished to transfer to the Eighth Division. I was wondering if Captain Tachikawa was aware."

Shin smiled calmly. "I only just found out myself. She submitted her transfer request this morning. I was still weighing the matter."

He lightly tapped his knee with a finger, his smile easy. "I had been wondering what prompted her to make such a sudden move. So she favors your division more. If you think she's competent, Captain Kyōraku, I wouldn't object to her joining your team."

Kyōraku chuckled wryly. "Captain Tachikawa misunderstands me. I only just learned of this, and I never expected Vice-Captain Matsumoto to suddenly seek a reassignment. I don't even know her reasoning. It seems she and Nanao must've discussed it privately."

"Then what brings Captain Kyōraku here?" Shin asked again.

Kyōraku pondered before replying, "I believe this matter is improper. Vice-Captain Matsumoto holds a crucial position. She can't be reassigned so casually. Plus, the Tenth and Eighth Divisions have different roles. This kind of personal whim risks disrupting operations in both squads—it's not wise."

Shin's eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

Kyōraku went on. "I've already reprimanded Nanao. Though she and Vice-Captain Matsumoto are close, she acted impulsively and without thought. Luckily, nothing is finalized yet. I hope Captain Tachikawa can understand, and consider the larger picture between our two divisions."

A moment passed in silence, then Shin smiled faintly. "Captain Kyōraku is truly considerate."

Kyōraku smiled as well. "It's a captain's job to think for his subordinates, no? I'm sure Captain Tachikawa agrees. But what I really don't understand is why Vice-Captain Matsumoto suddenly wants a transfer. I was quite surprised when I first heard."

Shin replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing. If I may be frank—don't laugh, Captain Kyōraku—my vice-captain is rather lazy by nature and has repeatedly violated rules. I disciplined her a while back, perhaps a bit harshly, and she took it badly. Maybe she felt wronged."

Kyōraku's mind was spinning beneath his smiling surface. "I heard Vice-Captain Matsumoto met you back in the Rukongai, in Zaraki District, and recommended you to the Shinō Academy. That's a favor not easily forgotten. With you now her superior and a captain at such a young age... maybe she's having a hard time adjusting to the change in status."

"Perhaps," Shin said simply.

Kyōraku sighed. "Such relationships are tricky. Personal history muddies the waters. As the leader of a division, there's a lot to manage. But Vice-Captain Matsumoto should be the one making an effort to understand. When necessary, you can't afford to give ground."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Captain Kyōraku."

As Kyōraku left, he glanced—casually or not—toward the vice-captain's office.

Through the window, it seemed another pair of eyes was watching him as well.

Kyōraku lowered the brim of his hat and tugged on his flamboyant haori before departing.

Eighth Division.

The moment Ise Nanao saw her captain return, she rushed over, eager.

"Well?"

Kyōraku replied, "I spoke with Captain Tachikawa."

She quickly asked, "So? Did he agree to let her go?"

Kyōraku gave her a long look, then walked into the office and lay back beside the low table.

Nanao followed him in, pursing her lips. "Captain, say something."

Kyōraku covered his face with the brim of his hat and spoke calmly. "What Captain Tachikawa told me... doesn't quite match your version. According to him, it was Vice-Captain Matsumoto who stepped out of line. He disciplined her, she couldn't take it, and that's what led to their falling out."

Nanao was stunned. "That's what he said?"

"Mm."

Her expression shifted, eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"Doesn't sound convincing to you?" Kyōraku asked.

"…"

Nanao stayed silent.

Kyōraku pressed, "Then how can you be so sure that what Matsumoto told you is true?"

Nanao had no answer. Rangiku was her friend. In her heart, she wanted to believe Rangiku—she didn't think her friend could lie to her. And the way she looked that day... it couldn't have been faked, right?

But none of that was convincing in words.

"I'm curious about one thing," Kyōraku said, lifting the brim of his hat to peer at her. "You've been running around for Matsumoto. Has she ever considered the trouble this might cause you? Aren't you two close friends?"

Nanao looked down. "It was my idea to help her..."

"Was it? Then did she try to stop you? She probably didn't want you caught up in this mess either, right?"

"…"

Nanao gripped the edge of her uniform, lips tight, but her heart thudded with a vague sense of unease.

Kyōraku watched her closely, and finally understood everything. He sighed silently and said, "As a friend, if you were to step back from this, she should be relieved. Just like you care about her, she also wouldn't want to see you suffer."

Nanao lowered her head even further.

"Captain... please stop."