Glasses

That night, most of the Tenth Division had already left for the day. Tachikawa Shin remained alone in the office.

Hinamori Momo, one of the last to linger, knocked and stepped in, smiling brightly. "Captain, it's time to clock out!"

Shin lounged in his chair, legs crossed on the desk. "Mm. You go on ahead."

Seeing he had no intention of leaving, she asked, "It's late, Captain. Aren't you heading home?"

Shin understood the subtext—she didn't want to return to the Tenth Division barracks. She wanted to go to his place.

He wasn't in the mood tonight. If she came over, it would no doubt lead to a long, exhausting night. Ever since she'd tasted it, she'd grown more proactive than him in that regard—teasing, coaxing, trying every opportunity as if seducing him was some kind of sport she took pride in.

Yet when it came down to it, she was utterly outmatched—less endurance than even Rukia or Isane. All bark, no bite.

But for all her frailty, once she surrendered, she gave herself over fully. That was what Shin liked most about her.

"I've still got paperwork to finish. Go back to the dorms."

Hinamori pouted. "But I want to go home with you. I'll wait, okay?"

"Hinamori," he said with faint exasperation, "be good."

She walked around the desk and snuggled close, arms around his neck, cheek rubbing affectionately against his. "Nooo, I want to sleep with you tonight… I want you to hold me."

He flicked her forehead. "I said no. I'll be tired once I finish up. I won't be in the mood."

She puffed her cheeks and gave him a pleading look.

But he remained unmoved. Knowing she couldn't coax him, and strong-arming him would go even worse, she finally gave a reluctant humph and trudged out, clearly sulking.

Shin leaned back again, thoughts returning to Matsumoto Rangiku.

Even if her affection for him never grew, it didn't matter much. There were still many unexplored women in the Seireitei—some even outside it. Hueco Mundo likely had a few, too. Losing her wouldn't impact his strength.

But… he didn't want her gone. Didn't want her leaving his side.

He glanced out the window. At this hour, she was probably long gone.

Sweeping his senses through the barracks, he felt only scattered reiatsu: a few on night duty, and Hinamori not far off.

One other presence… was approaching.

This late?

Thoughtful, he opened his desk drawer, retrieved an item, and began examining it slowly in his hand.

Knock knock—

"Come in."

Ise Nanao stepped through. "Forgive the intrusion, Captain Tachikawa."

Shin lowered his legs from the desk and adjusted his chair, offering her a polite smile. "Vice-Captain Ise. What brings you here?"

She stepped up to the desk, preparing to speak—but her gaze caught the object resting near Shin's hand. It looked familiar, and a moment later her pupils contracted.

"Vice-Captain Ise?"

She snapped back to attention, quickly bowing. "Captain Tachikawa. I came to offer my apologies."

But her heart was suddenly racing, her eyes flicking repeatedly to the item on the desk.

Shin had noticed. His lips curved slightly. "Oh? What for?"

She clung to her remaining composure. "Regarding Rangiku's attempted transfer… I was involved in it, and I've caused you trouble. I'm truly sorry."

"It's fine," Shin replied calmly. "She's just in a bad mood. I imagine she'll come around after some time."

"…"

"I even asked our captain to come see you. That too was my idea. I suspected you. I… I had doubts about you, Captain Tachikawa. That was wrong of me."

His voice stayed mild. "As I said, it's alright. You're her friend. Your intentions were good. If you can, talk to her. That'll help."

"…Understood."

She raised her head, but her gaze inevitably drifted to the object on the desk. Her mind spun wildly, unable to stay on track.

Kyōraku had ordered her to let go of the matter with Rangiku. At first, she had resisted, but his command had been absolute.

As Kyōraku Shunsui's niece and vice-captain, their relationship was close. She often scolded him like a lazy uncle, but deep down, she held him in great esteem and never truly defied his will.

But now… she wasn't thinking about Rangiku anymore.

After a long pause, she asked, voice low, "Captain Tachikawa… may I see those glasses?"

On the desk sat a pair of red-rimmed glasses—long and narrow, distinctive in design. Not like her own simple pair. Their uniqueness made them immediately recognizable.

Shin's gaze shifted. "What, you like this style?"

As a glasses-wearer herself, the question wasn't out of place. He passed them to her.

Her hands trembled as she accepted them, eyes scanning the details.

"Captain Ise?" Shin asked gently.

She forced a smile. "They just feel familiar. I… once had a senpai who wore a pair just like this."

"Is that so? What happened to her?"

"…She died."

"I see." Shin sighed. "These aren't mine. I got them from a girl."

"…"

Nanao froze.

She tried to sound calm. "What kind of girl?"

A wild, impossible thought surged in her chest and began to take root.

Shin countered, "Does Vice-Captain Ise really want to know?"

"I just find it strange," she said, composing herself. "This kind of frame's unusual for a woman. And it looks exactly like what my senpai used to wear. I couldn't help asking."

Shin looked mildly troubled.

She pressed on. "Is something the matter, Captain Tachikawa?"

He nodded slightly. "It's… not convenient to discuss. It touches on things I haven't fully confirmed myself. And as you said—your senpai passed away."

"…Did she… have braided pigtails?"

Shin's expression shifted. "How do you know that…? Don't tell me—that girl was your senpai? But you just said she died."

"I… I don't know."

Nanao's eyes lost focus. She hadn't known the full truth back then—hadn't even been a seated officer.

Her former vice-captain, Yadōmaru Lisa, had always looked after her. To Nanao, she was the epitome of strength and elegance.

But forty years ago, everything changed. Several captains defected. Yadōmaru Lisa was among them. The Gotei 13 had been in chaos. Lower ranks like her were kept in the dark.

Later, after becoming vice-captain herself, Nanao had tried to investigate—only to be blocked by Kyōraku.

He said it was for her own good.

Could it be… the same person?

She stared at the glasses in her hands.

Shin observed her quietly for a moment. "I met her in the Human World. If she was truly your senpai… it confirms some of my suspicions."

The Human World?

"What suspicions?" she asked quickly.

He shook his head. "Sorry, Vice-Captain Ise. I really can't say. Not yet. I'm not even sure I'm doing the right thing."

"…I understand." She took a breath, bowed. "I apologize. I was out of line."

"It's alright." He extended a hand. "May I have those back?"

"…Of course."

She hesitated, then carefully handed the glasses over.

But she had one more question. "Captain Tachikawa… If you're unsure this is the right thing to do—why pursue it? It's risky. You could be reprimanded. Worse."

Shin placed the glasses back in his drawer. "She told me a story. If what she said is true… then she's someone worth helping. And I want to help someone like that."

"…I see."

She wanted to ask what the story was—but knew he wouldn't answer.

"I understand, Captain."

She bowed again. "I'll take my leave."

As she stepped outside, she looked back once, eyes clouded with doubt and sorrow.

Miss Yadōmaru…

She made her way to Matsumoto Rangiku's home.

"Nanao!"

Rangiku's voice was excited. "I saw Captain Kyōraku at the Tenth today! How did it go?"

But Nanao's expression was conflicted. After a pause, she said, "I'm sorry, Rangiku…"

Rangiku's face stiffened. Disappointment washed over her.

"I see…"

"Is there… anything else we can try?"

Nanao lowered her gaze. "I'm just a vice-captain. Even our captain can't interfere freely. It could affect him, too. I'm sorry, Rangiku. I can't…"

"…It's fine," Rangiku said bitterly. "Guess I really am doomed to fall to that bastard's hands."

Nanao thought of her captain's words, and of her meeting with Tachikawa that evening.

After a long silence, she said, "Rangiku… is it possible Captain Tachikawa isn't the kind of man you say he is? Maybe it's just a mis—"

Rangiku's face turned icy.

"What did you just say?!"

Nanao quickly waved her hands. "I didn't mean anything! I just… I mean maybe there's still a chance to resolve things. If you two can let go of this feud, you could stay in the Tenth. He told me he wasn't mad at you. He understands you. He said if you can come to terms with it—"

Rangiku's voice turned venomous. "You want me to forgive him?! Do you even know what he did to me?! Do you know how much I did for him?! I pulled him out of the Rukongai! You know what kind of place Zaraki District is?! People died there every day! Hollows roamed unchecked! If it wasn't for me, he'd have died without anyone knowing! And how did he repay me?! He's nothing but an ungrateful bastard! Nanao, how can you take his side? Are you telling me to bow my head and apologize?!"

Nanao had felt flustered before—but now her own anger ignited.

She finally snapped. "Then tell me what he did! I've been running around like a fool, getting scolded by my captain, yelled at by you—and I don't even know what the hell happened! What did he do, Rangiku?!"

Rangiku froze.

She stared at Nanao's furious face—and the fire inside her went out.

"Nanao… I'm sorry. That's not what I meant. I'm grateful you're doing this for me. I wasn't trying to lash out. I just…"

Her voice trailed off.

They stood in silence, both looking down, the room heavy with tension.

"…Forget it," Nanao said, voice low. She stepped back, weary.

"Nanao…"

"Sorry, Rangiku. I couldn't help you… It's late. I'm heading back."