Hasumi Ren looked at Nanao as she shifted into a defensive posture, feeling a bit strange.
But honestly, it was quite amusing.
"I was just making a kind suggestion. If you don't want it, you don't want it. I wasn't doing anything untoward."
Nanao realized then that her reaction had been a bit over the top.
Ren let out a deliberate, exaggerated sigh.
"Sigh, when did I become that kind of person in your eyes?"
Nanao's face flushed even deeper. Her eyes darted around, trying to mask her loss of composure.
"Who... who told you to say such things so suddenly..."
After a moment, she finally composed herself and calmed down, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Actually, my shoulders don't really feel that bad, so there's no need."
"Is that so? My massage technique is actually quite good. Are you sure?"
"I said no."
Seeing Ren's teasing expression, Nanao turned her face away in a huff.
The golden light of the setting sun spilled over her short black hair. Her slender eyebrows were slightly knit, and her eyes behind her glasses were exceptionally clear.
This sight suddenly brought Ren back to four years ago, when he first met her in the library.
She had been just as small then, cradling a book larger than her face, sitting by the window as quiet as a painting.
Looking at Nanao's slightly bashful state, Ren felt his heart soften a little.
"By the way," Nanao suddenly remembered something. "Earlier, the teacher called you out... was it because of your Asauchi?"
"Could it be that you've already achieved Shikai?"
Hearing Nanao's whispered question, Ren didn't deny it; he simply gave a small nod.
"So it's really true..."
A complex look flashed through Nanao's eyes—joy for his success, but also a hint of despondency regarding her own situation.
"Congratulations, Ren."
"Yeah, thanks."
Seeing that Ren looked like he wanted to say something, Nanao shook her head, her expression returning to its usual cool composure.
"You don't need to comfort me. I don't mind anymore. Besides, even without a Zanpakuto, I will carve out my own path through Kido."
"I'll work hard to keep up with you."
Looking at the determination in Nanao's eyes, Ren nodded gently.
"Yeah, I know you can."
The two walked side-by-side down the tree-lined path toward the cafeteria, their shadows stretching long in the evening sun.
"Speaking of which," Nanao suddenly asked, "what is your Zanpakuto like?"
Ren hesitated for a moment, thinking of that blonde brat's outrageous claims, and a look of helplessness crossed his face.
"It's hard to describe. Overall, it's... pretty good. Its abilities are quite powerful."
"I see."
Ren's hesitation only served to pique Nanao's curiosity.
If Ren thought it was 'pretty good,' it had to be an exceptional Zanpakuto.
After dinner, the two were on their way to the training grounds.
However, a figure they hadn't seen in a long time approached them.
When the figure saw Ren, he stopped in his tracks; Ren noticed him as well.
Tsunayashiro Tokiying.
Tokiying stood there quietly, a formal, practiced smile on his face.
Over his Spiritual Arts Academy uniform, he wore a dark green haori, its cuffs embroidered with intricate family crests in gold thread.
He looked completely out of place among the other students in their standard academy uniforms.
Behind him stood two other people.
Ren hadn't expected the person on the left: it was Harada Heita, his teammate from the last Konso field trip.
Ren glanced at him. The fifth-year student, usually timid and cautious, kept his head down, not daring to meet Ren's eyes as he nervously wrung his hands.
Despite coming from the Rukongai, he was now standing firmly behind Tsunayashiro.
His stance was self-evident; it seemed he had chosen a path for his own advancement.
It was good for a young man to be ambitious, and Ren wasn't one to judge his choices, but his attitude struck Ren as a bit odd.
Even though he was right there, he acted as if he were hiding from Ren.
Ren pulled his gaze back and looked at the boy on the right whom he vaguely remembered, Takaya Kenji.
This person was considered a top student in their elite class, with overall grades ranking in the top ten.
He had a rugged face and a tall build, and he stood at Tokiying's side with his back straight and a look of unabashed arrogance.
However, none of this had anything to do with Ren.
Believing he wouldn't have any further dealings with Tokiying, Ren gave a polite nod and prepared to walk straight past.
"What? Won't you stop and chat for a moment after seeing an old friend?"
Tokiying stopped in front of Ren.
His gaze then lingered on Nanao for a split second.
"It seems you didn't take my previous suggestion to heart at all."
In the next instant, Ren stepped in front of Nanao, quietly watching him.
"Is there something you need, Tsunayashiro?"
"Nothing important," Tokiying chuckled. "I simply heard that your performance during the field trip was quite unexpected, so I came to pay you a visit."
"I never would have guessed that you were hiding so much. It seems the terms I offered before were too low?"
Upon hearing this, Ren glanced sideways at Harada Heita.
Sweat was beginning to bead on Heita's forehead, and he looked extremely uneasy standing there.
When he saw Ren's gaze, he bit his lip and offered no explanation.
Ren understood now. Harada Heita hadn't just told Tokiying about him killing a Large Hollow.
He had also ignored the gag order issued by Squad 5 and told Tokiying things he shouldn't have.
With the influence of the Tsunayashiro family, it would be easy to obtain details about Ren's experiences in the Living World through internal channels.
Tokiying looked at Ren and gave a soft laugh.
"How about this? I'll double the benefits I offered you. That should be worthy of your abilities, shouldn't it?"
Previously, he had offered Ren the treatment of a Vice-Captain; now, he was upping the ante once more.
However, Ren still had no interest.
He truly didn't care about things like money.
"I'm sorry, Tsunayashiro, but this isn't something I can decide anymore."
"Oh?"
Tokiying narrowed his eyes slightly. Though his expression didn't change much, he projected a clear sense of displeasure.
Sensing the shift in Tokiying's mood, Takaya immediately took a step forward.
"Hasumi, you'd better think carefully before you speak."
"Takaya, step back."
Hearing Tokiying's voice, Takaya paused, then retreated to his position with a resentful look.
Tokiying gave Ren a deep look, his eyes growing increasingly complex.
"You know the weight the name 'Tsunayashiro' carries. As long as you give the word, there is nothing you or I cannot decide."
"Or is it that you think the Tsunayashiro family's shrine is too small to accommodate a great Buddha like yourself?"
Hearing this, Takaya Kenji stepped forward again, staring at Ren with a fierce gaze.
Harada Heita, who was standing further back, also seemed to grow anxious, and a trace of pleading appeared in his eyes as he looked at Ren.
"Hasumi, Lord Tokiying's offer is so generous. Why won't you agree?"
"You know the academy's motto: 'If one wishes to protect the Soul King and the Five Noble Houses, every enemy within the shadows must be purged...'"
"Do you not know why the Gotei 13 exists? Why are you making things difficult for Lord Tokiying?"