"If I said I came here to study, would you believe me?"
Shimo's expression was unusually sincere.
Naturally, Rukia didn't believe a word of it.
She gave him a skeptical look, her eyes locked tightly on him. A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks.
"Be honest—what's your real reason for being here?"
"If you don't tell me, I'm calling a teacher!"
The Shin'o Academy dorms were divided into zones, each overseen by a Shinigami responsible for student safety.
Shimo's face fell. He genuinely didn't understand—
Just where had his flawless excuse and impeccable attitude gone wrong?
"Honestly, it really is related to studying."
He doubled down.
"Earlier during swordsmanship class, I noticed you taking detailed notes."
"So I was hoping to borrow them to copy down."
It was the best excuse he could think of.
Rukia's expression visibly softened.
For some reason, she found it surprisingly easy to believe him.
"If that's the case… I'll go grab them for you."
Her response took Shimo off guard.
This wasn't the development he'd hoped for.
If Rukia brought the notes out herself, how would he complete his check-in task?
With the mission still pending, giving up now simply wasn't an option.
He quickly deployed Plan B.
"No need for that."
"I brought my own paper and pen!"
Under Rukia's surprised gaze, Shimo pulled writing materials from his uniform.
"My handwriting might not be the best, but I'm quite skilled at transcribing with a hard pen."
"It's just one class's worth of notes—shouldn't take more than five minutes."
Rukia looked at him, her heart wavering inexplicably.
Despite herself, she couldn't bring herself to say no.
After a long inner struggle, the tension in her brows finally eased.
"O-Okay then… but you can't make fun of me!"
Shimo blinked in confusion.
Before he could even process her words, Rukia had already stepped aside, allowing him into her dorm.
---
Crossing the threshold, Shimo was greeted by Rukia's private space—a reflection of her inner world.
The pink-themed interior radiated a youthful femininity.
Bunny plushies and decorations filled the room, clearly the result of great care and thought.
Shimo's expression softened. He spoke gently:
"It's a beautiful room."
"R-Really?"
A spark of light flickered in Rukia's eyes. She stammered slightly.
It was clear that she cared deeply about being acknowledged—especially by someone who didn't trigger her defenses.
And coming from him, those words carried even more weight.
"Of course it's true."
Having lived in Seireitei for years, Shimo understood far more than just battle. He could recognize quality when he saw it.
"These bunny plushies—they're from the latest line at Asashiro's Plush Boutique, right?"
"They're really popular with girls."
Rukia lowered her head, letting her hair fall forward to conceal her face.
"Y-Yeah…"
Shimo didn't pay much attention to her expression. His focus had shifted to a sudden voice in his mind:
[Ding—Check-in initiated. Please remain in the dormitory for ten minutes to complete the mission.]
He sighed in relief.
"Glad I came up with a convincing excuse."
After a moment of peaceful silence, Rukia seemed to recall his reason for visiting.
"Wait here—I'll go get the notes. They're in the study."
The Shin'o Academy's dorms were fairly well-equipped, each containing not only bedrooms but also private training rooms, quiet meditation spaces, and study rooms.
Shimo followed Rukia to hers.
It was simple but tidy, not a speck of disorder in sight.
Rukia found the notes and was just about to hand them over—
When she seemed to recall something.
"Wait a second!"
Her outstretched hand stopped halfway and quickly pulled back.
"Actually… I'll read them out to you instead."
Her smile was stiff—almost as if she were hiding something.
Shimo didn't press her.
He simply sat down properly at the desk, arranged his paper and pen, and focused quietly.
Seeing this, Rukia let out a small breath of relief.
"Hakuda, the hand-to-hand techniques required of all Shinigami, is meant to refine the body and spirit…"
Her voice, clear and bell-like, rang gently in Shimo's ears.
The soft rustle of pen on paper followed, forming a quiet harmony between them.
A focused girl.
A calm, attentive boy.
The study was enveloped in a rare tranquility.
Time ticked away.
To Shimo's surprise, Rukia's dedication to her studies far exceeded his expectations.
Every key point the teacher from Second Division had mentioned was meticulously recorded in her notes.
Which meant Shimo had to spend far longer than he expected copying everything down.
Until—
[Check-in complete. Rewards issuing…]
[Reward granted: Spiritual Pressure Breakthrough!]
The moment the system's voice faded, an ominous feeling surged in Shimo's chest.
Without hesitation, he reached out and pulled Rukia into his arms with a force that startled her.
She thought—for a second—that he was trying to strangle her!
And then—
BOOM!
A massive wave of spiritual energy erupted from within him like a roaring tide.
His black pupils lit up, shining with a starlike brilliance.
BOOM!
The condensed spiritual energy burst forth into a crushing spiritual pressure, exploding from Shimo like a shockwave!
At that moment, every single Shinigami in the Shin'o Academy—and even throughout parts of Seireitei—felt it.
Countless heads turned in horror toward the source.