Chapter 38: Internship in the Present World
Having Rukia suddenly not around made Xin feel a little unaccustomed.
And the news that Rukia, a first-year Class B student, had been adopted by the Kuchiki Family quickly spread throughout the Spiritual Arts Academy, with many envying and being jealous of Rukia for getting such a great opportunity—that was the Kuchiki Family, one of the Four Great Noble Families!
Hinamori also specifically asked about Rukia; she knew about the matter at the time but wasn't aware that Rukia had taken a month off.
"When I see Rukia again next time, I wonder what she'll be like," Hinamori couldn't help but sigh.
An orphan from Rukongai suddenly became a top noble in Seireitei; such a status disparity would be difficult for even those close to her to adapt to, and she wondered how Rukia would fare.
Rukia's temporary departure merely became a topic of conversation among students and didn't significantly affect others' lives.
With nothing to do, Xin went to the classroom for a lesson.
Hisagi Shuuhei was quite surprised when he saw him: "Do you need something?"
"Can't I come to class if I don't need anything?"
"Strange!" Shūhei said impolitely.
Many classmates found it unusual to see Xin, and Xin also saw Kanisawa in a seat not far away.
Since the Student Council dinner on the day of the Cultural Festival, she seemed to be deliberately avoiding Xin, and daily Student Council basic affairs were always handed over to members to coordinate with Xin.
Xin greeted her with a beaming smile; this usually very serious Disciplinary Committee member suddenly had a flush of red on her cheeks and turned her head away.
Today's class was about Zanpakuto communication methods, and the teacher was their homeroom teacher, Sawataku Minamida.
Mr. Minamida's eyes nearly popped out when he saw Xin; this kid finally remembered he was a student!
Regarding Xin, he had been forced to adopt a hands-off attitude; knowing he couldn't change this guy's bad habits, he didn't bother trying.
This kid's prominence and status in the school had already surpassed his own; even the principal admired him.
The content taught in class was not profound or obscure knowledge for Xin; ever since he obtained his Zanpakuto, he had extensively studied this kind of knowledge, having basically researched all books related to Zanpakuto in the library.
A class passed peacefully like this.
When the bell rang for class dismissal, Sawataku Minamida read out a few names from the podium.
"Hisagi Shuuhei, Kanisawa, Aoga, please come here."
Xin heard the names and casually asked, "What are they calling you for?"
Shūhei explained, "It should be about the first-year Human World internship; they want us to lead the team. Mr. Minamida had already informed me in advance."
Xin was suddenly startled upon hearing this; Human World internship...
The so-called Human World internship is divided into two types: soul burial internship and simulated Hollow combat training.
First-year students, after a period of study at the Spiritual Arts Academy, can undertake the latter type of internship under the guidance of senior students.
And simulated Hollow combat training is merely practical combat with some low-level Hollows within a barrier space set up somewhere in the Human World.
"Why don't I know about this?"
Shūhei looked speechless: "You don't come to class once a month, how could you possibly know?"
"When do we depart?"
"In three days, I think."
"Is it first-year Class A?"
"It should start with Class A."
Xin suddenly stood up and said, "I'll go with you."
"Go, go where?" Shūhei was a bit confused.
To put it plainly, this kind of work is like babysitting for lower grades; as senior students, they had already undergone Human World internships many times.
Kanisawa, seeing Xin walking out with Shūhei, instinctively averted her gaze.
The four went to Sawataku Minamida's office together.
And Mr. Minamida was also surprised to see Xin accompanying them: "Do you need something?"
Xin directly volunteered: "Mr. Minamida, for leading a Human World internship, it naturally requires the most outstanding student in the class, and I believe I am precisely that student."
Sawataku Minamida looked speechless; he thought to himself, if you came to class normally every day, I would naturally ask you to go, but I never see you around, so where would I even find you?
Although it's combat with Hollows, the risk is actually very low; besides the senior students leading the team, there are also active Shinigami secretly monitoring, and the Hollows let in are all weak fodder for first-year students to practice with.
Sawataku Minamida pondered, "Since that's the case, then you will lead the team this time. Although the main participants are first-year students, I hope you will be diligent and responsible."
Human World internships are very familiar to Xin and the others, so no further instructions were needed.
Shūhei and Aoga were both curious why Xin, who was usually not interested in classes, suddenly volunteered for such a thankless task.
However, Kanisawa didn't think that way.
She lowered her head, with only one thought in her mind.
Could it be that Xin came specifically because of her...?
The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was true; according to Xin's usual personality, let alone volunteering, even if Mr. Minamida specifically sought him out, he would probably find ways to decline.
Besides for her sake, Kanisawa couldn't think of any other reason.
Speaking of which, she had indeed been too distant from him these past few days.
If Xin hadn't come, Hisagi Shuuhei would most likely have been primarily responsible for leading the team, and Shūhei was now happy to relax.
Sawataku Minamida explained the detailed situation of this Human World internship, including the specific time and place in the Human World, the Shinigami Squads to be coordinated with, and the class members participating in the internship.
He compiled it into a document and gave it to Xin.
On their way back, Shūhei reminded, "Remember to prepare things to bring for the outing in advance."
Aoga responded, "Got it."
This trip to the Human World would take two or three days, so they needed to prepare some food and such.
Actually, even if Xin hadn't come to class today, he would have learned about the Human World internship from Shūhei later.
The two Student Council minister would be away for a few days, so they naturally needed to inform him in advance.
Kanisawa, who had been silent, suddenly stopped and called out, "Xin."
Shūhei glanced back, then proactively pulled Aoga away.
Xin also stopped and looked at her.
Kanisawa hesitated and asked, "Why did you volunteer to join this time?"
As she asked this question, she already had the answer she wanted to know in her heart.
Xin looked at the document in his hand and chuckled indifferently, "Because of you."
...
Kanisawa's face instantly turned red.
She didn't know that if Xin hadn't come this time, she might have died in the Human World.
She didn't know what Xin was thinking, nor did she know that this Human World internship might have some conspiracy secretly set up by someone.
She only felt that what she thought might be true, that it had come true.
Kanisawa's voice trembled slightly: "What do you mean by saying that...?"
Xin, however, didn't explain, only rolled the document in his hand into a cylinder and gently tapped her forehead with it.
"You don't need to know."
He couldn't explain this kind of thing; could he directly say that Aizen might be behind it this time?
After speaking, Xin turned and left.
But Kanisawa reached up and covered her forehead, staring blankly at Xin's gradually receding back.
The last time, the place he kissed her was also on her forehead...