After the big practical class ended, Arata returned to his usual life as a teacher.
Every day he gave guidance to his students, and occasionally held special lessons for Hitsugaya Toushirou and Kusanagi Sojirou. His reputation as an "excellent teacher" continued to spread throughout the Academy.
Additionally, Rangiku took over the classes of the Kidō Division instructors who were on medical leave and temporarily became the Kidō instructor for class 2-A.
Thanks to her thorough preparation and naturally beautiful appearance, Rangiku gradually became a popular teacher at the Shinō Spiritual Academy.
Her popularity was second only to Arata's, and countless students came to her office every day for advice.
Of course, the price for that was that Rangiku had to spend more time each day studying and progressing.
Arata was quite satisfied with that.
After all, while she worked in the Tenth Division, Rangiku spent most of her time slacking off.
The three new members, Hisagi Shūhei, Kanisawa, and Aoga, also became her subordinates, so naturally, they helped her run errands and deliver documents.
Those days were quite comfortable.
Only occasionally, when Shiba Isshin truly couldn't finish all the work, he would pass some of the documents to her to process.
If such a life lasts only a few days, it's fine, but if it drags on, it lulls a person into laziness. Without supervision, one's strength will naturally decline.
Arata really didn't want to see that happen.
If possible, he hoped Rangiku could continue to grow, instead of remaining stuck at the lieutenant level for the rest of her life.
The open practical classes were still held once a week. Unfortunately, aside from the first class taught by Arata, all the subsequent ones were rather boring.
It's not that the other instructors didn't teach well. In one of those classes, even Aizen taught. His mastery of Kidō left all the teachers and students who came to watch speechless.
But perhaps old Yamamoto had considered some potential negative consequences, so the students and aspects of Hollow combat in simulation and reality became much more conservative afterward.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri also had some complaints, because it simultaneously meant a reduction in his research funding and materials.
Unfortunately, the captain had already made the final decision, so he could only grumble to himself, but didn't dare oppose him directly.
…
Time flew by, and the first half of the semester at the Spiritual Academy passed in a flash.
The season in Soul Society suddenly turned to winter, and white snowflakes began to dance across the sky.
No one knows why, but this winter felt colder than usual.
"So cold…"
Rangiku curled up in the kotatsu, with only her red, cold-stiffened face sticking out.
Her long golden hair casually draped over her shoulders, with a few strands playfully sneaking into the collar of her wide white pajamas.
Arata entered the living room with two cups of hot cocoa and saw such a sweet and tempting scene.
"Is it really that cold?" he joked, handing one cup to Rangiku. "I remember someone complaining just two weeks ago that summer was unbearably hot."
"How can that be the same!" Rangiku pulled her hands out from under the kotatsu and accepted the hot cup like it was a treasure.
"In the summer, when it's hot, I can go splash around in the river, or go to Kikuchaya Tea House for some iced fruit tea. But in the winter, when it's cold, all I can do is crawl into the kotatsu and be like a salted fish…"
She took a sip of the hot drink that Arata got from the system. The warm liquid slid down her throat and dispersed some of the cold.
Arata sat next to her and pulled her into a hug. Rangiku immediately nestled against him like a cat that had found a source of warmth, pressing her icy face against his neck.
"Uff, why are you this cold?" Arata shivered, but didn't push her away.
"Because it's cold…" Rangiku muttered in dissatisfaction, her fingers playfully toying with his collar. "Hmm… Arata is so warm~"
Arata helplessly placed his hand on her restless one. "Enough, stop it, I'm thinking about something."
"What could be more important than warming me up? Are you thinking about another woman?" Rangiku put on a mock-angry face, but didn't continue pushing.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I was just thinking…" Arata gazed thoughtfully at the snow falling outside the window. "Since we're on break now, why don't we take a trip to the human world?"
"A trip to the human world?!"
Rangiku sat up straight, and a light instantly lit up in her gray eyes. "Eh? Is that even possible?"
"Of course." Arata smiled and ruffled her golden hair. "The captain promised me earlier that as long as my teaching duties don't suffer, I can organize a little vacation."
"Awesome!" Rangiku squealed with joy, lunged forward, and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek. "Arata is the best!"
In her excitement, she jumped out of the kotatsu without even bothering to put on slippers and rushed to the wardrobe.
"Hmm, which dress should I pack?"
"What season is it over there right now…"
"Should we bring swimsuits and yukata…"
Arata watched her fluttering back like a lively little bird flying between the bedroom and the living room, and suddenly found it amusing.
"Don't rush so much. I only just got the idea, it'll take us at least a few days to actually leave," he quietly reminded her.
"Besides, even if we go to the human world, we'll pick a summer setting, so just pack light clothes."
"Summer?!" Rangiku stopped in her tracks, and her eyes sparkled again. "Then we can go to the beach!"
She quickly ran back to Arata, grabbed his sleeve, and started swaying him side to side. "Arata, can we go see the ocean? I've never seen the sea in the human world!"
"Alright, alright." Arata pinched her nose affectionately. "Whatever you say."
Rangiku happily bounced up and down, almost hitting the ceiling. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, an idea flashed in her mind, and she ran to the table and started making a list.
"Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses…" she murmured as she wrote. "Ah, and I need a camera!"
Although there's a certain difference between Soul Society and the human world, the technology for daily life is roughly the same, and many items are even secretly imported from the human world.
Those imported items are called "import goods" even in Soul Society.
Rangiku's skincare creams, sunglasses, and similar trinkets were import goods that Shiba Isshin bought in the Noble Street.
Arata watched her hurried back, and the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted. This lively Rangiku was the one he loved the most.
…
The next morning, Arata went alone to the barracks of the First Division.
"Head Captain," he bowed respectfully to Yamamoto Genryūsai. "Regarding the leave I requested earlier…"
"Yes." Yamamoto nodded slightly. "I've approved your request for leave, but you must return to Soul Society within two weeks."
"As for the route to the human world, I've already arranged it in advance with Captain Kurotsuchi. He'll assist you with that."
"I understand, thank you, Head Captain." Arata was delighted. It's truly easier when you've got backing in Central 46, no, in Gotei 13.
Old folks don't lie!
Just as he was about to leave, Sasakibe Chōjirō opened the door.
"Sir Genryūsai, these are the documents you need to review today…" Sasakibe placed a stack of papers on the desk, then turned and saw Arata smiling.
"What is it, Saito-kun?"
"Ah… Vice-Captain Sasakibe, I submitted a request to the Head Captain for a vacation to the human world," Arata explained with a smile.
"Right now, Shinō Spiritual Academy is on break, so I plan to use the time for a trip and a bit of relaxation."
"A trip?" Sasakibe Chōjirō raised an eyebrow. "That's a good idea."
Stroking his chin, he said thoughtfully, "Come to think of it, since I went to study in the Western Division, I haven't been to the human world in a long time…"
When he heard those words, Arata suddenly had a bad feeling.
And, of course, that very afternoon, the news that Arata and Rangiku were going to the human world for vacation spread throughout Soul Society.
All the captains who heard it came with their lieutenants to the First Division barracks.
The reason was simple: they were all requesting Yamamoto's permission to go on vacation to the human world as well.
"I heard the beaches in the human world are beautiful and full of seashells!" little Yachiru was sprawled on Kenpachi Zaraki's shoulder, kicking her tiny feet in excitement.
"Tsk, what's so great about that." Kenpachi Zaraki twisted his lips in disdain, but didn't say "no."
"Vacation…" Kyōraku Shunsui leaned against the hallway railing in front of the barracks, and his eyes sparkled under his bamboo hat. "Ukitake, what do you think?"
Ukitake Jūshirō coughed twice, and a trace of longing appeared on his pale face. "I think this is truly a rare chance to relax a little."
Even the usually stern Kuchiki Ginrei nodded slightly. "The cherry blossoms in the human world should be in full bloom this time of year. I'd like to see them too."
Thus, what was originally meant to be a trip for two inexplicably turned into a group activity for the entire Gotei 13.