Restricted-Class Shinigami [160]

Shin’ō Academy.

It was approaching evening, and only Kira and Hinamori remained in the quiet Student Council office.

“Where’d you go this afternoon, skipping class?”

Kira questioned Hinamori directly, “The teacher asked me about you. I said you weren’t feeling well and were resting in your dorm.”

Hinamori gave him a quick smile. “Thanks!”

Kira sighed helplessly. “If something’s going on, tell me in advance. It’s not hard to ask for leave properly—covering for you at the last minute could easily backfire.”

“Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll tell you next time,” Hinamori replied carelessly.

“And also—can you pay a little more attention to your work? You’re a department head, after all. There are lots of juniors looking up to us in the Student Council. We should at least set a better example.”

“Kira, you’re really nagging,” Hinamori pouted, looking mildly annoyed.

Kira rubbed his forehead in frustration. Precisely because they were too close, Hinamori and Renji never took him seriously—even though he was now Vice President of the Student Council.

At least Abarai was manageable, holding only a nominal position in the Student Council while focusing more on his Kendo Club. But Hinamori had taken over Nobu’s old job as head of the Organizational Department, meaning many council matters required Kira to consult closely with her. Hinamori was actually very capable, usually handling tasks excellently—but recently, for whatever reason, she’d started neglecting her duties, pushing her responsibilities onto him or other council members.

“Hinamori, listen…”

Just then, Rukia walked in from outside, accompanied by Ganju, and was still busily instructing him on various matters.

Despite her petite frame, Rukia’s presence had grown significantly since becoming Council President, developing a noticeably capable aura over time.

“Next Tuesday, Class C of the second-years will head to the Human World for practical training. Yukimura-sensei wants us to handle all the arrangements,” Rukia said directly to Kira upon entering.

Kira rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Have Abarai handle it; he’s free anyway.”

Rukia nodded. “Fine.”

Compared to its early days, the Student Council was now far more influential within the Academy. It had slowly evolved from a simple student organization into an essential part of the school’s administration. Teachers and Academy leadership frequently entrusted important tasks to the Student Council.

By now, Shin’ō Academy had come to rely heavily on the Council—both students and faculty had grown accustomed to its presence.

Rukia had also become very dedicated, working hard to fulfill her role as President. Combined with her status from the Kuchiki family, she had earned significant respect among the student body.

Suddenly, Kira chuckled, “Oh right—don’t forget our plans this weekend.”

Hinamori froze slightly at that.

Rukia glanced at him as well.

Neither of them spoke.

Kira frowned, puzzled. “Did you two forget? Tachikawa-senpai was appointed Captain of the 10th Division. We’re all going to his house to celebrate. Ganju, didn’t you tell them?”

Ganju scratched his head. “I’m pretty sure I mentioned it…”

Rukia glanced over at Hinamori sitting silently. “We know now.”

Kira continued, “I also reached out to Hisagi-senpai, Kanisawa-senpai, and Aoshika-senpai. Everyone’s going, so it’ll be lively.”

“Alright.”

Outside the office, someone hurriedly approached. “Vice President Kira, Yukimura-sensei wants to see you.”

“Coming.”

Kira answered briefly, then followed the student out.

Classes had already ended, and Hinamori glanced out the window, seeing many students walking around the campus.

Rukia shot a meaningful look toward Ganju, who immediately took the hint and discreetly left the office.

The Student Council was certainly a place that honed people—Ganju had become quite perceptive. He was still the President’s assistant and excelled at it. Being younger than Rukia and the others, he was being groomed as the next Council President.

Now, only Rukia and Hinamori remained in the office. Rukia asked directly:

“Where did you go this afternoon, skipping class?”

“I went to see Kaichō.”

Hinamori didn’t bother hiding it, speaking directly.

Rukia paused slightly, though her expression showed little surprise—as if she’d already guessed. Among them, neither Renji nor Hinamori typically called her “Kaichō,” and the only “Kaichō” Hinamori ever mentioned was Nobu.

Hinamori sat quietly, eyes gazing out the window, then added, “I asked Kaichō some questions, and he answered them all.”

Hearing this, Rukia slowly walked over to her seat and sat down. Her thoughts drifted to a few years ago when Nobu, still Student Council President, would sit here, while she stood beside him…

Back then, Nobu often taught her many things.

When she’d been a mere first-year student, she’d looked up to the President as an unreachable idol.

Later, when she heard Nobu say he liked her, alongside the shock and disbelief, she’d felt a secret delight at being acknowledged.

Rukia lowered her gaze. “Momo, you still haven’t given up?”

Hinamori laughed lightly. “If you’re saying that, I’ll assume you’ve dropped out of the race.”

“…”

Hinamori continued, “Kaichō and Lieutenant Kotetsu really did date before—I wasn’t wrong. But they’ve broken up now. He said it was due to differences between them. That makes sense to me; not everyone can truly understand Kaichō. It’s obvious Lieutenant Kotetsu was only attracted to him because he’s exceptional.”

She spoke in a light and calm tone, as if describing something insignificant. “Rukia, if you decide to give up on Kaichō now, you’d be making the right choice. If you’re not strong enough, you’ll never win his heart. Letting go now would spare you from future disappointments.”

Rukia fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Do you think you’re making the right choice, continuing to love him, hoping your sincerity will someday reach him?”

After that incident at Nobu’s house, the two girls had given each other the silent treatment for a while before eventually talking openly.

Since then, Rukia had come to understand clearly: Nobu wasn’t someone who could remain devoted to one person. That realization hurt her more than Nobu’s earlier rejection.

“You still don’t know me well enough, Rukia,” Hinamori suddenly laughed lightly. “And you don’t know Kaichō well enough either. That’s the biggest difference between us. That day at Kaichō’s home, when you insisted on confronting him—wasn’t that because, deep down, you placed yourself above him?”

“Rukia, you don’t love Kaichō enough. That’s why you willingly put him in such a difficult situation.”

Rukia frowned deeply. “Do you even realize what you’re saying? You already know exactly how he feels—are you crazy?”

“Ah, so that’s what you think, Rukia…”

“…”

Rukia froze briefly.

“Everyone has their own thoughts,” Hinamori continued. “Rukia, just keep following your heart and doing what you think is right. But…you and I are fundamentally different.”

“…”

Rukia remained silent, her fists tightening unconsciously.

Hinamori smiled gently. “I plan to graduate next year and join the 10th Division.”

“…”

Rukia turned her gaze out the window as well, her fingertips idly tracing the gilded patterns along the edge of the President’s desk. The setting sun illuminated her hair softly, casting a warm glow.

She stared at Hinamori’s reflection in the glass, noticing how the gentle tilt of her eyes still resembled the bright, cheerful girl who’d joined the Student Council back then—but now it carried a hint of unsettling obsession.

“I should go home now,” Rukia said, standing up.

“Mm. See you,” Hinamori replied calmly.

…

Kotetsu Kiyone arrived home, noticing shoes neatly placed by the entrance. She scratched her head, puzzled.

“Sis, I’m back!”

“Mm, dinner’s almost ready—just wait a bit,” Isane called from the kitchen.

Kiyone stepped into the living room, stretched lazily, and stared thoughtfully at the figure busy in the kitchen.

“You’ve been coming home every night lately,” she remarked casually.

“Where else would I go? Things aren’t too busy in the division right now,” Isane replied without looking up.

“What about over there?”

“…”

Seeing no response, Kiyone got up and walked to the kitchen doorway, leaning against the frame.

“You haven’t gone there in days, right?”

By “there,” she naturally meant Nobu’s house. Kiyone clearly remembered when her sister had first started dating Nobu—she’d practically wanted to stay overnight every day. Back then, Kiyone frequently complained about being forgotten by her sister as soon as she got a boyfriend.

Isane had always blushed shyly and told her to stop teasing.

Of course, Kiyone hadn’t really minded. To her, it was perfectly normal that her sister and Nobu were passionately in love. She’d assumed they’d probably marry soon, and then her sister would officially move in with him.

What confused her was why they’d refused to make their relationship public.

While focusing on cooking, Isane replied quietly, “He just became captain recently. You know how busy the 10th Division is. I don’t want to bother him.”

“How is that bothering him? Even if he’s busy, if you cooked dinner for him like this, he’d surely be happy.”

Isane said nothing further, just instructing gently, “Help me bring out the dishes.”

“…”

This reaction made Kiyone even more suspicious, but she obediently carried the dishes to the table.

After Isane finished in the kitchen and sat down at the table as well, Kiyone finally couldn’t hold back anymore. “Sis, did you two have a fight?”

“No.”

“That can’t be right—you definitely had some kind of argument. What happened?”

“…”

Isane’s hand paused while serving rice, her voice softening. “Why ask so much?”

“Of course I have to! You’re my sister,” Kiyone said earnestly.

Isane quietly began eating.

“So whose fault was it? Yours or his?”

“Neither.”

Kiyone sighed, propping her chin with one hand, eyes rolling thoughtfully. “Did he cheat on you?”

Hearing this, Isane nearly choked, coughing lightly as she glared at her sister. “Don’t say nonsense. Do you really think he’s that kind of person?”

Kiyone pursed her lips skeptically. “How would I know? Honestly, he meets all the criteria to cheat—he’s good-looking, powerful, and now he’s a young, successful captain. Who knows how many women are trying to approach him right now? Isn’t it pretty normal for a man to lose control under those circumstances?”

Isane shook her head helplessly. “Stop guessing randomly. It’s not like that.”

“Then tell me what happened!” Kiyone grew impatient. “Even though you haven’t said anything, I can clearly feel you’ve been unhappy lately.”

“…”

Isane hesitated briefly, then lowered her gaze. “It’s nothing complicated. It’s just…maybe he and I aren’t compatible after all.”

“So you really did fight!” Kiyone blurted.

“Didn’t I already say we didn’t?”

“But you said your personalities don’t match! Personality clashes obviously lead to arguments!”

Isane stared quietly at the bowl of rice, idly nudging it with her chopsticks. “He’s not the type to argue. He always stays calm and acts as if he has everything under control… I hate seeing him that way, as if even our relationship is something he’s already anticipated. Sometimes, I wish he’d yell at me or show some emotion, whether begging me to stay or pushing me away—anything but that calm, collected look…”

As she spoke, her voice became softer, eyes lowering further. “But in truth…I don’t have any right to blame him. Compared to his calmness, my weakness is even worse. Maybe there were things he didn’t want to say, but I…I didn’t have the courage to say them either.”

Kiyone sat stunned for a long moment before asking quietly, “So…did you two break up?”

“…”

“Do you think he doesn’t love you anymore?”

“I don’t know,” Isane replied softly. “I’m so cowardly. I only wanted to run from the problem—our captain, our relationship… Maybe if we’d had a big fight back then, things would’ve been better.”

Kiyone said nothing, slowly reaching out to grasp her sister’s hand.

“If he doesn’t cherish you, it’s his loss. Breaking up isn’t that big of a deal anyway. Honestly, he’s not that great—no matter how strong he is, he’s still young, still just a brat. Sis, don’t take it too seriously. Plus, now he’s moved to the 10th Division. You won’t have to see him every day anymore. You’ll feel better soon.”

Isane silently lowered her eyes.

Did she and Nobu really break up…?

That day, she’d only said she needed some space, just some time apart. But so many days had passed, and Nobu hadn’t contacted her once.

Nobu… What exactly did he mean? Did he really not care at all?

“Sis?”

Isane suddenly raised her head, seeing Kiyone’s bright smile.

“Take a day off tomorrow,” Kiyone said warmly. “Let’s go out together.”

“There’s still work at the division…”

“Didn’t you just say it wasn’t busy?”

“I…”

“Oh, come on, it’s just one day off. Surely the 4th Division can manage without you for a day. Let’s go hiking tomorrow.”

“…Alright.”

—

This is a fan translation of 限制级死神 by 易安z. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!