Nobu wasn’t actually all that lazy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have continued training diligently on his own despite knowing the rewards from the System far exceeded any self-training. Even during his time in the 4th Division, he’d always completed his field duties fully.
Managing division work wasn’t particularly difficult either, and Nobu was quickly adapting to life as a captain.
The 10th Division specialized in patrol and security, primarily responsible for maintaining order in Seireitei and Rukongai. Every day, squads were dispatched for patrol duties, though the focus was naturally on Seireitei.
The members of the 10th Division were also adjusting to their new captain. They’d all heard countless rumors about Tachikawa Nobu, but lately, what seated officers heard most frequently were complaints about him from their own Lieutenant.
This stemmed from Nobu’s irresistible urge to verbally tease Matsumoto Rangiku every chance he got.
One positive aspect for the 10th Division was that Nobu hadn’t immediately reshuffled the seated positions upon taking office. It was common for newly appointed captains to promote Shinigami they favored or bring in newcomers from other divisions.
But this wasn’t always welcome—someone rising inevitably meant someone else losing their spot.
Truthfully, the only person worth poaching was Hisagi Shūhei, but Hisagi wasn’t interested.
Aoshika aimed to become an exceptional healer, so bringing her over wasn’t an option. As for Kanisawa…
Nobu decided it was better to keep his distance.
“Captain.”
Hitsugaya Tōshirō knocked, entering the captain’s office to find Nobu lounging casually in his chair, legs propped carelessly on the desk.
This scene looked rather familiar…
He placed a stack of documents on the desk.
“Why are you delivering these? Where’s Matsumoto?” Nobu asked idly.
“She didn’t want to come,” Hitsugaya replied bluntly.
The reason was obvious enough. Lately, Matsumoto had taken to venting about Nobu to anyone who’d listen.
Nobu didn’t probe further. Raising his eyes to Hitsugaya, he suddenly smiled. “Feels a bit like being back at Shin’ō Academy, doesn’t it?”
Hitsugaya tilted his head slightly. During their time in the Academy Student Council, he’d often found Nobu slacking off just like this. That habit certainly hadn’t changed.
“True. Never expected you’d end up being my captain,” Hitsugaya remarked.
His feelings toward Nobu were complicated. Nobu was a significant reason why he’d become a Shinigami, indirectly saving his grandmother in the process, leaving Hitsugaya deeply grateful.
But beyond gratitude, Hitsugaya quietly set Nobu as his benchmark. Ever since joining the Academy, Hitsugaya had discovered his talent surpassed most others easily. Even upperclassmen praised as outstanding—like Hisagi—never truly concerned him.
Only Nobu remained consistently ahead.
And then, of course, there was Hinamori…
“What, do you think I’m in your way?” Nobu asked with amusement.
“No.” Hitsugaya shook his head. “I haven’t even touched the threshold of Bankai yet. The captain’s seat is still far off. Though, Captain, you could promote me to be your lieutenant.”
“Aren’t you afraid Matsumoto will beat you up for saying that?” Nobu teased.
“She can’t beat me anymore,” Hitsugaya shrugged.
“Oh, really?” Nobu raised an eyebrow. “Among the lieutenants, Matsumoto isn’t weak.”
“I haven’t fought her directly, but I don’t think I’d lose,” Hitsugaya stated plainly.
His confident demeanor reminded Nobu somewhat of himself.
“If I master Bankai, of course I’ll aim for captaincy,” Hitsugaya continued calmly.
“Well, good luck, then. Hope you get there soon.”
“One more thing,” Hitsugaya said suddenly. “The Shin’ō Academy invited you to teach as a guest lecturer.”
“Who sent the invitation?”
“Gengorō-sensei.”
“Can’t be bothered right now. Maybe later,” Nobu waved him off.
“I’ll pass along your exact response to Gengorō-sensei.”
“…”
Speechless, Nobu stared at Hitsugaya, unable to tell if he was joking or dead serious.
“You brat…”
As a captain, Nobu had more freedom over his time. Seeing there wasn’t much happening in the division, he decided to head home early.
He hadn’t seen Matsumoto Rangiku at all today. Who knew if that woman had run off somewhere to drink?
And she had the nerve to call him lazy and irresponsible. Clearly, the irresponsible one here was her.
He made a mental note to teach his lieutenant a good lesson next time. Currently, the way the division members looked at him had become strangely knowing, as if they’d suddenly learned about some hidden side of him—entirely thanks to Matsumoto.
…
Returning home, Nobu saw a figure waiting outside his door.
She wore the Shin’ō Academy’s red-and-white uniform, initially sitting quietly, then quickly rising as soon as she saw Nobu approaching. They hadn’t seen each other in days, and the girl looked a little haggard. She tried forcing a smile at him, but it quickly faded.
“Kaichō…”
“Hinamori.”
Nobu approached her, giving her a brief, close look before opening the door.
“Come in first.”
Hinamori silently followed Nobu into the living room.
Nobu poured her a cup of water, gesturing for her to sit on the sofa.
“How long have you been waiting?”
Hinamori sat down, taking the cup and murmuring softly, “Not long.”
“Is something the matter?”
Seeing Nobu casually remove his captain’s haori and toss it aside, Hinamori quietly said, “Congratulations on becoming captain.”
Nobu smiled. “Thanks.”
Since that day, the three of them hadn’t met. If Hinamori hadn’t visited today, Nobu wasn’t sure when he’d have gone to the Academy himself.
Part of why he declined the guest-lecturer invitation Hitsugaya mentioned was precisely because of Hinamori and Rukia.
Suddenly, Hinamori’s eyes grew red.
Nobu sat at the other end of the sofa, helpless. “What’s wrong now?”
Hinamori shook her head slightly, then murmured, “Captain, now you… feel so distant.”
“You’re overthinking it… I’ve just been busy lately, haven’t had time to visit you all at the Academy,” Nobu replied casually.
“Yes, I know,” Hinamori said quietly, eyes lowered.
“How have you all been lately?” Nobu asked her lightly.
“Kira-kun and Abarai-kun—everyone’s doing fine…” Hinamori slowly replied. “Kira-kun became Vice President of the Student Council, Abarai-kun took over as President of the Kendo Club, and Ganju has also matured a lot.”
She briefly updated Nobu about their small circle of friends, noticeably excluding herself and Rukia.
“What about you?” Nobu asked.
“…”
Holding the cup with both hands, Hinamori fell silent for a long moment, then softly said, “Not good.”
Now it was Nobu’s turn to go quiet.
Seeing he didn’t speak, Hinamori bit her lip and whispered, “I really missed you, Kaichō.”
“…”
“Did you miss me at all?”
Nobu adjusted his position slightly, then answered, “I guess I did.”
Hinamori immediately looked up at him, her eyes brightening just a little.
She hesitated briefly, then said, “About what happened last time… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted out like that. You must hate me now, right?”
“Not really.”
Hinamori pressed her lips together tightly and lowered her head again. After a brief silence, she quietly asked, “You and Lieutenant Kotetsu… how are things?”
“We haven’t seen each other for days,” Nobu replied honestly.
Hinamori blinked, confused. “Eh?”
Nobu directly asked, “In what sense do you mean?”
“I…” Hinamori stumbled over her words. She originally wanted to ask if Nobu was really dating Kotetsu Isane, but his response completely threw her thoughts into chaos.
“Kaichō just said… you haven’t seen her for days?”
Hinamori believed that if Nobu and Isane were truly dating, they’d surely be living together by now. Even if not, Seireitei wasn’t large enough for them to avoid each other for days.
“I’ve been busy lately, and so has she,” Nobu answered ambiguously.
This reply was far too vague, too unclear.
Gritting her teeth, Hinamori finally gathered the courage to ask directly, “Kaichō and Lieutenant Kotetsu… aren’t dating?”
Nobu seemed to anticipate the question, his expression unchanged as he calmly replied, “We were together.”
“…”
Hinamori instantly froze, feeling as though she’d been struck by lightning, her mind reeling.
They were together…
They really had been together?!
Her earlier suspicions were correct—so the reason Nobu rejected her and Rukia that day was because of Kotetsu Isane!
After that day, she’d thought about it repeatedly.
Out of sight, out of mind—after Nobu graduated and joined the 4th Division, their meetings became scarce. But Nobu and Isane spent every day together.
As one relationship faded, another quietly blossomed.
It was only natural.
Hinamori had considered this possibility long ago, but she’d always refused to accept it.
Clearly—clearly, she’d maintained her feelings for Nobu unchanged, wholeheartedly, without wavering…
So why couldn’t Nobu do the same?
A surge of bitter sadness filled her heart.
Hinamori sniffled quietly, forcing herself to remain calm. She didn’t want to appear hysterical in front of Nobu. She hated that version of herself, and she knew Nobu probably would too.
“Why did you break up?” Her voice trembled slightly, yet she fought hard to keep it steady.
Nobu thought a moment before responding, “We had some differences.”
“I see,” Hinamori replied quietly. Then she added, “Kaichō must really like her, right? Lieutenant Kotetsu is gentle and beautiful. Why not try to fix your differences?”
Nobu didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he quietly studied Hinamori’s downcast face, then suddenly chuckled softly.
“To fix these differences, someone would have to change or compromise. And I’m not the type who compromises.”
“…”
“So, Hinamori—you don’t actually know me that well.”
Hinamori’s grip tightened unconsciously around the cup.
Nobu continued calmly, “I might as well say this clearly now.”
“As Shinigami, our lifespans are far too long, and our existence in this world stretches on endlessly. I don’t think I’m capable of staying emotionally attached to a single person for hundreds or even thousands of years. Hinamori, you’re cute, and your personality is bright—I genuinely like you. But I’m also very selfish, and I won’t allow myself to be possessed by anyone. The kind of love you want, I can’t give you. What I desire, you wouldn’t accept either. So even though that last encounter ended poorly, it was probably for the best—for both of us.”
“…”
Hinamori stared blankly at Nobu for a long, stunned moment.
Then Nobu spoke again. “If there’s nothing else, you should head back. Don’t you have classes this afternoon? Or did you skip them? Once I’m less busy, I’ll visit the Academy again—haven’t seen everyone in a while.”
Hinamori quietly placed her cup on the table. She seemed surprisingly calm, without any strong emotional reaction. Nobu couldn’t guess what she’d been thinking all this time.
“Kaichō,” Hinamori said quietly after taking a deep breath, “I’m planning to graduate next year.”
Nobu considered briefly. “Your grades are quite good. If you prepare seriously, graduating early shouldn’t be difficult. Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu in the 4th Division are both good people. Aoshika is there too—he’d definitely look after you.”
Hinamori shook her head firmly. “I no longer intend to join the 4th Division.”
Nobu wasn’t surprised. After a brief pause, he asked, “Then where?”
Hinamori stared straight at him, the intention clear in her eyes.
Nobu sighed helplessly. “I don’t recommend you come to the 10th Division, Hinamori. You have the potential to become a lieutenant someday, but in the 10th Division, you’ll never reach that rank.”
He wouldn’t replace Matsumoto Rangiku or Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
“I don’t care,” Hinamori replied stubbornly. “That doesn’t matter to me. Captain Tachikawa, are you really going to reject my graduation request when the time comes?”
“I might. If another division wants you by then, I’ll absolutely yield.”
Hinamori’s eyes reddened again immediately.
Seeing this, Nobu rubbed his forehead tiredly. “Fine, fine, do whatever you want.”
Hinamori looked at him with reddened eyes, but even hearing Nobu relent, no trace of happiness appeared on her face.
“Kaichō, compared to before, you’ve become so cold to me.”
“Have I? I don’t think so.”
Hinamori suddenly shifted positions, sitting closer. She tightly hugged Nobu’s arm, her watery eyes staring directly up at him.
Nobu gently struggled. “What are you doing?”
Hinamori didn’t reply, instead resting her head on Nobu’s shoulder.
“Kaichō, your heart really is cruel,” she mumbled quietly.
“I actually think I’m pretty kind,” Nobu responded evenly. Still, he didn’t push her away again, accepting her silent leaning against him.
They sat quietly together, Nobu unable to see her expression, only hearing the slow, even rhythm of her breathing.
Then, without warning, Hinamori lifted her head, quickly planted a soft kiss on Nobu’s cheek, released his arm before he could react, and rose swiftly from the sofa.
“Kaichō, I’ll head back first.”
With those words, she turned abruptly and hurried toward the entrance.
“See you, Kaichō.”
Nobu watched her departing figure, his fingers gently touching the spot on his cheek she’d kissed, his expression unreadable.
—
T/N: HUH???? GIRL DIDNT YOU HEAR HIM?
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!
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