Kotetsu Isane stood outside Shin's door, hesitated a moment… then knocked.
A heartbeat later—creak—the door opened and she was pulled inside.
Before she could even speak, warm breath silenced her words. Her back hit the door with a soft thud, breath tangled, cheeks burning. Her fingers fumbled against his uniform, grasping helplessly before sliding weakly to rest at his waist.
"Mm—"
"…You've been drinking?"
"I had a bit with the Captain… I'll go brush my teeth—"
"No need."
He lifted her with ease. Startled, she clung to his neck, face aflame.
"W-Wait! I thought you said we needed to talk!"
"This is the talk."
"You liar…! Let me go—at least let me bathe first!"
"Can't wait."
She wasn't drunk. Just a couple cups with Unohana. But even that little alcohol felt like a flood now, drowning her thoughts. She glanced at the darkened window, wanting to tell Shin to turn off the light—but the words never made it out. They caught in her throat, melted into a soft moan laced with bashful complaint.
The night deepened. Moonlight poured through the windows, silver slicing between tangled limbs and rising heat. Her toes curled against the floorboards, fingers scraping moisture from the wood as sweat pooled along her collarbones, breath scattering against the paper-paneled windows. The wall clock ticked unnoticed.
Then Shin stopped.
He blinked, lashes catching the starlight in her eyes, holding her gaze. The wind brushed the rooftops outside. Time crystallized.
Isane lay curled in his arms, silver hair disheveled, her flushed face slowly calming.
"…In three years, you're leaving Squad 4, aren't you?"
The question hung in the quiet.
Shin's eyes flickered. "The Captain told you?"
"Mhm… I'm not upset you didn't. It's a captain-level appointment—probably confidential. I shouldn't even know."
"…"
Her arms around his grew tighter.
He knew. Isane would never leave Squad 4. Never leave Unohana. He brushed aside a damp strand of hair from her forehead.
"What else did the Captain say?"
"Nothing more. Just that you still had unfinished business in Squad 4… Shin, you don't need to worry. Becoming a captain is a huge honor. I'd never hold you back. I'll be proud of you. Even if you go to Squad 10, it won't change us."
Shin laughed under his breath, hugged her closer. "Then maybe I'll tell you a little truth."
She tilted her head. "What truth?"
He tapped her nose playfully. "My Zanpakutō… it isn't actually a healing-type."
She froze. "You… what?"
Shin said, "Eventually, it would've come out. My blade can heal, yes—but it's not a kaidō-type Zanpakutō. I disguised it as one so I could enter Squad 4 without issue."
"…"
Isane stared, stunned.
Back when Shin had joined, the entire division had tested his abilities. His healing methods worked. No one had doubted them. No one questioned the results.
But now…
She thought it through.
She'd always thought Shin's healing didn't match any known kaidō principles. She'd chalked it up to her own lack of understanding. But now…
"…Then why did you join Squad 4?" she asked quietly.
Shin's answer was simple.
"Two reasons. One—because of you. Two—because of our captain."
"…Captain? What do you mean?"
Shin gazed at the ceiling. His voice lowered.
"Do you know the truth of the Captain's past?"
"…"
Isane hesitated. She did know a little. But only fragments. Shards of something ancient and buried.
And what little she knew… clashed violently with the image she held of Unohana Retsu.
She was kind. Gentle. Unshakably strong. Near perfect.
"…How does this relate?" she asked softly.
Shin noted her hesitation. Her eyes. Her unease.
He sighed. "If you don't know, then forget I said anything."
But she stared at him—steadfast.
Defiant.
"…"
He hesitated… then spoke.
"You know the Captain wasn't always Squad 4's leader, right? The original Captain of Squad 4 was Shijima Chiri. And the original Captain of Squad 11…"
He met her eyes.
"…was our Captain. But back then, she went by Yachirō Unohana."
Isane nodded slowly. That much, she knew. The gentle Unohana had once been the first Kenpachi.
A secret, still rarely spoken in Soul Society. A truth too heavy for most.
Shin continued.
"The Gotei 13 back then… wasn't the same. Soul Society was chaos. The Court Guard Squads weren't upholding law—they were a kill squad, created to bring order through force. And Captain Unohana…"
He paused.
"She was feared as the most terrifying soul to ever walk the Rukongai. A peerless murderer. A blood-soaked legend. People died just knowing her name."
"…How do you know this?" Isane whispered.
"Even I don't know all that…"
"It's ancient history… long buried…"
Shin said nothing.
She buried her face in his chest, clinging tightly.
"Shin…"
"She may have changed. But that doesn't mean she's abandoned that part of herself. I think… she's still waiting."
Isane's grip tightened. Her nails dug into his arm.
"Waiting for what? For you to challenge her? To finish something…?"
"…"
"Shin… is that why you came to Squad 4?"
"No."
His voice was clear.
"I didn't come here to kill anyone. I came to save her. To free her from that past."
Isane let out a shaky breath. Her body sagged into his like a tide ebbing from the shore.
"…Can I trust you, Shin?"