Chapter 3

Were the two of you close friends from back in your school days?

Yes, that's right. We were together a lot.

I've heard the two of you were the first Soul Reaper Academy graduates to become captains, but were you exceptional even as students?

Haha. I don't know about exceptional, but Kyoraku's swordsmanship certainly stood out, even at that time.

Come to think of it, the first time I spoke to him was during sword practice.

And begin!

Enough!

Not bad, stranger.

So no mercy given, even to a sick man? I'm Jushiro Ukitake.

Shunsui Kyoraku.

I know.

Oh, really? Yeah, I thought you might, since you've been watching me like a hawk all this time in class.

*chuckle* Was I that obvious? Fact is, I have a huge favor to ask of you.

He always looked so happy when he was eating monaka jam sweets. I wanted my brothers and sisters to try them, so I asked him where he bought them.

By the time I found out there was alcohol in the monaka, my siblings were already swarming me. It was rough, let me tell you.

So that's how you met.

Anyway, have you all finished organizing the documents?

Ah!

Uh-oh...

I completely forgot!

I wonder if we'll finish today...

I'll give you a hand. I actually came to check on you because I'd heard this section was particularly jumbled up.

Are you sure?

Of course. If we work together, we'll get it done somehow.

Thank you very much!