Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 96: Sister and Brother

Kotetsu Isane bent over, quickly dabbing at the wet patch around Shin's waist and abdomen with tissues. As her hands moved, she gradually realized how indecent the scene looked. Her heart started to pound—and at that very moment, a pair of hands suddenly reached out.

She froze.

Shin gently cupped her chin, tilting her face up toward him.

Their faces were suddenly only inches apart. Isane caught the faint scent of alcohol on his breath and met the softness in his gaze—so gentle it made her mind blank.

What's he trying to do...

Her ears flushed red. She abruptly pulled back, putting distance between them.

Shin blinked, surprised by her sudden retreat. Isane stood motionless for a moment, then, without a word, stepped forward again, resuming her attempt to wipe the dampness from his clothes. But the water had already soaked through; no matter how much she dabbed, a dark patch remained.

Finally, she straightened up and went to pour him another glass of water, setting it silently on his desk before turning and leaving the office without a word.

Shin stayed where he was, watching her go. He raised a hand to rub his forehead, leaning his head back to stare at the ceiling.

Maybe I pushed too fast...

He glanced at the system panel. Isane's affection score was spiking—rising and falling erratically.

Outside, Kotetsu Isane leaned against the closed office door.

Her palm touched her cheek—it was burning hot.

Her heart pounded like a kettledrum, refusing to settle down.

What was that, just now... Was it because he was drunk?

She felt like she'd been... not violated, exactly. After all, they were already very close. Colleagues. Teammates. Leader and subordinate. He even called her "Nee-san."

So she wasn't angry.

Mostly, she felt awkward. Flustered. Embarrassed.

"Vice-Captain Kotetsu?"

A voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

She looked up to see Seiroku Aoka—the new graduate from the Academy, and Shin's friend.

"Ah... do you need something?" she asked, hastily composing herself.

"I was looking for Shin." He gestured toward the door she was blocking, a little puzzled. "Can I not go in?"

"Of course," Isane said quickly, stepping aside. "Go on."

Then she turned and walked away in a hurry.

Seiroku blinked, glancing after her.

"Vice-Captain Kotetsu is really kind... and beautiful," he muttered. "It's a shame..."

He was referring to her height—nearly 190 centimeters. Enough to intimidate most men. Even Seiroku, who was tall himself, still felt dwarfed beside her.

Shin, meanwhile, hadn't drunk much. After a couple hours, his mind was clear again.

That afternoon, he led another field assignment with a few squad members. By the time they returned, night had fallen.

But Fourth Division's lights never went out—someone was always on duty in the general treatment ward.

Shin was heading to the dorms when he noticed a light still on in the vice-captain's office. After a brief pause, he made his way there.

Inside, Kotetsu Isane was still reviewing documents.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

She looked up and saw Shin. Her chest fluttered again.

"Oh, you're back," she said with a forced smile. "How was the mission?"

"A few people got hurt, but I treated them. Nothing serious."

"If you say they're fine, then I believe it."

"You're still working?"

"Just a few things left to organize."

Shin leaned over to glance at the paperwork—it was just minor squad business.

"Don't overdo it, Isane-san. You can handle this tomorrow."

"It's fine. I'll be done soon."

"Let me help."

"No, no—it's late. You should go rest. I've got this."

Shin paused.

He noticed something had changed—she was too polite now, too reserved. Not like her usual warm self.

"Isane-san," he said softly.

"Mm?" she didn't look up, still pretending to read the same pages over and over.

"About earlier today... I'm sorry."

He saw her shoulders flinch.

She lifted her head and gave him a gentle smile.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it. You were drunk, right? I didn't take it to heart."

"I wasn't drunk," Shin replied.

Her smile froze.

"Shin...?"

"I wasn't drunk," he repeated calmly.

Their eyes met. Isane's lashes trembled. She quickly looked away.

Maybe it was the warm lighting in the office, but her ears felt hot again.

"What are you saying..."

Her voice wavered. Inside, she was panicking. She could sense it—he was about to say something that would change everything.

"You've always looked out for me," Shin said. "I've been grateful for that. You're kind, you're beautiful, you're gentle. Everything I said earlier—I meant every word."

He looked at her directly as he spoke.

Isane pressed her lips together.

She let out a dry laugh.

"Since you call me Nee-san, I've always thought of you as a little brother."

"I know," Shin said steadily. "But I don't see you that way."

Clatter—

She stood up too fast. Her chair toppled behind her.

The warm light of the office thickened like syrup.

"Shin..."

His name slipped from her mouth, barely a whisper.

Her heart pounded like a stopwatch on overdrive.

He was still looking at her with those clear, unwavering eyes. That calmness made her even more flustered.

"I'm sorry if I've said something inappropriate, Isane-san."

No...

She opened her mouth, but wasn't sure if she managed a reply.

Her mind was a mess.

She couldn't think straight.

"Please," she murmured, gaze lowered to the floor, "let's not talk about this... okay?"

Shin didn't seem hurt by her retreat. He smiled faintly.

"Then I'll head back for the night. You should rest too."

Isane kept her head down.

"...Okay."

The sound of the door closing struck her chest like a stone.

She looked up.

He was gone.

The office was quiet.

She lifted the chair back up and slumped into it.

The window was open.

The curtain hung still, caught mid-drift. Outside, footsteps faded into the night.

Like a pebble dropped into a deep pool, the ripples of something unnamed slowly spread through her heart.

"Aaaagh!"

She suddenly clawed at her silver hair, ruffling it into a wild mess.