Hybrid Rainbow

There was a time when Jiang Meifen thought that perhaps she would stay in the Sixth Division only long enough to help her cousin rebuild, to honor the work that her mother died for, just make sure the squad is back on its feet – then she would hand in her resignation.

She would continue to support her Captain and the head of their noble house, of course – but perhaps she would do it at home. Maybe she would volunteer to help manage the house and its affairs while Master Jiang was busy attending to his duties in the division. Something like that.

It’s work that she knows she’s good at. She had never been the most adept fighter, anyway. Jiang Meifen became a soul reaper because it is the family profession. And she accepted the offer to be 5th Seat because she was the only one trained enough to take over the job her mother left behind.

Now, it’s been almost three years since Jiang Meifen became a seated officer, and she hasn’t thought of resigning. Not yet, anyway.

Sixth Division is fun, these days.

Don’t get her wrong – the first few months – that first year? Gruelling – for everyone. Blood, sweat and tears were shed to get the division back up and functioning. But after that, until now? She had always done by her due diligence, but being an officer is only her job, nothing more. Now, though, she actually looks forward to reporting for duty. Nowadays she appreciates the barracks – it’s hard not to, when she had been directly involved and personally saw through the work of rebuilding them.

But it’s more than the new buildings, the well-kept training yard and the clean but comfortable living quarters – there’s the people too. Maybe Jiang Meifen is more confident and open these days because compared to before, now she is surrounded mostly by officers closer to her in age.

Back then, she had plenty of seniors, her mother’s generation. Nowadays the few remaining seniors focus mostly on training and supervision of the new crop of Sixth Division officers. This training has been more rigorous, but necessary. The Captain didn’t want to choose between quality and quantity – he has made it known that he wants the division to have both.

And the new officers really liked that.

Jiang Meifen couldn’t tell when it started, but over the past three years, the Captain and the Sixth Division have gained such a stellar reputation in Soul Society. It’s quite inspiring, really. She knew how much her cousin worried and in turn tried very hard to mask that worry – in the early days when most everyone doubted him.

She is glad to stand by his side. She is glad to see the younger officers admiring him. New recruits look up to him so much that she often hears of ones who had asked and focused their training specifically to be part of the Sixth Division.

And in recent days, she finds herself most glad that it looks like her cousin has finally sorted out whatever… thing… he has to sort out with the Lieutenant.

Jiang Meifen is not blind. Sure, during the first year, she could rationalize Captain Jiang and Lieutenant Nie’s closeness to them being old friends, finding comfort in one another after a tragic event and a shared goal. They were very kind and supportive of her, too – no matter how difficult the adjustment period had been, she never doubted they had her back.

Now, three years in, there really is no excuse for two adult men to be eating off each other’s lunchboxes. Or Lieutenant Nie being the only one who can get away with napping on the Captain’s couch during the work day. Or Captain Jiang allowing only one person to heal him in the very few times he even admitted to needing healing. Or how when they walk together in the barracks, Captain Jiang so casually allows Lieutenant Nie to cling to his arm. Or how nowadays, whenever an officer gets flustered by Lieutenant Nie’s signature cheerful smile and sweet greetings, the Captain doesn’t get all scowl-y and annoyed anymore. If anything, he just usually wears a smug grin, as if taking pity on the poor officer because they never stood a chance.

She mourns the end of that last one. The Captain’s newfound confidence (and pettiness) is inspiring, but the annoyed scowls had been entertaining while they lasted. They will be missed.

All of those were very telling. And also, well, there was the kissing.

Jiang Meifen is not blind. She is also very observant. It looks like they do not mind so much, though. They don’t even bother being subtle with the flirting if it’s just her in their company. It’s nice, that they trust her with this. Like she’s always been in on the whole thing.

That, or they were really bad at hiding it.

Captain Jiang and Lieutenant Nie have not made any public declarations, but it looks like they aren’t exactly hiding the fact, either? They aren’t as… showy, in front of the other officers – they were still very professional, of course – but it looks like the others in the squad have been catching on, slowly.

Jiang Meifen has yet to hear the Captain and Lieutenant worry over that, though.

It does amuse her, to see how the rest of the squad has responded to this development.

She may or may not have heard of a betting pool. She tries to stay out of it. It would be inappropriate to be involved, anyway – she is the one working most closely with them both, and she is family. An unfair advantage.

There has been a number of occurrences of officers finally summoning up the courage to confess their admiration to their Lieutenant. Perhaps it was seeing a moment or two between Captain Jiang and Lieutenant Nie on their strolls around the division… or maybe it was the whispers going around with the bet pool… but about half a dozen brave souls finally came up to Lieutenant Nie to ask him out, only to get their heart broken.

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“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I cannot return your affections. I already have someone.”

“Ah… I understand, Lieutenant Nie…” – a hopeless sigh from an officer that Jiang Meifen knows is around the same age as the Lieutenant, maybe even younger. “I had to try. Though I know I couldn’t possibly hope to match a man like Captain Jiang.”

“I didn’t say it’s Captain Jiang.” Lieutenant Nie says, smile behind his fan.

“Oh.” the man blinks. “It isn’t? I thought-”

“I didn’t say it isn’t Captain Jiang either.”

“Oh… Which is it?”

The poor confused officer is only met with a bright smile and Lieutenant Nie telling him to be well and take care on his patrols.

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Now Jiang Meifen is sure their Captain also has his number of admirers – but, realistically speaking, they probably are too terrified. Lieutenant Nie, as always, is more approachable.

Meanwhile, some officers have gone the “protective” route.

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“Oi, what’re you scowling for? How was the joint training with the Fifth Division? Was it bad?”

“It’s fine. But like, there was this guy – I think their 4th, 5th seat? He was so rude to Lieutenant Nie! And then when Lieutenant Nie doesn’t stoop to his level and just tries to be nice, he goes and thinks Lieutenant Nie likes him! Starts flirting!”

“I mean, he can try… Not like Lieutenant Nie has eyes for anyone else. So I assume he just made a fool of himself then?”

“Better – Wu-xiong embarrassed him. Sparred with him, only used spells, beat him on their division’s specialty. It was awesome.”

“Wu-xiong? Our new 4th Seat? That Wu-xiong? The one who never talks…?”

“That one! Then he was like, ‘Please apologize to our Lieutenant, if you don’t want Captain Jiang to hear about your behavior today.’ So cool! I hope I get assigned under him in our next patrol!”

“Damn. I always thought 4th Seat Wu was cool. I didn’t know he was that cool.”

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Jiang Meifen will admit that it is nice, considering how Lieutenant Nie started in the division. That while there is strong, solid, fearsome respect and admiration for Captain Jiang among their entire squad, the same people have a softer, affectionate kind of respect for Lieutenant Nie.

After all, the Lieutenant is the one who says “…and make sure you take a break!” after the Captain gives his latest string of orders. He’s the one who brings special treats to wrap up a particularly busy week, who checks on the latest batch of officers to come back from patrol, and who reminds everyone to take leaves off once in a while.

Captain Jiang always looks mildly annoyed – less at the officers and more at his Lieutenant – saying his officers are being coddled and spoiled, and will grow soft. But he has never once ordered the aforementioned coddling and spoiling to stop. At this point, Meifen is sure it’s just an old habit or something.

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“Ah, don’t be such a stingy captain, Captain! Here, have a meat bun! You’ve been working hard too!”

“I’ve just been doing my job. I’m not a dog, I don’t need treats everytime I-… Fuck, this is good. Where’d you get it?”

“Right? Next time we eat out, we can go there!”

“Next time?”

“Yeah, you promised we’ll eat out next weekend.”

“I… don’t remember that.”

“You were sleepy. I made you swear.”

“I see. You’re evil.”

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Today, Jiang Meifen has her brother shadowing her. Jiang Yunru is a new recruit, graduating from the academy a good few years after her. He was assigned to the Sixth Division just the previous week. He claims that he “wants to see what 5th Seat Jiang does” since he’s got a bit of time before he has to go to his mandatory training.

“Jiejie.” Jiang Yunru pipes up from behind her, making her look up from the documents she was going through. “Since when was that a thing?”

“When was what?” she asks, then follows her brother’s gaze. “Oh. Well… ”

Ah. Up the second story, at the open window of the Captain’s office. They can see Xiaoyu’s cage, and beside it, what at first only looks like Captain Jiang and Lieutenant Nie bickering with each other.

Upon closer look, it’s Captain Jiang holding one of Lieutenant Nie’s fans out of his reach, and Lieutenant Nie trying to grab it back. They look like they’re arguing, but as Jiang Meifen looks longer, she can see that the Captain is not scowling, instead he is smirking, mischievous. Meanwhile, the Lieutenant is pouting, but obviously not angry, as he is trying not to laugh.

When Lieutenant Nie nearly trips, the Captain steadies him by the waist, and Lieutenant Nie fakes a scowl before giving in to laughter, leaning against the other’s chest. Captain Jiang snickers back, just watching him laugh, still not returning the fan.

“Maybe the past year or so?” Jiang Meifen answers with a shrug, going back to her documents as she continues walking. “They haven’t really said anything official.”

Jiang Yunru follows. He has always been a very laidback kid. She can tell he’s just purely curious as he hums and then asks, “Are we going to have a wedding for Wanyin-ge in Lotus Pier soon?”

“I don’t think it’s going to be ‘soon’.”

“Hm? I thought everyone knows already?”

“Sure, that’s true.” she says with a knowing smile. “But trust me, they are not in any kind of hurry.”

“Huh.” he says, nodding, easily accepting the answer. Then he yawns, already looking bored as they continue their stroll around the division. “So how soon can I join patrols?”

Jiang Meifen chuckles. “Don’t worry, you will be on patrols long before Wanyin-ge starts with the wedding plans.”

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It’s months later, while Jiang Meifen is sitting on the couch in the Captain’s office, going through her daily checklist, when Xiaoyu lands on her shoulder. She smiles and lifts her free hand to pet the canary.

Momentarily distracted, she catches snippets of the conversation happening on the Captain’s desk, where Lieutenant Nie is sitting on the chair for once, bent over and busy writing, while Captain Jiang is perched on the edge of the table, arms crossed and scowling.

“-then tell him he’s being a moron if he thinks he can just take a bunch of very well-trained officers and dump them in his division that barely does anything. What, he really wants to waste their time and potential? Ridiculous.”

Lieutenant Nie only nods to all of those and then continues to write, “I believe it may not be practical to transfer officers who have already proven specialized to perform duties exclusive to the Sixth Division…”

Captain Jiang scoffs. “Just tell him to buy off some other less busy officers from other divisions. They just count money and throw parties over there, anyway.”

“Perhaps Captain Jin can find a way to set aside the proper funds to help more recruitment initiatives…”

Captain Jiang turns to the Lieutenant and frowns. “That’s not what I said.”

Lieutenant Nie shrugs at him, keeping his eyes on his writing. “I really haven’t written down anything you’ve said, Captain.”

The Captain simply shakes his head, but lets the Lieutenant keep writing. “Whatever. Tell him to fuck off. He’s not having my men. Best Regards, Captain Jiang.”

“Sure, sure. Make sure to tell your sister’s father-in-law to fuck off…” Lieutenant Nie mumbles, barely paying attention to the Captain at this point. “I know this one deserves it, but you really should learn how to write letters to people you don’t like without telling them to go die in a ditch.”

“I know how to do that.”

“Yeah, and you reply with like, two sentences!”

“I stop there because the third sentence usually is the one telling them to go die in a ditch.”

“You can do better, Captain.”

“Just do your thing. You’re better at it, you can sound all nice while calling him dumb.”

“Of course, that’s what you keep me around for.” Lieutenant Nie says, laughing. He glances up and catches Jiang Meifen watching them, and only sends her an amused look.

Jiang Meifen smiles back, and keeps quiet as she plays with Xiaoyu.

Lieutenant Nie then sighs. “Really though, do better, specially in person. For your sister, at least.”

“I don’t know. He just sucks. His whole lot.” Captain Jiang says with a roll of his eyes. He heads to the side table to pour himself some tea. “Other families are fine. Your da-ge is cool. Your aunties were nice!”

“My aunties were nice to you because you are rich and handsome and you brought them those special plums from Meishan.” Lieutenant Nie points out. “Have you thanked Zonghui-ge for that tip, by the way?”

“Yeah. Sent him some wine.“ Captain Jiang says, then he returns to the desk, holding his own cup of tea and setting another down for the Lieutenant.

“Oh, thanks.” Lieutenant Nie says. He smiles as he passes over the finished letter to his Captain before picking up his cup.

After taking a sip, he says, “But don’t overdo it either, Captain. After your visit, the clan elders asked me when we’re getting married.”

Captain Jiang only shrugs, reading through the letter that was just handed to him. “Well, tell them I’ll court you properly when we’re not busy anymore, and not before.”

Jiang Meifen stops petting Xiaoyu, because that is. Something. Wow.

She looks up to her companions, and sees that Lieutenant Nie is just as surprised as she is, clutching his tea cup, staring at the Captain standing by the desk with wide eyes and red cheeks. Meanwhile, Captain Jiang, focused on his reading, looks like he is slowly realizing what he just said… looking torn between screaming and running away.

“Oh.” Lieutenant Nie manages, voice breaking slightly. He pointedly looks down at his tea, nodding slightly. “I see. T-That’s noted.”

Captain Jiang just gives him back the letter. “This is fine. You can send it.” He clears his throat, looking around the room for anything- anyone else- but the Lieutenant. He finds Jiang Meifen on the couch – or more specifically, Jiang Meifen’s companion. “Xiaoyu, don’t bother 5th Seat Jiang. Come here, I have berries.”

Jiang Meifen hardly feels Xiaoyu leave her to fly across the room to land on Captain Jiang’s raised hand. The Captain uses the opportunity to turn his back to them and take the bird back to its cage. A well-crafted, dignified escape.

When Jiang Meifen looks at Lieutenant Nie, the man meets her eyes, and gives her a helpless, desperate look. He mouths, “Oh my God???”

Jiang Meifen nods and mouths back. “Right???”

Lieutenant Nie then takes out his fan and vigorously starts fanning himself.

Jiang Meifen takes pity on him and volunteers to send the letter. Also because she can’t be in this room anymore. She loves and admires them dearly, but she will not be here as they talk things out.

As she walks down the halls, she makes a decision.

She is never joining any of the betting pools. Nope. That’s ethically wrong now – for her, at least. It would be unfair, she knows too much, she would practically be scamming the others.

Oh, but she would very much enjoy watching those bets unfold, now.