Rivalry (Urahara x Reader)

Slowdown

As Y/N stepped into her quarters, the weight of the day began to lift off her shoulders. The familiar scent of wood polish and the faint trace of incense welcomed her, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. After a short shower, she lied on her bed, mind racing. The members of her squad were safe, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she could breathe.

As Y/N continued to lay in bed, the memories from her time in the Shinigami Academy began to swirl in her mind, vivid and bright as the day they happened. It felt like a lifetime ago—back when the world seemed simpler, and her greatest challenge was balancing her studies with the secret tasks assigned to her by Captain Yamamoto, Shunsui, and Ukitake.

Y/N was a diligent student, always eager to learn and prove herself. While her classmates engaged in typical academy life—studying, sparring, and socializing—she was often found in quiet corners, poring over strategy papers and maps, crafting plans for mock missions and hypothetical scenarios. The trio of captains saw her potential and, under the radar, offered her opportunities to develop her skills beyond what the average student experienced. It was exhilarating, but also a heavy burden. She couldn't let anyone know about these secret assignments, lest she draw attention to herself.

One afternoon, while she was meticulously outlining a strategy for a theoretical encounter with a rogue Hollow, she noticed Urahara lounging in the sun outside the classroom, a mischievous grin on his face. It was then that she realized he had been watching her work. Somehow, he had pieced together her clandestine endeavors.

"Urahara -san!" she had called, narrowing her eyes at him as he approached, his hands tucked into the pockets of his uniform. "Can I help you?"

He ambled closer, the sun glinting off his tousled hair, giving him an almost ethereal look. "I just thought you'd like some company while you plot world domination," he teased, leaning against the wall casually. "But I can't help but notice you're doing a lot of secretive stuff over here."

Y/N's heart raced. "What are you talking about?"

He leaned in closer, a knowing glint in his eyes. "The way you look so intense and focused. It's not every day a student gets so invested in strategic planning. You're under the radar of Captain Yamamoto, right? Care to share the details?"

Feeling cornered, Y/N hesitated but didn't falter. "What makes you think I'm doing anything like that?"

Urahara smirked, crossing his arms. "Well, let's see... Last week, you weren't in class for a fair share of classes. At the same time , that week has an unprecedented number of hollow encounters so Captain Shunsui whom usually teaches us Kido 101 wasn't around. Coincidence? I think not."

She raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "You're saying you figured it out from me not being at school at a time? Man , the power of confirmation bias... Are you sure you are a top student?"

"Not just that," he continued, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Even though you have top grades in Combat Strategy , you still meet up with Captain Ukitake for extra classes every two days."

"Simple, I just can't afford to let my grades slip."

"Says the person who is usually the first one out of school and never participates in extracurriculars. You won't stay back in school for things you could do at home , thus the meeting with Captain Ukitake is more than just studies." Urahara fought back with a sound argument.

"That means noth-"

"Don't get me started on that folder you always carry around. No matter what subject, what time of day , you always had it. So if I were to open it right now, it would contain comprehensive notes , maps of Seireitei and classified name lists , no?" Urahara smirked.

Y/N 's eyes widened. "So there is something behind all that eccentricity huh." She sighed but in reality her heart sank. He'd pieced together her secret through a series of observations that were all too accurate. "Then all I have to do is to get you back twice as hard "

"Be my guest"

From that moment on, a playful rivalry was born. She started keeping an eye on Urahara, looking for any hint of a secret or a flaw in his seemingly perfect demeanor. She prided herself on being strategic and clever, and the thrill of the chase invigorated her.

Urahara, always the unpredictable wild card, only seemed to relish the challenge. He would often give her sly smiles, taunting her with hints of things that were just out of reach, playing up the game they'd inadvertently started. Y/N found herself drawn into a new kind of competition, one where they challenged each other not just academically but in the very nature of their personalities. Others also began to recognise their feud . This rivalry was the reason Y/N met Yoruichi her best friend.

Now, they were both captains, the pinnacle of Soul Reapers. Their roles in society expanded , unlike their juvenile past selves , their every decision has drastic impacts. As Y/N though about it , she could only sighed in response to this realization .This feeling can only be exasperated with the emergence of this new threat targeting her squad.

Her mind continued to race as her body's exhaustion drifted her to a place so far , far away.