Chapter 87
"What's going on here?"
The sliding doors on both the inner and outer sides closed simultaneously, completely isolating all sound from the two seemingly separate worlds.
Hypocritical and sanctimonious?
Food and sex are human nature.
Volume 1: 055, Kaijō
Shin'ō Academy.
In front of the familiar auditorium, Principal Mitarai began his speech again... the kind that still made everyone drowsy.
"Whoosh."
With a very faint sound of Shunpo, the empty seat in the front row of Class 6-1 was instantly filled.
Why are you so late?
Nanao adjusted her glasses and turned to Haruto, asking, "Although you were late on the first day of school, Haruto is usually quite punctual."
Principal Mitarai's speech has been going on for almost half an hour.
"..."
"We're in a hurry to get going."
Haruto glanced at Mutsuki, who was standing on one side of the formation, from a distance. Of all the teachers present, only his own homeroom teacher could detect his movements.
After giving Mutsuki -sensei a pleading look as she looked over—
"Here."
Haruto nodded towards the back row.
Sure enough, Ayaka was trying to sneak into the crowd.
Why did you all come together?
Beside Nanao, Kiyone, her little nose twitching, also poked her head over.
"Ah! I smell white plum blossoms! It's Ayaka's scent!"
As if she had discovered a new continent, Kiyone's already loud voice suddenly became uncontrollable—not only did the teachers and students cast curious glances at her, but even the Principal Mitarai, who was speaking eloquently, paused for a moment.
If it weren't for Haruto's overwhelming aura, he would have been dragged out when he was late.
"Boom."
Haruto gave Qingyin a sharp flick on the forehead, Kiyone all her questions that followed.
"I helped Byakuya out a little last night."
Whenever Haruto and Byakuya go out at night, someone is bound to suffer... This is a tacit consensus within their small circle.
"It just took too long, and I was quite exhausted afterward, so I decided to stay at Ayaka's inn for the night."
Haruto did not deliberately hide it.
"Cai... Ayaka's family?"
Nanao's surprise wasn't because Haruto went to Ayaka's house, but because Ayaka's house was the one that Ayato remembered so well.
"Um."
Haruto nodded.
Nanao had never been to North Rukongai, but based solely on Ayaka's descriptions, she was already wary of this residence.
Are you injured?
Isane wasn't concerned about that; instead, after hearing Haruto's explanation, she asked about his health with some concern.
At least it's not apparent on the surface.
"I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?"
Haruto shook his arm and said with a smile.
"Muttering."
The group lowered their voices as they spoke.
Although the coincidence was truly remarkable, because everyone was young and inexperienced, no one thought of it in a strange way.
Furthermore, Haruto and Ayaka had already rehearsed their statements before setting off.
Ayaka rushed home because a guest wanted to deliver a "spirit grave"... which is actually an urn containing ashes. Since the bodies of the Soul Society members dissipate into Reishi in a very short time after death, this thing is actually more like a cenotaph: the ashes of the "living" person's belongings are burned and stored away.
I've said that before.
The Kurumadani Clan has been gravediggers for a long time.
Deep beneath their home, there remains a dedicated space for storing spirit tombs, where many nobles of similarly long lineage, who are not qualified to reside within the Seireitei, choose to be buried.
Normally speaking.
The relevant religious rites were conducted by Ayaka's parents.
However, these two are currently on a trip to the World of the Living under the guise of visiting their son, so if they really run into each other, they can only leave it to Ayaka and Hoshino to handle. Ayaka had already made arrangements for her parents to take care of things when they returned, but last night's encounter provided a convenient excuse to go home.
As for Haruto's scent--
Ayaka doesn't know Shunpo, and at normal speed, the two of them couldn't possibly catch up, so Haruto...
So it had to temporarily serve as a means of transportation again.
It's perfectly normal to get smelled, and to be drenched in sweat... It would be strange if you weren't tired Shunpo using Shunpo.
Aside from a fleeting hint of envy in Isane's eyes, Nanao and Kiyone showed no further reaction.
One hour later.
Principal Mitarai cleared his throat and finally ended his speech.
He could have stayed another half hour, but when he wanted to get a drink of water to clear his throat, he realized his water cup was empty...
It must have been done by a teacher.
There are indeed many things to be aware of when going to the World of the Living, but these are basically conveyed to students by their teachers.
If Principal Mitarai continues to delay, not only will the Thirteenth Division, responsible for security, not be able to wait, but the time for the Konsō internship will also be insufficient.
"Alright."
Ms. Mutsuki arrived at the front of the formation of Class 6-1.
After Principal Mitarai stepped down from the stage with a sense of satisfaction, the remaining tasks were naturally handed over to the teachers.
"The group draw is in your hands."
"?"
Haruto, who had clearly missed something, was looking around with a puzzled expression when Nanao promptly waved the bamboo skewer in her hand.
The Konsō Internship at the Shin'ō Academy consists of two sixth-year students and three fifth-year students forming a team, which is then dispersed to several neighboring cities.
The sixth-grade students who were not assigned any tasks were led by their teachers and were responsible for logistics, relaying messages, and guard duties.
Judging from the bamboo sticks in Nanao's hand, the two of them must have been assigned to the same group.
"I'll do it?"
Of course!
Compared to Nanao has matured considerably recently... but only when she is prepared.
"Alright."
Haruto took the bamboo skewer from Nanao's hand and then naturally patted her little head.
"Hey... hey, no!"
Nanao shook her head vigorously, shaking off Haruto's hand:
"I told you not to touch my head, or I'll stunt my growth!"
Haruto replied with a grin:
"Really?"
"This is a special privilege, didn't you see the envious look on Isane's face?"
"Huh?" x2
Isane and Nanao exchanged a glance, both showing somewhat embarrassed expressions.
Thump!
Kiyone delivered a powerful headbutt, striking Haruto squarely in the waist.
"Ah--"
Normally speaking.
Haruto didn't take this kind of impact seriously at all.
However, he had exerted himself quite a bit this morning— the Shunpo shouldn't have left Haruto drenched in sweat, even if it was due to exceeding the limit in time—his bad habit of not dodging caused Haruto to suffer on the spot...
It's not as easy as being hit directly.
"Don't you dare flirt with my sister!"
Even though Kiyone usually teases Isane the most, she's always the first to stand up for her when things happen like this.
Ah~
Ayaka had been hiding at the back of the group for a while, and now she poked her head out from the side, mimicking Haruto's tone as she spoke:
"The Kotetsu sisters have such a good relationship!"
I also gave Haruto a slap on the lower back.
"Right, A-Qing?"
On the way to the Senkaimon where the Thirteenth Division is located.
Although Haruto didn't say a word the whole time, he was actually quietly observing the three fifth-year students behind him— Nanao handed over the "captain" job to Haruto, while taking on the "vice-captain" position herself:
Although it was a small team of only five people, it still allowed the students of the Shin'ō Academy to experience the roles of captain and vice-captain in advance.
After all, the position of class monitor was newly created this year, and for young students, this was the only place they could vent their desire for authority.
There were no girls.
There are fewer female Soul Reapers than male ones, especially among the top-ranked students in their grade—Class 1, where Haruto is this year, is a special case among special cases.
Haruto was most impressed by the single-eyelid young man with slicked-back hair and a long golden braid: he was a student from Class 5-1 who was almost killed by Gyōkaku Kumoi with a single Haien during the competition for class monitor.
His name is Togakushi Riku.
Wearing goggles and sporting a thick beard, his physique was more robust and mature than his age, and his name was Gori Takezuna; the handsome man with a long, slender face was named Katakura Asuka... He was quite good-looking, but his words were rather sarcastic.
The latter two were both students in Class 2 of Grade 5, but they made significant progress in the past six months and were just admitted to Class 1 through special admission.
The three of them followed Haruto and Nanao obediently, without asking any questions or offering any opinions.
If only Nanao were there, they might be able to be a little more active, since Nanao looks very young and has never shown her true strength.
But with Haruto right beside him...
The pressure from this senior was immense for the three of them— Gyōkaku Kumoi, who possessed overwhelming strength among the fifth-year students, couldn't even withstand a single move from Haruto, let alone the rest of them.
The Thirteenth Division's barracks are located in the outskirts of Seireitei (still within the area), and it's not far to walk there from the Shin'ō Academy.
Soon--
"Arrive."
The person sent by the Thirteenth Division to guide the Shin'ō Academy was the 6th Seat Kajōmaru Hideasa — Soul Reaper wore the same glasses as Aizen... Not only that, but even his calm and kind personality, and even his smile, were seven or eight parts similar to Aizen's.