"H-hello, Miss Yuko!"
Momo Hinamori bowed nervously and, to no one's surprise, slammed her head into the table with a bang.
"..."
Momo Hinamori slowly straightened and lowered her head, her hands held awkwardly in front of her.
Everything looked normal, except for her bright red ears, which betrayed how flustered she was.
Of course she was flustered. Her toes were curling hard enough to dig out a three-bedroom apartment.
Retsu Unohana smiled gently beside her. "Vice-Captain Hinamori, don't be so nervous. Captain-Commander Yamamoto has already issued the appointment. In a day or two, Yuko will be the new captain of the Fifth Division."
"What?!"
Momo Hinamori jerked her head up, eyes wide with disbelief. "Miss Yuko is going to be our captain?"
"What? Don't want me?" Yuko shot her a sidelong glance.
"No! That's not it!" Momo Hinamori waved her hands frantically, her cheeks burning. "It's just... so sudden. And didn't you go to the Human World, Miss Yuko? Why did you come back all of a sudden? And as captain of the Fifth Division?"
"I couldn't help it. I didn't want the job either, but Old Man Yama begged me for it in tears." Hearing no objection in her words, Yuko relaxed a little.
The girl had been one of Aizen's most devoted admirers. If Yuko couldn't get along with her vice-captain, her position could be in danger. She might even end up a captain in name only.
She was kidding.
A harmonious relationship between captain and vice-captain was good for getting things done. Something like that, anyway.
Momo Hinamori stared blankly for a moment.
Even if the Captain-General begged you... surely he didn't cry?
Ichigo stood nearby with his arms crossed and muttered, "Hey, Aunt, you haven't even taken the job yet, and you're already bullying your