Ichiro briefly told them about what had happened a week ago, leaving out some details. All they needed to know was that Kaido was going to be reformed.
"Honestly, you're just... a freak!" Urahara shook his head after hearing the story, unable to stop himself from marveling again.
The others silently nodded along. They were all second-years, but was the gap in talent really supposed to be this huge...?
"Wait, does that mean we'll have to memorize even more incantations from now on?!" Issho suddenly glared fiercely at Ichiro, as if she wanted to tear him limb from limb!
"Why are you looking at me? I wasn't the only one who thought of that. The captains started researching it ages ago."
"Hold on, doesn't that put Suzuran at a disadvantage? If incantations are required..."
At that, Yoruichi looked at Suzuran Yue with the same worried expression as Issho.
"Rustle~"
It's fine. I can still use my Zanpakuto.
"Don't worry so much. It won't make a big difference. The initial numbering system for Kaido will be based on categories—in other words, they'll sort and organize the Kaido techniques we already have. So even if you only know the current Kaido, it won't affect you much. Besides, you have a healing-type Zanpakuto, which is already better than most Kaido."
"Bzzzt~"
As he spoke, Ichiro flipped through his notebook. A flash of electricity later, several pages of notes appeared in his hand. He handed them to Suzuran Yue and said,
"These are some of my insights into Kaido. They should be useful to you. Once you learn them, even if incantation-based Kaido is introduced, you'll still be able to use it with Incantation Abandonment. It won't be as effective as a full incantation, though."
"Rustle, rustle~"
Suzuran Yue didn't take the pages. Instead, she hurriedly wrote in her notebook. Her writing was noticeably frantic.
No, you don't have to! This is far too valuable. I can't accept it, but I appreciate your kindness.
After reading it, Ichiro glanced at Suzuran Yue and set the pages on the table. "Take them. They're nothing special, and there is a price. If you accept them, you'll have to join Squad 4 when you graduate. Otherwise, the captain will kill me."
"Just take them," Urahara chimed in. "They really aren't important to him. With his talent, they'll probably be outdated before long."
Suzuran Yue hesitated for a moment, but eventually gave in to everyone's urging. She bowed to Ichiro and accepted the notes, firmly engraving this debt of kindness in her heart.
Urahara was about to say something else when the class bell rang. He had no choice but to swallow his words and return to his seat. Since it was Kido class, Ichiro opened his notebook as usual and got back to his research.
Just then, a slip of paper suddenly flew over. Ichiro paused, glanced at Urahara sitting beside him, then opened it. It read:
I remember you said there was something called sign language in your era. Teach it to her. It would make communication easier.
Ichiro stared blankly at the note, then looked at Urahara, back at the note, and over at Yoruichi. After hesitating, he wrote:
Why are you so concerned about her? Don't tell me it was love at first sight.
Urahara: What are you thinking? I'm doing this for your sake. If you teach her, you'll be able to communicate better, right? You don't have many friends.
Ichiro: It's quality over quantity when it comes to friends. Besides, I get along fine with everyone in Squad 4. Don't play matchmaker. She's not my type.
Urahara: Hm? Didn't you say petite girls were cute?
Ichiro: Sure, but cuteness is worthless next to sexiness. I prefer older sisters with big... assets! I'm a sp, thank you very much!
Urahara: She's still young. There's room to grow!
Ichiro: No, no, no! According to my research, she's already fully developed. She won't grow much more.
Urahara: Oh? You've researched that? Ahem, I just remembered I have a friend who's interested in this. Tell me more.
Ichiro: You're really going to pretend you have a friend?
The two were so absorbed in their conversation that they didn't notice the whole class watching them write and pass notes back and forth, thoroughly enjoying themselves!
Watching Urahara and Ichiro remain immersed in their own little world, the teacher's mouth twitched. He inhaled... exhaled... then said gravely, "Tianxin, Urahara, keep it down. You're disturbing the other students!"
"Uh... yes, sir." x 2
Seeing how powerless the teacher looked, Ichiro and Urahara both shrank back and quieted down. Now that his train of thought had been interrupted, Ichiro looked at the newly filled note in his hand and fell into deep thought. After a long while, he wrote a question and passed it to Urahara.
Ichiro: What were we talking about when we started?
Urahara scanned the note and looked a little confused. He fell silent, pondering it too...
What was I saying again?
Urahara: I remember now. Teach her sign language. Writing notes is too inconvenient.
Ichiro: It won't help. Learning sign language takes time, and both you and she would need time. But she doesn't have any. She can't learn Kido, so she'll probably advance soon and graduate in no time. Squad 4 is the right place for her.
Urahara: That won't matter. She can still use sign language in Squad 4.
Ichiro: There's no need. There are only two possibilities. First, she didn't speak for a long time before she died and forgot how. But judging by her situation, that's not it. So there's only one other possibility: a congenital defect. We just need to solve that problem.
Urahara: ...That won't be easy.
Ichiro: No, it actually won't be difficult. My Alchemy will be able to do it someday. And even without that, Kaido can make fine adjustments. It's just a problem with her vocal organs. That would be a serious issue in the World of the Living, but here, it's a piece of cake.
Urahara: Is that really the point? You're giving up such a great chance to get closer to a young girl? Wait... you don't have a thing for Captain Unohana, do you?
Ichiro: ...What are you talking about? I'm not very used to this sort of thing. Let it happen naturally. There's still plenty of time.
At the lectern, the teacher watched the two continue without a shred of shame and sighed. There was nothing he could do about them... Whatever. They weren't disturbing the other students now, so he might as well let them be...
He sighed again and continued explaining some points to watch out for when practicing Kido.
And so, although a new student had joined the class, Ichiro's study plans remained undisturbed. To him, Suzuran Yue was much like anyone else. They might cross paths in the future, but not at school. He couldn't skip grades, while Suzuran Yue had no choice but to do so. If she wanted to cure her inability to speak, she would have to pay a considerable price. She could only choose to become a genius...
P.S. Regarding curing her inability to speak, I personally think it's a problem with the vocal organs, so that's the premise I went with. I couldn't find anything definitive about the exact cause... Baidu says it might be hereditary, so let's assume it's a congenital issue with her vocal cords. Modern medicine probably can't fix it either.
There's another point I want to mention in this P.S. The vocal cords and eyeballs aren't equally complex, so even if I establish that the vocal cords can be restored and adjusted, that doesn't mean Kaname Tosen's eyes can be cured. I've considered that. That's all. If there are any plot holes, I'd appreciate the experts' advice.
Before you continue