The Captains

The day before the Cultural Festival, Xin was summoned to the Principal's office ahead of time.

"These are the names of the captains who will be coming tomorrow. You'll need to arrange for people to receive them then." Suzumebachi Gyosho handed Xin a document listing several names.

Xin glanced over it and found the names of the captains of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Divisions.

"Quite a few are coming," he remarked, secretly thinking that Shiba Kaien truly had a lot of influence.

"With so many important figures coming at once, we absolutely cannot allow anything to go wrong," Suzumebachi Gyosho instructed.

Besides those captains, many Soul Reaper officers from the Thirteenth Division would also be attending. It was sure to be a lively event.

"Principal, you're handing such an important task directly to me? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for the Spirit Training Academy teachers to handle it?"

Suzumebachi Gyosho replied, "The teachers only need to focus on teaching. As for other work, I think it would benefit you students to take on more of it."

Xin felt somewhat helpless. The Student Council already had few members, and tomorrow would be their busiest day. If they had to spare some people for reception duties too, they would be even more short-handed.

After thinking for a moment, he returned the document in his hand.

Suzumebachi Gyosho looked at him in confusion.

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but the Student Council truly doesn't have enough people. Tomorrow, we need to ensure the Cultural Festival runs normally. Every Student Council member has something to do, and no one can be spared," Xin said.

Suzumebachi Gyosho frowned slightly.

Xin added, "Principal, I actually think these captains may not necessarily need anyone to receive them. They're here to have fun too. Wouldn't it be redundant to make it look like some sort of official inspection?"

Suzumebachi Gyosho could not help saying, "You brat, do you even know what kind of people the Thirteenth Division's captains are?!"

Even as the Principal of the Spirit Training Academy, he did not dare show the slightest disrespect when facing these captains.

Xin spread his hands. "Of course I know. I think it would be far more appropriate to regard them as guests visiting and enjoying this campus festival than to treat them like ceremonial figures to be worshipped. Maybe they want to stroll around on their own and don't like being disturbed."

Suzumebachi Gyosho's expression froze.

"What do you think, Principal?"

Principal Suzumebachi seriously considered Xin's words. If the Student Council truly lacked manpower, he could have personally led the Spirit Training Academy's officials to receive the guests, but Xin's words made him hesitate.

The captains were coming tomorrow to show their support for the Spirit Training Academy's Cultural Festival. Most of the current Thirteenth Division captains had graduated from the academy. The captains of the Eighth and Thirteenth Divisions, for example, had more seniority than he did as the current Principal.

The reason he viewed them this way was still because the captains' status in Soul Society was simply too extraordinary.

Suzumebachi Gyosho reevaluated Xin, thoughts racing through his mind. In the end, he nodded and said, "You have a point. But the Spirit Training Academy cannot simply do nothing and ignore them. Xin, you will receive them tomorrow. If the captains truly feel as you say, that would be best. If not, then you must properly entertain them."

With matters having reached this point, Xin could only nod and agree.

The next morning, at the main gate of the Spirit Training Academy.

The sky was as blue and clear as jade, while cherry blossoms fluttered like brilliant clouds at sunset.

A faint fragrance hung in the air. Xin stood there alone, boredly watching the Soul Reapers continuously entering from outside, occasionally glancing up at the sky.

Since Rukia had a performance to prepare for today, she was not accompanying him.

At last, a cluster of figures suddenly appeared at the edge of his vision. White captain's haori were the most eye-catching attire in Soul Society, especially when several appeared at once.

Xin immediately put away his lazy demeanor. As they approached, he quickly jogged forward.

"The Spirit Training Academy and the Student Council welcome the arrival of the captains."

Just as on the list Principal Suzumebachi had given him, the arrivals were Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu, Fifth Division Captain Sosuke Aizen, Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki Ginrei, Eighth Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, Tenth Division Captain Shiba Isshin, and Thirteenth Division Captain Ukitake Jūshirō.

Aside from the Sixth Division captain, each of them had brought their respective lieutenants.

Xin had met some of these people and never met others, yet he was familiar with every one of them.

"We meet again, Tachikawa," Aizen said with a smile.

Shiba Isshin, meanwhile, asked, "Are you alone?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept around them.

The captains had come here specially, yet only one person had arrived to receive them. That was not what he had expected.

With a respectful expression, Xin replied, "Principal Suzumebachi said that today is the Spirit Training Academy's Cultural Festival. The captains are here to visit and have fun, not as officials, so there is no need for a grand reception. He was worried that it might cause various inconveniences and spoil your enjoyment. Besides, the Spirit Training Academy is also the alma mater of all the captains. You do not need guides when returning here for a visit."

Shiba Isshin raised his brows slightly at that. Compared with the other captains, he was relatively junior, so he knew Suzumebachi Gyosho as well.

That did not seem like something Principal Suzumebachi would do at all.

"That's well said. I haven't returned to the Spirit Training Academy in quite some time either."

A handsome young man with silver hair beside him spoke with a smile. He was Ukitake Jūshirō, captain of the Thirteenth Division and Shiba Kaien's superior. He was also one of the most senior captains in the Thirteenth Division. Even Kuchiki Ginrei, whose hair and beard were both white, addressed him as a senior.

The Eighth Division Captain Kyōraku Shunsui possessed comparable seniority. He was dressed flamboyantly, wearing a pink kimono over his white captain's haori. It looked like women's clothing, but compared to the handsome Ukitake, he appeared far more weathered. His brown, slightly curly medium-length hair was tied into a ponytail, and he wore a beard on his chin.

"This must be the Student Council President." His eyes assessed Xin, his tone lazy and frivolous. He was not wearing his straw hat today.

"You're quite a fine-looking young man."

"Thank you for the compliment, Captain Kyōraku," Xin replied.

Kyōraku Shunsui grinned teasingly. "I heard that several Divisions are competing to recruit you."

Xin looked surprised. "Is that so?"

Matsumoto Rangiku, standing beside Shiba Isshin, could not help rolling her eyes at his expression.

Meanwhile, Shiba Kaien beside Ukitake mercilessly exposed him. "Captains, don't be fooled by this kid's harmless appearance. He has plenty of schemes, and he doesn't even think much of a third seat."

The moment he said that, those present who did not know much about the matter could not help casting sidelong glances at Xin.

Kotsubaki Kotone suddenly remembered something. No wonder Xin had asked her about the seats back then. She had actually thought he knew nothing at the time...

Xin secretly groaned. He had not expected Shiba Kaien to reveal it so directly. Was Kaien resentful because Xin could not join the Tenth Division?

"Vice-Captain Shiba, you've wronged me. How would I dare look down on a third seat?!"

"Is that so?" Shiba Isshin asked with a smiling expression on behalf of his nephew. "Both Rangiku and Kaien invited you, didn't they? Yet neither of them seems to have ever gotten a definite answer from you."

Under everyone's watchful gazes, Xin's head immediately began to ache.

He had just been about to find a way to change the subject when he heard a voice as gentle as water.

"It seems his ideal Division is not the Tenth Division or the Thirteenth Division. Since that is the case, why force him?"

Xin could not help raising his head, only to meet a gentle yet breathtakingly beautiful face.