Backstage.
After walking offstage, Rukia let out a long breath of relief.
"It's finally over."
She had never been this nervous in her life. It had been even more agonizing than the Student Council assessment.
Hinamori Momo, on the other hand, was in high spirits and could not help saying, "Did you hear everyone cheering for us down there? We did so well! And I noticed that even one of the captains really liked it!"
Kanazawa tugged at her clothes and merely said, "I want to change out of this as soon as possible. It's a little uncomfortable."
Among the backstage staff and students waiting to go onstage, one particularly conspicuous figure looked utterly out of place.
He was a silver-haired boy standing there in an oversized school uniform that did not fit him properly. Passersby could not help pointing and whispering about him.
"Hinamori!"
He called out toward the three girls.
Hearing him, Hinamori hurried over and asked with a bright smile, "You watched properly, right? What did you think of my performance?"
Tōshirō Hitsugaya merely curled his lip. "It was average."
That was somewhat against his true feelings. After spending so much time with Hinamori Momo, it was the first time he had seen this side of her. Honestly, when he had first seen her in that outfit, she had truly taken his breath away.
"Huh? Was it not good?"
Tōshirō Hitsugaya did not answer directly. He only said, "Now that your performance is over, I should head back. Grandma is still waiting at home."
"Wait a second. I still want to take you to meet our President. You were able to come thanks to him, so we should thank him in person."
"...Fine."
Toshiro Hitsugaya also felt that he should thank him in person, just as Hinamori Momo had said, so he agreed.
Hinamori Momo then asked expectantly, "Shiro-chan, what do you think of the Spirit Training Academy?"
Toshiro Hitsugaya knew what she meant and simply remained silent.
Having witnessed the Cultural Festival firsthand today, he had to admit that it was completely different from life in the Rukon District. So many people his own age gathered together, sharing similar hobbies and goals, working hard and improving together every day. It was indeed something he longed for.
No wonder Hinamori was able to be so happy every day. She had also become more confident and radiant.
Other than Hinamori, he barely had any friends. The children around him were all unwilling to play with him.
Toshiro Hitsugaya was actually far more mature than children his age.
But he still had Grandma to care for. She could not do without him.
"Momo, are you going to change?"
Rukia called out to her from not far away.
"I'll be right there," Hinamori replied, turning her head.
"Wait for me. I'll go change quickly, then I'll take you to meet the President."
Hinamori entered the changing room with Rukia and Kanazawa.
Rukia spoke about several mistakes she had made during the performance, such as a movement she had not done well enough and how she had nearly stepped on Kanazawa.
The three of them had not had much time to rehearse.
"Anyway, it's already over. There's no need to dwell on it. Everyone down there seemed to like it," Hinamori comforted her.
"At least nothing major went wrong. That's what matters."
After changing back into her school uniform, Rukia looked at the vivid kimono laid beside her. Even now, it all felt unreal, as though the person who had just gone onstage had not been her.
"By the way, Rukia, you and Abarai..." Hinamori suddenly began gossiping.
Hinamori Momo and Renji were classmates, and through Rukia, they had become familiar with one another as well.
At once, Rukia gritted her teeth. "That idiot actually shouted my name in a situation like that!"
Hinamori smiled teasingly. "He was clearly cheering for you from the bottom of his heart. When you go back, you can ask him what he thought of your performance. Ask him how he felt while watching."
Rukia was not stupid. She immediately understood the meaning behind Hinamori's words and could not help becoming flustered.
"Why would I ask him that... He doesn't have that kind of appreciation anyway!"
"Is that so?"
After changing and removing her makeup, Kanazawa spoke up. "I'll be leaving first."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work," Hinamori Momo and Rukia said hurriedly.
After Kanazawa left, Hinamori could not help saying, "It really wasn't easy for Kanazawa-senpai to go this far. I never thought she would agree before."
Rukia pondered for a moment. "I feel like she did it because of the President."
Hinamori Momo gently pressed her lips together. "Is that so..."
Rukia nodded, then added, "I noticed earlier that the President was standing together with several captains."
Hinamori smiled as well. "What's so strange about that? What kind of person is the President? He could become a Third Seat as soon as he graduated! Isn't it normal for him to associate with important figures like them?"
She had also heard from Rukia about what Shiba Kaien had said regarding the position of Third Seat.
Although the President probably would not join the Tenth Division in the future, if he had been promised the position of Third Seat even in the Tenth Division, then he should still be a Third Seat if he went to the Fourth Division.
No matter what, becoming a Seated Officer would be incredibly impressive! And an Upper Seat Officer at that.
"Rukia, which Division do you want to join after graduation?"
"I've never thought about it at all. What about you?"
Hinamori considered it. "I think my grades in Kido are much better than my grades in my other classes..."
"Do you want to join the Kido Corps?"
The Kido Corps was a special organization independent of the Gotei 13.
Hinamori Momo shook her head. "I heard that the Kido Corps has not had a Great Kidō Master for a long time. Rukia, since my grades in Kido Class are fairly good, do you think I could also develop properly in healing Kido?"
"Healing Kido?"
Rukia could not help freezing. Looking into Hinamori's bright eyes, she vaguely realized something.
"Momo, you..."
Someone knocked on the changing room door outside. Perhaps they thought the girls had occupied it for too long.
Hinamori smiled. "Let's go out first. We can talk about it later."
"..."
The two walked out of the changing room. After changing back into their school uniforms, they both returned to their earlier image of pretty, pure young girls.
"Shiro-chan!"
Hinamori called to Toshiro Hitsugaya, who was waiting there.
"How many times have I told you not to call me Shiro-chan? Do you want me to say your nickname out loud in public?" Toshiro Hitsugaya said unhappily.
Hinamori immediately shuddered. Under no circumstances could the people at the Spirit Training Academy learn about that nickname of hers.
She quickly smiled and changed the subject. "Let me introduce you. This is my good friend, Rukia."
Rukia greeted him with a smile. "Hello. I often hear Momo talk about you. You're Tōshirō Hitsugaya, right?"
Toshiro Hitsugaya gave a slight nod. "Weren't we going to meet your President?"
"Not yet. We'll probably have to wait until the Cultural Festival is almost over. The President is with several captains right now. We can watch the next performances for the time being, then I'll show you around."
Toshiro Hitsugaya hesitated. "How long will it take?"
"Oh, don't worry. Grandma will be fine."
"..."
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