Hinamori's Thoughts

Backstage.

Rukia stepped off the stage and let out a long sigh.

"It's finally over."

She had never been this nervous in her life, even more agonizing than when she took the Student Council exam.

Hinamori Momo, on the other hand, was in high spirits and couldn't help saying, "Did you hear the cheers from the audience? We performed really well! And I noticed one of the captains really liked it!"

Kanazawa tugged at her costume and only said, "I want to change out of this quickly. It's a bit uncomfortable."

Among the backstage staff and students waiting to go on, one figure stood out as particularly out of place.

It was a silver-haired boy in an ill-fitting, oversized school uniform, drawing pointing fingers and whispers from passersby.

"Hinamori!"

He called out toward the three girls.

Hinamori hurried over at the sound, smiling as she asked, "You watched carefully, right? How was my performance?"

Tōshirō Hitsugaya just pursed his lips. "Average."

His words were a bit dishonest. Having known Hinamori Momo for so long, this was the first time he'd seen her like this. Honestly, when he first saw her in that outfit, he was genuinely stunned.

"Huh? Was it not good?"

Tōshirō Hitsugaya didn't answer directly, only saying, "Since your performance is over, I should head back. Grandma's waiting for me at home."

"Wait, I still want to introduce you to our President. You being able to come is thanks to him, so you should at least thank him in person."

"...Fine."

Tōshirō thought it was only right to thank him in person as Hinamori suggested, so he agreed.

Hinamori Momo then asked with some anticipation, "Shiro-chan, what do you think of the Spirit Training Academy?"

Tōshirō knew what she meant, but remained silent.

Seeing the culture festival scene today was indeed completely different from his life in the Rukon District. So many people his age gathered together, sharing similar hobbies and goals, working hard and improving together every day—it was something he genuinely longed for.

No wonder Hinamori could be so happy every day, and had become more confident and vibrant.

Besides Hinamori, he had almost no friends. The other kids didn't want to play with him.

Tōshirō was actually much more mature than other children his age.

But he still had his grandma to take care of. She couldn't do without him.

"Momo, are you going to change?"

Rukia called out to her from nearby.

"Coming." Hinamori turned to reply.

"Wait for me. I'll change quickly and be right back, then I'll take you to see the President."

Hinamori followed Rukia and Kanazawa into the changing room.

Rukia was recounting some slip-ups during the performance—like a move that wasn't done right, or nearly stepping on Kanazawa.

The three of them hadn't rehearsed for long.

"It's over anyway, no need to overthink it. I saw the audience liked it." Hinamori comforted her.

"Anyway, I'm glad nothing major went wrong."

After changing back into her school uniform, Rukia looked at the bright kimono laid aside and still felt a sense of unreality, as if it hadn't been her on stage.

"Hey, Rukia, about Abarai..." Hinamori suddenly turned gossipy.

Hinamori Momo and Renji were classmates, and with Rukia in the mix, they all knew each other well.

Rukia gritted her teeth at that. "That idiot, shouting my name in a situation like that!"

Hinamori teased with a smile, "He was clearly cheering for you from the heart. When you go back, why not ask him how he thought the performance was? Ask him how he felt watching it."

Rukia wasn't stupid. She immediately caught the implication in Hinamori's words and couldn't help but fluster.

"Why would I ask him that... He doesn't have that kind of appreciation anyway!"

"Is that so?"

Kanazawa, having finished changing and removing her makeup, spoke up. "I'm heading off."

"Okay. Thank you for your hard work." Hinamori Momo and Rukia quickly said.

After Kanazawa left, Hinamori couldn't help adding, "It really wasn't easy for Kanazawa-senpai to go that far. I never thought she'd agree."

Rukia thought for a moment. "I feel like she did it because of the President."

Hinamori Momo pursed her lips slightly. "Is that so..."

Rukia nodded, then continued, "I noticed the President standing with some captains earlier."

Hinamori also smiled. "What's so strange about that? Who is the President? He'll become a Third Seat right after graduation! It's only natural he'd mingle with those big shots."

She had heard from Rukia about what Shiba Kaien had said regarding the Third Seat.

Although the President probably won't be assigned to the Tenth Division later, since he was offered the Third Seat in the Tenth Division, he should also get the Third Seat if he goes to the Fourth Division.

Either way, becoming a Seat Officer is already incredibly impressive—and an Upper Seat Officer at that.

"Rukia, which division do you want to join after graduation?"

"I haven't thought about it at all. What about you?"

Hinamori pondered, "I think my scores in Kido are better than in other subjects..."

"Do you want to join the Kido Corps?"

The Kido Corps is a special organization independent of the Gotei 13.

Hinamori Momo shook her head. "I heard the current Kido Corps doesn't have a Great Kidō Master. Rukia, since my Kido scores are decent, do you think I could also develop my skills in Kaidō?"

"Kaidō?"

Rukia was momentarily stunned. She looked into Hinamori's bright eyes and vaguely sensed something.

"Momoko, you..."

Someone knocked on the changing room door—probably because they thought the two were taking too long.

Hinamori smiled. "Let's go out first. We'll talk later."

"... "

The two left the changing room. After changing back into their school uniforms, their demeanor shifted back to the lively, innocent look they had before.

"Shiro-chan!"

Hinamori called out to 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 in public?" Hitsugaya said irritably.

Hinamori shuddered. There was no way she could let anyone at the Spirit Training Academy find out about that nickname.

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've heard a lot about you from Momoko. You're Tōshirō Hitsugaya, right?"

Hitsugaya gave a slight nod. "Aren't we going to see your President?"

"Not right now. We'll probably have to wait until the Cultural Festival is almost over. The President is meeting with several captains. In the meantime, we can watch the next performances and then show you around."

Hitsugaya hesitated. "How long will it take?"

"Don't worry, Grandma will be fine."

"... "

Please keep reading, please vote.

Thank you all!