Toshiro Hitsugaya

The captains didn't stay at the Spirit Training Academy for the entire day. Though there were still events in the afternoon, they planned to leave by noon.

Shin accompanied Unohana at her side the whole time, seeing them off all the way to the academy's main gate.

"Today was quite interesting. This Cultural Festival is a rare thing—I feel like it'll become an annual event from now on. Every year after this, there'll be a little more fun to be had."

Kyōraku Shunsui seemed in good spirits, smiling cheerfully at Shin before he left.

"Tachikawa, you've truly set a fine precedent. The history of the Spirit Training Academy will remember your name." Ukitake Jūshirō's words were considerably more formal.

"It's a shame Tachikawa has already settled on a division. Otherwise, I couldn't help but want to poach you for the Fifth Division." Aizen also smiled.

"Captain Aizen, is it really such a pity that he's coming to our Fourth Division?" Unohana Retsu asked with a beaming smile upon hearing this.

"You misunderstand!" Aizen immediately broke into a nervous, sweat-drenched expression.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Shin responded formally: "Please allow me, on behalf of all the teachers and students of the Spirit Training Academy, to thank the captains and lieutenant captains for coming to support us. I also welcome you all to drop by the academy more often in the years to come."

The captains turned and left with their respective adjutants.

After seeing them off, Shin finally felt a pang of hunger in his stomach.

He first returned to the Central Platform, where he saw Hisagi Shūhei still directing people left and right.

"Still busy at it."

Hisagi looked over at the sound of his voice and asked, "The captains are gone?"

"Gone."

Hisagi couldn't help complaining: "You've got it easy. I'm dead tired today."

"Do you think it's easy sticking close to those captains?" Shin retorted irritably.

Hisagi thought it over and had to admit that if it were him, standing in front of those captains would have made him even more nervous.

This really did seem like a job only Shin could handle.

Ever since the Student Council was established, Shin's standing at the academy had risen dramatically. Even their homeroom teacher, Nanda Hidezawa, couldn't interact with the captains as frequently as he did.

And among the students, no one else had entered the captains' field of vision as early as Shin.

"President!"

Hinamori Momo and Rukia called out as they walked over, a white-haired boy beside them.

Shin smiled. "It's you. I saw your performance today—you did great. The captain of the Eighth Division was praising you."

Hinamori grinned. "President, don't forget our promise!"

She was referring to Shin's offer that if they agreed to perform on stage, he'd grant each of them one wish.

"I remember." Shin chuckled lightly, then looked at the white-haired boy.

The boy wore the academy uniform a size too big, which looked somewhat comical and made people want to laugh.

Still, the spiritual pressure emanating from this boy surpassed that of many academy students. He probably didn't know how to control it, so he didn't hold it back.

"Is this your friend?"

"Yeah!" Hinamori immediately introduced them. "This is Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Tōshirō, this is our president, Tachikawa Shin."

Hitsugaya's gaze swept over the amiable-looking man before him. After a moment's thought, he gave a slight bow. "Hello. I appreciate your help with today's matter."

Shin just smiled. "It's nothing. I could see Hinamori meant well. Anyway, it's about time for a meal—let's go eat first."

The five of them headed to the academy cafeteria together.

Hinamori kept pointing out which dishes were good and which ones Hitsugaya might like, while Hitsugaya listened quietly.

After finding a seat and sitting down, Hinamori spoke up again.

"President, you were with the Fourth Division captain all day today. Does that mean you've decided to join the Fourth Division after graduation?"

"Probably." Shin ate as he spoke.

Hinamori said, "I heard the Fourth Division is different from the others—it's a division focused on studying Kidō. We haven't even started formal Kidō lessons yet."

"You'll learn it later. Kidō is a very advanced subject, but what the academy teaches is fairly basic, and it doesn't get as much emphasis as other courses. If you're interested by then, you'll have to find ways to study it on your own."

Hinamori nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Then your Kidō must be amazing too, President!"

Shin laughed dryly. "Just average. It's only because my Zanpakutō is a Kidō type that I was recommended to the Fourth Division."

"I don't believe that. I've heard you're at Top Student level in every subject!"

"Who said that? The best Kidō student in our year is clearly Aoshika, right, Hisagi?"

Hisagi Shūhei just kept his head down eating, grunting a vague "Mm" in response.

Hitsugaya ate in silence. The academy food really was good, and there was plenty of variety. He watched Hinamori, who kept asking questions, then glanced at Tachikawa Shin sitting across from him.

"President, what's it like being around the captains? What kind of people are they?" Hinamori asked curiously.

"They're all good people. Their personalities differ, but you can tell they're kind and incredibly strong."

"I could feel it. Their spiritual pressure is completely different from ours!" Hinamori nodded seriously.

"If the President goes to the Fourth Division, would he become a third seat right away?"

Xin's face showed helplessness. "Where did you hear that?"

"From Rukia!"

Rukia, standing nearby, immediately spoke up nervously. "Sorry, President, it was when Vice-Captain Shiba came last time..."

"It's not as simple as you think. I'm just a student, after all. If I graduate smoothly, I should start as an ordinary rank-and-file officer. A Seated Officer isn't just an honor—it also represents a responsibility."

"Well said, President!" Hinamori chimed in with a smile. "But I believe even if you start as a regular officer, you'll be promoted quickly!"

Xin just smiled. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who was eating quietly nearby.

"Tōshirō, is it? Do you want to come to the Spirit Training Academy?"

Being suddenly called by name made Tōshirō Hitsugaya startle. At that moment, everyone's gazes converged on him.

"Hinamori really hopes you'll come. And becoming a Soul Reaper is a very honorable thing."

In Soul Society, there was no better profession than being a Soul Reaper.

Hinamori was overjoyed inside when she saw her President suddenly persuading Tōshirō.

Tōshirō put down his chopsticks, a hesitant look on his face.

He was silent for a long moment before speaking. "I have a grandmother at home who needs my care..."

"Forgive me for speaking bluntly." Xin cut him off. "You might not feel it yourself, but I can sense that the spiritual pressure inside you is very strong. Such strong spiritual pressure means your talent is extraordinary, but right now you can't control it. That's not a good thing for the ordinary people around you who have no spiritual power."

Tōshirō looked dazed. "What do you mean?"

"The spiritual pressure inside you is leaking out constantly. Ordinary people can't withstand high-intensity spiritual pressure. If your grandmother has no spiritual power..."

Xin paused. "You'll end up killing her!"