Hinamori's Initiative (Happy New Year)

The statement startled everyone present.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya couldn't help but retort, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Xin's expression remained unchanged, his eyes fixed on Hitsugaya. In the next moment, the Reiatsu within him surged violently outwards. This sudden burst of Reiatsu made Hitsugaya gasp for air for several seconds.

When Xin reined in his Reiatsu, Hitsugaya, his face flushed red, was breathing heavily.

"Did you feel it? That's what someone else's Reiatsu feels like," Xin said slowly. "I want to ask you, growing up, were your peers generally unwilling to interact with you?"

"..."

Hitsugaya looked up blankly, his gaze falling on Hinamori.

"Hinamori is an exception because she herself has spiritual power. But in the Rukon District, there are many ordinary people without spiritual power. They can't handle the Reiatsu leaking from you, and they feel very uncomfortable around you."

Hinamori couldn't help but interject, "But I had quite a few friends in the Rukon District..."

"You're different from him. As I said earlier, his Reiatsu is very strong, even stronger than many students at the Spirit Training Academy. He just doesn't know how to control it."

Hitsugaya's hands slumped onto the table, his mind racing as he replayed past events.

What Xin said was absolutely true. Growing up, besides Hinamori, no one had ever wanted to play with him. His life, apart from Hinamori, consisted only of his grandmother.

And Grandma...

Grandma had always been in poor health...

Hitsugaya's pupils widened slightly. He realized something. Could it all be because of him?

"There's one more thing: spiritual powers attract each other. Today, you've come to the Spirit Training Academy, a place where everyone has spiritual power. Your internal Reiatsu will be more agitated than usual, and the harm to ordinary people around you will be greater. If your grandmother doesn't have spiritual power, then temporarily leaving her is the best choice for both of you."

Hitsugaya sat there, somewhat dejected.

Hinamori also wore a worried expression. She hadn't expected the Student Council President to bring up something so serious.

But upon reflection, it all seemed to make sense. Tōshirō's grandmother had indeed always been in poor health. She had seemed even weaker the last time Hinamori visited.

Could it really be because of Tōshirō?

If so, how heartbroken Tōshirō must be...

Xin sighed softly and continued, "You should seriously consider coming to the Spirit Training Academy to learn how to become a Shinigami and how to control Reiatsu. Then, you can return to your grandmother's side and stay with her day and night."

Hisagi Shūhei, standing nearby, looked at Hitsugaya with a hint of surprise. To be honest, he had felt the Reiatsu fluctuations within Hitsugaya, but he wasn't as perceptive as Xin, who could see at a glance that it had reached a level that threatened ordinary people's lives.

"Tōshirō..." Hinamori called out softly.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya slowly raised his head and looked at Xin.

"Thank you..."

Xin smiled gently. "You're Hinamori's childhood friend. Once you come to the Spirit Training Academy, you'll also be my junior, my junior, and my friend. I'm just giving you a heads-up, it's nothing."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya stood up very seriously and bowed deeply to Xin.

"Hinamori... please take me back."

Xin also said to Hinamori, "Go ahead. It won't be as busy this afternoon."

After lunch, Hinamori Momo took Tōshirō Hitsugaya away from the Spirit Training Academy.

Shūhei couldn't help but ask Xin, "Xin, is that Tōshirō really as powerful as you say?"

Xin pondered for a moment. "At least Sixth Rank Spiritual Pressure."

Shūhei's pupils contracted sharply. Sixth Rank Spiritual Pressure – that was already the level of a Seat Officer, or even an Upper Seat Officer!

He wondered what rank he had tested at when he first enrolled...

After the shock, Shūhei felt a deep sense of frustration. He had been diligently cultivating at the Spirit Training Academy for so long, yet he couldn't compare to a kid who hadn't even started training at the academy yet?!

Among his peers, his grades had always been at the top. Because of Xin's existence, he had never considered himself an exceptionally talented student.

It was only natural that Xin was stronger than him, as he could see that Xin's private efforts were no less than his own.

But that Tōshirō, why...

Seeing Shūhei suddenly fall silent, Xin chuckled. "What's wrong? Feeling discouraged?"

Seeing Xin still smiling, Shūhei couldn't help but retort, "Xin, don't you feel anything? That Tōshirō is stronger than you and I were when we first enrolled! Much stronger! This is too..."

He wanted to say "unfair."

Why was there such a congenital gap between people?

"Shūhei, when you get married and have children, your children will also be born with spiritual power. But in the Rukon District, there are many ordinary people without spiritual power. This world is just like this. Talking about fairness or unfairness is meaningless. Strength also means responsibility. Tōshirō might shine brightly after becoming a Shinigami, but his power will be used to protect the Soul Society, just as we now enjoy the stable order left to us by our predecessors. Should you also complain about why the Captain-Commander is so much stronger than you?"

Upon hearing this, Shūhei couldn't help but mutter, "What you're saying is a bit too profound..."

Sixth Rank Spiritual Pressure, Upper Seat Officer...

He would definitely become a Lieutenant Captain or even a Captain in the future.

Could he become a Captain?

Shūhei dared not even fantasize. Becoming a Lieutenant Captain was already his greatest goal.

But Xin, he could definitely do it, right!

He firmly believed that Xin could see through Tōshirō's Reiatsu level at a glance, wasn't it because he had already reached or even surpassed that realm?

The Tenth Division's offer of Third Seat to Xin couldn't have been solely based on his talent; it was also because he already possessed the ability.

How much more effort would he need to put in to achieve...

Evening.

The cultural festival had concluded successfully, and the students, who had been celebrating wildly all day, finally returned home content.

Only a sparse scattering of students remained in the plaza, tidying up the aftermath and cleaning the area.

The Student Council had also finished their day's work, and everyone was exhausted.

Xin took all the members of the Student Council to a barbecue restaurant outside the Spirit Training Academy to treat them, using the remaining public funds, of course.

Every time he thought of this, Xin felt grateful to Kasumi Oji Gorō, the benefactor.

He decided to offer Kōgorō a few more drinks.

The Student Council had quite a few members, almost taking over the entire barbecue restaurant. They occupied three private rooms, with the dividing doors pulled open.

Meat sizzled and steamed on the grills, and the students clinked glasses and chattered. There was no need to worry about underage drinking issues, as everyone present looked older than they were.

Strictly speaking, they weren't human; their bodies were constructed from spirit particles, and their lifespans stretched for hundreds of years.

"Sorry I'm late."

Hinamori Momo was the last to arrive because of Tōshirō. She pushed open the door and, seeing the lively scene in the room, her face immediately broke into a smile.

"Yo, Hinamori!"

Because of her cute appearance, Hinamori was very popular within the Student Council. Although she was only a first-year student, many people greeted her warmly as soon as she arrived.

Rukia waved at her, pointing to the seat specially reserved for her beside her.

"Momo, over here!"

Hinamori just smiled at her and walked directly to Xin's seat.

"President, can I sit here?"

Seeing this, Rukia quietly withdrew her hand.

Xin, with one arm around Kōgorō's neck, casually replied, "Of course."

Shūbīng, very considerately, moved aside to make space.

Hinamori leaned against Xin with a smile.

Sitting opposite Xin was Kanazawa, who, amidst everyone's liveliness, was rather quiet. After Hinamori entered, she fiddled with the wine glass on the table, her gaze flickering uncertainly.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, a fresh start, and prosperity in the new year!

(I caught a cold on New Year's Eve, and I feel like I'll be really popular next year!)

Seeking votes.