Chapter 30 Hitsugaya
The Captains did not stay at the Spiritual Arts Academy for the entire day; although there were still activities in the afternoon, they planned to leave around noon.
Shin accompanied Retsu Unohana the entire time, seeing them off at the main gate of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
"Today was really interesting. This Cultural Festival is quite rare. I feel like it will happen every year from now on, and we'll have more fun every year," Kyōraku Shunsui said to Shin with a smile before leaving, looking to be in a good mood.
"Tachikawa, you have indeed started something excellent. The history of the Spiritual Arts Academy will remember your name," Jūshirō Ukitake's words were much more formal.
"It's a pity that Tachikawa student has already decided on a Squad, otherwise, I definitely wouldn't be able to resist trying to poach you for the Fifth Division," Aizen also said, smiling.
"Captain Aizen, is it a great pity for him to come to our Fourth Division?" Retsu Unohana asked with a full smile upon hearing this.
"You misunderstood!" Aizen immediately looked flustered, as if sweating profusely.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Shin also formally responded, "Please allow me, on behalf of all the teachers and students of the Spiritual Arts Academy, to thank all the Captains and Vice-Captains for specially coming to support us, and we welcome you to visit the Spiritual Arts Academy often every year from now on."
The Captains, accompanied by their respective Vice-Captains, turned and departed.
After seeing them off, Shin finally felt a pang of hunger.
He first returned to the Central High Platform and saw Hisagi Shuuhei still directing things there.
"Still busy?"
Shūhei looked at him upon hearing his voice and asked, "Have the Captains all left?"
"They've left."
Shūhei couldn't help but complain, "You're relaxed, but I'm exhausted today."
"Do you think it's easy to be around those Captains?" Shin retorted, annoyed.
Shūhei thought about it and realized it was true; if it were him, he would definitely be more nervous standing in front of the Captains.
This indeed seemed to be a job only Shin could handle.
Since the establishment of the Student Council, Shin's status at the Spiritual Arts Academy had indeed risen too much; even their homeroom teacher, Sawataku Minamida, couldn't interact with Captains as frequently as he did.
And among the students, no one could enter the Captains' sight as early as Shin.
"President!"
Hinamori Momo and Rukia also called out and walked over at this moment, accompanied by a white-haired boy.
Shin smiled, "It's you guys. I watched your performance today, and you did great. The Captain of the Eighth Division even praised you."
Hinamori chuckled upon hearing this, "President, don't forget our promise!"
She was referring to Shin's promise that if they performed on stage, he would grant each of them one wish.
"I remember," Shin chuckled, then looked at the white-haired boy.
He looked quite comical in his oversized Spiritual Arts Academy uniform, making one unable to help but laugh.
However, the spiritual pressure emanating from this boy even surpassed that of many Spiritual Arts Academy students, but he seemed not to know how to control it, so he didn't restrain it.
"Is this your friend?"
"Yes!" Hinamori immediately introduced them, "This is Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Tōshirō, this is our President, Tachikawa Shin."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's gaze sized up the kind-faced man in front of him. After a moment of thought, he bowed slightly and said, "Hello, thank you for your trouble today."
Shin merely smiled and said, "It's nothing. I saw Hinamori's hard work. How about this, it's already mealtime, let's go eat first."
The group of five went to the Spiritual Arts Academy's cafeteria together.
Hinamori kept telling Tōshirō Hitsugaya which dishes at the Spiritual Arts Academy were delicious and which ones he would like, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya just listened quietly.
After finding a seat, Hinamori spoke first again.
"President, you were with the Squad Four Captain all day today. Are you planning to join the Fourth Division after graduation?"
"Probably," Shin said while eating.
Hinamori said, "I heard that the Fourth Division is different from other Squads; it focuses on studying the Healing Arts System. We haven't even started formally learning Koten yet."
"You'll learn it later. Koten is also a very profound subject, but what's taught in the Spiritual Arts Academy is relatively superficial, and it's not emphasized as much as other subjects. If you're interested then, you'll have to find a way to put in the effort yourself."
Hinamori nodded thoughtfully and asked again, "Then your Koten must be very powerful, President!"
Shin chuckled, "Just average. Because my Zanpakuto is a Healing Arts System type, that's why I was recommended to the Fourth Division."
"I don't believe it. I've long heard that all your courses are at the top student level!"
"Who told you that? The best student in Koten class this year is clearly Aoga, right, Shūhei?"
Hisagi Shuuhei just ate with his head down, mumbling an "Mm" when he heard this.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya beside him just ate silently. The Spiritual Arts Academy's food was indeed delicious and varied. He quietly watched Hinamori, who was constantly asking questions, and then looked at Tachikawa Shin sitting across from him.
"President, what's it like to be with the Captains? What kind of people are they?" Hinamori asked curiously again.
"They're all very good. Although their personalities are different, you can feel that they are all very good people, and very powerful."
"I felt it. Their spiritual pressure is completely different from ours!" Hinamori also nodded seriously upon hearing this.
"If the President goes to the Fourth Division, will he directly become a Third Seat?"
Shin looked helpless, "Who told you all this?"
"Rukia!"
Rukia, who was beside them, immediately spoke up nervously upon hearing this, "I'm sorry, President, it's because of when Vice Captain Shiba came..."
"Things aren't as simple as you think. After all, I'm just a student. If I graduate successfully, I should start as an ordinary Squad member. A Seat position is not just an honor; it also represents a responsibility."
"The President speaks so well!" Hinamori said with a clever smile, "But I believe that even if the President starts as a Squad member, he will be promoted very quickly!"
Shin just smiled, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who was quietly eating beside him.
"Tōshirō Hitsugaya, is that right? Do you want to come to the Spiritual Arts Academy?"
Suddenly hearing his name called made Tōshirō Hitsugaya pause, and at this moment, everyone's gaze also focused on him.
"Hinamori really hopes you can come, and becoming a Shinigami is also a very glorious thing."
In the Soul Society, there was no better profession than a Shinigami.
Hinamori was even more delighted when she saw her President suddenly trying to persuade Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya put down his chopsticks, a hesitant expression on his face.
He remained silent for a while before saying, "I still have a grandmother at home who needs looking after..."
"Please forgive my bluntness," Shin interrupted him, "You yourself might not feel it, but I can sense that your spiritual pressure is very strong. Having such strong spiritual pressure indicates amazing talent, but you don't know how to control it right now, and that's not a good thing for ordinary people without spiritual pressure around you."
Tōshirō Hitsugaya was bewildered, "What do you mean?"
"Your spiritual pressure is constantly leaking out, and ordinary people cannot withstand high-intensity spiritual pressure. If your grandmother doesn't have spiritual power..."
Shin's voice paused, "You'll kill her!"