Chapter 19: Kotetsu Isane

Momo Hinamori’s home is located in Junrinan, in the 1st District of West Rukongai. Compared to many others at the Spiritual Arts Academy, her background is quite privileged. The environment here is second only to the Seireitei, and there is no need to worry about public order or food.

Taking advantage of a break at the academy, Momo returned home to visit, taking the opportunity to check on the young boy next door.

"Anyway, the Spiritual Arts Academy is truly a wonderful place. Our student council president is already able to interact with high-ranking figures like lieutenants and captains on a daily basis. He’s also incredibly kind and doesn't act superior at all toward his subordinates or the underclassmen. I wish I had been the one to become the president's assistant back then... Honestly, are you even listening, Shiro?"

On the wooden veranda, a silver-haired boy was devoted to devouring a large slice of watermelon. Hearing the girl beside him call him by his nickname yet again, he unceremoniously spat a watermelon seed onto her.

"I’ve told you already, don’t call me Shiro. Why do you keep coming back every time you have a break? Is the Soul Reaper school really that idle?"

"I’m visiting you because it’s a rare chance! The student council has work to do every single day, you know," Momo said, looking slightly dissatisfied with his attitude.

Toshiro Hitsugaya set aside the watermelon rind he had finished and picked up another piece. "You’ve already bragged about that president of yours so many times."

"That’s because he really is that great!"

Toshiro’s expression remained sour; he seemed completely uninterested in what Momo was saying.

Momo looked regretful as she added, "It’s a pity that when the captain of the 5th Division came for an inspection, I was assigned a task and wasn't there. I heard he’s a very easygoing person, too. Shiro, Soul Reapers aren't at all like we imagined; there are so many, many good people among them." She turned to persuade him again, "Shiro, you should try applying to the Spiritual Arts Academy, too. I’m sure you could pass the entrance exam, and then you’d be able to make lots of new friends."

Toshiro continued to bury his face in his watermelon.

Momo continued, "Plus, if you could get into the student council, we’d be able to be together all the time."

Toshiro didn't appreciate the sentiment. "What’s so good about being together with you all the time?"

"Shiro, that’s really hurtful, you know."

"Stop calling me Shiro, Bed-Wetter Momo!"

The main reason Toshiro Hitsugaya did not intend to go to the Spiritual Arts Academy was to take care of his grandmother. Her health had never been good, and he felt he could not leave her behind; he had to stay by her side.

The summer was slightly stifling, and the sound of cicadas in the trees was incessant. Momo ate her watermelon leisurely, her legs dangling and swaying. Gazing at the clear sky, she mused, "I have to work hard and become an excellent Soul Reaper."

***

Because Shin had been skipping class a bit too often, he was summoned once again by Hidezawa Minamida for a talk.

"You brat, have you forgotten everything you promised me? Being in the student council is no excuse for your insolence! And since you are the president of the student council, you should be setting an example!"

"But the daily affairs of the student council really are quite busy. I’m doing this for the sake of the academy!" Shin explained with an innocent look. "Teacher Minamida, although I’ve missed some classes, I still carve out time for training. I won’t let my grades suffer!"

"Don’t give me that!" Minamida was not buying it; he knew his student’s temperament all too well. "Having good grades doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Do you have any idea that your record of skipping class so many times will be in your permanent file? What do you think the division you join after graduation will think when they see your record?"

Shin chuckled softly. "They’ll naturally think I’m a rare talent and invest heavily in my growth."

Minamida glared. "Be serious! I’m warning you: from today on, you will attend every single class properly. If you dare skip class again, I will report you to the headmaster. I don’t believe the headmaster will tolerate such lax behavior from you. If that happens, your position as student council president might just be revoked!"

Shin said helplessly, "What if the student council actually has important matters to attend to?"

"Come to me and ask for leave. I will decide whether or not to grant it based on the situation."

"..."

In the afternoon class, Shin made a rare appearance in the classroom, which surprised many of his classmates. It had been quite a while since the president had last attended.

"Did Teacher Minamida talk to you?" Shuhei asked, glancing at Shin, who looked listless beside him.

Shin gave a lazy "Mhm" in response.

It wasn't that he was lazy or unwilling to attend; the curriculum for fifth-year students at the academy offered him no further improvement. The teachers didn't teach anything profound. In Shin's view, rather than listening to these lectures, he was better off going to the library to find books on advanced Kido to improve himself.

The fifth-year curriculum leaned more toward practical application. Assignments for Soul Burials in the living world were significantly more frequent than in previous years, and sometimes they even brought along underclassmen. Shin had certainly gone, though he had been quite excited the first time he went to the living world as a first-year student.

But now, it was still decades away from the era of Ichigo Kurosaki, and the level of technology was far from advanced. There was truly nothing worth seeing, and after going twice, he lost interest.

This afternoon’s class was on healing arts. Because of their involvement in the student council, Shuhei Hisagi and Kani-zawa had stepped down from their roles as class representatives. The new representative was a familiar-looking student who walked up to the podium before class began. "Teacher Oizumi isn't teaching today. Our substitute for the class will be Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu of the 4th Division."

The 4th Division?

Shin was slightly surprised. It was rare for a lieutenant of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to substitute for a fifth-year class.

"The 4th Division—isn't that where you want to go?" Shuhei asked, startled.

Shin didn't confirm or deny it, but he did perk up.

After the bell rang, the classroom fell silent, and a tall figure slowly walked in through the front door of the lecture hall.

"She... she’s so tall!"

Seeing her, many students couldn't help but let out low murmurs, and some began to whisper.

Isane Kotetsu’s height, which was intimidating even to the boys, truly shocked most of the students. It was unlikely one could find another woman in the entire academy who stood nearly 1.9 meters tall. She wore the black shihakusho and the lieutenant’s armband of the 4th Division, and she was a woman of striking appearance.

Listening to the various sounds coming from below, Isane could guess what they were whispering about, which made her slightly embarrassed. Being in the spotlight like this was essentially like having her perceived flaw—her height—exposed for everyone to discuss.

However, she still walked up to the podium and spoke to the students: "I am Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu of the 4th Division. I will be teaching today. Hello, everyone."

As she spoke, her gaze swept across the students in front of her. Soon, among the relatively small group, she accurately locked onto Shin, who happened to be looking at her as well.

[Isane Kotetsu]
[Affinity: 9]