Chapter 29: Hinamori’s Thoughts

Backstage.

Rukia let out a long sigh of relief after stepping off the stage.

"It's finally over."

She had never felt so nervous in her entire life—it had been even more agonizing than her entrance examination for the Student Council.

Momo Hinamori, however, was in high spirits and couldn't help but say, "Did you hear the cheering for us? We performed so well! And I noticed that even one of the Captains seemed to enjoy it!"

Kanie tugged at her costume, muttering, "I just want to get these clothes off; they’re a bit uncomfortable."

Among the crowd of staff members and students waiting to go on stage, one figure stood out, looking distinctly out of place.

It was a silver-haired boy standing there in an oversized school uniform that didn't quite fit him. Passersby couldn't help but point at him.

"Hinamori!" he called out toward the three girls.

Hearing this, Hinamori hurried over, asking with a bright smile, "You watched carefully, right? How was my performance just now?"

Toshiro Hitsugaya merely pursed his lips. "Average."

He didn't truly mean it. Having spent so much time with Momo Hinamori, this was the first time he had seen this side of her. Truth be told, when he first saw her in that costume, he had been genuinely stunned.

"Eh? Was it really not that good?"

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

"Wait a moment, I still want to take you to meet our President. You were only able to come because of him, so you really should thank him in person."

"…Fine."

Hitsugaya agreed, feeling that it was indeed appropriate to thank him as Hinamori suggested.

Hinamori then asked with a look of anticipation, "Shiro-chan, what do you think of the Spiritual Arts Academy?"

Hitsugaya knew what she was implying and remained silent.

Seeing the scene at the school festival today, it was indeed completely different from his life in Rukongai. Seeing so many peers gathered together, sharing similar interests and goals, and working hard to improve every day—it was something he truly yearned for.

No wonder Hinamori was so happy every day, and had become so much more confident and vibrant.

Other than Hinamori, he had almost no friends; the children around him were never willing to play with him. In reality, Hitsugaya was far more mature than his peers.

But he still had his grandmother to look after; she couldn't manage without him.

"Momo, are you going to change your clothes?"

Rukia called to her from not far away.

"Coming!" Hinamori turned to reply. "Wait for me, I’ll be back quickly after changing, and then I’ll take you to meet the President."

Hinamori followed Rukia and Kanie into the dressing room.

Rukia was recounting some of the minor mistakes made during the performance, such as which move wasn't quite right or almost stepping on Kanie. The three of them hadn't had much time to rehearse.

"It's over now, so there's no point in worrying about it. I saw that the audience enjoyed it," Hinamori comforted her.

"In any case, it's good that there were no major disasters."

After changing back into her school uniform, Rukia looked at the vibrant kimono laid out to the side. It still felt surreal, as if the person who had been on stage wasn't really her.

"Oh, by the way, Rukia, about you and Renji..." Hinamori suddenly grew gossipy.

Momo Hinamori was a classmate of Renji’s, and with their connection through Rukia, they were all well-acquainted.

Rukia gritted her teeth at the mention. "That idiot! He actually shouted my name in that kind of setting!"

Hinamori teased with a smile, "He was clearly cheering for you from the bottom of his heart. You should ask him how he thought the performance went when you see him. Ask him how he felt while watching it."

Rukia wasn't slow-witted; she immediately realized the implication in Hinamori’s words and couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.

"Why would I ask him that... he doesn't even have the capacity for such appreciation!"

"Is that so?"

Kanie, having changed her clothes and removed her stage makeup, spoke up, "I'm heading out now."

"All right, thank you for your hard work," Hinamori and Rukia said quickly.

After Kanie left, Hinamori couldn't help but remark, "It really wasn't easy for Senior Kanie to go this far. I never thought she would agree to it."

Rukia pondered, "I feel like she only did it because of the President."

Hinamori pursed her lips slightly at this. "Is that so..."

Rukia nodded and added, "I noticed earlier that the President was standing with some of the Captains."

Hinamori smiled. "What’s strange about that? Look at who the President is—he’s someone who could become a Third Seat the moment he graduates! It’s only natural for him to be in contact with such important figures."

She had heard from Rukia about the Third Seat position mentioned by Kaien Shiba. Although the President likely wouldn't go to the Tenth Division in the future, if he was promised a Third Seat there, he would surely be a Third Seat if he went to the Fourth Division as well.

Regardless, becoming a seated officer was incredibly impressive! And a high-ranking one at that.

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

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

Hinamori mused, "I feel like my grades in Kido are much better than in other subjects..."

"Do you want to join the Kido Corps?"

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

Hinamori shook her head. "I heard that the current Kido Corps hasn't had a Grand Chief in a while. Rukia, do you think if my Kido grades are decent, I could also develop my skills in Kaido?"

"Kaido?"

Rukia was taken aback. She looked into Hinamori’s bright eyes and faintly realized something.

"Momo, you..."

Someone knocked on the door of the dressing room, likely annoyed that they were taking so long.

Hinamori smiled. "Let's head out first, we can talk about this later."

"..."

The two walked out of the dressing room. Back in their school uniforms, they returned to their usual pretty and innocent appearance.

"Shiro-chan!"

Hinamori called out to Hitsugaya, who was waiting there.

"How many times do I have to tell you, don't call me Shiro-chan! Do you want me to tell everyone your nickname in public?" Hitsugaya said, displeased.

Hinamori shuddered; she couldn't let anyone at the academy know that nickname, not even if it killed her.

She quickly changed the subject with a smile. "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 Momo. You must be Toshiro Hitsugaya, right?"

Hitsugaya nodded slightly. "Aren't we going to meet your President?"

"Not right now. I suspect we'll have to wait until the festival is nearly over. The President is currently with several Captains, so we might as well continue watching the next programs and then I can take you for a tour."

Hitsugaya hesitated. "How long will that take?"

"Oh, don't worry, Grandma will be fine."

"..."