Two days after Rukia and the other girls began rehearsing for their performance, Hinamori Momo suddenly came looking for Shin.
"President!"
Tachikawa Shin was in the middle of handling logistics for the cultural festival. When he saw Hinamori, he looked up and asked, "What's up? Is the performance ready?"
"Not yet—we're still rehearsing," Hinamori replied with a bright smile.
"I didn't see your act listed in the submissions, though. What are you three working on?"
Hinamori smiled mysteriously. "Hehe, that's a secret for now. But I promise, it'll blow you away when you see it!"
Shin chuckled and set aside his paperwork. "Alright, I'll keep my expectations high then."
He figured she had more on her mind.
Sure enough, Hinamori leaned in. "President, I actually have a favor to ask."
"Let's hear it."
"This cultural festival is a rare occasion for the Academy, right?"
"If we pull it off well, it might become an annual tradition."
"Well…" Hinamori hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I have a friend—he's spiritually aware. I've always hoped he'd enroll here at the Academy, but he keeps refusing. So I was thinking maybe if he came and saw the place during the festival, he'd change his mind. I really think he'd come to like it here."
A friend?
Shin paused, immediately guessing who she meant.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō—future captain of the 10th Division.
According to the original timeline, Tōshirō didn't join the Academy until after Hinamori had already graduated.
Could that timing be changed…?
Shin turned the thought over in his mind.
At that moment, Hinamori stepped closer and began gently massaging his shoulders. "President, I know this is asking a lot… but I'm sure you can figure something out, right?"
Hinamori was from Rukongai, whereas the Shino Academy was located within Seireitei.
Seireitei was reserved for nobles and Shinigami. Normally, residents of Rukongai weren't allowed inside without clearance.
Even in District 1, Junrin'an.
And Shin, at the end of the day, was just a student. He didn't hold that kind of authority.
But Hinamori hadn't thought that far ahead. In her eyes, Shin was someone who casually dealt with Academy leadership, even Captains and Vice-Captains. He was powerful, impressive. Capable of anything.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that," Shin said with a snort.
"So… is it possible?" Hinamori looked at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
"You know the rules, don't you? What you're asking breaks protocol. Are you prepared to face the consequences?"
"…So I can't…" Hinamori lowered her gaze, her expression wilting with disappointment. Perhaps she had overstepped. Even if the President had the means, it wasn't right to ask him to do something improper.
"I'm sorry, President. I shouldn't have bothered you."
She gave a deep bow and turned to leave—
"Still, I might have a way."
"...!"
Hinamori whipped around, eyes lighting up with renewed hope.
"But it's risky," Shin said, wearing a conflicted look.
Hinamori hesitated. She didn't want to cause trouble for the President. It wasn't a matter of life and death.
"Don't worry about it, President," she said quickly. "If it means breaking the rules, it's really not necessary. I didn't think it through."
Shin chuckled. "This friend of yours—are you two close?"
She nodded. "He lives right next door. We grew up together."
In this world, childhood friend didn't carry romantic implications. It was simply someone you'd known since you were little.
"In that case," Shin said, "it'd be a shame to waste the opportunity. If you've gone through this much trouble for him, I'd feel bad not helping."
"President…"
Hinamori's eyes sparkled with emotion.
Seireitei and Rukongai were separated by massive white walls built from spiritual barrier stone. Crossing between them required going through one of four massive gates—White Way, Azure Flow, Black Ridge, and Vermilion Hollow—each guarded by one of the mighty Gatekeepers.
Academy students like Hinamori were granted freedom of movement with their student ID and uniform.
Shin's plan was simple: give Hinamori an extra student uniform and ID. She could just bring her friend in herself.
The gatekeepers weren't strict with students; these were future Shinigami, after all. So long as they presented proof, they were allowed to pass.
"Thank you, President!" Hinamori beamed, bowing again and again.
Shin smiled slyly. "Words are cheap. Is that all the thanks I get?"
Flustered, Hinamori fidgeted. "I… I'm also grateful in my heart…"
[Affection +48]
Shin glanced at the system window. Affection values climbed quickly up to 50 or so, but after that, increases were rare. Even someone he'd known for years, like Matsumoto Rangiku, was barely over 60.
Hinamori was progressing fast—due to her warm personality, no doubt—but once she crossed that 50 mark, he'd have to try harder.
If he relied only on slow, daily interactions, who knew how long it'd take to unlock the system's major rewards?
This damned system really was designed to turn him into a manipulative bastard.
Even this favor for Hinamori wasn't particularly difficult. The "risk" he'd mentioned was basically negligible. Even if the Academy found out, they wouldn't punish him for something so minor.
But if he had agreed right away? The affection gain would've been small.
By feigning reluctance and resistance, the payoff was much greater.
It was a little scummy… but effective. Especially on girls like Hinamori.
"Alright," he said. "Use my uniform and ID. Come see me the day before and I'll hand them over."
"Thank you, President!" she chirped again and left in high spirits.
Shin remained behind, now thinking about Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
In the original story, it was Rangiku who discovered his potential and brought him to the Academy.
Hitsugaya's natural talent outshone the likes of Abarai Renji or Kira Izuru. Like Shiba Kaien and Ichimaru Gin, he'd graduated in a single year—and went on to become the youngest Captain in Soul Society history.
His Zanpakutō, Hyorinmaru, was known as the strongest ice-type blade.
Hitsugaya and Hinamori were close in age. Yet even decades later, he still looked like a child—testament to his incredible spiritual power.
A real gem of a recruit.
And Shin still had another year before graduation…
This could work.
_____________________________________________________________
For this week I will do more release depending on the power stones !
100 Power Stones = 1 chapter (in addition to the daily update)
So give stones if you want mooooar !