Backstage.
Rukia exhaled deeply as she stepped down from the stage.
"Finally over."
She had never been this nervous in her life—not even during her Student Council admission trials. This had been agony.
Beside her, Hinamori Momo was radiant, unable to contain her excitement. "Did you hear the cheers from the crowd? We did great! And I think one of the Captains really enjoyed it too!"
Kezawa tugged at her outfit and muttered, "I just want to get this thing off already. It's uncomfortable."
Among the group of stagehands and students preparing to go on next, a silver-haired boy stood out like a sore thumb. He was wearing an oversized Academy uniform that clearly didn't fit. Passersby couldn't help but glance and whisper.
"Momo!"
The boy called out to the three girls.
Hinamori beamed and rushed over. "Did you watch seriously? What did you think of my performance?"
Hitsugaya Tōshirō scrunched up his face. "Meh. It was fine."
It wasn't an honest answer. In all the years they'd known each other, he'd never seen Momo like this. In truth, he'd been stunned when she stepped out in that outfit—she looked… dazzling.
"Huh? Wasn't it good?"
Tōshirō didn't answer directly. "Now that it's over, I should get going. My grandma's still waiting for me at home."
"Wait a sec, I still want to introduce you to our Student Council President. It's thanks to him you even got in today. You should at least thank him in person."
"…Fine."
Tōshirō figured Momo was right. A thank-you was in order.
Momo smiled hopefully. "So, what did you think of Shin'ō Academy?"
Tōshirō didn't answer right away.
The festival was nothing like anything in Rukongai. All these kids—same age as him—laughing, chasing dreams, growing stronger together. It felt… far away. But alluring.
No wonder Momo always came back with that glow in her eyes, so full of energy and confidence.
He had no friends besides her. Most kids avoided him. He was too mature, too quiet, too cold.
"Hey, Momo! Are you coming to change?"
It was Rukia calling from a short distance.
"Be right there!" Momo turned back to Tōshirō. "Wait for me, okay? I'll be quick, then I'll take you to meet the President."
With that, she followed Rukia and Kezawa to the changing room.
Rukia was fretting over some missteps during the performance—how she almost stepped on Kezawa's foot, how one gesture was off.
They hadn't had much time to rehearse.
"It's fine. It's over. And everyone seemed to enjoy it," Momo reassured them.
"At least we didn't screw it up completely."
Back in her uniform, Rukia looked down at the vibrant kimono beside her. It felt surreal. Like someone else had gone on stage just now.
"Hey, Rukia," Momo suddenly grinned, leaning close, "what's going on with you and Abarai?"
Momo and Renji were classmates, and with Rukia being friends with both, they were all quite familiar with each other.
Rukia immediately clenched her teeth. "That idiot! Who yells my name like that in public!?"
Momo giggled. "He was cheering you on, you know. You should ask him how your performance was. See what he thought."
Rukia wasn't stupid. She caught the teasing implication right away and flustered. "Why would I ask him that!? He doesn't know the first thing about performance!"
"Really~?"
Kezawa, now back in uniform and barefaced, spoke up. "I'm heading out."
"Thanks for everything!" Rukia and Momo called after her.
Once Kezawa was gone, Momo couldn't help but say, "I still can't believe she agreed to this. She really did great."
Rukia pondered aloud, "I get the feeling she only did it because of the President."
"Did she…?"
Rukia nodded, then added, "Earlier, I noticed the President standing with some Captains."
Momo chuckled. "Well, that's nothing strange. He's the kind of guy who'll be a Third Seat right out of graduation. Of course he's around those big names."
She'd heard about the Third Seat offer from Shiba Kaien.
Even if he doesn't end up in Tenth Division, just being offered a seat like that meant Shin was the real deal. If he ended up in Fourth, he'd surely be a Third Seat there too.
"Rukia, which Division do you want to join after you graduate?"
"I haven't even thought about it. You?"
Momo looked thoughtful. "My Kidō scores are much higher than my other subjects…"
"You're aiming for the Kidō Corps?"
The Kidō Corps was an organization independent of the Gotei 13, specializing in high-level spiritual arts.
Momo shook her head. "I heard they still don't have a Grand Kidō Chief. But I was thinking, since Kidō is kind of my thing, maybe I should consider focusing on Kaidō too?"
"Kaidō?"
Rukia blinked. She looked into Momo's shining eyes, a suspicion forming in her heart.
"Momo, are you…"
A knock came at the changing room door—probably someone impatient for their turn.
"Let's go," Momo said brightly. "We'll talk later."
They stepped out together, now back in uniform, returning to their previous, pure and graceful appearance.
"Shiro-chan!"
Momo waved to Hitsugaya.
"How many times do I have to tell you—don't call me Shiro! Want me to shout your childhood nickname in front of everyone?"
Momo visibly shuddered. That name was a secret she'd take to the grave.
Quickly changing the subject, she smiled. "Let me introduce you! This is my good friend, Rukia."
Rukia offered a friendly nod. "Hello. I've heard a lot about you from Momo. You're Hitsugaya Tōshirō, right?"
Tōshirō nodded. "Weren't we going to meet your President?"
"Not yet. He's still with the Captains, so we'll have to wait until the festival's almost over. In the meantime, we can check out a few more performances, maybe explore a bit."
Tōshirō hesitated. "How long is this going to take?"
"Don't worry, your grandma will be fine!"
"..."
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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 !