They'd joked about it in their little four-man circle, but mostly as 'When I grow up I'll…' The only serious bit had been Division choices.
"For me? Probably Fifth," Ichigo said honestly.
Ukitake's face froze. Kyōraku, not helping, patted his shoulder. "Told you. He's Aizen's student. Besides, Fifth is a good first station for a rookie—good air there."
"So you were hoping to recruit me to Thirteenth, Captain Ukitake?" Ichigo ventured.
"I was." He sighed, and laid the problem bare. "Our lieutenant's seat has been vacant far too long. My health is what it is. The duties pile up on the seated officers. They manage, but that won't last. If something happens to me—without captain-level leadership—we could be dissolved. I already ask too much of them as it is.
"When I heard of what you've done, I thought—even if it's a long shot—I have to ask. I believe you're the one I've been waiting for. The lieutenant Thirteenth needs. Its future pillar."
"W–wait, Captain. I'm still a student. A lieutenant right out the gate? I don't have that kind of… anything." Ichigo stared. He'd expected 'come join us,' not that.
He flailed for an exit. "And I'm not the only talent around. Shinomiya's every bit as good—and better at handling… well, everything. He fits your needs better than me."
"Shinomiya-kun?" Ukitake glanced at the black-haired student somehow chatting idly with Soi Fon. "He's exceptional. But…"
But. Ukitake's eyes said it: the boy would be wasted under me. If not Fifth with his teacher, then—First.
Ichigo glanced at the Head Captain, then at Shinomiya. The two looked nothing alike and were years apart, but the feel—not like Kuchiki Byakuya's cold distance. Something else. He couldn't pin it down. "He does look like the kind of kid old folks would like."
"Even so," Ukitake said suddenly, eyes steady, "I don't see you as a consolation prize. People have fit, and people have fate. I swear on my name—Ichigo-kun, you'd love Thirteenth."
He leaned in, voice warm. "Ichigo-kun—be Thirteenth's pillar."
"That's a bit much all at once…" Ichigo scratched his cheek. "Can I at least think about it?"
Ukitake heard the retreat in it and his shoulders dipped.
Kyōraku nudged him. "Hey now. Remember how many times Kaien turned you down before you wore him down?"
"You're right." Ukitake smiled ruefully. "If I've decided to call him a talent greater than Kaien, then I owe him more sincerity and effort than I gave Kaien. …Kyōraku, help me come up with reasons that work. You're good at this."
"I'm good at convincing girls, not boys," Kyōraku muttered.
Before they could get further, the scent of tea spread—thin but piercingly clean. The room quieted. All eyes went to the old man.
His hands were beautiful. For matcha there are three steps:
Steaming—soften the leaves with steam, then dry them.
Grinding—use a stone mill to powder, then sieve the grit.
Whisking—warm the bowl, add powder, pour in boiling water, and whisk to a fine foam.
Shinomiya knew tea ceremony at a high level; he'd never seen anyone do Step One bare-handed.
The rest used tools—stone mill, bowl, the water already set out. The kettle didn't sit on coals or a ring. It sat above a burning sword. Everyone else took it in stride.
The old man whisked with a chasen like a bundle of hair, steam lifting, motions rhythmic enough to breathe to. He prepared two bowls and set them on a tray.
Then, to general surprise, he called two names.
"Shinomiya Takashi. Kurosaki Ichigo. Come taste first."
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