Chapter 27: Rumors
Morning light grew increasingly bright as the two walked side by side through the long corridor connecting the dormitory district to the teaching area, arriving at the Shinoreijutsuin's spacious dining hall.
The time was still early. Sparse figures moved through the dining hall as the heat and aroma of food permeated the air.
Suoh walked skillfully to the service window and ordered meals for both of them.
With Shiba Miyako, that excellent graduate, having taught him every detail, he was probably more familiar with the Shinoreijutsuin's layout than some sixth-year students.
"Here, eat this today."
"I have a pretty good idea what people from Rukongai usually eat."
"What you need to do is let your body learn and grow accustomed to regular meals."
When the tray was placed before Hitsugaya Toshiro, he looked up to accept it. The contents made him pause slightly.
A piece of lightly charred grilled salmon, a bowl of warm miso soup, a small dish of pickles with a boiled egg, and a heaping bowl of rice.
Could he really finish all this?
But when he clearly saw the tray Suoh held in his other hand, his eyes instantly widened.
The portions on Suoh's plate were nearly ten times his own.
A small mountain of salmon, several bowls of rice, with numerous side dishes arranged around the outer edge like stars encircling the moon.
Could... could anyone actually finish that?
The astonishing quantity left him inwardly shocked.
"People's constitutions can't be judged uniformly."
"Once you've improved your physique somewhat, your appetite will naturally increase."
Suoh steadily held his tray, meeting his gaze calmly.
"Mm."
Seeing Suoh's eyes on him, Hitsugaya Toshiro quickly suppressed the shock on his face.
"Even with improvement, it couldn't possibly reach that level though."
He pretended nothing had happened, but couldn't help adding that thought internally.
"Let's go."
The two found seats and sat down. Once again, their figures attracted quite a few unusual gazes.
Only this time, the focus wasn't on Hitsugaya Toshiro's appearance, but rather on Suoh and that mountain of food before him.
However, Suoh paid it no mind. He was far too familiar with these kinds of stares.
Japanese society placed extreme emphasis on conformity.
Especially in the school campus—that microcosm of society—any trait deviating from the norm could be viewed as a potential threat to collective unity, thus provoking others' dissatisfaction and rejection.
Acting in accordance with everyone else was the safest choice, but that wasn't Suoh's style.
"Thanks for the meal."
He picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of fish, beginning his meal under everyone's watchful eyes.
Every movement was unhurried and composed, utterly unaffected by the people around him.
This transcendent, natural attitude made Hitsugaya sitting across from him feel involuntary admiration.
Because while he could manage to ignore others' strange looks, his heart couldn't remain truly indifferent.
"Thanks for the meal."
Watching the mountain of food before Suoh being methodically leveled, Hitsugaya raised his chopsticks and followed suit.
Only the sounds of silent chewing remained at their table.
The surrounding whispers and probing gazes didn't linger too long on Suoh.
His eating movements were stable and efficient, as if performing some sacred and solemn ritual.
That focus and calm actually settled some of the restless air around them.
When Suoh set down his chopsticks, his plates cleaned completely, Hitsugaya also swallowed his last mouthful of rice. Though somewhat difficult, he'd truly finished it all.
"Haa..."
Hitsugaya breathed out lightly, feeling an unfamiliar fullness from his stomach. This was the first time he'd eaten so much.
"Let's go."
"It's about time. We should head to the grand assembly hall."
Suoh stood, leading Hitsugaya to return their trays to the collection area.
Passing through the bustling dining hall.
The two walked side by side, following the gradually increasing flow of people toward the grand hall.
New students wore uniform regulation attire, conversing in low voices in groups of three to five, their excited tones filled with aspirations for the future.
The blue of the male uniform made Suoh's smiling face appear even gentler, while Hitsugaya beside him seemed cold as solid ice.
Along the way, dark wooden corridors stretched endlessly. In the distance, the cypress bark roof gleamed with rustic luster. The white gravel path in the courtyard extended all the way toward the grand hall.
Amid all this bustle, the area around the two of them strangely formed a quiet island.
One created natural distance through being different from everyone else. The other experienced the instinctive distance the weak maintained from the strong.
"Hey, look quick—those two are this year's elite Class One's first and second place."
Deliberately lowered exclamations came from not far away.
"That first place is so short. I heard he's Fifth Class spiritual power—is that really true?"
"Second place is so unfortunate, actually losing to a child like first place."
Another group's discussion carried tones of disbelief and regret.
"Ah, the black-haired one is so handsome. The silver-haired one is really cute too."
Female students in red uniforms were obviously focused on different priorities, suppressed exclamations occasionally emerging from corners.
Various chaotic voices entered their ears. Hitsugaya's spine unconsciously stiffened for an instant, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes.
"No need to mind them."
"The Shinoreijutsuin values strength, not appearance."
Sensing the spiritual pressure fluctuation from the youth beside him, Suoh's voice rang out calmly, just loud enough for Hitsugaya to hear.
Hitsugaya glanced sideways slightly, looking at Suoh's smiling profile.
That tranquil smile was as warm as spring breeze, yet made it impossible to glimpse the true thoughts hidden beneath.
Amid this cacophony, Suoh maintained his composure throughout. Influenced by him, the expression on Hitsugaya's face also calmed.
The two continued forward. Wherever they passed, discussion briefly stilled before resuming at even lower volumes behind them.
These discussions and whispers became the enduring background noise on their path to the grand hall.
The two found their seats in the Class One section and sat down.
The surrounding gazes and discussions still existed, but within this moment's collective atmosphere, they no longer stood out so prominently.
The bell rang—deep and prolonged.
The academy's board members and teachers entered in sequence, standing on either side below the platform.
Soon a figure appeared on the high platform at some unknown moment—an elderly man with white hair and beard.
The person wasn't Head Captain Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, but the solemn aura belonging to the academy dean still made the new students unconsciously fall silent.
"Everyone, welcome to the Shinoreijutsuin."
"The Shinoreijutsuin is a traditional academy with over two thousand years of glorious history, cultivating young elites for the Gotei 13, the Kidou Corps, and the Stealth Force."
"I hope all new students will be diligent and make progress, not disgracing this long-standing legacy..."
The academy dean's voice clearly carried to every corner of the hall, steady and powerful.
After finishing his opening address, the dean on the platform continued elaborating on the Shinigami's mission, the academy's iron laws, and the hardships of future training.
Every sentence landed in everyone's hearts, making the new students more clearly understand the responsibility and significance of coming to the Shinoreijutsuin.
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