Looking at the branches, some of the buds that couldn't wait are beginning to bloom with pink flowers. A little longer, and the remaining cherry blossoms will surely bloom all at once.
The calendar reads March; the season is spring.
When this time comes, this event is held every year without fail.
"Congratulations on your graduation, everyone."
That's right. It is the Shino Academy graduation ceremony.
Since I am tentatively in the position of an instructor, I make an appearance at graduation and entrance ceremonies. Basically, I attend every time.
And since I am in the position of an instructor, I can see it well.
The graduates gathered in the large auditorium listening to the principal's grateful words with their right ears and letting them flow out of their left ears.
It was a similar situation when I graduated, but no matter how many years pass, what they do is the same.
The content is always just things like "Utilize what you learned at the Academy," "Become a model for the next generation of Soul Reapers," or "Become an existence that leads the new era."
Surely, almost everyone is thinking, "This is tedious, just end it already."
I'm not listening to the speech at all either; I'm looking at the characters on the banner and such.
It's already over the 2000th term, isn't it? It has history...
"See ya!"
"Hehehe, I got into Squad 13!"
"Lucky you... I didn't get picked anywhere..."
"Ch-Cheer up!! There's always next year!! Come on, let's go drinking!! It's a graduation celebration and to lift our spirits! We'll drink until we puke!!"
Once the graduation ceremony ends quickly and they are released, such voices can be heard from here and there.
Those who are reluctant to part, those who hold hope for their future as Soul Reapers, those who lament their current rock bottom; a mixture of joy and sorrow.
Well, as I said in the past, the enlistment exam is a narrow gate.
Challenging the exam many times, finally passing, and becoming a Soul Reaper. But it wasn't the squad they hoped for.
Such stories are always the same, too numerous to mention. They don't even make for good conversation fodder.
...Oh my? I feel like I've thought something like this before... specifically around Chapter 18.
"Sensei!"
"Oh my, everyone. Congratulations on your graduation."
While I was vaguely immersed in nostalgia, Rukia-san and the others called out to me.
Needless to say, they are also graduates. As I said before, they swept the top four spots, from valedictorian to fourth seat.
The valedictorian gave the speech as the representative of the graduates on the podium; it was very impressive.
Seeing them like this makes me feel a little emotional...
'I raised them!! Indeed! I think you may puff out your chest more!'
...Ruined.
"Sensei, thank you for everything until now!"
"You are welcome. But everyone was able to graduate because you worked hard every day. I only gave that a little push."
"That is not true!"
Oh my, what a surprise.
Kira-kun raised his voice, which is rare.
"That we were able to grow this much is undoubtedly thanks to you, Sensei!!"
"I-Is that so...? Then, I suppose I am happy..."
What happened? He's coming on strong.
Renji-kun, who is a little distance away, is trying his hardest to stifle his laughter; did something happen?
"So, um... well... excuse me. Thank you very much."
Oh my? The momentum from just now suddenly braked hard.
Moreover, Kira-kun slumped his shoulders dejectedly.
...Seriously, what is it!? Now Renji-kun is angry.
"Sensei, thank you for everything until now. Um, this. It is a present filled with our gratitude for everything!"
Replacing the dejected Kira-kun, this time Hinamori-san stepped forward.
And she held out a carefully wrapped box to me.
"A present...? For me?"
"Yes!!"
Actually, I had given a brush to everyone graduating as a personal graduation gift.
You know, there's that trend of giving a fountain pen as a celebration gift.
Imitating that, I gave a pretty good brush to each person.
Once they enlist, they'll write daily work reports and such. It won't hurt to have a brush.
I wonder how long it has been since I received such a splendid present... my heart is starting to pound.
"Thank you. May I open it?"
"Please go ahead!"
The content is—that way of saying it is old now. I'll rephrase.
The content was a ribbon for tying hair.
Perhaps named after Hinamori-san's name "Momo" (Peach), it is dyed in a color like cherry blossoms.
"Heeh... thank you. Do you think it suits me?"
"Yes, definitely!"
"...It is beautiful..."
It's Nubatama's hobby, so twintails are mandatory for me.
When I lightly held it against my hair, Hinamori-san gave it her seal of approval.
Also, Kira-kun murmured a compliment.
"Really? Then, maybe I'll wear this while working from now on."
"Please do, by all means! We would be happy if you did!"
Hinamori-san is also coming on strong. And she's smiling incredibly.
"But, receiving such a wonderful item, I don't have anything to give in return..."
"It is okay. We received many things from you, Sensei."
Stop it, saying things like that... seriously, it hits me right in the tear ducts...
"I see... thank you, everyone. From now on, as fellow Soul Reapers, let's do our best together!"
""""Yes!!""""
When I said that while teary-eyed, they gave a good reply.
Waaah, everyone is such good kids...!!
...Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?
"Vice-Captain, good morning!"
"Good morning. Is everyone here?"
A few days have passed since the touching graduation ceremony.
And today is the enlistment day for the new squad members.
...Even if I say new members, it's just kids I recognize, though.
Anyway, today is enlistment day.
For the purpose of introducing the newcomers, I've gathered as many Squad 4 members as possible.
"Yes, no problems."
"I see. Then it's a little early, but let's go ahead and start. Captain, is that alright with you too?"
"Yes, I do not mind."
Captain Unohana also agreed with a smile.
And after the Captain's light greeting, this year's new squad members came in droves...
...Eh!?!?
Hi-Hinamori-san!? And Kira-kun too!? Why, why are you here!?!?
Eh... wait... today is the day Squad 4's newcomers arrive, which means... Eeeh!!!
Wa-Wa-Wa-Wait a minute!! You two are the valedictorian and the salutatorian, right!!
The top two grades from the Academy gathering in the same squad... is that okay!?
"What is the matter, Vice-Captain Yukawa. Was there some problem?"
"N-No, um..."
The moment I saw their faces, I couldn't hide my agitation.
Captain Unohana has a face that says there are absolutely no problems...
"Now everyone, these children are this year's new Squad 4 members. Believe it or not, among this year's members are the students who graduated from the Academy as valedictorian and salutatorian."
The moment they heard the words that the valedictorian and salutatorian are both here, everyone buzzed.
"Moreover, they enlisted by their own strong desire. This is also thanks to Vice-Captain Yukawa, who works hard as an instructor at the Academy."
No, saying it's thanks to me... certainly, there is that intention!
But their own desire... the reason for that makes me incredibly happy, though!!
...Ah! The Captain is looking at me with a really nice smile!!
...Is that what this is!?
The reason my workload was somewhat lighter than usual this year!! The reason someone else was handling the new squad member-related work that I usually managed—is that what this is!? Just for this moment on this day!?!?
...You put too much effort into the surprise, Captain...!!
"Sensei, we are together again! Ehehe..."
"I look forward to your guidance once again."
The enlistment ceremony ended, and the two came over.
Both of them are showing a little bit of "sorry" emotion amidst their happiness.
"I see... sorry, you two. I didn't notice at all."
Or rather, this surprise.
The fact that they kept silent to me means these two were also in on it, right?
Just when...!? Where, and at what timing did you coordinate!?
Or rather, what do you have to do to make this happen!? What kind of connections or means do you use to realize this, Captain!!
We should have spent quite a long time together, but I still don't understand the depths of Captain Unohana...
"But with the two of you, even if it wasn't Squad 4. I think you could have been active in other squads as well..."
"That is not true! Under Sensei, I want to learn much, much more!!"
"I-Is that so...? But with your abilities, other squads would call for you immediately..."
"No! Because my goal is you, Sensei!"
"Thank you... Kira-kun..."
...The two of them are coming on strong...
What do you call it, like their affection level is MAX... Where was the flag!? When did I raise the flag!?
However, it's that.
Since I always saw them in student hakama, their appearance in Shihakusho is fresh.
Moreover, Hinamori-san has her hair in twintails just like me, only for today. At key points in our conversation and exchanges, she glances at me and shows me a face like "We match, ehehe..."
Plus, she is wearing that ribbon she got at the graduation ceremony.
Since I am also wearing that cherry blossom-colored ribbon I received from Hinamori-san, we match very much.
...What is this cute creature!! What is this cute appeal!!
Eh, is it okay!? Can I take this child!? Can I take her home!?
Yeah, it's fine now, right... Rather than handing her over to someone like Aizen to be used up, if I take her, it's fine, right... No one will be troubled, right...
No, no.
I almost inadvertently forgot because of Hinamori-san's overwhelming cuteness.
The career paths of the other kids.
Rukia-san went to Squad 13 as originally planned.
Since the groundwork and explanations were done thoroughly beforehand, it seems she is doing well without being treated like a delicate object in Squad 13.
It seems the understanding that special treatment is unnecessary even if she is a relative of the Kuchiki family has properly passed.
Renji-kun went to Squad 11.
I wonder why...? I thought for sure Byakuya would pull him into Squad 6.
Is it because I inadvertently said, "Ikkaku is strong, next to me"? That's the only thing that comes to mind.
Maybe there was a part of him that stoically sought strength.
Maybe it's like, "I want to rise in the world and become a self I can be proud of to her!"
And in a sense, the biggest problem is the two in Squad 4.
It's a problem on the level of the entire Gotei 13.
After all, having the valedictorian and salutatorian gather together is a somewhat unprecedented situation.
I can feel the silent pressure from other squads intensely.
Partly because I am an instructor, gazes like "Didn't you guide them skillfully to fence them in?" or "You're good at buying green rice fields (recruiting talent early)!" pierce me.
—Really, how did Captain Unohana pull these two in?
As for the individuals themselves, since it is their first year of enlistment, they are right in the middle of learning their duties by sticking to their seniors.
I think these two will grow in the blink of an eye, build a track record, and climb up to seated officer positions.
Actually, their efficiency is incredibly good.
...Seeing this, yeah... I don't want to hand them over to other squads.
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