Mirai let out a silent groan of despair, but his face instantly switched to a beaming, enthusiastic smile. He hurried forward, closing the distance in two quick steps.
"Captain Hirako! You're here early! Is there a particular recruit you've got your eye on? Afraid someone might snatch them away?"
Shinji didn't even acknowledge the greeting. Instead, he reached out and clamped a hand onto Mirai's shoulder, gripping with such force that Mirai winced.
"Mirai-kun..." Shinji drawled, his lips curling into a grin that didn't reach his eyes. A thick vein pulsed prominently on his temple. "So, you were bullshitting me last night, weren't you? Do you think I'm just that easy-going, or... do you look down on your Captain?"
"Ow, ow, ow! Captain Hirako, have mercy! I've been framed!" Mirai cried out. "You know how our division is! Vice-Captain Kuna insisted on going for a picnic today and practically dragged Captain Muguruma along by his hair! As for the 3rd and 4th Seats... you know them. They're basically two pieces of wood that happen to breathe! I was forced to come here!"
Sensing the grip on his shoulder loosen slightly, Mirai struck while the iron was hot. "Think about it, Captain. If Vice-Captain Kuna doesn't get her way, the whole division suffers! It would be psychological warfare—a literal catastrophe for all living souls in the barracks!"
Hearing this, Shinji actually nodded in deep sympathy and pulled his hand back.
"True... when that girl starts a tantrum, not even half of the Seireitei can find peace." He even tilted his head up slightly, a look of pride crossing his face. "Thankfully, I had the foresight three years ago."
Back then, when Mashiro Kuna graduated as an elite student, Shinji—using his instincts as a "master of disguises"—had seen right through the troublesome nature hidden beneath her sweet exterior. He had decisively "offered" her to Kensei Muguruma. Looking back, it was a stroke of genius.
However...
Shinji's gaze fell back onto Mirai, his eyes darkening. He had clearly misjudged this boy, who had graduated in the same year as Mashiro.
"Brat," Shinji said, his tone probing. "You're not... specifically here for a certain recruit, are you?"
That Sosuke Aizen was definitely a problem. Although Shinji couldn't put his finger on exactly what was wrong, his intuition was screaming at him. And the "Aikawa" in Mirai's book was far too similar to Aizen... he couldn't let these two dangerous elements end up in the same division!
Mirai's smile didn't waver. "No way! I don't even know who's in this graduating class or who's supposed to be good. I'm just here to go through the motions."
"Is that so?" Shinji's tone suddenly became playful, like he was chatting with an old friend. "I thought, perhaps, after drinking with Aizen last night, you were planning to secretly recruit that 'exceptional talent'—the one already famous throughout the Rukongai—into the 9th Division."
Mirai kept his smile, readying another lie...
"Oh ho~ You're all here early. Shinji-dono, Mirai-kun."
A lazy, magnetic voice cut in at the perfect moment, stopping Mirai's explanation and allowing him to let out a mental sigh of relief.
Mirai turned and smiled at the newcomer. "I didn't expect you to show up personally, Shunsui-san? It seems there must be a student in this class who has captured even your heart."
The newcomer was the Captain of the 8th Division, Shunsui Kyoraku. His flamboyant pink flowered haori was draped casually over his shoulders, and he wore a straw sugegasa hat at a jaunty angle. A few curls of black hair peeked out from under the brim, and a bit of stubble lined his jaw. He radiated an aura of effortless charm and leisure.
"Hahaha," Shunsui laughed heartily as he walked up. "The 8th Division has been lacking a proper Vice-Captain for a while, and my current seated officers just aren't cutting it. I thought I'd come try my luck."
He looked at Shinji with a teasing glint. "Doesn't your 5th Division also need a Vice-Captain? You'll have to go easy on me later, Shinji-dono."
"Idiot, shut your mouth," Shinji muttered, turning toward the Academy entrance without looking back. "The elite graduates pick us; we don't pick them."
Mirai followed quickly, chiming in. "With two Captains present, a lowly 5th Seat like me from the 9th Division probably won't even get the leftovers."
After all, two Captains had shown up in person, while the 9th Division had only sent their 5th Seat—not even their Vice-Captain. To an elite graduate, the difference in "sincerity" was obvious. Mirai was already prepared to just pick a few "scraps" to take back and finish his job.
He leaned in and whispered to Shunsui, "Shunsui-san, you've always got your ear to the ground. Who are the stars of this graduating class?"
Shunsui tucked his hands into his sleeves, looking lazy. "Hmm... there are three standouts. Lisa Yadomaru, ranked first in Shunpo; Hiyori Sarugaki, ranked first in Zanjutsu; and Sosuke Aizen, ranked first in Kido."
He raised his voice, calling out to Shinji's back. "Captain Hirako~ My goal is little Lisa-chan. Could you let me have her?"
Without stopping, Shinji replied irritably, "You moron! Why would I give up such a cute girl?!"
"My, my, that's a problem then," Shunsui said in a sing-song tone. "I've been dying to have a cute girl as my Vice-Captain~"
Mirai, standing beside them, rolled his eyes and couldn't help but comment: "If I may, Captains... if you choose a Vice-Captain based solely on 'cuteness,' I fear your hair will turn white much faster than it already is."
This was a lesson he had learned through blood and tears, thanks to his own "cute" Vice-Captain, Mashiro. Just look at Captain Muguruma—not only was his hair silver, but his hairline was already showing signs of retreat from the stress.
"Mirai-kun, you clearly don't understand," Shunsui said, wagging a finger with a grin. "Having a cute girl around every day improves your mood and boosts work efficiency."
"Exactly!" Shinji added, unusually in agreement. "With a cute girl around, you wake up every morning feeling full of hope and happiness!"
Mirai: "..."
He threw a look of blatant disdain at the two Captains. "The depth of your philosophy is truly profound. I admit defeat."
As the three chatted, they reached the Academy's training grounds. In the center of the field stood a woman of exceptionally "bountiful" stature.
"Oh? If it isn't the 'Lecherous Trio'? You're here early to scout the elite graduates, I see."
The 12th Division Captain, Kirio Hikifune, stood with her hands on her hips, smiling at them with a playful tone.
Mirai immediately snapped to attention and shouted, "Reporting, Captain Hikifune! I am absolutely not part of their group!"
"Ho ho," Kirio chuckled, clearly not believing him. "The three of you are famous for drinking yourselves into a stupor and making fools of yourselves in the Seireitei. Your reputation precedes you."
"Speaking of drinking," Shunsui said, as if just remembering, looking at Mirai with a pout. "Mirai-kun, you haven't called me for a drink lately. It's truly heartbreaking."
Mirai spread his hands helplessly. "Shunsui-san, you can't blame me. I haven't updated my novel recently, and my wallet is empty. I can barely afford the cheap stuff. Once the royalties for my new book come in next month, I'll treat you both to a proper feast!"
"It's a promise then!" Shunsui beamed and naturally took his place to Kirio's left.
Shinji clicked his tongue and stood to Kirio's right, not forgetting to defend himself: "Captain Hikifune, I am not a lecher. I simply possess a deep, heartfelt appreciation and respect for the beauty of all women."
Mirai stood obediently three steps behind the three Captains. Hearing Shinji's "high-minded" speech, he couldn't help but roll his eyes again.
Kirio smiled and didn't push the topic further. At that moment, fifteen graduates marched onto the training grounds in a perfectly straight line.
_________
The Shin'ō Academy was the only educational institution for commoners in the Soul Society—put bluntly, it was the exclusive military academy for the Gotei 13. Since the Soul Society lacked general schools for the public, the Academy taught everything from combat techniques to basic etiquette and common sense. After all, the Gotei 13 handled almost all administrative and governing tasks in the Seireitei; knowing how to swing a katana wasn't enough.
While some years saw dozens of graduates and others as few as ten—sometimes even single digits—the lifespan of a Shinigami was incredibly long. As long as they didn't fall to a Hollow in the World of the Living or meet some "accident," a Shinigami could live for hundreds of years. Therefore, aside from the 13th Division (stationed in the Human World) and the 11th Division (the battle maniacs), most divisions weren't actually that desperate for manpower.
Speaking of which, it's strange that the 11th and 13th didn't send anyone this time... Mirai thought.
His gaze swept over the three rows of graduates, finally landing on the three students standing at the very front. He nodded inwardly.
Standing in the lead was Lisa Yadomaru, a girl with glasses and long black hair tied in a braid. She looked serious, her gaze behind her lenses calm and focused. Her shihakusho was perfectly neat, radiating an aura that was a mix of "honor student" and "literary girl." She was a future member of the Visoreds—strong, and quite beautiful.
Next was Hiyori Sarugaki. Petite with short blonde hair, she looked like a bundle of energy. She was currently pouting slightly, her eyes full of impatience and defiance. Another future Visored, and clearly a hothead.
And finally, there was Sosuke Aizen.
Even though he was currently smiling like a warm, sunny older brother, Mirai knew that if he recruited him, he'd have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of his life, fearing the day Aizen would "optimize" him with a smile.
Mirai began calculating rapidly.
Actually, it would be best if he could get the Shunpo prodigy, Lisa Yadomaru, into the 9th Division. She was high-achieving and looked capable; she might actually be able to handle that mountain of paperwork! The problem was that she was top-tier talent. Her goal was undoubtedly to start as a Vice-Captain. A division like the 9th, which already had a Vice-Captain (Mashiro), probably wasn't even on her radar.
Sigh. I'd love to trick—I mean, recruit—some elite talent to handle my filing, but I guess it's not happening today.
Mirai sighed in his mind, his eyes drifting back to the smiling Aizen. With this guy here, I'll be lucky if I survive the day without incident.
As if sensing his gaze, Aizen tilted his head slightly and gave Mirai an even more brilliant, warm smile.
Mirai's spiritual senses spiked! Oh no!
He quickly used the corner of his eye to check Shinji's back. Even though he, Shinji, and Shunsui were often called the "Three Lecherous Musketeers of the Seireitei," who knew what Shinji was actually thinking? Shunsui Kyoraku was an equally deep old fox.
I'm the only pure, innocent little flower here, stuck in a pack with two old foxes. If I'm not careful, they'll eat me down to the bone.
Clap, clap, clap.
Captain Kirio Hikifune clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"You are all very impressive graduates! Today, the divisions here to recruit are the 12th, 9th, 8th, and 5th. Of course, if any of you have already set your heart on another division, you can submit your application to the Principal after we're done~"
She smiled, her full figure radiating a sense of comfort and approachability. Many graduates looked at her with longing, thinking that joining a division under such a kind Captain would make for a peaceful life.
Kirio continued: "Now, if there is a student who wishes to join our divisions, please step forward."
The moment she finished, Lisa Yadomaru was the first to step out. She walked forward two paces and gave a calm self-introduction:
"Greetings, Captains. I am Lisa Yadomaru. During my time at the Academy, Shunpo was my strongest field, but that does not mean I am lacking in other areas. I have also studied and understood the deep details of division administration, document management, and financial auditing."
Before she could finish, Shunsui Kyoraku chuckled and interrupted. "Lisa-chan~ The 8th Division would love to have you! I've actually been saving the Vice-Captain seat just for you~"
The moment he said it, Lisa's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. This Captain... feels a bit lightheaded.
A wave of hushed gasps and murmurs erupted from the remaining graduates.
"Vice-Captain! Captain Kyoraku just offered her the Vice-Captain seat!"
"That's incredible! As expected of the number one in Shunpo!"
"I'm so jealous..."
Seeing that Lisa didn't immediately accept, Shinji Hirako also spoke up with a grin:
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