Chapter 24: Hinamori Momo's Request
Two days after Rukia and the other two began preparing their performance, Hinamori Momo suddenly sought out Xin again.
"President!"
Xin was in the middle of handling some Cultural Festival related matters when he saw Hinamori and asked, "What's wrong? Is the performance ready?"
"Not yet, we're still rehearsing," Hinamori Momo said with a smile.
"What are you preparing? How come I didn't see it on the list?"
Hinamori Momo smiled mysteriously and said, "Hehe, that's a secret for now. I'm sure it'll surprise you, President!"
Xin smiled upon hearing this and put down his work, "Alright, I'll keep my expectations high."
He guessed that she probably had something to ask him.
Hinamori Momo indeed spoke, "President, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Tell me."
"Our Spiritual Arts Academy's Cultural Festival is a rare event, isn't it?"
"If it's a success this time, we'll have it every year from now on."
Hinamori Momo continued, "I have a friend who also possesses spiritual power, and I've always wanted him to come and study at the Spiritual Arts Academy, but he always refuses. So, I want to take this opportunity to let him experience it. I believe he'll definitely fall in love with the Spiritual Arts Academy after visiting here!"
Friend?
Xin was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. He immediately knew who Hinamori Momo was referring to.
The future Squad Ten Captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
However, according to the original timeline, Tōshirō Hitsugaya only enrolled after Hinamori Momo graduated from the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Could it be brought forward…
Xin pondered to himself.
Hinamori Momo then walked closer to Xin and diligently massaged his shoulders, "President, I know this is difficult, but you must have a way, right?"
Hinamori Momo came from Rukongai, but the Spiritual Arts Academy is in Seireitei.
Seireitei is a place reserved only for nobles and Shinigami. Normally, residents of Rukongai are not allowed to enter freely.
Even those from Rukongai, Junrin'an, in the first district.
Xin, in the end, was just an ordinary student and didn't have that much power at all.
However, Hinamori Momo didn't think that deeply. She just felt that her President usually interacted with the leaders of the Spiritual Arts Academy, and even important figures like the Squad Captains and Vice-Captains of Squad Thirteen, making him a very impressive person in her heart.
"You really dare to think big!" Xin chuckled lightly.
"President, can you?" Hinamori Momo looked at Xin with hopeful eyes.
"You should know the rules of Seireitei. Are you aware of the consequences of having such a bold idea and doing something like this?"
"No…" Hinamori Momo's eyes revealed disappointment upon hearing this, and then she felt that perhaps she had truly been dreaming.
Even if the President had the ability, he couldn't just casually break the rules. From this perspective, it was indeed her own thoughtlessness.
"I'm sorry, President, for bothering you."
Hinamori Momo bowed to Xin and turned to leave.
"However, I do have a way."
"…"
Hinamori Momo quickly turned back, her eyes rekindling with hope.
"But it involves a lot of risk," Xin said, appearing hesitant.
This made Hinamori Momo hesitate as well. She didn't want to cause trouble for the President, and it wasn't something that absolutely had to be done anyway.
"President, it's alright," she immediately said. "Since it's something that breaks the rules, there's no need. It was my oversight."
Xin chuckled and asked, "Is that friend of yours very close to you?"
Hinamori Momo nodded, "His house is right next to mine. He's my childhood friend."
The term "childhood friend" in this world doesn't carry as much romantic connotation; it simply refers to a "playmate" who grew up together from a young age.
Xin then said, "Since he's such a good friend of yours, it wouldn't hurt to invite him once. It's also rare for you to put so much thought into it; it would be a shame to waste it."
"President…"
Hinamori Momo was deeply moved.
Seireitei and Rukongai are separated by a white wall. These walls are built from Sekkiseki, and to pass through them, one must use one of the four gates: Hakutō, Seiryū, Kokuryō, or Shūwamon. Each gate is guarded by a specialized Shinigami hero.
As a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy, Hinamori Momo could pass freely by presenting her Spiritual Arts Academy student ID.
The method Xin proposed was very simple: have Hinamori Momo bring a Spiritual Arts Academy uniform and her Spiritual Arts Academy student ID to pick him up.
The heroes' management of Spiritual Arts Academy students' travel was not strict. After all, these students would become Shinigami in the future, so presenting their ID was sufficient.
"Thank you, President!" Hinamori Momo was overjoyed after hearing this and thanked him repeatedly.
"Just with words?" Xin asked with a half-smile.
Hinamori Momo suddenly became a little shy and said reservedly, "I… I'm also grateful in my heart."
[Affection: 48]
Xin secretly glanced at the content on the system interface. Affection becomes very difficult to increase once it reaches fifty or sixty. Matsumoto Rangiku, whom he has known the longest, still only has an affection level in the early sixties.
The reason it's so high is also because they've known each other for several years.
Hinamori Momo's affection, however, increased very quickly, which is related to her naturally good personality. But once it also reaches fifty and above, he would have to find other methods.
If he really relied only on gradual accumulation, it would be a long, long time before he received the grand slam reward.
Xin himself had quite a few complaints about his system; wasn't it forcing him to be a bad person!
For example, the matter Hinamori Momo asked him to help with wasn't actually that difficult, and the so-called consequences were almost negligible. Even if the Spiritual Arts Academy found out, he wouldn't be punished for such a trivial matter.
But if he had directly agreed the moment Hinamori Momo opened her mouth, the affection gained might have been very little.
Going through this roundabout way was troublesome, but to become stronger, this was a better way for Xin to handle it.
Ultimately, it was just about raising the value of the favor, but it was very effective for girls like Hinamori Momo.
"Alright, you can use my uniform and student ID then. Come find me a day in advance to pick them up."
"President, you're busy."
Hinamori Momo left in a joyful mood.
Xin then began to ponder about Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
His enrollment was still a few years away when Matsumoto Rangiku would encounter him, which was quite similar to his own situation.
Compared to Abarai Renji, Kira Iziru, and others currently in the Spiritual Arts Academy, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's talent was stronger. Like Shiba Kaien and Ichimaru Gin, he also graduated from the Spiritual Arts Academy in just one year and became a Captain in the shortest time in Soul Society's history, also making him the youngest Captain in history.
He also possessed Hyōrinmaru, hailed as the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya's age should be similar to Hinamori Momo's, but in the original work, he still had a youthful appearance decades later, perhaps also indirectly indicating his astonishing talent.
This is a talent!
He himself still had one year until graduation.