They spent the night at the Yoshio residence.
When he woke up the next day, the others had already left.
Last night Aizen had said he'd give him one more day off since he'd drunk the most, to let him sleep it off today.
Look at that—so considerate!
That's my captain.
No wonder the Squad Five people respected Aizen so much. Even after his open betrayal, there were still those who remembered his kindness.
Yoshio finally understood—if he'd been a member of Squad Five in the original story, he'd definitely have been an Aizen fanboy!
Yoshio lay on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and yawned again.
Honestly, he really did drink too much last night. His head still hurt a bit.
He got up and poured himself a cup of hot water.
After washing up, he took a sip to quench his thirst.
He was supposed to work today, but now he could take a nap. Bliss.
However…
Forget it. How could such a good day be wasted on sleep?
He should go boost some affection scores again.
Yoshio thought about it—he'd already set his sights on several abilities.
But with some people, affection couldn't be rushed. Pushing too fast could make them dislike him.
He thought it over and decided to get the ["Strict Teacher Produces Outstanding Students"] ability first.
It was hard-won to get a day off—no need to go butter up Gotei 13 members when they were on duty anyway. He was on vacation; they were working!
…
So Yoshio packed up and headed for the Shin'ō Academy.
"Teacher!"
Inside the Academy, Yoshio walked straight to Gengorō Ōunabara's office, where he found him reading.
"Yoshio?!" Gengorō Ōunabara was taken aback, then broke into a delighted smile and stood up quickly. "You're a big shot in Seireitei now—what brings you here?"
See? How could he have received this kind of treatment?
Didn't you notice even his teacher smiled upon seeing him now?
Sigh, how realistic.
Back when he was just a shinigami, he was ignored, but now that he was a Lieutenant, the smiles began.
"Captain Aizen gave me a day off. I figured since I was free, I'd come visit you."
As he spoke, Yoshio put a bag of fruit on the desk.
Gengorō Ōunabara smiled again. "You came all this way—why bring gifts?"
"You helped me so much back then. Of course I can't forget your kindness." Yoshio smiled.
These days he especially liked saying nice things. After all, talking sweet doesn't cost you weight, makes the other party happy, and boosts affection—why not?
"If not for you, I couldn't possibly have become a Lieutenant."
"With your effort, becoming a Lieutenant was only a matter of time," Gengorō Ōunabara said.
It was a bit insincere.
Yoshio had indeed worked hard, but what use is hard work alone? If hard work alone made you a Lieutenant, Seireitei would have hundreds of them by now.
It comes down to talent.
Without talent, no matter how much you try, you're just a small shinigami for life.
Gengorō Ōunabara had originally thought that becoming a seventh or eighth seat would already be quite good for Yoshio.
He was more optimistic about Hisagi Shūhei becoming a Lieutenant.
But he hadn't expected that in just a few years after graduation, Yoshio would become Lieutenant.
This was now headline news in Seireitei, and of course Yoshio was basking in the limelight.
Gengorō Ōunabara also sighed that a person's future, besides effort and talent, largely comes down to luck.
About half a year ago, Yoshio had been just an ordinary shinigami, yet in only half a year he'd made leap after leap and become a Lieutenant.
Yoshio naturally understood this.
He and Gengorō Ōunabara walked out together, and along the way Yoshio asked about Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Gengorō Ōunabara said Tōshirō was a rare genius who had nearly finished the Academy's curriculum within half a year of enrollment.
But after evaluation, the school believed Hitsugaya wasn't ready to graduate yet. Even if he wanted to graduate early, it would be the year after next at the earliest.
He was still too young; joining the Gotei 13 recklessly wouldn't be good.
Within the Academy, he had time to grow.
If he joined the Gotei 13 and something went wrong on a mission?
He still had a lot of room to develop, so there was no need to rush him like other students.
One way or another, some squad would definitely want him.
"Mm, that's fine too." Yoshio nodded at the school's plan and said, "Hitsugaya-kun is still a kid. If I were his teacher, I'd want him to complete the six-year curriculum. That way, when he enters the Gotei 13, he'll have the ability to protect himself."
"Exactly." Gengorō Ōunabara sighed. "That's actually what I think as well, and it would be good for your Squad Five too."
"How so?" Yoshio laughed. "Why would he end up in Squad Five?"
"Think about it. Next year, almost all of the standouts in our class are going to be taken by your Squad Five."
"If you also take a genius like Tōshirō, the other squads won't stand for it."
It was already December 26th, which meant New Year's was just days away, and a new year after that.
A new year meant new graduates, and among this group, Squad Five had essentially already internally selected Kira Izuru, Abarai Renji, and Hinamori Momo—three exceptionally gifted students.
If you added Tōshirō Hitsugaya, how could the other squads accept it?
So, what you're saying is your squad can't monopolize all the benefits, right?
"Haha." Yoshio couldn't help laughing. "Can't be helped—Squad Five is just too charming. But you've got a point; better not make ourselves a target."
Yoshio agreed with Gengorō Ōunabara, gained two points of affection, and took his leave.
Next he went to the White Road Gate and chatted for a while with Jidanbō nearby.
Jidanbō was a simple, honest big guy. Just a few casual words, and the affection soared.
It hadn't reached sixty yet, but Yoshio figured next time would do it.
And just like that, his day off ended.
After that, Yoshio went back to work as usual, life seemingly returning to its previous rhythm.
On holidays he ran errands, trained, drank, and boosted affection.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the next year.