Shin'o Academy, Toshiro's residence.
Momo and the others were also there.
"What's wrong with them, Izuru?" Toshiro asked after returning, noticing Renji, Rukia, and even Momo looked worried and dispirited.
"Although tomorrow is the graduation exam, other grades also have promotion exams. Momo's swordsmanship, Renji's Kido, and Rukia's Reiatsu are a bit weak, so they're worried about their results," Kira explained.
"Good grief, if you have time to worry, you might as well go train," Toshiro said.
"That's right! Let's go train!" Renji suddenly realized.
"Yeah, I'll go too. This time, I must get into Class 1!" Rukia nodded.
"Toshiro, I'm going to train too. I won't keep you company," Momo said.
"But, Momo, your grades are actually very good. You'll definitely pass," Toshiro said, wanting to spend more time with Momo.
"No, I don't want the gap between you and me to keep growing," Momo said firmly.
Toshiro felt like crying. He didn't expect a casual remark had made Momo leave too.
"Uh, Toshiro, if you don't mind, I can stay and chat with you," Kira said with a smile.
'Tch, who wants you? I want a girl, understand?'
"Izuru, although you're the top student in first year, you… mustn't become complacent. Go train with Renji and the others," Toshiro said, patting Kira's shoulder earnestly.
…
The next day, morning.
The legendary graduation exam was somewhat different from what Toshiro imagined.
It wasn't a tournament-style, one-on-one battle where he'd sweep through everyone to claim first place, followed by divisions vying to invite him.
It was more like the college entrance exams. The first test was theoretical knowledge… a written exam.
Then came Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido.
Aside from Zanjutsu and Hakuda, where an instructor would spar to assess your skill, the others only required demonstration.
For the written exam, Toshiro wrote casually. For Zanjutsu and Hakuda, the examiners didn't even make him demonstrate and gave him full marks directly.
Toshiro understood their thinking: losing to Toshiro publicly would undermine the instructors' authority.
But Toshiro didn't insist on fighting. Defeating the instructor publicly just to show off wasn't his style.
After the exams, you just waited for results, then filled out a preference form based on your situation… which division you wanted to join. It felt like filling out college application forms.
Of course, if you failed the division entry test, the Gotei 13 wouldn't accept you.
'Sigh! Is it over already? Completely different from what I imagined,' Toshiro mused.
He thought he'd make a big splash during the graduation exams, but it passed uneventfully.
"Exams are over! Tear up the books!"
Suddenly, Toshiro heard someone shouting.
Turning, he saw several students tearing their Shin'o Academy's textbooks apart, throwing the shredded pieces into the air.
The torn pages fluttered down like snowflakes.
Seeing this, Toshiro recalled the crazy scene after the college entrance exams in his previous life, where students tore books to release years of accumulated stress.
"Hey! You lot! What are you doing?! Do you still want to graduate?!" A teacher shouted, running over to stop them.
"Damn! The teacher's here! Run!" The students tearing books scattered instantly.
"Heh..."
Seeing this, Toshiro couldn't help but laugh.
"Ara ara, brings back memories. I think this happened when I graduated too," A voice came from behind Toshiro.
Toshiro turned to see a pair of large breasts in his line of sight.
These voluptuous breasts... Without looking up, Toshiro knew who it was.
"Yo, isn't this Matsumoto? Long time no see," Toshiro said, surprised she was here.
"Long time no see, Toshiro," Rangiku greeted.
Indeed, Toshiro and Rangiku hadn't met in a long time.
After Rangiku took him and Momo for the Shin'o Academy's entrance exam, they only met once or twice when she had business at the academy.
"What's up, Matsumoto? Here on business again?" Toshiro asked.
"Mhm, I am. But it's about you," Rangiku said.
"About me? At this time, something about me... You mean joining a division?" Toshiro roughly understood her purpose.
"Yep. So, how about joining our 10th Division?" Rangiku asked with a smile.
"Oh? What benefits does joining the 10th Division offer?" Toshiro said casually, picking at his fingers.
Although Toshiro intended to join the 10th Division, he didn't mind teasing Rangiku a bit.
"The Captain said if you join the 10th Division, he can give you the 3rd Seat's position. How about it? That's right below the Captain and me," Rangiku persuaded.
"What's so special about that? As a 3rd Seat, I could get that in any division through a challenge if I wanted," Toshiro pretended indifference.
"But the benefits in the 10th Division are really good! If you're willing to join, there are special... services," Rangiku said seductively, biting her finger.
"Hmph! You think that'll make me yield?" Toshiro said, turning his head away, blushing slightly.
"Tch! Toshiro, I remember you borrowed money from me for your Zanpakuto scabbard, right? Time to pay up. You borrowed quite a lot back then. Oh, and prices in the Soul Society have risen, so you owe double now," Rangiku suddenly spoke seriously about money.
Hearing this, Toshiro's face fell. The scholarship money was spent on meals with Momo and the others. He was a poor student now.
"Good grief, between us, talking about money hurts feelings. Joining the 10th Division? Let's go check it out now," Toshiro quickly said with a smile.
"Hmph, since you're being reasonable, I'll let you off for now," Rangiku said triumphantly.
"Excuse me, are you Hitsugaya Toshiro-sama?" A middle-aged Shinigami in Shihakusho approached.
"That's me. What can I do for you?" Toshiro asked.
"Hello. I'm a member of the 1st Division. By order of the Captain-Commander, I'm here to invite you to serve as the Lieutenant of the 1st Division," The Shinigami replied.
"Lieutenant? What about Lieutenant Sasakibe?" Toshiro asked, puzzled.
The 1st Division Lieutenant was Sasakibe. Toshiro had often practiced swordsmanship with him over the past six months.