Shin'o Academy.
Renji glanced back at the academy's main gate, somewhat displeased. "That Toshiro guy, good grief. Said he'd treat us to celebrate our graduation. Why isn't he here yet? He's not trying to back out, is he?"
Momo gave Renji an unhappy glare, then pouted. "Hitsugaya must have been delayed by something. He's very busy, after all. The 10th Division's Captain and Lieutenant, Rangiku-san, aren't reliable. I hear he handles all the division's work."
Tap, tap, tap...
Just then, footsteps approached.
"Sorry, Momo, Izuru, Renji. I'm late."
Toshiro had rushed over at full speed after escaping Zaraki.
Toshiro explained to the group, "I was planning to come early, but unexpectedly ran into some Hollows, quite a few of them. Although it didn't take much effort to deal with them, I then ran into that Kenpachi guy, who insisted on fighting me."
Momo worriedly asked, "You ran into Hollows? Are you alright, Hitsugaya?"
Before Toshiro could answer, Renji cut in, "Tch, instead of worrying about this monster Toshiro, you should pity the Hollows. Running into Toshiro by such bad luck… they'd definitely get frozen solid first, then shattered into bits. What a miserable way to die!"
"Renji! Toshiro is not a monster! He's just... a bit strong, that's all."
Momo glared 'fiercely' at Renji.
"Yeah, yeah, just 'a bit', 'that's all'," Renji said dismissively.
If Toshiro was only 'a bit' strong, then Soul Society had no strong people left.
Toshiro glanced at the three, hesitating slightly as he asked, "Rukia still hasn't come?"
Hearing this, Renji's body stiffened. His voice was somewhat low. "Yeah. Haven't seen her since the exams finished."
"Well, don't worry. Someday, Rukia will make up with you."
Toshiro patted Renji's shoulder in comfort.
"Tch, do you think I need your comfort? I'm not that fragile."
Renji brushed Toshiro's hand away.
Toshiro nodded. "In that case, let's go, everyone."
Rukongai, 1st District, a rather well-decorated tavern.
To celebrate their graduation, Toshiro didn't choose an ordinary place like before but specifically picked a luxurious tavern.
Toshiro and the others chose a private room on the second floor by the window.
Renji picked up the menu, ordering dish after dish. Then he said smugly to Toshiro, "You rarely pick a high-class place. I'd be letting down your kindness if I didn't eat you poor this time."
"Tch, eat to your heart's content. If you manage to eat me poor, you win."
Toshiro said disdainfully.
Then he said to the tavern owner standing nearby, "Owner, two more bottles of good sake."
The tavern owner said respectfully, "Yes, Sir Hitsugaya. One moment, please."
Toshiro had eaten here before while patrolling this area. The food was excellent, which is why he chose it today.
The tavern owner knew Toshiro's identity, so he didn't dare be negligent. Soon, the food and drinks were all served.
"Come on, to celebrate your graduation. Cheers!"
Toshiro raised his cup.
"Cheers!"
Everyone said in unison.
Then they all drank in one go.
"Cough, cough..."
Momo drank a bit too quickly and choked a little.
Actually, they rarely drank, being quite young.
Aside from Renji drinking to drown his sorrows last time, Toshiro hadn't seen the others drink either.
But today was Momo, Kira, and Renji's graduation day. Not drinking a little felt like something was missing.
Toshiro put down his cup. "By the way, Renji, Izuru, have you decided which division you want to join?"
Kira said somewhat hesitantly, "Actually, any division is fine. I haven't decided yet. Anyway, we have to wait a few days for the results before filling out preferences. I'll think about it some more."
Renji said with a determined expression, "I want to go to the 6th Division to fulfill my vow. But I'm not planning to go right now. I want to improve my strength first. When I appear before Kuchiki Byakuya again, I'll definitely make him astonished."
"In that case, you should go to the 11th Division first. It's full of battle maniacs. If you want to improve your strength, it's the most suitable place for you. Next time, I'll mention it to Kenpachi, have them 'take good care' of you."
Toshiro emphasized the words 'take good care'.
At this point, Momo said somewhat unhappily, "Hey, Hitsugaya, you haven't asked which division I want to join yet."
"You don't even need to say. Of course, you're coming to the 10th Division to be with me."
Toshiro said as if it were obvious.
Toshiro certainly couldn't let Momo go to the 5th Division to be with that guy Aizen.
It wasn't that Toshiro was afraid Momo would change her affections or that he'd be cuckolded or anything.
In the Anime, many people disliked or even hated Momo's character.
Because throughout the plot, Momo acted like a brainwashed fanatic.
Others wouldn't turn back until they hit a wall. Momo would keep believing in Aizen even after hitting the wall head-on and bleeding.
Once Momo believed in something, she would never turn back, stubborn to a terrifying degree.
But the current situation was different. Toshiro and Momo's relationship was very good. Although Momo's personality hadn't changed and she was still a fanatic, she was now Toshiro's fanatic.
Even if Toshiro were to launch a rebellion against Soul Society now, Momo would follow him into battle.
So Toshiro wasn't worried Momo would change her heart. But being near Aizen was too dangerous. As for the Lieutenant position, it wouldn't be too late for her to become the 5th Division's Lieutenant after Aizen betrayed Soul Society.
Although Momo voiced some dissatisfaction, she didn't refuse Toshiro's request. Instead, she seemed somewhat secretly pleased.
Toshiro put an arm around Momo's shoulder, saying seriously, "Momo, long-distance relationships aren't good. Although the Gotei 13's Divisions are close, we'd only have chances to meet during free time. If you come to the 10th Division, we can be together every day. What's bad about that?"
Momo blushed. "Alright..."
Watching Toshiro and Momo hug and talk intimately, Renji and Kira immediately felt sour. They even felt full before even eating.
Seeing Toshiro and Momo continue their intimate conversation, completely ignoring everyone else with no sign of stopping, Kira quickly raised his cup. "Come on, Toshiro, let's have another toast."
Hearing this, Toshiro somewhat reluctantly let go of Momo and raised his cup.
Just as Toshiro was about to raise his cup and drink in one go, his movement suddenly stopped. He turned to look outside the open door of the private room.
'This Reiatsu...?'