The day before the cultural festival, Nobu was summoned to the headmaster's office.
"These are the captains scheduled to attend tomorrow. Make sure to have someone greet them," Shakubō Kyōsō said, handing over a document listing names.
Nobu took one look and raised an eyebrow. On the list were the captains of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Divisions.
"That's quite a crowd," he remarked, thinking to himself that Shiba Kaien really did have some serious pull.
"With so many high-ranking visitors, we can't afford any slip-ups," Shakubō cautioned.
Aside from the captains, many other Shinigami from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would be attending as well—it was sure to be a lively day.
"Headmaster, you're really handing this responsibility to me? Wouldn't it be better for the instructors to handle something this important?"
Shakubō waved off the concern. "Teachers are here to teach. I think it's good for the students to take on a little more responsibility."
Nobu gave a resigned smile. The student council didn't have many members to begin with, and tomorrow was going to be their busiest day. Assigning more people to handle reception would stretch them even thinner.
He thought for a moment, then handed the document back.
Shakubō looked at him, puzzled.
"It's not that I'm unwilling," Nobu explained. "It's just that the student council is short on manpower. Everyone has assignments to keep the festival running smoothly—there's really no one to spare."
Shakubō frowned slightly.
Nobu added, "Besides, Headmaster, I don't think those captains actually need someone to greet them. They're here to enjoy the festival, aren't they? If we treat it like some kind of inspection tour, it might just ruin the fun. And this is their alma mater. They probably know their way around better than we do."
Shakubō blinked.
"What do you think, sir?"
The headmaster gave the matter some serious thought. In truth, if the student council didn't have the manpower, he could step in himself or send senior staff to welcome the captains. But what Nobu had said gave him pause.
The captains were attending to show support for the cultural festival. Most of them were Shin'ō Academy alumni—some, like the captains of the Eighth and Thirteenth, had been around even longer than Shakubō himself.
He'd only been so formal because captains were such towering figures in Soul Society.
Looking at Nobu with renewed thoughtfulness, Shakubō finally nodded. "You may have a point. Still, we can't just ignore them. Here's what we'll do: tomorrow, you go greet them personally. If they're really just here to enjoy themselves, that's fine. But if not, it'll be your job to make sure they're properly received."
With that, Nobu could only nod and accept the task.
---
The Next Morning – Shin'ō Academy's Front Gate
The sky was brilliantly blue, the air filled with the soft scent of sakura petals drifting like clouds through the wind.
Nobu stood alone at the main gate, watching Soul Reapers stream in from the outside. Bored, he occasionally looked up at the sky.
Rukia wasn't with him today—she had rehearsal for her performance.
At last, movement caught his eye at the edge of his vision. A group approached, the gleaming white haori of captains unmistakable in the crowd—and several of them, no less.
Nobu immediately straightened, shedding his lazy air. As they drew closer, he jogged up to meet them.
"On behalf of Shin'ō Academy and the student council, welcome, captains."
Just as the headmaster's list had indicated, the arrivals included:
Unohana Retsu, Captain of the Fourth Division
Aizen Sōsuke, Captain of the Fifth Division
Kuchiki Ginrei, Captain of the Sixth Division
Kyōraku Shunsui, Captain of the Eighth Division
Shiba Isshin, Captain of the Tenth Division
Ukitake Jūshirō, Captain of the Thirteenth Division
Accompanying them were several vice-captains, including those of the Sixth Division.
Some Nobu had met before. Others he hadn't—but all of them were familiar.
"We meet again, Tachikawa-kun," Aizen said with a genial smile.
Isshin looked around. "Just you?"
He glanced left and right, surprised that only one person had come to greet them.
Nobu maintained a respectful tone. "Headmaster Shakubō informed us that today is a cultural celebration. You've come to enjoy the festival, not to oversee it. He felt a formal reception might be unnecessary—and potentially disruptive. After all, this is your alma mater. You hardly need a guide."
Isshin raised an eyebrow. Compared to the other captains, his seniority was relatively recent, so he was familiar with Shakubō.
That doesn't sound like the headmaster I know…
"Well said," a calm voice chimed in.
The silver-haired man beside him, handsome and composed, was Ukitake Jūshirō, Captain of the Thirteenth Division and Kaien's direct superior. Among all current captains, he and Kyōraku Shunsui were the most senior.
Even Ginrei Kuchiki—white-haired and regal—called Ukitake "senpai."
Kyōraku, the Eighth Division's captain, stood out with his flamboyant style. Over his white haori, he wore a pink flowered kimono that resembled women's clothing. With his sun-tanned face, tied-back brown hair, and short beard, he had a more weathered, rakish appearance compared to Ukitake's clean-cut charm.
"So you're the student council president, hmm?" he said lazily, eyes resting on Nobu. "Quite the sharp-looking young man."
"Thank you, Captain Kyōraku," Nobu replied with a polite nod.
Kyōraku grinned. "Word around Seireitei is that multiple squads are fighting over you."
Nobu blinked in feigned confusion. "Is that so?"
Behind Isshin, Matsumoto Rangiku rolled her eyes at his performance.
And beside Ukitake, Shiba Kaien didn't bother to hide it: "Don't be fooled by that innocent face. This kid's shrewder than he looks. Turned down a third seat offer like it was nothing."
That got a reaction. Several people glanced over, surprised.
Kotetsu Isane suddenly remembered the time Nobu had asked her what seat he'd hold in the Fourth Division. She'd assumed he didn't understand how things worked…
So that's what he meant.
Internally, Nobu groaned. He hadn't expected Kaien to air that story out loud. Was he still salty about Nobu turning down the Tenth Division?
"Vice-Captain Shiba exaggerates," Nobu said quickly. "I'd never dare look down on a third seat appointment."
"Really?" Isshin said, still smiling. "Didn't you dodge both Rangiku and Kaien when they tried to recruit you?"
Under the collective gaze of several captains and vice-captains, Nobu felt the pressure mounting.
He was about to steer the conversation elsewhere when a soft, serene voice cut in.
"Then perhaps it simply means his heart lies with another division. If so, why pressure him?"
Nobu turned—and found himself face to face with a woman whose beauty was both gentle and arresting.