The captains didn't remain at Shin'ō Academy for the entire day. Although the festival continued into the afternoon, they had all planned to leave by midday.
Nobu stayed at Unohana's side the entire time, accompanying her all the way to the Academy's main gate to see the group off.
"Today really was something," said Kyōraku Shunsui, visibly pleased. "This kind of cultural festival is rare. Feels like it might become a yearly tradition. A little more fun for us each year."
"Tachikawa, you've made a fantastic start," Ukitake Jūshirō added, his tone more formal. "This event will go down in Academy history, with your name remembered alongside it."
"What a shame that Tachikawa-san's squad is already decided," Aizen added with a smile. "Otherwise, I might've tried to pull him into the Fifth Division."
"Captain Aizen," Unohana replied with a gentle smile, "are you saying his decision to join the Fourth is unfortunate?"
"You misunderstand!" Aizen immediately feigned a panicked expression, sweat beading on his brow.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Nobu offered a formal bow and said, "Please allow me to thank you all, on behalf of the faculty and students of Shin'ō Academy, for taking the time to attend. We hope you'll come back often—perhaps even every year."
With that, the captains and their vice-captains turned and took their leave.
Once they were gone, Nobu finally felt a twinge of hunger stir in his gut.
He returned briefly to the main stage area and found Hisagi Shūhei still there, directing the ongoing performances.
"Still at it?"
Shūhei turned and looked over. "The captains left already?"
"They did."
Shūhei sighed. "Lucky you. I'm dead on my feet."
"You think being stuck to those captains was easy?" Nobu shot back, rolling his eyes.
Shūhei thought it over and realized Nobu had a point—if it were him standing in front of that many captains, he probably would've cracked under the pressure.
Yeah... that really is something only Nobu can do.
Ever since the student council was founded, Nobu's status in the Academy had risen dramatically. Even their homeroom teacher, Nanada-sensei, couldn't manage the kind of access Nobu now had to captains.
Among the students, no one else had drawn the attention of the Thirteen Divisions this early.
"President!"
Hinamori Momo and Rukia came walking over, calling out to him—and trailing behind them was a silver-haired boy.
Nobu smiled. "Ah, it's you three. I saw your performance—it was great. Even the Eighth Division's captain was praising it."
Hinamori giggled. "President, don't forget what you promised us!"
She was referring to his earlier vow: that if they performed, he'd grant each of them one wish.
"I remember." Nobu chuckled, then turned to the silver-haired boy.
He was wearing a school uniform several sizes too big for him, looking quite comical—but the spiritual pressure emanating from him was no joke. Stronger, even, than many enrolled students. He just didn't know how to control it, so it leaked constantly.
"This your friend?"
"Yep!" Hinamori jumped to introduce them. "This is Hitsugaya Tōshirō. Tōshirō, this is our student council president, Tachikawa Nobu."
Hitsugaya studied Nobu—this calm, good-natured young man—and after a moment's hesitation, gave a small bow. "Hello. Thank you for helping today."
Nobu smiled back. "It was nothing. Momo was very insistent, that's all. Anyway, it's almost lunchtime. Why don't we all go eat?"
The five of them headed to the Academy dining hall together.
As they walked, Momo eagerly rattled off all the things Hitsugaya had to try—her favorite dishes, which ones he'd like, what snacks to avoid. Hitsugaya listened in silence.
After sitting down with their trays, Momo started again.
"President, you were with Captain Unohana all day. Does that mean you've definitely decided on the Fourth Division after graduation?"
"Probably," Nobu answered between bites.
"I heard the Fourth is really different from other squads," Momo went on. "They specialize in Kaidō, right? We haven't even started learning that yet."
"You will later. Kaidō is a deep and complex discipline, though the Academy's curriculum only covers the basics. They don't emphasize it nearly as much as other areas. If you're really interested, you'll need to put in effort on your own."
Momo nodded thoughtfully. "So your Kaidō must be amazing too, right, President?"
Nobu laughed. "Not really. I'm still pretty average. My Zanpakutō happens to be Kaidō-type, so I got recommended to the Fourth Division."
"I don't believe that," Momo pouted. "Everyone says you're top of the class in every subject."
"Who's been saying that? Everyone knows Seika's the top in Kaidō. Right, Shūhei?"
Shūhei, still halfway through his meal, mumbled, "Mm."
Hitsugaya sat quietly at the table, eating as he listened. The Academy food was pretty good—tasty, well-prepared, and with a lot of variety. He glanced at the bubbly Hinamori sitting beside him, then across the table at Nobu.
"President, what's it like being around the captains?" Momo asked, full of curiosity. "What are they like?"
"They're all wonderful," Nobu answered honestly. "Very different personalities, but you can feel their strength and their kindness."
"I could feel it too," Momo said, nodding seriously. "Their spiritual pressure is nothing like ours!"
"Do you think you'll be a third seat if you join the Fourth?" she asked brightly.
Nobu looked exasperated. "Where are you even hearing this stuff?"
"From Rukia!"
Startled, Rukia hurried to explain. "Sorry, President! It's because Vice-Captain Shiba said that thing the other day…"
"It's not as simple as you all think," Nobu said with a sigh. "I'm still just a student. If I graduate smoothly, I'll be starting as a regular squad member like everyone else. A seated position isn't just an honor—it comes with real responsibility."
"Well said!" Momo beamed. "But I still believe you'll rise quickly even if you start at the bottom."
Nobu just smiled and glanced at Hitsugaya, who was still quietly eating.
"Hitsugaya, right? Do you want to attend the Academy?"
Hearing his name suddenly called, Hitsugaya froze for a second. The others all turned to look at him.
"Momo really hopes you'll come," Nobu added. "Becoming a Shinigami is an incredible honor."
In Soul Society, there really was no greater profession than that of a Shinigami.
Hinamori's eyes lit up with surprise and excitement—she hadn't expected Nobu to speak up on her behalf.
Hitsugaya put down his chopsticks, face hesitant.
After a long pause, he said, "My grandmother's still at home… I need to take care of her…"
"Forgive me for speaking bluntly," Nobu said, cutting in gently. "You might not realize it, but I can sense the spiritual pressure inside you—it's very strong. That kind of reiatsu doesn't appear in ordinary souls. You have immense talent."
"But here's the thing—you don't know how to control it yet. And for people around you who don't have spiritual power… that's dangerous."
Hitsugaya blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Your spiritual pressure is constantly leaking out. Normal people can't withstand that for long. If your grandmother doesn't have any spiritual strength…"
Nobu's voice lowered.
"…you could end up killing her."